An evaluation of the relationship between payment of rates and service charges and the capacity of the municipality to deliver services with reference to Mnquma local municipality
- Authors: Zondani, Nosiphiwo V
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Municipal services -- South Africa -- Mnquma Municipality , Electric utilities -- South Africa -- Finance , Water utilities -- South Africa -- Finance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8164 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/862 , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Mnquma Municipality , Electric utilities -- South Africa -- Finance , Water utilities -- South Africa -- Finance
- Description: Various allegations have been levelled against certain local authorities in South Africa. These allegations include poor governance, maladministration, corruption and poor service delivery. Some of the South African municipalities are unable to deliver sufficient services to the people due to financial instability. On the other side the fact that the municipalities have to generate their own revenue is no longer sufficient. However, government, both national and provincial has to support the municipalities in terms of their capacity to provide services. While government has to provide services to the people to ensure their welfare, people from local communities should also support the continuous provision of `these services by paying for municipal rates and services. These may include services such as water, refuse removal and electricity as well as property taxes. The main issue is that these services are not readily available, for instance water has to be purified. The situation at Mnquma Local Municipality as indicated in the financial and other reports is such that there is a very slow payment of rates and services, which leads to the municipality relying mostly on government grants, and this puts a heavy strain on service delivery by the municipality. Seemingly, it has been long that rates and services have not been paid in Butterworth-even before the restructuring of the municipality (i.e. before the Mnquma Municipality came into being). However, if alternatives could be found to enhance regular payment of rates and services the municipality might improve in terms of its capacity to deliver services.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Zondani, Nosiphiwo V
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Municipal services -- South Africa -- Mnquma Municipality , Electric utilities -- South Africa -- Finance , Water utilities -- South Africa -- Finance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8164 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/862 , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Mnquma Municipality , Electric utilities -- South Africa -- Finance , Water utilities -- South Africa -- Finance
- Description: Various allegations have been levelled against certain local authorities in South Africa. These allegations include poor governance, maladministration, corruption and poor service delivery. Some of the South African municipalities are unable to deliver sufficient services to the people due to financial instability. On the other side the fact that the municipalities have to generate their own revenue is no longer sufficient. However, government, both national and provincial has to support the municipalities in terms of their capacity to provide services. While government has to provide services to the people to ensure their welfare, people from local communities should also support the continuous provision of `these services by paying for municipal rates and services. These may include services such as water, refuse removal and electricity as well as property taxes. The main issue is that these services are not readily available, for instance water has to be purified. The situation at Mnquma Local Municipality as indicated in the financial and other reports is such that there is a very slow payment of rates and services, which leads to the municipality relying mostly on government grants, and this puts a heavy strain on service delivery by the municipality. Seemingly, it has been long that rates and services have not been paid in Butterworth-even before the restructuring of the municipality (i.e. before the Mnquma Municipality came into being). However, if alternatives could be found to enhance regular payment of rates and services the municipality might improve in terms of its capacity to deliver services.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
An evaluation of the role of local economic development in promoting infrastructural development: a case study King Sabata Dalindyebo local municipality
- Authors: Mbontsi, Nandipha Siphokazi
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Infrastructure (Economics) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Case studies , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Dev)
- Identifier: vital:11416 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/295 , Infrastructure (Economics) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Case studies , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study examines Local Economic Development intervention strategies in relation to promoting infrastructural development with specific reference to roads as one of the vital interventions for alleviating poverty in the KSD Municipality. The study sought to evaluate the impact of the deteriorated condition of roads on the growth of economic activity and community development, the understanding of LED by both the Council and the officials, and also to evaluate LED approach on infrastructural development for poverty alleviation. The study reveals that the municipality does not understand the concept of LED as a result this has caused blockages and impediments in terms of implementing the program in the municipality. Though there are some successes achieved through the construction of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Stadium, there are key constraints related to shortages of funds, staff, skills and resources. The study has established that LED is not living up to expectations in the area, there seems to be confusion regarding its definition and application. Furthermore, there is a confusion regarding the purpose of LED whether it is purely about poverty alleviation or whether LED it is about encouraging economic growth. Ideally it should be about the combination of the two. LED clearly has a critical role to play in terms of considerations of poverty alleviation in terms of addressing development backlogs and promoting sustainable economic growth. In order to achieve this, there is a need to establish a permanent LED facilitation and support unit. The need to identify key intervention strategies, for example, the Expanded xii Public Works Program which aims at identifying labor-intensive and community construction methods. In order to achieve this the study details a number of key recommendations which are mentioned below: The need to properly define LED and its goals, also to align LED with business and market realities. There should be adequate and appropriate training of officials, adequate funding and ensuring accountability. Active encouragement of local leaders, local level forums and partnerships and close co-operation with beneficiaries should be encouraged. It is also vital to establish LED units and development agencies at local level to drive LED process. It is also important for the municipality to encourage economically viable projects which meet poverty and growth requirements and which can also encourage SMME development
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Mbontsi, Nandipha Siphokazi
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Infrastructure (Economics) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Case studies , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Dev)
- Identifier: vital:11416 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/295 , Infrastructure (Economics) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Case studies , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study examines Local Economic Development intervention strategies in relation to promoting infrastructural development with specific reference to roads as one of the vital interventions for alleviating poverty in the KSD Municipality. The study sought to evaluate the impact of the deteriorated condition of roads on the growth of economic activity and community development, the understanding of LED by both the Council and the officials, and also to evaluate LED approach on infrastructural development for poverty alleviation. The study reveals that the municipality does not understand the concept of LED as a result this has caused blockages and impediments in terms of implementing the program in the municipality. Though there are some successes achieved through the construction of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Stadium, there are key constraints related to shortages of funds, staff, skills and resources. The study has established that LED is not living up to expectations in the area, there seems to be confusion regarding its definition and application. Furthermore, there is a confusion regarding the purpose of LED whether it is purely about poverty alleviation or whether LED it is about encouraging economic growth. Ideally it should be about the combination of the two. LED clearly has a critical role to play in terms of considerations of poverty alleviation in terms of addressing development backlogs and promoting sustainable economic growth. In order to achieve this, there is a need to establish a permanent LED facilitation and support unit. The need to identify key intervention strategies, for example, the Expanded xii Public Works Program which aims at identifying labor-intensive and community construction methods. In order to achieve this the study details a number of key recommendations which are mentioned below: The need to properly define LED and its goals, also to align LED with business and market realities. There should be adequate and appropriate training of officials, adequate funding and ensuring accountability. Active encouragement of local leaders, local level forums and partnerships and close co-operation with beneficiaries should be encouraged. It is also vital to establish LED units and development agencies at local level to drive LED process. It is also important for the municipality to encourage economically viable projects which meet poverty and growth requirements and which can also encourage SMME development
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
An evaluation of the South African Department of Defence's policy on Defence Industrial Participation (DIP) as a defence industrial development mechanism
- Authors: Van Dyk, Johannes Jacobus
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: South Africa. Dept. of Defence , Defense industries -- South Africa , South Africa -- Defenses , South Africa -- Military policy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9083 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1067 , South Africa. Dept. of Defence , Defense industries -- South Africa , South Africa -- Defenses , South Africa -- Military policy
- Description: This dissertation focuses on the local defence-related industry as a beneficiary under the Department of Defence’s defence industrial participation (DIP) programme, managed by Armscor. Attention is given to the main construct of the development theory and how the DIP process in South Africa compares with the international reciprocal trade phenomena commonly referred to as ‘countertrade’. The author does an in-depth analysis of the Government’s policy regarding the defence-related industry (DRI) that forms part of the local defence industrial base (DIB), as well as the DIP policy, procedures and practices and their subsequent bearing on the local defence industry. The study is further substantiated with a comprehensive review of the consequences and outcomes resulting from the largest defence package deal (SDP), signed in December 1999, between the Department of Defence and several major foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and subsequently benchmarked against academic discourse on the subjects of international countertrade and development theories.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Van Dyk, Johannes Jacobus
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: South Africa. Dept. of Defence , Defense industries -- South Africa , South Africa -- Defenses , South Africa -- Military policy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9083 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1067 , South Africa. Dept. of Defence , Defense industries -- South Africa , South Africa -- Defenses , South Africa -- Military policy
- Description: This dissertation focuses on the local defence-related industry as a beneficiary under the Department of Defence’s defence industrial participation (DIP) programme, managed by Armscor. Attention is given to the main construct of the development theory and how the DIP process in South Africa compares with the international reciprocal trade phenomena commonly referred to as ‘countertrade’. The author does an in-depth analysis of the Government’s policy regarding the defence-related industry (DRI) that forms part of the local defence industrial base (DIB), as well as the DIP policy, procedures and practices and their subsequent bearing on the local defence industry. The study is further substantiated with a comprehensive review of the consequences and outcomes resulting from the largest defence package deal (SDP), signed in December 1999, between the Department of Defence and several major foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and subsequently benchmarked against academic discourse on the subjects of international countertrade and development theories.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
An exploration of mathematical concepts embedded in Xhosa beadwork artifacts through an invention programme for Grade 9 learners
- Authors: Myemane, Dumakazi Margaret
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- Psychological aspects Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- Social aspects -- South Africa Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa Xhosa (African people) Ethnomathematics Beadwork -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Beadwork, Xhosa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1950 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008201
- Description: Mathematics has become increasingly important, as it is a pre-requisite for careers like architecture, science, engineering and medicine. Therefore it becomes imperative for the learners to understand and love it. In other words a sound foundation of mathematical skills and knowledge in the early stages is required. Often we hear learners asking questions like "when and where are we going to use these symbols x and y in our lives? " These questions might indicate that learners cannot link mathematics with daily life occurrences or even their own background experiences. This study is an exploration through hands-on activities of mathematical concepts embedded in beadwork artifacts. Learners' background experiences on bead work artifacts are acknowledged and explored for mathematical understanding. It is a case study, consisting of 44 learners in Grade 9 in two schools in Grahamstown. An interpretive approach is used. In order for the learners to be able to explore beadwork artifacts, they visited the Albany Museum (AM) and Msithandane Women's Project (MWP) in the community. Learners gathered information from these two sources. Beadwork artifacts in this study were used as a mediation and integration tool between culture and mathematics. Beadwork artifacts are found in the learners' cultures serving different purposes. In this study the focus was on Xhosa bead work artifacts. The hands-on activities posed challenges to learners because of their different background experiences. Some were able to draw designs but were unable to thread what they designed, whereas others were able to thread beads but were unable to draw designs. In this study learners had to use both completed bead work artifacts and drawn up designs for the investigation of mathematical concepts. Learners were able to identify symmetries in dress and in South African flag designs. Number patterns discovered were linked to their prior number pattern knowledge. The economic value of beadwork artifacts linked mathematics to the economics learning area. This study ties up with the new curriculum (C2005) and RNCS, which advocate the inclusion and integration of learning areas. In this instance, art and culture were used in mathematical activities. The study also encouraged the inclusion of participants' cultural background as a starting point for motivating them towards utilizing mathematical resources existing in their real life situations. The purpose was to make them aware that mathematics is found everywhere around us.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Myemane, Dumakazi Margaret
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- Psychological aspects Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- Social aspects -- South Africa Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa Xhosa (African people) Ethnomathematics Beadwork -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Beadwork, Xhosa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1950 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008201
- Description: Mathematics has become increasingly important, as it is a pre-requisite for careers like architecture, science, engineering and medicine. Therefore it becomes imperative for the learners to understand and love it. In other words a sound foundation of mathematical skills and knowledge in the early stages is required. Often we hear learners asking questions like "when and where are we going to use these symbols x and y in our lives? " These questions might indicate that learners cannot link mathematics with daily life occurrences or even their own background experiences. This study is an exploration through hands-on activities of mathematical concepts embedded in beadwork artifacts. Learners' background experiences on bead work artifacts are acknowledged and explored for mathematical understanding. It is a case study, consisting of 44 learners in Grade 9 in two schools in Grahamstown. An interpretive approach is used. In order for the learners to be able to explore beadwork artifacts, they visited the Albany Museum (AM) and Msithandane Women's Project (MWP) in the community. Learners gathered information from these two sources. Beadwork artifacts in this study were used as a mediation and integration tool between culture and mathematics. Beadwork artifacts are found in the learners' cultures serving different purposes. In this study the focus was on Xhosa bead work artifacts. The hands-on activities posed challenges to learners because of their different background experiences. Some were able to draw designs but were unable to thread what they designed, whereas others were able to thread beads but were unable to draw designs. In this study learners had to use both completed bead work artifacts and drawn up designs for the investigation of mathematical concepts. Learners were able to identify symmetries in dress and in South African flag designs. Number patterns discovered were linked to their prior number pattern knowledge. The economic value of beadwork artifacts linked mathematics to the economics learning area. This study ties up with the new curriculum (C2005) and RNCS, which advocate the inclusion and integration of learning areas. In this instance, art and culture were used in mathematical activities. The study also encouraged the inclusion of participants' cultural background as a starting point for motivating them towards utilizing mathematical resources existing in their real life situations. The purpose was to make them aware that mathematics is found everywhere around us.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
An exploration of transformation at an institution of higher education using Anstey's conceptual framework
- Authors: Wannenburg, Iona
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Universities and colleges -- Mergers -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Educational change -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Transformative learning -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Higher education and state -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9423 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/865 , Universities and colleges -- Mergers -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Educational change -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Transformative learning -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Higher education and state -- South Africa
- Description: In this study an exploration was conducted of change and transformation at an institution of higher education in South Africa using Anstey’s conceptual framework. This framework incorporated the work of major change theorists as well as the balanced scorecard of Kaplan and Norton. A quantitative and exploratory approach was used. The research question for this study was formulated as follows: How successful was the organizational transformation process at the newly established university in the period 2003 – 2007? The first objective of the study was to describe the organizational transformation process as it unfolded at the newly established university. The second objective was to evaluate the success of the organizational transformation process by using Anstey’s conceptual framework. Eight factors were identified in Anstey’s framework according to which the success of the merger was analyzed. These factors were: constructive unease; harnessed urgency; clear purpose; challenging vision with clear measurable objectives; champions at all levels; culture and community; competitive competencies; coherent strategy, and communication and consultation. A computerized survey tool was utilized to design a structured questionnaire with both fixed response and open-ended questions. Some 13 percent of the employees responded to the questionnaire. The internal consistency of the scores derived from the instrument was confirmed using Cronbach’s alpha. Descriptive statistics revealed that 62.5 percent of factor scores were neutral and 37.5 percent negative with regard to staffs’ perceptions of the merger. Inferential statistics disclosed that academic staff viewed the merger more negatively on factor 3 challenging vision with clear measurable objectives than their administrative colleagues. The total success of the merger can be summarized by the following statement of one of the participants ‘If the NMMU merger is compared to other mergers in Higher Education in South Africa then it is clear that, from a systems and procedural perspective, it was managed satisfactory. Unfortunately the ‘people’ dimension of the merger did not feature as a priority and many staff members were alienated as a result of this.’ The limitation of the study was the small sample size. This study was also contextual in nature, meaning that it focused on the transformation process as it unfolded at a specific university in South African between the years 2003 – 2007. No results generated in this study can be generalized as they only presented a shot-in-time reflecting the transformation process at a particular organization at a particular period in time. This study also confirmed the usefulness of Anstey’s conceptual framework in assessing transformation at an institution of higher education.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Wannenburg, Iona
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Universities and colleges -- Mergers -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Educational change -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Transformative learning -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Higher education and state -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9423 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/865 , Universities and colleges -- Mergers -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Educational change -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Transformative learning -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Higher education and state -- South Africa
- Description: In this study an exploration was conducted of change and transformation at an institution of higher education in South Africa using Anstey’s conceptual framework. This framework incorporated the work of major change theorists as well as the balanced scorecard of Kaplan and Norton. A quantitative and exploratory approach was used. The research question for this study was formulated as follows: How successful was the organizational transformation process at the newly established university in the period 2003 – 2007? The first objective of the study was to describe the organizational transformation process as it unfolded at the newly established university. The second objective was to evaluate the success of the organizational transformation process by using Anstey’s conceptual framework. Eight factors were identified in Anstey’s framework according to which the success of the merger was analyzed. These factors were: constructive unease; harnessed urgency; clear purpose; challenging vision with clear measurable objectives; champions at all levels; culture and community; competitive competencies; coherent strategy, and communication and consultation. A computerized survey tool was utilized to design a structured questionnaire with both fixed response and open-ended questions. Some 13 percent of the employees responded to the questionnaire. The internal consistency of the scores derived from the instrument was confirmed using Cronbach’s alpha. Descriptive statistics revealed that 62.5 percent of factor scores were neutral and 37.5 percent negative with regard to staffs’ perceptions of the merger. Inferential statistics disclosed that academic staff viewed the merger more negatively on factor 3 challenging vision with clear measurable objectives than their administrative colleagues. The total success of the merger can be summarized by the following statement of one of the participants ‘If the NMMU merger is compared to other mergers in Higher Education in South Africa then it is clear that, from a systems and procedural perspective, it was managed satisfactory. Unfortunately the ‘people’ dimension of the merger did not feature as a priority and many staff members were alienated as a result of this.’ The limitation of the study was the small sample size. This study was also contextual in nature, meaning that it focused on the transformation process as it unfolded at a specific university in South African between the years 2003 – 2007. No results generated in this study can be generalized as they only presented a shot-in-time reflecting the transformation process at a particular organization at a particular period in time. This study also confirmed the usefulness of Anstey’s conceptual framework in assessing transformation at an institution of higher education.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
An exploratory study of an environmental conflict : the case of Thyspunt, Oyster Bay in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Potts, Glynn Shirley
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Nuclear power plants -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Oyster Bay , Human beings -- Effect of environment on -- South Africa -- Oyster Bay , Environmental economics -- South Africa -- Oyster Bay
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8228 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/861 , Nuclear power plants -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Oyster Bay , Human beings -- Effect of environment on -- South Africa -- Oyster Bay , Environmental economics -- South Africa -- Oyster Bay
- Description: As the global energy crisis continues to have an impact on developing countries such as South Africa, stakeholders form an increasingly significant role especially around the concerns of development and the impact on the environment. Environmental conflicts have risen to the forefront in many areas in South Africa. Environmental conflicts fall under public disputes, which often occur as a result of human needs. This study is an attempt to explore the environmental conflict surrounding the proposed Nuclear Power station at Thyspunt, Oyster Bay in the Eastern Cape. Stakeholders are an integral part of environmental conflicts, and analyzing interests of stakeholders is vital in understanding environmental conflicts. This explorative study, seeks explore and to describe the interests of homeowners who are one of the key stakeholders involved the environmental conflict at Thyspunt, Oyster Bay in the Eastern Cape. The homeowners are represented by the St Francis Residents/ Ratepayers Association. The researcher conducted extensive face-face interviews with these homeowners. The organizations official documents, minutes of their meetings, letters to the media and various publications in which homeowners expressed their feelings were also made use of by the researcher in order to triangulate findings, as well as for data collection methods. The major themes were constructed from the study include: Security, Trust, Power and the various sources thereof, as well as a need for self-actualization based on values, and a final theme of the positive functions of conflict. The challenges facing the homeowners in terms of human security and environmental impact of the nuclear development are highlighted. Further recommendations for a more in-depth study are also made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Potts, Glynn Shirley
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Nuclear power plants -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Oyster Bay , Human beings -- Effect of environment on -- South Africa -- Oyster Bay , Environmental economics -- South Africa -- Oyster Bay
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8228 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/861 , Nuclear power plants -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Oyster Bay , Human beings -- Effect of environment on -- South Africa -- Oyster Bay , Environmental economics -- South Africa -- Oyster Bay
- Description: As the global energy crisis continues to have an impact on developing countries such as South Africa, stakeholders form an increasingly significant role especially around the concerns of development and the impact on the environment. Environmental conflicts have risen to the forefront in many areas in South Africa. Environmental conflicts fall under public disputes, which often occur as a result of human needs. This study is an attempt to explore the environmental conflict surrounding the proposed Nuclear Power station at Thyspunt, Oyster Bay in the Eastern Cape. Stakeholders are an integral part of environmental conflicts, and analyzing interests of stakeholders is vital in understanding environmental conflicts. This explorative study, seeks explore and to describe the interests of homeowners who are one of the key stakeholders involved the environmental conflict at Thyspunt, Oyster Bay in the Eastern Cape. The homeowners are represented by the St Francis Residents/ Ratepayers Association. The researcher conducted extensive face-face interviews with these homeowners. The organizations official documents, minutes of their meetings, letters to the media and various publications in which homeowners expressed their feelings were also made use of by the researcher in order to triangulate findings, as well as for data collection methods. The major themes were constructed from the study include: Security, Trust, Power and the various sources thereof, as well as a need for self-actualization based on values, and a final theme of the positive functions of conflict. The challenges facing the homeowners in terms of human security and environmental impact of the nuclear development are highlighted. Further recommendations for a more in-depth study are also made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
An exploratory study of Rhodes students' attitudes and perceptions towards HIV/Aids
- Authors: Weston, Robyn
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Rhodes University -- Students Rhodes University -- Students -- Attitudes Counseling in higher education AIDS (Disease) -- Prevention -- South Africa HIV infections -- South Africa AIDS (Disease) -- Study and teaching -- South Africa HIV infections -- Study and teaching -- South Africa HIV infections -- Diagnosis -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3095 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003294
- Description: The present study explores Rhodes students' perceptions and attitudes towards HIV/Aids issues. This study focuses on risk behaviour, stigmatisation, social perceptions and voluntary counselling and HIV testing (VCT). There is a lack of research on student attitudes, knowledge and behaviour at Rhodes University. It was therefore deemed pertinent to research this topic in that context. It was envisaged that the study would provide insights to be used in the formulation of improved strategies for HIV/Aids programs and education, ultimately impacting on the exponential increase of the pandemic in the Southern African region. A sample of six hundred and seventy five Rhodes University undergraduates completed a survey and its findings were interpreted in terms of relevant literature. A mixed methods approach using qualitative and quantitative methods was used. A focus group consisting of seven post-graduate students informed the development of the survey along with relevant literature. Four departments from the faculties of Commerce, Humanities, Science and Law were randomly sampled for the survey phase. Statistica was used to calculate descriptive statistics while the chi-square statistic was applied to examine the relationships between the variables. The findings show that the majority of students have high intention levels in planning to use preventative behaviour. However, in practise, this may not be the case. Many students feel that they belong to high or medium risk groups, as opposed to the low-risk groups. In terms of motivation levels, only sixty three percent of students are highly motivated to protect themselves from HIV/Aids and one third of respondents felt that they could not ask their partner to accompany them for an HIV/Aids test. In addition, students who had received VCT were more likely to be positive about the counselling process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Weston, Robyn
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Rhodes University -- Students Rhodes University -- Students -- Attitudes Counseling in higher education AIDS (Disease) -- Prevention -- South Africa HIV infections -- South Africa AIDS (Disease) -- Study and teaching -- South Africa HIV infections -- Study and teaching -- South Africa HIV infections -- Diagnosis -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3095 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003294
- Description: The present study explores Rhodes students' perceptions and attitudes towards HIV/Aids issues. This study focuses on risk behaviour, stigmatisation, social perceptions and voluntary counselling and HIV testing (VCT). There is a lack of research on student attitudes, knowledge and behaviour at Rhodes University. It was therefore deemed pertinent to research this topic in that context. It was envisaged that the study would provide insights to be used in the formulation of improved strategies for HIV/Aids programs and education, ultimately impacting on the exponential increase of the pandemic in the Southern African region. A sample of six hundred and seventy five Rhodes University undergraduates completed a survey and its findings were interpreted in terms of relevant literature. A mixed methods approach using qualitative and quantitative methods was used. A focus group consisting of seven post-graduate students informed the development of the survey along with relevant literature. Four departments from the faculties of Commerce, Humanities, Science and Law were randomly sampled for the survey phase. Statistica was used to calculate descriptive statistics while the chi-square statistic was applied to examine the relationships between the variables. The findings show that the majority of students have high intention levels in planning to use preventative behaviour. However, in practise, this may not be the case. Many students feel that they belong to high or medium risk groups, as opposed to the low-risk groups. In terms of motivation levels, only sixty three percent of students are highly motivated to protect themselves from HIV/Aids and one third of respondents felt that they could not ask their partner to accompany them for an HIV/Aids test. In addition, students who had received VCT were more likely to be positive about the counselling process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
An interpretive inquiry into girls' educational choices and aspirations: a case study of Murang'a district, Kenya
- Authors: Mwingi, Mweru P
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Education -- Kenya -- Case studies Education -- Economic aspects -- Kenya -- Case studies Student aspirations -- Kenya -- Case studies Women -- Vocational guidance -- Kenya -- Case studies Sex discrimination in education -- Kenya -- Case studies Sex discrimination against women -- Kenya -- Case studies Sexism in education -- Kenya -- Case studies Women -- Education -- Kenya -- Case studies Educational equalization -- Kenya
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1583 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003465
- Description: Global consensus on the importance of gender equity in education is perhaps one of the greatest agreements reached in the twentieth century. However, for countries in the sub Saharan African region where disparities of gender are wide and primary education takes priority, secondary education continues to remain in the periphery. As countries make progress towards the attainment of Universal Primary Education (UPE), the concerns for gender equity and equality have become associated with school access and pupil retention. Yet, patterns and trends in school enrollment suggest that disparities of gender are more complex. As lessons are learned from the achievements and challenges of attaining UPE, it is increasingly apparent that gender disparities within education occur in, within and beyond access to schooling. In other words, the challenge of making education gender equal goes beyond school access and school enrollment. Kenya is a signatory to the 1990 Jomtein Declaration on Education For All (EFA). It is also among the few countries in the sub Saharan Africa region with a significantly reduced gender gap in primary and secondary education. This is in tandem with the third of the eight Millennium Development Goals whose aims bear a broad social and economic development agenda. While education equity is important in Kenya and tremendous progress has been made in primary education, beyond the attainment of Universal Primary Education (UPE) there is an even more significant target; gender equity in education both in primary and secondary education by 2015. The attainment of this target requires more than access to schooling and for this reason it poses great challenges to governments and schools. In light of the progress made in Kenya and the need for more equitable education beyond primary education, this study conceives a need for an incisive examination of education equity priority areas in Kenya. The study argues on the need for a shift of concern and debate from primary education to secondary education because the gains of UPE only become meaningful when education equity is secured in secondary education. The study underscores that beyond school access and retention, education output and outcomes need to become prominent variables because they gauge trends and patterns and the quality of gains made where education is claimed to be both accessible and equitable. Using case study method, the study makes a critical interpretation of the schooling experiences, educational choices, preferences and aspirations of girls taking secondary education in single-sex schools in Murang’a district, Kenya. The study shows that girls schooling experiences are not homogenous and that there are contradictions in the ways that girls experience their schooling and make educational choices. It also shows that girls do not necessarily stand good chances with their education simply because they are enrolled in single-sex schools. The study reveals individual subjectivities and schooling culture to be at the centre of the differences between schools and the schooling experiences that girls have. The two have impact on how girls perceive themselves and their abilities, the preferences they nurture and the educational choices they make. The study draws attention to nuances in access and equity within girls’ education. It draws out issues and nuances linked to gender access, equity and equality with respect to school, teacher and subject access. Though the study is not generaliseable, it shows that in contexts where female access and survival is secured, there is need for attention to be paid to the environments that nurture educational choices and preferences so that the high rates in school access become translated into equally high educational output and outcomes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Mwingi, Mweru P
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Education -- Kenya -- Case studies Education -- Economic aspects -- Kenya -- Case studies Student aspirations -- Kenya -- Case studies Women -- Vocational guidance -- Kenya -- Case studies Sex discrimination in education -- Kenya -- Case studies Sex discrimination against women -- Kenya -- Case studies Sexism in education -- Kenya -- Case studies Women -- Education -- Kenya -- Case studies Educational equalization -- Kenya
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1583 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003465
- Description: Global consensus on the importance of gender equity in education is perhaps one of the greatest agreements reached in the twentieth century. However, for countries in the sub Saharan African region where disparities of gender are wide and primary education takes priority, secondary education continues to remain in the periphery. As countries make progress towards the attainment of Universal Primary Education (UPE), the concerns for gender equity and equality have become associated with school access and pupil retention. Yet, patterns and trends in school enrollment suggest that disparities of gender are more complex. As lessons are learned from the achievements and challenges of attaining UPE, it is increasingly apparent that gender disparities within education occur in, within and beyond access to schooling. In other words, the challenge of making education gender equal goes beyond school access and school enrollment. Kenya is a signatory to the 1990 Jomtein Declaration on Education For All (EFA). It is also among the few countries in the sub Saharan Africa region with a significantly reduced gender gap in primary and secondary education. This is in tandem with the third of the eight Millennium Development Goals whose aims bear a broad social and economic development agenda. While education equity is important in Kenya and tremendous progress has been made in primary education, beyond the attainment of Universal Primary Education (UPE) there is an even more significant target; gender equity in education both in primary and secondary education by 2015. The attainment of this target requires more than access to schooling and for this reason it poses great challenges to governments and schools. In light of the progress made in Kenya and the need for more equitable education beyond primary education, this study conceives a need for an incisive examination of education equity priority areas in Kenya. The study argues on the need for a shift of concern and debate from primary education to secondary education because the gains of UPE only become meaningful when education equity is secured in secondary education. The study underscores that beyond school access and retention, education output and outcomes need to become prominent variables because they gauge trends and patterns and the quality of gains made where education is claimed to be both accessible and equitable. Using case study method, the study makes a critical interpretation of the schooling experiences, educational choices, preferences and aspirations of girls taking secondary education in single-sex schools in Murang’a district, Kenya. The study shows that girls schooling experiences are not homogenous and that there are contradictions in the ways that girls experience their schooling and make educational choices. It also shows that girls do not necessarily stand good chances with their education simply because they are enrolled in single-sex schools. The study reveals individual subjectivities and schooling culture to be at the centre of the differences between schools and the schooling experiences that girls have. The two have impact on how girls perceive themselves and their abilities, the preferences they nurture and the educational choices they make. The study draws attention to nuances in access and equity within girls’ education. It draws out issues and nuances linked to gender access, equity and equality with respect to school, teacher and subject access. Though the study is not generaliseable, it shows that in contexts where female access and survival is secured, there is need for attention to be paid to the environments that nurture educational choices and preferences so that the high rates in school access become translated into equally high educational output and outcomes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
An investigation into electronic-source plagiarism in a first-year essay assignment
- Authors: Ellery, Karen
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/70114 , vital:29621 , https://doi.org/10.1080/02602930701772788
- Description: Since the emergence of the electronic era, plagiarism has become an increasingly prevalent problem at tertiary institutions. This study investigated the role electronic sources of information played in influencing plagiarism in an essay assignment in a first-year geography module at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. Despite explicit instruction in tutorials on academic writing, referencing and plagiarism, a quarter of students still plagiarised in their essay, with the majority having done so off the Internet. A survey questionnaire and interviews revealed that not only did the school writing experience prepare students poorly for academic writing discourses, but also highlighted that student ignorance with regard to acknowledgement of electronic sources, a pervasive perception of difference between electronic and print sources, as well as the availability of the copy-and-paste facility which reinforces the product view of writing, all contributed towards electronic-source plagiarism. Active instructional engagement with electronic-source material, and open dialogue on ownership of knowledge as well as on moral and ethical issues with students, are recommended as strategies to overcome such plagiarism.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Ellery, Karen
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/70114 , vital:29621 , https://doi.org/10.1080/02602930701772788
- Description: Since the emergence of the electronic era, plagiarism has become an increasingly prevalent problem at tertiary institutions. This study investigated the role electronic sources of information played in influencing plagiarism in an essay assignment in a first-year geography module at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. Despite explicit instruction in tutorials on academic writing, referencing and plagiarism, a quarter of students still plagiarised in their essay, with the majority having done so off the Internet. A survey questionnaire and interviews revealed that not only did the school writing experience prepare students poorly for academic writing discourses, but also highlighted that student ignorance with regard to acknowledgement of electronic sources, a pervasive perception of difference between electronic and print sources, as well as the availability of the copy-and-paste facility which reinforces the product view of writing, all contributed towards electronic-source plagiarism. Active instructional engagement with electronic-source material, and open dialogue on ownership of knowledge as well as on moral and ethical issues with students, are recommended as strategies to overcome such plagiarism.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
An investigation into interoperable end-to-end mobile web service security
- Authors: Moyo, Thamsanqa
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Web services , Mobile computing , Smartphones , Internetworking (Telecommunication) , Computer networks -- Security measures , XML (Document markup language) , Microsoft .NET Framework , Java (Computer program language)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4595 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004838 , Web services , Mobile computing , Smartphones , Internetworking (Telecommunication) , Computer networks -- Security measures , XML (Document markup language) , Microsoft .NET Framework , Java (Computer program language)
- Description: The capacity to engage in web services transactions on smartphones is growing as these devices become increasingly powerful and sophisticated. This capacity for mobile web services is being realised through mobile applications that consume web services hosted on larger computing devices. This thesis investigates the effect that end-to-end web services security has on the interoperability between mobile web services requesters and traditional web services providers. SOAP web services are the preferred web services approach for this investigation. Although WS-Security is recognised as demanding on mobile hardware and network resources, the selection of appropriate WS-Security mechanisms lessens this burden. An attempt to implement such mechanisms on smartphones is carried out via an experiment. Smartphones are selected as the mobile device type used in the experiment. The experiment is conducted on the Java Micro Edition (Java ME) and the .NET Compact Framework (.NET CF) smartphone platforms. The experiment shows that the implementation of interoperable, end-to-end, mobile web services security on both platforms is reliant on third-party libraries. This reliance on third-party libraries results in poor developer support and exposes developers to the complexity of cryptography. The experiment also shows that there are no standard message size optimisation libraries available for both platforms. The implementation carried out on the .NET CF is also shown to rely on the underlying operating system. It is concluded that standard WS-Security APIs must be provided on smartphone platforms to avoid the problems of poor developer support and the additional complexity of cryptography. It is recommended that these APIs include a message optimisation technique. It is further recommended that WS-Security APIs be completely operating system independent when they are implemented in managed code. This thesis contributes by: providing a snapshot of mobile web services security; identifying the smartphone platform state of readiness for end-to-end secure web services; and providing a set of recommendations that may improve this state of readiness. These contributions are of increasing importance as mobile web services evolve from a simple point-to-point environment to the more complex enterprise environment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Moyo, Thamsanqa
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Web services , Mobile computing , Smartphones , Internetworking (Telecommunication) , Computer networks -- Security measures , XML (Document markup language) , Microsoft .NET Framework , Java (Computer program language)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4595 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004838 , Web services , Mobile computing , Smartphones , Internetworking (Telecommunication) , Computer networks -- Security measures , XML (Document markup language) , Microsoft .NET Framework , Java (Computer program language)
- Description: The capacity to engage in web services transactions on smartphones is growing as these devices become increasingly powerful and sophisticated. This capacity for mobile web services is being realised through mobile applications that consume web services hosted on larger computing devices. This thesis investigates the effect that end-to-end web services security has on the interoperability between mobile web services requesters and traditional web services providers. SOAP web services are the preferred web services approach for this investigation. Although WS-Security is recognised as demanding on mobile hardware and network resources, the selection of appropriate WS-Security mechanisms lessens this burden. An attempt to implement such mechanisms on smartphones is carried out via an experiment. Smartphones are selected as the mobile device type used in the experiment. The experiment is conducted on the Java Micro Edition (Java ME) and the .NET Compact Framework (.NET CF) smartphone platforms. The experiment shows that the implementation of interoperable, end-to-end, mobile web services security on both platforms is reliant on third-party libraries. This reliance on third-party libraries results in poor developer support and exposes developers to the complexity of cryptography. The experiment also shows that there are no standard message size optimisation libraries available for both platforms. The implementation carried out on the .NET CF is also shown to rely on the underlying operating system. It is concluded that standard WS-Security APIs must be provided on smartphone platforms to avoid the problems of poor developer support and the additional complexity of cryptography. It is recommended that these APIs include a message optimisation technique. It is further recommended that WS-Security APIs be completely operating system independent when they are implemented in managed code. This thesis contributes by: providing a snapshot of mobile web services security; identifying the smartphone platform state of readiness for end-to-end secure web services; and providing a set of recommendations that may improve this state of readiness. These contributions are of increasing importance as mobile web services evolve from a simple point-to-point environment to the more complex enterprise environment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
An investigation into the factors affecting the pass rate of Grade Twelve learners with specific reference to the English subject : a case study of selected schools in Libode district
- Authors: Mzokwana, Nomnikelo Nondwe
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Language and education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School failure -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , English ability -- Testing , Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8215 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1022 , Language and education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School failure -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , English ability -- Testing , Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Case studies
- Description: Libode district is a rural district within the Eastern Cape Province. It has forty-two senior secondary schools. All schools in Libode district offer the English subject as the first additional language (second language). Schools in Libode district use English as the medium of instruction. English as the medium of instruction was seen by the National Department of Education as an important aspect of teaching and learning and as an effective tool through which teachers and learners can express their knowledge. The pass rate of grade twelve learners had declined from 2004 showing very low success rates. The quality of grade twelve results in English had deprived learners of their future career prospects. This treatise investigated the factors that might have affected the pass rate of grade twelve learners with specific reference to the English subject: a case study of selected schools in Libode district. A sample of 165 grade 12 learners and six English teachers from randomly selected senior secondary schools participated in the study. The study used both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Some factors affecting the pass rate of grade twelve learners with specific reference to the English subject were identified which included the non-implementation of English as medium of instruction, the non-availability of teaching facilities, and the influence of the mother tongue on the English subject. The treatise offers some recommendations such as improved in-service training on language teaching, assessment techniques and learner-centredness, involvement of all education stakeholders in the implementation of English as a language of teaching and learning, and the provision of teaching facilities in schools.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Mzokwana, Nomnikelo Nondwe
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Language and education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School failure -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , English ability -- Testing , Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8215 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1022 , Language and education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School failure -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , English ability -- Testing , Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Case studies
- Description: Libode district is a rural district within the Eastern Cape Province. It has forty-two senior secondary schools. All schools in Libode district offer the English subject as the first additional language (second language). Schools in Libode district use English as the medium of instruction. English as the medium of instruction was seen by the National Department of Education as an important aspect of teaching and learning and as an effective tool through which teachers and learners can express their knowledge. The pass rate of grade twelve learners had declined from 2004 showing very low success rates. The quality of grade twelve results in English had deprived learners of their future career prospects. This treatise investigated the factors that might have affected the pass rate of grade twelve learners with specific reference to the English subject: a case study of selected schools in Libode district. A sample of 165 grade 12 learners and six English teachers from randomly selected senior secondary schools participated in the study. The study used both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Some factors affecting the pass rate of grade twelve learners with specific reference to the English subject were identified which included the non-implementation of English as medium of instruction, the non-availability of teaching facilities, and the influence of the mother tongue on the English subject. The treatise offers some recommendations such as improved in-service training on language teaching, assessment techniques and learner-centredness, involvement of all education stakeholders in the implementation of English as a language of teaching and learning, and the provision of teaching facilities in schools.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
An investigation into the impact of performance management and development system on service delivery in the Eastern Cape: a case of the three Buffalo City hospitals
- Authors: Davashe, Cikizwa
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Performance -- Evaluation , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hospitals -- South Africa -- Administration
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Dev)
- Identifier: vital:11414 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/307 , Performance -- Evaluation , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hospitals -- South Africa -- Administration
- Description: In the Eastern Cape Department of Health the performance management and development system progress reviews are performed in a summative manner. This happens when a supervisor leaves out all the other progress reviews and conducts a final progress assessment and monitoring at the end of the year. It is worse when the performance agreements are not even signed during the start of a financial year, neither does a newly qualified employee sign. As a result employees are not appraised because there are no progress reviews that are entered on the Persal system. Employees miss an opportunity to be sent for training at the same time they are rewarded late or not at all. It is obvious that the managers do not understand the aims and objectives of the PMDS policy. The research was an assessment of the effectiveness of the performance management and development system in inculcating professional behaviour in the nursing staff in the three Buffalo City hospitals, namely, East London Hospital Complex, Grey and Bisho hospital. The aspects of the policy investigated were the performance reviews, the competency framework and the performance incentive scheme. This research is qualitative in nature. Data was collected using unstructured interviews and open ended questions. The population of this study involved selected Performance Management Managers, Quality Assurance Manager, Area Managers, junior nurses and clerks working in the Buffalo City Hospitals. The respondents of the study were selected using the stratified random sampling technique. Descriptive methods were used to analyse data. Confidentiality was highly maintained and consent form even distributed from the start of the research. The three Buffalo City hospitals are practising a balanced scorecard as a performance measurement tool. It is in the form of workplans that are different for different levels of employees such as the performance workplans, standard framework workplan and individual workplans. ix The study discovered that there is poor compliance in performing the performance reviews. The attention is on the appraisal aspect more than the development aspect. Also, there is a delay in taking the employees for training as a result they end up not being trained. The employees are not rewarded according to their performance. The PMDS policy states that employees that get a score of three are entitled to get a one percent and those that are rated a four or a five qualify for a performance bonus. The study found that the PMDS policy is not implemented well. It is recommended that the performance management manager and the quality assurance manager need to apply a radical strategic transformation and change management to address the challenges.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Davashe, Cikizwa
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Performance -- Evaluation , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hospitals -- South Africa -- Administration
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Dev)
- Identifier: vital:11414 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/307 , Performance -- Evaluation , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hospitals -- South Africa -- Administration
- Description: In the Eastern Cape Department of Health the performance management and development system progress reviews are performed in a summative manner. This happens when a supervisor leaves out all the other progress reviews and conducts a final progress assessment and monitoring at the end of the year. It is worse when the performance agreements are not even signed during the start of a financial year, neither does a newly qualified employee sign. As a result employees are not appraised because there are no progress reviews that are entered on the Persal system. Employees miss an opportunity to be sent for training at the same time they are rewarded late or not at all. It is obvious that the managers do not understand the aims and objectives of the PMDS policy. The research was an assessment of the effectiveness of the performance management and development system in inculcating professional behaviour in the nursing staff in the three Buffalo City hospitals, namely, East London Hospital Complex, Grey and Bisho hospital. The aspects of the policy investigated were the performance reviews, the competency framework and the performance incentive scheme. This research is qualitative in nature. Data was collected using unstructured interviews and open ended questions. The population of this study involved selected Performance Management Managers, Quality Assurance Manager, Area Managers, junior nurses and clerks working in the Buffalo City Hospitals. The respondents of the study were selected using the stratified random sampling technique. Descriptive methods were used to analyse data. Confidentiality was highly maintained and consent form even distributed from the start of the research. The three Buffalo City hospitals are practising a balanced scorecard as a performance measurement tool. It is in the form of workplans that are different for different levels of employees such as the performance workplans, standard framework workplan and individual workplans. ix The study discovered that there is poor compliance in performing the performance reviews. The attention is on the appraisal aspect more than the development aspect. Also, there is a delay in taking the employees for training as a result they end up not being trained. The employees are not rewarded according to their performance. The PMDS policy states that employees that get a score of three are entitled to get a one percent and those that are rated a four or a five qualify for a performance bonus. The study found that the PMDS policy is not implemented well. It is recommended that the performance management manager and the quality assurance manager need to apply a radical strategic transformation and change management to address the challenges.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
An investigation into the management of HIV/AIDS programmes at the workplace in a highly volatile environment: a case study of selected organisations in Harare, Zimbabwe
- Nyemba, Taurai Booth William
- Authors: Nyemba, Taurai Booth William
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Social responsibility of business -- Zimbabwe , Industrial hygiene -- Zimbabwe , HIV infections -- Zimbabwe -- Prevention , AIDS (Disease) -- Prevention -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Industrial Psychology)
- Identifier: vital:11549 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/177 , Social responsibility of business -- Zimbabwe , Industrial hygiene -- Zimbabwe , HIV infections -- Zimbabwe -- Prevention , AIDS (Disease) -- Prevention -- Zimbabwe
- Description: The HIV/AIDS pandemic has had a devastating effect in the world, as it is now rated as the world’s greatest killer since its appearance in the mid 1980s. A UNICEF Report (2005) states that sub Saharan Africa is the hardest hit with countries like Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia and Mozambique having an average of one in every five adults being infected. Sub Saharan Africa has less than 3 percent of the world’s population but it has an estimated 65 percent of the world’s population living with HIV/AIDS as it has 26 million of the 40 million infected people worldwide. In May 2003 the Government of Zimbabwe declared HIV/AIDS a national emergency a move that seems to have yielded results as the HIV prevalence rate has come down from 26.1 percent to 18.6 percent in 2005 and further to 15.6 percent in 2007. The Ministry of Health and Child Welfare (2004) states that if the prevalence had continued at 26.1 percent, about two thirds of today’s 15- year-olds would die from this disease. The deterioration of the political, social and economic situation since 1999 and the withdrawal of donor development support due to policy differences require concerted efforts from all parties concerned, now, rather than later. More commitment must be shown by private and public sector organisations to active participation in the establishing of effective workplace programmes, to assist employees, for the pandemic has placed a heavy strain on the health delivery system, as AIDS patients occupy between 50 percent to 70 percent of all hospital beds. Furthermore, the pandemic is killing the youth at the prime of their working careers so the pandemic, while being a health problem also has a negative macro-economic impact which may lead to a developmental crisis. A study was conducted of six organisations, using two questionnaires, one for management and one for non-management level employees. The study investigates whether the organisations had HIV/AIDS programmes and whether such programmes were effective. The findings were that all six organisations had HIV/AIDS programmes in place. However, some of the programmes were not effective because the employees did not know of their existence. Furthermore, it was found that management initiated awareness programmes and made condoms available but the employees were not changing their risky behaviour.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Nyemba, Taurai Booth William
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Social responsibility of business -- Zimbabwe , Industrial hygiene -- Zimbabwe , HIV infections -- Zimbabwe -- Prevention , AIDS (Disease) -- Prevention -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Industrial Psychology)
- Identifier: vital:11549 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/177 , Social responsibility of business -- Zimbabwe , Industrial hygiene -- Zimbabwe , HIV infections -- Zimbabwe -- Prevention , AIDS (Disease) -- Prevention -- Zimbabwe
- Description: The HIV/AIDS pandemic has had a devastating effect in the world, as it is now rated as the world’s greatest killer since its appearance in the mid 1980s. A UNICEF Report (2005) states that sub Saharan Africa is the hardest hit with countries like Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia and Mozambique having an average of one in every five adults being infected. Sub Saharan Africa has less than 3 percent of the world’s population but it has an estimated 65 percent of the world’s population living with HIV/AIDS as it has 26 million of the 40 million infected people worldwide. In May 2003 the Government of Zimbabwe declared HIV/AIDS a national emergency a move that seems to have yielded results as the HIV prevalence rate has come down from 26.1 percent to 18.6 percent in 2005 and further to 15.6 percent in 2007. The Ministry of Health and Child Welfare (2004) states that if the prevalence had continued at 26.1 percent, about two thirds of today’s 15- year-olds would die from this disease. The deterioration of the political, social and economic situation since 1999 and the withdrawal of donor development support due to policy differences require concerted efforts from all parties concerned, now, rather than later. More commitment must be shown by private and public sector organisations to active participation in the establishing of effective workplace programmes, to assist employees, for the pandemic has placed a heavy strain on the health delivery system, as AIDS patients occupy between 50 percent to 70 percent of all hospital beds. Furthermore, the pandemic is killing the youth at the prime of their working careers so the pandemic, while being a health problem also has a negative macro-economic impact which may lead to a developmental crisis. A study was conducted of six organisations, using two questionnaires, one for management and one for non-management level employees. The study investigates whether the organisations had HIV/AIDS programmes and whether such programmes were effective. The findings were that all six organisations had HIV/AIDS programmes in place. However, some of the programmes were not effective because the employees did not know of their existence. Furthermore, it was found that management initiated awareness programmes and made condoms available but the employees were not changing their risky behaviour.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
An investigation into the neuroprotective and neurotoxic properties of levodopa, dopamine and selegiline
- Authors: Scheepers, Mark Wesley
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Parkinson's disease , Nervous system -- Degeneration -- Treatment , Neurotoxic agents , Neuroanatomy , Oxidative stress , Pharmacology , Dopamine , Selegiline , Dopaminergic neurons
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3789 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003267 , Parkinson's disease , Nervous system -- Degeneration -- Treatment , Neurotoxic agents , Neuroanatomy , Oxidative stress , Pharmacology , Dopamine , Selegiline , Dopaminergic neurons
- Description: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a profound loss of dopaminergic neurons from the substantia nigra (SN). Among the many pathogenic mechanisms thought to be responsible for the demise of these cells, dopamine (DA)-dependent oxidative stress and oxidative damage has taken center stage due to extensive experimental evidence showing that DA-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidized DA metabolites are toxic to SN neurons. Despite its being the most efficacious drug for symptom reversal in PD, there is concern that levodopa (LD) may contribute to the neuronal degeneration and progression of PD by enhancing DA concentrations and turnover in surviving dopaminergic neurons. The present study investigates the potential neurotoxic and neuroprotective effects of DA in vitro. These effects are compared to the toxicity and neuroprotective effects observed in the rat striatum after the administration of LD and selegiline (SEL), both of which increase striatal DA levels. The effects of exogenous LD and/or SEL administration on both the oxidative stress caused by increased striatal iron (II) levels and its consequences have also been investigated. 6-Hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) is a potent neurotoxin used to mimic dopaminergic degeneration in animal models of PD. The formation of 6-OHDA in vivo could destroy central dopaminergic nerve terminals and enhance the progression of PD. Inorganic studies using high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD) show that hydroxyl radicals can react with DA to form 6-OHDA in vitro. SEL results in a significant decrease in the formation of 6-OHDA in vitro, probably as a result of its antioxidant properties. However, the exogenous administration of LD, with or without SEL, either does not lead to the formation of striatal 6-OHDA in vivo or produces concentrations below the detection limit of the assay. This is despite the fact that striatal DA levels in these rats are significantly elevated (two-fold) compared to the control group. The auto-oxidation and monoamine oxidase (MAO)-mediated metabolism of DA causes an increase in the production of superoxide anions in whole rat brain homogenate in vitro. In addition to this, DA is able to enhance the production of hydroxyl radicals by Fenton chemistry (Fe(III)-EDTA/H2O2) in a cell free environment. Treatment with systemic LD elevates the production of striatal superoxide anions, but does not lead to a detectable increase in striatal hydroxyl radical production in vivo. The co-adminstration of SEL with LD is able to prevent the LD induced rise in striatal superoxide levels. It has been found that the presence of DA or 6-OHDA is able to reduce lipid peroxidation in whole rat brain homogenate induced by Fe(II)-EDTA/H2O2 and ascorbate (Fenton system). However, DA and 6-OHDA increase protein oxidation in rat brain homogenate, which is further increased in the presence of the Fenton system. In addition to this, the incubation of rat brain homogenate with DA or 6-OHDA is also accompanied by a significant reduction in the total GSH content of the homogenate. The exogenous administration of LD and/or SEL was found to have no detrimental effects on striatal lipids, proteins or total GSH levels. Systemic LD administration actually had a neuroprotective effect in the striatum by inhibiting iron (II) induced lipid peroxidation. Inorganic studies, including electrochemistry and the ferrozine assay show that DA and 6-OHDA are able to release iron from ferritin, as iron (II), and that DA can bind iron (III), a fact that may easily impede the availability of this metal ion for participation in the Fenton reaction. The binding of iron (III) by DA appears to discard the involvement of the Fenton reaction in the increased production of hydroxyl radicals induced by the addition of DA to mixtures containing Fe(II)-EDTA and hydrogen peroxide. 6-OHDA did not form a metal-ligand complex with iron (II) or iron (III). In addition to the antioxidant activity and MAO-B inhibitory activity of SEL, the iron binding studies show that SEL has weak iron (II) chelating activity and that it can also form complexes with iron (III). This may therefore be another mechanism involved in the neuroprotective action of SEL. The results of the pineal indole metabolism study show that the systemic administration of SEL increases the production of N-acetylserotonin (NAS) by the pineal gland. NAS has been demonstrated to be a potent antioxidant in the brain and protects against 6-OHDA induced toxicity. The results of this study show that DA displays antioxidant properties in relation to lipid eroxidation and exhibits pro-oxidant properties by causing an increase in the production of hydroxyl radicals and superoxide anions, as well as protein oxidation and a loss of total GSH content. Despite the toxic effects of DA in vitro, the treatment of rats with exogenous LD does not cause oxidative stress or oxidative damage. The results also show that LD and SEL have some neuroprotective properties which make these agents useful in the treatment of PD.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Scheepers, Mark Wesley
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Parkinson's disease , Nervous system -- Degeneration -- Treatment , Neurotoxic agents , Neuroanatomy , Oxidative stress , Pharmacology , Dopamine , Selegiline , Dopaminergic neurons
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3789 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003267 , Parkinson's disease , Nervous system -- Degeneration -- Treatment , Neurotoxic agents , Neuroanatomy , Oxidative stress , Pharmacology , Dopamine , Selegiline , Dopaminergic neurons
- Description: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a profound loss of dopaminergic neurons from the substantia nigra (SN). Among the many pathogenic mechanisms thought to be responsible for the demise of these cells, dopamine (DA)-dependent oxidative stress and oxidative damage has taken center stage due to extensive experimental evidence showing that DA-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidized DA metabolites are toxic to SN neurons. Despite its being the most efficacious drug for symptom reversal in PD, there is concern that levodopa (LD) may contribute to the neuronal degeneration and progression of PD by enhancing DA concentrations and turnover in surviving dopaminergic neurons. The present study investigates the potential neurotoxic and neuroprotective effects of DA in vitro. These effects are compared to the toxicity and neuroprotective effects observed in the rat striatum after the administration of LD and selegiline (SEL), both of which increase striatal DA levels. The effects of exogenous LD and/or SEL administration on both the oxidative stress caused by increased striatal iron (II) levels and its consequences have also been investigated. 6-Hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) is a potent neurotoxin used to mimic dopaminergic degeneration in animal models of PD. The formation of 6-OHDA in vivo could destroy central dopaminergic nerve terminals and enhance the progression of PD. Inorganic studies using high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD) show that hydroxyl radicals can react with DA to form 6-OHDA in vitro. SEL results in a significant decrease in the formation of 6-OHDA in vitro, probably as a result of its antioxidant properties. However, the exogenous administration of LD, with or without SEL, either does not lead to the formation of striatal 6-OHDA in vivo or produces concentrations below the detection limit of the assay. This is despite the fact that striatal DA levels in these rats are significantly elevated (two-fold) compared to the control group. The auto-oxidation and monoamine oxidase (MAO)-mediated metabolism of DA causes an increase in the production of superoxide anions in whole rat brain homogenate in vitro. In addition to this, DA is able to enhance the production of hydroxyl radicals by Fenton chemistry (Fe(III)-EDTA/H2O2) in a cell free environment. Treatment with systemic LD elevates the production of striatal superoxide anions, but does not lead to a detectable increase in striatal hydroxyl radical production in vivo. The co-adminstration of SEL with LD is able to prevent the LD induced rise in striatal superoxide levels. It has been found that the presence of DA or 6-OHDA is able to reduce lipid peroxidation in whole rat brain homogenate induced by Fe(II)-EDTA/H2O2 and ascorbate (Fenton system). However, DA and 6-OHDA increase protein oxidation in rat brain homogenate, which is further increased in the presence of the Fenton system. In addition to this, the incubation of rat brain homogenate with DA or 6-OHDA is also accompanied by a significant reduction in the total GSH content of the homogenate. The exogenous administration of LD and/or SEL was found to have no detrimental effects on striatal lipids, proteins or total GSH levels. Systemic LD administration actually had a neuroprotective effect in the striatum by inhibiting iron (II) induced lipid peroxidation. Inorganic studies, including electrochemistry and the ferrozine assay show that DA and 6-OHDA are able to release iron from ferritin, as iron (II), and that DA can bind iron (III), a fact that may easily impede the availability of this metal ion for participation in the Fenton reaction. The binding of iron (III) by DA appears to discard the involvement of the Fenton reaction in the increased production of hydroxyl radicals induced by the addition of DA to mixtures containing Fe(II)-EDTA and hydrogen peroxide. 6-OHDA did not form a metal-ligand complex with iron (II) or iron (III). In addition to the antioxidant activity and MAO-B inhibitory activity of SEL, the iron binding studies show that SEL has weak iron (II) chelating activity and that it can also form complexes with iron (III). This may therefore be another mechanism involved in the neuroprotective action of SEL. The results of the pineal indole metabolism study show that the systemic administration of SEL increases the production of N-acetylserotonin (NAS) by the pineal gland. NAS has been demonstrated to be a potent antioxidant in the brain and protects against 6-OHDA induced toxicity. The results of this study show that DA displays antioxidant properties in relation to lipid eroxidation and exhibits pro-oxidant properties by causing an increase in the production of hydroxyl radicals and superoxide anions, as well as protein oxidation and a loss of total GSH content. Despite the toxic effects of DA in vitro, the treatment of rats with exogenous LD does not cause oxidative stress or oxidative damage. The results also show that LD and SEL have some neuroprotective properties which make these agents useful in the treatment of PD.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
An Investigation into the Performance of General Sorting on Graphics Processing Units
- Pilkington, Nick, Irwin, Barry V W
- Authors: Pilkington, Nick , Irwin, Barry V W
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/429881 , vital:72648 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-8741-7_65
- Description: Sorting is a fundamental operation in computing and there is a constant need to push the boundaries of performance with different sorting algo-rithms. With the advent of the programmable graphics pipeline, the par-allel nature of graphics processing units has been exposed allowing programmers to take advantage of it. By transforming the way that data is represented and operated on parallel sorting algorithms can be im-plemented on graphics processing units where previously only graphics processing could be performed. This paradigm of programming exhibits potentially large speedups for algorithms.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Pilkington, Nick , Irwin, Barry V W
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/429881 , vital:72648 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-8741-7_65
- Description: Sorting is a fundamental operation in computing and there is a constant need to push the boundaries of performance with different sorting algo-rithms. With the advent of the programmable graphics pipeline, the par-allel nature of graphics processing units has been exposed allowing programmers to take advantage of it. By transforming the way that data is represented and operated on parallel sorting algorithms can be im-plemented on graphics processing units where previously only graphics processing could be performed. This paradigm of programming exhibits potentially large speedups for algorithms.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
An investigation into the representation of the mentally ill in popular film
- Authors: Vermeulen, Monique
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Mental illness in motion pictures , Mental illness , Mass media
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8403 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/800 , Mental illness in motion pictures , Mental illness , Mass media
- Description: There is a common perception that media depiction of mental health and illness is overwhelmingly negative and inaccurate. Media portrayal of mental illness is also viewed as an important element in forming and influencing society’s attitudes towards mental health issues, although there is no causal link to prove this. People with mental illness are most commonly shown as being violent and aggressive. Movie stereotypes that contribute to the stigmatisation of mentally ill persons include the mental patient as rebellious free spirit, homicidal maniac, seductress, enlightened member of society, narcissistic parasite, and zoo specimen. The profession of psychiatry is, has always been, and will likely continue to be a much enjoyed subject among filmmakers and their audiences, as it tends to provide exciting and emotionally compelling opportunities to portray personal struggles feared by most of humanity. This research will analyse the entertainment media in an attempt to provide evidence to support the above statement. The research will, furthermore, analyse the manner in which entertainment media represent the mentally ill with reference to popular films invariably produced in the US
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Vermeulen, Monique
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Mental illness in motion pictures , Mental illness , Mass media
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8403 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/800 , Mental illness in motion pictures , Mental illness , Mass media
- Description: There is a common perception that media depiction of mental health and illness is overwhelmingly negative and inaccurate. Media portrayal of mental illness is also viewed as an important element in forming and influencing society’s attitudes towards mental health issues, although there is no causal link to prove this. People with mental illness are most commonly shown as being violent and aggressive. Movie stereotypes that contribute to the stigmatisation of mentally ill persons include the mental patient as rebellious free spirit, homicidal maniac, seductress, enlightened member of society, narcissistic parasite, and zoo specimen. The profession of psychiatry is, has always been, and will likely continue to be a much enjoyed subject among filmmakers and their audiences, as it tends to provide exciting and emotionally compelling opportunities to portray personal struggles feared by most of humanity. This research will analyse the entertainment media in an attempt to provide evidence to support the above statement. The research will, furthermore, analyse the manner in which entertainment media represent the mentally ill with reference to popular films invariably produced in the US
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
An investigation into the synergistic association between the major Clostridium cellulovorans cellulosomal endoglucanase and two hemicellulases on plant cell wall degradation
- Authors: Beukes, Natasha
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Clostridium , Cellulose , Hemicellulose , Cellulase , Biomass conversion , Biomass energy -- South Africa , Energy crops -- South Africa , Bagasse -- Biodegradation , Pineapple -- Biodegradation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3968 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004027 , Clostridium , Cellulose , Hemicellulose , Cellulase , Biomass conversion , Biomass energy -- South Africa , Energy crops -- South Africa , Bagasse -- Biodegradation , Pineapple -- Biodegradation
- Description: The cellulosome is a multimeric enzyme complex that has the ability to metabolise a wide variety of carbonaceous compounds. Cellulosomal composition may vary according to the microbe’s nutritional requirement and allows for the anaerobic degradation of complex substrates. The complex substrates of interest in this research study were sugarcane bagasse and pineapple fibre waste, as they represent two important lignocellulosic, South African agricultural crops. The effective degradation of complex plant biomass wastes may present a valuable source of renewable compounds for the production of a variety of biofuels, for example bioethanol, and a variety of biocomposites of industrial importance. The identification of renewable energy sources for the production of biofuels is becoming increasingly important, as a result of the rapid depletion of the fossil fuels that are traditionally used as energy sources. An effective means of completely degrading lignocellulose biomass still remains elusive due to the complex heterogeneity of the substrate structure, and the fact that the effective degradation of the substrate requires a consortium of enzymes. The cellulosome not only provides a variety of enzymes with varying specificities, but also promote a close proximity between the catalytic components (enzymes). The close proximity between the enzymes promotes the synergistic degradation of complex plant biomass for the production of valuable energy products. Previous synergy studies have focused predominantly on the synergistic associations between cellulases; however, the synergy between hemicellulases has occasionally been documented. This research project established the synergistic associations between two Clostridium cellulovorans hemicellulases that may be incorporated into the cellulosome and a cellulosomal endoglucanase that is conserved in all cellulosomes. This research study indicated that there was indeed a synergistic degradation of the complex plant biomass (sugarcane bagasse and pineapple fibre). The degrees of synergy and the ratio of the enzymes varied between the two complex substrates. The initial degradation of the bagasse required the presence of all the enzymes and proceeded at an enhanced rate under sulphidogenic conditions; however, there was a low production of fermentable sugars. The low quantity of fermentable sugars produced by the degradation of the bagasse may be related to the chemical composition of the substrate. The sugarcane contains a high percentage of lignin forming a protective layer around the holocellulose, thus the glycosidic bonds are shielded extensively from enzymatic attack. In comparison, the initial degradation of the pineapple fibre required the action of hemicellulases, and proceeded at an enhanced rate under sulphidogenic conditions. The initial degradation of the pineapple fibre produced a substantially larger quantity of fermentable sugars in comparison to the bagasse. The higher production of fermentable sugars from the degradation of the pineapple fibre may be explained by the fact that this substrate may have a lower percentage of lignin than the bagasse, thus allowing a larger percentage of the glycosidic bonds to be exposed to enzymatic attack. The data obtained also indicated that the glycosidic bonds from the hemicellulosic components of the pineapple fibre shielded the glycosidic bonds of the cellulose component. The identification of the chemical components of the different substrates may allow for the initial development of an ideal enzyme complex (designer cellulosome) with enzymes in an ideal ratio with optimal synergy that will effectively degrade the complex plant biomass substrate.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Beukes, Natasha
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Clostridium , Cellulose , Hemicellulose , Cellulase , Biomass conversion , Biomass energy -- South Africa , Energy crops -- South Africa , Bagasse -- Biodegradation , Pineapple -- Biodegradation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3968 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004027 , Clostridium , Cellulose , Hemicellulose , Cellulase , Biomass conversion , Biomass energy -- South Africa , Energy crops -- South Africa , Bagasse -- Biodegradation , Pineapple -- Biodegradation
- Description: The cellulosome is a multimeric enzyme complex that has the ability to metabolise a wide variety of carbonaceous compounds. Cellulosomal composition may vary according to the microbe’s nutritional requirement and allows for the anaerobic degradation of complex substrates. The complex substrates of interest in this research study were sugarcane bagasse and pineapple fibre waste, as they represent two important lignocellulosic, South African agricultural crops. The effective degradation of complex plant biomass wastes may present a valuable source of renewable compounds for the production of a variety of biofuels, for example bioethanol, and a variety of biocomposites of industrial importance. The identification of renewable energy sources for the production of biofuels is becoming increasingly important, as a result of the rapid depletion of the fossil fuels that are traditionally used as energy sources. An effective means of completely degrading lignocellulose biomass still remains elusive due to the complex heterogeneity of the substrate structure, and the fact that the effective degradation of the substrate requires a consortium of enzymes. The cellulosome not only provides a variety of enzymes with varying specificities, but also promote a close proximity between the catalytic components (enzymes). The close proximity between the enzymes promotes the synergistic degradation of complex plant biomass for the production of valuable energy products. Previous synergy studies have focused predominantly on the synergistic associations between cellulases; however, the synergy between hemicellulases has occasionally been documented. This research project established the synergistic associations between two Clostridium cellulovorans hemicellulases that may be incorporated into the cellulosome and a cellulosomal endoglucanase that is conserved in all cellulosomes. This research study indicated that there was indeed a synergistic degradation of the complex plant biomass (sugarcane bagasse and pineapple fibre). The degrees of synergy and the ratio of the enzymes varied between the two complex substrates. The initial degradation of the bagasse required the presence of all the enzymes and proceeded at an enhanced rate under sulphidogenic conditions; however, there was a low production of fermentable sugars. The low quantity of fermentable sugars produced by the degradation of the bagasse may be related to the chemical composition of the substrate. The sugarcane contains a high percentage of lignin forming a protective layer around the holocellulose, thus the glycosidic bonds are shielded extensively from enzymatic attack. In comparison, the initial degradation of the pineapple fibre required the action of hemicellulases, and proceeded at an enhanced rate under sulphidogenic conditions. The initial degradation of the pineapple fibre produced a substantially larger quantity of fermentable sugars in comparison to the bagasse. The higher production of fermentable sugars from the degradation of the pineapple fibre may be explained by the fact that this substrate may have a lower percentage of lignin than the bagasse, thus allowing a larger percentage of the glycosidic bonds to be exposed to enzymatic attack. The data obtained also indicated that the glycosidic bonds from the hemicellulosic components of the pineapple fibre shielded the glycosidic bonds of the cellulose component. The identification of the chemical components of the different substrates may allow for the initial development of an ideal enzyme complex (designer cellulosome) with enzymes in an ideal ratio with optimal synergy that will effectively degrade the complex plant biomass substrate.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
An investigation into the time-saving benefits of using a computerised taxation program
- Forster, Rory, Stack, Elizabeth M
- Authors: Forster, Rory , Stack, Elizabeth M
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Conference paper
- Identifier: vital:6065 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004610
- Description: Software programs designed to calculate the tax liability of individuals and other types of tax entity are being designed and used with increasing frequency. Research done in the United States of America appears to indicate that these programs do not achieve any saving in time and, in fact, may take longer to use than to complete a tax return by hand. As the South African revenue collection system appears to be moving closer to a self-assessment system, where the calculation of tax owing will be the responsibility of the taxpayer, the research essay sets out to determine whether there is a saving in time when calculating a tax liability using a tax software program, instead of calculating it by hand. In addition, the research aims to determine how much time, on average, is saved or lost, using such a program, and whether there is any correlation between the time taken to perform a calculation by hand and that using the software program. It does so by comparing the average estimated time it would take to complete tax calculations for individuals by hand with the average time taken to complete the same tax calculations using a tax software program. The average time taken to do the calculations by hand is based on the time allocation given for questions by the authors of a published question bank for university students. The time taken using software is determined by using a stop-watch to time each question being processed. The results, subject to assumptions made in carrying out the research, show that there is a substantial saving in time using the software program. Based on the data, however, the results indicate a weak correlation between the estimated time taken to do a calculation by hand and the estimated time using the software program. Possible reasons for the weak correlation are discussed. A recommendation is also made for the standardization and certification of existing tax calculation software.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Forster, Rory , Stack, Elizabeth M
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Conference paper
- Identifier: vital:6065 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004610
- Description: Software programs designed to calculate the tax liability of individuals and other types of tax entity are being designed and used with increasing frequency. Research done in the United States of America appears to indicate that these programs do not achieve any saving in time and, in fact, may take longer to use than to complete a tax return by hand. As the South African revenue collection system appears to be moving closer to a self-assessment system, where the calculation of tax owing will be the responsibility of the taxpayer, the research essay sets out to determine whether there is a saving in time when calculating a tax liability using a tax software program, instead of calculating it by hand. In addition, the research aims to determine how much time, on average, is saved or lost, using such a program, and whether there is any correlation between the time taken to perform a calculation by hand and that using the software program. It does so by comparing the average estimated time it would take to complete tax calculations for individuals by hand with the average time taken to complete the same tax calculations using a tax software program. The average time taken to do the calculations by hand is based on the time allocation given for questions by the authors of a published question bank for university students. The time taken using software is determined by using a stop-watch to time each question being processed. The results, subject to assumptions made in carrying out the research, show that there is a substantial saving in time using the software program. Based on the data, however, the results indicate a weak correlation between the estimated time taken to do a calculation by hand and the estimated time using the software program. Possible reasons for the weak correlation are discussed. A recommendation is also made for the standardization and certification of existing tax calculation software.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
An investigation into the use of whistle-blowing as a means to curb unethical behaviour of police officers in the Nelson Mandela Bay
- Authors: Mboyi, Sabelo Advocate
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Police -- South Africa , Whistle blowing -- South Africa , Misconduct in office -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8241 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/760 , Police -- South Africa , Whistle blowing -- South Africa , Misconduct in office -- South Africa
- Description: The use of whistle-blowing as means to curb unethical behaviour of police officers in the Nelson Mandela Bay is investigated in this study. In order to investigate this, various instruments were used, these are interviews and questionnaires. However the objectives of the study were: - To examine the implementation of whistle-blowing in the SAPS. - To develop strategies and measures that can be used to encourage whistle-blowing in the SAPS. Broadly speaking, these objectives have been achieved by providing empirical evidence which shows that: - Unethical behaviour by police officers is the most ethical challenge facing police officers in the Nelson Mandela Bay Area. This is based on the findings which eminate from the interviews. - Whistle-blowing is used by police officers as an early warning system that alerts the superiors about misconduct before it is too late as it defects and deters wrongdoing. However, the study suggests various strategies and measures to assist the implementation of whistle-blowing. These strategies include: - Development of hotlines. - Assurance of confidentiality and anonymity of disclosures. - Response plan development. - Training development. - Regarding whistle-blowing as an ongoing communication. This study also indicates that misconduct by police officers in the Nelson Mandela Bay area is not high. While whistle-blowing is considered as a key tool in promoting individual responsibility and accountability among police officers. In conclusion, recommendations are provided which could assist the SAPS and individual police officers to improve ethical conduct, and for improved measures and mechanisms to deal with unethical behaviour of police officers and recommendations for improved implementation of whistle-blowing process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Mboyi, Sabelo Advocate
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Police -- South Africa , Whistle blowing -- South Africa , Misconduct in office -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8241 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/760 , Police -- South Africa , Whistle blowing -- South Africa , Misconduct in office -- South Africa
- Description: The use of whistle-blowing as means to curb unethical behaviour of police officers in the Nelson Mandela Bay is investigated in this study. In order to investigate this, various instruments were used, these are interviews and questionnaires. However the objectives of the study were: - To examine the implementation of whistle-blowing in the SAPS. - To develop strategies and measures that can be used to encourage whistle-blowing in the SAPS. Broadly speaking, these objectives have been achieved by providing empirical evidence which shows that: - Unethical behaviour by police officers is the most ethical challenge facing police officers in the Nelson Mandela Bay Area. This is based on the findings which eminate from the interviews. - Whistle-blowing is used by police officers as an early warning system that alerts the superiors about misconduct before it is too late as it defects and deters wrongdoing. However, the study suggests various strategies and measures to assist the implementation of whistle-blowing. These strategies include: - Development of hotlines. - Assurance of confidentiality and anonymity of disclosures. - Response plan development. - Training development. - Regarding whistle-blowing as an ongoing communication. This study also indicates that misconduct by police officers in the Nelson Mandela Bay area is not high. While whistle-blowing is considered as a key tool in promoting individual responsibility and accountability among police officers. In conclusion, recommendations are provided which could assist the SAPS and individual police officers to improve ethical conduct, and for improved measures and mechanisms to deal with unethical behaviour of police officers and recommendations for improved implementation of whistle-blowing process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
An investigation of illegal farm evictions in the Great Kei Local Municipality
- Sonjica, Kholekile Templeton
- Authors: Sonjica, Kholekile Templeton
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Farm evictions -- Farm workers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA (Human Rights)
- Identifier: vital:11103 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/103 , Farm evictions -- Farm workers
- Description: This research entails a case study on the investigation of illegal farm evictions in the Great Kei Local Municipality of the Eastern Cape. The study was propelled by the plight of people living and working on farms in South Africa who are always victims of illegal farm evictions. Such evictions in many an instance violate their basic human rights protected by South Africa’s constitution and many other international conventions. It is hoped that the findings and recommendations of the research will have a profound impact on how illegal farm evictions in future will be handled by those championing the rights of people living and working on farms. Similarly, there is hope that this study will create an interest in others to new broader issues of human rights protection. A closer look at concepts like constructive evictions is necessary because of their traumatic nature to their victims. The study is divided into five chapters. 1. Introduction This chapter provides a background, the purpose of the study, specific objectives or research questions, hypotheses or assumptions of the study, the significance of the study, justification or rationale of the study, delimitation of the study, literature review, methodology, ethical considerations, and the limitations of the study. 2. The history of farm evictions in South Africa This chapter gives an outline of farm evictions in South Africa from both the colonial and apartheid 3. The culture of human rights in South Africa This chapter examines the institutions and instruments that influence the human rights culture in South Africa. It focuses on the legislative framework of human rights. 4. Farm evictions in the Great Kei Local Municipality of the Eastern Cape This chapter discusses farm evictions in the Great Kei Local Municipality and South Africa in general between December 2001 and December 2006. A case study of the same municipality is the nucleus of this research. 5. Conclusion The evaluation, findings, and recommendations of the study form the greater part of the chapter.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Sonjica, Kholekile Templeton
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Farm evictions -- Farm workers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA (Human Rights)
- Identifier: vital:11103 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/103 , Farm evictions -- Farm workers
- Description: This research entails a case study on the investigation of illegal farm evictions in the Great Kei Local Municipality of the Eastern Cape. The study was propelled by the plight of people living and working on farms in South Africa who are always victims of illegal farm evictions. Such evictions in many an instance violate their basic human rights protected by South Africa’s constitution and many other international conventions. It is hoped that the findings and recommendations of the research will have a profound impact on how illegal farm evictions in future will be handled by those championing the rights of people living and working on farms. Similarly, there is hope that this study will create an interest in others to new broader issues of human rights protection. A closer look at concepts like constructive evictions is necessary because of their traumatic nature to their victims. The study is divided into five chapters. 1. Introduction This chapter provides a background, the purpose of the study, specific objectives or research questions, hypotheses or assumptions of the study, the significance of the study, justification or rationale of the study, delimitation of the study, literature review, methodology, ethical considerations, and the limitations of the study. 2. The history of farm evictions in South Africa This chapter gives an outline of farm evictions in South Africa from both the colonial and apartheid 3. The culture of human rights in South Africa This chapter examines the institutions and instruments that influence the human rights culture in South Africa. It focuses on the legislative framework of human rights. 4. Farm evictions in the Great Kei Local Municipality of the Eastern Cape This chapter discusses farm evictions in the Great Kei Local Municipality and South Africa in general between December 2001 and December 2006. A case study of the same municipality is the nucleus of this research. 5. Conclusion The evaluation, findings, and recommendations of the study form the greater part of the chapter.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008