An analysis of how visualisation processes can be used by teachers participating in an intervention programme to teach for conceptual understanding of geometry
- Authors: Muhembo, Gottfried Mbundu
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Geometry -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia -- Kavango East , Visualization , Mathematics teachers -- Namibia -- Kavango East , Effective teaching -- Namibia -- Kavango East , Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- Activity programs
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62439 , vital:28190
- Description: Visualisation in general and visualisation processes in particular have received much attention in the mathematics education research literature. Literature suggests that the appropriate use of visualisation helps learners to develop their conceptual understanding and skills of geometry as it allows them to visually interpret and understand fundamental mathematical and geometrical concepts. It is claimed that visual tools play an important role in communicating mathematical ideas through diagrams, gestures, images, sketches or drawings. Learning mathematics through visualisation can be a powerful tool to explore mathematical problems and give meaning to mathematical concepts and relationships between them. This interpretive case study focused on how selected teachers taught concepts in geometry through visualisation processes for conceptual understanding as a result of an intervention programme. The study was conducted at four high schools by four mathematics teachers in the Kavango East Region in Northern Namibia. The participants were involved in a three-week intervention programme and afterwards taught three lessons each on the topic of geometry. The data collection method of this research was: focus group and stimulus recall interviews, classroom observations and recorded videos. This research is located in constructivism. I used vertical and horizontal analysis strategies to analyse the data. My analytical instrument consisted of an observation schedule which I used in each lesson to identify how each of the visualisation processes was evident in each of the observed lessons. This study revealed that the participant teachers used visualisation processes in most of their lessons and these processes were used accurately in line with the requirements of the grade 8 mathematics syllabi. The visualisation processes were used through designed visual materials, posters and through the use of geometrical objects such as chalkboard ruler, protractor and compass. The results from this study also confirmed that visualisation processes can be a powerful instructional tool for enhancing learners’ conceptual understanding of geometry.
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- Date Issued: 2018
An analysis of stakeholder engagement in the integrated development planning process: a case of Blue Crane Route Local Municipality
- Authors: Marambana, Nonkululeko
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Stakeholder management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- Public relations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Public administration -- Citizen participation , Government publicity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Blue Crane Route Local Municipality , Integrated Development Plan (IDP)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63659 , vital:28466
- Description: Stakeholder engagement in local government is a legislated function that should be implemented by appointed and elected government officials. The 2015/16 financial year report of the Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA), revealed challenges pertaining to stakeholder engagement processes by the Blue Crane Route Municipality (BCRM), in that stakeholder inputs were not incorporated in the municipal Integrated Development Plan (IDP) of the 2016/17 financial year. The concern is that there is a gap regarding stakeholders’ engagement processes within BCRM and that affects the quality of IDP which serves as the municipal strategic document. The aim and objectives of this study are to understand stakeholder engagement processes on the IDP formulation by the BCRM in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The research questions are: How does BCRM conduct stakeholder engagement processes during IDP formulation? What institutional arrangements are in place for stakeholder engagement? And recommendation on how stakeholder engagement processes can be improved within the BCRM? The research questions were answered through a qualitative study, where data was collected through face-to-face interviews, focus groups and a document review. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with the municipal manager and the managers responsible for IDP as well as the officer responsible for public participation. Focus group sessions were conducted with the community leaders and the departmental leadership. Documents that were reviewed included IDP and process plans, minutes from community consultation meetings, public participation policies, and intergovernmental relations terms of reference. The responses received showed gaps in the following: institutional arrangements related to the integration of stakeholder engagement in municipal key performance indicators and procedures; communication between the municipality and stakeholders; community education related to the impact on community stakeholder engagement, and management processes related to the stakeholder database, capacity development, records management, collaboration and cooperation. Further research on how the municipality communicates and imparts knowledge to its stakeholders is recommended as it could contribute significantly to the body of knowledge.
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- Date Issued: 2018
An analysis of systemic risk in the South African banking sector
- Authors: Johnson, Clifford
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Risk assessment -- South Africa , Finance -- South Africa Banks and banking -- South Africa Financial risk management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30551 , vital:30959
- Description: The topic of systemic risk has gained prominence over the last three decades, however, renewed interest and discourse on the subject has increased significantly since the global financial crisis of 2007. This dissertation investigates the impact systemic risk has on the South African banking sector and the externalities borne amongst the largest constituent banks during periods of distress. By means of quantile regression, the delta conditional value at risk (ΔCoVaR) as introduced by Adrian and Brunnermeier (2008), banking institutions are ranked according to their systemic risk contributions at horizontal and vertical levels. Using weekly observations from 25 January 2008 until 28 July 2017, the empirical results reveal that a loose link exists between an individual bank’s risk and its systemic contribution. Furthermore, during periods of distress, larger banks contribute the most to systemic risk of the system. However, horizontally – amongst banks – size does not automatically imply systemic importance. The implications of the results, given the study, highlight that regulation of banks at an individual level does not imply that an institution is operating systemically prudent. Furthermore, regulation of banks is welcomed in order to address systemic risk of an institution; however, regulators should be mindful of the vertical and horizontal aspects of systemic externalities.
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- Date Issued: 2018
An analysis of the asset-based community development approach to early childhood development interventions in Grahamstown township pre-schools: a case study of the Centre for Social Development and Rhodes University Community Engagement
- Authors: Maponya, Mapula
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63670 , vital:28469
- Description: Is the glass half-full or half-empty? The purpose of this research was to show how Centre for Social Development and Rhodes University Community Engagement applies the Asset-Based Community Development approach in ECD interventions in Grahamstown township pre-schools. The subsidiary goals of the research were to highlight the challenges in the Early Childhood Development sector in Gahamstown, find out how the approach contributes to empowerment, participation and sustainability, and analyse the challenges that CSD and RUCE face in applying the approach and the relationship between the two organisations. The case study focused on the Centre for Social Development (CSD) and Rhodes University Community Engagement (RUCE). These two cases established projects that aim to improve Grahamstown township pre-schools. The apartheid system created a childhood of adversity for black children including inadequate access to social services, quality nutrition, health care and education. Black children in rural areas and townships faced tremendous obstacles in terms of access to quality ECD centres due to poverty and lack of adequate resources. In Grahamstown, various problems such as unemployment, poverty and restrictive apartheid regulations created a need for ECD interventions. Both organisations applied the Asset-Based Community Development approach to improve ECD in Grahamstown. The asset-based approach was created as a response to the impact of the needs-based approach. The needs- based approach focuses on deficiencies that exist in a community and uses outside experts and resources to address the deficiencies. The needs-based approach builds communities from the outside in, further disempowers community members and creates an environment of dependency. The asset-based approach on the other hand, was created to change the legacy of dependency by focusing on capacity building. A capacity-focused paradigm recognizes the gifts, skills and talents of community members. This approach is bottom- up beginning with what is available in the community and building on that. The approach aims to empower people, create a positive outlook on circumstances, and encourages organisations to work together with community members in community development projects. To achieve the main and subsidiary goals of the research, qualitative research was conducted using the case study method. In pursuing the objective of the thesis, I conducted research among ECD practitioners, student volunteers and staff from CSD and RUCE. Based on the findings it is clear that the application of the Asset-Based approach has a positive impact on ECD practitioners, children at the pre-schools and student volunteers. Through the application of the ABCD approach, ECD practitioners became proactive and took the driving seat in the development process. The ECD practitioners built strong relationships with community members and outside organisations. They have improved their skills and qualifications, and are on their way to restoring their agency, finding their voice and achieving independence. This has a positive impact on children at the pre-schools as they receive quality education and care. There are various challenges and contradictions in the application of the approach but the ECD practitioners view the communities in which they operate as half-full and not half-empty
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- Date Issued: 2018
An analysis of the effectiveness of public participation in the integrated development plan in relation to basic service delivery: a case study of Kwazakhele Township in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Authors: Nkonyashe, Lwando Morris
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Public administration -- Citizen participation -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality -- Citizen participation Municipal government -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality -- Citizen participation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22835 , vital:30109
- Description: This study focuses at analysing the effectiveness of public participation in the integrated development plan in relation to basic service delivery with specific reference, to ward 24 in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape. The pragmatic part of this of this study was undertaken in Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality in KwaZakhele. Integrated Development Plan is constituted in Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 that municipalities are to undertake this type of development in their designated spheres. It stipulates that municipalities are to engage the public in their developmental planning as it concerns the public. Local government is the government that is closer to the public, and it carries the mandate of National government in ensuring basic services are delivered to the public. This then shows how vital it is for the public to share the same vision with the municipality. This study highlights the effectiveness of involving the public in planning their development by the municipality. Hence this study analyses the effectiveness of public participation, in a verge to see if it yields the desired results. Analysing how integrated development is shaped in the midst of public participation, the study will do that by analysing basic services in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality in reference to KwaZakhele Ward. The study therefore encourages effective public participation in integrated development plan specifically in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality, as to ensure basic services delivery.
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- Date Issued: 2018
An analysis of the payment of municipal services by the Department of Roads and Public works in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Sirhamza, Wendy
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Municipal finance -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Public works -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Finance Public administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23164 , vital:30449
- Description: The research study sought to analyze the payment of municipal service by the Department of Roads and Public Works in the Eastern Cape. Factor’s affecting the payment of municipal services by the DRPW is a great challenge in the Eastern Cape but not mainly in this province only. The purpose of the study was to help decision makers of the department in their strategic planning to be aware of the challenges in the payment of municipal services. The researcher selected qualitative method of research. The primary data for research study was collected through semi structures interview and the questionnaires. The findings of the study were obtained from the responses provided by the respondents and negatively affect the department’s ability to meet its obligation to pay municipal services. Recommendations are provided that could assist the Department of Roads and Public Works to improve in the payment of municipal services. Recommendations will hopefully help to improve the financial status for the betterment of the municipalities of this province. Research recommends centralization of municipal utilities from the client department to the owner and to improve intergovernmental relations and stakeholders management.
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- Date Issued: 2018
An analysis of the roles of the media and various interest aggregations in the social construction of the obesity epidemic
- Authors: Kriel, Daneel
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Obesity in mass media , Identity (Psychology) and mass media Mass media Discourse analysis Social constructionism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/31434 , vital:31381
- Description: The regularly shifting positions between frames of individual responsibility and environmental impact characterising the obesity discourse in the media raises suspicion that the purported ‘obesity epidemic’ may be a social construction as opposed to a bona fide public health concern. Should this be the case, it prompts the question, who would go to the lengths of creating a global perception of being overweight as a life-threatening disease and constructing a global ‘epidemic? Additionally, what could be the possible justifications for doing so? This study is an effort to determine whether the ‘obesity epidemic’ is indeed a social construction. This is of concern, because public representations of obesity not only inform the public of medical or biomedical statistics but endorse shame-based narratives that may impact negatively upon the social identities and lives of people by creating meanings that influence cultural understandings of fatness and health. This study employs frame analysis, conceptualizing media frames as independent variables influencing the nature of the obesity discourse. By employing set criteria, eighty articles were selected from various high-profile South African English news sources with an online presence, representing a broad cross-section of the daily news provided to the South African population. A coding frame of key discourses was developed and coded for frame analysis in the QDA Miner software program. The study found that not only is the ‘obesity epidemic’ a social construction, but the result of propaganda executed through the media by large corporations in the ‘health-industrial complex’ for the sake of economic gain. Continued presentation of the ‘obesity epidemic’ as a global public health crisis, serves to reinforce societal myths and stereotypes, while shaping community beliefs, values and behaviour on behalf of corporate institutions.
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- Date Issued: 2018
An analysis on the use of web-based ontology to support ubiquitous learning in South African secondary schools
- Authors: Bamigboye, Oluwatosin Omotoyosi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Internet in education World Wide Web Ontology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12859 , vital:39385
- Description: There is certainly a need to upgrade our educational system and this can be done through technology-enhanced learning. Technology-enhanced learning can be achieved by developing a web-based ontology e-learning platform, which allows learning to take place ubiquitously. In achieving this task, this research is focusing on analyzing the use of web-based ontology to support the design and implementation of a ubiquitous learning system in South Africa. The implemented web-based ontology e-learning system was deployed and tested. The system testing was done on two variables (Information retrieval and Scalability) of localhost and client system, with the following testing metrics: time is taken for information retrieval, request time to process the request, transfer rate, time localhost receives request, time to respond, roundtrip time for request and network usage. The metrics testing was achieved using apache benchmarking console and gnuplot application to generate the data captured and performance graph, while Wireshark was also used to test/analyze round trip time and network usage through the deployed system. The results of the findings in this study show that the relationship between student and learning content becomes explicit when using ontology technology in searching, organizing, gathering and development content. Results obtained from information retrieval show that the transfer rate of information on localhost for 100 request @ current level of 5 is 37169.89kb/s, while on the client’s system, the transfer rate was 48494.36kb/s which was due to multiple request on the client’s side. Results obtained on scalability shows the round trip time which was (time to respond-time to request). The longest roundtrip was 8 seconds as a result of network being congested with multiple packets request from various sources trying to access the localhost at the same time while the fastest was 1 seconds. The implications of this results show that web-based ontology e-learning system has a positive input to teaching and learning processes in schools for content retrieval and network usage. The system furthermore shows the relationship adopted by learners and teachers, and also the match needs that arise in between. The contribution of this study adds to the existing discoveries on the use of web-based and knowledge-based ontology.
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- Date Issued: 2018
An analysis, from a South African case law perspective, of the deductibility of losses due to embezzlement, fraud, theft, damages and compensation
- Authors: Jachi, Adelaide Gamuchirai
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: South Africa. Income Tax Act, 1962 , Tax deductions -- South Africa , Taxation -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Tax courts -- South Africa , Tax administration and procedure -- South Africa , Tax accounting -- South Africa , Income tax deductions for losses -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/60855 , vital:27846
- Description: When calculating the income tax payable for a year of assessment, a taxpayer deducts from his or her or its income, allowable deductions in terms of the preamble to section 11 and section 11(a) as read with section 23(g) of the Income Tax Act, 58 of 1962. Amongst the expenditure and losses incurred by a taxpayer during a year of assessment, a claim may be sought for the deduction of losses incurred due to embezzlement, fraud and theft as well as damages and compensation. The requirements of the preamble and section 11(a) include the requirement that expenditure and losses must be incurred “in the production of the income”. Losses incurred due to defalcations, as well as expenditure on damages and compensation must satisfy this requirement to be allowed as deductions. The objective of the research was to analyse the judicial decisions dealing with “in the production of the income” in granting a deduction for income tax purposes in cases dealing with embezzlement, fraud and theft, and damages and compensation, to establish why the courts grant or disallow the deduction of expenditure and losses. A doctrinal research methodology was applied to the research. The provisions of the Income Tax Act, relevant case law relating to embezzlement, fraud and theft, and damages and compensation, and the contributions of the revenue authority and tax experts in articles of accredited journals, textbooks and other writings were analysed. The major conclusions drawn from the research were that losses due to defalcations are regarded as having been incurred “in the production of the income” if the taxpayer discharges the onus of proof that the risk of the act leading to misappropriation is an incidental risk of the business. Expenditure on damages and compensation is deductible provided the expense is attached to the performance of a business operation bona fide performed for the purpose of earning income and the expense is so closely connected with the business operation as to be regarded as part of the cost of performing it. Where negligence is attached to an expense or loss, the South African courts have held that negligence does not increase the likelihood of disallowing an expense or loss as not having been incurred “in the production of the income”.
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- Date Issued: 2018
An anthropological investigation on the effectiveness of participatory tools: the case of the valley trust organisation in Durban, Kwazulu – Natal
- Authors: Mabaso, Celuzuze Gugulethu
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Educational anthropology , Adult learning -- South Africa -- Durban , Learning, Psychology of
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30865 , vital:31184
- Description: This is an anthropological study of the effectiveness of participatory tools and the Valley Trust Organization in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. The research aim was to investigate the relationship between adult learning and the usage of participatory tools and to find out the influence/effectiveness of participatory tools on adult learning. The research objectives was to investigate how the adults at the Valley Trust Organization feel about the programme in relation to their intermediate needs, to contribute within the anthropology of education within the context of South Africa with specific reference to KwaZulu-Natal Province and to come up with the recommendations with the view of addressing the challenges facing adult education. The research techniques employed in this study include among others, individual interviews using an interview schedule. To supplement the interviews, secondary sources ranging from scholarly journals, books were used. In the final analysis the researcher has made some recommendations with the view to address some of the challenges.
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- Date Issued: 2018
An appraisal of warm temperate mangrove estuaries as food patches using zooplankton and RNA: DNA ratios of Gilchristella aestuaria larvae as indicators
- Authors: Bornman, Eugin
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Mangrove swamps Fishes -- Larvae , Mangrove ecology , Zooplankton
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17908 , vital:28481
- Description: Mangrove habitats are considered as the ideal fish nursery as they are known to increase the growth and survival of juvenile fishes by providing enhanced food availability and protection. However, most studies have focused on tropical mangroves with a few recent warm temperate studies finding conflicting results. Furthermore, the nursery value of South African mangroves to fishes remain understudied in subtropical areas, while warm temperate mangroves are yet to be evaluated. This study aimed to assess whether mangrove presence leads to any advantage to the larvae of an important estuarine resident fish species, Gilchristella aestuaria, by comparing the food patch quality of South African warm temperate mangrove and non-mangrove estuaries. Results indicate that larvae fed primarily on the dominant prey species, Pseudodiaptomus hessei, Paracrtia longipatella, and Acartiella natalensis. However, postflexion larvae consumed more of the larger species, P. hessei, within the two mangrove estuaries (16.09 %V in Nahoon and 13.79 %V in Xhora) than the two nonmangrove estuaries (12.20 %V in Gonubie and 7.05 %V in Qora), despite other prey species occurring at similar densities. Results indicate that mangrove habitats acted as sediment sinks, slightly reducing the turbidity of these estuaries which resulted in postflexion larvae actively selecting larger, more nutritious prey, which in turn, significantly increased their individual instantaneous growth rates (0.11 ± 0.21 Gi) when compared to postflexion larvae in non-mangrove estuaries (0.09 ± 0.12 Gi). This study found that mangrove presence was significantly related to postflexion larval densities when coupled with abiotic (such as temperature and turbidity) and biotic factors (such as predator-prey interactions). Understanding the spatial and temporal dynamics, predator-prey interactions as well as the growth and survival of G. aestuaria is particularly important as they are key zooplanktivores that are prey to other species in estuarine food webs.
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- Date Issued: 2018
An assessment of challenges of reporting by TVET collages to the department of Higher Education and Training using a web-based monitoring and evaluation instrument : the case of two selected TVET colleges in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Siwa, Monwabisi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Automatic control -- Data processing TVET Colleges
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17305 , vital:40936
- Description: The effective and efficient functioning of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges is pertinent to the development of critical and scares skills for the South African labour market. In this research, I examined the challenges facing the reporting by TVET colleges to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) using a web-based M&E and reporting framework for TVET colleges. I presented what was the form of reporting by TVET colleges to DHET before the introduction of M&E and reporting framework for TVET colleges in 2015.To this end, M&E and reporting is pivotal in the effective and efficient running of these institutions. In this research, I presented the evolution of the TVET Sector and reviewed literature on monitoring and evaluation, challenges of reporting by TVET colleges to DHET and the role of professional support needed to be given to the sector on monitoring and evaluation. Qualitative method and a case study methodology was used to investigate the challenges of reporting to DHET by TVET colleges. I used semi-structured interview with 4 participants from two selected colleges in the Eastern Cape. I employed interpretive paradigm and content analysis in interpreting and analysing data collected. I presented summary, findings, recommendations and conclusion. The topics for further research were also sponsored in this study.
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- Date Issued: 2018
An assessment of civil society peace building efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo
- Authors: Tunda, Kitenge
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Peace-building -- Democratic Republic of Congo , Peacekeeping forces -- Developing countries Conflict management -- Developing countries
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/35852 , vital:33853
- Description: During the Rwandan genocide, from April to July 1994, more than two million Rwandans, including Hutu extremists who feared retribution, fled to neighbouring countries. The majority of people who took refuge in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC, known until May 1997 as Zaire) were located in North and South Kivu provinces. Tensions grew between DRC and Rwanda governments due to the use of refugee camps in North Kivu as rear bases by Hutu extremists to attack, destabilise and regain control of power in Rwanda (Leeuwen, 2008: 400). In 1996, a group of four political parties [the Council of Resistance for Democracy, the Revolutionary Movement for the Liberation of Congo, the Democratic Alliance of the People and the Party of the Peoples' Revolution] founded the Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo (AFDL) to pursue regime change in DRC [First Congo war]. Mobutu’s 32 years of bad governance had transformed DRC into one of the poorest countries in the world despite its abundant wealth in natural resources. A deadly conflict erupted in 1998 [Second Congo war], in which several armed rebel groups supported by neighbouring countries sought to overthrow the regime of President Kabila. In 1999, a cease-fire agreement was signed in Lusaka, Zambia which paved the way for the deployment of UN peacekeeping troops. An inter-Congolese dialogue was convened in 2002 in South Africa. As a result of the dialogue, the war ended [sporadic conflicts continued] and a new transitional government of national unity was formed in June 2003. President Joseph Kabila, who was declared winner of the 2006 presidential elections, promised to restore peace and security in the Kivu provinces. But, after more than 10 years, the root causes of the conflict have not been resolved in South Kivu. The province still faces violence perpetrated by armed rebel groups, human insecurity, human rights violations and economic decline; all these issues have compromised the relative peace that local people have had for a couple of years. The treatise identifies, through a literature and documentary analysis, some local and external Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) which have been advocating, supporting and recommending post-conflict reconstruction and development (PCRD) in South Kivu. The concept of Peacebuilding has been one of the core objectives of dozens of actors in South Kivu. The aim of this treatise is to assess local CSOs’ efforts in building peace in South Kivu. The author has evaluated their capacities in resolving the root causes of conflicts, building capacity of communities through training, delivering humanitarian assistance to vulnerable people, and working towards a sustainable and lasting stability in the province. This treatise’s objectives are aimed at assessing the works and challenges of local non-states actors and stakeholders in peace consolidation. The author has also outlined the programmes implemented by local actors to address the root causes of conflicts; has made recommendations to promote peace and has concluded that a durable stability can be achievable with the support of all peace stakeholders in Eastern DRC.
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- Date Issued: 2018
An assessment of female and management perceptions of factors moderating leadership mobility at Logistic (PTY) LTD
- Authors: Rippon, Marion Magdelyn
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Transformational leadership Leadership in women
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17897 , vital:28480
- Description: Senior management positions at a South African-based logistics company Logistic (Pty) Ltd (pseudonym) are predominantly occupied by males which led to the primary question: why are females not better represented at senior levels within the organisation and why do promotion into these senior managerial positions appears difficult? The objective of this study was to determine factors impacting female advancement and to develop strategies based on identified influencing factors. Based on an interpretivist paradigm, the study used a phenomenological approach which was based on an appreciative enquiry research to understand experiences perceived and interpreted by individuals within the organisation. Various findings emerged in terms of the research questions of how management perceive and support female advancement, the perception of barriers experienced by females and the perception of the potential of the organisation promoting females in terms of providing an enabling environment. Findings which were not conducive to female advancement were identified as non-supporting organisational culture due to the inherent history of the organisation, tokenism by trying to rectify the phenomenon, transparent barriers experienced by females trying to ascend the corporate ladder and the lack of a pool of suitable candidates in the junior levels of the organisation which could be caused by the industry in which the organisation does business. Conclusions surrounding organisational intentions and actions were reached, which included recommendations for progressing towards the goals as agreed by the Commission for Employment Equity (CEE) and its strategic and sectoral stakeholders.
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- Date Issued: 2018
An assessment of IDP implementation and sustainable development : the case of the housing sector in Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality
- Authors: Mwatenga, John
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: City planning Sustainable development Housing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13447 , vital:39667
- Description: This research study assessed the implementation of the Integrated Development Plan and sustainable development in Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality. The study intended to achieve the following objectives: i) to identify factors affecting the provision of dwelling units in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality and their effect on sustainable development in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality; to assess the perceptions of the municipality and the community on the role of the IDP as a tool for development; iii) to suggest strategies that can be adopted to improve IDP implementation for sustainable development in the area. The literature reviewed in the study was drawn from several researchers. The sustainable development theory, the incremental planning model and the rational planning model underpinned the study. Although three theories were used, the sustainable development theory was the major theory adopted in this study. The mixed research methods are used to collect the primary data for this study. The use of both quantitative and qualitative methods is deemed most appropriate for this research study, as most researchers regard them as best methods in answering the research questions. The use of mixed methods has the assumption that both approaches can complement each other and help in avoiding unnecessary shortcomings. Since the study collected both quantitative and qualitative data, an interview guide and questionnaires were used. Interviews were conducted with three (3) municipal officials as well as (2) councillors from Mangaung metropolitan municipality (MMM), whereas questionnaires were distributed to (90) community members. The analysis of the study made the following conclusions about the IDP implementation and sustainable development in Mangaung metropolitan municipality. Firstly, there is satisfactory majority understanding among the participants regarding Integrated Development Plan and its related processes. The respondents have a common view that the IDP is a key tool that buoys development and that continued implementation challenges halt every form of development within the municipal area. Secondly, there is implementation of the IDP in Mangaung metropolitan municipality (MMM); nevertheless, the extent of implementation has not had the anticipated effect on the general populace in communities, given the ineffectiveness and inefficiencies in resource utilisation. Thirdly, it was also discovered that the municipality currently has serious housing backlogs that have brought auxiliary challenges thus impeding developmental efforts of MMM. Fourthly, the study also concluded that the causes of housing backlogs are: apartheid legacy, influx of foreign nationals, lack of oversight monitoring, heightened poverty, corruption, poor governance, insufficient budget, ineffective IDP implementation, urbanisation, natural population; unemployment and lack of capacity and skills can be regarded as the major contributors to housing shortages currently plaguing MMM. Thus the study recommended that an oversight, monitoring and evaluation policy, good governance, public participation, utilisation of PPPs and implementation of environmental management policy will go a long way in enhancing IDP implementation towards attaining sustainable development in the Mangaung metropolitan municipality.
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- Date Issued: 2018
An assessment of Organisational Culture at an Information and Technology Company during a period of change
- Authors: Nzimande, Prosper Thelumusa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Organizational change , Corporate culture Organization -- Research Customer relations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22935 , vital:30150
- Description: Orientation: Change is inevitable, yet many organisational change efforts are not successful due to the culture of the organisation not supporting change. As a result,change objectives are not met and employees are left with a poor change experience. Research objective: The main objective of the study was therefore to determine the extent to which the organisational culture of a selected South African Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) organisation was ready for change, and supported goal alignment, team work, a customer focus and employee talent optimisation to attain desired Change Outcomes. Research design: The study adopted a quantitative method using a random sample method and survey as the data collecting instrument, which was administered to employees at a selected ICT organisation. Factor analysis resulted in a refinement of the initial cultural elements investigated. Main findings/results: The results revealed that the ICT organisation did reflect a customer orientation, change readiness, collaboration for continuous improvement and an environment that enabled performance, but that there was room for improvement. The results indicated that the respondents had doubts about whether the Change Outcomes were attained. All the cultural factors correlated positively with each other and positively correlated with Change Outcomes. A significant positive link was found between Collaboration for Continuous Innovation and Change Outcomes. Practical/managerial implications: Organisational change requires much effort from senior leaders, managers and employees and it is therefore more likely that, during change, attention will be focused on operational changes rather than on organisational culture. However, the study demonstrated that culture in general is very important, as it influences behaviour and provides identity to employees, and that culture is especially important during a period of change. During a period of change, culture can either enhance or hinder change. In addition, change often implies a change in culture. The study showed that during a period of change, team work is very important and that opportunities must be created for sharing ideas, collaboration and stretching goals, thus for innovation, and for finding better ways to serve customers.
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- Date Issued: 2018
An assessment of own revenue management for financial sustainability of the Eastern Cape municipalities
- Authors: Majikijela, Vuyolwethu
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Revenue management , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Finance , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Cost effectiveness , Municipal services -- Finance
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/61445 , vital:28027
- Description: The purpose of the research is to assess the financial viability of municipalities in the Eastern Cape. Municipalities that are not financially viable and sustainable will always struggle to deliver basic services to communities. Without sound financial management systems, municipalities will be forced to discontinue their operations. Municipalities, particularly small and rural ones, are not self-sufficient thus cost benefit theory emphasises that municipality must adopt cost recovery revenue management. The application of cost recovery revenue management requires that municipalities take into account internal and external revenue management challenges that will be factored on user charges. Cost recovery also requires governance to lead the process through capacitation, transparency and communication with all stakeholders. This research highlights that municipalities in the province have not matured to a level wherein they are able to adopt cost recovery revenue management because of prevalent external revenue management challenges caused by high unemployment rate in the province and the slow economic growth. Municipalities in the province are thus financially unsustainable. This research therefore proposes that a phase in approach to cost recovery should be adopted in line with the changes in unemployment and economic growth. Increased transparency and consultation with intergovernmental relations should also be promoted to enable financial sustainability of municipalities in the province.
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- Date Issued: 2018
An assessment of quality health care in the operating theatres of Frere Hospital in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Bennett, Fabion Charton
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Medical care Surgical instruments and apparatus -- Safety measures
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPH
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13425 , vital:39660
- Description: BACKGROUND: Operating theatres are one of most expensive resources in a hospital. The management of operating theatres is complex due to the conflicting priorities and preferences of all stakeholders. Operating theatres also pose one of the greatest medico legal risks to any hospital. This study was conducted at Frere Hospital in East London to assess the functioning of the operating theatre system. The focus of this study was on Pre-operative categorisation of emergency cases, the utilisation of the World Health Organisation Safety Checklist, compliance to the National Core Standards for Health, the effectiveness of governance and review processes, theatre staffing as well as theatre efficiency indicators (start time/tardiness, utilisation, turn-around time, re-admission to theatre rate, cancellation on day of procedure, slate under/over runs, Anaesthetic time as a percentage of theatre time). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to promote the adherence to the various operating theatre universal approaches by operating theatre staff with the goal of reducing costs and errors caused by poor quality in operating theatres and improving the overall health system. METHOD: In this research a convergent parallel mixed method research design was applied. The research was non-experimental and descriptive in approach, using a mixed method questionnaire, a structured open ended interview, a structured infrastructure assessment, a structured observation checklist and an audit of patient files for a review of emergency surgical cases. Data was collected during October 2016 and January 2017.The study population consisted of 13 operating rooms across 6 operating theatre suites, surgical management staff as well as clinical and nursing staff in the operating theatres at Frere Hospital in East London. RESULTS: The study showed opportunities for improvement in the overall management of the operating theatres to ensure efficient quality care; the data from the observations, questionnaires, interviews as well as the analysis of the efficiency indicators consistently showed that an effective process of operating theatre governance and performance is non-existent, the Pre- operative categorisation of emergency cases is inconsistently applied, the compliance to the principles of the World Health Organisation Safety Checklist Is very low, theatre nursing staff levels per case is low, staff are also demotivated and theatre efficiency indicators require improvement. During this study, the Paediatric theatre suite appeared to be well run and compliant with opportunity to increase theatre utilisation, the casualty theatre is underutilised and has potential to be utilised as an enabler to improve the efficiency of other theatres. The main theatre and endoscopy suites have opportunities to improve its compliance to universal operating theatre quality and efficiency standards, the Orthopaedics and Obstetrics theatre suites, however, require urgent improvement focus. DISCUSSION: According to the findings, a structured operating theatre governance and performance review processes should be implemented with the intention of ensuring consistency across the management of the 6 operating theatre suites in the hospital. A review of staffing allocation and relative task allocation should be conducted. Interventions should be implemented to increase utilisation rates, improve the pre-operative categorisation of emergency cases, improve the compliance to the principles of the World Health Organisation Safety Checklist, reduce case start time variance/tardiness, reduce cancellation on day of procedure, increase anaesthetic time as a percentage of theatre time by introducing pre- anaesthetic induction prior to the patient being wheeled into the operating room.
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- Date Issued: 2018
An assessment of the effects of leadership on performance : the case of selected schools in Mthatha district in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Ngunge, Lindiwe Esther
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: School management and organization Educational leadership
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/14082 , vital:39803
- Description: The research investigated the impact of leadership on performance in the case of selected schools in Mthatha district in the Eastern Cape. The research used a mixed method methodology combining qualitative and quantitative methods. The sample size was N=60 using purposive sampling. The dependant variable in the research was the school performance and the independent variable is the good leadership. The questionnaire was analysed quantitatively from a total key respondent of 45 leaders in the different schools.15 school educational leaders were interviewed and analysed qualitatively using thematic analysis. Research findings indicated that there is still male domination in school leadership positions over females. The leadership composition is 53percent males and 47percent females in Eastern Cape. School leadership positions are, in general, held by long serving members who are former teachers with a higher degree of seniority than the young school leaders. This is typical of traditional Xhosa societies dominated by elders in decision making. 73percent of the responses show a democratic leadership style when investigating how school leaders manage schools. The second most common leadership style is situational at 66percent, and the least prevalent management style is autocratic, which includes less than 10percent of the respondents. 60percent of the schools are performing and 40percent are underperforming, but overall there is good leadership in schools despite very poor results evidenced in the past 5 years. The research shows a strong correlation between the schools that had good performance and those that had good leadership in which the dominant leadership style was 'bureaucratic' and 'situational'. The schools that had poor results that were underperforming also showed trends of poor leadership.
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- Date Issued: 2018
An assessment of the extent to which community based planning is effectively used to identify viable and sustainable local economic development projects as part of municipal integrated development planning in Buffalo City Municipality
- Authors: Ngamlana, Mncedi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22857 , vital:30111
- Description: The aim of this study is to investigate public participation mechanisms employed by Buffalo City Municipality and the extent to which these mechanisms influence municipal planning. The study highlights the extent to which the municipality’s development processes and programs are informed by the views of its citizens. This study also provides some useful insights into the extent to which the municipality is complying with legislative requirements for public participation in community-related projects. The approach was designed to respond to two major challenges that were identified at the time, namely: An analysis of the institutional challenges in attempts to promote sustainable livelihoods; and a realisation that decentralisation has concentrated on local government itself and has limited impact on citizens. The research methodology used is both qualitative and quantitative. Furthermore, face-to-face interviews were conducted in order to provide an accurate presentation of information (Leavitt and Bahrami, 1998),. The study revealed that a lack of an integrated approach to planning and program implementation between different departments within BCM even though these should essentially be planning and implementing in one accord. Community based planning (CBP) is one way in which municipalities encourage ward communities to participate in planning with an intended intention that the ward-based plans will feed into bigger strategies of the municipality. What had been uncovered through this study is that in BCM, CBP is not done, and therefore does not influence the development of the IDP and the LED strategy. This means that there is little meaningful community participation in BCM in the development of the IDP and the LED strategy, and therefore the municipality has no guarantee that its development initiatives are targeted towards the real needs of its citizens. Also, the study revealed that ward communities in BCM have no direct influence or control over their own development and over development priorities that are budgeted for by the municipality.
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- Date Issued: 2018