Enhanced biometric access control for mobile devices
- Brown, Dane L, Bradshaw, Karen L
- Authors: Brown, Dane L , Bradshaw, Karen L
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/465678 , vital:76631
- Description: In the new Digital Economy, mobile devices are increasingly 978-0-620-76756-9being used for tasks that involve sensitive and/or financial data. Hitherto, security on smartphones has not been a priority and furthermore, users tend to ignore the security features in favour of more rapid access to the device. We propose an authentication system that can provide enhanced security by utilizing multi-modal biometrics from a single image, captured at arm’s length, containing unique face and iris data. The system is compared to state-of-the-art face and iris recognition systems, in related studies using the CASIA-Iris-Distance dataset and the IITD iris dataset. The proposed system outperforms the related studies in all experiments and shows promising advancements to at-a-distance iris recognition on mobile devices.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Brown, Dane L , Bradshaw, Karen L
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/465678 , vital:76631
- Description: In the new Digital Economy, mobile devices are increasingly 978-0-620-76756-9being used for tasks that involve sensitive and/or financial data. Hitherto, security on smartphones has not been a priority and furthermore, users tend to ignore the security features in favour of more rapid access to the device. We propose an authentication system that can provide enhanced security by utilizing multi-modal biometrics from a single image, captured at arm’s length, containing unique face and iris data. The system is compared to state-of-the-art face and iris recognition systems, in related studies using the CASIA-Iris-Distance dataset and the IITD iris dataset. The proposed system outperforms the related studies in all experiments and shows promising advancements to at-a-distance iris recognition on mobile devices.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Enhancing agency and action in teacher education in Zimbabwe
- Mandikonza, Caleb, Mukundu, Cecilia
- Authors: Mandikonza, Caleb , Mukundu, Cecilia
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/436235 , vital:73251 , ISBN 978-3-319-45989-9 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-45989-9_18
- Description: In this chapter we use a case study of teacher education in Zimbabwe to review a professional development model for mainstreaming environment and sustainability education (ESE). The process is driven by a collaborative and practice-based course design where participants work towards a change project in their professional work context. An institu-tional change project approach was developed within a work-together/work-away process in a Rhodes University teacher education course undertaken in partnership with the Southern African Development Community Regional Environmental Ed-ucation Programme (SADC REEP).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mandikonza, Caleb , Mukundu, Cecilia
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/436235 , vital:73251 , ISBN 978-3-319-45989-9 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-45989-9_18
- Description: In this chapter we use a case study of teacher education in Zimbabwe to review a professional development model for mainstreaming environment and sustainability education (ESE). The process is driven by a collaborative and practice-based course design where participants work towards a change project in their professional work context. An institu-tional change project approach was developed within a work-together/work-away process in a Rhodes University teacher education course undertaken in partnership with the Southern African Development Community Regional Environmental Ed-ucation Programme (SADC REEP).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Enhancing productivity and market participation for poverty reduction and shared prosperity in South Africa
- Authors: Avuletey, Richard
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Poverty -- South Africa Economic development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13978 , vital:39736
- Description: There have been several attempts by the South Africa government to improve the agricultural productivity on smallholder farms since the end of apartheid. In spite of the government support, agricultural productivity has stagnated for several years across the Eastern Cape rural communities including Mthatha and Qamata. The aim of this study was to understand the roles played by irrigation adoption and market participation in addressing poverty reduction and shared prosperity levels of smallholder farmers in Eastern Cape of South Africa. Data were collected using purposive and random sampling approach through the use of the snowball method. To collect data, a questionnaire was designed and administered through face-to-face interviews. Overall, 200 farmers were interviewed both at Mthatha and Qamata irrigation scheme to represent the farmers in the area. The collected data were analysed using both parametric and non-parametric methods. The non-parametric methods used include descriptive analysis, estimation of gross margins as a proxy for profitability. The Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA), Binomial Logistic Regression (BLR), Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), tobit censored regression and propensity score matching (PSM) were the parametric methods used in the study. Profit efficiency was measured using the normalized transcendent logarithmic profit frontier approach (Cobb-douglas). Stochastic Production Frontier (SPF) technique was used to determine the technical efficiency of individual farmers and to identify the major factors that influence technical efficiency. Binomial logistic regression was used to determine factors affecting irrigation adoption and market participation among smallholder farmers. OLS was used to estimate the impact of institutional characteristics, socio-economic and agronomic factors on smallholder farmers’ level of market participation for selected crop enterprises. Lastly, tobit regression and propensity score matching (PSM) analyses were used to estimate the impact of irrigation technology adoption on poverty reduction in the province. The results of the descriptive statistics of the overall sample revealed an average age of 61 years, and mean household size of 4.6 persons with majority of the household head having at least obtained some primary school education (59.5percent). Most of the household heads interviewed were men (68.5percent). Most farmers are single (65percent) with regard to their marital status. Farming is viewed as major source of livelihood for smallholders with an average income of R12523.37 for overall sample and income of R15559.80 and R5795.59 per crop season, respectively, for irrigators and non irrigators. Smallholder irrigators generated a higher gross margin of R7585.26, R21966.89 and R6266.07 from maize, cabbage and potato enterprises, respectively, compared to their non irrigator counterparts in maize (R131.39), cabbage (R10938.04) and potato (R3433.31) enterprises. The results of the frontier profit model revealed mean profit efficiency of 90percent, 99.99percent and 99.99percent, respectively, for maize, cabbage and potato.The binary logistic regression model for irrigation adoption indicated that years in school, cooperative membership, off-farm income, credit access and distance to market significantly explain smallholder farmers’ irrigation adoption decision. On the other hand, age of household head, market support, farm size, livestock income and distance to market were the key variables that accounted for smallholder farmers’ market participation adoption behaviour. The findings from the stochastic production frontier (SPF) indicate that smallholder farmers are technically efficient in maize and cabbage enterprises both at 99.99percent. Lastly, the findings from the Tobit regression and propensity score matching are consistent across the two methods, suggesting that being a member of irrigation adoption has a positive significant impact on income of smallholder farmers. Irrigation and market participation appear to have a significant and positive impact on smallholder poverty reduction (measured by crop income) for those farmers engaged in them. The findings from this study provide useful practical insights for policy makers, farm advisers and researchers in the design of effective and efficient policies, programmes and projects which can affect the adoption of irrigation technology and market participation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Avuletey, Richard
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Poverty -- South Africa Economic development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13978 , vital:39736
- Description: There have been several attempts by the South Africa government to improve the agricultural productivity on smallholder farms since the end of apartheid. In spite of the government support, agricultural productivity has stagnated for several years across the Eastern Cape rural communities including Mthatha and Qamata. The aim of this study was to understand the roles played by irrigation adoption and market participation in addressing poverty reduction and shared prosperity levels of smallholder farmers in Eastern Cape of South Africa. Data were collected using purposive and random sampling approach through the use of the snowball method. To collect data, a questionnaire was designed and administered through face-to-face interviews. Overall, 200 farmers were interviewed both at Mthatha and Qamata irrigation scheme to represent the farmers in the area. The collected data were analysed using both parametric and non-parametric methods. The non-parametric methods used include descriptive analysis, estimation of gross margins as a proxy for profitability. The Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA), Binomial Logistic Regression (BLR), Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), tobit censored regression and propensity score matching (PSM) were the parametric methods used in the study. Profit efficiency was measured using the normalized transcendent logarithmic profit frontier approach (Cobb-douglas). Stochastic Production Frontier (SPF) technique was used to determine the technical efficiency of individual farmers and to identify the major factors that influence technical efficiency. Binomial logistic regression was used to determine factors affecting irrigation adoption and market participation among smallholder farmers. OLS was used to estimate the impact of institutional characteristics, socio-economic and agronomic factors on smallholder farmers’ level of market participation for selected crop enterprises. Lastly, tobit regression and propensity score matching (PSM) analyses were used to estimate the impact of irrigation technology adoption on poverty reduction in the province. The results of the descriptive statistics of the overall sample revealed an average age of 61 years, and mean household size of 4.6 persons with majority of the household head having at least obtained some primary school education (59.5percent). Most of the household heads interviewed were men (68.5percent). Most farmers are single (65percent) with regard to their marital status. Farming is viewed as major source of livelihood for smallholders with an average income of R12523.37 for overall sample and income of R15559.80 and R5795.59 per crop season, respectively, for irrigators and non irrigators. Smallholder irrigators generated a higher gross margin of R7585.26, R21966.89 and R6266.07 from maize, cabbage and potato enterprises, respectively, compared to their non irrigator counterparts in maize (R131.39), cabbage (R10938.04) and potato (R3433.31) enterprises. The results of the frontier profit model revealed mean profit efficiency of 90percent, 99.99percent and 99.99percent, respectively, for maize, cabbage and potato.The binary logistic regression model for irrigation adoption indicated that years in school, cooperative membership, off-farm income, credit access and distance to market significantly explain smallholder farmers’ irrigation adoption decision. On the other hand, age of household head, market support, farm size, livestock income and distance to market were the key variables that accounted for smallholder farmers’ market participation adoption behaviour. The findings from the stochastic production frontier (SPF) indicate that smallholder farmers are technically efficient in maize and cabbage enterprises both at 99.99percent. Lastly, the findings from the Tobit regression and propensity score matching are consistent across the two methods, suggesting that being a member of irrigation adoption has a positive significant impact on income of smallholder farmers. Irrigation and market participation appear to have a significant and positive impact on smallholder poverty reduction (measured by crop income) for those farmers engaged in them. The findings from this study provide useful practical insights for policy makers, farm advisers and researchers in the design of effective and efficient policies, programmes and projects which can affect the adoption of irrigation technology and market participation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Environmental and social recovery asymmetries to large-scale disturbances in small island communities
- Aswani, Shankar, Van Putten, Ingrid, Miñarro, Sara
- Authors: Aswani, Shankar , Van Putten, Ingrid , Miñarro, Sara
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67325 , vital:29073 , https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-016-2685-2
- Description: publisher version , People’s livelihoods in tropical small-island developing states are greatly dependent on marine ecosystem services. Yet services such as fisheries and coastal buffering are being degraded at an alarming rate, thus making people increasing vulnerable to protracted and sudden environmental changes. In the context of the occurrences of extreme events such as earthquakes and tsunamis, it is vital to uncover the processes that make people in these island states resilient, or not, to environmental disruptions. This paper compares people’s perceptions of social and environmental impacts after an extreme event in the Western Solomon Islands (11 different villages on 8 different islands) to better understand how knowledge systems influence the coupling of human and natural systems. We examine the factors that contributed to perceptions of respective recovery in the environmental versus the social domains across communities with different traditional governance and modernization characteristics in a tsunami impact gradient. First, we separately assessed, at the community and individual level, the potential determinants of perceived recovery in the environmental and social domains. At the community level, the average values of the perceived environmental and social recovery were calculated for each community (1 year after the tsunami), and at the individual level, normally distributed environmental and social recovery variables (based on the difference in perceptions immediately and 1 year after the tsunami) were used as dependent variables in two General Linear Models. Results suggest that environmental and social resilience are not always coupled correspondingly and, less unexpectedly, that asymmetries during recovery can occur as a result of the underlying social and ecological context and existing adaptive capacity. More generally, the study shows how by evaluating post-disturbance perceptional data in tsunami-affected communities, we can better understand how subjective perceptions of change can affect the (de)-coupling of human and natural systems.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Aswani, Shankar , Van Putten, Ingrid , Miñarro, Sara
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67325 , vital:29073 , https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-016-2685-2
- Description: publisher version , People’s livelihoods in tropical small-island developing states are greatly dependent on marine ecosystem services. Yet services such as fisheries and coastal buffering are being degraded at an alarming rate, thus making people increasing vulnerable to protracted and sudden environmental changes. In the context of the occurrences of extreme events such as earthquakes and tsunamis, it is vital to uncover the processes that make people in these island states resilient, or not, to environmental disruptions. This paper compares people’s perceptions of social and environmental impacts after an extreme event in the Western Solomon Islands (11 different villages on 8 different islands) to better understand how knowledge systems influence the coupling of human and natural systems. We examine the factors that contributed to perceptions of respective recovery in the environmental versus the social domains across communities with different traditional governance and modernization characteristics in a tsunami impact gradient. First, we separately assessed, at the community and individual level, the potential determinants of perceived recovery in the environmental and social domains. At the community level, the average values of the perceived environmental and social recovery were calculated for each community (1 year after the tsunami), and at the individual level, normally distributed environmental and social recovery variables (based on the difference in perceptions immediately and 1 year after the tsunami) were used as dependent variables in two General Linear Models. Results suggest that environmental and social resilience are not always coupled correspondingly and, less unexpectedly, that asymmetries during recovery can occur as a result of the underlying social and ecological context and existing adaptive capacity. More generally, the study shows how by evaluating post-disturbance perceptional data in tsunami-affected communities, we can better understand how subjective perceptions of change can affect the (de)-coupling of human and natural systems.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2017
Errors and misconceptions of grade 6 learners in common fractions: a case study of two primary schools in the Queenstown education district
- Authors: Libazi, Babini Precious
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Arithmetic -- Study and teaching (Elementary) , Mathematics -- Problems, exercises, etc , School children
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Education
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11652 , vital:39093
- Description: The objective of this study was to investigate and explore the errors and misconceptions associated with the concept of fractions which are displayed by Grade 6 learners in two primary schools in the Queenstown Education District of the Eastern Cape Province. The research was done specifically to identify errors and misconceptions made by these learners in the addition and subtraction of common and mixed fractions. The study further tried to establish the causes of these errors and misconceptions. The research explored whether Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) can assist in the improvement or reduction of these errors and misconceptions. The study was conducted at Mlungisi and Xhalanga primary schools (pseudo – names) of the Queenstown Education District in the Eastern Cape Province. This was a mixed method research design, where 100 learners from two purposively identified primary schools were selected and subjected to a pre-test. From the 100 learners, 10 purposively selected learners were identified for interviews. The learners were also subjected to direct observations and documents (such as the Caps document, ANA examination papers, learners’ home and classwork books, November/December Grades 5 and 6 mark sheets and schedules, etc.) which were analysed and a post-test was administered. Two mathematics teachers teaching at the two primary schools were interviewed. Triangulation was used for data analysis. A Cognitively Guided Instruction was used to investigate whether the errors and misconceptions can be reduced or improved. The findings of the study were that learners do make errors when learning common fractions and that the types of errors were careless mistakes, conceptual errors, procedural errors and application errors which were identified and discussed in the study. The study further established that the Cognitively Guided Instruction approach recommended by the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) can be used to develop the learners’ conceptual understanding of common fractions. The CGI approach advocates the use of concrete materials for conceptual learning to take place. The findings of the study confirmed well documented research on the learners’ difficulties when dealing with fractions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Libazi, Babini Precious
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Arithmetic -- Study and teaching (Elementary) , Mathematics -- Problems, exercises, etc , School children
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Education
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11652 , vital:39093
- Description: The objective of this study was to investigate and explore the errors and misconceptions associated with the concept of fractions which are displayed by Grade 6 learners in two primary schools in the Queenstown Education District of the Eastern Cape Province. The research was done specifically to identify errors and misconceptions made by these learners in the addition and subtraction of common and mixed fractions. The study further tried to establish the causes of these errors and misconceptions. The research explored whether Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) can assist in the improvement or reduction of these errors and misconceptions. The study was conducted at Mlungisi and Xhalanga primary schools (pseudo – names) of the Queenstown Education District in the Eastern Cape Province. This was a mixed method research design, where 100 learners from two purposively identified primary schools were selected and subjected to a pre-test. From the 100 learners, 10 purposively selected learners were identified for interviews. The learners were also subjected to direct observations and documents (such as the Caps document, ANA examination papers, learners’ home and classwork books, November/December Grades 5 and 6 mark sheets and schedules, etc.) which were analysed and a post-test was administered. Two mathematics teachers teaching at the two primary schools were interviewed. Triangulation was used for data analysis. A Cognitively Guided Instruction was used to investigate whether the errors and misconceptions can be reduced or improved. The findings of the study were that learners do make errors when learning common fractions and that the types of errors were careless mistakes, conceptual errors, procedural errors and application errors which were identified and discussed in the study. The study further established that the Cognitively Guided Instruction approach recommended by the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) can be used to develop the learners’ conceptual understanding of common fractions. The CGI approach advocates the use of concrete materials for conceptual learning to take place. The findings of the study confirmed well documented research on the learners’ difficulties when dealing with fractions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Eruptive history of the Karoo lava flows and their impact on early Jurassic environmental change:
- Moulin, Maud, Fluteau, Frédéric, Courtillot, Vincent, Marsh, Julian S, Delpech, Guillaume, Quidelleur, Xavier, Gérard, Martine
- Authors: Moulin, Maud , Fluteau, Frédéric , Courtillot, Vincent , Marsh, Julian S , Delpech, Guillaume , Quidelleur, Xavier , Gérard, Martine
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145098 , vital:38408 , https://doi.org/10.1002/2016JB013354
- Description: This paper reports new paleomagnetic and geochronologic data from a ~1500 m thick composite section belonging to the Drakensberg group, the thickest remnant of the Karoo lavas in Northern Lesotho. Flow‐by‐flow analysis of paleomagnetic directions reveals 21 magnetic directional groups, corresponding to single eruptive events, and 16 individual lava flows. The new age determinations of lava flows range from 180.1 ± 1.4 to 182.8 ± 2.6 Ma. These data, combined with previous results, allow us to propose that the main part of the Drakensberg group and the Karoo intrusive complex dated around 181–183 Ma may have been erupted over a period as short as 250 kyr and may have coincided with the two main phases of extinction in the Early Toarcian. This scenario agrees well with the discontinuous rhythm of environmental and biotic perturbations in the Late Pliensbachian‐Toarcian interval.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Moulin, Maud , Fluteau, Frédéric , Courtillot, Vincent , Marsh, Julian S , Delpech, Guillaume , Quidelleur, Xavier , Gérard, Martine
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145098 , vital:38408 , https://doi.org/10.1002/2016JB013354
- Description: This paper reports new paleomagnetic and geochronologic data from a ~1500 m thick composite section belonging to the Drakensberg group, the thickest remnant of the Karoo lavas in Northern Lesotho. Flow‐by‐flow analysis of paleomagnetic directions reveals 21 magnetic directional groups, corresponding to single eruptive events, and 16 individual lava flows. The new age determinations of lava flows range from 180.1 ± 1.4 to 182.8 ± 2.6 Ma. These data, combined with previous results, allow us to propose that the main part of the Drakensberg group and the Karoo intrusive complex dated around 181–183 Ma may have been erupted over a period as short as 250 kyr and may have coincided with the two main phases of extinction in the Early Toarcian. This scenario agrees well with the discontinuous rhythm of environmental and biotic perturbations in the Late Pliensbachian‐Toarcian interval.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Establishing good cause subsequent to a deemed dismissal
- Authors: Rafapa, Malose Given
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Employees -- Dismissal of -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa Civil service -- Dismissal of -- South Africa , Labor contract -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11425 , vital:26922
- Description: The establishing of good cause subsequent to a deemed dismissal, as practiced currently only in the public sector, has been a controversial issue for the courts, labour law commentators and academics alike. It has been so because of a number of legislative deficiencies which caused the inconsistent application of the deeming provisions across the public service. Amongst others, the legislative deficiencies regarding establishing good cause are; the time-limit for establishing good cause, what happens when the employee returns, whether establishing of good cause should be entertained through written response or a hearing, the Termination of Employment Convention, 1982(No. 158) is silent on the deeming provisions, review of the employer’s discretion not to reinstate the absconding employee and the legal position regarding the traditional healer’s certificate. There will be an intensive investigation on the validity of the traditional healer’s certificate. Majority of South Africans rely on the THP for a number of illnesses. In some cases, they use the traditional healer’s certificate to establish good cause subsequent to a deemed dismissal. The traditional healer’s certificate is not yet valid given the pending legislative processes. This issue will be broadly explored in order to uncover the causes for the delay in finalising this crucial issue. Most of the absconding employees have a problem of alcoholism. There is a causal relationship between deemed dismissal and alcoholism. It is again the intention of this study to fully investigate this phenomenon and provide solutions for the employers faced with this challenge. Practical solutions will be proposed for each identified legislative deficiency and any related challenge to help employers to manage the deeming provisions in a very effective and efficient manner.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Rafapa, Malose Given
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Employees -- Dismissal of -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa Civil service -- Dismissal of -- South Africa , Labor contract -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11425 , vital:26922
- Description: The establishing of good cause subsequent to a deemed dismissal, as practiced currently only in the public sector, has been a controversial issue for the courts, labour law commentators and academics alike. It has been so because of a number of legislative deficiencies which caused the inconsistent application of the deeming provisions across the public service. Amongst others, the legislative deficiencies regarding establishing good cause are; the time-limit for establishing good cause, what happens when the employee returns, whether establishing of good cause should be entertained through written response or a hearing, the Termination of Employment Convention, 1982(No. 158) is silent on the deeming provisions, review of the employer’s discretion not to reinstate the absconding employee and the legal position regarding the traditional healer’s certificate. There will be an intensive investigation on the validity of the traditional healer’s certificate. Majority of South Africans rely on the THP for a number of illnesses. In some cases, they use the traditional healer’s certificate to establish good cause subsequent to a deemed dismissal. The traditional healer’s certificate is not yet valid given the pending legislative processes. This issue will be broadly explored in order to uncover the causes for the delay in finalising this crucial issue. Most of the absconding employees have a problem of alcoholism. There is a causal relationship between deemed dismissal and alcoholism. It is again the intention of this study to fully investigate this phenomenon and provide solutions for the employers faced with this challenge. Practical solutions will be proposed for each identified legislative deficiency and any related challenge to help employers to manage the deeming provisions in a very effective and efficient manner.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Estimating maize grain yield from crop growth stages using remote sensing and GIS in the Free State Province, South Africa
- Authors: Mditshwa, Sithembele
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Crop yields Crops -- Physiology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6016 , vital:29481
- Description: Early yield prediction of a maize crop is important for planning and policy decisions. Many countries, including South Africa use the conventional techniques of data collection for maize crop monitoring and yield estimation which are based on ground-based visits and reports. These methods are subjective, very costly and time consuming. Empirical models have been developed using weather data. These are also associated with a number of problems due to the limited spatial distribution of weather stations. Efforts are being made to improve the accuracy and timeliness of yield prediction methods. With the launching of satellites, satellite data are being used for maize crop monitoring and yield prediction. Many studies have revealed that there is a correlation between remotely sensed data (vegetation indices) and crop yields. The satellite based approaches are less expensive, save time, data acquisition covers large areas and can be used to estimate maize grain yields before harvest. This study applied Landsat 8 satellite based vegetation indices, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) and Moisture Stress Index (MSI) to predict maize crop yield. These vegetation indices were derived at different growth stages. The investigation was carried out in the Kopanong Local Municipality of the Free State Province, South Africa. Ground-based data (actual harvested maize yields) was collected from Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF). Satellite images were acquired from Geoterra Image (Pty) Ltd and weather data was from the South African Weather Service (SAWS). Multilinear regression approaches were used to relate yields to the remotely sensed indices and meteorological data was used during the development of yield estimation models. The results showed that there are significant correlations between remotely sensed vegetation indices and maize grain yield; up to 63 percent maize yield was predicted from vegetation indices. The study also revealed that NDVI and SAVI are better yield predictors at reproductive growth stages of maize and MSI is a better index to estimate maize yield at both vegetative and reproductive growth stages. The results obtained in this study indicated that maize grain yields can be estimated using satellite indices at different maize growth stages.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mditshwa, Sithembele
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Crop yields Crops -- Physiology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6016 , vital:29481
- Description: Early yield prediction of a maize crop is important for planning and policy decisions. Many countries, including South Africa use the conventional techniques of data collection for maize crop monitoring and yield estimation which are based on ground-based visits and reports. These methods are subjective, very costly and time consuming. Empirical models have been developed using weather data. These are also associated with a number of problems due to the limited spatial distribution of weather stations. Efforts are being made to improve the accuracy and timeliness of yield prediction methods. With the launching of satellites, satellite data are being used for maize crop monitoring and yield prediction. Many studies have revealed that there is a correlation between remotely sensed data (vegetation indices) and crop yields. The satellite based approaches are less expensive, save time, data acquisition covers large areas and can be used to estimate maize grain yields before harvest. This study applied Landsat 8 satellite based vegetation indices, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) and Moisture Stress Index (MSI) to predict maize crop yield. These vegetation indices were derived at different growth stages. The investigation was carried out in the Kopanong Local Municipality of the Free State Province, South Africa. Ground-based data (actual harvested maize yields) was collected from Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF). Satellite images were acquired from Geoterra Image (Pty) Ltd and weather data was from the South African Weather Service (SAWS). Multilinear regression approaches were used to relate yields to the remotely sensed indices and meteorological data was used during the development of yield estimation models. The results showed that there are significant correlations between remotely sensed vegetation indices and maize grain yield; up to 63 percent maize yield was predicted from vegetation indices. The study also revealed that NDVI and SAVI are better yield predictors at reproductive growth stages of maize and MSI is a better index to estimate maize yield at both vegetative and reproductive growth stages. The results obtained in this study indicated that maize grain yields can be estimated using satellite indices at different maize growth stages.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Estimating δ15N fractionation and adjusting the lipid correction equation using Southern African freshwater fishes
- Taylor, Geraldine C, Hill, Jaclyn M, Jackson, Michelle C, Peel, Richard A, Weyl, Olaf L F
- Authors: Taylor, Geraldine C , Hill, Jaclyn M , Jackson, Michelle C , Peel, Richard A , Weyl, Olaf L F
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/69124 , vital:29392 , https://0-doi.org.wam.seals.ac.za/10.1371/journal.pone.0178047
- Description: Stable isotope analysis is an important tool for characterising food web structure; however, interpretation of isotope data can often be flawed. For instance, lipid normalisation and trophic fractionation values are often assumed to be constant, but can vary considerably between ecosystems, species and tissues. Here, previously determined lipid normalisation equations and trophic fractionation values were re-evaluated using freshwater fish species from three rivers in the Upper Zambezian floodplain ecoregion in southern Africa. The parameters commonly used in lipid normalisation equations were not correct for the 18 model species (new D and I parameters were estimated as D = 4.46‰ [95% CI: 2.62, 4.85] and constant I = 0 [95% CI: 0, 0.17]). We suggest that future isotopic analyses on freshwater fishes use our new values if the species under consideration do not have a high lipid content in their white muscle tissue. Nitrogen fractionation values varied between species and river basin; however, the average value closely matched that calculated in previous studies on other species (δ15N fractionation factor of 3.37 ± 1.30 ‰). Here we have highlighted the need to treat stable isotope data correctly in food web studies to avoid misinterpretation of the data.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Taylor, Geraldine C , Hill, Jaclyn M , Jackson, Michelle C , Peel, Richard A , Weyl, Olaf L F
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/69124 , vital:29392 , https://0-doi.org.wam.seals.ac.za/10.1371/journal.pone.0178047
- Description: Stable isotope analysis is an important tool for characterising food web structure; however, interpretation of isotope data can often be flawed. For instance, lipid normalisation and trophic fractionation values are often assumed to be constant, but can vary considerably between ecosystems, species and tissues. Here, previously determined lipid normalisation equations and trophic fractionation values were re-evaluated using freshwater fish species from three rivers in the Upper Zambezian floodplain ecoregion in southern Africa. The parameters commonly used in lipid normalisation equations were not correct for the 18 model species (new D and I parameters were estimated as D = 4.46‰ [95% CI: 2.62, 4.85] and constant I = 0 [95% CI: 0, 0.17]). We suggest that future isotopic analyses on freshwater fishes use our new values if the species under consideration do not have a high lipid content in their white muscle tissue. Nitrogen fractionation values varied between species and river basin; however, the average value closely matched that calculated in previous studies on other species (δ15N fractionation factor of 3.37 ± 1.30 ‰). Here we have highlighted the need to treat stable isotope data correctly in food web studies to avoid misinterpretation of the data.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Estuary-dependency and multiple habitat connectivity of juvenile leervis lichia amia (pisces: carangidae) and the factors influencing their movements
- Authors: Murray, Taryn Sara
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4477 , vital:20676
- Description: Estuaries are highly productive ecosystems that provide an important nursery function to many marine-spawning fish species. While in estuaries, the juveniles of estuary-associated fishes are exposed to frequent, abrupt changes in environmental conditions and, as such, utilise movement as a strategy to cope with the changing conditions. Therefore, to gain a better understanding of the importance of estuaries (i.e. estuary-dependency) to estuary-associated species, knowledge on their movement patterns within estuaries, the links between habitats, and the environmental and cyclical processes driving these movements, is necessary. Lichia amia, commonly known as leervis or garrick in southern Africa, is an over-exploited, estuary-dependent fishery species targeted by coastal recreational and subsistence fishers, as well as spearfishers, throughout its South African distribution. Aspects of its biology and life history have been assessed; however, knowledge on its movement behaviour is limited to a single conventional dart tagging study, which described large-scale coastal movements of juvenile, sub-adult and adult leervis. As such, little is known about area use and movement patterns within estuaries, or the degree of connectivity between estuarine and marine habitats. Therefore, the aim of this study, using conventional dart tagging and passive acoustic telemetry methods, was to assess the role of estuarine nursery habitats in the life cycle of the leervis by examining area use patterns and movement behaviour within estuaries, investigating the degree of habitat connectivity, and determining the drivers (cyclical rhythms and environmental variables) of estuarine use and connectivity. A dedicated conventional mark-recapture study on juvenile leervis within the Swartkops Estuary revealed a high level of estuarine fidelity (philopatry) suggesting that estuaries are important nursery habitats. However, movement distances increased with increasing fish length, with some fish also being recaptured in the neighbouring marine environment. These results provided evidence of an ontogenetic habitat shift, with smaller fish remaining in the estuary for extended periods and larger individuals undertaking more extensive movements. Complementary passive acoustic telemetry studies were conducted in the Kowie and Goukou estuaries, spaced 620 km apart, to assess area use, movement patterns, residency and multiple habitat connectivity of juvenile leervis. These telemetry studies showed varying levels of residency within the tagging estuaries, and seasonal variation in area use. The lengths of estuary used by leervis tagged in the Kowie Estuary generally decreased with the onset of austral winter, while fish tagged in the Goukou Estuary generally moved into the marine environment. Despite tagged individuals spending on average 56% and 38% of the total monitoring periods within the Kowie and Goukou estuaries, respectively, fish displayed high levels of multiple habitat connectivity, with 71% and 76% of Kowie and Goukou fish, respectively, visiting adjacent marine and estuarine environments. A total of 11 different neighbouring habitats (estuaries and ports) were visited by Kowie fish, while fish tagged in the Goukou Estuary only visited four adjacent habitats. These differences in connectivity could be attributed to the proximity of many more estuaries to the Kowie Estuary compared to the Goukou Estuary. Estuarine movements by acoustically tagged leervis in both estuaries followed a strong diel but a much weaker tidal pattern. A number of environmental variables significantly influenced estuarine movements and marine excursions (including river inflow, photoperiod and moon phase). However, water temperature (river and sea) had the most significant effects on these movements, with decreasing winter river temperatures coincident with a downstream shift in mean daily position of fish tagged in the Kowie Estuary, and movement into the marine environment from the Goukou Estuary. Interestingly, the area use patterns of juvenile leervis tagged in the Kowie and Goukou estuaries were different, predominantly using limited portions of each estuary. Kowie fish spent more time in the mouth region and lower reaches, while Goukou fish spent more time in the lower and middle reaches of the estuary. Therefore, should no-take Estuarine Protected Areas be implemented, inter-estuary differences would need to be considered to determine the most effective stretches of estuary to close to provide maximum protection for leervis. This study provided new information on the movement behaviour of juvenile leervis, the degree to which juveniles depend on estuaries as nursery areas, and the cyclical rhythms and environmental factors influencing their movements. The study therefore contributes considerably to our understanding of the role of estuaries in the life history of leervis, and provides essential information for the improved management of this over-exploited species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Murray, Taryn Sara
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4477 , vital:20676
- Description: Estuaries are highly productive ecosystems that provide an important nursery function to many marine-spawning fish species. While in estuaries, the juveniles of estuary-associated fishes are exposed to frequent, abrupt changes in environmental conditions and, as such, utilise movement as a strategy to cope with the changing conditions. Therefore, to gain a better understanding of the importance of estuaries (i.e. estuary-dependency) to estuary-associated species, knowledge on their movement patterns within estuaries, the links between habitats, and the environmental and cyclical processes driving these movements, is necessary. Lichia amia, commonly known as leervis or garrick in southern Africa, is an over-exploited, estuary-dependent fishery species targeted by coastal recreational and subsistence fishers, as well as spearfishers, throughout its South African distribution. Aspects of its biology and life history have been assessed; however, knowledge on its movement behaviour is limited to a single conventional dart tagging study, which described large-scale coastal movements of juvenile, sub-adult and adult leervis. As such, little is known about area use and movement patterns within estuaries, or the degree of connectivity between estuarine and marine habitats. Therefore, the aim of this study, using conventional dart tagging and passive acoustic telemetry methods, was to assess the role of estuarine nursery habitats in the life cycle of the leervis by examining area use patterns and movement behaviour within estuaries, investigating the degree of habitat connectivity, and determining the drivers (cyclical rhythms and environmental variables) of estuarine use and connectivity. A dedicated conventional mark-recapture study on juvenile leervis within the Swartkops Estuary revealed a high level of estuarine fidelity (philopatry) suggesting that estuaries are important nursery habitats. However, movement distances increased with increasing fish length, with some fish also being recaptured in the neighbouring marine environment. These results provided evidence of an ontogenetic habitat shift, with smaller fish remaining in the estuary for extended periods and larger individuals undertaking more extensive movements. Complementary passive acoustic telemetry studies were conducted in the Kowie and Goukou estuaries, spaced 620 km apart, to assess area use, movement patterns, residency and multiple habitat connectivity of juvenile leervis. These telemetry studies showed varying levels of residency within the tagging estuaries, and seasonal variation in area use. The lengths of estuary used by leervis tagged in the Kowie Estuary generally decreased with the onset of austral winter, while fish tagged in the Goukou Estuary generally moved into the marine environment. Despite tagged individuals spending on average 56% and 38% of the total monitoring periods within the Kowie and Goukou estuaries, respectively, fish displayed high levels of multiple habitat connectivity, with 71% and 76% of Kowie and Goukou fish, respectively, visiting adjacent marine and estuarine environments. A total of 11 different neighbouring habitats (estuaries and ports) were visited by Kowie fish, while fish tagged in the Goukou Estuary only visited four adjacent habitats. These differences in connectivity could be attributed to the proximity of many more estuaries to the Kowie Estuary compared to the Goukou Estuary. Estuarine movements by acoustically tagged leervis in both estuaries followed a strong diel but a much weaker tidal pattern. A number of environmental variables significantly influenced estuarine movements and marine excursions (including river inflow, photoperiod and moon phase). However, water temperature (river and sea) had the most significant effects on these movements, with decreasing winter river temperatures coincident with a downstream shift in mean daily position of fish tagged in the Kowie Estuary, and movement into the marine environment from the Goukou Estuary. Interestingly, the area use patterns of juvenile leervis tagged in the Kowie and Goukou estuaries were different, predominantly using limited portions of each estuary. Kowie fish spent more time in the mouth region and lower reaches, while Goukou fish spent more time in the lower and middle reaches of the estuary. Therefore, should no-take Estuarine Protected Areas be implemented, inter-estuary differences would need to be considered to determine the most effective stretches of estuary to close to provide maximum protection for leervis. This study provided new information on the movement behaviour of juvenile leervis, the degree to which juveniles depend on estuaries as nursery areas, and the cyclical rhythms and environmental factors influencing their movements. The study therefore contributes considerably to our understanding of the role of estuaries in the life history of leervis, and provides essential information for the improved management of this over-exploited species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Etude postcoloniale : une analyse thematique et stylistique de quelques reuvres en litterature africaine francophone
- Authors: Mzite, Martha
- Date: 2017
- Language: French
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:21356 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/8116
- Description: This study is a thematic and a stylistic analysis of five novels written by five francophone novelists namely: Calixthe Beyala (La Plantation), Assia Djebar (Nulle part dans la maison de mon pere), Fatou Diome (Celles qui attendent ), Emmanuel Dongala (Photo de groupe au bord du fleuve) and Rabia Diallo (Amours cruelles, beaute coupable). The novels under study investigate the ways in which African women’s lives are affected by factors such as conflict and financial issues. Through the analysis of the above mentioned novels this research seeks to contribute to the body of knowledge in the following ways. Since a lot of literature already exists on African migrants in Europe moreover little information analyses the conditions of those who remain behind hence this thesis seeks to provide an analysis of the plight of mothers, wives and children who remain in the country of origin waiting for the departed men. To shed light on women emancipation, this research also analyses the evolution of women solidarity before and after independence. In relation to the theoretical framework, pro feminist and stylistics theories form the theoretical basis of this study. It is against this background that it can be deduced that the analysis of these set books shows that gender issues aggravate the suppression of African women. As a result, this lessens the circumstances that favor the attainment of selfrealisation. Simone de Beauvoir’s notion of ‘consciousness of oppression’, ‘one is not born a woman’ and Spivak’s essay entitled “Can the Subaltern Speak?” form the theoretical aspect of this research. Simone de Beauvoir’s concept “one is not born a woman”, unfolds the origin of all the factors that subjugate women in society. When she postulates the idea of “consciousness of oppression”, she calls on women to be mindful of their surroundings and free themselves from all societal values that infringe on their rights. The linguistic analysis in this research provides insight into the women’s speech and why they choose certain words. Over and above these concerns, it can be concluded that by emulating the example of these fictional female characters, African women can come together and contribute to their own iii empowerment. In regard to migration, the women and the children who remain behind suffer more than the migrants. , Cette etude est une analyse thematique et stylistique de cinq romans ecrits par cinq romanciers francophones, a savoir Calixthe Beyala (La Plantation), Assia Djebar (Nulle part dans la maison de mon pere), Fatou Diome (Celles qui attendent), Emmanuel Dongala (Photo de groupe au bord du fleuve) et Rabia Diallo (Amours cruelles, beaute coupable). Les romans a l'etude etudient les faqons dont la vie des femmes africaines est affectee par des facteurs tels que les conflits et les questions financieres. En analysant ces romans cette recherche vise a contribuer dans la banque des donnees a travers les manieres suivantes. Etant donne qu'il existe deja beaucoup d’informations sur les migrants africains en Europe, peu d'informations analysent les conditions de ceux qui restent dans le pays d’origine. A cet egard, cette these vise a fournir une analyse du sort des meres, des epouses et des enfants qui restent dans le pays d'origine en attendant les hommes qui sont partis. Pour mettre en lumiere Emancipation des femmes, cette recherche analyse egalement Evolution de la solidarite de femmes avant et apres l'independance. En ce qui concerne le cadre theorique, les theories pro-feministes et stylistiques forment la base theorique de cette etude. L'analyse de ces ouvrages montre que les questions de genre accentuent l’oppression des femmes africaines. En consequence, cela diminue les circonstances qui favorisent la realisation de soi. La notion de « conscience de l'oppression » de Simone de Beauvoir, et aussi sa pensee selon laquelle « on ne nait pas femme, on le devient » forment la base theorique de cette these. Cette vision etablit l’origine de tous les facteurs qui asservissent les femmes dans la societe. La conscience de l’oppression invite la femme a prendre connaissance de son environnement et de se liberer de toutes les valeurs de la societe qui porte atteinte a ses droits. La problematique se resume ainsi « les subalternes, peuvent-elles parler ? » L'analyse linguistique de cette recherche donne un aperqu de la parole des femmes et pourquoi elles choisissent certains mots. Au-dela de ces preoccupations, on peut conclure que, en imitant l'exemple de ces personnages feminins fictifs, les femmes africaines peuvent s’unir et contribuer a leur v propre emancipation. En ce qui concerne la migration, il sera demontre comment les femmes et les enfants qui restent derriere souffrent aussi bien que les migrants.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mzite, Martha
- Date: 2017
- Language: French
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:21356 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/8116
- Description: This study is a thematic and a stylistic analysis of five novels written by five francophone novelists namely: Calixthe Beyala (La Plantation), Assia Djebar (Nulle part dans la maison de mon pere), Fatou Diome (Celles qui attendent ), Emmanuel Dongala (Photo de groupe au bord du fleuve) and Rabia Diallo (Amours cruelles, beaute coupable). The novels under study investigate the ways in which African women’s lives are affected by factors such as conflict and financial issues. Through the analysis of the above mentioned novels this research seeks to contribute to the body of knowledge in the following ways. Since a lot of literature already exists on African migrants in Europe moreover little information analyses the conditions of those who remain behind hence this thesis seeks to provide an analysis of the plight of mothers, wives and children who remain in the country of origin waiting for the departed men. To shed light on women emancipation, this research also analyses the evolution of women solidarity before and after independence. In relation to the theoretical framework, pro feminist and stylistics theories form the theoretical basis of this study. It is against this background that it can be deduced that the analysis of these set books shows that gender issues aggravate the suppression of African women. As a result, this lessens the circumstances that favor the attainment of selfrealisation. Simone de Beauvoir’s notion of ‘consciousness of oppression’, ‘one is not born a woman’ and Spivak’s essay entitled “Can the Subaltern Speak?” form the theoretical aspect of this research. Simone de Beauvoir’s concept “one is not born a woman”, unfolds the origin of all the factors that subjugate women in society. When she postulates the idea of “consciousness of oppression”, she calls on women to be mindful of their surroundings and free themselves from all societal values that infringe on their rights. The linguistic analysis in this research provides insight into the women’s speech and why they choose certain words. Over and above these concerns, it can be concluded that by emulating the example of these fictional female characters, African women can come together and contribute to their own iii empowerment. In regard to migration, the women and the children who remain behind suffer more than the migrants. , Cette etude est une analyse thematique et stylistique de cinq romans ecrits par cinq romanciers francophones, a savoir Calixthe Beyala (La Plantation), Assia Djebar (Nulle part dans la maison de mon pere), Fatou Diome (Celles qui attendent), Emmanuel Dongala (Photo de groupe au bord du fleuve) et Rabia Diallo (Amours cruelles, beaute coupable). Les romans a l'etude etudient les faqons dont la vie des femmes africaines est affectee par des facteurs tels que les conflits et les questions financieres. En analysant ces romans cette recherche vise a contribuer dans la banque des donnees a travers les manieres suivantes. Etant donne qu'il existe deja beaucoup d’informations sur les migrants africains en Europe, peu d'informations analysent les conditions de ceux qui restent dans le pays d’origine. A cet egard, cette these vise a fournir une analyse du sort des meres, des epouses et des enfants qui restent dans le pays d'origine en attendant les hommes qui sont partis. Pour mettre en lumiere Emancipation des femmes, cette recherche analyse egalement Evolution de la solidarite de femmes avant et apres l'independance. En ce qui concerne le cadre theorique, les theories pro-feministes et stylistiques forment la base theorique de cette etude. L'analyse de ces ouvrages montre que les questions de genre accentuent l’oppression des femmes africaines. En consequence, cela diminue les circonstances qui favorisent la realisation de soi. La notion de « conscience de l'oppression » de Simone de Beauvoir, et aussi sa pensee selon laquelle « on ne nait pas femme, on le devient » forment la base theorique de cette these. Cette vision etablit l’origine de tous les facteurs qui asservissent les femmes dans la societe. La conscience de l’oppression invite la femme a prendre connaissance de son environnement et de se liberer de toutes les valeurs de la societe qui porte atteinte a ses droits. La problematique se resume ainsi « les subalternes, peuvent-elles parler ? » L'analyse linguistique de cette recherche donne un aperqu de la parole des femmes et pourquoi elles choisissent certains mots. Au-dela de ces preoccupations, on peut conclure que, en imitant l'exemple de ces personnages feminins fictifs, les femmes africaines peuvent s’unir et contribuer a leur v propre emancipation. En ce qui concerne la migration, il sera demontre comment les femmes et les enfants qui restent derriere souffrent aussi bien que les migrants.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Evaluating critical success factors for effective leadership of projects
- Authors: Notununu, Fezile
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Project managers Leadership
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20042 , vital:29069
- Description: Leadership skills in projects are viewed as the secondary need in projects for a competent project manager while technical core skills are viewed as the primary need. This argues that leadership and technical core skills should be treated the same as the primary need, furthermore the leadership skills should never be compromised when recruiting a project manager. Qualitative research was employed for this study. The researcher explored the ontology and epistemology as the research paradigms of the study. Data was collected through focus groups, unstructured interviews and through case study. The data collected was analysed by employing the content analysis and descriptive analysis. The quality of the data was the main focus for ensuring that correct information was obtained, and hence triangulation was employed. The recommendations provided will contribute to the efficient and successful execution of projects. The drive to ensure effective leadership projects can be achieved through employing the following: Development of accidental project managers; accreditation of project managers; project management training for project managers; recruitment of project managers, hard technical skills and soft skills for competent project managers. If these recommendations are properly implemented the organisation may realise savings on their projects, and will be able to complete their projects on time, within approved budgets and approved scope of work.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Notununu, Fezile
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Project managers Leadership
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20042 , vital:29069
- Description: Leadership skills in projects are viewed as the secondary need in projects for a competent project manager while technical core skills are viewed as the primary need. This argues that leadership and technical core skills should be treated the same as the primary need, furthermore the leadership skills should never be compromised when recruiting a project manager. Qualitative research was employed for this study. The researcher explored the ontology and epistemology as the research paradigms of the study. Data was collected through focus groups, unstructured interviews and through case study. The data collected was analysed by employing the content analysis and descriptive analysis. The quality of the data was the main focus for ensuring that correct information was obtained, and hence triangulation was employed. The recommendations provided will contribute to the efficient and successful execution of projects. The drive to ensure effective leadership projects can be achieved through employing the following: Development of accidental project managers; accreditation of project managers; project management training for project managers; recruitment of project managers, hard technical skills and soft skills for competent project managers. If these recommendations are properly implemented the organisation may realise savings on their projects, and will be able to complete their projects on time, within approved budgets and approved scope of work.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Evaluating intrapreneurship levels at an Eastern Cape automotive manufacturing plant
- Authors: Barnard, Christiaan Beautry
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Business incubators -- South Africa Entrepreneurship -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14960 , vital:28023
- Description: The term automotive industry is an umbrella term for concerns and undertakings contributing to the manufacturing of motor vehicles. This includes components such as engines, electronics, harnesses, interiors and shells, but excludes consumables such as tires, batteries and fuel. The local automotive industry is one of South Africa’s most profitable industries, funding more than 7% of the country’s GDP and contributing towards almost 12% of South Africa's manufacturing exports. Many multinational automotive manufacturers have invested in South Africa. This has allowed them to be strategically placed with the intention to source components, assemble and produce vehicles locally for the South African and other world markets. Due to the current contributions and its potential to grow the South African economy, the South African administration has recognised the automotive industry as an important sector. The South African government introduced the Motor Industry Development Programme during 1994 and the Automotive Production and Development Programme since 2013 to further stimulate the market and investment and further aims to increase the local production of vehicles to 1.2 million units per year as part of its 2020 vision. When considering the global competition, from China and Eastern Europe, it is imperative for the South African manufacturers to pursue and implement innovative practices to ensure that they can be competitive in the global arena, to retain and attract more multinational manufacturers to invest in the country and to ensure the future of existing multinational manufacturing facilities. Many scholars agree that intrapreneurship, also known as corporate entrepreneurship, is an approach which has the ability to help organisations to be more innovative and can guarantee competitiveness. Intrapreneurship is a valid and important aspect of entrepreneurial research. The subject of intrapreneurship can be divided into several key areas: 1. The individual operating as an intrapreneur within an organisation, focusing on his or her traits and the acknowledgement and support received within the organisation; 2. The conceptualisation and implementation of innovative projects from inside the organisation, focusing on the different departments and business units within the organisation’s corporate structure; 3. The entrepreneurial organisation, focusing on the core characteristics of the organisation. This study explores the concept of intrapreneurship, by consulting existing literature and then measuring the levels of intrapreneurship at a German automotive manufacturing plant in the Eastern Cape. To ensure anonymity of the organisation in which the study is conducted, it will be referred to as Company X. Currently no studies focused on intrapreneurship have been conducted within Company X. Innovative practices are not demonstrated as much as desired at the local manufacturing plant of company X and the levels of intrapreneurship within the manufacturing plant are currently still unknown. With the automotive industry being such an important contributor to the South African economy, it might be beneficial to do a similar study pertaining to multiple companies within the industry and value chain. This can assist in creating a bigger awareness within the industry, so that the affected organisations can have a more intrapreneurial approach towards business. The study can furthermore be adapted to consider a more technical approach of production facilities within South Africa and the intrapreneurial approach and innovations implemented to insure productivity and future investments, locally and international, within the production sector of South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Barnard, Christiaan Beautry
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Business incubators -- South Africa Entrepreneurship -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14960 , vital:28023
- Description: The term automotive industry is an umbrella term for concerns and undertakings contributing to the manufacturing of motor vehicles. This includes components such as engines, electronics, harnesses, interiors and shells, but excludes consumables such as tires, batteries and fuel. The local automotive industry is one of South Africa’s most profitable industries, funding more than 7% of the country’s GDP and contributing towards almost 12% of South Africa's manufacturing exports. Many multinational automotive manufacturers have invested in South Africa. This has allowed them to be strategically placed with the intention to source components, assemble and produce vehicles locally for the South African and other world markets. Due to the current contributions and its potential to grow the South African economy, the South African administration has recognised the automotive industry as an important sector. The South African government introduced the Motor Industry Development Programme during 1994 and the Automotive Production and Development Programme since 2013 to further stimulate the market and investment and further aims to increase the local production of vehicles to 1.2 million units per year as part of its 2020 vision. When considering the global competition, from China and Eastern Europe, it is imperative for the South African manufacturers to pursue and implement innovative practices to ensure that they can be competitive in the global arena, to retain and attract more multinational manufacturers to invest in the country and to ensure the future of existing multinational manufacturing facilities. Many scholars agree that intrapreneurship, also known as corporate entrepreneurship, is an approach which has the ability to help organisations to be more innovative and can guarantee competitiveness. Intrapreneurship is a valid and important aspect of entrepreneurial research. The subject of intrapreneurship can be divided into several key areas: 1. The individual operating as an intrapreneur within an organisation, focusing on his or her traits and the acknowledgement and support received within the organisation; 2. The conceptualisation and implementation of innovative projects from inside the organisation, focusing on the different departments and business units within the organisation’s corporate structure; 3. The entrepreneurial organisation, focusing on the core characteristics of the organisation. This study explores the concept of intrapreneurship, by consulting existing literature and then measuring the levels of intrapreneurship at a German automotive manufacturing plant in the Eastern Cape. To ensure anonymity of the organisation in which the study is conducted, it will be referred to as Company X. Currently no studies focused on intrapreneurship have been conducted within Company X. Innovative practices are not demonstrated as much as desired at the local manufacturing plant of company X and the levels of intrapreneurship within the manufacturing plant are currently still unknown. With the automotive industry being such an important contributor to the South African economy, it might be beneficial to do a similar study pertaining to multiple companies within the industry and value chain. This can assist in creating a bigger awareness within the industry, so that the affected organisations can have a more intrapreneurial approach towards business. The study can furthermore be adapted to consider a more technical approach of production facilities within South Africa and the intrapreneurial approach and innovations implemented to insure productivity and future investments, locally and international, within the production sector of South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Evaluating neuropsychiatric symptomology in HIV-positive patients on efavirenz in public-sector clinics and psychiatric hospitals
- Gaida, Razia, Grobler, Christoffel
- Authors: Gaida, Razia , Grobler, Christoffel
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Drugs -- Side effects -- South Africa , HIV (Viruses) -- Enzymes , Antiretroviral agents -- South Africa , Anti-infective agents -- Side effects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/29772 , vital:30776
- Description: Background: South Africa has the highest number of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in the world. In 2014, an estimated 10.2% of the population was HIV-positive which amounted to 5.51 million people. Efavirenz forms part of the triple therapy backbone used in South Africa and is part of the firstline treatment for HIV. Efavirenz has been strongly associated with causing neuropsychiatric side effects in at least 50.0% of patients to whom it is prescribed. These side effects cause hesitation amongst healthcare professionals to prescribe this agent to patients with active mental illnesses. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the neuropsychiatric side effects of efavirenz in HIV-positive psychiatric and non-psychiatric patients and to determine whether this drug may be recommended for use in an HIV-positive psychiatric patient population. Method: The study was divided into two parts, namely a quantitative portion and a qualitative portion. The quantitative study was a prospective drug utilisation study, while the qualitative portion consisted of semi-structured interviews carried out with healthcare professionals working with people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). The study included five municipal clinics in the Nelson Mandela Metropole as well as two public-sector psychiatric facilities in the Eastern Cape where medical records were reviewed to obtain the information required. Patients were followed in both instances for a period of 24 weeks with follow-up assessments carried out at two, four, 12 and 24 week intervals. In terms of the qualitative study, nurses at the clinics and doctors at the hospitals were contacted and appointments for interviews were made. The interviews were recorded using a voice recorder and were transcribed and analysed using theoretical framework analysis. Results: The review of 126 medical records at the clinics revealed that no patient had suffered from or complained of a neuropsychiatric side effect. This may indicate that patients were not suffering from clinically significant side effects, side effects were not being adequately recorded by healthcare staff, or the healthcare staff were not questioning patients regarding side effects. A total of 26 hospitalised patients were followed for 24 weeks in the psychiatric facilities. Almost half of the patients using efavirenz experienced an improvement in symptoms to the extent that they were iii discharged from the facility. The majority of patients (66.7%) not on an efavirenzcontaining regimen did not improve to the point of discharge. Healthcare staff were vague when providing a definition of neuropsychiatric side effects. There were conflicting ideas on whether or not efavirenz should be used in patients with an active psychiatric illness. Conclusions: Further studies need to be performed in public-sector institutions to obtain a clearer picture of the side effects experienced by patients using efavirenz. Healthcare staff need to be encouraged to keep complete records to allow for meaningful analysis. The further integration of mental health services into existing HIV programmes is essential for holistic treatment. Patients in psychiatric hospitals demonstrated that even patients with psychiatric disorders on efavirenz can experience positive outcomes and stabilisation of psychiatric symptoms, which may indicate that these may not have due to efavirenz use. Further elucidation concerning the use of efavirenz in patients with psychiatric disorders, a description of the neuropsychiatric side effects, as well as management strategies must be provided in subsequent HIV guidelines.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Gaida, Razia , Grobler, Christoffel
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Drugs -- Side effects -- South Africa , HIV (Viruses) -- Enzymes , Antiretroviral agents -- South Africa , Anti-infective agents -- Side effects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/29772 , vital:30776
- Description: Background: South Africa has the highest number of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in the world. In 2014, an estimated 10.2% of the population was HIV-positive which amounted to 5.51 million people. Efavirenz forms part of the triple therapy backbone used in South Africa and is part of the firstline treatment for HIV. Efavirenz has been strongly associated with causing neuropsychiatric side effects in at least 50.0% of patients to whom it is prescribed. These side effects cause hesitation amongst healthcare professionals to prescribe this agent to patients with active mental illnesses. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the neuropsychiatric side effects of efavirenz in HIV-positive psychiatric and non-psychiatric patients and to determine whether this drug may be recommended for use in an HIV-positive psychiatric patient population. Method: The study was divided into two parts, namely a quantitative portion and a qualitative portion. The quantitative study was a prospective drug utilisation study, while the qualitative portion consisted of semi-structured interviews carried out with healthcare professionals working with people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). The study included five municipal clinics in the Nelson Mandela Metropole as well as two public-sector psychiatric facilities in the Eastern Cape where medical records were reviewed to obtain the information required. Patients were followed in both instances for a period of 24 weeks with follow-up assessments carried out at two, four, 12 and 24 week intervals. In terms of the qualitative study, nurses at the clinics and doctors at the hospitals were contacted and appointments for interviews were made. The interviews were recorded using a voice recorder and were transcribed and analysed using theoretical framework analysis. Results: The review of 126 medical records at the clinics revealed that no patient had suffered from or complained of a neuropsychiatric side effect. This may indicate that patients were not suffering from clinically significant side effects, side effects were not being adequately recorded by healthcare staff, or the healthcare staff were not questioning patients regarding side effects. A total of 26 hospitalised patients were followed for 24 weeks in the psychiatric facilities. Almost half of the patients using efavirenz experienced an improvement in symptoms to the extent that they were iii discharged from the facility. The majority of patients (66.7%) not on an efavirenzcontaining regimen did not improve to the point of discharge. Healthcare staff were vague when providing a definition of neuropsychiatric side effects. There were conflicting ideas on whether or not efavirenz should be used in patients with an active psychiatric illness. Conclusions: Further studies need to be performed in public-sector institutions to obtain a clearer picture of the side effects experienced by patients using efavirenz. Healthcare staff need to be encouraged to keep complete records to allow for meaningful analysis. The further integration of mental health services into existing HIV programmes is essential for holistic treatment. Patients in psychiatric hospitals demonstrated that even patients with psychiatric disorders on efavirenz can experience positive outcomes and stabilisation of psychiatric symptoms, which may indicate that these may not have due to efavirenz use. Further elucidation concerning the use of efavirenz in patients with psychiatric disorders, a description of the neuropsychiatric side effects, as well as management strategies must be provided in subsequent HIV guidelines.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Evaluating the automotive production development programme of the automotive component manufacturing industry: envisaged future interventions
- Authors: Fokker, Cornelis Dirk
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Automobile industry and trade -- Developing countries , Sustainable development -- Developing countries , Production management -- Developing countries
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15215 , vital:28179
- Description: The automotive component manufacturer's (ACM's) operations are not sustainable due to their competitiveness, only determined by price. for ACM's to be competitive, effective government incentives in the automotive industry need to be present. The study was undertaken to provide a blueprint for change required in government incentives.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Fokker, Cornelis Dirk
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Automobile industry and trade -- Developing countries , Sustainable development -- Developing countries , Production management -- Developing countries
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15215 , vital:28179
- Description: The automotive component manufacturer's (ACM's) operations are not sustainable due to their competitiveness, only determined by price. for ACM's to be competitive, effective government incentives in the automotive industry need to be present. The study was undertaken to provide a blueprint for change required in government incentives.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2017
Evaluating the contributions of selected drug rehabilitation centres in Gauteng : towards ameliorating the drug problem in South Africa
- Authors: Makuyana, Abigail
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Rehabilitation centers -- South Africa -- Gauteng Substance abuse -- Rehabilitation Addicts -- Rehabilitation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8876 , vital:33703
- Description: This study aimed at evaluating the contributions of two (2) selected rehabilitation centres to the goal of ameliorating the substance abuse problem in Gauteng. The study utilized a methodological triangulation approach for data collection, but with greater emphasis on qualitative methods. The study collected its qualitative data from four focus groups conducted with 32 participants and six key informants who were subjected to in-depth interviews. The quantitative aspect of the study made use of a mini-survey in which one hundred (100) questionnaires were distributed amongst the primary caregivers of recovering drug and substance abusers. The major findings of the study pointed out that rehabilitation centres were unequivocally contributing to the goal of ameliorating substance abuse in Gauteng and, by extension, South Africa. Among some of the outstanding contributions of the rehabilitation centres was the provision of a non-judgmental and supportive therapeutic environment for clients to recover. It was also observed that rehabilitation centres were acting as character reformatories for substance abusers, and, thus, aiding their easy reintegration back into their families, societies and work places. The study also found out that the selected rehabilitation centres were providing ample admission periods and competent counselling services for their clients to navigate their way to recovery. The study unearthed new trends in the substance abuse landscape of Gauteng. Firstly, it was established that more educated people were falling into substance abuse usage. Secondly, the drugs which were rendering users more amenable to rehabilitation were noted to be highly potent. The high potency was noted to be responsible for extreme difficulties in withdrawal and rehabilitation. This was, therefore, noted to accentuate the imperativeness of the role and contributions of rehabilitation centres in helping drug users to achieve recovery in an environment that was supportive, nurturing and safe. It is, therefore, on the basis of these fundamental findings that this study concluded that the contributions of rehabilitation centres were not only important in the fight against drug and substance abuse, but were also a necessary precondition in this endeavour. Conversely, it was established that the contributions of the rehabilitation centres were being thwarted by exorbitant and extortionate treatment fees charged by the rehabilitation centres. More so, rehabilitation centres faced the dire challenge of poor visibility due to the poor marketing of services, as well as their location in affluent or remote areas which are mainly accessible only through private transport. This means that some people, especially the rural and the urban poor, were not equitably benefiting from the services of the rehabilitation centres. The study observed that women, girls and children in general were largely excluded from benefiting from the services of the rehabilitation centres. The research closed off by recommending to rehabilitation centres that they ought to address administrative gaps such as embracing and practising social, linguistic, dietary and gender sensitivity in their programmes to ensure that they remain relevant to their clients while also reflecting the diversity in South Africa. Recommendations were also made to the government to intervene and moderate the pricing of substance abuse treatment services, by making them reflect the country’s socioeconomic inequalities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Makuyana, Abigail
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Rehabilitation centers -- South Africa -- Gauteng Substance abuse -- Rehabilitation Addicts -- Rehabilitation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8876 , vital:33703
- Description: This study aimed at evaluating the contributions of two (2) selected rehabilitation centres to the goal of ameliorating the substance abuse problem in Gauteng. The study utilized a methodological triangulation approach for data collection, but with greater emphasis on qualitative methods. The study collected its qualitative data from four focus groups conducted with 32 participants and six key informants who were subjected to in-depth interviews. The quantitative aspect of the study made use of a mini-survey in which one hundred (100) questionnaires were distributed amongst the primary caregivers of recovering drug and substance abusers. The major findings of the study pointed out that rehabilitation centres were unequivocally contributing to the goal of ameliorating substance abuse in Gauteng and, by extension, South Africa. Among some of the outstanding contributions of the rehabilitation centres was the provision of a non-judgmental and supportive therapeutic environment for clients to recover. It was also observed that rehabilitation centres were acting as character reformatories for substance abusers, and, thus, aiding their easy reintegration back into their families, societies and work places. The study also found out that the selected rehabilitation centres were providing ample admission periods and competent counselling services for their clients to navigate their way to recovery. The study unearthed new trends in the substance abuse landscape of Gauteng. Firstly, it was established that more educated people were falling into substance abuse usage. Secondly, the drugs which were rendering users more amenable to rehabilitation were noted to be highly potent. The high potency was noted to be responsible for extreme difficulties in withdrawal and rehabilitation. This was, therefore, noted to accentuate the imperativeness of the role and contributions of rehabilitation centres in helping drug users to achieve recovery in an environment that was supportive, nurturing and safe. It is, therefore, on the basis of these fundamental findings that this study concluded that the contributions of rehabilitation centres were not only important in the fight against drug and substance abuse, but were also a necessary precondition in this endeavour. Conversely, it was established that the contributions of the rehabilitation centres were being thwarted by exorbitant and extortionate treatment fees charged by the rehabilitation centres. More so, rehabilitation centres faced the dire challenge of poor visibility due to the poor marketing of services, as well as their location in affluent or remote areas which are mainly accessible only through private transport. This means that some people, especially the rural and the urban poor, were not equitably benefiting from the services of the rehabilitation centres. The study observed that women, girls and children in general were largely excluded from benefiting from the services of the rehabilitation centres. The research closed off by recommending to rehabilitation centres that they ought to address administrative gaps such as embracing and practising social, linguistic, dietary and gender sensitivity in their programmes to ensure that they remain relevant to their clients while also reflecting the diversity in South Africa. Recommendations were also made to the government to intervene and moderate the pricing of substance abuse treatment services, by making them reflect the country’s socioeconomic inequalities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Evaluating the development potential of extractive sector corporate social investments in Cameroon: Case of the oil & gas and mining sub sectors
- Jong, Yungong Theophilus, Cherry, Janet
- Authors: Jong, Yungong Theophilus , Cherry, Janet
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Social responsibility of business -- Cameroon , Business ethics -- Cameroon Gold mines and mining -- Social aspects -- Cameroon Petroleum industry and trade -- Cameroon -- Finance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13370 , vital:27179
- Description: This study set out to evaluate the development potential of extractive sector corporate social investments (CSI) in Cameroon. It does this by evaluating the extent to which extractive companies effectively integrate CSI in their business operations and how this can be improved upon for more effective development outcomes in the country. The study premises that CSI can contribute to development but its activities will not always amount to just, balanced and sustainable development outcomes. To understand the extent to which it does, this study develops and applies a framework for determining the applicability and effectiveness of extractive sector CSI practices. The research followed an interpretivist philosophical orientation. A case study research strategy with the elements of a survey research was used. It also implemented a mixed research methods approach and relied on both primary and secondary data sources. The CSI evaluation process used documentary survey techniques and content analysis of corporate social responsibility-related documentation provided by extractive companies and other sector stakeholders. This was triangulated with an expert survey as well as a survey of major development organisations to understand the opinion of the external environment that should shape CSI practices. Results were analysed, discussed and synthesised using the front-end, mid-phase and back-end criteria for evaluating CSI integration. Findings show significant level of adherence to the discretionary idea of CSI among extractive firms working in Cameroon. This is due partly to growing social responsibility awareness among extractive firms around the world and the consequence of inaction. The greater majority of companies however, do not show strong proof of well thought out CSI implementation strategies. The feeling among experts is that extractive sector CSI in Cameroon is failing. It is predominantly self-regulated by extractive companies which raise questions regarding objective and credible CSI practices. The study concludes that CSI has been implemented in ad-hoc, haphazard and un-systematic ways. It has a viable potential to contribute to development but still suffers from a very weak CSI enabling environment as well as the challenges of sustainable development. Extractive sector CSI therefore, still needs to be significantly reworked to enhance its potential in contributing to just, balanced and sustainable development in Cameroon. It is recommended that an enabling environment be put in place through CSI promotional activities in the country.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Jong, Yungong Theophilus , Cherry, Janet
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Social responsibility of business -- Cameroon , Business ethics -- Cameroon Gold mines and mining -- Social aspects -- Cameroon Petroleum industry and trade -- Cameroon -- Finance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13370 , vital:27179
- Description: This study set out to evaluate the development potential of extractive sector corporate social investments (CSI) in Cameroon. It does this by evaluating the extent to which extractive companies effectively integrate CSI in their business operations and how this can be improved upon for more effective development outcomes in the country. The study premises that CSI can contribute to development but its activities will not always amount to just, balanced and sustainable development outcomes. To understand the extent to which it does, this study develops and applies a framework for determining the applicability and effectiveness of extractive sector CSI practices. The research followed an interpretivist philosophical orientation. A case study research strategy with the elements of a survey research was used. It also implemented a mixed research methods approach and relied on both primary and secondary data sources. The CSI evaluation process used documentary survey techniques and content analysis of corporate social responsibility-related documentation provided by extractive companies and other sector stakeholders. This was triangulated with an expert survey as well as a survey of major development organisations to understand the opinion of the external environment that should shape CSI practices. Results were analysed, discussed and synthesised using the front-end, mid-phase and back-end criteria for evaluating CSI integration. Findings show significant level of adherence to the discretionary idea of CSI among extractive firms working in Cameroon. This is due partly to growing social responsibility awareness among extractive firms around the world and the consequence of inaction. The greater majority of companies however, do not show strong proof of well thought out CSI implementation strategies. The feeling among experts is that extractive sector CSI in Cameroon is failing. It is predominantly self-regulated by extractive companies which raise questions regarding objective and credible CSI practices. The study concludes that CSI has been implemented in ad-hoc, haphazard and un-systematic ways. It has a viable potential to contribute to development but still suffers from a very weak CSI enabling environment as well as the challenges of sustainable development. Extractive sector CSI therefore, still needs to be significantly reworked to enhance its potential in contributing to just, balanced and sustainable development in Cameroon. It is recommended that an enabling environment be put in place through CSI promotional activities in the country.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of performance management and development system, Amathole District Municipality
- Authors: Dlelaphantsi, Vuyokazi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Performance -- Management Employees -- Rating of -- South Africa -- Amathole District Municipality , Organizational effectiveness -- South Africa -- Amathole District Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15522 , vital:28266
- Description: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the Performance Management System, since its inception and to date, with regards to the advancement of organisational goals and objectives through employee development, as well as resource allocation for service delivery to the residents of the Amathole District Municipality (ADM). The concept of performance management is key for achieving organisational goals and objectives, since it seeks to develop employees by identifying areas of strengths and weakness. The study is based on the assumption that although municipalities are different, and their approach to performance management particularly individual performance differs. This study therefore is based on the assumption that, levels of poor service delivery, and the consequent service delivery protests experienced in the ADM, can be ascribed to a poor linkage between annual performance planning and the assessment of municipal officials. Annual organisational performance, and individual performance planning and output, is not commensurate. Furthermore, a lack of correlation between these variables has led to the poor implementation of basic services and good governance, which has resulted in low levels of citizen satisfaction with the ADM. The empirical survey and research methodology used in the study is described and explained and followed by the data collection in a form of questionnaires. The research findings from the empirical survey are then analysed and reported accordingly. Recommendations are presented in the last chapter based on the empirical survey findings through the respondent’s inputs in the questionnaire. Recommendations are therefore also presented on how Amathole District Municipality can improve its business to achieve the objectives performance management. The key recommendation that came from the study is that ADM planning should be executed in collaboration with other government departments, government agencies, municipalities, private sector and NGOs, in order to maximize chances of achieving effective and efficient service delivery in communities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Dlelaphantsi, Vuyokazi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Performance -- Management Employees -- Rating of -- South Africa -- Amathole District Municipality , Organizational effectiveness -- South Africa -- Amathole District Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15522 , vital:28266
- Description: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the Performance Management System, since its inception and to date, with regards to the advancement of organisational goals and objectives through employee development, as well as resource allocation for service delivery to the residents of the Amathole District Municipality (ADM). The concept of performance management is key for achieving organisational goals and objectives, since it seeks to develop employees by identifying areas of strengths and weakness. The study is based on the assumption that although municipalities are different, and their approach to performance management particularly individual performance differs. This study therefore is based on the assumption that, levels of poor service delivery, and the consequent service delivery protests experienced in the ADM, can be ascribed to a poor linkage between annual performance planning and the assessment of municipal officials. Annual organisational performance, and individual performance planning and output, is not commensurate. Furthermore, a lack of correlation between these variables has led to the poor implementation of basic services and good governance, which has resulted in low levels of citizen satisfaction with the ADM. The empirical survey and research methodology used in the study is described and explained and followed by the data collection in a form of questionnaires. The research findings from the empirical survey are then analysed and reported accordingly. Recommendations are presented in the last chapter based on the empirical survey findings through the respondent’s inputs in the questionnaire. Recommendations are therefore also presented on how Amathole District Municipality can improve its business to achieve the objectives performance management. The key recommendation that came from the study is that ADM planning should be executed in collaboration with other government departments, government agencies, municipalities, private sector and NGOs, in order to maximize chances of achieving effective and efficient service delivery in communities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Evaluating the effects of foster care placement on childhood development : a study of Berlin location, Buffalo City municipality
- Authors: Mbonda, Mamela
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Foster home care Orphans Child development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15343 , vital:40399
- Description: The number of orphaned and vulnerable children in South Africa is drastically increasing which leads to most children being put in a foster care system. Yet there are great lacunae within its implementation; facilitation and monitoring which effectively affect the children involved. This evoked interest to the researcher on evaluating the effects of foster placement on childhood development; a study of Berlin Location, Buffalo City Municipality. The study intended to fulfil the following objectives: 1. To document environments that challenges foster care placement as an intervention of child placement; 2. To understand the negative impacts of foster care on a child’s psychosocial development; 3. To explore the impact of host parent’s culture to the child’s adaptation; 4. To establish the strengths and weaknesses of the South African child protection system. The study utilized qualitative paradigms guided by the qualitative research approach by adopting a case study cum phenomenological design. It employed in-depth interviews, focus groups, key informants as data collection methods. The study used both non-probability and probability sampling methods of which purposive and simple random sampling technique was utilised. The population of study was made up of twenty (20) participants who were incorporated of five (5) foster parents, five (5) key informants and ten (10) foster children. The data was analysed qualitatively through content thematic analysis. The study revealed the following findings: (i) challenges pertaining to adjustment to home milieu, (ii) lack of knowledge on foster parents’ rights and responsibilities, (iii) inadequateness of foster grant, (iv) cultural deviance, (v) prevalence of drug use and teenage pregnancy, (vi) dire lack of awareness raising sessions for the foster parents and their children, (vii) identity crisis disposition displayed by foster children, (viii) lack of individualizing cases of foster care placement by the social workers, (ix) efficiency of alternative care in comparison to residential care, (x) internalization of emotions by foster children, (xi) continued void for the biological mother’s love and affection,(xii) paucity of monitoring services to children, (xiii) information sharing and capacity building workshops for social workers a prerequisite, (xiv) Effectiveness of authoritative parenting a successful method and difficulty with telling foster children about their background. The study findings made the following recommendations: Strengthening inter-sectoral relationships and capacitate different stakeholders; Emphasis on early intervention and preventative programmes; Enforcement of punishment measure for incompliance; Implementation of training for foster parents and children; Foster care process made a specialization for social workers, Government to invest on psychosocial support and capacitating workshops for social workers. The researcher, therefore, hopes to have fulfilled the study objectives and further explored all the requirements of the study during data collection. More-so, fulfilment of objectives will assist the government and relevant stakeholders in bridging the gaps that exist with child protection.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mbonda, Mamela
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Foster home care Orphans Child development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15343 , vital:40399
- Description: The number of orphaned and vulnerable children in South Africa is drastically increasing which leads to most children being put in a foster care system. Yet there are great lacunae within its implementation; facilitation and monitoring which effectively affect the children involved. This evoked interest to the researcher on evaluating the effects of foster placement on childhood development; a study of Berlin Location, Buffalo City Municipality. The study intended to fulfil the following objectives: 1. To document environments that challenges foster care placement as an intervention of child placement; 2. To understand the negative impacts of foster care on a child’s psychosocial development; 3. To explore the impact of host parent’s culture to the child’s adaptation; 4. To establish the strengths and weaknesses of the South African child protection system. The study utilized qualitative paradigms guided by the qualitative research approach by adopting a case study cum phenomenological design. It employed in-depth interviews, focus groups, key informants as data collection methods. The study used both non-probability and probability sampling methods of which purposive and simple random sampling technique was utilised. The population of study was made up of twenty (20) participants who were incorporated of five (5) foster parents, five (5) key informants and ten (10) foster children. The data was analysed qualitatively through content thematic analysis. The study revealed the following findings: (i) challenges pertaining to adjustment to home milieu, (ii) lack of knowledge on foster parents’ rights and responsibilities, (iii) inadequateness of foster grant, (iv) cultural deviance, (v) prevalence of drug use and teenage pregnancy, (vi) dire lack of awareness raising sessions for the foster parents and their children, (vii) identity crisis disposition displayed by foster children, (viii) lack of individualizing cases of foster care placement by the social workers, (ix) efficiency of alternative care in comparison to residential care, (x) internalization of emotions by foster children, (xi) continued void for the biological mother’s love and affection,(xii) paucity of monitoring services to children, (xiii) information sharing and capacity building workshops for social workers a prerequisite, (xiv) Effectiveness of authoritative parenting a successful method and difficulty with telling foster children about their background. The study findings made the following recommendations: Strengthening inter-sectoral relationships and capacitate different stakeholders; Emphasis on early intervention and preventative programmes; Enforcement of punishment measure for incompliance; Implementation of training for foster parents and children; Foster care process made a specialization for social workers, Government to invest on psychosocial support and capacitating workshops for social workers. The researcher, therefore, hopes to have fulfilled the study objectives and further explored all the requirements of the study during data collection. More-so, fulfilment of objectives will assist the government and relevant stakeholders in bridging the gaps that exist with child protection.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Evaluating the impact of responsible investing strategies on fund performance
- Authors: Ntuli, Thulani
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7067 , vital:21214
- Description: Several studies have been undertaken to evaluate performance of responsible investments, that is, funds that integrate ethical as well as environmental, social and governance considerations in the investment process (ESG). Particularly to address the question whether it is possible for investors to do well while doing good. Modern Portfolio Theory predicts sub-optimal performance for funds constructed on any basis other than risk-reward optimisation. These studies usually compare performance of responsible investments with conventional funds or an unrestricted benchmark portfolio. The findings have been contradictory and on the main inconclusive. Underlying this contradiction is the treatment of responsible investments funds as a homogenous group of funds and not acknowledging their heterogeneity owing to methods and strategies used to construct them. This study seeks to address this gap in the literature by investigating the impact of responsible investment strategies on fund performance. The performance of nine South African responsible investment funds constructed and manged using different responsible investing strategies are analysed over a five-year period from 01 October 2010 to 31 October 2015. Their performance is benchmarked against the JSE ALL Share Index (ALSI) and the FTES/JSE SRI index. Specifically, the average monthly returns, variability and Sharpe ratio of the constituent fund is used to compare performance. Moreover, the CAPM based Jensen alpha is used to determine any significant under or overperformance of respective funds relative to the benchmarks. The study found to be no difference in average monthly returns and risk relative to the two benchmark indices for all respective strategies. However, funds constructed using the negative screening strategy generally underperform. These funds overall deliver a statistically significant lower alpha. It is concluded that this RI investing strategy is not suitable for investors concerned about a trade-off between fund performance and ESG performance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Ntuli, Thulani
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7067 , vital:21214
- Description: Several studies have been undertaken to evaluate performance of responsible investments, that is, funds that integrate ethical as well as environmental, social and governance considerations in the investment process (ESG). Particularly to address the question whether it is possible for investors to do well while doing good. Modern Portfolio Theory predicts sub-optimal performance for funds constructed on any basis other than risk-reward optimisation. These studies usually compare performance of responsible investments with conventional funds or an unrestricted benchmark portfolio. The findings have been contradictory and on the main inconclusive. Underlying this contradiction is the treatment of responsible investments funds as a homogenous group of funds and not acknowledging their heterogeneity owing to methods and strategies used to construct them. This study seeks to address this gap in the literature by investigating the impact of responsible investment strategies on fund performance. The performance of nine South African responsible investment funds constructed and manged using different responsible investing strategies are analysed over a five-year period from 01 October 2010 to 31 October 2015. Their performance is benchmarked against the JSE ALL Share Index (ALSI) and the FTES/JSE SRI index. Specifically, the average monthly returns, variability and Sharpe ratio of the constituent fund is used to compare performance. Moreover, the CAPM based Jensen alpha is used to determine any significant under or overperformance of respective funds relative to the benchmarks. The study found to be no difference in average monthly returns and risk relative to the two benchmark indices for all respective strategies. However, funds constructed using the negative screening strategy generally underperform. These funds overall deliver a statistically significant lower alpha. It is concluded that this RI investing strategy is not suitable for investors concerned about a trade-off between fund performance and ESG performance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017