An internal audit expectation gap: South African Revenue Services project audit engagements
- Authors: Sekhwela, Mmanapo Bella
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Electronic data processing -- Auditing , Business enterprises -- Computer networks -- Security measures Information technology -- Security measures Computer security
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47139 , vital:39815
- Description: South African Revenue Services (SARS) was established as a quasi-government organisation with a mandate to efficiently and effectively collect revenue based on the export, import, movement, manufacture and storage of specific goods. Information Technology (IT) governance is strategically important to SARS in that its business processes are technology driven and that technology projects are implemented to support the SARS strategic objectives. In alignment to the King code for corporate governance and ethical business practices, an Internal Audit Function (IAF) as a regulatory requirement of all public sector entities in South Africa exists at SARS. The aim of the research was to evaluate the perspectives of SARS stakeholders regarding the organisation’s IT project auditing process. The study focused on gathering data from various SARS stakeholders involved in the delivery of IT projects and IT projects auditing. Through a qualitative research approach, interviews were conducted with practitioners such as Internal Auditors, Internal Audit managers, and executives as well as project managers and ownersso asto obtain a holistic understanding of stakeholder expectations of an IT project audit. An analysis of the data collected led to the deduction of recommendations meant to enhance stakeholder perceptions of the IT audit function within SARS. The study found that there is a perceived value derived from IA reviews of IT projects. The findings also revealed that rather than lack of resources and expertise, skill set deficiencies were the major setback in achieving IA goals. The findings further revealed that there are deficiencies in the quality of IA reports. Some of the main recommendations were to expand the scope of the Internal Audit roles, intensify engagements of Internal Audits by the Enterprise Project Management Office (EPMO), improve the quality of reports, and capacitate Internal Auditors with reporting skills. This study presents a modest contribution that is expected to enrich knowledge on how to audit IT projects. Moreover, the study contributes towards a methodological position of design science by producing results from a smaller sample augmented by interview results in an environment characterised by smaller populations so that inferences can be made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Sekhwela, Mmanapo Bella
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Electronic data processing -- Auditing , Business enterprises -- Computer networks -- Security measures Information technology -- Security measures Computer security
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47139 , vital:39815
- Description: South African Revenue Services (SARS) was established as a quasi-government organisation with a mandate to efficiently and effectively collect revenue based on the export, import, movement, manufacture and storage of specific goods. Information Technology (IT) governance is strategically important to SARS in that its business processes are technology driven and that technology projects are implemented to support the SARS strategic objectives. In alignment to the King code for corporate governance and ethical business practices, an Internal Audit Function (IAF) as a regulatory requirement of all public sector entities in South Africa exists at SARS. The aim of the research was to evaluate the perspectives of SARS stakeholders regarding the organisation’s IT project auditing process. The study focused on gathering data from various SARS stakeholders involved in the delivery of IT projects and IT projects auditing. Through a qualitative research approach, interviews were conducted with practitioners such as Internal Auditors, Internal Audit managers, and executives as well as project managers and ownersso asto obtain a holistic understanding of stakeholder expectations of an IT project audit. An analysis of the data collected led to the deduction of recommendations meant to enhance stakeholder perceptions of the IT audit function within SARS. The study found that there is a perceived value derived from IA reviews of IT projects. The findings also revealed that rather than lack of resources and expertise, skill set deficiencies were the major setback in achieving IA goals. The findings further revealed that there are deficiencies in the quality of IA reports. Some of the main recommendations were to expand the scope of the Internal Audit roles, intensify engagements of Internal Audits by the Enterprise Project Management Office (EPMO), improve the quality of reports, and capacitate Internal Auditors with reporting skills. This study presents a modest contribution that is expected to enrich knowledge on how to audit IT projects. Moreover, the study contributes towards a methodological position of design science by producing results from a smaller sample augmented by interview results in an environment characterised by smaller populations so that inferences can be made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Assessing the income derived from agricultural hawking in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Seteni, Vuyo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Street vendors -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Street vendors -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10167 , vital:35364
- Description: The hawking business has grown profusely in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, to such an extent that street hawkers are found on every street corner of the Metro. The literature suggests that street hawking holds great potential for employment creation for the unskilled population who cannot find employment opportunities in the formal sector. In light of the proliferation of street hawking in BCMM, the study aimed at assessing the performance of agricultural hawkers in the municipality by means of looking at hawkers’ strategies, determining their sales and net income, and ascertaining their level of ‘job satisfaction’. The sample was selected from the population of hawkers in three major towns of BCMM, namely Mdantsane, East London and King William’s Town. A sum of 200 respondents were selected in the study through interval based probability sampling. The study made use of a cross tabulation of the hawkers’ income according to the three main towns. The results revealed that that agricultural hawking contributes to poverty alleviation in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, as the majority of hawkers earn enough to live above the poverty line. A correlation matrix was used to ascertain the strength and direction of association between hawkers’ monthly income and selected independent variables. The study also used an ordered probit model to determine which specific variables affect hawkers’ monthly income generated from fruit and vegetable sales. The results from the model suggest that business training is significantly and positively related to increasing monthly income, as are age, years of experience, and membership of a hawkers’ association. The study recommends that Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality build new markets and improve the infrastructure of existing markets, and also provide proper sanitation and clean water to avoid unhygienic situations in street hawkers’ markets.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Seteni, Vuyo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Street vendors -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Street vendors -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10167 , vital:35364
- Description: The hawking business has grown profusely in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, to such an extent that street hawkers are found on every street corner of the Metro. The literature suggests that street hawking holds great potential for employment creation for the unskilled population who cannot find employment opportunities in the formal sector. In light of the proliferation of street hawking in BCMM, the study aimed at assessing the performance of agricultural hawkers in the municipality by means of looking at hawkers’ strategies, determining their sales and net income, and ascertaining their level of ‘job satisfaction’. The sample was selected from the population of hawkers in three major towns of BCMM, namely Mdantsane, East London and King William’s Town. A sum of 200 respondents were selected in the study through interval based probability sampling. The study made use of a cross tabulation of the hawkers’ income according to the three main towns. The results revealed that that agricultural hawking contributes to poverty alleviation in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, as the majority of hawkers earn enough to live above the poverty line. A correlation matrix was used to ascertain the strength and direction of association between hawkers’ monthly income and selected independent variables. The study also used an ordered probit model to determine which specific variables affect hawkers’ monthly income generated from fruit and vegetable sales. The results from the model suggest that business training is significantly and positively related to increasing monthly income, as are age, years of experience, and membership of a hawkers’ association. The study recommends that Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality build new markets and improve the infrastructure of existing markets, and also provide proper sanitation and clean water to avoid unhygienic situations in street hawkers’ markets.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Factors influencing adherence to treatment among clients living with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Insika Yethu sub-district, Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Somkala, Nwabisa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Diabetics Public health Diabetes -- Treatment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13161 , vital:39470
- Description: BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the problematic non-communicable diseases and is a major global public health challenge which affects more than 300 million individuals globally. It is predicted that by the year 2025, approximately 12.3 million South Africans will be receiving treatment for chronic conditions; included in that number will be those living with HIV and diabetes. An individual’s health behaviour is mainly determined by one’s demographic factors such as social, economic and cultural background. These influence people living with type 2 diabetes mellitus and have an impact on their treatment adherence. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to examine the economic, psycho-social and cultural factors influencing adherence to treatment amongst patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in order to inform public health policy concerning the treatment and management of diabetic patients. METHODOLOGY: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive quantitative study involving 300 purposively selected clients attending health facilities in Intsika Yethu sub district of Chris Hani, Eastern Cape Province. A self-designed questionnaire was used for data collection. The questionnaire focuses on demographic information (age, gender, marital status, level of education, employment status, number of dependents, duration of taking anti-diabetic medication and existence of other chronic conditions) and the knowledge and attitude of diabetic clients regarding anti-diabetic treatment adherence. Other sections of the questionnaire solicit information on economic, psychosocial and cultural factors affecting adherence to diabetic treatment. The questionnaire was tested in a pilot study in order to identify unclear questions, so that they can be rectified before the main study was conducted. FINDINGS: Based on the findings from the study, a total of 177 (59.0percnt) of the diabetic clients had hypertension and that showed the relationship between diabetes and hypertension. On the attitude session, respondents have shown a positive attitude towards treatment. Furthermore, other objectives such as those focusing on economic, cultural and psychosocial factors were found not to be associated with poor adherence to anti-diabetic treatment. According to respondents’ responses, economic factors showed no influence on treatment adherence. Socio-cultural factors indicated that respondents never missed social gatherings and never used traditional medication to treat their diabetes. On the knowledge section which had fourteen questions, most clients seemed to be aware of the complications of diabetes and the benefits of adhering to anti-diabetic treatment because the lowest score was 50percnt. DATA ANALYSIS: The data was captured in Microsoft Excel (MSEXCEL) for onward processing. Data was analysed using data analysis and statistical software version 14. (STATA). Frequencies and percentages were used for describing the categorical variables while mean and standard deviation were used for describing age, number of dependents, duration of illness and knowledge. An independent t-test was used to determine the differences between males and females across the variables. A p-value of 0.05 was of statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Economic, psychosocial and socio-cultural factors were not found to have impacted on adherence to treatment. These findings should not be generalised as the study was done on a small sample; further research and more studies need to be conducted.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Somkala, Nwabisa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Diabetics Public health Diabetes -- Treatment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13161 , vital:39470
- Description: BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the problematic non-communicable diseases and is a major global public health challenge which affects more than 300 million individuals globally. It is predicted that by the year 2025, approximately 12.3 million South Africans will be receiving treatment for chronic conditions; included in that number will be those living with HIV and diabetes. An individual’s health behaviour is mainly determined by one’s demographic factors such as social, economic and cultural background. These influence people living with type 2 diabetes mellitus and have an impact on their treatment adherence. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to examine the economic, psycho-social and cultural factors influencing adherence to treatment amongst patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in order to inform public health policy concerning the treatment and management of diabetic patients. METHODOLOGY: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive quantitative study involving 300 purposively selected clients attending health facilities in Intsika Yethu sub district of Chris Hani, Eastern Cape Province. A self-designed questionnaire was used for data collection. The questionnaire focuses on demographic information (age, gender, marital status, level of education, employment status, number of dependents, duration of taking anti-diabetic medication and existence of other chronic conditions) and the knowledge and attitude of diabetic clients regarding anti-diabetic treatment adherence. Other sections of the questionnaire solicit information on economic, psychosocial and cultural factors affecting adherence to diabetic treatment. The questionnaire was tested in a pilot study in order to identify unclear questions, so that they can be rectified before the main study was conducted. FINDINGS: Based on the findings from the study, a total of 177 (59.0percnt) of the diabetic clients had hypertension and that showed the relationship between diabetes and hypertension. On the attitude session, respondents have shown a positive attitude towards treatment. Furthermore, other objectives such as those focusing on economic, cultural and psychosocial factors were found not to be associated with poor adherence to anti-diabetic treatment. According to respondents’ responses, economic factors showed no influence on treatment adherence. Socio-cultural factors indicated that respondents never missed social gatherings and never used traditional medication to treat their diabetes. On the knowledge section which had fourteen questions, most clients seemed to be aware of the complications of diabetes and the benefits of adhering to anti-diabetic treatment because the lowest score was 50percnt. DATA ANALYSIS: The data was captured in Microsoft Excel (MSEXCEL) for onward processing. Data was analysed using data analysis and statistical software version 14. (STATA). Frequencies and percentages were used for describing the categorical variables while mean and standard deviation were used for describing age, number of dependents, duration of illness and knowledge. An independent t-test was used to determine the differences between males and females across the variables. A p-value of 0.05 was of statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Economic, psychosocial and socio-cultural factors were not found to have impacted on adherence to treatment. These findings should not be generalised as the study was done on a small sample; further research and more studies need to be conducted.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Motives behind the implementation of renewable energy sources in South African businesses
- Authors: Smith, Brendon Michael
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7667 , vital:21283
- Description: There are numerous advantages and disadvantages for companies to implement renewable energy in South Africa. The motives (drivers or challenges) behind the decision to implement renewable energy resources or not is what this research will be addressing. Economic and environmental motives were the major motives behind implementing renewable energy sources in literature. The main objective for this research was to identify and describe the motives and challenges of implementing renewable energy sources in SA businesses, aligning these with sustainability pillars. The data collection method that was used in this research was documentation analysis and questionnaires. The companies that were chosen for this research were sampled from Kwa-Zulu Natal. Results showed that economic motives were the main decisions for companies implementing renewable energy or not, although there were also significant environmental and social motives that businesses need to consider. This research has provided an understanding of the motives that can have a positive or negative impact on companies who want to install renewable energy for their business.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Smith, Brendon Michael
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7667 , vital:21283
- Description: There are numerous advantages and disadvantages for companies to implement renewable energy in South Africa. The motives (drivers or challenges) behind the decision to implement renewable energy resources or not is what this research will be addressing. Economic and environmental motives were the major motives behind implementing renewable energy sources in literature. The main objective for this research was to identify and describe the motives and challenges of implementing renewable energy sources in SA businesses, aligning these with sustainability pillars. The data collection method that was used in this research was documentation analysis and questionnaires. The companies that were chosen for this research were sampled from Kwa-Zulu Natal. Results showed that economic motives were the main decisions for companies implementing renewable energy or not, although there were also significant environmental and social motives that businesses need to consider. This research has provided an understanding of the motives that can have a positive or negative impact on companies who want to install renewable energy for their business.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Multi-temporal analysis of urban land-use and land-cover patterns in Alice, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Manyanye, Owen
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Geographic information systems Land use -- Remote sensing Land cover
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8066 , vital:31506
- Description: South Africa is undergoing rapid urbanization coupled with fast demographic change in the major cities and towns. This economic shift leaves behind underdevelopment, particularly in the rural areas such as the Eastern Cape Province. Underdevelopment of rural Eastern Cape can be understood by revisiting the “native reserve policy” of the Union of South Africa (1910 –1948) and the separate development policies of the apartheid government (1948 –1994). These policies have induced landlessness in the rural Eastern Cape and the destruction of rural livelihoods, poverty and under-development of roads, housing, health, education and sanitation facilities, and constrained development of a sustainable local economy. This study was aimed at determining the temporal and spatial land-use / land-cover changes in and around Alice town in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa by using multi-date remotely Landsat TM images covering 5 time slices for the years 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999 and 2009. This was done by using supervised classification to objectively reconstruct changes in land-use and land-cover by compiling time-series maps with four information classes and using the Kappa Coefficient to assess the accuracy of all map outputs. Results of this investigation point to significant changes in land-use and land-cover over the 25-year study period between 1984 and 2009 with built-up areas expanding by 3720 hectares from 3227 hectares in 1984 to 6947 hectares in 2009. This observation is important because it enhances our understanding of the dynamics of urban growth and provides useful insights that aid urban development planning and policy formulation. The research concludes by recommending the use time series remotely sensed imagery as a decision-support tool for urban and environment management.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Manyanye, Owen
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Geographic information systems Land use -- Remote sensing Land cover
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8066 , vital:31506
- Description: South Africa is undergoing rapid urbanization coupled with fast demographic change in the major cities and towns. This economic shift leaves behind underdevelopment, particularly in the rural areas such as the Eastern Cape Province. Underdevelopment of rural Eastern Cape can be understood by revisiting the “native reserve policy” of the Union of South Africa (1910 –1948) and the separate development policies of the apartheid government (1948 –1994). These policies have induced landlessness in the rural Eastern Cape and the destruction of rural livelihoods, poverty and under-development of roads, housing, health, education and sanitation facilities, and constrained development of a sustainable local economy. This study was aimed at determining the temporal and spatial land-use / land-cover changes in and around Alice town in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa by using multi-date remotely Landsat TM images covering 5 time slices for the years 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999 and 2009. This was done by using supervised classification to objectively reconstruct changes in land-use and land-cover by compiling time-series maps with four information classes and using the Kappa Coefficient to assess the accuracy of all map outputs. Results of this investigation point to significant changes in land-use and land-cover over the 25-year study period between 1984 and 2009 with built-up areas expanding by 3720 hectares from 3227 hectares in 1984 to 6947 hectares in 2009. This observation is important because it enhances our understanding of the dynamics of urban growth and provides useful insights that aid urban development planning and policy formulation. The research concludes by recommending the use time series remotely sensed imagery as a decision-support tool for urban and environment management.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
What are the barriers and prospects for integrating environmental sustainability into the curriculum?
- Authors: Rorke, Joshua
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5522 , vital:20938
- Description: This study attempts to investigate the extent to which environmental sustainability has been integrated into the curriculum of the Humanities Faculty at Rhodes University as well as the barriers and prospects for further integration. This thesis argues that the integration of environmental sustainability has been very limited. The three main components of environmental sustainability, namely environmental content, interdisciplinarity and participatory curriculum formation, are all lacking in most departments' curricula. This is despite all departments' affirmation that environmental issues are among the most critical problems the world faces today. Most of the departments are arguably only paying lip-service to environmental issues while making little to no effort toward integrating the environment into their curriculum. A lack of space in the curriculum is a frequently suggested barrier to introducing environmental sustainability into a course. However, this thesis argues that the environmentally conscious transformation of a curriculum cannot be achieved simply by adding content to the existing syllabus, but requires a restructuring of the curriculum itself. Many of the other barriers found by this study can be overcome through sufficient will on the part of departments to change their curricula. However, generating this will is difficult, as students are not ostensibly interested in environmental concerns. It is then incumbent on the lecturers themselves to educate the students on critical environmental issues, as well as on students to urge their lecturers to bring about change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Rorke, Joshua
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5522 , vital:20938
- Description: This study attempts to investigate the extent to which environmental sustainability has been integrated into the curriculum of the Humanities Faculty at Rhodes University as well as the barriers and prospects for further integration. This thesis argues that the integration of environmental sustainability has been very limited. The three main components of environmental sustainability, namely environmental content, interdisciplinarity and participatory curriculum formation, are all lacking in most departments' curricula. This is despite all departments' affirmation that environmental issues are among the most critical problems the world faces today. Most of the departments are arguably only paying lip-service to environmental issues while making little to no effort toward integrating the environment into their curriculum. A lack of space in the curriculum is a frequently suggested barrier to introducing environmental sustainability into a course. However, this thesis argues that the environmentally conscious transformation of a curriculum cannot be achieved simply by adding content to the existing syllabus, but requires a restructuring of the curriculum itself. Many of the other barriers found by this study can be overcome through sufficient will on the part of departments to change their curricula. However, generating this will is difficult, as students are not ostensibly interested in environmental concerns. It is then incumbent on the lecturers themselves to educate the students on critical environmental issues, as well as on students to urge their lecturers to bring about change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
An investigation of absenteeism amongst blue-collar workers: a mixed methods approach
- Authors: Kroon, Kim
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:866 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1021248
- Description: Absenteeism affects organisations in many different ways, therefore it is essential to investigate absenteeism with the aim of minimising absence levels. The focus of the research was to investigate absenteeism amongst blue-collar workers at a Global Logistics Supplier. The objectives of this research were to identify the main types of absenteeism, to compare the views of blue-collar workers and management on the causes attributed to absenteeism, to describe how absenteeism has been measured and managed, and to make recommendations to the company on ways to minimize absenteeism based on the findings. Quantitative data in the form of monthly absenteeism statistics relating to each leave type, was examined for trends relating to absenteeism levels amongst blue-collar workers at the company. Semi-structured interviews were then carried out with management and blue-collar workers to examine the causes of absenteeism and its management. The results showed that there was a discrepancy between the views of management and blue-collar workers at the company on the perceived causes of absenteeism. On the other hand, both management and the blue-collar workers identified Monday and Friday as the most prevalent days on which employees are absent from the workplace. This finding suggests that more research should be conducted on this trend in blue-collar workers. In exploring how absenteeism is dealt with, management within the company stated that discipline was the most effective way of keeping absenteeism levels low amongst employees. The limitations and delimitations of the research were recognised and further research ideas were given. It was also recommended that managers and supervisors address the workplace issues and identify when a worker’s performance and interpersonal relationships are strained in order to effectively minimise absenteeism. It is also recommended they implement a wellness programme.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Kroon, Kim
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:866 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1021248
- Description: Absenteeism affects organisations in many different ways, therefore it is essential to investigate absenteeism with the aim of minimising absence levels. The focus of the research was to investigate absenteeism amongst blue-collar workers at a Global Logistics Supplier. The objectives of this research were to identify the main types of absenteeism, to compare the views of blue-collar workers and management on the causes attributed to absenteeism, to describe how absenteeism has been measured and managed, and to make recommendations to the company on ways to minimize absenteeism based on the findings. Quantitative data in the form of monthly absenteeism statistics relating to each leave type, was examined for trends relating to absenteeism levels amongst blue-collar workers at the company. Semi-structured interviews were then carried out with management and blue-collar workers to examine the causes of absenteeism and its management. The results showed that there was a discrepancy between the views of management and blue-collar workers at the company on the perceived causes of absenteeism. On the other hand, both management and the blue-collar workers identified Monday and Friday as the most prevalent days on which employees are absent from the workplace. This finding suggests that more research should be conducted on this trend in blue-collar workers. In exploring how absenteeism is dealt with, management within the company stated that discipline was the most effective way of keeping absenteeism levels low amongst employees. The limitations and delimitations of the research were recognised and further research ideas were given. It was also recommended that managers and supervisors address the workplace issues and identify when a worker’s performance and interpersonal relationships are strained in order to effectively minimise absenteeism. It is also recommended they implement a wellness programme.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Boetie is verlore: the reproduction of militarized white masculinities through the lens of Boetie gaan border toe! (1984)
- Authors: Coetzee, Joseph
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MFA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4245 , vital:20638
- Description: My father fought for the South African Defence Force (SADF) from 1983 to 1985. At that time the apartheid regime was involved in extensive military operations in what is now Namibia and Angola. This conflict was aimed at quelling the liberation movements in those countries and, as Gary Baines has noted, supported the United States of America’s Cold War interests (Baines 2007:1). When I was fourteen I found a piece written by my father in which he remembers the first person that he had killed in the aforementioned conflict. This was a child soldier who he compared to me as I was a similar age at the time of his writing. The idea of my father as a killer haunted me. He has carried the trauma of his experiences on the border with him; he has told me how the dead visit him in dreams. On the one hand, these memories, not my own, have been constructed through my interpretation of the events in my father’s stories. On the other hand, homologies may be drawn between his actual experiences and a fantasy representation of the conflict I have encountered, the film Boetie gaan border toe! or Brother goes to the border! (1984). This apartheid propaganda film presents an idealised representation of the conflict from the point of view of the apartheid state. The protagonist of the film, Boetie, is an example of the aspirational and dominant image of militarised masculinity the apartheid state wished young white men to emulate. The racist sexist, patriarchal and materialistic reality created within the film is one I am familiar with. The toys I grew up playing with, television shows, films, advertising and popular culture I consumed, alongside the boys’ school I attended and the University I currently attend are all rooted in and continue to reproduce this reality. I have encountered many similar archetypes to the Boetie character. With this in mind I wish through my art practice to create a work which draws upon my father’s writing and imagery from Boetie gaan border toe! (1984). I have placed these alongside windows into my contemporary context in order to emphasise the continual reproduction of these ideas. In reference to the Boetie film I have decided to create my own film entitled Boetie is verlore or Brother is lost. This is a magic realist documentary film that I have constructed through various interviews and fantasy dream sequences in order to paint a picture of the continual incubation and reproduction of realities similar to that of Boetie. Boetie is a rich white man who is characterised through his material possessions and his compulsive heterosexuality. White women are interchangeable to him whilst blackness in the film is made completely invisible. In South Africa such representations are strongly linked to the question of land and naturalising the white male coloniser’s dominance and privilege.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Coetzee, Joseph
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MFA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4245 , vital:20638
- Description: My father fought for the South African Defence Force (SADF) from 1983 to 1985. At that time the apartheid regime was involved in extensive military operations in what is now Namibia and Angola. This conflict was aimed at quelling the liberation movements in those countries and, as Gary Baines has noted, supported the United States of America’s Cold War interests (Baines 2007:1). When I was fourteen I found a piece written by my father in which he remembers the first person that he had killed in the aforementioned conflict. This was a child soldier who he compared to me as I was a similar age at the time of his writing. The idea of my father as a killer haunted me. He has carried the trauma of his experiences on the border with him; he has told me how the dead visit him in dreams. On the one hand, these memories, not my own, have been constructed through my interpretation of the events in my father’s stories. On the other hand, homologies may be drawn between his actual experiences and a fantasy representation of the conflict I have encountered, the film Boetie gaan border toe! or Brother goes to the border! (1984). This apartheid propaganda film presents an idealised representation of the conflict from the point of view of the apartheid state. The protagonist of the film, Boetie, is an example of the aspirational and dominant image of militarised masculinity the apartheid state wished young white men to emulate. The racist sexist, patriarchal and materialistic reality created within the film is one I am familiar with. The toys I grew up playing with, television shows, films, advertising and popular culture I consumed, alongside the boys’ school I attended and the University I currently attend are all rooted in and continue to reproduce this reality. I have encountered many similar archetypes to the Boetie character. With this in mind I wish through my art practice to create a work which draws upon my father’s writing and imagery from Boetie gaan border toe! (1984). I have placed these alongside windows into my contemporary context in order to emphasise the continual reproduction of these ideas. In reference to the Boetie film I have decided to create my own film entitled Boetie is verlore or Brother is lost. This is a magic realist documentary film that I have constructed through various interviews and fantasy dream sequences in order to paint a picture of the continual incubation and reproduction of realities similar to that of Boetie. Boetie is a rich white man who is characterised through his material possessions and his compulsive heterosexuality. White women are interchangeable to him whilst blackness in the film is made completely invisible. In South Africa such representations are strongly linked to the question of land and naturalising the white male coloniser’s dominance and privilege.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Exchange rate and foreign direct investment inflows: a case of Namibia 1990-2014
- Authors: Idhenga, Salome Ngwedha
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Economic policy , Exchange rate pass-through -- Namibia , Investments, Foreign -- Namibia , Gross domestic product -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6762 , vital:21134
- Description: Purpose - this study is aimed at to investigating the effects exchange rate and other variables on foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows have on the Namibian economy. Methodology -The model comprises of the unit root test, the co-integration test, the long run equation co-efficient, an error correction model, the normality test and the stability test, were employed to estimate and interpret the results. Finding and recommendations - The results of the study have revealed that a relationship exists between exchange rate and FDI. However, this relationship is said to be statistically insignificant. It cannot therefore be used as a tool to influence FDI in Namibia. The results further indicated that GDP and trade openness were the most significant determinants of FDI in Namibia. The recommendations of this study thus suggest that the government should implement policies to diversify its production across all sectors and increase the manufacturing of finished goods, so as to enhance the GDP growth. Namibia should further advance its trade open through in-creased and fast-tracked trade agreements at both bilateral and multilateral levels.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Idhenga, Salome Ngwedha
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Economic policy , Exchange rate pass-through -- Namibia , Investments, Foreign -- Namibia , Gross domestic product -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6762 , vital:21134
- Description: Purpose - this study is aimed at to investigating the effects exchange rate and other variables on foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows have on the Namibian economy. Methodology -The model comprises of the unit root test, the co-integration test, the long run equation co-efficient, an error correction model, the normality test and the stability test, were employed to estimate and interpret the results. Finding and recommendations - The results of the study have revealed that a relationship exists between exchange rate and FDI. However, this relationship is said to be statistically insignificant. It cannot therefore be used as a tool to influence FDI in Namibia. The results further indicated that GDP and trade openness were the most significant determinants of FDI in Namibia. The recommendations of this study thus suggest that the government should implement policies to diversify its production across all sectors and increase the manufacturing of finished goods, so as to enhance the GDP growth. Namibia should further advance its trade open through in-creased and fast-tracked trade agreements at both bilateral and multilateral levels.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Weak form market efficiency of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange : pre during and post the 2008 global financial crisis
- Authors: Futshane, Olwetu
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Global Financial Crisis, 2008-2009 Efficient market theory Random walks (Mathematics)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11895 , vital:39116
- Description: The importance of the efficiency of the stock market cannot be underestimated, given that it brings together those who demand and supply development finance. It is against this background that this study focused on analysing the weak form efficiency of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange for the period 2005 to 2016. The study reviewed the theoretical and empirical literatures which have tried to examine the market efficiency of the Johannesburg stock exchange and whether the JSE follows that random walk. Based on the review of literature, several methodologies such as (unit root tests, autocorrelation test) were employed in the study obtaining robust results that the JSE price indices (All Share, Resources and Financials) follow the random walk process. To further confirm the findings in this research, the variance ratio test is conducted under heteroscedasticity and homoscedasticity it also strongly verified that the existence of a random walk process cannot be rejected in the JSE. The empirical results from all the various tests reveal that the null hypothesis of random walk cannot be rejected. These results thus suggest that the JSE is efficient in its weak form. This commends all the measures which have been carried out to ensure that the market is efficient.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Futshane, Olwetu
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Global Financial Crisis, 2008-2009 Efficient market theory Random walks (Mathematics)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11895 , vital:39116
- Description: The importance of the efficiency of the stock market cannot be underestimated, given that it brings together those who demand and supply development finance. It is against this background that this study focused on analysing the weak form efficiency of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange for the period 2005 to 2016. The study reviewed the theoretical and empirical literatures which have tried to examine the market efficiency of the Johannesburg stock exchange and whether the JSE follows that random walk. Based on the review of literature, several methodologies such as (unit root tests, autocorrelation test) were employed in the study obtaining robust results that the JSE price indices (All Share, Resources and Financials) follow the random walk process. To further confirm the findings in this research, the variance ratio test is conducted under heteroscedasticity and homoscedasticity it also strongly verified that the existence of a random walk process cannot be rejected in the JSE. The empirical results from all the various tests reveal that the null hypothesis of random walk cannot be rejected. These results thus suggest that the JSE is efficient in its weak form. This commends all the measures which have been carried out to ensure that the market is efficient.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Poverty alleviation projects in Amahlathi local municipality
- Authors: Nyatela, Mzukisi Eric
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/9865 , vital:26628
- Description: Introduction: Poverty is the burden of South African people and is the result of the laws of the apartheid system. Poverty affects millions of people most of which live in the rural areas. Thus poverty alleviation is one of the priorities of the government. The Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) is one of the policy documents that aimed to build a democratic government. The RDP document (in African National Congress, 1994:4) stated that poverty alleviation or attacking poverty was the priority of the government from the beginning of democracy and that it is the same case today with the poverty alleviation projects by the Department of Social Development (DoSD):- “But an election victory is only a first step. No political democracy can survive and flourish if the mass of our people remain in poverty, without land, without tangible prospects for a better life. Attacking poverty and deprivation must therefore be the first priority of a democratic government”. Therefore the statement above echoed the sentiments of the newly elected democratic government of 1994. The aim was to provide houses for all specifically the disadvantaged people, to provide water and sanitation for all, to provide electricity, maintenance of roads, improvement of health facilities, job creation, improvement of skills, improvement of income and many more. These privileges were not enjoyed by all during the apartheid era specifically the black masses. The above promises are not all fulfilled but the government is busy providing programmes through different departments. For an example this research report is about poverty alleviation projects that are being provided by the DoSD. This section of the study attempts to provide an overview of the study, including the rationale and background of the study as well as the study area and its challenges. Included in this overview is the context of the study, the research problem, the research question, the research purpose, and the research objectives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Nyatela, Mzukisi Eric
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/9865 , vital:26628
- Description: Introduction: Poverty is the burden of South African people and is the result of the laws of the apartheid system. Poverty affects millions of people most of which live in the rural areas. Thus poverty alleviation is one of the priorities of the government. The Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) is one of the policy documents that aimed to build a democratic government. The RDP document (in African National Congress, 1994:4) stated that poverty alleviation or attacking poverty was the priority of the government from the beginning of democracy and that it is the same case today with the poverty alleviation projects by the Department of Social Development (DoSD):- “But an election victory is only a first step. No political democracy can survive and flourish if the mass of our people remain in poverty, without land, without tangible prospects for a better life. Attacking poverty and deprivation must therefore be the first priority of a democratic government”. Therefore the statement above echoed the sentiments of the newly elected democratic government of 1994. The aim was to provide houses for all specifically the disadvantaged people, to provide water and sanitation for all, to provide electricity, maintenance of roads, improvement of health facilities, job creation, improvement of skills, improvement of income and many more. These privileges were not enjoyed by all during the apartheid era specifically the black masses. The above promises are not all fulfilled but the government is busy providing programmes through different departments. For an example this research report is about poverty alleviation projects that are being provided by the DoSD. This section of the study attempts to provide an overview of the study, including the rationale and background of the study as well as the study area and its challenges. Included in this overview is the context of the study, the research problem, the research question, the research purpose, and the research objectives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
The personality of an entrepreneur : a psychobiography of Steve Jobs
- Authors: Ndoro, Tinashe T R
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Jobs, Steve, 1955-2011 -- Psychology , Personality assessment , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Businesspeople -- Psychology , Psychohistory , Entrepreneurship -- United States , Businesspeople -- United States
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:833 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013215
- Description: From Integrative Summary: There has been a growing interest in successful entrepreneurs. Research on entrepreneurship has focused on the identification of personality variables that would assist in the prediction of entrepreneurial success. The present study moves away from attempting to predict entrepreneurial success and instead focuses on exploring and describing the personality of a successful entrepreneur. A psychobiographical case study was adopted by the researcher to explore and describe the extent to which Steve Jobs demonstrated the entrepreneurial characteristics identified by Rauch and Frese (2007). A personality trait approach to entrepreneurship was adopted in the study. The study also attempted to explore the socio-cultural and economic context within which Jobs practised his entrepreneurial activities. Jobs was a successful entrepreneur who co-founded Apple and founded NeXT and Pixar, which were all companies that transformed various technological industries. His entrepreneurial orientation allowed him to produce innovative products that transformed society in various sectors which included personal computing, mobile phones, music, retail stores and films (Isaacson, 2011). A qualitative approach was adopted in the study. The data collection and analysis was guided by the three linked sub-processes proposed by Miles and Huberman (2002) which involved data reduction, data display and conclusion drawing and verification. The findings of this study showed that Jobs demonstrated, at varying levels, all the entrepreneurial characteristics identified by Rauch and Frese (2007) which included a need of achievement, risk-taking, innovativeness, autonomy, locus of control and self-efficacy. The researcher however noted that the desire for autonomy, risk-taking, innovativeness and self-efficacy were the most dominant characteristics driving his entrepreneurial orientation. The research thesis adopted the structure of a teaching case which can be used to explore and discuss the personality trait perspective to entrepreneurship in a classroom setting. The findings of the study can be recognised as positively contributing to the growing field of psychobiographical research on exceptional individuals, including entrepreneurs. The study can be considered as a foundation for future studies which will add to the body of knowledge relating to entrepreneurship and personality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Ndoro, Tinashe T R
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Jobs, Steve, 1955-2011 -- Psychology , Personality assessment , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Businesspeople -- Psychology , Psychohistory , Entrepreneurship -- United States , Businesspeople -- United States
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:833 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013215
- Description: From Integrative Summary: There has been a growing interest in successful entrepreneurs. Research on entrepreneurship has focused on the identification of personality variables that would assist in the prediction of entrepreneurial success. The present study moves away from attempting to predict entrepreneurial success and instead focuses on exploring and describing the personality of a successful entrepreneur. A psychobiographical case study was adopted by the researcher to explore and describe the extent to which Steve Jobs demonstrated the entrepreneurial characteristics identified by Rauch and Frese (2007). A personality trait approach to entrepreneurship was adopted in the study. The study also attempted to explore the socio-cultural and economic context within which Jobs practised his entrepreneurial activities. Jobs was a successful entrepreneur who co-founded Apple and founded NeXT and Pixar, which were all companies that transformed various technological industries. His entrepreneurial orientation allowed him to produce innovative products that transformed society in various sectors which included personal computing, mobile phones, music, retail stores and films (Isaacson, 2011). A qualitative approach was adopted in the study. The data collection and analysis was guided by the three linked sub-processes proposed by Miles and Huberman (2002) which involved data reduction, data display and conclusion drawing and verification. The findings of this study showed that Jobs demonstrated, at varying levels, all the entrepreneurial characteristics identified by Rauch and Frese (2007) which included a need of achievement, risk-taking, innovativeness, autonomy, locus of control and self-efficacy. The researcher however noted that the desire for autonomy, risk-taking, innovativeness and self-efficacy were the most dominant characteristics driving his entrepreneurial orientation. The research thesis adopted the structure of a teaching case which can be used to explore and discuss the personality trait perspective to entrepreneurship in a classroom setting. The findings of the study can be recognised as positively contributing to the growing field of psychobiographical research on exceptional individuals, including entrepreneurs. The study can be considered as a foundation for future studies which will add to the body of knowledge relating to entrepreneurship and personality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The relationship between work-family conflict, stress and burnout among South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) employees
- Authors: Connie, Silingile Yanga
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Work family conflict -- Stress , Burn out (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Industrial Psychology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/966 , vital:26513 , Work family conflict -- Stress , Burn out (Psychology)
- Description: The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between work-family conflict, stress and burnout among South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) employees. For this purpose data was collected from the SASSA agency offices in Alice, King Williams Town and East London. A sample of 72 agency employees was drawn from the population. Results of the study indicated that the study variables are significantly positively correlated with one another. Work family conflict was found to be significantly positively correlated with stress. Stress was also found to be significantly positively correlated with burnout. A significant positive relationship was also found to exist between work family conflict and burnout. The findings of this study are helpful in the social security agency industry in order to design human resources policies which will reduce turnover of agency employees by reducing stress, work family conflict and burnout among the agency employees.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Connie, Silingile Yanga
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Work family conflict -- Stress , Burn out (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Industrial Psychology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/966 , vital:26513 , Work family conflict -- Stress , Burn out (Psychology)
- Description: The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between work-family conflict, stress and burnout among South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) employees. For this purpose data was collected from the SASSA agency offices in Alice, King Williams Town and East London. A sample of 72 agency employees was drawn from the population. Results of the study indicated that the study variables are significantly positively correlated with one another. Work family conflict was found to be significantly positively correlated with stress. Stress was also found to be significantly positively correlated with burnout. A significant positive relationship was also found to exist between work family conflict and burnout. The findings of this study are helpful in the social security agency industry in order to design human resources policies which will reduce turnover of agency employees by reducing stress, work family conflict and burnout among the agency employees.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
A model for the implementation of Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS) in selected Eastern Cape schools
- Authors: Sambumbu, Antony Matemba
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (in Public Administration)
- Identifier: vital:11703 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015152
- Description: The main purpose of this research was to evaluate the processes for IQMS implementation in the selected Eastern Cape schools so as to determine the model that can be postulated for improving the IQMS implementation in the South African schools. While mainly deriving from the fact that so far, empirical research reveals that the process for IQMS implementation has been marred with a significant number of challenges. The study star begins with the formulation of a thought-process in its overriding hypothesis. The hypothesis is that the application of a five constructs’ IQMS Implementation Model in Figure 1.1 would signficantly influence the successful IQMS implementation in South African schools. The five constructs that are outlined in the IQMS Implementation Model in Figure 1.1 include: (1) Considering the Notion of “Quality” and Whole School Evaluation, (2) Performance Management and Developmental Appraisals, (3) Considering Key Success Factors for IQMS Implementation, (4) the Use of Appropriate Implementation Processes, Systems and Methods, and (5) Constant Monitoring, and Evaluations and Applications of the Improvement Actions. Despite the fact that the integrated quality management theories strongly support this hypothesis, the study, in line with these five constructs which were also aligned with the five research questions and hypotheses that guided this research applies exploratory factor analysis. This has been done in order to further define the structure of the IQMS Implementation Model in Figure 1.1 prior to applying confirmatory factor analysis in order to determine whether the IQMS Implementation Model in Figure 1.1 would perfectly reproduce the 53 observed sample data which was used in the study. The results confirmed the overriding hypothesis in the IQMS Implementation Model in Figure 1.1 which is that effectiveness of the IQMS implementation processes in the South African schools can be significantly influenced by the application of the five constructs. These include: Considering the Notion of “Quality” and Whole School Evaluation, Performance Management and Developmental Appraisals, Considering Key Success Factors for IQMS Implementation, the Use of the Appropriate Implementation Processes, Systems and Methods, and Undertaking Constant Monitoring, Evaluations and Improvement Action. In effect, it was recommended that the Eastern Cape Department of Education must adopt the IQMS implementation Model in Figure 1.1 in order to effectively implement its integrated quality management systems. Despite examining the limitations of the study, the recommendations chapter also discussed the area for further research in which it was suggested that the area for further research would be: Evaluating the impact of appropriate standards’ setting on the successful IQMS implementation in the schools in the Eastern Cape schools.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Sambumbu, Antony Matemba
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (in Public Administration)
- Identifier: vital:11703 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015152
- Description: The main purpose of this research was to evaluate the processes for IQMS implementation in the selected Eastern Cape schools so as to determine the model that can be postulated for improving the IQMS implementation in the South African schools. While mainly deriving from the fact that so far, empirical research reveals that the process for IQMS implementation has been marred with a significant number of challenges. The study star begins with the formulation of a thought-process in its overriding hypothesis. The hypothesis is that the application of a five constructs’ IQMS Implementation Model in Figure 1.1 would signficantly influence the successful IQMS implementation in South African schools. The five constructs that are outlined in the IQMS Implementation Model in Figure 1.1 include: (1) Considering the Notion of “Quality” and Whole School Evaluation, (2) Performance Management and Developmental Appraisals, (3) Considering Key Success Factors for IQMS Implementation, (4) the Use of Appropriate Implementation Processes, Systems and Methods, and (5) Constant Monitoring, and Evaluations and Applications of the Improvement Actions. Despite the fact that the integrated quality management theories strongly support this hypothesis, the study, in line with these five constructs which were also aligned with the five research questions and hypotheses that guided this research applies exploratory factor analysis. This has been done in order to further define the structure of the IQMS Implementation Model in Figure 1.1 prior to applying confirmatory factor analysis in order to determine whether the IQMS Implementation Model in Figure 1.1 would perfectly reproduce the 53 observed sample data which was used in the study. The results confirmed the overriding hypothesis in the IQMS Implementation Model in Figure 1.1 which is that effectiveness of the IQMS implementation processes in the South African schools can be significantly influenced by the application of the five constructs. These include: Considering the Notion of “Quality” and Whole School Evaluation, Performance Management and Developmental Appraisals, Considering Key Success Factors for IQMS Implementation, the Use of the Appropriate Implementation Processes, Systems and Methods, and Undertaking Constant Monitoring, Evaluations and Improvement Action. In effect, it was recommended that the Eastern Cape Department of Education must adopt the IQMS implementation Model in Figure 1.1 in order to effectively implement its integrated quality management systems. Despite examining the limitations of the study, the recommendations chapter also discussed the area for further research in which it was suggested that the area for further research would be: Evaluating the impact of appropriate standards’ setting on the successful IQMS implementation in the schools in the Eastern Cape schools.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A poverty alleviation project of the Department of Social Development in Nelson Mandela Bay
- Authors: Veveza, Nonkosazana Sandra
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9200 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020401
- Description: Income-generating projects represent one strategy adopted by the Eastern Cape Department of Social Development (DoSD) to alleviate poverty. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of an income-generating, or poverty alleviation, project funded by the DoSD in New Brighton, Port Elizabeth, in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. A sample of ten respondents was drawn from the project. The sampling method of this study was purposive sampling. Data was gathered through semi-structured questionnaires. Related literature focusing on income-generating projects for poverty alleviation was reviewed. Various recommendations have been made, based on the findings of the study. The findings of the study indicated the need for regular visits from Department officials to conduct monitoring and evaluation. Project members also need training in financial management as they cannot manage their finances. The research findings indicated clearly that strategies used by the Department were not effective enough to achieve the desired goals of an income-generating project.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Veveza, Nonkosazana Sandra
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9200 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020401
- Description: Income-generating projects represent one strategy adopted by the Eastern Cape Department of Social Development (DoSD) to alleviate poverty. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of an income-generating, or poverty alleviation, project funded by the DoSD in New Brighton, Port Elizabeth, in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. A sample of ten respondents was drawn from the project. The sampling method of this study was purposive sampling. Data was gathered through semi-structured questionnaires. Related literature focusing on income-generating projects for poverty alleviation was reviewed. Various recommendations have been made, based on the findings of the study. The findings of the study indicated the need for regular visits from Department officials to conduct monitoring and evaluation. Project members also need training in financial management as they cannot manage their finances. The research findings indicated clearly that strategies used by the Department were not effective enough to achieve the desired goals of an income-generating project.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Sustainable livelihoods in a new housing development : the case of Kuyga, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Authors: Gugwini, Khululwa
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Low-income housing -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Housing development -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Economic development projects -- Evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9188 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020300
- Description: The study was undertaken to satisfy the following objectives of the research study: To determine the livelihoods of residents of a low income housing development; To assess the role played by the local economic development initiatives in the Kuyga community; and To make recommendations regarding policies and actions that could reduce the unemployment rate and create sustainable and viable livelihoods for the Kuyga community in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. To note, what triggered the researcher to undertake the study, are the high levels of unemployment, poverty and poor monitoring of the local economic initiatives within the area. In this study, the researcher explores the livelihoods of the Kuyga community and the opportunities for creating more sustainable and viable livelihoods. Attention is drawn to Government policies, Local economic Development as well as Integrated Development Plans of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, simultaneously realising that the South African government cannot work in isolation to deliver all the community needs effectively as expected.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Gugwini, Khululwa
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Low-income housing -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Housing development -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Economic development projects -- Evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9188 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020300
- Description: The study was undertaken to satisfy the following objectives of the research study: To determine the livelihoods of residents of a low income housing development; To assess the role played by the local economic development initiatives in the Kuyga community; and To make recommendations regarding policies and actions that could reduce the unemployment rate and create sustainable and viable livelihoods for the Kuyga community in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. To note, what triggered the researcher to undertake the study, are the high levels of unemployment, poverty and poor monitoring of the local economic initiatives within the area. In this study, the researcher explores the livelihoods of the Kuyga community and the opportunities for creating more sustainable and viable livelihoods. Attention is drawn to Government policies, Local economic Development as well as Integrated Development Plans of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, simultaneously realising that the South African government cannot work in isolation to deliver all the community needs effectively as expected.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The new Africans: a textual analysis of the construction of 'African-ness' in Chaz Maviyane-Davies' 1996 poster depictions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- Authors: Garman, Brian Donald
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Human rights , Posters , African perspective , Stereotypes , Black men , Maviyane-Davies, Chaz -- Criticism and interpretation , Universal Declaration of Human Rights -- Posters -- Research , Ethnicity -- Research -- Africa , Human rights -- Africa , Pan-Africanism
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3413 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001844
- Description: In 1996, Zimbabwean graphic designer Chaz Maviyane-Davies created a set of human rights posters which represent several articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, from what he calls an “African perspective”. In this study I investigate how Maviyane-Davies has constructed ‘African-ness’ and probe what he refers to as the “alternative aesthetic” that he is trying to create. I use a visual social semiotic approach to examine the discourses he draws on to re-image and re-imagine Africa and Africans in a manner that contests the stereotypical representations found in political, news and economic discourses about Africa, paying particular attention to the ways he uses images of the body. My analysis of the posters shows how complex and difficult it can be to contest regimes of representation that work to fix racialised and derogatory meanings. In response to the pejorative stereotypes of the black body, Maviyane-Davies uses images of strong, healthy, and magnificent people (mostly men) to construct a more affirmative representation of Africa and Africans. Significantly, he draws on sports, touristic, traditional and hegemonic discourses of masculinity in an attempt to expand the complexity and range of possible representations of African-ness. In so doing he runs the risk of reproducing many of the stereotypes that sustain not only the racialised and gendered (masculinist) representations of Africa, but also a sentimentalisation and romanticisation of a place, a people and their traditions. Apart from women in prominent positions, other conspicuous absences from these images include white people and hegemonic references to Western modernity. I do not believe he is discarding whites and modernity as un-African, but is rejecting the naturalisation of whiteness as standing in for humanity, and particular icons of Western modernity as significations of ‘modernity’ itself
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Garman, Brian Donald
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Human rights , Posters , African perspective , Stereotypes , Black men , Maviyane-Davies, Chaz -- Criticism and interpretation , Universal Declaration of Human Rights -- Posters -- Research , Ethnicity -- Research -- Africa , Human rights -- Africa , Pan-Africanism
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3413 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001844
- Description: In 1996, Zimbabwean graphic designer Chaz Maviyane-Davies created a set of human rights posters which represent several articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, from what he calls an “African perspective”. In this study I investigate how Maviyane-Davies has constructed ‘African-ness’ and probe what he refers to as the “alternative aesthetic” that he is trying to create. I use a visual social semiotic approach to examine the discourses he draws on to re-image and re-imagine Africa and Africans in a manner that contests the stereotypical representations found in political, news and economic discourses about Africa, paying particular attention to the ways he uses images of the body. My analysis of the posters shows how complex and difficult it can be to contest regimes of representation that work to fix racialised and derogatory meanings. In response to the pejorative stereotypes of the black body, Maviyane-Davies uses images of strong, healthy, and magnificent people (mostly men) to construct a more affirmative representation of Africa and Africans. Significantly, he draws on sports, touristic, traditional and hegemonic discourses of masculinity in an attempt to expand the complexity and range of possible representations of African-ness. In so doing he runs the risk of reproducing many of the stereotypes that sustain not only the racialised and gendered (masculinist) representations of Africa, but also a sentimentalisation and romanticisation of a place, a people and their traditions. Apart from women in prominent positions, other conspicuous absences from these images include white people and hegemonic references to Western modernity. I do not believe he is discarding whites and modernity as un-African, but is rejecting the naturalisation of whiteness as standing in for humanity, and particular icons of Western modernity as significations of ‘modernity’ itself
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Enhancing public participation on the ward committee system: the case of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
- Authors: Qwina, Simon Buta
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Buffalo City -- Citizen participation , Municipal officials and employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8301 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019734
- Description: This study investigated the role of ward committees in enhancing service delivery through public participation with reference to the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Province of the Eastern Cape in South Africa. This study provided a motivation for the study to be undertaken, problem statement, objectives of the study, hypothesis, research design and methodology, ethical considerations, delimitation of the study and the overview of chapters. The Constitution of the Republic of South African of 1996 provides for the creation of three spheres of government, namely, the national sphere, the provincial sphere and the local government sphere. These spheres are interdependent from each other. Local government is one of the spheres of government created to bring government closer to the people, as well as giving communities a sense of involvement in the political and governance processes that control their daily lives. The need for effective democratic local government as a vehicle for development and national integration is imperative (Reddy, 1996:3). Municipalities are established in terms of section 12 of the Municipal Structures Act 117 of 1998, wherein Members of Executive Councils (MEC‟s) may establish a municipal area which the Demarcation Board demarcates in the province in terms of the Municipal Demarcation Act 27 of 1998.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Qwina, Simon Buta
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Buffalo City -- Citizen participation , Municipal officials and employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8301 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019734
- Description: This study investigated the role of ward committees in enhancing service delivery through public participation with reference to the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Province of the Eastern Cape in South Africa. This study provided a motivation for the study to be undertaken, problem statement, objectives of the study, hypothesis, research design and methodology, ethical considerations, delimitation of the study and the overview of chapters. The Constitution of the Republic of South African of 1996 provides for the creation of three spheres of government, namely, the national sphere, the provincial sphere and the local government sphere. These spheres are interdependent from each other. Local government is one of the spheres of government created to bring government closer to the people, as well as giving communities a sense of involvement in the political and governance processes that control their daily lives. The need for effective democratic local government as a vehicle for development and national integration is imperative (Reddy, 1996:3). Municipalities are established in terms of section 12 of the Municipal Structures Act 117 of 1998, wherein Members of Executive Councils (MEC‟s) may establish a municipal area which the Demarcation Board demarcates in the province in terms of the Municipal Demarcation Act 27 of 1998.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Investigating the socio economic impact of electrification in Mnquma Municipality
- Authors: Jobela, Sonwabo
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Electrification -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Electrification -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9090 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011507 , Electrification -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Electrification -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The aim of this research was to investigate the socio economic impact of electrification in Mnquma Municipality in the province of Eastern Cape. Mnquma Municipality has a backlog of about 25475 households that have not yet been electrified. There is a high demand of electricity in villages that have not yet been electrified. Eskom Southern Region has about 5 Million electrified households. The year 2012 was declared as year of universal access of electricity in South Africa. In the last three years amount of electrified households has been coming down at alarming rate. It is against this background that the study sought to investigate the socio economic impact of electrification of households. This study is a comparative study where two villages are compared. One village is electrified whilst the other village is not electrified. The study is based on the questionnaire opinion survey where respondents‟ views and opinion are solicited to test if electricity improves the socio economic conditions of Mnquma households. The study confirmed the findings of the research if electrification has improved the socio economic condition and if electricity is a preferred source of energy. The study proposed recommendations encompasses strategic responses to check if Government is achieving the desired goal through electrification of households.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Jobela, Sonwabo
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Electrification -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Electrification -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9090 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011507 , Electrification -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Electrification -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The aim of this research was to investigate the socio economic impact of electrification in Mnquma Municipality in the province of Eastern Cape. Mnquma Municipality has a backlog of about 25475 households that have not yet been electrified. There is a high demand of electricity in villages that have not yet been electrified. Eskom Southern Region has about 5 Million electrified households. The year 2012 was declared as year of universal access of electricity in South Africa. In the last three years amount of electrified households has been coming down at alarming rate. It is against this background that the study sought to investigate the socio economic impact of electrification of households. This study is a comparative study where two villages are compared. One village is electrified whilst the other village is not electrified. The study is based on the questionnaire opinion survey where respondents‟ views and opinion are solicited to test if electricity improves the socio economic conditions of Mnquma households. The study confirmed the findings of the research if electrification has improved the socio economic condition and if electricity is a preferred source of energy. The study proposed recommendations encompasses strategic responses to check if Government is achieving the desired goal through electrification of households.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Tripping over our own feet : a critical discussion of Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) with specific reference to their impact on South Africa's ability to combat HIV and AIDS
- Authors: Brennan, Jade
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, (1994) Trade regulation -- South Africa Intellectual property -- South Africa HIV (Viruses) -- South Africa AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa Patients -- Civil rights -- South Africa Human rights -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2850 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006316
- Description: This thesis aims to look at the agreement on Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) with specific reference to their impact on South Africa's ability to combat HIV and AIDS. It begins by looking at the history of patents and intellectual property rights and illustrates why and how the TRIPS Agreement came into existence. The TRIPS Agreement exemplifies the disparities between developed and developing countries and this can clearly be seen with regard to the provision of anti-HIV and AIDS drugs. The developing world deals with the bulk of the HIV and AIDS epidemic whilst the developed world holds most of the patents on the medication needed to treat those living with HIV and AIDS. This situation lends itself to a rift between patient rights on the one hand, and patent rights on the other. Traditionally the state has been the provider of rights such as health, but TRIPS alters this to include strong patent protection that is in line with neo liberal doctrine. The thesis examines these tensions with specific reference to South Africa's ability successfully to implement programmes to combat HIV and AIDS.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Brennan, Jade
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, (1994) Trade regulation -- South Africa Intellectual property -- South Africa HIV (Viruses) -- South Africa AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa Patients -- Civil rights -- South Africa Human rights -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2850 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006316
- Description: This thesis aims to look at the agreement on Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) with specific reference to their impact on South Africa's ability to combat HIV and AIDS. It begins by looking at the history of patents and intellectual property rights and illustrates why and how the TRIPS Agreement came into existence. The TRIPS Agreement exemplifies the disparities between developed and developing countries and this can clearly be seen with regard to the provision of anti-HIV and AIDS drugs. The developing world deals with the bulk of the HIV and AIDS epidemic whilst the developed world holds most of the patents on the medication needed to treat those living with HIV and AIDS. This situation lends itself to a rift between patient rights on the one hand, and patent rights on the other. Traditionally the state has been the provider of rights such as health, but TRIPS alters this to include strong patent protection that is in line with neo liberal doctrine. The thesis examines these tensions with specific reference to South Africa's ability successfully to implement programmes to combat HIV and AIDS.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008