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A study of the role of heritage in brand affinity of south African millennials for iconic South African beer brands

  • Authors: Kingwill, Kelly
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Advertising -- Alcoholic beverages , Advertising -- Brewing industry , Consumers' preferences -- South Africa , Brand name products -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40610 , vital:36198
  • Description: Hollis (2007) states that iconic brands address acute contradictions in society by tapping into a collective desire and that they develop a status that transcends functional benefits. According to Holt (2004) iconic brands hold strong appeal because of their reputation, as told by their brand story, their identity-value or resonance with the consumer and their culture or intense relationship that takes the consumer from merely consuming the brand to sharing the branded lifestyle with like-minded consumers. The reason iconic brands have managed to create seamless integration in consumers’ lives is because they have managed to build a foundation of brand resonance (Carruthers, 2012). Iconic brands in the 21st century have achieved brand saliency, which represents the depth and breadth of brand awareness that goes beyond basic recognition and recall. They have developed not only brand loyalty, but brand affinity in the minds of consumers. Recent years have demonstrated a shift in consumer behaviour. Brand loyalty is on the decrease (Scheuer, 2015), as there are increasing considerations for consumers to make in their purchase decision process. Not only are there more factors to consider, but the number of brands competing has grown exponentially. According to Raynor (2007), iconic brands are forced to remain flexible in this turbulent, consumer empowered environment. The myth of adaptability has seen brands fail as they have been unable to match the pace of these environmental changes. This has bought about the need for iconic brands to become more flexible, allowing them to anticipate future scenarios, formulate optimal strategies and operate effectively by knowing when and where to meet their consumer’s functional and emotional needs (Raynor, 2007).
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  • Date Issued: 2019

The development of a larval feeding regimen for dusky kob, Argyrosomus japonicus, with a specific focus on the effect of weaning period on larval development and survival

  • Authors: Keet, Thomas
  • Date: 2019
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/96897 , vital:31344
  • Description: One of the biggest limiting factors in marine finfish aquaculture is the low survival rate of early-stage larvae. Most mortalities can be ascribed to the poor nutritional value of live feeds, sibling cannibalism, and various stressors that result in swim bladder hyperinflation and/or starvation during the larval stage. Research results vary on the best timing for the introduction of artificial feed for good survival and growth rate in dusky kob larvae. The main objective of this experiment was to improve survival and growth rate. The experiment focused on a new feeding regime that sought to wean larvae onto an artificial diet earlier than the current Argyrosomus japonicus standard (weaning commenced at 16 days after hatch (DAH) versus 20 days after hatch), based on findings and recommendations made by Musson & Kaiser (2014). Three trials were conducted, each with five replicates of the two treatments, namely the new feeding regime and the standard feeding regime in a fully randomised design. Samples from each tank were collected every two days for the duration of the trial. Morphometric measurements (standard length; body depth; eye diameter) obtained from these sample larvae were used to compare growth rates between treatments. The ratio of BD:SL was used to assess larval condition throughout each trial. Tank survival rates were calculated on the last day of each trial.The study indicated that in mean water temperatures ranging from 24.3 – 25.2 °C, dusky kob larvae can be weaned onto an artificial pellet diet from 16 - 21 DAH without any negative effects on growth, condition and survival. Results from the highest mean temperatures of Trial 2 show a better mean condition in the treatment group during the weaning period (p < 0.05). In Trial 3, with its lower mean water temperatures of 23.2 °C, larvae in both treatments showed stunted absolute growth rates of all biometrics when compared to results from the higher mean temperatures of Trials 1 and 2. During the first 6 days of Trial 3 larvae were in relatively poor condition, BD:SL ≤ 0.30. During this same period in Trials 1 and 2, mean BD:SL ≥ 0.31, suggesting that a BD:SL ratio of ≤ 0.30 in non-weaned dusky kob larvae is an indicator of a degree of starvation. A future study on the morphology and histology of the larval gastrointestinal tract, specifically the liver and intestines, and how this early weaning regime affects their ontogeny under differing temperature conditions this needed to investigate the validity of these initial data on dusky kob larvae condition.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Tuberculosis knowledge, attitudes and health-seeking behaviour among tuberculosis patients in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, sub district C, South Africa

  • Authors: Onyango, Peggy
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Tuberculosis
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPH
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16780 , vital:40773
  • Description: The aim of this study was to examine the knowledge and attitude of Tuberculosis (TB) patients regarding TB disease, causes, treatment adherence and health seeking behaviour in Nelson Mandela Bay, sub district C, South Africa. A cross-sectional study was done in three community health centres in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality sub district C, South Africa. It involved 327 respondents aged eighteen years and above who were on TB treatment for more than one month who were conveniently selected from the three clinics. 54.1% of the patients were males and 45.9% of the patients were females. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Frequency counts and percentages were used to analyse the data. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to examine the influence of demographic variables on the knowledge, attitude and health seeking behaviour towards TB. None of the demographic variables was statistically significant to determine the TB patients’ knowledge and attitude of TB disease, causes, treatment and adherence. Only housing was statistically significant (p<0.05) as a variable determining the knowledge of TB causes, treatment and adherence. Compared with the reference group (informal housing scheme), the knowledge of TB patients with formal housing scheme were 0.556 (95% CI: 0.316-0.977) higher to determine the correct knowledge. Spearman correlation was used to determine the statistical significance between knowledge-attitude (K-A), Knowledge-Health seeking behaviour (K-HSB) and attitude-health seeking behaviour (A-HSB). There was statistical significance association among the variables. Results show that TB knowledge was generally good amongst the TB clients. However, there was misconception that TB is caused by cold air, dust and that TB disease can change into HIV. More than half of the respondents felt that TB treatment is difficult, takes a long time, unpleasant and interferes with work /marriage. Health seeking behaviour was fair amongst the participants.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

An exploration of first-time mothers' experiences of exclusive breastfeeding and support in the Buffalo City Metropolitan, South Africa

  • Authors: Dasheka, Zukiswa Theodorah
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Breastfeeding--South Africa Breastfeeding
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , Nursing Science
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11096 , vital:37130
  • Description: There are inadequate child feeding practices worldwide, and this varies amongst the regions. Suboptimal exclusive breastfeeding remains the key contributor to the leading causes of child mortalities, namely, diarrhoea and acute respiratory infections. An infant who is not exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life has fourteen times likelihood of dying of all causes, especially, diarrhoea and pneumonia compared to an exclusively breastfed infant. Worldwide, only 40 percent infants are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of their lives. South Africa, on the other hand, has an alarming figure of only 8 percent infants that are exclusively breastfed for six months. A qualitative approach, with an exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design was chosen to seek deeper understanding and meaning of first-time mothers’ experiences regarding exclusive breastfeeding practices and support’s influence on maintenance of exclusive breastfeeding within their natural environment. First-time mothers were the population for this study while the target population were first-time mothers who had given birth to a live, full term and healthy infant, regardless of the delivery mode in one of the Community Health Centres or hospitals within Buffalo City Metropolitan, South Africa. A non-probability, purposive sample of 10 participants was used. Ethical approval was granted by the University of Fort Hare Research Ethics Committee. The Eastern Cape Department of Health issued the clearance certificate. Informed consent was obtained from participants before data collection. Emotional risk protection was managed by the researcher through stopping of the interviews when the participant seemed emotional affected by the interviews. The relevant ethical considerations were accommodated. Trustworthiness was ensured through observing the principles of transferability, credibility, confirmability and dependability. Data were collected through individual face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured interview guide and conducted at the participant’s home or at the local clinic per participants’ choice. Two audio-recorders were used to capture the data. Data were then analysed according to Creswell’s steps and Tesch’s eight coding steps. Codes, categories, sub-categories and themes were formulated. Findings The key findings were challenges, empowerment, support and resilience during initiation of breastfeeding and diverse support and resilience during maintenance of exclusive breastfeeding. Conclusion All participants agreed on the benefits of breastfeeding, receiving information about exclusive breastfeeding during antenatal care and making a decision to exclusively breastfeed upon delivery. It is evident that the information received by first-time mothers is not congruent with the challenges they faced during initiation. There is a need, therefore, for nurses to find a way of sharing breastfeeding practice with the community members in order to avoid mixed messages which end up confusing to the first-time mother. Furthermore, the education given to the first-time mothers needs to be individualised to focus on individual needs of these mothers. Given the current staffing structure in the delivery centres, nurses are not always enough to give full focus and practical assistance to first-time mothers. It is therefore recommended that peer supporters be available to play this role, post-delivery, before the first-time mother is discharged. The formulation of compulsory supportive group among the first-time mothers was suggested.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

Characterisation of surfaces modified with phthalocyanines through click chemistry for applications in electrochemical sensing

  • Authors: O'Donoghue, Charles St John Nqwabuko
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Electrodes, Carbon , Phthalocyanines , X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy , Electrochemistry , Electrochemical sensors , Hydrazine , Click chemistry
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/58046 , vital:27038
  • Description: One form of surface modification was primarily investigated in this work on glassy carbon electrodes. The form of modification is comprised of a series of steps in which electrografting is first applied to the glassy carbon surface, which is then followed up with click chemistry to ultimately immobilise a phthalocyanine onto the surface. The modified glassy carbon electrodes and surfaces were characterised with a combination of scanning electrochemical microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and various electrochemical methods. In this work, three alkyne substituted phthalocyanines were used. Two novel phthalocyanines, with nickel and cobalt metal centres, were studied alongside a manganese phthalocyanine reported in literature. Each of the three phthalocyanines was modified at the peripheral position with a 1-hexyne group, via a glycosidic bond, yielding the terminal alkyne groups that were used for subsequent click reactions. In situ diazotisation was used to graft 4-azidoaniline groups to the surface of the glassy carbon electrode. The azide bearing 4- azidoaniline groups were thus used to anchor the tetra substituted phthalocyanines to the surface of the electrodes. This method yielded successful modification of the electrodes and lead to their application in sensing studies. The modified electrodes were primarily used to catalyse the common agricultural oxidising agent hydrazine.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

Comparison of contraceptive discontinuation in users of a copper intrauterine device against depot medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable

  • Authors: Dekile-Yonto, Nolusindiso
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Contraceptives Birth control Women's health services
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , Magister of Curationis
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15520 , vital:40422
  • Description: The dynamics of continued contraceptive use, switches to alternatives, or the outright failure of contraception is strong indicators of the effectiveness of health care programmes for women or couples (Ali, Cleland & Shah, 2012:6). Furthermore, unplanned pregnancies often lead to undesirable health, economic, social, and psychological consequences for women (Sedgh, Singh & Hussain., 2014). There is a need to better understand the reasons for discontinuation of contraception to enable health care workers to address the gaps in the provision of family planning services. For this reason, the researcher embarked on a follow-up study of a randomised, controlled trial, which compared the effects on depression and sexual functioning of women after childbirth of a Copper Intrauterine Contraceptive Device (Cu-IUD) with Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (DMPA), (Singata-Madliki, 2014:5). The objectives of the follow-up study was to do a once-off follow-up of the original participants, three years after randomisation.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

How the roles of CEO's differ in response to different circumstances and in the context of succession: Anglo American-a case study

  • Authors: Ball, Leslie
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Organizational change , Strategic planning , Executive succession , Anglo American Corporation of South Africa, ltd.
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/60799 , vital:27832
  • Description: A review of the literature revealed that firms are inherently influenced by leadership in the upper echelons of the organization. The seminal paper of Hambrick and Mason (1984) has sparked much interest in the realm of organizational leadership. Studies involving organizational leadership have concentrated on leadership styles, the manner in which leadership takes place, leadership succession and organizational performance in an attempt to understand the dynamics of the senior leadership of organizations. Research has also explored how changes in the top management of firms has impacted its performance. This research has primarily been concerned with how a firm is impacted, once succession takes place, and has focused on financial performance, change in strategy and stockholder reaction (Shen & Cannella, 2002; Barron, Chulkov & Waddell, 2011; Friedman & Singh, 1989). Although their predisposition will largely influence the manner in which the incoming CEO acts, the literature has largely neglected the role the incoming CEO must fulfil, and how he/she steers the company, once appointed. In response, the following aim was developed to address this gap: To describe how the roles of two CEO's of the same company differed, during different time periods. The CEO assumes various strategic leadership roles, which they carry out in the context of their new environment once succession has taken place. From the literature, six strategic leadership roles were identified, which formed the foundation of this study. These were strategy formulation, strategy implementation, developing organizational culture, emphasizing ethical practices, managing the firm's resource portfolio and establishing balanced controls. The study set out to comparatively analyze two CEO's of the same firm during different periods. Both CEO's were investigated from the perspective of strategic leadership roles, allowing a comparison of their behaviour. The study analyses and describes these roles, and how they differed between the CEO's, in reaction to differing situational factors and in the context of succession. The study employed a deductive qualitative case study research design. This allowed the researcher to examine the complex phenomenon which have previously been studied at a more superficial level using quantitative methods (Baxter & Jack, 2008; Parrino, 1997; Jooste & Fourie, 2009). A qualitative methodological approach allowed the researcher to examine the topic through a lens which takes into account human variables and processes (Baxter & Jack, 2008). Data was sampled using purposive and convenience sampling while applying the critical incident technique. Data was collected through information sources such as news articles, press releases, annual reports, online interviews, news websites and other documents. Thematical analysis was used during the analysis phase of the study and allowed for patterns and links to be drawn between the collected data. The succession from one CEO to the next served as the comparative element of the study, which allowed for a contrasting of how both CEO's carried out their strategic leadership roles by adapting to their environment, and how they guided the strategic trajectory of the company. The study also took into account what both CEO's were confronted with at the start of their tenure and how this influenced how they carried out their leadership roles. It was found that Cynthia Carroll exercised her roles in a manner which addressed ethical and stakeholder engagement issues within the business. This was translated directly into how she guided the trajectory of the company. Upon appointment, Mark Cutifani exercised his roles in a manner which addressed the organizational performance and financial well-being of the company. This translated directly into how he shaped Anglo's trajectory in an attempt to better its financial performance. Given how they exercised their strategic roles in the company, each CEO influenced Anglo American's direction in a different way, which in turn, influenced the performance of the organization. It was shown that Cynthia Carroll improved the stakeholder engagement, communication and safety within the company, demonstrating behaviour that emphasized the importance of the ethics of the company. When the business had been carrying out its ethical practices effectively, but underperforming financially, Cutifani demonstrated the roles which would be geared toward resurrecting the organizational performance of the organization. Recommendations are made for further research including applying the same research method to investigate how these roles are carried out in companies which operate in a broad spectrum of industries.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

Regional and community food systems for rural households :|bthe case of maize in Mqanduli, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

  • Authors: Qangule, Mondli
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Sustainable agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Food supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Agricultural systems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10232 , vital:35383
  • Description: Smallholder farmers have been growing food in their communities, but some are still food insecure. Therefore, appropriate food systems are very important for smallholder farmers’ self-reliance as well as food and nutrition security. The study focuses only on community and regional maize food systems for rural households. The main aim of this study was to investigate the regional and community food systems for smallholder maize farmers in Mqanduli. The objectives of the study were to profile smallholder maize farmers, describing the existing maize food systems and patterns in Mqanduli and also to determine factors that influence farmers’ participation in local or regional markets. Availability or convenient sampling and random sampling techniques were used to collect primary data from smallholder maize farmers. Descriptive statistics was used to profile smallholder farmers, as well as, in describing the existing maize food systems at Mqanduli. The binary logistic regression model was used to analyse the variables that had influenced the smallholder famers’ participation in markets. Descriptive results revealed that, smallholder maize farmers in Mqanduli are characterised by high participation in both local and regional markets. Moreover, they utilized both community and regional food systems. Logistic regression results indicated that, out of 11 variables included in the analysis as factors influencing farmers’ participation, 6 of them (age, level of education, market information, distance, access to credit and extension visit) were found to be significant and 5 (gender, amount of land, transport availability etc) were not significant. However, access to credit and distance were found to be the most significant variables, showing a positive relationship to smallholder maize producer`s market participation. Therefore, it was recommended that, there must be more investment in research by government and policy makers when it comes to food systems especially in rural areas, to enhance smallholders’ livelihood. More access to credit is also needed by farmers in order to be able to market their produces.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

The economic impact of homeland consolidation on households in the fromer Ciskei : the case of Victoria East

  • Authors: Coka, Zimbini
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Consolidation of land holdings Ciskei (South Africa) -- Economic conditions
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , Agricultural Economics
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10156 , vital:35363
  • Description: This study attempts to ascertain the economic impact of the process of homeland consolidation in four communities that became part of the Ciskei. It describes the process of homeland consolidation at Lloyd, Bergplaas, Balfour and Qanda, and seeks to understand the effects of homeland consolidation on the level of economic activity in these areas. ‘Homeland consolidation’ was the official term used to describe the policy developed by the central government of South Africa in the 1970s to reduce the number of separate, isolated pieces of land making up each of the Bantustans. It was part of the ultimately unsuccessful and suspect process of turning these areas into independent ‘national states’. The Apartheid government bought out selected white farms/properties/land like in Lloyd, Bergplaas, Balfour and Qanda, and consolidated them with the adjacent homeland territory. The result of this process made commercial farmland available to black people. In a very narrow sense, this particular aspect of homeland consolidation was an antecedent of land reform. Because homeland consolidation took place some time ago, discerning the economic effects relied above all on people’s recollections of their past experiences, which could only be quantified in a very limited manner. In other words, the data and analysis were largely although not exclusively qualitative. Household and life history interviews were conducted using semi-structured questionnaires, and then the data was analyzed using content analysis, descriptive statistics, the Chi-square test and the two-proportion z test. Through the process of homeland consolidation and forced removals, people ended up losing productive land and livestock because they were forced to sell their livestock at a loss and they had no land where they were moved to. People were stripped of their livelihoods, in addition to losing a place that they called home and the loss of employment. This study also looked at the changes in farming before and during the apartheid era, during the time when the Ciskeian government was in power and after 1994 till now. And also looked at the broader perspective of what actually happened in the four sites from the life history interviews.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

An evaluation of clinical governance within a private radiology organisation in Durban KwaZulu-Natal

  • Authors: Wedderburn-Maxwell, Morgan Keir
  • Date: 2017
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/40884 , vital:25036
  • Description: South African health care organisations are required to adhere to the National Health Act, 61 of 2003 which contains the national core standards. Clinical governance is a key domain within the national core standards and is directly involved with a health care organisation’s ability to deliver quality care services. It can be described as a framework that ensures doctors and health care employees collaborate to provide superior quality health care services and create clinical accountability. The aim of this research was to evaluate the role of clinical governance within a private radiology organisation in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). The goals of this research was to identify and explore the challenges that are associated with clinical governance within a private health care organisation in Durban, KZN. Furthermore, to evaluate the importance and implications of clinical governance for a private radiology organisation in Durban, KZN. The objectives of this research was to investigate how the private radiology organisation is managing clinical governance and to identify whether there is a common understanding of the concept among its members. The research adopted a qualitative approach where semi-structured interviews were conducted to obtain the data that enabled the goals and objectives of this research to be attained. The results indicated that clinical governance is a key factor to the private radiology organisations long-term sustainability. Clinical governance is vital for health care organisations to deliver quality health care services. The private radiology organisation places a significant emphasis among its members to deliver superior quality health care services. As a result, the organisation utilises the key elements within the clinical governance framework to continuously increase the quality of care that it provides and abide to the legally binding standards. The results support the notion that there is a need for the clarity of the definition, roles and responsibilities of clinical governance. The findings of this research suggest that further research is required to identify the contribution that clinical governance makes to improving the quality of care within South African health care organisations. Furthermore, research identifying employees’ perceptions of clinical governance within the private health care sector in South Africa is recommended.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Effects of different grazing system on forage production and seasonal parasite loads in beef cattle

  • Authors: Rapiya, Monde , Mupangwa, John
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Grazing Forage plants Forage
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , (MSc) Pasture Science
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9253 , vital:34314
  • Description: The objectives of the study were to determine the effects of grazing systems on rangeland biomass yield and nutritional composition, tick and faecal egg counts in beef cattle across seasons. The study was conducted at Merino Walk farm located in Matatiele in the northern part of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The farm was divided into three experimental plots of 3.5 ha each. Thereafter, three grazing treatments namely, Holistic Planned Grazing (HPG paddocks), Four-camp rotation (FCR) and continuous grazing (CG), were randomly allocated to the experimental plots. In the FCR system, the 3.5ha was subdivided into four 0.875-ha paddocks, while the HPG system was subdivided into ninety (90) 0.039-ha paddocks. Common forages were hand-clipped at a grazing height of (5cm) in the wet and dry season from six quadrats (0.25m2) placed in each plot and evaluated for biomass yield and nutritional composition. Thirty (30) steers of the same age 12-month old of similar weight were randomly allocated to three grazing treatments (10/treatments). Tick counts were recorded for each steer in the hot-wet, hot-dry, post-rainy and cold dry seasons. Faecal samples were collected per-rectum every in four seasons and analysed for faecal egg counts using the modified McMaster method. The data were analysed using PROC Generalized Linear Model of SAS (2012) to determine the effects of grazing system on rangeland biomass yield, nutritional composition, tick and faecal egg counts. The common grass species in all grazing system across season were Cynodon dactylon, Eragrostis chloromelus, Eragrostis plana, Fescuta and Themeda triandra. The FCR system in the wet season had significant the lowest (P<0.05) biomass yield of 62605,33kg/ha compared to other treatments which had mean values of 62625,97 and 62625,89kg/ha for HPG and CG, respectively (P<0.05). Crude protein content was higher (P<0.05) in HPG (9.41percentCP) and FCR (9.22percentCP) systems in the wet season compared to CG across seasons. Forage from HPG system, irrespective of season had significant lower starch content than other treatments (P<0.05). Forage from HPG system, irrespective of season had the lower (P<0.05) starch content than other treatments. Regardless of season, CG had higher (P<0.05) NDF (72.51 and 72.50) and ADF (41.93 and 40.45) contents than FCR and HPG treatments. Overall, HPG system regardless of season and FCR in the wet season had higher (P<0.05) in vitro digestibility at 24 and 48hrs (0.38 and 0.66) incubation periods. The tick species identified were Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus, Hyalomma spp and Amblyomma hebreaum with respective prevalence’s of 32percent, 29percent, 20percent and 19percent. Unidentified roundworms (URW), had the highest faecal egg counts (81.2percent) followed by Coccidia (16.4percent), Nematodirus (1.2percent) and Strongyles (1.2percent). Overall, steers on the CG system during hot-wet season had the highest individual and total tick counts (17.0) whilst those on FCR during the cold-dry season had the lowest counts (6.0). Holistic Planned Grazing had the lowest worm egg counts regardless of season, while CG had the highest counts in the hot wet season (P<0.05). The findings showed that relative to other treatments, the HPG system in wet season had a higher biomass yield and better nutritional composition (high CP, low fibre and high digestibility) with low forage production and quality under CG system during the cold-dry season. Whilst, CG during hot-wet season had the highest total tick and worm egg counts and least counts under HPG during the cold-dry. Based on relatively higher forage production and low parasite loads, HPG could be a better grazing management system than CG and FCR, especially in the wet season. It may be important to evaluate the effect of HPG on animal production, product quality and profitability prior to recommending it for use by farmers.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Middle management communication in the midst of a crisis

  • Authors: Mbolekwano, Veliswa A
  • Date: 2017
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/52477 , vital:26194
  • Description: Crisis communication by organisational top leadership to external stakeholders has been explored in literature, while internal crisis communication dynamics by middle managers with their employees within the organisation has been under studied. This paper pursues an understanding of crisis communication dynamics between middle management and their subordinates by investigating how the Middle Managers/Team Leaders of Makana Brick Manufacturing Firm (MBMF) communicated with their employees in the midst of the Eskom load shedding crisis in 2014. The investigation is not limited only to how they handled or made sense of the crisis, but also examines the effect and efficiency of their daily communication on both employees (subordinates) and operations in pursuing this end. As a foundation and background, the study broadly explores the literature on Crisis Leadership, Crisis and Crisis Communication, which are critical topics to understanding the communication role of the middle managers who were the primary subject of this research. The research was conducted through semi-structured, face-to-face interviews. Nine Team Leaders were interviewed. The data collected was transcribed verbatim and analysed through open coding. In the literature of crisis management, the concept of crisis communication has been extensively examined as a function of crisis management, primarily with regards to the crisis communication strategy, encompassing the actual verbal and nonverbal responses an organisation uses to address a crisis. The findings are generally congruent with the crisis communication literature, and reinforce the importance of efficient internal communication in building a culture of transparency between management and employees, as espoused in the literature reviewed, which in addition presents an invaluable opportunity for employees across all levels to engage in and be informed of the organisation’s priorities and therefore has the potential to dictate the success or failure of any major change or crisis situation. As such, it can be argued that there is a need for the same analytical rigour that is given to external crisis communication to be given to financial or operational measures (Barrett, 2002). For both external and internal stakeholders, human compassion, concern and empathy; faith in legitimate and appropriate actions taken by the chosen organisation spokesperson; and honesty, candidness and openness in communication (Seeger 2006, p. 242) are universal. The quality and the quantity of communication, essentially, affect the level of trust and involvement of employees (Thomas, Zolin & Hartman, 2009), which is particularly relevant in times of crisis (Mazzei & Ravazzani, 2015 p. 322). Trust must be developed with staff through clear, honest communication and transparent actions. These encompass being fair, open in communication and intentions, showing consistency, fulfilling promises and being honest about what middle managers can and cannot communicate to their employees (Farrel & Schlesinger, 2013, p. 125). In this study, face to face communication proved to be the most preferred communication channel because of its rewarding advantages such as direct feedback, two-way communication, relationship building and project collaboration.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

The effectiveness of Lesotho's industrial policy in poverty reduction

  • Authors: Tlhatlosi, Lekupa Paul
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Poverty -- Lesotho Industrial policy -- Lesotho -- Economic conditions
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45475 , vital:38620
  • Description: This study investigated and evaluated whether the Lesotho’s Industrial Policy had been effective in poverty reduction. The study focuses on the manufacturing sector in Lesotho to establish the effectiveness of the policy on workers in this sector. These people are often characterized by low education, lack of skills and poverty among other things. The study revealed that the current Industrial policy in Lesotho is no longer appropriate, relevant or responsive to the needs of Lesotho and Basotho people. It is not reducing or addressing the poverty situation but rather, it promotes and paves the way for activities that increase poverty in Lesotho. Poverty has remained the subject of intense debate to the extent that it has inhibited consistency in policies, resulting in less substantial success. Where there is a shared vision, views on the causes of poverty and conflicting goals and priorities often result in compromises and inconsistencies. Therefore, the link between policy and poverty reduction becomes important and influential since whichever strategy is applied and followed will have direct results and bearing on the policies. Lesotho is faced with serious challenges of unemployment, poverty, HIV/AIDS and other development deficiencies due to the increasing closure of mines in the Republic of South Africa, high retrenchment rates, declining prices of both gold and other commodities on the world market and the changing faces and demands of the world.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Assessment of government spending austerity measures in on-site school support for curriculum delivery: a case of Idutywa Education District

  • Authors: Lombo, Nomachule
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Government spending policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Financial crises -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Debts, Public -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2038 , vital:27600
  • Description: The view of on-site school support for curriculum delivery is shared by most countries and its effects have been felt by schools. There is fear that the Austerity Measures will negate the outcomes of the action taken by the teams that visit the schools. The reviewed literature is more biased towards the Austerity Measures in the whole government sector rather than in a department or an institution like the Education District in Idutywa. Even though the effects of Austerity Measures have been researched all over the world based on a specific country, there is deficiency of such literature done in the institution like the department of Education Districts. The researcher intends contributing to the filling of this gap by this study. The researcher therefore carried out a focused study of the effect of Department’s Austerity Measures on on-site school curriculum support in Idutywa Education District. It is also imperative to know how the teachers are affected by these departmental Austerity Measures, hence the interviews were carried out with the school personnel in addition to the District Professional staff. The District is characterised by poor performance in both Annual National Assessment (ANA) and the final National Senior Certificate results. The findings revealed that the implementation of AM have contributed to, amongst other things, the following issues: The inadequate on-site school support for curriculum delivery; The shortage of resources that includes teachers and vehicles; and ultimately the learner underperformance The researcher expect that the recommendation made will be embraced and be factored through, during the planning process of the Eastern Cape Department of Basic Education in order to improve learner performance.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2016

Towards determining the dietary lysine requirement in the South African abalone, Haliotis midae

  • Authors: Lloyd, Kyle Everett
  • Date: 2016
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/1024 , vital:20014
  • Description: Animals generally do not have a requirement for protein, but instead have a requirement for specific essential amino acids (EAAs) and non-essential amino acids (NEAAs). The NEAAs are those that can be synthesised by the animal, however, EAAs cannot be synthesised and must therefore be supplied as part of the diet. When these amino acids (AAs) are supplied in the correct ratios and with the correct level of digestible energy, nutritionists can maximise somatic growth from proteins. This has resulted in increased research into the use of crystalline AAs as a tool in feed formulation research in order to quantify the AA requirements in aquaculture species, and allow for alternative protein sources (other than fishmeal) to be utilised. In common with other water soluble nutrients, leaching of crystalline AAs from diets prior to ingestion is of concern in an aquatic environment. Microencapsulation techniques have been successfully employed to restrict micronutrient leaching, and improve ingestion rates. In this research, LysiPEARL™ (Kemin®) was used as a means to determine the lysine requirement in Haliotis. midae. This encapsulated lysine product is used in the dairy cattle industry as an effective source of rumen bypass for intestinal release of lysine. It has previously been proposed that crystalline AAs are not suitable for AA studies in H. midae due to the slow feeding rates of the species as well as the solubility of these AAs. However, 90.00 % of supplemented lysine was maintained in this study after a six hour period of leaching, showing that if effective microencapsulation techniques are used, it is possible to use crystalline amino acids to supplement protein bound lysine in abalone feeds. Six isoenergetic (15.90 MJ/kg), isolipidic (6.00 %) and isonitrogenous (29.00 %) diets enriched with 5.52, 6.40, 7.28, 8.14, 9.00 and 9.86 % lysine (as a % of protein) were fed to triplicate groups of 20 H. midae (20.41 ± 1.95 mm SL 1.51 ± 0.44 g w.wt) for 90 days. Wet weight and shell length measurements were taken every 30 days and specific growth rate (SGR) (% body weight.day-1), feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), feed consumption (% body weight.day-1) and condition factor were calculated for each dietary treatment. Linear regression showed that FCR increased as dietary lysine increased (Regression analysis, p=0.031), and that PER reduced as dietary lysine increased (Regression analysis, p=0.026). Feed consumption also increased as dietary lysine increased (Regression analysis, p<0.001). The inclusion of lysine at 7.28 % of the total protein in the diet resulted in significantly superior SGR (0.57±0.01 % body weight.day-1) to that of 5.52 % (0.42±0.05 % body weight.day-1), FCR (1.51±0.05) to that of 8.14 % (1.99±0.21) and PER (2.45±0.07) to that of 8.14 % (1.99±0.18; ANOVA, p<0.05). There was a significant difference found in feed consumption (% body wt.d-1), with consumption increasing significantly between the first three dietary treatments and the last three dietary treatments (ANOVA, p<0.001). There was no significant improvement in SGR when dietary lysine increased above 7.28 % of the dietary protein in the diet, indicating that dietary lysine requirement was being met at 7.28 %, after which excess lysine promoted no growth response. The diet producing the best SGR, PER and FCR in this study was diet 3 which had a measured lysine content of 6.90 %. The results of the present study suggest that the lysine requirement in H. midae is in the range of 6.00 - 7.00 % of dietary protein. From these data amino acid ratios were used to estimate optimum inclusion levels of other essential amino acids. However, lysine availability in LysiPEARL™ may have resulted in over estimations due to the lipid encapsulation technique used, and haliotids limited ability to efficiently digest lipids. For this reason EAA requirements were suggested based on three different hypothetical scenarios of lysine availability from LysiPEARL™.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

Traditional and cultural practices and the rights of women : a study of widowhood practices among the Akans in Ghana

  • Authors: Afari-Twumasi, Lucy
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Widows -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- Ghana Widowhood -- Ghana Akan (African people) -- Social life and customs
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2844 , vital:28106
  • Description: The study investigates the human rights violations that underlie widowhood practices in Cape Coast and Komenda in the Central Region of Ghana. Review of the relevant literature on widowhood practices suggests that widowhood practices are a global cultural phenomenon, which is not confined to Sub-Sahara Africa. A survey of relevant studies on the phenomenon suggests that there are two competing perceptions on African widowhood practices: (1) a dominant negative perspective and (2) a minor positive perspective. The dominant negative perspective, which receives overwhelming research attention, focuses only on the negative characteristics of widowhood while the minor positive perspective which receives scanty research attention, rejects the criticisms levelled against widowhood practices as being externally influenced by Christianity and Western Feminism. Various stakeholders within the Akan community were given an opportunity to retell their own versions of widowhood practices. In order to achieve this purpose, the research extracted competing narratives from all the multiple sample subgroups of the proposed study: widows; widow family heads; chiefs; widowhood ritual practitioners; elderly female supervisors of widowhood practices; an official from the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ); an official from the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MOWAC); and an official from the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of Ghana. The study found out that despite legislative intervention and policy frameworks, the practice still persist among the Akan communities in Ghana. The reasons for the continued existence of such rituals are explained followed by recommendations for possible solutions.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2016

Factors affecting participation rates in farming in the rural areas of South Africa: case of Amathole District Municipality

  • Authors: Zamxaka, Xolisa
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Agricultural systems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
  • Identifier: vital:11233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021291 , Agricultural systems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Description: South Africa and the rest of developing countries are faced with poverty and poor rural development. Rural participation in agricultural activities is one of the components that can be used to address the poverty challenge facing the people residing in rural areas. The broad objective of this research is to determine factors affecting participation rate in farming in the rural areas of Amathole District Municipality of Eastern Cape. In this study stratified random sampling method was applied in order to choose a sample out of 30 households that were interviewed 13 people belonged to Participants and 17 people belonged to non-Participants. The results from this study show that women participate a lot in farming activities. The multiple regression model was used to test the participation rates of the people in Amathole region specifically Phumlani area. A number of variables were considered in this study to assess the impact of different variables on participation in farming activities. The results showed that about 57% of the respondents are not participating in farming while 43% of the respondents participate. The farming participants that were interviewed all claim that there is a lack in farming support in the area. When there is no support of any kind, rural people would not be motivated to start development projects on their own. Consequently, this lack of farming support in the Phumlani area may have an influence on the number of farming participants. Therefore, the lack of support in the area may serve as a motivation for non-participants not to be influenced to farm. Rural farming needs to be promoted amongst the youth so as to protect and sustain agricultural growth in rural areas. The study has discovered that the youth of Phumlani is not actively involved in farming activities. Government can provide community members with farming resources so as to promote farming in the area. It would be wiser for the government to provide physical farming resources and implements rather than cash grants.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2015

The role of non-governmental organisations in land reform and post-settlement support in the Albany district of the Eastern Cape : a case study of Masifunde

  • Authors: Nkosi, Nolwazi Nontombi Maria
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Masifunde Educational Project , South Africa -- Department of Agriculture , South Africa -- Department of Rural Development and Land Reform , Non-governmental organizations -- South Africa -- Albany , Land reform -- South Africa -- South Africa -- Albany , Land reform beneficiaries -- South Africa -- South Africa -- Albany , Land reform -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:3406 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020321
  • Description: The purpose of this study is to explore the role of NGOs in land reform and post-settlement support in the Albany district of the Eastern Cape using a qualitative case study of Masifunde. To discover this role, civil society, land beneficiaries, Department of Agriculture and Department of Rural Development and Land Reform were proved to have interwoven relationships. The interactions and relationships between these entities underpinned their perceptions of each other. This study is set against the backdrop of a weakening land reform program due to frequent policy changes. Evidence presented showed how out of sync land reform is with its original mandate whilst civil society organisations have remained firmly rooted by theirs. The inability to have twin perspectives on this matter diverges the direction civil society and institutions involved in land reform take on. This separation in direction demonstrates the need for engagement between government and civil society in an attempt to assist in areas government is unable to reach or address. This thesis contends that there is definitely a role that NGOs do play and need to take on when it is evident that relevant actors are unable to deliver. Themes emerging from interviews necessitate civil society and government departments to combine their resources so as to maximise the impact for desired outcomes. These are views of both civil society and government, demonstrating that NGOs indeed do play a role in land reform and post-settlement support and need to continuously do so in an attempt to cushion the blows of uneven implementation of land reform policies.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2015

The tax consequences of a contingent liability disposed of as part of the sale of a business as a going concern

  • Authors: Staude, Daylan
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Sale of business enterprises -- Taxation -- South Africa , Sale of business enterprises -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Tax deductions -- South Africa , Contingent liabilities (Accounting) -- Taxation -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: vital:918 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017544
  • Description: The sale of an entity as a going concern has a number of tax consequences for both the purchaser and the seller. The tax deductibility of a contingent liability upon its transfer from the seller to the purchaser, where the selling price has been reduced by the value of the contingent liabilities transferred, remains uncertain following the decision in Ackermans Ltd v Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service. An expense is either deductible under a specific section of the Income Tax Act, 58 of 1962, or under the general expense provisions in terms of sections 11(a) and 23(g). The Act does not contain a specific section relating to contingent liabilities and therefore a contingent liability will need to be considered for deduction under these sections. The Act further disallows an expense as a deduction under section 23(e), where a reserve is created (for example a leave pay provision). This study analyses the tax deductibility of a contingent liability, where the contingent liability has been transferred from the seller to the purchaser in a sale of an entity as a going concern and the purchase price has been reduced to compensate for the transfer of the contingent liability. The deductibility of the contingent liability was first assessed in terms of the provisions of the Act (sections 11(a), 23(g) and 23(e)) and associated case law. The decision in the Ackermans case and its preceding Income Tax Case 1839 was then analysed in order to establish the principles arising from the decisions. Finally the proposals in the Draft Taxation Laws Amendment Bill, 2011, and the subsequent Discussion Document issued by the South African Revenue Service were discussed. The analysis revealed the continuing confusion surrounding the status quo, thus demonstrating the importance of legislative intervention to provide guidelines for taxpayers.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2015

Understanding policy making and policy implementation with reference to land redistribution in South Africa : case studies form the Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Mbokazi, Nonzuzo Nomfundo Mbalenhle
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Land reform -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land reform -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Land reform -- Case studies , Agriculture and state -- South Africa , South Africa -- Economic conditions -- 1918-1961 , South Africa -- Economic conditions -- 1961-1991 , South Africa -- Economic conditions -- 1991- , Reconstruction and Development Programme (South Africa)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
  • Identifier: vital:3394 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018197
  • Description: This thesis focuses on land reform in post-apartheid South Africa and specifically on land redistribution, as one of the main pillars of land reform. There have been many studies undertaken on land redistribution in South Africa and these studies offer deep criticisms of the prevailing land redistribution model (a market-led, but state-assisted model) and the ways in which this model has failed to meaningfully address colonial dispossession of land. Further, studies have focused on post-redistribution livelihoods of farmers and the many challenges they face. One significant gap in the prevailing literature is a sustained focus on the state itself, and particularly questions around policy formation and implementation processes pertaining to land redistribution. Delving into policy processes is invariably a difficult task because outsider access to intra-state processes is fraught with problems. But a full account of land redistribution in South Africa demands sensitivity to processes internal to the state. Because of this, it is hoped that this thesis makes a contribution to the existing South African land redistribution literature. In pursuing the thesis objective, I undertook research amongst farmers on selected redistributed farms outside Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape, as well as engaging with both current and former state land officials. Based on the evidence, it is clear that the policy process around land in South Africa is a complex and convoluted process marked not only by consensus-making and combined activities but also by tensions and conflicts. This, I would argue, is the norm with regard to what states do and how they work.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2015
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