The mediating effect of financial literacy on the relationship between financial behavior and financial well-being on budget intentions
- Authors: Msakatya, Sakhumzi Mcgregor
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Financial literacy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49736 , vital:41786
- Description: Financial literacy concerns the understanding of those concepts related to finances. Financial literacy is globally recognised as an essential life skill since people must be able to differentiate among a wide range of products, services and providers of financial products to manage their finances successfully. Individuals make daily financial decisions about expenditures and savings. In environments where resources are scarce poor financial decisions have high impact on the quality of life and future access to resources. People are not adequately educated with regards to finance and wealth creation, save too little for retirement, overspend and tend to purchase items that are not prioritised for the household. Due to limited empirical research, it is clear that new research into the effect of financial literacy on the relationship between financial behaviour and financial well-being on budget intentions is required. This study was anchored to two theories, namely the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), intended to explain all behaviors in which people have the ability to exert self-control and the Trans-Theoretical Model of Behaviour Change (TTM) that could be used to change people’s financial behaviour. The problem being explored is that the mismanagement of funding for beneficiaries at higher education institutions. NSFAS has begun to increasingly make cash payouts available to beneficiaries yet there is not enough empirical evidence to suggest that the beneficiaries possess adequate personal finance management skills or they are financially literate to being able to better manage their finances. When the beneficiaries are not adequately skilled regarding personal finance management skills, they could misuse such funds and this could result in these beneficiaries failing to complete their studies. This study contributed to the identified knowledge gap by investigating the mediating effect of financial literacy on the relationship between financial behaviour and financial well-being on budget intentions among South African university students. This study included quantitative research methods and questionnaires were used as the primary means of collecting the data. The sample included 204 participants from the University of Fort Hare. The final sample yielded a total response rate of 81.6%. A cross sectional research design was used for this study. Convenience sampling was used in this study. The researcher made use of student leaders to distribute and collect questionnaires. This study included 14 hypotheses. The dependent variables included Budget Intentions and Financial Literacy. The independent variables included Financial Well-being and Financial Behaviour. Self-control as a financial behaviour predicted university students’ budget intentions. Individuals with better self-control were more likely to forgo indulgences and focus on the long-term goals, thereby sticking to a budget. Optimism significantly predicted budget intentions of university learners. People who tend to engage in deliberate thinking more often are more likely to better manage their personal finances through budgeting. Individuals who have more positive financial attitude were more satisfied with their financial situation implying that they undertake planning and budgeting as far as finance issues are concerned. Financial socialisation from a parental perspective significantly influenced university students’ financial behaviour, namely, financial teaching, monitoring and modelling. People with better self-control are more likely to practise saving in almost every income flowing to them. Financial behaviour, particularly, deliberating thinking significantly predicted financial literacy. Positive financial behaviours such as being financial literate such as a reduction in day-to-day expenses were found to be associated with lower financial anxiety levels. Financial behaviours including positive financial attitude significantly predicted financial literacy. Individuals who had their financial issues monitored by parents for the purpose of earning advice and tips on financial matters were positively behaving pointing to the notion that they were financial literate and knowledgeable. The implication of the study is that management of institutions of higher learning should encourage students to practise self-control behaviour regarding their finances in order to improve budget intentions. It is also recommended that the Universities management should design short courses where students can be trained on or made aware of the importance of self-control as much as good financial behaviour is concerned.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Msakatya, Sakhumzi Mcgregor
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Financial literacy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49736 , vital:41786
- Description: Financial literacy concerns the understanding of those concepts related to finances. Financial literacy is globally recognised as an essential life skill since people must be able to differentiate among a wide range of products, services and providers of financial products to manage their finances successfully. Individuals make daily financial decisions about expenditures and savings. In environments where resources are scarce poor financial decisions have high impact on the quality of life and future access to resources. People are not adequately educated with regards to finance and wealth creation, save too little for retirement, overspend and tend to purchase items that are not prioritised for the household. Due to limited empirical research, it is clear that new research into the effect of financial literacy on the relationship between financial behaviour and financial well-being on budget intentions is required. This study was anchored to two theories, namely the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), intended to explain all behaviors in which people have the ability to exert self-control and the Trans-Theoretical Model of Behaviour Change (TTM) that could be used to change people’s financial behaviour. The problem being explored is that the mismanagement of funding for beneficiaries at higher education institutions. NSFAS has begun to increasingly make cash payouts available to beneficiaries yet there is not enough empirical evidence to suggest that the beneficiaries possess adequate personal finance management skills or they are financially literate to being able to better manage their finances. When the beneficiaries are not adequately skilled regarding personal finance management skills, they could misuse such funds and this could result in these beneficiaries failing to complete their studies. This study contributed to the identified knowledge gap by investigating the mediating effect of financial literacy on the relationship between financial behaviour and financial well-being on budget intentions among South African university students. This study included quantitative research methods and questionnaires were used as the primary means of collecting the data. The sample included 204 participants from the University of Fort Hare. The final sample yielded a total response rate of 81.6%. A cross sectional research design was used for this study. Convenience sampling was used in this study. The researcher made use of student leaders to distribute and collect questionnaires. This study included 14 hypotheses. The dependent variables included Budget Intentions and Financial Literacy. The independent variables included Financial Well-being and Financial Behaviour. Self-control as a financial behaviour predicted university students’ budget intentions. Individuals with better self-control were more likely to forgo indulgences and focus on the long-term goals, thereby sticking to a budget. Optimism significantly predicted budget intentions of university learners. People who tend to engage in deliberate thinking more often are more likely to better manage their personal finances through budgeting. Individuals who have more positive financial attitude were more satisfied with their financial situation implying that they undertake planning and budgeting as far as finance issues are concerned. Financial socialisation from a parental perspective significantly influenced university students’ financial behaviour, namely, financial teaching, monitoring and modelling. People with better self-control are more likely to practise saving in almost every income flowing to them. Financial behaviour, particularly, deliberating thinking significantly predicted financial literacy. Positive financial behaviours such as being financial literate such as a reduction in day-to-day expenses were found to be associated with lower financial anxiety levels. Financial behaviours including positive financial attitude significantly predicted financial literacy. Individuals who had their financial issues monitored by parents for the purpose of earning advice and tips on financial matters were positively behaving pointing to the notion that they were financial literate and knowledgeable. The implication of the study is that management of institutions of higher learning should encourage students to practise self-control behaviour regarding their finances in order to improve budget intentions. It is also recommended that the Universities management should design short courses where students can be trained on or made aware of the importance of self-control as much as good financial behaviour is concerned.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Exploring HIV and AIDS workplace programmes in the tourism industry of Nelson Mandela Bay
- Authors: Mahlangeni, Iviwe
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) -- Prevention and control -- South Africa , HIV infections -- Prevention and control -- South Africa , Tourism -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay , Health Programmes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/9197 , vital:26473
- Description: The aim of this study was to explore and describe HIV and AIDS workplace programmes and policies (WPPs) in the tourism industry of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) in South Africa. This study adopted a quantitative and qualitative approach, in other words, a mixed approach. The reason for using more than one method of inquiry was to obtain a deeper understanding of the tourism industry of NMBM in terms of examined behaviour, and of the meaning of occurrences in the industry. To gather qualitative data concerning HIV and AIDS programmes, key informant stakeholders in the tourism industry at global, national, provincial, and local levels were identified to conduct in-depth interviews. These respondents were selected using the non-probability sampling method of quota sampling. This is a type of stratified sampling in which the selection of the strata within the sample is not random, but rather is typically left to the discretion of the interviewer (Wienclaw, 2015). One respondent for each level of the industry was selected, resulting in four key informant stakeholders participating in the qualitative research component of this study. The initial criterion for participation in the quantitative portion for this study was that tourism businesses based in NMBM must be able to produce robust evidence of HIV and AIDS WPPs. The researcher selected the probability sampling method of stratified random sampling with proportional allocation. This technique considers the known characteristics of the population (Wienclaw, 2015). A database of tourism businesses was obtained from the local tourism organisation, who are members of the governing body for local tourism. This database was cleaned, to eliminate any data that did not meet the participation criterion for the study. Ten per cent of the total number of businesses in the cleaned database were sampled. The simplest approach to sampling is to merely randomly select from the population by, for example, having a computer choose names at random from a list, or by selecting names from a hat (Wienclaw, 2015). Therefore, every fifth business listed on the sampled database was selected to participate. Unfortunately, surveys tend to have notoriously low return rates, and people are frequently reluctant to give out information over the phone. This was also the case for most of the tourism businesses in the sample. When emailed or telephoned, they refused to participate for various reasons. Some stated that HIV does not affect their business; others reported that their businesses were too small and therefore they could not afford to implement these programmes. Some businesses were hearing about the WPP for the very first time, while several others responded with simple disinterest in participating. The findings of the study are that although tourism is viewed as an important industry that contributes to the economy, tourism businesses do not include any intervention programmes with which to respond to the threat of HIV and AIDS to their businesses. Additionally, there is neither leadership nor support from any level of the tourism industry, to create a conducive environment for the adoption of HIV and AIDS WPPs by tourism businesses. The primary reason for the lack of uptake of these programmes is ignorance across cascading levels of the tourism industry, which includes tourism businesses. Additionally, a number of perceived barriers, such as size of business, are cited as the reasons why tourism workplaces in the NMBM fail to participate in HIV and AIDS WPPs. It is anticipated that this study will create further awareness of HIV and AIDS WPPs, in an industry that seems to have limited knowledge about such programmes. This study will also provide guidance regarding the requirements to implement effective HIV and AIDS WPPs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mahlangeni, Iviwe
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) -- Prevention and control -- South Africa , HIV infections -- Prevention and control -- South Africa , Tourism -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay , Health Programmes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/9197 , vital:26473
- Description: The aim of this study was to explore and describe HIV and AIDS workplace programmes and policies (WPPs) in the tourism industry of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) in South Africa. This study adopted a quantitative and qualitative approach, in other words, a mixed approach. The reason for using more than one method of inquiry was to obtain a deeper understanding of the tourism industry of NMBM in terms of examined behaviour, and of the meaning of occurrences in the industry. To gather qualitative data concerning HIV and AIDS programmes, key informant stakeholders in the tourism industry at global, national, provincial, and local levels were identified to conduct in-depth interviews. These respondents were selected using the non-probability sampling method of quota sampling. This is a type of stratified sampling in which the selection of the strata within the sample is not random, but rather is typically left to the discretion of the interviewer (Wienclaw, 2015). One respondent for each level of the industry was selected, resulting in four key informant stakeholders participating in the qualitative research component of this study. The initial criterion for participation in the quantitative portion for this study was that tourism businesses based in NMBM must be able to produce robust evidence of HIV and AIDS WPPs. The researcher selected the probability sampling method of stratified random sampling with proportional allocation. This technique considers the known characteristics of the population (Wienclaw, 2015). A database of tourism businesses was obtained from the local tourism organisation, who are members of the governing body for local tourism. This database was cleaned, to eliminate any data that did not meet the participation criterion for the study. Ten per cent of the total number of businesses in the cleaned database were sampled. The simplest approach to sampling is to merely randomly select from the population by, for example, having a computer choose names at random from a list, or by selecting names from a hat (Wienclaw, 2015). Therefore, every fifth business listed on the sampled database was selected to participate. Unfortunately, surveys tend to have notoriously low return rates, and people are frequently reluctant to give out information over the phone. This was also the case for most of the tourism businesses in the sample. When emailed or telephoned, they refused to participate for various reasons. Some stated that HIV does not affect their business; others reported that their businesses were too small and therefore they could not afford to implement these programmes. Some businesses were hearing about the WPP for the very first time, while several others responded with simple disinterest in participating. The findings of the study are that although tourism is viewed as an important industry that contributes to the economy, tourism businesses do not include any intervention programmes with which to respond to the threat of HIV and AIDS to their businesses. Additionally, there is neither leadership nor support from any level of the tourism industry, to create a conducive environment for the adoption of HIV and AIDS WPPs by tourism businesses. The primary reason for the lack of uptake of these programmes is ignorance across cascading levels of the tourism industry, which includes tourism businesses. Additionally, a number of perceived barriers, such as size of business, are cited as the reasons why tourism workplaces in the NMBM fail to participate in HIV and AIDS WPPs. It is anticipated that this study will create further awareness of HIV and AIDS WPPs, in an industry that seems to have limited knowledge about such programmes. This study will also provide guidance regarding the requirements to implement effective HIV and AIDS WPPs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Factors influencing retention and turnover of the South African healthcare workforce
- Authors: Isaacs, Janice
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Labor turnover -- South Africa Employee retention -- South Africa , Personnel management -- South Africa Organizational behavior -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/16055 , vital:28316
- Description: South Africa experiences a steady loss of skilled workers, which compromises the provision of healthcare in the country. This study has explored and will outline the main factors that influence the decision of South African healthcare professionals to either remain with or leave their organisations. As migration involves both internal and external movement, the public sector is frequently overburdened as healthcare workers additionally tend to prefer working in the private sector with its offers of better financial incentives and better working conditions. That said, it has become apparent that it is not only financial factors but many other non-financial factors that play a role in employee turnover. From the literature explored for this paper, five main factors were identified and discussed for different groups of healthcare professionals. This study used a qualitative research approach by means of a content analysis, whereby data from secondary sources were reviewed. This study disregarded studies done in other countries and focused only on the South African healthcare sector. Push and pull factors were established and, during this process, HIV/AIDS, crime and human resources were identified as possible push factors that contribute to the movement of South Africa’s healthcare workers. Since the five main retention factors identified for the purpose of this research paper all fall under human resources, the study proposes a retention strategy that involves the revision of the employee value proposition for different healthcare groups, as their demands are not uniform. Financial as well as non-financial factors have been taken into account for the various employee value proposition frameworks. These factors must be dealt with congruently if retention and turnover strategies are to be successful. Factors that push healthcare workers from the public.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Isaacs, Janice
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Labor turnover -- South Africa Employee retention -- South Africa , Personnel management -- South Africa Organizational behavior -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/16055 , vital:28316
- Description: South Africa experiences a steady loss of skilled workers, which compromises the provision of healthcare in the country. This study has explored and will outline the main factors that influence the decision of South African healthcare professionals to either remain with or leave their organisations. As migration involves both internal and external movement, the public sector is frequently overburdened as healthcare workers additionally tend to prefer working in the private sector with its offers of better financial incentives and better working conditions. That said, it has become apparent that it is not only financial factors but many other non-financial factors that play a role in employee turnover. From the literature explored for this paper, five main factors were identified and discussed for different groups of healthcare professionals. This study used a qualitative research approach by means of a content analysis, whereby data from secondary sources were reviewed. This study disregarded studies done in other countries and focused only on the South African healthcare sector. Push and pull factors were established and, during this process, HIV/AIDS, crime and human resources were identified as possible push factors that contribute to the movement of South Africa’s healthcare workers. Since the five main retention factors identified for the purpose of this research paper all fall under human resources, the study proposes a retention strategy that involves the revision of the employee value proposition for different healthcare groups, as their demands are not uniform. Financial as well as non-financial factors have been taken into account for the various employee value proposition frameworks. These factors must be dealt with congruently if retention and turnover strategies are to be successful. Factors that push healthcare workers from the public.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Evaluation of range condition, soil properties, seed banks and farmer's perceptions in Peddie communal rangeland of the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Mndela, Mthunzi
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Rangelands -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land tenure -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land degradation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Forage , Range management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nguni cattle -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil seed banks -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Ethnoscience -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Pasture Science)
- Identifier: vital:11583 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1013153 , Rangelands -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land tenure -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land degradation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Forage , Range management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nguni cattle -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil seed banks -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Ethnoscience -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: South African rangelands in combination with their surrounding homesteads occupy 13% of the entire land surface in South Africa. These rangelands are a source of forage for communal livestock. The rangelands in communal tenure system are degraded due to high human population and livestock numbers. The rangeland of Peddie was never evaluated since the introduction of Nguni Cattle Empowerment Project. Therefore, socio-ecological evaluation was conducted in order to interlink farmer‟s perceptions and scientific data to recommend appropriate rangeland management and restoration programme. Two structured questionnaires consisting of close and open ended questions were used to investigate farmer‟s perceptions on rangeland condition, dynamics, and their causes. Sixty households were randomly selected on the bases of livestock ownership and the membership in Nguni Cattle Project. In each household, any respondent of 20 years or greater, and a key informant of age greater than 40 years were selected. For scientific assessment of range condition, three homogenous vegetation units namely grassland, scattered and dense bushland were demarcated into four 100m x 50m replicates. In each replicate, two 100m transects were laid parallel to each other with 30m equidistant apart. The step point and harvesting method along each transect were employed for herbaceous species composition and biomass production. The point-to-tuft distance was also determined as a proxy for basal cover. Woody density, species composition and tree equivalents were determined in 200m2 belt transects in each HVU replicates. The germination method for soil seed bank evaluation was also employed to find plant species composition and density. The soil nutrients (OC, N, P, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu and Mn) and pH were analysed through solution preparation and observation under photospectrometer to determine functional capacity of the soil of Peddie rangeland. The farmer‟s perceptions comprised of 63% females and 37% males (n = 120) with a mean household of 8 people, 5 adults and 3 children. It was perceived by 93.3% respondents that the rangeland of Peddie have undergone changes over two decades. These changes were perceived by 83% respondents to be accompanied by decline in livestock numbers. Woody encroachment and overgrazing were perceived to be the major attributes of these vegetation changes. The scientific rangeland condition assessment confirmed that these changes were more pronounced as bush density increases. Dense bushland had a significantly high (p<0.05) encroached condition with 6650 trees ha-1 and 4909.5 TE ha-1 beyond the recommended thresholds of 2400 trees ha-1 and 2500 TE ha-1 respectively. Scattered bushland had a fair condition of 1950 trees ha-1 and 1198.1TE ha-1. Themeda triandra as a key species was significantly higher (p<0.05) in grassland (31.1%) than scattered (15.6%) and dense bushland (6.1%). There was a declining trend in biomass production from grassland to dense bushland. The summer biomass production was significantly higher (p<0.05) in grassland than scattered and dense bushland but winter biomass was not significantly different (p>0.05) from all homogenous vegetation units of Peddie rangeland. However, the soil fertility increased with an increase in bush density except organic carbon (OC) which was 1.61% in grassland, 1.46% in scattered and 1.53% in dense bushland respectively. Soil N, K, P, Mg2+ Na+, Ca2+, Cu, Zn, Mn and pH were significantly higher (p<0.05) in dense bushland than grassland and scattered bushland. High soil fertility in dense bushland may be attributed to by abscission of woody plants and litter decomposition. In the soil seed bank, the abundances of forbs were significantly higher than sedges (χ2 = 12, df = 1, p = 0.001) and grasses (χ2 = 8.333, df = 1, p = 0.004) in all homogenous vegetation units while sedges were not significantly different (χ2 = 3, df = 1, p = 0.083) from grasses. The Sorensen‟s index indicated that soil seed bank and extant vegetation were significantly different (p<0.05). Annual and biennial forbs and sedges had high abundances while perennial grasses formed a bulk in above ground vegetation. This provided an insight that a reliance on soil seed bank for restoration of Peddie rangeland would not be advisable because it can result in retrogression. The communal rangeland assessment provided clear qualitative and quantitative data when the combination of indigenous knowledge and scientific assessments was done. The rationale is that conclusions and recommendations of range assessment are relient on the farmer‟s perceptions pertinent to their livestock production systems and their rangeland management objectives. This study has shown that inclusion of communal farmers in policy making can provide better insight because those are the people experiencing the consequences of range degradation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mndela, Mthunzi
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Rangelands -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land tenure -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land degradation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Forage , Range management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nguni cattle -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil seed banks -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Ethnoscience -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Pasture Science)
- Identifier: vital:11583 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1013153 , Rangelands -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land tenure -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land degradation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Forage , Range management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nguni cattle -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil seed banks -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Ethnoscience -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: South African rangelands in combination with their surrounding homesteads occupy 13% of the entire land surface in South Africa. These rangelands are a source of forage for communal livestock. The rangelands in communal tenure system are degraded due to high human population and livestock numbers. The rangeland of Peddie was never evaluated since the introduction of Nguni Cattle Empowerment Project. Therefore, socio-ecological evaluation was conducted in order to interlink farmer‟s perceptions and scientific data to recommend appropriate rangeland management and restoration programme. Two structured questionnaires consisting of close and open ended questions were used to investigate farmer‟s perceptions on rangeland condition, dynamics, and their causes. Sixty households were randomly selected on the bases of livestock ownership and the membership in Nguni Cattle Project. In each household, any respondent of 20 years or greater, and a key informant of age greater than 40 years were selected. For scientific assessment of range condition, three homogenous vegetation units namely grassland, scattered and dense bushland were demarcated into four 100m x 50m replicates. In each replicate, two 100m transects were laid parallel to each other with 30m equidistant apart. The step point and harvesting method along each transect were employed for herbaceous species composition and biomass production. The point-to-tuft distance was also determined as a proxy for basal cover. Woody density, species composition and tree equivalents were determined in 200m2 belt transects in each HVU replicates. The germination method for soil seed bank evaluation was also employed to find plant species composition and density. The soil nutrients (OC, N, P, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu and Mn) and pH were analysed through solution preparation and observation under photospectrometer to determine functional capacity of the soil of Peddie rangeland. The farmer‟s perceptions comprised of 63% females and 37% males (n = 120) with a mean household of 8 people, 5 adults and 3 children. It was perceived by 93.3% respondents that the rangeland of Peddie have undergone changes over two decades. These changes were perceived by 83% respondents to be accompanied by decline in livestock numbers. Woody encroachment and overgrazing were perceived to be the major attributes of these vegetation changes. The scientific rangeland condition assessment confirmed that these changes were more pronounced as bush density increases. Dense bushland had a significantly high (p<0.05) encroached condition with 6650 trees ha-1 and 4909.5 TE ha-1 beyond the recommended thresholds of 2400 trees ha-1 and 2500 TE ha-1 respectively. Scattered bushland had a fair condition of 1950 trees ha-1 and 1198.1TE ha-1. Themeda triandra as a key species was significantly higher (p<0.05) in grassland (31.1%) than scattered (15.6%) and dense bushland (6.1%). There was a declining trend in biomass production from grassland to dense bushland. The summer biomass production was significantly higher (p<0.05) in grassland than scattered and dense bushland but winter biomass was not significantly different (p>0.05) from all homogenous vegetation units of Peddie rangeland. However, the soil fertility increased with an increase in bush density except organic carbon (OC) which was 1.61% in grassland, 1.46% in scattered and 1.53% in dense bushland respectively. Soil N, K, P, Mg2+ Na+, Ca2+, Cu, Zn, Mn and pH were significantly higher (p<0.05) in dense bushland than grassland and scattered bushland. High soil fertility in dense bushland may be attributed to by abscission of woody plants and litter decomposition. In the soil seed bank, the abundances of forbs were significantly higher than sedges (χ2 = 12, df = 1, p = 0.001) and grasses (χ2 = 8.333, df = 1, p = 0.004) in all homogenous vegetation units while sedges were not significantly different (χ2 = 3, df = 1, p = 0.083) from grasses. The Sorensen‟s index indicated that soil seed bank and extant vegetation were significantly different (p<0.05). Annual and biennial forbs and sedges had high abundances while perennial grasses formed a bulk in above ground vegetation. This provided an insight that a reliance on soil seed bank for restoration of Peddie rangeland would not be advisable because it can result in retrogression. The communal rangeland assessment provided clear qualitative and quantitative data when the combination of indigenous knowledge and scientific assessments was done. The rationale is that conclusions and recommendations of range assessment are relient on the farmer‟s perceptions pertinent to their livestock production systems and their rangeland management objectives. This study has shown that inclusion of communal farmers in policy making can provide better insight because those are the people experiencing the consequences of range degradation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The tax implications of the sale of a business
- Authors: Walker, Sandra
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Sale of business enterprises -- Taxation -- South Africa , Business tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:8945 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021002
- Description: Currently, there are two ways to structure the sale of a business. The first is the sale of the ownership of the business, and second, the sale of its assets. The structure of the sale, by way of its ownership or by way of its assets, can have varying and complex tax consequences, and should be an important consideration during negotiations between the seller and purchaser of the business. The purchaser and the seller, in order to minimise tax consequences, should carefully consider the tax payable, flowing from the sale of the business, but often fail to do so because of the complex nature of current tax legislation. My own experience, as a practising accountant and tax practitioner, has been that when faced with complex tax legislation, the seller and the purchaser of a business often choose to ignore this aspect of the sale during negotiations. Those who have attempted to establish the tax consequences of the sale of a business during negotiations have been discouraged by the lack of a practical means to assist them in doing so. Consequently, I have undertaken a conceptual analysis and interpretation of South African tax legislation, interpretations of such legislation by the Court and other related matters with a view to examining, determining and summarising the tax consequences of the sale of a business in a practical manner, and thereby provide the seller and the purchaser with a practical means to assist them in determining the optimal structure for the sale of the business.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Walker, Sandra
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Sale of business enterprises -- Taxation -- South Africa , Business tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:8945 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021002
- Description: Currently, there are two ways to structure the sale of a business. The first is the sale of the ownership of the business, and second, the sale of its assets. The structure of the sale, by way of its ownership or by way of its assets, can have varying and complex tax consequences, and should be an important consideration during negotiations between the seller and purchaser of the business. The purchaser and the seller, in order to minimise tax consequences, should carefully consider the tax payable, flowing from the sale of the business, but often fail to do so because of the complex nature of current tax legislation. My own experience, as a practising accountant and tax practitioner, has been that when faced with complex tax legislation, the seller and the purchaser of a business often choose to ignore this aspect of the sale during negotiations. Those who have attempted to establish the tax consequences of the sale of a business during negotiations have been discouraged by the lack of a practical means to assist them in doing so. Consequently, I have undertaken a conceptual analysis and interpretation of South African tax legislation, interpretations of such legislation by the Court and other related matters with a view to examining, determining and summarising the tax consequences of the sale of a business in a practical manner, and thereby provide the seller and the purchaser with a practical means to assist them in determining the optimal structure for the sale of the business.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
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