Automated grid fault detection and repair
- Authors: Luyt, Leslie
- Date: 2012 , 2012-05-24
- Subjects: Computational grids (Computer systems) -- Maintenance and repair , Cloud computing -- Maintenance and repair , Computer architecture
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4670 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006693 , Computational grids (Computer systems) -- Maintenance and repair , Cloud computing -- Maintenance and repair , Computer architecture
- Description: With the rise in interest in the field of grid and cloud computing, it is becoming increasingly necessary for the grid to be easily maintainable. This maintenance of the grid and grid services can be made easier by using an automated system to monitor and repair the grid as necessary. We propose a novel system to perform automated monitoring and repair of grid systems. To the best of our knowledge, no such systems exist. The results show that certain faults can be easily detected and repaired. , TeX , Adobe Acrobat 9.51 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Luyt, Leslie
- Date: 2012 , 2012-05-24
- Subjects: Computational grids (Computer systems) -- Maintenance and repair , Cloud computing -- Maintenance and repair , Computer architecture
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4670 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006693 , Computational grids (Computer systems) -- Maintenance and repair , Cloud computing -- Maintenance and repair , Computer architecture
- Description: With the rise in interest in the field of grid and cloud computing, it is becoming increasingly necessary for the grid to be easily maintainable. This maintenance of the grid and grid services can be made easier by using an automated system to monitor and repair the grid as necessary. We propose a novel system to perform automated monitoring and repair of grid systems. To the best of our knowledge, no such systems exist. The results show that certain faults can be easily detected and repaired. , TeX , Adobe Acrobat 9.51 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Avoidance-related behaviour, bleeding times and the quality of meat from sheep slaughtered at a commercial and a municipal abattoir
- Authors: Njisane, Yonela Zifikile
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Mutton -- Quality , Sheep -- Quality , Slaughtering and slaughter-houses -- South Africa , Animal behavior , Dorper sheep , Meat -- Quality , Sheep -- Carcasses -- Handling
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11818 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1004195 , Mutton -- Quality , Sheep -- Quality , Slaughtering and slaughter-houses -- South Africa , Animal behavior , Dorper sheep , Meat -- Quality , Sheep -- Carcasses -- Handling
- Description: The objective of the study was to determine the avoidance-related behaviour, bleeding times and the quality of meat from sheep of different gender, breed (Dorper, Merino, and their crosses) and age groups, slaughtered at a commercial and municipal abattoir. Castrates and ewes of different age groups (1= <10months, 2= 11-12months, and 3= >12months) and breeds were used. From the commercial abattoir, 90 castrates and 110 ewes were used, while 66 castrates and 19 ewes were obtained from the municipal abattoir. Meat samples were obtained to determine meat colour, ultimate pH, temperature, cooking loss and tenderness. Correlations between bleeding times and meat quality variables were also determined. The two abattoirs differed in terms of technology and the procedures used, and this brought about different response behaviours in sheep at slaughter, bleeding times at exsanguination and the quality of meat produced. Animal-related factors (breed, gender and age classes) had no effect on the avoidance-related behaviour of sheep slaughtered at the commercial abattoir, while these factors affected those sheep slaughtered at the municipal abattoir. These factors also had an effect on the quality of meat produced at both abattoirs. Gender and weight of the animals had effects on the bleeding times at exsanguination at both abattoirs. Bleeding times did no correlate with any of the meat quality variables, but correlations among meat quality variables were observed. Avoidance-related behaviour, bleeding times, and the quality of mutton from sheep slaughtered at a commercial and a municipal abattoir was affected by breed, age, and gender.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Njisane, Yonela Zifikile
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Mutton -- Quality , Sheep -- Quality , Slaughtering and slaughter-houses -- South Africa , Animal behavior , Dorper sheep , Meat -- Quality , Sheep -- Carcasses -- Handling
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11818 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1004195 , Mutton -- Quality , Sheep -- Quality , Slaughtering and slaughter-houses -- South Africa , Animal behavior , Dorper sheep , Meat -- Quality , Sheep -- Carcasses -- Handling
- Description: The objective of the study was to determine the avoidance-related behaviour, bleeding times and the quality of meat from sheep of different gender, breed (Dorper, Merino, and their crosses) and age groups, slaughtered at a commercial and municipal abattoir. Castrates and ewes of different age groups (1= <10months, 2= 11-12months, and 3= >12months) and breeds were used. From the commercial abattoir, 90 castrates and 110 ewes were used, while 66 castrates and 19 ewes were obtained from the municipal abattoir. Meat samples were obtained to determine meat colour, ultimate pH, temperature, cooking loss and tenderness. Correlations between bleeding times and meat quality variables were also determined. The two abattoirs differed in terms of technology and the procedures used, and this brought about different response behaviours in sheep at slaughter, bleeding times at exsanguination and the quality of meat produced. Animal-related factors (breed, gender and age classes) had no effect on the avoidance-related behaviour of sheep slaughtered at the commercial abattoir, while these factors affected those sheep slaughtered at the municipal abattoir. These factors also had an effect on the quality of meat produced at both abattoirs. Gender and weight of the animals had effects on the bleeding times at exsanguination at both abattoirs. Bleeding times did no correlate with any of the meat quality variables, but correlations among meat quality variables were observed. Avoidance-related behaviour, bleeding times, and the quality of mutton from sheep slaughtered at a commercial and a municipal abattoir was affected by breed, age, and gender.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Barriers faced by SMMEs in accessing finance
- Authors: Caga, Siyabonga Macpherson
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Small business -- Finance , Small business
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8784 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1013348
- Description: SMMEs have been cited as major players in economic development in South Africa and in other developing countries. In South Africa SMMEs contribute more than 52 percent towards the GDP. Subsequently, the South African government has taken various steps to encourage their growth and to improve access to finance for SMMEs. Despite this, securing finance remains a challenge in this group of enterprises. Since SMMEs have unique financial needs, commercial banks and other funders are faced with difficulties in catering for them. Banks in particular have been reluctant in financing these high-risk ventures. SMME owners as a result still prefer informal sources of finance such as personal savings, retained earnings or friends or family rather than bank loans. The study purpose was to examine the barriers that are faced by SMMEs in accessing finance. To do this a survey was conducted on 40 SMMEs operating in the manufacturing sector in Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. The research findings indicated various barriers that are faced by SMMEs in accessing finance. Dominating among the barriers are those that are related to perceived risks of SMMEs by funders, including lack of collateral or business assets, lack of financial statements, excessive red tape by funders, administrative burden associated with applications as well as unfair evaluation of risks and profitability of SMMEs by funders. Other factors that were identified as barriers were those that are associated with poor business plan development, poor business training and development and source of funding. The majority of the respondents recommended that there must be better risk and profitability evaluation, easy loan repayment methods, more government support for SMMEs, flexible eligibility criteria for SMME loans and proper loan amount allocations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Caga, Siyabonga Macpherson
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Small business -- Finance , Small business
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8784 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1013348
- Description: SMMEs have been cited as major players in economic development in South Africa and in other developing countries. In South Africa SMMEs contribute more than 52 percent towards the GDP. Subsequently, the South African government has taken various steps to encourage their growth and to improve access to finance for SMMEs. Despite this, securing finance remains a challenge in this group of enterprises. Since SMMEs have unique financial needs, commercial banks and other funders are faced with difficulties in catering for them. Banks in particular have been reluctant in financing these high-risk ventures. SMME owners as a result still prefer informal sources of finance such as personal savings, retained earnings or friends or family rather than bank loans. The study purpose was to examine the barriers that are faced by SMMEs in accessing finance. To do this a survey was conducted on 40 SMMEs operating in the manufacturing sector in Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. The research findings indicated various barriers that are faced by SMMEs in accessing finance. Dominating among the barriers are those that are related to perceived risks of SMMEs by funders, including lack of collateral or business assets, lack of financial statements, excessive red tape by funders, administrative burden associated with applications as well as unfair evaluation of risks and profitability of SMMEs by funders. Other factors that were identified as barriers were those that are associated with poor business plan development, poor business training and development and source of funding. The majority of the respondents recommended that there must be better risk and profitability evaluation, easy loan repayment methods, more government support for SMMEs, flexible eligibility criteria for SMME loans and proper loan amount allocations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Barriers to inclusion of students with disabilities in sports: an assessment of special schools in the Amathole District of Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Bayewumi, Oladunni Oluwabunmi
- Authors: Bayewumi, Oladunni Oluwabunmi
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Sports for people with disabilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sports facilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Schools -- Exercises and recreations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School sports -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (HMS)
- Identifier: vital:11542 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006800 , Sports for people with disabilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sports facilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Schools -- Exercises and recreations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School sports -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: According to the recent Statistics South Africa (2007), there are 668 176 children with disability between 6 – 23 years old of which 337 660 are males and 330 516 females in the Amathole District of the Eastern Cape. This number consists of schoolchildren with visual, auditory, physical, mental, multiple and non- specified types of disabilities. However, there are limited research studies on the challenges around opportunities for children to participate in variety of sporting activities within the school settings. The purpose of this study was to provide a more accurate picture of the barriers against inclusion of students with disabilities in sports, among the identified Special Schools in the Amathole district, Eastern Cape. Data collection involved interviews, questionnaire and participant observation methods. Results showed that 87 percent of the students with disabilities participated in one sport or the other with male student participating more (92.2 percent than the female participants (86.7 percent). Overall, the participation rate was 86.7 percent. Further analysis of data revealed that 44 percent female and 41.5 percent male students agreed strongly that sporting activities are beneficial to their health. 7.1 percent of the sample indicated that their disability prevented them from sports participation. The reported main barriers towards sports participation include; lack of trained personnel; lack of adequate funding; lack of cooperation from parents and guardians and inadequate facilities and equipment. Although students with disabilities were using the limited resources at their disposal to participate in sports, they need support to sustain their efforts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Bayewumi, Oladunni Oluwabunmi
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Sports for people with disabilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sports facilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Schools -- Exercises and recreations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School sports -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (HMS)
- Identifier: vital:11542 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006800 , Sports for people with disabilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sports facilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Schools -- Exercises and recreations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School sports -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: According to the recent Statistics South Africa (2007), there are 668 176 children with disability between 6 – 23 years old of which 337 660 are males and 330 516 females in the Amathole District of the Eastern Cape. This number consists of schoolchildren with visual, auditory, physical, mental, multiple and non- specified types of disabilities. However, there are limited research studies on the challenges around opportunities for children to participate in variety of sporting activities within the school settings. The purpose of this study was to provide a more accurate picture of the barriers against inclusion of students with disabilities in sports, among the identified Special Schools in the Amathole district, Eastern Cape. Data collection involved interviews, questionnaire and participant observation methods. Results showed that 87 percent of the students with disabilities participated in one sport or the other with male student participating more (92.2 percent than the female participants (86.7 percent). Overall, the participation rate was 86.7 percent. Further analysis of data revealed that 44 percent female and 41.5 percent male students agreed strongly that sporting activities are beneficial to their health. 7.1 percent of the sample indicated that their disability prevented them from sports participation. The reported main barriers towards sports participation include; lack of trained personnel; lack of adequate funding; lack of cooperation from parents and guardians and inadequate facilities and equipment. Although students with disabilities were using the limited resources at their disposal to participate in sports, they need support to sustain their efforts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Bayliss-Hillman adducts as scaffolds for the construction of novel compounds with medicinal potential
- Authors: Idahosa, Kenudi Christiana
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Antimalarials -- Research Malaria -- Chemotherapy -- Research AIDS (Disease) -- Treatment -- Research AIDS (Disease) -- Chemotherapy -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4410 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006763
- Description: This project has focused on exploring the application of Baylis-Hillman (BH) {a.k.a. Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH)} scaffolds in the construction of various compounds with medicinal potential. A series of 2-nitrobenzaldehydes has been treated under BH conditions, with two different activated alkenes, viz., (MVK) and methyl acrylate, using (DABCO) or (3-HQ) as catalyst. While most of the BH reactions were carried out at room temperature, some reactions were conducted using microwave irradiation. The resulting BH adducts have been subjected to dehydration, conjugate addition and allylic substitution to obtain appropriate intermediates, which have been used in turn, to synthesize possible lead compounds, viz., cinnamate esters as HIV-1 integrase inhibitors, 3-(aminomethyl)quinolines and quinolones as anti-malarials and cinnamate ester-AZT conjugates as dual-action HIV-1 integrase-reverse transcriptase (IN-RT) inhibitors. Conjugate addition reactions of methyl acrylate-derived BH β-hydroxy esters with the amines, piperidine, propargylamine and 2-amino-5-(diethylamino)pentane, has afforded a range of products as diastereomeric mixtures in moderate to excellent yields. Catalytic hydrogenation of the aminomethy β-hydroxy esters derivatives, using a palladium-oncarbon (Pd-C) catalyst, has afforded the corresponding, novel 3-aminomethyl-2- quinolone derivatives in moderate yields. Effective allylic substitution reactions of the MVK-derived BH β-hydroxy ketones (via a conjugate addition-elimination pathway) using in situ-generated HCl has afforded the corresponding α-chloromethyl derivatives, which have been reacted with various amines, including piperidine, piperazine, propargylamine and 2-amino-5-(diethylamino)pentane, to yield α-aminomethyl derivatives. Catalytic hydrogenation of selected α-aminomethyl derivatives, using a Pd-C catalyst, has afforded the corresponding, novel 3- (aminomethyl)-2-methylquinoline derivatives in low to moderate yields. A bioassay, conducted on a 6-hydroxy-2-methyl-3-[(piperidin-1-yl)methyl]quinoline isolated early in the study indicated anti-malarial activity and prompted further efforts in the synthesis of analogous compounds. Reaction of the methyl acrylate-derived BH adducts with POCl3 has provided access to α-(chloromethyl)cinnamate ester derivatives, which have been aminated to afford α- (aminomethyl)cinnamate ester derivatives as potential HIV-1 integrase inhibitors. The α- (propargylaminomethyl)cinnamates were used, in turn, as substrates for the “click chemistry” reaction with 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT– an azide and an established reverse transcriptase HIV-1 inhibitor) to afford cinnamate ester-AZT conjugates as potential dual-action HIV-1 integrase-reverse transcriptase (IN-RT) inhibitors. Computer modelling and docking studies of a cinnamate ester-AZT conjugate into the HIV-1 integrase and reverse transcriptase active-sites revealed potential hydrogen-bonding interactions with amino acid residues within the receptor cavities. The isolated products have been appropriately characterized using IR, 1- and 2-D NMR and HRMS techniques, while elucidation of the stereochemistry of the double bond in the BH-derived halomethyl derivatives has been assigned on the basis of NOE, computer modelling and X-ray crystallographic data.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Idahosa, Kenudi Christiana
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Antimalarials -- Research Malaria -- Chemotherapy -- Research AIDS (Disease) -- Treatment -- Research AIDS (Disease) -- Chemotherapy -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4410 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006763
- Description: This project has focused on exploring the application of Baylis-Hillman (BH) {a.k.a. Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH)} scaffolds in the construction of various compounds with medicinal potential. A series of 2-nitrobenzaldehydes has been treated under BH conditions, with two different activated alkenes, viz., (MVK) and methyl acrylate, using (DABCO) or (3-HQ) as catalyst. While most of the BH reactions were carried out at room temperature, some reactions were conducted using microwave irradiation. The resulting BH adducts have been subjected to dehydration, conjugate addition and allylic substitution to obtain appropriate intermediates, which have been used in turn, to synthesize possible lead compounds, viz., cinnamate esters as HIV-1 integrase inhibitors, 3-(aminomethyl)quinolines and quinolones as anti-malarials and cinnamate ester-AZT conjugates as dual-action HIV-1 integrase-reverse transcriptase (IN-RT) inhibitors. Conjugate addition reactions of methyl acrylate-derived BH β-hydroxy esters with the amines, piperidine, propargylamine and 2-amino-5-(diethylamino)pentane, has afforded a range of products as diastereomeric mixtures in moderate to excellent yields. Catalytic hydrogenation of the aminomethy β-hydroxy esters derivatives, using a palladium-oncarbon (Pd-C) catalyst, has afforded the corresponding, novel 3-aminomethyl-2- quinolone derivatives in moderate yields. Effective allylic substitution reactions of the MVK-derived BH β-hydroxy ketones (via a conjugate addition-elimination pathway) using in situ-generated HCl has afforded the corresponding α-chloromethyl derivatives, which have been reacted with various amines, including piperidine, piperazine, propargylamine and 2-amino-5-(diethylamino)pentane, to yield α-aminomethyl derivatives. Catalytic hydrogenation of selected α-aminomethyl derivatives, using a Pd-C catalyst, has afforded the corresponding, novel 3- (aminomethyl)-2-methylquinoline derivatives in low to moderate yields. A bioassay, conducted on a 6-hydroxy-2-methyl-3-[(piperidin-1-yl)methyl]quinoline isolated early in the study indicated anti-malarial activity and prompted further efforts in the synthesis of analogous compounds. Reaction of the methyl acrylate-derived BH adducts with POCl3 has provided access to α-(chloromethyl)cinnamate ester derivatives, which have been aminated to afford α- (aminomethyl)cinnamate ester derivatives as potential HIV-1 integrase inhibitors. The α- (propargylaminomethyl)cinnamates were used, in turn, as substrates for the “click chemistry” reaction with 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT– an azide and an established reverse transcriptase HIV-1 inhibitor) to afford cinnamate ester-AZT conjugates as potential dual-action HIV-1 integrase-reverse transcriptase (IN-RT) inhibitors. Computer modelling and docking studies of a cinnamate ester-AZT conjugate into the HIV-1 integrase and reverse transcriptase active-sites revealed potential hydrogen-bonding interactions with amino acid residues within the receptor cavities. The isolated products have been appropriately characterized using IR, 1- and 2-D NMR and HRMS techniques, while elucidation of the stereochemistry of the double bond in the BH-derived halomethyl derivatives has been assigned on the basis of NOE, computer modelling and X-ray crystallographic data.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Best practices to create an enabling environment for SME incubation in South Africa
- Authors: Dames, Ricardo Shane
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Business incubators -- South Africa , New business enterprises -- South Africa , Small businesses -- South Africa -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DBA
- Identifier: vital:9301 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015031
- Description: The humble beginnings of business incubators date back to the 1970s in the USA and United Kingdom, where abandoned industrial buildings were converted to rent out to small businesses. South Africa (SA) was first introduced to business incubation in the 1980s when the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) established a number of business ‘hives’ and provided business space to entrepreneurs to operate their businesses. In their most basic form, business incubators provide a safe and nurturing environment for entrepreneurs to establish their small businesses. While in incubation, the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are supported with a number of services which assist their growth and development until they are able to exit the incubator as sustainable and viable businesses. Global incubator models have matured significantly, and now include assisting with business idea generation, accelerating business start-ups and commercialisation processes, and identifying high-growth orientated SMEs to assist them with gaining market access. The establishment of business incubators was a government-driven initiative, and more than 33 SME incubators exist in SA. Most of the incubators are government-funded, and have focused on the establishment and growth of SMEs to act as a catalyst to promote economic development and alleviate socio-economic challenges such as unemployment and poverty. Despite these noble objectives, incubation in SA has not been fully utilised, and a high SME failure rate still prevails in the country. One of the reasons for SME failure may be ascribed to the lack of an enabling SME incubation environment in SA. When compared to other developing countries such as Brazil with as many as 400 incubators, it is clear that the SA incubation industry still needs further development. The purpose of this study therefore was to ascertain the best practices of global business incubators in both developed and developing countries, and how SA incubators could learn from these best practices to create a more conducive and enabling SME incubation environment. Background literature on business incubation with a specific focus on best practices in world incubators in both developed and developing countries, was reviewed. Some of the literature reviewed included Aernoudt (2004), Buys and Mbewana (2007) and Chandra (2009). From the literature review, four main best practice areas were identified, namely strategic focus, sources of funding, incubator services, and the role of government. The study followed a qualitative approach, and an interview schedule was developed to seek the perceptions of incubator managers on how the four identified best practices can be utilised to create an enabling SA incubation environment. A survey was conducted by interviewing 14 incubator managers (twelve government and two private) in SA. Data was collected over a six-month period, using face-to-face and telephonic interviews. Data was analysed using the content analysis, constant comparison, grounded theory and case study methods. The biographical profiles of the incubator managers and incubators were presented in case studies. An initial analysis was made to identify themes and sub themes within the four best practices explored, using the constant comparison method. Thereafter a provincial comparative analysis was made, as well as a comparison of government funded versus privately funded incubators. The findings suggested that there is a relatively high turnover in incubator management, and that they often do not have incubator management experience. A provincial comparison of SA incubators revealed that their strategic focuses are greatly influenced by the industry prevailing in the various provinces. All SA incubators provide pre- and post incubation services, but few are utilising virtual incubation. Most SA incubators are government-funded, and some use a hybrid funding model. It was evident that most SA incubators are aware of government policies and programmes available to assist them on local, provincial and national levels. A comparison of the best practices of two developing countries and three developed countries, as well as suggestions made by SA incubator managers indicated that SA has indeed followed best practices from both developing and developed countries, but there are areas of non-alignment which provide scope for improvement, to create a more conducive and enabling incubation environment. This study recommends that incubators should have an entrepreneurial focus, and reposition and align their strategic focus with government policies and instruments. SA incubators must pursue opportunities for virtual incubation as well as linkages with academic institutions, in order to offer value-added services such as research, development and commercialisation of the product ideas. Incubators in SA must pursue a hybrid funding model with a combination of government and private funding, and generate some or their own income. With regard to the role of government, it is recommended that the roll-out of more industry-specific incubators be privatised, and that an overseeing body for incubation be established.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Dames, Ricardo Shane
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Business incubators -- South Africa , New business enterprises -- South Africa , Small businesses -- South Africa -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DBA
- Identifier: vital:9301 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015031
- Description: The humble beginnings of business incubators date back to the 1970s in the USA and United Kingdom, where abandoned industrial buildings were converted to rent out to small businesses. South Africa (SA) was first introduced to business incubation in the 1980s when the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) established a number of business ‘hives’ and provided business space to entrepreneurs to operate their businesses. In their most basic form, business incubators provide a safe and nurturing environment for entrepreneurs to establish their small businesses. While in incubation, the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are supported with a number of services which assist their growth and development until they are able to exit the incubator as sustainable and viable businesses. Global incubator models have matured significantly, and now include assisting with business idea generation, accelerating business start-ups and commercialisation processes, and identifying high-growth orientated SMEs to assist them with gaining market access. The establishment of business incubators was a government-driven initiative, and more than 33 SME incubators exist in SA. Most of the incubators are government-funded, and have focused on the establishment and growth of SMEs to act as a catalyst to promote economic development and alleviate socio-economic challenges such as unemployment and poverty. Despite these noble objectives, incubation in SA has not been fully utilised, and a high SME failure rate still prevails in the country. One of the reasons for SME failure may be ascribed to the lack of an enabling SME incubation environment in SA. When compared to other developing countries such as Brazil with as many as 400 incubators, it is clear that the SA incubation industry still needs further development. The purpose of this study therefore was to ascertain the best practices of global business incubators in both developed and developing countries, and how SA incubators could learn from these best practices to create a more conducive and enabling SME incubation environment. Background literature on business incubation with a specific focus on best practices in world incubators in both developed and developing countries, was reviewed. Some of the literature reviewed included Aernoudt (2004), Buys and Mbewana (2007) and Chandra (2009). From the literature review, four main best practice areas were identified, namely strategic focus, sources of funding, incubator services, and the role of government. The study followed a qualitative approach, and an interview schedule was developed to seek the perceptions of incubator managers on how the four identified best practices can be utilised to create an enabling SA incubation environment. A survey was conducted by interviewing 14 incubator managers (twelve government and two private) in SA. Data was collected over a six-month period, using face-to-face and telephonic interviews. Data was analysed using the content analysis, constant comparison, grounded theory and case study methods. The biographical profiles of the incubator managers and incubators were presented in case studies. An initial analysis was made to identify themes and sub themes within the four best practices explored, using the constant comparison method. Thereafter a provincial comparative analysis was made, as well as a comparison of government funded versus privately funded incubators. The findings suggested that there is a relatively high turnover in incubator management, and that they often do not have incubator management experience. A provincial comparison of SA incubators revealed that their strategic focuses are greatly influenced by the industry prevailing in the various provinces. All SA incubators provide pre- and post incubation services, but few are utilising virtual incubation. Most SA incubators are government-funded, and some use a hybrid funding model. It was evident that most SA incubators are aware of government policies and programmes available to assist them on local, provincial and national levels. A comparison of the best practices of two developing countries and three developed countries, as well as suggestions made by SA incubator managers indicated that SA has indeed followed best practices from both developing and developed countries, but there are areas of non-alignment which provide scope for improvement, to create a more conducive and enabling incubation environment. This study recommends that incubators should have an entrepreneurial focus, and reposition and align their strategic focus with government policies and instruments. SA incubators must pursue opportunities for virtual incubation as well as linkages with academic institutions, in order to offer value-added services such as research, development and commercialisation of the product ideas. Incubators in SA must pursue a hybrid funding model with a combination of government and private funding, and generate some or their own income. With regard to the role of government, it is recommended that the roll-out of more industry-specific incubators be privatised, and that an overseeing body for incubation be established.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Biochemical evaluation of Tulbaghia violacea harv.rhizomes in diet induced hypercholestrolemic rats
- Olorunnisola, Olubukola Sinbad
- Authors: Olorunnisola, Olubukola Sinbad
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Violaceae , Anticoagulants (Medicine) , Antineoplastic agents , Rats , Hypercholesteremia , Cardiovascular agents , Medicinal plants
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Biochemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11273 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006900 , Violaceae , Anticoagulants (Medicine) , Antineoplastic agents , Rats , Hypercholesteremia , Cardiovascular agents , Medicinal plants
- Description: Discovery of cheap, nontoxic and readily available antiatherosclerotic drugs is an extraordinary challenge in this modern world. Atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases have been predicted to be the leading cause of death by the year 2030. Hence, this thesis was designed to search for plant (s) with anti-atherogenic properties, investigate its possible side effects and extrapolate its likely mechanism(s) of action. An ethnobotanical survey was employed in identification of locally important plants used for the management and treatment of cardiovascular diseases and its predisposing factors in Nkonkobe Municipality, Eastern Cape in South Africa. Information on the names of plants, their parts used and methods of preparation was collected through a questionnaire which was administered to herbalists, traditional healers and rural dwellers. The most frequently used plant (Rhizomes of Tulbaghia violacea Harv.) was investigated for toxicity using brine shrimp lethality (in vitro) and in vivo toxicity test (acute and subchronic) on rats to determine safety dosage. The in vitro antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of the plant was investigated using models such as 1,1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), superoxide anions, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nitric oxide (NO), 2,2’- azinobis [3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid] diammonium salt (ABTS), lipid peroxidation inhibition and the ferric reducing agent. Phytochemical content and the effect of oral administration of fresh methanolic extract rhizomes of Tulbaghia violacea (250, 500 mg/kg. bwt/day) on Lipid peroxidation (TBARS), serum and tissue antioxidant enzymes in normal, hypercholesterolemic and diet induced atherogenic rats were also assessed. More so, the potential of the extract (250 and 500 mg/kg. bwt) to protect against atherogenic diet (4 percentage cholesterol 1 pecentage cholic acid and 0.5 percentage thiouracil) induced fatty streaks formation, dyslipidemia, oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction was also investigated. Ethnobotanical study revealed that 19 plant species are used for the treatment of heart related diseases in the Municipality. 53 percentage of the plants mentioned were used for the management of chest pain, 47 percentage for high blood pressure, 42 percent for heart disease, 16 percentage for stroke and 11 percentage for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Tulbaghia violacea was repeatedly mentioned as the plant species used for the treatment of high blood pressure and predisposing factors in the study area. The brine shrimp cytotoxicity test revealed that fresh, dried methanolic extracts and essential oil of the T. violacea exhibited a high degree of cytotoxic activity with IC50 values of 18.18 (fresh) and 19.24 (dried) μg/ml. An IC50 value of 12. 59 μg/ml was obtained for the essential oil of the plant. The low cytotoxicity values obtained, suggested that rhizome of T. violacea may serve as a potential source of antimicrobial and anticancer agents. In vivo acute study of single oral administration of 5g/kg dose does not produce mortality or significant behavioral changes during 14 days observation. In the sub-chronic study, the extract (250, 500 mg/kg/bwt/ day) administered for a period of 28 days showed no mortality or morbidity. The weekly body and organ weight of the rats showed no significant differences between the control and the rats treated with the extract. The extract at all doses does not show any effect on of biomarkers of liver or renal damage. However, a significant decrease in the activity of ƔGT was observed in the extract treated groups. Hematological evaluation revealed that oral administration of fresh methanolic extracts of rhizomes of T. violacea does not cause anaemia or leucocytosis in the animals. Furthermore, histopathology results of the internal organs revealed no detectable inflammation. These results demonstrated that the rhizome extract of T. violacea was potentially safe for consumption orally even in chronic concentration. In vitro antioxidant evaluation showed that the essential oil, fresh and dried methanolic extracts exhibited potent antioxidant activities in a concentration dependent manner. Phytochemical investigation reveals that the fresh and the dry extract of RTV are rich in flavonoid, flavonol, phenols, tannin and proanthocyanidin, while the essential oil contained dimethy disulfide, dimethyl trisulfide, (methyl methylthio) methyl, 2,4-dithiapentane (11.35 percent) and (methylthio) acetic acid, 2- (methylthio) ethanol, 3-(methylthio) - and propanenitrile (7.20 percent). The fresh extract had higher radicals scavenging activity than the essential oil or dried extract, with 50 percentage inhibition of DPPH, hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation at a concentration of 35.0 ± 0.12, 19.3 ± 0.11 and 17.9 ± 0.15 μg/ml respectively. Oral administration of methanolic extract of RTV in 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg to female Wistar rats significantly inhibited reduction of glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). The extracts also inhibited (p< 0.05) lipid peroxidation in normal, high cholesterol and diet induced atherosclerosis fed rats in a dose dependant manner. Also the extract (250 and 500 mg/kg/bwt/day) caused a significant (p<0.05) improvement in body weight of treated animals compared with untreated hypercholesterolemia control rats. The extracts also protected significantly (p<0.05) against atherogenic diet induced liver damage or fatty streaks formation in the aorta as revealed by histological examination. The anti-cholesterolemia and anti-atherosclerotic activities of the extract compared favorably well with standard drugs Gemfibrozil and Atorvastatin respectively. Conclusively, rhizomes of T. violacea possess significant anti-atherogenic activity and its mechanism of action(s) may be due to its antioxidant and anti-hypercholesterolemia properties. The results of this study also suggested that rhizome of T. violacea is relatively safe for human consumption and it may be used as an alternative to garlic.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Olorunnisola, Olubukola Sinbad
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Violaceae , Anticoagulants (Medicine) , Antineoplastic agents , Rats , Hypercholesteremia , Cardiovascular agents , Medicinal plants
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Biochemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11273 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006900 , Violaceae , Anticoagulants (Medicine) , Antineoplastic agents , Rats , Hypercholesteremia , Cardiovascular agents , Medicinal plants
- Description: Discovery of cheap, nontoxic and readily available antiatherosclerotic drugs is an extraordinary challenge in this modern world. Atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases have been predicted to be the leading cause of death by the year 2030. Hence, this thesis was designed to search for plant (s) with anti-atherogenic properties, investigate its possible side effects and extrapolate its likely mechanism(s) of action. An ethnobotanical survey was employed in identification of locally important plants used for the management and treatment of cardiovascular diseases and its predisposing factors in Nkonkobe Municipality, Eastern Cape in South Africa. Information on the names of plants, their parts used and methods of preparation was collected through a questionnaire which was administered to herbalists, traditional healers and rural dwellers. The most frequently used plant (Rhizomes of Tulbaghia violacea Harv.) was investigated for toxicity using brine shrimp lethality (in vitro) and in vivo toxicity test (acute and subchronic) on rats to determine safety dosage. The in vitro antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of the plant was investigated using models such as 1,1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), superoxide anions, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nitric oxide (NO), 2,2’- azinobis [3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid] diammonium salt (ABTS), lipid peroxidation inhibition and the ferric reducing agent. Phytochemical content and the effect of oral administration of fresh methanolic extract rhizomes of Tulbaghia violacea (250, 500 mg/kg. bwt/day) on Lipid peroxidation (TBARS), serum and tissue antioxidant enzymes in normal, hypercholesterolemic and diet induced atherogenic rats were also assessed. More so, the potential of the extract (250 and 500 mg/kg. bwt) to protect against atherogenic diet (4 percentage cholesterol 1 pecentage cholic acid and 0.5 percentage thiouracil) induced fatty streaks formation, dyslipidemia, oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction was also investigated. Ethnobotanical study revealed that 19 plant species are used for the treatment of heart related diseases in the Municipality. 53 percentage of the plants mentioned were used for the management of chest pain, 47 percentage for high blood pressure, 42 percent for heart disease, 16 percentage for stroke and 11 percentage for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Tulbaghia violacea was repeatedly mentioned as the plant species used for the treatment of high blood pressure and predisposing factors in the study area. The brine shrimp cytotoxicity test revealed that fresh, dried methanolic extracts and essential oil of the T. violacea exhibited a high degree of cytotoxic activity with IC50 values of 18.18 (fresh) and 19.24 (dried) μg/ml. An IC50 value of 12. 59 μg/ml was obtained for the essential oil of the plant. The low cytotoxicity values obtained, suggested that rhizome of T. violacea may serve as a potential source of antimicrobial and anticancer agents. In vivo acute study of single oral administration of 5g/kg dose does not produce mortality or significant behavioral changes during 14 days observation. In the sub-chronic study, the extract (250, 500 mg/kg/bwt/ day) administered for a period of 28 days showed no mortality or morbidity. The weekly body and organ weight of the rats showed no significant differences between the control and the rats treated with the extract. The extract at all doses does not show any effect on of biomarkers of liver or renal damage. However, a significant decrease in the activity of ƔGT was observed in the extract treated groups. Hematological evaluation revealed that oral administration of fresh methanolic extracts of rhizomes of T. violacea does not cause anaemia or leucocytosis in the animals. Furthermore, histopathology results of the internal organs revealed no detectable inflammation. These results demonstrated that the rhizome extract of T. violacea was potentially safe for consumption orally even in chronic concentration. In vitro antioxidant evaluation showed that the essential oil, fresh and dried methanolic extracts exhibited potent antioxidant activities in a concentration dependent manner. Phytochemical investigation reveals that the fresh and the dry extract of RTV are rich in flavonoid, flavonol, phenols, tannin and proanthocyanidin, while the essential oil contained dimethy disulfide, dimethyl trisulfide, (methyl methylthio) methyl, 2,4-dithiapentane (11.35 percent) and (methylthio) acetic acid, 2- (methylthio) ethanol, 3-(methylthio) - and propanenitrile (7.20 percent). The fresh extract had higher radicals scavenging activity than the essential oil or dried extract, with 50 percentage inhibition of DPPH, hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation at a concentration of 35.0 ± 0.12, 19.3 ± 0.11 and 17.9 ± 0.15 μg/ml respectively. Oral administration of methanolic extract of RTV in 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg to female Wistar rats significantly inhibited reduction of glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). The extracts also inhibited (p< 0.05) lipid peroxidation in normal, high cholesterol and diet induced atherosclerosis fed rats in a dose dependant manner. Also the extract (250 and 500 mg/kg/bwt/day) caused a significant (p<0.05) improvement in body weight of treated animals compared with untreated hypercholesterolemia control rats. The extracts also protected significantly (p<0.05) against atherogenic diet induced liver damage or fatty streaks formation in the aorta as revealed by histological examination. The anti-cholesterolemia and anti-atherosclerotic activities of the extract compared favorably well with standard drugs Gemfibrozil and Atorvastatin respectively. Conclusively, rhizomes of T. violacea possess significant anti-atherogenic activity and its mechanism of action(s) may be due to its antioxidant and anti-hypercholesterolemia properties. The results of this study also suggested that rhizome of T. violacea is relatively safe for human consumption and it may be used as an alternative to garlic.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Biological synthesis of metallic nanoparticles and their interactions with various biomedical targets
- Authors: Sennuga, Afolake Temitope
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Nanoparticles Biosynthesis Nanotechnology Biomineralization Morphology Ceruloplasmin Ribonucleases Adenosine triphosphatase Acetylcholinesterase Platinum Gold Silver
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4009 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004069
- Description: The synthesis of nanostructured materials, especially metallic nanoparticles, has accrued utmost interest over the past decade owing to their unique properties that make them applicable in different fields of science and technology. The limitation to the use of these nanoparticles is the paucity of an effective method of synthesis that will produce homogeneous size and shape nanoparticles as well as particles with limited or no toxicity to the human health and the environment. The biological method of nanoparticle synthesis is a relatively simple, cheap and environmentally friendly method than the conventional chemical method of synthesis and thus gains an upper hand. The biomineralization of nanoparticles in protein cages is one of such biological approaches used in the generation of nanoparticles. This method of synthesis apart from being a safer method in the production of nanoparticles is also able to control particle morphology. In this study, a comparative biological synthesis, characterization and biomedical effects of metallic nanoparticles of platinum, gold and silver were investigated. Metallic nanoparticles were biologically synthesized using cage-like (apoferritin), barrel-like (GroEL) and non-caged (ribonuclease) proteins. Nanoparticles generated were characterized using common techniques such as UV-visible spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, inductively coupled optical emission spectroscopy, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy and energy dispersion analysis of X-rays (EDAX). Nanoparticles synthesised biologically using apoferritin, GroEL and RNase with exhibited similar chemical and physical properties as thoses nanoparticles generated chemically. In addition, the metallic nanoparticles fabricated within the cage-like and barrel-like cavities of apoferritin and GroEL respectively, resulted in nanoparticles with relatively uniform morphology as opposed to those obtained with the non-caged ribonuclease. The enzymatic (ferroxidase) activity of apoferritin was found to be greatly enhanced with platinum (9-fold), gold (7-fold) and silver (54-fold) nanoparticles. The ATPase activity of GroEL was inhibited by silver nanoparticles (64%), was moderately activated by gold nanoparticles (47%) and considerably enhanced by platinum nanoparticles (85%). The hydrolytic activity of RNase was however, lowered by these metallic nanoparticles (90% in Ag nanoparticles) and to a higher degree with platinum (95%) and gold nanoparticles (~100%). The effect of synthesized nanoparticles on the respective enzyme activities of these proteins was also investigated and the potential neurotoxic property of these particles was also determined by an in vitro interaction with acetylcholinesterase. Protein encapsulated nanoparticles with apoferrtin and GroEL showed a decreased inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (<50%) compared with nanoparticles attached to ribonuclease (>50%). Thus, it can be concluded that the cavities of apoferitin and GroEL acted as nanobiofactories for the synthesis and confinement of the size and shape of nanoparticles. Furthermore, the interior of these proteins provided a shielding effect for these nanoparticles and thus reduced/prevented their possible neurotoxic effect and confirmed safety in their method of production and application. The findings from this study would prove beneficial in the application of these nanoparticles as a potential drug/drug delivery vehicle for the prevention, treatment/management of diseases associated with these enzymes/proteins.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Sennuga, Afolake Temitope
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Nanoparticles Biosynthesis Nanotechnology Biomineralization Morphology Ceruloplasmin Ribonucleases Adenosine triphosphatase Acetylcholinesterase Platinum Gold Silver
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4009 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004069
- Description: The synthesis of nanostructured materials, especially metallic nanoparticles, has accrued utmost interest over the past decade owing to their unique properties that make them applicable in different fields of science and technology. The limitation to the use of these nanoparticles is the paucity of an effective method of synthesis that will produce homogeneous size and shape nanoparticles as well as particles with limited or no toxicity to the human health and the environment. The biological method of nanoparticle synthesis is a relatively simple, cheap and environmentally friendly method than the conventional chemical method of synthesis and thus gains an upper hand. The biomineralization of nanoparticles in protein cages is one of such biological approaches used in the generation of nanoparticles. This method of synthesis apart from being a safer method in the production of nanoparticles is also able to control particle morphology. In this study, a comparative biological synthesis, characterization and biomedical effects of metallic nanoparticles of platinum, gold and silver were investigated. Metallic nanoparticles were biologically synthesized using cage-like (apoferritin), barrel-like (GroEL) and non-caged (ribonuclease) proteins. Nanoparticles generated were characterized using common techniques such as UV-visible spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, inductively coupled optical emission spectroscopy, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy and energy dispersion analysis of X-rays (EDAX). Nanoparticles synthesised biologically using apoferritin, GroEL and RNase with exhibited similar chemical and physical properties as thoses nanoparticles generated chemically. In addition, the metallic nanoparticles fabricated within the cage-like and barrel-like cavities of apoferritin and GroEL respectively, resulted in nanoparticles with relatively uniform morphology as opposed to those obtained with the non-caged ribonuclease. The enzymatic (ferroxidase) activity of apoferritin was found to be greatly enhanced with platinum (9-fold), gold (7-fold) and silver (54-fold) nanoparticles. The ATPase activity of GroEL was inhibited by silver nanoparticles (64%), was moderately activated by gold nanoparticles (47%) and considerably enhanced by platinum nanoparticles (85%). The hydrolytic activity of RNase was however, lowered by these metallic nanoparticles (90% in Ag nanoparticles) and to a higher degree with platinum (95%) and gold nanoparticles (~100%). The effect of synthesized nanoparticles on the respective enzyme activities of these proteins was also investigated and the potential neurotoxic property of these particles was also determined by an in vitro interaction with acetylcholinesterase. Protein encapsulated nanoparticles with apoferrtin and GroEL showed a decreased inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (<50%) compared with nanoparticles attached to ribonuclease (>50%). Thus, it can be concluded that the cavities of apoferitin and GroEL acted as nanobiofactories for the synthesis and confinement of the size and shape of nanoparticles. Furthermore, the interior of these proteins provided a shielding effect for these nanoparticles and thus reduced/prevented their possible neurotoxic effect and confirmed safety in their method of production and application. The findings from this study would prove beneficial in the application of these nanoparticles as a potential drug/drug delivery vehicle for the prevention, treatment/management of diseases associated with these enzymes/proteins.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Born free: an exploration of national identity construction in post-apartheid South Africa: the case of the youth born from 1990
- Authors: Ngonyama, Lulama Smuts
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Nationalism -- South Africa , Youth -- Political activity -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8327 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020349
- Description: National identity in South Africa is, and has been, a complex concept, with diverse and contested attempts at its embodiment. This research extends the discourse of identity politics in the post 1994 democratic South Africa to beyond the discourse of racial politics, and notions of oppressor and oppressed to the complexities of resistance and the eventual establishment of a democratic South Africa. The research draws on the views and experiences of young South Africans, born after 1990, regarding what constitutes a South African identity. The research participants represent the socio-cultural and economic spectrum of the city of Cape Town, in the Western Province of South Africa. Schools were chosen across this spectrum to allow for heterogeneity of research sample to reflect the different population groups that comprise the South African population. The areas the schools were chosen from included those that existed during the apartheid era and those that have since been developed. Schools included were those historically delineated according to apartheid-constructed racial groups, and one that was established after 1994 as a non-state school. The exploration of the data reveals a population of young people who have moved beyond the imposed identities created by the apartheid system to an actively inclusive conception of what it means to be a South African in a post-apartheid context. Additionally, the research shows that this inclusive national identity also allows for the acknowledgement and expression of the diversity of cultures and languages existent in South African society. There is also an understanding that socio-economic issues such as poverty, poor education and continued imbalances from the Apartheid era need to be addressed to ensure a stable and unified South Africa. Therefore, the research found that this research contends that young people born after 1990 are committed to a respectful and representative national identity that affords all South Africans an equal place in society.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Ngonyama, Lulama Smuts
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Nationalism -- South Africa , Youth -- Political activity -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8327 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020349
- Description: National identity in South Africa is, and has been, a complex concept, with diverse and contested attempts at its embodiment. This research extends the discourse of identity politics in the post 1994 democratic South Africa to beyond the discourse of racial politics, and notions of oppressor and oppressed to the complexities of resistance and the eventual establishment of a democratic South Africa. The research draws on the views and experiences of young South Africans, born after 1990, regarding what constitutes a South African identity. The research participants represent the socio-cultural and economic spectrum of the city of Cape Town, in the Western Province of South Africa. Schools were chosen across this spectrum to allow for heterogeneity of research sample to reflect the different population groups that comprise the South African population. The areas the schools were chosen from included those that existed during the apartheid era and those that have since been developed. Schools included were those historically delineated according to apartheid-constructed racial groups, and one that was established after 1994 as a non-state school. The exploration of the data reveals a population of young people who have moved beyond the imposed identities created by the apartheid system to an actively inclusive conception of what it means to be a South African in a post-apartheid context. Additionally, the research shows that this inclusive national identity also allows for the acknowledgement and expression of the diversity of cultures and languages existent in South African society. There is also an understanding that socio-economic issues such as poverty, poor education and continued imbalances from the Apartheid era need to be addressed to ensure a stable and unified South Africa. Therefore, the research found that this research contends that young people born after 1990 are committed to a respectful and representative national identity that affords all South Africans an equal place in society.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Bruising in slaughter cattle: its relationship with creatine kinase (CK) levels and meat quality
- Authors: Mpakama, Thandiswa
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Beef quality , Creatine kinase , Cattle -- Transportation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11821 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006850 , Beef quality , Creatine kinase , Cattle -- Transportation
- Description: The objective of the study was to determine the effects of pre-slaughter conditions and anima-l related factors on bruising, creatine kinase (CK) and beef quality. Three hundred and twenty one cattle from three breeds (108 Bonsmara, 130 Beefmaster and 83 Brahman) were used in this study. The animals were grouped according to age categories as follows; Group 1(16months), Group 2 (18months) and Group 3 (24 months). Blood samples for CK determination were collected at exsanguisation using disposable vacutainer tubes. The Muscularis longisimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) muscle was used to determine beef colour (L,* a* and b*) and ultimate pH. Significant P (<0.05) breed effects were observed on bruising score and CK levels with Bonsmara breed having the highest percentage (80 percent) of bruising score and higher CK (705.3±80.57) values. The higher CK levels were also in winter season. The effect of breed, sex and age at slaughter on meat quality (pHu, L*, a*, b*) was also observed. There were positive correlations between distance travelled and meat quality, while there was no relationship observed between CK and distance travelled. Therefore, it was concluded that animal related factors had an effect on meat quality and CK levels.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Mpakama, Thandiswa
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Beef quality , Creatine kinase , Cattle -- Transportation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11821 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006850 , Beef quality , Creatine kinase , Cattle -- Transportation
- Description: The objective of the study was to determine the effects of pre-slaughter conditions and anima-l related factors on bruising, creatine kinase (CK) and beef quality. Three hundred and twenty one cattle from three breeds (108 Bonsmara, 130 Beefmaster and 83 Brahman) were used in this study. The animals were grouped according to age categories as follows; Group 1(16months), Group 2 (18months) and Group 3 (24 months). Blood samples for CK determination were collected at exsanguisation using disposable vacutainer tubes. The Muscularis longisimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) muscle was used to determine beef colour (L,* a* and b*) and ultimate pH. Significant P (<0.05) breed effects were observed on bruising score and CK levels with Bonsmara breed having the highest percentage (80 percent) of bruising score and higher CK (705.3±80.57) values. The higher CK levels were also in winter season. The effect of breed, sex and age at slaughter on meat quality (pHu, L*, a*, b*) was also observed. There were positive correlations between distance travelled and meat quality, while there was no relationship observed between CK and distance travelled. Therefore, it was concluded that animal related factors had an effect on meat quality and CK levels.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Budgeting, forecasting and financial planning as a strategic tool in the Eastern Cape's manufacturing industry
- Authors: Abrahams, Shaheed
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Budget process -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Business forecasting -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Business planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Manufacturing industries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:8940 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008408 , Budget process -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Business forecasting -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Business planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Manufacturing industries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The primary objective of the study is to assess whether organisations are using their budgeting, forecasting and financial planning information as a strategic tool in the decision-making process. The research aims to investigate the various factors that hinder the success of the finance department in delivering a quality financial plan, budget or forecast to top management and the rest of the organisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Abrahams, Shaheed
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Budget process -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Business forecasting -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Business planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Manufacturing industries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:8940 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008408 , Budget process -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Business forecasting -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Business planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Manufacturing industries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The primary objective of the study is to assess whether organisations are using their budgeting, forecasting and financial planning information as a strategic tool in the decision-making process. The research aims to investigate the various factors that hinder the success of the finance department in delivering a quality financial plan, budget or forecast to top management and the rest of the organisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Butterfly bones
- Authors: Gowans, Elisabeth
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:5986 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015723
- Description: Butterfly Bones is a lyrical sequence of poetry and prose poems organised to trace a rhythmical, emotional pattern of experience. In its subject matter, the sequence presents an implied personal narrative recording the author's grief in the ten months following her mother's death in January 2011. It presents brief, vivid scenes from the poet's daily life in a rural village outside Grahamstown, and observations of creatures and her natural surroundings, which serve as a counterpoint to her grief. It can also be read as a meditation on writing, solitude and the possibilities of poetry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Gowans, Elisabeth
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:5986 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015723
- Description: Butterfly Bones is a lyrical sequence of poetry and prose poems organised to trace a rhythmical, emotional pattern of experience. In its subject matter, the sequence presents an implied personal narrative recording the author's grief in the ten months following her mother's death in January 2011. It presents brief, vivid scenes from the poet's daily life in a rural village outside Grahamstown, and observations of creatures and her natural surroundings, which serve as a counterpoint to her grief. It can also be read as a meditation on writing, solitude and the possibilities of poetry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Can project managers do it alone?: the role of total project leadership on project success
- Authors: Mangqalaza, Qaqambile
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Project managers , Project management , Strategic planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8802 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1017029
- Description: The primary objective of the study was to establish the role that is played by team member leadership and strategic leadership, in complementing project manager competencies, on project success. Ultimately, the study is meant to assist project organizations and project managers in crafting leadership development programmes and plans that entrench leadership as a complementary aspect among project participators. The study is modelled on the concept that there are essentially three levels of leadership in projects, namely: (a) executive, (b) management and (c) operational level (DuBrin, 2010). There is therefore a complementary leadership relationship between company executives, project managers and team members that contribute to project success. Most current project leadership practices emphasize the project manager’s competencies as the key driving force in project success. Howell and Shamir (2005) assert that many writers in leadership agree that leadership is an interdependent relationship between the leader and the follower, yet leadership theories are too “leader-centric”. Beyer (1999) and Yukl (1998) in Howell and Shamir (2005) also criticized charismatic leadership theories as promoting stereotypes of “heroic leadership” that single-handedly determine the fate of the groups and organizations and that followers are a submissive lot to the leader’s will and demands. The literature study revealed that there are different perspectives on project success. Project managers and team members mostly focus on operational objectives of cost, time and quality requirements to the detriment of the business results, yet top management focus on business results. Further the literature showed that certain leadership theories only recognise the project manager for leadership on projects while others accept that followers themselves are leaders and that formal leadership is becoming irrelevant. Leadership is meant to be distributed to various role players in the team since it is a complementary construct. The empirical study consisted of a structured questionnaire distributed to a population of company executives, project managers and project team members in various project organizations predominantly in the Eastern Cape. The structured questionnaire was aimed at gathering views on the aspects of project success and project leadership, especially the role played by the strategic leadership and team member leadership as active participants that complement the project manager in achieving project success. The results of the empirical study revealed that: Project success straddled both the notion of meeting time, cost and quality requirements as well as achieving strategic business results. Leadership is a relationship between the leader and the led and that it must be dispersed to various participators in the team. Top management (executives) play a valuable role in linking projects to strategy and ensuring an aligned selection of projects. Team members play an active role in leadership, empowering the project leader and influencing his or her behaviour and consequently determining the results of the leadership relationship. Recommendations are presented for increasing project success through total leadership. These recommendations include that: Management in project organisations should expand the definition and understanding of project success at all levels. Executive management in project organisations should always view projects as strategic weapons to compete in the market place. The strategic imperatives of projects and project selection are not a once-off exercise but further taken to implementation at project level through strategy implementation and monitoring. Team members should be recognised as active participators in project leadership relationship. It is an obsolete idea to assume that as a result of the project manager having good leadership qualities and competencies that the team members will automatically follow.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Mangqalaza, Qaqambile
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Project managers , Project management , Strategic planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8802 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1017029
- Description: The primary objective of the study was to establish the role that is played by team member leadership and strategic leadership, in complementing project manager competencies, on project success. Ultimately, the study is meant to assist project organizations and project managers in crafting leadership development programmes and plans that entrench leadership as a complementary aspect among project participators. The study is modelled on the concept that there are essentially three levels of leadership in projects, namely: (a) executive, (b) management and (c) operational level (DuBrin, 2010). There is therefore a complementary leadership relationship between company executives, project managers and team members that contribute to project success. Most current project leadership practices emphasize the project manager’s competencies as the key driving force in project success. Howell and Shamir (2005) assert that many writers in leadership agree that leadership is an interdependent relationship between the leader and the follower, yet leadership theories are too “leader-centric”. Beyer (1999) and Yukl (1998) in Howell and Shamir (2005) also criticized charismatic leadership theories as promoting stereotypes of “heroic leadership” that single-handedly determine the fate of the groups and organizations and that followers are a submissive lot to the leader’s will and demands. The literature study revealed that there are different perspectives on project success. Project managers and team members mostly focus on operational objectives of cost, time and quality requirements to the detriment of the business results, yet top management focus on business results. Further the literature showed that certain leadership theories only recognise the project manager for leadership on projects while others accept that followers themselves are leaders and that formal leadership is becoming irrelevant. Leadership is meant to be distributed to various role players in the team since it is a complementary construct. The empirical study consisted of a structured questionnaire distributed to a population of company executives, project managers and project team members in various project organizations predominantly in the Eastern Cape. The structured questionnaire was aimed at gathering views on the aspects of project success and project leadership, especially the role played by the strategic leadership and team member leadership as active participants that complement the project manager in achieving project success. The results of the empirical study revealed that: Project success straddled both the notion of meeting time, cost and quality requirements as well as achieving strategic business results. Leadership is a relationship between the leader and the led and that it must be dispersed to various participators in the team. Top management (executives) play a valuable role in linking projects to strategy and ensuring an aligned selection of projects. Team members play an active role in leadership, empowering the project leader and influencing his or her behaviour and consequently determining the results of the leadership relationship. Recommendations are presented for increasing project success through total leadership. These recommendations include that: Management in project organisations should expand the definition and understanding of project success at all levels. Executive management in project organisations should always view projects as strategic weapons to compete in the market place. The strategic imperatives of projects and project selection are not a once-off exercise but further taken to implementation at project level through strategy implementation and monitoring. Team members should be recognised as active participators in project leadership relationship. It is an obsolete idea to assume that as a result of the project manager having good leadership qualities and competencies that the team members will automatically follow.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Can sport impact rational investor behaviour? : an evaluation of the impact of national sporting performance on stock market returns in South Africa
- Authors: De Beer, Carl Francois
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Investments -- Psychological aspects -- Research -- South Africa Finance -- Psychological aspects -- Research -- South Africa Sports -- Economic aspects -- Research -- South Africa Sports -- Psychological aspects -- Research -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEcon
- Identifier: vital:1013 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002748
- Description: The finance industry is an extremely fast and complex world dominated by the Efficient Markets Hypothesis (EMH). This theory contains many assumptions which include that investors are rational utility maximisers and that market prices reflect all relevant economic information available to the public. However, over the years, a new form of financial literature known as behavioural finance has been gaining momentum. Behavioural finance seeks to bridge the gap between psychology and economics in an attempt to gain a better understanding of how markets react to different situations. Behavioural finance has also gained much attention in recent years due to the EMH’s inability to explain many economic anomalies. This study first considers the differences between behavioural finance theory and EMH theory before explaining how an individual’s mood has the ability to influence one’s risk taking preferences. Mood changes were also found to be linked to changes in the way an individual reacts to different situations, the way they thinks and processes thoughts. Negative events were also found to have a greater influence on an individual’s mood than positive events did, resulting in an asymmetric relationship between positive and negative results. This study then examines numerous studies indicating how non-economic events can have a statistical and significant influence on stock market returns before analysing previous literature where sport was found to influence market prices. The aim of this study is to determine if South African national sporting performance can influence investors in such a way that it has the ability to impact on market returns. Using standard event study methodology, this study determines the constant mean return using the daily All-Share price index on the JSE for the period of 1 January 1990 to 31 December 2010. This study focuses on three of South Africa’s most popular sports, namely soccer, cricket and rugby and examine if these three sports have the ability to influence market returns. Although there is some evidence of a relationship between stock returns and sporting performance in the descriptive analysis, the regression results indicate that sporting performance in South Africa does not significantly explain abnormal market returns on the JSE. The study provides a number of possible reasons for this finding and concludes by suggesting areas for future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: De Beer, Carl Francois
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Investments -- Psychological aspects -- Research -- South Africa Finance -- Psychological aspects -- Research -- South Africa Sports -- Economic aspects -- Research -- South Africa Sports -- Psychological aspects -- Research -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEcon
- Identifier: vital:1013 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002748
- Description: The finance industry is an extremely fast and complex world dominated by the Efficient Markets Hypothesis (EMH). This theory contains many assumptions which include that investors are rational utility maximisers and that market prices reflect all relevant economic information available to the public. However, over the years, a new form of financial literature known as behavioural finance has been gaining momentum. Behavioural finance seeks to bridge the gap between psychology and economics in an attempt to gain a better understanding of how markets react to different situations. Behavioural finance has also gained much attention in recent years due to the EMH’s inability to explain many economic anomalies. This study first considers the differences between behavioural finance theory and EMH theory before explaining how an individual’s mood has the ability to influence one’s risk taking preferences. Mood changes were also found to be linked to changes in the way an individual reacts to different situations, the way they thinks and processes thoughts. Negative events were also found to have a greater influence on an individual’s mood than positive events did, resulting in an asymmetric relationship between positive and negative results. This study then examines numerous studies indicating how non-economic events can have a statistical and significant influence on stock market returns before analysing previous literature where sport was found to influence market prices. The aim of this study is to determine if South African national sporting performance can influence investors in such a way that it has the ability to impact on market returns. Using standard event study methodology, this study determines the constant mean return using the daily All-Share price index on the JSE for the period of 1 January 1990 to 31 December 2010. This study focuses on three of South Africa’s most popular sports, namely soccer, cricket and rugby and examine if these three sports have the ability to influence market returns. Although there is some evidence of a relationship between stock returns and sporting performance in the descriptive analysis, the regression results indicate that sporting performance in South Africa does not significantly explain abnormal market returns on the JSE. The study provides a number of possible reasons for this finding and concludes by suggesting areas for future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Carriage of goods by sea - from Hague to Rotterdam: safer waters
- Authors: Metuge, Denning N
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: International trade , Transportation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10235 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011561 , International trade , Transportation
- Description: The back bone of international trade has always been international transport. Without good transport networks, the movement of goods and services from one frontier to another would be an uphill task, and would greatly hinder development in international trade. The impact of such poor transport networks would reflect negatively on economies that rely on international trade for the growth of their nations. Nevertheless, perfect transport networks would be useless if the performance of the business of carriage was not regulated by a law developed to meet the standards established by time, and that would regulate the relationship of the parties under contracts of carriage, mainly the carrier, consignor and consignee, so as to ensure certainty and equality in the allocation of risks between the parties thereunder. This research focuses on the carriage of goods by sea. Like most other modes of transport, one of the major issues that arises in the business of carriage of goods by sea is the conflict between the carrier, consignor and consignee, with regards to the allocation of risk in the carriage. Over the years, early rules that were developed to regulate the relationship of the parties under contracts of carriage of goods by sea placed the carrier in a dominant position over the consignor. The carrier issued a standard bill of lading which exempted him from almost all liability for damage or loss of the goods in his care. The consignors and bona fide third parties, not satisfied with the terms of carriage contracts brought a lot of pressure to bear on their governments to enact legislation protecting their interests in the transaction. The United States of America were the first to pass such national law revising the position of the parties under contracts of carriage. In 1893 the United States of America passed the Harter Act. This Act aimed at imposing limits of liability on the carrier to which no derogation could be brought. However, this was a dangerous precedence which was going to hinder international trade rather than improve on it, as different nations developing local legislation on carriage meant conflict of laws. In order to avoid the extensive nationalisation of carriage laws, the international maritime community set to develop rules that would regulate carriage by sea. Over the years convention has succeeded convention such that today four international regimes (The Hague Rules, Hague-Visby Rules, Hamburg Rules and Rotterdam Rules), exist regulating carriage of goods by sea. This research takes an in-depth look at these regimes that were developed to regulate carriage by sea, and the author aims to identify a particular regime that meets the standards of modern day practice of carriage of goods, and advocate for the ratification of this regime, to the exclusion of all others so as to foster uniformity, certainty and equality in the business of carriage of goods by sea.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Metuge, Denning N
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: International trade , Transportation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10235 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011561 , International trade , Transportation
- Description: The back bone of international trade has always been international transport. Without good transport networks, the movement of goods and services from one frontier to another would be an uphill task, and would greatly hinder development in international trade. The impact of such poor transport networks would reflect negatively on economies that rely on international trade for the growth of their nations. Nevertheless, perfect transport networks would be useless if the performance of the business of carriage was not regulated by a law developed to meet the standards established by time, and that would regulate the relationship of the parties under contracts of carriage, mainly the carrier, consignor and consignee, so as to ensure certainty and equality in the allocation of risks between the parties thereunder. This research focuses on the carriage of goods by sea. Like most other modes of transport, one of the major issues that arises in the business of carriage of goods by sea is the conflict between the carrier, consignor and consignee, with regards to the allocation of risk in the carriage. Over the years, early rules that were developed to regulate the relationship of the parties under contracts of carriage of goods by sea placed the carrier in a dominant position over the consignor. The carrier issued a standard bill of lading which exempted him from almost all liability for damage or loss of the goods in his care. The consignors and bona fide third parties, not satisfied with the terms of carriage contracts brought a lot of pressure to bear on their governments to enact legislation protecting their interests in the transaction. The United States of America were the first to pass such national law revising the position of the parties under contracts of carriage. In 1893 the United States of America passed the Harter Act. This Act aimed at imposing limits of liability on the carrier to which no derogation could be brought. However, this was a dangerous precedence which was going to hinder international trade rather than improve on it, as different nations developing local legislation on carriage meant conflict of laws. In order to avoid the extensive nationalisation of carriage laws, the international maritime community set to develop rules that would regulate carriage by sea. Over the years convention has succeeded convention such that today four international regimes (The Hague Rules, Hague-Visby Rules, Hamburg Rules and Rotterdam Rules), exist regulating carriage of goods by sea. This research takes an in-depth look at these regimes that were developed to regulate carriage by sea, and the author aims to identify a particular regime that meets the standards of modern day practice of carriage of goods, and advocate for the ratification of this regime, to the exclusion of all others so as to foster uniformity, certainty and equality in the business of carriage of goods by sea.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Case study of the educational experiences of four teenage mothers in two high schools in the Buffalo City Metropole
- Authors: Adams, Hermie E
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Teenage girls -- Sexual behavior -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , High schools -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16168 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/468 , Teenage girls -- Sexual behavior -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , High schools -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Social conditions
- Description: Teenage pregnancy is a worldwide phenomenon. World Health Organisation (2009) reports that teenage mothers between the ages of 15-19 years account for 11% of births recorded worldwide. In South Africa it has been estimated that teenagers aged 17-19 account for 93% of all teenage pregnancies. A large proportion of these adolescents return to school after giving birth. Research has shown that there is a great deal of controversy about not only pre-marital sex, but also concerning whether teenage mothers should be allowed back in school at all. The aim of this study was to gain some insights into the lived experiences of teenage mothers in schools with particular reference to how they cope with school work and the responsibilities of motherhood. A case study of four teenage mothers who returned to school after giving birth was carried out. In-depth phenomenological interviewing designed to elicit the voices of the selected adolescents was done. There were five main findings. First, all four teenagers were minors, under the age of 18 when they gave birth. Two of them were even under the statutory age of consent. Second, upon return to school, teenage mothers experienced stigmatisation from peers and teachers and this forced them to continually negotiate their dual identities as mothers and learners. Third, teenage mothers experienced psychological emotions of stress; low self-esteem; shame and depression. Fourth, they also had sociological experiences in the form of material, financial and social support from family and friends. In some cases they experienced rejection from peers and abandonment by boyfriends who had made them pregnant. Some educators discriminated against and ridiculed teenage mothers. Fifth, teenage mothers reorganised their lives after childbirth and established routines that enabled them to cope with the demands of school work and the responsibilities of motherhood. iii The study concludes that, although viewed with scepticism by sections of the community and some educators, and given that some pregnancies are a result of abuse and unequal power relations between men and women in society, the policy of allowing teenage mothers back to school after giving birth gives them another chance to re-focus their lives. It is recommended that the voices of teenage mothers who return to school after childbirth should be taken into account to inform any planning for future policies on teenage pregnancy by schools and the state. It is further recommended that all educators should also be trained to be able to assist the teenage mothers instead of alienating them. There should also be counselling services available for the teenage mothers to enable them to deal with psychological and sociological problems they might encounter. For further research, students from different backgrounds should be the target of similar research. Another area of research should focus on academic performance of teenage mothers who return to school after giving birth. Lastly, there should be research that seeks to link what is taught in the Life Orientation curriculum and voices of teenage mothers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Adams, Hermie E
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Teenage girls -- Sexual behavior -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , High schools -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16168 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/468 , Teenage girls -- Sexual behavior -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , High schools -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Social conditions
- Description: Teenage pregnancy is a worldwide phenomenon. World Health Organisation (2009) reports that teenage mothers between the ages of 15-19 years account for 11% of births recorded worldwide. In South Africa it has been estimated that teenagers aged 17-19 account for 93% of all teenage pregnancies. A large proportion of these adolescents return to school after giving birth. Research has shown that there is a great deal of controversy about not only pre-marital sex, but also concerning whether teenage mothers should be allowed back in school at all. The aim of this study was to gain some insights into the lived experiences of teenage mothers in schools with particular reference to how they cope with school work and the responsibilities of motherhood. A case study of four teenage mothers who returned to school after giving birth was carried out. In-depth phenomenological interviewing designed to elicit the voices of the selected adolescents was done. There were five main findings. First, all four teenagers were minors, under the age of 18 when they gave birth. Two of them were even under the statutory age of consent. Second, upon return to school, teenage mothers experienced stigmatisation from peers and teachers and this forced them to continually negotiate their dual identities as mothers and learners. Third, teenage mothers experienced psychological emotions of stress; low self-esteem; shame and depression. Fourth, they also had sociological experiences in the form of material, financial and social support from family and friends. In some cases they experienced rejection from peers and abandonment by boyfriends who had made them pregnant. Some educators discriminated against and ridiculed teenage mothers. Fifth, teenage mothers reorganised their lives after childbirth and established routines that enabled them to cope with the demands of school work and the responsibilities of motherhood. iii The study concludes that, although viewed with scepticism by sections of the community and some educators, and given that some pregnancies are a result of abuse and unequal power relations between men and women in society, the policy of allowing teenage mothers back to school after giving birth gives them another chance to re-focus their lives. It is recommended that the voices of teenage mothers who return to school after childbirth should be taken into account to inform any planning for future policies on teenage pregnancy by schools and the state. It is further recommended that all educators should also be trained to be able to assist the teenage mothers instead of alienating them. There should also be counselling services available for the teenage mothers to enable them to deal with psychological and sociological problems they might encounter. For further research, students from different backgrounds should be the target of similar research. Another area of research should focus on academic performance of teenage mothers who return to school after giving birth. Lastly, there should be research that seeks to link what is taught in the Life Orientation curriculum and voices of teenage mothers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Cash transfers and poverty reduction in South Africa: a case study of old age pensions
- Authors: Kasere, Gayle Farai
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Poverty -- Grahamstown -- Eastern Cape Social security -- South Africa Pensions -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3321 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003109
- Description: Social assistance in the form of cash grants is a large and fiscally costly component of anti-poverty policy in South Africa. A critical question arises: Are the grants effective tools for reducing poverty in South Africa and, moreover, how significant is their impact on poverty? As a measure of reducing poverty, the government has expanded the social grants system since the advent of the new democracy in 1994. The country's social grant system is quite comprehensive and it is intended to cover vulnerable individuals over their life course from childhood to adulthood and into old age. Policy discourse surrounding the grants centres on the sustainability of the system and its implications for socio-economic development and poverty alleviation. It is therefore important that the significance of grants is identified and assessed particularly in relation to very poor households. This dissertation focuses specifically on one particular grant, namely, the old age pension. It does so in the context of the sustainable livelihoods conceptual framework and the history of the social grant system in South Africa. Statistical data collected by the South African government as well as more localised evidence gathered in the Eastern Cape town of Grahamstown is used to ascertain the significance of old age pensions for poverty reduction. While there is some evidence to suggest that pensions contribute to poverty reduction, this does not translate into poverty alleviation. In fact, there is some unevenness in the impact of pensions on poverty. In this regard, the decision-making structures in poor households regularly influence the way pension money is allocated and used within households. Grant money is normally shared in extended households, such that the pension does not simply benefit the recipient but the recipient's household as a whole. Although there is cause for concern regarding the propensity of social grants to affect people's behaviour negatively, there is a case to be made for retaining grants as an important, though not the only, form of anti-poverty strategy. This highlights the need for continued research on the social grant system and pensions more specifically.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Kasere, Gayle Farai
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Poverty -- Grahamstown -- Eastern Cape Social security -- South Africa Pensions -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3321 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003109
- Description: Social assistance in the form of cash grants is a large and fiscally costly component of anti-poverty policy in South Africa. A critical question arises: Are the grants effective tools for reducing poverty in South Africa and, moreover, how significant is their impact on poverty? As a measure of reducing poverty, the government has expanded the social grants system since the advent of the new democracy in 1994. The country's social grant system is quite comprehensive and it is intended to cover vulnerable individuals over their life course from childhood to adulthood and into old age. Policy discourse surrounding the grants centres on the sustainability of the system and its implications for socio-economic development and poverty alleviation. It is therefore important that the significance of grants is identified and assessed particularly in relation to very poor households. This dissertation focuses specifically on one particular grant, namely, the old age pension. It does so in the context of the sustainable livelihoods conceptual framework and the history of the social grant system in South Africa. Statistical data collected by the South African government as well as more localised evidence gathered in the Eastern Cape town of Grahamstown is used to ascertain the significance of old age pensions for poverty reduction. While there is some evidence to suggest that pensions contribute to poverty reduction, this does not translate into poverty alleviation. In fact, there is some unevenness in the impact of pensions on poverty. In this regard, the decision-making structures in poor households regularly influence the way pension money is allocated and used within households. Grant money is normally shared in extended households, such that the pension does not simply benefit the recipient but the recipient's household as a whole. Although there is cause for concern regarding the propensity of social grants to affect people's behaviour negatively, there is a case to be made for retaining grants as an important, though not the only, form of anti-poverty strategy. This highlights the need for continued research on the social grant system and pensions more specifically.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Causes and consequences of early marriage in Lusikisiki: a research paper
- Authors: Jongizulu, Siziwe
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Teenage marriage -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Forced marriage -- South Africa , Children's rights -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9074 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008414 , Teenage marriage -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Forced marriage -- South Africa , Children's rights -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The purpose of the study was to identify causes and consequences of early marriages in Lusikisiki. The population of this study is a convenience sample from Lusikisiki. The researcher thought that this was appropriate because these subjects would be sharing their personal experiences in the form of case studies. The ages of subjects that were interviewed were 40 years & 47 years old (both married early) and those that married late were both 50 years old. The idea that guided the study was an exploratory one aimed at understanding the phenomenon of early marriage. The aim was to explore the following ideas: Young girls are being given into marriage at their early age by their parents because of the bride price (ilobola)Women that are given into marriage early feel victimized by this process early marriage disrupts the school pattern of young girls Men are the main beneficiaries of early marriage.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Jongizulu, Siziwe
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Teenage marriage -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Forced marriage -- South Africa , Children's rights -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9074 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008414 , Teenage marriage -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Forced marriage -- South Africa , Children's rights -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The purpose of the study was to identify causes and consequences of early marriages in Lusikisiki. The population of this study is a convenience sample from Lusikisiki. The researcher thought that this was appropriate because these subjects would be sharing their personal experiences in the form of case studies. The ages of subjects that were interviewed were 40 years & 47 years old (both married early) and those that married late were both 50 years old. The idea that guided the study was an exploratory one aimed at understanding the phenomenon of early marriage. The aim was to explore the following ideas: Young girls are being given into marriage at their early age by their parents because of the bride price (ilobola)Women that are given into marriage early feel victimized by this process early marriage disrupts the school pattern of young girls Men are the main beneficiaries of early marriage.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Causes and effects of teachers' job satisfaction or dissatisfaction and their impact on leaner performance: a case study of two schools in the Ngqeleni Area of the Libode Mega-District, Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Dukwana, Mzamo Jeffrey
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Teachers -- Job satisfaction -- Teaching and learning , South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:18433 , http://hdl.handle.net/11260/d1007159
- Description: The study investigated the relationship between teachers' job satisfaction-or dissatisfaction-and learner performance in two schools (one Junior Secondary School and one Senior Secondary School) in the Libode Mega-district, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The study is qualitative in nature; the interview was used as the method of collecting data. Six School Management Team (SMT) members and ten teachers were purposively selected from the two schools in the Libode Mega-district. The researcher administered the interview and interviewed the selected SMT members and teachers. The researcher used the video/sound/audio recorder as the research instrument to collect data. To analyze data, the researcher transcribed the recorded interview responses, presented the responses without editing them, interpreted the responses and themes. The findings were derived from the themes. The main findings of the study revealed that there was low morale and job dissatisfaction among teachers. The study`s finding of “low morale and job dissatisfaction among teachers” could be regarded as the reference of the general situation ('picture') of the relationship between teachers` job dissatisfaction and learner performance in the schools of the Libode Mega Education District. The findings have also revealed that there is a proportional relationship between teachers` job satisfaction and learner performance, i.e. the more satisfied teachers are with their jobs the more likely they perform better on their tasks, this results in good leaner performance, while low the levels of job satisfaction among teachers result in poor learner performance. The study recommends that the website- based, electronic information systems should be developed by the National Department of Education in order to grant teachers, or any school stakeholder, absolute anonymity to log or report complaints, dissatisfaction, suggestions, disapproval, appraisals and opinions on matters that concern the education system in South Africa. The study recommends that pupil-teacher ratio policy, and policies on working conditions in schools should be constantly reviewed. The introduction of change- management workshops for teachers to adapt to innovations in the education curriculum is also recommended.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Dukwana, Mzamo Jeffrey
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Teachers -- Job satisfaction -- Teaching and learning , South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:18433 , http://hdl.handle.net/11260/d1007159
- Description: The study investigated the relationship between teachers' job satisfaction-or dissatisfaction-and learner performance in two schools (one Junior Secondary School and one Senior Secondary School) in the Libode Mega-district, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The study is qualitative in nature; the interview was used as the method of collecting data. Six School Management Team (SMT) members and ten teachers were purposively selected from the two schools in the Libode Mega-district. The researcher administered the interview and interviewed the selected SMT members and teachers. The researcher used the video/sound/audio recorder as the research instrument to collect data. To analyze data, the researcher transcribed the recorded interview responses, presented the responses without editing them, interpreted the responses and themes. The findings were derived from the themes. The main findings of the study revealed that there was low morale and job dissatisfaction among teachers. The study`s finding of “low morale and job dissatisfaction among teachers” could be regarded as the reference of the general situation ('picture') of the relationship between teachers` job dissatisfaction and learner performance in the schools of the Libode Mega Education District. The findings have also revealed that there is a proportional relationship between teachers` job satisfaction and learner performance, i.e. the more satisfied teachers are with their jobs the more likely they perform better on their tasks, this results in good leaner performance, while low the levels of job satisfaction among teachers result in poor learner performance. The study recommends that the website- based, electronic information systems should be developed by the National Department of Education in order to grant teachers, or any school stakeholder, absolute anonymity to log or report complaints, dissatisfaction, suggestions, disapproval, appraisals and opinions on matters that concern the education system in South Africa. The study recommends that pupil-teacher ratio policy, and policies on working conditions in schools should be constantly reviewed. The introduction of change- management workshops for teachers to adapt to innovations in the education curriculum is also recommended.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Challenges faced by female secondary school principals in the Qumbu Education District of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Sobekwa, Jonguxolo
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: School principals -- Education (Secondary) , South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:18453 , http://hdl.handle.net/11260/d1007759
- Description: The purpose of this study was to investigate and explore the challenges faced by female secondary school principals when discharging their duties. This study was done because it was not a normal practice before 1994 to have a female person as the head of a learning institution. This was specifically linked to the implementation of equity as enshrined and entrenched in the constitution no.108, of 1996 of the Republic of South Africa. It is almost 18 years since the proclamation of equity in the constitution; it was therefore of great importance to evaluate the ground covered in terms of implementation of this equity. The equity mentioned in Chapter 2, section 9 of the constitution resulted in the formulation of the Employment Equity Act no.55 of 1998 as amended. The implementation of the Employment Equity Act no.55 of 1998 was expected to have an impact on the way the female school secondary principals were received by the community. Currently all departments are compelled to employ women in managerial positions and this receives opposition in some sectors of the population. This study was conducted in Qumbu education district in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. It focused on secondary school principals. The study used a quantitative research design to elicit data from the respondents. Data were collected from 46 participants through the use of a questionnaire. 32 questionnaires were returned and the data were processed. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used in the analysis of the data. The findings of the study revealed several challenges confronting female secondary school principals both in the workplace and at home. In the workplace, on one hand, female principals are faced with insubordination from male educators; poor parental involvement and cultural stereotypes; and on the other hand, at home, they were confronted by minimal support from their partners/ spouses. In the light of the findings, the researcher recommended that the Department of Basic Education organize capacity-building workshops to develop leadership skills; replacement strategies for ageing principals; women‟s conferences to advocate women‟s rights; and programmes for female principals and their husbands, called Men As Partners (MAP). The study succeeded in portraying a picture of what is presently taking place in secondary schools that are headed by female principals. Some of the limitations encountered by the researcher during the study included the reluctance of the participants to take part in the research, the non-accessibility of schools in deep rural areas, the return rate of completed questionnaires; and the obtaining of permission to undertake the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Sobekwa, Jonguxolo
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: School principals -- Education (Secondary) , South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:18453 , http://hdl.handle.net/11260/d1007759
- Description: The purpose of this study was to investigate and explore the challenges faced by female secondary school principals when discharging their duties. This study was done because it was not a normal practice before 1994 to have a female person as the head of a learning institution. This was specifically linked to the implementation of equity as enshrined and entrenched in the constitution no.108, of 1996 of the Republic of South Africa. It is almost 18 years since the proclamation of equity in the constitution; it was therefore of great importance to evaluate the ground covered in terms of implementation of this equity. The equity mentioned in Chapter 2, section 9 of the constitution resulted in the formulation of the Employment Equity Act no.55 of 1998 as amended. The implementation of the Employment Equity Act no.55 of 1998 was expected to have an impact on the way the female school secondary principals were received by the community. Currently all departments are compelled to employ women in managerial positions and this receives opposition in some sectors of the population. This study was conducted in Qumbu education district in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. It focused on secondary school principals. The study used a quantitative research design to elicit data from the respondents. Data were collected from 46 participants through the use of a questionnaire. 32 questionnaires were returned and the data were processed. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used in the analysis of the data. The findings of the study revealed several challenges confronting female secondary school principals both in the workplace and at home. In the workplace, on one hand, female principals are faced with insubordination from male educators; poor parental involvement and cultural stereotypes; and on the other hand, at home, they were confronted by minimal support from their partners/ spouses. In the light of the findings, the researcher recommended that the Department of Basic Education organize capacity-building workshops to develop leadership skills; replacement strategies for ageing principals; women‟s conferences to advocate women‟s rights; and programmes for female principals and their husbands, called Men As Partners (MAP). The study succeeded in portraying a picture of what is presently taking place in secondary schools that are headed by female principals. Some of the limitations encountered by the researcher during the study included the reluctance of the participants to take part in the research, the non-accessibility of schools in deep rural areas, the return rate of completed questionnaires; and the obtaining of permission to undertake the study.
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- Date Issued: 2012