Deconstructing Disney's diva: a feminist psychoanalytic critique of the singing princess
- Authors: Potgieter, Liske
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Music -- Semiotics , Disney characters , Feminist music
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MMus
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3379 , vital:20427
- Description: This study contributes to the discourse of the body and the voice in feminist psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic film theory by exploring the currently under-theorised notion of the singing body in particular, as this notion finds manifestation in Disney's Singing Princess. Analyses of musical coding and other filmic tropes follow the trajectory of the Singing Princess across thirteen Disney Princess films - from her first appearance in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) through to her most recent manifestation as Elsa in Frozen (2013) - to reveal deeper insight into what she sings, how she sings and why she sings.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Potgieter, Liske
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Music -- Semiotics , Disney characters , Feminist music
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MMus
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3379 , vital:20427
- Description: This study contributes to the discourse of the body and the voice in feminist psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic film theory by exploring the currently under-theorised notion of the singing body in particular, as this notion finds manifestation in Disney's Singing Princess. Analyses of musical coding and other filmic tropes follow the trajectory of the Singing Princess across thirteen Disney Princess films - from her first appearance in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) through to her most recent manifestation as Elsa in Frozen (2013) - to reveal deeper insight into what she sings, how she sings and why she sings.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2015
Defect-related photoluminescence of zinc oxide nanorods
- Authors: Mbulanga, Crispin Munyelele
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Photoluminescence Zinc oxide
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/10318 , vital:26652
- Description: In this dissertation, Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods grown by a two-step chemical bath deposition method on Si substrate is characterized. Research was conducted on ZnO nanorods for the understanding of their optical properties at room temperature (RT), with the emphasis on the visible luminescence. To this end, controlled thermal treatments of as-grown ZnO nanorods were conducted under different conditions, such as annealing time and environment, at atmospheric pressure. Results related to the following studies are reported: an investigation of the structure of ZnO nanorods, an analysis of the chemical composition of the surface, an investigation of the surface stoichiometry of the rods, and a study of defect-related photoluminescence of ZnO nanorods upon thermal treatment in different ambients.To achieve this, the samples were investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES) and room temperature (RT) photoluminescence Spectroscopy (PL). As-grown ZnO nanorods exhibit a hexagonal shape and have the wurtzite structure; they have, respectively, an average length and diameter of ~900 nm and ~50 nm, and most of the rods are perpendicular to the substrate. The main extrinsic species found in as-grown nanostructures are C, H, F, S, and Cl. ToF-SIMS and XPS confirmed the presence of H related-defects, and the oxygen 1 S XPS peak at 531.5 eV is therefore assigned to oxygen bound to H-related defects. Based on stoichiometry studies, it is found that the near surface regions of as-grown ZnO nanorods (2 to 10 monolayers) are rich in Zn. The RT luminescence of as-grown ZnO nanorods exhibits a near band edge emission centered at ~379.5 nm and deep level emission extending from ~450 nm to ~850 nm. When these nanorods are thermally treated at high temperatures (>850 oC), it is found that even though their crystalline quality is preserved, their morphology is significantly affected, regardless of annealing ambient. Furthermore, in the near surface regions of annealed ZnO nanorods it is found that the Zn/O stoichiometric ratios deviate from unity. Specifically, oxygen vacancies form within the first 100 nm from the sample surface. Further from the surface, the material is deficient in Zn. It is deduced from XPS and AES that the ambient affects the activation rate of intrinsic defects. Furthermore, the only extrinsic defects that are affected by thermal treatment are found to be H-related defects. At high annealing temperatures (300 oC to ~700 oC), H-related defects are removed, and this removal process is found to affect significantly the RT luminescence properties of ZnO nanorods. Specifically, hydrogen passivates vacancy-related defects, depending on the thermal treatment. PL spectroscopy is used to follow this passivation effect as a function of annealing temperature, which causes an initial quenching followed by an enhancement of the green and the red luminescence, regardless of the ambient. Finally, the green luminescence that arises following annealing above ~800 oC is assigned to Zn vacancy-related defects, while the red luminescence that dominates the visible band of ZnO nanorods upon annealing between 400 oC and 600 oC is suggested to be due to oxygen vacancy-related defects.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Mbulanga, Crispin Munyelele
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Photoluminescence Zinc oxide
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/10318 , vital:26652
- Description: In this dissertation, Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods grown by a two-step chemical bath deposition method on Si substrate is characterized. Research was conducted on ZnO nanorods for the understanding of their optical properties at room temperature (RT), with the emphasis on the visible luminescence. To this end, controlled thermal treatments of as-grown ZnO nanorods were conducted under different conditions, such as annealing time and environment, at atmospheric pressure. Results related to the following studies are reported: an investigation of the structure of ZnO nanorods, an analysis of the chemical composition of the surface, an investigation of the surface stoichiometry of the rods, and a study of defect-related photoluminescence of ZnO nanorods upon thermal treatment in different ambients.To achieve this, the samples were investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES) and room temperature (RT) photoluminescence Spectroscopy (PL). As-grown ZnO nanorods exhibit a hexagonal shape and have the wurtzite structure; they have, respectively, an average length and diameter of ~900 nm and ~50 nm, and most of the rods are perpendicular to the substrate. The main extrinsic species found in as-grown nanostructures are C, H, F, S, and Cl. ToF-SIMS and XPS confirmed the presence of H related-defects, and the oxygen 1 S XPS peak at 531.5 eV is therefore assigned to oxygen bound to H-related defects. Based on stoichiometry studies, it is found that the near surface regions of as-grown ZnO nanorods (2 to 10 monolayers) are rich in Zn. The RT luminescence of as-grown ZnO nanorods exhibits a near band edge emission centered at ~379.5 nm and deep level emission extending from ~450 nm to ~850 nm. When these nanorods are thermally treated at high temperatures (>850 oC), it is found that even though their crystalline quality is preserved, their morphology is significantly affected, regardless of annealing ambient. Furthermore, in the near surface regions of annealed ZnO nanorods it is found that the Zn/O stoichiometric ratios deviate from unity. Specifically, oxygen vacancies form within the first 100 nm from the sample surface. Further from the surface, the material is deficient in Zn. It is deduced from XPS and AES that the ambient affects the activation rate of intrinsic defects. Furthermore, the only extrinsic defects that are affected by thermal treatment are found to be H-related defects. At high annealing temperatures (300 oC to ~700 oC), H-related defects are removed, and this removal process is found to affect significantly the RT luminescence properties of ZnO nanorods. Specifically, hydrogen passivates vacancy-related defects, depending on the thermal treatment. PL spectroscopy is used to follow this passivation effect as a function of annealing temperature, which causes an initial quenching followed by an enhancement of the green and the red luminescence, regardless of the ambient. Finally, the green luminescence that arises following annealing above ~800 oC is assigned to Zn vacancy-related defects, while the red luminescence that dominates the visible band of ZnO nanorods upon annealing between 400 oC and 600 oC is suggested to be due to oxygen vacancy-related defects.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Demand driven rural agricultural development in South Africa: the case of the agricultural sustainable community investment programme
- Authors: Troosters, Wim
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Agricultural development projects -- South Africa , Farms, Small -- South Africa , Farmers -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10739 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021149
- Description: Food security is high on the development agenda in South Africa. A wide range of agricultural interventions exist across the country initiated by various stakeholders at different levels of society. While many interventions focus on production related constraints of food security, there are far fewer that focus on the integration of smallholder farmers in the supply chain. The research subject is the Agricultural Sustainable Community Investment Project (Agri-SCIP), operating on the south coast of the Kwa-Zulu Natal Province. As a demand driven alternative market model, the focus of the project is on the integration of local smallholder farmers in the fresh produce supply chain. The main research question is whether the participation of smallholder farmers in the fresh produce supply actually has actually improved for participants of the test case. Existing barriers to entry for smallholder farmers are mitigated in the project. Through a literature review five critical factors for market participation by smallholder farmers are identified, namely transport and distance to markets, product quality, product quantity, the buyer-seller relationship and market information. A literature review and empirical data are applied to test the impact of the Agri-SCIP project on the participation of smallholder farmers in the fresh produce supply chain based on these five critical factors. The data indicate that many of the existing barriers to entry in the fresh produce supply chain for the smallholder farmers are mitigated, and have been shifted to a collectively owned co-operative. Therefore, as an alternative market model, Agri-SCIP has the potential to provide a sustainable solution for smallholder development in South Africa with a strong focus on supply chain participation. The development of a strong smallholder farmers base and the development of smallholder farmers into semi-commercial farmers are potential long term results of the Agri-SCIP alternative market model.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Troosters, Wim
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Agricultural development projects -- South Africa , Farms, Small -- South Africa , Farmers -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10739 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021149
- Description: Food security is high on the development agenda in South Africa. A wide range of agricultural interventions exist across the country initiated by various stakeholders at different levels of society. While many interventions focus on production related constraints of food security, there are far fewer that focus on the integration of smallholder farmers in the supply chain. The research subject is the Agricultural Sustainable Community Investment Project (Agri-SCIP), operating on the south coast of the Kwa-Zulu Natal Province. As a demand driven alternative market model, the focus of the project is on the integration of local smallholder farmers in the fresh produce supply chain. The main research question is whether the participation of smallholder farmers in the fresh produce supply actually has actually improved for participants of the test case. Existing barriers to entry for smallholder farmers are mitigated in the project. Through a literature review five critical factors for market participation by smallholder farmers are identified, namely transport and distance to markets, product quality, product quantity, the buyer-seller relationship and market information. A literature review and empirical data are applied to test the impact of the Agri-SCIP project on the participation of smallholder farmers in the fresh produce supply chain based on these five critical factors. The data indicate that many of the existing barriers to entry in the fresh produce supply chain for the smallholder farmers are mitigated, and have been shifted to a collectively owned co-operative. Therefore, as an alternative market model, Agri-SCIP has the potential to provide a sustainable solution for smallholder development in South Africa with a strong focus on supply chain participation. The development of a strong smallholder farmers base and the development of smallholder farmers into semi-commercial farmers are potential long term results of the Agri-SCIP alternative market model.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Design and development of a multi-axis controlled thermal scanner
- Authors: Ikho, Bambiso
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Temperature measurements Heat -- Transmission -- Measurement , Heat -- Transmission
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50066 , vital:41998
- Description: Surface temperature measurement is applicable to a vast number of fields including manufacturing, processing, agricultural, medical and pharmaceutical fields just to name a few. Two methods for obtaining surface temperature measurements exist; ‘surface contact measurement’ in which the measuring device makes physical contact with the surface in question or alternatively, ‘non-contact surface measurement’ where there is no contact at all. Both of these methods have got advantages, as well as disadvantages. However, in recent times, non-contact methods have been preferred since they are non-intrusive and allow for remote measurements to be made. In this research, a non-contact mobile temperature measurement system is developed. The system is microcontroller-based and uses infrared sensors to acquire temperature measurements. The infrared sensors are mounted on a three-axes, x-y-z coordinate system which allows a thermal profile of a particular surface to be generated and displayed on a Graphical User Interface (GUI) in real-time. Various tests were carried out to compare contact and non-contact measurement methods; to determine the most suitable operating height for accurate non-contact measurement given a specific surface and to investigate the benefit of single and/ or multiple sensor arrangements. The research showed that a non-contact thermal scanning system could be used to obtain detailed yet accurate surface temperature measurements following an initial sensor calibration phase to determine the most favourable scanning parameters for a particular surface. The measurements taken could then be used to generate a thermal map of a surface with a significant improvement in resolution as compared with measurements taken using contact devices. The research further showed that a multiple sensor arrangement significantly reduced the time taken to generate the thermal profiles without undermining accuracy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Ikho, Bambiso
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Temperature measurements Heat -- Transmission -- Measurement , Heat -- Transmission
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50066 , vital:41998
- Description: Surface temperature measurement is applicable to a vast number of fields including manufacturing, processing, agricultural, medical and pharmaceutical fields just to name a few. Two methods for obtaining surface temperature measurements exist; ‘surface contact measurement’ in which the measuring device makes physical contact with the surface in question or alternatively, ‘non-contact surface measurement’ where there is no contact at all. Both of these methods have got advantages, as well as disadvantages. However, in recent times, non-contact methods have been preferred since they are non-intrusive and allow for remote measurements to be made. In this research, a non-contact mobile temperature measurement system is developed. The system is microcontroller-based and uses infrared sensors to acquire temperature measurements. The infrared sensors are mounted on a three-axes, x-y-z coordinate system which allows a thermal profile of a particular surface to be generated and displayed on a Graphical User Interface (GUI) in real-time. Various tests were carried out to compare contact and non-contact measurement methods; to determine the most suitable operating height for accurate non-contact measurement given a specific surface and to investigate the benefit of single and/ or multiple sensor arrangements. The research showed that a non-contact thermal scanning system could be used to obtain detailed yet accurate surface temperature measurements following an initial sensor calibration phase to determine the most favourable scanning parameters for a particular surface. The measurements taken could then be used to generate a thermal map of a surface with a significant improvement in resolution as compared with measurements taken using contact devices. The research further showed that a multiple sensor arrangement significantly reduced the time taken to generate the thermal profiles without undermining accuracy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Design of a low-cost autonomous guided cart for material handling
- Authors: Cawood, Gareth James
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Automobiles -- Design and construction , Automobiles -- Automatic control , Vehicles -- Automatic control
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEngineering
- Identifier: vital:9655
- Description: This dissertation covers the design and manufacture of an autonomous guided cart (AGC) for use in the material handling industry. General Motors South Africa (GMSA) requires a low-cost AGC for use in their Struandale plant. A budget of R35 000 per unit was proposed. The researcher, in collaboration with staff at GM, compiled a list of engineering requirements for the AGC. After research into the unique problems of the project, an examination of a previous design attempt by staff of GM Thailand, the researcher developed a new design, the subject of this report. Different solutions for each design problem were investigated before the design was finalised. A three-wheeled vehicle was designed making use of two motors in a differential-drive setup to control motion. Navigation is via a line-following mechanism, using an induction sensor-array in conjunction with a pre-laid metallic strip. To aid the design, the system was modelled to understand the different control elements at play. The researcher developed software for several aspects of the design: for the PLC controlling the system and motors; for a microcontroller that communicates with the PLC and a wireless module; for a computer server that communicates with a second wireless device, receiving information from the PLC; and a web interface to view this information. These form the SCADA integration of the project. The final product meets the GMSA specifications. It is a robot capable of towing a trolley of mass not exceeding 350 kg. While the robot is able to navigate a pre-laid route, it cannot reliably stop at marked locations. It is possible to monitor the system via a web-interface. The robot is capable of operating for an entire 8-hour shift before the batteries need to be recharged. The total cost of the prototype was R26 340.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Cawood, Gareth James
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Automobiles -- Design and construction , Automobiles -- Automatic control , Vehicles -- Automatic control
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEngineering
- Identifier: vital:9655
- Description: This dissertation covers the design and manufacture of an autonomous guided cart (AGC) for use in the material handling industry. General Motors South Africa (GMSA) requires a low-cost AGC for use in their Struandale plant. A budget of R35 000 per unit was proposed. The researcher, in collaboration with staff at GM, compiled a list of engineering requirements for the AGC. After research into the unique problems of the project, an examination of a previous design attempt by staff of GM Thailand, the researcher developed a new design, the subject of this report. Different solutions for each design problem were investigated before the design was finalised. A three-wheeled vehicle was designed making use of two motors in a differential-drive setup to control motion. Navigation is via a line-following mechanism, using an induction sensor-array in conjunction with a pre-laid metallic strip. To aid the design, the system was modelled to understand the different control elements at play. The researcher developed software for several aspects of the design: for the PLC controlling the system and motors; for a microcontroller that communicates with the PLC and a wireless module; for a computer server that communicates with a second wireless device, receiving information from the PLC; and a web interface to view this information. These form the SCADA integration of the project. The final product meets the GMSA specifications. It is a robot capable of towing a trolley of mass not exceeding 350 kg. While the robot is able to navigate a pre-laid route, it cannot reliably stop at marked locations. It is possible to monitor the system via a web-interface. The robot is capable of operating for an entire 8-hour shift before the batteries need to be recharged. The total cost of the prototype was R26 340.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Destination marketing: George
- Authors: Hunt, Norman William
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Place marketing -- South Africa -- George , Branding (Marketing) -- South Africa -- George , George (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5604 , vital:20914
- Description: A destination is often given its identity by its brand name, creating an image thereof in the customers’ minds which means that destinations exist not only physically but also mentally in the minds of people. Destination marketers play a role in the creation of the images of such destinations which is dependent on what the destination offers in its depth and breadth. Destination Marketing Organisations (DMOs) should be able to not only understand their destination’s offerings but also who they are targeting and how they should market the destination. DMOs have evolved to become more than mere destination information providers as considerable destination information is now created by fellow travellers which are shared via social networks. The most important change resulting from adopting the concept of social capital in the context of tourism would be that tourism scholars and DMOs become aware of the importance of resources obtained through an individual’s social interactions. Despite the fact that the town of George has a number of attributes it is able to market to potential visitors, it does however not automatically make it a desired destination. The main objective of this treatise is to determine what would give George its marketable destination identity which will be achieved by gaining an understanding of the local residents’ viewpoints of George and to measure them according to specific attributes which are carefully formulated in a survey questionnaire. This treatise aims to determine what George can do to create a destination identity and how such an identity can be applied in the successful marketing of George as a destination town. It is an exploratory quantitative study consisting of literature and case study components used to test proposed hypotheses. It aims to provide guidance to the destination marketers by way of researched literature on the topic of destination marketing as well as offer empirical data gathered from responses to a survey conducted with local residents of George which is focused on creating a destination identity through its business, cultural and sporting events. Based on the statistical analysis of the survey results it will be shown that a relationship exists between Destination Marketing and Events, Branding and Media,which plays a pivotal role in the successful marketing of such events and thereby the brand image of the destination. Based on the literature findings and the empirical data gained for this treatise it was shown that events can be used to create a new brand image for a town like George which already possesses a natural beauty and friendly people. Examples will be discussed where destinations throughout the world have managed to change their brand without changing their environment, from which they have gained a new destination brand. George can strategically convert what it already has to become the destination of choice in terms of intra-town activities and events which could not only enhance its own economy but also that of the surrounding towns. The geographic location of George and that of the Surrounding tourist attractive towns make it possible to design and implement intra-town events with relative ease. As found in researched literature, the residents should be made part of any destination marketing campaign. These events should be designed to incorporate the surrounding towns to capitalise on the concept of intra-town events where George becomes the main centre but uses outlying towns to lure tourist. Respondents to the survey indicate that they somewhat agree that George has sufficient infrastructure to host sports (μ = 3.77), cultural (μ = 3.61) and business events (μ = 3.88) and that hosting such events in George would create job opportunities. The responses for all three event types in this regard have a mean value above μ = 4. Respondents indicated that religious events are deemed the most important (mean value μ = 4.25) while also indicating that they agreed with a mean value of μ = 4.18 that entrance fees influence their decision to attend events. The empirical research conducted in George was designed to gain a representative viewpoint of its residents in terms of what they deem the identity of George to be, the main objective (ROM) of which was to determine what would give George its destination identity. The composite image of the residents of George was measured according to specific attributes which were carefully formulated in the survey.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Hunt, Norman William
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Place marketing -- South Africa -- George , Branding (Marketing) -- South Africa -- George , George (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5604 , vital:20914
- Description: A destination is often given its identity by its brand name, creating an image thereof in the customers’ minds which means that destinations exist not only physically but also mentally in the minds of people. Destination marketers play a role in the creation of the images of such destinations which is dependent on what the destination offers in its depth and breadth. Destination Marketing Organisations (DMOs) should be able to not only understand their destination’s offerings but also who they are targeting and how they should market the destination. DMOs have evolved to become more than mere destination information providers as considerable destination information is now created by fellow travellers which are shared via social networks. The most important change resulting from adopting the concept of social capital in the context of tourism would be that tourism scholars and DMOs become aware of the importance of resources obtained through an individual’s social interactions. Despite the fact that the town of George has a number of attributes it is able to market to potential visitors, it does however not automatically make it a desired destination. The main objective of this treatise is to determine what would give George its marketable destination identity which will be achieved by gaining an understanding of the local residents’ viewpoints of George and to measure them according to specific attributes which are carefully formulated in a survey questionnaire. This treatise aims to determine what George can do to create a destination identity and how such an identity can be applied in the successful marketing of George as a destination town. It is an exploratory quantitative study consisting of literature and case study components used to test proposed hypotheses. It aims to provide guidance to the destination marketers by way of researched literature on the topic of destination marketing as well as offer empirical data gathered from responses to a survey conducted with local residents of George which is focused on creating a destination identity through its business, cultural and sporting events. Based on the statistical analysis of the survey results it will be shown that a relationship exists between Destination Marketing and Events, Branding and Media,which plays a pivotal role in the successful marketing of such events and thereby the brand image of the destination. Based on the literature findings and the empirical data gained for this treatise it was shown that events can be used to create a new brand image for a town like George which already possesses a natural beauty and friendly people. Examples will be discussed where destinations throughout the world have managed to change their brand without changing their environment, from which they have gained a new destination brand. George can strategically convert what it already has to become the destination of choice in terms of intra-town activities and events which could not only enhance its own economy but also that of the surrounding towns. The geographic location of George and that of the Surrounding tourist attractive towns make it possible to design and implement intra-town events with relative ease. As found in researched literature, the residents should be made part of any destination marketing campaign. These events should be designed to incorporate the surrounding towns to capitalise on the concept of intra-town events where George becomes the main centre but uses outlying towns to lure tourist. Respondents to the survey indicate that they somewhat agree that George has sufficient infrastructure to host sports (μ = 3.77), cultural (μ = 3.61) and business events (μ = 3.88) and that hosting such events in George would create job opportunities. The responses for all three event types in this regard have a mean value above μ = 4. Respondents indicated that religious events are deemed the most important (mean value μ = 4.25) while also indicating that they agreed with a mean value of μ = 4.18 that entrance fees influence their decision to attend events. The empirical research conducted in George was designed to gain a representative viewpoint of its residents in terms of what they deem the identity of George to be, the main objective (ROM) of which was to determine what would give George its destination identity. The composite image of the residents of George was measured according to specific attributes which were carefully formulated in the survey.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Determinants of internet banking adoption by banks in Ghana
- Authors: Bart-Williams, Edem
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Internet banking -- Ghana , Banks and banking -- Ghana , Banks and banking -- Automation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3715 , vital:20457
- Description: Growth in information and communication technology (ICT) is drastically changing the way businesses, especially in the service industries, are conducted. The financial services industry and banking in particular, is not excluded from this technology explosion. Internet banking, even though not new in advanced countries, is a new transaction channel being used by banks in some parts of Africa, especially Ghana, to offer various products and services to their customers. However, this medium has not been fully exploited by these banks as there are many hurdles the banks must triumph over. In deploying this technology and these systems, there are several factors which banks must take into consideration before fully deploying such a system to their customers, hence the motivation for this study. The absence of suitable and sufficient knowledge on this topic also exposes a “rhetoric versus reality” argument of whether the intention to adopt Internet banking is critical to the strategies and ultimate success of banks in Ghana. For banks to stay ahead of competition as well as to attract and maintain their clientele, it is of paramount importance to gather and link the perspectives of both clients and bank managers in order for banks to ensure that they perform according to the needs and expectations of their clients. In order to achieve the intended results, an empirical study was conducted by taking into consideration the viewpoints of both bank clients and bank managers in determining the factors that customers take into consideration before adopting the Internet banking medium. The primary aim of this study was to quantify significant relationships between the selected variables. Therefore the positivism research paradigm was used, while the phenomenological paradigm was employed for the measuring instruments. Because multiple sources of data were used, from the perspectives of banking clients and managers in Ghana, methodological triangulation was adopted for this study. The results of the empirical investigation showed that both groups (clients and managers) considered the variables of market share, technology acceptance, diffusion of innovation, organisational variables, organisational efficiency, and business strategy to have direct influence on the adoption of Internet banking. However, they differed in opinion concerning the degree of influence of these variables. The bank managers’ responses leaned more towards strong agreement with the importance of these variables than did those of the bank clients. Thus, for bank clients to readily adopt the Internet banking medium for their banking transactions, bank managers must take a closer look at these determinant factors described in the study. The study showed that the population group, educational and income levels exerted an influence on the perceptions clients have regarding Internet banking adoption factors. It was found that the higher the education and income levels of the clients, the easier it was for them to adopt Internet banking. Also, the male group dominated the use of the Internet banking. This is supported by the fact that there is a growing middle class in Ghana that falls within this category of banking clients.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Bart-Williams, Edem
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Internet banking -- Ghana , Banks and banking -- Ghana , Banks and banking -- Automation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3715 , vital:20457
- Description: Growth in information and communication technology (ICT) is drastically changing the way businesses, especially in the service industries, are conducted. The financial services industry and banking in particular, is not excluded from this technology explosion. Internet banking, even though not new in advanced countries, is a new transaction channel being used by banks in some parts of Africa, especially Ghana, to offer various products and services to their customers. However, this medium has not been fully exploited by these banks as there are many hurdles the banks must triumph over. In deploying this technology and these systems, there are several factors which banks must take into consideration before fully deploying such a system to their customers, hence the motivation for this study. The absence of suitable and sufficient knowledge on this topic also exposes a “rhetoric versus reality” argument of whether the intention to adopt Internet banking is critical to the strategies and ultimate success of banks in Ghana. For banks to stay ahead of competition as well as to attract and maintain their clientele, it is of paramount importance to gather and link the perspectives of both clients and bank managers in order for banks to ensure that they perform according to the needs and expectations of their clients. In order to achieve the intended results, an empirical study was conducted by taking into consideration the viewpoints of both bank clients and bank managers in determining the factors that customers take into consideration before adopting the Internet banking medium. The primary aim of this study was to quantify significant relationships between the selected variables. Therefore the positivism research paradigm was used, while the phenomenological paradigm was employed for the measuring instruments. Because multiple sources of data were used, from the perspectives of banking clients and managers in Ghana, methodological triangulation was adopted for this study. The results of the empirical investigation showed that both groups (clients and managers) considered the variables of market share, technology acceptance, diffusion of innovation, organisational variables, organisational efficiency, and business strategy to have direct influence on the adoption of Internet banking. However, they differed in opinion concerning the degree of influence of these variables. The bank managers’ responses leaned more towards strong agreement with the importance of these variables than did those of the bank clients. Thus, for bank clients to readily adopt the Internet banking medium for their banking transactions, bank managers must take a closer look at these determinant factors described in the study. The study showed that the population group, educational and income levels exerted an influence on the perceptions clients have regarding Internet banking adoption factors. It was found that the higher the education and income levels of the clients, the easier it was for them to adopt Internet banking. Also, the male group dominated the use of the Internet banking. This is supported by the fact that there is a growing middle class in Ghana that falls within this category of banking clients.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Determination of the effects of sunlight and UV irradiation on the structure, viability and reapplication frequency of the biopesticide cryptophlebia leucotreta granulovirus in the protection against false codling moth infestation of citrus crops
- Authors: Mwanza, Patrick
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Cryptophlebia leucotreta -- Effect of ultraviolet radiation on , Natural pesticides
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6346 , vital:21075
- Description: Cryptophlebia leucotreta granulovirus (CrleGV-SA) is a baculovirus specifically pathogenic to the citrus pest false codling moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta. CrleGV- SA is formulated as a commercial biopesticide, Cryptogran® (River Bioscience, South Africa). The virus has a stable, proteinaceous crystalline occlusion body (OB) that protects the nucleocapsid. The major limitation to the use of baculoviruses is their susceptibility to the ultraviolet (UV) component of sunlight, which rapidly and greatly reduces their efficacy as biopesticides. The UVA and UVB components are the most destructive to biological organisms. To date no publication has reported the effect of UV on the structure and virulence of CrleGV, or the effectiveness of the OB as a UV protectant. In this study the effect of UV irradiation on the structure and infectivity of pure CrleGV-SA and Cryptogran® was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, qPCR, and bioassays. The project included laboratory and field studies. In the laboratory, CrleGV-SA and Cryptogran® were exposed to either UVA or UVB for periods of 24 hours to 7 days before analysis. In the field, Cryptogran® was applied to trees in a citrus orchard with young fruit. The fruit were collected from 24 hours to 28 days after application and bioassays conducted to assess the effect of sunlight over time on virus structure and efficacy when applied to the northern or southern sides of the trees. No surface morphological changes to the virus were detected using SEM. However, small compositional changes were detected by Raman spectroscopy. qPCR and bioassays demonstrated that UV irradiation damaged the viral DNA, greatly reducing the infectivity of pure CrleGV-SA and Cryptogran®. Exposure to UVB reduced the virulence of the virus more than UVA. The field studies revealed that the activity of CrleGV-SA decreased more on the northern side of the trees than on the southern side.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Mwanza, Patrick
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Cryptophlebia leucotreta -- Effect of ultraviolet radiation on , Natural pesticides
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6346 , vital:21075
- Description: Cryptophlebia leucotreta granulovirus (CrleGV-SA) is a baculovirus specifically pathogenic to the citrus pest false codling moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta. CrleGV- SA is formulated as a commercial biopesticide, Cryptogran® (River Bioscience, South Africa). The virus has a stable, proteinaceous crystalline occlusion body (OB) that protects the nucleocapsid. The major limitation to the use of baculoviruses is their susceptibility to the ultraviolet (UV) component of sunlight, which rapidly and greatly reduces their efficacy as biopesticides. The UVA and UVB components are the most destructive to biological organisms. To date no publication has reported the effect of UV on the structure and virulence of CrleGV, or the effectiveness of the OB as a UV protectant. In this study the effect of UV irradiation on the structure and infectivity of pure CrleGV-SA and Cryptogran® was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, qPCR, and bioassays. The project included laboratory and field studies. In the laboratory, CrleGV-SA and Cryptogran® were exposed to either UVA or UVB for periods of 24 hours to 7 days before analysis. In the field, Cryptogran® was applied to trees in a citrus orchard with young fruit. The fruit were collected from 24 hours to 28 days after application and bioassays conducted to assess the effect of sunlight over time on virus structure and efficacy when applied to the northern or southern sides of the trees. No surface morphological changes to the virus were detected using SEM. However, small compositional changes were detected by Raman spectroscopy. qPCR and bioassays demonstrated that UV irradiation damaged the viral DNA, greatly reducing the infectivity of pure CrleGV-SA and Cryptogran®. Exposure to UVB reduced the virulence of the virus more than UVA. The field studies revealed that the activity of CrleGV-SA decreased more on the northern side of the trees than on the southern side.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Developing the marital life course perspective as a conceptual framework for describing and understanding marital life events and marital transitions
- Authors: Rautenbach, John Victor
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Marriage , Marital status , Married people
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/2991 , vital:20384
- Description: This research seeks to explore the development of the Marital Life Course Perspective as a conceptual framework for describing and understanding marital life events and marital transitions. The study’s orientation is guided by the Life Course Perspective (Glen Elder Jr.) as a theoretical framework and draws on Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Jonathan Smith) and Concept Analysis (Walker & Avant) as methodological approaches. One hundred and thirty (130) academic works that use the term marital life course in their texts constituted a literature-dataset for a Concept Analysis (Walker & Avant, 1988; 2011) that tracked the theoretical development of the Marital Life Course Perspective since 1980 (George, 1980, p. 80). The residents of retirement centres and old age homes in East London and Buffalo City (all older than 65 years of age) were invited to share a retrospective history of their relationship experiences, about their multiple marital life events and the marital transitions that shaped their marital life course. The 16 women who participated in the in-depth interviews had all been previously married more than once and were currently single due to divorce or the death of their husbands. This empirical data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) as a guide (Smith, Flowers, & Larkin, 2009). After the analysis and synthesis of both datasets the following proposed operational definition of the Marital Life Course Perspective was constructed: The Marital Life Course Perspective is a conceptual framework for describing and understanding marital life events and marital transitions. As a subset of the Life Course Perspective, the Marital Life Course Perspective seeks to understand all stages of the marital experience within their wider social and cultural contexts, which are shaped by the historical dimension of a cohort’s specific time and geographic location. Marital life events include, but are not limited to, marital status changes. An individual may experience multiple marriage life events throughout their life, each with associated role transitions that vary according to their temporality and the individuals whose lives are linked to the marital experience. Well-being and transition outcomes across the marital life course may be promoted or impeded by an interplay of risk and protective factors, and agency-related capacity or resilience.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Rautenbach, John Victor
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Marriage , Marital status , Married people
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/2991 , vital:20384
- Description: This research seeks to explore the development of the Marital Life Course Perspective as a conceptual framework for describing and understanding marital life events and marital transitions. The study’s orientation is guided by the Life Course Perspective (Glen Elder Jr.) as a theoretical framework and draws on Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Jonathan Smith) and Concept Analysis (Walker & Avant) as methodological approaches. One hundred and thirty (130) academic works that use the term marital life course in their texts constituted a literature-dataset for a Concept Analysis (Walker & Avant, 1988; 2011) that tracked the theoretical development of the Marital Life Course Perspective since 1980 (George, 1980, p. 80). The residents of retirement centres and old age homes in East London and Buffalo City (all older than 65 years of age) were invited to share a retrospective history of their relationship experiences, about their multiple marital life events and the marital transitions that shaped their marital life course. The 16 women who participated in the in-depth interviews had all been previously married more than once and were currently single due to divorce or the death of their husbands. This empirical data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) as a guide (Smith, Flowers, & Larkin, 2009). After the analysis and synthesis of both datasets the following proposed operational definition of the Marital Life Course Perspective was constructed: The Marital Life Course Perspective is a conceptual framework for describing and understanding marital life events and marital transitions. As a subset of the Life Course Perspective, the Marital Life Course Perspective seeks to understand all stages of the marital experience within their wider social and cultural contexts, which are shaped by the historical dimension of a cohort’s specific time and geographic location. Marital life events include, but are not limited to, marital status changes. An individual may experience multiple marriage life events throughout their life, each with associated role transitions that vary according to their temporality and the individuals whose lives are linked to the marital experience. Well-being and transition outcomes across the marital life course may be promoted or impeded by an interplay of risk and protective factors, and agency-related capacity or resilience.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Development role players' knowledge of ecological infrastructure in Eden district, South Africa
- Authors: Crisp, Abigail Gilmour
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Climatic changes -- South Africa , Environmental management , Coastal engineering
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8725 , vital:26424
- Description: Coastal disasters have been increasing in intensity and frequency around the world causing loss of life and millions of Rands’ worth of damage to infrastructure. Coastal communities are growing as more people are drawn to urban areas. These people depend on the services the coastal ecosystem provide but through degradation and land use change the supply of services is reduced. The ability of these communities and landscapes to bounce back from disturbance has been severely hampered. As a result communities are looking for ways in which they can protect their lives and their assets and become more resilient. Through development planning structures such as coastal foredunes, that offer a buffering capacity against storm surges, can be used to strengthen the resilience of coastal communities. The type of defences used in communities would be dependent on the knowledge of the decision makers. This study explores the discourses and practices that are present in development processes regarding ecological infrastructure (in its buffering capacity for risk reduction) as an option for adaptation to global environmental change in the coastal areas of Eden District. Qualitative data collection and analysis techniques were used. In-depth interviews were used to collect data, which was transformed into frequency data using content analysis. Descriptive statistics was then applied to the coded frequencies. The interpretation of the data was presented alongside the frequency data, via the descriptive statistics and quotations from interviews. It was determined that role players in development processes are aware of the complexities surrounding coastal social-ecological systems and understand the role foredunes play as ecological infrastructure within this system. Those who lack knowledge are aware of their knowledge gaps. Participants believe the study area is at risk due to human impacts and overall, participants felt that there is a general lack of awareness with regard to issues affecting our coastline, compounded by the absence of an enabling environment brought about by a lack of finances and time.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Crisp, Abigail Gilmour
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Climatic changes -- South Africa , Environmental management , Coastal engineering
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8725 , vital:26424
- Description: Coastal disasters have been increasing in intensity and frequency around the world causing loss of life and millions of Rands’ worth of damage to infrastructure. Coastal communities are growing as more people are drawn to urban areas. These people depend on the services the coastal ecosystem provide but through degradation and land use change the supply of services is reduced. The ability of these communities and landscapes to bounce back from disturbance has been severely hampered. As a result communities are looking for ways in which they can protect their lives and their assets and become more resilient. Through development planning structures such as coastal foredunes, that offer a buffering capacity against storm surges, can be used to strengthen the resilience of coastal communities. The type of defences used in communities would be dependent on the knowledge of the decision makers. This study explores the discourses and practices that are present in development processes regarding ecological infrastructure (in its buffering capacity for risk reduction) as an option for adaptation to global environmental change in the coastal areas of Eden District. Qualitative data collection and analysis techniques were used. In-depth interviews were used to collect data, which was transformed into frequency data using content analysis. Descriptive statistics was then applied to the coded frequencies. The interpretation of the data was presented alongside the frequency data, via the descriptive statistics and quotations from interviews. It was determined that role players in development processes are aware of the complexities surrounding coastal social-ecological systems and understand the role foredunes play as ecological infrastructure within this system. Those who lack knowledge are aware of their knowledge gaps. Participants believe the study area is at risk due to human impacts and overall, participants felt that there is a general lack of awareness with regard to issues affecting our coastline, compounded by the absence of an enabling environment brought about by a lack of finances and time.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Die verjaardagvers-ritueel in Breyten Breytenbach se oeuvre
- Authors: Tait, Charles Norman
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Breytenbach, Breyten -- Poetry , Poets, South African
- Language: Afrikaans
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5076 , vital:20800
- Description: This study investigates the subgenre of the birthday poem within Breyten Breytenbach’s poetical oeuvre. Throughout the now half a century of his poetic production the writer has repeatedly written poems for himself on his birthday on 16 September of each new year (as well as a smaller number to his wife and close friends) The writing of birthday poems becomes a ritualist poetical act throughout the poet’s life and poetical oeuvre, one that has served many purposes over the years of Breytenbach’s increasingly nomadic existence. This study’s scope spans fifty years of poetical output, starting with the poet’s debut anthology, Die ysterkoei moet sweet (1964), including all the anthologies up to the publication of vyf-en-veertig skemeraandsange uit die eenbeendanser se werkruimte (2014). A small literary history is offered at the outset of the tradition of the birthday poem, based in classical Roman times (Argetsinger,K 1992) and following through to modern times. After describing the reasons for the sometimes challenging task of identifying birthday poems (unmarked by dates, having to rely on inference deduced from the content, and the like), the poems are analyzed with a particular focus on their nature and function within the larger context of the poet’s oeuvre. The research is organized according to the separate phases traceable in Breyten Breytenbach’s oeuvre (Van Vuuren 2011: 46–56), describing the steadily shifting themes and motifs of the subgenre throughout each of the four phases (pre-prison, prison, post-prison and late work phases). It was found that the birthday poems cohere as a subgenre within the oeuvre. Breytenbach’s birthday poems have a distinctive character and certain identifiable qualities (ritualistic characteristics such as reflection on the self within the present, reflection on time past, evaluating the situation and self on the particular birthday. Placed against the specific context in which the poet finds himself, with a poetical and autobiographical way forward implied in the given milieu and context, psychological insights are utilized where applicable, especially in the prison birthday poems and the late work birthday poems. A remarkable new insight gained through this study is the nature of he “reminiscence bump” (Janssen, Haque 2014) which older people experience, and is identified also in Breytenbach’s late work birthday poems. This adds to and refines the understanding of the nature of late work in Breytenbach’s poetical oeuvre. A final insight gained from the research is that description and comprehension of this smaller corpus of birthday poems (roughly thirty identified at present) may also be used as an entry into understanding of the nature of the poet’s large oeuvre (comprising twenty collections of poetry, containing around 1,600 poems between 1964 and 2014), as they represent each stage of development in Breyten Breytenbach’s oeuvre.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Tait, Charles Norman
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Breytenbach, Breyten -- Poetry , Poets, South African
- Language: Afrikaans
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5076 , vital:20800
- Description: This study investigates the subgenre of the birthday poem within Breyten Breytenbach’s poetical oeuvre. Throughout the now half a century of his poetic production the writer has repeatedly written poems for himself on his birthday on 16 September of each new year (as well as a smaller number to his wife and close friends) The writing of birthday poems becomes a ritualist poetical act throughout the poet’s life and poetical oeuvre, one that has served many purposes over the years of Breytenbach’s increasingly nomadic existence. This study’s scope spans fifty years of poetical output, starting with the poet’s debut anthology, Die ysterkoei moet sweet (1964), including all the anthologies up to the publication of vyf-en-veertig skemeraandsange uit die eenbeendanser se werkruimte (2014). A small literary history is offered at the outset of the tradition of the birthday poem, based in classical Roman times (Argetsinger,K 1992) and following through to modern times. After describing the reasons for the sometimes challenging task of identifying birthday poems (unmarked by dates, having to rely on inference deduced from the content, and the like), the poems are analyzed with a particular focus on their nature and function within the larger context of the poet’s oeuvre. The research is organized according to the separate phases traceable in Breyten Breytenbach’s oeuvre (Van Vuuren 2011: 46–56), describing the steadily shifting themes and motifs of the subgenre throughout each of the four phases (pre-prison, prison, post-prison and late work phases). It was found that the birthday poems cohere as a subgenre within the oeuvre. Breytenbach’s birthday poems have a distinctive character and certain identifiable qualities (ritualistic characteristics such as reflection on the self within the present, reflection on time past, evaluating the situation and self on the particular birthday. Placed against the specific context in which the poet finds himself, with a poetical and autobiographical way forward implied in the given milieu and context, psychological insights are utilized where applicable, especially in the prison birthday poems and the late work birthday poems. A remarkable new insight gained through this study is the nature of he “reminiscence bump” (Janssen, Haque 2014) which older people experience, and is identified also in Breytenbach’s late work birthday poems. This adds to and refines the understanding of the nature of late work in Breytenbach’s poetical oeuvre. A final insight gained from the research is that description and comprehension of this smaller corpus of birthday poems (roughly thirty identified at present) may also be used as an entry into understanding of the nature of the poet’s large oeuvre (comprising twenty collections of poetry, containing around 1,600 poems between 1964 and 2014), as they represent each stage of development in Breyten Breytenbach’s oeuvre.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Dismissal of members of the South African Police Service for criminal convictions
- Authors: Deysel, Petrus Gerhardus
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Employees -- Dismissal of -- South Africa , Police corruption -- South Africa , Judgments, Criminal -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6084 , vital:21037
- Description: The dawn of democracy failed to bring legitimacy to the Police Service. Public and political debate seriously lambasted the Police Service for criminal offences committed on and off duty by police officials which pertained to the infringement on the individual rights regarding personal safety and the right to own property. The outcry against criminal offences by police officials forced the Police Service to deal decisively with criminality in the Police Service by means of fitness boards. While the government and public approved of the attempts to rid the Police Service of criminality it was met with union resistance in the Eastern Cape and defeat in the Labour Court. Different legislation, internal arrangements and case law were observed in this study. The purpose was to determine the strength or weaknesses if any of the applicable legislation and internal arrangements which contributed to a finding against the Police Service in the Labour Court.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Deysel, Petrus Gerhardus
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Employees -- Dismissal of -- South Africa , Police corruption -- South Africa , Judgments, Criminal -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6084 , vital:21037
- Description: The dawn of democracy failed to bring legitimacy to the Police Service. Public and political debate seriously lambasted the Police Service for criminal offences committed on and off duty by police officials which pertained to the infringement on the individual rights regarding personal safety and the right to own property. The outcry against criminal offences by police officials forced the Police Service to deal decisively with criminality in the Police Service by means of fitness boards. While the government and public approved of the attempts to rid the Police Service of criminality it was met with union resistance in the Eastern Cape and defeat in the Labour Court. Different legislation, internal arrangements and case law were observed in this study. The purpose was to determine the strength or weaknesses if any of the applicable legislation and internal arrangements which contributed to a finding against the Police Service in the Labour Court.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Dispersal of sterile false codling moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), for a sterile insect technique programme on citrus
- Authors: Wagenaar, Gideon Daniel
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Cryptophlebia leucotreta , Insect pests -- Control -- South Africa , Citrus -- Diseases and pests -- Control -- South Africa , Insect sterilization
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4977 , vital:20774
- Description: The false codling moth (FCM), Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is an important pest of citrus in South Africa and challenging to manage due to its inconspicuous nature. An effective method currently being employed for the area-wide suppression of the FCM is the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and the effective dispersal of sterile moths is very important for success with SIT. This study was conducted in the Addo area of the Sundays River Valley (Eastern Cape) where the programme is commercially used. In this study, sterile male moths were released in different orchards on a citrus farm, and in nearby veld at different times of the year, and their dispersal was monitored through the use of pheromone traps. Various climatic factors were monitored. This provided insight into the local dispersal of sterile male FCM adults in response to abiotic cues (particularly climatic factors). The movement of the FCM in four citrus cultivars, namely lemons, navel and Valencia oranges and mandarins and in the nearby veld (open field), was determined at six different stages of the year. Results clearly indicated that sterile FCM movement is concentrated within citrus orchards, as very few moths were trapped beyond 30 m from the release point, particularly in navel and Valencia orchards. Of the climatic factors measured, minimum and maximum temperatures had the most significant influence on FCM dispersal, and based on the results, various recommendations are made for the releases of sterile FCM in an area-wide SIT management programmes on citrus. A better understanding of the dispersal capabilities of the FCM in an agricultural system, under different conditions and at different times of the year, is invaluable not only in improving release strategies in an SIT programme but in planning future control strategies against the FCM.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Wagenaar, Gideon Daniel
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Cryptophlebia leucotreta , Insect pests -- Control -- South Africa , Citrus -- Diseases and pests -- Control -- South Africa , Insect sterilization
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4977 , vital:20774
- Description: The false codling moth (FCM), Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is an important pest of citrus in South Africa and challenging to manage due to its inconspicuous nature. An effective method currently being employed for the area-wide suppression of the FCM is the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and the effective dispersal of sterile moths is very important for success with SIT. This study was conducted in the Addo area of the Sundays River Valley (Eastern Cape) where the programme is commercially used. In this study, sterile male moths were released in different orchards on a citrus farm, and in nearby veld at different times of the year, and their dispersal was monitored through the use of pheromone traps. Various climatic factors were monitored. This provided insight into the local dispersal of sterile male FCM adults in response to abiotic cues (particularly climatic factors). The movement of the FCM in four citrus cultivars, namely lemons, navel and Valencia oranges and mandarins and in the nearby veld (open field), was determined at six different stages of the year. Results clearly indicated that sterile FCM movement is concentrated within citrus orchards, as very few moths were trapped beyond 30 m from the release point, particularly in navel and Valencia orchards. Of the climatic factors measured, minimum and maximum temperatures had the most significant influence on FCM dispersal, and based on the results, various recommendations are made for the releases of sterile FCM in an area-wide SIT management programmes on citrus. A better understanding of the dispersal capabilities of the FCM in an agricultural system, under different conditions and at different times of the year, is invaluable not only in improving release strategies in an SIT programme but in planning future control strategies against the FCM.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Drivers and consequences of residents' satisfaction with off-campus student housing in South-South, Nigeria
- Authors: Bella-Omunagbe, Ojo Cyprain
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Student housing -- Nigeria , Housing -- Resident satisfaction , Residence and education , Universities and colleges -- Nigeria -- Administration
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9720 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021198
- Description: The student housing system worldwide and South-South Nigeria in particular has witnessed an unprecedented transformation, such that private off-campus student housing facilities (SHFs) are now the primary source of accommodation for students in tertiary institutions. A considerable gap exists between the supply and demand for on-campus student housing and the quest to fill this gap has stimulated the creation of a significant student housing market in the areas where these tertiary institutions are located. The prospect for economic investments in the student housing sector is high and private investors are involved in the provision and management of offcampus student housing. The main consequence of this practice in South-South, Nigeria is the delivery of low-quality buildings that are not able to meet the needs and expectations of residents. SHFs that are constructed without due regard to residents needs are characterised by dissatisfaction with attributes of housing and low investment performance. The implication is that residence users are often not satisfied with the attributes of the residential environment that are provided; thus their behaviours often impose some consequences on investors gains and objectives.Therefore, understanding the dynamics among attributes that are important to students, that give the required satisfaction, and the impact of the availability or lack-of on behaviour such as loyalty, willingness to pay for attributes and word of mouth behaviour are critical to profitability. Most often, the relationship among these attributes are treated as linear and symmetrical with the assumed implication that better attributes produce improved behaviours. However, this may not always be the case. This approach is rarely addressed and is little understood in student housing studies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify student housing attributes that act as drivers of resident atisfaction and the consequences/effects of these drivers on student behaviour in order to determine appropriate measures that could be used to develop, maintain and upgrade student accommodation. The methodology of the study included an extensive literature review and a field study conducted to obtain the perceptions of students in seven tertiary institutions located in South-South, Nigeria. The main task was to define attributes of student housing facilities based on the symmetric and asymmetric impact of the performance of attributes on satisfaction with residence. The Kano model and importance-performance analysis (IPA) were used to establish sets of criteria that could be used to prioritise attributes that are required in student housing for optimal investor gains. Analysis of the findings lead to the conclusions that different degrees of behaviour were associated to the perception of importance that is attached to attributes by residents and the satisfaction that is derived from the use of such attributes. The implication of the conclusions is that to meet users satisfaction needs, varied improvement strategies are required for different attributes in order to maximise the use of resources for maximum gains. The recommendations for investors in SHFs include among others to segment the SHFs market based on demographic characteristics, prioritise and provide only attributes that add-value to identified groups. Emphasis should also be placed on providing attributes that are not only satisfactory, but with capacity to improve loyalty/retention, willingness to pay and positive word of mouth behaviour. It is also recommended that the local authority should improve critical attributes that are deemed to be outside the scope of the investors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Bella-Omunagbe, Ojo Cyprain
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Student housing -- Nigeria , Housing -- Resident satisfaction , Residence and education , Universities and colleges -- Nigeria -- Administration
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9720 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021198
- Description: The student housing system worldwide and South-South Nigeria in particular has witnessed an unprecedented transformation, such that private off-campus student housing facilities (SHFs) are now the primary source of accommodation for students in tertiary institutions. A considerable gap exists between the supply and demand for on-campus student housing and the quest to fill this gap has stimulated the creation of a significant student housing market in the areas where these tertiary institutions are located. The prospect for economic investments in the student housing sector is high and private investors are involved in the provision and management of offcampus student housing. The main consequence of this practice in South-South, Nigeria is the delivery of low-quality buildings that are not able to meet the needs and expectations of residents. SHFs that are constructed without due regard to residents needs are characterised by dissatisfaction with attributes of housing and low investment performance. The implication is that residence users are often not satisfied with the attributes of the residential environment that are provided; thus their behaviours often impose some consequences on investors gains and objectives.Therefore, understanding the dynamics among attributes that are important to students, that give the required satisfaction, and the impact of the availability or lack-of on behaviour such as loyalty, willingness to pay for attributes and word of mouth behaviour are critical to profitability. Most often, the relationship among these attributes are treated as linear and symmetrical with the assumed implication that better attributes produce improved behaviours. However, this may not always be the case. This approach is rarely addressed and is little understood in student housing studies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify student housing attributes that act as drivers of resident atisfaction and the consequences/effects of these drivers on student behaviour in order to determine appropriate measures that could be used to develop, maintain and upgrade student accommodation. The methodology of the study included an extensive literature review and a field study conducted to obtain the perceptions of students in seven tertiary institutions located in South-South, Nigeria. The main task was to define attributes of student housing facilities based on the symmetric and asymmetric impact of the performance of attributes on satisfaction with residence. The Kano model and importance-performance analysis (IPA) were used to establish sets of criteria that could be used to prioritise attributes that are required in student housing for optimal investor gains. Analysis of the findings lead to the conclusions that different degrees of behaviour were associated to the perception of importance that is attached to attributes by residents and the satisfaction that is derived from the use of such attributes. The implication of the conclusions is that to meet users satisfaction needs, varied improvement strategies are required for different attributes in order to maximise the use of resources for maximum gains. The recommendations for investors in SHFs include among others to segment the SHFs market based on demographic characteristics, prioritise and provide only attributes that add-value to identified groups. Emphasis should also be placed on providing attributes that are not only satisfactory, but with capacity to improve loyalty/retention, willingness to pay and positive word of mouth behaviour. It is also recommended that the local authority should improve critical attributes that are deemed to be outside the scope of the investors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Ecological risk assessment of fisheries on sea turtles in the South Western Indian Ocean
- Authors: Mellet, Bernice
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Sea turtles -- Indian Ocean Fisheries -- Indian Ocean
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/9957 , vital:26636
- Description: The SWIO is an area of great biodiversity and included in the diverse species that occupy the region are five species of sea turtles that include green turtles, hawksbills, leatherbacks, loggerheads and olive ridleys. Despite considerable conservation efforts at sea turtle rookeries in the South Western Indian Ocean, only green and loggerhead turtle populations have shown an increase in population size in recent years (<10 years), whereas leatherbacks remained stable and hawksbills and olive ridleys declined. This begs the question if fisheries (or other offshore pressures) are responsible for slowing the recovery of these populations in the region, and if so, which specific fisheries are responsible for this trend? Several offshore (mostly industrial) and coastal (mostly artisanal) fisheries overlap with sea turtle distribution at sea. Industrial fisheries that are globally known to have a demonstrable impact on sea turtle populations are longline and to a lesser extent purse seine fisheries, whilst prawn trawl, gillnet and beach seine fisheries are coastal fisheries with a known negative impact on sea turtle populations. Holistic conservation strategies should be developed that include both land and sea protection for sea turtle species. It is thus necessary to identify and manage offshore threats including fisheries activities, particularly those fisheries that are showing the highest risk to sea turtle populations. This prompted an investigation into the bycatch rates and mortality of all sea turtle species that occur in the SWIO region in several offshore and coastal fisheries including both industrial (longline, purse seine and prawn trawl) and artisanal (including gillnet and beach seine) fisheries. The specific aims were (i) to identify and quantify the interactions (and if possible mortality) of sea turtle species in fisheries and (ii) to identify vulnerable species/populations to fishing operations using a semi-quantitative Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) in the form of a Productivity-Susceptibility Analysis (PSA). Published information, online databases and technical reports were used as data sources to establish a database containing essential information regarding fishing effort and sea turtle bycatch in the region. The existing information was used to map fisheries extent and effort within the region, and to perform bycatch calculations. Interactions and mortality rates for sea turtles in five fisheries were quantified using bycatch rates from regional studies. Between 2000 – 2011, industrial longline and purse seine fisheries captured sea turtles at a rate of 4 388 indiv.y-1, with the mortality rate being 189 indiv.y-1. The bulk of these interactions were in the longline industry that captured 4 129 ± 1 376 indiv.y-1, with a corresponding mortality rate of 167 ± 53 indiv.y-1. The most commonly caught species (in longlines) were loggerheads and leatherback turtles, but the greatest impact is expected to be on the leatherback population due to the high interaction rate relative to population size. The bycatch (259 ± 34 indiv.y-1) and mortality (20 ± 2 indiv.y-1) rates of sea turtles in the purse seine fishery was considerably lower than the longline fishery. The purse seine fishery thus does not seem to have a significant impact on sea turtle populations in the SWIO. The impact of all forms of fish aggregation devices were excluded from the analysis as the impacts of these are poorly documented. Coastal prawn trawl, gillnet and beach seine fisheries captured an estimate of between 50 164 - 52 370 indiv.y-1 from 2000-2011. The highest bycatch rate was estimated for gillnet fisheries (40 264 indiv.y-1) followed by beach seine fisheries (9 171 indiv.y-1) and prawn trawl fisheries (at 1089 – 2795 indiv.y-1). The gillnet fishery could be responsible for slowing the recovery rate of green turtle and leatherback populations in the SWIO due to the high capture rates in this fishery compared to the population sizes of the species. Beach seine and prawn trawl fisheries are not expected to be hamper the recovery rate of any of the populations in the SWIO due to the low levels of interactions and low mortality rates compared to the population sizes. There are however very few data available regarding the bycatch of sea turtle species within these fisheries, highlighting the need for further research regarding this. A productivity-Susceptibility Analysis (PSA) was used to evaluate the relative vulnerability of species to fisheries, and is frequently applied in data poor situations. Limited data on sea turtle life history characteristics and population dynamics of species in the SWIO prompted the use of a PSA to determine the species most vulnerable to fisheries in the region. Results of the PSA indicated that gillnet fisheries poses the largest fishery-related threat to sea turtle populations, specifically the green and leatherback populations. The longline fishery that poses a particular threat to the leatherback population in the SWIO is also a particular concern. A cumulative impact assessment (combining fisheries and other threats) indicated that the SWIO leatherback population is extremely vulnerable to the combination of threats that influence this population in the SWIO. Even though individual fisheries may pose a small threat, the cumulative impacts of the fisheries can lead to severe impacts on populations such as slowing the recovery rate of populations. There are however significant data gaps that require attention in order to fully assess the impact of these fisheries on sea turtle populations. Despite the fact that fisheries are not implicated as a mayor reason for the decline in the hawksbill and olive ridley populations in the region, these two species are in decline indicating that there are other factors responsible for the decline not yet identified. It however remains imperative to reduce the mortality from all sources to ensure the continued viability of sea turtle populations in the region.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Mellet, Bernice
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Sea turtles -- Indian Ocean Fisheries -- Indian Ocean
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/9957 , vital:26636
- Description: The SWIO is an area of great biodiversity and included in the diverse species that occupy the region are five species of sea turtles that include green turtles, hawksbills, leatherbacks, loggerheads and olive ridleys. Despite considerable conservation efforts at sea turtle rookeries in the South Western Indian Ocean, only green and loggerhead turtle populations have shown an increase in population size in recent years (<10 years), whereas leatherbacks remained stable and hawksbills and olive ridleys declined. This begs the question if fisheries (or other offshore pressures) are responsible for slowing the recovery of these populations in the region, and if so, which specific fisheries are responsible for this trend? Several offshore (mostly industrial) and coastal (mostly artisanal) fisheries overlap with sea turtle distribution at sea. Industrial fisheries that are globally known to have a demonstrable impact on sea turtle populations are longline and to a lesser extent purse seine fisheries, whilst prawn trawl, gillnet and beach seine fisheries are coastal fisheries with a known negative impact on sea turtle populations. Holistic conservation strategies should be developed that include both land and sea protection for sea turtle species. It is thus necessary to identify and manage offshore threats including fisheries activities, particularly those fisheries that are showing the highest risk to sea turtle populations. This prompted an investigation into the bycatch rates and mortality of all sea turtle species that occur in the SWIO region in several offshore and coastal fisheries including both industrial (longline, purse seine and prawn trawl) and artisanal (including gillnet and beach seine) fisheries. The specific aims were (i) to identify and quantify the interactions (and if possible mortality) of sea turtle species in fisheries and (ii) to identify vulnerable species/populations to fishing operations using a semi-quantitative Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) in the form of a Productivity-Susceptibility Analysis (PSA). Published information, online databases and technical reports were used as data sources to establish a database containing essential information regarding fishing effort and sea turtle bycatch in the region. The existing information was used to map fisheries extent and effort within the region, and to perform bycatch calculations. Interactions and mortality rates for sea turtles in five fisheries were quantified using bycatch rates from regional studies. Between 2000 – 2011, industrial longline and purse seine fisheries captured sea turtles at a rate of 4 388 indiv.y-1, with the mortality rate being 189 indiv.y-1. The bulk of these interactions were in the longline industry that captured 4 129 ± 1 376 indiv.y-1, with a corresponding mortality rate of 167 ± 53 indiv.y-1. The most commonly caught species (in longlines) were loggerheads and leatherback turtles, but the greatest impact is expected to be on the leatherback population due to the high interaction rate relative to population size. The bycatch (259 ± 34 indiv.y-1) and mortality (20 ± 2 indiv.y-1) rates of sea turtles in the purse seine fishery was considerably lower than the longline fishery. The purse seine fishery thus does not seem to have a significant impact on sea turtle populations in the SWIO. The impact of all forms of fish aggregation devices were excluded from the analysis as the impacts of these are poorly documented. Coastal prawn trawl, gillnet and beach seine fisheries captured an estimate of between 50 164 - 52 370 indiv.y-1 from 2000-2011. The highest bycatch rate was estimated for gillnet fisheries (40 264 indiv.y-1) followed by beach seine fisheries (9 171 indiv.y-1) and prawn trawl fisheries (at 1089 – 2795 indiv.y-1). The gillnet fishery could be responsible for slowing the recovery rate of green turtle and leatherback populations in the SWIO due to the high capture rates in this fishery compared to the population sizes of the species. Beach seine and prawn trawl fisheries are not expected to be hamper the recovery rate of any of the populations in the SWIO due to the low levels of interactions and low mortality rates compared to the population sizes. There are however very few data available regarding the bycatch of sea turtle species within these fisheries, highlighting the need for further research regarding this. A productivity-Susceptibility Analysis (PSA) was used to evaluate the relative vulnerability of species to fisheries, and is frequently applied in data poor situations. Limited data on sea turtle life history characteristics and population dynamics of species in the SWIO prompted the use of a PSA to determine the species most vulnerable to fisheries in the region. Results of the PSA indicated that gillnet fisheries poses the largest fishery-related threat to sea turtle populations, specifically the green and leatherback populations. The longline fishery that poses a particular threat to the leatherback population in the SWIO is also a particular concern. A cumulative impact assessment (combining fisheries and other threats) indicated that the SWIO leatherback population is extremely vulnerable to the combination of threats that influence this population in the SWIO. Even though individual fisheries may pose a small threat, the cumulative impacts of the fisheries can lead to severe impacts on populations such as slowing the recovery rate of populations. There are however significant data gaps that require attention in order to fully assess the impact of these fisheries on sea turtle populations. Despite the fact that fisheries are not implicated as a mayor reason for the decline in the hawksbill and olive ridley populations in the region, these two species are in decline indicating that there are other factors responsible for the decline not yet identified. It however remains imperative to reduce the mortality from all sources to ensure the continued viability of sea turtle populations in the region.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Educating children presenting with autistic spectrum disorders: exploring parents' experiences
- Authors: McGrath, Wanita
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Autistic children -- Education , Autistic children
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/10265 , vital:26647
- Description: According to Pienaar and Raymond (2013, p.10) learners with disabilities have historically experienced the most serious exclusion from learning. The worldwide call for inclusive education prompted South Africa to develop the White Paper 6 (WP6) (2001, p.18) which clearly states that for Inclusive Education to be successfully implemented in South Africa, there has to be an acknowledgement that all children and youth can learn. The implementation of WP6 therefore not only benefits learners with special educational needs, but all South African learners by implementing "a more flexible system of education that focuses on removing barriers to learning and creating learning-friendly environments" (Pienaar and Raymond, 2013, pp. 10-11). However, a great disparity exists in what is proposed in official documents such as WP6 and what parents of children with barriers to learning actually experience within schools. This phenomenological study employed memory work, drawings and focus group discussions with four purposively selected parents to explore parents’ experiences of the education of their children who are on the Autistic Spectrum. Bronfenbrenner’s Eco-systemic perspective was used to make meaning of the data. The findings show that parents find the education of their autistic children as a stressful and isolating experience because of an unprepared education system. Despite the challenges, the participants also find their experiences to be a journey of personal growth and fulfilment. The study therefore recommends that schools should engage parents of autistic children more actively in order to make inclusion of such children effective. Teachers who are expected to practice inclusivity in schools should be adequately prepared to work with children presenting with ASD through a collaborative effort of the Department of Health and the Department of Education.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: McGrath, Wanita
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Autistic children -- Education , Autistic children
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/10265 , vital:26647
- Description: According to Pienaar and Raymond (2013, p.10) learners with disabilities have historically experienced the most serious exclusion from learning. The worldwide call for inclusive education prompted South Africa to develop the White Paper 6 (WP6) (2001, p.18) which clearly states that for Inclusive Education to be successfully implemented in South Africa, there has to be an acknowledgement that all children and youth can learn. The implementation of WP6 therefore not only benefits learners with special educational needs, but all South African learners by implementing "a more flexible system of education that focuses on removing barriers to learning and creating learning-friendly environments" (Pienaar and Raymond, 2013, pp. 10-11). However, a great disparity exists in what is proposed in official documents such as WP6 and what parents of children with barriers to learning actually experience within schools. This phenomenological study employed memory work, drawings and focus group discussions with four purposively selected parents to explore parents’ experiences of the education of their children who are on the Autistic Spectrum. Bronfenbrenner’s Eco-systemic perspective was used to make meaning of the data. The findings show that parents find the education of their autistic children as a stressful and isolating experience because of an unprepared education system. Despite the challenges, the participants also find their experiences to be a journey of personal growth and fulfilment. The study therefore recommends that schools should engage parents of autistic children more actively in order to make inclusion of such children effective. Teachers who are expected to practice inclusivity in schools should be adequately prepared to work with children presenting with ASD through a collaborative effort of the Department of Health and the Department of Education.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Effects of political instability in development in South Sudan
- Authors: Annan, David
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Political stability -- Africa -- History , Economic development -- Political aspects , Africa -- Politics and government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9184 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020190
- Description: The signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between the Republic of Sudan represented by the National Congress Party (NCP) and the SPLM (Sudan People’s Liberation Movement) which represented the people of the Southern part of Sudan in January 2005 ushered in a rare era of peace and hope for the rebuilding and construction of the war ravaged South Sudan. Coupled with the attainment of Independence for South Sudan through an internationally supervised referendum in January 2011, the objectives of years of struggle by the people of the formerly semi-autonomous region were completed. From 2005 until after the independence of South Sudan however, a period that initially was marked by huge euphoria and broad based anticipation of development boom, the support from both local and international actors for the struggle and the plight of the people of South Sudan is waning and at worst has now turned into despair and hopelessness. After attaining independence in 2011, the highest party organ, the Political Bureau decided to remove candidates who were popularly voted by their constituents and replaced them with their cronies, leading to mass exodus of cadres from the party. On top of that, the wide believe that the elections were rigged for SPLM candidates at the expense of the Independent candidates led to another wave of exodus and open rebellion by many veteran cadres of the movement. Today, these rebellions coupled with some complex problematic societal issues are major concern and a source of political instability and violence in some parts of the country. Secondly, the hasty process of the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) campaign, which in some cases were forcefully done left some communities exposed and venerable to attacks by rival communities. This continue to exacerbate and ignite tribal hatred, tension and stereotypes between communities especially in the traditionally volatile parts of the country that are known for cattle rustling and tribal rivalry as a form of cultural practice. Unresolved post secession issues within the SPLM had resulted to political instability and violence thus having negative economic consequences for South Sudan and all the gains the country had made in the past few years vanished after December 15 2013 political upheaval. This thesis will examine the effects of these mentioned complex political instability and economic dilemma South Sudan is being confronted with in the face of the fact that it is still in the process of nation building having attained its Independence only in July 2011.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Annan, David
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Political stability -- Africa -- History , Economic development -- Political aspects , Africa -- Politics and government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9184 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020190
- Description: The signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between the Republic of Sudan represented by the National Congress Party (NCP) and the SPLM (Sudan People’s Liberation Movement) which represented the people of the Southern part of Sudan in January 2005 ushered in a rare era of peace and hope for the rebuilding and construction of the war ravaged South Sudan. Coupled with the attainment of Independence for South Sudan through an internationally supervised referendum in January 2011, the objectives of years of struggle by the people of the formerly semi-autonomous region were completed. From 2005 until after the independence of South Sudan however, a period that initially was marked by huge euphoria and broad based anticipation of development boom, the support from both local and international actors for the struggle and the plight of the people of South Sudan is waning and at worst has now turned into despair and hopelessness. After attaining independence in 2011, the highest party organ, the Political Bureau decided to remove candidates who were popularly voted by their constituents and replaced them with their cronies, leading to mass exodus of cadres from the party. On top of that, the wide believe that the elections were rigged for SPLM candidates at the expense of the Independent candidates led to another wave of exodus and open rebellion by many veteran cadres of the movement. Today, these rebellions coupled with some complex problematic societal issues are major concern and a source of political instability and violence in some parts of the country. Secondly, the hasty process of the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) campaign, which in some cases were forcefully done left some communities exposed and venerable to attacks by rival communities. This continue to exacerbate and ignite tribal hatred, tension and stereotypes between communities especially in the traditionally volatile parts of the country that are known for cattle rustling and tribal rivalry as a form of cultural practice. Unresolved post secession issues within the SPLM had resulted to political instability and violence thus having negative economic consequences for South Sudan and all the gains the country had made in the past few years vanished after December 15 2013 political upheaval. This thesis will examine the effects of these mentioned complex political instability and economic dilemma South Sudan is being confronted with in the face of the fact that it is still in the process of nation building having attained its Independence only in July 2011.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Efficiency evaluation of South Africa tertiary education institutions using data envelopment analysis
- Authors: Chitekedza, Ignatious
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Data envelopment analysis -- South Africa , Principal components analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4764 , vital:20674
- Description: With an increasing number of students enrolling at higher education institutions in South Africa, it has become important to investigate whether these institutions are using their resources adequately. This study uses data envelopment analysis (DEA) to estimate the efficiency of 23 South African tertiary education institutions based on both teaching and research outputs. Using DEA we are able to rank South African universities according to their use of resources in these two areas. These rankings can identify institutions which are performing well and also those which require improvement. The effect that merging institutions has on this efficiency is also determined. Owing to the limited sample size, variable reduction techniques, including the efficiency contribution measure (ECM) and principal components analysis (PCA-DEA), were used to improve the discrimination of the analysis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Chitekedza, Ignatious
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Data envelopment analysis -- South Africa , Principal components analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4764 , vital:20674
- Description: With an increasing number of students enrolling at higher education institutions in South Africa, it has become important to investigate whether these institutions are using their resources adequately. This study uses data envelopment analysis (DEA) to estimate the efficiency of 23 South African tertiary education institutions based on both teaching and research outputs. Using DEA we are able to rank South African universities according to their use of resources in these two areas. These rankings can identify institutions which are performing well and also those which require improvement. The effect that merging institutions has on this efficiency is also determined. Owing to the limited sample size, variable reduction techniques, including the efficiency contribution measure (ECM) and principal components analysis (PCA-DEA), were used to improve the discrimination of the analysis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Electrical-static discharge in single point diamond turning machining of contact lens polymers
- Authors: Kadermani, Mohamed Munir
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Electric discharges , Electrostatics , Contact lenses , Polymers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEngineering (Mechatronics)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4055 , vital:20508
- Description: Single Point Diamond Turning (SPDT) is a technology widely applied for the fabrication of contact lenses. One of the limiting factors in polymer machining is wear of the diamond tool due to electrostatic discharge resulting in poor surface quality of the machined products. The research work presented in this dissertation highlights the electrostatic properties of contact lenses during machining operations and the effects these properties have on the surface quality of the work piece materials. Two contact lens samples were experimented on, Definitive 74 (Silicone Hydrogel) and Tyro 97 (Rigid Gas Permeable). The electrostatic surface potentials (ESPs) were measured during turning operations using an electrostatic voltmeter and the surface roughness measurements were taken using a surface profilometer. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) techniques were employed to create predictive models for both surface roughness and ESPs with respect to the cutting speed, feed rate and depth of cut. Predictive surface roughness models were successfully generated for both materials and the cutting speed and feed rate were identified as the parameters with most effect on surface roughness. In addition, an electrostatic model was successfully generated for the Definitive 74 contact lens material which cited the cutting speed and feed rate as the most effective parameters on the material’s electrostatic behaviour. However, no relationship was evident between the machining parameters and electrostatic behaviour of Tyro 97.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Kadermani, Mohamed Munir
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Electric discharges , Electrostatics , Contact lenses , Polymers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEngineering (Mechatronics)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4055 , vital:20508
- Description: Single Point Diamond Turning (SPDT) is a technology widely applied for the fabrication of contact lenses. One of the limiting factors in polymer machining is wear of the diamond tool due to electrostatic discharge resulting in poor surface quality of the machined products. The research work presented in this dissertation highlights the electrostatic properties of contact lenses during machining operations and the effects these properties have on the surface quality of the work piece materials. Two contact lens samples were experimented on, Definitive 74 (Silicone Hydrogel) and Tyro 97 (Rigid Gas Permeable). The electrostatic surface potentials (ESPs) were measured during turning operations using an electrostatic voltmeter and the surface roughness measurements were taken using a surface profilometer. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) techniques were employed to create predictive models for both surface roughness and ESPs with respect to the cutting speed, feed rate and depth of cut. Predictive surface roughness models were successfully generated for both materials and the cutting speed and feed rate were identified as the parameters with most effect on surface roughness. In addition, an electrostatic model was successfully generated for the Definitive 74 contact lens material which cited the cutting speed and feed rate as the most effective parameters on the material’s electrostatic behaviour. However, no relationship was evident between the machining parameters and electrostatic behaviour of Tyro 97.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Empowerment of school governing bodies in selected schools, King William's Town education district
- Authors: Ronoti, Zamikhaya Sydwell
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: School boards -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School board members -- Training of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6585 , vital:21120
- Description: This study investigates the impact of school governing bodies (SGBs) empowerment on school governance in King William’s Town. The study focuses on SGBs challenges and plights, highlights the effects of their lack of empowerment and suggests the review of the election criteria used to elect SGBs who have the potential to be empowered. Furthermore, it explores the elements and methods of empowerment that can be utilised to empower SGBs and examines the difficulties SGBs experience in accounting for finances and formulating and implementing policies. The researcher makes recommendations on the empowerment of SGBs based on the findings of the study. It was necessary to review literature on empowerment and school governance to attain the research goals. Conflicts and the mismanagement of finances indicate a noticeable gap between South African Schools Act policy intention and policy practice. The majority of SGBs, particularly the parent component in rural and semi-urban areas, have low levels of education. As a result, it is difficult to empower members because they have little or no basic knowledge, skills and expertise with regard to school governance. The manner in which SGBs function and carry out their duties, roles and responsibilities indicates that SGBs received inadequate training. SGBs lack awareness of the regulations governing the appointment of educators, hence a number of disputes arise. The increasing number of disputes (both formal and informal) in respect of appointments and promotions results from misinterpretations of or variations in legislation governing appointments in schools as well as the competency or capacity of SGBs. To investigate this problem, interviews were used as the research instrument to gather data from eight participants from selected schools. The main finding is that the majority of the SGBs studied are incapable of being empowered due to low illiteracy levels of some members. Low levels of or no education, a lack of basic knowledge and skills and other factors, such as a lack of educational insight and the inaccessibility of information and resources due to the use of English as the medium in which SGBs are serviced, compound the problem. The quality of the empowerment workshops, which are 'one size fits all', have a marked effect on their efficiency.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Ronoti, Zamikhaya Sydwell
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: School boards -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School board members -- Training of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6585 , vital:21120
- Description: This study investigates the impact of school governing bodies (SGBs) empowerment on school governance in King William’s Town. The study focuses on SGBs challenges and plights, highlights the effects of their lack of empowerment and suggests the review of the election criteria used to elect SGBs who have the potential to be empowered. Furthermore, it explores the elements and methods of empowerment that can be utilised to empower SGBs and examines the difficulties SGBs experience in accounting for finances and formulating and implementing policies. The researcher makes recommendations on the empowerment of SGBs based on the findings of the study. It was necessary to review literature on empowerment and school governance to attain the research goals. Conflicts and the mismanagement of finances indicate a noticeable gap between South African Schools Act policy intention and policy practice. The majority of SGBs, particularly the parent component in rural and semi-urban areas, have low levels of education. As a result, it is difficult to empower members because they have little or no basic knowledge, skills and expertise with regard to school governance. The manner in which SGBs function and carry out their duties, roles and responsibilities indicates that SGBs received inadequate training. SGBs lack awareness of the regulations governing the appointment of educators, hence a number of disputes arise. The increasing number of disputes (both formal and informal) in respect of appointments and promotions results from misinterpretations of or variations in legislation governing appointments in schools as well as the competency or capacity of SGBs. To investigate this problem, interviews were used as the research instrument to gather data from eight participants from selected schools. The main finding is that the majority of the SGBs studied are incapable of being empowered due to low illiteracy levels of some members. Low levels of or no education, a lack of basic knowledge and skills and other factors, such as a lack of educational insight and the inaccessibility of information and resources due to the use of English as the medium in which SGBs are serviced, compound the problem. The quality of the empowerment workshops, which are 'one size fits all', have a marked effect on their efficiency.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015