The role of the office of the auditor general of South Africa in enhancing sound public financial management, with special references to the Eastern Cape Province
- Deliwe, Mawonga Christopher C
- Authors: Deliwe, Mawonga Christopher C
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: South Africa -- Office of the Auditor-General Finance, Public -- South Africa -- Auditing Auditing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2017 , vital:27596
- Description: The 1996 Constitution of South Africa and the Public Audit Act of 2004 provide the legislative framework for the Office of the Auditor General of South Africa (OAGSA). The Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors further enriched the interpretation of the framework – for government auditing. Over the years of democratic rule in South Africa, audit performance by State organs was generally poor. Despite the efforts by the OAGSA to improve the performance, very little improvement was notable. Most disturbing was the observation that there was widespread, a prevalence of recurring findings, which indicated that the OAGSA’s recommendations and guidelines were not acted upon, or largely ignored. Firstly, the research study established that the system of capitalist democracy, which comes in different varieties throughout world democracies, indeed brought about a situation where the electorate was effectively removed from its rightful place of being the principal, and had its place taken up by political parties (which are in fact, agents) - which (parties) governed on its (the electorate’s) behalf. This system, taken together with the Principal Agency and the Rational Choice Theories – fully explained the prevalence of maladministration and malfeasance in government in South Africa. Secondly, the study established that the OAGSA has done everything imaginable in its attempts to improve audit performance in government institutions – using the carrot rather than the stick approach. The legislative framework cited above, revealed that the OAGSA has the power to audit and report, while Parliament has the power to enforce corrective action. The lesson of this revelation is: that there is not much that the OAGSA can achieve without a high level of cooperation between itself and Parliament – if audit performance is to be effectively, and appreciably improved in South Africa. A disappointing discovery however was indirectly delivered to the world, through the results of a research study conducted by one Wehner in 2002, on Public Accounts Committees (PACs) (alias Standing Committees on Public Accounts (SCOPAs)) in world democracies. The Wehner study clearly demonstrated that there was nothing contained in these committees’ founding documents or enabling legislation – which in no uncertain terms, directed the committees on what procedures and processes to follow to ensure that their resolutions were acted upon. In other words there was no enforcement mechanism discernible for their resolutions. Thirdly, there were developments in case law in South Africa, which augured well for Constitutional Institutions in general. They are contained in court judgements relating to the mandate of the Office of the Public Protector (OPP). The question at the core of these developments was: whether the decisions or remedial action emanating from the OPP, were binding and enforceable. Two judgements cited as cases in point, one a High Court judgment and another a Supreme Court of Appeal’s (SCA’s), feature in the research report. The SCA, in summary found that decisions of administrative bodies of State – stand in fact and in law, until such time that a court of law invalidates them. The SCA ruled through citing a High Court judgement passed way back in 2004 - that Constitutional Institutions, although not organs of State per se – were certainly included in this 2004 finding, if one considers the rationale of this initial finding, taken together with the purpose for which Constitutional Institutions were established in South Africa in the first place. In conclusion, although visible root causes of poor audit findings appear overall to be poor consequence management and questionable leadership quality in government, the system of capitalist democracy is ultimately to blame. The system certainly had unintended consequences.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Deliwe, Mawonga Christopher C
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: South Africa -- Office of the Auditor-General Finance, Public -- South Africa -- Auditing Auditing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2017 , vital:27596
- Description: The 1996 Constitution of South Africa and the Public Audit Act of 2004 provide the legislative framework for the Office of the Auditor General of South Africa (OAGSA). The Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors further enriched the interpretation of the framework – for government auditing. Over the years of democratic rule in South Africa, audit performance by State organs was generally poor. Despite the efforts by the OAGSA to improve the performance, very little improvement was notable. Most disturbing was the observation that there was widespread, a prevalence of recurring findings, which indicated that the OAGSA’s recommendations and guidelines were not acted upon, or largely ignored. Firstly, the research study established that the system of capitalist democracy, which comes in different varieties throughout world democracies, indeed brought about a situation where the electorate was effectively removed from its rightful place of being the principal, and had its place taken up by political parties (which are in fact, agents) - which (parties) governed on its (the electorate’s) behalf. This system, taken together with the Principal Agency and the Rational Choice Theories – fully explained the prevalence of maladministration and malfeasance in government in South Africa. Secondly, the study established that the OAGSA has done everything imaginable in its attempts to improve audit performance in government institutions – using the carrot rather than the stick approach. The legislative framework cited above, revealed that the OAGSA has the power to audit and report, while Parliament has the power to enforce corrective action. The lesson of this revelation is: that there is not much that the OAGSA can achieve without a high level of cooperation between itself and Parliament – if audit performance is to be effectively, and appreciably improved in South Africa. A disappointing discovery however was indirectly delivered to the world, through the results of a research study conducted by one Wehner in 2002, on Public Accounts Committees (PACs) (alias Standing Committees on Public Accounts (SCOPAs)) in world democracies. The Wehner study clearly demonstrated that there was nothing contained in these committees’ founding documents or enabling legislation – which in no uncertain terms, directed the committees on what procedures and processes to follow to ensure that their resolutions were acted upon. In other words there was no enforcement mechanism discernible for their resolutions. Thirdly, there were developments in case law in South Africa, which augured well for Constitutional Institutions in general. They are contained in court judgements relating to the mandate of the Office of the Public Protector (OPP). The question at the core of these developments was: whether the decisions or remedial action emanating from the OPP, were binding and enforceable. Two judgements cited as cases in point, one a High Court judgment and another a Supreme Court of Appeal’s (SCA’s), feature in the research report. The SCA, in summary found that decisions of administrative bodies of State – stand in fact and in law, until such time that a court of law invalidates them. The SCA ruled through citing a High Court judgement passed way back in 2004 - that Constitutional Institutions, although not organs of State per se – were certainly included in this 2004 finding, if one considers the rationale of this initial finding, taken together with the purpose for which Constitutional Institutions were established in South Africa in the first place. In conclusion, although visible root causes of poor audit findings appear overall to be poor consequence management and questionable leadership quality in government, the system of capitalist democracy is ultimately to blame. The system certainly had unintended consequences.
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The urban housing crisis in Zimbambwe :a case of city of Harare
- Authors: Mhakakora, Tafadza Clemence
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Housing -- Zimbabwe Housing development -- Zimbabwe Community development -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5148 , vital:29091
- Description: The issue of human settlements has recently gained much momentum particularly in cities across the world due to rapid rates of urbanization. The housing crisis is manifesting mostly in the cities of the developing countries; the urban poor population is left with no option, they are continuously living in substandard and unsustainable housing conditions due to the desperate housing need. There is a growing trend of migration into urban centers in the developing countries as well as natural population increase in the cities. The inevitable development is the rapid growth of urbanization. The theories on urbanization suggest that the responsible government and local council authorities must be prepared to address socio-economic issues such as the provision of formal housing, infrastructure development and employment creation. The governments in developing countries are struggling to balance economic development and the provision of social services. As a result, the human settlement sector is suffering lack of prioritization when it comes to budget and resource allocation. The resultant factors are the overcrowding of the urban population, high housing backlogs and dilapidation of infrastructure visible mostly in the major cities of the developing countries.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mhakakora, Tafadza Clemence
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Housing -- Zimbabwe Housing development -- Zimbabwe Community development -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5148 , vital:29091
- Description: The issue of human settlements has recently gained much momentum particularly in cities across the world due to rapid rates of urbanization. The housing crisis is manifesting mostly in the cities of the developing countries; the urban poor population is left with no option, they are continuously living in substandard and unsustainable housing conditions due to the desperate housing need. There is a growing trend of migration into urban centers in the developing countries as well as natural population increase in the cities. The inevitable development is the rapid growth of urbanization. The theories on urbanization suggest that the responsible government and local council authorities must be prepared to address socio-economic issues such as the provision of formal housing, infrastructure development and employment creation. The governments in developing countries are struggling to balance economic development and the provision of social services. As a result, the human settlement sector is suffering lack of prioritization when it comes to budget and resource allocation. The resultant factors are the overcrowding of the urban population, high housing backlogs and dilapidation of infrastructure visible mostly in the major cities of the developing countries.
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The work of the international criminal court in Africa and challenges for the future of international criminal justice
- Authors: Mupanga, Godfrey
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Immunities of foreign states Jurisdiction (International law) Government liability (International law) International relations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Law
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2645 , vital:27977
- Description: Within the first decade of the ICC‟s existence, its case docket was composed of cases originating from Africa only. Relations between the African governments represented by the AU quickly deteriorated. The AU accuses the ICC of bias and unfair targeting of Africa. After the indictment of heads of states that include Omar Al Bashir of Sudan, Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and the late Muammar Gaddafi of Libya, the AU passed several resolutions where it reiterated its commitment to the rule of law and to combating impunity. The AU, however, instructed member states to cease all cooperation with the ICC. African states that are ICC members are now faced with conflicting obligations as a result of the AU resolutions. Moreover, the AU resolutions raise the spectre of a legitimacy crisis for the AU and a conflict between articles 27(2) and 98(1) of the Rome Statute. Based mostly on desk research coupled with my experience working on human rights and access to justice programmes in Sudan, South Sudan, Somaliland, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe, this thesis considers the possibility that the ICC is suffering from a legitimacy crisis as a result of the fall out and the issues of unfair selectivity that are raised by the AU. Employing the Third World Approaches to International Law as an analytical framework, the study attempts to reconcile the apparent contradictions in the new outlook and rhetoric of the AU pursuant to its Constitutive Act and the instruction to member states to withdraw cooperation with the ICC. The thesis also proposes practical ways to resolve the conflicting obligations caused by the AU resolutions and by operation of customary international law immunity of high ranking state officials referred to the ICC by way of a Security Council resolution. The current situation gives the ICC the appearance of a weak institution that is only good for low hanging fruit, which has a negative effect on the legitimacy of the ICC.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mupanga, Godfrey
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Immunities of foreign states Jurisdiction (International law) Government liability (International law) International relations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Law
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2645 , vital:27977
- Description: Within the first decade of the ICC‟s existence, its case docket was composed of cases originating from Africa only. Relations between the African governments represented by the AU quickly deteriorated. The AU accuses the ICC of bias and unfair targeting of Africa. After the indictment of heads of states that include Omar Al Bashir of Sudan, Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and the late Muammar Gaddafi of Libya, the AU passed several resolutions where it reiterated its commitment to the rule of law and to combating impunity. The AU, however, instructed member states to cease all cooperation with the ICC. African states that are ICC members are now faced with conflicting obligations as a result of the AU resolutions. Moreover, the AU resolutions raise the spectre of a legitimacy crisis for the AU and a conflict between articles 27(2) and 98(1) of the Rome Statute. Based mostly on desk research coupled with my experience working on human rights and access to justice programmes in Sudan, South Sudan, Somaliland, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe, this thesis considers the possibility that the ICC is suffering from a legitimacy crisis as a result of the fall out and the issues of unfair selectivity that are raised by the AU. Employing the Third World Approaches to International Law as an analytical framework, the study attempts to reconcile the apparent contradictions in the new outlook and rhetoric of the AU pursuant to its Constitutive Act and the instruction to member states to withdraw cooperation with the ICC. The thesis also proposes practical ways to resolve the conflicting obligations caused by the AU resolutions and by operation of customary international law immunity of high ranking state officials referred to the ICC by way of a Security Council resolution. The current situation gives the ICC the appearance of a weak institution that is only good for low hanging fruit, which has a negative effect on the legitimacy of the ICC.
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Trade liberalisation, the real exchange rate and sectoral employment : a case study of South Africa
- Authors: Sibanda, Kin
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Foreign exchange rates Employment (Economic theory) Free trade -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12777 , vital:39360
- Description: This study examined the relationship between trade liberalisation, the real exchange rate and sectoral employment in South Africa for the period 1994 to 2014. Firstly, using quarterly time series data, the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) technique was employed to formally check if South African real exchange rates are responsive to trade liberalisation. This was done to see if trade liberalisation impacts real exchange rates in South Africa, to the extent that they cannot be controlled concurrently in the subsequent models. Based on the ARDL results, trade liberalisation does not have a significant effect on the exchange rate. However, when the real exchange rate is an independent variable of trade liberalisation, the results show that real exchange rates affect trade, specifically the export propensity index. The next step was to assess the impact of trade liberalisation and real exchange rate on sectoral employment using quarterly panel data for South Africa from 1994 to 2014 controlling for both sector-specific and macro-economic variables. The study employed diverse panel data analysis techniques to separate the sectoral effects, starting with broad sectors followed by the disaggregated sectors, to identify the sectors most affected by real exchange rates and trade liberalisation. The Generalised method of Moments (GMM) results reveal that a unit increase in exchange rate (implying appreciation), causes employment to go down by about 9 percent in South Africa. The same relationship is depicted from the Pooled Mean Group (PMG) estimations in both the short run and long run. Random coefficients (betas) show that the real exchange rate negatively affects the primary and secondary sector with a positive but insignificant effect on the tertiary sector. The sub-sectors negatively hit hard by real exchange rates are communication, mining and transport. The results also show that trade liberalisation is linked to both job destruction and job creation. The static models reveal that trade openness has a statistically positive and significant impact on employment in the short run while the PMG estimator results show that the effect is negative and only significant in the short run. The dynamic models (GMM and PMG) showed trade liberalisation (as proxied by trade openness and import propensity) has a statistical and significantly positive short run impact on employment. This implies that selective trade liberalisation strategies are needed in order for South Africa to maximise the gains from trade.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Sibanda, Kin
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Foreign exchange rates Employment (Economic theory) Free trade -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12777 , vital:39360
- Description: This study examined the relationship between trade liberalisation, the real exchange rate and sectoral employment in South Africa for the period 1994 to 2014. Firstly, using quarterly time series data, the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) technique was employed to formally check if South African real exchange rates are responsive to trade liberalisation. This was done to see if trade liberalisation impacts real exchange rates in South Africa, to the extent that they cannot be controlled concurrently in the subsequent models. Based on the ARDL results, trade liberalisation does not have a significant effect on the exchange rate. However, when the real exchange rate is an independent variable of trade liberalisation, the results show that real exchange rates affect trade, specifically the export propensity index. The next step was to assess the impact of trade liberalisation and real exchange rate on sectoral employment using quarterly panel data for South Africa from 1994 to 2014 controlling for both sector-specific and macro-economic variables. The study employed diverse panel data analysis techniques to separate the sectoral effects, starting with broad sectors followed by the disaggregated sectors, to identify the sectors most affected by real exchange rates and trade liberalisation. The Generalised method of Moments (GMM) results reveal that a unit increase in exchange rate (implying appreciation), causes employment to go down by about 9 percent in South Africa. The same relationship is depicted from the Pooled Mean Group (PMG) estimations in both the short run and long run. Random coefficients (betas) show that the real exchange rate negatively affects the primary and secondary sector with a positive but insignificant effect on the tertiary sector. The sub-sectors negatively hit hard by real exchange rates are communication, mining and transport. The results also show that trade liberalisation is linked to both job destruction and job creation. The static models reveal that trade openness has a statistically positive and significant impact on employment in the short run while the PMG estimator results show that the effect is negative and only significant in the short run. The dynamic models (GMM and PMG) showed trade liberalisation (as proxied by trade openness and import propensity) has a statistical and significantly positive short run impact on employment. This implies that selective trade liberalisation strategies are needed in order for South Africa to maximise the gains from trade.
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Traditional and cultural practices and the rights of women : a study of widowhood practices among the Akans in Ghana
- Authors: Afari-Twumasi, Lucy
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Widows -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- Ghana Widowhood -- Ghana Akan (African people) -- Social life and customs
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2844 , vital:28106
- Description: The study investigates the human rights violations that underlie widowhood practices in Cape Coast and Komenda in the Central Region of Ghana. Review of the relevant literature on widowhood practices suggests that widowhood practices are a global cultural phenomenon, which is not confined to Sub-Sahara Africa. A survey of relevant studies on the phenomenon suggests that there are two competing perceptions on African widowhood practices: (1) a dominant negative perspective and (2) a minor positive perspective. The dominant negative perspective, which receives overwhelming research attention, focuses only on the negative characteristics of widowhood while the minor positive perspective which receives scanty research attention, rejects the criticisms levelled against widowhood practices as being externally influenced by Christianity and Western Feminism. Various stakeholders within the Akan community were given an opportunity to retell their own versions of widowhood practices. In order to achieve this purpose, the research extracted competing narratives from all the multiple sample subgroups of the proposed study: widows; widow family heads; chiefs; widowhood ritual practitioners; elderly female supervisors of widowhood practices; an official from the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ); an official from the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MOWAC); and an official from the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of Ghana. The study found out that despite legislative intervention and policy frameworks, the practice still persist among the Akan communities in Ghana. The reasons for the continued existence of such rituals are explained followed by recommendations for possible solutions.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Afari-Twumasi, Lucy
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Widows -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- Ghana Widowhood -- Ghana Akan (African people) -- Social life and customs
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2844 , vital:28106
- Description: The study investigates the human rights violations that underlie widowhood practices in Cape Coast and Komenda in the Central Region of Ghana. Review of the relevant literature on widowhood practices suggests that widowhood practices are a global cultural phenomenon, which is not confined to Sub-Sahara Africa. A survey of relevant studies on the phenomenon suggests that there are two competing perceptions on African widowhood practices: (1) a dominant negative perspective and (2) a minor positive perspective. The dominant negative perspective, which receives overwhelming research attention, focuses only on the negative characteristics of widowhood while the minor positive perspective which receives scanty research attention, rejects the criticisms levelled against widowhood practices as being externally influenced by Christianity and Western Feminism. Various stakeholders within the Akan community were given an opportunity to retell their own versions of widowhood practices. In order to achieve this purpose, the research extracted competing narratives from all the multiple sample subgroups of the proposed study: widows; widow family heads; chiefs; widowhood ritual practitioners; elderly female supervisors of widowhood practices; an official from the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ); an official from the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MOWAC); and an official from the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of Ghana. The study found out that despite legislative intervention and policy frameworks, the practice still persist among the Akan communities in Ghana. The reasons for the continued existence of such rituals are explained followed by recommendations for possible solutions.
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Two uses of DNA sequence variation in tracing evolutionary processes in Old World primates (Primates: Catarrhini)
- Authors: Dosi, Banele
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Primates -- Evolution Monkeys Cercopithecidae
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8022 , vital:31464
- Description: Primate evolution is particularly interesting to humans, because it includes our own history. Molecular genetics is by far the most dynamic field in contemporary biology, and offers a host of new techniques for investigating evolutionary processes and patterns. In the mid-twentieth century molecular genetics evolved from being a means of visualising hidden variation (e.g. allozymes) to tracing phylogenetic relationships between and among species (evolutionary histories of populations), and now has a wide variety of applications in medicine, species identification and relationships, and even wildlife forensics. For my Master’s project I investigated two applications of molecular genetic analysis to questions regarding the evolution of Old World monkeys (Catarrhini). First, I participated in a study designed to test the hypothesis that different primate social structures – particularly mating systems – may be reflected in the structure of a species genome. We investigated whether increased sperm production as a result of sexual selection increases the number of copy number variations (CNVs) that can be detected by comparing the male specific region Y (MSY) located on the Y chromosome in a sample of primate species. We did not find a clear differentiation between the primate species as hypothesised, which thus requires a more complex explanation, e.g. in terms of the type of environment rather than the mating system of the species, or possibly the active/inactive status of the genes. The second part of my study was phylogeographic in approach. I collaborated with researchers studying the distribution of Afromontane samango monkeys (Cercopithecus albogularis labiatus) in the Eastern Cape. I sequenced tissues from 5 samango monkey specimens found opportunistically in the Hogsback and coastal forests and analysed their genetic variation relative to the data published by Dalton et al. 2015. The Hogsback sample was not monophyletic relative to the sample from the coastal forests, indicating that, on the basis of this very small sample size, these populations have not been separated historically. In order to validate this conclusion, I will need to investigate a larger sample size. From this study I developed valuable skills in the areas of the laboratory techniques involved in molecular sequence analysis, and an appreciation for the importance of large sample sizes in deriving reliable results. I intend to continue in the future with a phylogeographic study of samango monkeys.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Dosi, Banele
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Primates -- Evolution Monkeys Cercopithecidae
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8022 , vital:31464
- Description: Primate evolution is particularly interesting to humans, because it includes our own history. Molecular genetics is by far the most dynamic field in contemporary biology, and offers a host of new techniques for investigating evolutionary processes and patterns. In the mid-twentieth century molecular genetics evolved from being a means of visualising hidden variation (e.g. allozymes) to tracing phylogenetic relationships between and among species (evolutionary histories of populations), and now has a wide variety of applications in medicine, species identification and relationships, and even wildlife forensics. For my Master’s project I investigated two applications of molecular genetic analysis to questions regarding the evolution of Old World monkeys (Catarrhini). First, I participated in a study designed to test the hypothesis that different primate social structures – particularly mating systems – may be reflected in the structure of a species genome. We investigated whether increased sperm production as a result of sexual selection increases the number of copy number variations (CNVs) that can be detected by comparing the male specific region Y (MSY) located on the Y chromosome in a sample of primate species. We did not find a clear differentiation between the primate species as hypothesised, which thus requires a more complex explanation, e.g. in terms of the type of environment rather than the mating system of the species, or possibly the active/inactive status of the genes. The second part of my study was phylogeographic in approach. I collaborated with researchers studying the distribution of Afromontane samango monkeys (Cercopithecus albogularis labiatus) in the Eastern Cape. I sequenced tissues from 5 samango monkey specimens found opportunistically in the Hogsback and coastal forests and analysed their genetic variation relative to the data published by Dalton et al. 2015. The Hogsback sample was not monophyletic relative to the sample from the coastal forests, indicating that, on the basis of this very small sample size, these populations have not been separated historically. In order to validate this conclusion, I will need to investigate a larger sample size. From this study I developed valuable skills in the areas of the laboratory techniques involved in molecular sequence analysis, and an appreciation for the importance of large sample sizes in deriving reliable results. I intend to continue in the future with a phylogeographic study of samango monkeys.
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Using data mining techniques for the prediction of student dropouts from university science programs
- Authors: Vambe, William Tichaona
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Data mining Dropout behavior, Prediction of
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12314 , vital:39252
- Description: Data Mining has taken a center stage in education for addressing student dropout challenges as it has become one of the major threat affecting Higher Educational Institutes (HEIs). Being able to predict students who are likely to dropout helps the university to assist those facing challenges early. This will results in producing more graduates with the intellectual capital who will provide skills in the industries, hence addressing the major challenge of skill shortage being faced in South Africa. Studies and researches as purported in literature have been done to address this major threat of dropout challenge by using the theoretical approach which banked on Tinto’s model, followed by the traditional and statistical approach. However, the two lacked accuracy and the automation aspect which makes them difficult and time-consuming to use as they require to be tested periodically for them to be validated. Recently data mining has become a vital tool for predicting non-linear phenomenon including where there is missing data and bringing about accuracy and automation aspect. Data mining usefulness and reliability assessment in education made it possible to be used for prediction by different researchers. As such this research used data mining approach that integrates classification and prediction techniques to analyze student academic data at the University of Fort Hare to create a model for student dropout using preentry data and university academic performance of each student. Following Knowledge Discovery from Database (KDD) framework, data for the students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science programs between 2003 and 2014 was selected. It went through preprocessing and transformation as to deal with the missing data and noise data. Classification algorithms were then used for student characterization. Decision trees (J48) which are found in Weka software were used to build the model for data mining and prediction. The reason for choosing decision trees was it’s ability to deal with textual, nominal and numeric data as was the case with our input data and because they have good precision.The model was then trained using a train data set, validated and evaluated with another data set. Experimental results demonstrations that data mining is useful in predicting students who have chances to drop out. A critical analysis of correctly classifying instances, the confusion matrix and ROC area shows that the model can correctly classify and predict those who are likely to dropout. The model accuracy was 66percent which is a good percentage as supported in literature which means the results produced can be reliably used for assessment and make strategic decisions. Furthermore, the model took a matter of seconds to compute the results when supplied with 400 instances which prove that it is effective and efficient. Grounding our conclusion from these experimental results, this research proved that Data Mining is useful for bringing about automation, accuracy in prediction of student dropouts and the results can be reliably depended on for decision making by faculty managers who are the decision makers.
- Full Text:
Using data mining techniques for the prediction of student dropouts from university science programs
- Authors: Vambe, William Tichaona
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Data mining Dropout behavior, Prediction of
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12314 , vital:39252
- Description: Data Mining has taken a center stage in education for addressing student dropout challenges as it has become one of the major threat affecting Higher Educational Institutes (HEIs). Being able to predict students who are likely to dropout helps the university to assist those facing challenges early. This will results in producing more graduates with the intellectual capital who will provide skills in the industries, hence addressing the major challenge of skill shortage being faced in South Africa. Studies and researches as purported in literature have been done to address this major threat of dropout challenge by using the theoretical approach which banked on Tinto’s model, followed by the traditional and statistical approach. However, the two lacked accuracy and the automation aspect which makes them difficult and time-consuming to use as they require to be tested periodically for them to be validated. Recently data mining has become a vital tool for predicting non-linear phenomenon including where there is missing data and bringing about accuracy and automation aspect. Data mining usefulness and reliability assessment in education made it possible to be used for prediction by different researchers. As such this research used data mining approach that integrates classification and prediction techniques to analyze student academic data at the University of Fort Hare to create a model for student dropout using preentry data and university academic performance of each student. Following Knowledge Discovery from Database (KDD) framework, data for the students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science programs between 2003 and 2014 was selected. It went through preprocessing and transformation as to deal with the missing data and noise data. Classification algorithms were then used for student characterization. Decision trees (J48) which are found in Weka software were used to build the model for data mining and prediction. The reason for choosing decision trees was it’s ability to deal with textual, nominal and numeric data as was the case with our input data and because they have good precision.The model was then trained using a train data set, validated and evaluated with another data set. Experimental results demonstrations that data mining is useful in predicting students who have chances to drop out. A critical analysis of correctly classifying instances, the confusion matrix and ROC area shows that the model can correctly classify and predict those who are likely to dropout. The model accuracy was 66percent which is a good percentage as supported in literature which means the results produced can be reliably used for assessment and make strategic decisions. Furthermore, the model took a matter of seconds to compute the results when supplied with 400 instances which prove that it is effective and efficient. Grounding our conclusion from these experimental results, this research proved that Data Mining is useful for bringing about automation, accuracy in prediction of student dropouts and the results can be reliably depended on for decision making by faculty managers who are the decision makers.
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Utilisation of university health care services by employees of the University of Fort Hare
- Authors: Fritsche, Ntombikayise
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Employee health promotion Health services administration Universities and colleges
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5950 , vital:29449
- Description: Background: University of Fort Hare (UFH) provides health care services to its students and staff; however, whether the health care services are being utilised by the staff is only speculative. Hence, the aim of the study was to determine the level of employees’ awareness regarding availability of University Health Care Services (UHS) and factors responsible for their utilization. wildlife and thereby may constitute a serious risk to public health. Therefore, it is recommended that proper regulation of the use of the compounds and their safe disposal be ensured to protect aquatic resources and the well-being of humans. Methodology: This quantitative descriptive study involved conveniently selected 255 UFH employees who were either permanently employed or on contract employment for two years and above. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. The questionnaire solicited information on demographics variables, awareness of employees regarding the existence of university health services, and factors affecting utilization of university health services (UHS) by employees. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency and percentages) and inferential statistics (logistic regression analysis). Results: -Two hundred and thirty three (91 percent) of sampled UFH employees in both campuses are aware of the UHS. The longer the duration of employment and the older the employee (above 50 years old) the more likely the employees are aware of UHS. However, the elderly employees displayed poor utilization of health care services. Accessibility of UHS (96 percent), satisfaction with UHS (95 percent), listening to others (word of mouth) (61.2 percent) and having a health concern (51 percent) encourage UHS utilization whereas being unaware (8.6 percent) of the UHS remains the barrier for utilisation. Having medical aid (81 percent) prevent those who are aware of UHS from utilising the university health care services. Operating hours (30 percent), staff attitudes (50 percent) and long waiting time (70 percent) with lack of essential medicines (38 percent) prohibit employees from revisiting. Conclusion: The University of Fort Hare’s health care services are well known by almost every employee through “word of the mouth” though they are not completely aware as to which health service programmes are being offered. The utilization of University of Fort Hare’s health care services is positively and adversely influenced by different factors.
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- Authors: Fritsche, Ntombikayise
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Employee health promotion Health services administration Universities and colleges
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5950 , vital:29449
- Description: Background: University of Fort Hare (UFH) provides health care services to its students and staff; however, whether the health care services are being utilised by the staff is only speculative. Hence, the aim of the study was to determine the level of employees’ awareness regarding availability of University Health Care Services (UHS) and factors responsible for their utilization. wildlife and thereby may constitute a serious risk to public health. Therefore, it is recommended that proper regulation of the use of the compounds and their safe disposal be ensured to protect aquatic resources and the well-being of humans. Methodology: This quantitative descriptive study involved conveniently selected 255 UFH employees who were either permanently employed or on contract employment for two years and above. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. The questionnaire solicited information on demographics variables, awareness of employees regarding the existence of university health services, and factors affecting utilization of university health services (UHS) by employees. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency and percentages) and inferential statistics (logistic regression analysis). Results: -Two hundred and thirty three (91 percent) of sampled UFH employees in both campuses are aware of the UHS. The longer the duration of employment and the older the employee (above 50 years old) the more likely the employees are aware of UHS. However, the elderly employees displayed poor utilization of health care services. Accessibility of UHS (96 percent), satisfaction with UHS (95 percent), listening to others (word of mouth) (61.2 percent) and having a health concern (51 percent) encourage UHS utilization whereas being unaware (8.6 percent) of the UHS remains the barrier for utilisation. Having medical aid (81 percent) prevent those who are aware of UHS from utilising the university health care services. Operating hours (30 percent), staff attitudes (50 percent) and long waiting time (70 percent) with lack of essential medicines (38 percent) prohibit employees from revisiting. Conclusion: The University of Fort Hare’s health care services are well known by almost every employee through “word of the mouth” though they are not completely aware as to which health service programmes are being offered. The utilization of University of Fort Hare’s health care services is positively and adversely influenced by different factors.
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Vocational curriculum report 191(NATED) as a curriculum: a case study of three Eastern Cape TVET Colleges
- Authors: Sixabayi, Siyabonga Prince
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Vocational education -- Curricula -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Curriculum planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5126 , vital:29089
- Description: This study aimed to investigate if there are any possible gaps in the offering Vocational Curriculum Report 191, in terms of knowledge, skills and link to the world of work. This study was a case study of three Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges that offer Vocational Curriculum Report 191, and it was geographically limited to the province of the Eastern Cape. The five main findings from this study were that firstly, the curriculum offers theory without practice. Secondly, there is a mismatch between what is offered as curriculum at Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges and what the labour market wants. Thirdly, lecturers do not have the practical exposure that relates to their fields of study. Fourthly, Vocational Curriculum Report 191 does not promote self-employment of its students and lastly, the curriculum is outdated and does not comply with the criteria of current employment opportunities. The study recommends that the curriculum be reviewed and revised. Technical and Vocational Education and Training colleges need to have in site practice facilities to cater for the practical application of theoretical knowledge of students. Partnerships between Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges, the labour market and Sector Education and Training Authorities are strongly recommended in this study.
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- Authors: Sixabayi, Siyabonga Prince
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Vocational education -- Curricula -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Curriculum planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5126 , vital:29089
- Description: This study aimed to investigate if there are any possible gaps in the offering Vocational Curriculum Report 191, in terms of knowledge, skills and link to the world of work. This study was a case study of three Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges that offer Vocational Curriculum Report 191, and it was geographically limited to the province of the Eastern Cape. The five main findings from this study were that firstly, the curriculum offers theory without practice. Secondly, there is a mismatch between what is offered as curriculum at Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges and what the labour market wants. Thirdly, lecturers do not have the practical exposure that relates to their fields of study. Fourthly, Vocational Curriculum Report 191 does not promote self-employment of its students and lastly, the curriculum is outdated and does not comply with the criteria of current employment opportunities. The study recommends that the curriculum be reviewed and revised. Technical and Vocational Education and Training colleges need to have in site practice facilities to cater for the practical application of theoretical knowledge of students. Partnerships between Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges, the labour market and Sector Education and Training Authorities are strongly recommended in this study.
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Weak form market efficiency of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange : pre during and post the 2008 global financial crisis
- Authors: Futshane, Olwetu
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Global Financial Crisis, 2008-2009 Efficient market theory Random walks (Mathematics)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11895 , vital:39116
- Description: The importance of the efficiency of the stock market cannot be underestimated, given that it brings together those who demand and supply development finance. It is against this background that this study focused on analysing the weak form efficiency of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange for the period 2005 to 2016. The study reviewed the theoretical and empirical literatures which have tried to examine the market efficiency of the Johannesburg stock exchange and whether the JSE follows that random walk. Based on the review of literature, several methodologies such as (unit root tests, autocorrelation test) were employed in the study obtaining robust results that the JSE price indices (All Share, Resources and Financials) follow the random walk process. To further confirm the findings in this research, the variance ratio test is conducted under heteroscedasticity and homoscedasticity it also strongly verified that the existence of a random walk process cannot be rejected in the JSE. The empirical results from all the various tests reveal that the null hypothesis of random walk cannot be rejected. These results thus suggest that the JSE is efficient in its weak form. This commends all the measures which have been carried out to ensure that the market is efficient.
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- Authors: Futshane, Olwetu
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Global Financial Crisis, 2008-2009 Efficient market theory Random walks (Mathematics)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11895 , vital:39116
- Description: The importance of the efficiency of the stock market cannot be underestimated, given that it brings together those who demand and supply development finance. It is against this background that this study focused on analysing the weak form efficiency of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange for the period 2005 to 2016. The study reviewed the theoretical and empirical literatures which have tried to examine the market efficiency of the Johannesburg stock exchange and whether the JSE follows that random walk. Based on the review of literature, several methodologies such as (unit root tests, autocorrelation test) were employed in the study obtaining robust results that the JSE price indices (All Share, Resources and Financials) follow the random walk process. To further confirm the findings in this research, the variance ratio test is conducted under heteroscedasticity and homoscedasticity it also strongly verified that the existence of a random walk process cannot be rejected in the JSE. The empirical results from all the various tests reveal that the null hypothesis of random walk cannot be rejected. These results thus suggest that the JSE is efficient in its weak form. This commends all the measures which have been carried out to ensure that the market is efficient.
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Workplace bullying and job engagement on the intention to leave among nurses at selected hospitals in the Chris Hani district, Eastern Cap
- Authors: Ngamani, Theolin Busisiwe
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Bullying in the workplace -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Harassment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Intimidation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12700 , vital:39300
- Description: Orientation: Workplace bullying and job engagement influence the degree of employees’ intention to leave their jobs. Research purpose: The overall objective of this research was to establish the relationship between workplace bullying and job engagement and how they impact on the intention to leave. Motivation for the study: Nursing turnover seems to be one of the challenges facing health care sector in South Africa. Workplace bullying and job engagement need to be examined in order to retain best nurses as they influence the degree of employee’s intention to leave. Research approach, design and method: A quantitative research design was used to investigate the degree to which workplace bullying and job engagement predict on the intention to leave. The data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire from a simple random sample of 228 nurses. Pearson correlation and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were employed to test the relationship between workplace bullying, job engagement and the intention to leave. Main findings: Four hypotheses were extracted: There is a significant relationship between workplace bullying and the intention to leave, there is a significant relationship between job engagement and the intention to leave, there is a significant relationship between workplace bullying and job engagement, and there is a significant combined effect of workplace bullying and job engagement on prediction of the intention to leave. The results highlighted a significant combined effect of workplace bullying and job engagement on prediction of the intention to leave. Practical Implications: Based on the findings, the study concludes that workplace bullying and job engagement in nursing are prevalent and have a negative impact on the intention to leave as most of the victims are thinking of quitting once bullying has taken place. Contribution: This study provides a holistic understanding of workplace bullying and job engagement and how they impact on the intention to leave. The findings reflect a significant combined effect of workplace bullying and job engagement on prediction of the intention to leave. It was indicated that workplace bullying and job engagement influenced the extent of employees’ intention to leave.
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- Authors: Ngamani, Theolin Busisiwe
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Bullying in the workplace -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Harassment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Intimidation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12700 , vital:39300
- Description: Orientation: Workplace bullying and job engagement influence the degree of employees’ intention to leave their jobs. Research purpose: The overall objective of this research was to establish the relationship between workplace bullying and job engagement and how they impact on the intention to leave. Motivation for the study: Nursing turnover seems to be one of the challenges facing health care sector in South Africa. Workplace bullying and job engagement need to be examined in order to retain best nurses as they influence the degree of employee’s intention to leave. Research approach, design and method: A quantitative research design was used to investigate the degree to which workplace bullying and job engagement predict on the intention to leave. The data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire from a simple random sample of 228 nurses. Pearson correlation and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were employed to test the relationship between workplace bullying, job engagement and the intention to leave. Main findings: Four hypotheses were extracted: There is a significant relationship between workplace bullying and the intention to leave, there is a significant relationship between job engagement and the intention to leave, there is a significant relationship between workplace bullying and job engagement, and there is a significant combined effect of workplace bullying and job engagement on prediction of the intention to leave. The results highlighted a significant combined effect of workplace bullying and job engagement on prediction of the intention to leave. Practical Implications: Based on the findings, the study concludes that workplace bullying and job engagement in nursing are prevalent and have a negative impact on the intention to leave as most of the victims are thinking of quitting once bullying has taken place. Contribution: This study provides a holistic understanding of workplace bullying and job engagement and how they impact on the intention to leave. The findings reflect a significant combined effect of workplace bullying and job engagement on prediction of the intention to leave. It was indicated that workplace bullying and job engagement influenced the extent of employees’ intention to leave.
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