The effectiveness of school management: conflict management skills as a missing link in selected schools in Gauteng
- Authors: Msila, Vuyisile
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Conflict management -- South Africa -- Gauteng , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Gauteng , Educational leadership -- South Africa -- Gauteng
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8288 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018647
- Description: Growing research in educational leadership and management shows that there are many factors that have an impact on the running of effective schools. Many people are now aware of the importance of the school management‟s role in guiding successful schools. This quantitative study was conducted in Gauteng where 100 school managers responded to a questionnaire which probed them about their conflict management and competence skills. The participants responded to a 40 item Likert scale instrument. Each of the items had five alternatives to choose from. The results demonstrate that many teachers were never trained in conflict management skills and that they also find it hard to resolve disputes in their schools. Furthermore, a majority of the participants attributed the dysfunctionality and lack of teacher commitment to the pervading unresolved conflicts in their schools. There was also consensus that intractable conflict adversely affects the culture of learning and teaching in schools. Among the recommendations highlighted at the end are to ensure that prospective school managers are empowered with conflict management skills before assuming their positions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Msila, Vuyisile
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Conflict management -- South Africa -- Gauteng , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Gauteng , Educational leadership -- South Africa -- Gauteng
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8288 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018647
- Description: Growing research in educational leadership and management shows that there are many factors that have an impact on the running of effective schools. Many people are now aware of the importance of the school management‟s role in guiding successful schools. This quantitative study was conducted in Gauteng where 100 school managers responded to a questionnaire which probed them about their conflict management and competence skills. The participants responded to a 40 item Likert scale instrument. Each of the items had five alternatives to choose from. The results demonstrate that many teachers were never trained in conflict management skills and that they also find it hard to resolve disputes in their schools. Furthermore, a majority of the participants attributed the dysfunctionality and lack of teacher commitment to the pervading unresolved conflicts in their schools. There was also consensus that intractable conflict adversely affects the culture of learning and teaching in schools. Among the recommendations highlighted at the end are to ensure that prospective school managers are empowered with conflict management skills before assuming their positions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The effectiveness of selected Quaker Peace Centre training workshops in the Western Cape
- Dywili, Mlungiseleli Vincent
- Authors: Dywili, Mlungiseleli Vincent
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Peace , Conflict management -- South Africa -- Western Cape , Reconciliation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8264 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1013254
- Description: Several Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) training workshops have been established to help transform correctional institutions worldwide. There is no evidence of any research on AVP conducted in the context of South African Schools to date. This research therefore aims to evaluate AVP training by the Quaker Peace Centre at five high schools on the Cape Flats. Taking a qualitative approach, the study provides a literary contextualization of the problem of violence in South African schools as well as the history of AVP programmes in South Africa and abroad. In respect of his data collection, the researcher used both evaluation forms submitted at the completion of training events, as well as a purpose-designed questionnaire, mailed to a convenience sample of 635 past participants in the training. The results of the study indicate that the AVP workshops have had an impact on the lives of the participants, and there is an acknowledgement of feelings of empowerment experienced by recipients, which enables sound recommendations to be made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Dywili, Mlungiseleli Vincent
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Peace , Conflict management -- South Africa -- Western Cape , Reconciliation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8264 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1013254
- Description: Several Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) training workshops have been established to help transform correctional institutions worldwide. There is no evidence of any research on AVP conducted in the context of South African Schools to date. This research therefore aims to evaluate AVP training by the Quaker Peace Centre at five high schools on the Cape Flats. Taking a qualitative approach, the study provides a literary contextualization of the problem of violence in South African schools as well as the history of AVP programmes in South Africa and abroad. In respect of his data collection, the researcher used both evaluation forms submitted at the completion of training events, as well as a purpose-designed questionnaire, mailed to a convenience sample of 635 past participants in the training. The results of the study indicate that the AVP workshops have had an impact on the lives of the participants, and there is an acknowledgement of feelings of empowerment experienced by recipients, which enables sound recommendations to be made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The effectiveness of the integrated quality management system to improve the performance of educators in the East London District
- Authors: Blayi, Mcebisi
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Total quality management in education , Total quality management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teachers -- Quality -- South Africa --Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9452 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1014634
- Description: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS) in improving the performance of educators. While literature exists on IQMS as a performance management system for educators in South Africa, no research examines it as a Performance Improvement (PI) system. Given the gap in the literature, this study aimed to answer the question: How effective is the IQMS in improving the performance of educators? The IQMS policy mandates the District Office to design and implement Performance Improvement interventions. This study investigated the effectiveness of the IQMS as a PI system with specific reference to the interventions designed and implemented by the East London District of Education. The introduction of the IQMS marked a paradigm shift from the inspectorate system. It introduced a democratic system of teacher evaluation. It put consultative structures in place and allowed educators to make their voices heard during the evaluation process through pre-evaluation meetings and feedback. The IQMS is a standards based system of evaluation. As such it is morphed with the use of rating scores and rubrics to identify the performance gap, which is followed by the development and implementation of intervention strategies to close the gap. The concept of Performance Improvement (PI) which is the process of identifying and analyzing individual performance gaps, planning for future performance improvement, designing and implementing interventions to close performance gaps, comes into play. This study was conducted using qualitative research methods. Data from questionnaires and the interviews were triangulated with information from a review of policy documents from the Department of Basic Education, pertinent documents from the East London District of Education and sampled high schools in Mdantsane. The Post Level 1 Educators are primary stakeholders in this study, and the School Principals and Education Specialists are secondary stakeholders. In this qualitative study, forty-two high school Post Level 1 (PL1) educators provided responses to an open-ended questionnaire. Six PL1 educators were interviewed. Three high school principals and three education specialists provided responses to open-ended questionnaires. Pertinent documents were surveyed. Qualitative responses were categorized and analyzed into themes and sub-themes. The findings of the current study indicate that the IQMS in its current form did not impact positively on the Performance Improvement of educators. Five specific findings emerged from this study: Educators have not embraced IQMS as a Performance Improvement system; The twofold purpose of the IQMS: development and salary progression renders it ineffective in improving the performance of educators; The logical framework for the implementation of the IQMS is not adhered to; The implementation of the IQMS is not monitored; The IQMS has no impact on learner attainment. This study also documents other positive areas in the implementation of the IQMS. This study has implications and recommendations for further research, practice and provides valuable information to the Department of Basic Education and the teacher unions in the Education Labour Relations Council as they review the IQMS and in implementing future teacher performance evaluation policies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Blayi, Mcebisi
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Total quality management in education , Total quality management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teachers -- Quality -- South Africa --Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9452 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1014634
- Description: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS) in improving the performance of educators. While literature exists on IQMS as a performance management system for educators in South Africa, no research examines it as a Performance Improvement (PI) system. Given the gap in the literature, this study aimed to answer the question: How effective is the IQMS in improving the performance of educators? The IQMS policy mandates the District Office to design and implement Performance Improvement interventions. This study investigated the effectiveness of the IQMS as a PI system with specific reference to the interventions designed and implemented by the East London District of Education. The introduction of the IQMS marked a paradigm shift from the inspectorate system. It introduced a democratic system of teacher evaluation. It put consultative structures in place and allowed educators to make their voices heard during the evaluation process through pre-evaluation meetings and feedback. The IQMS is a standards based system of evaluation. As such it is morphed with the use of rating scores and rubrics to identify the performance gap, which is followed by the development and implementation of intervention strategies to close the gap. The concept of Performance Improvement (PI) which is the process of identifying and analyzing individual performance gaps, planning for future performance improvement, designing and implementing interventions to close performance gaps, comes into play. This study was conducted using qualitative research methods. Data from questionnaires and the interviews were triangulated with information from a review of policy documents from the Department of Basic Education, pertinent documents from the East London District of Education and sampled high schools in Mdantsane. The Post Level 1 Educators are primary stakeholders in this study, and the School Principals and Education Specialists are secondary stakeholders. In this qualitative study, forty-two high school Post Level 1 (PL1) educators provided responses to an open-ended questionnaire. Six PL1 educators were interviewed. Three high school principals and three education specialists provided responses to open-ended questionnaires. Pertinent documents were surveyed. Qualitative responses were categorized and analyzed into themes and sub-themes. The findings of the current study indicate that the IQMS in its current form did not impact positively on the Performance Improvement of educators. Five specific findings emerged from this study: Educators have not embraced IQMS as a Performance Improvement system; The twofold purpose of the IQMS: development and salary progression renders it ineffective in improving the performance of educators; The logical framework for the implementation of the IQMS is not adhered to; The implementation of the IQMS is not monitored; The IQMS has no impact on learner attainment. This study also documents other positive areas in the implementation of the IQMS. This study has implications and recommendations for further research, practice and provides valuable information to the Department of Basic Education and the teacher unions in the Education Labour Relations Council as they review the IQMS and in implementing future teacher performance evaluation policies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The effects of climate change on the realisation of the right to adequate food in Kenya
- Khayundi, Francis Mapati Bulimo
- Authors: Khayundi, Francis Mapati Bulimo
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Climatic changes -- Social aspects -- Research -- Kenya , Right to food -- Research -- Kenya , Human rights -- Research -- Kenya , Food security -- Research -- Kenya , Food law and legislation -- Kenya
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:3675 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003190 , Climatic changes -- Social aspects -- Research -- Kenya , Right to food -- Research -- Kenya , Human rights -- Research -- Kenya , Food security -- Research -- Kenya , Food law and legislation -- Kenya
- Description: This thesis examines the interplay between the effects of climate change and human rights. It seeks to interrogate the contribution of human rights in addressing the effects of climate change on the enjoyment of the right to food in Kenya. Climate change has been recognised as a human rights issue. Despite this acknowledgement, many states are yet to deal with climate change as a growing threat to the realisation of human rights. The situation is made worse by the glacial pace in securing a binding legal agreement to tackle climate change. The thesis also reveals that despite their seemingly disparate and disconnected nature, both the human rights and climate change regimes seek to achieve the same goal albeit in different ways. The thesis argues that a considerable portion of the Kenyan population has not been able to enjoy the right to food as a result of droughts and floods. It adopts the view that, with the effects of climate change being evident, the frequency and magnitude of droughts and floods has increased with far reaching consequences on the right to food. Measures by the Kenyan government to address the food situation have always been knee jerk and inadequate in nature. This is despite the fact that Kenya is a signatory to a number of human rights instruments that deal with the right to food. With the promulgation of a new Constitution with a justiciable right to food, there is a need for the Kenyan government to meet its human rights obligations. This thesis concludes by suggesting ways in which the right to food can be applied in order to address some of the effects of climate change. It argues that by adopting a human rights approach to the right to food, the State will have to adopt measures that take into consideration the impacts of climate change. Furthermore, the State is under an obligation to engage in activities that will not contribute to climate change and negatively affect the right.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Khayundi, Francis Mapati Bulimo
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Climatic changes -- Social aspects -- Research -- Kenya , Right to food -- Research -- Kenya , Human rights -- Research -- Kenya , Food security -- Research -- Kenya , Food law and legislation -- Kenya
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:3675 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003190 , Climatic changes -- Social aspects -- Research -- Kenya , Right to food -- Research -- Kenya , Human rights -- Research -- Kenya , Food security -- Research -- Kenya , Food law and legislation -- Kenya
- Description: This thesis examines the interplay between the effects of climate change and human rights. It seeks to interrogate the contribution of human rights in addressing the effects of climate change on the enjoyment of the right to food in Kenya. Climate change has been recognised as a human rights issue. Despite this acknowledgement, many states are yet to deal with climate change as a growing threat to the realisation of human rights. The situation is made worse by the glacial pace in securing a binding legal agreement to tackle climate change. The thesis also reveals that despite their seemingly disparate and disconnected nature, both the human rights and climate change regimes seek to achieve the same goal albeit in different ways. The thesis argues that a considerable portion of the Kenyan population has not been able to enjoy the right to food as a result of droughts and floods. It adopts the view that, with the effects of climate change being evident, the frequency and magnitude of droughts and floods has increased with far reaching consequences on the right to food. Measures by the Kenyan government to address the food situation have always been knee jerk and inadequate in nature. This is despite the fact that Kenya is a signatory to a number of human rights instruments that deal with the right to food. With the promulgation of a new Constitution with a justiciable right to food, there is a need for the Kenyan government to meet its human rights obligations. This thesis concludes by suggesting ways in which the right to food can be applied in order to address some of the effects of climate change. It argues that by adopting a human rights approach to the right to food, the State will have to adopt measures that take into consideration the impacts of climate change. Furthermore, the State is under an obligation to engage in activities that will not contribute to climate change and negatively affect the right.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The effects of real exchange rate misalignment on economic growth: a case study of Kenya
- Authors: Ndavi, Theresa Watwii
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Foreign exchange rate , Foreign exchange market , Economic development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:8985 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008109 , Foreign exchange rate , Foreign exchange market , Economic development
- Description: This paper investigates the effects of real exchange rate misalignment (REM) on economic growth in Kenya over the period 1964-2009. The real exchange rate misalignment is defined as the difference between the equilibrium exchange rate and the actual real exchange rate (RER). The equilibrium real exchange rate was obtained by using the purchasing power parity (PPP) approach. To this effect, the study examined the existence or absence of the cointegration between the REM and economic growth, using the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach. The ARDL approach is employed to determine both the long-run and short-run dynamics of the model. The results suggest that no long-run relationship exists between economic growth and the REM in Kenya. The short-run model is then estimated, using the OLS (ordinary least squares) method. From this model, it is determined that trade openness has a positive impact on economic growth, while foreign aid has a negative impact on economic growth; and both are considered empirically significant. The inflation rate and REM both negatively impact economic growth, but are empirically insignificant. All variables corroborate the a priori expectations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Ndavi, Theresa Watwii
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Foreign exchange rate , Foreign exchange market , Economic development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:8985 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008109 , Foreign exchange rate , Foreign exchange market , Economic development
- Description: This paper investigates the effects of real exchange rate misalignment (REM) on economic growth in Kenya over the period 1964-2009. The real exchange rate misalignment is defined as the difference between the equilibrium exchange rate and the actual real exchange rate (RER). The equilibrium real exchange rate was obtained by using the purchasing power parity (PPP) approach. To this effect, the study examined the existence or absence of the cointegration between the REM and economic growth, using the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach. The ARDL approach is employed to determine both the long-run and short-run dynamics of the model. The results suggest that no long-run relationship exists between economic growth and the REM in Kenya. The short-run model is then estimated, using the OLS (ordinary least squares) method. From this model, it is determined that trade openness has a positive impact on economic growth, while foreign aid has a negative impact on economic growth; and both are considered empirically significant. The inflation rate and REM both negatively impact economic growth, but are empirically insignificant. All variables corroborate the a priori expectations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The effects of sustained attention, workload and task-related fatigue on physiological measures and performance during a tracking task
- Authors: De Gray Birch, Casey
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Fatigue -- Physiological aspects -- Research , Attention -- Physiological aspects -- Research , Human engineering -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5120 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005198 , Fatigue -- Physiological aspects -- Research , Attention -- Physiological aspects -- Research , Human engineering -- Research
- Description: Despite extensive research into the concept of mental fatigue there is as yet no “gold standard” definition or measurement technique available. Because of this a large amount of fatigue-related errors are still seen in the workplace. The complexity of the problem lies with the inability to directly measure mental processes as well as the various endogenous and exogenous factors that interact to produce the experienced fatigue. Fatigue has been divided into sleep-related and task-related fatigue; however the task-related aspect is evident both during normal waking hours as well as during periods of sleep deprivation, therefore this aspect is considered important in the understanding of fatigue in general. The concept of task-related fatigue has further been divided into active and passive fatigue states; however differentiation between the two requires careful consideration. Various physiological measures have been employed in an attempt to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the generation of fatigue, however often studies have produced dissociating results. The current study considered the task-related fatigue elicited by a tracking task requiring sustained attention, in order to evaluate the usefulness of various cardiovascular and oculomotor measures as indicators of fatigue. A secondary aim was to determine whether the behavioural and physiological parameter responses could be used to infer the type of fatigue incurred (i.e. an active versus passive fatigue state) as well as the energetical mechanisms involved during task performance. A simple driving simulator task was used as the main tracking task, requiring constant attention and concentration. This task was performed for approximately two hours. Three experimental groups (consisting of 14 subjects each) were used: a control group that performed the tracking task only, a group that performed a five minute auditory memory span task concurrently with the driving task after every 20 minutes of pure driving, and a group that performed a visual choice reaction task for five minutes following every 20 minute driving period. The secondary tasks were employed in order to evaluate the extent of resource allocation as well as arousal level. Performance measures included various driving performance parameters, as well as secondary task performance. Physiological measures included heart rate frequency (HR) and various time- and frequency-domain heart rate variability (HRV)parameters, pupil dilation, blink frequency and duration, fixations, and saccadic parameters as well as critical flicker fusion frequency (CFFF). The Borg CR-10 scale was used to evaluate subjective fatigue during the task, and the NASA-TLX was completed following the task. A decline in driving performance over time was supplemented by measures such as HR, HRV and pupil dilation indicating an increase in parasympathetic activity (or a reduction in arousal). An increase in blink frequency was considered as a sign of withdrawal of attentional resources over time. Longer and faster saccades were also evident over time, coupled with shorter fixations. With regards to the secondary task influence, the choice RT task did not affect any behavioural or physiological parameters, thereby contesting the active fatigue theory of resource depletion, as well as implying that the increase in demand for the same resources used by the primary task was insufficient to affect the state of the subjects. The increased load elicited by the memory span task improved driving performance and increased measures of HR, HRV, pupil dilation and blink frequency. Some of these measures produced opposite effects to what was expected; an attempt to explain the dissociation of the various physiological parameters was expressed in terms of arousal, effort and resource theories. Overall, the results indicate that the fatigue and/or reduced arousal accompanying a monotonous sustained attention task can, to some degree, be alleviated through intermittent performance of a secondary task engaging mental resources other than the ones used for the primary task. The degree to which such a task is beneficial, however, requires careful consideration as while an immediate increase in arousal and primary task performance is noted, the impact of the task on general attentional resources may be detrimental in the case of reacting should an emergency situation occur.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: De Gray Birch, Casey
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Fatigue -- Physiological aspects -- Research , Attention -- Physiological aspects -- Research , Human engineering -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5120 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005198 , Fatigue -- Physiological aspects -- Research , Attention -- Physiological aspects -- Research , Human engineering -- Research
- Description: Despite extensive research into the concept of mental fatigue there is as yet no “gold standard” definition or measurement technique available. Because of this a large amount of fatigue-related errors are still seen in the workplace. The complexity of the problem lies with the inability to directly measure mental processes as well as the various endogenous and exogenous factors that interact to produce the experienced fatigue. Fatigue has been divided into sleep-related and task-related fatigue; however the task-related aspect is evident both during normal waking hours as well as during periods of sleep deprivation, therefore this aspect is considered important in the understanding of fatigue in general. The concept of task-related fatigue has further been divided into active and passive fatigue states; however differentiation between the two requires careful consideration. Various physiological measures have been employed in an attempt to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the generation of fatigue, however often studies have produced dissociating results. The current study considered the task-related fatigue elicited by a tracking task requiring sustained attention, in order to evaluate the usefulness of various cardiovascular and oculomotor measures as indicators of fatigue. A secondary aim was to determine whether the behavioural and physiological parameter responses could be used to infer the type of fatigue incurred (i.e. an active versus passive fatigue state) as well as the energetical mechanisms involved during task performance. A simple driving simulator task was used as the main tracking task, requiring constant attention and concentration. This task was performed for approximately two hours. Three experimental groups (consisting of 14 subjects each) were used: a control group that performed the tracking task only, a group that performed a five minute auditory memory span task concurrently with the driving task after every 20 minutes of pure driving, and a group that performed a visual choice reaction task for five minutes following every 20 minute driving period. The secondary tasks were employed in order to evaluate the extent of resource allocation as well as arousal level. Performance measures included various driving performance parameters, as well as secondary task performance. Physiological measures included heart rate frequency (HR) and various time- and frequency-domain heart rate variability (HRV)parameters, pupil dilation, blink frequency and duration, fixations, and saccadic parameters as well as critical flicker fusion frequency (CFFF). The Borg CR-10 scale was used to evaluate subjective fatigue during the task, and the NASA-TLX was completed following the task. A decline in driving performance over time was supplemented by measures such as HR, HRV and pupil dilation indicating an increase in parasympathetic activity (or a reduction in arousal). An increase in blink frequency was considered as a sign of withdrawal of attentional resources over time. Longer and faster saccades were also evident over time, coupled with shorter fixations. With regards to the secondary task influence, the choice RT task did not affect any behavioural or physiological parameters, thereby contesting the active fatigue theory of resource depletion, as well as implying that the increase in demand for the same resources used by the primary task was insufficient to affect the state of the subjects. The increased load elicited by the memory span task improved driving performance and increased measures of HR, HRV, pupil dilation and blink frequency. Some of these measures produced opposite effects to what was expected; an attempt to explain the dissociation of the various physiological parameters was expressed in terms of arousal, effort and resource theories. Overall, the results indicate that the fatigue and/or reduced arousal accompanying a monotonous sustained attention task can, to some degree, be alleviated through intermittent performance of a secondary task engaging mental resources other than the ones used for the primary task. The degree to which such a task is beneficial, however, requires careful consideration as while an immediate increase in arousal and primary task performance is noted, the impact of the task on general attentional resources may be detrimental in the case of reacting should an emergency situation occur.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The efficacy of learnerships for people with disabilities in the Western Cape
- Authors: Merrill, Tamara
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: People with disabilities -- Employment -- South Africa -- Western Cape , People with disabilities -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Western Cape , Discrimination against people with disabilities
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9033 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1663 , People with disabilities -- Employment -- South Africa -- Western Cape , People with disabilities -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Western Cape , Discrimination against people with disabilities
- Description: Despite efforts to promote increased employment, people with disabilities are considerably underrepresented in the workplace. As a flagship model of skills development, the researcher conducted a longitudinal study of learners with disabilities and Learnership stakeholders to identify successes, challenges and long-term outcomes of a Western Cape Learnership. The research relies heavily upon the experiences of the Learnership stakeholders, particularly learners with disabilities, to articulate how experiences are impacted by the model design as well as societal factors. What is revealed is a social and political context whereby the artefacts of the past amalgamate with present actions of redress, which impact strategies to better prepare learners with disabilities to integrate into the formal economy. The findings examine the impacts of Learnership design and implementation; interconnectedness between disability, race and poverty; influence of government and policy; and overall efficacy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Merrill, Tamara
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: People with disabilities -- Employment -- South Africa -- Western Cape , People with disabilities -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Western Cape , Discrimination against people with disabilities
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9033 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1663 , People with disabilities -- Employment -- South Africa -- Western Cape , People with disabilities -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Western Cape , Discrimination against people with disabilities
- Description: Despite efforts to promote increased employment, people with disabilities are considerably underrepresented in the workplace. As a flagship model of skills development, the researcher conducted a longitudinal study of learners with disabilities and Learnership stakeholders to identify successes, challenges and long-term outcomes of a Western Cape Learnership. The research relies heavily upon the experiences of the Learnership stakeholders, particularly learners with disabilities, to articulate how experiences are impacted by the model design as well as societal factors. What is revealed is a social and political context whereby the artefacts of the past amalgamate with present actions of redress, which impact strategies to better prepare learners with disabilities to integrate into the formal economy. The findings examine the impacts of Learnership design and implementation; interconnectedness between disability, race and poverty; influence of government and policy; and overall efficacy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The efficacy of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings in East London: perceptions of participants
- Authors: Pule, Quincy
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: South Africa. Truth and Reconciliation Commission , Reconciliation -- Political aspects -- South Africa , Human rights -- South Africa , Political crimes and offenses -- Investigation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8304 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019920
- Description: This study examines the degree to which the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings in East London have mitigated the impact of gross human rights violations on some of the Duncan Village victims. The research draws upon responses from a convenience sample of victims of apartheid atrocities guided by their own individual experiences, literature on conflict management, and TRC hearings that took place in other African states. The East London TRC hearings alert one to the brutality of the apartheid regime whose political intolerance unleashed violence against ordinary citizens of East London. Despite being seen as a witch hunt against the apartheid security establishment, most of the victims feel the TRC opened lines of communication between former enemies, although one cannot conclusively say that total reconciliation between victims and perpetrators has been achieved. Insofar as telling the truth is concerned, the concept defies unanimous acceptance as a contributor to peaceful co-existence. The mere fact that some perpetrators refused to appear before the TRC is an indication that the value attached to it differs from person to person, particularly in a situation where the political landscape is characterized by intimidation and fear. The treatise unveils the East London TRC as a platform for compromise as some of the victims felt anger and hatred for the perpetrators would amount to perpetual self-imposed ostracism. Noting that the TRC was never meant to hurt anyone, the treatise ushers one into a space where reconciliation takes precedence over vengeance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Pule, Quincy
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: South Africa. Truth and Reconciliation Commission , Reconciliation -- Political aspects -- South Africa , Human rights -- South Africa , Political crimes and offenses -- Investigation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8304 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019920
- Description: This study examines the degree to which the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings in East London have mitigated the impact of gross human rights violations on some of the Duncan Village victims. The research draws upon responses from a convenience sample of victims of apartheid atrocities guided by their own individual experiences, literature on conflict management, and TRC hearings that took place in other African states. The East London TRC hearings alert one to the brutality of the apartheid regime whose political intolerance unleashed violence against ordinary citizens of East London. Despite being seen as a witch hunt against the apartheid security establishment, most of the victims feel the TRC opened lines of communication between former enemies, although one cannot conclusively say that total reconciliation between victims and perpetrators has been achieved. Insofar as telling the truth is concerned, the concept defies unanimous acceptance as a contributor to peaceful co-existence. The mere fact that some perpetrators refused to appear before the TRC is an indication that the value attached to it differs from person to person, particularly in a situation where the political landscape is characterized by intimidation and fear. The treatise unveils the East London TRC as a platform for compromise as some of the victims felt anger and hatred for the perpetrators would amount to perpetual self-imposed ostracism. Noting that the TRC was never meant to hurt anyone, the treatise ushers one into a space where reconciliation takes precedence over vengeance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The efficacy of the United Nations in conflict resolution: a study of the response of the security council to the Darfur conflict in the Sudan
- Authors: Fabrice, Tambe Endoh
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Humanitarian law -- Sudan -- Darfur , Humanitarian assistance -- Sudan -- Darfur , Genocide -- Sudan -- Darfur
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:11119 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006233 , Humanitarian law -- Sudan -- Darfur , Humanitarian assistance -- Sudan -- Darfur , Genocide -- Sudan -- Darfur
- Description: Sudan is located in the Northern part of the African continent and has a total land mass of 2.5 million square kilometres, with an estimated population of about 39.15 million people.1 Before the secession that established the South as an independent state from the North, Sudan was the largest country on the continent and hitherto was administered as a colony under the British mandate. From 1898 the United Kingdom (UK) and Egypt administered Sudan as an Anglo-Egyptian territory but North and South Sudan were administered as separate provinces of the condominium.2 In the early 1920s, the British passed the Closed District Ordinances which stipulated that passports were required for travelling between the two zones. Permits were also required to conduct business from one zone to the other, and totally separate administrations prevailed.3 However, in 1946 the British administration reversed its policy and decided to integrate North and South Sudan under one government. The South Sudanese authorities were informed at the Juba Conference of 1947 that they will be governed in the future under a common administrative authority with the north.5 From 1948, 13 delegates nominated by the British authorities represented the South in the Sudan Legislative Assembly. Many Southerners felt betrayed by the British as they were largely excluded from the new government. To them, it was a strategy by the British aimed at protecting their interest as far as colonial legacy is concerned.6 They complained that the language of the new government was Arabic and they were under represented. Of the eight hundred positions vacated by the British in 1953, only four were given to the Southerners. The political structure in the South was not as organized as that in the North and for this reason, political groupings and parties from the South were not represented at the various conferences that established the modern state of Sudan. As a result, many southerners did not consider Sudan to be a legitimate state. Although the Sudanese state was considered illegitimate by the Southerners, the Sudanese parliament unilaterally declared Sudan’s independence on 1st January 1956.8 Subsequently, the Arab-led Khartoum government reneged on promises it had made to Southerners to create a federal system. This led to a mutiny led by Southern army officers and sparked off a civil war after independence in 1956.9 Besides the issues highlighted above, the Abyei region of Sudan is rich in natural mineral resources and has been a bone of contention between the North and South. It has also affected Darfur negatively as most of the rebel groups involved in the Darfur conflict, like the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) and the Justice and Equity Movement (JEM), also seek for a share in the wealth of the region.10 However, before the June 2011 referendum, the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon called for the Sudan to withdraw all police officers from the Abyei region of South Sudan.11 Although the referendum resulted in the Republic of South Sudan, separating it from the North which remains the Republic of Sudan, political views expressed by the provinces in the North region have further captured more attention from the international community.12 The quest for Arab domination is common in this area and, one among the leading regions that have fallen prey to this practice is Darfur
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Fabrice, Tambe Endoh
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Humanitarian law -- Sudan -- Darfur , Humanitarian assistance -- Sudan -- Darfur , Genocide -- Sudan -- Darfur
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:11119 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006233 , Humanitarian law -- Sudan -- Darfur , Humanitarian assistance -- Sudan -- Darfur , Genocide -- Sudan -- Darfur
- Description: Sudan is located in the Northern part of the African continent and has a total land mass of 2.5 million square kilometres, with an estimated population of about 39.15 million people.1 Before the secession that established the South as an independent state from the North, Sudan was the largest country on the continent and hitherto was administered as a colony under the British mandate. From 1898 the United Kingdom (UK) and Egypt administered Sudan as an Anglo-Egyptian territory but North and South Sudan were administered as separate provinces of the condominium.2 In the early 1920s, the British passed the Closed District Ordinances which stipulated that passports were required for travelling between the two zones. Permits were also required to conduct business from one zone to the other, and totally separate administrations prevailed.3 However, in 1946 the British administration reversed its policy and decided to integrate North and South Sudan under one government. The South Sudanese authorities were informed at the Juba Conference of 1947 that they will be governed in the future under a common administrative authority with the north.5 From 1948, 13 delegates nominated by the British authorities represented the South in the Sudan Legislative Assembly. Many Southerners felt betrayed by the British as they were largely excluded from the new government. To them, it was a strategy by the British aimed at protecting their interest as far as colonial legacy is concerned.6 They complained that the language of the new government was Arabic and they were under represented. Of the eight hundred positions vacated by the British in 1953, only four were given to the Southerners. The political structure in the South was not as organized as that in the North and for this reason, political groupings and parties from the South were not represented at the various conferences that established the modern state of Sudan. As a result, many southerners did not consider Sudan to be a legitimate state. Although the Sudanese state was considered illegitimate by the Southerners, the Sudanese parliament unilaterally declared Sudan’s independence on 1st January 1956.8 Subsequently, the Arab-led Khartoum government reneged on promises it had made to Southerners to create a federal system. This led to a mutiny led by Southern army officers and sparked off a civil war after independence in 1956.9 Besides the issues highlighted above, the Abyei region of Sudan is rich in natural mineral resources and has been a bone of contention between the North and South. It has also affected Darfur negatively as most of the rebel groups involved in the Darfur conflict, like the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) and the Justice and Equity Movement (JEM), also seek for a share in the wealth of the region.10 However, before the June 2011 referendum, the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon called for the Sudan to withdraw all police officers from the Abyei region of South Sudan.11 Although the referendum resulted in the Republic of South Sudan, separating it from the North which remains the Republic of Sudan, political views expressed by the provinces in the North region have further captured more attention from the international community.12 The quest for Arab domination is common in this area and, one among the leading regions that have fallen prey to this practice is Darfur
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The establishment of an African criminal court: strengths and weaknesses
- Authors: Philimon, Levina Kiiza
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: International criminal law -- Africa , Criminal courts -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10288 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019828
- Description: This treatise addresses the possible creation of an African criminal court for individual criminal responsibility for crime of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. It does so by critically analysing the Statutes of Special Court of Sierra Leone, International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, and Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court in relation to the provisions addressing the principle of individual criminal responsibility, jurisdiction, amnesty and immunity. Another aim is to indicate the strength and weaknesses of the cited statutes in relation to the above provisions. Finally a further aim is to provide an analysis of the statutes, and any other international law applicable and determine whether Africa needs a separate criminal court. The principle conclusion is that statutes are facing challenges in relations to the provisions above. It is established that Africa does not have a regional criminal court and the African Union has attempted to extend jurisdiction of the African Court of Justice and Human Rights to criminal jurisdiction but the process has amounted to heavy criticism and unforeseen legal implications. It is eventually concluded that Africa may consider the creation of a separate criminal court for the future and such a court is currently not needed. Support should be given to the ICC.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Philimon, Levina Kiiza
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: International criminal law -- Africa , Criminal courts -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10288 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019828
- Description: This treatise addresses the possible creation of an African criminal court for individual criminal responsibility for crime of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. It does so by critically analysing the Statutes of Special Court of Sierra Leone, International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, and Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court in relation to the provisions addressing the principle of individual criminal responsibility, jurisdiction, amnesty and immunity. Another aim is to indicate the strength and weaknesses of the cited statutes in relation to the above provisions. Finally a further aim is to provide an analysis of the statutes, and any other international law applicable and determine whether Africa needs a separate criminal court. The principle conclusion is that statutes are facing challenges in relations to the provisions above. It is established that Africa does not have a regional criminal court and the African Union has attempted to extend jurisdiction of the African Court of Justice and Human Rights to criminal jurisdiction but the process has amounted to heavy criticism and unforeseen legal implications. It is eventually concluded that Africa may consider the creation of a separate criminal court for the future and such a court is currently not needed. Support should be given to the ICC.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The evaluation of cultural diversity in the institutionalization of the African Union
- Authors: Nhlapo, Lebohang Lorraine Z
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: African Union , Multiculturalism , African cooperation , Globalization
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8337 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020624
- Description: This research was conducted to assess cultural diversity in the institutionalisation of the African Union (AU). Most researchers have found interest on the subject of cultural diversity that edifice the African Union because “Africa does not have a single culture not in religions, not in economic systems, and especially not in languages, the number of different languages spoken on the continent, numerous dialects not included, range as high as 2,000 or more languages. While some languages, such as Swahili, are spoken by millions, other languages may be spoken by only a handful” (Robert & Feldman, 2008: 267) The AU member states heads are quiet aware of the forces of cultural diversity in the Union, hence several workshops were carried out between member states heads to put together the cultural policy for the Union. There are also numerous policies on African cultural diversity that were approved previously by different organisations that intended to unify Africa before the African Union was formed. Those policies are aligned within the AU cultural policy - The Charter for African Renaissance that will be reviewed in length in Chapter 3 in the literature review. What comes as a mystery is that, even though the Charter for African Renaissance has unified and adopted various policies ethnic and religion segregations within states and between states is still visible in most African countries (ethnicity, language and religion will also be evaluated and a sample of various cultures found in African countries will also be discussed in Chapter 3 under literature review). The Charter for African Renaissance contains guiding principle and objectives of the AU pertaining cultural diversity and these objectives needs to be met. However the biggest well known challenge about policies is that in most cases they remain on paper and shelved, they never make that much difference to the society that they intend to change. As Cloete and Wissink (2000) will put it that “policies only exist because they need to bring about change, however, it is also possible to change policies on paper, whilst effecting no real social change" (2000: 239). African cultural diversity policies are as well littered with failed institutions and initiatives that have not been followed through to completion, or of promises that have been broken. The driving force for this research is that Africans has seen many false starts in the last few decades and they are desperate for change, they need to see democracy, development and institutional building in the African countries. African Union on the other hand has existed for a decade but it has not yet achieved its objectives. How do we know that this is not just another focus for a misplaced enthusiasm? Will the current initiatives of the AU fall by the wayside? Will the world continue to mock Africa as the land of broken promises, of criminalized and failed states that inevitably subvert the best intentions of their peoples and their development partners? Unfortunately these questions has influenced this investigation but cannot be answered by this paper. However this paper intends to find out if cultural diversity has an impact in the missed opportunities and broken promises of Africa and this will be examined in the structures of the African Union.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Nhlapo, Lebohang Lorraine Z
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: African Union , Multiculturalism , African cooperation , Globalization
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8337 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020624
- Description: This research was conducted to assess cultural diversity in the institutionalisation of the African Union (AU). Most researchers have found interest on the subject of cultural diversity that edifice the African Union because “Africa does not have a single culture not in religions, not in economic systems, and especially not in languages, the number of different languages spoken on the continent, numerous dialects not included, range as high as 2,000 or more languages. While some languages, such as Swahili, are spoken by millions, other languages may be spoken by only a handful” (Robert & Feldman, 2008: 267) The AU member states heads are quiet aware of the forces of cultural diversity in the Union, hence several workshops were carried out between member states heads to put together the cultural policy for the Union. There are also numerous policies on African cultural diversity that were approved previously by different organisations that intended to unify Africa before the African Union was formed. Those policies are aligned within the AU cultural policy - The Charter for African Renaissance that will be reviewed in length in Chapter 3 in the literature review. What comes as a mystery is that, even though the Charter for African Renaissance has unified and adopted various policies ethnic and religion segregations within states and between states is still visible in most African countries (ethnicity, language and religion will also be evaluated and a sample of various cultures found in African countries will also be discussed in Chapter 3 under literature review). The Charter for African Renaissance contains guiding principle and objectives of the AU pertaining cultural diversity and these objectives needs to be met. However the biggest well known challenge about policies is that in most cases they remain on paper and shelved, they never make that much difference to the society that they intend to change. As Cloete and Wissink (2000) will put it that “policies only exist because they need to bring about change, however, it is also possible to change policies on paper, whilst effecting no real social change" (2000: 239). African cultural diversity policies are as well littered with failed institutions and initiatives that have not been followed through to completion, or of promises that have been broken. The driving force for this research is that Africans has seen many false starts in the last few decades and they are desperate for change, they need to see democracy, development and institutional building in the African countries. African Union on the other hand has existed for a decade but it has not yet achieved its objectives. How do we know that this is not just another focus for a misplaced enthusiasm? Will the current initiatives of the AU fall by the wayside? Will the world continue to mock Africa as the land of broken promises, of criminalized and failed states that inevitably subvert the best intentions of their peoples and their development partners? Unfortunately these questions has influenced this investigation but cannot be answered by this paper. However this paper intends to find out if cultural diversity has an impact in the missed opportunities and broken promises of Africa and this will be examined in the structures of the African Union.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The experiences of school leaders regarding action research as a tool to enhance school functioning
- Authors: Govender, Bernadette
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Action research in education -- South Africa , Transformational leadership -- South Africa , Educational change -- South Africa , Educational leadership -- South Africa , School improvement programs -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9494 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1623 , Action research in education -- South Africa , Transformational leadership -- South Africa , Educational change -- South Africa , Educational leadership -- South Africa , School improvement programs -- South Africa
- Description: South African schools especially those situated in previously disadvantaged communities, are faced with a myriad of challenges that school leaders have to deal with on a daily basis. School leaders are inter alia required to improve the running and functioning of their schools. A prerequisite for good schools is strong leadership. Transformational leadership seemed an appropriate focus for this research study, in which an action research approach was followed to deal with issues that impact negatively on the functioning of schools. The aim was to explore the potential benefits of this approach in terms of improving school functioning. A qualitative approach was adopted, as the experiences of the school leaders regarding action research as a tool to enhance the functioning of their schools were described. The aim was also to describe not only school leaders‟ experiences of action research, but also to interpret these so as to make recommendations based on the findings of the qualitative investigation, as to how best action research can be used as a tool for helping school leaders address issues that impinge on school functioning. This study was informed by phenomenology, and an interpretive as well as a critical paradigm. Multiple data gathering, such as field notes, observation and interviews were employed. In line with the qualitative approach, purposive sampling was used. The results of the research study appear to suggest that the benefits of an action research approach in improving school functioning relate to the transformation of the school climate, and that school leaders experience personal as well as professional transformation. This study recommends that action research as a model be incorporated into preparation programmes as well as professional development programmes for school leaders.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Govender, Bernadette
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Action research in education -- South Africa , Transformational leadership -- South Africa , Educational change -- South Africa , Educational leadership -- South Africa , School improvement programs -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9494 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1623 , Action research in education -- South Africa , Transformational leadership -- South Africa , Educational change -- South Africa , Educational leadership -- South Africa , School improvement programs -- South Africa
- Description: South African schools especially those situated in previously disadvantaged communities, are faced with a myriad of challenges that school leaders have to deal with on a daily basis. School leaders are inter alia required to improve the running and functioning of their schools. A prerequisite for good schools is strong leadership. Transformational leadership seemed an appropriate focus for this research study, in which an action research approach was followed to deal with issues that impact negatively on the functioning of schools. The aim was to explore the potential benefits of this approach in terms of improving school functioning. A qualitative approach was adopted, as the experiences of the school leaders regarding action research as a tool to enhance the functioning of their schools were described. The aim was also to describe not only school leaders‟ experiences of action research, but also to interpret these so as to make recommendations based on the findings of the qualitative investigation, as to how best action research can be used as a tool for helping school leaders address issues that impinge on school functioning. This study was informed by phenomenology, and an interpretive as well as a critical paradigm. Multiple data gathering, such as field notes, observation and interviews were employed. In line with the qualitative approach, purposive sampling was used. The results of the research study appear to suggest that the benefits of an action research approach in improving school functioning relate to the transformation of the school climate, and that school leaders experience personal as well as professional transformation. This study recommends that action research as a model be incorporated into preparation programmes as well as professional development programmes for school leaders.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The experiences of the development support group DSG in the integrated quality management system IQMS in Butterworth District, Eastern Cape
- Ndandani- Msindwana, Judith Nonkululeko
- Authors: Ndandani- Msindwana, Judith Nonkululeko
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Work capacity evaluation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16173 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/467 , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Work capacity evaluation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study investigated the experiences of the Development Support Group (DGS) when implementing the IQMS (Integrated Quality Management System) in Butterworth District of the Eastern Cape. The aim of the study was to explore the experiences of the DSG when implementing the IQMS in an attempt to determine whether the DSG can cope with the task of being part of evaluation in education, and how the negative experiences could be improved. In order to get the experiences of the DSG when implementing the IQMS, the researcher embarked on this phenomenological study. Data were collected by means of one-on-one semi-structured interviews and the perusal of the IQMS document, Resolution 8 of 2003. Responses from the participants were tape-recorded and eventually transcribed, analyzed and interpreted. The main feature revealed by the study is gross lack of confidence, feeling of insecurity and ambivalence on the part of the DSG. On the basis of the findings, recommendations that will assist the DSG (and other IQMS implementers) to improve IQMS implementation, have been made. This study also serves as the voice of the DSG for they have also made suggestions to improve on the negative experiences they have highlighted. The conclusions arrived at in this study are specific to the DSG of the sampled schools. The conclusions reflect and explain the challenges faced by the DSG in Butterworth district. But the findings give a reflective explanatory depth to the experiences the DSG when implementing the IQMS.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Ndandani- Msindwana, Judith Nonkululeko
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Work capacity evaluation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16173 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/467 , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Work capacity evaluation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study investigated the experiences of the Development Support Group (DGS) when implementing the IQMS (Integrated Quality Management System) in Butterworth District of the Eastern Cape. The aim of the study was to explore the experiences of the DSG when implementing the IQMS in an attempt to determine whether the DSG can cope with the task of being part of evaluation in education, and how the negative experiences could be improved. In order to get the experiences of the DSG when implementing the IQMS, the researcher embarked on this phenomenological study. Data were collected by means of one-on-one semi-structured interviews and the perusal of the IQMS document, Resolution 8 of 2003. Responses from the participants were tape-recorded and eventually transcribed, analyzed and interpreted. The main feature revealed by the study is gross lack of confidence, feeling of insecurity and ambivalence on the part of the DSG. On the basis of the findings, recommendations that will assist the DSG (and other IQMS implementers) to improve IQMS implementation, have been made. This study also serves as the voice of the DSG for they have also made suggestions to improve on the negative experiences they have highlighted. The conclusions arrived at in this study are specific to the DSG of the sampled schools. The conclusions reflect and explain the challenges faced by the DSG in Butterworth district. But the findings give a reflective explanatory depth to the experiences the DSG when implementing the IQMS.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The exploration of sustainable and diversified livelihood options for residents of Enon-Bersheba
- Authors: Dlamini, Tembile Daniel
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable living -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable living
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9115 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015643
- Description: Enon-Bersheba (E&B) area has approximately 10 200 hectors of pristine communal land that is rare to find in the Cacadu region. This prime communal land is situated in the bank of the Sundays River Valley in the Eastern Cape Province. Enon-Bersheba falls under the jurisdiction of the Sundays River Local Municipality. The Municipal jurisdiction provides easy access to this pristine commonage that presents opportunities for economic development as well as residential opportunities. This study presents the diversity of sustainable livelihood alternatives from the community‟s perspective. This study finds that giving the beneficiaries of land restitution authority over decision-making on land usage is an important contributor to success. Land is a significant asset, and it becomes more valuable and development-worthy if legal institutions are in place to manage the planning and development processes, for its full utilisation. In addition to this, the study provides a community-driven development framework with which potential development partners can interact to enhance revenue generating activities and strengthen the institutional environment through the formation of community-private-public-partnerships. The participatory research process that was undertaken made essential findings. The study validates the use of livelihoods-based approach to poverty alleviation. A bottom-up participatory process was effective in determining how best Enon-Bersheba communal land can be put into effective and efficient use. Likewise, an integrated approach to development planning was proven to be important. This study proved an extra-ordinary belief that the stability and changed value systems within a community often derive from complex social problems that are inherently dynamic. The involvement of the Independent Electoral Commission in the referendum process for Enon-Bersheba‟s legal entity that will manage the land suggests the credibility of the process. The existing information around potential development options of Enon-Bersheba was consolidated and verified by the community. The awareness of community abilities and resources served to enhance community mobilization for social action. The study provides a framework for development policy imperatives and a new vision for Enon-Bersheba.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Dlamini, Tembile Daniel
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable living -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable living
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9115 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015643
- Description: Enon-Bersheba (E&B) area has approximately 10 200 hectors of pristine communal land that is rare to find in the Cacadu region. This prime communal land is situated in the bank of the Sundays River Valley in the Eastern Cape Province. Enon-Bersheba falls under the jurisdiction of the Sundays River Local Municipality. The Municipal jurisdiction provides easy access to this pristine commonage that presents opportunities for economic development as well as residential opportunities. This study presents the diversity of sustainable livelihood alternatives from the community‟s perspective. This study finds that giving the beneficiaries of land restitution authority over decision-making on land usage is an important contributor to success. Land is a significant asset, and it becomes more valuable and development-worthy if legal institutions are in place to manage the planning and development processes, for its full utilisation. In addition to this, the study provides a community-driven development framework with which potential development partners can interact to enhance revenue generating activities and strengthen the institutional environment through the formation of community-private-public-partnerships. The participatory research process that was undertaken made essential findings. The study validates the use of livelihoods-based approach to poverty alleviation. A bottom-up participatory process was effective in determining how best Enon-Bersheba communal land can be put into effective and efficient use. Likewise, an integrated approach to development planning was proven to be important. This study proved an extra-ordinary belief that the stability and changed value systems within a community often derive from complex social problems that are inherently dynamic. The involvement of the Independent Electoral Commission in the referendum process for Enon-Bersheba‟s legal entity that will manage the land suggests the credibility of the process. The existing information around potential development options of Enon-Bersheba was consolidated and verified by the community. The awareness of community abilities and resources served to enhance community mobilization for social action. The study provides a framework for development policy imperatives and a new vision for Enon-Bersheba.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The extent of accessibility of public buildings to persons with disabilities in Kenya
- Authors: Maigua, Mwaura Isaac
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Buildings -- Barrier-free design -- Kenya , People with disabilities -- Kenya , Barrier-free design -- Kenya
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9124 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1017098
- Description: Many countries in the world have in recent years developed measures to increase accessibility to the built environment for persons with disabilities. Of particular concern are facilities such as roads, railways and public premises. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities (CRPD) confers accessibility as a right and gives responsibility to state parties to ensure to persons with disabilities (PWDs) a barrier free environment. The Constitution of Kenya (2010) states that PWDs have a right to facilities including educational that integrate their needs. The Person With Disabilities Act (2003) provides for mechanisms through which such enforcements can be enacted. The body responsible for implementing the Act has developed minimum accessibility guidelines to inform this endeavor as part of Kenya‟s dream of becoming a middle income economy by the year 2030. This research report/treatise details the findings of a pilot baseline survey study conducted in Nairobi, Kisumu and Mombasa Cities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Maigua, Mwaura Isaac
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Buildings -- Barrier-free design -- Kenya , People with disabilities -- Kenya , Barrier-free design -- Kenya
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9124 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1017098
- Description: Many countries in the world have in recent years developed measures to increase accessibility to the built environment for persons with disabilities. Of particular concern are facilities such as roads, railways and public premises. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities (CRPD) confers accessibility as a right and gives responsibility to state parties to ensure to persons with disabilities (PWDs) a barrier free environment. The Constitution of Kenya (2010) states that PWDs have a right to facilities including educational that integrate their needs. The Person With Disabilities Act (2003) provides for mechanisms through which such enforcements can be enacted. The body responsible for implementing the Act has developed minimum accessibility guidelines to inform this endeavor as part of Kenya‟s dream of becoming a middle income economy by the year 2030. This research report/treatise details the findings of a pilot baseline survey study conducted in Nairobi, Kisumu and Mombasa Cities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The feeding and spatial ecology of cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) and lions (Panthera leo) in the Little Karoo, South Africa
- Authors: Vorster, Paul Hendrik
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Sanbona Wildlife Reserve , Cheetah -- South Africa -- Little Karoo , Lion -- South Africa -- Little Karoo , Cheetah -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Little Karoo , Lion -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Little Karoo , Cheetah -- Food -- South Africa -- Little Karoo , Lion -- Food -- South Africa -- Little Karoo , Spatial behavior in animals , Predation (Biology) , Game reserves -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5693 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005379 , Sanbona Wildlife Reserve , Cheetah -- South Africa -- Little Karoo , Lion -- South Africa -- Little Karoo , Cheetah -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Little Karoo , Lion -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Little Karoo , Cheetah -- Food -- South Africa -- Little Karoo , Lion -- Food -- South Africa -- Little Karoo , Spatial behavior in animals , Predation (Biology) , Game reserves -- Management
- Description: The re-introduction of large carnivores into relatively small conservation areas that fall within the historic distribution range of the species is becoming an increasingly common occurrence. The success of such re-introductions depends very much on the quality of the information that is available to guide management decisions, but in many cases, little information is available. The re-introduction of lions and cheetahs to Sanbona created the opportunity to monitor the behaviour of re-introduced predators to a relatively large system that was characterised by a low ungulate stocking density and little standing water. The broad aims were to study the feeding and spatial ecologies of the lions and cheetahs, to collect standard base-line data, and to examine the effects of the low prey density and limited standing water on habitat selection, range size and diet. The diet (data collected from direct observation and faecal analysis) was similar to that reported in previous studies, and lions and cheetahs preferred greater kudu, black wildebeest and springbok. Lions preferred medium to large prey items, and cheetahs preferred medium to small prey items. The hilly and mountainous terrain of much of the reserve meant that only 50% of the total space was available to the predators. Home ranges of most of the predators were focused around the single large body of standing water. This is likely to have been a response to the water, the vegetation, and the prey that was attracted to these. Habitat selection was also influenced by inter and intra-specific interactions at least for a solitary male lion and female cheetahs. Range sizes were larger than on some other reserves and it is suggested that this was a result of the low prey density. These results form the basis for management recommendations including the importance of continuing to monitor the system and opening up additional parts of the reserve to the predators.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Vorster, Paul Hendrik
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Sanbona Wildlife Reserve , Cheetah -- South Africa -- Little Karoo , Lion -- South Africa -- Little Karoo , Cheetah -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Little Karoo , Lion -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Little Karoo , Cheetah -- Food -- South Africa -- Little Karoo , Lion -- Food -- South Africa -- Little Karoo , Spatial behavior in animals , Predation (Biology) , Game reserves -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5693 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005379 , Sanbona Wildlife Reserve , Cheetah -- South Africa -- Little Karoo , Lion -- South Africa -- Little Karoo , Cheetah -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Little Karoo , Lion -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Little Karoo , Cheetah -- Food -- South Africa -- Little Karoo , Lion -- Food -- South Africa -- Little Karoo , Spatial behavior in animals , Predation (Biology) , Game reserves -- Management
- Description: The re-introduction of large carnivores into relatively small conservation areas that fall within the historic distribution range of the species is becoming an increasingly common occurrence. The success of such re-introductions depends very much on the quality of the information that is available to guide management decisions, but in many cases, little information is available. The re-introduction of lions and cheetahs to Sanbona created the opportunity to monitor the behaviour of re-introduced predators to a relatively large system that was characterised by a low ungulate stocking density and little standing water. The broad aims were to study the feeding and spatial ecologies of the lions and cheetahs, to collect standard base-line data, and to examine the effects of the low prey density and limited standing water on habitat selection, range size and diet. The diet (data collected from direct observation and faecal analysis) was similar to that reported in previous studies, and lions and cheetahs preferred greater kudu, black wildebeest and springbok. Lions preferred medium to large prey items, and cheetahs preferred medium to small prey items. The hilly and mountainous terrain of much of the reserve meant that only 50% of the total space was available to the predators. Home ranges of most of the predators were focused around the single large body of standing water. This is likely to have been a response to the water, the vegetation, and the prey that was attracted to these. Habitat selection was also influenced by inter and intra-specific interactions at least for a solitary male lion and female cheetahs. Range sizes were larger than on some other reserves and it is suggested that this was a result of the low prey density. These results form the basis for management recommendations including the importance of continuing to monitor the system and opening up additional parts of the reserve to the predators.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The fitting of statistical distributions to wind data in coastal areas of South Africa
- Authors: Moodley, Kirshnee
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Winds -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Speed -- Measurement , Wind power -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Winds -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Measurement -- Mathematical models
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10579
- Description: Coastal South African cities like Port Elizabeth are said to have a strong potential for wind energy. This study aims to model wind data in order to be able assess the power potential belonging to a given site. The main challenge in modelling wind direction data is that it is categorized as circular data and therefore requires special techniques for handling that are different from usual statistical samples. Statistical tools such as descriptive measures and distribution fitting, were re-invented for directional data by researchers in this field. The von Mises distribution is a predominant distribution in circular statistics and is commonly used to describe wind directions. In this study, the circular principles described by previous researchers were developed by using the statistical software, Mathematica. Graphical methods to present the wind data were developed to give an overview of the behaviour of the winds in any given area. Data collected at Coega, an area near Port Elizabeth, South Africa, was used to illustrate the models which were established in this study. Circular distributions were fit to the directional data in order to make appropriate conclusions about the prevailing wind directions in this area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Moodley, Kirshnee
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Winds -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Speed -- Measurement , Wind power -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Winds -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Measurement -- Mathematical models
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10579
- Description: Coastal South African cities like Port Elizabeth are said to have a strong potential for wind energy. This study aims to model wind data in order to be able assess the power potential belonging to a given site. The main challenge in modelling wind direction data is that it is categorized as circular data and therefore requires special techniques for handling that are different from usual statistical samples. Statistical tools such as descriptive measures and distribution fitting, were re-invented for directional data by researchers in this field. The von Mises distribution is a predominant distribution in circular statistics and is commonly used to describe wind directions. In this study, the circular principles described by previous researchers were developed by using the statistical software, Mathematica. Graphical methods to present the wind data were developed to give an overview of the behaviour of the winds in any given area. Data collected at Coega, an area near Port Elizabeth, South Africa, was used to illustrate the models which were established in this study. Circular distributions were fit to the directional data in order to make appropriate conclusions about the prevailing wind directions in this area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The growing South African municipal water service delivery problem
- Authors: Jacoby, Kevin Terence
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Municipal water supply -- South Africa , Municipal services -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9011 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1016270
- Description: The sustainability of South Africa municipal water services provision is being challenged by the desire of government to extend high quality services from a relatively small portion of the population to the whole. Evidence of failures in delivery are mounting and many reasons for this have been identified, including a lack of political will at local government levels, low budget priority, insufficient capital, lack of capacity and skill and flawed tariff and accounting structures. This study generates new perspectives by surveying selected but representative, South African municipalities in their capacities as water service authorities (WSAs) on a range of financial sustainability issues – including cost burden on users, cross sub-subsidisation and cost calculations to set tariffs. The study is part of a wider investigation into the setting of tariffs that cover costs and satisfy demand, funded and advised by the Water Research Commission (WRC). The conclusions and recommendations of WRC Project K3/2087 (Hosking, 2011b) are to address: 1. The choice of water service provider, including the private utility option; 2. Market vulnerabilities in water service provision under alternate models of supply; 3. The determination and realisation of full cost recovery; 4. Demand responsiveness/sensitivity of local government supply; 5. The increasing block tariff (IBT) tariff structure; and 6. Abuse of dominance in the market process. Given the limited perspective (i.e. a focus on WSAs), some important national water sustainability issues are given less prominence, e.g. raw water availability and national government capacity to subsidise water service delivery. The key water service sustainability elements on which attention was focused in this study are: • Backlogs in the water service coverage and infrastructure rehabilitation and maintenance. • Standard of water service indicators. • Relative importance of the provision of water services in water service authorities’ strategy and implementation (including budget and risk). • Adequacy of skills to provide a sustainable water service. • Budgeting and planning for the sustainability of the water service. • Adequacy of the costing and tariff setting nexus, with particular attention paid to method and principle. A survey was used to elicit information from selected municipalities (Chapter Four). The municipalities which formed part of the sample and were surveyed were: 1. Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality; 2. Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality; 3. eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality; 4. Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality; 5. Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality; 6. George Municipality; 7. uMhlathuze (Richards Bay) Municipality; 8. Steve Tshwete (Middleburg) Municipality; 9. Kouga Municipality; 10. Sol Plaatjie (Kimberley) Municipality; 11. Polokwane Municipality; 12. Stellenbosch Municipality; 13. Overstrand Municipality; 14. Midvaal Municipality; and 15. Amathole District Municipality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Jacoby, Kevin Terence
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Municipal water supply -- South Africa , Municipal services -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9011 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1016270
- Description: The sustainability of South Africa municipal water services provision is being challenged by the desire of government to extend high quality services from a relatively small portion of the population to the whole. Evidence of failures in delivery are mounting and many reasons for this have been identified, including a lack of political will at local government levels, low budget priority, insufficient capital, lack of capacity and skill and flawed tariff and accounting structures. This study generates new perspectives by surveying selected but representative, South African municipalities in their capacities as water service authorities (WSAs) on a range of financial sustainability issues – including cost burden on users, cross sub-subsidisation and cost calculations to set tariffs. The study is part of a wider investigation into the setting of tariffs that cover costs and satisfy demand, funded and advised by the Water Research Commission (WRC). The conclusions and recommendations of WRC Project K3/2087 (Hosking, 2011b) are to address: 1. The choice of water service provider, including the private utility option; 2. Market vulnerabilities in water service provision under alternate models of supply; 3. The determination and realisation of full cost recovery; 4. Demand responsiveness/sensitivity of local government supply; 5. The increasing block tariff (IBT) tariff structure; and 6. Abuse of dominance in the market process. Given the limited perspective (i.e. a focus on WSAs), some important national water sustainability issues are given less prominence, e.g. raw water availability and national government capacity to subsidise water service delivery. The key water service sustainability elements on which attention was focused in this study are: • Backlogs in the water service coverage and infrastructure rehabilitation and maintenance. • Standard of water service indicators. • Relative importance of the provision of water services in water service authorities’ strategy and implementation (including budget and risk). • Adequacy of skills to provide a sustainable water service. • Budgeting and planning for the sustainability of the water service. • Adequacy of the costing and tariff setting nexus, with particular attention paid to method and principle. A survey was used to elicit information from selected municipalities (Chapter Four). The municipalities which formed part of the sample and were surveyed were: 1. Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality; 2. Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality; 3. eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality; 4. Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality; 5. Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality; 6. George Municipality; 7. uMhlathuze (Richards Bay) Municipality; 8. Steve Tshwete (Middleburg) Municipality; 9. Kouga Municipality; 10. Sol Plaatjie (Kimberley) Municipality; 11. Polokwane Municipality; 12. Stellenbosch Municipality; 13. Overstrand Municipality; 14. Midvaal Municipality; and 15. Amathole District Municipality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The ichthyofauna of the Wilderness Lakes System, Western Cape, with particular emphasis on alien fish species and their establishment success
- Authors: Olds, Alexis Amy
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Introduced fishes -- South Africa -- Wilderness , Estuarine fishes -- South Africa -- Wilderness , Mozambique tilapia -- South Africa -- Wilderness , Western mosquitofish -- South Africa -- Wilderness , Carp -- South Africa -- Wilderness , Largemouth bass -- South Africa -- Wilderness , Estuarine fishes -- Effect of exotic animals on -- South Africa -- Wilderness , Fish communities -- South Africa -- Wilderness
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5288 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005132 , Introduced fishes -- South Africa -- Wilderness , Estuarine fishes -- South Africa -- Wilderness , Mozambique tilapia -- South Africa -- Wilderness , Western mosquitofish -- South Africa -- Wilderness , Carp -- South Africa -- Wilderness , Largemouth bass -- South Africa -- Wilderness , Estuarine fishes -- Effect of exotic animals on -- South Africa -- Wilderness , Fish communities -- South Africa -- Wilderness
- Description: Freshwater fish species have been introduced into freshwater systems around the world, primarily for aquaculture, ornamental fish trade and sport fishing. Their introduction into estuarine systems is uncommon however, instances do occur and their establishment success and impacts on these estuarine systems is not well documented. The extent of invasion by four freshwater fishes in a RAMSAR listed estuarine system, the Wilderness Lakes, Western Cape was investigated. This thesis determined the relative abundance and distribution of alien fishes in relation to the native fish biota, their establishment success in the system, what factors inhibited their establishment and whether the introduction of alien fishes negatively impacted the native fish biota. The distribution and abundance of fishes were assessed primarily using fyke nets, seine nets and gill nets in each of the lakes, interconnecting channels and the Touw Estuary. The fish fauna was made up of euryhaline marine species comprising 46%, native estuarine species comprising 18%, catadromous species comprising 7% and freshwater alien species comprising 29% of the total biomass sampled. A total of 26 species were sampled in the system, three of which were considered alien; Oreochromis mossambicus, Gambusia affinis and Cyprinus carpio, and Micropterus salmoides were not sampled but confirmed in the system. Establishment success was determined by evidence of: a sustainable breeding population, a wide distribution, abundant in the sampling area, and all size classes of fish sampled. Gambusia affinis and Oreochromis mossambicus have been recorded in the system for a minimum of 13 and 26 years respectively. They were widely distributed and highly abundant and are established in the system. Micropterus salmoides was first recorded in the system in 1985 but abundances have remained low with fish appearing to be limited to Island Lake and Langvlei. Reproduction appeared to be limited by higher salinity and these factors indicated that this was a casual species which relies on repeated introductions for population maintenance. Cyprinus carpio spawned successfully in 2010 and was widely distributed but abundances were still low with a total of 15 fish being sampled throughout the system, and was thus in the establishing phase. As these are considered freshwater alien species, the physico-chemical parameters in the estuarine environment inhibiting the establishment success of the alien fishes were investigated. Gambusia affinis and O. mossambicus were not limited by the physical environment, and while O. mossambicus cannot tolerate temperatures below 11⁰C, temperatures only dropped below its tolerance for a total of two days between February 2010 and February 2011. Cyprinus carpio and M. salmoides were restricted by salinity in Rondevlei and Langvlei but could tolerate salinity in Island Lake and the Touw Estuary during closed mouth phases. While adults appeared to tolerate the salinity in the system, egg and larval development could be affected thus reducing the viability of the population. The abundance of alien fishes did not negatively impact the abundance of native fish species. The interactions between the native and alien fish biota tended towards biotic acceptance where, as alien abundance increased so did native fish abundance. The impacts of the alien fishes on the native fish biota were assessed by comparing the fish community from a study completed in 1985 to the findings of this study. From these two studies there were no apparent negative impacts on the native fish biota and the fish community composition would most likely be structured by estuarine mouth opening events.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Olds, Alexis Amy
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Introduced fishes -- South Africa -- Wilderness , Estuarine fishes -- South Africa -- Wilderness , Mozambique tilapia -- South Africa -- Wilderness , Western mosquitofish -- South Africa -- Wilderness , Carp -- South Africa -- Wilderness , Largemouth bass -- South Africa -- Wilderness , Estuarine fishes -- Effect of exotic animals on -- South Africa -- Wilderness , Fish communities -- South Africa -- Wilderness
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5288 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005132 , Introduced fishes -- South Africa -- Wilderness , Estuarine fishes -- South Africa -- Wilderness , Mozambique tilapia -- South Africa -- Wilderness , Western mosquitofish -- South Africa -- Wilderness , Carp -- South Africa -- Wilderness , Largemouth bass -- South Africa -- Wilderness , Estuarine fishes -- Effect of exotic animals on -- South Africa -- Wilderness , Fish communities -- South Africa -- Wilderness
- Description: Freshwater fish species have been introduced into freshwater systems around the world, primarily for aquaculture, ornamental fish trade and sport fishing. Their introduction into estuarine systems is uncommon however, instances do occur and their establishment success and impacts on these estuarine systems is not well documented. The extent of invasion by four freshwater fishes in a RAMSAR listed estuarine system, the Wilderness Lakes, Western Cape was investigated. This thesis determined the relative abundance and distribution of alien fishes in relation to the native fish biota, their establishment success in the system, what factors inhibited their establishment and whether the introduction of alien fishes negatively impacted the native fish biota. The distribution and abundance of fishes were assessed primarily using fyke nets, seine nets and gill nets in each of the lakes, interconnecting channels and the Touw Estuary. The fish fauna was made up of euryhaline marine species comprising 46%, native estuarine species comprising 18%, catadromous species comprising 7% and freshwater alien species comprising 29% of the total biomass sampled. A total of 26 species were sampled in the system, three of which were considered alien; Oreochromis mossambicus, Gambusia affinis and Cyprinus carpio, and Micropterus salmoides were not sampled but confirmed in the system. Establishment success was determined by evidence of: a sustainable breeding population, a wide distribution, abundant in the sampling area, and all size classes of fish sampled. Gambusia affinis and Oreochromis mossambicus have been recorded in the system for a minimum of 13 and 26 years respectively. They were widely distributed and highly abundant and are established in the system. Micropterus salmoides was first recorded in the system in 1985 but abundances have remained low with fish appearing to be limited to Island Lake and Langvlei. Reproduction appeared to be limited by higher salinity and these factors indicated that this was a casual species which relies on repeated introductions for population maintenance. Cyprinus carpio spawned successfully in 2010 and was widely distributed but abundances were still low with a total of 15 fish being sampled throughout the system, and was thus in the establishing phase. As these are considered freshwater alien species, the physico-chemical parameters in the estuarine environment inhibiting the establishment success of the alien fishes were investigated. Gambusia affinis and O. mossambicus were not limited by the physical environment, and while O. mossambicus cannot tolerate temperatures below 11⁰C, temperatures only dropped below its tolerance for a total of two days between February 2010 and February 2011. Cyprinus carpio and M. salmoides were restricted by salinity in Rondevlei and Langvlei but could tolerate salinity in Island Lake and the Touw Estuary during closed mouth phases. While adults appeared to tolerate the salinity in the system, egg and larval development could be affected thus reducing the viability of the population. The abundance of alien fishes did not negatively impact the abundance of native fish species. The interactions between the native and alien fish biota tended towards biotic acceptance where, as alien abundance increased so did native fish abundance. The impacts of the alien fishes on the native fish biota were assessed by comparing the fish community from a study completed in 1985 to the findings of this study. From these two studies there were no apparent negative impacts on the native fish biota and the fish community composition would most likely be structured by estuarine mouth opening events.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The impact of capital flows on real exchange rates in South Africa
- Authors: Mishi, Syden
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Capital movements -- South Africa , Economic development -- South Africa , Foreign exchange -- South Africa , Interest rates -- South Africa , Currency question -- South Africa , Saving and investment -- South Africa , Free trade -- South Africa , Anti-inflationary policies -- South Africa , Cointegration -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Com
- Identifier: vital:11466 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007089 , Capital movements -- South Africa , Economic development -- South Africa , Foreign exchange -- South Africa , Interest rates -- South Africa , Currency question -- South Africa , Saving and investment -- South Africa , Free trade -- South Africa , Anti-inflationary policies -- South Africa , Cointegration -- South Africa
- Description: The neoclassical theory suggests that free flows of external capital should be equilibrating and thereby facilitating smoothening of an economy's consumption or production patterns. South Africa has a very low savings rate, making it highly dependent on capital inflows which create instability and volatility in global markets. A policy dilemma is undoubtedly evident: capital inflows help to cater for the domestic low savings and at the same time the inflows pose instability, a threat on competitiveness and volatility challenges to the same economy due to their impact on exchange rates. The question is: are all forms of capital flows equally destabilizing? Since studies based on South Africa considered only the relationship between aggregate capital flows and real exchange rate, modelling individual components of capital flows could enlighten policy formulation even further. The composition of the flows and their effects on the composition of aggregate demand determine the evolution of real exchange rate response to surges in capital flows. Through co-integration and vector error correction modelling techniques applied to South African data between 1990 and 2010, the study found out that foreign portfolio investment exerts the greatest appreciation effect on the South African real exchange rate, followed by other investment and finally foreign direct investment. Thus the impact of capital flows on real exchange rate in South Africa differs by type of capital. This presents varied policy implications.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Mishi, Syden
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Capital movements -- South Africa , Economic development -- South Africa , Foreign exchange -- South Africa , Interest rates -- South Africa , Currency question -- South Africa , Saving and investment -- South Africa , Free trade -- South Africa , Anti-inflationary policies -- South Africa , Cointegration -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Com
- Identifier: vital:11466 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007089 , Capital movements -- South Africa , Economic development -- South Africa , Foreign exchange -- South Africa , Interest rates -- South Africa , Currency question -- South Africa , Saving and investment -- South Africa , Free trade -- South Africa , Anti-inflationary policies -- South Africa , Cointegration -- South Africa
- Description: The neoclassical theory suggests that free flows of external capital should be equilibrating and thereby facilitating smoothening of an economy's consumption or production patterns. South Africa has a very low savings rate, making it highly dependent on capital inflows which create instability and volatility in global markets. A policy dilemma is undoubtedly evident: capital inflows help to cater for the domestic low savings and at the same time the inflows pose instability, a threat on competitiveness and volatility challenges to the same economy due to their impact on exchange rates. The question is: are all forms of capital flows equally destabilizing? Since studies based on South Africa considered only the relationship between aggregate capital flows and real exchange rate, modelling individual components of capital flows could enlighten policy formulation even further. The composition of the flows and their effects on the composition of aggregate demand determine the evolution of real exchange rate response to surges in capital flows. Through co-integration and vector error correction modelling techniques applied to South African data between 1990 and 2010, the study found out that foreign portfolio investment exerts the greatest appreciation effect on the South African real exchange rate, followed by other investment and finally foreign direct investment. Thus the impact of capital flows on real exchange rate in South Africa differs by type of capital. This presents varied policy implications.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012