Financial structure and economic growth nexus: comparisons of banks, financial markets and economic growth in South Africa
- Authors: Godza, Praise G
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Com
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/921 , vital:26509
- Description: The importance of the financial structure system, which comprises the banking sector and financial markets, to the growth of a country’s economy cannot be underestimated. It is important to analyse comparatively the contribution of each sector to the economic growth of a country. This study, therefore, empirically examined the relationship between financial markets, banks and economic growth in South Africa using time series analysis for the period 1990 to 2011. The study used the Vector Error Correction model (VECM) based causality tests to establish the link between financial structure (represented by both banks and financial markets) and economic growth. Real GDP was used as a measure for economic growth, Bank credit to the private sector was used as a proxy for the banking system, turnover ratio and value of shares traded was used as a measure for the stock market and bond market capitalisation was used as a measure for the bond market. To determine the net effects of financial structure on long run growth in South Africa, one control variable was added which was the ratio of government expenditure to GDP to control for the government’s role in the economy. The Johansen co-integration technique was also employed to obtain a long run relationship. The results from the study revealed that the stock turnover ratio, bond market capitalisation, and government expenditure have a long run relationship with economic growth while bank credit to private sector and value of shares traded showed a negative relationship with economic growth. With granger causality all the variables proved to granger cause economic growth except for bond market capitalisation where economic growth prove to granger cause bond market development. The study recommended that measures to improve liquidity, transparency and accessibility of both the banking sector and financial markets instruments should be a priority for South African authorities. The authorities should, therefore, encourage stock market development through an appropriate mix of taxes, legal and regulatory policies to remove barriers to stock market operations and thus enhance their efficiency since stock markets in Africa are underdeveloped. Strong financial regulation and supervision in banks to ensure efficiency in credit allocation should be done to enable channelling of credits to capital development rather than consumption spending.
- Full Text:
Gasification characteristics of sugarcane bagasse
- Authors: Anukam, Anthony Ike
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Bagasse -- Bagasse industry , Sugarcane -- Biotechnology , Computer simulation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Chemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11343 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016170 , Bagasse -- Bagasse industry , Sugarcane -- Biotechnology , Computer simulation
- Description: Sugarcane is a major crop in many countries. It is the most abundant lignocellulosic material in tropical countries such as South Africa. It is one of the plants with the highest bioconversion efficiency. The sugarcane crop is able to efficiently fix solar energy, yielding some 55 tons of dry matter per hectare of land annually. After harvest, the crop produces sugar juice and bagasse. Sugarcane bagasse is a residue that results from the crushing of sugarcane in the sugar industry. It is a renewable feedstock that can be used for power generation and manufacturing cellulosic ethanol. As biomass, sugarcane bagasse holds promise as a fuel source since it can produce more than enough electricity and heat energy to supply the needs of a common sugar factory. However, in the sugarcane industry the bagasse is currently burnt inefficiently in boilers that provide the heating for the industry. This project seeks to investigate the possibility of gasifying sugarcane bagasse as an efficient conversion technology. The investigation is necessary because fuel properties govern the gasifier design and ultimately, the gasification efficiency. Proximate and ultimate analysis of sugarcane bagasse was conducted after which the results were used to conduct a computer simulation of the mass and energy balance during gasification. The kinetic investigation undertaken through the TGA and DTG analyses revealed the activation energy and pre – exponential factor which were obtained by the model – free Kissinger method of kinetic analysis and were found to be 181.51 kJ/mol and 3.1 × 103/min respectively. The heating value of sugarcane bagasse was also measured and found to be 17.8 MJ/kg, which was used in the calculation of the conversion efficiency of the gasification process. Fuel properties, including moisture content and gasifier operating parameters were varied in order to determine optimum gasifier operating conditions that results in maximum conversion efficiency. The highest conversion efficiency was achieved at low moisture content after computer simulation of the gasification process. Moisture content also affected the volume of CO and H2 as the former decreases with increasing moisture content while the latter increases with increasing moisture content, accelerating the water – gas reaction. Scanning electron microscope fitted to an Energy dispersive X – ray spectroscopy was also used in order to view the shape and size distribution as well as determine the elemental composition of sugarcane bagasse. The results obtained established that the fuel properties and gasification conditions affect the conversion efficiency. During computer simulation, it was established that smaller particle size resulted in higher conversion efficiency. The smaller throat diameter also resulted in higher conversion efficiency. The throat angle of 25° also resulted in higher conversion efficiency. The temperature of input air was also found to be one of the major determining factors in terms of conversion efficiency. The dissertation presents the proximate and ultimate analysis results as well as the kinetic analysis results. The SEM/EDX analysis as well as the computer simulation results of the gasification process is also presented. The major contribution of this project was on the investigation of the gasification characteristics of sugarcane bagasse and the utilization of these in the design of a laboratory scale sugarcane bagasse gasifier with enhanced conversion efficiency through computer simulation.
- Full Text:
Gender and age differences between managers and employees on organisational commitment in selected factories in the Buffalo City Metropolitan area
- Authors: Qwabe, Nombali Palesa
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Employee loyalty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Organizational commitment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sex discrimination -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Executives -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee morale -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee motivation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee retention -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Organisational commitment , Affective commitment , Continuance commitment , Normative commitment , Gender differences , Age differences
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Industrial Psychology)
- Identifier: vital:11557 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007117 , Employee loyalty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Organizational commitment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sex discrimination -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Executives -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee morale -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee motivation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee retention -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Organisational commitment , Affective commitment , Continuance commitment , Normative commitment , Gender differences , Age differences
- Description: Employee commitment is one of the most important aspects that help an organisation achieve its desired goals. This study investigates the possible effects of gender and age differences between managers and employees on organisational commitment among lower-level employees in selected factories in the Buffalo City Metropolitan area. The organisational commitment instrument used in this research is the Meyer and Allen (1997) organisational commitment questionnaire which contains 18 items (6 items for each scale: affective commitment, continuance commitment and normative commitment). For this purpose, a sample of 100 lower-level employees was used. The results indicated significant differences in the unexpected directions in affective commitment and continuance commitment between male employees supervised by male managers and male employees supervised by female managers; male employees were found to have higher levels of affective and continuance commitment when supervised by female managers. Female employees were found to have a higher level of normative commitment when supervised by male managers than when supervised by female managers which was also in the unexpected direction. In addition, the study showed surprising results in terms of the social or cultural hypothesis where employees supervised by male managers and older managers were not significantly different in organisational commitment to those managed by female and by younger or same-age managers.
- Full Text:
Heavy metal content absorption and medicinal potential of Egeria densa (Planch.) Casp
- Authors: Mgobozi, Vuyokazi
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Heavy metals -- Physiological effect -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Egeria densa -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Heavy metals -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Phytochemicals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Aquatic weeds -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Botany)
- Identifier: vital:11309 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1013121 , Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Heavy metals -- Physiological effect -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Egeria densa -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Heavy metals -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Phytochemicals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Aquatic weeds -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The contamination of heavy metals in the environment is a looming concern worldwide. Egeria densa (Planch) (Submerged aquatic plant) from two ponds: Site A with co-ordinates (32º 48’22.04”S; 26°48’58.79” E) and Site B with co-ordinates (32°48’33.25”S; 26°48’33.25”S) in Alice (Eastern Cape) was evaluated for its ability to absorb heavy metals, phytochemical constituents, antimicrobial activity and ultra-structure using standard analytic procedures. Cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) were measured in water, sediments and plant. The concentrations of these metal elements were determined with use of Inductively Coupled Plasma- Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). In sediments, the heavy metals (mg/kg) decreased in the order of their average concentration as follows: Fe (40.320) > Zn (1.259) > Pb (0.564) > Mn (0.186) > Cu (0.037) in Pond 1 whereas in Pond 2 Fe (61.527) > Cd (0.999) > Mn (0.648) > Pb (0.586) > Zn (0.156) > Cu (0.045). The highest concentration of Fe was detected in both sites and Cu being the least. The concentrations of the metals in the plants sample (from Pond 1) were found in order of Mn > Pb > Cu > Fe whereas cadmium and zinc were not detected, while the concentration in Pond 2 decreases in order of Zn > Mn > Pb > Cd > Fe > Cu. In the water samples, concentrations of heavy metals (mg/L) decreased in the order of their average concentrations as follows: Pb (35.36) > Fe (3.07) > Mn (0.238) > Cu (0.104), both cadmium and zinc were below the limit of detection in Pond 1, whereas in Pond 2 the concentrations decreased as follows: Pb (13.033) >Fe (1.69) > Cu (0.270) > Mn (0.248) > Cd (0.004) and Zinc was not detected. Phytochemical analyses of the plant extracts revealed the presence of phenols, flavonoids, proanthocyanidin, flavonols, saponins, alkaloid and tannins in all the extracts (water, acetone and n-hexane). Both acetone and water extracts, showed high concentration of proanthocyanidin, while tannin was the lowest in acetone extract. Antimicrobial evaluation using, Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus cereus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterococcus faecalis) and Gram negative (Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris and Serratia marcescens) bacteria showed negative results for all the strain, except Streptococcus pyogenes which was inhibited at MIC of 0.1 mg/ml. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of ultra-structure of Egeria densa, showed that certain bacteria attached to the leaf, However more work has to be done on E. densa to verify the mechanism by which it accumulates heavy metals. The study shows that E. densa has a potential of accumulating heavy metals especial Manganese in plant.
- Full Text:
Human rights implications of the compulsory HIV/AIDS testing policy: a critical appraisal of the law and practice in South Africa, Uganda and Canada
- Authors: Chiringa, Kudakwashe E M
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: HIV infections -- Prevention , HIV-positive persons -- Civil rights , AIDS (Disease) -- Patients -- Legal status, laws, etc. , AIDS (Disease) -- Law and legislation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:11106 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1017298 , HIV infections -- Prevention , HIV-positive persons -- Civil rights , AIDS (Disease) -- Patients -- Legal status, laws, etc. , AIDS (Disease) -- Law and legislation
- Description: HIV/AIDS has been an obstacle to socio-economic development and a major cause of loss of human life. It has also caused vast inequities and frustration to the public health sector. One of the significant efforts made by the public health sector to combat the epidemic is the implementation of a mandatory HIV/AIDS testing policy to scale-up HIV treatment. This dissertation examines the impact of this policy on the human rights of people infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Coercive government policies aimed at controlling the AIDS pandemic often infringe on the rights of individuals known to be or suspected of living with HIV/AIDS and this decreases the effectiveness of public health measures. The research methodology involved the study of written literature and a comparative literature study of the law and practice obtaining in South Africa, Uganda and Canada. It revealed that voluntary testing is effective and suitable in South Africa. This dissertation aimed to show that any public health approach that aims to achieve a comprehensive prevention strategy must be consistent with respect for human rights as enshrined in regional and international human rights law. Public health and human rights should, therefore, not be regarded as opposing forces; rather they should be seen as a unified system of protection of human welfare under the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. The solution to the crisis lies not only in testing every single person but also requires a shift of focus to more pressing issues that include gender equality, stigma and discrimination; prioritizing human rights, institutional capacity and resources; and an end to extreme poverty. A human rights-based approach to HIV/AIDS testing, such as the Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) is recommended. Therefore, failure to adhere to the core principles of testing - which are informed consent, counselling and confidentiality of the test result - will only hinder the global fight against HIV/AIDS. The rights of those affected by HIV/AIDS need to be protected in order to address public health imperatives. This can be done through the use of the law as an instrument of social change as well as education and awareness. Key words, HIV/AIDS, mandatory testing, Voluntary Counselling and Testing, public health, human rights-based approach.
- Full Text:
Human Trafficking: narratives of non-governmental organisation caregivers in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Nabo, Sandisiwe Sifanelwe
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Human trafficking , Caregivers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human trafficking -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human trafficking -- Prevention , Non-governmental organizations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Psych)
- Identifier: vital:11613 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1005987 , Human trafficking , Caregivers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human trafficking -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human trafficking -- Prevention , Non-governmental organizations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economy
- Description: Human trafficking is a social problem that has left no state or country immune to its effects. Literature indicates that human trafficking causes economic social and physical disruptions. Families are left broken and communities divided and children left homeless. Its victims are mostly women and children who come from low socio-economic status. Studies have been conducted on the roles of Non-Governmental Organisation`s across the globe but reports on the roles of NGOs in the Eastern Cape are unknown. This study reports on the roles of Non-Governmental Organisation`s (caregivers) in the Eastern Cape. This investigation is an exploratory qualitative study. A purposeful sampling strategy was used to recruit the Non-governmental organization (caregivers). In depth open ended interviews were conducted. The theories of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and socio-ecological theory were used to discuss the findings of the study. The findings of the study were categorized into four main themes including; knowledge of human trafficking, causes of human trafficking, roles of non-governmental organization (caregivers) in the Eastern Cape and strategies available in the Eastern Cape Province. The findings showed that human trafficking is present in the Eastern Cape. Abused and neglected children are more likely to become potential victims of human trafficking. The caregivers play a huge vital role in the fight against human trafficking. Lastly, the strategies implemented are not as effective as they would have been if adequate legislation was passed against human trafficking.
- Full Text:
Impact of oil price on tourism in South Africa: an error correction model (ECM) analysis
- Authors: Gqozo, Pamela
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Com
- Identifier: vital:11486 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1017941
- Description: The study focuses on the impact of oil price on tourism in South Africa. Quarterly time series data for the period 1990 to 2012 was used in this study. Error correction model is the research instrument that was used to determine the impact of oil price on tourism in South Africa. The explanatory variables in this study are oil price, real exchange rates, gross domestic product, consumer price index and transport infrastructure investment. The results of the study revealed that oil price, consumer price index and real exchange rate have a negative long run relationship on tourism, while gross domestic product and transport infrastructure investment had a positive long run relationship on tourism. It was also shown that oil price is statistically significant relationship on tourism.
- Full Text:
Implementation challenges to Performance Management System (PMS) in Malawi`S Civil Service: case of Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MOEST)
- Authors: Kalowamfumbi, Frank Tisu
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11684 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1013563
- Description: The Malawi Government introduced the Performance Management System (hereafter referred to as PMS) in 2008 in an effort to enhance efficiency, effectiveness and productivity in the public service. However, since its introduction there have been indications that the system is encountering a number of challenges which are derailing and obstructing its implementation. This research was aimed at exploring those implementation challenges to PMS in the Malawi Civil Service with a case study of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST). Recommendations are made to the concerned parties for possible improvement in the implementation of PMS. The study took a qualitative approach whereby interviews with key informants, sampled purposively, were conducted in order to get relevant information to the problem. Besides the interviews, a study of official documents was done in accessing secondary data. The overall findings of the studyare that, although PMS plays a significant role in the improvement of productivity in an organisation, the Malawi government in general and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in particular, are failing to implement it effectively due to varying challenges that are generic to the entire Malawi Civil Service and also specific to the MoEST. The generic implementation challenges included: lack of correct understanding of the term performance management, design challenges and inadequate consultation, lack of linkage between rewards and performance, lack of leadership and management commitment, lack of knowledge and skills about the process and procedure of PMS, weak monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system, lack of clear legislation on PMS, lack of communication on organizational strategies,absence of performance standards, inadequate financial resources, attitude problem and social culture, political will not bending on performance and also the nature of the Civil Service. This research identified the following specific implementation challenges in the MoEST: inadequate sensitization and training on PMS, structural arrangements in the Ministry, numerous vacant positions and understaffing, unclear career path, duo lines of reporting, grade of employee determining the criterion of assessment, promotion interviews for teachers rarely happen, under qualified head teachers managing institutions, as well as administrative arrangements and political appointments to positions. The study upon giving recommendations to have the highlighted challenges addressed accordingly with a sense of commitment, concluded that the performance management system in Malawi Civil Service and MoEST in particular , while well-intentioned, is really fraught with numerous challenges that have adversely impacted on its implementation. At the individual level a lot of work has to be done in relation to making PMS being accepted. Most of the employees in the Malawi Civil Service and MoEST have little knowledge or none at all about the system as such effective implementation is failing to take place.
- Full Text:
Implementing Supply Chain Management: a case study of the Department of Roads and Public Works - Eastern Cape 2010-2012
- Authors: Dlova, Vukile
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11682 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1013549
- Description: Supply Chain Management was introduced in 2003 to government departments, municipalities and public entities as means of transforming public sector procurement practices. In some public institutions compliance with the regulatory framework has been limited to mere establishment of Supply Chain Management Units. Some of these units are not compliant with the National Treasury guidelines and are not properly staffed with personnel with the required skills and qualifications. Staff employed in Supply Chain Management units are either not provided with the required training in order to fulfill their employment obligations or do not see self-development in Supply Chain Management as of great importance. Supply Chain Management Policies do not evolve from within the institutions but more copies of the guidelines provided by the National Treasury. Staff do not get involved in policy development processes. This is a non-conclusive case study of the Eastern Cape Department of Roads of Public Works which is aimed at establishing the extent the department has complied with prescribed guidelines pertaining to establishment of Supply Chain Management, training of personnel and the development of policies and procedures on Supply Chain Management.
- Full Text:
Incidence of Staphylococcus species in bovine milk: their antimicrobial sensitivity in selected antibiotics and Usnea barbata lichen extracts
- Authors: Idamokoro, Emrobowansan Monday
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Staphylococcus , Microbial sensitivity tests , Traditional medicine , Lichens -- Analysis , Mastitis , Antibiotics in agriculture
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11829 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016193 , Staphylococcus , Microbial sensitivity tests , Traditional medicine , Lichens -- Analysis , Mastitis , Antibiotics in agriculture
- Description: This study was done in order to assess the incidence of Staphylococcus species from milk of cows with subclinical mastitis and their antimicrobial sensitivity in some selected antibiotics and Usnea barbata lichen extracts. The study was conducted in two different commercial dairy farms. Staphylococcus species isolates were identified using several biochemical tests which included Gram’s staining test, catalase test and oxidase test. A commercial API® staph kit (bioMerieux, France) was used to confirm the bacterial organisms to their species level. The antimicrobial sensitivity of individual species was determined according to the Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) for the selected antibiotics. Agar well diffusion method and the broth micro-dilution technique were used to determine the sensitivity of Staphylococcus species in U. barbata extracts. A total of 467 milk samples were screened for bacterial identification from the two farms. Fifteen different Staphylococcus species isolates were identified from all milk samples that were examined. The most frequently isolated species included Staphylococcus xylosus (54.34%), Staphylococcus hominis (24.78%), Staphylococcus aureus (16.38%), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (16.12%) and Staphylococcus haemolyticus (11.63%). Most Staphylococcus species were resistant to Penicillin (75.35%), Nalidixic acid (72.55%) and Ampicillin (63%). Furthermore, the bacterial sensitivity evaluation of U. barbata lichen extracted with methanol and ethyl-acetate against selected Staphylococcus species isolates showed 92.31% and 53.85% susceptibility, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the methanol and ethyl-acetate extracts ranged between 0.0390 to 10 mg/ml. There was a relatively high incidence of Staphylococcus species identified in milk of cows with subclinical mastitis from both farms. Conversely, Staphylococcus species isolates were resistant to antibiotics (mostly penicillin and ampicillin) commonly used in the farms. Furthermore, the study investigated the antimicrobial sensitivity of U. barbata extract in-vitro which may validate its use in traditional medicine for treatment of cows with mastitis.
- Full Text:
Indicators of household-level vunerability to climate change in three topographically diverse rural villages
- Authors: Sotsha, Kayalethu
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Poverty -- South Africa , Land tenure -- South Africa , Climatic changes -- South Africa , Farms, Small -- South Africa , Rural poor -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11212 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016204 , Poverty -- South Africa , Land tenure -- South Africa , Climatic changes -- South Africa , Farms, Small -- South Africa , Rural poor -- South Africa
- Description: Climate change has become a major concern globally and it clearly exerts a profound influence on the lives of poor rural populations who depend on agriculture for livelihoods.Generally, agriculture is more at risk from weather, pests and diseases than is industry or trade. Furthermore, many farming units are at low levels of development with little technological input in their production systems. This makes them vulnerable to any exposure to climate and environmental variation, given that there is little capacity for the system to adjust to change. Most at risk are the rural poor with low levels of development and limited ability to adapt to and overcome the effects of climate change. Using data from a sample survey of 120 households this study attempts to assess and compare indicators of vulnerability to climate change. The comparison was made at household level between three typical villages, an inland, a river catchment and a coastal village. This idea of comparison arises from the general understanding that different variables affect different regions differently so that the impact of and vulnerability to climate change differs across regions, areas and populations. The data was obtained using a questionnaire that was administered through face-to-face interviews. Given that sensitivity and adaptive capacity of farming systems to climate change is shaped by both socioeconomic and institutional factors, a multiple regression model was used to test the relationship between indicators of vulnerability and household socioeconomic and institutional characteristics. Indicators were selected based on significant statistical relationships. This means that the statistical procedure for selecting indicators involved relating a large number of variables to vulnerability in order to identify statistically significant factors. The results showed reliability of income and reliability of water resources to be good indicators of vulnerability. Many statistically significant variables as well as respective R2 of 0.988 and 0.825 confirm the foregoing. Another indicator was the Simpson index that measures diversification of agricultural production. The results show that vulnerability to climate change was highest for the households near the river and lowest for the inland village. Moreover, the results confirmed that most blacks that are practicing agriculture receive little if any support largely because available resources are highly skewed towards certain farmers rather than others.
- Full Text:
Information seeking behaviour of postgraduate students: a study of Rhodes University and the University of Fort Hare
- Authors: Monyela, Madireng Jane
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Information behavior -- Education (Higher) , Information retrieval , Information literacy -- Education (Higher)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Bibl
- Identifier: vital:11575 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015440 , Information behavior -- Education (Higher) , Information retrieval , Information literacy -- Education (Higher)
- Description: Information is documented as data value in planning, decision making and evaluation of any programme, therefore any informed decision would be based on the kind of information that the decision maker has. Information seeking behaviour can be described as an individual’s manner of gathering and sourcing information for personal use, knowledge update and development. In the light of this Information, this study examined the information seeking behaviour of postgraduate students at the University of Fort Hare and Rhodes University. The study went further to understand the impact the introduction of new technology has on postgraduate students’ information seeking behaviour. The study was limited to postgraduate students in the faculties of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education at the University of Fort Hare and Rhodes University. These disciplines were selected because of Whitemire (2002:637)’s opinion that students studying humanities, social sciences and education carry out more information seeking activities than students studying hard sciences such as Mathematics and other Natural Sciences. The aim of the study was to establish how postgraduate students seek and gather information for academic use. The objectives of the study were as follows: to find out information sources that postgraduate students value the most and determine where they find such resources; to identify the activities postgraduate students engage in when seeking for information; to establish the factors which influence postgraduate students information seeking behaviour and to determine methods that postgraduate students use to obtain relevant information. Both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies were employed in a survey. The main research instrument was a questionnaire supported by focus groups and face to face interviews. The results showed that postgraduate students utilised different sources of information when seeking information for academic use. Internet usage however was established as the information source that postgraduate students valued and relied on most. Few respondents indicated that they still visited the library and browsed the shelves and found information that met their needs in books. Reports on consulting librarians for help were low. Although the study was not on information seeking behaviour and age, the researcher noticed that mature students did not make use of information technologies effectively and also called themselves “Born Before Technology” generation. The study also established that postgraduate student’s preferred or conveniently accessed Internet and other electronic sources of information in the libraries, even though the two Universities have postgraduate computer laboratories and students could also access electronic sources of information at their residences through wireless connection. The researcher also noted that postgraduate students relied more on lecturers and supervisors for the choice of information sources, rather than independently searching to find the most appropriate documents to use. Postgraduate students used keywords to obtain relevant information when searching electronic sources. The respondents strongly agreed that they felt frustrated, confused, disappointed and demotivated if they did not find relevant information for their searches. This validates Kuhlthau (1991)’s Information Seeking Process model (ISP) as it not only focuses on the information seeking process, but also on emotions, thoughts and expressions of the user when searching information. The study recommends the following: optional computer literacy programmes for postgraduate students, extended library orientation for postgraduate students, mentorship programmes, extended information literacy programmes, appointment of research and subject librarians as well as more faculty librarians and improvement in library marketing.
- Full Text:
Investigation into HIV/AIDS coverage in selected South African newspapers
- Authors: Moqasa, Nketsi Abel
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) in mass media , Mass media -- South Africa , Journalism -- Social aspects , AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa , Content analysis (Communication) , Press -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Com)
- Identifier: vital:11367 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006285 , AIDS (Disease) in mass media , Mass media -- South Africa , Journalism -- Social aspects , AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa , Content analysis (Communication) , Press -- South Africa
- Description: This study investigates HIV/AIDS coverage in selected South African newspapers. The rationale for the study hinges on the fact that the media’s role in informing society about social issues, such as HIV/AIDS, is of paramount importance. The study adopted, principally, the content analysis method and, as a supplement, discourse analysis. Four daily newspapers were content-analysed, namely: Daily Dispatch, Daily Sun, Sowetan and The Star. A total of 288 editions of newspapers, spanning a period of twelve months (January to December 2010) were sampled. This study is informed by agenda setting theory. Discourse analysis was used to determine the compliance of these newspapers to media guides on the use of appropriate language or terminologies. The tone, sentence structures used when disseminating HIV/AIDS stories were also examined. The results revealed that HIV/AIDS coverage by these newspapers is reasonable even though the prominence given to HIV/AIDS issues is dissatisfactory in terms of placement on the page, headline font-size and number of paragraphs devoted to HIV/AIDS stories. 5.0% of HIV/AIDS-oriented stories were placed on the front page; 93.8% on the inside pages while 1.3% were placed on the back pages. It was also found that news and feature were used equally to disseminate HIV/AIDS issues. These genres constituted 50% each. On the other hand, the results revealed a statistically non-significant relationship between the newspapers and categories; that is: (25.09 2 , p 0.122 0.05 ). Results further revealed that these newspapers used appropriate terminology and value-neutral language in their stories. The tone of the messages was found to be positive and encouraging.
- Full Text:
Isolation, purification and kinetic characterization of prolyl endopeptidase from Titicum aestivum
- Authors: Abrahams, Adriam Mark
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Endopeptidases , Wheat , Chemical kinetics , Pharmacokinetics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Biochemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11269 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1004356 , Endopeptidases , Wheat , Chemical kinetics , Pharmacokinetics
- Description: PEP activity has been described in several locations and has mostly been linked to a variety of neurological disorders such as schizophrenia, amnaesia, depression as well as other disease states such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and blood pressure regulation. The enzyme has also been previously isolated from a variety of archae, microorganisms and several eukaryotic species but no prolyl endopeptidases have been isolated from plants. Plants have high levels of proline and glutamine rich peptides in seeds. We therefore hypothesize plants must express PEPs during germination. Bioinformatics tools were used to identify known PEPs and putative plant PEPs. A global sequence alignment of putative plant PEPs and other known PEPs indicated that the active site amino acids Ser, His and Asp are conserved in putative plant PEP sequences. Furthermore, putative plant PEPs showed similar secondary structures to known PEPs and when a rice PEP was modelled onto porcine brain PEP structure, a high degree of similarity was found. Germination studies of wheat seed showed an increase of PEP activity over time with maximum PEP activity reached after 4 days of germination, which remained at this level until 9 days of germination, implying a function for PEP in plant seed germination. Wheat PEP was purified using ion exchange and gel filtration chromatography with a final yield of less than 1 percent and a relative purity (only 2 bands detected by SDS-PAGE). The purified wheat PEP had a molecular weight of approximately 55kDa, substrate specificity for chymotrypsin-like substrates (N-Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-pNa, Km value of 0.58 mM, Kcat of 29.37 s–1; Kcat /Km 50813.14s–1 M–1); a pH optimum of 7.9; temperature optima of 37oC and a high sensitivity to temperature as indicated by loss of activity at temperatures above 40oC. Inhibition studies using E64, Leupeptin and PMSF confirmed that the wheat PEP is from the Serine protease family and is most likely a trypsin-like protease.
- Full Text:
Job satisfaction as a moderator of the relationship between work-family conflict and stress among female civil service managers in the Department of Education in the King William’s Town District
- Authors: Binqela, Thembisa
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Job stress -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Work -- Psychological aspects , Role conflict , Women employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Women executives -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Working mothers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Industrial Psychology)
- Identifier: vital:11553 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007092 , Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Job stress -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Work -- Psychological aspects , Role conflict , Women employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Women executives -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Working mothers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The research at hand focuses on job satisfaction as a moderator of the relationship between work-family conflict and stress among female civil service managers in the Department of Education in the King William’s Town District. Samples of 100 employees were used in the study. The data was collected by means of a questionnaire which consisted of the following sections: (i) a biographical and occupational data questionnaire,(ii) Eum, Lee, and Paek’s (2007) Effort-Reward Imbalance questionnaire, (iii) Bedenia, Burke, and Moffat’s (1998) Short-form Work-family Conflict questionnaire, and (iv) Halpern’s (1966) Job Satisfaction questionnaire. The data were analyzed by means of Pearson’s Correlation Technique, Multiple Regression Analysis, and Analysis of Variance. The results showed that job satisfaction does not moderate the relationship between work-family conflict and occupational stress. The study also found a significant positive correlation between work-family conflict and occupational stress and between work-family conflict and job satisfaction. It also showed that both work-family conflict and job satisfaction respectively accounted for a significant proportion of variance in occupational stress. The thesis ends with several recommendations for future research and for future professional or managerial practice.
- Full Text:
Leadership and accountability in managing the Constituency Development Fund (CDF): a case study of Yei River County, Central Equatoria State, Juba
- Authors: Wani, Mary Apayi Ayiga
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Leadership -- South Sudan , Responsibility -- South Sudan , Development credit corporations -- South Sudan , Human services -- South Sudan , South Sudan -- Economic policy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11677 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007150 , Leadership -- South Sudan , Responsibility -- South Sudan , Development credit corporations -- South Sudan , Human services -- South Sudan , South Sudan -- Economic policy
- Description: This study is based on Leadership & Accountability in managing the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), the case of Yei River County (YRC) of Central Equatoria State, Republic of South Sudan (RSS). CDF is one of the initiatives of the government of South Sudan created by a legislation of Parliament to compliment development of the community needs as they expect more from the government of the day. The CDF Act 2007 which was passed by the parliament stipulated structures that govern the operation of the fund in terms of management, leadership and accountability to enhance effective and efficient provision of services to the people. The CDF Act provided that fund allocated to the MPs is to address the challenges that face the communities such as construction of schools, health facilities, water, roads and government facilities but not for personal interest or individual use. The problem that motivated the researcher to explore the performance of the CDF was inadequate service to the community although the government has allocated funds to each constituency channeled through the members of parliament to improve the socio-economic status of the community. The research looked at how the CDF roles, functions, and procedure were applied in the utilization of the funds to ensure efficiency. It analysed and evaluated the effectiveness and efficiency of management of CDF to promote service delivery in the constituencies of Yei, Ottogo, Tore and Mugwo Payams. The study investigated the following questions: How is the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) been managed and utilized by the Members of Parliament (MPs) to promote development in their constituencies? To what extent is the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) used in accordance with the provisions of the CDF Act (2007)? To what extent does the CDF achieve its objective in promoting development to meet the aspirations of the people within the constituencies? And, what is the nature of the relationship between the MPs, the community and the County Local Authority in relation to the CDF? The study also examined the linkage between the various committees formed by the CDF Act 2007 to guide the implementation of the fund as well as the projects at grass-root levels in regards to monitoring and evaluation process. The study used both descriptive and explanatory techniques to guide the researcher in gathering information required on the best of CDF practice in Yei River County which were carried out using interviews, focus group discussion and observation. Twenty (20) respondents comprising of head of departments, women, youth, MPs of both parliaments - the National and the State, chiefs, councilors, CDF committees from the four constituencies mentioned above were interviewed about the use of the CDF. The study reveals that there are no clear linkages between the various committees formed by the CDF Act 2007 to guide the implementation of the fund as well as the projects at the grass-root level in regards to monitoring and evaluation process. In addition to this, less participation of the community in identification, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the CDF community projects was one of the contributing factors that affected the effectiveness and efficiency of the result. Although creation of CDF has effect in some of the areas of the county, it requires more improvement in the implementation process to increase development in other areas. Based on these findings, the study argues that for the best of the CDF utilization, leadership and accountability which are components of the Public Administration Discipline that enhances efficiency in the public institutions need to be put into practice. Hence, rigorous application of the CDF rules, regulations and procedures is paramount in managing the utilization of the fund allocated for the purpose of development.
- Full Text:
Learner nurses experiences regarding clinical supervision at private hospitals in East London in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Vos, Porsha
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Nurses -- Supervision of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nurses -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nurses -- Rating of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hospitals -- Employees -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hospitals -- Personnel management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11906 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006824 , Nurses -- Supervision of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nurses -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nurses -- Rating of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hospitals -- Employees -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hospitals -- Personnel management
- Description: The purpose of this study was to explore and to describe experiences of learner nurses regarding clinical supervision at private hospitals in East London in the Eastern Cape. These were Life Healthcare hospitals. A qualitative, contextual approach was used and the exploratory, descriptive design was seen as most appropriate in this study. The subjects were the learner nurses in the Bridging Course Programme leading to registration as a General Nurse. The research questions were: How did you as a learner nurse, doing the Bridging Course, experience clinical supervision at Life Healthcare hospitals? A pilot study was conducted in a clinical setting involving respondents with similar characteristics to the study population. Fourteen participants were selected for this study by using a purposive, non-probability sampling method. Data were collected by means of individual interviews during which participants were able to describe their experiences during clinical supervision; data were collected until data saturation was reached.During data analysis, the researcher used the process of bracketing and remained neutral, setting aside previous knowledge and beliefs about the phenomenon under investigation. The researcher listened to the audiotapes used for data collection several times until she was completely satisfied with the interpretation of the verbatim data. Transcriptions were made within three days of the interview. The research was done in an ethically reflective manner and the researcher ensured the trustworthiness of the study at all times. The researcher allowed the participants freedom to conduct their lives as autonomous agents, without external The purpose of this study was to explore and to describe experiences of learner nurses regarding clinical supervision at private hospitals in East London in the Eastern Cape. These were Life Healthcare hospitals. A qualitative, contextual approach was used and the exploratory, descriptive design was seen as most appropriate in this study. The subjects were the learner nurses in the Bridging Course Programme leading to registration as a General Nurse. The research questions were: How did you as a learner nurse, doing the Bridging Course, experience clinical supervision at Life Healthcare hospitals? A pilot study was conducted in a clinical setting involving respondents with similar characteristics to the study population. Fourteen participants were selected for this study by using a purposive, non-probability sampling method. Data were collected by means of individual interviews during which participants were able to describe their experiences during clinical supervision; data were collected until data saturation was reached.During data analysis, the researcher used the process of bracketing and remained neutral, setting aside previous knowledge and beliefs about the phenomenon under investigation. The researcher listened to the audiotapes used for data collection several times until she was completely satisfied with the interpretation of the verbatim data. Transcriptions were made within three days of the interview. The research was done in an ethically reflective manner and the researcher ensured the trustworthiness of the study at all times. The researcher allowed the participants freedom to conduct their lives as autonomous agents, without external control, coercion or exploitation. The following findings were evident: Three main themes emerged from data analyses. These comprised inadequate clinical supervision, satisfactory clinical supervision and suggestions and inputs regarding clinical supervision. Detailed discussions about the findings in relation to earlier studies were conducted. Recommendations to improve clinical supervision were made in order to improve the experiences of learner nurses during training. The findings of the research will be made available through the University of Fort Hare library and the Life College of Learning. Furthermore the information of this study will be shared with colleagues and will be published in an accredited nursing journal such as Curationis as well as other journals.control, coercion or exploitation. The following findings were evident: Three main themes emerged from data analyses. These comprised inadequate clinical supervision, satisfactory clinical supervision and suggestions and inputs regarding clinical supervision. Detailed discussions about the findings in relation to earlier studies were conducted. Recommendations to improve clinical supervision were made in order to improve the experiences of learner nurses during training. The findings of the research will be made available through the University of Fort Hare library and the Life College of Learning. Furthermore the information of this study will be shared with colleagues and will be published in an accredited nursing journal such as Curationis as well as other journals.
- Full Text:
Linking performance management to public perceptions of police effectiveness: a case of Queenstown cluster police stations, Eastern Cape (2009-2011)
- Authors: Mziwonke, Bazel Bibi
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11702 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015148
- Description: This study investigated the relationship between SAPS performance management and measurement assessment patterns and public perceptions of the effectiveness of SAPS. The Performance Management System (PMS) and the Performance Measurement System (PMS1) of SAPS were investigated and it was looked at whether there is a correlation between them. The two internal measurement systems i.e. PMS and PMS1 were compared with the perception of the community about service delivery effectiveness of SAPS. Seven police stations in the Queenstown Cluster participated in the study. Semi-structured interviews were used to gather data from the Cluster Commander, Station Commanders, Production personnel and members of the community. The findings indicated that SAPS has challenges in implementing PMS. Matters of honesty and trust were seen as contributing factors to these challenges. The internal performance management tools do not take into consideration the needs of the community. This transpired on the results of internal performance management which indicated police stations and their members to be performing satisfactory while the community is not satisfied with the police station performance.
- Full Text:
Livelihood strategies of female headed households in Zimbabwe: the case of Magaso Village, Mutoko District in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Musekiwa, Pamela
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Women heads of households -- Zimbabwe , Women in agriculture -- Zimbabwe , Sustainable development -- Zimbabwe , Household surveys -- Zimbabwe , Poverty -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M SW
- Identifier: vital:11763 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1005967 , Women heads of households -- Zimbabwe , Women in agriculture -- Zimbabwe , Sustainable development -- Zimbabwe , Household surveys -- Zimbabwe , Poverty -- Zimbabwe
- Description: This research study explored livelihood strategies that female headed households adopt in Magaso village of Mutoko district in Zimbabwe. The study intended to achieve the following objectives: (i) examine the existing livelihood strategies of female headed households (ii) explore the various challenges faced by female headed households and (iii) establish the support mechanisms in place for female headed households to cope with life challenges .The literature reviewed in the study was drawn from several researchers, and the study was shaped by the strengths perspectives and the liberal feminism perspective. The study was qualitative in nature and used interviews to collect data from fifteen (15) female headed households. The data collection process used an interview guide. The research employed a qualitative research design in the form of a case study cum a phenomenological study design. Data was analysed qualitatively using the content thematic data analysis which used interpretive approaches and presentation is textual rather than statistical. The study findings were the following: engaging in subsistence farming was found to be the main livelihood activity of the female heads; engaging in home gardens; exchanging labour for food; involvement in business; reliance on temporary employment from different agencies; reliance on handouts from government and other bodies; and household heads sanctioning child labour that compromises school attendance. Moreover, these female heads faced numerous difficulties ranging from emotional, social to financial problems that resulted in worsening the condition of women, and hence validating feminization of poverty among them. Several support mechanisms were discovered to be available for the female heads but they fail to produce to fruitful results to the lives of the female heads. The study made the following recommendations: mainstreaming gender education from childhood stage; efforts aimed at job creation; financial empowerment through setting up of micro schemes for rural women amongst; seeking the services of agricultural extension services to the female head farmers; improving the social services delivery in Zimbabwe equitably across genders and strengthening informal strategies to improve women‘s social capital. Lastly, the study concluded that little is being done in terms of policy formulation to make the support structures responsive to the female headed households especially in rural areas, hence the need for sustainable development through empowerment.
- Full Text:
Management of HIV/AIDS programmes at the workplace: a study of selected organisations in Chris Hani District, Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Shava, Getrude
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Social responsibility of business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Industrial hygiene -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , HIV infections -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , HIV-positive persons -- Employment -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M SW
- Identifier: vital:11764 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1005992 , Social responsibility of business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Industrial hygiene -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , HIV infections -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , HIV-positive persons -- Employment -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The aim of the study was to investigate the management of HIV /AIDS programmes at the workplace in four selected organisations in Chris Hani District, Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Four organisations were studied, two public organisations and two private organisations. With the use of triangulation method, two hundred employees were administered a semi- structured questionnaire while for (four) managers, semi structured in-depth interviews were conducted. The major findings of this study outline that all the four organisations studied have HIV/AIDS programmes and policies for their employees. However, there were no budget allocations for these programmes to be fully implemented for effectiveness. From the data, it can be concluded that HIV/AIDS has a negative impact on organisations‟ production like high training costs, high labour turnover and high absenteeism from work. This has been as a result of managers who did not put their total commitment towards HIV/AIDS management at their workplaces in the same way they have done to other core areas of businesses of their organisations. The study therefore recommends the management of these organisations to demonstrate a clear commitment to the HIV/AIDS management strategies by fully implementing the HIV/AIDS management programmes in their workplaces. It is very crucial for employees to see this commitment in a concrete form through non-discrimination and support for the people living with HIV/AIDS. Clear unambiguous commitment will go far in developing mutual trust between employers and employees and facilitate an atmosphere where people are willing to undergo VCT and to possibly disclose their status. Furthermore, managers are recommended to hire quality service providers to carry out intensive de-stigmatisation processes. This will create a supportive environment and adequately address the fears of employees about HIV/AIDS issues at the workplace. All these recommendations will go a long way in assisting organisations achieve their strategic business objectives and reduce the negative impact of HIV/AIDS at their workplaces.
- Full Text: