The Kansanshi Cu-Au deposit, Domes region, Zambia : geology, mineralisation and alteration characteristics in the main pit
- Authors: Chinyuku, Donald Tichaona
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Kansanshi Mine -- Zambia , Copper mines and mining -- Zambia , Gold mines and mining -- Zambia , Gold -- Assaying -- Zambia , Geology -- Zambia , Mineralogy -- Zambia , Tillite
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5051 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011758 , Kansanshi Mine -- Zambia , Copper mines and mining -- Zambia , Gold mines and mining -- Zambia , Gold -- Assaying -- Zambia , Geology -- Zambia , Mineralogy -- Zambia , Tillite
- Description: The Kansanshi Cu-Au deposit located in the Domes region of the North West province of Zambia is characterised by structurally controlled high angle veins and associated alteration halos. The northwest trending Kansanshi antiform flanks the Solwezi syncline to the north and hosts the Kansanshi deposit and consists of tillites and metasedimentary rocks. Mineralisation is associated with Neoproterozoic Pan African deformation events experienced during the formation of the Lufilian fold belt; however recent findings confirm that structures in the form of reverse and normal faults and drag folds are critical controls on mineralisation within the deposit, Main pit in particular. Low angle faults occurring below the current pit are believed to have served as major fluid pathways during mineralisation. Age dating data from the Kansanshi deposit suggest that mineralisation took place between 512 and 503 Ma indicating that the event was associated with metamorphism. Two types of alteration are dominant within the Main pit (Kansanshi deposit) with the type and intensity of alteration being largely controlled by lithological units. Albite alteration occurs dominantly in phyllites and schists whereas dolomitisation is prevalent in calcareous units. Alteration is associated with mineralisation, and therefore is used as a condition for predicting vein or disseminated mineralisation. The high Au tenor at Kansanshi can be attributed to gold grains occurring in association with melonite (NiTe₂) and microfractured pyrite intergrown with chalcopyrite in sulphide and quartz dominated veins and veinlets. Analysis of gold grade distribution within the Main pit shows a clear concentration of the element along the major north-south trending structures like the 4800 and 5400 zones, possibly through supergene enrichment in the oxide-transition-sulphide zones. It is imperative that exploration for Kansanshi-type deposits will require geochemical and geophysical studies, understanding of the geology of an area to identify the three lithostratigraphic units (red beds, evaporites and reducing strata).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Chinyuku, Donald Tichaona
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Kansanshi Mine -- Zambia , Copper mines and mining -- Zambia , Gold mines and mining -- Zambia , Gold -- Assaying -- Zambia , Geology -- Zambia , Mineralogy -- Zambia , Tillite
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5051 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011758 , Kansanshi Mine -- Zambia , Copper mines and mining -- Zambia , Gold mines and mining -- Zambia , Gold -- Assaying -- Zambia , Geology -- Zambia , Mineralogy -- Zambia , Tillite
- Description: The Kansanshi Cu-Au deposit located in the Domes region of the North West province of Zambia is characterised by structurally controlled high angle veins and associated alteration halos. The northwest trending Kansanshi antiform flanks the Solwezi syncline to the north and hosts the Kansanshi deposit and consists of tillites and metasedimentary rocks. Mineralisation is associated with Neoproterozoic Pan African deformation events experienced during the formation of the Lufilian fold belt; however recent findings confirm that structures in the form of reverse and normal faults and drag folds are critical controls on mineralisation within the deposit, Main pit in particular. Low angle faults occurring below the current pit are believed to have served as major fluid pathways during mineralisation. Age dating data from the Kansanshi deposit suggest that mineralisation took place between 512 and 503 Ma indicating that the event was associated with metamorphism. Two types of alteration are dominant within the Main pit (Kansanshi deposit) with the type and intensity of alteration being largely controlled by lithological units. Albite alteration occurs dominantly in phyllites and schists whereas dolomitisation is prevalent in calcareous units. Alteration is associated with mineralisation, and therefore is used as a condition for predicting vein or disseminated mineralisation. The high Au tenor at Kansanshi can be attributed to gold grains occurring in association with melonite (NiTe₂) and microfractured pyrite intergrown with chalcopyrite in sulphide and quartz dominated veins and veinlets. Analysis of gold grade distribution within the Main pit shows a clear concentration of the element along the major north-south trending structures like the 4800 and 5400 zones, possibly through supergene enrichment in the oxide-transition-sulphide zones. It is imperative that exploration for Kansanshi-type deposits will require geochemical and geophysical studies, understanding of the geology of an area to identify the three lithostratigraphic units (red beds, evaporites and reducing strata).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The large scale bioinformatics analysis of auxiliary activity family 9 enzymes
- Authors: Moses, Vuyani
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Bioinformatics -- Analysis , Cellulose -- Biodegradation , Biomass energy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4145 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016356
- Description: Biofuels have been proposed to be a suitable replacement to the already depleting fossil fuels. The complex structures of plant biomasses present a challenge the production of biofuels due to recalcitrance. The complex cellulose structure and hydrogen bonding between repeat units of cellulose is believed to be a major contributor to the recalcitrance of cellulose. Fungal organisms come equipped with various oxidative enzymes involved in degradation of plant biomass. The exact mechanism of cellulose degradation remains elusive. The GH61 is a group of proteins which are PMOs. GH61 sequences where previously described as endoglucanases due to weak endoglucanase activity. These enzymes were later found not possess any enzyme activity of their own however they could enhance the activity of other cellulose degrading enzymes. As a result reclassification of these enzymes as AA9 has been implemented. AA9 proteins have been reported to share structural homology with the bacterial AA10 group of enzymes. Based on cleavage products that are produced when AA9 proteins interact with cellulose, AA9 proteins have been grouped into three types. To date the exact mechanism and the sequence and structural basis for differentiating between the various AA9 types remains unknown. Using various bionformatic techniques sequence and structural elements were identified for distinguishing between the AA9 types. A large dataset of sequences was obtained from the Pfam database from UNIPROT entries. Due to high divergence of AA9 sequences, a smaller dataset with the more divergent sequences removed was created. The inclusion of the reference sequences to the data set was done to observe which sequences belong to a certain type. Phylogenetic analysis was able to group AA9 proteins into three distinct groups. MSA and motif analysis revealed that the N-Terminus of these proteins is mostly responsible for type specificity. Structural analysis of AA9 PDB structures and homology models allowed the effect of physicochemical properties to be gauged structurally. The presence of 310 helices and aromatic residues the surface of AA9 sequences is an observation which still warrants further investigation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Moses, Vuyani
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Bioinformatics -- Analysis , Cellulose -- Biodegradation , Biomass energy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4145 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016356
- Description: Biofuels have been proposed to be a suitable replacement to the already depleting fossil fuels. The complex structures of plant biomasses present a challenge the production of biofuels due to recalcitrance. The complex cellulose structure and hydrogen bonding between repeat units of cellulose is believed to be a major contributor to the recalcitrance of cellulose. Fungal organisms come equipped with various oxidative enzymes involved in degradation of plant biomass. The exact mechanism of cellulose degradation remains elusive. The GH61 is a group of proteins which are PMOs. GH61 sequences where previously described as endoglucanases due to weak endoglucanase activity. These enzymes were later found not possess any enzyme activity of their own however they could enhance the activity of other cellulose degrading enzymes. As a result reclassification of these enzymes as AA9 has been implemented. AA9 proteins have been reported to share structural homology with the bacterial AA10 group of enzymes. Based on cleavage products that are produced when AA9 proteins interact with cellulose, AA9 proteins have been grouped into three types. To date the exact mechanism and the sequence and structural basis for differentiating between the various AA9 types remains unknown. Using various bionformatic techniques sequence and structural elements were identified for distinguishing between the AA9 types. A large dataset of sequences was obtained from the Pfam database from UNIPROT entries. Due to high divergence of AA9 sequences, a smaller dataset with the more divergent sequences removed was created. The inclusion of the reference sequences to the data set was done to observe which sequences belong to a certain type. Phylogenetic analysis was able to group AA9 proteins into three distinct groups. MSA and motif analysis revealed that the N-Terminus of these proteins is mostly responsible for type specificity. Structural analysis of AA9 PDB structures and homology models allowed the effect of physicochemical properties to be gauged structurally. The presence of 310 helices and aromatic residues the surface of AA9 sequences is an observation which still warrants further investigation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The leadership competencies subordinates value : an exploratory study across gender and national culture
- Authors: Gondongwe, Sharon
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Leadership , Organizational behavior , Organizational behavior -- Cross-cultural studies , Organizational behavior -- Sex differences
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1203 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015673
- Description: The effectiveness of leadership is largely dependent on whether the leadership competencies exhibited by leaders are congruent with the value system endorsed by subordinates. One of the ways in which leaders can influence subordinates is by understanding the leadership competencies valued by subordinates. Gender and national culture are two of the many factors that have an influence on the leadership competencies valued by subordinates. A large amount of research has been conducted to determine if, indeed, gender and national culture influence the leadership competencies subordinates' value. However, most of this research has been conducted in Europe and North America, places in which national cultures differ significantly from those prevailing in African countries. This study, from a South African and Zimbabwean perspective, attempted to ascertain if gender and national culture influence the leadership competencies they value in their leaders. Existing studies have indicated that gender and national culture do not influence the leadership competencies valued in a leader. The findings of this study are in accordance with previous research and agree that gender and national culture do not influence the leadership competencies valued in a leader. The results of this study indicated that male and female subordinates value similar leadership competencies. With respect to national culture, both South African and Zimbabwean subordinates value similar leadership competencies. Based on the findings of this study, regardless of gender and national culture, all subordinates value a leader who is loyal, visionary, openly embodies integrity, and is a leader who empowers subordinates.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Gondongwe, Sharon
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Leadership , Organizational behavior , Organizational behavior -- Cross-cultural studies , Organizational behavior -- Sex differences
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1203 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015673
- Description: The effectiveness of leadership is largely dependent on whether the leadership competencies exhibited by leaders are congruent with the value system endorsed by subordinates. One of the ways in which leaders can influence subordinates is by understanding the leadership competencies valued by subordinates. Gender and national culture are two of the many factors that have an influence on the leadership competencies valued by subordinates. A large amount of research has been conducted to determine if, indeed, gender and national culture influence the leadership competencies subordinates' value. However, most of this research has been conducted in Europe and North America, places in which national cultures differ significantly from those prevailing in African countries. This study, from a South African and Zimbabwean perspective, attempted to ascertain if gender and national culture influence the leadership competencies they value in their leaders. Existing studies have indicated that gender and national culture do not influence the leadership competencies valued in a leader. The findings of this study are in accordance with previous research and agree that gender and national culture do not influence the leadership competencies valued in a leader. The results of this study indicated that male and female subordinates value similar leadership competencies. With respect to national culture, both South African and Zimbabwean subordinates value similar leadership competencies. Based on the findings of this study, regardless of gender and national culture, all subordinates value a leader who is loyal, visionary, openly embodies integrity, and is a leader who empowers subordinates.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The life history traits of the arctiine moth Pareuchaetes insulata, a biological control agent of Chromolaena odorata in South Africa
- Uyi, Osariyekemwen O, Zachariades, Costas, Hill, Martin P
- Authors: Uyi, Osariyekemwen O , Zachariades, Costas , Hill, Martin P
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/406170 , vital:70244 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC160238"
- Description: Pareuchaetes insulata (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae) was released in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, as a biological control agent against Chromolaena odorata (L.) King and Robinson (Asteraceae) between 2001 and 2009. Although the moth did establish at one out of some 30 release sites, its population level is generally low in the field. Two closely related biological control agents, P. pseudoinsulata Rego Barros and P. aurata aurata (Butler) had previously failed to establish despite several years of releases. Studies of life history traits of P. insulata (males and females) were conducted to determine whether several aspects of its developmental and reproductive biology can explain its poor performance, and to compare the development and reproductive biology of P. insulata with the two other closely related species. At 25 °C, overall mortality of immature stages was generally low (below 12 %). Although the duration of the larval life stage was statistically longer for females, overall they eclosed as adults before the males (i.e. protogyny). Pupal mass, growth rate and total leaf area consumed were higher in females. Mated females laid 74% of their eggs on the first four nights following eclosion and lived an average of 5.92 ± 0.19 days. The moth also showed good biological attributes such as high fecundity (number of eggs), egg hatchability and female mating success (the number of matings that resulted in fertile eggs). Significant positive correlations were detected between insect performance metrics and leaf consumption and between fecundity and pupal mass. A 23 % greater lifetime reproductive output (387.62 ± 19.50 eggs per female) for P. insulata compared with P. aurata aurata was recorded. We hypothesize that the absence of protandry in P. insulata might have contributed to the low population levels of the moth in the field. The results of this study contribute to our understanding of the life history traits of erebid moths in the subfamily Arctiinae deployed for the biological control of C. odorata.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Uyi, Osariyekemwen O , Zachariades, Costas , Hill, Martin P
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/406170 , vital:70244 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC160238"
- Description: Pareuchaetes insulata (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae) was released in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, as a biological control agent against Chromolaena odorata (L.) King and Robinson (Asteraceae) between 2001 and 2009. Although the moth did establish at one out of some 30 release sites, its population level is generally low in the field. Two closely related biological control agents, P. pseudoinsulata Rego Barros and P. aurata aurata (Butler) had previously failed to establish despite several years of releases. Studies of life history traits of P. insulata (males and females) were conducted to determine whether several aspects of its developmental and reproductive biology can explain its poor performance, and to compare the development and reproductive biology of P. insulata with the two other closely related species. At 25 °C, overall mortality of immature stages was generally low (below 12 %). Although the duration of the larval life stage was statistically longer for females, overall they eclosed as adults before the males (i.e. protogyny). Pupal mass, growth rate and total leaf area consumed were higher in females. Mated females laid 74% of their eggs on the first four nights following eclosion and lived an average of 5.92 ± 0.19 days. The moth also showed good biological attributes such as high fecundity (number of eggs), egg hatchability and female mating success (the number of matings that resulted in fertile eggs). Significant positive correlations were detected between insect performance metrics and leaf consumption and between fecundity and pupal mass. A 23 % greater lifetime reproductive output (387.62 ± 19.50 eggs per female) for P. insulata compared with P. aurata aurata was recorded. We hypothesize that the absence of protandry in P. insulata might have contributed to the low population levels of the moth in the field. The results of this study contribute to our understanding of the life history traits of erebid moths in the subfamily Arctiinae deployed for the biological control of C. odorata.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The lived experiences of HIV-positive women in poverty
- Msengana, Sweetlener Thobeka
- Authors: Msengana, Sweetlener Thobeka
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: HIV-positive women -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , HIV infections -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , HIV infections -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Poor -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Poverty -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Poverty -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Stigma (Social psychology) -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3240 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013269
- Description: The focus of this study was on the experiences of a small sample of local women who are HIVpositive and are living in poverty. The researcher was interested in exploring the psychological and social experiences of these women using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. This research aimed at giving these women a voice to express their first-hand, personal accounts of living with HIV in poverty. Data was analysed for meaningful units, which were interpreted inductively and hermeneutically, and categorised into super-ordinate themes. Six themes within the participants' experiences of living with HIV were determined, namely: (I) experiences of diagnosis, (2) disclosure experiences, (3) stigma, (4) ARV experiences, (5) experiences of social support and (6) poverty. This research found that after an HIV-positive diagnosis, most women experience a variety of emotional reactions. These reactions however seem to change overtime into positive acceptance of the HIV diagnosis. Most of the women in this study preferred to use partial disclosure than to fully disclose their HJV-positive status openly to families, friends and to their community. Reasons for not using full disclosure included fear of discrimination and stigma, which included a fear of being rejected or being blamed for their status and a fear of losing relationships. It was also evident from the findings that most of the women had experienced stigma directly and therefore partial disclosure was used as a coping mechanism to protect the self from further harm. It was also revealed that stigma not only has a negative impact on disclosure but also on social support and ARV experiences. Because ofHIV-related stigma, lack of social support was a struggle that almost all the women in this study had experienced. Lack of understandings about their medication also had a negative impact of the ARV experiences. Stigmas along with poverty are the major struggles that HIV -positive women have to deal with in their day to day living. The findings of this study reveal a need for further research in this experiential area as well as campaigns and education around issues such as stigma, medication, and emotional difficulties associated with HIV.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Msengana, Sweetlener Thobeka
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: HIV-positive women -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , HIV infections -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , HIV infections -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Poor -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Poverty -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Poverty -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Stigma (Social psychology) -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3240 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013269
- Description: The focus of this study was on the experiences of a small sample of local women who are HIVpositive and are living in poverty. The researcher was interested in exploring the psychological and social experiences of these women using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. This research aimed at giving these women a voice to express their first-hand, personal accounts of living with HIV in poverty. Data was analysed for meaningful units, which were interpreted inductively and hermeneutically, and categorised into super-ordinate themes. Six themes within the participants' experiences of living with HIV were determined, namely: (I) experiences of diagnosis, (2) disclosure experiences, (3) stigma, (4) ARV experiences, (5) experiences of social support and (6) poverty. This research found that after an HIV-positive diagnosis, most women experience a variety of emotional reactions. These reactions however seem to change overtime into positive acceptance of the HIV diagnosis. Most of the women in this study preferred to use partial disclosure than to fully disclose their HJV-positive status openly to families, friends and to their community. Reasons for not using full disclosure included fear of discrimination and stigma, which included a fear of being rejected or being blamed for their status and a fear of losing relationships. It was also evident from the findings that most of the women had experienced stigma directly and therefore partial disclosure was used as a coping mechanism to protect the self from further harm. It was also revealed that stigma not only has a negative impact on disclosure but also on social support and ARV experiences. Because ofHIV-related stigma, lack of social support was a struggle that almost all the women in this study had experienced. Lack of understandings about their medication also had a negative impact of the ARV experiences. Stigmas along with poverty are the major struggles that HIV -positive women have to deal with in their day to day living. The findings of this study reveal a need for further research in this experiential area as well as campaigns and education around issues such as stigma, medication, and emotional difficulties associated with HIV.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The local economic development of the Inkwanca Local Municipality : challenges and oppotunities of the municipality
- Authors: Potso, Vuyokazi
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9197 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020390
- Description: This research study aims to make recommendations on how the Local Economic Development (LED) of the Inkwanca Local Municipality can be made effective. The researcher has conducted a qualitative research study through the use of interviews as the data collection tool, in order to obtain information from specific population members of the concerned local municipality on LED issues. The participants of the research included municipal officials, community project members and the official from the Department of Social Development. The study consists of five chapters: Chapter 1 is the introduction chapter where the whole project background is outlined. Chapter 2 consists of the literature review, where various ideologies on the concepts of LED have been discussed. Chapter 3 describes the methodology used to conduct the research and outlines the route that was taken in acquiring the required data. Chapter 4 consists of the findings of the study. This chapter presents these findings in different themes and covers responses given by coded participants. Moreover, Chapter 4 also discusses the aims and objectives of the study, and states that the research findings have achieved the aims of the research in the analysis of data. Finally, Chapter 5 consists of the summary of the study background, challenges of the study and some recommendations by the researcher. The conclusion is that the presumption of the research problem has been confirmed by the study. The Inkwanca Local Municipality does need some urgent intervention in order to enhance the LED of the area. Recommendations for LED challenges and opportunities acquired from the findings provide direction on how the LED of the Inkwanca Local Municipality can be made effective in order to reduce poverty and the unemployment rate in the area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Potso, Vuyokazi
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9197 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020390
- Description: This research study aims to make recommendations on how the Local Economic Development (LED) of the Inkwanca Local Municipality can be made effective. The researcher has conducted a qualitative research study through the use of interviews as the data collection tool, in order to obtain information from specific population members of the concerned local municipality on LED issues. The participants of the research included municipal officials, community project members and the official from the Department of Social Development. The study consists of five chapters: Chapter 1 is the introduction chapter where the whole project background is outlined. Chapter 2 consists of the literature review, where various ideologies on the concepts of LED have been discussed. Chapter 3 describes the methodology used to conduct the research and outlines the route that was taken in acquiring the required data. Chapter 4 consists of the findings of the study. This chapter presents these findings in different themes and covers responses given by coded participants. Moreover, Chapter 4 also discusses the aims and objectives of the study, and states that the research findings have achieved the aims of the research in the analysis of data. Finally, Chapter 5 consists of the summary of the study background, challenges of the study and some recommendations by the researcher. The conclusion is that the presumption of the research problem has been confirmed by the study. The Inkwanca Local Municipality does need some urgent intervention in order to enhance the LED of the area. Recommendations for LED challenges and opportunities acquired from the findings provide direction on how the LED of the Inkwanca Local Municipality can be made effective in order to reduce poverty and the unemployment rate in the area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The management of knowledge workers for the benefit of an organisation
- Authors: Javu, Thobela Terrence
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Knowledge workers , Knowledge management , Intellectual capital
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8840 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020004
- Description: The main research problem in this study was to identify strategies that could assist South Afrian companies in managing knowledge workers for their opt imal benefit . To achieve this goal, the following act ions were ta ken: Aliterature study was conducted to identify the best strategies that South African companies could use to manage knowledge workers for optimal benefit; Following the literature review interviews were concluded with key people in the human resource and recruitment industry to determine how a knowledge worker was defined in their organisations as well as to probe what management and human resources strategies were used to manage knowledge workers to their full potential; The interviews, in addition to the literature study, also served as a basis for a survey questionnaire, which was used to probe the views of knowledge workers to determine tools and strategies managers use to manage them. The empirical results from the study showed some concurrence with best strategies suggested from the theoret ical study. In essence, the study revealed that knowledge was well managed in the organisations where the study was conducted and that the knowledge workers were motivated and productive. However, it appeared that there was uncer tainty around the remuneration, rewards and recognition of these employees, which could ultimately reflect in less promising levels of commitment and lower levels of retention. The main findings were that: knowledge workers should be recognised for their good performance by providing financial incentives; knowledge workers should be provided with opportunities to continuously develop their competencies but be allowed to craft their own developmental experiences; knowledge workers should be empowered by delegat ing tasks to them that carry decision making responsibility and af fectinnovation; and Managers and knowledge workers should cont inuously have performance and organisational development discussions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Javu, Thobela Terrence
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Knowledge workers , Knowledge management , Intellectual capital
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8840 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020004
- Description: The main research problem in this study was to identify strategies that could assist South Afrian companies in managing knowledge workers for their opt imal benefit . To achieve this goal, the following act ions were ta ken: Aliterature study was conducted to identify the best strategies that South African companies could use to manage knowledge workers for optimal benefit; Following the literature review interviews were concluded with key people in the human resource and recruitment industry to determine how a knowledge worker was defined in their organisations as well as to probe what management and human resources strategies were used to manage knowledge workers to their full potential; The interviews, in addition to the literature study, also served as a basis for a survey questionnaire, which was used to probe the views of knowledge workers to determine tools and strategies managers use to manage them. The empirical results from the study showed some concurrence with best strategies suggested from the theoret ical study. In essence, the study revealed that knowledge was well managed in the organisations where the study was conducted and that the knowledge workers were motivated and productive. However, it appeared that there was uncer tainty around the remuneration, rewards and recognition of these employees, which could ultimately reflect in less promising levels of commitment and lower levels of retention. The main findings were that: knowledge workers should be recognised for their good performance by providing financial incentives; knowledge workers should be provided with opportunities to continuously develop their competencies but be allowed to craft their own developmental experiences; knowledge workers should be empowered by delegat ing tasks to them that carry decision making responsibility and af fectinnovation; and Managers and knowledge workers should cont inuously have performance and organisational development discussions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The meanings of citizenship: media use and democracy in South Africa
- Wasserman, Herman, Garman, Anthea
- Authors: Wasserman, Herman , Garman, Anthea
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/159901 , vital:40354 , https://doi.org/10.1080/02533952.2014.929304
- Description: In 1994, South Africans embarked on a project to create new meanings of citizenship in order to transcend the disenfranchisement and divisions created by apartheid. This article examines the context in which new forms of citizenship are evolving in South Africa and how South African citizens use the media to give meaning to concepts such as “an active public sphere,” “civic agency” and “participatory politics.” The objective of the research is to provide information about the way in which the media contribute to the quality of democracy in South Africa through mediating citizenship in a way that improves prospects for citizens to exert influence over public decisions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Wasserman, Herman , Garman, Anthea
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/159901 , vital:40354 , https://doi.org/10.1080/02533952.2014.929304
- Description: In 1994, South Africans embarked on a project to create new meanings of citizenship in order to transcend the disenfranchisement and divisions created by apartheid. This article examines the context in which new forms of citizenship are evolving in South Africa and how South African citizens use the media to give meaning to concepts such as “an active public sphere,” “civic agency” and “participatory politics.” The objective of the research is to provide information about the way in which the media contribute to the quality of democracy in South Africa through mediating citizenship in a way that improves prospects for citizens to exert influence over public decisions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The media, Equal Education and school learners : an investigation of the possibility of 'political listening' in the South African education crisis
- Mufamadi, Azwihangwisi Eugene
- Authors: Mufamadi, Azwihangwisi Eugene
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Equal Education (Nonprofit organisation) Journalism, Educational -- South Africa Educational equalization -- South Africa Journalism -- Political aspects -- South Africa Education -- Citizen participation Educational change -- South Africa Qualitative research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3524 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011874
- Description: This study sets out to investigate democratic participation in South Africa and the role that media play and can potentially play within this context. It considers a social movement, as one way in which citizens can organise themselves and make their voices heard to improve their chances of making a meaningful contribution to democracy. It employs Susan Bickford's theory of 'political listening', which offers a potential solution to the lack of political representativeness and inclusiveness, by focusing on the way citizens relate to each other through speaking, listening and dialogue. This study examines whether the interaction between learners and the social movement Equal Education could be considered 'political listening', and the current and possible role of the media within this context of participation. The study also attempts to develop and make a contribution to the language of description for the theory of political listening in order to map it onto the data. Using evidence or data gathered through observation of Equal Education's youth group meetings with learners and in-depth interviews with learners, youth group facilitators, Equal Education staff members and journalists, this study shows how the interaction amongst learners and between Equal Education and learners could be considered political listening and how the social movement works as a democratic project which offers learners an opportunity to exercise their citizenship. Furthermore, it also details the current role of the media and possible role of the media as perceived by Equal Education, learners and by journalists who report on Equal Education's activities. The study does not make conclusive claims about whether 'political listening' occurs between Equal Education and learners and the media because the study is exploratory in nature and involves a lot of trial and error when it comes to applying the theory of political listening to interview and textual data, which is a communication context that the theory is only beginning to chart.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Mufamadi, Azwihangwisi Eugene
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Equal Education (Nonprofit organisation) Journalism, Educational -- South Africa Educational equalization -- South Africa Journalism -- Political aspects -- South Africa Education -- Citizen participation Educational change -- South Africa Qualitative research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3524 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011874
- Description: This study sets out to investigate democratic participation in South Africa and the role that media play and can potentially play within this context. It considers a social movement, as one way in which citizens can organise themselves and make their voices heard to improve their chances of making a meaningful contribution to democracy. It employs Susan Bickford's theory of 'political listening', which offers a potential solution to the lack of political representativeness and inclusiveness, by focusing on the way citizens relate to each other through speaking, listening and dialogue. This study examines whether the interaction between learners and the social movement Equal Education could be considered 'political listening', and the current and possible role of the media within this context of participation. The study also attempts to develop and make a contribution to the language of description for the theory of political listening in order to map it onto the data. Using evidence or data gathered through observation of Equal Education's youth group meetings with learners and in-depth interviews with learners, youth group facilitators, Equal Education staff members and journalists, this study shows how the interaction amongst learners and between Equal Education and learners could be considered political listening and how the social movement works as a democratic project which offers learners an opportunity to exercise their citizenship. Furthermore, it also details the current role of the media and possible role of the media as perceived by Equal Education, learners and by journalists who report on Equal Education's activities. The study does not make conclusive claims about whether 'political listening' occurs between Equal Education and learners and the media because the study is exploratory in nature and involves a lot of trial and error when it comes to applying the theory of political listening to interview and textual data, which is a communication context that the theory is only beginning to chart.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The natural history of the humpback dolphin, Sousa chinensis, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa : age, growth and reproduction
- Authors: Nolte, Zianca
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Sousa -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Dolphins -- Behavior -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Dolphins -- Age determination -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Dolphins -- Development -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Dolphins -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal -- Reproduction , Dolphins -- Physiology -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5878 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013178
- Description: Globally, inshore cetaceans are being threatened by a number of anthropogenic activities. The Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, Sousa chinensis, is currently listed as ‘near threatened’ by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In order to be able to advise on management and conservation strategies, knowledge on the life history of the species is required. To date very little is known about the biology of humpback dolphins. The aim of the present study was to determine basic life history parameters, including age, growth and reproduction of humpback dolphins incidentally caught in shark nets. Age was estimated by counting the growth layer groups (GLGs) in the dentine and cementum of sectioned and stained teeth. Both a Von Bertalanffy and a Gompertz growth curve fitted well to the data, but for comparison with previous studies on Sousa, the Gompertz growth function was adopted to describe the relationship between length and age for KwaZulu-Natal populations. Length at birth was estimated between 104.33 and 111.57 cm for males and females, respectively. Asymptotic length was reached at 266.48 cm and 239.29 cm for males and females, respectively. This corresponds to the attainment of physical maturity at 24 GLGs in males and 16 GLGs in females. Asymptotic mass for males could not be determined, while for females it occurred around 160 kg. The maximum age estimates and recorded lengths were 24 GLGs and 279 cm for males and 17.7 GLGs and 249 cm for females. Differences in length-at-age and mass-at-age for S. chinensis suggest sexual dimorphism. The attainment of sexual maturity in males occurred between 9 and 10 GLGs, corresponding to 230 cm total body length and 140 kg. The maximum combined testis mass of mature males comprised 0.42% of total body mass, and a roving male mating system was proposed. In females, sexual maturity occurred around 7.6 GLG, between 220 and 222 cm and 104 - 140 kg. The ovulation rate is estimated at 0.2 ovulations per annum, suggesting a calving interval of five years. It is evident from the results obtained in the present study that geographical differences exist in the life history parameters of S. chinensis. As a result, regional conservation and management strategies are imperative. Results from this study can therefore assist in assessing the status of existing population structures in the KwaZulu-Natal coastal waters, and the implementation of regional mitigation strategies to ensure the continued survival of humpback dolphins in the region.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Nolte, Zianca
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Sousa -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Dolphins -- Behavior -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Dolphins -- Age determination -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Dolphins -- Development -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Dolphins -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal -- Reproduction , Dolphins -- Physiology -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5878 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013178
- Description: Globally, inshore cetaceans are being threatened by a number of anthropogenic activities. The Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, Sousa chinensis, is currently listed as ‘near threatened’ by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In order to be able to advise on management and conservation strategies, knowledge on the life history of the species is required. To date very little is known about the biology of humpback dolphins. The aim of the present study was to determine basic life history parameters, including age, growth and reproduction of humpback dolphins incidentally caught in shark nets. Age was estimated by counting the growth layer groups (GLGs) in the dentine and cementum of sectioned and stained teeth. Both a Von Bertalanffy and a Gompertz growth curve fitted well to the data, but for comparison with previous studies on Sousa, the Gompertz growth function was adopted to describe the relationship between length and age for KwaZulu-Natal populations. Length at birth was estimated between 104.33 and 111.57 cm for males and females, respectively. Asymptotic length was reached at 266.48 cm and 239.29 cm for males and females, respectively. This corresponds to the attainment of physical maturity at 24 GLGs in males and 16 GLGs in females. Asymptotic mass for males could not be determined, while for females it occurred around 160 kg. The maximum age estimates and recorded lengths were 24 GLGs and 279 cm for males and 17.7 GLGs and 249 cm for females. Differences in length-at-age and mass-at-age for S. chinensis suggest sexual dimorphism. The attainment of sexual maturity in males occurred between 9 and 10 GLGs, corresponding to 230 cm total body length and 140 kg. The maximum combined testis mass of mature males comprised 0.42% of total body mass, and a roving male mating system was proposed. In females, sexual maturity occurred around 7.6 GLG, between 220 and 222 cm and 104 - 140 kg. The ovulation rate is estimated at 0.2 ovulations per annum, suggesting a calving interval of five years. It is evident from the results obtained in the present study that geographical differences exist in the life history parameters of S. chinensis. As a result, regional conservation and management strategies are imperative. Results from this study can therefore assist in assessing the status of existing population structures in the KwaZulu-Natal coastal waters, and the implementation of regional mitigation strategies to ensure the continued survival of humpback dolphins in the region.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The networking of chaperones by co-chaperones: control of cellular protein homeostasis
- Edkins, Adrienne L, Blatch, Gregory L
- Authors: Edkins, Adrienne L , Blatch, Gregory L
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/165107 , vital:41209 , ISBN 978-3-319-11731-7
- Description: Co-chaperones are important mediators of the outcome of chaperone assisted protein homeostasis, which is a dynamic balance between the integrated processes of protein folding, degradation and translocation. The Networking of Chaperones by Co-chaperones describes how the function of the major molecular chaperones is regulated by a cohort of diverse non-client proteins, known as co-chaperones. The second edition includes the current status of the field and descriptions of a number of novel co-chaperones that have been recently identified. This new edition has a strong focus on the role of co-chaperones in human disease and as putative drug targets. The book will be a resource for both newcomers and established researchers in the field of cell stress and chaperones, as well as those interested in cross-cutting disciplines such as cellular networks and systems biology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Edkins, Adrienne L , Blatch, Gregory L
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/165107 , vital:41209 , ISBN 978-3-319-11731-7
- Description: Co-chaperones are important mediators of the outcome of chaperone assisted protein homeostasis, which is a dynamic balance between the integrated processes of protein folding, degradation and translocation. The Networking of Chaperones by Co-chaperones describes how the function of the major molecular chaperones is regulated by a cohort of diverse non-client proteins, known as co-chaperones. The second edition includes the current status of the field and descriptions of a number of novel co-chaperones that have been recently identified. This new edition has a strong focus on the role of co-chaperones in human disease and as putative drug targets. The book will be a resource for both newcomers and established researchers in the field of cell stress and chaperones, as well as those interested in cross-cutting disciplines such as cellular networks and systems biology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The origin of endorheic pans on the African erosion surface North of Grahamstown, South Africa
- Authors: Alistoun, Judith Robyn
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4775 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011048
- Description: Pans on the African Erosion Surface near Grahamstown are small features, which, perhaps due to their small size have been neglected by researchers. From the outset the striking difference of these pans relative to other pans in southern Africa, is that the host rock is silcrete, a highly resistant rock well known as being associated with deeply weathered plateaus. The dominant origin theory for pans in southern Africa was developed by Goudie and Thomas (1985), and focuses on mechanisms relating to erosion and deflation. This model does not fit in well with the pans that have formed on substrate that has largely been unaffected by erosion in recent geological history (thousands to 10 000 years). As such this study examined the role of prolonged chemical weathering of Dwyka Tillite, that has led to the formation of silcrete. The hypothesis was that such deep weathering is responsible for local scale volume changes, which have in turn led to the formation of a depression. The centre of the pan indicated the highest concentration of Al₂O₃ and kaolinite at mid depths, and their concentrations decreased vertically away from these depths, and laterally towards the margins of the pan. Similar results were noted for SiO₂, while CaO and MgO (and calcite and dolomite) were highest at mid depths along the margins of the pan, and decreased laterally toward the centre of the pan. Results indicated that there was a positive relationship in the centre of the pan between: - the degree of chemical weathering and volume losses, - relative elevation of the pan and volume changes. Geochemically and mineralogically, there was a link between the high concentrations of Ca and Mg carbonates and volume gains in the margin of the pans. It is proposed that transpiration of vegetation along the margin of the pan caused the lateral movement of solutes, and the selective exclusion of these solutes by plants was associated with carbonate precipitation, leading to the creation of local relief. These results provide evidence to suggest that weathering and precipitation processes occurring over geological time scales are responsible for minor scale relief features, whose origin has been mistakenly attributed to deflation processes occurring over hundreds to thousands of years.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Alistoun, Judith Robyn
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4775 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011048
- Description: Pans on the African Erosion Surface near Grahamstown are small features, which, perhaps due to their small size have been neglected by researchers. From the outset the striking difference of these pans relative to other pans in southern Africa, is that the host rock is silcrete, a highly resistant rock well known as being associated with deeply weathered plateaus. The dominant origin theory for pans in southern Africa was developed by Goudie and Thomas (1985), and focuses on mechanisms relating to erosion and deflation. This model does not fit in well with the pans that have formed on substrate that has largely been unaffected by erosion in recent geological history (thousands to 10 000 years). As such this study examined the role of prolonged chemical weathering of Dwyka Tillite, that has led to the formation of silcrete. The hypothesis was that such deep weathering is responsible for local scale volume changes, which have in turn led to the formation of a depression. The centre of the pan indicated the highest concentration of Al₂O₃ and kaolinite at mid depths, and their concentrations decreased vertically away from these depths, and laterally towards the margins of the pan. Similar results were noted for SiO₂, while CaO and MgO (and calcite and dolomite) were highest at mid depths along the margins of the pan, and decreased laterally toward the centre of the pan. Results indicated that there was a positive relationship in the centre of the pan between: - the degree of chemical weathering and volume losses, - relative elevation of the pan and volume changes. Geochemically and mineralogically, there was a link between the high concentrations of Ca and Mg carbonates and volume gains in the margin of the pans. It is proposed that transpiration of vegetation along the margin of the pan caused the lateral movement of solutes, and the selective exclusion of these solutes by plants was associated with carbonate precipitation, leading to the creation of local relief. These results provide evidence to suggest that weathering and precipitation processes occurring over geological time scales are responsible for minor scale relief features, whose origin has been mistakenly attributed to deflation processes occurring over hundreds to thousands of years.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The participation of rural women in local governance structures in Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality since 2013
- Authors: Mathabathe, Pheladi
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Limpopo -- Citizen participation , Political participation -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Rural women -- South Africa -- Limpopo
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6530 , vital:21104
- Description: The rural women in EMLM hew the wood, carry water, satisfy the men, produce and take care of the children to continue the family tree, and manage all the household chores. Their contribution is central to the effective functioning of families and communities. Yet, in terms of decision-making and local governance structures, they are absent. Indeed, there is truly a large constituency of women out there who are largely unrepresented; and therefore, they have no idea how governance is conducted – even around them. This is unfair, especially in jurisdictions where women are clearly in the majority. It is inconceivable that local governance structures have over a decade recorded only a single elected female member. With this in mind, this study seeks to explore the extent of rural women’s participation in local governance in Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality. It is a comparison of traditional and democratic local governance structures; and the methods the researcher has used are qualitative and quantitative data on women councillors from 2013, in order to assess the factors that may be accountable for their small numbers, as compared to their male counterparts. The conclusion drawn was that the social structure, its traditions and cultural was identified in the study as the main obstacle to the advancement of women in the political arena. This study has not exhausted all the facets of the challenges; but it has brought a few to the fore, in an attempt to help stimulate debate, and inform policy and practice in the future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Mathabathe, Pheladi
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Limpopo -- Citizen participation , Political participation -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Rural women -- South Africa -- Limpopo
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6530 , vital:21104
- Description: The rural women in EMLM hew the wood, carry water, satisfy the men, produce and take care of the children to continue the family tree, and manage all the household chores. Their contribution is central to the effective functioning of families and communities. Yet, in terms of decision-making and local governance structures, they are absent. Indeed, there is truly a large constituency of women out there who are largely unrepresented; and therefore, they have no idea how governance is conducted – even around them. This is unfair, especially in jurisdictions where women are clearly in the majority. It is inconceivable that local governance structures have over a decade recorded only a single elected female member. With this in mind, this study seeks to explore the extent of rural women’s participation in local governance in Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality. It is a comparison of traditional and democratic local governance structures; and the methods the researcher has used are qualitative and quantitative data on women councillors from 2013, in order to assess the factors that may be accountable for their small numbers, as compared to their male counterparts. The conclusion drawn was that the social structure, its traditions and cultural was identified in the study as the main obstacle to the advancement of women in the political arena. This study has not exhausted all the facets of the challenges; but it has brought a few to the fore, in an attempt to help stimulate debate, and inform policy and practice in the future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The pastoral, the primal and the post-apartheid sublime in Justin Cartwright's White Lightning
- Authors: Klopper, Dirk
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/458599 , vital:75755 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC171543
- Description: Country is a familiar topos in South African literature, featuring in travel writing and the farm novel, in imperial romance and postcolonial narratives, as pastoral and as anti-pastoral, an uncanny presence in the landscape of modernity. A surprising number of recent South African novels present what may be called post-apartheid country narratives. I am particularly interested in the return to country in J. M. Coetzee's Disgrace, Justin Cartwright's White Lightning, and Damon Galgut's The Impostor. Given the history of settler occupation of the land, and the literary deployment of the idea of the land both to posit and to problematize white settler identity, why these stories of a white man's return to the land in the post-apartheid period? What is the impulse behind retracing of contested ground?.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Klopper, Dirk
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/458599 , vital:75755 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC171543
- Description: Country is a familiar topos in South African literature, featuring in travel writing and the farm novel, in imperial romance and postcolonial narratives, as pastoral and as anti-pastoral, an uncanny presence in the landscape of modernity. A surprising number of recent South African novels present what may be called post-apartheid country narratives. I am particularly interested in the return to country in J. M. Coetzee's Disgrace, Justin Cartwright's White Lightning, and Damon Galgut's The Impostor. Given the history of settler occupation of the land, and the literary deployment of the idea of the land both to posit and to problematize white settler identity, why these stories of a white man's return to the land in the post-apartheid period? What is the impulse behind retracing of contested ground?.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The perceived visual impacts and attitudes of the Grahamstown community towards the Waainek Wind-Farm
- Authors: Cruickshank, Kyle Mark
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Renewable energy sources -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Wind power plants -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Public opinion Wind power plants -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Wind power plants -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Wind power plants -- Economic aspects -- South Africa Wind turbines -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEcon
- Identifier: vital:1085 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011768
- Description: Renewable energy has become an important feature of most modern economies with clean and non-exhaustible sources of power being given a greater significance. Wind energy is one of the favoured renewable, as it is (2013) generally the cheapest and most mature technology available for commercial use. The South African government, as outlined by the Department of Energy's Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), aims to install 5 GW (Gigawatts) of wind energy by 2020. However, South Africa has had little experience in the wind energy industry which is limited to two projects, Klipheuwel (2002) and Darling (2008). Much effort has been dedicated to calculating balance sheet costs, which carries uncertainty due to the high reliance on country specific and site specific variables. An aspect which deserves more attention, and is often ignored, is the public‟s attitudes towards local wind farm developments, which have been known to "make or break" a project during the planning stages. Public backlashes have mostly been concerned with the visual "intrusiveness" of wind farms in the landscape. Detrimental effects on scenery, while seemingly innocuous, are acknowledged as being the single largest barrier to successful wind farm development. Individuals within an area become sentimentally attached to their surroundings, where significant rapid changes in the landscape are viewed as "damage". Economics recognises such declines in scenic resources as market failures, where an externalised cost is passed on to the public and is often not accounted for by private parties responsible for the liability. The primary objective therefore was to measure the magnitude of the visual impact, caused by the Waainek Wind Farm, on the Grahamstown community. Conventional NIMBY¹ (not in my back yard) reasoning, which seeks to explain local wind farm resistance, has attracted criticism with regard to its simplistic approach to wind farm problem identification. Contemporary arguments propose that NIMBY is a poor explanation for the trouble experienced on the local level because it groups problems into one all-encompassing term, leaving much of the discontent unexplained. Instead, the NIMBY explanation is really a broad set of unattended problems, largely resulting from the unsound practices present in the public participation process. Insufficient community involvement and disparities in the negotiation power structures have become the recent focus in wind farm literature. Essentially, these disparities force opposition groups to select factors which may seem more serious to developers, leading to ineffective remedial measures because the core underlying problems are not being remedied. Thus these considerations formed an additional area of investigation. No NIMBY effect was found for the Grahamstown community, as support for both the local and general level was roughly 80%. The public participation process on the other hand revealed that while many found the practices of the developer to be unfair, attitudes towards the wind farm were not adversely affected, especially for the lower income Grahamstown East areas. While the public participation process in this instance did not have any effect on people’s attitudes, careful inspection of the circumstances need to be given. Wind farms are new to South Africa, where the novelty and benefits are the focus of enthusiasm. Job opportunities as well as clean energy are positive drivers for attitudes; however given time, once the anticipation for wind farms dulls, real problems may be revealed. Thus it is crucial to implement good practice procedures during the public participation process, especially when national adoption rates of wind energy are low. Early implementation of an effective public participation process system will ensure that when major problems do arise in future projects, experience and institutional processes would have had ample opportunity to evolve appropriately over a period of time. The double bounded Contingent Valuation Method was used to value the impact of the wind farm on the Waainek scenery through a hypothetical scenario based procedure which presented pictures of the landscape before and after the wind farm had been installed. Based on the perceived impact of the wind farm, respondents were asked their Willingness to Pay to relocate the development, based solely on visual impacts. Learning design Contingent Valuation (Bateman et al., 2008) is a novel technique employed to familiarize respondents with the hypothetical market institution as well as the scenic goods being valued. Average Willingness to Pay was found to be R67 per month, with a final total monthly negative visual impact of R104,000 to R121,000 per month for the entire Grahamstown community. Grahamstown Central (middle-high income) residents were more likely to pay than Grahamstown East (low-middle income) East residents because of socio-economic differences present in each area. A ranking exercise determined that while negative visual impacts are present, the overall benefits derived from the wind farm are potentially much higher. Additionally, positive scenic improvements were found, but were not measured due to time constraints, and would have worked to reduce the net visual impact of the Waainek Wind Farm. ¹Problem where individuals support the general concept of wind power, but when it comes to local implementation, opposition to the development arises within the same group.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Cruickshank, Kyle Mark
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Renewable energy sources -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Wind power plants -- South Africa -- Grahamstown -- Public opinion Wind power plants -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Wind power plants -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Grahamstown Wind power plants -- Economic aspects -- South Africa Wind turbines -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEcon
- Identifier: vital:1085 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011768
- Description: Renewable energy has become an important feature of most modern economies with clean and non-exhaustible sources of power being given a greater significance. Wind energy is one of the favoured renewable, as it is (2013) generally the cheapest and most mature technology available for commercial use. The South African government, as outlined by the Department of Energy's Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), aims to install 5 GW (Gigawatts) of wind energy by 2020. However, South Africa has had little experience in the wind energy industry which is limited to two projects, Klipheuwel (2002) and Darling (2008). Much effort has been dedicated to calculating balance sheet costs, which carries uncertainty due to the high reliance on country specific and site specific variables. An aspect which deserves more attention, and is often ignored, is the public‟s attitudes towards local wind farm developments, which have been known to "make or break" a project during the planning stages. Public backlashes have mostly been concerned with the visual "intrusiveness" of wind farms in the landscape. Detrimental effects on scenery, while seemingly innocuous, are acknowledged as being the single largest barrier to successful wind farm development. Individuals within an area become sentimentally attached to their surroundings, where significant rapid changes in the landscape are viewed as "damage". Economics recognises such declines in scenic resources as market failures, where an externalised cost is passed on to the public and is often not accounted for by private parties responsible for the liability. The primary objective therefore was to measure the magnitude of the visual impact, caused by the Waainek Wind Farm, on the Grahamstown community. Conventional NIMBY¹ (not in my back yard) reasoning, which seeks to explain local wind farm resistance, has attracted criticism with regard to its simplistic approach to wind farm problem identification. Contemporary arguments propose that NIMBY is a poor explanation for the trouble experienced on the local level because it groups problems into one all-encompassing term, leaving much of the discontent unexplained. Instead, the NIMBY explanation is really a broad set of unattended problems, largely resulting from the unsound practices present in the public participation process. Insufficient community involvement and disparities in the negotiation power structures have become the recent focus in wind farm literature. Essentially, these disparities force opposition groups to select factors which may seem more serious to developers, leading to ineffective remedial measures because the core underlying problems are not being remedied. Thus these considerations formed an additional area of investigation. No NIMBY effect was found for the Grahamstown community, as support for both the local and general level was roughly 80%. The public participation process on the other hand revealed that while many found the practices of the developer to be unfair, attitudes towards the wind farm were not adversely affected, especially for the lower income Grahamstown East areas. While the public participation process in this instance did not have any effect on people’s attitudes, careful inspection of the circumstances need to be given. Wind farms are new to South Africa, where the novelty and benefits are the focus of enthusiasm. Job opportunities as well as clean energy are positive drivers for attitudes; however given time, once the anticipation for wind farms dulls, real problems may be revealed. Thus it is crucial to implement good practice procedures during the public participation process, especially when national adoption rates of wind energy are low. Early implementation of an effective public participation process system will ensure that when major problems do arise in future projects, experience and institutional processes would have had ample opportunity to evolve appropriately over a period of time. The double bounded Contingent Valuation Method was used to value the impact of the wind farm on the Waainek scenery through a hypothetical scenario based procedure which presented pictures of the landscape before and after the wind farm had been installed. Based on the perceived impact of the wind farm, respondents were asked their Willingness to Pay to relocate the development, based solely on visual impacts. Learning design Contingent Valuation (Bateman et al., 2008) is a novel technique employed to familiarize respondents with the hypothetical market institution as well as the scenic goods being valued. Average Willingness to Pay was found to be R67 per month, with a final total monthly negative visual impact of R104,000 to R121,000 per month for the entire Grahamstown community. Grahamstown Central (middle-high income) residents were more likely to pay than Grahamstown East (low-middle income) East residents because of socio-economic differences present in each area. A ranking exercise determined that while negative visual impacts are present, the overall benefits derived from the wind farm are potentially much higher. Additionally, positive scenic improvements were found, but were not measured due to time constraints, and would have worked to reduce the net visual impact of the Waainek Wind Farm. ¹Problem where individuals support the general concept of wind power, but when it comes to local implementation, opposition to the development arises within the same group.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The personality of an entrepreneur : a psychobiography of Steve Jobs
- Authors: Ndoro, Tinashe T R
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Jobs, Steve, 1955-2011 -- Psychology , Personality assessment , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Businesspeople -- Psychology , Psychohistory , Entrepreneurship -- United States , Businesspeople -- United States
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:833 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013215
- Description: From Integrative Summary: There has been a growing interest in successful entrepreneurs. Research on entrepreneurship has focused on the identification of personality variables that would assist in the prediction of entrepreneurial success. The present study moves away from attempting to predict entrepreneurial success and instead focuses on exploring and describing the personality of a successful entrepreneur. A psychobiographical case study was adopted by the researcher to explore and describe the extent to which Steve Jobs demonstrated the entrepreneurial characteristics identified by Rauch and Frese (2007). A personality trait approach to entrepreneurship was adopted in the study. The study also attempted to explore the socio-cultural and economic context within which Jobs practised his entrepreneurial activities. Jobs was a successful entrepreneur who co-founded Apple and founded NeXT and Pixar, which were all companies that transformed various technological industries. His entrepreneurial orientation allowed him to produce innovative products that transformed society in various sectors which included personal computing, mobile phones, music, retail stores and films (Isaacson, 2011). A qualitative approach was adopted in the study. The data collection and analysis was guided by the three linked sub-processes proposed by Miles and Huberman (2002) which involved data reduction, data display and conclusion drawing and verification. The findings of this study showed that Jobs demonstrated, at varying levels, all the entrepreneurial characteristics identified by Rauch and Frese (2007) which included a need of achievement, risk-taking, innovativeness, autonomy, locus of control and self-efficacy. The researcher however noted that the desire for autonomy, risk-taking, innovativeness and self-efficacy were the most dominant characteristics driving his entrepreneurial orientation. The research thesis adopted the structure of a teaching case which can be used to explore and discuss the personality trait perspective to entrepreneurship in a classroom setting. The findings of the study can be recognised as positively contributing to the growing field of psychobiographical research on exceptional individuals, including entrepreneurs. The study can be considered as a foundation for future studies which will add to the body of knowledge relating to entrepreneurship and personality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Ndoro, Tinashe T R
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Jobs, Steve, 1955-2011 -- Psychology , Personality assessment , Psychology -- Biographical methods , Businesspeople -- Psychology , Psychohistory , Entrepreneurship -- United States , Businesspeople -- United States
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:833 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013215
- Description: From Integrative Summary: There has been a growing interest in successful entrepreneurs. Research on entrepreneurship has focused on the identification of personality variables that would assist in the prediction of entrepreneurial success. The present study moves away from attempting to predict entrepreneurial success and instead focuses on exploring and describing the personality of a successful entrepreneur. A psychobiographical case study was adopted by the researcher to explore and describe the extent to which Steve Jobs demonstrated the entrepreneurial characteristics identified by Rauch and Frese (2007). A personality trait approach to entrepreneurship was adopted in the study. The study also attempted to explore the socio-cultural and economic context within which Jobs practised his entrepreneurial activities. Jobs was a successful entrepreneur who co-founded Apple and founded NeXT and Pixar, which were all companies that transformed various technological industries. His entrepreneurial orientation allowed him to produce innovative products that transformed society in various sectors which included personal computing, mobile phones, music, retail stores and films (Isaacson, 2011). A qualitative approach was adopted in the study. The data collection and analysis was guided by the three linked sub-processes proposed by Miles and Huberman (2002) which involved data reduction, data display and conclusion drawing and verification. The findings of this study showed that Jobs demonstrated, at varying levels, all the entrepreneurial characteristics identified by Rauch and Frese (2007) which included a need of achievement, risk-taking, innovativeness, autonomy, locus of control and self-efficacy. The researcher however noted that the desire for autonomy, risk-taking, innovativeness and self-efficacy were the most dominant characteristics driving his entrepreneurial orientation. The research thesis adopted the structure of a teaching case which can be used to explore and discuss the personality trait perspective to entrepreneurship in a classroom setting. The findings of the study can be recognised as positively contributing to the growing field of psychobiographical research on exceptional individuals, including entrepreneurs. The study can be considered as a foundation for future studies which will add to the body of knowledge relating to entrepreneurship and personality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The plasmodium falciparum exported Hsp40 co-chaperone, PFA0660w
- Authors: Daniyan, Michael Oluwatoyin
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Molecular chaperones Heat shock proteins Proteins -- Analysis Proteins -- Structure Plasmodium Plasmodium falciparum Malaria -- Prevention -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4108 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011780
- Description: Plasmodium falciparum is the pathogen that is responsible for the most virulent, severe and dangerous form of human malaria infection, accounting for nearly a million deaths every year. To survive and develop in the unusual environment of the red blood cells, the parasite causes structural remodelling of the host cell and biochemical changes through the export of virulence factors. Among the exportome are the molecular chaperones of the heat shock protein family, of which Hsp40s and Hsp70s are prominent. PF A0660w, a type II P. falciparum Hsp40, has been shown to be exported in complex with PfHsp70-x into the infected erythrocyte, suggesting possible functional interactions. However, the chaperone properties of PF A0660w and its interactions with proteins of parasite and human origin are yet to be investigated. Using a codon optimised coding region, PF A0660w was successfully expressed in E. coli M 15 [pREP4] cells. However, the expressed protein was largely deposited as insoluble pellet, and analysis of the pellets revealed a high percentage of PF A0660w, characteristic of inclusion body formation. PF A0660w was purified from inclusion bodies using additive enhanced solubilisation and refolding buffers followed by nickel affinity chromatography. SDS-PAGE and western analysis revealed that the purified protein was of high purity. Size exclusion chromatography showed that the protein existed as a monomer in solution and the secondary structure analysis using Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the success of the refolding approach. Its monomeric state suggests that PF A0660w may be functionally different from other Hsp40 that form dimers and that for PF A0660w, dimer formation may not be needed to maintain the stability of the protein in solution, but may occur in response to functional necessities during its interaction with partner Hsp70. PFA0660w was able to significantly stimulate the ATPase activity ofPfl-Isp70-x but not Pfl-Isp70-1 or human Hsp70 (HsHsp70), suggesting a specific functional interaction. Also, PF A0660w produced a dose dependent suppression of rhodanese aggregation and cooperated with Pfl-Isp70-1, PfHsp70-x and HsHsp70 to cause enhanced aggregation suppression. Its ability to independently suppress aggregation may help to maintain substrates in an unfolded conformation for eventual transfer to partner Hsp70s during refolding processes. Also, the in vivo characterisation using a PF A0660w peptide specific antibody confirmed that PF A0660w was exported into the cytosol of infected erythrocytes. Its lack of induction upon heat shock suggests that PF A0660w may not be involved in the response of the parasite to heat stress. Overall, this study has provided the first heterologous over-expression, purification and biochemical evidence for the possible functional role of PF A0660w, and has thereby provided the needed background for further exploration of this protein as a potential target for drug discovery.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Daniyan, Michael Oluwatoyin
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Molecular chaperones Heat shock proteins Proteins -- Analysis Proteins -- Structure Plasmodium Plasmodium falciparum Malaria -- Prevention -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4108 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011780
- Description: Plasmodium falciparum is the pathogen that is responsible for the most virulent, severe and dangerous form of human malaria infection, accounting for nearly a million deaths every year. To survive and develop in the unusual environment of the red blood cells, the parasite causes structural remodelling of the host cell and biochemical changes through the export of virulence factors. Among the exportome are the molecular chaperones of the heat shock protein family, of which Hsp40s and Hsp70s are prominent. PF A0660w, a type II P. falciparum Hsp40, has been shown to be exported in complex with PfHsp70-x into the infected erythrocyte, suggesting possible functional interactions. However, the chaperone properties of PF A0660w and its interactions with proteins of parasite and human origin are yet to be investigated. Using a codon optimised coding region, PF A0660w was successfully expressed in E. coli M 15 [pREP4] cells. However, the expressed protein was largely deposited as insoluble pellet, and analysis of the pellets revealed a high percentage of PF A0660w, characteristic of inclusion body formation. PF A0660w was purified from inclusion bodies using additive enhanced solubilisation and refolding buffers followed by nickel affinity chromatography. SDS-PAGE and western analysis revealed that the purified protein was of high purity. Size exclusion chromatography showed that the protein existed as a monomer in solution and the secondary structure analysis using Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the success of the refolding approach. Its monomeric state suggests that PF A0660w may be functionally different from other Hsp40 that form dimers and that for PF A0660w, dimer formation may not be needed to maintain the stability of the protein in solution, but may occur in response to functional necessities during its interaction with partner Hsp70. PFA0660w was able to significantly stimulate the ATPase activity ofPfl-Isp70-x but not Pfl-Isp70-1 or human Hsp70 (HsHsp70), suggesting a specific functional interaction. Also, PF A0660w produced a dose dependent suppression of rhodanese aggregation and cooperated with Pfl-Isp70-1, PfHsp70-x and HsHsp70 to cause enhanced aggregation suppression. Its ability to independently suppress aggregation may help to maintain substrates in an unfolded conformation for eventual transfer to partner Hsp70s during refolding processes. Also, the in vivo characterisation using a PF A0660w peptide specific antibody confirmed that PF A0660w was exported into the cytosol of infected erythrocytes. Its lack of induction upon heat shock suggests that PF A0660w may not be involved in the response of the parasite to heat stress. Overall, this study has provided the first heterologous over-expression, purification and biochemical evidence for the possible functional role of PF A0660w, and has thereby provided the needed background for further exploration of this protein as a potential target for drug discovery.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The play, Mies Julie, and the issue of land redistribution in the context of the revisionist western genre
- Authors: Emery, David
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Land reform in literature , Land reform -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8435 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020954
- Description: The play Miss Julie was published by playwright August Strindberg in 1888. It is a comment on the class issues in Sweden at the time (Leib, 2011). This commentary is achieved through telling the fictional tale of Julie, the daughter of a wealthy Swedish landowner, Jean, her father’s manservant, and Kristin, Jean’s betrothed who is also the house cook. During the course of a night and the next morning, Jean and Julie admit their feelings for one another, sleep together and plan to run away to start a hotel. In the morning, they ask Kristin to join them when they encounter her on her way to church. She refuses and vows to put an end to their plans. Seeing no way out, and fearing the wrath of Julie’s father, Jean hands Julie a razor and she walks outside, the inference being that she will commit suicide. The play Mies Julie is a South African adaptation, by South African playwright Yael Farber, of the August Strindberg play Miss Julie set in a farming kitchen in the Eastern Cape Karoo that premiered at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival in 2012. It has since been brought to London, the Edinburgh Festival and New York. Mies Julie presents a power struggle between Julie, the daughter of the white Afrikaans farm owner, and John, her father’s favourite farm worker and the son of Christine, the housekeeper who raised Julie. By altering Christine’s role from that in Strindberg’s play, where she was John’s (there Jean’s) fiancé, to that of John’s mother and Julie’s nursemaid, playwright Yael Farber has brought to the fore an interesting irony of South Africa’s history, which has been observed by Ena Jansen (2011) – white children who are raised, both during and post-apartheid, by black women who become part of the household of the privileged white families they work for.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Emery, David
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Land reform in literature , Land reform -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8435 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020954
- Description: The play Miss Julie was published by playwright August Strindberg in 1888. It is a comment on the class issues in Sweden at the time (Leib, 2011). This commentary is achieved through telling the fictional tale of Julie, the daughter of a wealthy Swedish landowner, Jean, her father’s manservant, and Kristin, Jean’s betrothed who is also the house cook. During the course of a night and the next morning, Jean and Julie admit their feelings for one another, sleep together and plan to run away to start a hotel. In the morning, they ask Kristin to join them when they encounter her on her way to church. She refuses and vows to put an end to their plans. Seeing no way out, and fearing the wrath of Julie’s father, Jean hands Julie a razor and she walks outside, the inference being that she will commit suicide. The play Mies Julie is a South African adaptation, by South African playwright Yael Farber, of the August Strindberg play Miss Julie set in a farming kitchen in the Eastern Cape Karoo that premiered at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival in 2012. It has since been brought to London, the Edinburgh Festival and New York. Mies Julie presents a power struggle between Julie, the daughter of the white Afrikaans farm owner, and John, her father’s favourite farm worker and the son of Christine, the housekeeper who raised Julie. By altering Christine’s role from that in Strindberg’s play, where she was John’s (there Jean’s) fiancé, to that of John’s mother and Julie’s nursemaid, playwright Yael Farber has brought to the fore an interesting irony of South Africa’s history, which has been observed by Ena Jansen (2011) – white children who are raised, both during and post-apartheid, by black women who become part of the household of the privileged white families they work for.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The post-secondary education system: Towards policy formulation for equality and development
- Authors: Badat, Saleem
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:7861 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016410
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Badat, Saleem
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:7861 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016410
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The potential and reality of the Living Lab model of ICT for Development (ICT4D) in the rural development context : the case of Siyakhula Living Lab, Dwesa, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Mosuoe, Teboho Priscilla
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Siyakhula Living Lab , Information technology -- South Africa -- Dwesa-Cwebe , Communication in economic development -- South Africa -- Dwesa-Cwebe , Rural development projects -- South Africa -- Dwesa-Cwebe , Rural development -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Dwesa-Cwebe , Rural development -- South Africa -- Dwesa-Cwebe -- Sociological aspects , Rural development projects -- Evaluation , Social networks -- South Africa -- Dwesa-Cwebe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3381 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013289
- Description: This thesis explores the contribution of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in rural development processes. Within the framework of social capital theory, and in the context of the information society, the study examines how the collaborative and innovative model of ICT for Development (ICT4D) can enhance social networks and information channels in rural communities, thereby enabling the active participation of rural community members in their own development processes. The study examines networks and information channels both within the rural communities under investigation and between these communities and other sectors in the society. The thesis studies the case of the Siyakhula Living Lab (SLL), an ICT4D initiative in the Mbashe Municipality of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. During the investigation, four types of networks were identified: local organisations, social institutions, collective community projects and social ties. It was found that the Living Lab has so far influenced the creation of new forms of networks through the common spaces (computer labs) which have been made available by the Living Lab. The study further showed that the use of computers has enabled other community members to partake in the wider community of online/virtual social networks, allowing them to communicate and share information with those outside their own communities. The study also showed that the Living Lab has enabled the networking of these communities with other sectors such as academia. It was, however, found that so far the existence of the Living Lab has not influenced the already existing local networks in these communities. Also, the study showed that the relationship between these rural communities and their government and industry partners as stakeholders in the Living Lab is currently ineffective. Nevertheless, this situation has a potential to change in the future as there are ICT applications which have been developed through collaboration with rural community members, which will assist in enhancing communication between these rural communities and other stakeholders. The study finally revealed that social networks do contribute to the functioning of communities by providing both monetary and social support to community members, even though, in effect, the monetary benefits are somewhat limited by a number of factors. It is revealed that the engagement of ICT could go a long way in improving social and economic activities, governance and service delivery, as well as education in these communities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Mosuoe, Teboho Priscilla
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Siyakhula Living Lab , Information technology -- South Africa -- Dwesa-Cwebe , Communication in economic development -- South Africa -- Dwesa-Cwebe , Rural development projects -- South Africa -- Dwesa-Cwebe , Rural development -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Dwesa-Cwebe , Rural development -- South Africa -- Dwesa-Cwebe -- Sociological aspects , Rural development projects -- Evaluation , Social networks -- South Africa -- Dwesa-Cwebe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3381 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013289
- Description: This thesis explores the contribution of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in rural development processes. Within the framework of social capital theory, and in the context of the information society, the study examines how the collaborative and innovative model of ICT for Development (ICT4D) can enhance social networks and information channels in rural communities, thereby enabling the active participation of rural community members in their own development processes. The study examines networks and information channels both within the rural communities under investigation and between these communities and other sectors in the society. The thesis studies the case of the Siyakhula Living Lab (SLL), an ICT4D initiative in the Mbashe Municipality of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. During the investigation, four types of networks were identified: local organisations, social institutions, collective community projects and social ties. It was found that the Living Lab has so far influenced the creation of new forms of networks through the common spaces (computer labs) which have been made available by the Living Lab. The study further showed that the use of computers has enabled other community members to partake in the wider community of online/virtual social networks, allowing them to communicate and share information with those outside their own communities. The study also showed that the Living Lab has enabled the networking of these communities with other sectors such as academia. It was, however, found that so far the existence of the Living Lab has not influenced the already existing local networks in these communities. Also, the study showed that the relationship between these rural communities and their government and industry partners as stakeholders in the Living Lab is currently ineffective. Nevertheless, this situation has a potential to change in the future as there are ICT applications which have been developed through collaboration with rural community members, which will assist in enhancing communication between these rural communities and other stakeholders. The study finally revealed that social networks do contribute to the functioning of communities by providing both monetary and social support to community members, even though, in effect, the monetary benefits are somewhat limited by a number of factors. It is revealed that the engagement of ICT could go a long way in improving social and economic activities, governance and service delivery, as well as education in these communities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014