A short composition portfolio
- Authors: Buitendag, Kingsley Alexander
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Music -- South Africa Composition (Music)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MMus
- Identifier: vital:2632 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002297
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- Date Issued: 2011
The relationship between financial development and manufacturing sector growth: evidence from Southern African Customs Union countries
- Authors: Moshabesha, Mosili
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Economic development -- Case studies -- Africa, Southern Entrepreneurship -- Case studies -- Africa, Southern Southern African Customs Union
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:990 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002725
- Description: Extensive research has been done on the relationship between financial development (FD) and growth (with the main focus on economic growth). Theoretical models and most of the conclusions reached stipulate that the development of a financial system is one of the essential ingredients for economic growth. A developed financial system is able to provide financial services efficiently to the real sector. This study examines the relationship between FD and manufacturing sector growth of the SACU countries. The study first reviews the theoretical and empirical literature of FD and growth (economic and manufacturing sector). This gives a full understanding of the topic before attempting to empirically study it. It also helps in the selection process of the model and variables to be employed in the study. A balanced panel for four SACU countries, namely Botswana, Lesotho, RSA and Swaziland, for the period 1976 to 2008 was estimated using Zellner‟s Seemingly Unrelated Regression Estimation (SURE) method. Namibia was omitted because of limited data. The SURE model was selected because it performs better than ordinary least squares (OLS) estimation of individual equations in cases where the countries studied can be affected by similar external shocks because they are in the same economic region and also have country specific structural differences which could affect their economic growth. Two measures of FD were used: credit to the private sector provided by commercial banks (FIC) and the ratio of liquid liabilities of commercial banks to GDP (LL). Manufacturing sector growth was measured by manufacturing value added to GDP. The results of the relationship between manufacturing growth and FD were very weak across the countries. The model that used FIC performed better, there was a negative significant relationship found in RSA and Swaziland, while with the model that used LL, all the countries gave an insignificant relationship. The results for Swaziland were very consistent with the past findings of the relationship between FD and economic growth in the country (for example Aziakpono (2005a)). This may be because of the high share of the manufacturing sector in GDP. Theory suggests that a well-developed financial system will have a positive impact on growth, but this was not the case in RSA and Botswana, where in some cases FD had a negative impact on the growth of the sector. The analysis of the countries‟ manufacturing sector development shows that the sector plays an important role in the economies of the SACU countries, especially in terms of employment and exports. The coefficients of trade openness are generally positive, though not significant in some cases. The other control variables gave mixed results across the counties and across the models. Based on the findings, the countries have to develop strategies that will improve entrepreneurial skills. Also the financial development in the small SACU countries is essential in order for all the sectors in the economy to benefit from the financial sector and in turn increase economic growth.
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- Date Issued: 2011
The use of learning support materials in the rural schools of Maputaland, Kwa-Zulu Natal
- Authors: Van der Merwe, Michelle
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Environmental education -- South Africa -- Maputaland African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme Coelacanthiformes -- South Africa -- Maputaland Teaching -- Aids and devices -- South Africa -- Maputaland Environmental education -- Curricula -- South Africa -- Maputaland
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1815 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003701
- Description: The African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme (ACEP) was established in 2002 after the discovery of a colony of coelacanths off the Maputaland coast at Sodwana Bay, KwaZulu Natal. The environmental education and awareness sub-programme developed learning support materials (LSM's) for use in schools and the materials were disseminated annually through teacher education workshops. This study aimed to uncover the use of these LSM's in the rural schools of Maputaland. The active learning framework was used to analyse the materials. Collectively, the ACEP materials cover a range of active learning aspects; however alignment with the curriculum has resulted in an increased focus on experiments, accompanied by a loss of environmental content and a narrowing scope for active environmental learning. Workshop questionnaires and four school case studies revealed the patterns of practice of use of materials in schools. The stated use of materials by teachers is not fully realized in the actual classroom practice which centres on learning content and concept definitions. There is no culture of use of materials in the schools following the annual introduction of ACEP materials. It was also found that the marine and coastal knowledge holding power is outside the realm of the teachers' practice and control. The findings of this study come at a time when there is uncertainty over the future of South African education and the curriculum. This research may inform the environmental education and coastal and marine education field as to their role in education and more specifically the development of learning support materials.
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- Date Issued: 2011
Assessing challenges in public appointments and recruitment processes in Chris Hani District Municipality: a case study of human resource department in Lukhanji Local Municipality
- Authors: Gijana, Andile Patrick
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Civil service -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies , Human capital -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11617 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/325 , Civil service -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies , Human capital -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies
- Description: The aim of this study was to assess challenges in Public Appointments and Recruitment Processes in Chris Hani District Municipality: A case study of Human Resource Department in Lukhanji Local Municipality (2008-2010) of the Eastern Cape Province. There has never been a detailed research study conducted in the Chris Hani Human Resource Department, regarding the subject in question. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa in Section 195(i) directs that Public Administration must be broadly representative of the South African people, with employment and personnel management practices based on ability, objectivity, fairness and the need to redress the imbalances of the past to achieve broad representation. The literature review explored extensively the models used in implementing recruitment and appointment processes globally. From those tested models elsewhere, it was evident that South Africa has a great Constitution and good policies regarding Local Government Human Resource Department recruitment and appointment processes not withstanding some challenges cited in the study. This assessment of challenges in the public appointments and recruitment processes in Chris Hani District Municipality assisted in the establishment of the real facts about effective and fair recruitment and appointment processes in the Local Government Human Resource Management Department to deserving communities. It became clear from the study that providing efficient and fair recruitment and appointments processes to the Local Government Human Resource Department in South Africa requires a broader advocacy agenda encompassing the development of Human Resource systems and the generation of numerous skills and expertise to deliver services to the poor people of our country.
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- Date Issued: 2011
'Technic' practices of the computer game Lanner: identity development through the LAN-gameplay experience
- Authors: Khunyeli, Ramotsamai Itumeleng
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Computer games -- Social aspects , Computer games -- Psychological aspects , Computer games -- Sex differences , Information technology -- Social aspects , Social interaction -- Computer network resources , Local area networks (Computer networks) -- Social aspects , Race discrimination -- Education (Higher) -- Computer network resources
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3534 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013405
- Description: This thesis is a reception analysis using qualitative interviews to investigate the formation of cultural groups around computer-game LANs present in Rhodes University. It also looks at how issues of social inequalities evident on the university's campus impact on the participation of students in these LANs. The findings of this study are that the participants have established a community around the practice of computer LAN-gameplay based on values developed through the combination of the material and gameworlds. It serves as a home-on-campus for them; where they can fully explore their passion for games thus reaffirming their identity as gamers on a campus where being a gamer is viewed negatively. In this light, computer-game playing is not just a practice these participants perform, but a culture they live out every day. This is a culture predominantly lived out by men. One of the reasons for this is because most women have been raised to believe to have negative predispositions about digital gaming e.g. that it is childish, addictive and anti-social, but also that computer are meant to be used by men - women use them only when it is absolutely necessary, for example, that it is childish, for academic-related purposes. As a result, not many of them will use computers for any otherreason for fear of being socially criticised. In addition, the gaming culture being dominated by whites is due to the fact that admittance in to this community is still unaffordable for the majority of black students on the Rhodes University campus as a result of their social backgrounds.
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- Date Issued: 2011
Exploring user-driven telephony services in an information and communication technology for development context
- Authors: Kunjuzwa, Dumani Tau
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Digital divide -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Information technology -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Information technology -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Information society -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Telecommunication -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Computer Science)
- Identifier: vital:11383 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/546 , Digital divide -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Information technology -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Information technology -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Information society -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Telecommunication -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: There is a great difference that exists between people who have access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and those who do not. As a developing nation, South Africa is badly affected by the so-called Digital Divide. Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICTD) interventions are rapidly increasing in marginalized and rural communities in striving to bridge this digital divide. This research project is undertaken within the context of the Siyakhula Living Lab (SLL) which is an ICTD intervention at Dwesa rural community. This research investigates how audio-based services can be applied locally for communication and information sharing. This research aims to develop a user-driven telephony framework which will enable users to construct customized audio-based services. This aims to empower the Dwesa community for skill development and supports the user-driven innovation. The Internet and Telephones are the most popular technologies that are widely used in our daily life for purposes of communication and information access. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) integrates these two separate technologies (Internet and Telephones) to produce real-time multimedia communication services such as Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems. In addition, the ability of VoIP presenting information through voice plays a crucial role, more especially to those who do not have web visual access or those who are computer illiterate.
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- Date Issued: 2011
Quantifying crop damage by Grey crowned crane balearica regulorum regulorum and evaluating changes in crane distribution in the North Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Van Niekerk, Mark Harry
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Cranes (Birds) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cranes (Birds) -- Geographical distribution -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cranes (Birds) -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cranes (Birds) -- Food -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Corn -- Effect of grazing on -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5749 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005436 , Cranes (Birds) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cranes (Birds) -- Geographical distribution -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cranes (Birds) -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cranes (Birds) -- Food -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Corn -- Effect of grazing on -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Complaints of crop damage by cranes on planted maize in the North Eastern Cape, South Africa, have been increasing since the mid-1990‘s, and in some instances severe losses have been reported. Crop damage by the Grey Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum regulorum near the town of Maclear (31º04´S 28º22´E), has been quantified over two growing seasons, and assessed relative to losses caused by foraging Cape Crows Corvus capensis and other feeding damage assumed to be caused by insects. Twelve fields were selected based on previous patterns of crop depredation. Maize seed in seven of the fields was treated with the chemical ‗Gaucho‘ and five fields were planted with untreated maize. In order to determine the source of losses, twenty quadrats (4 m x 4 m) randomly distributed within each field were visited on average every second day, for a period of up to twenty eight days. Results indicate that seed treatments do act as a deterrent to feeding by both cranes and crows, however crane damage is generally insignificant compared to other sources of damage. My study also reviewed past sightings data of the Grey Crowned Crane in an effort to determine if the conversion of former grassland to plantations in this region may have increased foraging activity in maize fields. The data did not allow for clear-cut conclusions regarding changes in distribution or population trends. Conclusions provide direct input into the management of agricultural areas by enabling landowners to take steps to mitigate crop damage. These mitigation measures may either involve the application of seed treatments, or the planting of low risk crops in high risk areas. Future studies should consider the ppossible detrimental effects of chemical seed treatments on crane biology.
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- Date Issued: 2011
The critical natural capital of the Buffalo City Municipality, South Africa : harnessing local action for biodiversity conservation
- Authors: Hagen, Brett
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Natural resources -- South Africa -- Buffalo City , Biodiversity conservation -- South Africa -- Buffalo City , Ecosystem services -- South Africa -- Buffalo City , Nature conservation -- South Africa -- Buffalo City , Environmental protection -- South Africa -- Buffalo City , Environmental degradation -- South Africa -- Buffalo City , Restoration ecology -- South Africa -- Buffalo City
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4753 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007075 , Natural resources -- South Africa -- Buffalo City , Biodiversity conservation -- South Africa -- Buffalo City , Ecosystem services -- South Africa -- Buffalo City , Nature conservation -- South Africa -- Buffalo City , Environmental protection -- South Africa -- Buffalo City , Environmental degradation -- South Africa -- Buffalo City , Restoration ecology -- South Africa -- Buffalo City
- Description: Globally, ecosystems provide services of almost twice the value of global gross national product (Costanza et al., 2006). The Buffalo City Municipality (BCM), South Africa contains biodiversity of national and international importance (Pierce, 2003; Pierce et al., 2005). Despite this, the municipality continues to experience loss of both urban and rural biodiversity (Buffalo City Municipality, 2006a). This study sought to determine the status of biodiversity, and the potential for ecosystem services to contribute to conservation, within the BCM. Biodiversity features, including ecosystem type, species of special concern and biodiversity processes, were identified and mapped using a GIS to produce a biodiversity priority index for the BCM. Current transformation status was then mapped to determine the level of ecosystem degradation within the BCM. Priority biodiversity areas as well as individual biodiversity features were spatially overlain against current transformation status and protected areas and analysed using a GIS to determine the level of degradation and protection of BCM biodiversity. In total 3.5 % of total BCM biodiversity was protected. Of the 24 ecosystem types, 11 (45%) had less than 1% under protection, while 16 (67%) had less than five percent protected. Not restorable areas, thus completely lost to biodiversity conservation, comprised just less than a quarter of the total BCM area while un-impacted areas comprised just 12.3%. Twenty five ecosystem services were identified as being provided by intact natural ecosystems within the BCM. The natural capital providing these services was identified and mapped to produce an ecosystem service index (ESI) using a GIS. This ecosystem service index and the biodiversity priority index were overlain to determine their level of correlation. Overall ESI correlation with priority biodiversity was weak although several individual ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, showed correlation. Using the above data layers an implementation plan and conservation framework was proposed to assist the coordination of local conservation action within the BCM. It is concluded that ecosystem services are a potentially useful tool for conservationists at the local level seeking to ensure that biodiversity has relevance to and receives protection from broader society.
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- Date Issued: 2011
Inflation threshold and nonlinearity: implications for inflation targeting in South Africa
- Authors: Morar, Derwina
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Inflation targeting -- South Africa Interest rates -- Effect of inflation on -- South Africa Monetary policy -- South Africa Economic development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:984 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002718
- Description: Following many other central banks around the world, the South African Reserve Bank has adopted inflation targeting as its monetary policy framework. The aim of this is to achieve low levels of inflation in order to attain price stability thereby promoting growth. In South Africa, the chosen band to target is 3%–6%. This has been criticised by many trade unions who are calling for the abandonment of inflation targeting. Despite targeting 3%–6%, it is not known whether this is the optimal inflation range for South Africa. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the inflation threshold level for South Africa using quarterly data for the period 1983 to 2010. The first section determines whether or not there is a long-run relationship between inflation and growth using the Johansen cointegration method. Exogeneity tests determine the causality between these variables. Vector error correction models are estimated if cointegration is found. The second part determines the threshold level of inflation using the method of conditional least squares. The inflation level that maximises the R-squared value and minimises the residual sum of squares gives an indication of the threshold level. The third part of the study determines whether or not inflation volatility has a significant impact on growth. The first part established that there is long-run comovement between inflation and growth.The causality is bidirectional with both variables being endogenous.Findings regarding the threshold level show that the current inflation targeting band of 3%–6% may be extended up to 9.5%. In addition, the range of inflation from 5.5% to 6.5% promotes economic growth in South Africa. Finally, the evidence suggests that inflation volatility does not have a significant impact on economic growth and the focus of policy should be directed towards the level of inflation as has been the case.
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- Date Issued: 2011
Preconditioning measurement and control system for a combustion engine in a vehicle
- Authors: Homann, Gregor
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Internal combustion engines , Mechanical engineering
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9649 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1010998 , Internal combustion engines , Mechanical engineering
- Description: Modern vehicles have to ful ll new CO2 emission and additionally customer comfort requirements to stay competitive. A major impact to the fuel consumption of an internal combustion engine (ICE) has the starting period. An ICE equipped with a preconditioning system which heats up the ICE much faster than a common ICE. This procedure of preconditioning is called peak heating. The main benet of preconditioning of an ICE is less fuel consumption. Recently the only way to obtain a fast heating up of an ICE is the injection of a higher amount of fuel during the starting period. This heat up procedure can be changed if a heat reservoir is available to the ICE during the starting period. In this case the additional injection of fuel is redundant and therefore the consumption during the starting period can be reduced. The major advantages of this strategy are achieved in cold ambient conditions. During this project di erent preconditioning strategies and di erent points of interaction in the coolant circuit of an ICE have been investigated. The preconditioning concepts have been evaluated according to their heating up performance and their implementation into the engine compartment. The results obtained by this project highlight that a system layout which enables a preheating of the cylinder block by a heat reservoir located in a bypass-line to the heater core is the most e ective point of interaction. The best results have been achieved with a coolant ow of 10 l/min at a temperature of 90 C. Furthermore, this project points out that the implementation of a preconditioning system into the oil cooler will achieve similar results. This strategy of preconditioning the engine oil reduces the internal frictions of the ICE which leads to a decreasing consumption. This solution is much more energy e cient and technically easier to implement into a modern vehicle with its limited space. An additional side e ect of the preconditioning of the oil is a longer service life of the ICE.
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- Date Issued: 2011
Evaluating summer cover crop species and management strategies for rainfed maize based cropping systems in the central region of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Ganyani, Lloyd Munashe
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: No-tillage , Sustainable agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rain and rainfall -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Biomass energy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Crops and climate -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural systems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Crop Science)
- Identifier: vital:11865 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/373 , No-tillage , Sustainable agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rain and rainfall -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Biomass energy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Crops and climate -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural systems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The overall objective of the whole study was to assess whether conservation agriculture (CA) systems can work in the Eastern Cape Province (EC). The CA systems were engaged through cover cropping to address land degradation problems by emphasizing high biomass production in order to realize short term benefits such as moisture conservation, weed suppression and soil fertility benefits under rainfed conditions in the central region of the Eastern Cape province. Since rainfall is the most limiting factor to crop production in the EC, a within season rainfall distribution analysis was conducted to expose the quality of the season (onset, end and duration) and hence the feasibility of CA systems to guide agronomic decisions by farmers in EC. To assess season parameters, thirty four years of daily rainfall was collected from the University of Fort Hare Research station and used to conduct the rainy pentad (5 day rainfall totals) analysis and the daily rainfall analysis using INSTAT software programme. Based on the pentad analysis, results showed that Alice does not have a rainy season in 1 out of 2 years (50% probability) but has one in 1 out of 4 years (25% probability level). This criterion proved to be harsher and conservative when compared to the daily rainfall approach which is more precise in measuring trends on season parameters. The daily rainfall analysis indicated a 65% feasibility for the dry land cropping systems in the EC. The pentad analysis however was effective in illustrating seasonality and it showed that the wet season begins on the 1st of November, ending on the 22nd of March lasting for 140 days. Though the season duration appeared too long, the existence of dry spells during critical growth stages adversely affects the quality of the season. The daily rainfall analysis also managed to derive a signal which can guide planting decisions. For planting to be successful, this analysis determined that 20 mm of rain should be received in two consecutive days after the 1st of November. A screening trial for cover crop biomass production and weed suppression was conducted on-station Fort Hare Research Farm (32°46' S and 26° 50' E), and Msobombvu village (MSBV) (32°44' S, and 26° 55' E) over two seasons (2007/08 and 2008/09). Six summer cover crops i.e. cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), dolichos lablab (Dolichos argenteus), sunnhemp (Crotalaria juncea), buckwheat (Fagopyrum sagittatum), forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and sunflower (Helianthus annus) were evaluated for biomass yield, and weed suppression. Decomposition rates, moisture conservation and residual effects of these cover crops on the succeeding main crop were also evaluated under dryland conditions. The screening trial was laid in randomized complete block design replicated three times. Forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and sunflower (Helianthus annus) were identified as high biomass producers and their dry matter yields ranged from 8 -12 t ha-1. These cover crops can be useful in generating high biomass in rainfed cropping systems in the EC. Other cover crops produced 3 - 4 t ha-1 of biomass which fell short of the 6 t ha-1 expected benchmark. However, these biomass yields were important in weed management since all cover crop species showed a similar degree of weed suppression which surpassed the weed fallow treatment. As dead mulches, the cover crops failed to show residual moisture conservation and weed control benefits for the succeeding maize crop mainly because of poor residue persistence, and low harvestable fallow rainfall. Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), was selected for further investigations in a follow up trial on station in 2008/09 season because of its weed smothering qualities, suitability to short cycle rotations, and possible allelopathic properties. The trial aimed at finding weed and cost effective management options of buckwheat that are none detrimental to the succeeding maize crop. Results showed that cropping systems where buckwheat is followed by a main crop may not work as they are unprofitable with respect to R100 rand invested. Though perceived to have allelopathic properties, buckwheat failed to demonstrate the possibilities of allelopathic action against weeds. Intercropping trial was conducted on-station in 2007/8-2008/09 seasons to try and find better ways of fitting legume cover crops into maize based cropping systems without compromising production of staple cereals on limited landholdings. The trials evaluated three factors in factorial combination, cover crop planting date, intercropping strategy, and cover crop species. The trial was laid as 2 x 2 x 3 factorial arranged in a split-split plot design. The main plot factor was cover crop planting date, cover crops simultaneously planted with maize and cover crop planted two weeks after planting maize (DKC 61-25). The sub-plot factor was intercropping strategy, strip intercropping and betweenrow intercropping. The sub-sub-plot factor was cover crop species, Dolichos lablab (Dolichos argenteus (Highworth), and Cowpea Vigna ungiculata (Agrinawa) plus control plots of sole maize. Results showed that same time planting of leguminous cover crops with maize using the in-between row intercropping patterns can derive appreciable system biomass (maize/cover crop) yields, utilize land efficiently whilst getting favourable maize grain yield. Based on the rainfall analysis, results showed that the probability of success when relay seeding cover crops after two weeks into standing maize is low (15% chances of success). This suggests that relay intercropping strategies would not work due to the unavailability of a good quality season.
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- Date Issued: 2011
Evaluation of community participation in a rural development project
- Authors: Msutu, Ntombethemba Lungisa
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9118 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015736
- Description: Finally, it is necessary to define the version of participation that is relevant to this study. In this study participation means involving all the members of the community and all the stakeholders and structures involved. Mainly the community members regardless of age, gender, disability and education should be involved from the initial stage of the project. These also include participation in meetings, because this is precisely where their needs are going to be established. The good thing about this is that their needs would voluntarily come from them in these community meetings. This therefore would give them a sense of ownership and be proud of their own project. This is something that would contribute to the project’s sustainability. How community members are going to contribute to this project should also be addressed. In this practice communities should try to avoid the tendency of the government imposing on rural communities ideas or what they need and how to achieve it. It should be kept in mind that at the end of the day these projects would be left at these communities, with the community members to look after them. The sustainability of these projects therefore depends on the community members. Community participation plays a very big role in rural development or any form of development. One needs to involve the community members in their own development project. This involvement should begin in the early stages of the rural development project, and continue throughout the project. Government agencies or officials should not impose their ideas in rural communities. It is very important for government agencies to do needs analysis and work with the rural communities. Forced contributions should be avoided by all means even if it involves labour or finances. Rural community members should be part and parcel of the project. According to Narayan (1995), the central argument for a participatory process is that involvement in decision‐making lets people exercise choice and voice more broadly in their lives, as well as in the more immediate context of development programmes that benefit them. Empowerment is thus, about the capacity building of individuals and the organisations that support them (Narayan, 1995:10).
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- Date Issued: 2011
Vocabulary development in a grade 7 class using dictionary skills: an action research project
- Authors: Wells, Stephanie Alice
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Vocabulary -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape English language Dictionaries -- Polyglot -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1822 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003708
- Description: As I was involved as a voluntary, part-time teacher in a local, semi-rural school in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, I became increasingly aware of the learners' lack of English literacy. I therefore decided to do a practical research on vocabulary development, focusing on dictionary skills. In this thesis I describe how I implemented a vocabulary development programme as an Action Research project. My research group was a grade 7 class of English First Additional Language learners who had minimal exposure to English at school and in their communities. The class was a mixture of Afrikaans and isiXhosa home language speakers and the medium of instruction was Afrikaans. The school served a low-income community and was poorly resourced. As dictionary skills is a requirement of the national curriculum, I used 10 time-tabled lessons over a 5 week period to introduce the learners to dictionaries. My data sources were a journal detailing my reflections on each lesson; a video-recording of the lessons; small group interviews after each lesson which were audio-recorded; tasksheets on the work covered in class and questionnaires asking the learners for written responses to the lessons. The class teacher who filmed the lessons was also asked for feedback during and after the programme. My goals were to assess my teaching approach in these circumstances and to what extent the outcomes were positive for the learners. As I had come from a background of English Home Language teaching in good, well-resourced schools I found I had to question many of my assumptions. Although I was an experienced, qualified and confident teacher, I was continually having to reassess my teaching methods which were being challenged by very different classroom conditions. The outcomes of the research show why I was not able to achieve what I had thought I could in the time given.
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- Date Issued: 2011
Effect of BT maize on earthworm activity, silage quality and residue decomposition in the central Eastern Cape
- Authors: Kamota, Agathar
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Corn -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Corn -- Silage , Bacillus thuringiensis , Earthworm culture , Biomass , Plant proteins
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Crop Science)
- Identifier: vital:11863 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/413 , Corn -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Corn -- Silage , Bacillus thuringiensis , Earthworm culture , Biomass , Plant proteins
- Description: There are concerns that genetic modification of maize with Bacillus thuringiensis may influence its structural and chemical composition which, together with the Cry1Ab proteins, may affect agro-ecosystem processes and feed quality. This study was aimed at investigating the expression of Cry1Ab protein in leaves, stems and roots of Bt maize and the effect of genetic modification (MON810) on activity of earthworms, silage quality and decomposition of residues in the field. In 2009/10 four maize cultivars; DKC61-25B, DKC61-24, PAN6Q-321B and PAN6777 were planted. Expression of Cry1Ab in leaves, stems and roots was analyzed at 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks after planting (WAP). Earthworms were also sampled from the same treatments at 6, 9 and 18 WAP. Two silage experiments were conducted using maize cultivars, DKC80-12B and DKC80-10 produced in the 2008/09 season and DKC61-25B, DKC61-24, PAN6Q-321B and PAN6777, produced in 2009/10. The silage was sampled at 0, 2, 4, 8, 15 and 42 days in 2008/09 and 0, 8 and 42 days in 2009/10 and analyzed for Ash Free Dry Matter, Crude Fiber, Neutral Detergent Fiber, Acid Detergent Fiber, Acid Detergent Lignin, Crude Protein and Total Digestible Nutrients. Two litter-bag decomposition studies were also carried out (i) in 2008 (surface applied) using maize cultivars DKC80-12B, DKC80-10 and DKC6-125 residues and (ii) in 2009 (soil incorporated) using DKC75-15B, CRN3505, PAN6Q-321B v and PAN6Q-121. Ash-free dry matter and Cry1Ab protein were measured throughout the incubation time. There were no differences between DKC61-25B and PAN6Q-321B in terms of expression of Cry1Ab in leaves, stems and roots over time. The Cry1Ab expression levels were in decreasing order: leaves > stems > roots. No effects of Bt maize on earthworm numbers and biomass were observed. There were no differences in all silages parameters except NDF and ADF, which were higher in the Bt maize silage than that of the non-Bt maize from the 2008/09 season. The Cry1Ab levels were essentially not reduced during ensiling. The maize residues (both Bt and non-Bt maize) degraded to similar levels, either when surface-applied or incorporated into soil but soil-incorporated residues decomposed faster than surface-applied ones. Cry1Ab degraded as the plant matrix decomposed. The findings suggested that maize genetically modified with the Bt MON810 event can be grown in the Central Eastern Cape without affecting earthworm numbers and biomass, silage quality and decomposition of maize residues.
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- Date Issued: 2011
An intelligent multimodal interface for in-car communication systems
- Authors: Sielinou, Patrick Tchankue
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Automotive telematics , Automobiles -- Electronic equipment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10461 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1495 , Automotive telematics , Automobiles -- Electronic equipment
- Description: In-car communication systems (ICCS) are becoming more frequently used by drivers. ICCS are used in order to minimise the driving distraction due to using a mobile phone while driving. Several usability studies of ICCS utilising speech user interfaces (SUIs) have identified usability issues that can affect the workload, performance, satisfaction and user experience of the driver. This is due to current speech technologies which can be a source of errors that may frustrate the driver and negatively affect the user experience. The aim of this research was to design a new multimodal interface that will manage the interaction between an ICCS and the driver. Unlike the current ICCS, it should make more voice input available, so as to support tasks (e.g. sending text messages; browsing the phone book, etc), which still require a cognitive workload from the driver. An adaptive multimodal interface was proposed in order to address current ICCS issues. The multimodal interface used both speech and manual input; however only the speech channel is used as output. This was done in order to minimise the visual distraction that graphical user interfaces or haptics devices can cause with current ICCS. The adaptive interface was designed to minimise the cognitive distraction of the driver. The adaptive interface ensures that whenever the distraction level of the driver is high, any information communication is postponed. After the design and the implementation of the first version of the prototype interface, called MIMI, a usability evaluation was conducted in order to identify any possible usability issues. Although voice dialling was found to be problematic, the results were encouraging in terms of performance, workload and user satisfaction. The suggestions received from the participants to improve the system usability were incorporated in the next implementation of MIMI. The adaptive module was then implemented to reduce driver distraction based on the driver‟s current context. The proposed architecture showed encouraging results in terms of usability and safety. The adaptive behaviour of MIMI significantly contributed to the reduction of cognitive distraction, because drivers received less information during difficult driving situations.
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- Date Issued: 2011
An assessment of the role of the procurement committee in the management of school funds with reference to selected schools in Libode District
- Authors: Mtshakaza, Lungile Eric
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Government purchasing -- Law and legislation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Finance , Government aid to education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School boards -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Education, Rural -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8268 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1014583
- Description: The South African Schools Act (Act 84 of 1996) stipulates that the State must fund all the public schools from the public revenue on an equitable basis. Each school should elect a School Governing Body (SGB) whose primary function is to manage school finances. The principal of the school, who is also a member of the SGB, is the accounting officer. The SGB has to elect the finance committee which should run the school’s finances and, in turn elects the procurement committee - a sub-committee of the finance committee. In terms of the South African Schools Act, (Act 84 of 1998, as amended) there are two categories of public schools which may be created in South Africa. One category is based on Section 20 of the South Africa Schools Act with stipulated functions applicable to all public schools, while the other category is based on Section 21 of the Act which includes added stipulated functions above those applicable to all public schools. The study investigated the factors affecting the performance of procurement committees in schools. Among others, the study found that more formal training on financial management was necessary in schools in order to empower the procurement committees. Inadequate support with regard to the availability of supporting documentation and logistics was also raised as a matter of concern.
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- Date Issued: 2011
Teenage pregnancy among high school girls in Mthatha, South Africa
- Authors: Meel, A
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Teenage pregnancy -- Prevention , Teenage pregnancy -- Social aspects , South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPH
- Identifier: vital:18428 , http://hdl.handle.net/11260/d1006969
- Description: Teenage pregnancy is an important health and social problem in South Africa. Despite declining trends of fertility rates in last two decades, the pregnancy among school girls remains steadily high in South Africa. Teenage pregnancy had negative impacts on various aspects of socio-economic well being of school girls. Aim: To determine the proportion of teenage pregnancy among high school girls and to identify the possible factors that influence teenage pregnancy in Mthatha region during the year 2009. Materials and Methods: This is an observational cross sectional, analytic study of teenage pregnancy conducted among high school teenage girls in the Mthatha region of South Africa. Result: A total of 1150 teenage girls from 15 to 19 years of ages responded from seven high schools in the Mthatha region of South Africa. In total 113 (10%) of teenage high school girls were currently mothers or had previously been pregnant. The proportions of those who had ever been pregnant increased significantly with age. The risk of falling pregnant among public high school teenage girls had two times higher compared to private high school teenage girls. Condoms were the most common method of contraception whereas the oral pills were the least common in practice. About half of teenage girls who had ever been pregnant had an abortion and of this one-third had had a backstreet/illegal abortion. The frequency of substance use was significantly higher among teenage girls who had ever been pregnant. A significant correlation was found between low socio-economic status, public schools and teenage pregnancy in this study. Conclusion: Teenage pregnancy is common among high school girls from 15 to 19 years of age in the Mthatha Region, South Africa. Poor socio-economic family conditions, lack of contraceptive use, early sexual maturation, risky behaviour, lack of knowledge about sexuality and reproductive health, multiple sexual partners and substance use were the common contributing factors of teenage pregnancy.
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- Date Issued: 2011
Financial integration in East Africa: evidence from interest rate pass-through analysis
- Authors: Bholla, Zohaib Salim
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: East African Community -- Economic integration East African Community -- Economic conditions -- 21st century Interest rates -- Africa, East Interest rates -- Econometric models -- Africa, East Interest rates -- Effect of inflation on -- Africa, East Banks and banking -- Africa, East
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1044 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006131
- Description: The successful launch of the European Monetary Union (EMU) raised an already ever growing interest in the economics of monetary integration and the formation of monetary unions around the world. Following the EMU experience, countries have considered forming a monetary union amongst themselves. The East African Community (EAC), comprising the three original member countries Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda and now including Burundi and Rwanda, is an example of such a group of countries that seek to form a monetary union. This study aims to identify the current level of financial integration amongst the East African countries. In order to do so the study examines whether the pass-through of monetary policy in the five countries has become similar over time. This is to provide an indication of the extent to which the nominal convergence criteria amongst the member countries have been met. The results of the study provide an indication of whether the formation of a monetary union in East Africa is possible. The empirical analysis used in this study included stationarity tests, four tests of co integration and an asymmetric error correction model to investigate whether the pass-through of monetary policy transmission in the five countries has become more similar over the ten year sample period from 1999 to 2008. The analysis uses three interest rates and 6-year rolling windows to identify the extent of macroeconomic convergence that prevails within the EAC, and consequently whether the formation of a monetary union is possible. The results suggest that the magnitude of the convergence amongst the countries remain low and there are significant rigidities in the deposit and lending rates over time, however the passthrough has improved with respect to the lending rate but not the deposit rate. The overall conclusion of the study suggests that an EAC wide monetary union is currently not possible based on the evidence provided from the pass-through analysis.
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- Date Issued: 2011
Putting the millenium development goal no 3- gender equality and women empowerment into practice: a case study of a semi-urban village in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Gqomo, Nomaxabiso
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Women's rights , Women -- Social conditions , Equality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9086 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1010079 , Women's rights , Women -- Social conditions , Equality
- Description: Gender inequality and women empowerment constitute one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) agreed to, by United Nations in 2000. The South African 2010 country report on MDGs shows an increase in the share that women have in wage employment in the non-agricultural sector. It further states that in the Eastern Cape Province, women accounted for more than half of employees in the non-agricultural sector. This study conducted evaluated gender differences in terms of wage employment in a semi-urban village in the Eastern Cape. Findings show that gender differences in wage employment still exist, in favour of males.
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- Date Issued: 2011
The implementation of a performance management system in the Northern Cape Department of Environment and Nature Conservation
- Authors: Mbanjwa, Sibonelo Glenton
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Performance -- Management -- South Africa -- Northern Cape Northern Cape (South Africa). Dept. of Environment and Nature Conservation Government productivity -- South Africa -- Northern Cape -- Evaluation Civil service -- South Africa -- Northern Cape -- Evaluation Civil service -- South Africa -- Northern Cape -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:748 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003869
- Description: This document consists of three sections, and they are the academic paper (section 1), literature review (section 2) and research methodology (section 3). The academic paper consists of the purpose of the research, the summarised literature review, summarised research methodology and the research findings. The literature review section is a detailed review of literature used in this study. The research methodology section explains the research methodology and design which was employed in this study and it gives more details than the summarised version of the academic paper section. This summary integrated all the elements of section 1, section 2 and section 3. The purpose of this research is to identify the main problems that the Department of Environment and Nature Conservation (DENC) could encounter during the implementation and use of a performance management system, based on employee perspectives. The objectives of this research are therefore: to establish how often a particular problem has been encountered during the implementation and use of a performance management system in DENC; to identify the impact of various problems on the implementation of a performance management system, to establish whether these problems can be easily solved or not, and to analyse the problems associated with the implementation of a performance management system, as well as making recommendations for the successful implementation of a performance management system in the future. In this study, the researcher employed both quantitative and qualitative research approaches, informed by post-positivism as research orientation. The data collection techniques employed in this research include survey questionnaires and individual interviews. The survey questionnaire was answered by fifty respondents, and interview questions were answered by four respondents. The ethical issues were addressed by writing a letter to the Head of Department and getting authorisation to complete the research and informing respondents of their right to withdraw and to participate voluntarily. The findings indicate that the problems are either sometimes encountered or rarely encountered, and the division is about fifty percent of those sometimes encountered to those rarely encountered. This research indicates that most of the problems have a moderate impact on the use and implementation of a performance management system. The lack of management has a high impact, and a lack of positive attitude to performance management system (PMS) certainly has an impact on the use and implementation of the performance management system. Items such as the problem of information and communication technology (ICT) which does not support PMS adequately, and defining too many key performance indicators (KPI), have a small impact on the use and implementation of the performance management system. There are three problems which are difficult to solve and they are: lack of management commitment, organisational members‟ lack of positive attitude to the PMS and an insufficient period of commitment from management to PMS. This research indicates that most of the problems associated with PMS are moderately easy to solve. Two other problems that are easy to solve include the problem where there are too many KPIs defined and the problem where there is no organisational member appointed to take ownership of the PMS. According to this research, the top ten ranking problems have high ranking scores and this indicates that they can create major difficulties for the DENC in implementing the performance management system, and the chance of encountering these problems is high in the DENC in comparison to other problems. Almost all the problems ranked in the top ten seem to score highly in terms of the severity of their impact, and therefore this means that these are the problems which have an impact and, when they are not easily solved, they can become a tenacious issue for the organisation.
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- Date Issued: 2011