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Evolution of the African National Congress Youth League: from "freedom in our lifetime" to "economic freedom in our lifetime"

  • Authors: Sipuka, Msingathi
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: African National Congress -- History , African National Congress -- Youth League , Political parties -- Platforms , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 20th century
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
  • Identifier: vital:8350 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020832
  • Description: The 1994 democratic elections heralded a significant change in South Africa‟s political and social landscapes. This historic moment, and the subsequent democratic developmental processes that unfolded aimed at laying the foundations for a democratic state, were the culmination of a long history of struggle by the Black majority, in alliance with other social forces, against colonialism and apartheid. One of the significant social forces that emerged as part of this struggle against racial oppression was the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL). It is argued that the two most important developments in South African politics during the 1940‟s were the emergence of the African National Congress Youth League and the consolidation of its influence on the ANC leadership. The African National Congress Youth League was formed against the background of very distinct circumstances, the first being the worsening economic conditions for the growing African working class and the declining African peasantry. The second was the inability of the African National Congress to respond to the material challenges confronted by the African majority, because of its leadership and organisational weaknesses. The political programme of the ANCYL was rallied under the ideological auspices of African Nationalism, and its organisational programme under the articulated need to build a mass based and campaigning organisation. With a very strong leadership, the ANCYL was able to, within five years, assert its leadership and authority in the ANC with key elements of its manifesto forming significant parts of the ANC Programme. This culminated into the rise of the generational theme of the ANC Youth League of “Freedom in our Lifetime”. Essentially freedom was conceived as the abolishment of formal apartheid, and the delivery of a democratic South Africa. Formal democracy became a reality in South Africa in 1994 and at the helm of the ANC and the new government was the ANC Youth League generation of the 1940‟s. This generation had over fifty years struggled for freedom and 1994 represented the formal victory over apartheid and the attainment of a generational mission. The ushering in of formal democracy in 1994 heightened the expectations of the black majority in terms of its elevation from a point of view of its existing socio-economic realities. Close to twenty years after the end of formal apartheid the reality has been less than satisfactory in terms of addressing these socio-economic realities. What has been observed on the contrary is an increase in key measures such inequality and unemployment. Subsequent to that has been a less than satisfactory performance in the area of economic transformation which has been seen as a critical limiting factor in addressing the legacies of apartheid, particularly among the black majority. These limits to transformation have resulted in discontentment among the majority, claiming that democracy has not yielded to any significant changes in their material lives. The discontentment has been particularly proliferated among the youth, who bear the brunt of social challenges such as unemployment. The ANC Youth League, has had to confront the reality of being of a youth league of a governing party and balancing that with the social discontentment that has developed among South African, particularly the youth, as a result of perceived lack of social transformation. In balancing these two realities, the ANC Youth League has found itself at the centre of South African politics similarly to the 1940s generation of ANC Youth League leaders of the Youth League who had been mobilised under the theme of “Freedom in our Lifetime”. The contradictions within the ANC, of which the ANC Youth League has found itself at the centre of, and the need to become a socially relevant political force have culminated into the birth of a generational theme led by the ANC Youth League of “Economic Freedom in our Lifetime”.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

Phytochemical analysis and bioactivity of Garcinia Kola (Heckel) seeds on selected bacterial pathogens

  • Authors: Seanego, Christinah Tshephisho
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Drug resistance in microorganisms , Garcinia , Antibiotics , Medicinal plants , Microbial sensitivity tests , Streptococcal infections , Streptococcus , Staphylococcus aureus infections , Salmonella typhimurium , Traditional medicine
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Microbiology)
  • Identifier: vital:11259 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/420 , Drug resistance in microorganisms , Garcinia , Antibiotics , Medicinal plants , Microbial sensitivity tests , Streptococcal infections , Streptococcus , Staphylococcus aureus infections , Salmonella typhimurium , Traditional medicine
  • Description: Garcinia kola is one of the plants used in folklore remedies for the treatment of microbial infections. Bacterial resistance to commonly used antibiotics has necessitated the search for newer and alternative compounds for the treatment of drug resistant microbial infections. This study focuses on the bioactivity of G. kola seeds on Streptococcus pyogenes (ATCC 49399), Staphylococcus aureus (NCTC 6571), Plesiomonas Shigelloides (ATCC 51903) and Salmonella typhimurium (ATCC 13311), organisms which can cause illnesses from mild to severe with potentially fatal outcomes. The crude ethyl acetate, ethanol, methanol, acetone and aqueous extracts were screened by agar-well diffusion method and the activities of the extract were further determined by Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) assays. The inhibition zones ranged from 0 - 24 mm, while MIC and MBC of the extract ranged between 0.04 - 1.25 mg/mL and 0.081 - 2.5 mg/mL respectively. Chloroform/ Ethyl Acetate/ Formic acid (CEF) solvent system separated more active compounds followed by Ethyl Acetate/ Methanol/ Water (EMW) and Benzene/ Ethanol/ Ammonium Hydroxide (BEA). The extracts were fractionated by Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC). Bioautography was used to assess the activity of the possible classes of compounds present in the more active extracts. Column chromatography was used to purify the active compounds from the mixture while Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to identify the phyto components of the fractions. The MIC of the fractions ranged between 0.0006 - 2.5 mg/mL. CEF 3 (F3), CEF 11 (F11) and CEF 12 (F12) revealed the presence of high levels fatty acids Linoleic acid, 1, 2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid and 2, 3-Dihydro-3, 5-dihydroxy-6-methyl, respectively. The results obtained from this study justify the use of this plant in traditional medicine and provide leads which could be further exploited for the development of new and potent antimicrobials.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

Characterization of cell mismatch in photovoltaic modules using electroluminescence and associated electro-optic techniques

  • Authors: Crozier, Jacqueline Louise
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Photovoltaic cells , Solar cells
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:10545 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015059
  • Description: Solar cells allow the energy from the sun to be converted into electrical energy; this makes solar energy much more environmentally friendly than fossil fuel energy sources. These solar cells are connected together in a photovoltaic (PV) module to provide the higher current, voltage and power outputs necessary for electrical applications. However, the performance of the PV module is limited by the performance of the individual cells. Cell mismatch occurs when some cells are damaged or shaded and produce lower current output than the other cells in the series connected string. The cell mismatch lowers the module performance and can result in further damage as the weak cells are reverse biased and dissipate heat. Bypass diodes can be connected into the module to increase the module current output and prevent further damage. Since cell mismatch results in a significant decrease in the performance of deployed modules it is important to fully understand and characterise its effect on PV modules. PV modules can be characterised using various techniques, each providing important information about the performance of the module. Most commonly the current-voltage (I-V) characteristic curve of a module is measured in outdoor, fully illuminated conditions. This allows performance parameters such as short circuit current (Isc), open circuit voltage (Voc) and maximum power (Pmax) to be determined. In addition to this the shape of the curve allows device parameters like series and shunt resistances to be determined using parameter extraction algorithms like Particle Swarm Optimisation (PSO). The extracted parameters can be entered into the diode equation to model the I-V curve of the module. The I-V characteristic of the module can also be used to identify poor current producing cells in the module by using the worst-case cell determination method. In this technique a cell is shaded and the greater the drop in current in the whole module the better the current production of the shaded cell. The photoresponse of cells in a module can be determined by the Large-area Light Beam Induced Current (LA-LBIC) technique which involves scanning a module with a laser beam and recording the current generated. Electroluminescence (EL) is emitted by a forward biased PV module and is used to identify defects in cell material. Defects such as cracks and broken fingers can be detected as well as material features such as grain boundaries. These techniques are used to in conjunction to characterise the modules used in this study. The modules investigated in this study each exhibit cell mismatch resulting from different causes. Each module is characterised using a combination of characterisation techniques which allows the effect of cell mismatch be investigated. EL imaging enabled cracks and defects, invisible to the naked eye, to be detected allowing the reduced performance observed in I-V curves to be explained. It was seen that the cracked cells have a significant effect on the current produced by a string, while the effect of delaminated areas is less severe. Hot spots are observed on weak cells indicating they are in reverse bias conditions and will degrade further with time. PSO parameter extraction from I-V curves revealed that the effect of module degradation of device parameters like series and shunt resistances. A module with cracked cells and degradation of the antireflective coating has low shunt resistance indicating current losses due to shunting. Similar shunting is observed in a module with delamination and moisture ingress. The extracted parameters are used to simulate the I-V curves of modules with reasonable fit. The fit could be improved around the “knee” of the I-V curve by improving the methods of parameter extraction. This study has shown the effects of cell mismatch on the performance and I-V curves of the PV modules. The different causes of cell mismatch are discussed and modules with different cell configuration and damage are characterised. The characterisation techniques used on each module provide information about the photoresponse, current generation, material properties and cell defects. A comprehensive understanding of these techniques allows the cell mismatch in the modules to be fully characterized.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

The effectiveness of school management: conflict management skills as a missing link in selected schools in Gauteng

  • Authors: Msila, Vuyisile
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Conflict management -- South Africa -- Gauteng , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Gauteng , Educational leadership -- South Africa -- Gauteng
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
  • Identifier: vital:8288 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018647
  • Description: Growing research in educational leadership and management shows that there are many factors that have an impact on the running of effective schools. Many people are now aware of the importance of the school management‟s role in guiding successful schools. This quantitative study was conducted in Gauteng where 100 school managers responded to a questionnaire which probed them about their conflict management and competence skills. The participants responded to a 40 item Likert scale instrument. Each of the items had five alternatives to choose from. The results demonstrate that many teachers were never trained in conflict management skills and that they also find it hard to resolve disputes in their schools. Furthermore, a majority of the participants attributed the dysfunctionality and lack of teacher commitment to the pervading unresolved conflicts in their schools. There was also consensus that intractable conflict adversely affects the culture of learning and teaching in schools. Among the recommendations highlighted at the end are to ensure that prospective school managers are empowered with conflict management skills before assuming their positions.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

Evaluating current energy management strategy : case study of an automotive manufacturer in the Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Mahlati, Andile
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Power resources -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape – Management , Power resources -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Fossil fuels -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Greenhouse gases -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:8803 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1017152
  • Description: Historically, the most frequently used energy sources have been those nearest and easiest to consume. Unfortunately, society’s reliance on fossil fuel for power generation has occurred at the expense of the environment, coal being a major contribution to carbon dioxide (CO2) emission. Carbon dioxide is classified as a greenhouse gas (GHG); it contributes to the phenomenon of climate change (Haw & Hughes, 2007, p.1). According to Worrell (2011), industry uses nearly 40 percent of worldwide energy on economic activities. Value chain activities alone contribute almost 37 percent to global GHG. Organisations are socially and ethically required to minimise the carbon footprint of their operations. Reducing energy use makes perfect business sense; it saves money, enhances corporate reputations and helps everyone participate the fight against climate change (Carbon Trust, 2011). Gielen, Newman, and Patel (2008) strongly believe the overall energy and emissions trends can be mitigated through additional energy efficiency measures. However, implementing EnMS will enable organisations to establish systematic approaches and the processes necessary to improve energy performance, including energy efficiency, use and consumption (SANS 50001, 2011). The objective of this paper was to evaluate the current energy management strategy adopted by selected automotive manufacture in Eastern Cape. The research was motivated by the fact that previous researchers have focused more on technological aspects and less of management functions. The research paradigm followed in this paper was qualitative because a case study is used to gain an insight and understanding about more and less successful energy management strategies. In this report, background about the global energy outlook and its significant to economic development, factors behind energy demands, the link to climate change and providing effective energy management principles are covered. The energy management principles covered key elements for delivering successful energy management. Literature highlighted that, senior management commitment is the foundation of good energy management, which is delivered through a formal energy policy and a supporting energy strategy with action plan. High level commitment will provide: Advocacy from senior managers; Visibility of the issues across your organization; Impetus for the organisation to implement energy management; Resources, both human and financial. It will also demonstrate that good energy management is part of your organisation’s mission and as relevant as other management aspects. The empirical study is focused on the characteristics of the current management system and organisational structure employed with its relevant functions. Based on these reference points the paper concludes with recommendations for the case study organisation.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

A process model for e-voting in South Africa

  • Authors: Swanepoel, Eranee
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Electronic voting -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
  • Identifier: vital:9805 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012588 , Electronic voting -- South Africa
  • Description: An election is a core part of any global democracy. Elections provide citizens with the opportunity to voice their opinions. South Africa achieved democracy for the first time in 1994 and has had four successful national elections since then. All of these elections have been declared “free and fair” according to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). However, there have been various challenges facing the current South African electoral process. This research, therefore examines alternative methods to improve the current South African electoral process. This research firstly identifies the various challenges and characteristics associated with the current electoral process in South Africa. This research study proposes, to incorporate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into the South African electoral process. Thus, arguing that utilizing ICT could potentially improve the process. Various countries worldwide have investigated different methods to improve their electoral processes. Countries such as India, Brazil, Estonia and the USA have incorporated ICT into their electoral processes, known as electronic voting (e-voting). Therefore, this research study investigates countries such as India, Brazil, Estonia and the USA which opted to implement e-voting into their electoral process. In addition, various e-voting technologies and their capabilities are explored in detail in this research study. The conclusions drawn from the examination of the electoral processes of countries that utilize e-voting, contributed to the achievement of the primary objective in this research. As a result, to address the various challenges facing the current electoral process in South Africa, a process model was developed called an E-voting Process Model, which depicts two electoral processes namely, an optical scan polling station voting process and an online voting process. This research argues that the E-voting Process Model could potentially improve the current electoral process in South Africa.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

A spatial and temporal analysis of the changes in alien macrophyte communities and a baseline assessment of the macroinvertebrates associated with Eurasian watermilfoil, Myriophyllum spicatum L. (Haloragaceae) in the Vaal River

  • Authors: Fordham, Colin Justin
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Water hyacinth -- Control -- South Africa , Aquatic weeds -- Control -- South Africa , Eurasian watermilfoil -- South Africa , Water quality management -- South Africa , Freshwater invertebrates -- Ecology -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:5767 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005455 , Water hyacinth -- Control -- South Africa , Aquatic weeds -- Control -- South Africa , Eurasian watermilfoil -- South Africa , Water quality management -- South Africa , Freshwater invertebrates -- Ecology -- South Africa
  • Description: The majority of South Africa’s fresh water (lotic and lentic), is eutrophic and this has resulted in water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes (C.Mart.) Solms. (Pontederiaceae) becoming South Africa’s most damaging aquatic macrophyte. Recently however, concerns have also been voiced over the presence of highly invasive submerged macrophyte species, such as Eurasian water-milfoil, Myriophyllum spicatum L. (Haloragaceae) in the Vaal River. Interaction studies between floating and submerged macrophytes have shown that floating macrophyte dominance restricts light penetration into the water column shading out submerged macrophytes while submerged macrophyte dominance reduces nutrient availability in the water column limiting floating macrophyte growth. This cycle ensures that these species cannot coexist in the same habitat for extended periods of time. The aims of this thesis were to: 1. Investigate changes in the historical and current macrophyte dominance in the Vaal River 2. Determine whether these changes could be attributed to stochastic events, such as floods and herbicide control measures. 3. The physio-chemical conditions of the water column, and whether pressure from herbivory by macroinvertebrates had possibly influenced Eurasian water-milfoil’s ability to dominate. Spatial and temporal analysis of satellite imagery revealed that water hyacinth and submerged macrophyte species dominated different regions of the study area over different periods of time from 2006 to 2010. This was significantly correlated with nitrate concentrations of the water column. One of the lower Vaal River Water Management Areas (WMA) had changed from a water hyacinth dominated state in 2006 to an alternative submerged macrophyte dominated stable state in 2008. It was concluded that this change could be attributed to: a stochastic flooding event in 2006; perturbation from integrated control measures implemented against water hyacinth; and low nitrate concentrations of the WMA. The lack of any substantial macroinvertebrate herbivory pressure or control measures implemented against Eurasian water-milfoil, compared to similar surveys conducted in the U.S.A. and its native range in Eurasia was shown to contribute to its dominance. Future successful integrated control programmes, including biological control against Eurasian water-milfoil, could provide the perturbation required to restore the ecosystem. However, without the reduction in nitrate concentration levels, water hyacinth will remain the dominant stable state of the rest of the Vaal River.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

Critical design within the practice of graphic design

  • Authors: Kuhn, Simon
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Graphic arts , Product design
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
  • Identifier: vital:8494 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1007843 , Graphic arts , Product design
  • Description: Critical Design is a specific type of design activity that has emerged from within the field of product design. Based on the supposition that design is an ideological activity, it can either be critical or affirmative of the status quo and categorised as Critical Design or Affirmative Design. The intention of this study is to create Critical Design within the practice of graphic design. Critical Design was defined by identifying its key characteristics and then visualised into a diagram that maps the pathways, processes and consequences which distinguish Critical Design from Affirmative Design. The characteristics were used to generate criteria of Critical Design, which were then used to analyse case studies. The findings from this analysis suggested that both case study projects could be defined as Critical Design and served as a way of testing the appropriateness of the criteria. The practical component of this study used the characteristics of Critical Design to create a range of graphic design artefacts and then analysed them in relation to the criteria of Critical Design. The findings from this analysis determined the practical component as Critical [Graphic] Design and suggested that graphic design can be an appropriate medium for critique of its own role within society.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

Using language as a resource: strategies to teach mathematics in multilingual classes

  • Authors: Whale, Susan Gaye
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- South Africa , Code switching (Linguistics) -- South Africa , Education, Bilingual -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Language and education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Blacks -- Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:9469 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1669 , Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- South Africa , Code switching (Linguistics) -- South Africa , Education, Bilingual -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Language and education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Blacks -- Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Description: South Africa is a complex multilingual country. In the majority of schools in the Eastern Cape, a province in South Africa, the teachers and learners share the same home language, isiXhosa, but teach and learn mathematics in English. The purpose of this study was to encourage teachers to use the home language as a resource to teach mathematics in multilingual classes. The study follows a mixed method design, using both qualitative and quantitative data. Qualitative data were collected from a survey and poetry, which teachers crafted, in which they highlighted their perceptions about language in their lives. They also reflected on their practices and submitted pieces of contemplative writing. Quantitative data were collected from participating teachers who administered a pre-test to their learners as well as a post- test approximately nine months later after conducting an intervention. The results showed that where strategies, such as the implementation of exploratory talk and code switching which used language as a resource, had been introduced mathematical reasoning improved and classroom climate became more positive. The learners’ lack of confidence in being able to express their reasoning in English was prevalent throughout the reflective writing. By enabling learners to use isiXhosa in discussions the teachers felt that the learners gained in both confidence and mathematical understanding. This study has demonstrated that using the learners’ and teachers’ home language unlocks doors to communication and spotlights mathematical reasoning, but there is still an urgency to encourage learners to become fluent in Mathematical English. It is important to note that a positive classroom climate is essential for learners to build confidence and to encourage them to attempt to formulate sentences in English - to start on the journey from informal to formal usage of language as advocated by Setati and Adler (2001:250). My main conclusion is that an intervention that develops exploratory talk by using language as a resource can improve learners’ mathematical reasoning. I wish to emphasise that I am not advocating teaching mathematics in isiXhosa only, but the research has shown the advantages of using the home language as a resource together with English in Eastern Cape multilingual mathematics classes. Learners need to be able to express themselves in English, written and spoken, in order to achieve mathematically. This study therefore shows that teachers can gauge their learners’ improvement in mathematical reasoning after an intervention that develops exploratory talk in class by using the home language as a resource.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

Competence development in marine protected area professionals: a case study of the South African Marine Protected Area Management Training Course (SAMPATC)

  • Authors: Lewis, Sebastian Giulio
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Core competencies Employees -- Training of Marine ecosystem management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:1456 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003337
  • Description: This study reviews a training programme on Marine Protected Area (MPA) management. It notes that although MPAs are well promulgated under legislation, reports have found that there are still key challenges facing the management of these areas. The research examines how the course was developed following the Lemm and Attwood (2003) report and designed to develop competences for effective MPA management. The aim is to identify how a MPA management training course produced competences apposite to the workplace settings of the participants. An interpretive case study method was used, in two phases. The first phase explored salient issues in MPA management in South Africa through analysis of the two key ‘state of MPA management’ reports and interviews with MPA professionals. The second was an analysis of the South African Marine Protected Area Management Training Course. This involved interviews with course designers, a review of the course materials, interviews with past course participants, and an analysis of course evaluations. Evidence emerged that supported the following findings: Challenges and problems facing MPA management still exist. Competence in key areas of MPA management was addressed in an effective work-integrated approach. Social learning was a key process in the development of these competences. The competences articulate well with the workplace of participants. Gaps exist between some of the management issues and the competences developed by the course, and some aspects of the course design are ineffective. From these findings it is concluded that: The course took up the majority of issues in MPA management through the development of key competences. The course design facilitated the development of these competences. The competences developed through the course are relevant to the workplace of MPA professionals. The research found that the course adequately addresses issues in MPA management through the development of competences. Some recommendations for improvements are made.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

Effect of full and semi-scavenging rearing systems on crop contents and the quality of meat from village chickens during spring season of Eastern Cape, South Africa

  • Authors: Hanyani, Charles Tawanda
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Chickens -- Feeding and feeds -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Chicken breeds -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Meat -- Quality -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Forage plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Crops -- Nutrition -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
  • Identifier: vital:11807 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/440 , Chickens -- Feeding and feeds -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Chicken breeds -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Meat -- Quality -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Forage plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Crops -- Nutrition -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Description: The objective of this study was to compare the nutrient status of full scavenging and semi-scavenging village chicken production systems. The semi-scavenging chickens were given broiler finisher mash between 14-24 weeks of age, whilst the full scavenging relied on natural foraging. The study also sought to compare the quality of meat from chickens from the two systems. After slaughtering the chickens, the crop contents were physically separated and analysed for chemical composition. Meat pH and colour were measured on the breast muscle of individual carcasses and a consumer sensory evaluation was also done on the breast muscle. The mean crop content weights per day were significantly higher in full scavenging chickens (±16.7g/day biomass) than in semi-scavenging chickens (±9.14g/day). Dry matter, calcium, and phosphorus levels were higher in the crop contents of the full than in the semi-scavenging chickens but crude protein, crude fibre and metabolisable energy were higher in the latter system. Semi-scavenging (1.3 ± 0.05kg) carcasses were heavier (P<0.05) than full scavenging ones (1.0 ± 0.06kg). The ultimate pH (24h) (pHu) of meat from full scavenging chickens (6.0 ± 0.03) was higher (P<0.05) than that of meat from the semi-scavenging chickens (5.7 ± 0.04). Meat from the full scavenging chickens had higher L* values (60 ± 1.2) than meat from the semi-scavenging chickens (47 ± 0.8). The a* value of meat of full scavenging chickens was significantly (P<0.05) less (4 ± 0.4) than that of meat from semi-scavenging chickens (15 ± 1.3). There was a significant positive (0.60) correlation between pHu and L* of meat from village chickens across rearing systems. The semi-scavenging system meat had better sensory attributes than the meat from the full scavenging system. Female consumers scored the typical flavour of village chicken meat across rearing systems higher (P< 0.05) than male consumers. The Shona consumers scored the meat higher (P< 0.05) than the Xhosa, Zulu, Ndebele and other tribes for initial juiciness, first bite impression and muscle fibre and tenderness of the chicken across rearing systems. Consumers scored of the meat from the semi-scavenging system higher (P<0.05) on initial juiciness (4.3 ± 0.20), first bite impression (4.2 ± 0.197), muscle fibre tenderness (4.5 ± 0.217) than meat from the full scavenging chickens. There were positive correlations (0.46) between aroma intensity and overall flavour intensity across both rearing systems. The semi-scavenging system produced better carcass characteristics, lighter (L*) meat and more consumer acceptable meat than full scavenging chickens. Therefore the full scavenging rearing system had better nutrient composition in its scavenging feed resource base, although the semi-scavenging systems produced chickens with better carcass, meat pH, colour and sensory characteristics than the full scavenging chickens.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

Examining the knowledge and practices of selected Namibian accounting teachers about learner-centred methods of teaching

  • Authors: Kavari, Jackson-Hain Jakavaza Katjiuanjo
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Student-centered learning -- Namibia , Accounting -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia , Accounting students -- Namibia
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:9520 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1009428 , Student-centered learning -- Namibia , Accounting -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia , Accounting students -- Namibia
  • Description: Learner-centred education has been in force in all schools in the Republic of Namibia since 1996. Progress towards adoption of learner-centred methods of teaching by teachers has been slow. The main purpose of this study is to examine how teachers understand the principles of learner-centred education in selected Secondary Schools in Omaheke Education Region. The secondary purpose of this study is to determine how teachers could be helped to improve the implementation of learner-centred education (LCE). The study used a qualitative approach. Data were collected from a purposively selected sample of Grade 10 accounting teachers in a specific region in Namibia by means of interviews, classroom observations and a qualitative questionnaire. Data were analysed thematically. The results indicated that, although the teachers had a positive attitude towards learner-centred education, they did not have the skills to adapt their teaching in an appropriate way to cope with the learner‟s lack of English literacy. The teachers possessed basic knowledge of learner-centred education practices, but found it very difficult to implement them in resource-poor environments. In addition, factors that hindered the effective implementation of learner-centred education in the classroom were identified. The study suggests ways to improve the knowledge and practices of teachers with regard to learner-centred teaching practices.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

Assesssing small business training programme effectiveness in an incubator setting and beyond

  • Authors: Booth-Jones, Laurene
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Business incubators -- South Africa , Small businesses -- South Africa -- Management , Employees -- Training of , New business enterprises -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:9298 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1014074
  • Description: The focus on entrepreneurs as drivers of the economies of nations has catapulted them into the forefront of the local and international marketplace. This has led to a demand for entrepreneurial education and training resulting in a plethora of different and often divergent views. One commonality that has emerged is that entrepreneurship can be taught; although it cannot be taught in conventional and traditional ways. It requires a move from traditional education and training to more enterprising participative and supportive forms of business development. It requires investments of time, resources and support. Incubators are facilities that are engaged with entrepreneurs and offer a variety of support including education and training. This study has assessed the effectiveness of training offered by the Seda Nelson Mandela Bay ICT incubator. There has been limited research undertaken on entrepreneurial education and training in an incubator setting. This study followed the qualitative paradigm. The sample comprised of 10 small businesses at the Seda Nelson Mandela Bay ICT incubator. Empirical data was obtained by interviewing the owners of the small businesses using an interview schedule. Issues such as the most effective training programme, content that it contained, methodology used and quality of the facilitator and applicability of the training programme were explored. The study found that the small businesses were opportunity driven rather than necessity driven and that the incubator served as a bridging facility in moving the businesses from the informal sector to the formal sector. The content of the training programmes was found to be effective when a mix of both theoretical and practical is offered especially with an emphasis on the underlying entrepreneurial themes of confidence, persistence and uncertainty and so on. It also found that training programmes should be linked to the life cycle of the business and address the specific needs of the small business owner. The start-up phase requires very specific training. Most of the facilitators were found to be experienced and empathetic. However, only a few were using a wider range of preferred learning styles favoured by entrepreneurs such as role playing, simulation, brainstorming and problem-solving techniques. The study also found that when generic training programmes are offered there was less recall on the part of the trainees. The management team of the incubator is an important determinant of the success of the incubatees and it is recommended that they need to be well versed in their sector and have good networking skills. There is a strong link between the theoretical and the practical content of training programmes especially where the emphasis is more on the practical content. It is recommended that facilitators pay attention to their relationship with trainees as it is a critical success factor in the training programme. Training programmes offered over a period of time add more value to the incubatee. This might be because of the mentoring and counselling that is available after each training module is completed. Finally, more research needs to be undertaken on the quality and effectiveness of training programmes offered by incubators to small businesses.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

The impact of motivations, personal values, management skills of managers on the perfomance of SME`s in selected towns (Port Elizabeth and Port Alfred) in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

An investigation of media representation of the complexities confronting the concept of the 'Rainbow Nation' as a South African social reality: an analysis of the works of Trevor Noah

  • Authors: Magwaza, Isheunesu
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Noah, Trevor , Mass media -- South Africa , Stand-up comedy -- South Africa , South Africa -- Humor
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:8421 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015711
  • Description: This study is an investigation into the representation of complexities confronting the concept of the Rainbow Nation as a South African social reality. The study is based on the works of Trevor Noah, one of post-Apartheid South Africa‘s eminent stand-up comedians whose two media works, The Day Walker and Crazy Normal, tackle issues pertaining to the socio-political and economic realities that are prevailing in South Africa. The mass media products continue to receive wide acclaim from both, media circles and audiences from racially diversified societies. They are delivered in a mimetic stereotypical manner that cuts across the length and breadth of the South African society. Trevor Noah‘s comedy uses humour to provide the South African society with an opportunity ―[for brutal honesty] to explore, affirm, deny, and ultimately to change its structure and its values‖ (Turner, 1977:33). Representations made in his comedy, more than providing people with a tonic for laughter, also create for the society momentary instances of thought which transcend the theatre stage in which the humour is delivered. Courtesy of these representations, his comedy infiltrates the people‘s sub-consciousness and engages them on those issues pertaining to race-relations and multicultural tolerance which are more often than not trivialised but are influential in shaping the status quo.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

Small mammal communities at high altitude within the Sneeuberg Mountain complex, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

  • Authors: Kok, Armand du Preez
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Mountain animals -- Research -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Mammal populations -- Research -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Mammals -- Research -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:5766 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005454 , Mountain animals -- Research -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Mammal populations -- Research -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Mammals -- Research -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Description: Due to their widespread and specious nature, small mammals are ideal for biogeographical studies. Small mammals also effectively connect various trophic levels by being both consumers and prey items for other animals. The Great Escarpment is the dominant mountain landscape in South Africa. Yet, very little small mammal research has been conducted on the Great Escarpment outside of the Main Drakensberg Mountains. This is surprising given the importance of mountains in shaping regional ecology. In this study, I assessed the diversity and community composition of small mammals at three high altitude (>1700m) sites within the Sneeuberg Mountain Complex (SMC) from June 2009 to May 2010. I also tested the effectiveness of five different bait types for measuring small mammal diversity (i.e. number of individuals caught, species richness, Shannon diversity index and Simpson index of diversity). Out of a total of 423 captures, 292 individuals of 12 small mammal species (one shrew, one elephant shrew and 10 rodents) were recorded over 5280 trap nights. The species richness and diversity of small mammals captured at the three sites were similar and this homogeneity was probably related to the regional processes (e.g. climate and latitude) that govern species richness and diversity. The most effective bait type in terms of capture success, species richness and diversity measurements was peanut butter and oats. In addition, the use of richness estimators revealed that peanut butter and oats was the most effective bait for sampling the species richness of small mammals. The effectiveness of peanut butter and oats was related to this bait having a more attractive scent, when compared to the other bait types. Future studies should focus on researching the range of local and regional processes that drive small mammal diversity at high altitudes in South Africa. I also recommend the use of more than one bait type when planning to survey small mammal communities.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

The credit risk management skills shortage in Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole

  • Authors: Teka, Babalwa
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Banks and banking -- Risk management -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Credit -- Management , Risk management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:8834 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019893
  • Description: Tito Mboweni (2011) said one of South Africa’s biggest tests is the overwhelming the skills shortage. He was echoing the views of Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande who himself said “South Africa could not afford to have an economy "constrained by a severe lack of skills". There are numerous initiatives that having been undertaken by government in an attempt to solve the skills shortage problem. However, these initiatives are not aimed at the tertiary education system. The tertiary education system is the focus of this study as the author investigates how the NMMU Business School can play a significant role in addressing the skills shortage in the credit risk management sector. Following a literature review, surveys were completed by the NMMU Business School MBA students (ninety of them completed it) and personal interviews were conducted with three Provincial HR managers from South Africa’s “four big banks” in Nelson Mandela Bay (Nedbank, Standard Bank and ABSA). The study found that the skills shortage is indeed a problem. The study found that reasons including the legacy left by apartheid and students pursuing the wrong degrees were highlighted as some of the reason for this skills shortage. An opportunity for the NMMU Business School was identified to support the banking industry in addressing credit risk management skills shortage. The benefits include financial reward and more importantly an opportunity to differentiate the Business School and the courses offered at the school from the rest. Some of the recommendations included sourcing of the best practices from institutions like the Millpark Business School on effective partnering with the banking industry as well as a proactive approach to be adopted by the banking industry in terms of lobbying support from other potential role players for example but not limited to, student bodies, BankSeta and the smaller banks in the industry.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

Can sport impact rational investor behaviour? : an evaluation of the impact of national sporting performance on stock market returns in South Africa

  • Authors: De Beer, Carl Francois
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Investments -- Psychological aspects -- Research -- South Africa Finance -- Psychological aspects -- Research -- South Africa Sports -- Economic aspects -- Research -- South Africa Sports -- Psychological aspects -- Research -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEcon
  • Identifier: vital:1013 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002748
  • Description: The finance industry is an extremely fast and complex world dominated by the Efficient Markets Hypothesis (EMH). This theory contains many assumptions which include that investors are rational utility maximisers and that market prices reflect all relevant economic information available to the public. However, over the years, a new form of financial literature known as behavioural finance has been gaining momentum. Behavioural finance seeks to bridge the gap between psychology and economics in an attempt to gain a better understanding of how markets react to different situations. Behavioural finance has also gained much attention in recent years due to the EMH’s inability to explain many economic anomalies. This study first considers the differences between behavioural finance theory and EMH theory before explaining how an individual’s mood has the ability to influence one’s risk taking preferences. Mood changes were also found to be linked to changes in the way an individual reacts to different situations, the way they thinks and processes thoughts. Negative events were also found to have a greater influence on an individual’s mood than positive events did, resulting in an asymmetric relationship between positive and negative results. This study then examines numerous studies indicating how non-economic events can have a statistical and significant influence on stock market returns before analysing previous literature where sport was found to influence market prices. The aim of this study is to determine if South African national sporting performance can influence investors in such a way that it has the ability to impact on market returns. Using standard event study methodology, this study determines the constant mean return using the daily All-Share price index on the JSE for the period of 1 January 1990 to 31 December 2010. This study focuses on three of South Africa’s most popular sports, namely soccer, cricket and rugby and examine if these three sports have the ability to influence market returns. Although there is some evidence of a relationship between stock returns and sporting performance in the descriptive analysis, the regression results indicate that sporting performance in South Africa does not significantly explain abnormal market returns on the JSE. The study provides a number of possible reasons for this finding and concludes by suggesting areas for future research.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

Constraints and opportunities in the informal economy

  • Authors: Phala, Terrance Madiseng
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Informal sector (Economics)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:9156 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019809
  • Description: In spite of the fact that informal traders in the informal economy are viewed as having the greatest prospects for creating jobs and absorbing the unemployed in developing countries, informal traders in Limpopo Province in general, and the city of Polokwane in particular, face various constraints that negatively affect them on a daily basis. The aim of the study has been to explore the constraints and opportunities of informal traders, using the city of Polokwane as a case study. The study has attempted to identify and describe constraints that affect informal traders in the Polokwane city, as well as factors that can enhance their development and growth. The study is exploratory, descriptive and qualitative in nature. Semi-structured faceto-face interviews were conducted to gather data. Findings of the study suggest that the government should improve the effectiveness of its support mechanisms by initiating targeted support programmes specifically tailored for informal traders at the survivalist level.
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  • Date Issued: 2012

Multi-instrument observations of ionospheric irregularities over South Africa

  • Authors: Amabayo, Emirant Bertillas
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Ionosphere -- Research , Sudden ionospheric disturbances , Ionospheric storms , Solar activity , Sunspots
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:5476 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005261 , Ionosphere -- Research , Sudden ionospheric disturbances , Ionospheric storms , Solar activity , Sunspots
  • Description: The occurrence of mid-latitude spread F (SF) over South Africa has not been extensively studied since the installation of the DPS-4 digisondes at Madimbo (30.88◦E, 22.38◦S), Grahamstown (33.32◦S, 26.50◦E) and Louisvale (28.51◦S, 21.24◦E). This study is intended to quantify the probability of the occurrence of F region disturbances associated with ionospheric spread F (SF) and L-band scintillation over South Africa. This study used available ionosonde data for 8 years (2000-2008) from the three South African stations. The SF events were identified manually on ionograms and grouped for further statistical analysis into frequency SF (FSF), range SF (RSF) and mixed SF (MSF). The results show that the diurnal pattern of SF occurrence peaks strongly between 23:00 and 00:00 UT. This pattern is true for all seasons and types of SF at Madimbo and Grahamstown during 2001 and 2005, except for RSF which had peaks during autumn and spring during 2001 at Madimbo. The probability of both MSF and FSF tends to increase with decreasing sunspot number (SSN), with a peak in 2005 (a moderate solar activity period). The seasonal peaks of MSF and FSF are more frequent during winter months at both Madimbo and Grahamstown. In this study SF was evident in ∼ 0.03% and ∼ 0.06% of the available ionograms at Madimbo and Grahamstown respectively during the eight year period. The presence of ionospheric irregularities associated with SF and scintillation was investigated using data from selected Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver stations distributed across South Africa. The results, based on GPS total electron content (TEC) and ionosonde measurements, show that SF over this region can most likely be attributed to travelling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs), caused by gravity waves (GWs) and neutral wind composition changes. The GWs were mostly associated with geomagnetic storms and sub-storms that occurred during periods of high and moderate solar activity (2001-2005). SF occurrence during the low solar activity period (2006-2008)can probably be attributed to neutral wind composition changes.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2012
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