An investigation of the effect of time of pruning on the growth and fruiting of lemons [Citrus limon(L.) Burmann f.] cv. Eureka
- Authors: Pittaway, Timothy Michael
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: Lemon , Pruning , Fruit-culture
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10974 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/106 , Lemon , Pruning , Fruit-culture
- Description: Pruning has been used to reduce tree size, allow light penetration into trees, improve yield, improve fruit size and fruit quality, overcome alternate bearing, assist fruit harvest, and assist pest and disease control. The use of pruning has increased due to improving agricultural management techniques such as high planting densities, use of mechanical machinery in orchards and the need for effective pesticide and pathological chemical spray applications. The main objective of this study was to obtain a practical means of manipulating lemon trees at the right time. Pruning at the correct time to cultivate productive trees that produce quality fruit would have financial benefits. Lemon fruit quality is dependent on market demand and involves a number of features such as fruit shelf life, rind thickness, fruit size, rind colour, and juice content. The study was conducted on ’Eureka’ lemon trees budded on C. volkameriana rootstock, bearing the fifth and sixth commercial crops in 1999 and 2000 respectively. Twelve monthly pruning treatments per year were conducted on one row of trees starting in December 1997 (site 1) and repeated in the second year on the adjacent row of the same orchard starting in December 1998 (site 2). Selective pruning heading cuts were applied below the intercalation on the intercalary units. Potential branch bearing units were tagged and assessed during the harvest and flowering periods. Summer pruning between 16 to 19 months before the subsequent April/May harvest, resulted in the longest and most complex (intercalation sprouted per axil) vegetative response. The estimated crop value indicated that summer pruning treatments produced the highest income. This was ascribed not to differences in fruit size or quality, but to an increase in yield. The industry’s trend is to prune citrus from post-harvest to the pre-bloom stage. Results from this study have provided a beneficial cultural practice to prune during the summer months and provides a practice to optimise farm production and profit margins.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
An investigation of the factors that influence the decision-making of Chinese tourist travelling to South Africa
- Authors: Wan, Jiangtao
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Tourism -- South Africa -- Decision making , Chinese -- Travel -- South Africa -- Attitudes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9340 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/411 , Tourism -- South Africa -- Decision making , Chinese -- Travel -- South Africa -- Attitudes
- Description: The growth of the Chinese economy represents a significant opportunity for global travel and tourism and it has raised the expectation that the South African tourism industry will explore and benefit from the Chinese outbound market growth. Since international travel and tourism is becoming a significant component of the South African economy, it is important to understand the factors that influence consumer decision-making in tourism. The main objective of this study was to determine the factors that influence the decision-making of Chinese tourists that travel to South Africa. The research gives a systemic review of the Chinese outbound market, starting with the Chinese outbound travel history, and the impact of the social-economic issues on Chinese travel and tourism. An overview is provided of the size, growth and the regulation of the Chinese outbound market, as well as the main characteristics of Chinese outbound tourists. The factors that influence decision-making are compartmentalised into two categories: internal and external factors. Internal and external factors relate to the concept that people travel due to the fact that they are pushed by their own internal forces and pulled by the external forces such as the social environment, reference groups, social class, the restrictions from government regulations and the attraction of travel destination countries. The empirical findings reflect that the factors that have the most significant impact on the decision-making process of Chinese outbound tourists travelling to South Africa are perception about safety, lack of knowledge about South Africa and a growth in the use of the Internet as a source of tourist information. The study also reflects a tendency towards individualism and a shift away from traditional group decision-making. Based on the findings of the empirical study, South Africa tourism needs to offer a safe travel environment, provide greater access to information featuring South Africa as a tourist destination, and offer discounted travel packages
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
An investigation of the history and works of the Keiskamma Art Project
- Authors: Osner, Heather
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Community arts projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Artists and community -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13038 , vital:27146
- Description: This research study focusses on how and why Carol Hofmeyr began the Keiskamma Art Project in Hamburg, Eastern Cape, as well as the development of the project’s infrastructure, history and detailed business practices and how it has evolved. A chronological detailed pictorial record has been drawn up of the major/monumental works it has produced, its achievements, awards and the accolades it has won. The recurrent narrative themes of HIV/AIDS, Nguni cattle, the Nongquawuse story, local birds, plants and fish which are also discussed. A comparable study, comparing the business practices of the Keiskamma Art Project with the research of Professor Ingrid Stevens on Morris & Co and five other successful, sustained South African Art Projects. Data has been tabulated in an effort to recognise the variances, similarities and differences in an effort to identify a “best practise” business model. Such a model may assist in the development of further art projects, so as to uplift other poverty stricken communities in South Africa. This research study focusses on how and why Carol Hofmeyr began the Keiskamma Art Project in Hamburg, Eastern Cape, as well as the development of the project’s infrastructure, history and detailed business practices and how it has evolved. A chronological detailed pictorial record has been drawn up of the major/monumental works it has produced, its achievements, awards and the accolades it has won. The recurrent narrative themes of HIV/AIDS, Nguni cattle, the Nongquawuse story, local birds, plants and fish which are also discussed. A comparable study, comparing the business practices of the Keiskamma Art Project with the research of Professor Ingrid Stevens on Morris & Co and five other successful, sustained South African Art Projects. Data has been tabulated in an effort to recognise the variances, similarities and differences in an effort to identify a “best practise” business model. Such a model may assist in the development of further art projects, so as to uplift other poverty-stricken communities in South Africa.This research study focusses on how and why Carol Hofmeyr began the Keiskamma Art Project in Hamburg, Eastern Cape, as well as the development of the project’s infrastructure, history and detailed business practices and how it has evolved. A chronological detailed pictorial record has been drawn up of the major/monumental works it has produced, its achievements, awards and the accolades it has won. The recurrent narrative themes of HIV/AIDS, Nguni cattle, the Nongquawuse story, local birds, plants and fish which are also discussed. A comparable study, comparing the business practices of the Keiskamma Art Project with the research of Professor Ingrid Stevens on Morris & Co and five other successful, sustained South African Art Projects. Data has been tabulated in an effort to recognise the variances, similarities and differences in an effort to identify a “best practise” business model. Such a model may assist in the development of further art projects, so as to uplift other poverty stricken communities in South Africa.This research study focusses on how and why Carol Hofmeyr began the Keiskamma Art Project in Hamburg, Eastern Cape, as well as the development of the project’s infrastructure, history and detailed business practices and how it has evolved. A chronological detailed pictorial record has been drawn up of the major/monumental works it has produced, its achievements, awards and the accolades it has won. The recurrent narrative themes of HIV/AIDS, Nguni cattle, the Nongquawuse story, local birds, plants and fish which are also discussed. A comparable study, comparing the business practices of the Keiskamma Art Project with the research of Professor Ingrid Stevens on Morris & Co and five other successful, sustained South African Art Projects. Data has been tabulated in an effort to recognise the variances, similarities and differences in an effort to identify a “best practise” business model. Such a model may assist in the development of further art projects, so as to uplift other poverty stricken communities in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
An organic rankine cycle heat engine using a rock thermal battery as the heat source
- Authors: Humm, Jason Christopher
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Heat engineering Renewable energy sources
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/10960 , vital:26861
- Description: Organic Rankine cycles (ORC) have unique properties that are well suited to power generation from low grade heat sources. It is envisaged that a domestic scale ORC Heat Engine can be developed that will be able to run off heat stored in a solar charged rock thermal battery. The use of a thermal battery as the heat source for the ORC system will provide the user with electricity during the day and for a number of hours into the night. The concept presented consists of four key components: rock thermal battery, 1 kW scroll expander, condenser and working fluid pump.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An overview of the management practices for wool production amongst the communal farmers of the Hewu district in the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Makapela, Mbulelo Joseph
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Sheep industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Wool industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sheep -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Reproduction
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10734 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1009 , Sheep industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Wool industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sheep -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Reproduction
- Description: The research was conducted in the Hewu area situated between Queenstown (20 km) and Whittlesea (15km) in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. In this area communal farming is practiced. Livestock and livestock products (wool) are the main sources of income. The farmers are mainly farming with Merino and Döhne Merino sheep. The lack of management systems (production, reproduction and management) for communal farmers resulted into ineffective communal farming defining the research problem. The research objectives set were: • To establish production norms for wool sheep. • To establish reproduction norms for wool sheep. • To establish effective management practices for wool sheep farmers. • To examine key constraints of wool sheep farmers. The farmers shear their sheep every 12 months usually in October of every year. The average wool production per sheep is 2.17kg. The clip averages a fineness of 19.1-20 micron. That is far below the wool production of the commercial farmers of the Eastern Cape who are producing between 4kg to 5kg per sheep at an average growing period of 12 months. The lack of proper fencing and camps causes major reproduction problems. The lambing percentage of the ewes is 94.85 percent. The weaning percentage referring to the reproductive efficiency of the mated ewes is only 17.24 percent. The survival rate of the lambs born alive is only 18.18 percent. Reproduction is the biggest problem of communal farms. Effective livestock- and grazing management systems for communal areas are essential for the successful development of farmers on communal grazing areas. Unfortunately the Hewu farmers still have many problems effecting their wool production and the production of lambs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Analysing the effect of FSP on MIG-laser hybrid welded 6082-T6 AA joints
- Authors: Mjali, Kadephi Vuyolwethu
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Friction stir welding
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9610 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/563 , Friction stir welding
- Description: Friction Stir Processing (FSP) of aluminium alloys has been used to modify and improve the microstructure and relevant properties of fusion welded aluminium alloys. The effect of FSP on MIG-Laser Hybrid (MLH) welded aluminium alloy 6082-T6 mechanical and microstructural properties has been studied in this research. The FSP process was used on 6mm thick aluminium alloy plates and a tool was designed specifically for FSP, and the effect of varying speeds was analysed before the final FSP welds were made. The effect of FSP was analysed by optical microscopy, tensile, microhardness and fatigue testing. The aim of the study was to determine whether the FSP process has a beneficial influence on the mechanical properties and metallurgical integrity of MIG-Laser Hybrid welded 6082-T6 aluminium alloy with varying gap tolerances. Three welding processes were compared, namely combined Friction Stir Processing on MIG-Laser hybrid process (FSP-MLH), MLH and Friction Stir Welding (FSW) as part of the analysis. (FSP was carried out on MLH components when it was found that FSP is not an entirely complete welding process but rather a finishing process per se.) The aim of this dissertation is to investigate the effects of the FSP process on the weld quality of MLH welded joints and also to compare this to individual processes like FSW and MLH. This investigation was undertaken in order to gain an understanding of the effect of these processes on fatigue performance and microhardness distribution on aluminium alloy 6082-T6 weld joints.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Analysis and modelling of the temperature distribution during the friction taper stud welding of 10CrMo910
- Authors: Van Zyl, Carlo Angelo Antonio
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Friction welding , Pressure welding
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9630 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/720 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012898 , Friction welding , Pressure welding
- Description: Heat generation during the FTSW process plays and important role in determining the characteristics of the weld. In order to obtain temperature fields, a transient temperature heat analysis is required. An area is the maximum temperatures reached within the base material during the FTSW process. These temperatures will be measured during experimentation, and compared to the welding simulation done using FEA. From the literature search it appeared that no heat transfer analysis had been done using finite element methods.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Analysis of a human capital plan for the southern region of Eskom distribution
- Authors: Moonsamy, Sivabakiam Maduray
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Eskom (Firm) , Human capital -- Planning , Strategic Planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9386 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1010996 , Eskom (Firm) , Human capital -- Planning , Strategic Planning
- Description: We are living in an era of inconceivable knowledge, skills and talent paucity as technology continue to revolutionise the world, creating new and diverse economic opportunities and changing the perception of work, its environments and the skills and knowledge demanded in organisations. This phenomenon has resulted in global competition for skilled and knowledge workers as the new world of work morphs enigmatically, leaving organisations vulnerable, and unable to deal with this complex issue. Organisational leaders are cognisant of the changes, but are grappling with the problems of managing, retaining, and creating a resilient workforce. If talent is put onto the back burner and left unattended, it has the potential to create overwhelming turmoil in the South African economy and the economies throughout the world. The global changes will impact directly on how we approach workforce challenges in the future. Today, human capital is regarded as the distinct wealth contributor and creator for economic and organisational prosperity (Meyer, 2004). Hence, Human Capital Planning is crucial for every organisation, including Eskom, to ensure that its strategic objectives are met through the effective management and utilisation of its human resources in order to maintain its competitive advantage and ensure its sustainability into the future. Globally, as well as in South Africa, various contributing factors have resulted in skills shortages throughout the energy industry. Eskom has embarked on several growth initiatives requiring additional manpower, diverse specialist knowledge and skills-sets, and a more robust pipeline of technically qualified employees across all levels in the organisation firstly, to sustain itself, and secondly to embed the transition of a high performing organisation by attracting and acquiring the right skills and talent in the right jobs (Eskom Business Plan, 2010). Human Capital Planning is therefore crucial especially for Eskom Distribution, Southern Region to ensure that its strategic objectives are met through the effective management and optimisation of its human resources, whilst simultaneously cognisant of the changing landscape both internally, viz. within the region and the broader Eskom, and externally in South Africa and the global markets.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Analysis of factors affecting performance of a low-temperature Organic Rankine Cycle heat engine
- Authors: Kalua, Tisaye Bertram
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Rankine cycle Heat engineering , Cogeneration of electric power and heat
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17844 , vital:28460
- Description: Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) heat engines convert low-grade heat to other forms of energy such as electrical and mechanical energy. They achieve this by vaporizing and expanding the organic fluid at high pressure, turning the turbine which can be employed to run an alternator or any other mechanism as desired. Conventional Rankine Cycles operate with steam at temperatures above 400 ℃. The broad aspect of the research focussed on the generation of electricity to cater for household needs. Solar energy would be used to heat air which would in turn heat rocks in an insulated vessel. This would act as an energy storage in form of heat from which a heat transfer fluid would collect heat to supply the ORC heat engine for the generation of electricity. The objective of the research was to optimize power output of the ORC heat engine operating at temperatures between 25℃ at the condenser and 90 to 150℃ at the heat source. This was achieved by analysis of thermal energy, mechanical power, electrical power and physical parameters in connection with flow rate of working fluid and heat transfer fluids.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Analysis of factors influencing the performance of a hydrokinetic coil pump
- Authors: Opperman, Adriaan Jacobus
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Pumping machinery, Electric , Pumping machinery -- Performance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9640 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021041
- Description: A hydrokinetic coil pump (HCP) is described by its name. It is a coil pump driven by the kinetic energy in flowing water. The hydrokinetic energy is converted into mechanical energy by means of a paddle-wheel. The coil pump makes up part of the paddle-wheel and together is called a HCP. The HCP floats in a stream of flowing water while tethered to the bank. The focus of the study was to identify and analyse the factors influencing the HCP. The HCP was then optimized for rural application. Data acquisition took place through experimentation on a full scale experimental platform according to a central composite experimental design. Variables used for the experimentation included; Stream Velocity, Delivery Head, Number of Coils, Discharge, Number of Paddles, Paddle-Wheel rotational speed Overall HCP efficiencies of up to 22 percent were obtained. The efficiency would drop as the stream velocity increased. Stream velocity has been identified as the most influential factor with regards to the variables analysed by this study. The HCP is ideal for rural application. The simplicity of the design ensures reliability as well as an effective water supply solution. The HCP is ideal for slow flowing rivers and can deliver up to 1190ℓ/h to a delivery head of 5m with a stream velocity of 1.2m/s. This is sufficient to supply a small rural community with running water.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Analysis of fuel consumption reduction potential through the use of an electrically driven air conditioning compressor
- Authors: Marais, Charel
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Automobiles -- Air conditioning , Electric vehicles -- Power supply , Automobiles -- Fuel systems , Electric automobiles
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9623 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/774 , Automobiles -- Air conditioning , Electric vehicles -- Power supply , Automobiles -- Fuel systems , Electric automobiles
- Description: The disturbing current situation regarding the world climate has initiated a major wave of urgent developments towards decreasing the overall impact of human activities on the living environment. A major role player in this development is the automobile industry that is inherently connected to pollution of various types, be it air, water or noise pollution. There have been drastic changes not only in the technologies employed in producing vehicles and components, but also in the construction and technologies built into modern automobiles to lessen the overall environmental impact of the industry. Noxious emissions have been decreased, overall efficiencies increased and vehicles are becoming more economical with each new generation. Stricter laws dictate that the level of acceptable vehicle emissions is to be decreased ever further and all manufacturers are developing various possibilities to achieve this. With the emergence of hybrid vehicle technology, there was also a sudden development of different electrical systems that were made viable by the higher onboard voltage systems employed in hybrid vehicles. One of these developments was the electrical air conditioning compressor for use in automobile applications. Although it is designed to operate with a higher voltage than the traditional 12V onboard vehicle systems, it is theoretically possible to incorporate it into a 12V system by making use of a DC-DC converter to step up the supply voltage of the electrical compressor sufficiently to allow for its successful operation. The question therefore arises whether it would be feasible and sensible to employ an electrical air conditioning system in conventional combustion engine vehicles from an overall fuel consumption and vehicle emissions point of view. A modelling approach was taken where an overall vehicle driving simulation was created to represent an average modern production vehicle. The simulation was then extended to include the options of incorporating models for both mechanically and electrically driven air conditioning systems. This provides insight into the influences of the air conditioning system on the vehicle’s overall fuel consumption and an opportunity to compare the influences from the two different systems. This study attempted to provide answers to some of the viability questions regarding the incorporation of electrically driven air conditioning systems into vehicles that use standard 12V onboard voltage systems. It was found that the electrical system has definite potential as a viable replacement option for the conventional system should it be combined with an appropriate alternator and equipped with an efficient control system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Analysis of restricted earth fault relay application within a shunt capacitor bank design impacting on protection stability
- Authors: Minkley, Warick
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Electric power systems -- Protection , Electric power transmission -- Equipment and supplies -- Protection
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9604 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021106
- Description: This research is aimed at analyzing the performance of the restricted earth fault relay used on a 400kV capacitor bank scheme used on the Eskom Transmission network. After the commissioning of two Capacitor Banks using the above mentioned scheme design the plant was energized. As a result of the energization the Shunt Capacitor Bank (SCB) then experienced spurious trips. The cause of the trips was found to be the operation of the restricted earth fault relay. In this research project, restricted earth fault protection on SCBs in the Eskom Transmission environment will be the area of interest. The proposed research will analyze the current SCB protection scheme in service specifically looking at the restricted earth fault circuit design and relay performance. An equivalent model of the SCB from primary plant perspective based on theory will be derived. Recording and analyzing of Comtrade transient waveforms respectively, when the bank is nergized, will be done in order to provide a reference base to work from. Manual alculations of various parameters from the derived model including transient inrush currents and fault currents will be performed to access applicable scheme parameters. Further calculations will include the voltage setting for the restricted earth fault relay. As a result of the analysis a recommendation will be made on a viable solution or a revised design will be put forward, based on the results, to improve the scheme’s performance. The protection scheme is used on the two 400kV 100MVAR capacitor banks 11 and 12 at Hydra Substation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Analysis of strategies used by an organisation to manage conflict
- Authors: Lourens, Ann Sharon
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Conflict management , Negotiation in business , Mediation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10828 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18 , Conflict management , Negotiation in business , Mediation
- Description: This research study addresses the problem of determining the strategies that can be used to manage conflict effectively. To achieve this objective a comprehensive literature study was performed to determine the views on conflict and various models of conflict. The study also included the reasons for and sources of conflict and the effects of conflict on an organisation. The next step was to identify the conflict management strategies that were revealed by the literature study. The appropriate conflict handling styles, how to improve organisational practices and special rules and structures were discussed as well as various suggestions from different authors on how to resolve a conflict situation. Based on the information obtained from the literature study a model was developed to serve as a guide to organisations to manage conflict effectively. Managers from a specific organisation were requested to complete questionnaires in order to determine the strategies used by their organisation to manage conflict. The questionnaire was developed in accordance with the findings from the research. The answers of the respondents were analysed and compared to the findings of the literature study. The information obtained from the literature study and from the respondents resulted in various recommendations and conclusions. The previously mentioned model that was developed was applied to the organisation, specifically addressing the pertinent issues as indicated by the respondents.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
Analysis of supply chain improvement strategies by first tier automatic suppliers in the Nelson Mandela metropole
- Authors: Tinderholm, Pieter Johannes
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Business logistics , Production management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10841 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/37 , Business logistics , Production management
- Description: First tier automotive suppliers in the Nelson Mandela Metropole are under continued pressures created by the process of globalisation. To stay globally competitive suppliers, have to rethink their supply chain strategies. It is important that suppliers understand the environment that it operates within, this environment present first tier automotive suppliers with numerous problems and challenges. An analysis of this problems and challenges are needed and supply chain strategies need to be developed to overcome these problems and challenges. Before these strategies can be developed a full understanding of the supply chain is necessary. This dissertation aims to assess the problems and challenges facing first tier automotive suppliers, give a full understanding of the supply chain and present strategies to overcome these problems and challenges. The supply chain has become less structured and closer partnerships are needed between trading partners. The connectivity, transparency and visibility of the supply chain have improved through developments in the communication technology field. Strategies need to utilise these technologies to create a competitive edge. Effective supply chain strategies need to enable first tier automotive suppliers to deliver materials: At the right time; In the right quantities; At the right quality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
Analysis of the modes of entry into the central East Africa market for a multinational enterprise
- Authors: Knight, John Lawry Cole
- Date: 2001
- Subjects: Export marketing , Competition, International , International business enterprises
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10842 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/38 , Export marketing , Competition, International , International business enterprises
- Description: The research problem addressed in this study is to determine the potential of selling and marketing consumer goods by Multinational Enterprises (MNE) within the African markets. The mode of entry, the timing of entry, the different modes of entry, selection of the entry mode, the political and economic risks, core competencies of the company and strategic alliance was researched. To achieve this, research was executed on the above areas of importance using relevant literature in which an understanding of the international markets and their options of modes of entry were highlighted. In this way one is able to understand the importance of the international markets and the concerns of doing business in Africa in order to select the entry mode that could best suit the company and the country or countries in Africa. The literature study was then used to develop a questionnaire to test the degree to which managers in MNE in South Africa (SA) and Central East Africa (CEA) concur with regard to the decisions, risks, procedure, modes of entry and selection of modes of entry into Africa. The empirical results obtained indicate a strong concurrence with the analysis of the modes of entry into CEA market for an MNE. The analysis of the literature study, Chapter 2 and 3, gives business a good understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of the problems and opportunities associated with the entry decisions into CEA. Many other companies are entering the African markets from other parts of the world and SA has also been seen as a launching pad into Africa. The analysis will give companies the edge in seeing the problems and opportunities in African markets and the way forward when deciding to enter.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
Analysis of the reliability for the 132/66/22 KV distribution network within Eskom’s Eastern Cape operating unit
- Authors: Pantshwa, Athini
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Electric power transmission -- Reliability , Electric power distribution Electric power Electric power systems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/34722 , vital:33429
- Description: A stable and reliable electrical power supply system is an inevitable pre-requisite for the technological and economic growth of any nation. Due to this, utilities must strive and ensure that the customer’s reliability requirements are met and that the regulators requirements are satisfied at the lowest possible cost. It is known fact around the world that 90% of the customer service interruptions are caused due to failure in distribution system. Therefore, it is worth considering reliability assessments as it provides an opportunity to incorporate the cost or losses incurred by the utilities customer because of power failure. This must be considered in the planning and operating practices. The system modelling and simulation study is carried out on one of the district’s distribution system which consists of 132 kV, 66 kV and 22 kV network in Aliwal North Sector ECOU. The reliability assessment is done on the 22, 66 and 132 kV system to assess the performance of the present system and predictive reliability analysis for the future system considering load growth and system expansion. The alternative which gives low SAIDI, SAIFI and minimum breakeven costs is being assessed and considered. The reliability of 132 kV system could be further improved by constructing a new 132 kV line from a different source of supply and connecting with line coming from another district (reserve) at reasonable break-even cost. The decision base could be further improved by having Aliwal North Sector context interruption cost. However, the historical data which may be used in Aliwal North Sector to acquire interruption costs from the customers are being proposed. The focus should be on improving the power quality on constrained networks first, then the reliability. Therefore, for the Aliwal North power system network it is imperative that Eskom invest on the reliability of this network. This dissertation also analysed load reflected economic benefit versus performance expectations that should be optimized through achieving a balance between network performance (SAIDI) improvement, and total life cycle cost (to Eskom as well as the economy). Reliability analysis conducted in this dissertation used Aliwal North power system network as a case study; the results proved that the system is vulnerable to faults, planned and unplanned outages. Reliability evaluation studies were conducted on the system using DigSilent software in conjunction with FME. These two models gave accurate results with acceptable variance in most indices except for the ENS where the variance was quite significant. It can be concluded that DigSilent results are the most accurate results in all three reliability evaluation scenarios for the Aliwal North Power System, best interpretation being that of DigSilent.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Analysis of the reliability for the 132/66/22 KV distribution network within ESKOM’s Eastern Cape operating unit
- Authors: Pantshwa, Athini
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Electric power distribution Electricity -- Supply -- Engineering , Smart power grids
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19750 , vital:28953
- Description: A stable and reliable electrical power supply system is an inevitable pre-requisite for the technological and economic growth of any nation. Due to this, utilities must strive and ensure that the customer’s reliability requirements are met and that the regulators requirements are satisfied at the lowest possible cost. It is known fact around the world that 90% of the customer service interruptions are caused due to failure in distribution system. Therefore, it is worth considering reliability assessments as it provides an opportunity to incorporate the cost or losses incurred by the utilities customer as a result of power failure. This must be considered in the planning and operating practices. The system modelling and simulation study is carried out on one of the district’s distribution system which consists of 132 kV, 66 kV and 22 kV network in Aliwal North Sector ECOU. The reliability assessment is done on the 22, 66 and 132 kV system to assess the performance of the present system and also predictive reliability analysis for the future system considering load growth and system expansion. The alternative which gives low SAIDI, SAIFI and minimum breakeven costs is being assessed and considered. The reliability of 132 kV system could be further improved by constructing a new 132 kV line from a different source of supply and connecting with line coming from another district (reserve) at reasonable break even cost. The decision base could be further improved by having Aliwal North Sector context interruption cost. However, the historical data which may be used in Aliwal North Sector to acquire interruption costs from the customers are being proposed. The focus should be on improving the power quality on constrained networks first, then the reliability. Therefore for the Aliwal North power system network it is imperative that Eskom invest on the reliability of this network. This dissertation also analysed load reflected economic benefit versus performance expectations that should be optimized through achieving a balance between network performance (SAIDI) improvement, and total life cycle cost (to Eskom as well as the economy). Reliability analysis conducted in this dissertation used Aliwal North power system network as a case study; the results proved that the system is vulnerable to faults, planned and unplanned outages. Reliability evaluation studies were conducted on the system using DigSilent software in conjunction with FME. These two models gave accurate results with acceptable variance in most indices except for the ENS where the variance was quite significant. It can be concluded that DigSilent results are the most accurate results in all three reliability evaluation scenarios for the Aliwal North Power System, best interpretation being that of DigSilent.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Anti-fetishism: parodying the depiction of the female body as fetish
- Authors: Pirie, René Alexis
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Body image -- Social aspects Fashion -- Social aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20377 , vital:29272
- Description: sexual objectification of women is widespread in contemporary lifestyle and fashion magazines. Models used for advertising purposes often set a standard of beauty and youth that is unrealistic and limiting. This standard has damaging effects on women’s sense of self and their societal behaviour. Such images not only sexualise as well as fetishise women’s bodies, but also encourage self-surveillance. This research study examines Cindy Sherman, Sarah Lucas, Louise Bourgeois and Ángela Burón’s artistic responses to fetishized images of women, in order to assess what artistic strategies could be used to oppose such images in magazine advertisements. It aims to identify what anti-fetishism involves in theory and practice and to use this information to formulate an anti-fetish strategy which informs a series of anti-fetish artworks. The purpose of this series of works is to oppose the fetishization of women, particularly in magazine advertisements of high-end consumer products. The study contributes to the discourse of anti-fetishism and addresses a knowledge gap since research on anti-fetishism has much room for development. It is a Qualitative research study which adhered to a Practice-based research method. The key findings of this study are that anti-fetishism and female fetishism are approaches that differ from one another yet also overlap. Furthermore, Anti-fetishism involves the use of parodic mockery, while female fetishism is concerned mostly with undecidability as a strategy. From the examination of the artists, the anti-fetishistic strategy of parody, largely influenced the practical component of this research study. Parody offers a clear opposition to the still widespread fetishization of women in magazines both in South Africa and other Westernized countries across the world.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Antimicrobial activities of three medicinal plants against selected diarrheagenic pathogens
- Authors: Nkosi, Themba Johan
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Anti-infective agents , Drug resistance in microorganisms , Materia medica, Vegetable
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10126 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020759
- Description: Diarrhea is a global concern that the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO), have confirmed to be the second major cause of death in children under the age of five. Major bacterial pathogens that cause diarrhea include Escherichia coli, Salmonella species, Shigella species and Staphylococcus aureus. Antibiotic therapy is recommended depending on the severity and presentation of the disease; however, the appearance of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is an emerging global threat to the ability to treat these bacterial infections. This situation could be overcome by the discovery of new natural antibiotics. Plants have been a source of medicine for centuries and have been used to treat diseases including diarrhea. This makes plants a natural potential target to study for their antibiotic properties. The objective of this study was to determine the antibiotic properties of medicinal plants against known pathogens that cause bacterial diarrhea. Three medicinal plants, Cassia abbreviata, Kigelia africana, and Geranium incanum were investigated for their antimicrobial properties against these strains of microorganisms: American Type Culture Collection (ATTC) and Clinical Strains (CS). The plant materials were ground into powder, which was then dissolved in methanol, acetone and distilled water to extract the active compounds. The plant extracts were then used to (i) determine their antibiotic activity, (ii) determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MICs), (iii) analyze the thin layer chromatography (TLC) fingerprints, and (iv) analyze the autobiography assay. The results obtained in this study met the aim and objectives of this study. The antimicrobial activities of the selected plants were obtained as discussed in Chapter 2 and 3. These results indicated that the traditional plants could be used as antimicrobials. In the screening assays, the test microorganisms were inhibited by the plant extracts, when they were subjected to plant extracts. This was performed on Mueller Hinton agar as sensitivity testing, which revealed clear zones of inhibition. The MIC values for each plant extract were established which ranged from 0.101 to 13.3 mg/dl. The TLC analysis revealed the spots which contained the active compounds which inhibited the bacterial growth. A bioautography assay was performed on the TLC plates, which exposed the exact spots containing the active compound inhibiting the bacteria. These results are clearly consistent with what former scientists have observed. Detailed explanations on the results are in Chapter 3 and 4 of this paper. It is important to note that all the procedures performed in this study were in vitro assays. Some effective in vitro assay activity may not always result in the same effective in vivo activity, because some active compounds may be metabolized and degraded into inactive metabolites. For this reason, the in vitro results obtained in this study, may not reflect the true effectiveness of the compounds in in vivo trials. It is therefore advised that future scientists should take a step further in analyzing the plant extracts through in vivo assays. Further testing and study on these plants at an advanced molecular level will be beneficial in the medical fields in the search for new antibiotics to treat infectious diseases. Purification and further analysis of their products can be helpful in the production of pure natural medicines. This will discover the active ingredients and compounds responsible for inhibition of the microorganisms. This will make the compounds potential candidates for a scientific validation and analysis for future scientists to bring a new dawn in the fight against infectious diseases.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Antimicrobial activity of selected Eastern Cape medical plants
- Authors: Mohlakoana, Keneuoe
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Materia medica, Vegetable -- South Africa , Drug resistance in microorganisms -- South Africa , Anti-infective agents -- South Africa , Antibiotics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10120 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1199 , Materia medica, Vegetable -- South Africa , Drug resistance in microorganisms -- South Africa , Anti-infective agents -- South Africa , Antibiotics
- Description: Bacterial resistance to antibiotics has been a great problem for many years. The degree of resistance and the speed with which resistance develops varies with different organisms and different drugs. Enzymes called β-lactamases are produced by bacteria and are one mechanism in which bacteria develop antimicrobial resistance. Gram-negative bacteria producing enzymes called ESBLs because of their wide substrate range are of a particular concern in nosocomial infections. In many countries people still use traditional medicine derived from plants as an alternative to the Western medicine due to increased cost of Western medicine and microbial resistance of antibiotic treatments. Biologically active compounds isolated from plants species are used in herbal medicine. Because of the high prevalence of the ESBLs and their increasing resistance to the antibiotics, this research study was done to test the antimicrobial activities of selected medicinal plants of the Eastern Cape; G. incanum, D. angustifolia and E. autumnalis which were traditionally used to treat various infections. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of three different extracts (acetone, methanol & distilled water) and the traditional preparations of the three plants were tested against the selected strains of ESBL-producing bacteria, non β-lactamase producers and the different fungal species. The extracts were screened against 26 Gram-positive bacterial strains, 53 Gram-negative bacterial strains and 15 fungal strains. The Gram-positive bacteria included strains from S. aureus, B. cereus and E. faecalis. The Gram-negative bacteria included strains from E. ii coli, E. cloacae, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. The fungal strains included 9 strains of Candida albicans and a single strain of each of the following opportunistic fungi, Mucor sp, Geotrichium sp, Penicillium sp, Fusarium sp and Rhizopus sp. The agar dilution assay was used for the antimicrobial screening of the plants extracts and for the determination of the MICs. The Ames test was performed for the determination of probable carcinogenicity of the extracts of G. incanum and D. angustifolia. The distilled water extracts followed by acetone extracts of the plants revealed the highest antimicrobial activity against the different microbial strains. The extracts of G. incanum followed by the extracts of D. angustifolia inhibited the highest number of microbial strains. The extracts of E. autumnalis did not show any antimicrobial activity against all the pathogens in this study. More of the Gram-positive bacteria were inhibited by the plant extracts. The lowest MIC was obtained with Gram-positive bacteria. The bacterial strains of E. faecalis and P. aeruginosa were not inhibited by any of the plants extracts in the agar dilution assay yet Acinetobacter species which are MDR were inhibited by the distilled water and methanol extracts of G. incanum. A single strain of Mucor sp was the only spore forming fungi that was inhibited by the distilled water extracts of G. incanum. None of the plants extracts showed any mutagenic effects on the TA100 S. typhimurium strains incorporated on the Ames test. Apart from revealing of new antimicrobial agents that may be used against resistant organisms, the proper use of antimicrobial agents should be recommended. The study has highlighted a need for further investigations on the properties of the medicinal plants used in this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010