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The predictive ability of the yield spread in timing the stock exchange: a South African case

  • Authors: Cook, Jenna
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Stocks -- Mathematical models , Probits , Johannesburg Stock Exchange
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/147025 , vital:38586
  • Description: The use of the yield curve in forecasting economic recessions is well established in the literature. A new avenue of use for the yield curve has emerged in the form of using it to forecast bull and bear stock markets. This has the potential to change how investors manage portfolios. A dynamic market-timing strategy would allow investors to shift out of or in to stock markets based on the probability of bear stock market in the future. The relationship between the yield curve and the stock market is tested using an adapted probit model. This has proven positive with encouraging results for the US, India and Spain. This is tested for South Africa using the adapted probit model and the SA yield spread. Bear stock markets are identified on the JSE and forms part of the probit modelling process. Bear markets are identified using a six- and four-month criteria. As South Africa is a small, open and developing economy, the probit is also modelled using the US yield spread. The three probit models do not appear to track bear markets well. This is substantiated through the Henriksson-Merton parametric model test which tests for market timing ability. The results for the SA yield spread using both bear market criteria do not show market timing ability, however, the SA and US yield spread model does show potential market timing ability.
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  • Date Issued: 2020

Factors that make a visit to selected Eastern Cape national parks a memorable experience

  • Authors: Baldie, Carole Audrey
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Tourism -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Tourism -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Customer relations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Management Addo Elephant National Park (South Africa)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21461 , vital:29524
  • Description: South African National Parks (SANParks) manages 19 functional national parks (NPs) and oversees the conservation of South Africa’s (SA’s) biodiversity, landscapes and heritage assets. The organisation plays a significant role in the promotion of SA’s nature-based tourism business which in turn forms part of the nation’s heritage and identity. Tourism to SA’s NPs is significant and interest in visiting these parks continues to increase annually, from both international and domestic markets. Three of these NPs are located in the Eastern Cape province, namely Addo Elephant National Park (AENP), Camdeboo National Park (CNP) and Mountain Zebra National Park (MZNP) and were the focus of this study. The main reason for conducting the current study was to establish what factors make visits to the three aforementioned NPs memorable. The findings of this research could be useful to all NPs and assist them in making decisions regarding the evaluation and creation of product offerings that will enhance experiences and make them memorable for tourists. Based on the findings, and because each NP is unique (for example, the different biodiversity and landscapes), the product offerings can also be made exclusive to each NP and therefore tourists can have the opportunity for different MTEs in each park. Providing product offerings that afford MTE opportunities are particularly important for NPs, as government funding is decreasing and each NP needs to generate its own funds. Tourism is presently the economic lifeline for the parks. If NPs focus on improving current products where necessary and developing new products that provide for MTEs, NPs could increase their competitive advantage. Having a competitive advantage can ensure an increase in tourism numbers and therefore the financial sustainability of the park. Data was collected on site at each of the three NPs selected for the study, using convenience sampling to select respondents. A web-based survey was also posted on the SANParks’ website. Prior to the posting of the web-based survey, SANParks conducted a simple random sampling procedure utilising a sampling frame of tourists who had previously visited the respective NPs. The selected target population emanating from simple random sampling was e-mailed the link to the SANParks website which guided respondents to the online questionnaire if they wished to take part in the survey, hence the response sample was a convenience sample. In total, 463 usable questionnaires were received. Descriptive statistics resulted from the data analysis. A frequency analysis showed the distribution of the results, while an exploratory factors analysis (EFA) was conducted to ascertain any latent factors in the data. The results of the EFA showed the presence of three latent factors which were labelled Pleasure, Social Interaction and Discovery and Enrichment. Firstly, a strong positive correlation was shown between two of the factors, namely Pleasure and Discovery and Enrichment, and secondly, a positive correlation between two other factors, namely Social Interaction and Discovery and Enrichment was indicated. A weak correlation was shown between the factors Pleasure and Social Interaction. This research has contributed to the knowledge base regarding the factors that make a visit to AENP, CNP and MZNP memorable. Future research can make use of these factors for more exhaustive research in a wider range of NPs.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

Investigating the Cuban Revolución Agricola as a model for the post-'peak oil' age

  • Authors: Weideman, Lisa
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Sustainable agriculture -- Cuba , Agriculture and state -- Cuba , Green Revolution -- Cuba , Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- Cuba , Cuba -- Economic conditions
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4998 , vital:20777
  • Description: In this dissertation, the socio-ecological transformations that occurred during Cuba’s Revolución Agrícola are explored, against the backdrop of the historical subalternisation of the country as a consequence of Spanish and American imperialism, and in relation to the continuing subalternisation of the country and its people through the neoliberal mass media. To contextualize such exploration, the origins of large-scale privatization of common land, and the subsequent process of urbanization in the West, are investigated, before Cuba’s similar developmental path – as a result of Spanish colonialism, U.S. imperialism, and communist influence – is detailed. Thereafter, the way in which Cuba established an alternative food paradigm, characterised by local, communal, and urban production during the country’s ‘Special Period’ in the 1990s, is discussed, with a view to illustrating how this eco-socialist model of food production, in both rural and urban areas, led to new relations between people and nature. This Cuban model is then posited as a socio-ecologically sustainable model of food production, deserving of the attention of communities around the world, who seek to gain a degree of autonomy from neoliberal agribusiness. Conversely, the efforts of mainstream neoliberal mass media to silence the immensely positive characteristics of the revolution are also investigated, and framed in terms of the historical subjugation of Cuban voices in the American mass media, and the contemporary marginalisation of the country and its people in the neoliberal mass media. Finally, the dissertation concludes by examining the alternative media response, on the part of several prominent Cubans and those sympathetic to their cause, to bring attention to the value of the socio-ecological transformations that have occurred on the island, against the backdrop of various theorisations of the importance of alternative media platforms as a radical counterforce to neoliberal mass media hegemony.
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  • Date Issued: 2015

Early stage ichthyofauna from shallow water habitats of the Angola-Benguela frontal zone

  • Authors: Farthing, Matthew William
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Fishes -- Larvae -- South Africa -- Atlantic coast , Fishes -- Larvae -- Angola -- Atlantic coast , Striped mullet -- Angola -- Atlantic coast
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/50442 , vital:25988
  • Description: Early stage fishes (larvae and early juveniles) were collected from an array of shallow water (±1.5m) habitats on the warm-temperate southern Angolan coastline between June 2014 and June 2015. This study, the first assessment of the early stages of coastal fishes in Angola, provides important new understanding of non-estuarine shallow water nursery habitat use by coastal fishes from the region. In total, 51 species from 18 teleost families were observed. The exposed surf zone was dominated by postflexion larvae, while the moderately exposed beach and sheltered bay were dominated by early juveniles. Both fish density and diversity peaked in the wet season (Feb – Apr 2015) for all habitats, attributed to the influx of summer spawning species. Diplodus sargus dominated catches from the exposed surf zone, and the timing of observations supports the growing consensus that sparid spawning is dictated by temperature, not season. The similitude of the observed species to those observed in warm temperate South Africa highlights the historical connection of the warm-temperate study area with warm-temperate South Africa, prior to the formation of the Benguela Current as a vicariant barrier. The classification of the study assemblage into established estuarine utilization categories showed that the surf zone hosted more exclusively marine species than comparable surf zones in South Africa, attributed to the absence of estuaries in southern Angola. However, the observation of the marine estuarine dependent Mugil cephalus in this study area devoid of estuaries suggests that estuarine dependency may be regionally specific for some taxa. It appears that the warm, sheltered, nutrient rich waters of Tombua Bay provide typically estuarine associated taxa with a suitable alternative, non-estuarine nursery habitat. This study provides evidence that the importance of estuaries as critical nursery habitats has been overemphasized for some warm-temperate coastal fishes. However, the absence of other marine estuarine dependent species from the study area suggests that some warm-temperate taxa do intrinsically rely on estuarine function for survival.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

The growth characteristics of sparid otoliths

  • Authors: Lang, Judy Brenda
  • Date: 1992
  • Subjects: Fishes -- Age determination , Otoliths , Sparidae
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:5285 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005129 , Fishes -- Age determination , Otoliths , Sparidae
  • Description: The periodicity of formation of growth increments in the otoliths of South African sparids was validated by the oxytetracycline labelling technique. Intramuscular injections of oxytetracycline at a dosage of 250mg/kg marked the otoliths of laboratory held juvenile sparids, while a dosage range of 50 - 100mg/kg oxytetracycline, injected intramuscularly, marked adult sparids in the field. Laboratory held, larval sparid otoliths were marked by immersion for 24hrs a solution of 100-150mg/l alizarin complexone. Both daily (microstructural) and annual (macrostructural) growth increments were identified in the otoliths. The micro incremental pattern of deposition in the sparid otoliths conformed to the general pattern of otolith structure. Sparid otoliths consisted of a central opaque nucleus composed of multiple primordia. surrounding this nucleus were daily increments which decreased in width as the distance from the nucleus increased. Both check rings and subdaily increments were visible throughout the otolith. Minor environmental changes did not affect micro incremental deposition. Narrow opaque and wide hyaline annual growth zones were identified in sectioned sparid otoliths. Scanning electron microscope analysis of the annual growth zones revealed that microincrements within the opaque zone were narrowly spaced with prominent discontinuous phases. This resulted in the greater optical density and higher protein content of the zone. The hyaline zone was composed of widely spaced daily increments with prominent incremental phases accounting for the translucent nature of this zone. Opaque zone formation in the otoliths of many South African sparids was found to occur primarily during periods of reproductive activity and was shown to be indicative of slow otolith growth. The hyaline zone was formed after the spawning season, representative of fast otolith growth. The results of this study have resolved much of the controversy surrounding the rate of growth and time of formation of the opaque and hyaline growth zones in South African sparid otoliths.
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  • Date Issued: 1992

Effects of different grazing system on forage production and seasonal parasite loads in beef cattle

  • Authors: Rapiya, Monde , Mupangwa, John
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Grazing Forage plants Forage
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , (MSc) Pasture Science
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9253 , vital:34314
  • Description: The objectives of the study were to determine the effects of grazing systems on rangeland biomass yield and nutritional composition, tick and faecal egg counts in beef cattle across seasons. The study was conducted at Merino Walk farm located in Matatiele in the northern part of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The farm was divided into three experimental plots of 3.5 ha each. Thereafter, three grazing treatments namely, Holistic Planned Grazing (HPG paddocks), Four-camp rotation (FCR) and continuous grazing (CG), were randomly allocated to the experimental plots. In the FCR system, the 3.5ha was subdivided into four 0.875-ha paddocks, while the HPG system was subdivided into ninety (90) 0.039-ha paddocks. Common forages were hand-clipped at a grazing height of (5cm) in the wet and dry season from six quadrats (0.25m2) placed in each plot and evaluated for biomass yield and nutritional composition. Thirty (30) steers of the same age 12-month old of similar weight were randomly allocated to three grazing treatments (10/treatments). Tick counts were recorded for each steer in the hot-wet, hot-dry, post-rainy and cold dry seasons. Faecal samples were collected per-rectum every in four seasons and analysed for faecal egg counts using the modified McMaster method. The data were analysed using PROC Generalized Linear Model of SAS (2012) to determine the effects of grazing system on rangeland biomass yield, nutritional composition, tick and faecal egg counts. The common grass species in all grazing system across season were Cynodon dactylon, Eragrostis chloromelus, Eragrostis plana, Fescuta and Themeda triandra. The FCR system in the wet season had significant the lowest (P<0.05) biomass yield of 62605,33kg/ha compared to other treatments which had mean values of 62625,97 and 62625,89kg/ha for HPG and CG, respectively (P<0.05). Crude protein content was higher (P<0.05) in HPG (9.41percentCP) and FCR (9.22percentCP) systems in the wet season compared to CG across seasons. Forage from HPG system, irrespective of season had significant lower starch content than other treatments (P<0.05). Forage from HPG system, irrespective of season had the lower (P<0.05) starch content than other treatments. Regardless of season, CG had higher (P<0.05) NDF (72.51 and 72.50) and ADF (41.93 and 40.45) contents than FCR and HPG treatments. Overall, HPG system regardless of season and FCR in the wet season had higher (P<0.05) in vitro digestibility at 24 and 48hrs (0.38 and 0.66) incubation periods. The tick species identified were Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus, Hyalomma spp and Amblyomma hebreaum with respective prevalence’s of 32percent, 29percent, 20percent and 19percent. Unidentified roundworms (URW), had the highest faecal egg counts (81.2percent) followed by Coccidia (16.4percent), Nematodirus (1.2percent) and Strongyles (1.2percent). Overall, steers on the CG system during hot-wet season had the highest individual and total tick counts (17.0) whilst those on FCR during the cold-dry season had the lowest counts (6.0). Holistic Planned Grazing had the lowest worm egg counts regardless of season, while CG had the highest counts in the hot wet season (P<0.05). The findings showed that relative to other treatments, the HPG system in wet season had a higher biomass yield and better nutritional composition (high CP, low fibre and high digestibility) with low forage production and quality under CG system during the cold-dry season. Whilst, CG during hot-wet season had the highest total tick and worm egg counts and least counts under HPG during the cold-dry. Based on relatively higher forage production and low parasite loads, HPG could be a better grazing management system than CG and FCR, especially in the wet season. It may be important to evaluate the effect of HPG on animal production, product quality and profitability prior to recommending it for use by farmers.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Factors affecting information technology implementation in the mobile telecommunications industry: a family business case

  • Authors: De Jong, Piet
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Mobile communication systems -- Technological innovations , Family-owned business enterprises -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:8629 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1486 , Mobile communication systems -- Technological innovations , Family-owned business enterprises -- South Africa
  • Description: This treatise investigates how information technology (I.T.) enables growth in a family business (the firm) in Port Elizabeth. The firm operates in the mobile telecommunications sector. The objective of the study is to gain a deeper understanding on why family businesses adopt information technology in their firm by means of a case study. The firm found its technology (or lack thereof) completely out-dated compared to the competition and customer demands. The future of the firm was in jeopardy. The study starts with a literature review of the following three topics which form part of the scope of the research: 1. Family businesses; 2. Influence of I.T. as a driver of growth in business; and 3. An introduction into the mobile telecommunications industry. Data are collected through structured interviews with family members involved in the business. The data are consequently linked to the theory and provides insight as to what the drivers are for I.T. adoption and the required core competencies or critical success factors of the firm. Although it might seem trivial for a small family business to adopt information technology, the research concludes that I.T. is critical for continuous growth and survival of this family business. Conversely due to a lack of internal skills the firm is heavily reliant upon outside consultants for advice, implementation and support. Recommendations which are of particular interest to family businesses in a similar environment are: • Embrace technology early, utilise I.T. solutions to grow and enhance current competitive advantage, do not see I.T. as a competitive advantage alone (Pavlou & Sawy, 2006); • If information expertise is not present within the company it is advisable to invest in that expertise through recruitment, training, partnership, or outsourcing; • Ensure software meets specification / is effective enough – this can be achieved by frequent releases cycles with small changes instead of infrequent release cycles with many big changes; • Engage the consultants in a partnership by i.e. providing a profit share – this will ensure that the consultants are committed to the cause and will also ensure that their involvement is also in their own best interest; • Choose local consultants who are easily accessible – build relationships and focus on trust; • Create lock-in (Amit & Zott, 2001), provide tools free-ofcharge for customers, this will make switching to competitor more difficult; • Automate as much as possible, enable standard work practices, routinize; • Be ready to adjust the organisational structure or relinquish control (Bruquea & Moyanob, 2007)
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  • Date Issued: 2010

The use of learning support materials in the rural schools of Maputaland, Kwa-Zulu Natal

  • Authors: Van der Merwe, Michelle
  • Date: 2011
  • Subjects: Environmental education -- South Africa -- Maputaland African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme Coelacanthiformes -- South Africa -- Maputaland Teaching -- Aids and devices -- South Africa -- Maputaland Environmental education -- Curricula -- South Africa -- Maputaland
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:1815 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003701
  • Description: The African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme (ACEP) was established in 2002 after the discovery of a colony of coelacanths off the Maputaland coast at Sodwana Bay, KwaZulu Natal. The environmental education and awareness sub-programme developed learning support materials (LSM's) for use in schools and the materials were disseminated annually through teacher education workshops. This study aimed to uncover the use of these LSM's in the rural schools of Maputaland. The active learning framework was used to analyse the materials. Collectively, the ACEP materials cover a range of active learning aspects; however alignment with the curriculum has resulted in an increased focus on experiments, accompanied by a loss of environmental content and a narrowing scope for active environmental learning. Workshop questionnaires and four school case studies revealed the patterns of practice of use of materials in schools. The stated use of materials by teachers is not fully realized in the actual classroom practice which centres on learning content and concept definitions. There is no culture of use of materials in the schools following the annual introduction of ACEP materials. It was also found that the marine and coastal knowledge holding power is outside the realm of the teachers' practice and control. The findings of this study come at a time when there is uncertainty over the future of South African education and the curriculum. This research may inform the environmental education and coastal and marine education field as to their role in education and more specifically the development of learning support materials.
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  • Date Issued: 2011

The imagery of night: the significance of night in artistic images and philosophies

  • Authors: Matthews, Thomas
  • Date: 1966
  • Subjects: Night in art
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:2455 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007616 , Night in art
  • Description: Introduction: At first glance, darkness is merely the absence of light, and is therefore negative; hence the traditional equation of night with death, evil and the creatures of the underworld. But a closer study will reveal that darkness is also a positive force; examples can be cited from various cultures where darkness was thought to have given birth to light. The subterranean is the realm of fertility; the worshippers of Dionysius realised this, as did the followers of the world-wide cult of the Great Earth Mother. The realm of darkness is also the habitat of the mystic. In this essay, we will attempt to define the nature of nocturnal imagery, and to trace the various ways in which mankind has sought to reconcile himself with the powers of darkness.
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  • Date Issued: 1966

Portfolio of compositions

  • Authors: Simpson, Wayne Charles
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Composition (Music) , Music
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MMus
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7385 , vital:21343
  • Description: This essay will address the evolving nature of, and diversity, in method types of musical analysis. It will explore the connection between methods and approach types to musical analysis and related conceptions of what constitutes meaning in music. These methods will be largely understood as operating inside given parameters of musical meaning. Following a short history of some of the developments concerning structure in music from the 17th to late 19th century, I will discuss some of the dominant analytical methods and aim to highlight common features between them. I will discuss the different approaches these methods employ and highlight areas where a given method might be seen as using more than one approach. I will then investigate some approaches to composition that fall outside the conventional view of musical meaning and ultimately suggest the application of an eclectic model to musical analysis.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The constitutional right of access to social security

  • Authors: Govindjee, Avinash
  • Date: 2001
  • Subjects: Social security -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , South Africa -- Social policy
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
  • Identifier: vital:11061 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/280 , Social security -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , South Africa -- Social policy
  • Description: The inclusion of the right of access to social security in the Constitution did not meet with wholehearted approval in South Africa. This right, however, is of vital importance for the future upliftment of the country. The present social security system is based upon a clear distinction between social assistance and social insurance. There is a gap in current social security provisions in that the unemployed middle aged individual is not covered. Unemployment itself is one of the greatest challenges obscuring the implementation of a comprehensive social security system. The Constitutional right is to have ‘access’ to social security and the amount of resources at the state’s disposal is directly related to increasing this right, although it is true that a number of available resources are misspent. The state must take reasonable legislative and other measures, within its available resources, to achieve the progressive realisation of the right of access to social security. The principles of solidarity and ubuntu must be cultivated so that national social development becomes a concern for all citizens. There are numerous problems facing South Africans in attaining the goal of access to social security – even if national social development does become a priority. Budgetary constraints, poverty, unemployment, HIV/Aids and foreigners are examples of these. By making social security a priority for everyone, existing ideas (almost all of which have merit) may be converted into long-term solutions for poverty and unemployment. Currently, numerous opportunities to salvage the situation are being overlooked as a result of the lack of a comprehensive and structured plan to better the access to social security. The constitutional right of access to social security is enforceable, although the jurisprudence in this field remains underdeveloped. Conditions are currently favourable, within the country and beyond its borders, for an imaginative and concerted attempt to be made to find potential solutions. It is possible for resources to be increased and for tax benefits to be incorporated for businesses which have the capacity to contribute. The issue of defence spending is controversial, but could hold the key to lowering unemployment. Should jobs be created, it is likely that they will initially be of a temporary nature. Consequently, provisions are needed to ensure some guarantee of income in the lacuna between when a job is lost and another found. Ultimately, one thing is certain: the constitutional right of access to social security will only be complete once the people who are recipients of this right make sacrifices and create corresponding duties for themselves to ensure that the next generation of inhabitants of this country are not facing similar problems. The state’s goal should be to ensure that the basic rights which all people enjoy in terms of the Constitution (in particular the other socio-economic rights) are guaranteed for the duration of their existence, even if the level of benefits received by such people is low.
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  • Date Issued: 2001

Retention of medical doctors in the public health sector: a case study of the Port Elizabeth Hospital complex

  • Authors: Guvava, Dorothy Dorica
  • Date: 2008
  • Subjects: Employee retention -- Port Elizabeth -- South Africa , Physicians -- Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Hospitals -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:8221 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/976 , Employee retention -- Port Elizabeth -- South Africa , Physicians -- Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Hospitals -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
  • Description: The Port Elizabeth (PE) hospital complex is one of the public hospital groups in South Africa facing a critical shortage of medical practitioners, with reference to doctors in particular. In the quest of finding how to retain doctors in the hospital complex, the aims of this research were to survey doctors’ career intentions; to investigate factors that could be contributing to these career intentions so as to uncover some of the reasons why doctors are leaving the public sector; and to identify effective ways in which the government and hospitals might improve retention by pointing out areas that need improvement. The factors that influence doctors’ career intention included income, work conditions, risk of contracting infection, risk of injury at work, hours of work, work load, work related stress, paid leave days, resources, personal growth and development opportunities, ongoing training opportunities, advancement and promotion opportunities, relation with co-workers, relations with supervisor/superiors, and sense of meaning. Findings revealed that even though the tendency to leave’ group (43%) was smaller than the ‘tendency to stay’ (57%), the majority (85%) of those who intended to leave were younger doctors. Despite some significant differences in responses between the two groups, results revealed that both groups were dissatisfied with almost all conditions of work apart from relationships with supervisors and co-workers. To a large extent, both groups revealed that work conditions are better in the private hospitals than in their current hospitals. viii The fact that some doctors could stay in the public hospital sector despite intense dissatisfaction with conditions of work, and despite the perception that that there are better options in the private hospitals could be attributed to the fact that most of these doctors are older and are at their retirement stage . Adding to this is that most of these doctors, who indicated willingness to say, scored high in sense of meaning as a factor influencing their career intention. This research was based on the assumption that there was no retention strategy put in place to solve the problems facing PE hospital complex. However, during this research a strategy was being developed and implemented by the Eastern Cape Department of Health. Therefore, evaluation and recommendations of the strategy are provided in the conclusions of the study. These recommendations relate not only to the implementation of the strategy, but improving it to accommodate all problems currently facing the doctors and finding ways and means of making the strategy sustainable; creating private-public partnerships; focusing on creating a sense of meaning amongst the doctors (especially the younger ones) and focusing on retaining the risk group which was the younger doctors.
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  • Date Issued: 2008

The high pressure catalytic hydrogenation of the tannin of black wattle (Acacia mollissima Willd)

  • Authors: Silk, M H
  • Date: 1947
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:21132 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6528
  • Description: From Introduction: The wattle industry in South Africa has, from its commencement in the middle of the last century, gradually assumed a position of increasing importance in the economic structure of the country. Apart from the provision of a valuable tanning extract for home use and for export, the tree itself has proved of considerable importance to the Union’s mining industries. In addition there would appear to be possibilities for the utilisation in the near future, of the raw ground bark and the wattle extract for the manufacture of a number of by-products, including certain types of plastics.
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  • Date Issued: 1947

The role of universities on human capital development in Zimbabwe

  • Authors: Bandama, Carol Tambudzai
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Economic development -- Zimbabwe Human capital -- Zimbabwe
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/16044 , vital:28315
  • Description: Countries should encourage their workforce to foster human development as it contributes to the economic development through having a well-trained and skilled workforce. The countries that are economically developed have stood out because of human capabilities that have triggered economic development. With innovation being one of the major advantages of human capital, new ideas lead to the creation of vast employment opportunities especially for those that have studied critical skill subjects. The economic status of Zimbabwe shows that there is human capital development happening in the country, but there is a serious shortage of skills in sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics that are necessary for the industrialisation of the country. The government believes that Zimbabwe can industrialise if STEM education is integrated in the country’s educational system to make human capital development wholistic. The study aims to understand the concept of human capital development and how it can be developed at a balance. A discussion on the primary role of universities and higher learning institutions on developing human capital will be done. Universities educate and equip students with knowledge and skills, hence both STEM and non-STEM curricula is needed to develop human capital that is balanced. This is because STEM graduates that are innovative can create jobs for non-STEM graduates and help a country to industrialise and develop its economy. Universities are recommended to increase public awareness of STEM, train teachers specifically for STEM, invest in research and development and develop STEM-related policies and systems to develop more STEM graduates to strike a balance with non-STEM graduates and enhance industrialisation in Zimbabwe. Interviews were conducted and analysed and some of the recommendations made were to encourage the government to deregulate to attract investment, to increase the public’s awareness of STEM and to train STEM teachers accordingly.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Risk management : a prerequisite for the implementation of government projects by the Eastern Cape Department of Local Government

  • Authors: Sojini, Sandile
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Risk management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Project management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2755 , vital:28073
  • Description: This Research Report that this research was motivated by the fact that despite thetremendous achievements have been realized from the successful implementation ofgovernment programmes and projects related the construction and refurbishment of medical facilities, educational, bridges and road infrastructure facilities. Trends indicate that only iota of evidence implies that the concept of risk management is fully integrated and embraced as part of a culture for ensuring the successful project implementation by the Modern South African public sector organizations. Empirical research revealed that the common types of risks that have been affecting the successful implementation of government projects and programmes include: riots, fraud, corruption, changes in demographic figures, outsourcing risks, and floods and changes in weather. Most of the participants stated that risks associated with riots do not only arise from the riots within the government departments, but also in the external environment. In terms of the internal riots, they revealed that when the employees go on strike or riots on their own or in solidarity with the other trade unions, leading to the process for the implementation of government projects and programmes being affected. Yet, in certain cases, they noted that internal riots or strikes most occur as preceded by rumours that the riots by a particular union will take place and may significantly affect the ongoing process of implementation of government programmes. Besides risks associated with the internal riots by the employees and the communities, the interview findings also indicated that the other forms of risks arise from the strikes and riots by the private enterprises.
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  • Date Issued: 2015

Assessing challenges in public appointments and recruitment processes in Chris Hani District Municipality: a case study of human resource department in Lukhanji Local Municipality

  • Authors: Gijana, Andile Patrick
  • Date: 2011
  • Subjects: Civil service -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies , Human capital -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: vital:11617 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/325 , Civil service -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies , Human capital -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies
  • Description: The aim of this study was to assess challenges in Public Appointments and Recruitment Processes in Chris Hani District Municipality: A case study of Human Resource Department in Lukhanji Local Municipality (2008-2010) of the Eastern Cape Province. There has never been a detailed research study conducted in the Chris Hani Human Resource Department, regarding the subject in question. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa in Section 195(i) directs that Public Administration must be broadly representative of the South African people, with employment and personnel management practices based on ability, objectivity, fairness and the need to redress the imbalances of the past to achieve broad representation. The literature review explored extensively the models used in implementing recruitment and appointment processes globally. From those tested models elsewhere, it was evident that South Africa has a great Constitution and good policies regarding Local Government Human Resource Department recruitment and appointment processes not withstanding some challenges cited in the study. This assessment of challenges in the public appointments and recruitment processes in Chris Hani District Municipality assisted in the establishment of the real facts about effective and fair recruitment and appointment processes in the Local Government Human Resource Management Department to deserving communities. It became clear from the study that providing efficient and fair recruitment and appointments processes to the Local Government Human Resource Department in South Africa requires a broader advocacy agenda encompassing the development of Human Resource systems and the generation of numerous skills and expertise to deliver services to the poor people of our country.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2011

Experiences of pet loss in the South African context

  • Authors: Lowen, Kathleen Louise
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Pet loss -- Psychological aspects , Pet loss -- South Africa -- Case studies , Pets -- Death , Pet ownders -- Psychology , Human-animal relationships -- Psychological aspects , Grief
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4326 , vital:20649
  • Description: In this research the experience of pet loss in relation to the intensity of grief and the repression of that grief due to societal restrictions was studied in a South African sample of 12 pet owners who had experienced the loss of a pet within 24 months prior to the study. A pilot study was conducted in order to refine the semi-structured interview schedule. Participants were asked about their pets, their experience of pet loss in relation to their feelings before and after the loss and whether they felt they could openly grieve around friends and family. The findings indicated that the intensity of grief experienced by the participants was influenced both by the intensity of their Bond with the pet and the repression of their grief due to assumed social sanctions surrounding mourning the loss of a pet. The findings from the study clearly indicate the necessity for pet loss counselling, however it was clear that societal views surrounding pet loss are shifting, thus allowing pet owners to mourn their loss more openly with family and friends. This indicates a decrease in cases of disenfranchised and complicated grief. Furthermore the impact of pet loss necessitates the social legitimation and acknowledgment of the significance of pet loss in contemporary society as these relationships with pets are an increasingly prominent feature both within and as an alternative to familial systems.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Examining of the novel in the senior secondary phase (English first language higher grade): a study of conflicting aims

  • Authors: Macrae, Claire Elisabeth
  • Date: 1989
  • Subjects: Education, Secondary English Secondary -- Study and teaching -- South Africa Education Secondary -- Evaluation
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:1357 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001423
  • Description: This study deals with the problems of external examining, the inflexible demands of which dominate and dictate to literature teaching in South African schools today. The aims of teaching literature are discussed, and it is suggested that the negative attitudes among pupils resulting from the present examining system defeat many of these aims. The opportunities for the enjoyment of literature are minimised by the process of preparation for external examinations. Creative teaching methods are abandoned in favour of coaching for specific types of questions, which are determined and limited by the practical constraints of a mass external examination. In catering to the demands for admininstrative reliability and efficiency, the educational validity and efficiency of the examinations are sacrificed. In Britain the Newbolt and Bullock Reports, among others, have made forceful recommendations for alternative approaches to external examining. Subsequently, much experimentation with internal examining, course-work and open-book examining has followed, aspects of which are discussed in this study. There has been limited experimentation in these areas in South Africa. The TED conducted a successful internal examining experiment in English literature, the results of which are considered in this thesis. The national English Olympiad open-book examination is a further example of the success of an alternative approach. By contrast, a comparison of examination papers set by the JMB and CED over the last ten years, shows clearly that the stated syllabus aims of teaching literature and the aims of examining the subject were wholly incompatible. Recommendations are made for the adoption of alternative examining strategies in order to address the shortcomings identified
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  • Date Issued: 1989

The impact of gain-sharing on employee job satisfaction at a manufacturing company in Nelson Mandela Bay

  • Authors: Mbotshelwa, Sipo Victor
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Gain sharing -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Employee loyalty -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11691 , vital:26955
  • Description: In this economically challenging era, companies have got to find the best system that can help to enhance productivity. A very important method is by encouraging takeholders through various forms of incentives. The gain-sharing incentive has been adopted by many organisations today to enhance staff loyalty and productivity. A gain-sharing programme ensures that both the organisation and team members benefit from the expected performances, rather than an individual or group incentive which is given based on a specific finite goal which could be achieved at the cost of other key critical business need. A couple of years ago Autocast Aluminium decided to enhance employee performance by initiating the gain-sharing incentive programme. After the programme was rolled out, the organisation is yet to examine the extent to which it enhances job satisfaction in the organisation. The primary objective or aim of the study is to examine the extent to which gain-sharing at Autocast meets the purpose for which it was created. The sample of the study was 176 of the employees at Autocast Aluminium; however 130 questionnaires were distributed. A total of 88 questionnaires were returned, of which 80 were usable, whilst eight were scrapped due to more half of the questionnaire having missing data. This resulted in a 68 % response rate. A framework has been developed to measure to what extent does the programme enable employees to feel satisfied with their jobs. The empirical results revealed that out of six independent variables tested: fair payment, involvement, personal growth, communication, job security and leadership style, only three that plays significant role on employee job satisfaction. These are fair payment, communication and leadership style.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

Modelling stock return volatility dynamics in selected African markets

  • Authors: King, Daniel Jonathan
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Rate of return -- Africa Stocks -- Prices -- Africa Finance -- Developing countries -- Econometric models
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: vital:1051 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006452
  • Description: Stock return volatility has been shown to occasionally exhibit discrete structural shifts. These shifts are particularly evident in the transition from ‘normal’ to crisis periods, and tend to be more pronounced in developing markets. This study aims to establish whether accounting for structural changes in the conditional variance process, through the use of Markov-switching models, improves estimates and forecasts of stock return volatility over those of the more conventional single-state (G)ARCH models, within and across selected African markets for the period 2002-2012. In the univariate portion of the study, the performances of various Markov-switching models are tested against a single-state benchmark model through the use of in-sample goodness-of-fit and predictive ability measures. In the multivariate context, the single-state and Markov-switching models are comparatively assessed according to their usefulness in constructing optimal stock portfolios. It is found that, even after accounting for structural breaks in the conditional variance process, conventional GARCH effects remain important to capturing the heteroscedasticity evident in the data. However, those univariate models which include a GARCH term are shown to perform comparatively poorly when used for forecasting purposes. Additionally, in the multivariate study, the use of Markov-switching variance-covariance estimates improves risk-adjusted portfolio returns when compared to portfolios that are constructed using the more conventional single-state models. While there is evidence that the use of some Markov-switching models can result in better forecasts and higher risk-adjusted returns than those models which include GARCH effects, the inability of the simpler Markov-switching models to fully capture the heteroscedasticity in the data remains problematic.
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  • Date Issued: 2013
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