The use of Police force in crowd management
- Authors: Moses, Andrew Paul
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Law enforcement , Crowd control
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60660 , vital:66302
- Description: South Africa has a violent and oppressive past. They are various historical incidents1 of extreme cruelty perpetrated by the previous apartheid regime. Much of the modern South African democratic state was forged by protests. During the 1970s and 80s, the legislator by passing unjust laws was used to assist the government to maintain the oppression of the people of South Africa. From the Soweto uprising in the 1970s to the current service delivery protests of the 21st century, gatherings have always had the potential for deadly violence. The motivation for this research started with the emotions evoked by the iconic picture of the body of Hector Pietersen2 being carried after being shot by the police. Strikingly the images of the killing by the police of Andries Tatane conjured further questions concerning the use of deadly force within crowd management situations. The research undertook an analysis of the use of force by the police during crowd management situations. A brief analysis of South African law relating to the use of force by the police prior to 1996 is provided. There are legislative prescripts for the use of force during the maintenance of public order. It must be noted that the legislation falls short on providing clear, concise authority for the use of deadly force. Normally, the use of force by the police and civilians for the purpose of arrest is regulated by the Criminal Procedure Act3 , whereas the Regulation of Gatherings Act4 providing the authority for the use of force by the police in crowd management situations to preserve public order. At first glance, section 49 of the CPA seems to validate arguments that it violates some constitutionally protected rights, among which are the right to dignity, life, to freedom and security of the person, against cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and to a fair trial, which includes the right to be presumed innocent. Section 49 however, withstood Constitutional muster as set out in Re: S v Walters & another. As the right to life is a non derogable right.5 The limitation of this right may lead to constitutional scrutiny. The emphasis will thus be on ensuring that the balance with regards to proportionality in the use of deadly force is maintained. During the research it became apparent that the police, especially during crowd management situations, served political interests.6 This had the unintended consequence that the laws were applied to suit the political narrative and not the rule of law. The use of force in the policing arena is controversial. It is very clear that any misuse of force in crowd management situations will evoke the historical wounds associated with apartheid. However, within crowd management, the use of force and the authority to use deadly force is absolutely necessary. The Marikana massacre was used to highlight the mistakes that police have made during inappropriate use of force and its catastrophic consequences.7 It was observed that the legislative framework concerning the use of force, whether under section 49 of the CPA or section 9 of the RGA, is incoherent and too complex. The research argues for simplicity and accuracy within policy and applicable legislative alignment. The linkages from the applicable legislation to the institutional policies should never be outdated or incorrectly formulated. The violent rhetoric from politicians such as ex-president Jacob Zuma, 8 Minister Fikile Mbalula 9 and Bheki Cele10 fuels the argument that the police are susceptible to misdirected notions and may cause the police act unlawfully. The Constitution requires the police to “enforce the law”11 and as such there is an obligation on the police to do this within the constitutional parameters. The correct use of deadly force will only be achieved if the SAPS adequately resource, train and regularly refresh their members regarding the use of force when policing protests. , Thesis (LLM -- Faculty of Law, School of Criminal and Procedural Law, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
- Authors: Moses, Andrew Paul
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Law enforcement , Crowd control
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60660 , vital:66302
- Description: South Africa has a violent and oppressive past. They are various historical incidents1 of extreme cruelty perpetrated by the previous apartheid regime. Much of the modern South African democratic state was forged by protests. During the 1970s and 80s, the legislator by passing unjust laws was used to assist the government to maintain the oppression of the people of South Africa. From the Soweto uprising in the 1970s to the current service delivery protests of the 21st century, gatherings have always had the potential for deadly violence. The motivation for this research started with the emotions evoked by the iconic picture of the body of Hector Pietersen2 being carried after being shot by the police. Strikingly the images of the killing by the police of Andries Tatane conjured further questions concerning the use of deadly force within crowd management situations. The research undertook an analysis of the use of force by the police during crowd management situations. A brief analysis of South African law relating to the use of force by the police prior to 1996 is provided. There are legislative prescripts for the use of force during the maintenance of public order. It must be noted that the legislation falls short on providing clear, concise authority for the use of deadly force. Normally, the use of force by the police and civilians for the purpose of arrest is regulated by the Criminal Procedure Act3 , whereas the Regulation of Gatherings Act4 providing the authority for the use of force by the police in crowd management situations to preserve public order. At first glance, section 49 of the CPA seems to validate arguments that it violates some constitutionally protected rights, among which are the right to dignity, life, to freedom and security of the person, against cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and to a fair trial, which includes the right to be presumed innocent. Section 49 however, withstood Constitutional muster as set out in Re: S v Walters & another. As the right to life is a non derogable right.5 The limitation of this right may lead to constitutional scrutiny. The emphasis will thus be on ensuring that the balance with regards to proportionality in the use of deadly force is maintained. During the research it became apparent that the police, especially during crowd management situations, served political interests.6 This had the unintended consequence that the laws were applied to suit the political narrative and not the rule of law. The use of force in the policing arena is controversial. It is very clear that any misuse of force in crowd management situations will evoke the historical wounds associated with apartheid. However, within crowd management, the use of force and the authority to use deadly force is absolutely necessary. The Marikana massacre was used to highlight the mistakes that police have made during inappropriate use of force and its catastrophic consequences.7 It was observed that the legislative framework concerning the use of force, whether under section 49 of the CPA or section 9 of the RGA, is incoherent and too complex. The research argues for simplicity and accuracy within policy and applicable legislative alignment. The linkages from the applicable legislation to the institutional policies should never be outdated or incorrectly formulated. The violent rhetoric from politicians such as ex-president Jacob Zuma, 8 Minister Fikile Mbalula 9 and Bheki Cele10 fuels the argument that the police are susceptible to misdirected notions and may cause the police act unlawfully. The Constitution requires the police to “enforce the law”11 and as such there is an obligation on the police to do this within the constitutional parameters. The correct use of deadly force will only be achieved if the SAPS adequately resource, train and regularly refresh their members regarding the use of force when policing protests. , Thesis (LLM -- Faculty of Law, School of Criminal and Procedural Law, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
A systematic risk management model for construction project management: a case study of the new infrastructure project in the University of Mpumalanga
- Authors: Lukhele, Themba Mfanafuthi
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Risk management , Construction industry -- Management , Infrastructure -- University of Mpumalanga
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60479 , vital:65609
- Description: The construction industry has become the significant player in the economy of many developed and developing countries in the world. The industry contributes to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employment rate of many nations. As such, the industry is the engine for the economic development and growth across the world. Recently, African countries have received global attention due to its calls for massive infrastructure development and maintenance thereof. Accordingly, the South African government has adopted a National Infrastructure Development Plan (NIDP), which seeks not only to transform the economic landscape of the country, but also to support the integration of the African economies through infrastructure development. To ensure that the execution of these infrastructure projects is successfully delivered in terms of time, cost, and scope; project risk management in the construction industry has become an important area of interest in the execution and delivery of the infrastructure projects. However, the constantly increasing complexity and dynamics in the delivery of construction projects have serious effects on the risk management processes during the execution of the project. In practice, risk methods and techniques have proven to be unrealistic when using the traditional risk management approach in the context of the complexity and dynamic environments wherein construction projects are delivered. Worryingly, project management practitioners in engineering and construction projects still lack the holistic and systematic insight and understanding of construction projects when applying the risk management procedures in the complex and dynamic projects environments. As a result, there are growing reports of unsatisfactory delivery of construction projects in terms of time, cost, quality, and environmental objectives. In this regard, the call for embracing the systems thinking paradigm as the alternative approach that will provide more clarity in dealing with the complex management challenges and which will gradually substitute the traditional theoretical approach of dealing with construction project management, is becoming prominent. Against this background, this study uses a multiple case study approach to explore how a systematic risk management approach could be developed and applied towards successful delivery of construction projects, and subsequently to propose a systematic risk management model that is designed to depict and grasp the underlying complexities and dynamics embedded ix | P a g e in construction projects. The choice of the case study design is founded on its utility and appropriateness for in-depth investigations into phenomena in its context as well as its usefulness for exploratory studies. Therefore, to explore the risk management phenomenon in real-life settings, the unit of analysis in this study was based on three construction projects built in one of the new Institutions of Higher Learning in South Africa during the period between 2017 and 2019. Notwithstanding the unique characteristics of these projects, the complexity and dynamic environments of these projects also emanated from the facts that i) the successful delivery of the projects was a predecessor activity to the academic schedule and activities; ii) this was one of the first universities to be built by the democratic Republic of South Africa; and, iii) the construction contract used for the delivery of the construction projects is relatively new to the professionals in the country’s construction industry. This qualitative case study design has its backbone in the constructivism philosophical paradigm which is underpinned by the ontology that there are multiple realities as conceptualized, experienced, and perceived by the people in their real-life situations or natural settings. Accordingly, the construction professionals, projects’ documents as well as field work observations were purposively chosen as the essential and reliable methods of data collection for this case study. For analysis, a conventional content data analysis methodology was applied on the empirical data that was obtained from the multiple data sources to provide a clearer understanding of the contexts in which the risk management for construction projects is performed. Accordingly, a qualitative data analysis software system called MAXQDA was used to enable the performance of data coding, managing coding, and eventually the retrieving of the coded segments in a form of visual models and summary tables. Ultimately, the qualitative content analysis approach in this thesis was performed in terms of a ‘critical filter of thick description’ which involved a balanced approach between the deductive analysis and the inductive analysis processes. With the assistance of the MAXQDA, performing the multiple levels coding and analysis processes in this thesis has not only been efficient, but also more reliable. To shed insight into the empirical findings of the study, a hybrid theoretical framework has been applied in the discussion and interpretation of the findings. The theoretical framework of this study is underpinned by the complexity theory and the theory of systems engineering. The applicability of these theories in this study is essential in providing a x | P a g e systematic and logical explanation of the practices of risk management in construction projects and further helps to explain why particular events occurred in the processes of risk management. Eventually, the theoretical framework has enabled the designing and developing of a systematic risk management model that will assist in depicting and grasping the underlying complexities while supporting proactive decision making in the delivery of construction projects. To this end, this study has made several major contributions in three multiple folds in the body of knowledge. Firstly, this study makes theoretical contributions by developing an empirically underpinned systematic risk management model which provide more clarity on comprehending the multifaceted and complex risk factors embedded in construction projects. Secondly, the qualitative case study approach and the associated analysis methods thereof in this thesis provides novelty and lays the groundwork for future research and methodological replicability in another similar phenomenon elsewhere in the world. Thirdly, this study has gone some way towards expanding the understanding and the basis for managerial decision making in relation to front-end planning and proactive approach for risk management, and eventually to improve projects’ performances on cost, time, scope, and environmental sustainability. In this regard, the key practical implication for project management practitioners is that the adoption and embracing of the systematic and holistic thinking approach in the risk management processes could enhance the successful delivery of construction projects. In the literature, there is paucity and need for more research into the exploration and analysis of the integration and interplay between the systems engineering and complexity perspectives and the other knowledge areas in the PMBOK. In conclusion, this thesis therefore argues that to address the deficiencies in risk management practices during construction projects’ delivery, the solution requires a paradigm shift from the traditional linear approach which, by design, overlooks the complexities, non-linearity and interdependences of the elements that are underpinning and characterizing the nature of the contemporary construction projects. Therefore, this thesis supports the increasingly emerging debate on the discourse that the superior traditional and linear approaches do not solve the current problems, and as such they should be replaced with the systems and holistic thinking approach that will provide more clarity in dealing with the complex management challenges in contemporary construction projects. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Engineering, Built environment and Information Technology, School of the built Environment 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
- Authors: Lukhele, Themba Mfanafuthi
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Risk management , Construction industry -- Management , Infrastructure -- University of Mpumalanga
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60479 , vital:65609
- Description: The construction industry has become the significant player in the economy of many developed and developing countries in the world. The industry contributes to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employment rate of many nations. As such, the industry is the engine for the economic development and growth across the world. Recently, African countries have received global attention due to its calls for massive infrastructure development and maintenance thereof. Accordingly, the South African government has adopted a National Infrastructure Development Plan (NIDP), which seeks not only to transform the economic landscape of the country, but also to support the integration of the African economies through infrastructure development. To ensure that the execution of these infrastructure projects is successfully delivered in terms of time, cost, and scope; project risk management in the construction industry has become an important area of interest in the execution and delivery of the infrastructure projects. However, the constantly increasing complexity and dynamics in the delivery of construction projects have serious effects on the risk management processes during the execution of the project. In practice, risk methods and techniques have proven to be unrealistic when using the traditional risk management approach in the context of the complexity and dynamic environments wherein construction projects are delivered. Worryingly, project management practitioners in engineering and construction projects still lack the holistic and systematic insight and understanding of construction projects when applying the risk management procedures in the complex and dynamic projects environments. As a result, there are growing reports of unsatisfactory delivery of construction projects in terms of time, cost, quality, and environmental objectives. In this regard, the call for embracing the systems thinking paradigm as the alternative approach that will provide more clarity in dealing with the complex management challenges and which will gradually substitute the traditional theoretical approach of dealing with construction project management, is becoming prominent. Against this background, this study uses a multiple case study approach to explore how a systematic risk management approach could be developed and applied towards successful delivery of construction projects, and subsequently to propose a systematic risk management model that is designed to depict and grasp the underlying complexities and dynamics embedded ix | P a g e in construction projects. The choice of the case study design is founded on its utility and appropriateness for in-depth investigations into phenomena in its context as well as its usefulness for exploratory studies. Therefore, to explore the risk management phenomenon in real-life settings, the unit of analysis in this study was based on three construction projects built in one of the new Institutions of Higher Learning in South Africa during the period between 2017 and 2019. Notwithstanding the unique characteristics of these projects, the complexity and dynamic environments of these projects also emanated from the facts that i) the successful delivery of the projects was a predecessor activity to the academic schedule and activities; ii) this was one of the first universities to be built by the democratic Republic of South Africa; and, iii) the construction contract used for the delivery of the construction projects is relatively new to the professionals in the country’s construction industry. This qualitative case study design has its backbone in the constructivism philosophical paradigm which is underpinned by the ontology that there are multiple realities as conceptualized, experienced, and perceived by the people in their real-life situations or natural settings. Accordingly, the construction professionals, projects’ documents as well as field work observations were purposively chosen as the essential and reliable methods of data collection for this case study. For analysis, a conventional content data analysis methodology was applied on the empirical data that was obtained from the multiple data sources to provide a clearer understanding of the contexts in which the risk management for construction projects is performed. Accordingly, a qualitative data analysis software system called MAXQDA was used to enable the performance of data coding, managing coding, and eventually the retrieving of the coded segments in a form of visual models and summary tables. Ultimately, the qualitative content analysis approach in this thesis was performed in terms of a ‘critical filter of thick description’ which involved a balanced approach between the deductive analysis and the inductive analysis processes. With the assistance of the MAXQDA, performing the multiple levels coding and analysis processes in this thesis has not only been efficient, but also more reliable. To shed insight into the empirical findings of the study, a hybrid theoretical framework has been applied in the discussion and interpretation of the findings. The theoretical framework of this study is underpinned by the complexity theory and the theory of systems engineering. The applicability of these theories in this study is essential in providing a x | P a g e systematic and logical explanation of the practices of risk management in construction projects and further helps to explain why particular events occurred in the processes of risk management. Eventually, the theoretical framework has enabled the designing and developing of a systematic risk management model that will assist in depicting and grasping the underlying complexities while supporting proactive decision making in the delivery of construction projects. To this end, this study has made several major contributions in three multiple folds in the body of knowledge. Firstly, this study makes theoretical contributions by developing an empirically underpinned systematic risk management model which provide more clarity on comprehending the multifaceted and complex risk factors embedded in construction projects. Secondly, the qualitative case study approach and the associated analysis methods thereof in this thesis provides novelty and lays the groundwork for future research and methodological replicability in another similar phenomenon elsewhere in the world. Thirdly, this study has gone some way towards expanding the understanding and the basis for managerial decision making in relation to front-end planning and proactive approach for risk management, and eventually to improve projects’ performances on cost, time, scope, and environmental sustainability. In this regard, the key practical implication for project management practitioners is that the adoption and embracing of the systematic and holistic thinking approach in the risk management processes could enhance the successful delivery of construction projects. In the literature, there is paucity and need for more research into the exploration and analysis of the integration and interplay between the systems engineering and complexity perspectives and the other knowledge areas in the PMBOK. In conclusion, this thesis therefore argues that to address the deficiencies in risk management practices during construction projects’ delivery, the solution requires a paradigm shift from the traditional linear approach which, by design, overlooks the complexities, non-linearity and interdependences of the elements that are underpinning and characterizing the nature of the contemporary construction projects. Therefore, this thesis supports the increasingly emerging debate on the discourse that the superior traditional and linear approaches do not solve the current problems, and as such they should be replaced with the systems and holistic thinking approach that will provide more clarity in dealing with the complex management challenges in contemporary construction projects. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Engineering, Built environment and Information Technology, School of the built Environment 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
Assessing Diabetes distress amongst type 2 Diabetic patients at the Mhlontlo sub-district healthcare clinics in the OR Tambo health District
- Authors: Mboniso, Veronica
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Diabetes , Medical care , Primary health care -- OR Tambo Health District
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60111 , vital:63096
- Description: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic endocrine condition that requires lifestyle changes and a commitment to its management to ensure patient well-being, although this can be challenging for various reasons. In addition, diabetes is a behavioural and emotionally demanding condition that could affect the psychosocial well-being of a patient. Diabetes distress is quite common in people living with diabetes, as they lose hope easily, especially when their diabetes is uncontrolled. The research study identified and described factors contributing to diabetes distress amongst type 2 diabetic patients at Mhlontlo Sub-District healthcare clinics in the OR Tambo Health District. Probability sampling was used to select patients who were 18 years and older after approval from Nelson Mandela University (NMU) and relevant authorisation was obtained. The study was conducted between August and October 2021, using a quantitative, exploratory and descriptive research design. The data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire, which had been adapted from the Diabetes Distress Scale-17 (DDS-17) created by Polonsky et al. (2005). A total of 136 diabetic patients completed the questionnaire, which comprised three sections: demographic information (Section A); the DDS-17 (Section B); and contributing factors to diabetes distress in diabetic patients at Mhlontlo Sub-District healthcare clinics (Section C). The researcher conducted a pilot study in one of the clinics to check the feasibility of the questionnaire. After the data were collected, it was statistically analysed with the assistance of a statistician to generate descriptive and inferential statistics. The analysed data revealed that most of the diabetic patients indicated that they found travelling far to fetch medication and standing in long queues at the clinic distressing. Therefore, they wanted the Central Chronic Medicine Dispensing and Distribution (CCMDD) programme to be rolled out to bring medication to them. The results also revealed that the patients' diabetes distress was exacerbated by them having to travel to clinics in search of medication when their usual clinic had no adequate v stocks of medication. Another factor contributing to the patients’ diabetes distress was the lack of a doctor on site. The patients indicated that doctors should be available at the clinics, even periodically, to address problems that cannot be solved by nurses. The absence of haemoglucotest (HGT machines at clinics was another contributing factor to diabetes distress. Most of the patients in the study felt that they would manage their diabetes better if the government supplied these machines. The results informed various recommendations that might help the management of OR Tambo Health District to make changes and thus minimise the diabetes distress reported by its patients. However, the study had limitations, although it observed the principles of reliability and validity. Moreover, ethical considerations were guided by the Belmont Report, and the study adhered to the principles of informed consent, respect for persons, anonymity, confidentiality, beneficence, nonmaleficence and distributive justice. , Thesis (MNur) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Lifestyle Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
- Authors: Mboniso, Veronica
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Diabetes , Medical care , Primary health care -- OR Tambo Health District
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60111 , vital:63096
- Description: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic endocrine condition that requires lifestyle changes and a commitment to its management to ensure patient well-being, although this can be challenging for various reasons. In addition, diabetes is a behavioural and emotionally demanding condition that could affect the psychosocial well-being of a patient. Diabetes distress is quite common in people living with diabetes, as they lose hope easily, especially when their diabetes is uncontrolled. The research study identified and described factors contributing to diabetes distress amongst type 2 diabetic patients at Mhlontlo Sub-District healthcare clinics in the OR Tambo Health District. Probability sampling was used to select patients who were 18 years and older after approval from Nelson Mandela University (NMU) and relevant authorisation was obtained. The study was conducted between August and October 2021, using a quantitative, exploratory and descriptive research design. The data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire, which had been adapted from the Diabetes Distress Scale-17 (DDS-17) created by Polonsky et al. (2005). A total of 136 diabetic patients completed the questionnaire, which comprised three sections: demographic information (Section A); the DDS-17 (Section B); and contributing factors to diabetes distress in diabetic patients at Mhlontlo Sub-District healthcare clinics (Section C). The researcher conducted a pilot study in one of the clinics to check the feasibility of the questionnaire. After the data were collected, it was statistically analysed with the assistance of a statistician to generate descriptive and inferential statistics. The analysed data revealed that most of the diabetic patients indicated that they found travelling far to fetch medication and standing in long queues at the clinic distressing. Therefore, they wanted the Central Chronic Medicine Dispensing and Distribution (CCMDD) programme to be rolled out to bring medication to them. The results also revealed that the patients' diabetes distress was exacerbated by them having to travel to clinics in search of medication when their usual clinic had no adequate v stocks of medication. Another factor contributing to the patients’ diabetes distress was the lack of a doctor on site. The patients indicated that doctors should be available at the clinics, even periodically, to address problems that cannot be solved by nurses. The absence of haemoglucotest (HGT machines at clinics was another contributing factor to diabetes distress. Most of the patients in the study felt that they would manage their diabetes better if the government supplied these machines. The results informed various recommendations that might help the management of OR Tambo Health District to make changes and thus minimise the diabetes distress reported by its patients. However, the study had limitations, although it observed the principles of reliability and validity. Moreover, ethical considerations were guided by the Belmont Report, and the study adhered to the principles of informed consent, respect for persons, anonymity, confidentiality, beneficence, nonmaleficence and distributive justice. , Thesis (MNur) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Lifestyle Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
Community participation in selected public schools of Komani, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Sondlo, Oyisa
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Community participation , Common schools , Chris Hani District, Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61578 , vital:71379
- Description: This study is located in Mlungisi Township of Komani in the Eastern Cape - where the aim was to closely examine the role played by this community to build and govern its public schools. The study selected the three biggest schools in the area to examine how the community’s involvement in them has surfaced from their founding up to the present times. The study found that through these three schools, this community managed, under apartheid, to take initiative by mobilising itself for self-development by building these schools and infusing them with a liberation curriculum that was required for the conditions of oppression and resistance at the time. This community in essence turned the intentions of Bantu education around by using these schools as sites of alternative education that was delivered by its own activist teachers to conscientise the student youth about community struggles. Black people in this community used these schools as emancipatory spaces to connect student struggles with community struggles to build community power. In the post-apartheid epoch, much of these traditions and levels of community participation have dropped because of new precarious economies and labour conditions that keep the adult population busy. As a result, present-day community participation is not as politically intentional as it was under apartheid. Theoretically, the study applied Paulo Freire’s Critical Community Pedagogy. Methodologically, the study utilised critical qualitative oral histories and semi-structured interviews. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
- Authors: Sondlo, Oyisa
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Community participation , Common schools , Chris Hani District, Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/61578 , vital:71379
- Description: This study is located in Mlungisi Township of Komani in the Eastern Cape - where the aim was to closely examine the role played by this community to build and govern its public schools. The study selected the three biggest schools in the area to examine how the community’s involvement in them has surfaced from their founding up to the present times. The study found that through these three schools, this community managed, under apartheid, to take initiative by mobilising itself for self-development by building these schools and infusing them with a liberation curriculum that was required for the conditions of oppression and resistance at the time. This community in essence turned the intentions of Bantu education around by using these schools as sites of alternative education that was delivered by its own activist teachers to conscientise the student youth about community struggles. Black people in this community used these schools as emancipatory spaces to connect student struggles with community struggles to build community power. In the post-apartheid epoch, much of these traditions and levels of community participation have dropped because of new precarious economies and labour conditions that keep the adult population busy. As a result, present-day community participation is not as politically intentional as it was under apartheid. Theoretically, the study applied Paulo Freire’s Critical Community Pedagogy. Methodologically, the study utilised critical qualitative oral histories and semi-structured interviews. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
The macroeconomic impact of ocean economy financing in South Africa
- Authors: Matekenya, Weliswa
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Macroeconomics , Maritime –- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60305 , vital:64343
- Description: The global ocean is responsible for providing seafood and employment to the world’s population and is the key driver of global gross domestic product. The ocean economy (blue economy) has been identified as key to unlocking the growth potential of many economies. It is in this context that both the South African government and the private sector have invested in the ocean economy with the purpose of sustaining it and making it more productive. To this end, the government established the Operation Phakisa programme which is meant to fast-track ocean economy development. In line with operation Phakisa imperatives, the South African government began a series of budget allocations towards the various sectors of the oceans economy. This flow of public funds towards oceans economy sectors was with a view to reduce unemployment, grow the economy, increase trade as well as boost entrepreneurship. It is for this reason that the financing of the ocean economy needs to be assessed in terms of its role in ensuring sustainable economic growth through ocean economy activities. While the ocean economy is becoming a new focal point in the discourse on growth and sustainable development both globally and locally, it remains faced with a series of challenges in South Africa. These include inadequate economic incentives, outdated infrastructure, ineffective governance institutions, lack of technological advances, and insufficient management tools. All of these have led to unregulated competition among users, albeit in the context of extensive opportunities offered by the rising demand for seafood. The specific focus of the study is the macroeconomic impact of ocean economy financing in South Africa during the 1994 to 2019 period. The study employed ARDL to test long and short-run relationships. The results show that ocean economy financing in South Africa during this time to have had a positive effect on economic growth, and a negative relationship on unemployment, although the latter is statically insignificant, while ocean economy financing has a negative relationship with entrepreneurship, to have a positive relationship with total trade, and statistically significant. Based on the findings of the study recommendations are made for the South African government to continue investing in oceans economy marine infrastructure and to address any constraints that hinder the growth and sustainability of the country’s ocean economy. In order to ensure the economic viability of ocean ii economy financing four areas need attention, namely economic growth, entrepreneurship, job creation, and total trade. This study recommends that in order to grow the South African economy, a comprehensive growth strategy that looks beyond ocean economy should be adopted. Regarding entrepreneurship ease of doing business should be improved and all factors inhibiting entrepreneurship should be addressed. The requisite skills through human capital investment should be harnessed and decent and sustainable jobs in the ocean sector should be created. It is a well-known fact that an aggressive drive towards economic growth is not without negative externalities e.g pollutions, unreported, unregulated, and over-exploitation of ocean resources. Ocean governance is vital in preventing such negative externalities. The results of the study show that ocean governance boosts trade and reduces unemployment. , Thesis (PHD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
- Authors: Matekenya, Weliswa
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Macroeconomics , Maritime –- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60305 , vital:64343
- Description: The global ocean is responsible for providing seafood and employment to the world’s population and is the key driver of global gross domestic product. The ocean economy (blue economy) has been identified as key to unlocking the growth potential of many economies. It is in this context that both the South African government and the private sector have invested in the ocean economy with the purpose of sustaining it and making it more productive. To this end, the government established the Operation Phakisa programme which is meant to fast-track ocean economy development. In line with operation Phakisa imperatives, the South African government began a series of budget allocations towards the various sectors of the oceans economy. This flow of public funds towards oceans economy sectors was with a view to reduce unemployment, grow the economy, increase trade as well as boost entrepreneurship. It is for this reason that the financing of the ocean economy needs to be assessed in terms of its role in ensuring sustainable economic growth through ocean economy activities. While the ocean economy is becoming a new focal point in the discourse on growth and sustainable development both globally and locally, it remains faced with a series of challenges in South Africa. These include inadequate economic incentives, outdated infrastructure, ineffective governance institutions, lack of technological advances, and insufficient management tools. All of these have led to unregulated competition among users, albeit in the context of extensive opportunities offered by the rising demand for seafood. The specific focus of the study is the macroeconomic impact of ocean economy financing in South Africa during the 1994 to 2019 period. The study employed ARDL to test long and short-run relationships. The results show that ocean economy financing in South Africa during this time to have had a positive effect on economic growth, and a negative relationship on unemployment, although the latter is statically insignificant, while ocean economy financing has a negative relationship with entrepreneurship, to have a positive relationship with total trade, and statistically significant. Based on the findings of the study recommendations are made for the South African government to continue investing in oceans economy marine infrastructure and to address any constraints that hinder the growth and sustainability of the country’s ocean economy. In order to ensure the economic viability of ocean ii economy financing four areas need attention, namely economic growth, entrepreneurship, job creation, and total trade. This study recommends that in order to grow the South African economy, a comprehensive growth strategy that looks beyond ocean economy should be adopted. Regarding entrepreneurship ease of doing business should be improved and all factors inhibiting entrepreneurship should be addressed. The requisite skills through human capital investment should be harnessed and decent and sustainable jobs in the ocean sector should be created. It is a well-known fact that an aggressive drive towards economic growth is not without negative externalities e.g pollutions, unreported, unregulated, and over-exploitation of ocean resources. Ocean governance is vital in preventing such negative externalities. The results of the study show that ocean governance boosts trade and reduces unemployment. , Thesis (PHD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
The regulation of communications surveillance in Nigeria
- Authors: Osuntogun, Tope Adefemi
- Date: 2022-08
- Subjects: Social Communication , Electronic surveillance --Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60885 , vital:69011
- Description: This study examines the manner in which communications surveillance is regulated in Nigeria, with the aim of providing recommendations to ensure a new surveillance regime that provides adequate safeguards for human rights, particularly the right to privacy. The rapid innovation in ICT has brought new challenges to the right to privacy, among which is communications surveillance. Communications surveillance is an important tool of law enforcement as it enables remote gathering of evidence through interception of communication and acquisition of the metadata of electronic communications. Communications surveillance could therefore be an egregious intrusion on a person’s intimate private sphere and should only be permitted only when necessary. The clandestine nature of communications surveillance, however, increases the risk of unlawfulness as a person under surveillance will be unable to challenge the process unless they are notified. The benchmark in international law is that laws regulating communications surveillance must be lawful, non-arbitrary and provide adequate safeguards for the right to privacy. This study establishes that the legal framework on communications surveillance in Nigeria does not meet this standard. Using the South African legal framework as a comparator and drawing on relevant international and regional law on the right to privacy and communications surveillance, this study recommends reforms for the current legal framework on communications surveillance in Nigeria. , Thesis (LLD) -- Faculty of Law, School of Private Law, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-08
- Authors: Osuntogun, Tope Adefemi
- Date: 2022-08
- Subjects: Social Communication , Electronic surveillance --Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60885 , vital:69011
- Description: This study examines the manner in which communications surveillance is regulated in Nigeria, with the aim of providing recommendations to ensure a new surveillance regime that provides adequate safeguards for human rights, particularly the right to privacy. The rapid innovation in ICT has brought new challenges to the right to privacy, among which is communications surveillance. Communications surveillance is an important tool of law enforcement as it enables remote gathering of evidence through interception of communication and acquisition of the metadata of electronic communications. Communications surveillance could therefore be an egregious intrusion on a person’s intimate private sphere and should only be permitted only when necessary. The clandestine nature of communications surveillance, however, increases the risk of unlawfulness as a person under surveillance will be unable to challenge the process unless they are notified. The benchmark in international law is that laws regulating communications surveillance must be lawful, non-arbitrary and provide adequate safeguards for the right to privacy. This study establishes that the legal framework on communications surveillance in Nigeria does not meet this standard. Using the South African legal framework as a comparator and drawing on relevant international and regional law on the right to privacy and communications surveillance, this study recommends reforms for the current legal framework on communications surveillance in Nigeria. , Thesis (LLD) -- Faculty of Law, School of Private Law, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-08
Exploring the adaptation challenges faced by novice foundation phase teachers in the Nelson Mandela Metropole
- Authors: Grimbeek, Michelle Louise
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: First year teachers , Teachers -- Training of – South Africa – Nelson Mandela Municipality , Education, Primary -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/56034 , vital:54941
- Description: The challenges faced by novice teachers have been widely discussed in the last decade (Caspersen & Raaen, 2014; Burkman, 2012). It is believed that the first year of teaching is found to be exceedingly challenging to the novice teacher due to the complex demands of the profession, as well as a result of a lack of training and induction into the work environment (Burkman, 2012). Researchers highlight that some of the many challenges that novice teachers experience are shortcomings in curricular planning, classroom management and discipline, instructional techniques, access to materials, and dealing with parents (Burkman, 2012). These challenges, along with feelings of inadequacy due to lack of experience in the working world, often have a negative effect on novice teachers and their ability to cope, subsequently resulting in high stress levels and burnout (Caspersen & Raaen, 2014). This qualitative study incorporated an interpretivist paradigm and used both semistructured interviews and a focus group discussion to explore the adaptation challenges experienced by novice Foundation Phase teachers in the Nelson Mandela Metropole. Grossman‟s Teacher Knowledge Theory and Vygotsky‟s Social Constructivist Theory were used to frame and make meaning of the findings of this study. The findings of this study indicate that novice teachers experience a range of challenges upon entering the working world. The numerous factors influencing these challenges experienced by novices include: the work environment; prior training and education; personal knowledge, values and attitudes toward teaching; and professional and social support received within the workplace. These findings were used to formulate guidelines to help support novice teachers in their adaptation from university to the professional work environment. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Grimbeek, Michelle Louise
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: First year teachers , Teachers -- Training of – South Africa – Nelson Mandela Municipality , Education, Primary -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/56034 , vital:54941
- Description: The challenges faced by novice teachers have been widely discussed in the last decade (Caspersen & Raaen, 2014; Burkman, 2012). It is believed that the first year of teaching is found to be exceedingly challenging to the novice teacher due to the complex demands of the profession, as well as a result of a lack of training and induction into the work environment (Burkman, 2012). Researchers highlight that some of the many challenges that novice teachers experience are shortcomings in curricular planning, classroom management and discipline, instructional techniques, access to materials, and dealing with parents (Burkman, 2012). These challenges, along with feelings of inadequacy due to lack of experience in the working world, often have a negative effect on novice teachers and their ability to cope, subsequently resulting in high stress levels and burnout (Caspersen & Raaen, 2014). This qualitative study incorporated an interpretivist paradigm and used both semistructured interviews and a focus group discussion to explore the adaptation challenges experienced by novice Foundation Phase teachers in the Nelson Mandela Metropole. Grossman‟s Teacher Knowledge Theory and Vygotsky‟s Social Constructivist Theory were used to frame and make meaning of the findings of this study. The findings of this study indicate that novice teachers experience a range of challenges upon entering the working world. The numerous factors influencing these challenges experienced by novices include: the work environment; prior training and education; personal knowledge, values and attitudes toward teaching; and professional and social support received within the workplace. These findings were used to formulate guidelines to help support novice teachers in their adaptation from university to the professional work environment. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
Productive Heterotopias as a Conceptual Basis for the Design of Sustainable Low-Income Housing within the Cape Town Inner-City
- Authors: Van Niekerk, Neil
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Productive life span , Low-income housing -- Cape town -- City
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58805 , vital:60123
- Description: Lasting colonial and patriarchal spatial strategies have resulted in South African cities characterised by vast inequalities and unsustainable patterns of development. These include explosive low-density sprawl, fragmentation, separation and a city-wide pattern of core and periphery. Housing justice for the urban poor is a critical component in addressing this, however, numerous studies have found that low-income housing projects have in the majority of cases ended up perpetuating these socially, economically and environmentally unsustainable patterns of development and reinforcing existing spatial injustices. For this reason, design research into more sustainable and productive architectural design strategies for low-income housing appropriate to the South African urban context is particularly important and forms the central concern of this treatise. To be more specific, this study questions how the theoretical idea of productive heterotopias and reimagining the role of the architect as that of a spatial agent could be used to generate a practical low-income housing strategy for a site in the Cape Town inner-city – one that is socially, economically and environmentally sustainable. To achieve this, a critical theoretical lens was adopted in conducting the research and a range of open-ended qualitative research methods were employed to gather, analyse and synthesise data. Because of its particular appropriateness to design research, data analysis primarily relied on abductive reasoning. This study is valuable in that it provides an exploration into the application of critical theory to low-income housing design in South African cities and demonstrates the architectural understandings gained within a set of design scenarios and architectural prototypes. This study argues that any low-income housing strategy in South Africa needs to recognise the complexities of the housing process, make use of time as an important building material and advance the right to the city of the urban poor, i.e. finding a balance between structure and agency that allows greater freedom for ordinary people to have a hand in co-creating the city through spontaneity, improvisation and incremental development, for that strategy to be truly sustainable and productive, as well as to assist in cultivating positively performing and equitable urban environments. In particular, this study rejects the top-down housing methods employed within mainstream development practice in favour of finding an alternative approach that will result in a more supportive housing project. Finding this new supportive approach involved investigating co-operative forms of organisation, methods for allowing community participation, sustainable building materials, simple construction methods and incorporating urban farming as a strategy for supplementing income. Additionally, this study argues that the chosen site for the design, namely Harrington Square, functions as a public urban square at the centre of a larger shared space while simultaneously supporting the proposed housing intervention. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty - School of of Architecture, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
- Authors: Van Niekerk, Neil
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Productive life span , Low-income housing -- Cape town -- City
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58805 , vital:60123
- Description: Lasting colonial and patriarchal spatial strategies have resulted in South African cities characterised by vast inequalities and unsustainable patterns of development. These include explosive low-density sprawl, fragmentation, separation and a city-wide pattern of core and periphery. Housing justice for the urban poor is a critical component in addressing this, however, numerous studies have found that low-income housing projects have in the majority of cases ended up perpetuating these socially, economically and environmentally unsustainable patterns of development and reinforcing existing spatial injustices. For this reason, design research into more sustainable and productive architectural design strategies for low-income housing appropriate to the South African urban context is particularly important and forms the central concern of this treatise. To be more specific, this study questions how the theoretical idea of productive heterotopias and reimagining the role of the architect as that of a spatial agent could be used to generate a practical low-income housing strategy for a site in the Cape Town inner-city – one that is socially, economically and environmentally sustainable. To achieve this, a critical theoretical lens was adopted in conducting the research and a range of open-ended qualitative research methods were employed to gather, analyse and synthesise data. Because of its particular appropriateness to design research, data analysis primarily relied on abductive reasoning. This study is valuable in that it provides an exploration into the application of critical theory to low-income housing design in South African cities and demonstrates the architectural understandings gained within a set of design scenarios and architectural prototypes. This study argues that any low-income housing strategy in South Africa needs to recognise the complexities of the housing process, make use of time as an important building material and advance the right to the city of the urban poor, i.e. finding a balance between structure and agency that allows greater freedom for ordinary people to have a hand in co-creating the city through spontaneity, improvisation and incremental development, for that strategy to be truly sustainable and productive, as well as to assist in cultivating positively performing and equitable urban environments. In particular, this study rejects the top-down housing methods employed within mainstream development practice in favour of finding an alternative approach that will result in a more supportive housing project. Finding this new supportive approach involved investigating co-operative forms of organisation, methods for allowing community participation, sustainable building materials, simple construction methods and incorporating urban farming as a strategy for supplementing income. Additionally, this study argues that the chosen site for the design, namely Harrington Square, functions as a public urban square at the centre of a larger shared space while simultaneously supporting the proposed housing intervention. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty - School of of Architecture, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
Economic impact assessment of the national youth development agency (NYDA) grant fund in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Fotoyi, Asanda
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Economic impact analysis , Youth development, Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59424 , vital:62093
- Description: Since the dawn of democracy in South Africa, the country has adopted several youth policies aimed at promoting young peoples’ education and training, employment, entrepreneurship, and healthy lifestyles. Still, however, the country battles high youth unemployment rates, which increased from 35.7% in 2010 to 41.0% in 2019. Such issues exist despite the NYDA being established in 2008 to coordinate youth strategies in the country. The NYDA strategic areas include: economic participation, education and skills development, health and wellbeing, knowledge management, and governance. Of note is that NYDA grant funding has been specifically designed to provide young South African entrepreneurs with an opportunity to access both financial and nonfinancial business support to establish or expand their businesses. Over a period of 7 years (2013-2019), the NYDA has grant funded a significant number of youth-owned businesses across the country, to the value of about R204.5 million. Given the large amount of public funds invested through NYDA grant funding, it is important to assess whether or not this investment has been favourable in terms of achieving its goals. This determination is especially important, as governmental resources are scarce and subject to opportunity cost, in that some alternatives have been forgone in favour of the NYDA mandate. The present study was, therefore, necessary, as, since the inception of NYDA grant funding, its economic impact has not been scientifically measured or assessed. As such, there has not been any scientific basis to justify NYDA grant funding. In particular, this thesis assessed the economic impact of the NYDA grant funding in the Eastern Cape. The effectiveness of the NYDA grant funding was examined against its objectives: improved entrepreneurship participation, business skills development and support, and improved creation of job opportunities. The primary hypothesis was tested using a cost-benefit analysis (CBA). The CBA method was adopted as it is a well-established economic assessment method to test policy interventions. This method is also based on methodological rigour and was determined to be most applicable for this present research endeavour. v The notion behind using the CBA was to quantify the net benefits of NYDA grant funding for youth businesses by comparing the benefits with the corresponding costs. In order to determine other factors that influence the turnovers of NYDA grant funding recipients’ businesses, secondary hypotheses were then tested by using a least absolute deviation (LAD) regression analysis in respect to cross-sectional data relating to the respondents’ annual turnovers over the years 2014-2019. The LAD estimation method was used primarily due to its robustness in comparison to ordinary least squares (OLS). This study made use of a questionnaire to collect data on the demographics of the NYDA grant funding beneficiaries. As well as the beneficiaries’ business characteristics, their subjective perceptions on the impact of the NYDA support interventions, and business-specific challenges. The Raosoft calculator was used to calculate the sample size at a 5% margin of error. The scientifically sound sample size of the respondents, according to the Raosoft calculator, was 246 out of 681 clients. The respondents were drawn from the Eastern Cape areas by means of face-to-face survey interviews as well as a digitised research instrument that was circulated using several online platforms (e.g., email, WhatsApp, and Facebook). The total number of respondents who ultimately participated in this study was 253. In order to achieve Denzin’s (1978) triangulation, a focus group session was also conducted with selected NYDA grant beneficiaries. The focus group discussion for this research was held using the online platform, Microsoft Teams (MS Teams). The survey analysis findings of the study suggest that the demographics of the NYDA grant funding beneficiaries are a general reflection of the Eastern Cape’s overall youth entrepreneurship trends. As such, there were more male youth entrepreneurs compared to female youth entrepreneurs. The involvement of youth in business improved in correspondence with age -groups. The population groups of the grant funding beneficiaries also reflected the country’s racial demographics. In terms of business characteristics, the survey analysis findings revealed that NYDA grant funded businesses function across various sectors of the economy and largely operate out of homes. These businesses primarily serve local households and communities, have generally been operating for 3-5 years, and were largely started because the owner recognised an opportunity in the market. In terms of business assistance from vi NYDA, it was found that the grant funding was mostly utilised for asset finance. In terms of business challenges, market conditions were highlighted as negatively impacting youth businesses. However, the participating business owners were primarily inward-looking when seeking to address their challenges. A further finding from the survey analysis revealed that many NYDA grant funded businesses tended to increase the number of jobs created in the period under review. The CBA findings, in turn, showed that the public expenditure in Eastern Cape youth businesses through NYDA grant funding was economically viable during the period under review, since the benefit-cost ratio (BCR) exceeded ‘1’ (the net present value (NPV) was also positive). The regression estimation findings further indicated gender, education, and industry gross domestic product (GDP) growth rates also had a significant impact on the annual turnovers of the youth businesses. The focus group findings highlighted that most beneficiaries derive value from NYDA grant funding. However, there is scope for improvement in the areas of access to finance, turnaround times, access to markets, links to the entrepreneurship ecosystem, administrative burden, mentorship, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and organisational culture. Based on the findings of the study, this thesis concludes that in the period under review, in the Eastern Cape, NYDA grant funding yields positive social returns; and delivered on its objectives (i.e., improved entrepreneurship participation, business skills development and support, and improved creation of job opportunities). The empirical findings of this study further supports this thesis’s recommendation for: 1) improvements in the NYDA grant funding budget; 2) closing gender gaps in youth entrepreneurship; 3) improving participation of disabled youth in business support services; 4) promoting entrepreneurship as a career path; 5) providing youth business support in rural areas; 6) diversifying economic sectors of youth businesses; 7) offering access to finance for youth business growth and expansion; 8) establishing youth businesses access to markets; 9) reducing administrative burdens for youth businesses; 10) improving accessibility of business development trainings; 11) offering mentorship for youth entrepreneurs, 12) providing infrastructure for youth businesses; 13) extend Covid-19 relief support for youth businesses; and 14) standardising practises in youth business support services. , Thesis (PHD) -- Faculty of Business and Economics Science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
- Authors: Fotoyi, Asanda
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Economic impact analysis , Youth development, Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59424 , vital:62093
- Description: Since the dawn of democracy in South Africa, the country has adopted several youth policies aimed at promoting young peoples’ education and training, employment, entrepreneurship, and healthy lifestyles. Still, however, the country battles high youth unemployment rates, which increased from 35.7% in 2010 to 41.0% in 2019. Such issues exist despite the NYDA being established in 2008 to coordinate youth strategies in the country. The NYDA strategic areas include: economic participation, education and skills development, health and wellbeing, knowledge management, and governance. Of note is that NYDA grant funding has been specifically designed to provide young South African entrepreneurs with an opportunity to access both financial and nonfinancial business support to establish or expand their businesses. Over a period of 7 years (2013-2019), the NYDA has grant funded a significant number of youth-owned businesses across the country, to the value of about R204.5 million. Given the large amount of public funds invested through NYDA grant funding, it is important to assess whether or not this investment has been favourable in terms of achieving its goals. This determination is especially important, as governmental resources are scarce and subject to opportunity cost, in that some alternatives have been forgone in favour of the NYDA mandate. The present study was, therefore, necessary, as, since the inception of NYDA grant funding, its economic impact has not been scientifically measured or assessed. As such, there has not been any scientific basis to justify NYDA grant funding. In particular, this thesis assessed the economic impact of the NYDA grant funding in the Eastern Cape. The effectiveness of the NYDA grant funding was examined against its objectives: improved entrepreneurship participation, business skills development and support, and improved creation of job opportunities. The primary hypothesis was tested using a cost-benefit analysis (CBA). The CBA method was adopted as it is a well-established economic assessment method to test policy interventions. This method is also based on methodological rigour and was determined to be most applicable for this present research endeavour. v The notion behind using the CBA was to quantify the net benefits of NYDA grant funding for youth businesses by comparing the benefits with the corresponding costs. In order to determine other factors that influence the turnovers of NYDA grant funding recipients’ businesses, secondary hypotheses were then tested by using a least absolute deviation (LAD) regression analysis in respect to cross-sectional data relating to the respondents’ annual turnovers over the years 2014-2019. The LAD estimation method was used primarily due to its robustness in comparison to ordinary least squares (OLS). This study made use of a questionnaire to collect data on the demographics of the NYDA grant funding beneficiaries. As well as the beneficiaries’ business characteristics, their subjective perceptions on the impact of the NYDA support interventions, and business-specific challenges. The Raosoft calculator was used to calculate the sample size at a 5% margin of error. The scientifically sound sample size of the respondents, according to the Raosoft calculator, was 246 out of 681 clients. The respondents were drawn from the Eastern Cape areas by means of face-to-face survey interviews as well as a digitised research instrument that was circulated using several online platforms (e.g., email, WhatsApp, and Facebook). The total number of respondents who ultimately participated in this study was 253. In order to achieve Denzin’s (1978) triangulation, a focus group session was also conducted with selected NYDA grant beneficiaries. The focus group discussion for this research was held using the online platform, Microsoft Teams (MS Teams). The survey analysis findings of the study suggest that the demographics of the NYDA grant funding beneficiaries are a general reflection of the Eastern Cape’s overall youth entrepreneurship trends. As such, there were more male youth entrepreneurs compared to female youth entrepreneurs. The involvement of youth in business improved in correspondence with age -groups. The population groups of the grant funding beneficiaries also reflected the country’s racial demographics. In terms of business characteristics, the survey analysis findings revealed that NYDA grant funded businesses function across various sectors of the economy and largely operate out of homes. These businesses primarily serve local households and communities, have generally been operating for 3-5 years, and were largely started because the owner recognised an opportunity in the market. In terms of business assistance from vi NYDA, it was found that the grant funding was mostly utilised for asset finance. In terms of business challenges, market conditions were highlighted as negatively impacting youth businesses. However, the participating business owners were primarily inward-looking when seeking to address their challenges. A further finding from the survey analysis revealed that many NYDA grant funded businesses tended to increase the number of jobs created in the period under review. The CBA findings, in turn, showed that the public expenditure in Eastern Cape youth businesses through NYDA grant funding was economically viable during the period under review, since the benefit-cost ratio (BCR) exceeded ‘1’ (the net present value (NPV) was also positive). The regression estimation findings further indicated gender, education, and industry gross domestic product (GDP) growth rates also had a significant impact on the annual turnovers of the youth businesses. The focus group findings highlighted that most beneficiaries derive value from NYDA grant funding. However, there is scope for improvement in the areas of access to finance, turnaround times, access to markets, links to the entrepreneurship ecosystem, administrative burden, mentorship, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and organisational culture. Based on the findings of the study, this thesis concludes that in the period under review, in the Eastern Cape, NYDA grant funding yields positive social returns; and delivered on its objectives (i.e., improved entrepreneurship participation, business skills development and support, and improved creation of job opportunities). The empirical findings of this study further supports this thesis’s recommendation for: 1) improvements in the NYDA grant funding budget; 2) closing gender gaps in youth entrepreneurship; 3) improving participation of disabled youth in business support services; 4) promoting entrepreneurship as a career path; 5) providing youth business support in rural areas; 6) diversifying economic sectors of youth businesses; 7) offering access to finance for youth business growth and expansion; 8) establishing youth businesses access to markets; 9) reducing administrative burdens for youth businesses; 10) improving accessibility of business development trainings; 11) offering mentorship for youth entrepreneurs, 12) providing infrastructure for youth businesses; 13) extend Covid-19 relief support for youth businesses; and 14) standardising practises in youth business support services. , Thesis (PHD) -- Faculty of Business and Economics Science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
The influence of societal marketing on green products consumer awareness in Polokwane City, South Africa
- Authors: Kutama, Zwannda Norman
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Markets-Social aspects , green consumerism , Marketing, Polokwane City -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/${Handle} , vital:62370
- Description: Rapid economic growth has resulted in excessive consumption of natural resources, which has intensified the deterioration of the ecological environment. There have been increasing public and consumer concerns about environmental issues, which has resulted in an increasing demand for green products. Despite these concerns, businesses in South Africa are not adequately utilising the societal marketing concept to influence consumer awareness of green products. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the influence of societal marketing on consumer awareness of green products in South Africa. A survey-based method was used to test a theoretically grounded set of hypotheses. Convenience sampling was used to select respondents for the study and data was collected using a 64-item online questionnaire issued to 410 respondents in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 26.0, was used to analyse data, through descriptive, spearman rank order correlation analysis, multiple regression analysis, independent sample t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The empirical results revealed that respondents’ perceptions of the items in the 6 P’s marketing scale and the consumer awareness five factor model were positive overall. Results of the reliability test revealed that all the reported Cronbach Alpha values (0.51 - 0.71) were above the recommended guideline value of 0.7, or at least, 0.5 in the early stages of research, an indication that the constructs were reliable. All the means of the constructs seemed reasonable. With the exception of product, the results of the spearman rank order correlation analysis revealed that the correlations between price, promotion, policy and partnership with consumer awareness of green products were practically significant (r = 0.50) and practically visible (0.30). Furthermore, with the exception of product, results of the regression analysis revealed a positive significant relationship between price, place, promotion, policy and partnerships with regard to consumer awareness of green products. This implies that price, promotion, policy and partnership significantly influence consumer awareness of green products. There was no significant difference between gender, age, area of residence and level of income with regard to consumer awareness of green products. With regard to the v level of education, results of the one-way ANOVA revealed a practically visible difference between the means of respondents with high school education and vocational education or its equivalent (d=39), a Bachelor’s (d=46) and Master’s degree or higher (d=42). This is an indication that consumers with vocational education or its equivalent, a Bachelor’s, Master's degree, or a higher qualification, were more aware of green products compared to those with a high school level of education. This research provides valuable insights into consumer awareness of green products in South Africa, with emphasis on the influence of societal marketing on consumer awareness of green products. Thus, there is a need for modern-day organisations to consider societal marketing as one of the organisation's competitive marketing strategies to influence society’s awareness of recent environmental challenges, and the benefits of consuming eco-friendly products. Recommendations with regard to areas for future research are provided in the study. , Thesis (MCOM) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
- Authors: Kutama, Zwannda Norman
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Markets-Social aspects , green consumerism , Marketing, Polokwane City -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/${Handle} , vital:62370
- Description: Rapid economic growth has resulted in excessive consumption of natural resources, which has intensified the deterioration of the ecological environment. There have been increasing public and consumer concerns about environmental issues, which has resulted in an increasing demand for green products. Despite these concerns, businesses in South Africa are not adequately utilising the societal marketing concept to influence consumer awareness of green products. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the influence of societal marketing on consumer awareness of green products in South Africa. A survey-based method was used to test a theoretically grounded set of hypotheses. Convenience sampling was used to select respondents for the study and data was collected using a 64-item online questionnaire issued to 410 respondents in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 26.0, was used to analyse data, through descriptive, spearman rank order correlation analysis, multiple regression analysis, independent sample t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The empirical results revealed that respondents’ perceptions of the items in the 6 P’s marketing scale and the consumer awareness five factor model were positive overall. Results of the reliability test revealed that all the reported Cronbach Alpha values (0.51 - 0.71) were above the recommended guideline value of 0.7, or at least, 0.5 in the early stages of research, an indication that the constructs were reliable. All the means of the constructs seemed reasonable. With the exception of product, the results of the spearman rank order correlation analysis revealed that the correlations between price, promotion, policy and partnership with consumer awareness of green products were practically significant (r = 0.50) and practically visible (0.30). Furthermore, with the exception of product, results of the regression analysis revealed a positive significant relationship between price, place, promotion, policy and partnerships with regard to consumer awareness of green products. This implies that price, promotion, policy and partnership significantly influence consumer awareness of green products. There was no significant difference between gender, age, area of residence and level of income with regard to consumer awareness of green products. With regard to the v level of education, results of the one-way ANOVA revealed a practically visible difference between the means of respondents with high school education and vocational education or its equivalent (d=39), a Bachelor’s (d=46) and Master’s degree or higher (d=42). This is an indication that consumers with vocational education or its equivalent, a Bachelor’s, Master's degree, or a higher qualification, were more aware of green products compared to those with a high school level of education. This research provides valuable insights into consumer awareness of green products in South Africa, with emphasis on the influence of societal marketing on consumer awareness of green products. Thus, there is a need for modern-day organisations to consider societal marketing as one of the organisation's competitive marketing strategies to influence society’s awareness of recent environmental challenges, and the benefits of consuming eco-friendly products. Recommendations with regard to areas for future research are provided in the study. , Thesis (MCOM) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
Ultraprecision Diamond Turning of Monocrystalline Germanium
- Authors: Adeleke, Adeniyi Kehinde
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Precision , Diamond Turning
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44453 , vital:37835
- Description: Infrared lens production demands a surface with a high degree of accuracy and integrity. Surface roughness is a critical index of the measure of any product’s surface integrity. As a result of this, ultra-high machining technology has enjoyed extensive application, due to the continuous request for components within the range of 1 – 10nm roughness value. This technology has brought about the increased productivity and manufacture of quality products with a top-notch surface finish. Brittle materials such as germanium are hard to machine through the conventional processes such as lapping and polishing. Hence, the ultra-precision machining technology based on single point diamond turning (SPDT), is now been applied to machine germanium in the ductile mode, where material chip removal occurs by plastic deformation instead of a brittle fracture. During machining, selecting the optimal cutting conditions which includes cutting parameters and tool geometry, will not only improve productivity but ensure the minimisation of operating cost. In this research work, SPDT operation was used to conduct two experiments on a (monocrystalline germanium) workpiece. The first experiment was carried out using a diamond tool with a 1.5 mm nose radius, while the second experiment employed the use of a tool having a nose radius of 1.0 mm. A combination of machining parameters for each of the experimental runs were derived from a Box-Behnken method of design and the surface roughness was measured at each interval for both experiments with the aid of a Taylor Hopson PGI Dimension XL profilometer. Acoustic emission (AE) was also used as a quality sensing and tool-monitoring technique, to acquire signals and give indications of the expected surface roughness. Predictive models based on response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural networks (ANN), were developed for determining surface roughness. Optimisation was performed using RSM to determine the optimal set of machining factors, which results in optimal condition of the output response. Further investigations on the acquired signals were carried out using signal-processing techniques. Time-domain and time-frequency domain features acquired from the AE signals, together with the process parameters, were employed as input variables in the neural network design, having shown a good association with the surface roughness. ix Conclusively, it can be observed that the predictive model results and the experimental roughness measurements are in good agreement with each other. For accuracy and cost of computation, the RSM and ANN developed models for single-crystal germanium are compared using mean absolute error (MAE). , Thesis (M.Eng) -- Faculty of Engineering, the built environment & Information Technology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Adeleke, Adeniyi Kehinde
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Precision , Diamond Turning
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44453 , vital:37835
- Description: Infrared lens production demands a surface with a high degree of accuracy and integrity. Surface roughness is a critical index of the measure of any product’s surface integrity. As a result of this, ultra-high machining technology has enjoyed extensive application, due to the continuous request for components within the range of 1 – 10nm roughness value. This technology has brought about the increased productivity and manufacture of quality products with a top-notch surface finish. Brittle materials such as germanium are hard to machine through the conventional processes such as lapping and polishing. Hence, the ultra-precision machining technology based on single point diamond turning (SPDT), is now been applied to machine germanium in the ductile mode, where material chip removal occurs by plastic deformation instead of a brittle fracture. During machining, selecting the optimal cutting conditions which includes cutting parameters and tool geometry, will not only improve productivity but ensure the minimisation of operating cost. In this research work, SPDT operation was used to conduct two experiments on a (monocrystalline germanium) workpiece. The first experiment was carried out using a diamond tool with a 1.5 mm nose radius, while the second experiment employed the use of a tool having a nose radius of 1.0 mm. A combination of machining parameters for each of the experimental runs were derived from a Box-Behnken method of design and the surface roughness was measured at each interval for both experiments with the aid of a Taylor Hopson PGI Dimension XL profilometer. Acoustic emission (AE) was also used as a quality sensing and tool-monitoring technique, to acquire signals and give indications of the expected surface roughness. Predictive models based on response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural networks (ANN), were developed for determining surface roughness. Optimisation was performed using RSM to determine the optimal set of machining factors, which results in optimal condition of the output response. Further investigations on the acquired signals were carried out using signal-processing techniques. Time-domain and time-frequency domain features acquired from the AE signals, together with the process parameters, were employed as input variables in the neural network design, having shown a good association with the surface roughness. ix Conclusively, it can be observed that the predictive model results and the experimental roughness measurements are in good agreement with each other. For accuracy and cost of computation, the RSM and ANN developed models for single-crystal germanium are compared using mean absolute error (MAE). , Thesis (M.Eng) -- Faculty of Engineering, the built environment & Information Technology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Workplace Discrimination Based on Pregnancy
- Authors: Pathiswa, Mbongwana
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Employment discrimination , Pregnancy
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60797 , vital:67819
- Description: In the past, South Africa was marked by widespread discriminatory practices, many of which still exist to date. This study investigates the persistent discrimination against pregnant women. The study revealed that in South Africa, pregnant women continue to face discrimination in employment and are often denied the right to go on maternity leave, nursing or breastfeeding and childcare facilities. Presently, pregnancy is listed as a prohibited ground for discrimination in the South African Constitution as well as many ILO Conventions. Similarly, the South African labour law framework which gives effect to the Constitution provides for the protection of women and pregnant workers. This protection comes in the form of measures that proscribe dismissal and discrimination based on. Despite these legislation, this study finds that the less favorable treatment of women and pregnant workers in South African workplaces has become increasingly common, and this has turned into a contentious subject. This study focused on labour legislation that has been developed to safeguard pregnant women in the workplace in light of applicable constitutional protections. Notwithstanding these legislative protections for pregnant women in the workplace, the analysis shows that many pregnant women continue to be treated unfairly due to their pregnancies or for reasons linked to their pregnancies. Consequently, there has been a regression in the actual execution of laws and regulations protecting pregnant workers. The study highlights the need to establish mechanisms to ensure that legislation protecting pregnant workers in the workplace achieves its intended purpose and is implemented properly. Consequently, this study presents pertinent suggestions about the implementation of labour legislation so that the employment rights of women and pregnant workers are adequately safeguarded. , Thesis (LLB) -- Faculty of Law, School of Mercantile Law, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
- Authors: Pathiswa, Mbongwana
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Employment discrimination , Pregnancy
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60797 , vital:67819
- Description: In the past, South Africa was marked by widespread discriminatory practices, many of which still exist to date. This study investigates the persistent discrimination against pregnant women. The study revealed that in South Africa, pregnant women continue to face discrimination in employment and are often denied the right to go on maternity leave, nursing or breastfeeding and childcare facilities. Presently, pregnancy is listed as a prohibited ground for discrimination in the South African Constitution as well as many ILO Conventions. Similarly, the South African labour law framework which gives effect to the Constitution provides for the protection of women and pregnant workers. This protection comes in the form of measures that proscribe dismissal and discrimination based on. Despite these legislation, this study finds that the less favorable treatment of women and pregnant workers in South African workplaces has become increasingly common, and this has turned into a contentious subject. This study focused on labour legislation that has been developed to safeguard pregnant women in the workplace in light of applicable constitutional protections. Notwithstanding these legislative protections for pregnant women in the workplace, the analysis shows that many pregnant women continue to be treated unfairly due to their pregnancies or for reasons linked to their pregnancies. Consequently, there has been a regression in the actual execution of laws and regulations protecting pregnant workers. The study highlights the need to establish mechanisms to ensure that legislation protecting pregnant workers in the workplace achieves its intended purpose and is implemented properly. Consequently, this study presents pertinent suggestions about the implementation of labour legislation so that the employment rights of women and pregnant workers are adequately safeguarded. , Thesis (LLB) -- Faculty of Law, School of Mercantile Law, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
Different dimensions of inequality and sustainable economic growth in Africa
- Authors: Raimi, Rasaq Being
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Inequality , Sustainable development , Economic growth -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59884 , vital:62483
- Description: The recent unprecedented economic growth across Africa for over two decades has been anticipated to alleviate poverty and close up the wide inequality gap in the continent; its impact, however, on the vast majority of people in Africa appears to be insignificant as more households are still battling with poverty and the inequality gap is still wide. This has, however, raised empirical questions regarding the nature of the relationship that exists between economic growth and inequality in Africa. Hence, these questions have created gaps in the literature as some studies found positive relationship while other results state otherwise. The study fills the existing gap by re-examining the relationship between dimensions of inequality and sustainable growth in Africa. The study applied parametric and non-parametric econometric techniques on more recent inequalities data covering 28 African countries. Specifically, the study examined the relationship between income inequality and sustainable growth in Africa, investigated the relationship between education inequality and sustainable growth in Africa, analysed the relationship between gender inequality and sustainable growth in Africa and discussed the relationship between land inequality and sustainable growth in Africa. The study covered the period of 1998-2020 and the data for the study were sourced from Standardised World Income Inequality Data Base (SWIID), World Economic Forum, World Bank Online Data Base, Benaabdelaali et al‘s (2012) paper and Ziesemer, THW‘s (2016) paper. Result from the analysis of income inequality and sustainable growth indicates a positive unidirectional relationship between the two variables. The findings suggest that African growth promotes more income inequality and income inequality does not interrupt the growth potential of the continent. The findings further reveal a positive relationship between sustainable growth and poverty rate in African region. This suggests that African economic growth alone cannot solve African poverty problem. Analysis of sustainable growth and education inequality shows an inverse relationship between the two variables. The result indicates that sustainable growth helps in reducing education inequality but a further increase in education inequality drags down sustainable growth in the long-run. Also, poverty is found to have a positive relationship with education inequality in Africa. However, no causal relationship is found between sustainable growth and education inequality but rather a unidirectional causality running from poverty to education inequality in Africa. iv In relation to the gender inequality analysis, the study also found a negative relationship between the two variables. Specifically, while sustainable growth is found to be bridging gender gap, gender inequality on the other hand is found to be a limiting factor on sustainable growth in Africa. The results also indicate a strong positive significant relationship between poverty and gender inequality in Africa. The analysis reveals the vulnerability of African women to poverty and also suggests that many African countries are yet to harness the enormous potentials possessed by women for their regional development. Furthermore, the study found a negative relationship between sustainable growth and land inequality in Africa. The result indicates that unequal land distribution is among the factors preventing Africa from achieving its high dream of sustainable growth and it is further responsible for the severe poverty especially among the rural dwellers where agricultural land is considered as an important determinant of family income. One way causality running from land inequality to sustainable growth is also established via granger causality result which further indicates that uneven land distribution has effects on sustainable growth. Based on these findings, the study concludes that economic growth though has been helping in bridging some dimensions of inequality in Africa, income related inequality is exempted. Also, it is evident that economic growth alone is not adequate to close the wide inequality gap that has persisted for so long in Africa. In conclusion, the study recommended among other things that many African policy makers need to intensify their developmental efforts to reach everyone in their countries so as to effectively fight the ugly poverty situation across the continent. Also, salary structure needs to be revisited across Africa via introduction of appropriate tax to redistribute income and help the low income earners to relatively meet up with the higher income earners. This will help in closing income gap and at the same time alleviate poverty. , Thesis (PHD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
- Authors: Raimi, Rasaq Being
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Inequality , Sustainable development , Economic growth -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59884 , vital:62483
- Description: The recent unprecedented economic growth across Africa for over two decades has been anticipated to alleviate poverty and close up the wide inequality gap in the continent; its impact, however, on the vast majority of people in Africa appears to be insignificant as more households are still battling with poverty and the inequality gap is still wide. This has, however, raised empirical questions regarding the nature of the relationship that exists between economic growth and inequality in Africa. Hence, these questions have created gaps in the literature as some studies found positive relationship while other results state otherwise. The study fills the existing gap by re-examining the relationship between dimensions of inequality and sustainable growth in Africa. The study applied parametric and non-parametric econometric techniques on more recent inequalities data covering 28 African countries. Specifically, the study examined the relationship between income inequality and sustainable growth in Africa, investigated the relationship between education inequality and sustainable growth in Africa, analysed the relationship between gender inequality and sustainable growth in Africa and discussed the relationship between land inequality and sustainable growth in Africa. The study covered the period of 1998-2020 and the data for the study were sourced from Standardised World Income Inequality Data Base (SWIID), World Economic Forum, World Bank Online Data Base, Benaabdelaali et al‘s (2012) paper and Ziesemer, THW‘s (2016) paper. Result from the analysis of income inequality and sustainable growth indicates a positive unidirectional relationship between the two variables. The findings suggest that African growth promotes more income inequality and income inequality does not interrupt the growth potential of the continent. The findings further reveal a positive relationship between sustainable growth and poverty rate in African region. This suggests that African economic growth alone cannot solve African poverty problem. Analysis of sustainable growth and education inequality shows an inverse relationship between the two variables. The result indicates that sustainable growth helps in reducing education inequality but a further increase in education inequality drags down sustainable growth in the long-run. Also, poverty is found to have a positive relationship with education inequality in Africa. However, no causal relationship is found between sustainable growth and education inequality but rather a unidirectional causality running from poverty to education inequality in Africa. iv In relation to the gender inequality analysis, the study also found a negative relationship between the two variables. Specifically, while sustainable growth is found to be bridging gender gap, gender inequality on the other hand is found to be a limiting factor on sustainable growth in Africa. The results also indicate a strong positive significant relationship between poverty and gender inequality in Africa. The analysis reveals the vulnerability of African women to poverty and also suggests that many African countries are yet to harness the enormous potentials possessed by women for their regional development. Furthermore, the study found a negative relationship between sustainable growth and land inequality in Africa. The result indicates that unequal land distribution is among the factors preventing Africa from achieving its high dream of sustainable growth and it is further responsible for the severe poverty especially among the rural dwellers where agricultural land is considered as an important determinant of family income. One way causality running from land inequality to sustainable growth is also established via granger causality result which further indicates that uneven land distribution has effects on sustainable growth. Based on these findings, the study concludes that economic growth though has been helping in bridging some dimensions of inequality in Africa, income related inequality is exempted. Also, it is evident that economic growth alone is not adequate to close the wide inequality gap that has persisted for so long in Africa. In conclusion, the study recommended among other things that many African policy makers need to intensify their developmental efforts to reach everyone in their countries so as to effectively fight the ugly poverty situation across the continent. Also, salary structure needs to be revisited across Africa via introduction of appropriate tax to redistribute income and help the low income earners to relatively meet up with the higher income earners. This will help in closing income gap and at the same time alleviate poverty. , Thesis (PHD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
The perception of school management teams and Teachers about their role to implement the national school nutrition programme in the Sisonke District in KwaZulu-Natal
- Authors: Zulu, Xolani Wycliff
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: School management teams , nutrition -- Study and teaching -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/56102 , vital:55420
- Description: This study focused on the perception of School Management Teams and Teachers about their role to implement the national school nutrition programme in the Sisonke District in KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa). The national school nutrition programme like any other projects in the country, faces some changes in the District which seem to interfere with the role of stakeholders in implementing the programme. This study explored the following research question with the set of secondary research questions: What are the perceptions of School Management Teams and Teachers in the Sisonke District of KwaZulu-Natal about their role in National School Nutrition Programme? • What perceptions do teachers and school managers have on the implementation of National School Nutrition Programme? • What challenges do Teachers and School Managers have to enhance the objectives of the National School Nutrition Programme? Both Teachers and School Managers were conveniently and purposively selected. For the generation of data, semi-structured interviews were used which were tape-recorded which were followed by transcription of data with interim analysis. Data was also generated through the use document analysis. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data, which was theoretically framed by Maslow’s theory of motivation, Hertzberg two-factor motivation theory, Lawler and Porter’s Expectancy theory of motivation and the Situational theory of Hersey and Blanchard through which, I lens the study and managed to explain the findings. The study findings revealed that most Teachers and School Managers perceived national school nutrition programme as an important programme in the context of Umzimkhulu as it isa deep rural area. Despite the positive perceptions of Teachers and School Managers about their role, the study findings further revealed that they are facing some challenges in the implementation of the programme. The findings have several implications for poverty alleviation in the Sisonke District, job creation and improved learner’s attendance, improved health conditions of learners. They also highlighted the weaknesses of the DBE official’s nutrition sub-directorate about role players of the programme. Both stakeholders in fulfilling their role, should take into consideration the constitutional rights of learners as some of them are in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Zulu, Xolani Wycliff
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: School management teams , nutrition -- Study and teaching -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/56102 , vital:55420
- Description: This study focused on the perception of School Management Teams and Teachers about their role to implement the national school nutrition programme in the Sisonke District in KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa). The national school nutrition programme like any other projects in the country, faces some changes in the District which seem to interfere with the role of stakeholders in implementing the programme. This study explored the following research question with the set of secondary research questions: What are the perceptions of School Management Teams and Teachers in the Sisonke District of KwaZulu-Natal about their role in National School Nutrition Programme? • What perceptions do teachers and school managers have on the implementation of National School Nutrition Programme? • What challenges do Teachers and School Managers have to enhance the objectives of the National School Nutrition Programme? Both Teachers and School Managers were conveniently and purposively selected. For the generation of data, semi-structured interviews were used which were tape-recorded which were followed by transcription of data with interim analysis. Data was also generated through the use document analysis. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data, which was theoretically framed by Maslow’s theory of motivation, Hertzberg two-factor motivation theory, Lawler and Porter’s Expectancy theory of motivation and the Situational theory of Hersey and Blanchard through which, I lens the study and managed to explain the findings. The study findings revealed that most Teachers and School Managers perceived national school nutrition programme as an important programme in the context of Umzimkhulu as it isa deep rural area. Despite the positive perceptions of Teachers and School Managers about their role, the study findings further revealed that they are facing some challenges in the implementation of the programme. The findings have several implications for poverty alleviation in the Sisonke District, job creation and improved learner’s attendance, improved health conditions of learners. They also highlighted the weaknesses of the DBE official’s nutrition sub-directorate about role players of the programme. Both stakeholders in fulfilling their role, should take into consideration the constitutional rights of learners as some of them are in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
Implementation of technological innovations within the South African construction industry
- Authors: Koopman, Kelly Leigh
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Technological innovations , construction industry -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60960 , vital:69301
- Description: In South Africa the construction industry has grown by more than 15% per annum over the past five-years and the construction industry is facing several pressures to decrease costs, improve productivity and to develop a competitive edge in terms of quality of service and customer satisfaction. Faced with a growing demand for service delivery the industry must seek new and improved ways to stay competitive in this market space. By effectively analysing the construction market all role players within the AEC industry can adopt new trends and techniques being implemented by either their foreign counterparts or direct competitors. One of these trends within the industry is technological innovations; each designed to play a beneficial role in construction industry advancements. It is clear that our industry is moving forward at an alarming rate, yet our foreign counterparts seem to be one step ahead. Based on the 2010 Soccer World Cup it was clear that the South African AEC Industry had the ability to conform and deliver on world class infrastructure, yet we still seem to have a slow adoption rate surrounding technological innovations. Investigating the depth of knowledge based around the most popular technological innovations currently being implemented can provide a clear view as to what S.A industry role players see as potentially profitable within our marketplace and the steps that could be taken to provide further research pertaining to those technological innovations which are being overlooked. Establishing the most prominent barriers preventing technological adoption within the South African AEC Industry can effectively be compared with those faced by foreign counterparts to mirror their solutions to similar problems. Finally, by establishing whether resistance to a changing environment plays a vital role in the hindrance to technological adoption one can access the extent to which the AEC Industry may effectively change based on a projected industry time frame. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology, School of the Built Environment, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
- Authors: Koopman, Kelly Leigh
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Technological innovations , construction industry -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60960 , vital:69301
- Description: In South Africa the construction industry has grown by more than 15% per annum over the past five-years and the construction industry is facing several pressures to decrease costs, improve productivity and to develop a competitive edge in terms of quality of service and customer satisfaction. Faced with a growing demand for service delivery the industry must seek new and improved ways to stay competitive in this market space. By effectively analysing the construction market all role players within the AEC industry can adopt new trends and techniques being implemented by either their foreign counterparts or direct competitors. One of these trends within the industry is technological innovations; each designed to play a beneficial role in construction industry advancements. It is clear that our industry is moving forward at an alarming rate, yet our foreign counterparts seem to be one step ahead. Based on the 2010 Soccer World Cup it was clear that the South African AEC Industry had the ability to conform and deliver on world class infrastructure, yet we still seem to have a slow adoption rate surrounding technological innovations. Investigating the depth of knowledge based around the most popular technological innovations currently being implemented can provide a clear view as to what S.A industry role players see as potentially profitable within our marketplace and the steps that could be taken to provide further research pertaining to those technological innovations which are being overlooked. Establishing the most prominent barriers preventing technological adoption within the South African AEC Industry can effectively be compared with those faced by foreign counterparts to mirror their solutions to similar problems. Finally, by establishing whether resistance to a changing environment plays a vital role in the hindrance to technological adoption one can access the extent to which the AEC Industry may effectively change based on a projected industry time frame. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology, School of the Built Environment, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
A stakeholder framework for sustainable Supply chain management in the Zimbabwean food industry
- Authors: Munuhwa,Shakerod
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Stakeholder , Supply chain management , Food industry -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60315 , vital:64397
- Description: The food supply chain plays an important role in the Zimbabwean food industry. More so sustainable food supply chain management (SFSCM) is a subject that has not received much attention, and yet it is so pertinent in determining food security in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe has faced episodes of inadequate grain/cereal food reserves, hence the urgent need to develop a stakeholder framework for sustainable food supply chain management. The main objective of the study was to develop a stakeholder framework for SFSCM in the food industry. To accomplish the main objective, the research intended to achieve the following sub-objectives, namely to: establish the drivers for SFSCM; identify SFSCM practices within the food industry; identify the key stakeholders’ dynamic capabilities (SDCs) in the food industry and identify challenges faced by stakeholders in implementing SFSCM. The study also sought to establish the influence of: SFSCM drivers on implementing SFSCM practices; SFSCM drivers on SDCs; SFSCM practices on SDCs; SFSCM practices on SFSCM performance; SFSCM drivers on SFSCM performance; and SDCs on SFSCM performance. This study further sought to assess the mediation effect of: SFSCM drivers on the relationship between SFSCM practices and SDCs; SDCs on the relationship between SFSCM practices and SFSCM performance; SFSCM drivers on the relationship between SDCs and SFSCM performance and finally to assess the mediation effect of SDCs on the relationship between SFSCM drivers and SFSCM performance. This study employed a pragmatic philosophy that allowed for the collection of primary data using a fixed concurrent mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) approach. The data analysis for this research included qualitative data from 22 participants and quantitative data from 292 respondents, all of whom were recruited through nine gatekeepers (Grain Marketing Board, Consumer Council of Zimbabwe, Food and Nutrition Association of Zimbabwe, Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe, Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement, Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply, Food and Agriculture Organization in Zimbabwe, Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers and Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce). A thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. For the quantitative data, the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27 package was used to perform descriptive analysis, and principal component analysis for factor reduction and dimensional groups. Analysis of a Moment Structures (AMOS 26) program was used viii to perform structural equation modelling (SEM) for model fit evaluations and hypothesis tests. The mixed methods approach (both qualitative and quantitative) results identified regulatory pressure, market pressure, societal pressure, availability of resources, organisational culture and corporate objectives as some of the key SFSCM drivers. Additionally, the results identified the following as the key SFSCM practices: waste management, carbon emission reduction, logistics optimisation, water conservation, energy conservation, cost reduction and price efficiency, employment of competent people, cultivation of profitable grain crops, corporate social responsibility, fair distribution of food, human development on nutritious food consumption, food donations and continuously conducting consumer tastes surveys. Further, the mixed methods approach results cited the following key SDCs: sensing, seizing, reconfiguration, reflexive control, partner development, co-evolving and supply chain integration capabilities. Major challenges faced by stakeholders when implementing SFSCM were also identified and these involved lack of resources, lack of top management commitment, poor information sharing, lack of mutual trust amongst stakeholders, unmotivated employees, lack of government support, ever-changing food regulations, poor customer demand for sustainable and healthy foods, corruption and economic hardship challenges. The study also sought to establish relationships amongst variables. The mixed methods approach results revealed that SFSCM drivers have a positive influence on SFSCM practices, SDCs and SFSCM performance. The results also report a positive and significant influence of SFSCM practices on SDCs. The results further indicate that SDCs have a positive and significant influence on SFSCM performance. Although the qualitative findings reported a positive influence of SFSCM practices on SFSCM performance, the quantitative results from the SEM path analysis reported a very weak positive and insignificant influence of SFSCM practices on SFSCM performance. Mediation analysis was also performed using the quantitative data analysis only, and the results revealed that SFSCM drivers have significant partial mediation effect on the relationship between SFSCM practices and SDCs. The results also report that SDCs have a significant full mediation effect on the relationship between SFSCM practices and SFSCM performance. SFSCM drivers were found to have a significant ix partial mediation influence on the relationship between SDCs and SFSCM performance. Lastly, SDCs have a significant partial mediation effect on the relationship between SFSCM drivers and SFSCM performance. Based on the empirical results, conclusions were drawn, and recommendations were made. The research proposes a new stakeholder framework for SFSCM in the food industry. The study recommends that stakeholders consider providing training and education to all employees about the critical role of SFSCM in ensuring Zimbabwe's food security. Additionally, policymakers are urged to implement supply chain anticorruption and fair-trading policies in order to boost SFSCM performance. Stakeholder institutions are also urged to reward internal stakeholders who perform exceptionally well in terms of SFSCM in order to positively motivate all staff, and ultimately improve SFSCM. , Thesis (PHD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business School, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
- Authors: Munuhwa,Shakerod
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Stakeholder , Supply chain management , Food industry -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60315 , vital:64397
- Description: The food supply chain plays an important role in the Zimbabwean food industry. More so sustainable food supply chain management (SFSCM) is a subject that has not received much attention, and yet it is so pertinent in determining food security in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe has faced episodes of inadequate grain/cereal food reserves, hence the urgent need to develop a stakeholder framework for sustainable food supply chain management. The main objective of the study was to develop a stakeholder framework for SFSCM in the food industry. To accomplish the main objective, the research intended to achieve the following sub-objectives, namely to: establish the drivers for SFSCM; identify SFSCM practices within the food industry; identify the key stakeholders’ dynamic capabilities (SDCs) in the food industry and identify challenges faced by stakeholders in implementing SFSCM. The study also sought to establish the influence of: SFSCM drivers on implementing SFSCM practices; SFSCM drivers on SDCs; SFSCM practices on SDCs; SFSCM practices on SFSCM performance; SFSCM drivers on SFSCM performance; and SDCs on SFSCM performance. This study further sought to assess the mediation effect of: SFSCM drivers on the relationship between SFSCM practices and SDCs; SDCs on the relationship between SFSCM practices and SFSCM performance; SFSCM drivers on the relationship between SDCs and SFSCM performance and finally to assess the mediation effect of SDCs on the relationship between SFSCM drivers and SFSCM performance. This study employed a pragmatic philosophy that allowed for the collection of primary data using a fixed concurrent mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) approach. The data analysis for this research included qualitative data from 22 participants and quantitative data from 292 respondents, all of whom were recruited through nine gatekeepers (Grain Marketing Board, Consumer Council of Zimbabwe, Food and Nutrition Association of Zimbabwe, Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe, Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement, Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply, Food and Agriculture Organization in Zimbabwe, Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers and Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce). A thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. For the quantitative data, the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27 package was used to perform descriptive analysis, and principal component analysis for factor reduction and dimensional groups. Analysis of a Moment Structures (AMOS 26) program was used viii to perform structural equation modelling (SEM) for model fit evaluations and hypothesis tests. The mixed methods approach (both qualitative and quantitative) results identified regulatory pressure, market pressure, societal pressure, availability of resources, organisational culture and corporate objectives as some of the key SFSCM drivers. Additionally, the results identified the following as the key SFSCM practices: waste management, carbon emission reduction, logistics optimisation, water conservation, energy conservation, cost reduction and price efficiency, employment of competent people, cultivation of profitable grain crops, corporate social responsibility, fair distribution of food, human development on nutritious food consumption, food donations and continuously conducting consumer tastes surveys. Further, the mixed methods approach results cited the following key SDCs: sensing, seizing, reconfiguration, reflexive control, partner development, co-evolving and supply chain integration capabilities. Major challenges faced by stakeholders when implementing SFSCM were also identified and these involved lack of resources, lack of top management commitment, poor information sharing, lack of mutual trust amongst stakeholders, unmotivated employees, lack of government support, ever-changing food regulations, poor customer demand for sustainable and healthy foods, corruption and economic hardship challenges. The study also sought to establish relationships amongst variables. The mixed methods approach results revealed that SFSCM drivers have a positive influence on SFSCM practices, SDCs and SFSCM performance. The results also report a positive and significant influence of SFSCM practices on SDCs. The results further indicate that SDCs have a positive and significant influence on SFSCM performance. Although the qualitative findings reported a positive influence of SFSCM practices on SFSCM performance, the quantitative results from the SEM path analysis reported a very weak positive and insignificant influence of SFSCM practices on SFSCM performance. Mediation analysis was also performed using the quantitative data analysis only, and the results revealed that SFSCM drivers have significant partial mediation effect on the relationship between SFSCM practices and SDCs. The results also report that SDCs have a significant full mediation effect on the relationship between SFSCM practices and SFSCM performance. SFSCM drivers were found to have a significant ix partial mediation influence on the relationship between SDCs and SFSCM performance. Lastly, SDCs have a significant partial mediation effect on the relationship between SFSCM drivers and SFSCM performance. Based on the empirical results, conclusions were drawn, and recommendations were made. The research proposes a new stakeholder framework for SFSCM in the food industry. The study recommends that stakeholders consider providing training and education to all employees about the critical role of SFSCM in ensuring Zimbabwe's food security. Additionally, policymakers are urged to implement supply chain anticorruption and fair-trading policies in order to boost SFSCM performance. Stakeholder institutions are also urged to reward internal stakeholders who perform exceptionally well in terms of SFSCM in order to positively motivate all staff, and ultimately improve SFSCM. , Thesis (PHD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business School, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
Developing metacognition through the use of Technology in self-organised learning environments in grade 11 Physical Sciences
- Authors: Tsamago, Hodi Elias
- Date: 2022-06
- Subjects: Metacognition , Technology
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59910 , vital:62687
- Description: The study was carried out to investigate the effect of the use of technology in self-organised learning environments (SOLEs) (in Physical Sciences classrooms) on learners’ metacognitive skills. The study contributes by identifying a technology-enhanced pedagogy that can effectively equip learners with metacognitive skills, which many studies have reported as having an effect on Physical Sciences learners’ conceptual understanding. The study followed an experimental (control group quasi-experimental) methods design, in which both qualitative and quantitative data were collected and analysed. A multistep stratified sampling method (which caters for both quantitative and qualitative facets) was employed to choose four schools (two rural and two urban) to participate in the study. These schools were randomly chosen from the population of all schools offering Physical Sciences in Grade 11 in the Capricorn District of Limpopo Province, South Africa were assigned to urban experimental group and rural experimental group (UEG and REG) and urban control group and rural control group (UCG and RCG) using geographical demographics. The participants were selected using both simple random sampling (for quantitative methods) and purposive sampling (for qualitative methods). The experimental groups were taught by the researcher using self-organised learning environments (SOLEs) pedagogy, while control groups were taught (also by the researcher of the study) using a traditional chalk-and-talk approach. A Physical Sciences concepts pre-/post-test and the Metacognitive Self-Assessment Scale (MSAS) questionnaire were used to glean the quantitative data, while focus group interviews (FGIs) were used to obtain the qualitative data. The analysis of the quantitative data employed both descriptive (mean, standard deviation and graphs) and inferential (both parametric t-test and non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests) statistics computed using the SPSS package version 22, while qualitative data were analysed thematically using coding techniques (applied on a sentence-by-sentence basis) after the transcription of the recorded FGIs. The study found that SOLEs pedagogy improves learners’ metacognitive skills, leading to better Physical Sciences conceptual understanding. In addition, the results indicate that all v aspects of metacognitive skills improved in experimental groups; however, certain aspects exhibited outstanding improvement such as “Respect shown to myself”; “Respect shown to others”; “Respect shown for empathy towards others” and “Respect shown towards problem solving”. Furthermore, the results of the FGIs revealed that a plausible explanation for the ability of SOLEs pedagogy to enhance metacognitive skills lies in its effortlessness to enable learners to link their classroom experiences to real-life experiences; simulate practical work; adapt to collaborative learning; use multiple channels for receiving information; and reducing learners’ reliance on the teacher. Hence, this study recommends the implementation of SOLEs pedagogy in the Physical Sciences classroom to improve learners’ metacognitive skills and conceptual understanding. However, the study had limitations, some of which included the sample size (which has an effect on the degree of generalisability of the research findings) and the period during which SOLEs pedagogy was implemented which might not have been long enough to exhaust its effect on metacognitive skills. Accordingly, further studies employing a longitudinal study design with a sample size bigger than 350 participants would be useful in understanding the effects of SOLEs pedagogy on metacognitive skills and improving the generalisability of research findings. , Thesis (PHD) -- Faculty of Education, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-06
- Authors: Tsamago, Hodi Elias
- Date: 2022-06
- Subjects: Metacognition , Technology
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59910 , vital:62687
- Description: The study was carried out to investigate the effect of the use of technology in self-organised learning environments (SOLEs) (in Physical Sciences classrooms) on learners’ metacognitive skills. The study contributes by identifying a technology-enhanced pedagogy that can effectively equip learners with metacognitive skills, which many studies have reported as having an effect on Physical Sciences learners’ conceptual understanding. The study followed an experimental (control group quasi-experimental) methods design, in which both qualitative and quantitative data were collected and analysed. A multistep stratified sampling method (which caters for both quantitative and qualitative facets) was employed to choose four schools (two rural and two urban) to participate in the study. These schools were randomly chosen from the population of all schools offering Physical Sciences in Grade 11 in the Capricorn District of Limpopo Province, South Africa were assigned to urban experimental group and rural experimental group (UEG and REG) and urban control group and rural control group (UCG and RCG) using geographical demographics. The participants were selected using both simple random sampling (for quantitative methods) and purposive sampling (for qualitative methods). The experimental groups were taught by the researcher using self-organised learning environments (SOLEs) pedagogy, while control groups were taught (also by the researcher of the study) using a traditional chalk-and-talk approach. A Physical Sciences concepts pre-/post-test and the Metacognitive Self-Assessment Scale (MSAS) questionnaire were used to glean the quantitative data, while focus group interviews (FGIs) were used to obtain the qualitative data. The analysis of the quantitative data employed both descriptive (mean, standard deviation and graphs) and inferential (both parametric t-test and non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests) statistics computed using the SPSS package version 22, while qualitative data were analysed thematically using coding techniques (applied on a sentence-by-sentence basis) after the transcription of the recorded FGIs. The study found that SOLEs pedagogy improves learners’ metacognitive skills, leading to better Physical Sciences conceptual understanding. In addition, the results indicate that all v aspects of metacognitive skills improved in experimental groups; however, certain aspects exhibited outstanding improvement such as “Respect shown to myself”; “Respect shown to others”; “Respect shown for empathy towards others” and “Respect shown towards problem solving”. Furthermore, the results of the FGIs revealed that a plausible explanation for the ability of SOLEs pedagogy to enhance metacognitive skills lies in its effortlessness to enable learners to link their classroom experiences to real-life experiences; simulate practical work; adapt to collaborative learning; use multiple channels for receiving information; and reducing learners’ reliance on the teacher. Hence, this study recommends the implementation of SOLEs pedagogy in the Physical Sciences classroom to improve learners’ metacognitive skills and conceptual understanding. However, the study had limitations, some of which included the sample size (which has an effect on the degree of generalisability of the research findings) and the period during which SOLEs pedagogy was implemented which might not have been long enough to exhaust its effect on metacognitive skills. Accordingly, further studies employing a longitudinal study design with a sample size bigger than 350 participants would be useful in understanding the effects of SOLEs pedagogy on metacognitive skills and improving the generalisability of research findings. , Thesis (PHD) -- Faculty of Education, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-06
The enforcement of settlement of agreements and arbitration awards
- Authors: Thathoba, Portia Chwayita
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Law enforcement , Settlements (Law) , Arbitration and award -- Law and legislation
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60696 , vital:66366
- Description: The Labour Relations Act (LRA) recognises settlement agreements and arbitration awards as mechanisms by which the rights of parties in troubled employment relationships can be asserted. Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) is a statutory body empowered to make and pronounce on such rights through settlement agreements and arbitration awards. The CCMA caters for those earning within the stipulated ministerial threshold falling outside the existing bargaining forums. However, not much empirical evidence is available to indicate the challenges experienced by parties when attempting to enforce those CCMA rulings to get defaulters to comply. South African law accepts settlement agreements as part of dispute resolution mechanism, but the experience of some who hold settlement agreements is such that they are exposed to prejudice when they are required to have the settlement agreement converted to arbitration awards which essentially requires alteration of the very settlement agreed upon. The broad objective of taking matters to the CCMA for resolution with the possibility of having them resolved at conciliation phase cannot be achieved if a settlement agreement is not worth the paper written on and must be made an arbitration award for enforceability. The two are not the same, nor should they be made to be and trying to give them a similar status for enforceability purposes brings about a myriad of unintended challenges. While it could be argued that there also exists section 158 (1) (c) of the LRA if the requirements of section 142A are challenging, it could also be said that such a provision is inaccessible to indigent individuals who may only be able to invoke that provision at the mercy of legal practitioners willing to take cases pro bono for those parties to even stand a chance at enforcing compliance with a settlement agreement that was entered into voluntarily. Such a system allows for employers to bail out on settlement agreements without consequence make a mockery of the CCMA. To a serious degree, this suggest lack of certainty on the part of CCMA and its ability to bring matters to finality which is an important element to realisation of justice. This study sought to examine the way settlement agreements and arbitration awards are enforced, with dedicated focus on the requirement that must be satisfied in order to have force and effect. With the above in mind, chapter one dealt with how settlement agreements and arbitration awards are given force and effect through the LRA as envisaged in section 142A. The chapter explored challenges brought by the enforcement process and what that may mean to the objectives intended by the legislation. Chapter two encapsulates the framework under which the CCMA operates and enforces its decisions, a framework envisaged to be less formal and non-legalistic for the expedient resolution of labour disputes. Chapter three touches on the challenges met with section 143 implementation and highlights some case law prior and after the LRA amendments. Lastly chapter four looked into the enforcement of international or foreign arbitration awards within the South African context given the affiliation with international organisations such as International Labour Organisation (ILO). While it may be good for South Africa to align herself with international practices, it is worth noting that South Africa is still developing in international arbitration as a mode of alternative dispute resolution, but its prevalence as a preferred dispute resolution mechanism is without a doubt increasing. , Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, School of Mercantile Law, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
- Authors: Thathoba, Portia Chwayita
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Law enforcement , Settlements (Law) , Arbitration and award -- Law and legislation
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/60696 , vital:66366
- Description: The Labour Relations Act (LRA) recognises settlement agreements and arbitration awards as mechanisms by which the rights of parties in troubled employment relationships can be asserted. Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) is a statutory body empowered to make and pronounce on such rights through settlement agreements and arbitration awards. The CCMA caters for those earning within the stipulated ministerial threshold falling outside the existing bargaining forums. However, not much empirical evidence is available to indicate the challenges experienced by parties when attempting to enforce those CCMA rulings to get defaulters to comply. South African law accepts settlement agreements as part of dispute resolution mechanism, but the experience of some who hold settlement agreements is such that they are exposed to prejudice when they are required to have the settlement agreement converted to arbitration awards which essentially requires alteration of the very settlement agreed upon. The broad objective of taking matters to the CCMA for resolution with the possibility of having them resolved at conciliation phase cannot be achieved if a settlement agreement is not worth the paper written on and must be made an arbitration award for enforceability. The two are not the same, nor should they be made to be and trying to give them a similar status for enforceability purposes brings about a myriad of unintended challenges. While it could be argued that there also exists section 158 (1) (c) of the LRA if the requirements of section 142A are challenging, it could also be said that such a provision is inaccessible to indigent individuals who may only be able to invoke that provision at the mercy of legal practitioners willing to take cases pro bono for those parties to even stand a chance at enforcing compliance with a settlement agreement that was entered into voluntarily. Such a system allows for employers to bail out on settlement agreements without consequence make a mockery of the CCMA. To a serious degree, this suggest lack of certainty on the part of CCMA and its ability to bring matters to finality which is an important element to realisation of justice. This study sought to examine the way settlement agreements and arbitration awards are enforced, with dedicated focus on the requirement that must be satisfied in order to have force and effect. With the above in mind, chapter one dealt with how settlement agreements and arbitration awards are given force and effect through the LRA as envisaged in section 142A. The chapter explored challenges brought by the enforcement process and what that may mean to the objectives intended by the legislation. Chapter two encapsulates the framework under which the CCMA operates and enforces its decisions, a framework envisaged to be less formal and non-legalistic for the expedient resolution of labour disputes. Chapter three touches on the challenges met with section 143 implementation and highlights some case law prior and after the LRA amendments. Lastly chapter four looked into the enforcement of international or foreign arbitration awards within the South African context given the affiliation with international organisations such as International Labour Organisation (ILO). While it may be good for South Africa to align herself with international practices, it is worth noting that South Africa is still developing in international arbitration as a mode of alternative dispute resolution, but its prevalence as a preferred dispute resolution mechanism is without a doubt increasing. , Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, School of Mercantile Law, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-04
The determinants of entrepreneurship in African countries
- Authors: Malungane, Neo
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Determinants , Entrepreneurship -- African countries
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59677 , vital:62349
- Description: This research investigates the determinants of entrepreneurship by examining the statistical relationships between entrepreneurship and macroeconomic, human capital, and institutional quality variables in 50 African countries utilising data from 2000-2018. The study intended to contribute to existing literature with new knowledge on the discipline since there is limited literature on African countries. The Generalised Methods of Moments technique was employed to examine the effect of independent variables on the dependent variable using Stata software. The study findings indicate that domestic credit to the private sector, education and training, the rule of law, political stability and absence of violence/terrorism, regulatory quality have a significant effect on entrepreneurship. The remaining selected variables are insignificant. These findings suggest that smooth access to credit through business loans, trade credits, and other accounts receivables from financial institutions as the primary funding mechanism for businesses. Further encouraging entrepreneurship, the African government should ensure that education and training, particularly entrepreneurial education, is available to all inhabitants. Improving existing laws and regulations and enacting new effective laws and regulations that align with the current African business climate is recommended to protect existing and infant businesses by governing the entire entrepreneurial environment. , Thesis (MEcon) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Science, School of Applied Accounting, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
- Authors: Malungane, Neo
- Date: 2022-12
- Subjects: Determinants , Entrepreneurship -- African countries
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59677 , vital:62349
- Description: This research investigates the determinants of entrepreneurship by examining the statistical relationships between entrepreneurship and macroeconomic, human capital, and institutional quality variables in 50 African countries utilising data from 2000-2018. The study intended to contribute to existing literature with new knowledge on the discipline since there is limited literature on African countries. The Generalised Methods of Moments technique was employed to examine the effect of independent variables on the dependent variable using Stata software. The study findings indicate that domestic credit to the private sector, education and training, the rule of law, political stability and absence of violence/terrorism, regulatory quality have a significant effect on entrepreneurship. The remaining selected variables are insignificant. These findings suggest that smooth access to credit through business loans, trade credits, and other accounts receivables from financial institutions as the primary funding mechanism for businesses. Further encouraging entrepreneurship, the African government should ensure that education and training, particularly entrepreneurial education, is available to all inhabitants. Improving existing laws and regulations and enacting new effective laws and regulations that align with the current African business climate is recommended to protect existing and infant businesses by governing the entire entrepreneurial environment. , Thesis (MEcon) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Science, School of Applied Accounting, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-12
The State of Social Media Policy Awareness and Compliance at the Nelson Mandela University
- Authors: Ngcama, Lwando
- Date: 2020-12
- Subjects: Social Media , Awareness , Compliance -- Nelson Mandela University
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49550 , vital:41735
- Description: The use of social media in higher education has both benefits and pitfalls. Higher education institutions are concerned about their staff and students’ use of social media and have thus resorted to implementing social media policies and guidelines. The Nelson Mandela University has implemented a social media policy and guidelines to inform and enforce the acceptable use of social media by its staff and students. In order to know whether staff and students of the Nelson Mandela University are aware of and compliant with its policy and guidelines, it is necessary to measure their level of awareness and compliance. Within this context, the primary objective of this study is to describe the state of awareness and compliance of staff and students at the Nelson Mandela University towards its social media policy and social media guidelines. In order to address the primary objective, the uses, benefits and risks of social media in higher education were identified through a literature review. The literature review revealed that social media is used in higher education to support and manage teaching and learning, marketing and crisis management, and for other purposes which may be specific to higher education stakeholders (both staff and students). The risks of social media use in higher education were revealed to be associated with institutional reputation, online content, privacy, intellectual property and the types of media shared by the stakeholders. The role of social media policies and guidelines in higher education was then described, based on a preliminary literature study which reviewed social media policies and guidelines implemented in higher education. Furthermore, the aspects of awareness and compliance towards social media policies and ii guidelines in higher education were also discussed. A general guide for the creation of social media policies and guidelines was identified and used to compare the nature and content of South African public universities’ social media policies and guidelines. Through comparative content analysis, the content of the universities’ social media policy and guidelines was compared, similarities and variances between were drawn, and the role of social media policies and guidelines was further explored. Finally, the knowledge of staff and students at the Nelson Mandela University in respect to the university’s social media policy and guidelines was measured and described through the use of a survey questionnaire and statistical analysis of the data collected. The results of the analysis indicated an overall medium level of awareness for both staff and students, with a mean average score of 3.2; while both groups demonstrated an overall high level of compliance towards the social media policy and guidelines, with a mean average score of 4.3. By addressing the primary objective, the contribution made by this study thus informs the Nelson Mandela University of the extent to which its social media policy and guidelines align with those of other South African public universities, and it indicates where the Nelson Mandela University should look to improve its staff and students’ awareness of and compliance with its social media policy and guidelines. , Thesis (MIT) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-12
- Authors: Ngcama, Lwando
- Date: 2020-12
- Subjects: Social Media , Awareness , Compliance -- Nelson Mandela University
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , Thesis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49550 , vital:41735
- Description: The use of social media in higher education has both benefits and pitfalls. Higher education institutions are concerned about their staff and students’ use of social media and have thus resorted to implementing social media policies and guidelines. The Nelson Mandela University has implemented a social media policy and guidelines to inform and enforce the acceptable use of social media by its staff and students. In order to know whether staff and students of the Nelson Mandela University are aware of and compliant with its policy and guidelines, it is necessary to measure their level of awareness and compliance. Within this context, the primary objective of this study is to describe the state of awareness and compliance of staff and students at the Nelson Mandela University towards its social media policy and social media guidelines. In order to address the primary objective, the uses, benefits and risks of social media in higher education were identified through a literature review. The literature review revealed that social media is used in higher education to support and manage teaching and learning, marketing and crisis management, and for other purposes which may be specific to higher education stakeholders (both staff and students). The risks of social media use in higher education were revealed to be associated with institutional reputation, online content, privacy, intellectual property and the types of media shared by the stakeholders. The role of social media policies and guidelines in higher education was then described, based on a preliminary literature study which reviewed social media policies and guidelines implemented in higher education. Furthermore, the aspects of awareness and compliance towards social media policies and ii guidelines in higher education were also discussed. A general guide for the creation of social media policies and guidelines was identified and used to compare the nature and content of South African public universities’ social media policies and guidelines. Through comparative content analysis, the content of the universities’ social media policy and guidelines was compared, similarities and variances between were drawn, and the role of social media policies and guidelines was further explored. Finally, the knowledge of staff and students at the Nelson Mandela University in respect to the university’s social media policy and guidelines was measured and described through the use of a survey questionnaire and statistical analysis of the data collected. The results of the analysis indicated an overall medium level of awareness for both staff and students, with a mean average score of 3.2; while both groups demonstrated an overall high level of compliance towards the social media policy and guidelines, with a mean average score of 4.3. By addressing the primary objective, the contribution made by this study thus informs the Nelson Mandela University of the extent to which its social media policy and guidelines align with those of other South African public universities, and it indicates where the Nelson Mandela University should look to improve its staff and students’ awareness of and compliance with its social media policy and guidelines. , Thesis (MIT) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-12