PyMORESANE: A Pythonic and CUDA-accelerated implementation of the MORESANE deconvolution algorithm
- Authors: Kenyon, Jonathan
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Radio astronomy , Imaging systems in astronomy , MOdel REconstruction by Synthesis-ANalysis Estimators (MORESANE)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5563 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020098
- Description: The inadequacies of the current generation of deconvolution algorithms are rapidly becoming apparent as new, more sensitive radio interferometers are constructed. In light of these inadequacies, there is renewed interest in the field of deconvolution. Many new algorithms are being developed using the mathematical framework of compressed sensing. One such technique, MORESANE, has recently been shown to be a powerful tool for the recovery of faint difuse emission from synthetic and simulated data. However, the original implementation is not well-suited to large problem sizes due to its computational complexity. Additionally, its use of proprietary software prevents it from being freely distributed and used. This has motivated the development of a freely available Python implementation, PyMORESANE. This thesis describes the implementation of PyMORESANE as well as its subsequent augmentation with MPU and GPGPU code. These additions accelerate the algorithm and thus make it competitive with its legacy counterparts. The acceleration of the algorithm is verified by means of benchmarking tests for varying image size and complexity. Additionally, PyMORESANE is shown to work not only on synthetic data, but on real observational data. This verification means that the MORESANE algorithm, and consequently the PyMORESANE implementation, can be added to the current arsenal of deconvolution tools.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Kenyon, Jonathan
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Radio astronomy , Imaging systems in astronomy , MOdel REconstruction by Synthesis-ANalysis Estimators (MORESANE)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5563 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020098
- Description: The inadequacies of the current generation of deconvolution algorithms are rapidly becoming apparent as new, more sensitive radio interferometers are constructed. In light of these inadequacies, there is renewed interest in the field of deconvolution. Many new algorithms are being developed using the mathematical framework of compressed sensing. One such technique, MORESANE, has recently been shown to be a powerful tool for the recovery of faint difuse emission from synthetic and simulated data. However, the original implementation is not well-suited to large problem sizes due to its computational complexity. Additionally, its use of proprietary software prevents it from being freely distributed and used. This has motivated the development of a freely available Python implementation, PyMORESANE. This thesis describes the implementation of PyMORESANE as well as its subsequent augmentation with MPU and GPGPU code. These additions accelerate the algorithm and thus make it competitive with its legacy counterparts. The acceleration of the algorithm is verified by means of benchmarking tests for varying image size and complexity. Additionally, PyMORESANE is shown to work not only on synthetic data, but on real observational data. This verification means that the MORESANE algorithm, and consequently the PyMORESANE implementation, can be added to the current arsenal of deconvolution tools.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Factors contributing towards the decline in enrolment of learners in the rural Junior Secondary Schools in the Qumbu District of Education of South Africa
- Authors: Vellem, Mxolosi
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Rural schools -- Learners -- South Africa School enrolment—Education (Junior secondary) -- South Africa -- Qumbu Rationalisation and re-alignment -- Schools
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , M Ed
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/1326 , vital:30806
- Description: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors contributing towards the decline of learners in rural junior secondary schools in the Qumbu Education District in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. This was done because in South Africa before the 1994 elections rural schools were not supported by the apartheid government. Rural areas were disadvantaged in education, in terms of finance. This resulted in poor quality of teaching and learning. Declining numbers of learners in rural schools was occurring in all rural schools. Staffs were alarmed by the declining enrolment of learners in their schools because their schools were affected. Teachers were redeployed to schools where there were sufficient learner numbers. Department of Education due to declining learner numbers in schools introduced rationalisation and re-alignment of schools, meaning closure of some schools with low learner numbers. This led to learners walking long distances to schools. This study was conducted in the Qumbu Education District. It focused on declining numbers of learner enrolment. The literature internationally focused on declining number in enrolment of learners. These learners were afraid of Physical Science (Chemistry side) as a subject. They had taken Chemistry as difficult because of the perceived link with Mathematics. Continentally the literature had alluded to teenage pregnancy, affected and infected learners with HIV/AIDS and human trafficking. In South Africa literature focused on the educational level of parents. Learners with educated parents leave rural schools to study in urban areas because of poor education which is provided in rural areas. Lack of resources in these schools could also be the cause of declining learner numbers in rural junior secondary schools. The study used a quantitative research design to elicit data from the respondents. The respondents in this study were 50 principals of the sampled rural junior secondary schools. Data was collected from 50 participants through the use of a questionnaire; 50 questionnaires were returned and the data which was finally processed was from these 50 questionnaires. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for the analysis of the data. iii The findings of the study revealed that factors such as lack of parental involvement, socio-economic factors, HIV/AIDS - related issues, culture and gender - related issues, lack of resources, teacher and teaching - related issues and the education level of the parents were the contributing factors to the decline in enrolment of learners in rural junior secondary schools in the Qumbu Education District. In the light of the findings, the researcher recommends that more tuition time and the reduction of absenteeism by teachers can help reduce the decline of enrolment in rural junior schools in the Qumbu area. The Department must consider the number of learning areas and not teacher - pupil ratio. The Department should also introduce computer classes, woodwork, bricklaying and other practical skill subjects in these schools. Furthermore there must be resources such as laboratories, libraries and television. Some of the limitations encountered by the researcher during the study included the reluctance of the participants to take part in the research, the inaccessibility of schools in deep rural areas, the slow return rate of completed questionnaires and the obtaining of permission to undertake the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Vellem, Mxolosi
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Rural schools -- Learners -- South Africa School enrolment—Education (Junior secondary) -- South Africa -- Qumbu Rationalisation and re-alignment -- Schools
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , M Ed
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/1326 , vital:30806
- Description: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors contributing towards the decline of learners in rural junior secondary schools in the Qumbu Education District in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. This was done because in South Africa before the 1994 elections rural schools were not supported by the apartheid government. Rural areas were disadvantaged in education, in terms of finance. This resulted in poor quality of teaching and learning. Declining numbers of learners in rural schools was occurring in all rural schools. Staffs were alarmed by the declining enrolment of learners in their schools because their schools were affected. Teachers were redeployed to schools where there were sufficient learner numbers. Department of Education due to declining learner numbers in schools introduced rationalisation and re-alignment of schools, meaning closure of some schools with low learner numbers. This led to learners walking long distances to schools. This study was conducted in the Qumbu Education District. It focused on declining numbers of learner enrolment. The literature internationally focused on declining number in enrolment of learners. These learners were afraid of Physical Science (Chemistry side) as a subject. They had taken Chemistry as difficult because of the perceived link with Mathematics. Continentally the literature had alluded to teenage pregnancy, affected and infected learners with HIV/AIDS and human trafficking. In South Africa literature focused on the educational level of parents. Learners with educated parents leave rural schools to study in urban areas because of poor education which is provided in rural areas. Lack of resources in these schools could also be the cause of declining learner numbers in rural junior secondary schools. The study used a quantitative research design to elicit data from the respondents. The respondents in this study were 50 principals of the sampled rural junior secondary schools. Data was collected from 50 participants through the use of a questionnaire; 50 questionnaires were returned and the data which was finally processed was from these 50 questionnaires. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for the analysis of the data. iii The findings of the study revealed that factors such as lack of parental involvement, socio-economic factors, HIV/AIDS - related issues, culture and gender - related issues, lack of resources, teacher and teaching - related issues and the education level of the parents were the contributing factors to the decline in enrolment of learners in rural junior secondary schools in the Qumbu Education District. In the light of the findings, the researcher recommends that more tuition time and the reduction of absenteeism by teachers can help reduce the decline of enrolment in rural junior schools in the Qumbu area. The Department must consider the number of learning areas and not teacher - pupil ratio. The Department should also introduce computer classes, woodwork, bricklaying and other practical skill subjects in these schools. Furthermore there must be resources such as laboratories, libraries and television. Some of the limitations encountered by the researcher during the study included the reluctance of the participants to take part in the research, the inaccessibility of schools in deep rural areas, the slow return rate of completed questionnaires and the obtaining of permission to undertake the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Dispersal of sterile false codling moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), for a sterile insect technique programme on citrus
- Authors: Wagenaar, Gideon Daniel
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Cryptophlebia leucotreta , Insect pests -- Control -- South Africa , Citrus -- Diseases and pests -- Control -- South Africa , Insect sterilization
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4977 , vital:20774
- Description: The false codling moth (FCM), Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is an important pest of citrus in South Africa and challenging to manage due to its inconspicuous nature. An effective method currently being employed for the area-wide suppression of the FCM is the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and the effective dispersal of sterile moths is very important for success with SIT. This study was conducted in the Addo area of the Sundays River Valley (Eastern Cape) where the programme is commercially used. In this study, sterile male moths were released in different orchards on a citrus farm, and in nearby veld at different times of the year, and their dispersal was monitored through the use of pheromone traps. Various climatic factors were monitored. This provided insight into the local dispersal of sterile male FCM adults in response to abiotic cues (particularly climatic factors). The movement of the FCM in four citrus cultivars, namely lemons, navel and Valencia oranges and mandarins and in the nearby veld (open field), was determined at six different stages of the year. Results clearly indicated that sterile FCM movement is concentrated within citrus orchards, as very few moths were trapped beyond 30 m from the release point, particularly in navel and Valencia orchards. Of the climatic factors measured, minimum and maximum temperatures had the most significant influence on FCM dispersal, and based on the results, various recommendations are made for the releases of sterile FCM in an area-wide SIT management programmes on citrus. A better understanding of the dispersal capabilities of the FCM in an agricultural system, under different conditions and at different times of the year, is invaluable not only in improving release strategies in an SIT programme but in planning future control strategies against the FCM.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Wagenaar, Gideon Daniel
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Cryptophlebia leucotreta , Insect pests -- Control -- South Africa , Citrus -- Diseases and pests -- Control -- South Africa , Insect sterilization
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4977 , vital:20774
- Description: The false codling moth (FCM), Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is an important pest of citrus in South Africa and challenging to manage due to its inconspicuous nature. An effective method currently being employed for the area-wide suppression of the FCM is the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and the effective dispersal of sterile moths is very important for success with SIT. This study was conducted in the Addo area of the Sundays River Valley (Eastern Cape) where the programme is commercially used. In this study, sterile male moths were released in different orchards on a citrus farm, and in nearby veld at different times of the year, and their dispersal was monitored through the use of pheromone traps. Various climatic factors were monitored. This provided insight into the local dispersal of sterile male FCM adults in response to abiotic cues (particularly climatic factors). The movement of the FCM in four citrus cultivars, namely lemons, navel and Valencia oranges and mandarins and in the nearby veld (open field), was determined at six different stages of the year. Results clearly indicated that sterile FCM movement is concentrated within citrus orchards, as very few moths were trapped beyond 30 m from the release point, particularly in navel and Valencia orchards. Of the climatic factors measured, minimum and maximum temperatures had the most significant influence on FCM dispersal, and based on the results, various recommendations are made for the releases of sterile FCM in an area-wide SIT management programmes on citrus. A better understanding of the dispersal capabilities of the FCM in an agricultural system, under different conditions and at different times of the year, is invaluable not only in improving release strategies in an SIT programme but in planning future control strategies against the FCM.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Sculpting with fire: celebrating ephemerality at AfrikaBurn 2015 in the Tankwa Karoo, South Africa
- Authors: Steele, John
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/957 , vital:30075
- Description: Land art, and some installation art, is usually aimed at relatively temporarily manipulating the surface of the earth. AfrikaBurn takes place annually in the near-desert of the Tankwa Karoo, South Africa. It is a communal event unique to Africa, and manifests as a fleeting week-long series of interventions in the natural environment, partially aimed at creating and then actively destroying free-standing public sculptures, some of which are huge and intricate. AfrikaBurn gives any one of the thousands of participants an opportunity to be inspired on any scale to generate artworks that take into account a principle that no debris whatsoever is left behind on the surface of the earth after a week-long celebration of creative energies. Unlike, for instance, an artwork built on the edge of the Indian Ocean in the Eastern Cape, where rough tidal seas would ensure gradual destruction, at AfrikaBurn, the sacrificial method of choice is controlled rapid burning, under the direction of a specified firemaster. This paper seeks to unbundle some aspects of land and installation art in Southern Africa with specific reference to AfrikaBurn 2015 events and anti-fracking initiatives. This is within a context that takes into account recognition that even seemingly durable public sculptures are subject to change and may even physically disappear with the passing of time.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Steele, John
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/957 , vital:30075
- Description: Land art, and some installation art, is usually aimed at relatively temporarily manipulating the surface of the earth. AfrikaBurn takes place annually in the near-desert of the Tankwa Karoo, South Africa. It is a communal event unique to Africa, and manifests as a fleeting week-long series of interventions in the natural environment, partially aimed at creating and then actively destroying free-standing public sculptures, some of which are huge and intricate. AfrikaBurn gives any one of the thousands of participants an opportunity to be inspired on any scale to generate artworks that take into account a principle that no debris whatsoever is left behind on the surface of the earth after a week-long celebration of creative energies. Unlike, for instance, an artwork built on the edge of the Indian Ocean in the Eastern Cape, where rough tidal seas would ensure gradual destruction, at AfrikaBurn, the sacrificial method of choice is controlled rapid burning, under the direction of a specified firemaster. This paper seeks to unbundle some aspects of land and installation art in Southern Africa with specific reference to AfrikaBurn 2015 events and anti-fracking initiatives. This is within a context that takes into account recognition that even seemingly durable public sculptures are subject to change and may even physically disappear with the passing of time.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Review of two sustainability learning programmes for industrial settings in relation to emerging green learning aspects
- Authors: Visagie, Martha Jacoba
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Environmental education , Sustainable development -- Study and teaching (Continuing education) , Natural resources -- Management -- Study and teaching (Continuing education) , Environmental economics -- Study and teaching (Continuing education) , Green movement
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:2049 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017360
- Description: Driven by the needs of growing populations, industrial and governing powers are successfully accelerating the rate of industrial consumption, production and employment as if the earth’s resources are in unlimited supply. In contrast, a range of international sustainable development forums, inspired by visionary individuals, have made significant progress in creating awareness that the footprint of human activity is exceeding the earth’s sink and source capacity; and educating people in government, workplaces and communities to slow down industrial consumption and clean up production. Turning around conventional and short sighted ‘business as usual’ logic, and directing economies toward greener, long-term sustainability outcomes, still meet with resistance and hidden unsustainable agendas. The ‘green economy’ drive nevertheless since 2008 attracts financial and human resources and bold action in favour of more sustainable management of human-nature relations. The sustainable development movement for example advocates a ‘triple bottom line’ approach, holding that socially and ecologically responsible economic development would be sustainable. The sustainability movement has attained significant buy-in among governments and business communities. It forms the under-labouring philosophy of the programmes reviewed in this case study. The thesis reviews social-economic events paving the way for a global green economy. Taking a leadership role in the sustainable development movement the United Nations (UN) and the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) concurred to respond to the 2008 world-wide economic meltdown with a two-pronged ‘Green New Deal’ (UNEP, 2008). The Green New Deal financial package helps restore multi-national economic growth, employment and markets while re-shaping economies to follow an ecologically and socially responsible growth trajectory. South Africa implements green economy principles as part of the 2010 The New Growth Path overarching policy framework, with an implementation strategy embedded in the 2011 National Development Plan (NDP) (RSA. The Presidency, 2010; 2011). The New Growth Path emphasises that the transformation of South Africa’s un-sustainable economic and educational legacy to a more sustainable future is not expected to follow a smooth, linear process. The transition to a green economy is rather expected to be an event of “… noisy, healthy democracy” (RSA. The Presidency, 2010). A green, low carbon economy particularly constitutes a pledge to slow down and turn the human induced climate change trajectory around. McKinsey (2009) argues that this pledge is attainable on a world-wide scale, as sufficient and suitable environmentally sound techniques and technologies are already in place. Attaining buy-in from business stakeholders toward re-thinking and amending an economy’s self-defying large environmental footprint (inclusive of carbon, water and waste footprints) however requires education starting with awarenessraising followed by educational programmes and official curricula aimed at implementation and continuous improvement of green practices in day to day ‘doings and beings’ (Sen, 1997). This study at implementation level reviews two green economy training programmes and their emergence in South Africa around this rationale. The awareness generation and training programmes elected as case study examples are the ‘Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production’ (RECP) and ‘Industrial Energy Efficiency’ (IEE) programmes, of the hosting agency National Cleaner Production Centre of South Africa (NCPC-SA). The RECP and IEE teams reach out to decision makers, engineers and artisans at industrial workplaces and workplace related events to add green competences to their business-as-usual skill sets. Implementing green options in industry typically slows down industrial scale resource consumption, pollution, waste generation and green-house gas (GHG) emissions while optimising resource productivity and enterprise excellence. Optimised supply side systems allow industry to reduce energy and material intensity of products thus reducing cost and producing more with less. In transitioning to a ‘Green GDP’ economy South Africa is awakening to the reality that natural resources constitute the original, albeit limited feedstock for growth and employment. The RECP and IEE approach also contribute to reduction of industrial waste, waste-to-landfill, and energy and resource security. Literature reviewed for this research provides evidence that the green economy’s triple bottom line philosophy is quantifiable thus manageable. A range of green economy management tools are emerging, including guidelines for carbon, water and environmental footprinting and the green-house gas abatement cost curve (see section 2.2.5) (McKinsey and Company, 2009). Transitioning from business as usual to ecologically sustainable industrial sectors however requires visionary, educated leadership, willing and capable of introducing modern and more efficient techniques and technologies. The boundaries of this half thesis embrace the globally and historically significant Tbilisi Declaration and other education and sustainable development agreements produced by United Nations and OECD mechanisms. Participating nations like South Africa incorporate the essence of these agreements into domestic policies and strategies, and align industries to remain competitive in international markets, which are increasingly enforcing green standards like ISO 14001 and ISO 50001. The focus of this case study guided by inductive, abductive and retroductive inference is to understand how the two sustainability learning programmes for people in industrial workplaces, supported by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and relevant donors, and overseen by the South African Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), relate to emerging green learning aspects. Producing a review of this nature requires a framework of laterally understanding emerging green learning aspects, for which I have reviewed green economy literature and also green learning and conventional education and training literature respectively. Themes emerging from the literature review informed an analytical instrument (questionnaire) in Phase One. In Phase Two the questionnaire was applied through nested case study methodology to show how the educational content and approaches of the RECP and IEE programmes relate to emerging green learning aspects and as such is suitable for mainstreaming in the national educational system. From an explicit educational perspective potential partners for collaboration include the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) the South African Qualifications Authority’s (SAQA’s) Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) and the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) representing the training needs of the industrial workforce but affiliated to QCTO and SAQA. In the extended scenario the NCPC-SA as a dti programme recognises the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) as lead agency guiding implementation of South Africa’s green economy, and specifically DEA’s National Environmental Sector Skills Planning Forum (NESPF), a national leader in green skills development in South Africa, as conduit for productively mainstreaming relevant RECP and IEE content and approaches toward green skills development for the green economy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Visagie, Martha Jacoba
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Environmental education , Sustainable development -- Study and teaching (Continuing education) , Natural resources -- Management -- Study and teaching (Continuing education) , Environmental economics -- Study and teaching (Continuing education) , Green movement
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:2049 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017360
- Description: Driven by the needs of growing populations, industrial and governing powers are successfully accelerating the rate of industrial consumption, production and employment as if the earth’s resources are in unlimited supply. In contrast, a range of international sustainable development forums, inspired by visionary individuals, have made significant progress in creating awareness that the footprint of human activity is exceeding the earth’s sink and source capacity; and educating people in government, workplaces and communities to slow down industrial consumption and clean up production. Turning around conventional and short sighted ‘business as usual’ logic, and directing economies toward greener, long-term sustainability outcomes, still meet with resistance and hidden unsustainable agendas. The ‘green economy’ drive nevertheless since 2008 attracts financial and human resources and bold action in favour of more sustainable management of human-nature relations. The sustainable development movement for example advocates a ‘triple bottom line’ approach, holding that socially and ecologically responsible economic development would be sustainable. The sustainability movement has attained significant buy-in among governments and business communities. It forms the under-labouring philosophy of the programmes reviewed in this case study. The thesis reviews social-economic events paving the way for a global green economy. Taking a leadership role in the sustainable development movement the United Nations (UN) and the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) concurred to respond to the 2008 world-wide economic meltdown with a two-pronged ‘Green New Deal’ (UNEP, 2008). The Green New Deal financial package helps restore multi-national economic growth, employment and markets while re-shaping economies to follow an ecologically and socially responsible growth trajectory. South Africa implements green economy principles as part of the 2010 The New Growth Path overarching policy framework, with an implementation strategy embedded in the 2011 National Development Plan (NDP) (RSA. The Presidency, 2010; 2011). The New Growth Path emphasises that the transformation of South Africa’s un-sustainable economic and educational legacy to a more sustainable future is not expected to follow a smooth, linear process. The transition to a green economy is rather expected to be an event of “… noisy, healthy democracy” (RSA. The Presidency, 2010). A green, low carbon economy particularly constitutes a pledge to slow down and turn the human induced climate change trajectory around. McKinsey (2009) argues that this pledge is attainable on a world-wide scale, as sufficient and suitable environmentally sound techniques and technologies are already in place. Attaining buy-in from business stakeholders toward re-thinking and amending an economy’s self-defying large environmental footprint (inclusive of carbon, water and waste footprints) however requires education starting with awarenessraising followed by educational programmes and official curricula aimed at implementation and continuous improvement of green practices in day to day ‘doings and beings’ (Sen, 1997). This study at implementation level reviews two green economy training programmes and their emergence in South Africa around this rationale. The awareness generation and training programmes elected as case study examples are the ‘Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production’ (RECP) and ‘Industrial Energy Efficiency’ (IEE) programmes, of the hosting agency National Cleaner Production Centre of South Africa (NCPC-SA). The RECP and IEE teams reach out to decision makers, engineers and artisans at industrial workplaces and workplace related events to add green competences to their business-as-usual skill sets. Implementing green options in industry typically slows down industrial scale resource consumption, pollution, waste generation and green-house gas (GHG) emissions while optimising resource productivity and enterprise excellence. Optimised supply side systems allow industry to reduce energy and material intensity of products thus reducing cost and producing more with less. In transitioning to a ‘Green GDP’ economy South Africa is awakening to the reality that natural resources constitute the original, albeit limited feedstock for growth and employment. The RECP and IEE approach also contribute to reduction of industrial waste, waste-to-landfill, and energy and resource security. Literature reviewed for this research provides evidence that the green economy’s triple bottom line philosophy is quantifiable thus manageable. A range of green economy management tools are emerging, including guidelines for carbon, water and environmental footprinting and the green-house gas abatement cost curve (see section 2.2.5) (McKinsey and Company, 2009). Transitioning from business as usual to ecologically sustainable industrial sectors however requires visionary, educated leadership, willing and capable of introducing modern and more efficient techniques and technologies. The boundaries of this half thesis embrace the globally and historically significant Tbilisi Declaration and other education and sustainable development agreements produced by United Nations and OECD mechanisms. Participating nations like South Africa incorporate the essence of these agreements into domestic policies and strategies, and align industries to remain competitive in international markets, which are increasingly enforcing green standards like ISO 14001 and ISO 50001. The focus of this case study guided by inductive, abductive and retroductive inference is to understand how the two sustainability learning programmes for people in industrial workplaces, supported by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and relevant donors, and overseen by the South African Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), relate to emerging green learning aspects. Producing a review of this nature requires a framework of laterally understanding emerging green learning aspects, for which I have reviewed green economy literature and also green learning and conventional education and training literature respectively. Themes emerging from the literature review informed an analytical instrument (questionnaire) in Phase One. In Phase Two the questionnaire was applied through nested case study methodology to show how the educational content and approaches of the RECP and IEE programmes relate to emerging green learning aspects and as such is suitable for mainstreaming in the national educational system. From an explicit educational perspective potential partners for collaboration include the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) the South African Qualifications Authority’s (SAQA’s) Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) and the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) representing the training needs of the industrial workforce but affiliated to QCTO and SAQA. In the extended scenario the NCPC-SA as a dti programme recognises the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) as lead agency guiding implementation of South Africa’s green economy, and specifically DEA’s National Environmental Sector Skills Planning Forum (NESPF), a national leader in green skills development in South Africa, as conduit for productively mainstreaming relevant RECP and IEE content and approaches toward green skills development for the green economy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
The use of assessment centres as a selection and development tool for executive leaders in the Botswana public service
- Authors: Nkala, Elizabeth Oarabile
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Assessment centers (Personnel management procedure) , Executive ability -- Testing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5814 , vital:21000
- Description: Organisations worldwide are attempting to identify talent by using various assessment methods to evaluate competencies perceived to be core to the mandate of their organisations. In recent years recruitment and selection of individuals rely on assessment methods deemed to have high validity and reliability. One such assessment method used worldwide to evaluate top management is the assessment centre, commonly referred to as the AC. The main research problem of this study focussed on an evaluation of the extent to which the assessment centre method is effectively used for the selection and development of senior management employees in the public service of Botswana. The main research problem had eight sub-problems which were addressed through the following actions: A comprehensive literature study was conducted to define and establish the purpose of assessment centres. Moreover, the study aimed to establish the international best practice for the administration of the assessment centre as a tool for selection and talent development. Subsequent to the literature study an interview schedule and survey questionnaire were developed based on the literature. The interview schedule was used to obtain information from consultants who provide assessment centre services to the public service. The objective of the questionnaire was to obtain information from the recipients of the service and determine the extent to which that information compares with information obtained from the consultants. The questionnaire was distributed to a randomly selected population. The results of the empirical study were statistically analysed and interpreted and revealed that permanent and deputy permanent secretaries are more aware of the reasons for using the assessment centre method than directors and deputy directors. These senior management employees felt that the assessment centre is an effective tool for selection and development but the results from the assessment centre are not optimally used for development. The study revealed that generally the assessment centre process conducted in the Botswana public service is in line with international best practice of assessment centres. However, there are certain areas that need some improvement for the assessment centre to entirely conform to international best practice. These areas include the implementation of an assessment centre policy and the improvement of feedback and vital information provided to participants prior to the centre. The empirical study also revealed that senior management employees hold the view that many senior officers in the public service do not know the importance of the assessment centre method and are not comfortable to participate in such a centre. The assessment centre method has proven to be an effective tool for evaluating competencies. This is due to its use of multiple techniques, assessors, simulations and exercises. Theory has revealed that the assessment centre has higher validity and reliability than other assessment methods. However, due to the high costs of running assessment centres, some organisations take shortcuts and therefore jeopardise its validity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Nkala, Elizabeth Oarabile
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Assessment centers (Personnel management procedure) , Executive ability -- Testing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5814 , vital:21000
- Description: Organisations worldwide are attempting to identify talent by using various assessment methods to evaluate competencies perceived to be core to the mandate of their organisations. In recent years recruitment and selection of individuals rely on assessment methods deemed to have high validity and reliability. One such assessment method used worldwide to evaluate top management is the assessment centre, commonly referred to as the AC. The main research problem of this study focussed on an evaluation of the extent to which the assessment centre method is effectively used for the selection and development of senior management employees in the public service of Botswana. The main research problem had eight sub-problems which were addressed through the following actions: A comprehensive literature study was conducted to define and establish the purpose of assessment centres. Moreover, the study aimed to establish the international best practice for the administration of the assessment centre as a tool for selection and talent development. Subsequent to the literature study an interview schedule and survey questionnaire were developed based on the literature. The interview schedule was used to obtain information from consultants who provide assessment centre services to the public service. The objective of the questionnaire was to obtain information from the recipients of the service and determine the extent to which that information compares with information obtained from the consultants. The questionnaire was distributed to a randomly selected population. The results of the empirical study were statistically analysed and interpreted and revealed that permanent and deputy permanent secretaries are more aware of the reasons for using the assessment centre method than directors and deputy directors. These senior management employees felt that the assessment centre is an effective tool for selection and development but the results from the assessment centre are not optimally used for development. The study revealed that generally the assessment centre process conducted in the Botswana public service is in line with international best practice of assessment centres. However, there are certain areas that need some improvement for the assessment centre to entirely conform to international best practice. These areas include the implementation of an assessment centre policy and the improvement of feedback and vital information provided to participants prior to the centre. The empirical study also revealed that senior management employees hold the view that many senior officers in the public service do not know the importance of the assessment centre method and are not comfortable to participate in such a centre. The assessment centre method has proven to be an effective tool for evaluating competencies. This is due to its use of multiple techniques, assessors, simulations and exercises. Theory has revealed that the assessment centre has higher validity and reliability than other assessment methods. However, due to the high costs of running assessment centres, some organisations take shortcuts and therefore jeopardise its validity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
A study of control measures for absenteeism of educators in Libode District
- Authors: Bungeni, Mzinto Cornelius
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Absenteeism (Labor) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teachers -- Leaves of absence
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8303 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019917
- Description: The study focussed on the effectiveness of control measures for dealing with absenteeism of educators with specific reference to selected schools at Libode District in the Province of the Eastern Cape. It identified the policy framework including rules and regulations relating to the absenteeism of educators. It assessed the effectiveness of control measures which are currently at the disposal of the selected schools and it also investigated the challenges faced by school principals in addressing the challenge of absenteeism of educators in the selected schools. A qualitative research methodology was used in undertaking the study. Purposive sampling was used to select the schools and participants for the study. Participants were comprised of school principals and Education Development Officers. Data was collected through structured and semi-structured interviews. Literature study showed that the management of educator absenteeism is an important aspect of Human Resource Management in schools. Furthermore, the study found that control measures for dealing with absenteeism are not properly applied in many schools and there is no consistency in the manner in which they are utilised by school principals. The study also found that school principals are struggling to manage absenteeism to the extent that some of them are not sure how to deal with educators who abuse leave. The study recommends that school principals should be empowered on leave management through various forms of training which include workshops.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Bungeni, Mzinto Cornelius
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Absenteeism (Labor) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teachers -- Leaves of absence
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8303 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019917
- Description: The study focussed on the effectiveness of control measures for dealing with absenteeism of educators with specific reference to selected schools at Libode District in the Province of the Eastern Cape. It identified the policy framework including rules and regulations relating to the absenteeism of educators. It assessed the effectiveness of control measures which are currently at the disposal of the selected schools and it also investigated the challenges faced by school principals in addressing the challenge of absenteeism of educators in the selected schools. A qualitative research methodology was used in undertaking the study. Purposive sampling was used to select the schools and participants for the study. Participants were comprised of school principals and Education Development Officers. Data was collected through structured and semi-structured interviews. Literature study showed that the management of educator absenteeism is an important aspect of Human Resource Management in schools. Furthermore, the study found that control measures for dealing with absenteeism are not properly applied in many schools and there is no consistency in the manner in which they are utilised by school principals. The study also found that school principals are struggling to manage absenteeism to the extent that some of them are not sure how to deal with educators who abuse leave. The study recommends that school principals should be empowered on leave management through various forms of training which include workshops.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Shifting the priority from giving voice to listening: journalism new
- Garman, Anthea, Malila, Vanessa
- Authors: Garman, Anthea , Malila, Vanessa
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: vital:38355 , http://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC175773
- Description: If, as the critics have argued, the South African media prioritise the voices of elite, middleclass South Africans, then the majority of South Africans are certainly invisible in the mainstream media. Kate Lacey argues that "listening is at the heart of what it means to be in the world, to be active, to be political" (2013: 163), and as such more than just providing a 'voice' for citizens, the media needs to be engaged in active listening to allow audiences to feel 'heard'. Servaes and Malikhao argue that people are 'voiceless' not because they have nothing to say, but because "nobody cares to listen to them" (2005: 91).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Garman, Anthea , Malila, Vanessa
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: vital:38355 , http://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC175773
- Description: If, as the critics have argued, the South African media prioritise the voices of elite, middleclass South Africans, then the majority of South Africans are certainly invisible in the mainstream media. Kate Lacey argues that "listening is at the heart of what it means to be in the world, to be active, to be political" (2013: 163), and as such more than just providing a 'voice' for citizens, the media needs to be engaged in active listening to allow audiences to feel 'heard'. Servaes and Malikhao argue that people are 'voiceless' not because they have nothing to say, but because "nobody cares to listen to them" (2005: 91).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Photophysical studies of Zinc phthalocyanine-silica nanoparticles conjugates
- Authors: Fashina, Adedayo
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Nanoparticles , Phthalocyanines , Zinc , Silica , Photochemistry , Adsorption
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4537 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017917
- Description: This thesis reports on the synthesis and characterization of both symmetrical and asymmetrical Zinc phthalocyanine complexes. The complexes contained groups such as carboxylic, amino and alkyne for covalent grafting to the surface of silica nanoparticles. The use of symmetrical and asymmetrical complexes was geared towards comparing the non-specific binding of the symmetrical complexes to the specific binding observed in the asymmetrical complexes. The complexes were also doped within the silica matrix and compared to the surface grafted conjugates. The complexes and the conjugates were well characterized with a variety of techniques. The fluorescence lifetimes of the phthalocyanine complexes containing either terminal carboxylic groups or an alkyne group showed a mono-exponential decay while the amino containing phthalocyanine complexes gave a bi-exponential decay. A similar trend was observed for their respective conjugates. Some of the conjugates of the asymmetrical complexes showed a decrease in fluorescence lifetimes and a corresponding decrease in fluorescence quantum yields. The fluorescence quantum yields for all the symmetrical complexes studied showed either an improvement or retained the luminescence of the grafted phthalocyanine complex. Most of the conjugates showed a faster intersystem crossing time in comparison to the complexes alone. The grafted or doped conjugates containing symmetrical phthalocyanine complexes with carboxyl groups showed improvements both in fluorescence and triplet quantum yields. All the conjugates except two showed an increase in triplet lifetimes when compared to their respective phthalocyanine complexes. Optical nonlinearities of nine of the phthalocyanine complexes were studied and all the complexes showed characteristic reverse saturable absorption behavior. Complex 10 showed the most promising optical limiting behavior. The aggregation and dissolution studies of the conjugates were also carried out in a simulated biological medium and the silicon level detected was noticed to have increased with incubation time.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Fashina, Adedayo
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Nanoparticles , Phthalocyanines , Zinc , Silica , Photochemistry , Adsorption
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4537 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017917
- Description: This thesis reports on the synthesis and characterization of both symmetrical and asymmetrical Zinc phthalocyanine complexes. The complexes contained groups such as carboxylic, amino and alkyne for covalent grafting to the surface of silica nanoparticles. The use of symmetrical and asymmetrical complexes was geared towards comparing the non-specific binding of the symmetrical complexes to the specific binding observed in the asymmetrical complexes. The complexes were also doped within the silica matrix and compared to the surface grafted conjugates. The complexes and the conjugates were well characterized with a variety of techniques. The fluorescence lifetimes of the phthalocyanine complexes containing either terminal carboxylic groups or an alkyne group showed a mono-exponential decay while the amino containing phthalocyanine complexes gave a bi-exponential decay. A similar trend was observed for their respective conjugates. Some of the conjugates of the asymmetrical complexes showed a decrease in fluorescence lifetimes and a corresponding decrease in fluorescence quantum yields. The fluorescence quantum yields for all the symmetrical complexes studied showed either an improvement or retained the luminescence of the grafted phthalocyanine complex. Most of the conjugates showed a faster intersystem crossing time in comparison to the complexes alone. The grafted or doped conjugates containing symmetrical phthalocyanine complexes with carboxyl groups showed improvements both in fluorescence and triplet quantum yields. All the conjugates except two showed an increase in triplet lifetimes when compared to their respective phthalocyanine complexes. Optical nonlinearities of nine of the phthalocyanine complexes were studied and all the complexes showed characteristic reverse saturable absorption behavior. Complex 10 showed the most promising optical limiting behavior. The aggregation and dissolution studies of the conjugates were also carried out in a simulated biological medium and the silicon level detected was noticed to have increased with incubation time.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
The challenges of the child support grant as a poverty alleviation strategy
- Authors: Damba, Ntombethemba
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Economic assistance, Domestic -- South Africa -- Uitenhage , Income maintenance programs -- South Africa -- Uitenhage , Social security -- South Africa -- Uitenhage
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6193 , vital:21048
- Description: South Africa is a democratic country since 1994 and transformation brought policies that aimed to address the inequalities and poverty situation countrywide. During apartheid era the existence of social assistance was more focused on minority group. Hence the eroded social inequality cannot be ignored as poverty takes its toll in our communities. It was the previously termed state maintenance grant that was phased out with the introduction of Child support grant (CSG). The purpose of CSG was to reduce child poverty; however a long list of challenges regarding the aims and objectives of the CSG surfaced. This study was about the challenges of child support grant as poverty alleviation strategy in waNobuhle community in Uitenhage. The purpose of the study was also to investigate the value CSG adds in the beneficiaries’ lives in terms of poverty alleviation and what is mostly hindering the CSG from alleviating poverty. The research design for the study could be classified as mixed designs which include qualitative and quantitative approach, taking a form of action research. A sample of 30 participants was drawn from SASSA beneficiaries. The sampling method for the study was purposive, which is a non-probability sampling. Semi structured questionnaires and semi structured interviews were utilized to collect data and the data collected was analysed thematically and descriptive statistics analysis was undertaken as well. Questionnaires to collect data from the thirty (30) CSG beneficiaries’ from KwaNobuhle community and semi structured interviews was undertaken. The most important findings that emerged from the study were that participants appeared to have a clear understanding of the fact that CSG represented a government strategy to support children, fight poverty and uplift the standard of living for the poor. However, majority of the participants were not satisfied with CSG as poverty alleviation strategy, participant’s wants government to increase the amount of CSG and to create employment opportunities. The CSG was pointed as inadequate due to the fact that all family members of the beneficiaries are dependent on the CSG. The conclusion drawn was that CSG paid to KwaNobuhle beneficiaries seemed to be achieving their aims even though the CSG is announced to be inadequate, employment is a necessity and the gap between departments serving the community. The findings of the study are discussed as suggestions to SASSA and the Department of Social development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Damba, Ntombethemba
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Economic assistance, Domestic -- South Africa -- Uitenhage , Income maintenance programs -- South Africa -- Uitenhage , Social security -- South Africa -- Uitenhage
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6193 , vital:21048
- Description: South Africa is a democratic country since 1994 and transformation brought policies that aimed to address the inequalities and poverty situation countrywide. During apartheid era the existence of social assistance was more focused on minority group. Hence the eroded social inequality cannot be ignored as poverty takes its toll in our communities. It was the previously termed state maintenance grant that was phased out with the introduction of Child support grant (CSG). The purpose of CSG was to reduce child poverty; however a long list of challenges regarding the aims and objectives of the CSG surfaced. This study was about the challenges of child support grant as poverty alleviation strategy in waNobuhle community in Uitenhage. The purpose of the study was also to investigate the value CSG adds in the beneficiaries’ lives in terms of poverty alleviation and what is mostly hindering the CSG from alleviating poverty. The research design for the study could be classified as mixed designs which include qualitative and quantitative approach, taking a form of action research. A sample of 30 participants was drawn from SASSA beneficiaries. The sampling method for the study was purposive, which is a non-probability sampling. Semi structured questionnaires and semi structured interviews were utilized to collect data and the data collected was analysed thematically and descriptive statistics analysis was undertaken as well. Questionnaires to collect data from the thirty (30) CSG beneficiaries’ from KwaNobuhle community and semi structured interviews was undertaken. The most important findings that emerged from the study were that participants appeared to have a clear understanding of the fact that CSG represented a government strategy to support children, fight poverty and uplift the standard of living for the poor. However, majority of the participants were not satisfied with CSG as poverty alleviation strategy, participant’s wants government to increase the amount of CSG and to create employment opportunities. The CSG was pointed as inadequate due to the fact that all family members of the beneficiaries are dependent on the CSG. The conclusion drawn was that CSG paid to KwaNobuhle beneficiaries seemed to be achieving their aims even though the CSG is announced to be inadequate, employment is a necessity and the gap between departments serving the community. The findings of the study are discussed as suggestions to SASSA and the Department of Social development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Survival of women in law enforcement
- Authors: Badi, Yvonne Tankiso
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Policewomen -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Women police chiefs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8860 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020179
- Description: This study seeks to investigate the underlying ideologies and practices behind the perception that women who are in command positions are unable to command and control, especially those who are in the operational environment. The study was executed in the Eastern Cape Province (Eastern Cape), in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCM). The research participants (respondents) were constituted by 33 police officers from diverse police stations within the BCM. The participants were divided according to gender, i.e. 24 females and 9 males. With regards to objectives of the study, the aim was to investigate the following issues: i) to understand factors that make women not to be accepted in their positions as SAPS' operational commanders, by their male subordinateslcolleagues and community members. ii) To understand factors that make women not to be accepted in their positions as SAPS' operational commanders, by their male subordinates/colleagues and community members, and iii) to explore strategies to utilize in making SAPS' women operational commanders, survive while managing their day-te-day respective units/components effectively and efficiently. Regarding research design, this study mainly used a qualitative research method combined with a bit of a quantitative approach. And then the data collection method involved making use of semi structured interviews to all the respondents. The results of this study show that there is still a huge difference in the number of women who are commanders compared to their male counterparts, especially in those environments that were previously regarded as male dominated. Further, despite the necessary training being provided by the SAPS to women officers, the necessary support in particular from management is still a challenge. Lastly, the argument of this study is that there is still not a fair representation of women in command positions within the SAPS, especially, in the previously male dominated environments.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Badi, Yvonne Tankiso
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Policewomen -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Women police chiefs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8860 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020179
- Description: This study seeks to investigate the underlying ideologies and practices behind the perception that women who are in command positions are unable to command and control, especially those who are in the operational environment. The study was executed in the Eastern Cape Province (Eastern Cape), in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCM). The research participants (respondents) were constituted by 33 police officers from diverse police stations within the BCM. The participants were divided according to gender, i.e. 24 females and 9 males. With regards to objectives of the study, the aim was to investigate the following issues: i) to understand factors that make women not to be accepted in their positions as SAPS' operational commanders, by their male subordinateslcolleagues and community members. ii) To understand factors that make women not to be accepted in their positions as SAPS' operational commanders, by their male subordinates/colleagues and community members, and iii) to explore strategies to utilize in making SAPS' women operational commanders, survive while managing their day-te-day respective units/components effectively and efficiently. Regarding research design, this study mainly used a qualitative research method combined with a bit of a quantitative approach. And then the data collection method involved making use of semi structured interviews to all the respondents. The results of this study show that there is still a huge difference in the number of women who are commanders compared to their male counterparts, especially in those environments that were previously regarded as male dominated. Further, despite the necessary training being provided by the SAPS to women officers, the necessary support in particular from management is still a challenge. Lastly, the argument of this study is that there is still not a fair representation of women in command positions within the SAPS, especially, in the previously male dominated environments.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
The influence of online travel agent performance on customer satisfaction levels at a selected hotel
- Authors: Le Roux, Ignus
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Consumer satisfaction , Travel agents , Tourism -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3105 , vital:20399
- Description: Tourism is an international industry; constant evolution is taking place in the marketing of tourism products and the expectation levels of hotel guests. Online Travel Agents have become more dominant in recent years. This dominance has been assisted by travellers’ more frequent use of the internet to search for information, by the bundling of heterogeneous products and by these agents’ use of the social media. Guest satisfaction levels and expectations are impacted by changes in lifestyle, reasons for travel and the information accessed prior to making their reservations. The basis of this study was establishing the impact of the information supplied by Online Travel Agents on guest satisfaction levels at The Monarch Hotel. The evolution and function of the tourism distribution channel and the factors affecting guest satisfaction and its measurement were explored.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
The influence of online travel agent performance on customer satisfaction levels at a selected hotel
- Authors: Le Roux, Ignus
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Consumer satisfaction , Travel agents , Tourism -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3105 , vital:20399
- Description: Tourism is an international industry; constant evolution is taking place in the marketing of tourism products and the expectation levels of hotel guests. Online Travel Agents have become more dominant in recent years. This dominance has been assisted by travellers’ more frequent use of the internet to search for information, by the bundling of heterogeneous products and by these agents’ use of the social media. Guest satisfaction levels and expectations are impacted by changes in lifestyle, reasons for travel and the information accessed prior to making their reservations. The basis of this study was establishing the impact of the information supplied by Online Travel Agents on guest satisfaction levels at The Monarch Hotel. The evolution and function of the tourism distribution channel and the factors affecting guest satisfaction and its measurement were explored.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An investigation into an afterschool intervention programme aimed at improving learners' mental computation skills
- Authors: Moyo, Kwethemba Michael
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: After-school programs -- Namibia , Mental arithmetic , Mental arithmetic -- Study and teaching (Secondary) , Mental arithmetic -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Activity programs , Mathematical ability
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:2041 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017352
- Description: This case study centres round an afterschool intervention programme aimed at enhancing mental computation skills of Grade 8 learners at a secondary school in the Erongo educational region of Namibia. Nine research participants took part in the study, and the mental computational strategies exhibited by these participants constitutes the unit of analysis. The study is anchored within an interpretive paradigm and is theoretically underpinned by constructivist epistemology. Kilpatrick, Swafford and Findell’s (2001) model of mathematical proficiency provides the conceptual framework supporting the study. The research was carried out in four sequential phases – an initial pre-test, the intervention itself, a follow-up post-test, and a focus group discussion. The study highlights the underdevelopment of mental computation skills and the associated lack of appropriate mental computational strategies in secondary school learners. It is recommended that appropriate time within the school curriculum be allocated for the development of learners’ mental computation skills.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Moyo, Kwethemba Michael
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: After-school programs -- Namibia , Mental arithmetic , Mental arithmetic -- Study and teaching (Secondary) , Mental arithmetic -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Activity programs , Mathematical ability
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:2041 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017352
- Description: This case study centres round an afterschool intervention programme aimed at enhancing mental computation skills of Grade 8 learners at a secondary school in the Erongo educational region of Namibia. Nine research participants took part in the study, and the mental computational strategies exhibited by these participants constitutes the unit of analysis. The study is anchored within an interpretive paradigm and is theoretically underpinned by constructivist epistemology. Kilpatrick, Swafford and Findell’s (2001) model of mathematical proficiency provides the conceptual framework supporting the study. The research was carried out in four sequential phases – an initial pre-test, the intervention itself, a follow-up post-test, and a focus group discussion. The study highlights the underdevelopment of mental computation skills and the associated lack of appropriate mental computational strategies in secondary school learners. It is recommended that appropriate time within the school curriculum be allocated for the development of learners’ mental computation skills.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
The photophysical properties of multi-functional quantum dots-magnetic nanoparticles—indium octacarboxyphthalocyanine nanocomposite
- Tshangana, Charmaine, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Tshangana, Charmaine , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/189876 , vital:44942 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10895-014-1497-6"
- Description: This work presents the development of a multifunctional hybrid nanoparticle made of L-glutathione capped quantum dots (GSH-CdSe@ZnS), amino functionalized Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles and indium octacarboxy phthalocyanine (ClInPc(COOH)8). In this work we investigate the photophysical properties of the individual components and the hybrid nanoparticle, in addition we study the energy transfer (Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET)) in the complex. FRET efficiencies of ~48 % were obtained for energy transfer between the QDs (when alone or linked to MNPs). Both triplet yields and lifetimes of ClInPc(COOH)8 increase in the nanocomposite, with a decrease in fluorescence lifetime. The hybrid nanoparticle showed improved photophysical properties and as a result can be used in photodynamic therapy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Tshangana, Charmaine , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/189876 , vital:44942 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10895-014-1497-6"
- Description: This work presents the development of a multifunctional hybrid nanoparticle made of L-glutathione capped quantum dots (GSH-CdSe@ZnS), amino functionalized Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles and indium octacarboxy phthalocyanine (ClInPc(COOH)8). In this work we investigate the photophysical properties of the individual components and the hybrid nanoparticle, in addition we study the energy transfer (Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET)) in the complex. FRET efficiencies of ~48 % were obtained for energy transfer between the QDs (when alone or linked to MNPs). Both triplet yields and lifetimes of ClInPc(COOH)8 increase in the nanocomposite, with a decrease in fluorescence lifetime. The hybrid nanoparticle showed improved photophysical properties and as a result can be used in photodynamic therapy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Photoinactivation of Candida albicans and Escherichia coli using aluminium phthalocyanine on gold nanoparticles
- Mthethwa, Thandekile, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Mthethwa, Thandekile , Nyokong, Tebello
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7298 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020364
- Description: The conjugates of aluminium phthalocyanine (complex 1) with gold nanorods (complex 1–AuNRs) and bipyramids (complex 1–AuBPs) showed improved singlet oxygen quantum yields of 0.23 and 0.24, respectively, compared to that of complex 1 alone at 0.12. Complex 1 and its conjugates were used for the photoinactivation of fungi (C. albicans) and bacteria cells (E. coli). The Q band absorbances were the same for the Pc alone and when conjugated to AuNPs. The efficiency of these conjugates was evaluated by measuring the log reduction of the microorganisms (C. albicans and E. coli) after irradiation with visible light in the presence of photosensitizers. Aluminium phthalocyanine alone showed log 1.78 and log 2.51 reductions for C. albicans and E. coli respectively. However, the conjugates showed higher photosensitization with log 2.08 and log 3.34 for C. albicans and E. coli, respectively using 1–AuBPs. For complex 1–AuNRs log 2.53 and log 3.71 were achieved for C. albicans and E. coli respectively. The statistical analysis of the results showed that the enhanced photoinactivation observed in both microorganisms was irrespective of the shape of the nanoparticles conjugated. Photoinactivation of C. albicans was less than that of E. coli even though a higher concentration of complex 1 or its conjugates was used in C. albicans. , Original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C4PP00315B , Arbortext Advanced Print Publisher 9.1.520/W Unicode , Acrobat Distiller 10.0.0 (Windows); modified using iTextSharp 5.5.1 �2000-2014 iText Group NV (AGPL-version); modified using iText� 5.3.3 �2000-2012 1T3XT BVBA (AGPL-version)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mthethwa, Thandekile , Nyokong, Tebello
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7298 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020364
- Description: The conjugates of aluminium phthalocyanine (complex 1) with gold nanorods (complex 1–AuNRs) and bipyramids (complex 1–AuBPs) showed improved singlet oxygen quantum yields of 0.23 and 0.24, respectively, compared to that of complex 1 alone at 0.12. Complex 1 and its conjugates were used for the photoinactivation of fungi (C. albicans) and bacteria cells (E. coli). The Q band absorbances were the same for the Pc alone and when conjugated to AuNPs. The efficiency of these conjugates was evaluated by measuring the log reduction of the microorganisms (C. albicans and E. coli) after irradiation with visible light in the presence of photosensitizers. Aluminium phthalocyanine alone showed log 1.78 and log 2.51 reductions for C. albicans and E. coli respectively. However, the conjugates showed higher photosensitization with log 2.08 and log 3.34 for C. albicans and E. coli, respectively using 1–AuBPs. For complex 1–AuNRs log 2.53 and log 3.71 were achieved for C. albicans and E. coli respectively. The statistical analysis of the results showed that the enhanced photoinactivation observed in both microorganisms was irrespective of the shape of the nanoparticles conjugated. Photoinactivation of C. albicans was less than that of E. coli even though a higher concentration of complex 1 or its conjugates was used in C. albicans. , Original publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C4PP00315B , Arbortext Advanced Print Publisher 9.1.520/W Unicode , Acrobat Distiller 10.0.0 (Windows); modified using iTextSharp 5.5.1 �2000-2014 iText Group NV (AGPL-version); modified using iText� 5.3.3 �2000-2012 1T3XT BVBA (AGPL-version)
- Full Text:
Sidumo revisited
- Authors: Boyens, Marthinus Johannes
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Judicial review -- South Africa , Judgments -- South Africa , Labor courts -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10249 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020117
- Description: The primary purpose of this treatise is to revisit and reconsider the development of the review test set out in the Constitutional Court judgment of Sidumo & another v Rustenburg Platinum Mines Ltd & Others (2007) 28 ILJ 2405 (CC) and consequently ascertain the correct approach to be adopted by our Labour Courts in the application of such test. The secondary purpose, entail the determination of the extent to which Labour Court judges interfere with the merits of awards and the resulting impact on the distinction between appeal and review. In order to establish whether the test for review was correctly developed and to determine whether our review proceedings deter recurrent interference by our judges, an edifying consideration of judicial review in South Africa, an extensive analysis of various judgements pertaining to such development, followed by a comprehensive comparison with the United Kingdom`s application of review proceedings and judicial composition are made. The research methodology is based on a contour of Sidumo, commencing with the Sidumo judgment, followed by three contentious Labour Appeal Court judgments and concluding with a Supreme Court of Appeal judgement, which clarifies the operation of the review test. The contour is interlinked with the notion of reasonableness. The primary research findings are identified in the judgment of Herholdt v Nedbank Ltd (2013) 34 ILJ 2795 (SCA). The judgment, concluding the Sidumo contour, underlines the current position in our law and consequent narrower approach. A comparison made with the United Kingdom, differentiate between such approach implemented by our courts and the strict gross unreasonableness approach applied by Employment Appeal Tribunals, recognising the finding, that our Labour Court judges ardently interfere with the merits of awards. In the conclusion it is submitted that our labour law jurisprudence will constantly evolve, dictated by our courts interpretation of lawfulness, reasonableness and fairness.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Boyens, Marthinus Johannes
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Judicial review -- South Africa , Judgments -- South Africa , Labor courts -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10249 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020117
- Description: The primary purpose of this treatise is to revisit and reconsider the development of the review test set out in the Constitutional Court judgment of Sidumo & another v Rustenburg Platinum Mines Ltd & Others (2007) 28 ILJ 2405 (CC) and consequently ascertain the correct approach to be adopted by our Labour Courts in the application of such test. The secondary purpose, entail the determination of the extent to which Labour Court judges interfere with the merits of awards and the resulting impact on the distinction between appeal and review. In order to establish whether the test for review was correctly developed and to determine whether our review proceedings deter recurrent interference by our judges, an edifying consideration of judicial review in South Africa, an extensive analysis of various judgements pertaining to such development, followed by a comprehensive comparison with the United Kingdom`s application of review proceedings and judicial composition are made. The research methodology is based on a contour of Sidumo, commencing with the Sidumo judgment, followed by three contentious Labour Appeal Court judgments and concluding with a Supreme Court of Appeal judgement, which clarifies the operation of the review test. The contour is interlinked with the notion of reasonableness. The primary research findings are identified in the judgment of Herholdt v Nedbank Ltd (2013) 34 ILJ 2795 (SCA). The judgment, concluding the Sidumo contour, underlines the current position in our law and consequent narrower approach. A comparison made with the United Kingdom, differentiate between such approach implemented by our courts and the strict gross unreasonableness approach applied by Employment Appeal Tribunals, recognising the finding, that our Labour Court judges ardently interfere with the merits of awards. In the conclusion it is submitted that our labour law jurisprudence will constantly evolve, dictated by our courts interpretation of lawfulness, reasonableness and fairness.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Beneficiary perceptions of a low income housing scheme: Mdantsane township
- Authors: Bandile, Unathi Cordelia
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Low-income housing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Public housing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9719 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021137
- Description: The aim of this study was to investigate the socio-economic perceptions of the beneficiaries of the low income housing scheme in Unit P, of Mdantsane Township, under Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were utilised in this study. For instance, questionnaires on the perceptions were administered amongst twenty (20) beneficiaries of this low housing scheme. Semi structured interviews were conducted amongst five (5) respondents who participated in the survey design. The study found that the intervention of providing poor people with houses was not appropriately done as these houses are too small and therefore fail to consider the families of the beneficiaries although the South African government seems to have succeeded to some extent in providing low income housing for the unemployed and those that belong to the low income category. The study also found that the location of Unit P poses a threat because it is located away from all the amenities compelling the beneficiaries to travel more than 5km to the amenities and essential services. The study therefore recommends that the government employs competent contractors that would do a proper job. State officials, tasked with overseeing the various state funded housing projects, have to ascertain the success of these projects by making sure that the contractors do not lack skills such as the ability to facilitate projects of a high magnitude as that could lead to flawed projects. They should be constantly monitored and post evaluated. This will help to minimize the wasting of state resources.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Bandile, Unathi Cordelia
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Low-income housing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Public housing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9719 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021137
- Description: The aim of this study was to investigate the socio-economic perceptions of the beneficiaries of the low income housing scheme in Unit P, of Mdantsane Township, under Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were utilised in this study. For instance, questionnaires on the perceptions were administered amongst twenty (20) beneficiaries of this low housing scheme. Semi structured interviews were conducted amongst five (5) respondents who participated in the survey design. The study found that the intervention of providing poor people with houses was not appropriately done as these houses are too small and therefore fail to consider the families of the beneficiaries although the South African government seems to have succeeded to some extent in providing low income housing for the unemployed and those that belong to the low income category. The study also found that the location of Unit P poses a threat because it is located away from all the amenities compelling the beneficiaries to travel more than 5km to the amenities and essential services. The study therefore recommends that the government employs competent contractors that would do a proper job. State officials, tasked with overseeing the various state funded housing projects, have to ascertain the success of these projects by making sure that the contractors do not lack skills such as the ability to facilitate projects of a high magnitude as that could lead to flawed projects. They should be constantly monitored and post evaluated. This will help to minimize the wasting of state resources.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Reinventing the oral word and returning it to the community via technauriture
- Kaschula, Russell H, Dlutu, Bongiwe
- Authors: Kaschula, Russell H , Dlutu, Bongiwe
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67052 , vital:29024 , https://books.google.co.za/books?id=6IpwCgAAQBAJ
- Description: publisher version , From Introduction: The aim of this article is to situate the importance of orality in rural communities within the paradigm of Technauriture, which is defined below. The chapter will also explore/describe the process of orality supported through community meetings, oral histories, and story-telling, and how it interacts with the recording process facilitated through modern technology, as well as the return of the oral material via technology. These objectives will be pursued as part of empirical data collected at Tshani, an area falling within the in Mankosi tribal authority in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Mankosi’s twelve villages are inhabited by amaXhosa people and is situated in the Ngqeleni district in the former Transkei region. Mankosi is about 76 kilometres away from Mthatha, the major city in that area. These villages are under the Nyandeni Local Municipality and are regarded as very disadvantaged. There is poor sanitation, gravel roads, and few local people have access to electricity. Most of the villagers depend on government support grants. These include Child Support Grants, Old Age Grants, Disability Grants, and Foster-Care Grants. Furthermore, most of the community is involved in small-scale agriculture for survival. People often move, temporarily, from their village to towns in order to gain employment, including domestic work and working on the mines in the mineral rich Gauteng Province. They send cash remittances home to their families. The primary technological devices that people in the village are familiar with would be radio and the cell phone. Even television sets are relatively uncommon.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Kaschula, Russell H , Dlutu, Bongiwe
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67052 , vital:29024 , https://books.google.co.za/books?id=6IpwCgAAQBAJ
- Description: publisher version , From Introduction: The aim of this article is to situate the importance of orality in rural communities within the paradigm of Technauriture, which is defined below. The chapter will also explore/describe the process of orality supported through community meetings, oral histories, and story-telling, and how it interacts with the recording process facilitated through modern technology, as well as the return of the oral material via technology. These objectives will be pursued as part of empirical data collected at Tshani, an area falling within the in Mankosi tribal authority in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Mankosi’s twelve villages are inhabited by amaXhosa people and is situated in the Ngqeleni district in the former Transkei region. Mankosi is about 76 kilometres away from Mthatha, the major city in that area. These villages are under the Nyandeni Local Municipality and are regarded as very disadvantaged. There is poor sanitation, gravel roads, and few local people have access to electricity. Most of the villagers depend on government support grants. These include Child Support Grants, Old Age Grants, Disability Grants, and Foster-Care Grants. Furthermore, most of the community is involved in small-scale agriculture for survival. People often move, temporarily, from their village to towns in order to gain employment, including domestic work and working on the mines in the mineral rich Gauteng Province. They send cash remittances home to their families. The primary technological devices that people in the village are familiar with would be radio and the cell phone. Even television sets are relatively uncommon.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2015
Guidelines for the analysis of student web usage in support of primary educational objectives
- Authors: Von Schoultz, Dean John
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Information behavior , Searching behavior , Internet in higher education , World Wide Web , Educational technology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4965 , vital:20772
- Description: The Internet and World Wide Web provides huge amounts of information to individuals with access to it. Information is an important driving factor of education and higher education has experienced massive adoption rates of information and communication technologies, and accessing the Web is not an uncommon practice within a higher educational institution. The Web provides numerous benefits and many students rely on the Web for information, communication and technical support. However, the immense amount of information available on the Web has brought about some negative side effects associated with abundant information. Whether the Web is a positive influence on students’ academic well-being within higher education is a difficult question to answer. To understand how the Web is used by students within a higher education institution is not an easy task. However, there are ways to understand the Web usage behaviour of students. Using established methods for gathering useful information from data produced by an institution, Web usage behaviours of students within a higher education institution could be analysed and presented. This dissertation presents guidance for analysing Web traffic within a higher educational institution in order to gain insight into the Web usage behaviours of students. This insight can provide educators with valuable information to bolster their decision-making capacity towards achieving their educational goals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Von Schoultz, Dean John
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Information behavior , Searching behavior , Internet in higher education , World Wide Web , Educational technology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4965 , vital:20772
- Description: The Internet and World Wide Web provides huge amounts of information to individuals with access to it. Information is an important driving factor of education and higher education has experienced massive adoption rates of information and communication technologies, and accessing the Web is not an uncommon practice within a higher educational institution. The Web provides numerous benefits and many students rely on the Web for information, communication and technical support. However, the immense amount of information available on the Web has brought about some negative side effects associated with abundant information. Whether the Web is a positive influence on students’ academic well-being within higher education is a difficult question to answer. To understand how the Web is used by students within a higher education institution is not an easy task. However, there are ways to understand the Web usage behaviour of students. Using established methods for gathering useful information from data produced by an institution, Web usage behaviours of students within a higher education institution could be analysed and presented. This dissertation presents guidance for analysing Web traffic within a higher educational institution in order to gain insight into the Web usage behaviours of students. This insight can provide educators with valuable information to bolster their decision-making capacity towards achieving their educational goals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Capacity building for developmental local government in the Kicukiro District of Rwanda
- Authors: Rutebuka, Balinda
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Sustainable development -- Rwanda , Economic development -- Rwanda , Local government -- Rwanda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:8490 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020906
- Description: This study investigated the capacity building for developmental local government with reference to the Kicukiro District of Rwanda. Its aim was to examine the contribution of capacity-building interventions towards a developmental local government and at the same time investigate factors that hinder their implementation in Kicukiro district. The study provides an extensive historical background on local government in Rwa-nda with a particular focus on its policy, legal and institutional framework, whereby the developmental local government environment has been analysed. Furthermore, this study explores the theoretical framework of capacity building in general, and in this regard particular emphasis was given to capacity building in relation to developmental local government. The study also argued that without appropriate capacity it would be difficult for the district to fulfil its developmental mandate. This research followed both qualitative and quantitative approaches of study. It involved a survey in which a structured questionnaire and in-depth interviews were used as data gathering instruments. Through data analysis, findings of the study have shed light on the fact that capacity building constitutes an indispensable mechanism for local government to achieve its developmental mandate, despite challenges associated with the process of capacity building. The study found that the Kicukiro district has made a significant progress towards the implementation of capacity-building interventions despite the fact that these interventions are still fragmented, uncoordinated and still supply-driven. Furthermore, the study revealed that the capacities already built generated considerable impetus that contributed to socio-economic development within the Kicukiro district. The study also found that despite the progress made in both capacity building and development in Kicukiro district, there are capacity gaps and factors which are undermining further progress in this regard. Therefore, the study recommends, among others, an effective co-ordination of capacity-building interventions in order to avoid duplication and fragmentation of capacity-building efforts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Rutebuka, Balinda
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Sustainable development -- Rwanda , Economic development -- Rwanda , Local government -- Rwanda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:8490 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020906
- Description: This study investigated the capacity building for developmental local government with reference to the Kicukiro District of Rwanda. Its aim was to examine the contribution of capacity-building interventions towards a developmental local government and at the same time investigate factors that hinder their implementation in Kicukiro district. The study provides an extensive historical background on local government in Rwa-nda with a particular focus on its policy, legal and institutional framework, whereby the developmental local government environment has been analysed. Furthermore, this study explores the theoretical framework of capacity building in general, and in this regard particular emphasis was given to capacity building in relation to developmental local government. The study also argued that without appropriate capacity it would be difficult for the district to fulfil its developmental mandate. This research followed both qualitative and quantitative approaches of study. It involved a survey in which a structured questionnaire and in-depth interviews were used as data gathering instruments. Through data analysis, findings of the study have shed light on the fact that capacity building constitutes an indispensable mechanism for local government to achieve its developmental mandate, despite challenges associated with the process of capacity building. The study found that the Kicukiro district has made a significant progress towards the implementation of capacity-building interventions despite the fact that these interventions are still fragmented, uncoordinated and still supply-driven. Furthermore, the study revealed that the capacities already built generated considerable impetus that contributed to socio-economic development within the Kicukiro district. The study also found that despite the progress made in both capacity building and development in Kicukiro district, there are capacity gaps and factors which are undermining further progress in this regard. Therefore, the study recommends, among others, an effective co-ordination of capacity-building interventions in order to avoid duplication and fragmentation of capacity-building efforts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015