An exploratory study of female labour force participation in South Africa: 1995 - 2010
- Authors: Mahali, Lesala
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Labor markets -- South Africa , Unemployment -- South Africa , Labor supply -- South Africa , Women -- Employment -- South Africa , Role conflict , Women employees -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Com
- Identifier: vital:11465 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007050 , Labor markets -- South Africa , Unemployment -- South Africa , Labor supply -- South Africa , Women -- Employment -- South Africa , Role conflict , Women employees -- South Africa
- Description: The role that women play in the economy of any society is a desirable goal for equity and efficiency considerations. Just as with the rest of the world, the South African women lagged behind their male counterparts within the economic empowerment space and in the formal labour force. However, the role of women has undergone some transformations with issues relating to employment opportunities, such that their labour force participation has risen considerably since 1994. The female labour force participation rate is still seen to be persistently lower compared to the male participation rate even in the second decade of democracy. The rate of women labour force participation is even lower than the average. On the other hand, the increases have also been coupled with the rising rate of unemployment among women. The objective of this study was to investigate the determinants of female labour force participation in the South African labour market. The study uses a regression analysis on a cross sectional panel data covering a period of 1995 to 2010. Unlike most popular beliefs, the findings of this study reveal that fertility though not statistically significant, positively influences labour force participation of women. Other variables that are statistically significant in explaining female labour force are HIV/AIDS, marital status, age, household income and education. Race was found to be insignificant in explaining female labour force participation in the South African labour force.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mahali, Lesala
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Labor markets -- South Africa , Unemployment -- South Africa , Labor supply -- South Africa , Women -- Employment -- South Africa , Role conflict , Women employees -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Com
- Identifier: vital:11465 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007050 , Labor markets -- South Africa , Unemployment -- South Africa , Labor supply -- South Africa , Women -- Employment -- South Africa , Role conflict , Women employees -- South Africa
- Description: The role that women play in the economy of any society is a desirable goal for equity and efficiency considerations. Just as with the rest of the world, the South African women lagged behind their male counterparts within the economic empowerment space and in the formal labour force. However, the role of women has undergone some transformations with issues relating to employment opportunities, such that their labour force participation has risen considerably since 1994. The female labour force participation rate is still seen to be persistently lower compared to the male participation rate even in the second decade of democracy. The rate of women labour force participation is even lower than the average. On the other hand, the increases have also been coupled with the rising rate of unemployment among women. The objective of this study was to investigate the determinants of female labour force participation in the South African labour market. The study uses a regression analysis on a cross sectional panel data covering a period of 1995 to 2010. Unlike most popular beliefs, the findings of this study reveal that fertility though not statistically significant, positively influences labour force participation of women. Other variables that are statistically significant in explaining female labour force are HIV/AIDS, marital status, age, household income and education. Race was found to be insignificant in explaining female labour force participation in the South African labour force.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
School stakeholders’ perceptions on the mainstreaming of pregnant learners in two East London secondary schools
- Mahlambeni, Ntombikayise Sylvia
- Authors: Mahlambeni, Ntombikayise Sylvia
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teenage pregnancy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Pregnant teenagers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Education and state -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Mainstreaming in education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eastern Cape -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16181 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006236 , Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teenage pregnancy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Pregnant teenagers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Education and state -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Mainstreaming in education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eastern Cape -- South Africa
- Description: Teenage pregnancy is one of the major factors leading to girls dropping out of school especially in developing countries such as South Africa. To address the problem, the South African government has put forward policies which allow for the continued enrolment of learners who could fall pregnant while at school. However, there is evidence that pregnant learners drop out of school even though these policies are in place. Hence this study investigated the perceptions of the school stakeholders on the mainstreaming of pregnant learners and one of the stakeholders is the pregnant learners themselves. This study also aimed to investigate the way pregnant learners were perceived and treated in their schools and the views of the stakeholders on supporting the pregnant learners academically. It also aimed to explore leadership and management implications of the school stakeholders’ perceptions. This study revealed that some of the stakeholders were not aware of the existence of the policy that allows for the mainstreaming of pregnant learners in public schools. Those that indicated that they were aware of it reported to have a fuzzy idea of the policy. It seemed there was no shared understanding of the policy among the stakeholders; as a result the policy was not effectively implemented in the schools. This could also be the reason for the negative attitude shown by some of the school stakeholders to the policy. However, all stakeholders voiced out their opinions about this policy. With regards to the policy implementation they expressed fears that the educators may not be capacitated enough to deal with learner pregnancy and also that the pregnant learners may have a negative influence on other learners. Cultural beliefs and stereotypes seemed to play a role on how the stakeholders perceived the policy that legislated the mainstreaming of pregnant learners.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mahlambeni, Ntombikayise Sylvia
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teenage pregnancy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Pregnant teenagers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Education and state -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Mainstreaming in education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eastern Cape -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16181 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006236 , Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teenage pregnancy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Pregnant teenagers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Education and state -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Mainstreaming in education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eastern Cape -- South Africa
- Description: Teenage pregnancy is one of the major factors leading to girls dropping out of school especially in developing countries such as South Africa. To address the problem, the South African government has put forward policies which allow for the continued enrolment of learners who could fall pregnant while at school. However, there is evidence that pregnant learners drop out of school even though these policies are in place. Hence this study investigated the perceptions of the school stakeholders on the mainstreaming of pregnant learners and one of the stakeholders is the pregnant learners themselves. This study also aimed to investigate the way pregnant learners were perceived and treated in their schools and the views of the stakeholders on supporting the pregnant learners academically. It also aimed to explore leadership and management implications of the school stakeholders’ perceptions. This study revealed that some of the stakeholders were not aware of the existence of the policy that allows for the mainstreaming of pregnant learners in public schools. Those that indicated that they were aware of it reported to have a fuzzy idea of the policy. It seemed there was no shared understanding of the policy among the stakeholders; as a result the policy was not effectively implemented in the schools. This could also be the reason for the negative attitude shown by some of the school stakeholders to the policy. However, all stakeholders voiced out their opinions about this policy. With regards to the policy implementation they expressed fears that the educators may not be capacitated enough to deal with learner pregnancy and also that the pregnant learners may have a negative influence on other learners. Cultural beliefs and stereotypes seemed to play a role on how the stakeholders perceived the policy that legislated the mainstreaming of pregnant learners.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
An appraisal of Human Resource Management Practices in the Ministry of Public Service, Central Equatoria State, South Sudan
- Authors: Maka, Mustafa Fataki Kila
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11705 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015203
- Description: The primary objective was to assess Human Resource Management Practices in the Ministry of Public Service, Central Equatoria State-South Sudan. The objectives of the study were: Identify the key Practices used by the Ministry of Public Service in human resources management in Central Equatoria State. It also sought to establish the challenges faced by the Ministry of Public Service in human resources management practices in Central Equatoria State and to identify employees‟ perceptions on human resources management practices in Ministry of the Public Service in Central Equatoria State and lastly, to determine how and to what extent the Ministry of the Public Service can further improve on human resources management practices in Central Equatoria State. The study used both qualitative and quantitative methodology of data collection. Interviews and questionnaires were used as qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection respectively. The study used twenty five (25) respondents starting from Director General, Department of Administration and Finance, Department of General List of Clerks, Department of Establishments, Department of Pensions, Department of Budgets, and Department of Labour. The results revealed that; the human resource management practices by Ministry of Public Service in Central Equatoria State in the different departments need to ensure efficient and effective human resource management practices reforms, and the recommendations were put forward to assist the public civil servants in different human resource departments in the State.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Maka, Mustafa Fataki Kila
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11705 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015203
- Description: The primary objective was to assess Human Resource Management Practices in the Ministry of Public Service, Central Equatoria State-South Sudan. The objectives of the study were: Identify the key Practices used by the Ministry of Public Service in human resources management in Central Equatoria State. It also sought to establish the challenges faced by the Ministry of Public Service in human resources management practices in Central Equatoria State and to identify employees‟ perceptions on human resources management practices in Ministry of the Public Service in Central Equatoria State and lastly, to determine how and to what extent the Ministry of the Public Service can further improve on human resources management practices in Central Equatoria State. The study used both qualitative and quantitative methodology of data collection. Interviews and questionnaires were used as qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection respectively. The study used twenty five (25) respondents starting from Director General, Department of Administration and Finance, Department of General List of Clerks, Department of Establishments, Department of Pensions, Department of Budgets, and Department of Labour. The results revealed that; the human resource management practices by Ministry of Public Service in Central Equatoria State in the different departments need to ensure efficient and effective human resource management practices reforms, and the recommendations were put forward to assist the public civil servants in different human resource departments in the State.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Morphological and genetic variation in samango monkeys (Cercopithecus albogularis) in Southern Africa
- Authors: Makhasi, Ntuthuzelo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Morphology , Genetics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Zoology)
- Identifier: vital:11793 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1018580 , Morphology , Genetics
- Description: My aim was to resolve the taxonomy of the South African forms of Cercopithecus albogularis by exploring morphological and genetic variation in the two samango subspecies described for the region: C. a. erythrarchus and C. a. labiatus. In addition, I estimated their geographic distributions and habitat requirements from the provenance data I collected during my study of museum specimens. My analysis has shown clear morphological differences between C. a. labiatus and C. a. erythrarchus. The two subspecies differ in pelage coloration, but also in cranial shape and tail lengths. Furthermore, C. a. labiatus is slightly smaller, shorter-tailed and stocky compared with the long-tailed slender northern forms of C. albogularis, which may be adaptations to cold environments like montane forest. The northern C. albogularis subspecies are distinguishable from the southern taxa with a high degree of reliability (98.5%), suggesting that C. albogularis consists of more than one species. The most appropriate name for the southern species is C. labiatus. My genetic study did not detect variation among the 10 animals sampled in Hogsback; while it clustered the different taxa, it could not resolve relationships between them, with the exception of the outgroup. The lack of resolution of the deeper nodes could be a result of the fact that our sequence was very short (274 bp). The mt 12S rRNA gene was not an ideal gene for this study, which should have involved a less conserved section of the mtDNA molecule, like the rapidly evolving D-loop. More genetic work is clearly needed to resolve the phylogenetic relationships within the C. mitis supergroup. However, preliminary genetic data indicate that the southern samangos are distinct from the C. mitis of West Africa, while my morphometric study suggests they may also be distinct from C. albogularis in East Africa. Molecular and karyological studies comparing the genomes of Hogsback “C. a. labiatus” with the neighbouring “C. a. erythrarchus” and Zanzibar C. albogularis would be extremely enlightening.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Makhasi, Ntuthuzelo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Morphology , Genetics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Zoology)
- Identifier: vital:11793 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1018580 , Morphology , Genetics
- Description: My aim was to resolve the taxonomy of the South African forms of Cercopithecus albogularis by exploring morphological and genetic variation in the two samango subspecies described for the region: C. a. erythrarchus and C. a. labiatus. In addition, I estimated their geographic distributions and habitat requirements from the provenance data I collected during my study of museum specimens. My analysis has shown clear morphological differences between C. a. labiatus and C. a. erythrarchus. The two subspecies differ in pelage coloration, but also in cranial shape and tail lengths. Furthermore, C. a. labiatus is slightly smaller, shorter-tailed and stocky compared with the long-tailed slender northern forms of C. albogularis, which may be adaptations to cold environments like montane forest. The northern C. albogularis subspecies are distinguishable from the southern taxa with a high degree of reliability (98.5%), suggesting that C. albogularis consists of more than one species. The most appropriate name for the southern species is C. labiatus. My genetic study did not detect variation among the 10 animals sampled in Hogsback; while it clustered the different taxa, it could not resolve relationships between them, with the exception of the outgroup. The lack of resolution of the deeper nodes could be a result of the fact that our sequence was very short (274 bp). The mt 12S rRNA gene was not an ideal gene for this study, which should have involved a less conserved section of the mtDNA molecule, like the rapidly evolving D-loop. More genetic work is clearly needed to resolve the phylogenetic relationships within the C. mitis supergroup. However, preliminary genetic data indicate that the southern samangos are distinct from the C. mitis of West Africa, while my morphometric study suggests they may also be distinct from C. albogularis in East Africa. Molecular and karyological studies comparing the genomes of Hogsback “C. a. labiatus” with the neighbouring “C. a. erythrarchus” and Zanzibar C. albogularis would be extremely enlightening.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
An appraisal of support services to students with disabilities: the case of Walter Sisulu University
- Authors: Makiwane, Nonzwakazi Beauty
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD Admin
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1220 , vital:26537
- Description: The provision of effective support services in an efficient manner is a critical part of any university’s role to ensure that students with disabilities achieve academic outcomes. In South Africa universities are categorized into three types, namely traditional universities (offer theoretically-oriented degrees); universities of technology (offer vocational-oriented diplomas and degrees) and comprehensive universities (offer a combination of the other two). With their constitutional and policy framework obligations, universities are responsible for accommodating students with all types of disabilities. Pertaining to the awareness of social disparities, the quality of support services to students with disabilities still remains a concern. From various platforms it is evident that quality of support services to students with disabilities in South African universities is poor and in some instances crucial support devices do not exist at all. The pressures being felt by universities from external forces and the problems encountered in the extent of quality of support services has created the need for an appraisal. The purpose of this study, then, is to investigate and describe the quality of the support services provided to students with disabilities in a university context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
An appraisal of support services to students with disabilities: the case of Walter Sisulu University
- Authors: Makiwane, Nonzwakazi Beauty
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD Admin
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1220 , vital:26537
- Description: The provision of effective support services in an efficient manner is a critical part of any university’s role to ensure that students with disabilities achieve academic outcomes. In South Africa universities are categorized into three types, namely traditional universities (offer theoretically-oriented degrees); universities of technology (offer vocational-oriented diplomas and degrees) and comprehensive universities (offer a combination of the other two). With their constitutional and policy framework obligations, universities are responsible for accommodating students with all types of disabilities. Pertaining to the awareness of social disparities, the quality of support services to students with disabilities still remains a concern. From various platforms it is evident that quality of support services to students with disabilities in South African universities is poor and in some instances crucial support devices do not exist at all. The pressures being felt by universities from external forces and the problems encountered in the extent of quality of support services has created the need for an appraisal. The purpose of this study, then, is to investigate and describe the quality of the support services provided to students with disabilities in a university context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Re-appraising entertainment-education praxis and reception in subaltern spaces: the case of Tsha Tsha in South Africa
- Authors: Makwambeni, Blessing
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Com)
- Identifier: vital:11369 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015380
- Description: The entertainment education (E-E) strategy has gained currency in development communication scholarship and praxis. However, the theoretical treatment of the strategy has mostly emphasised questions of effectiveness thereby paying minimal attention to substantial resistances encountered at the message reception level. This study investigates the praxis and reception of the E-E television drama Tsha Tsha. It uses the Cultural Studies approach and reception theory to explore the consumption of Tsha Tsha by subaltern black South African youths located within specific socio-historical contexts. Audiences’ negotiated readings were used to critique the assumption that E-E messages are ‘unproblematically’ received by target audiences. Tsha Tsha’s E-E strategy and its theoretical and methodological inputs were also appraised with a view to locating the intervention within the trajectory of E-E and development communication interventions. The emerging insights were critical in understanding whether contemporary E-E interventions have transcended modernisation practice. While the focused synthesis approach, consisting of qualitative content analysis, document analysis and literature review, was used to evaluate Tsha Tsha’s use of the E-E strategy, reception analysis comprising of focus group discussions and follow up in-depth interviews with selected subaltern black South African youths was employed to explore viewers’ social production of meaning from the media text. This process enabled the study to identify the locus of meaning between the two contenting poles: the media text and situated readers. The study’s findings indicate that some contemporary E-E interventions have transended ‘modernisation practice’. Their conceptual and methodological approaches have embraced the central tenets of communication for social change. The results from the reception study also clearly indicated that E-E enterventions face resistances in subaltern discursive spaces. Situated readers’ negotiation of Tsha Tsha showed that viewers are not passive readers of E-E texts. Rather they are engaged in an ongoing process of re-interpreting and resisting the ‘preferred text’. Audiences situated discourses and lived experiences at times provided alternative frameworks through which the ‘dominant meanings’ were re-interpreted and even opposed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Makwambeni, Blessing
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Com)
- Identifier: vital:11369 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015380
- Description: The entertainment education (E-E) strategy has gained currency in development communication scholarship and praxis. However, the theoretical treatment of the strategy has mostly emphasised questions of effectiveness thereby paying minimal attention to substantial resistances encountered at the message reception level. This study investigates the praxis and reception of the E-E television drama Tsha Tsha. It uses the Cultural Studies approach and reception theory to explore the consumption of Tsha Tsha by subaltern black South African youths located within specific socio-historical contexts. Audiences’ negotiated readings were used to critique the assumption that E-E messages are ‘unproblematically’ received by target audiences. Tsha Tsha’s E-E strategy and its theoretical and methodological inputs were also appraised with a view to locating the intervention within the trajectory of E-E and development communication interventions. The emerging insights were critical in understanding whether contemporary E-E interventions have transcended modernisation practice. While the focused synthesis approach, consisting of qualitative content analysis, document analysis and literature review, was used to evaluate Tsha Tsha’s use of the E-E strategy, reception analysis comprising of focus group discussions and follow up in-depth interviews with selected subaltern black South African youths was employed to explore viewers’ social production of meaning from the media text. This process enabled the study to identify the locus of meaning between the two contenting poles: the media text and situated readers. The study’s findings indicate that some contemporary E-E interventions have transended ‘modernisation practice’. Their conceptual and methodological approaches have embraced the central tenets of communication for social change. The results from the reception study also clearly indicated that E-E enterventions face resistances in subaltern discursive spaces. Situated readers’ negotiation of Tsha Tsha showed that viewers are not passive readers of E-E texts. Rather they are engaged in an ongoing process of re-interpreting and resisting the ‘preferred text’. Audiences situated discourses and lived experiences at times provided alternative frameworks through which the ‘dominant meanings’ were re-interpreted and even opposed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Experiences of final year nursing students at a public college of nursing in the Eastern Cape province regarding their preparedness to become registered nurses
- Authors: Mampunge, Fezeka
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Nursing students -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nurses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nurses -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nursing -- Ability testing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nursing assessment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nursing -- Examinations , Nursing -- Standards -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nursing student -- Registered nurse -- Experience , Preparedness -- College -- Clinical staff and Clinical accompaniment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11905 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006815 , Nursing students -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nurses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nurses -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nursing -- Ability testing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nursing assessment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nursing -- Examinations , Nursing -- Standards -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nursing student -- Registered nurse -- Experience , Preparedness -- College -- Clinical staff and Clinical accompaniment
- Description: Within the nursing profession, the transition from the student to a graduate nurse is a common rite of passage that marks the end of initial educational preparation in the discipline and the beginning of a professional journey as a nurse and a member of the multidisciplinary team (Nash, Lemcke & Sacre. 2009:48). This is a period of adjustment, stress, growth and development and the transitional nurse is likely to feel uncomfortable, fearful and may experience feelings of inadequacy. This study was undertaken to explore and describe the experiences of final year nursing students at a public college of nursing in the Eastern Cape regarding their preparedness to become registered nurses, with the aim to identify gaps and make recommendations on strategies to close the gaps. The objectives were to explore and describe the experiences of final year nursing students at the public college of nursing in the Eastern Cape Province with regard to their preparedness to become registered nurses and to recommend strategies to improve the preparation of nursing students for transition to become registered nurses. To answer the research question “What are the experiences of final year nursing students at a public college of nursing in the Eastern Cape Province with regard their preparedness to become registered nurses”, a qualitative, explorative and descriptive design was used as a framework for the study. Data were collected by means of unstructured focus group interviews with a purposively selected sample of 27 final year nursing students at the particular college of nursing. Data were analysed using Tesch’s method of analysis for qualitative research. Two themes emerged, revealing that participants at the college experienced preparedness and lack of preparedness to assume the role of a professional nurse. This related to certain aspects that had an impact on the preparation of the final year nursing students for practice and included: curriculum-related aspects; clinical teaching and learning support; learning opportunities; interpersonal relationships between lecturers, students and clinical staff; equipment; and library resources. It was concluded that the learning needs of the nursing students were not adequately catered for, leading to lack of preparedness. Through the involvement of nursing students in the evaluation of their learning, shortfalls in both education and practice areas could therefore be detected. Recommendations regarding strategies to be used to promote preparedness of final year nursing students included: continuous feedback on student performance in the form of exit evaluations on the part of students to identify learning needs; writing of progress reports on the part of clinical practice; and the employment of clinical preceptors with clear role specifications between the lecturers, ward sisters and preceptors to avoid role confusion.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mampunge, Fezeka
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Nursing students -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nurses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nurses -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nursing -- Ability testing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nursing assessment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nursing -- Examinations , Nursing -- Standards -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nursing student -- Registered nurse -- Experience , Preparedness -- College -- Clinical staff and Clinical accompaniment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11905 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006815 , Nursing students -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nurses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nurses -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nursing -- Ability testing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nursing assessment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nursing -- Examinations , Nursing -- Standards -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nursing student -- Registered nurse -- Experience , Preparedness -- College -- Clinical staff and Clinical accompaniment
- Description: Within the nursing profession, the transition from the student to a graduate nurse is a common rite of passage that marks the end of initial educational preparation in the discipline and the beginning of a professional journey as a nurse and a member of the multidisciplinary team (Nash, Lemcke & Sacre. 2009:48). This is a period of adjustment, stress, growth and development and the transitional nurse is likely to feel uncomfortable, fearful and may experience feelings of inadequacy. This study was undertaken to explore and describe the experiences of final year nursing students at a public college of nursing in the Eastern Cape regarding their preparedness to become registered nurses, with the aim to identify gaps and make recommendations on strategies to close the gaps. The objectives were to explore and describe the experiences of final year nursing students at the public college of nursing in the Eastern Cape Province with regard to their preparedness to become registered nurses and to recommend strategies to improve the preparation of nursing students for transition to become registered nurses. To answer the research question “What are the experiences of final year nursing students at a public college of nursing in the Eastern Cape Province with regard their preparedness to become registered nurses”, a qualitative, explorative and descriptive design was used as a framework for the study. Data were collected by means of unstructured focus group interviews with a purposively selected sample of 27 final year nursing students at the particular college of nursing. Data were analysed using Tesch’s method of analysis for qualitative research. Two themes emerged, revealing that participants at the college experienced preparedness and lack of preparedness to assume the role of a professional nurse. This related to certain aspects that had an impact on the preparation of the final year nursing students for practice and included: curriculum-related aspects; clinical teaching and learning support; learning opportunities; interpersonal relationships between lecturers, students and clinical staff; equipment; and library resources. It was concluded that the learning needs of the nursing students were not adequately catered for, leading to lack of preparedness. Through the involvement of nursing students in the evaluation of their learning, shortfalls in both education and practice areas could therefore be detected. Recommendations regarding strategies to be used to promote preparedness of final year nursing students included: continuous feedback on student performance in the form of exit evaluations on the part of students to identify learning needs; writing of progress reports on the part of clinical practice; and the employment of clinical preceptors with clear role specifications between the lecturers, ward sisters and preceptors to avoid role confusion.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
An assessment of energy use as a rural development strategy: the case of Chiwundura communal area, Zimbabwe
- Authors: Mangizvo, Remigios Vurayayi
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:11444 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1013595
- Description: Households in Chiwundura Communal Area continue to depend on traditional biomass fuels, that is, fuelwood, agricultural residues and in some cases dung. This is despite the fact that grid electrification has been introduced in the communal area. A few households have been able to adopt the grid electrification whilst the rest remain rooted in the use of the inefficient and polluting traditional biomass. Some of those who have adopted the grid electricity only use it for lighting and entertainment whilst they continue to use fuelwood for cooking. A number of households that have connected to grid electricity have reverted to the use of the traditional biomass. This means that the generality of people in Chiwundura Communal Area continue to be subjected to energy poverty, which is a constrained access to modern energy services such as electricity. As a result these households will not be able to meet the millennium development goals among many other achievements. This state of affairs motivated the researcher to conduct this study. The study wanted to find out why the transition from traditional biomass energy forms to modern energy services was slow in Chiwundura Communal Area. The study also wanted to establish the factors that influenced household en ergy choices as well as establish the ways in which the traditional biomass energy forms had affected the livelihoods of households in the study area. In order to get information on the above mentioned questions, this study which was a case study of Chiwundura Communal Area utilised the triangulation of both qualitative and quantitative techniques. These methods were meant to complement each other and benefit from the strengths of each method. The study used questionnaires, interviews, observations, transect walks, focus group discussions and content analysis. The researcher spent up to three months in the study area so as to get first hand information on the issues under study. A total of 215 households and 106 school children were conveniently sampled to respond to the questionnaires whilst fifty household heads participated in the interviews. The study looked at three energy theories namely the energy ladder, the leapfrogging and the multiple fuels use models as well as consumption and decision making theories to open this discussion. The study made a number of critical findings. Firstly, there was very little transition as most households remained as users of biomass energy; hence they were at the lower rungs of the energy ladder. Those that had moved up the ladder tended to back switch to the use of fuelwood. This made them multiple fuel users. Generally fuelwood was the dominant source of energy as it was used mainly for cooking, space and water heating, space lighting and other domestic needs such as smoking meat. About 22% of all respondents were connected to the grid and used electricity mainly for lighting. Candles, paraffin, gensets and solar energy were part of the energy mix. It was established that income was the most important determinant in the energy choices made by the different households. Most of the households were peasant farmers who could not harvest excess crops for the market. A few households with members in paid employment or obtained remittances from relatives in South Africa or the Diaspora were able to get connected to the grid or could afford to purchase fuelwood from vendors. Households could not procure solar house systems as the start up costs were beyond their reach. Those who were able to acquire generators could not run them for many hours as they could not afford to refuel them regularly. Household characteristics such as age and education of household- head were also important factors. It was however established that cultural and traditional factors were as usual not given the attention they deserved yet they were very significant in determining the type of fuel a household chose. Food preparation and taste always played an important role in determining whether a household chose traditional fuels for certain cuisines. It was also realised that failure by numerous households in the study area to access modern energy sources meant that they could not attain the millennium development goals by 2015. They could not move out of abject poverty as they lacked irrigation schemes to assure them of food security. Universal access to education was affected by lack of light to use for studying and reading after hours. Adult education was also frustrated. The boy child was worst affected as he came to school late or at times missed school altogether collecting fuelwood for the household. In Chiwundura Communal Area men and boys were responsible for collecting fuelwood. This signified a shift in gender roles. Men and boys took it upon themselves to have these responsibilities as women and girls could not walk the long distances. The health of the household particularly women and children who spent several hours close to the fire was compromised as most huts were poorly ventilated. They therefore could not adequately deal with indoor air pollution challenges. Other MDGs were also likely not to be achieved by the families. The study also found out that men were not dictatorial in determining the fuel that a household used. Some form of democracy existed within homes and negotiations between husband and wife often took place away from the public domain. Oftentimes women often aped their colleagues who owned modern energy technologies within the villages; hence they pressurised their husbands to buy them SHSs and gensets. This was conspicuous consumption. The study established that there was need for modern energy in the study area. Grid electricity was not the panacea for this as it was beyond the reach of many. It was therefore important to look at renewable energy forms such as gel fuel, SHSs and biogas. It was also pertinent to educate and make households aware of dangers posed by indoor air pollution. The government and different stakeholders must give it equal importance and publicity as that given to HIV and AIDS as it kills several children annually. Housing interventions should be made so that households build huts with proper ventilation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mangizvo, Remigios Vurayayi
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:11444 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1013595
- Description: Households in Chiwundura Communal Area continue to depend on traditional biomass fuels, that is, fuelwood, agricultural residues and in some cases dung. This is despite the fact that grid electrification has been introduced in the communal area. A few households have been able to adopt the grid electrification whilst the rest remain rooted in the use of the inefficient and polluting traditional biomass. Some of those who have adopted the grid electricity only use it for lighting and entertainment whilst they continue to use fuelwood for cooking. A number of households that have connected to grid electricity have reverted to the use of the traditional biomass. This means that the generality of people in Chiwundura Communal Area continue to be subjected to energy poverty, which is a constrained access to modern energy services such as electricity. As a result these households will not be able to meet the millennium development goals among many other achievements. This state of affairs motivated the researcher to conduct this study. The study wanted to find out why the transition from traditional biomass energy forms to modern energy services was slow in Chiwundura Communal Area. The study also wanted to establish the factors that influenced household en ergy choices as well as establish the ways in which the traditional biomass energy forms had affected the livelihoods of households in the study area. In order to get information on the above mentioned questions, this study which was a case study of Chiwundura Communal Area utilised the triangulation of both qualitative and quantitative techniques. These methods were meant to complement each other and benefit from the strengths of each method. The study used questionnaires, interviews, observations, transect walks, focus group discussions and content analysis. The researcher spent up to three months in the study area so as to get first hand information on the issues under study. A total of 215 households and 106 school children were conveniently sampled to respond to the questionnaires whilst fifty household heads participated in the interviews. The study looked at three energy theories namely the energy ladder, the leapfrogging and the multiple fuels use models as well as consumption and decision making theories to open this discussion. The study made a number of critical findings. Firstly, there was very little transition as most households remained as users of biomass energy; hence they were at the lower rungs of the energy ladder. Those that had moved up the ladder tended to back switch to the use of fuelwood. This made them multiple fuel users. Generally fuelwood was the dominant source of energy as it was used mainly for cooking, space and water heating, space lighting and other domestic needs such as smoking meat. About 22% of all respondents were connected to the grid and used electricity mainly for lighting. Candles, paraffin, gensets and solar energy were part of the energy mix. It was established that income was the most important determinant in the energy choices made by the different households. Most of the households were peasant farmers who could not harvest excess crops for the market. A few households with members in paid employment or obtained remittances from relatives in South Africa or the Diaspora were able to get connected to the grid or could afford to purchase fuelwood from vendors. Households could not procure solar house systems as the start up costs were beyond their reach. Those who were able to acquire generators could not run them for many hours as they could not afford to refuel them regularly. Household characteristics such as age and education of household- head were also important factors. It was however established that cultural and traditional factors were as usual not given the attention they deserved yet they were very significant in determining the type of fuel a household chose. Food preparation and taste always played an important role in determining whether a household chose traditional fuels for certain cuisines. It was also realised that failure by numerous households in the study area to access modern energy sources meant that they could not attain the millennium development goals by 2015. They could not move out of abject poverty as they lacked irrigation schemes to assure them of food security. Universal access to education was affected by lack of light to use for studying and reading after hours. Adult education was also frustrated. The boy child was worst affected as he came to school late or at times missed school altogether collecting fuelwood for the household. In Chiwundura Communal Area men and boys were responsible for collecting fuelwood. This signified a shift in gender roles. Men and boys took it upon themselves to have these responsibilities as women and girls could not walk the long distances. The health of the household particularly women and children who spent several hours close to the fire was compromised as most huts were poorly ventilated. They therefore could not adequately deal with indoor air pollution challenges. Other MDGs were also likely not to be achieved by the families. The study also found out that men were not dictatorial in determining the fuel that a household used. Some form of democracy existed within homes and negotiations between husband and wife often took place away from the public domain. Oftentimes women often aped their colleagues who owned modern energy technologies within the villages; hence they pressurised their husbands to buy them SHSs and gensets. This was conspicuous consumption. The study established that there was need for modern energy in the study area. Grid electricity was not the panacea for this as it was beyond the reach of many. It was therefore important to look at renewable energy forms such as gel fuel, SHSs and biogas. It was also pertinent to educate and make households aware of dangers posed by indoor air pollution. The government and different stakeholders must give it equal importance and publicity as that given to HIV and AIDS as it kills several children annually. Housing interventions should be made so that households build huts with proper ventilation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Perceptions of the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) housing beneficiaries in South Africa on the extent to which the project meet their housing needs: the case of golf course estate in Alice town, Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Manomano, Tatenda
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Economic assistance, Domestic -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Alice (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M SW
- Identifier: vital:11765 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1005996 , Economic assistance, Domestic -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Alice (South Africa)
- Description: The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of RDP beneficiaries on the extent to which the RDP housing project meets their housing needs in South Africa through a case study of Golf Course Estate in Alice Town with the following specific objectives; to assess the extent to which the Alice Golf Course housing project has achieved the RDP programme objectives; to establish beneficiaries‟ perceptions on the extent the RDP Alice Golf Course houses meet their needs; and to explore the level of satisfaction on the RDP houses by beneficiaries. This study utilized triangulation of both quantitative and qualitative methodologies with qualitative as the dominant approach while quantitative was less dominant. The qualitative design took the form of a case study while the quantitative took the form of mini survey. The study sampled 72 participants from the study population. The study utilized an interview guide and a questionnaire as instruments of data collection. The findings indicated that the gender representation of the beneficiaries was skewed. This is because there were more females heading the houses than males; unemployment was also high; most participants were unmarried and most were adults. This study also discovered that most people residing in these houses are not the real owners who were allocated the houses. There were qualitative problems associated with the components of these houses such as poor roofing, doors, windows, floors and walls. Service delivery complaints were based on inadequate access to clean water, small size and spacing of the RDP house. Security was also a challenge because all the houses did not have street lights and the roads were very bad. Though it is commendable that drainage and sewer facilities are available, but they are not serving their purpose since there is no water in these houses. The findings also indicated that there were discrepancies in allocation of the houses; pervasiveness of social ills; inadequate consultative meetings between the RDP Administrator or social worker and the beneficiaries; as well as the pervasiveness of HIV/AIDS among other issues. This researcher recommended that the government needs to promote economic empowerment to deal with unemployment; to improve the quality of the material building the houses; improvement on service delivery gaps; to beef up infrastructure; renovation and revamping of current houses; to establish commissions of inquiry to deal with corruption; to honour and monitor waiting lists. Partnership with other stakeholders was also critical, in addressing access to social services and helps deal with social ills and run behaviour modification campaigns. This researcher also recommended that there is a need to carry out further research on the role played by the municipalities in the RDP housing project as well as conducting a purely qualitative research to further explore the perceptions of other stakeholders, NGOs, traditional leaders, church leaders, and police on the implementation of the housing project. This researcher advises that such a research could be carried out through focus group discussions and also since this study was bound by a case study it is also necessary for similar research to be carried out in different places in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Manomano, Tatenda
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Economic assistance, Domestic -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Alice (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M SW
- Identifier: vital:11765 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1005996 , Economic assistance, Domestic -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Alice (South Africa)
- Description: The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of RDP beneficiaries on the extent to which the RDP housing project meets their housing needs in South Africa through a case study of Golf Course Estate in Alice Town with the following specific objectives; to assess the extent to which the Alice Golf Course housing project has achieved the RDP programme objectives; to establish beneficiaries‟ perceptions on the extent the RDP Alice Golf Course houses meet their needs; and to explore the level of satisfaction on the RDP houses by beneficiaries. This study utilized triangulation of both quantitative and qualitative methodologies with qualitative as the dominant approach while quantitative was less dominant. The qualitative design took the form of a case study while the quantitative took the form of mini survey. The study sampled 72 participants from the study population. The study utilized an interview guide and a questionnaire as instruments of data collection. The findings indicated that the gender representation of the beneficiaries was skewed. This is because there were more females heading the houses than males; unemployment was also high; most participants were unmarried and most were adults. This study also discovered that most people residing in these houses are not the real owners who were allocated the houses. There were qualitative problems associated with the components of these houses such as poor roofing, doors, windows, floors and walls. Service delivery complaints were based on inadequate access to clean water, small size and spacing of the RDP house. Security was also a challenge because all the houses did not have street lights and the roads were very bad. Though it is commendable that drainage and sewer facilities are available, but they are not serving their purpose since there is no water in these houses. The findings also indicated that there were discrepancies in allocation of the houses; pervasiveness of social ills; inadequate consultative meetings between the RDP Administrator or social worker and the beneficiaries; as well as the pervasiveness of HIV/AIDS among other issues. This researcher recommended that the government needs to promote economic empowerment to deal with unemployment; to improve the quality of the material building the houses; improvement on service delivery gaps; to beef up infrastructure; renovation and revamping of current houses; to establish commissions of inquiry to deal with corruption; to honour and monitor waiting lists. Partnership with other stakeholders was also critical, in addressing access to social services and helps deal with social ills and run behaviour modification campaigns. This researcher also recommended that there is a need to carry out further research on the role played by the municipalities in the RDP housing project as well as conducting a purely qualitative research to further explore the perceptions of other stakeholders, NGOs, traditional leaders, church leaders, and police on the implementation of the housing project. This researcher advises that such a research could be carried out through focus group discussions and also since this study was bound by a case study it is also necessary for similar research to be carried out in different places in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Time budgets, blood urea content, total protein and body condition scores as adaptive responses to seasonal dynamics by breeding Nguni cows and heifers reared on a sweetveld
- Authors: Mapfumo, Lizwell
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Nguni cattle -- South Africa , Cattle -- Feed utilization efficiency -- South Africa , Beef -- Quality -- South Africa , Slaughtering and slaughter-houses -- South Africa , Cattle -- Breeding -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11826 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015738 , Nguni cattle -- South Africa , Cattle -- Feed utilization efficiency -- South Africa , Beef -- Quality -- South Africa , Slaughtering and slaughter-houses -- South Africa , Cattle -- Breeding -- South Africa
- Description: The objective of this study was to determine time budgets, blood urea content, total protein and body condition score as adaptive responses to seasonal dynamics by breeding Nguni cows and heifers reared on a sweetveld. Twenty four clinically healthy Nguni cows and heifers were selected for the study. The animals were grouped according to their parities namely: Parity 1 (n=5), Parity 2 (n=5), Parity 3-6 (old cows) (n=9) and in-calf heifers (n=5). Two separate experiments were conducted and running concurrently. In the first experiment time budgets (time spent walking, grazing, lying down, drinking water and browsing) of the cows and heifers were monitored for two consecutive days once a month, while in the second experiment blood samples were collected from the coccygeal vein once a month during weighing. Body condition scores were also determined during weighing times. Heifers maintained significantly (p0.05) of both blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (7.5±0.39 mmol/l) and TP (80.7±1.19 g/l) in November. All the animals had the least BUN levels in January (1.93±0.18 mmol/l) while the highest total protein (TP) (82.1±1.08 g/l) was recorded in February. All the animals showed distinct (p0.05) in most behavioural attributes in the cool-wet season. Heifers spent significantly (p0.05) body condition scores, amount of time spent browsing and drinking water. On the other hand, heifers (14.7±1.50%) and first parity cows (13.9±1.50%) traded-off most (p<0,05) of their time walking during the cool-dry season. Similarly heifers spent more time browsing (6.4±0.62%) forage plants (p<0.05) than all the cows during the cool-wet season. Grazing (r = 0.17) and standing (r = -0.18) were correlated (p<0.05) with all the behavioural attributes measured in this environment. It was concluded that seasonal dynamics in trade-off behaviour through time budgeting, maintenance of BUN and TP were necessary for the Nguni cows and heifers to maintain their body condition scores within a narrow range throughout the four seasons.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mapfumo, Lizwell
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Nguni cattle -- South Africa , Cattle -- Feed utilization efficiency -- South Africa , Beef -- Quality -- South Africa , Slaughtering and slaughter-houses -- South Africa , Cattle -- Breeding -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11826 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015738 , Nguni cattle -- South Africa , Cattle -- Feed utilization efficiency -- South Africa , Beef -- Quality -- South Africa , Slaughtering and slaughter-houses -- South Africa , Cattle -- Breeding -- South Africa
- Description: The objective of this study was to determine time budgets, blood urea content, total protein and body condition score as adaptive responses to seasonal dynamics by breeding Nguni cows and heifers reared on a sweetveld. Twenty four clinically healthy Nguni cows and heifers were selected for the study. The animals were grouped according to their parities namely: Parity 1 (n=5), Parity 2 (n=5), Parity 3-6 (old cows) (n=9) and in-calf heifers (n=5). Two separate experiments were conducted and running concurrently. In the first experiment time budgets (time spent walking, grazing, lying down, drinking water and browsing) of the cows and heifers were monitored for two consecutive days once a month, while in the second experiment blood samples were collected from the coccygeal vein once a month during weighing. Body condition scores were also determined during weighing times. Heifers maintained significantly (p0.05) of both blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (7.5±0.39 mmol/l) and TP (80.7±1.19 g/l) in November. All the animals had the least BUN levels in January (1.93±0.18 mmol/l) while the highest total protein (TP) (82.1±1.08 g/l) was recorded in February. All the animals showed distinct (p0.05) in most behavioural attributes in the cool-wet season. Heifers spent significantly (p0.05) body condition scores, amount of time spent browsing and drinking water. On the other hand, heifers (14.7±1.50%) and first parity cows (13.9±1.50%) traded-off most (p<0,05) of their time walking during the cool-dry season. Similarly heifers spent more time browsing (6.4±0.62%) forage plants (p<0.05) than all the cows during the cool-wet season. Grazing (r = 0.17) and standing (r = -0.18) were correlated (p<0.05) with all the behavioural attributes measured in this environment. It was concluded that seasonal dynamics in trade-off behaviour through time budgeting, maintenance of BUN and TP were necessary for the Nguni cows and heifers to maintain their body condition scores within a narrow range throughout the four seasons.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Application of assisted reproduction technologies on the indigenous Nguni cows and heifers
- Authors: Maqhashu, Ayanda
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11828 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016096
- Description: The aims of the study were to compare superovulatory (SO) response rate and embryo quality recovered; consequently, correlate sperm motility with fertilization rate on superovulated stud Nguni cows and heifers. Furthermore, compare oestrous synchronization response and pregnancy rate of three breed type cows (Brahman, Bonsmara and Nguni) of different body condition scores following timed artificial insemination in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Limpopo provinces. Nguni stud cows (n= 15) and heifers (n= 10) aged 4-6 and 2-3 years were used as embryo donors. Superovulation of donors involved insertion of a controlled internal drug release device (CIDR) and two injections of FSH daily 12 hours apart for 4 days on a decreasing dosage. Fresh Nguni semen was collected from proven Nguni stud bulls and assessed by computer aided sperm analysis (CASA) before artificial insemination (AI). The doses of AI were prepared and conducted twice, 12 hours apart on synchronized and superovulated Nguni cows or heifers. Embryos were flushed 7 days after AI using a non-surgical technique. Embryos were immediately evaluated under stereo microscope and classified according IETS standard codes (C1, C1- and C2). All transferrable embryos were vitrified. Two pilot study sites were chosen in Eastern Cape – Great kei; (n= 5) and Limpopo - Vuvha; (n=5) provinces for Embryo transfer. Each recipient cow was implanted with one frozen-thawed embryo. For oestrous synchronization, cows (Braman, Bonsmara and Nguni type) were selected in different villages, regardless of parity, age, breed and body weight following pregnancy diagnosis. Cows were grouped according to breed type and body condition scores (BCS) on a scale of 1-5. Group 1 had BCS of ≤ 2.5 in KwaZulu-Natal (n=81) and Limpopo n=71), Group 2 had BCS of ≥ 3 in KwaZulu-Natal (n=79) and Limpopo (n=100) cows. Cows were synchronized by inserting the controlled intravaginal drug release (CIDR) and removed on Day 8, followed by administration of prostaglandin. The white heat mount detectors (HMD) were placed on the individual cow’s tail head as an indicator for oestrous response if colour changed to red and inseminated twice at 12 hours interval. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed by an ultra sound scanner and rectal palpation 90 days after TAI in embryos and semen recipient cows. There was no significant difference on the superovulatory response rate between Nguni cows (40%) and heifers (40%). There was a significant difference on the ovary reaction (number of corpus luteum) of cows (11.33±1.41) and heifers (4.00±0.57). There were no significant differences observed on the embryo quality between Nguni cows (2.5±1.00 and 1.25±0.59) and heifers (0.83±0.41 and 1.00±0.36) for excellent (C1) and good (C1-). However, cows had more numbers of unfertilized ova (5.5±1.05 and 1.75±0.47) and degenerate embryos (3.66±1.00 and 1.25±0.39) than heifers. Village cows responded to oestrous synchronization successfully in KZN (100%) and Limpopo (99%) regardless of body conditions and breed type. The lowest pregnancy rate was recorded in Brahman and Bonsmara type cows with BCS of ≤ 2.5 regardless of Province. Interestingly, Nguni type cows with same body condition of ≤ 2.5 had higher average pregnancy rate of 59.5% in Limpopo and 53.5% in KZN. However, cows with BCS of ≥3 had better pregnancy rate regardless of cow breed type, and province. In conclusion, only 40% of both Nguni cows and heifers responded to superovulation. However, Nguni cows had better ovaries reaction compared to heifers. The quality of embryos recovered was similar for both Nguni cows and heifers. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between total sperm motility and fertilization rate bull 1 (93.7%) inseminated the cows (67.5%) and bull 2 (83.5%) inseminated the heifers (53.5%). Higher pregnancy rate (60%) was recorded in Limpopo compared to Eastern Cape (0%). Interestingly, more than 99% of village cows responded to synchronization and inseminated with frozen-thawed semen successfully. Village Nguni type cows were not affected by body condition scoring as they had higher and similar pregnancy rate as those that had body condition of ≥ 3. It is suggested that it is not advisable to breed synchronized Brahman and Bonsmara type cows with the body condition of ≤ 2.5 except in Nguni cow type as more than 57% average pregnancy rate was achieved.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Maqhashu, Ayanda
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11828 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016096
- Description: The aims of the study were to compare superovulatory (SO) response rate and embryo quality recovered; consequently, correlate sperm motility with fertilization rate on superovulated stud Nguni cows and heifers. Furthermore, compare oestrous synchronization response and pregnancy rate of three breed type cows (Brahman, Bonsmara and Nguni) of different body condition scores following timed artificial insemination in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Limpopo provinces. Nguni stud cows (n= 15) and heifers (n= 10) aged 4-6 and 2-3 years were used as embryo donors. Superovulation of donors involved insertion of a controlled internal drug release device (CIDR) and two injections of FSH daily 12 hours apart for 4 days on a decreasing dosage. Fresh Nguni semen was collected from proven Nguni stud bulls and assessed by computer aided sperm analysis (CASA) before artificial insemination (AI). The doses of AI were prepared and conducted twice, 12 hours apart on synchronized and superovulated Nguni cows or heifers. Embryos were flushed 7 days after AI using a non-surgical technique. Embryos were immediately evaluated under stereo microscope and classified according IETS standard codes (C1, C1- and C2). All transferrable embryos were vitrified. Two pilot study sites were chosen in Eastern Cape – Great kei; (n= 5) and Limpopo - Vuvha; (n=5) provinces for Embryo transfer. Each recipient cow was implanted with one frozen-thawed embryo. For oestrous synchronization, cows (Braman, Bonsmara and Nguni type) were selected in different villages, regardless of parity, age, breed and body weight following pregnancy diagnosis. Cows were grouped according to breed type and body condition scores (BCS) on a scale of 1-5. Group 1 had BCS of ≤ 2.5 in KwaZulu-Natal (n=81) and Limpopo n=71), Group 2 had BCS of ≥ 3 in KwaZulu-Natal (n=79) and Limpopo (n=100) cows. Cows were synchronized by inserting the controlled intravaginal drug release (CIDR) and removed on Day 8, followed by administration of prostaglandin. The white heat mount detectors (HMD) were placed on the individual cow’s tail head as an indicator for oestrous response if colour changed to red and inseminated twice at 12 hours interval. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed by an ultra sound scanner and rectal palpation 90 days after TAI in embryos and semen recipient cows. There was no significant difference on the superovulatory response rate between Nguni cows (40%) and heifers (40%). There was a significant difference on the ovary reaction (number of corpus luteum) of cows (11.33±1.41) and heifers (4.00±0.57). There were no significant differences observed on the embryo quality between Nguni cows (2.5±1.00 and 1.25±0.59) and heifers (0.83±0.41 and 1.00±0.36) for excellent (C1) and good (C1-). However, cows had more numbers of unfertilized ova (5.5±1.05 and 1.75±0.47) and degenerate embryos (3.66±1.00 and 1.25±0.39) than heifers. Village cows responded to oestrous synchronization successfully in KZN (100%) and Limpopo (99%) regardless of body conditions and breed type. The lowest pregnancy rate was recorded in Brahman and Bonsmara type cows with BCS of ≤ 2.5 regardless of Province. Interestingly, Nguni type cows with same body condition of ≤ 2.5 had higher average pregnancy rate of 59.5% in Limpopo and 53.5% in KZN. However, cows with BCS of ≥3 had better pregnancy rate regardless of cow breed type, and province. In conclusion, only 40% of both Nguni cows and heifers responded to superovulation. However, Nguni cows had better ovaries reaction compared to heifers. The quality of embryos recovered was similar for both Nguni cows and heifers. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between total sperm motility and fertilization rate bull 1 (93.7%) inseminated the cows (67.5%) and bull 2 (83.5%) inseminated the heifers (53.5%). Higher pregnancy rate (60%) was recorded in Limpopo compared to Eastern Cape (0%). Interestingly, more than 99% of village cows responded to synchronization and inseminated with frozen-thawed semen successfully. Village Nguni type cows were not affected by body condition scoring as they had higher and similar pregnancy rate as those that had body condition of ≥ 3. It is suggested that it is not advisable to breed synchronized Brahman and Bonsmara type cows with the body condition of ≤ 2.5 except in Nguni cow type as more than 57% average pregnancy rate was achieved.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Financial management practices employed by small and medium enterprises (SMES) in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Marembo, Mathew
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Small business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Finance , Small business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Com (Business Management)
- Identifier: vital:11325 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1013583 , Small business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Finance , Small business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Management
- Description: This study examined how financial management decisions are made by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Buffalo City Metropolitan in Eastern Cape, South Africa. The study aimed at discovering SME awareness on financial management practices. The financial management practices address issues on capital budgeting, working capital management, capital structure, financial reporting and analysis. The study, therefore, hypothesised that SMEs were not aware of the sound financial management practices. It was also intended in this study to examine the relationship between employment of sound financial management practices and firm financial performance. Subsequently, the study hypothesised that the employment of sound financial management practices by SMEs did not significantly affect their financial performance. The results obtained in this study revealed that SMEs were aware of the sound financial management practices that could be employed to yield high financial performance. However, the results also revealed that most SMEs were not employing qualified personnel and this in turn had an effect on the effectiveness of the financial management practices that the SMEs utilised. The findings also indicated that the employment of sound financial management practices did significantly and positively affect the financial performance of SMEs. The study recommended that SMEs could increase their chances of financial survival if they employ sound financial management practices. The study also gave recommendations to the South African Government to provide effective facilities and services to SMEs and help sustain them because they are important in the economy. Lastly, the study recommended financial institutions to relax their credit granting policies so that SMEs could access funds.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Marembo, Mathew
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Small business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Finance , Small business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Com (Business Management)
- Identifier: vital:11325 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1013583 , Small business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Finance , Small business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Management
- Description: This study examined how financial management decisions are made by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Buffalo City Metropolitan in Eastern Cape, South Africa. The study aimed at discovering SME awareness on financial management practices. The financial management practices address issues on capital budgeting, working capital management, capital structure, financial reporting and analysis. The study, therefore, hypothesised that SMEs were not aware of the sound financial management practices. It was also intended in this study to examine the relationship between employment of sound financial management practices and firm financial performance. Subsequently, the study hypothesised that the employment of sound financial management practices by SMEs did not significantly affect their financial performance. The results obtained in this study revealed that SMEs were aware of the sound financial management practices that could be employed to yield high financial performance. However, the results also revealed that most SMEs were not employing qualified personnel and this in turn had an effect on the effectiveness of the financial management practices that the SMEs utilised. The findings also indicated that the employment of sound financial management practices did significantly and positively affect the financial performance of SMEs. The study recommended that SMEs could increase their chances of financial survival if they employ sound financial management practices. The study also gave recommendations to the South African Government to provide effective facilities and services to SMEs and help sustain them because they are important in the economy. Lastly, the study recommended financial institutions to relax their credit granting policies so that SMEs could access funds.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Assessing the effect of Public Participation and development communications on service delivery: the case of the department of Social Development in the Eastern Cape (2004-2010)
- Authors: Maswana, Gcobani
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Civil service -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human capital -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11652 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006979 , Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Civil service -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human capital -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Public Participation is a critical facet of development communication. The Republic of South Africa (RSA) Constitution 1996 promotes a set of values of good governance setting a framework for the public participation, and democratization of the public sector through instruments such as developmental communication in order to impact better service delivery. Public participation is an effective communication platform of a new democratic South Africa, as such, public participation forms part of the Constitution of the RSA Act (108 of 1996). To necessitate good governance, it is very imperative that the citizenry, being voters to take an active role in the affairs of governance. The credibility, legitimacy, acceptability, support for governance structures and sustainability of any government is dependable mostly on how citizens are participating in the affairs of government.The research topic being-assessing the effect of Public Participation and Development Communications on service delivery:the case of the department of Social Development in the Eastern Cape focused on Ingquza Municipality in O.R.Tambo District of the Eastern Cape.The public administration has positioned financial management and human resources as critical elements for effective and efficient system. The study has identified that the omission of public participation and development communication as a gap that need to be optimally utilized to avoid communication gap that leads to unnecessary service delivery protests. The study position communication as strategic and management function of each and every manager. The importance of Public Participation is that it could help to ensure that the citizens take ownership of processes as an important democratic principle.The imbizo’s as public participation tool and effective communication platform has been proven to be effective. The strengthening of development communication in the department to empower communities through development communication cadres and information dissemination is paramount important. Furthermore this will make sure that there is a continuous feedback on quality assurance programme in implementing political pronouncements that are made during imbizo’s.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Maswana, Gcobani
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Civil service -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human capital -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11652 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006979 , Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Civil service -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human capital -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Public Participation is a critical facet of development communication. The Republic of South Africa (RSA) Constitution 1996 promotes a set of values of good governance setting a framework for the public participation, and democratization of the public sector through instruments such as developmental communication in order to impact better service delivery. Public participation is an effective communication platform of a new democratic South Africa, as such, public participation forms part of the Constitution of the RSA Act (108 of 1996). To necessitate good governance, it is very imperative that the citizenry, being voters to take an active role in the affairs of governance. The credibility, legitimacy, acceptability, support for governance structures and sustainability of any government is dependable mostly on how citizens are participating in the affairs of government.The research topic being-assessing the effect of Public Participation and Development Communications on service delivery:the case of the department of Social Development in the Eastern Cape focused on Ingquza Municipality in O.R.Tambo District of the Eastern Cape.The public administration has positioned financial management and human resources as critical elements for effective and efficient system. The study has identified that the omission of public participation and development communication as a gap that need to be optimally utilized to avoid communication gap that leads to unnecessary service delivery protests. The study position communication as strategic and management function of each and every manager. The importance of Public Participation is that it could help to ensure that the citizens take ownership of processes as an important democratic principle.The imbizo’s as public participation tool and effective communication platform has been proven to be effective. The strengthening of development communication in the department to empower communities through development communication cadres and information dissemination is paramount important. Furthermore this will make sure that there is a continuous feedback on quality assurance programme in implementing political pronouncements that are made during imbizo’s.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Evaluating integrated participatory planning in a decentralised governance system: the case of Yei River County, Southern Sudan
- Authors: Matata, Khamis Charles
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Decentralization in government -- South Sudan , Intergovernmental cooperation -- South Sudan , Local government -- South Sudan , Political participation -- South Sudan , Human services -- South Sudan , Sustainable development -- South Sudan , Economic development -- South Sudan , South Sudan -- Politics and government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11656 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006985 , Decentralization in government -- South Sudan , Intergovernmental cooperation -- South Sudan , Local government -- South Sudan , Political participation -- South Sudan , Human services -- South Sudan , Sustainable development -- South Sudan , Economic development -- South Sudan , South Sudan -- Politics and government
- Description: Local government is an important level of participatory democracy, where communities play an active role not only as the electorate, but also as end-users and consumers, and thereby holding their municipal councils accountable for their actions. Given the above statement, the interim Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan 2011, entrusts local government with the provision of services to communities in a sustainable manner. It also provides for the promotion of social and economic development and the promotion of a safe and healthy environment. This also entails the need for a commitment to service delivery hence, public representatives and public officials must take seriously their obligation to render services to the people that could be in the form of ensuring that refuse gets collected, electricity being supplied and other services rendered which better the general welfare of citizens. There are several definitions of public participation, but it can be defined as a process of empowering citizens by involving them in making decisions on all issues that concern them, which can be political, social or economic. The main aim of this study was to, investigate and identify the nature and extent of integrated participatory planning in Yei River County and the extent to which opportunities for public participation are accessible to the communities. The study sought to investigate: How different stakeholders in the community in Yei River County make use of public participation opportunities during the integrated participatory planning process? As such, the main objectives of the study were to; to assess the existing integrated participatory planning practices in Yei River County, to examine and evaluate how the existing integrated participatory planning practices influence service delivery in Yei River County and lastly to identify the barriers to effective integrated participatory planning in YRC and advance recommendations for improvement. Purposive and snowball sampling methods were used and data was collected from a sample of two hundred and twenty-six (226) public officials, comprising of Local Government officials, County councillors and members of the public. Results from the data collected using open and close-ended questionnaires, showed that public participation is very important in local government planning as it leads to incorporation of public suggestions and interests in the development strategies. The results further showed that public meetings and workshops were the only public participation mechanisms being used by Yei River County. The study therefore recommended among other things that, Yei River County should strengthen public participation in integrated participatory planning by providing adequate skilled human resources and establishing structures, as well as public participation mechanisms at the Payam and Boma levels. It was also recommended that the communities needed to utilise all available mechanisms of participation to ensure maximum participation during the integrated participatory planning processes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Matata, Khamis Charles
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Decentralization in government -- South Sudan , Intergovernmental cooperation -- South Sudan , Local government -- South Sudan , Political participation -- South Sudan , Human services -- South Sudan , Sustainable development -- South Sudan , Economic development -- South Sudan , South Sudan -- Politics and government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11656 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006985 , Decentralization in government -- South Sudan , Intergovernmental cooperation -- South Sudan , Local government -- South Sudan , Political participation -- South Sudan , Human services -- South Sudan , Sustainable development -- South Sudan , Economic development -- South Sudan , South Sudan -- Politics and government
- Description: Local government is an important level of participatory democracy, where communities play an active role not only as the electorate, but also as end-users and consumers, and thereby holding their municipal councils accountable for their actions. Given the above statement, the interim Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan 2011, entrusts local government with the provision of services to communities in a sustainable manner. It also provides for the promotion of social and economic development and the promotion of a safe and healthy environment. This also entails the need for a commitment to service delivery hence, public representatives and public officials must take seriously their obligation to render services to the people that could be in the form of ensuring that refuse gets collected, electricity being supplied and other services rendered which better the general welfare of citizens. There are several definitions of public participation, but it can be defined as a process of empowering citizens by involving them in making decisions on all issues that concern them, which can be political, social or economic. The main aim of this study was to, investigate and identify the nature and extent of integrated participatory planning in Yei River County and the extent to which opportunities for public participation are accessible to the communities. The study sought to investigate: How different stakeholders in the community in Yei River County make use of public participation opportunities during the integrated participatory planning process? As such, the main objectives of the study were to; to assess the existing integrated participatory planning practices in Yei River County, to examine and evaluate how the existing integrated participatory planning practices influence service delivery in Yei River County and lastly to identify the barriers to effective integrated participatory planning in YRC and advance recommendations for improvement. Purposive and snowball sampling methods were used and data was collected from a sample of two hundred and twenty-six (226) public officials, comprising of Local Government officials, County councillors and members of the public. Results from the data collected using open and close-ended questionnaires, showed that public participation is very important in local government planning as it leads to incorporation of public suggestions and interests in the development strategies. The results further showed that public meetings and workshops were the only public participation mechanisms being used by Yei River County. The study therefore recommended among other things that, Yei River County should strengthen public participation in integrated participatory planning by providing adequate skilled human resources and establishing structures, as well as public participation mechanisms at the Payam and Boma levels. It was also recommended that the communities needed to utilise all available mechanisms of participation to ensure maximum participation during the integrated participatory planning processes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The impact of oil price volatility on economic growth in South Africa: a cointegration approach
- Authors: Matekenya, Weliswa
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Com
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/876 , vital:26505
- Description: Oil is an essential commodity in the South African economy and a source of energy that is used for electricity generation, heating, and cooking. It is vital for the transportation system on which the very livelihood of the economy depends. 14% of South African primary energy needs are met by oil while 95% of crude oil is imported, primarily, from Saudi Arabia and Iran. This study investigates the impact of oil price volatility on economic growth in South Africa from 1994Q1-2010Q4. The study employs the VECM and shows that there exists both a long run and short run relationship between the following variables: crude oil price, GDP, gross fixed investment, real interest rate and real exchange rate. In a long-run analysis there is a positive relationship between oil price and GDP while there is negative relationship in the short-run. The study also shows that, as an oil importing country, South Africa‟s economic growth depends on imported oil which makes the country vulnerable to oil price shocks. Based on the findings of this study it is recommended that policy interventions should include both monetary and fiscal policies. It is in this regard that promoting a regional integration in order to reduce oil dependence, by optimizing electricity supplies across the region, is essential. This will improve efficiency and, owing to economies of scale, lower generation costs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Matekenya, Weliswa
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Com
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/876 , vital:26505
- Description: Oil is an essential commodity in the South African economy and a source of energy that is used for electricity generation, heating, and cooking. It is vital for the transportation system on which the very livelihood of the economy depends. 14% of South African primary energy needs are met by oil while 95% of crude oil is imported, primarily, from Saudi Arabia and Iran. This study investigates the impact of oil price volatility on economic growth in South Africa from 1994Q1-2010Q4. The study employs the VECM and shows that there exists both a long run and short run relationship between the following variables: crude oil price, GDP, gross fixed investment, real interest rate and real exchange rate. In a long-run analysis there is a positive relationship between oil price and GDP while there is negative relationship in the short-run. The study also shows that, as an oil importing country, South Africa‟s economic growth depends on imported oil which makes the country vulnerable to oil price shocks. Based on the findings of this study it is recommended that policy interventions should include both monetary and fiscal policies. It is in this regard that promoting a regional integration in order to reduce oil dependence, by optimizing electricity supplies across the region, is essential. This will improve efficiency and, owing to economies of scale, lower generation costs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Assessing the skills development challenges facing the Department of Health in the Eastern Cape and its impact on the delivery of quality services: a case of Victoria Hospital in Amathole District
- Authors: Matsila, Thomas Sipho
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11711 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015242
- Description: Post- Apartheid South Africa has seen the emergence of an unskilled workforce, which has resulted in many challenges in service delivery especially in the public sector. To ensure that the problem of shortage of skills is addressed the government came up with policy strategies that were aimed at ensuring that the workers are equipped with the right skills within the work and in different institutions. The government came up with different policy frameworks that supported skills development of the South African Workforce. The current study of challenges facing Skills Development at Victoria Hospital has shown that the health sector in South Africa is stills fraught with shortage of skilled manpower although there are policy provisions that promote and encourage training and development of the employees. The findings from the study have indicated that at Victoria Hospital there is an ageing workforce and that the employees are not knowledgeable of skills development programmes that are taking place. The findings of the study also indicated that perceived organizational support, demographic factors, political and legislative policy frameworks are important factors to consider in ensuring the success of skills development or training programmes within the health system in South Africa. The broad aim of the study was to investigate challenges facing Skills Development within Department of Health at Victoria Hospital in the Eastern Cape Province. The study was quantitative in nature and data was collected through survey based Likert questionnaires. Deductive logic was utilized in this study based on the premises of the Social Exchange Theory and the Equity theory.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Matsila, Thomas Sipho
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11711 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015242
- Description: Post- Apartheid South Africa has seen the emergence of an unskilled workforce, which has resulted in many challenges in service delivery especially in the public sector. To ensure that the problem of shortage of skills is addressed the government came up with policy strategies that were aimed at ensuring that the workers are equipped with the right skills within the work and in different institutions. The government came up with different policy frameworks that supported skills development of the South African Workforce. The current study of challenges facing Skills Development at Victoria Hospital has shown that the health sector in South Africa is stills fraught with shortage of skilled manpower although there are policy provisions that promote and encourage training and development of the employees. The findings from the study have indicated that at Victoria Hospital there is an ageing workforce and that the employees are not knowledgeable of skills development programmes that are taking place. The findings of the study also indicated that perceived organizational support, demographic factors, political and legislative policy frameworks are important factors to consider in ensuring the success of skills development or training programmes within the health system in South Africa. The broad aim of the study was to investigate challenges facing Skills Development within Department of Health at Victoria Hospital in the Eastern Cape Province. The study was quantitative in nature and data was collected through survey based Likert questionnaires. Deductive logic was utilized in this study based on the premises of the Social Exchange Theory and the Equity theory.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Education District Office support for teaching and learning in schools: the case of two districts in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Mavuso, Mzuyanda Percival
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Schools -- Development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Educational change -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management teams -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School administrators -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School supervision -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School improvement programs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Educational leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Educational evaluation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Education)
- Identifier: vital:16194 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006259 , Schools -- Development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Educational change -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management teams -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School administrators -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School supervision -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School improvement programs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Educational leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Educational evaluation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The idea of district support for schools is based on the view that local education offices are best placed to play a critical role in the promotion of quality teaching and learning. In performing this mandate whose characterisation has, over time, moved away from ‘inspection’ and ‘supervision’ both of which are seen as old fashioned and undemocratic, to support, which is seen as developmental. The aim of this study was to understand how three categories of district based officers, Subject Advisors, Integrated Quality Management System Coordinators and Education Development Officers support teaching and learning in schools. This was a case study of two districts in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. A total of six district officials and four school based officials participated in this study. In-depth interviews and document analysis were carried out. There were four main findings. First, support for schools by three district based officials was understood and practiced as administrative tasks, mainly consisting of monitoring policy implementation and monitoring resource provision to schools. School Management Teams saw district officers’ visits as focussing on compliance rather than support. Second, some pedagogical support was given by Subject Advisors through training teachers in subject content and methods of teaching that subject. This was done through workshops and demonstration lessons. However Subject Advisors did not at any time observe actual classroom teaching to see if teachers were implementing what they had learnt at workshops. Third, none of the officers mentioned direct support for teaching and learning at classroom level. Visits by officials were not directly linked to influencing teaching and learning classroom level. Fourth, schools saw district officials as working in separate pockets and sometimes sending different signals to them, despite claims by district officials that inter-disciplinary meetings were held among district officials, however, the nature of the coordination and the use to which it is put remains unclear. There were three main conclusions, first that although the district officials’ visits to schools were described as support, they exhibited the trappings of technicism of inspection; supervision and control; and appeared to neglect the developmental aspects implied in the notion of support. Second, the conception and practice of support visits by district officials were characterised by tension between support and control. Third, at district level support to schools lacked coordination among the three categories of officers who visit schools. This has implications for quality management in schools. Given the findings and conclusions of this study; it is recommended that the issue of support for schools be the focus of a survey research for which a probability sample must be drawn in order to generate findings that are generalisable across the participating target population. Other research could focus on investigating mechanisms by which the tension between support and control can be resolved. To improve practice of a framework for the development of a coordinated district support focusing on the core business of teaching and learning is suggested.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mavuso, Mzuyanda Percival
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Schools -- Development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Educational change -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management teams -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School administrators -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School supervision -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School improvement programs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Educational leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Educational evaluation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Education)
- Identifier: vital:16194 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006259 , Schools -- Development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Educational change -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management teams -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School administrators -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School supervision -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School improvement programs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Educational leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Educational evaluation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The idea of district support for schools is based on the view that local education offices are best placed to play a critical role in the promotion of quality teaching and learning. In performing this mandate whose characterisation has, over time, moved away from ‘inspection’ and ‘supervision’ both of which are seen as old fashioned and undemocratic, to support, which is seen as developmental. The aim of this study was to understand how three categories of district based officers, Subject Advisors, Integrated Quality Management System Coordinators and Education Development Officers support teaching and learning in schools. This was a case study of two districts in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. A total of six district officials and four school based officials participated in this study. In-depth interviews and document analysis were carried out. There were four main findings. First, support for schools by three district based officials was understood and practiced as administrative tasks, mainly consisting of monitoring policy implementation and monitoring resource provision to schools. School Management Teams saw district officers’ visits as focussing on compliance rather than support. Second, some pedagogical support was given by Subject Advisors through training teachers in subject content and methods of teaching that subject. This was done through workshops and demonstration lessons. However Subject Advisors did not at any time observe actual classroom teaching to see if teachers were implementing what they had learnt at workshops. Third, none of the officers mentioned direct support for teaching and learning at classroom level. Visits by officials were not directly linked to influencing teaching and learning classroom level. Fourth, schools saw district officials as working in separate pockets and sometimes sending different signals to them, despite claims by district officials that inter-disciplinary meetings were held among district officials, however, the nature of the coordination and the use to which it is put remains unclear. There were three main conclusions, first that although the district officials’ visits to schools were described as support, they exhibited the trappings of technicism of inspection; supervision and control; and appeared to neglect the developmental aspects implied in the notion of support. Second, the conception and practice of support visits by district officials were characterised by tension between support and control. Third, at district level support to schools lacked coordination among the three categories of officers who visit schools. This has implications for quality management in schools. Given the findings and conclusions of this study; it is recommended that the issue of support for schools be the focus of a survey research for which a probability sample must be drawn in order to generate findings that are generalisable across the participating target population. Other research could focus on investigating mechanisms by which the tension between support and control can be resolved. To improve practice of a framework for the development of a coordinated district support focusing on the core business of teaching and learning is suggested.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
An assessment of the supply chain management policy: the case of the King William's Town district municipality period 2009-2011
- Authors: Mazibu, Vuyisile
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Civil service -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Economic policy , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Social conditions , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11675 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007128 , Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Civil service -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Economic policy , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Social conditions , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Description: The intention of the study was to assess the supply chain management policy at the King William’s Town District Municipality. It became apparent from the Literature review that any municipality to play a meaningful role in ensuring that South Africa achieves the goal of becoming a developmental state, capable of confronting service delivery challenges, there needs to be a proper implementation of the supply management system policy. The study was also aimed at identifying the factors that support or hinder the implementation of the supply chain management within the King William’s Town District Municipality. In order to achieve this objective, interviews and self-administered questionnaires were conducted with various respondents in the municipality. The respondents insured the councillors from the five political parties comprising the municipality, municipal manager and section 57 managers, supply chain practitioners. It would therefore be critical important for the management of the King William’s Town District municipality to take into account the results of this study and its recommendations so as to ensure that there is a proper implementation of the supply chain management system within the municipality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mazibu, Vuyisile
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Civil service -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Economic policy , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Social conditions , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11675 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007128 , Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Civil service -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Economic policy , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Social conditions , Eastern Cape -- South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Description: The intention of the study was to assess the supply chain management policy at the King William’s Town District Municipality. It became apparent from the Literature review that any municipality to play a meaningful role in ensuring that South Africa achieves the goal of becoming a developmental state, capable of confronting service delivery challenges, there needs to be a proper implementation of the supply management system policy. The study was also aimed at identifying the factors that support or hinder the implementation of the supply chain management within the King William’s Town District Municipality. In order to achieve this objective, interviews and self-administered questionnaires were conducted with various respondents in the municipality. The respondents insured the councillors from the five political parties comprising the municipality, municipal manager and section 57 managers, supply chain practitioners. It would therefore be critical important for the management of the King William’s Town District municipality to take into account the results of this study and its recommendations so as to ensure that there is a proper implementation of the supply chain management system within the municipality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Antifugal evaluation and phytochemical analysis of selected medicinal plants used in the treatment of fungal diseases associated with HIV infection in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Mbeng, Wilfred Otang
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- ethnobotanical survey , Opportunistic fungal infections , HIV/AIDS -- Cytotoxicity , Eastern Cape -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Botany)
- Identifier: vital:11307 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006834 , Medicinal plants -- ethnobotanical survey , Opportunistic fungal infections , HIV/AIDS -- Cytotoxicity , Eastern Cape -- South Africa
- Description: Background. As a result of the AIDS pandemic, many people areimmuno compromised andopportunistic fungal infections (OFIs) such as candidiasis are common. Despite the widespread use of medicinal plants in South Africa, there is a dearth of knowledge regarding the use of such plants in the management of these infections. This study evaluates three South African medicinal plants (Arctotis arctotoides, Pittosporum viridiflorum, and Gasteria bicolor) traditionally used in the treatment of OFIs in HIV/AIDS patients, in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Materials and methods. A six-stage process of documentation, evaluation and analysis of results was conducted: (1) Selection of medicinal plants most frequently used in the treatment of OFIs through ethnomedical studies and the survey of specialised literature; (2) Collection and preparation of the extract of each plant; (3) Antifungal evaluation of the crude plant extracts. (4) Phytochemical and antioxidant evaluation of the active crude plant extracts; (5) Cytotoxicity evaluation of the bioactive extracts using the Chang liver cell line, and (6) Statistical analysis of the results. Ethnobotanical information was obtained through interviews with traditional healers and AIDS patients with the aid of semi-structured questionnaires, direct observations and by reviewing studies reported in the literature. Following the approval from the University of Fort Hare‘s Ethics Committee, 101 HIV/AIDS patients were recruited through convenience sampling into an anonymous cross-sectional questionnaire study. The agar diffusion and micro-dilution methods were used to determine the antifungal activities of the hexane, acetone and aqueous extracts of A. arctotoides, G. bicolor and P. viridiflorum against 10 opportunistic fungi.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mbeng, Wilfred Otang
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- ethnobotanical survey , Opportunistic fungal infections , HIV/AIDS -- Cytotoxicity , Eastern Cape -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Botany)
- Identifier: vital:11307 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006834 , Medicinal plants -- ethnobotanical survey , Opportunistic fungal infections , HIV/AIDS -- Cytotoxicity , Eastern Cape -- South Africa
- Description: Background. As a result of the AIDS pandemic, many people areimmuno compromised andopportunistic fungal infections (OFIs) such as candidiasis are common. Despite the widespread use of medicinal plants in South Africa, there is a dearth of knowledge regarding the use of such plants in the management of these infections. This study evaluates three South African medicinal plants (Arctotis arctotoides, Pittosporum viridiflorum, and Gasteria bicolor) traditionally used in the treatment of OFIs in HIV/AIDS patients, in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Materials and methods. A six-stage process of documentation, evaluation and analysis of results was conducted: (1) Selection of medicinal plants most frequently used in the treatment of OFIs through ethnomedical studies and the survey of specialised literature; (2) Collection and preparation of the extract of each plant; (3) Antifungal evaluation of the crude plant extracts. (4) Phytochemical and antioxidant evaluation of the active crude plant extracts; (5) Cytotoxicity evaluation of the bioactive extracts using the Chang liver cell line, and (6) Statistical analysis of the results. Ethnobotanical information was obtained through interviews with traditional healers and AIDS patients with the aid of semi-structured questionnaires, direct observations and by reviewing studies reported in the literature. Following the approval from the University of Fort Hare‘s Ethics Committee, 101 HIV/AIDS patients were recruited through convenience sampling into an anonymous cross-sectional questionnaire study. The agar diffusion and micro-dilution methods were used to determine the antifungal activities of the hexane, acetone and aqueous extracts of A. arctotoides, G. bicolor and P. viridiflorum against 10 opportunistic fungi.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Synthesis and characterization of metal sulfide nanoparticles/polymer nanocomposites
- Authors: Mbese, Johannes Zanoxolo
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Chemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11344 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016190
- Description: The focus of this project was to synthesize and characterize metal sulfide nanoparticles /polymer nanocomposites. The work involved the synthesis of dithiocarbamato ligands and complexes derived from aniline. Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) dithiocarbamato complexes were used as single-molecule precursors for the synthesis of the ZnS, CdS and HgS nanoparticles and their optical and structural properties studied. The other focus of this work was to synthesize a combined functionality metal sulfide nanoparticles/polymer nanocomposites by dispersing as-synthesized ZnS, CdS and HgS nanoparticles in polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) matrix. The characterization of the ligands, complexes, nanoparticles and nanocomposites were investigated using relevant instrumental tools like UV-Vis, photoluminescence (PL), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersion X-ray (EDX), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mbese, Johannes Zanoxolo
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Chemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11344 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016190
- Description: The focus of this project was to synthesize and characterize metal sulfide nanoparticles /polymer nanocomposites. The work involved the synthesis of dithiocarbamato ligands and complexes derived from aniline. Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) dithiocarbamato complexes were used as single-molecule precursors for the synthesis of the ZnS, CdS and HgS nanoparticles and their optical and structural properties studied. The other focus of this work was to synthesize a combined functionality metal sulfide nanoparticles/polymer nanocomposites by dispersing as-synthesized ZnS, CdS and HgS nanoparticles in polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) matrix. The characterization of the ligands, complexes, nanoparticles and nanocomposites were investigated using relevant instrumental tools like UV-Vis, photoluminescence (PL), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersion X-ray (EDX), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013