Showing items 661 - 680 of 1451

Your selections:

Identifying methane emissions with isotopic and hydrochemical clues to their origin across selected areas of the Karoo Basin, South Africa

  • Authors: Campbell, Richard Duncombe
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Methane -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa , Atmospheric methane -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa , Groundwater -- Research
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42218 , vital:36636
  • Description: Currently, only sparse data exists on the methane emissions from the Main Karoo Basin, South Africa, where the potential discovery of vast quantities of unconventional natural gas from the black shales of the Whitehill Formation has sparked great interest in the prospect of hydraulic fracturing. In this study, a new infield methane quantification instrument (Picarro G2201-i) is used to identify freely emitted methane and more importantly collect stable carbon isotope ratios (δ13C-(CH4)g) that is used in obtaining information regarding the genetic origin and thermal maturity of the methane. Hydrochemical information (TOC, δ13C-TOC, 3H, δ18O, δ2H, and anions) were also scrutinised to assist in the determination of the origin of methane across the Karoo Basin. Twenty-one sites were investigated across four provinces in the Main Karoo Basin. Six of these sites are thermal springs, three are shallow boreholes (<100 m in depth), and twelve were Soekor (The Southern Oil Exploration Corporation)/deep boreholes (>1500 m). Of these 21 sites, 17 were suitable for either methane analysis or groundwater sampling, with four of the Soekor boreholes unsuitable. The presence of methane in groundwater and being freely emitted seems to be a common occurrence above the Main Karoo basin and of the 17 sites investigated, 14 had freely emitted methane emission. All but one of these sites had δ13C-(CH4)g signatures greater than -50 ‰, indicating a thermogenic origin. Combining the results obtained from the Picarro instrument with those compiled by Talma & Esterhuyse (2015), a higher resolution distribution map was created. The δ13C-CH4 signatures show patterning with a decreasing trend from the southern Karoo Basin to the north, which corresponds to the general decrease in thermal maturity of the Ecca shales (Whitehill Formation) northward across the Karoo Basin. The δ13C-(CH4)d results from a case study conducted by Eymold et al. (2018) differ significantly with the data collected in this study that included several of the same sampling locations. This is explained by a two phase partitioning (gas + water) that leads to the thermogenic endmember of methane being released in its free state (analysed by Picarro G2201-i) and microbial methane that is formed in situ remains dissolved in the water (analysed by Eymold et al. 2018). Soekor and deep sites; SA 1/66, KA 1/66, and KWV-1 that have direct pathways for methane migration from the Whitehill are deemed the best proxies to resolve the thermogenic endmember of methane, with δ13C-(CH4)g signatures of -26.32‰, 31.66‰, and -34.57‰, respectively. The hydrochemistry results suggests that that free methane emissions do not necessarily have to be associated with saline Cl- waters, as multiple sites have CH4 emissions with low salinities (Cl < 50 mg/L) and that methane in its free state can migrate to the surface due to buoyancy. The results also indicate that dolerite intrusions act as conduits for upward migration of groundwater from depth, but that the deep groundwater signatures proposed by Murray et al., (2015) are related to their different migration pathways and water-rock interactions rather than being representative of the deep formation waters. Using an initial assessment δ13C-CH4, TOC concentration [TOC] and the tritium (3H) values, where water samples that have 3H ≤ 1 TU, detectable TOC and δ13C-CH4 signatures > -50‰ could indicate hydraulic connectivity between the shallow aquifer and an organic/CH4 rich sedimentary layer, which may or may not be from the Whitehill Formation. However, this method for determining aquifer connectivity requires further investigations in the Karoo Basin context. The results obtained in this study add to the limited isotopic data of methane across the Karoo Basin and demonstrates the effectiveness of an infield identification of methane emissions using the Picarro G2201-i.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2019

If you strike a woman: an analysis of how women are represented in political cartoons of South Africa’s Women’s Day, 2009-2017

  • Authors: Levin, Bianca
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Caricatures and cartoons -- South Africa , Women in mass media -- South Africa , Political cartoons -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/92661 , vital:30731
  • Description: On 7 August 2017, two days prior to South Africa’s National Women’s Day, video footage of a representative of the State, Mduduzi Manana, beating up a woman went viral. This marred the Women’s Day celebrations of that year, as it became clear to the public that the he was not going to be punished. As important political commentators, cartoonists used Manana’s actions as an opportunity to depict the violence women face, even in a month dedicated to women. In these cartoons, Manana became the face of a patriarchal system, one which has deeply affected the quality of life for women who, to date, cannot claim their Constitutional rights. This thesis is interested in the mini-narratives of such cartoons, ones which offer a view on the status of South African women. Through this qualitative study, a textual analysis in the spirit of Critical Discourse Analysis of seven selected cartoons leads to a discussion of what their representations of women means for gender justice. What this research shows is that the representations that cartoons offer of the position of women in South Africa are complex. These cartoons articulate that South Africa has a long way to go to reach equality and gender justice. In order for gender justice to be realised, the representation of women needs to evolve into one which recognises women’s plight but does not relegate them to the state of victimhood.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2019

Impact of adoption of drought tolerant maize varieties on yield in the face of climate change: A case of Salima, Chikwawa and Karonga districts, Malawi

  • Authors: Rukasha, Conscience Tanyaradzwa
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Climatic changes Food security Dry farming
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15628 , vital:40491
  • Description: Drought is a huge limiting factor in maize production, mainly in the rain-fed agriculture of subSaharan Africa. In response to this threat, drought-tolerant (DT) maize varieties have been developed with an aim to ensure maize productivity under drought conditions. This study assessed the impact of smallholder farmers’ adoption of DT maize varieties on maize productivity. The first step into understanding the impact of adoption of these varieties on smallholder farmers’ productivity was to first identify the varieties that they were growing. To achieve this, data was collected through the means of a household survey of 600 farmers from Karonga, Chikwawa and Salima districts in Malawi. The major findings drawn were that though most of the farmers have adopted the use of hybrids, as they are fairly common among the varieties that are being grown, most of these hybrids were not drought tolerant varieties. Previous studies had concluded that most of the farmers in Malawi were still growing local varieties. Results from this study showed a major increase in the use of hybrids with SC403 being the most grown variety. The second step in the analysis of the impact of DT maize adoption was to analyse the level and intensity of adoption of these varieties among the smallholder farmers. This was done using a Double Hurdle Model. The results from the double hurdle showed that only 23% of the sampled farmers were growing one or more DT varieties on their plots. Generally, farmers’ decision to use improved agricultural technologies and the intensity of the use in a given period of time are hypothesized to be influenced by a combined effect of various factors such as household characteristics, socioeconomic and physical environments in which farmers operate. The results in this study have shown that the geographical location of farmers plays a significant role in the decision to adopt as well as off-farm income and input subsidies. In terms of intensity, the results revealed that the farmers allocated an average of 0.46 ha of their land under maize cultivation to DT varieties. The results also showed that the intensity of adoption was influenced by gender, household size, whether or not the farmer is recycling the seed and soil fertility. The next step in the study was analysing the impact that intra-seasonal weather variability had on maize productivity. This was done by using daily weather variables for the whole growing season so as to take into account evaporation, rain gaps and other intra seasonal weather limitations. The Just and Pope Production Function was used to analyse the impact of intra-seasonal weather vi variability on productivity. The results suggest that the amount and distribution of rainfall have a strong impact on the development of the maize crop and consequently the quantity harvested. From the results, there was evidence of high variability in rainfall characteristics in terms of the intraseasonal distribution which in turn translated into high variability in maize quantity harvested by the smallholder farmers in Malawi. Lastly, the Endogenous Switching Regression Model was used to analyse the impact of adoption of DT varieties on yield. The results showed that the adoption of DT varieties increases productivity. The use of counterfactual data from the Endogenous Switching Regression (ESR) allowed for an in-depth analysis of the productive implications. The results from the ESR model showed that the farm households that did not adopt, had they adopted, they would have increased their productivity. Furthermore, the results indicated that the use of DT maize varieties successfully delivered relatively less reliance on the total and net rainfall, that is, adopters managed to support their productivity in the face of changing climate while the non-adopters were adversely affected by an increase in temperature and decrease in total rainfall. Adoption of DT varieties increased output among smallholder farmers by 441.33 kg which translates to a 41% increase. Conclusively, the results from this study showed that smallholder farmers are adopting new and improved hybrids and improved OPVs and moving away from the use of local varieties. However the new varieties they are currently using are mostly not DT varieties. This is an interesting finding because the farmers when asked about their preferred traits in maize seed mentioned drought tolerance, therefore the low level of adoption points to numerous factors. These factors include lack of awareness of these varieties among smallholder farmers and unavailability of seed. The results also showed that the level of adoption was low among the farmers. With respect to productivity, this study has shown that adoption of DT varieties by smallholder farmers will increase their yield in the face of climate change
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2019

Impacts of gum-resin harvest and Lantana camara invasion on the population structure and dynamics of Boswellia serrata in the Western Ghats, India

  • Authors: Soumya, Kori V , Shackleton, Charlie M , Setty, Siddappa R
  • Date: 2019
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177549 , vital:42832 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2019.117618
  • Description: Assessing the effects of harvesting on the population dynamics of important non-timber forest products (NTFPs) species is important for informing species conservation options, guiding sustainable harvesting practices and offtake and supporting local livelihoods. However, harvesting is rarely the only pressure on NTFP populations, and it is vital that the effects of interactive pressures be considered. This applies to Boswellia serrata, an NTFP tree species which is widely harvested for gum-resin used in religious practices. However, in many settings populations are in decline, presumably due to heavy harvesting, but other factors may play a role, such as altered fire regimes and invasive species. Here we report on the effects of harvesting and invasion by Lantana camara on B. serrata populations in three protected areas in the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot in southern India. We considered tree and juvenile density, size class distribution, and growth, mortality, and recruitment rates in harvested and unharvested populations over two years.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2019

Implementation and management of code of conduct in addressing service delivery, in the Eastern Cape department of basic education

  • Authors: Mhambi, Mbulelo
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Professional ethics Code of life
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16940 , vital:40787
  • Description: The study seeks to assess and examine the management and implementation of the code of conduct by the Eastern Cape Department of Basic Education in addressing service delivery in the Province. The reason for the Researcher to undertake the study is influenced among others by poor of service delivery, maladministration and corruption reported in this department through media, newspapers, Auditor General (AG) Reports and Portfolio Committee on Basic Education Eastern Cape Legislature which act as the oversight mechanism for this department. Literature review was conducted as a secondary source of information and primary information was conducted through sample of 30 respondents which were selected by the Researcher. The respondents were from the most key units of the department of Education Eastern Cape, which are stated in chapter one of the study. The study followed qualitative research approach which included semi-structured questionnaire, observation and document analysis. The findings of the study indicate lack of management and implementation of the code of conduct by the department. They clearly shows, lack of awareness and understanding of the code itself by the general staff members, lack of discipline, poor employee attitude, and unwillingness to improve service delivery and corruption in the department systems. The findings of the study expose lack of understanding of the code of conduct by the civil servants in the Department of Education, Eastern Cape. This can be attributed to lack of induction, orientation and training, in order to understand the importance of the code of conduct. Document analysis revealed that, there was lack of adherence and observation of the department’s established policies, rules, regulations, procedures and flouting of supply chain management processes and corruption in the system which is tantamount to violation of the DPSA code of conduct. These factors all contributed to this department’s failure in achieving clean audit outcomes from the AG during the last term. Department of Basic Education, Eastern Cape Province, received qualified and adverse audit reports between 2009 and 2014 financial years. The study recommends trainings of the department of education officials in the DPSA code of conduct. More vigorous on going ethical training is very crucial in the attempt to promote ethical behaviour, to root out corruption, under performance and vi maladministration activities experienced in this department so as to fast track service delivery to the people of the Province, in the following terms of Government administration going forward.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2019

Implementation of multicultural education by high school teachers in multicultural classrooms in selected schools-Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

  • Authors: Matshikiza, Siphokazi , Luggya, S K
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Multicultural education -- Eastern Cape -- South Africa Culturally relevant pedagogy -- Eastern Cape -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Education)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11352 , vital:39064
  • Description: This study deals with the implementation of Multicultural Education by High School Teachers (HST) in multicultural classrooms in selected high schools in Chris Hani West District of Education, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The purpose of the study was to explore the implementation of ME by HST in multicultural classrooms. The study was located in an interpretivist paradigm, which enabled the researcher to obtain data directly from the subjects themselves, by sitting with the participants and hearing their views, voices, perceptions, opinions, interpretations and expectations with regard to the implementation of Multicultural Education (ME) in High Schools. Case study research design was adopted in the study in order to get in-depth information about what is happening in schools. Purposive sampling strategy was used by the researcher to select individuals who could offer an authentic account of the phenomenon under study. The researcher collected data, which were qualitative in nature utilising basic semi- structured face- to- face interviews, focus groups, classroom observations and document analysis. The data were collected and analysed inductively for the themes and patterns to be derived. The study revealed that ME approach is being implemented by some of the teachers in the selected schools however, there were challenges encountered. According to the findings of the study, it was revealed that teachers did not receive training from the Department of Education on how to implement ME approach at the schools. It was also found that teachers were empowered only with different types of prescribed textbooks and the guidelines on the course content in their learning.The study recommends that ME should be part of the curriculum for in-service teacher training. The school policy framework should enforce and regulate the practice of ME by the HST. In this regard, teachers need to be well equipped to be able to implement ME effectively. Therefore, the classroom strategies and interventions need to be created to provide equal learning opportunities for all diverse learners from different backgrounds with different learning needs in the multicultural classrooms. However, the Department of Education should organise workshops and seminars for the teachers to be able to implement ME effectively in the classrooms. v Furthermore, the Department should ensure that the content of the books that the publishers select for the learners do incorporate ME throughout the topics and themes of the books. Adequate resources should be provided for both learners and teachers for the successful implementation of ME. Parents should be involved for new developments and curriculum transformation in the school level as vital stakeholders. This should encourage the ownership of the education process by everybody involved to yield positive outcome. Language policy on the curriculum should be revisited for all the learning areas except the learners’ mother tongue. This could make the learners understand the content of their relevant learning areas easily. Therefore, teachers need to shift from old approach to the new approach to meet and be able to address the needs of the learners effectively. Support and monitoring should be rendered by the Department of Education for the successful implementation of ME.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2019

Implementation of school-based assessment in high schools, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa : implications for teaching and learning

  • Authors: Chipfiko, Jack
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: High schools -- Examinations Educational tests and measurements
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15892 , vital:40549
  • Description: The purpose of any education system is to deliver a quality educational product. Various forms of assessment are used to ensure the suitability of the product and inform decisions. In South Africa, School-Based Assessment(SBA) is one of the tools used to assess the content competences, skills, values and attitudes; to provide learners, parents and teachers with results that are a meaningful indication of what the learners know, understand and can do at the time of assessment (DBE, 2012). Surprisingly, on a yearly basis, Umalusi reports reveal that SBA marks are rejected resulting in the learners being resulted on mostly the year end examination. The purpose of this study was to examine the implementation of SBA with a view to unearth the factors contributing to the perennial rejection of SBA marks, resulting in learners from some schools being unfairly assessed. To explore the research problem, a mixed methods study, employing a concurrent triangulation design, was employed. Total Quality Management theory was the theoretical framework anchoring this study. Sub research questions to interrogate the research problem focused on examining the roles of the teachers, learners and parents in the implementation of SBA; assessing the structures in place to support the implementation of SBA; examining how teachers, learners and parents play complementary roles in the implementation of SBA; and identifying strategies to enhance the implementation of SBA in South African (SA) high schools. Data were collected using Questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussions with purposively selected samples of teachers, learners and SGB chairpersons from high schools in White River Circuit in Mpumalanga Province in South Africa. The use of mixed methods produced quantitative and qualitative data which were independently analysed and merged during interpretation. Findings revealed that: participants and respondents confirmed the various roles of SBA in teaching and learning; structures were in place to support the implementation of SBA in high schools; complementarity of roles were sporadic in the implementation of SBA in high schools; and various strategies were employed to enhance the implementation of SBA in high schools. Implications for teaching and learning focused on realigning the implementation processes in the production of a quality educational product, and maximising its benefits to teachers, learners and parents.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2019

Improved palmprint segmentation for robust identification and verification

  • Authors: Brown, Dane L , Bradshaw, Karen L
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/460576 , vital:75966 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1109/SITIS.2019.00013"
  • Description: This paper introduces an improved approach to palmprint segmentation. The approach enables both contact and contactless palmprints to be segmented regardless of constraining finger positions or whether fingers are even depicted within the image. It is compared with related systems, as well as more comprehensive identification tests, that show consistent results across other datasets. Experiments include contact and contactless palmprint images. The proposed system achieves highly accurate classification results, and highlights the importance of effective image segmentation. The proposed system is practical as it is effective with small or large amounts of training data.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2019

Improvements and optimization for a functional low-cost prosthetic hand

  • Authors: Setty, Kiran
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Biomechanics , Artificial limbs -- Design , Prosthesis -- Design
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEng
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43655 , vital:36955
  • Description: The following study investigates the work of the Touch Hand 4, which involves the development of a lowcost myoelectric prosthetic terminal hand device for transradial amputees. The Touch Hand 4 is an iteration of the Touch Hand project which attempts to make a functional, low-cost prosthetic hand which is capable of being accessible to more people relative to conventional myoelectric prosthetic hands as well as being used as a robotic UAV gripper. This research is motivated due to the lack of affordable myoelectric prosthetic hands in the global market. It is believed, with the current technology, it is capable of developing a prosthetic hand which can meet these needs. Research was performed through reviewing other prosthetic hands to understand the requirements for a prosthetic hand as well as understanding the market of prosthetic hands. Prosthetists were interviewed to obtain a perspective from medial professionals regarding the requirements for a prosthetic hand. Hand kinesiology was performed to understand the biomechanics of the human hand, which was emulated in the design of the Touch Hand 4. The mechanical design begun with developing and testing a concept design, which was used to design the general shape of the Touch Hand 4. SLS was chosen to print the prosthetic hand with. After performing a kinematics and static force simulation, the mechanical system was designed accordingly. Further research on EMG sensors was then performed to understand the requirements of using EMG signals to control a prosthetic hand. The electronics and control system were then designed according to the requirements of the prosthetic hand. Tests were performed, however, tests performed with an amputee using the device was affected to improper placement of the EMG sensors, leading to poor results. Tests performed without an amputee, however, showed that the prosthetic hand is capable of gripping various objects of different shapes and sizes. An investigation was also performed on the contributions the Touch Hand 4 could make as a UAV gripper, which showed that the Touch Hand 4 is more adaptable and versatile than any other UAV gripper available on the market.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2019

Improving intravenous fluid prescribing in the Eastern Cape in South Africa

  • Authors: Luce, Cate , Soffair,Rosie , Parrish, Andy
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: South Africa Intravenous fluids Computer File
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/5120 , vital:44351 , https://doi:10.1136/bmjoq-2018-000406
  • Description: Intravenous fluids are an essential component of patient care, but a 2013 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline noted that inappropriate prescribing or administration may lead to actual or potential patient harm in up to 20% of patients.1 This project aimed to improve prescribing documentation and communication between nurses and doctors regarding intravenous fluid management. This was done through the introduction of a fluid chart, in combination with teaching on appropriate fluid management. It was initiated within the medical department of Cecelia Makiwane Hospital in East London, South Africa. 309 patients were included and data were analysed over a 6-month period. The outcome measures were the standards of intravenous fluid prescribing set by the NICE guidelines. The process measure was the use of the new chart. Baseline data highlighted that there was no standardised location for fluid prescriptions within the bedside notes. Following the intervention, 81% of fluid prescriptions were on a fluid chart. The percentage of fluid scripts with a 24-hour fluid prescription, a recorded indication and recorded input increased after the intervention. Seventy six per cent of patients received more than 50% of the fluids prescribed following the intervention compared with 22% at baseline. These results indicated an increase in the doctor’s awareness of appropriate fluid prescribing and an improvement in the communication between doctors and nurses regarding the patient’s fluid management. The engagement of local stakeholders and staff was fundamental to the success of the project and allowed for this change in practice. Fluid management is a vital part of care in many specialties; therefore, a toolkit has been created to allow similar quality improvement projects to be implemented across other hospitals around the Eastern Cape.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2019

Improving organisational effectiveness through employee engagement: a proposed framework

  • Authors: Mabasa, Jerry Mandla
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Organisational effectiveness -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Employee motivation Organizational behavior Work environment -- Employees
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40657 , vital:36207
  • Description: South African-based automotive industry firms have been largely characterised by fierce competition at the global level. In order to compete effectively, business leaders have to align business strategies and adopt the best practice approach to gain a competitive advantage among rivals. The majority of this practice requires a high level of employee buy-in to ensure effective, sustainable and successful implementation. Hence, employees become a key stakeholder for improving the organisational competitive advantage and the business leader must continuously find sustainable methods for engaging their employees in order to raise the effectiveness of the organisation. In view of these notions, this study was grounded in the social exchange theory. Against this background, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the levels of several Employee Engagement drivers, namely Positive Mood, Personal Vision, Compensation, Team and Co-worker Relationships, Organisational Support and Leadership and to investigate their influence on the levels of Employee Engagement and Organisational Effectiveness to businesses in the automotive industry in Nelson Mandela Bay, Eastern Cape. To evaluate the conceptual framework suggested by this study based on the literature review, an empirical assessment was performed amongst the employees of Nelson Mandela Bay‟s automotive sector manufacturers through the application of an electronically distributed questionnaire. The selection of the sample was performed using convenience sampling. A total of 135 usable questionnaires were returned with which to undertake the statistical analysis. The findings showed that the demographic variables investigated in this study had no influence on the way in which employees‟ perceived engagement in the workplace. In order to assess the validity of the dependent variables successfully, namely employee engagement and organisational effectiveness, inferential statistics were performed. Inferential statistics commenced by investigating the reliability of the empirical data. It was concluded that all variables returned Cronbach‟s alpha coefficients greater than 0.7, except for the Team and Co-Worker Relationships independent variable. Hence, sufficient evidence of reliability and validity for the items measuring the dependent and the independent variables was provided. The items intended to measure Team and Co-Worker Relationships did not load as expected and the variable was subsequently eliminated from further analysis, resulting in the revised conceptual framework. Correlation analysis revealed that none of the variables were strongly correlated. The subsequent multiple regression analyses revealed that only the Organisational Support variable investigated in this study had a significant positive influence on both the Employee Engagement and Organisational Effectiveness variables. On the other hand, Leadership only had a significant positive influence on Organisational Effectiveness, while positive emotions (measured by the Positive Mood and Personal Vision variables) had a significant positive influence on Employee Engagement. In addition, the results of this study showed that the Employee Engagement variable mediates the relationship between the Positive Mood, Personal Vision and Organisational Support and Organisational Effectiveness variables. However, it does not mediate the relationship between the Leadership and Organisational Effectiveness variables. Given the findings of this study, a number of recommendations are put forward to enhance the levels of Positive Mood, Personal Vision, Organisational Support and Leadership qualities among employees, and to ultimately enhance the levels of Employee engagement and Organisational Effectiveness.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2019

Improving public participation through ward based planning in Port St Johns Local Municipality

  • Authors: Koninga, Siyabonga
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Public Administration -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45194 , vital:38262
  • Description: This research study deals with ways in which to improve public participation through ward based planning in Port St Johns local municipality. Public participation in South Africa is important, as it is the backbone of the democratic state that was introduced by the 1994 democratic elections. Public participation is essentially a process that engages communities from the planning phase to the implementation and evaluation phases of a particular activity or project. Public participation has become a key aspect of South African planning and is a recurring theme in several legislative and theoretical documents. Public participation is a principle that is accepted throughout all spheres of government. It is important because it is the only method whereby government can gain a sense of the needs and aspirations of the various communities. With specific reference to municipalities, public participation is enhanced through the establishment of ward based planning. The Port St Johns ward based planning process has not only been an opportunity for households and communities to contribute to the integrated development plan (IDP), it has also provided them with access to information. This is the first step towards re-skilling our people to participate in the knowledge economy. The ward based planning process provides a link between municipal level planning and delivery and activities at ward level. Port St Johns’ ward based planning process is the vehicle for entrenching participation in the IDP in order to maximise co-ordination and synergy between priorities and municipal programs. The main objective and aim of the study was to advance recommendations that may be adopted as solutions to Port St Johns’ municipal management for improving a strategy for the public to participate in municipal activities. In conclusion, this study found that community based planning does influence the municipality’s integrated development plan but its effectiveness lies in proper planning and giving it the attention it deserves as one of the tools to be used to improve public participation in the affairs of the Port St Johns Municipality.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2019

Improving public participation through ward based planning in Port St Johns Local Municipality

  • Authors: Koninga, Siyabonga
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Public participation
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44720 , vital:38158
  • Description: This research study deals with ways in which to improve public participation through ward based planning in Port St Johns local municipality. Public participation in South Africa is important, as it is the backbone of the democratic state that was introduced by the 1994 democratic elections. Public participation is essentially a process that engages communities from the planning phase to the implementation and evaluation phases of a particular activity or project. Public participation has become a key aspect of South African planning and is a recurring theme in several legislative and theoretical documents. Public participation is a principle that is accepted throughout all spheres of government. It is important because it is the only method whereby government can gain a sense of the needs and aspirations of the various communities. With specific reference to municipalities, public participation is enhanced through the establishment of ward based planning. The Port St Johns ward based planning process has not only been an opportunity for households and communities to contribute to the integrated development plan (IDP), it has also provided them with access to information. This is the first step towards re-skilling our people to participate in the knowledge economy. The ward based planning process provides a link between municipal level planning and delivery and activities at ward level. Port St Johns’ ward based planning process is the vehicle for entrenching participation in the IDP in order to maximise co-ordination and synergy between priorities and municipal programs. The main objective and aim of the study was to advance recommendations that may be adopted as solutions to Port St Johns’ municipal management for improving a strategy for the public to participate in municipal activities. In conclusion, this study found that community based planning does influence the municipality’s integrated development plan but its effectiveness lies in proper planning and giving it the attention it deserves as one of the tools to be used to improve public participation in the affairs of the Port St Johns Municipality.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2019

Improving TB infection control in a regional hospital in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

  • Authors: Haeusler, Ilsa Louisa , Knights, Felicity , George, Vishaal , Parrish, Andy
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Quality circles Tuberculosis--Prevention Computer File
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6399 , vital:45465 , https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v77i2.6828
  • Description: This quality improvement (QI) work was carried out in Cecilia Makiwane Hospital (CMH), a regional public hospital in the Eastern Cape, South Africa (SA). SA has among the highest incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in the world and this is a leading cause of death in SA. Nosocomial infection is an important source of TB transmission. Adherence to TB infection prevention control (IPC) measures in the medical inpatient department was suboptimal at CMH. The overall aim of this QI project was to make sustainable improvements in TB IPC. A multidisciplinary team was formed to undertake a root cause analysis and develop a strategy for change. The main barriers to adherence to IPC measures were limited knowledge of IPC methods and stigma associated with TB. Specifically, the project aimed to increase the number of: ‘airborne precaution’ signs placed above patients’ beds, patients correctly isolated and patients wearing surgical face masks. Four Plan Do-Study-Act cycles were used. The strategy for change involved education and awareness-raising in different formats, including formal in-service training delivered to nurses and doctors, a hospital-wide TB awareness week with engaging activities and competitions, and a World TB Day provincial solidarity march. Data on adherence to the three IPC measures were collected over an 8-month period. Pre-intervention (October 2016), a mean of 2 percent of patients wore face masks, 22 percent were correctly isolated and 12 percent had an airborne precaution sign. Postintervention (May 2017), the compliance improved to 17 percent, 50 percent and 25 percent, respectively. There was a large variation in compliance to each measure. Improvement was greatest in the number of patients correctly isolated. We learnt it is important to work with, not in parallel to, existing teams or structures during QI work. On-the-ground training of nurses and clinicians should be undertaken alongside engagement of senior staff members and managers. This improves the chance of change being adopted into hospital policy.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2019

Improving the business success of SMMEs in the South African construction industry: the case of SMMEs in the city of Port Elizabeth

  • Authors: Swapi, Sibongiseni
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Success in business -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Small business -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Construction industry -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43934 , vital:37085
  • Description: This research has aimed at designing a framework for effective management of different Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in the construction industry of South Africa. The research is derived from the SMMEs in Port Elizabeth. The research adopted a descriptive design and qualitative research methodology in order to achieve the research objectives. The research population of this research covered fifty (50) professional employees of SMMEs in the construction industry of Port Elizabeth, South Africa. It has been revealed in this research that there is a significant lack of management skills and training in the industry. Many construction SMMEs are also unable to access sufficient financial resources and government support for their operations. In this regard, the most important requirement has been found to be education and training for the employees working in the South African SMMEs in the construction industry. Along with this, government support and intervention is also required so that the SMMEs in the construction industry are able to access sufficient financial resources for building proper infrastructure. This research has also proposed an effective management framework that may include contract management, asset management as well as risk management of the South African SMMEs in the construction industry.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2019

Improving the property rental market in Tshwane CBD

  • Authors: Kganyago, Rapholo Joseph
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Real property -- South Africa -- Pretoria , Rental housing -- South Africa -- Pretoria Building leases -- South Africa -- Pretoria Housing -- South Africa -- Pretoria
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40588 , vital:36185
  • Description: The research focuses on investigating the Improvement of the property rental market in Tshwane CBD. This includes determining the factors leading to high dilapidation of the Tshwane rental properties in its CBD as well as establishing the challenges experienced by the tenants in respect to the comfort and safety of their rented properties. This includes determining challenges faced by the rental property owners in establishing safe, comfortable housing facilities that fulfill the tenants’ expectations. The research further determines to illuminate on economic opportunities that can be realised in improving the conditions of the rental property market. The research employs a mixed research approach, where 100 survey participants and 10 qualitative interviewees are used to gather empirical evidence for the study. This manages to bring congruency to the outcomes of the study. The research finds that rent seeking behaviours are prevalent in the Tshwane rental property market. The study finds that there is lack of adequate management of rental properties owing to challenges with timely maintenance costs that affect most rented properties in the CBD. The research illuminates further that rental property owners and employed agencies are not effectively upgrading or modifying security features in their commercialized units much to diminished safety of property and most importantly the tenants. The research also exposes that foreign nationals in rental property market are also part of the rent-seeking behaviours through some hidden costs and penalties that do not align with local authority regulations to unsuspecting and prospective tenants much like local rental property stakeholders. The research has recommended that regulatory agencies in the rental property market must be trained and assessed on performance metrics continuously to ensure that they effectively address and expose issues such as latent defects, health inspections of properties and a better understanding of rental property dynamics at inspection and certification of rental units as fit for commercial business. The research further recommends that urbanisation through gentrification requires sustainable partnerships between both private and public construction sector players with adequate consultation with communities affected near CBDs to encourage building of more structures that are affordable to middle-income earners residing in affected rental areas identified in the research phenomenon.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2019

In conversation with South African artist Viwe Madinda: after her performance “Kwathi Kaloku Ngatsomi” during the National Arts Festival

  • Authors: Muvhuti, Barnabas
  • Date: 2019
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/146948 , vital:38579 , https://africanah.org/viwe-madinda/
  • Description: Focusing on Viwe Madinda’s Kwathi Kaloku Ngatsomi, a live art performance staged under the Arts Lounge Program, during South Africa’s 2019 National Arts Festival in Makhanda, this conversation dwells on the significance of the performance. It explores the key symbolic gestures the artist and her mother employed to convey the underlying message. In the aftermath of the performance, Barnabas Ticha Muvhuti sat down with Viwe Madinda to discuss and unpack some of the key moments in the work. What follows is an edited transcript of the conversation which took place at the Arts Lounge at the Arts of Africa and Global Souths Research Program at Rhodes University.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2019

In conversation with Zimbabwean artist Kresiah Mukwazhi:

  • Authors: Muvhuti, Barnabas
  • Date: 2019
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/146959 , vital:38580 , https://africanah.org/in-conversation-with-kresiah-mukwazhi/
  • Description: Kresiah Mukwazhi is a Harare-based multidisciplinary artist who is a Fellow of the “Arts of Africa and Global Souths” Residencies for Artists and Writers (RAW) programme in the Fine Art Department at Rhodes University in Makhanda, South Africa. During the 2019 National Arts Festival, she performed Summoned from Luzari as part of the Arts Lounge festival programme. Her two-months residency resulted in the Although I am Young, I am the Mother of this House open studio session in which the audience was invited to engage with the artist and the ideas she has been, is and will be working on. The persona Hes Keresiya, which came to life on that day, is one of the ideas. In this conversation, Barnabas Ticha Muvhuti asks Mukwazhi about her work during the residency and her artistic practice in general.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2019

In Parenthesis:

  • Authors: de Jager, Maureen
  • Date: 2019
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/147880 , vital:38681 , DOI: 10.1080/02560046.2019.1684966
  • Description: IN PARENTHESIS is a practice-based essay which takes shape, parasitically, amidst the “found text” of an existing book, British author Thomas Pakenham's The Boer War (1979, Johannesburg: Jonathan Ball). The “author-reader” interjects into the found text of this authoritative history book, inserting her words amongst those of Pakenham's. What becomes apparent, however, is that the text into which she interjects is not The Boer War verbatim, but a dramatically abridged version. The book's primary content has been edited out. What remains is The Boer War whittled down to a litany of Pakenham's parentheses (the history book distilled into an essence of the seemingly non-essential). Into this stream of bracketed matter, the author-reader writes, ruminating on the parenthesis as ethos (as prison and portal, barricade and breach, enclave and embrace). In turn, her ruminations invite reflection on the conundrum of writing history, of writing this history (and, indeed, of writing per se).
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2019

In search of identity: an anthropological study on the experiences of Rastafarians in contemporary Malawi

  • Authors: Maganga, Stewart Martin
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Malawi -- Religious life and customs , Rastafari movement Identity (Philosophical concept)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42536 , vital:36666
  • Description: Prior to 1994, religious freedoms were largely restricted because the constitution at the time vested its powers in the president who was at the time was Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda. Banda, who ruled Malawi for thirty years, sought to present Malawi to the outside world as a Christian nation. This was purposefully done by ignoring the existence of other religious faiths in the country of which Rastafari was one. Although the Rastafari movement was in existence during Banda’s presidency, most Rastas found it difficult to practice their religious beliefs freely. Because of this, it was found that throughout the three decades Banda was in power, the Rastafari movement in Malawi was virtually underground. This further gave the public impression to the public at the time that Rastas were non-existent in the country. It was only after the general elections of 1994 that Malawians became aware of the existence of the Rastafari movement in the country. With that said, there remains a paucity of written information on the Rastafari movement in Malawi, that is before and after the 1994 general election. To be able to establish why the Rastafari movement continues to grow in Malawi, this thesis began by addressing the question of why a certain group of individuals would seek becoming to Rastas in Malawi including its impact on their lives including relationships with both friends and family members. For the many that embraced Rastafari, the intention was to embrace a spiritual identity that was separate to that of their parents. Most raised the concern that the religions that they were previously affiliated did not allow them the freedom to explore their spirituality. This further raises the question regarding the link between established religions and spirituality. In as much as Rastafari has provided the individuals in this study a sense of meaning and identity in their lives, they have had to contend with facing confrontation with friends and family members. This thesis also explored the experiences that come with being a Rasta in Malawi. Amongst the issues that are of concern to the Rasta community is that for the many Rasta children that attend public schools, most are denied their right to attend classes with dreadlocks. Most Rastas had hoped that with the advent of democracy in Malawi, their fundamental rights would be recognised and protected under the constitution. What this thesis has demonstrated that despite the existence of democracy in Malawi, it did ultimately result in a society that would be open to diversity. What this study has demonstrated is that Malawi continues to remain a highly conservative society. This is further illustrated in the way Malawian Rastas have had to contend with being denied employment opportunities including their fundamental right to smoke chamba (marijuana) freely. This thesis set out to argue that the democracy brought about by the elections of 1994 did not necessarily result in the improved conditions of minority religious groups like Rastafarians. This is despite the current constitution allowing for religious freedom. Despite this, the thesis further set out to show that the Rastafari movement does have vital role in the current dispensation. The issues that make the Rastafari movement pertinent in present-day Malawi include issues of corruption and neo-colonialism. This thesis concluded that more must be done to improve the conditions of Rastas in Malawi. Some of recommendations that were raised in this study included reviewing the current policy regarding the length of hair that one wears to school as it relates to one’s religious beliefs. The other recommendation that was raised in this study includes amending the Religious and Moral Education (RME) school curriculum in order that it becomes inclusive of other religious faiths that are existing in the country. In addition, the current legislation regarding the possession of chamba must be amended to accommodate for religious groups such as Rastas who use it for religious purposes.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2019
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Copyright
  • Contact