Thesis (MTech (Business Administration in Project Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019 / A large number of IT projects fail due to uncertainties involved in these projects. Some of these uncertainties include the changing of specification of the original project and the cause of that can be attributed to the ever changing IT environment. These changes lead to scope creep which causes cost and schedule overruns. For IT projects to be pronounced as being successful, they have to be completed within the specified time, budget, and according to quality. To run successful IT projects is always a difficult task due to the fact that project managers lack the necessary skills and competencies. There is a great need for project managers that are competent in managing budget, time, and quality in IT projects. The poor management of IT projects is a global challenge; it’s not only happening in South Africa. In this study the researcher adapted the use of both qualitative and quantitative research methods to evaluate competencies of the project manager with the aim of determining those that would assist project managers to execute successful IT projects. The current study focuses on the competencies that make IT project managers to run successful IT projects, these are Leadership competencies to influence and persuade project team to follow a certain direction, Communication competencies to communicate all the project information effectively to relevant stakeholders, Decision making competencies to make crucial decisions in a timely fashion, Problem solving competencies to provide needed solutions on critical problems.

Thesis (MTech (Business Administration in Project Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019 / Communication forms an integral part of military management functions in safegaurding the territory and borders of the country through successful project execution. This explains cruciality and indispensability of communication in the military for effective management. Communication is not effective until intended recipient uderstand the message and be in a position to action required feedback, Akinnubi (2010:105). The research problem stems from structural impediments of communication that hampers procurement project execution. This study seeks to investigate the structural impediments of communication, bureaucratic systems and procurement as a strategy. The research exploited qualitative methodology, standards of social research techniques for sampling and methods of collecting data, through the administration of a questionnaire, direct observation, transcribing of qualitative data and document analysis. Project communication is measured by the extent in which results meets requirement and expectations of the clients. The researchers emphasizes that critical project information should be disseminated to project team members, timely for effective responds that propel project success. The target population for this research is 60 South African Navy Simon’s Town Procurement Service Centre (SPSC) employees, whom are entrusted with procurement responsibilities for the organization. The employees are the organizational representatives to different stake holders through communication mediums and channels. Communication over the years has become the centre diversification organizational study due to successful contribution for achieving organizational goals, when is correctly implemented and managed. The importance of communication enables organizational activity to be unified and serves as pillar upon inputs are fed to the systems to influence better decision making.

Thesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019 / Background: Retail in South Africa is a growing industry, but new demands and the influx of foreign competition require retail business managers to be more creative in solving modern-day complex retail problems. An embedded outcome of the registered National Diploma: Retail Business Management qualification offered by the Cape Peninsula University of Technology is that students should be able to identify business problems and creatively make sound business decisions to solve these problems. However, because creativity is such a diverse topic, it seems that educational institutions and educators do not commit themselves to and evade the development of creativity. Consequently, this leads to graduates being ill-prepared in creatively solving the complex and often unique business problems they encounter in the Wholesale and Retail sector. Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the creativity profile of Retail Business Management students and evaluate the progress of their creativity levels from their first- to third year. This approach evaluated if the embedded outcome of creativity was met for the National Diploma: Retail Business Management qualification. Methodology: Empirical research was conducted by collecting a combination of quantitative and qualitative data to determine the creativity levels of Retail Business Management students. A questionnaire consisting of both qualitative- and quantitative questions was used to evaluate the creativity levels of 159 full-time students and 16 students from the retail industry studying through the university’s Retail Academy. Quantitative data were analysed using both descriptive- and inferential statistics. Findings: Based on the analysed data, it was found that creativity is one of the key attributes, if not the most important, to ensure continued business success in the South African retail industry. The results indicate that participants were creative, but not at the required levels. It was further established that there was no growth in the creativity levels of the participants from their first- to third year of studies, thus indicating that the required outcome of creativity, as stipulated in the qualification criteria, was not achieved. Recommendations: It is recommended that further research should be conducted in an attempt to propose a suitable creativity instrument for developing the creativity of Retail Business Management students as this would ensure that graduates are confident and able to use their creativity to address the unique challenges that the South African retail industry face.

Thesis (MTech (Business Administration in Project Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2020 / This study aims to establish the essence of communication as a tool for effective project execution at selected construction sites in Cape Town, South Africa. There is increasing evidence that communication practices can play a significant role in accomplishing high quality construction projects. Communication has been precisely singled out as a foremost construction project management practice that can have an effect on successful project execution. Failure to convey the proper messages results in projects delay or project failure as the employees or subordinates will not be given the right instructions on what to do. Most companies that are involved in construction projects around Cape Town are failing to complete their projects in the given time, budget and scope due to poor communication. The general objective of the study was to determine if effective communication could lead to the success of construction projects in Cape Town. The study implemented descriptive and association research designs while the study population was drawn from construction a large company within the vicinity of Cape Town. The study used simple random sampling technique while the sample size was 80 employees and 10 managers. The study used questionnaires to collect data while. An excel data analysis tool was used to analyze quantitative data while data was presented using geometric techniques such as tables, bar-graphs and pie charts. The results of the study exposed that the relationship between construction project success and effective communication was significant. The study recommended that construction project companies should have strong and effective communication techniques.

Thesis (Master of Horticultural Science)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019 / The purpose for this study was to investigate whether Sceletium tortuosum was suitable for cultivation in hydroponics and to determine whether different soilless media and fertigation regimes would have an effect on the vegetative growth and alkaloid concentration of the plant. The experiment was conducted over a period of 6 weeks. Three hundred plants were cultivated from one initial mother plant obtained from Verve Dynamics (Pty) Ltd, Somerset West. Twenty treatments were evaluated with 15 sample replicates. Treatments were made up of 4 different soilless growing media, namely: pure silica sand (SS), 50% silica sand with 50% coco-peat (SC), 50% silica sand with 50% vermiculite (SV), and 50% silica sand with 50% perlite (SP). These growing media were tested in conjunction with 5 different fertigation regimes (FR), plants treated with fertigation regime 1 (FR1) received aqueous nutrient solution once every week, fertigation regime 2 (FR2) received aqueous nutrient solution once every second week, fertigation regime 3 (FR3) received aqueous nutrient solution once every third week, fertigation regime 4 (FR4) received aqueous nutrient solution once every fourth week and fertigation regime 5 (FR5) received aqueous nutrient solution once every fifth week respectively. Chapter 2 reviewed the importance of S. tortuosum and its viability as a Traditional African Medicinal Plant. It was found that S. tortuosum has clear pharmaceutical and economical importance and is one of the only known plants to contain the alkaloids mesembrenone and mesembrine which can be utilized for the promotion of health and treating a variety of psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression. In chapter 3 it was seen that the various treatments had significant effects in terms of plant root growth, shoot growth and dry weight. Treatment SCFR3 showed the highest individual mean value for root growth, while the average from treatments SVFR1-5 displayed the highest average value. The lowest individual value for root growth was observed in treatment SPFR5. Overall treatments with fertigation regime FR3 had better root growth, while fertigation regimes FR5 showed sub-optimal root growth. For shoot growth the highest individual mean value was found in treatment SVFR1, while the highest average value was observed in treatments SCFR1-5. In chapter 4 treatments also had a significant effect on alkaloid concentrations. It was observed that shoot extracts contained a higher concentration of total alkaloids than root extracts, however root extracts had an overall higher amount of delta 7 mesembrenone, and mesembrenone in terms of area %, while shoots had higher amounts of mesembrine. Further the mesembrine standard as mentioned in 4.4.5, shoots clearly have an overall higher concentration of mesembrine than roots. These results suggest that roots of S. tortuosum should be harvested for the purpose of extracting delta 7 mesembrenone and mesembrenone molecules, while the shoots should be harvested for extracting mesembrine. Chapter 5 further investigated the interaction between the vegetative growth and alkaloid concentration of S. tortuosum. There appears to be a clear trend that displays higher concentrations of mesembrine where shoot growth was more optimal, however more optimal growth did not display a higher concentration of total alkaloids. In terms of root growth and total alkaloid concentration, it did not appear that more optimal growth induced higher concentrations of total root alkaloids, meaning reasonable stress on plant root and shoot growth could possibly promote higher concentrations of total alkaloids. It is also clear that overall roots contain more delta 7 mesembrenone and mesembrenone than shoots, suggesting roots should be harvest for extracting these molecules specifically. In most cases high results of delta 7 mesembrenone in roots also had similar amounts of mesembrenone, however certain treatments resulted in higher concentrations of the former and the latter, therefore their similar molecular structure does not always permit similar manifestation in the plant material. Overall this study has found that S. tortuosum is suitable for cultivation in hydroponics, and that soilless media, fertigation regimes as well as soilless media in conjunction with fertigation regimes affected the vegetative growth and alkaloid concentration of S. tortuosum. This research has shown that some soilless media and fertigation regime treatments had more desirable results in terms of vegetative growth and/or alkaloid concentration of the plant.

Thesis (Master of Environmental Health)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2020 / Background: The development of metabolic disease is accompanied by changes in gut microbiota phenotype, including a decrease of beneficial bacteria and increase of pernicious bacteria of the gastrointestinal tract. A Western (high-fat and high-sugar) diet, sedentary lifestyle and altered gut microbiota diversity have been associated with an increased risk of developing metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and its associated risk factor, obesity. Many researchers have studied the link between the gut microbiota and diet. Hence our in vitro study is aimed at investigating the potential prebiotic effect of an aspalathin-rich unfermented rooibos extract, Afriplex GRT™ and aspalathin on the faecal bacterial diversity of vervet monkeys fed Western diet. Methodology: A total of six vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) were selected from monkeys fed either a maize based normal diet (standard diet group; n=3) or a high fat diet (Western diet group; n=3) for more than 5-years. Faecal samples were collected from the animals in both groups at the Primate Unit and Delft Animal Centre (PUDAC) between 7 – 9 AM. Faecal samples from the two groups were divided into culture-independent baseline samples (before culture) and culture-dependent samples (after anaerobic culture). The culture-dependent samples were cultured under anaerobic conditions at 37°C for 10 hours, with or without Afriplex GRT™ extract or aspalathin. Bacterial genomic DNA (gDNA) was extracted from all samples using the NucleoSpin® DNA Stool extraction kit. Purified gDNA was sent for metagenomic sequencing for 16S rRNA gene analysis of microbial diversity using an Ion Torrent Next-generation Sequencing platform. Results: Results indicated that the Western diet affects the abundance of several bacterial species. Afriplex GRT™ and aspalathin significantly enhanced the relative abundance of health promoting butyrate-producing bacteria such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in both standard and Western diet groups (p= 0.02 and p=0.04, respectively). A similar trend was observed in other beneficial bacteria such as Eubacterium spp., Sutterella spp., and Dorea longicatena. Conclusion: Based on the data observed, it can be suggested that Afriplex GRT™ has a beneficial prebiotic effect on gut microbiota diversity and gut health.

Thesis (MTech (Horticulture))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2014 / The effects of liquid Kelpak® and Kelpak® Plantit® disk growth regulator on the growth responses of three selected fynbos species were evaluated in this study. The experiment was arranged using a block design, consisting of 270 plant samples. The experiment consisted of three fynbos species, Coleonema album, Erica verticillata and Leucospermum cordifolium. Each species was subjected to three treatments, the control with no applications, liquid Kelpak® and Kelpak® Plantit® disks (hereafter referred to as disks). The control consisted of 10 plants samples, for each of the three species, arranged is numerical order 1-10. The liquid Kelpak® consisted of 40 plant samples. These 40 plants were divided into 4 groups, containing 10 plants and each group having a different treatment with group 1; 300 ml, group 2; 200 ml, group 3; 100 ml and group 4; 50 ml. The disks consisted of 40 plant samples. These 40 plants were divided into 4 groups, containing 10 plants each and each group having a different treatment with group 1, 2 disks, group 2, 1 disk, group 3, ½ disk and group 4 ¼ disk. The objectives of this study were to assess the desired application of Kelpak® by analysing the physiological improvements or growth responses on of Coleonema album, Erica verticillata and Leucospermum cordifolium. Prior to planting, pre-trial measurements were recorded of each individual cutting. A standard ruler was used to measure the root length and shoot length of each plant, measurements were taken in millimetres. The weight of each plant was measured with a Radwag AS 220/C/2 analytical scale in grams. Plant growth, in terms of plant height was measured on a weekly basis. Plant height was measured with a standard ruler, from the surface of the medium to the tip of the tallest leaf. Watering during the trial period was conducted, using a hand held hose with a rosehead sprayer twice a week and during the third month of the trial once a week. Each container received an average of 250 ml of water. The final week of the trial final readings of the plants was conducted. Plants were carefully harvested and their roots were rinsed with tap water. A standard ruler was used to measure the root length and shoot length of each plant. The roots and shoots were then separated with a secateurs from each other. The fresh weight of each root and shoot weighed and recorded. The combined total weight in grams was captured. The roots and shoots were placed in a manila brown paper bag and placed in a laboratory oven at 55°C for 48 hours. The plants were then removed from the oven and the dry weight of each root and shoot weighed. The combined total was also recorded. The results indicated that liquid Kelpak® and Kelpak® Plantit® disk had an effect on the growth of fynbos species at different application rates. Liquid Kelpak® and Kelpak® Plantit® disks had significantly increased the shoot, root growth and total weight of plants in C. album grown in 15 cm pots over an 18 week period. The liquid Kelpak® indicated higher growth rates in the initial growing stages of C. album as the liquid was immediately available to the plant. The Kelpak ® Plantit® disks had better influence on the growth over a longer period as the disk dissolved at a slower rate which eventually became available to the plant. The liquid Kelpak® and Kelpak® Plantit® disks had significantly increased the dry root weight and post-harvest root length of E. verticillata grown in 15 cm pots over a period. The Kelpak® Plantit® disks indicated higher growth rates in the dry root weight of E. verticillata but both the liquid and the disk had a positive effect on the post-harvest root length. The results also indicated that the successful rooting of E. verticillata was attributed to rooting hormone Seradix 2 under greenhouse heating environment. Liquid Kelpak® and Kelpak® Plantit® disks had significantly increased the wet and dry shoot weights, dry root weights and post-harvest wet and dry total plant weights of L. cordifolium grown in 15 cm pots over the growth period. The Kelpak® Plantit® disks indicated higher growth rates in the dry shoot weights of L. cordifolium but both the liquid and the disk had a significant effect on the wet shoot weight. The liquid and the disks were also responsible for the improved dry root weight. The liquid application indicated the best post-harvest wet weight but the disks improved the post-harvest dry weights. It can therefore be confirmed that organic seaweed concentrates such as Kelpak® is effective on the growth development of L. cordifolium.

The purpose of the study was to explore how mothers experience the support provided by the educational psychologist for their children with ADHD. The conceptual framework utilised for this study incorporated systems theory, collaborations and inclusive education in South Africa. In this study, I followed an interpretivist paradigm using a phenomenological approach. A qualitative case study design was selected, with five purposefully and conveniently selected mothers whose children had been previously diagnosed with ADHD by an educational psychologist. The participants took part in either a focus group or a one-onone interview. Two main themes emerged following the thematic content analysis of the interviews, namely: How mothers experience their children with ADHD and How mothers experience support of their children with ADHD. The findings of this study suggest that mothers of children with ADHD expect a deeper level of support from an educational psychologist. The findings also indicate that mothers experience parenting children with ADHD stressful and that they need reassurance and emotional support from the educational psychologist. The results show the need for a more inclusive school environment and it highlights the importance of the role of the educational psychologist sharing knowledge and working collaboratively with educators, the Institutional Level and District Based Support Teams and the various health care practitioners to provide support to the child and family. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Educational Psychology / unrestricted

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), the current diagnostic label for children and adults presenting with significant problems with attention, impulsivity and excessive activity is one of the most prevalent childhood psychiatric disorders (Barkley, 2014:3). This qualitative research study, situated at a school for children with ADHD, explores how involvement in Group Creative Music Therapy can promote social skills in six and seven year old children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Four weekly music therapy sessions were conducted with one class consisting of 10 students in the second grade. The class teacher was interviewed prior to and after the music therapy process and attended all music therapy sessions. An interesting component of this research was that the teacher was a music teacher who already had a wealth of experience of using music in her own life and with her classroom. The research data included interviews as well as video excerpts showing interaction between the children during music therapy sessions. The findings from the qualitative analysis of interview transcripts and video excerpts indicate firstly the value of music itself as a tool for promoting social skills. There were also many similarities between how the teacher and music therapist used music to benefit children socially, such as exposing the children to music from different cultures or using turn-taking or movement activities to encourage the children to work together. Secondly, this study also highlights the differences between the work of music therapists and music educators. The main differences include the distinctive aims, particularly in this study where the music therapist’s aim was the development of social skills and the teacher’s aim was music education - with social influences as an added benefit to the educational process. Based on their aims, music therapists and music teachers use alternate methods and ways of managing and drawing children in. The findings show how music therapy can influence the development of social skills in children with ADHD - as the music therapist uses specific clinical skills to help children engage freely and spontaneously with others, while also offering them new experiences of themselves and one another. Therefore, the findings also show helpful complementary relationships between music therapists and teachers, as music therapists can help teachers use tools and techniques from music therapy in their classes and teachers can also suggest certain music for therapists to utilise in therapy sessions. This study strongly advocates for both music education and music therapy, as the findings indicate that both fields are beneficial for this client group. / Mini Dissertation (MMus)--University of Pretoria, 2016. / Music / MMus / Unrestricted

Parents and educators are often the first to notice that a learner is not coping in the school setting and is displaying certain disruptive behavioural aspects associated with a diagnosis of ADHD. For many parents this behaviour and resulting diagnosis of ADHD comes as a shock and they do not understand where it originates from, how it manifests within each individual or how to manage these symptoms successfully. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a chronic, neurodevelopmental disorder with no cure that can be identified according to the criteria laid out in the DSM-V (2013). Although no longer diagnosed as a learning disorder per se, ADHD is associated with several co-morbid conditions such as learning disabilities and psychological conditions that have a negative effect on learning (DSM-V, 2013:59). The goal of this study was to explore and describe the effect of Gestalt group work on the behavioural aspects associated with ADHD among adolescents in a school setting. Gestalt play therapy and in particular Gestalt group work, was employed in order to assist the adolescent diagnosed with ADHD in managing these disruptive behaviours. The research was conducted with adolescents in a secondary school in Gauteng. These adolescents were diagnosed with ADHD and were often singled out as being disruptive within the classroom. The population for this study was adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17 years, previously diagnosed with ADHD, who formed part of a specific school community. The researcher made use of non-probability sampling; specifically purposive and volunteer sampling. Seven adolescents were selected to take part in the quantitative research study, over a period of eight sessions (Strydom & Delport, 2011:392). The study was exploratory in nature and the type of research was applied research. The research design that was appropriate was the single-system design, seeing that this design enhances the link between research and practice (Strydom, 2011a:160). A standardised check list, the 'Current ADHD symptoms scale self-report' was used to obtain information by means of a pretest, mid-point and posttest measurement. This is a standardised measuring instrument that has been developed and tested through empirical methods of instrument development (Adler, Spencer, Faraone, Kessler, Howes, Biederman & Secnik, 2006). The data collected for this study was analysed statistically, through the univariate method of analysis. Computerised worksheets in Excel enabled the researcher to structure findings and to make the most valid and objective recommendations through organised interpretation of data collected (Fouchè & Bartley, 2011). Findings were presented graphically and illustrated in figures. All relevant ethical considerations were considered, for example participants provided informed assent, while their parents provided informed consent for the research to be conducted. Gestalt play provided for theme-based group sessions, assisting participants in recognising as well as mastering positive behaviour, as an alternative to the disruptive behavioural aspect of this condition. The research provided useful research data with regards to the use of both group work and Gestalt play techniques in assisting the adolescent with ADHD in addressing their disruptive behaviour. Gestalt group work as method of intervention seemed to have a positive effect on disruptive behaviour related to ADHD. The group as a whole had improved their behaviour for both the characteristics of ADHD. Behavioural aspects characterised by inattention, as well as hyperactivity and impulsivity for the group of respondents, had improved through the application of Gestalt play techniques. The group of respondents therefore perceived that they had benefited in terms of the improvement of these behavioural aspects of ADHD. It is recommended that educators, parents and caregivers be trained regarding ADHD in order to comprehend the nature of this disorder and the impact thereof on the learner and fellow learners in the classroom. Learners should become aware of their diagnosis, the symptoms and the disruptive element of their behaviour, the impact that this behaviour has in the classroom, as well as the resources available for the adolescent in addressing challenges. / Mini Dissertation (MSW)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Social Work and Criminology / MSW / Unrestricted