No abstract available / Economics / M. Comm. (Economics)

From introduction: The present study is the first attempt in southern Africa to consider an entire community of aculeate wasps and bees and their interactions with their environment as manifested by their ethology. As far as the author has been able to ascertain it is in fact the most comprehensive of its kind to have been undertaken anywhere, the only similar but more restricted account of this nature being that of Evans (1970) which is mainly concerned with fossorial species and their associates.

Population dynamics of Perna perna in low shore mussel beds were investigated over a 15 month period at six sites along the south coast of South Africa, with particular reference to the effects of wave exposure. The degree of exposure was first quantitatively ascertained using the dissolution of cement blocks to measure average wave force and dynamometers to measure maximum wave force. The mean mass loss of the cement blocks was higher at Diaz Cross and Kwaai Hoek than at Mgwalana, Rufanes and Riet River. No data were available for Fish River. The mean maximum wave force encountered at Diaz Cross, Kwaai Hoek and Fish River was significantly higher (p<O.05) than that at Mgwalana, Rufanes and Riet River. These results allowed the former sites to be classified as exposed and the latter as sheltered. Early recruitment (1-5 mm) occurred throughout the year, but peaked significantly (p<0.05) from January 1995 to May 1996 on both shore types. Although mean recruit density (1-15 mm) was Significantly higher at the exposed (5 896.m⁻²) than the sheltered shores (2 986.m⁻²), some sites did not show this trend. Further investigation revealed that the densities of recruits (1-5 & 6-10 mm) were significantly higher on algae than on mussels (p<0.05). Adult densities (>15 mm) were positively correlated with recruit densities (1-5 mm) for both shore types (p<O.05). In tum, adult density (>15 mm) was significantly lower on exposed (mean of 3 348.m⁻²) than on sheltered shores (mean of 4 796.m⁻²) (p<O.05). Adult mussels on exposed shores had significantly higher mean and maximum lengths than those on sheltered shores (p<O.05). Biomass, which is a product of density and length, showed no significant difference between the two shore types (p>O.05). The effect of exposure on growth rate formed the focal point of this study and was determined using three different approaches. The first technique, mark-recapture, involved filing notches on the growing edges of mussels in the field. After 111 days, mussels were removed and the growth measured. The second approach used internal growth bands to measure growth rates, once the periodicity with which these bands were laid down was established. Thirdly, using Shepherd's length composition analysis (SLCA), growth rates were determined from length frequency distributions in 11 samples taken over 15 months. The general conclusion from all three approaches was that growth rate was twice as fast on the exposed shores as on the sheltered shores (p<O.05). A mean length (averaged from all three methods) of 47.06 mm was attained within the first year of growth at the exposed shores and 22.07 mm at the sheltered shores. There were however considerable differences among these approaches. The mark-recapture method predicted the lowest growth rates, followed by growth band method and lastly SLCA. The mean mortality index (Z.year⁻¹) for mussels was significantly (p<0.05) higher at the exposed shores (Z=1.81) than at the sheltered shores (Z=0.73). Consequently, the percentage survival rates per annum of mussels of all ages (total), 18 days to 6 months (juveniles) and 12 months to mortality (adults) was lower on the exposed than the sheltered shores. The survival rate of juveniles was as low as 0.71% per annum on the exposed shores and 9.29% per annum on the sheltered shores. The adult survival rate of exposed shore mussels was 11.78% per annum, considerably lower than that of sheltered shore mussels, 48.05%. The turnover rate on exposed shores was faster than on sheltered shores as the mean longevities were 2.6 and 6.7 years respectively. In conclusion, these findings showed that the effects of exposure on recruitment, growth and mortality are important in low shore mussel beds.

Thesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2005 / The era kno"n as the Industrial Revolution was a period in which fundamental changes occurred in agriculture, textile and metal manufacture, transportation, the social structure and economic policies. The large number of unskilled people provided cheap labour and was used as easy replaceable tools. Employees have since become companies' most expensive '''assets''. The Internet was originally designed for military applications. The US military wanted a network that could withstand a terrorist attack and stilI work if important communication areas had been destroyed. The Internet, also known as the giant network of networks, has become a major catalyst for electronic business. The Internet caused the shape of companies to change and the way they conduct business. For example the Intemet enabled companies to be run from home and changed the old companies' structures. Sending data via a network is a lot faster and less expensive than making a telephone call or sending a messenger. Businesses have become more dependent on the Internet to generate revenue. E-commerce refers to the buying and selling of goods and services on the Internet and reduces the cost of doing business. The down side is that companies are also more exposed to inherent security risks. New technology with old methods of working is also no longer feasible. Many clerical tasks disappear and both the job functions of staff and the supervisory functions and procedures change. Information technology (IT) is increasing productivity, and thus, for a given output, a smaller number of people are employed. Increasing numbers of workers are retrenched when still in mid-career because labour is a most expensive commodity. The reduction in overheads and improved response of modem administrative systems increase the opportunities for organisations of all sizes to compete on an international level.

Thesis (MTech (Entrepreneurship))--Peninsula Technikon, Cape Town, 2002 / By international standards South Africa's unemployment rate and poverty levels are extremely high. Currently the unemployment rate is approximately 30% (Business Day, 28 March 2002) or in the region of 40% if those who are not actively seeking work are included. Owing to the high unemployment rate, the informal sector has experienced a growth spurt. Unfortunately, due to a lack of entrepreneurial competencies, South Africa's start-up businesses also have a lower survival rate compared to their international counterparts. Technology Enterprise Centres (TECs) were created by the Technical and Business Initiative in South Africa (TABEISA), a consortium of six South African and British institutions established in 1994. The TEC has developed a mentoring programme and aims to implement it in the near future. As part of a wide assortment of assistance programmes, mentoring is the latest methodology that is being promoted by the private and public sector as a valuable developmental tool for entrepreneurs. The purpose of this study is to examine mentoring as an important resource in extending the business life-cycle of the entrepreneurs of Peninsula Technikon' s TEC. The research reviews the mentoring literature and covers aspects such as the characteristics that mentors should have, the role of mentors, types of mentoring programmes, setting up a mentoring programme, current mentoring programmes, implementing a mentoring programme, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of mentoring. The survey concentrated on identifying the mentoring requirements of the businesses. The findings highlight the need for a mentoring support programme to help entrepreneurs develop faster, therefore smoothing the transition process from one business stage to another. The study concludes by stressing the need for an efficiently run formal mentoring process, coupled with other developmental programmes.

The principal aim of this study was to establish the biological and environmental parameters governing the successful and sustainable cultivation of mussels in Saldanha Bay. The environmental study investigated seston, chlorophyll-a and particulate organic matter (POM) levels, water temperature dissolved oxygen and salinity levels in the bay and water flow in and around the rafts. The biological part of the study investigated the efficiency of food extraction, growth rates, mussel condition, fouling and production and yield on a rope, raft and farm scale. Saldanha Bay is well suited for the culture of mussels, particularly Mytilus galloprovincialis and Choromytilus meridionalis. Water temperature and salinity in Saldanha Bay were found to be near optimal for mussel culture. POM and chlorophyll-a levels were found to be high due to primary production resulting from the nutrient rich upwelled water outside Saldanha Bay. The mean levels of chlorophyll-a (8,6μg/l) represent 6%, by mass, of the total POM. On a bay scale the POM remained above the mussels maximum requirements (pseudofaeces threshold) during the study period. Mussels showed a preference for the phytoplankton portion of the POM. Approximately 40% of the chlorophyll-a was extracted from the water by the mussel farm. The efficiency of food extraction increased with mussel age. Rafts with seed mussels younger than 2 months, 3 to 4 months, 5 to 6 months and older than 6 months extracted 32%, 55%, 85% and 92% of the available chlorophyll-a respectively. An increase of rope spacing on the rafts resulted in 37% more chlorophyll-a and 30% more particle volume reaching the lee of the raft. Ambient water currents in the bay show flow rates of up to 22cm per second. However, on entering a raft with a rope spacing of 60cm, the water flow is attenuated by 90%. Increasing the rope spacing to 90cm resulted in a water flow attenuation of 72%. The increase in rope spacing ensures that the mussels in the centre of the raft are feeding on food levels close to, or above, the pseudofaeces level. Mussel growth rate at a rope spacing of 90cm is significantly improved as a result of the increased food delivery. There are other factors, however that effect mussel growth. Growth rates were found to be better in summer than in winter. The reduced winter growth rate is possibly due to competition with the maturing fouling organisms which settle in mid to late summer. Fouling by mussel spat and Ciona intestinalis is seasonal, occurring from December to May. C.intestinalis is prevalent in the centre of the farm and rafts as low energy waters are preferred by this species. Mussel spat settles mainly on the periphery of the farm and the rafts. Competition with fouling organisms reduces growth and increases mortality of the cultured mussels. Results indicate that the present spacing of rafts, (1 raft per hectare) is adequate under existing conditions. Any new farms should maintain batches of 50 rafts with channels between them to ensure water current penetration into the furthest reaches of the farm. Rope spacing on the rafts should be increased to between 60cm and 90cm. Mussel density should be regulated according to mussel size and fouling should be controlled to maintain yields.

M.Ed. (Psychology of Education) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

D. Com. (Transport Management) / The objective of this study was to obtain information and an understanding about the nature and magnitude of the South African freight transport market, as well as to establish the relative importance and/or position of the various transport modes from a transport economic point of view. The underlying rationale was the lack of information in this regard in South Africa. In an effort to help overcome this lack of information the stUdy concentrated on the following: the magnitude of the freight transport market the participants in this market the market share of each participant the products being transported the geographical location and distribution of the transport undertakings. Information about the freight transport market in South Africa was obtained on a sectoral basis by means 'of a literature analysis and an empirical investigation (field study).

M.A. / Even before the first democratic elections in South Africa in 1994, many Non-Governmental Organisations carried the torch of literacy for those South Africans who were not given the opportunity to learn to read and write, due to the inequalities of the apartheid education policies. Subsequent to the 1994 elections, the government took steps to formalise literacy initiatives and, in so doing, create national standards. Hence the birth of Adult Basic Education and Training. With the emergence of the South African Qualifications Authority, the ABET route was integrated into the National Qualifications Framework as part of the overall vision for standardised education in South Africa. Presently, the ABET route is mainly sponsored by the private sector who have shouldered the costs of these adult literacy initiatives. The formal ABET route is assessed by the Independent Examinations Board. This study illustrates how the formal ABET route does not adequately meet the goals of the department of Education in terms of its goals for reconstruction and development, nor does it guarantee the learner an improved future life, nor does it provide the private sector with the competencies they had hoped for in the workplace. Two of the most significant shortcomings of the formal ABET route were found to be the assessment process and the difficulty of the facilitation between the ABET route and qualification on the NQF. Based on the findings of this research, recommendations have been made. These aim to improve the flexibility of the ABET route and provide a number of options which may be more suitable for the needs of the learners, the corporate sector and the economy of South Africa as a whole.

M.Sc. (Environmental Management) / As in many other countries, the processes of gentrification in South Africa have taken the form of urban regeneration. However, little geographical research has been conducted on gentrification in South Africa. This study adds to the literature by presenting the case of Parkhurst, a Johannesburg surburb, that has undergone gentrification. Parkhurst displays three of the four characteristics of gentrification: (1) the housing stock has undergone extensive physical improvement (2) property values have increased and (3) the original residents have been displaced. Although gentrification is usually also associated with a change in housing tenure from rentals to ownership, it was found that ownership was, and still is, a common feature, both prior to, and subsequent to, gentrification. The study found that Parkhurst has a demographic and a socio-economic profile typical of a gentrified suburb in that it is populated by young, educated and childless couples, many of whom are high- income-earning professionals, and new residents to the area. Due to its past designation as white space, this suburb is still a reflection of South Africa’s racially stratified past in that it is still numerically dominated by white people. Furthermore, the gender ratio is skewed in favour of males. Almost one third of the housing stock has been renovated or is under renovation. Some of the residential stands in the suburb have been converted into business units such as restaurants and antique shops. This research concluded that for Parkhurst the process of gentrification has been driven by consumptive patterns of behaviour, with individual consumption patterns in particular driving the process.