Property taxation as a means of revenue with which to assist municipalities in their local government commitments has been a method of sustainable financial income since the 17th century. South Africa updated its property taxation after the ANC Government came into power in 1994 with the Municipal Property Rates Act 6 of 2004. The act is formulated to levy property rates on all properties with the view to support local governments in their budgets and financial expenditures. The method of assessing the property taxation is stipulated in Section 45 and 46, and also in Section 16. According to Section 45 property values are assessed by means of Computer-Assisted Mass Appraisal Systems (CAMA), which are specifically designed for mass assessments of properties with similar characteristics and within the same location. The CAMA supported Section 45 (3)(b) by including “predetermined bands of property values and the designation of properties to one of those bands on the basis of minimal market-related data”. Section 46 defined market value as a value related to “open market by a willing seller to a willing buyer” at the time of the sale. Section 16 permitted the Minister of Finance to increase property rates after property assessments have been done in order to meet budget shortfalls. This can be done annually or when it is required by the local municipality/council. The present Municipal Property Rates Act, particularly the above-mentioned sections, did not make allowance for the accommodation of unique property developments such as Midstream Estate. This research examines the Municipal Property Rates Act to find out whether Midstream Estate and similar locations have sufficient reason to request that the present system be amended to address their concerns. A study of relevant literature on the South African property tax assessment system supported the study of the Act. A field study was done to contest the Municipal Property Rates Act. The following keywords were used in the field study: need to participate; owner’s satisfaction; selfassessment; owner’s objection. The study confirmed that the present system was inadequate to assess the unique properties situated in Midstream Estate and that there existed a need for the property owners to participate in their own property assessment process. The research was performed in Midstream Estate by way of a field survey questionnaire that was conducted randomly, on a personal basis. Responses and feedback were analysed by means of quantitative description. The results of the field survey proved the hypothesis of this study.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management (August 2016) / The purpose of this research paper is to explore the proposition around the factors influencing fashion choices for teenage girls which include attitude, impulse consumption, peer pressure, self-congruency and socialisation agents which all lead to their intention to purchase fashionable clothing brands. The research problem was to identify whether the factors influencing teenagers’ attitudes and decision making styles actually affect their intention to consume fashionable clothing brands. The design approach and methodology was the gathering of qualitative data from conducting five focus groups consisting of six female respondents each. The respondents were teenage girls aged between 13 and 19 years old, from different social backgrounds. Findings showed relatively high levels of consumption of fashion brands among the respondents, but not necessarily conducted in the traditional consumer decision-making processes. The manner in which teenage girls consume fashion brands creates a clear distinction and gap in the market of how to connect with this age segment. Key findings of the research show that teenagers no longer conform to typical adolescent ways, and it is through their consumption behaviour that marketers need to identify ways in which retail marketers can engage with them. / MT 2018

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Sociology), 2016 / This research contributes to an understanding of how female mineworkers make sense of themselves and how gender identities are constructed in mining. Mine work has for a long time been seen as allowing for particular masculine self-formations and mineworkers embodying specific mining masculine subjectivities. The entrance of women in South African mines from 2004 and their allocation into occupations that were previously exclusively reserved for men is a significant challenge and a disruption to masculine subjectivities and the occupational culture. This thesis illustrates what transpires when socially constructed gender boundaries are crossed. This is what the women are doing with their entry into underground mining. For ten and a half months, between 2011 and 2012 I worked in the mines and lived with mineworkers. During this period I completely submerged myself into the life world of mine workers to get an in-depth understanding of the ways female mineworkers understand themselves and navigate the masculine mining world. I managed to get the subtle, nuanced, instantaneous and unnoticeable ways which produce and reproduce the fluid and contested gender identities. Drawing on insights from a range of feminist theorists and feminist readings of theories I argue that the construction of gendered identities in mining is an ongoing embodied performative process which is articulated in fluid ways in different mining spaces within certain structural, relational and historical constraints. The thesis presents a typology outlining four categories of femininities; mafazi, money makers, real mafazi and madoda straight, that are performed and produced underground by women mineworkers. At home these performances are unstable and disrupted as women attempt to reconcile their role as mothers, wives and their workplace 2 identities as underground miners with their notions of femininity. This necessitates a renegotiation of gender ideologies, performances and identities. In this thesis I succinctly present the fluid, multiple, contradictory and contested processes involved in constructing gendered identities; above ground, underground, and at home. Drawing from this evidence I conclude that women do not approach the workplace or labour process as empty vessels or act as cogs-in the mining machines but are active agents in the construction of their gender identities. The key elements I use to analyse gendered identities are; gendered spaces, embodiment, social and material bodies (as sites of control, resistance and agency) and performativity. I argue that all of these converge and are central to the construction of gendered identities. Key Words: Women in mining, gendered identities, subjectivities, femininities, masculinities, gender performances, embodiment, gendered spaces, gender transformation. / GR2017

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Education, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Education degree. / Educationalists throughout the ages have supported the belief that corporal punishment creates harmful effects and should be avoided at all costs. Furthermore, corporal punishment has been found to be neither effective nor permanent in stopping undesirable behaviour in the classroom. Despite the evidence however, South Africa frequently used corporal punishment for the sake of discipline, social control and even 'moral education'. In the not too distant past, it was sanctioned by law, by parents and by teachers (Rice, 1987). However, in 1994 judicial corporal punishment was outlawed and corporal punishment at schools became unconstitutional (clause 3(n) of the National Education Policy Bill, 1995; clause 22 of the Gauteng Schools Education Bill). While policy and legislatlon must play their role, this is not enough to bring about a change in the practices and perceptions of teacher's at the grass roots. An understanding of its harmful effects, and recognition of alternatives is necessary in order to bring about its complete abolishment. This study investigates teachers' and pupils attitudes to corporal punishment as well as what discipline strategies are being used and are considered effective. A sample of teachers and pupils were randomly selected from private, oommunity and public high school types. A total of 602 subjects participated in this study (240 teachers and 362 pupils). Responses to an anonymous questionnaire were tabulated and analysed. Findings demonstrated that teachers are ambivalent towards corporal, punishment, while pupils are clearly anti-corporal punishment; and support its abolishment. Teachers do report Key Words: corporal punishment , classroom discipline. alternative discipline strategies used in the classroom. / AC2017

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Johannesburg, 2016. / The study articulates the key indicators that are drivers of poverty and inequality in the post-apartheid society. Historically, education, employment, household income and service delivery were not used as the foundation for measuring poverty and inequality in the country. Specific objectives for this study are to interrogate the key determinants that have influenced poverty and inequality in South Africa since 1994, and to investigate how the predictors of life circumstances and service delivery changed across the population over the period 1994–2007. Descriptive analysis was used on household surveys (General Household Survey (GHS) 2002–2011, Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) 2008–2011 and Living Conditions Survey (LCS) 2008 and 2011) to determine changes and trends in the living conditions of the population. Multivariate analytical approaches were applied on CS 2007 data with a sample of 360 000 households conducted by Statistics South Africa. Statistical regression models were developed for life circumstances and service delivery measures to explain poverty and inequality. Principal component analysis was applied on CS 2007 to promote multidimensional approaches for poverty and inequality measurement using development indicators as the components for life circumstances and service delivery. The main findings of the study show that low levels of education and high unemployment are the determinants of poverty and inequality. Positive linear relationships between educational attainment and age, employment and population group, age, sex and educational level of household head were established. Income disparities further perpetuate disparities in life circumstances and service delivery. Disparities service delivery are not the determinants but the consequences of poverty and inequality. Poverty and inequality in South Africa are structural showing that, while many people progressed in the last twenty-two years, many remained behind, and even progressed negatively as they remained worse off based on data since the 1996 census. While much work has been conducted on life circumstances such as education, employment and income, work on service delivery in relation to poverty is still limited and thus deserves more attention / GR2018

The Antjie/Andries Somers folklore character invites different decodings since it has many different inscriptions. These proposed inscriptions aids this research project to explore the historical value this folklore character exhibits when compared to changes in South African social and political climates since the abolishment of the slave laws in 1834 until the present. This symbiotic relationship between culture and character, as well as the continuous restructuring of the character, is explored in an attempt to understand the changing fears and anxieties projected onto the Antjie/Andries Somers persona. This cultural icon also underwent a continuous number of different interpretations and manifestations as experienced by the Afrikaans speaking community during the past centuries. The body with relation to gender is another pivotal point regarding the Antjie/Andries Somers folklore as well as the question concerning the physical change from male to female. This relates to the controversy surrounding a woman as an object of “evil” that is investigated through the different mythologies regarding the origin of sin using the biblical character of Eve. These explorations of “evil” as an inscription on women is further examined against the backdrop of the patriarchal society and some of the many dominant religious practices from that time. Despite a vast archive of information on the various embodiments of Antjie/Andries Somers, the character as well as the embodiments, is still shrouded in mystery and the research project aims to provide information about some of these manifestations.

Introduction Glaucoma presents an ever-increasing burden in Africa because of its asymptomatic nature. In South Africa, pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXS) is particularly prevalent among black South Africans patients with glaucoma. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of PXS in a population of patients attending a glaucoma clinic; and to ascertain its clinical features. Materials and methods This was a cross-sectional survey of patients attending a glaucoma clinic in rural Eastern Cape. A sample of 100 patients were selected for the study and data was collected using a questionnaire and by doing a clinical examination. Data was analysed in Epi-info to determine prevalence, clinical features, and chi square test to determine association between PXS and socio-demographic factors and the severity of glaucoma. Results A total of 100 patients attending the clinic were included in the study. The majority of patients were male (59%); in their 60s; of rural origin (63%); and did not have any tertiary education (74%). Of note is that 84% of the patients had Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG). The prevalence of pseudoexfoliation syndrome in these patients was 13%. All 13 PXS had the central round disc of PCE material on the lens capsule and a peripheral ban of PXS and a clear zone in between and PXS material was visible on the papillary margin in all cases. Conclusion This study shows a prevalence of 13% which is in keeping with other figures of previous South African studies which vary between 8.1% and 21.6%.

Thesis (M.M. (Public and Development Management))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, Wits School of Governance, 2017. / The aim of this study is to identify the main reasons for why there is poor leadership and poor service delivery in the Emalahleni Local Municipality. The study undertook a comprehensive review of related literature in order to enhance the knowledge gap within the concept of leadership and governance. This research adopted the qualitative research method as the research study deals with real-life social issues which involve the employees of Emalahleni Local Municipality and the residents of Emalahleni itself. Face-to-face interviews were conducted both in the Emalahleni Local Municipality and Emalahleni area to collect credible data for the study. In addition, the sample size considered for this study was ten participants who were interviewed for the study, five employees from the Emalahleni Local Municipality and five residents from the Emalahleni area. The findings derived from the data collected reveal that the Emalahleni Local Municipality is struggling to provide good services to its citizens due to the poor leadership within the municipality. In addition, the employees of Emalahleni are not performing well in their respective jobs due to insufficient training and the fact that not everyone working for the municipality is employed based on merit, which contributes to a lack of capacity and poor service delivery. The researcher makes recommendations which include appointing employees with the right skills and knowledge, developing and improving on the training programmes that already exist within the municipality, following the right leadership style to change and develop the municipality, and electing leaders who have the interests of the people at heart. / MT2017

Thesis is submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree of Master of Architecture (Professional) to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, School of Architecture and Planning at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2017 / The home dressmaker is a figure so constant in domestic history that one would be hard pressed to find, even today, somebody who cannot recall a woman from their family sewing at the dining room table. Within a highly industrialised world people rely more than ever on the industry of the machine and it’s endless whirring of fast consumption production. In the process, we have lost the respect for both the process and the product of the hand-made object. The fast-food, fast-living, immediate-access and instant-gratification of a post war America and Europe began an erosion of the morals-of-making which people have relied upon for centuries. Growing industries of cheaply produced clothes, shoes and fabrics from India and China have decimated these formerly strong South African industries. This dissertation aims to address the continued role of home sewing- historically undocumented- as an ‘invisible’ economy and define its position as a driving force for change through a ‘Skills Revolution’. Using the lens of a South African born, Johannesburg based and family run dressmaking and sewing teaching business, Italian Dressmaking School, this thesis aims at addressing the pressing social and economic needs of South African creative industries by providing a platform for personal and community skills development and learning. Italian Dressmaking School was founded in 1961 by my grandmother Irene Sansalvadore, and today continues to provide the tools for women to learn the craft of home sewing. This dissertation aims at providing both the space for women, in particular, to gain a skill in a craft that has historically been considered ‘women’s work’ alongside aligned crafts of weaving and textile dyeing within the historic fabric trading area of Fordsburg. South Africa no longer produces much in the way of textiles, bar traditional shweshwe, which is produced solely in the Eastern Cape and a handful of smaller mills scattered around the country. While pure cotton and linen is hard to come by, increasingly expensive and highly desirable, South Africa on a whole imports all of this fabric from China, Russia and India amongst others. The aim of this project is to build onto an existing nucleus already to be found in Johannesburg, providing South Africas’ residents with the skills to start their own micro businesses centered around the production of cloth, the dyeing/colouring and/or printmaking of produced fabrics and the final garment construction with its dual phases of patternmaking and sewing. This thesis does not aim to compete with industries like China but rather to re-establish a formerly successful craft based industry. The autonomy of people in establishing their own identity is arguably one of the most essential needs after the most basic; survival. This dissertation is not for the fashionista but rather for the woman who has used her hands, for time immemorial, making the cloth that shrouds us all. / XL2018

South Africa’s constitutional revolution has profoundly affected its administrative law. Since 1994 South Africans have enjoyed constitutional rights to administrative justice as well as a range of other constitutional safeguards. More recently legislation mandated by the 1996 Constitution has been enacted, in the form of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act 3 of 2000, to give effect to the constitutional administrative-justice rights. This thesis describes and critically assesses the transformation of South African administrative law since 1994 with particular reference to that legislation. The essential transformative promise of the democratic Constitution is to replace the old, pre-democratic culture of authority with a culture of justification. Drawing on the seminal Breakwater Declaration of 1993, the most serious deficiencies of the pre-democratic law are indentified as consisting in narrow and impoverished grounds of review; restricted access to judicial remedies; an overly formalistic style of judicial reasoning; and an incomplete system of administrative law, the result of a paucity of safeguards apart from judicial review. Conversely, the main aspirations of a transformed administrative law – the law associated with a culture of justification – are identified as well-developed grounds of review; improved access to judicial remedies; the achievement of a more substantive style of judicial reasoning; and the completion of administrative law through the supplementation of judicial review. The transformation of the law in relation to each of these four aspirations is investigated in turn. It is concluded that South African administrative law the transformative promise of the democratic Constitution has been realised to a great extent.