M.Comm. / Change is inevitable in today’s world. Multinational companies are constantly being forced to adapt in order to survive. When companies are not able to adjust to the changing environment they run the risk of becoming obsolete. When General Motors (GM) returned to South Africa and bought back Delta Motors Corporation (DMC) in 2004, dealers were faced with new procedures, policies and management styles. This study aimed to establish how GM dealers viewed change, by exploring their views on the Delta Motors takeover in 2004. Five dealerships participated in the study and 15 employees were interviewed. The results were analysed through content analysis. Recommendations are made with regard to addressing the change process and the difficulties that accompany it. The study reinforces the importance of communication, planning and employee development in a change process. By encouraging involvement, people own the change process and do not feel that change is being forced upon them. Although change is critical, research shows that it is a complex process that needs to be planned thoroughly. This research includes lessons learned from the change process that GM went through when it took over from DMC.

DISCOURSE submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree MASTER OF SCIENCE in Development Planning at the UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND / This discourse investigates nature and the needs of global city development. It does this, through both theoretical and empirical research into this phenomenon, peculiar to the late twentieth century. The first part of the work explores the theoretical underpinnings of 'global city thesis'. and its host dominant critique, the 'dual city thesis'. Following this, an empirical assessment of the concept's relevance to Southern Africa's development is performed. For this purpose, the most dominant locality in the region, Central Gauteng, is analysed in terms of its potential for, and the problems involved with global city development in a middle-income country. It is found that global city development here would be desirable for both Central Gauteng and the greater SADC. By establishing Central Gauteng as a global city, the region would be empowered to take greater control over its economic destiny. The path this development would, by necessity take, is the promotion of the locality as the 'Gateway to Africa'. Based on this orientation several development planning proposals are presented. / Andrew Chakane 2019

M. Tech. Business Administration / The purpose of this exploratory research was to determine the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and perceptions of employees managing projects in the GDoH with regard to project management (PM) within the department; and to determine the training required by employees to manage the infrastructure related projects more effectively. The researcher made use of quantitative and qualitative research designs to gather data.

M.Ed. / The phenomenon of HIV/AIDS is not restricted to the medical and behavioural sciences. The social implications of what is labelled as a pandemic, has influenced both sufferers and those in their realm of social intercourse. Education has become one of the most important strategies in an attempt to arrest the spread of the virus. The National Curriculum Statement compels educators to integrate HIV/AIDS across the whole school curriculum. The needs of educators, learners and the community must be considered in a cross-curricular HIV/AIDS education program. A quantitative survey placed focus on educator questionnaires from which a situation analysis was drawn. The research indicated that 72 (n=72) participants contributed to the study. In the study for n=72, 76.4% were female and 23.6% male. The majority of the participants indicated their ethnicity as white (95.8%) with the remaining 4.2% indicating their ethnicity to be, Black, Indian or Coloured. It was found that an integration of HIV/AIDS through an inter-disciplinary approach in the curriculum of secondary schools is not convincingly implemented. In general it was found that educators consider the integration of HIV/AIDS into the curriculum as an imperative part of education. The emphasis of integrating HIV/AIDS into the curriculum does not replace the role of parental intervention strategies in educating adolescents on the dangers of high risk health behaviour. Thus, much emphasis is placed on values education as a priority in HIV/AIDS prevention strategies to be implemented in the curriculum. Secondly, it was found that the majority of respondents show a positive attitude and willingness to the integration of HIV/AIDS across the curriculum. In support of this inference, it was found that the majority of the participants believe that HIV/AIDS should not only be addressed in the Life Orientation class and most educators supported the concept of addressing HIV/AIDS throughout the curriculum. Thirdly, it was clear that learner receptiveness towards HIV/AIDS education can be perceived as positive. However, the inference can be made that attitudes towards the HIV/AIDS stigma and prejudice is not successfully addressed in the current intervention initiatives. Fourthly, the majority of educators indicated that the formal resources for teaching (viz. the textbook) did not include much relevant material on HIV/AIDS and that most educators employed the printed media as main source of information for their lessons. Furthermore, support of educators, especially through the integration of peer group leaders that should discuss the dangers of high risk behaviour with learners, is clear. Finally, the premise that an inter-disciplinary approach to HIV/AIDS (as well as other themes of education) is the underpinning element of authentic education, is strongly supported. / Dr. M.C. van Loggerenberg

M.A. (Public Management and Governance) / This research is an assessment of the level of goal achievement by the Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s (GPL) Infrastructure Development Portfolio Committee (IDCP). The overall aim is to determine the effectiveness of the Portfolio Committee, the reasons behind the discovered level of performance, and how to improve the status quo. Research findings reveal that the IDPC managed to achieve 61% of its targets over a four-year period (2009-2014). This is a fairly respectable achievement considering that the Portfolio Committee was only established in the current legislative term. Research findings also reveal a number of factors to support this achievement, such as capacity issues for both Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs) and staff and the institution’s congested programme. Quite a number of these factors need to be addressed at institutional level, including capacitation of MPLs and administrative support staff, the GPL’s congested programme, and the identification of relevant stakeholders. However, there are issues that can be addressed at committee level and include engaging in law making discussions, providing feedback to stakeholders on a regular basis and systematically, and gathering more independent information for verification purposes.

M.Ed. / South Africa has undergone a transformation in the past decade. The year 2004 brings not only ten years of democratic governance, but also an inclusive philosophy of education. It is hoped that difference in whatever form in the ‘new’ South Africa is now acknowledged and celebrated. For many years, learners with Down syndrome were seen as ‘different’, which was synonymous with ‘subnormal’. These learners were initially institutionalized and later placed in special schools to ‘care’ for them. However, following global trends of building inclusive societies, South Africa has had to re-evaluate its education system, resulting in a shift towards an inclusive education system that accepts and supports learners with barriers to learning (including Down syndrome). The aim of this research was to explore curriculum adaptation for learners with Down syndrome in schools, which adhere to inclusive education principles. A case study design was selected since this would allow for an in-depth exploration of how the curriculum is being adapted for learners with Down syndrome. Two cases were used, comprising two primary schools in Gauteng. Parents, principals and educators in the foundation phase were included as participants. Interviews were conducted with the participants and direct observation was conducted in two of the foundation phase classes at the respective schools. This data was complemented by document analysis and data collected during a two-day workshop I attended on inclusive education, focusing on Down syndrome specifically. Within-case analysis and later cross-case analysis were carried out using the constant comparative method of data analysis. Through cross-case analysis a number of themes emerged that are indicative of the course of curriculum adaptation for learners with Down syndrome in the foundation phase. Firstly, there are multifaceted and multidimensional individual considerations pertaining to the learners with Down syndrome, the parents, the educators, the principal and the school that influence curriculum adaptation. Secondly, the process of curriculum adaptation progresses through identifiable chronological steps through lesson planning and lesson implementation. The initial grade planning phase can precede the utilization of the six steps of adaptation activities for learners with Down syndrome. Lastly, classroom management strategies and the deployment of learning assistants are incorporated when adapting the curriculum for learners with Down syndrome, in order to optimise the learning experience for these learners. / Prof. R.E. Swart

M.Phil. / The primary aim of the study was to determine the subjective experiences and viewpoints- in other words the insider perspectives of- administrative personnel during the student registration process in a newly-merged South African university in the Gauteng Province. The task became very difficult as it had to be approached within the complexity of ongoing institutional change. In short, the merging of the institutions cannot be separated from the service delivery or the experiences and views of employees during this transitional period. Sampling, data collection and data analysis were done simultaneously and interactively, rather than in discrete sequential steps. I made use of a case study, meaning that “the data analysis focuses on one phenomenon, which the researcher selects to understand in depth regardless of the number of sites, participants, or documents for a study” (McMillian & Schumacher, 1997). In such a design the context of each participant's experience is important in its analysis. I considered a modernist qualitative-research approach since I was aiming at an in-depth understanding of the social world and work environment of the employees involved in the registration process. The research group comprised of administrative personnel who were permanently employed and specifically involved in the registration process. A purposive-sampling technique was used which led to twelve research participants being selected. The group consisted of six interviewees (4 males and 2 females) from the registration management sector. One person from each of the four campuses and two from the main campus were identified. I also conducted a focus-group discussion with a group of six females who represented the key faculty focused on in this study. The in-depth description of the grounded-theory application and my personal experience thereof should contribute to the application of this theory in other organisational settings. Recommendations for further studies conclude the dissertation. Service is the lifeblood of any organisation. Everything flows from it and is nourished by it. Customer service is not a department, it’s an attitude.

Quality of health care delivered in the public sector remains a major challenge with diminishing resources to meet the increasing health care demands. Improvements in quality health care are identified in the Department of Health’s strategic framework as a key challenge. In order to improve quality, one needs to measure it. The patients’ views are important in identifying what is important to them. Inexpensive, easy to collect metrics need to be developed to measure quality of care. The study investigated perceptions of patients as a reflection of quality of care provided. The study also determined the key success factors in quality care in emergency departments and priorities of quality of care for improvement. A prospective study was conducted using one of Gauteng hospitals’ emergency departments as a case study. A structured questionnaire based on an overall care index focusing on specific dimensions of patients’ experience with health care was used to collect the data. Quantitative analysis was done using the Epi Info statistical package and the results summarised in frequency diagrams and tables. The findings indicate that waiting time is a major factor in perception of quality of health care. Although other hospitality issues in health care are important to patients, the degree to which they affect perception of quality of health care is difficult to determine because of the overwhelming influence of waiting time. It is recommended that priorities in addressing what users really want from health care should concentrate on strategies to shorten the waiting time. It is further recommended that a similar study be carried out in future once the waiting times have been improved considerably thus eliminating its excessive influence. This may highlight other variables important to the patients that may need to be improved in order to improve quality of care. / Dr. Susan Jennifer Armstrong

M. Ed. (Education Management) / The main purpose of the current study was to investigate the effectiveness of training educators on implementing the Revised National Curriculum Statement (RNCS) in the Intersen (Grades 4-7) phases in Wattville primary schools. The problem is that there is lack of effective implementation of RNCS due to the lack of proper and adequate training received by educators in this area. The general research question is “What is the importance of implementing the Revised National Curriculum Statement (RNCS) in schools?” The aims of the current study are to provide educators with strategies and techniques on implementing RNCS, equip educators with skills and knowledge for the effective implementation of RNCS, to outline a theoretical description of the support needed subsequent the GDE training and to provide educators with staff development programmes for the effective implementation of RNCS. The objectives were to determine the strategies and techniques employed in schools in implementing RNCS and to determine the degree of knowledge and support the participants have received subsequent the GDE training. The study is based on qualitative research, since it sets out to develop an understanding of individuals and events in their natural state. The researcher employed observations, interviews and document analysis as methods of collecting data by personally interacting with the participants in their natural settings. Purposive sampling was employed, where only information-rich participants were chosen for the purpose of the study. The researcher selected participants who were knowledgeable and informative about RNCS so that the best information could be provided for the purpose of the research information. The findings indicated that there is lack of knowledge, skills and understanding on implementing RNCS; the training provided by the GDE was insufficient and inadequate; lack of parental involvement in their children’s learning; lack of Learner v and Teacher Support Materials; lack of educator support subsequent GDE training and finally, lack of staff development programmes in schools. To the findings arrived at, recommendations to the GDE were made as follows: • Intensive educator training by curriculum specialists on RNCS should be conducted. • More educators should be employed to address the issue of learner-educator ratio and overcrowded-ness, which impact negatively on RNCS implementation. • Hands-on training in the form of in-service training and workshops should be provided on continuous basis. • Staff development programmes should be drawn by all educators and conducted by the SMTs, to enhance effective RNCS implementation. / Mr. S.T. Hlongwane

M.A. / The adoption of cost-recovery policies by local government in South Africa is an effort to recover costs from the investments made in infrastructure expansion and to ensure efficient delivery of services. This study came about from the need to understand the paradox of continued adoption of cost-recovery policies in a country that faces high poverty and unemployment rates. The focus of this study is to find out what are the social impacts of the water cost-recovery policy on the livelihood of female-headed households. The first chapter is the background to the study. The main concepts of cost-recovery, female-headed households and livelihoods are defined. In addition, the demographic, social and economic description of Ward 77 in City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality which is the focus of this study is provided. The second chapter is a review of literature behind the rationale of cost-recovery and its implication in South Africa. In addition, the livelihoods framework is explored. The third chapter addresses the methodological approach used to undertake this study. Qualitative methods were used, in the form of in-depth interviews with stakeholders, documentary reviews as well as a focus group and interviews with female-headed households. The fourth chapter is the discussion of findings arising from the consolidation of data. We find out about the livelihoods of the households before and after the implementation of cost-recovery and the effects this has had on the household. The final chapter is an analysis of these findings along the themes of the study namely the social impact of water cost-recovery on the wellbeing of the household, the impact on household financial security, the impact on social networks and the impact on educational spending. The study concludes by pointing out that, although there has been advancement in infrastructure development and service provided, the poor in urban townships continue to be negatively impacted by cost-recovery policies. Policy makers should consult communities in formulating approaches that tackle the issues of rights and affordability of basic services such as water. With the country’s high poverty and unemployment levels, cost-recovery would only be effective if the incomes of households are increased. Thus policy makers must take into account the socio-economic situation of a population to ensure the inclusion of all in the formulation of policies.