M.Phil. / This research aims to establish and evaluate the main factors that influence the fuel industry in South Africa. The South African fuel industry, is influenced by different business, economical and logistical factors, which all contribute to a changing fuel environment as well as a changing fuel prices that vary on a monthly basis, as calculated by the Department of Mineral and Energy Affairs(DMEA). These factors including crude oil procurement, petroleum industry, synthetic fuel industry and geographical locations, are fundamentally important, and explained in more detail in the chapters to follow. Oil as main supply source to the fuel industry, plays a vital role to South Africa as industrial developing country. The crude oil imported from the eastern countries is refined into petroleum and alternative fuels, necessary to the economy. The oil price thus influences the petroleum price, which in turn influences the cost of food and accessories. This research will for this reason also focus on aspects such as the actual importation of crude oil, petroleum price structure, price zones, synfuels and alternative fuels, and the affect these aspects have on the fuel industry.

M.Com. (Leadership in Performance and Change) / In August 2012 the South African mining industry was the focus of attention due to an illegal strike at Lonmin Platinum mine that resulted in the police shooting striking employees on 16 August 2012. Thirty-four employees lost their lives on that day. An additional ten people died in violent protests in the build-up to the main shooting incident. This strike period has become widely known as ‘Marikana’. This historical incident illustrates how a single incident within an organisation can have an impact at various levels and affect multiple stakeholders. The main objective of this study was to identify the effect that the Marikana mining incident had on Lonmin (the organisation) and its main stakeholders as well as to identify the effect the stakeholders and Lonmin had on each other. In order to reach these objectives an historical timeline of the sequence of events surrounding the Marikana incident was constructed. The main stakeholders involved in the Marikana incident were then identified, and the relationships and the relative strengths between these stakeholders were mapped. The methodology used in the study was Quantitative Narrative Analysis (QNA) as applied by Franzosi (2010). In particular, the content from English newspaper articles sourced from South Africa and England relating to the Marikana mining incident for the period 1 to 24 August 2012 were reviewed, coded and analysed. All relevant data from the articles were recorded in a manual database, coded according to the semantic triplet of ‘actors’, ‘actions’ and ‘subjects’ (S-V-O) (Franzosi, 1989) and analysed based on QNA principles (Franzosi, 2010). First, a sequence analysis was conducted, identifying the roles (consequences) that the respective actors (stakeholders and subgroupings of stakeholders) enacted as well as the order in which they unfolded. The analysis was used to produce a series of network graphs to visually depict the sequence of events and the respective effects of the sequencing of these events. These graphs take the form of stake maps and visually tell the story of how events unfolded and the effects of these events on all the actors involved ...

The study was undertaken to establish the role that should be played by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) to strengthen existing second-tier agricultural cooperatives in South Africa to ensure that they are able to provide support services to member cooperatives. Ten existing second-tier agricultural cooperatives in the Zululand district of the province of Kwazulu Natal took part in the study. The results indicate that although these cooperatives understand the services to provide, they lack capacity mainly due to lack of the necessary infrastructure, finance and skills. The study recommends that DAFF should recognise the significance of this tier of cooperatives and provide direct and focused support. DAFF should develop a Cooperative Development Strategy for the sector that clearly articulates how it is going to support this level of cooperatives. Among others DAFF should also provide initial infrastructure to these cooperatives and facilitate private-public-partnership initiatives. / Public Administration and Management / M. Tech. (Public Management)

MENVSC (Geography) / Department of Geography and Geo-Information Science / Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) has devastating impacts on different parts of the environment and is a source of environmental degradation and contamination. ASGM degrades water resources, contaminate soil, sediments and water and lead to serious land degradation problems. ASGM activities are also associated with socio-economic issues such as child labour, prostitution and health and safety concerns. Insufficient understanding of the environmental and social problems of ASGM in Giyani Greenstone Belt has led to lack of mitigation strategies to reduce such problems. The main aim of this research was to assess and manage the environmental and socio-economic impacts of ASGM in Giyani Greenstone Belt. Remote sensing and GIS and Normalised Differential Vegetation Index were used to assess the effects of mining activities on vegetation cover. Assessment of the effects of ASGM on water, sediments and soil quality involved collection of samples in order to establish their physical and chemical properties. The concentration of toxic and trace metals were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) instruments. The pH meter was used to determine the pH level of the collected samples. Questionnaires, interviews and SPSS were used to assess socio-economic impacts of ASGM. The study culminated in devolvement of NDVI maps and this was used to assess the effects of ASGM on vegetation cover. Results showed that the mining activities in the area had caused extensive environmental degradation due to serious removal of vegetation cover in the site. ASGM had serious effects on soil, water and sediments quality such as environmental contamination by toxic and trace elements. Soil samples were found with high concentration of As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn as compared to the recommended South African Soil Quality and WHO threshold values for plants. It was found that Klein Letaba had high concentration of Ba, La, V, and Ce above the World Soil Averages for plants. Sediments were heavily contaminated with Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, As and Ba as compared to the recommended standards prescribed by US EPA and WHO. The pH of water, soil and sediments samples collected from both mining sites were found to be strongly alkaline which affects the plants growth as well as aquatic flora and fauna. Socio-economic issues such as child labour, injuries, educational problems, health and safety issues, police disturbance, creation of jobs and income generation were identified at mine sites. ASGM had serious effect on vegetation cover through environmental degradation. ASGM also had serious environmental contamination by toxic and trace elements. ASGM had both positive and negative socio-economic issues at mining site which include employment opportunities, income generation, occupational health and safety, police disturbance and arrests and the use of child labour. Mine site rehabilitation is recommended in this study to reduce environmental degradation. The remediation of contaminated area by concentrated toxic and trace elements should be applied at both mining sites. ASGM should be legalised to enhance positive aspects of the mining such as increase in income generation and creation of more employment opportunities. However, there should be enforcement of mining policies to reduce social and environmental problems.

This study estimates the price and income elasticity coefficients of electricity demand in the mining sector of South Africa for the period ranging from April 2006 to March 2019. A time varying parameter (TVP) model with the Kalman filter is applied to monitor the evolution of the elasticity estimates. The TVP model can provide a robust estimation of elasticities and can detect any outliers and structural breaks. The results indicate that income and price elasticity coefficients of electricity demand are lower than unit. The income elasticity of demand has a positive sign and it is statistically significant. This indicates that mining production – used as a proxy for mining income – is a significant determinant of electricity consumption in the mining sector. In its final state income elasticity is estimated at 0.15 per cent. On the contrary, price does not play a significant role in explaining electricity demand. In fact, the price elasticity coefficient was found to be positive which is contrary to normal economic convention. This lack of response is attributed mainly to the mining sector’s inability to respond, rather than an unwillingness to do so. A fixed coefficient model in a form of Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) is used as a benchmark model to estimate average price and income elasticity coefficients for the period. The results of the OLS regression model confirm that price does not play a significant role in explaining electricity consumption in the mining sector. An average price elasticity coefficient of -0.007 has been estimated. Income elasticity was estimated at 0.11 for the period under review. The CUSUM of squares test indicate that parameters of the model are unstable. The Chow test confirms 2009 as a breakpoint in the data series. This means that elasticity coefficients of electricity demand in the mining sector are time variant. Thus the OLS results cannot be relied upon for inference purposes. The Kalman filter results are superior. This study cautions policy makers not to interpret the seeming lack of response to price changes as an indication that further prices increases could be implemented without hampering electricity consumption in the sector. Furthermore, it recommends that the electricity pricing policy should take into account both the negative impacts of rapid price increases and the need to invest in long-term electricity infrastructure in order to improve the security of energy supply. A long term electricity price path should be introduced in order to provide certainty and predictability in the price trajectory. This would allow all sectors of the economy sufficient time and space to make investment and operational decisions that would have the least adverse effects on economic growth and job creation. / Economics / M. Com. (Economics)

All companies have strategic assets comprising financial capital, physical capital, human capital and organisational capital which, when effectively utilised, contribute to the competitive advantage necessary to survive in a globalised economy. The manifestation of adverse factors in a company will impact detrimentally on the performance of these strategic assets. Since the 1980s, one factor has become prominent in the management of a company’s human capital, namely sexual harassment. Sexual harassment constitutes behaviour of a sexual nature that leads to, and perpetuates, a working environment in which it becomes unpleasant to work, and if allowed to go unchecked, will lead to the underperformance of the company’s human capital. Besides the cost of litigation associated with sexual harassment, companies are confronted with the more troubling and subtle costs arising out of the psychological and physiological harm to both victims and co-workers. The psychological and physiological effects manifest themselves in symptoms such as depression, frustration, decreased self-esteem and fatigue which, in turn, lead to decreased productivity and increased absenteeism. Accordingly, in an effort to gain the competitive advantage to survive in a globalised economy, companies must manage the phenomenon of sexual harassment in the workplace. The existing theoretical principles relating to the management of sexual harassment in the workplace have been analysed in depth and a model developed to satisfy this need. This model was subsequently used to determine to what extent sexual harassment management is taking place within companies affiliated to the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of South Africa (SEIFSA). Various informative findings resulted from the investigation, amongst which were the lack of a proper sexual harassment policy within companies, the lack of proper training of employees regarding the occurrence of this phenomenon in the workplace, and the absence of proper formal/informal complaints procedures. It thus became evident that the management of sexual harassment in these companies – despite the Government’s Code of Good Practice on the Handling of Sexual Harassment Cases – had not been fully established and that there is a need for guidelines in this regard. / Business Management / D. Comm. (Business Management)

This study identifies additional investment incentives, applicable to the manufacturing sector, which the South African government could introduce to encourage investors to choose the South African manufacturing sector as a desired investment destination. A comparison is made between the relevant investment incentives provided to manufacturing companies by Malaysia and Singapore and those provided by South Africa, in order to examine the similarities and differences between these incentives. In the light of these findings, recommendations are made for revised or additional investment incentives in South Africa to promote investment in South African manufacturing companies and reduce some of the barriers that prevent local and foreign investment in South Africa. / Accounting / M. Com. (Accounting)

Countries and governments around the world have accepted the scientific argument on the prevalence and the possible effect of global warming and climate change on the environment, world economy and ultimately human life (Nhamo, 2011). Amongst all industrial corporations, the mining industry is the biggest environmental polluter due to its extractive nature and energy intensive operations. However because of its economic importance, it cannot be abandoned, instead it needs to find a win-win situation, where it continues to succeed but minimizes environmental damage. This thesis aims to examine the possible impact of clean technology on the sustainability of South African gold mining sector. Specifically, the study aims to determine the drivers behind the move towards clean technologies and methods, identify challenges and opportunities associated with this transition at Harmony Gold’s Kusasalethu mine. This was achieved through using Kusasalethu as a case study to which investigations of the effectiveness of clean technology and methods were carried out. The case study was multidimensional; exploring the effect of clean technology on energy consumption, greenhouse gas emission (GHG), water consumption, cyanide management and Kusasalethu’s financial performance. While the case study was largely qualitative it involved quantitative data analysis that had to be triangulated with other data sources and data gathering instruments to achieve legitimacy. This meant that the study had to adopt the mixed research methods. The instruments used included; key informant interviews, and document analysis, structured questionnaire and a set of open ended questions that served as interview guide. The qualitative data were analyzed by means of coding, descriptions, typologies, taxonomies and visual representations, whilst quantitative data were processed through Microsoft Excel to generate various forms of descriptive statistics. The findings indicate that resource consumption (energy, water, cyanide) depends on the mine design and gold output rate. Clean technology implementation at Kusasalethu helped the mine reduce energy consumption and GHG emissions. However scope 2 (indirect GHG emissions associated with energy consumption) is also determined by coal production technologies and methods used by coal mines. Although data on Kusasalethu water and cyanide management and related technologies was not available, the aggregate data for all Harmony Gold mines indicated higher annual water and cyanide consumption during 2010 and 2012. In terms of Kusasalethu’s financial performance and clean technology adaptation, acquisition of clean technologies increased capital expenditure temporarily. However, the positive effects of the clean technology transition and implementation minimized operational cost and increased operational profit greatly. Although adopting clean technologies calls for increased capital expenditure, this study reveals that this expenditure pays off in lower operation costs for the mine and the environment benefits through lower GHG emission. However, clean technologies are yet to impact significantly in lowering water and cyanide consumption levels as they do with energy consumption. The study concluded that clean technology and methods played a positive role on Kusasalethu’s environmental impact and financial performance by reducing energy consumption and GHG emissions. Though, more need to be done in terms of water and cyanide management. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Management)

Generational sub-groups have been stereotyped as requiring different approaches in the workplace with regard to what keeps them motivated. This research study was conducted from a humanistic-existential paradigm, seeking to find ways to avoid the demotivation of employees that can result from one-size fits all reward and recognition policies. The research attempts to establish the existence and nature of generational differences. Two quantitative measuring instruments, namely the Rewards Preferences Questionnaire (RPQ) and the Motivation Measure, were distributed electronically to all staff of a South African facilities management firm. The findings indicated that there are generational sub-group preferences for certain types of reward, and different perceptions about what types of reward attract, motivate and retain employees. They can be motivated differently by some reward structures. However, for others there was no obvious preference among the generational sub-groups. The main recommendation of the study is that companies adopt a flexible approach to reward and recognition, allowing employees to tailor reward structures according to their needs. Remuneration is the most preferred method of rewarding employees across all generations. / Industrial & Organisational Psychology / MCOM (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Legislators are placing increased pressure on mining companies to improve their safety performance. The importance of safety leadership is highlighted by its role in safety culture and improving safety performance. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the impact of a coaching program on safety leadership. The main constructs namely safety culture, safety leadership and coaching was conceptualised along the humanistic paradigm, with theoretical definitions and models. In this study, safety culture is employees’ shared attitudes, beliefs, perceptions and values about safety that affect their behaviour in the workplace. Safety leadership is the interpersonal influence that a leader exercises to achieve the organisation’s safety performance goals. Coaching is an interpersonal interaction that aims to improve individual performance through increased selfawareness and action plans. A theoretical model was developed to explain the elements that constitute effective safety leadership. A coaching program was developed based on executive coaching and leadership development principles. The empirical investigation was conducted in an organisation in the South African mining industry. A nested mixed methods design was followed. In the quantitative study, a 360 degree survey was employed to assess the ratings of a purposive sample (n=54) along eight dimensions before and after the coaching. Data was analysed with descriptive and inferential analysis. Results showed statistically significant improvements on accountability, collaboration, and feedback and recognition after the coaching. The results reflected differences in 360 degree ratings according to gender, race, job level, age and geographical location. The most significant improvements were for females, Africans, management, age 51-60 years, and site 2. In the qualitative study, a semi-structured interview was employed to study four cases to investigate managers’ personal experiences and changes in attitude toward safety. Data was analysed utilising thematic analysis. The findings revealed that coaching was a positive experience and contributed to changing managers’ attitudes toward safety. The research added to the field of organisational behaviour by presenting a theoretical model that enhances the understanding of safety leadership, the development of a coaching program and providing empirical evidence that the principles of coaching and leadership development can be applied to improve safety leadership. / Industrial & Organisational Psychology / D. Admin. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)