The primary goal of all research is to discover knowledge. The objectives of this research were; firstly, to investigate and describe the previous (that is pre-1994) and the current (post 1994) status of local government. Secondly, to identify and describe problems with service delivery at local sphere with particular reference to the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality (the unit of analysis for the research). Thirdly, to investigate and explore the various delivery options that can be used as tools to improve the delivery process by exploring. Fourthly, the extent to which they are used presently at the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality and in the future. Finally, to provide guidelines and recommendations for implementation as a hypothetical model for use by The Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality and other municipalities in their efforts to improve/enhance service delivery. The year 1994 ushered in a new era for South Africa. It saw South Africa become a democratic country after decades of apartheid rule. Apartheid as a government system was discriminatory in nature on racial lines since 1948. The results of which are still felt and can be seen today. The apartheid system was such that government spending was directed towards the development of White people and White areas. The Black people were neglected with little or no spending on basic services such as health, housing, education, roads and infrastructure, water and electricity. In some respects the current government inherited a first world infrastructure, however it is still faced with third world issues and imperatives namely social development, service delivery, unemployment and poverty. The problem of service delivery backlogs is not one unique to South Africa but a problem faced by many African and developing nations. Creating the good life for its citizens will remain the challenge for the South African government on all its spheres, but even more so for the local sphere since municipalities (that make up this sphere) are the government closest to the people and interact more closely with communities through the delivery of the various services as required by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act 108 of 1996). Municipalities, through their administration, policies and actions play a critical role in reshaping communities. Given the immense needs for service delivery particularly in previously neglected areas of the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality area, the research question asked was; To what extent can alternative delivery options be used to solve service delivery backlogs and problems in the local sphere of government in South Africa with particular reference to the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality? In the endeavour to answer the research question, a description of the current nature or status of local government in South Africa was given. An explanation was also given of the concept of alternative service delivery and the various alternative service delivery options that are available for application by municipalities such as the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality to enhance service delivery. It is a decade since South Africa became a democratic state and despite promises and efforts to improve service delivery to the public there still exist backlogs in service delivery. The research concluded that reform is obligatory to revitalise municipalities and enhance service delivery, thus ensuring access to services becomes a reality for all. It appears that based on this research, traditional institutional mechanisms and arrangements, and conventional management approaches have proved to be ineffective and inefficient to meet current realities of service delivery. Municipalities should remain true to the principle of a learning institution, continuously seeking to improve its performance by experimenting with new processes, approaches and ways of achieving its goals or by benchmarking. There is therefore, a need for innovative solutions, strategies and new ways of structuring institutions and delivering services. This implies a change in processes, a change in people and a change in culture. All municipalities including the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality need to constantly review and restructure their institutions in search for more effective ways of achieving goals and meeting service delivery needs of the communities they serve. However, a thorough institutional analysis of the status quo needs to be undertaken or else the restructuring endeavour is baseless and such an endeavour runs the risk of failure. Any restructuring endeavour is time consuming and complicated as all stakeholders have to be consulted and many circumstantial issues have to be considered. This study provides a recommended hypothetical model for reform that could be applied by municipalities wishing to reform for the purpose of enhancing service delivery. The model, though simplistic could serve as a basic guide that municipalities and municipal departments can use should they wish to undergo changes in order to improve service delivery. / Dissertation (MAdmin (Public Administration))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / School of Public Management and Administration (SPMA) / unrestricted

The high incidence of malaria, coupled to the increasing occurrence of parasite resistance against commonly used anti-malaria drugs and the absence of an effective vaccine, makes the implementation of alternative strategies to combat this killer disease imperative. Antisense technology is one such alternative strategy, which makes use of complementary oligodeoxynucleotides designed to inhibit specific parasite mRNA sequences. These bind to their complementary mRNA target sequences and inhibit their translation. In this study <font face="symbol">a</font>-I-tubulin was chosen as protein target due to its vital role in cell division. Three antisense ODNs (ASL-1, ASL-2 and ASL-3) were designed, complementary to different regions of the parasite á-I-tubulin mRNA. ASL-1 was complementary to the region surrounding the translation initiation codon, with ASL-2 and ASL-3 being complementary to nucleotides 92-118 and 118-144, respectively. These regions were predicted to be accessible for ODN hybridization by RNA secondary structure determination and subsequent analysis. The above ODNs were modified to offer protection against nuclease degradation, by the inclusion of a 15 nucleotide, self-complementary 3’ terminal loop. The stability of these modified ODNs was investigated in serum-containing culture medium, by means of reversed-phase HPLC. These studies showed that the ODN was not significantly degraded after 6 hours of incubation at 37°C in complete culture medium. A sequence-specific inhibition of parasite proliferation of 20% was obtained after antisense ODN, ASL-1 was incubated with ring-phase parasitised cultures. The inclusion of cationic liposomal transfection reagent, DOSPER, abolished inhibition of parasite growth. Only minimal parasite inhibition was observed with ASL-2 and ASL-3. Studies on the effect of parasite phase on ODN uptake showed ODN uptake into trophozoite phase cultures to be 10x higher than in ring-phase cultures. No inhibition was obtained after ASL-1 ODN incubation with trophozoite-phase cultures. Higher uptake in the trophozoite-phase could be explained by modifications introduced into the erythrocyte membrane, by the maturing parasite (72% of trophozoite and only 14.6% of ring-phase parasitised cultures contained ODNs). Retrospective analyses showed that alpha-I-tubulin mRNA was available for ASL-1 hybridization only 40%-50% of the time. The lack of inhibition of the trophozoite developmental stage, by any of the ODNs tested, suggests that the targeted site is no longer available for hybridization. Since ASL-1 was directed to the initiation site and the surrounding sequences it is likely that the ODN is unable to compete with the initiation complex during active translation. The low inhibition observed during the ring phase appears to be due to two factors, low uptake in this phase and availability of the target site prior to translation. Retrospective analysis further showed that the mismatch control ODNs, particularly MSL-1, are complementary to several parasite nucleotide sequences. Inhibition due to antisense ODN ASL-1 could therefore be increased to 33%, when sequence-specific MSL-1 inhibition was not deducted. Inhibitory efficacy of ODNs targeted against the malaria parasite is therefore dependent on the choice of target protein, the local mRNA secondary structure of the target sequence and the transcription and translation stages of the target mRNA and protein, respectively, which include the parasite phases during which these take place. / Thesis (PhD (Biochemistry))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Biochemistry / unrestricted

This thesis sought to focus attention on the fact that currently in the Republic of South Africa (RSA) there is no specific governmental body that is charged with complete responsibility for policy-making and regulation of foreign direct investment (FDI) in general and multinational enterprise (MNE) investment in particular. This issue was identified for study as it was noted that firstly, several other countries (irrespective of their level of development) have such an organization in place. Secondly and more importantly, it was also noted that there have been several cases in which a multinational enterprise posed legal, social and political challenges for host country governments for which such governments were not empowered to resolve in either the a priori or ex-post facto sense. This inability on the part of governments to deal effectively with the challenges created by the unique characteristics and behaviors of multinational enterprises could possibly have been mitigated through the existence of a governmental unit tasked with MNE regulation. The objective of the thesis, was to study the feasibility of designing, developing, and/or proposing, for South Africa, a governmental unit for policy making, policy implementation and control of the inward foreign direct investments of multinational enterprises, where it could firstly be shown that such an administrative unit is indeed needed. The arguments made in the study were framed in the form of a null hypothesis and a single research question. The null hypothesis of the study being: Ho = there is a necessity to formalize a government administrative structure for policy setting and implementation of multinational enterprise regulations in South Africa. The hypothesis was examined in terms of being accepted or rejected based in part upon first resolving the research question of the study which is: Is there a need for foreign direct investment policies that apply exclusively to multinational enterprises? As the thesis was of a qualitative rather than quantitative nature, the methodological approach primarily examined theoretical, empirical and anecdotal evidence to ascertain whether the hypothesis should be supported or rejected. Given that the null hypothesis was not disproved and the research question was answered in the affirmative, the thesis concluded and recommended the establishment of a small specialized unit of experts to serve as part of the public service but independent of any other governmental department or unit. The proposed unit should work to provide support to other government agencies in the areas of research, advice and coordination services. As the environment within which such an organizational unit operates can be expected to be relatively stable over time, and the work of the unit highly specialized, it is envisioned that decision making in the unit will be more centralized than de-centralized. The thesis ended by exploring optional organizational designs with the aim of recommending the appropriate hierarchical arrangements to be established for the proposed organizational unit. More specific answers with respect to, for example, the number of people to be employed, their job descriptions, and the remuneration scales to be applied to their positions are recommended by the thesis for further study. / Thesis (DAdmin (Public Administration))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / School of Public Management and Administration (SPMA) / unrestricted

No abstract available. Please read the Conclusion in 04back. / Thesis (DD (New Testament Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / New Testament Studies / DD / unrestricted

The enantioanalysis of compounds of biological importance with a chiral moiety is very important because each enantiomer is a marker for a different disease. Accordingly, very reliable methods of enantioanalysis should be employed for the correct diagnosis of the diseases. The utilization of amperometric biosensors and enantioselective, potentiometric membrane electrodes made the assay of a single enantiomer faster, easier and more reliable if one compare with the chromatographic techniques which are widely proposed for this kind of analyses. Monocrystalline diamond was proposed as matrix for amperometric electrodes and amperometric biosensors design. The advantages of using such material for electrode design are: (a) lower background currents and noise signals, which lead to improve S/B and S/N ratios, and lower detection limits; (b) good electrochemical activity (pre-treatment is not necessary); (c) wide electrochemical potential window in aqueous media; (d) very low capacitance; (e) extreme electrochemical stability; and (f) high reproducibility of analytical information. The design selected for the electrodes is simple, fast and reproducible. The carbon or diamond powders were mixed with paraffine oil to give the carbon or diamond paste which can act alone as electroactive material in the electrodes or it can be modified with a chiral selector (e.g., cyclodextrins, maltodextrins or antibiotics) or enzyme (e.g., L(D)-aminoacid oxidase, L-lysine oxidase). The results obtained by employing the amperometric electrodes and biosensors and the enantioselective, potentiometric membrane electrodes proved a high sensitivity, selectivity, accuracy and high reliability. These characteristics made them suitable to be used for the enantioanalysis of different compounds of biological importance (e.g., pipecolic acid, glyceric acid, 2-hydroxyglyceric acid, fucose, L-vesamicol and L-lysine) in serume and/or urine samples. The features of the proposed enantioselective, amperometric and potentiometric electrodes proposed in this thesis are their utilization for in vivo measurements and as detectors in flow systems (flow injection analysis or/and sequential injection analysis). This will simplify the enantioanalysis and will improve considerable the reliability of the analytical information favorazing a fast and accurate diagnosis of the diseases associated with the marker determined. / Thesis (PhD (Chemistry))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Chemistry / unrestricted

BACKGROUND This study commenced with a certain rationale in mind, emerging from a personal, felt responsibility, which were further embedded in global declarations by the FAO and the WHO, as well as commitments made during the World Food Summit in 1996 and 2002. Results from the most recent ‘National Food Consumption Survey’ also inspired the study and the intervention. This study has to be viewed against the background of community development, which in a broad sense connotes a process of social learning through participation. Within the context of this study, it means to identify and address felt needs of people within a particular community and to improve their lives for the better. A commonly accepted approach to rural community development was followed, namely to establish programmes, which were referred to in this study as the nutritional intervention. AIM The challenge was to design, implement and evaluate a community-based intervention, specifically with the aim to address nutrition-related problems in a rural community on a commercial farm in South Africa. It was not the intention to strive for external validity (generalise the findings to other rural communities) but to internalise the process of research (specifically Participatory Action Research) within a rural community, contributing to the body of knowledge on the relevance and success of interventions in rural communities within the realms of health and nutrition. This process provided opportunities for the research team to learn more about implementing Participatory Action Research in rural communities, to learn from the community itself and to apply that knowledge into a constructed model for future projects. METHODOLOGY The research study and intervention process were based on a four-phase approach, which included a situation analysis (also called needs assessment), design, implementation and evaluation. Findings from the needs assessment were prioritised and incorporated in the design and implementation of a relevant intervention. Qualitative data-gathering techniques were mainly used which included observations with field notes, group discussions and key informant interviews. Several techniques were deployed during the implementation-phase, of which the personalised, educational support material was considered an important outcome. Principles of evaluative research have been incorporated from the starting point to measure the success of the process as well as the outcomes of the intervention. OUTCOME The value of the study is found in the generic model that was structured as a visual presentation of a nutritional intervention in a rural area. The model was drawn from previously applied models, grounded in this research study and was further enriched with comments from a panel of external evaluators. It can be considered a comprehensive, logic methodological framework, ready for pragmatic testing. It addresses the entire continuum of processes involved in developing valid and reliable interventions for rural communities and should serve as guideline for similar projects in future times. RECOMMENDATIONS During this study certain insights were gained, which centred on the factors that motivated or hindered behavioural change. A list of lessons learned was formulated to guide future projects, which were set in terms of managerial aspects, financial aspects, methodology (instruments and methods) and enabling factors. / Thesis (PhD (Consumer Science))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Consumer Science / unrestricted

Spring and damper characteristics determine to a large extent the ride quality and handling of a vehicle. Since the requirements for good ride and good handling are conflicting, adjustable suspension elements are developed. In this study a two-state semi-active hydro-pneumatic spring, in conjunction with a two-state semi-active hydraulic damper is investigated. A mathematical model of the spring/damper system is developed and verified with measured data. Two types of tests were performed on a prototype spring/damper unit, namely characterisation tests and single degree of freedom tests. The characterisation tests included characterising the hydro-pneumatic spring, the hydraulic damper, as well as the hydraulic valves in terms of valve response times. For the single degree of freedom tests, the step response, random input response and sine sweep response were determined. Simulation models of the characterisation setup, as well as the single degree of freedom setup were constructed in Matlab Simulink. A real gas, thermal time constant model was used for modelling the hydro-pneumatic spring, while a look-up table was used for the damper characteristics. A hydraulic flow model was developed from first principles and first order valve dynamics were also included in the models. Good correlation was obtained between measured and simulated data for the characteristation tests, as well as the single degree of freedom tests. The spring/damper model can be incorporated into a full 3D vehicle model in order to predict the ride and handling of a vehicle fitted with such a system. / Dissertation (MEng (Mechanical Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering / unrestricted

The utilisation rates of Employment Assistance Programmes (EAP) are influenced by various factors cited in literature. The existence of written policy and its broad distribution, adequate staffing levels, and provision of training for supervisors predicts higher levels of programme utilisation (Weiss, 2003:61). Other recommended features, including maintenance of client confidentiality, accessibility may also be related to utilisation. This quantitative study was conducted with employees from the Department of Labour, in Pretoria. Fifty-five employees from all levels in the Department formed the research sample. The purpose was to investigate factors that hinder the utilisation of Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) within the Department of Labour. The investigation focused on awareness, attitudes, accessibility and purpose of the EAP services. Questionnaires were hand delivered to respondents and this minimised cost despite the extension of the geographical areas covered by the researcher. This technique was appropriate for this study since the researcher intended to include 55 employees of the Department of Labour in various labour offices across Gauteng North, Pretoria. Findings indicate that there are various factors influencing employees not to consult the EAP, ranging from concerns about confidentiality, accessibility and reporting protocols of the programme. The limitation of the study is that the sample was drawn from a population which is presented with a variety of health care solutions within their environment. This is argued in light of the fact that other employees of the Department of Labour are situated in areas with minimal environmental health care facilities due to their remote locations. / Dissertation (MSD (EAP))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

The current status of affirmative action practices in the automotive sector does not offer designated managers Management Career Development (MCD) plans or practices that can be formulated, implemented and measured. Japanese techniques that have been tried do not look at improving the skills of designated management and do not provide models for advancement at managerial level that make sense within the South African Human Resources Management (HRM) context. There is a growing demand for top skilled managers and executive appointments in the South African economic market. This trend is reflected in the increasing number of recruitment advertisements. The Department of Labour (2000b) places a heavy emphasis on achieving equity in the formal labour market and in the acquisition of managerial skills by all South Africans. The South African potential working population has reached a total of 27.9 million of which 15.9 million are economically active and 12 million are economically inactive (Department of Labour, 2001). The employment numbers in the manufacturing sector have continued to decline and there is evidence of managerial shortages and a continued brain drain of highly skilled white personnel. A pilot research survey revealed that there was a lack of affirmative action career-pathing models or staff succession plans and that there are many designated managers who lack an MCD programme. There are a high number of people in South Africa who are not employable, due to a lack of relevant managerial skills and the need for effective MCD. It is therefore imperative that DSGN managers acquire expertise in the area of general career planning management to ensure business plan effectiveness and to act as catalysts to address the high skills shortages of black personnel. In this way the skills gap between the non-designated and designated managers can be redressed and a sustainable capacity of the competencies required by the country can be created. The aim of this research was to develop an MCD model for previously disadvantaged managers in the automotive manufacturing industry. Designated managers are often not properly trained and informed regarding the planning process of career management and development. It is hoped that through this research and the explanation of the importance of understanding career management, both managers and employers will be encouraged to be actively involved in structured MCD learning processes. This study was done with the following objectives in mind: -- to determine the current situation with regard to MCD and explore factors that influence MCD and the development of potential designated managers and their appointment to managerial positions; and -- to formulate a model for career-pathing and development for the workplace management career advancement of designated managers. As a first phase, a literature review was undertaken. It highlighted the importance of the identification of designated managers’ MCD. The literature research reviewed various MCD models for advancement and their integration with strategic Human Resources Development and the Business Plan. Based on the literature study, the research design and strategy were selected. A population group of designated and non-designated managers was identified within the automotive sector. Data was then obtained from respondents by means of a questionnaire especially developed for this purpose. The data was statistically processed, after which recommendations and conclusions were made. The survey revealed a considerable degree of consensus about the most important MCD advancement techniques and the intervention needs of potential designated managers. These must be linked to the organisation’s strategic HRD business plans. These techniques include special project assignments, job rotation, on-the-job training, coaching/mentoring and in-house MCD programmes. The research also highlighted numerous issues which have to be addressed in designated managers’ career development, such as -- the development of MCD potential for designated managers primarily by means of relevant exposure, experience and involvement in critical and non-critical activities; -- a strong internal monitoring focus group to oversee strategic HRM and play a positive role in maintaining the programme’s momentum, ensuring the regulatory functioning, including frequent feedback and continuous improvement of HRM techniques; and -- top management influence, dedication and commitment to the MCD model to ensure designated managers’ appointment to management positions when “workplace advancement” applications are possible. The recommendations focus on creating an awareness of MCD, as well as of the best strategic HRM practices. These practices include top management commitment, support and endorsement, MCD policies and Employment Equity interventions, an MCD programme process for continuous assessment for improvement, harnessing workplace diversity for sustainable business, action learning techniques used for building competencies, entrusting line managers with empowerment and commitment to the MCD programme, the use of an Core Advisory Forum to build MCD support and the creation of a life-long learning organisation supported and directed by HRM research. / Thesis (DBA)--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Human Resource Management / unrestricted

Chapter 1 introduces the four guiding metaphors for this research, being, Social Construction, Narrative, Writing and Participatory Action Research. The Writing-metaphor provides the structure for the research process, and PAR highlights the important aspects of participation and ownership. In this chapter I proposes a narrative hermeneutical and a cultural linguistic approach to theology. This approach has as its primary motive care and empathy, and the stitching of life stories into the greater narrative of the Christian story. Approaching theology in such a way urges Practical Theology to be both politically aware and courageous, and to impart this courage on people to transform their lives and communities. Along this way Practical Theology accepts the challenge as Public Theology to bring her methodical skills and her knowledge of spirituality, meaning and transcendency into a conversation with the world around her. Chapter 2 introduces the action field of the research. Part of this introduction entails an encounter - a story - just as valid as any other grand narrative. The story of a survivor. This study acknowledges children survivors of sexual abuse as the most important source of information. Open interviews – individual and in groups - were facilitated and real conversations were written down to show the emphasis this research places on participation, while the researcher takes on the role of a curious companion on the journey. This chapter also shows the critical importance that the work of the narrative researcher and therapist with children survivors of sexual abuse must be informed by knowledge and an understanding of the politics of abuse, the politics of adult-child-relations, and the politics of power. In chapter 3 I discuss and bring to the fore voices from the background since these voices often force themselves into the spotlight. Discussions on the long term effects of child sexual abuse from a traditional, psycho-analytical model introduce to the reader the restraining and subjugating power of these discourses. The therapeutic frameworks of Kamsler and Baird are utilised to indicate both the restraining effects of these discourses and problem-saturated stories, but also ways in which the survivor can free herself from these restraints. Chapter 4 shows the stories of two survivors which developed from unique outcomes, resisting subjugating discourses and problem-saturated stories. This chapter tells the stories of survivors being invited to capture these “sparkling events” and develop them into prefered stories, and in living these stories recognise and experience themselves in prefered and satisfactory ways. Chapter 5 describes and introduces various groups, methods and approaches through which the news of empowerment and transformation can be circulated. Through the creating of acommunity of shared experience the impact of the insider status and role of the survivors were discovered. This community created space for the survivors in which their experiences, skills and knowledge could be acknowledged, shared and celebrated. Not only were the stories of the surivors re-written and transformed by this community, but could they start dreaming about the transformation of their communities and how their stories and their journey could touch and transform the lives of numerous other survivors. Not only are the importance and benefit of critical reflection by a professional academic community shown in chapter 6, but also the value of self reflection. The transcripts in this chapter present almost all of the conversation that took place after a presentation of my work in research and practice – as it is portrayed in this thesis – at the Evanston Family Therapy Center. These transcripts do not only show a critical appreciation of the work and approach but also bring to the fore many questions and themes highlighted by the reflecting team, themes and questions which will only enrich and further develop the story of this journey. / Thesis (PhD (Practical Theology))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Practical Theology / unrestricted