The purpose of the study is to develop a project health check model to evaluate the status of projects within the coal mining industry. The model will be based on the Buttrick (2000) project health check model as described in his book “The Interactive Project Workout”. The model assesses the current “health” or status of a project. It looks at the full project environment and uses a set of question results in an assessment of the overall risk associated with the project. The model evaluates seven key project success factors which include: 1. Project Plan 5. Expertise 2. Resources 6. Clear Specification 3. Ownership 7. Top Level Support 4. Justifiable Case The model fulfils two roles: • As a checklist, and • As a tool to indicate where a project manager’s efforts should be directed. This study will give an overview of the coal mining industry and the way projects are being evaluated and prioritised. The Buttrick (2000) project health check model will be assessed and adapted to evaluate projects within the coal mining industry. The “new / adapted” model will be applied to the Douglas / Middelburg Optimisation (DMO) to evaluate the health status of the project which is currently at the end of definition (feasibility) stage within BHP Billiton Energy Coal South Africa. The results obtained from the new health check model showed that the DMO project was in a healthy state with a project health check score of 47.33. It could 4 thus be concluded that the DMO project is ready to move in to the execution phase of the BHP Billiton capital investment process. The results obtained from the project team member participants were split into management perception and team members’ perception. The overall health of the DMO project between the two parties gave similar results with the team members score of 43.76 being slightly lower than the management health score of 45.42. The only major difference was observed on the “Communication” project evaluation criteria where the management perspective on the communication effectiveness was higher than that of the project team members.

The purpose of the study is to develop a project health check model to evaluate the status of projects within the coal mining industry. The model will be based on the Buttrick (2000) project health check model as described in his book “The Interactive Project Workout”. The model assesses the current “health” or status of a project. It looks at the full project environment and uses a set of question results in an assessment of the overall risk associated with the project. The model evaluates seven key project success factors which include: 1. Project Plan 5. Expertise 2. Resources 6. Clear Specification 3. Ownership 7. Top Level Support 4. Justifiable Case The model fulfils two roles: • As a checklist, and • As a tool to indicate where a project manager’s efforts should be directed. This study will give an overview of the coal mining industry and the way projects are being evaluated and prioritised. The Buttrick (2000) project health check model will be assessed and adapted to evaluate projects within the coal mining industry. The “new / adapted” model will be applied to the Douglas / Middelburg Optimisation (DMO) to evaluate the health status of the project which is currently at the end of definition (feasibility) stage within BHP Billiton Energy Coal South Africa. The results obtained from the new health check model showed that the DMO project was in a healthy state with a project health check score of 47.33. It could 4 thus be concluded that the DMO project is ready to move in to the execution phase of the BHP Billiton capital investment process. The results obtained from the project team member participants were split into management perception and team members’ perception. The overall health of the DMO project between the two parties gave similar results with the team members score of 43.76 being slightly lower than the management health score of 45.42. The only major difference was observed on the “Communication” project evaluation criteria where the management perspective on the communication effectiveness was higher than that of the project team members.

Proefschrift--Letteren--Rijksuniversiteit te Leiden, 2000. / Contient un résumé en anglais. Bibliogr. p.173-174. Index.

A discourse submitted to the Faculty of Architecture, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Development Planning. Johannesburg, 1991 / During the 1980s considerable attention was focused on the need to develop institutions to draw populations into development efforts. Local government was the recipient of much of this attention. This study is concerned with the role of local government in development, and problems that are experienced in playing a developmental tole. In particular, it is concerned with international experience of local government as a development institution, and the relevance of that experience to SA. [No abstract provided. Information taken from introduction] / MT2017

Thesis (M Cosumer Science)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Housing White Paper (Department of Housing, 1994: 12) sets out the government's broad housing policy and the seven strategies undertaken in the implementation of the policy. One of the strategies is the mobilisation of housing credit through the establishment of the Social Housing Foundation (SHF). The SHF provides training, advice, and support to emerging and established social housing institutions. These housing institutions deliver high density subsidised rental or installment sale housing to the beneficiaries of the State housing subsidy scheme. The Greater Middelburg Housing Association (GMHA) is an example of such an institution. Social housing in South Africa aims at addressing the broader quality of life of their residents, beyond the physical dwelling in which they reside. Furthermore, the aim is to build rental housing, which adheres to suitable quality standards, and is located close to economic opportunities and amenities (Crofton & Venter, 2000:7). To determine the satisfaction levels experienced by residents with regard to different aspects of their housing situation, a Post- Occupancy Evaluation survey can be used to determine whether the objectives of the social housing institution have been met by the housing provided. The main objective of this research study was to determine the level of housing satisfaction experienced by residents of the Greater Middelburg Housing Association's Hope City Housing Complex. The secondary objectives of the study were derived from the main objective and were, firstly, to determine the residents' socio-demographic and socio-economic profiles, and secondly to determine the residents' satisfaction levels with regard to the housing unit, the housing complex and the management of the housing project. Thirdly the residents' overall satisfaction with their housing situation, were determined, and lastly recommendations were made for future developments and improvements of the Hope City Housing Complex. To achieve these objectives, a post-occupancy evaluation study was conducted among a randomly selected sample of 150 tenants residing in the complex. Data were obtained through a structured questionnaire, which entailed dichotomous, multiple choice, scaled, matrix-type and open-ended questions. The scaled questions were answered on a four-point scale, where the tenants' opinions on certain aspects of the housing unit, complex and management, were rated. The questionnaire was administered during individual interviews of 40 minutes each, with the head or the spouse of the head of the selected households. A document-study of the GMHA was conducted to gain insight into the organisation's background, aims and goals. The research results on the socio-demographic and socio-economic profile of the respondents indicated that the target market of the housing institution was mostly couples, between the ages of 21 and 40 years, who had dependants. The majority of the respondents indicated that they would prefer to own housing at this stage of their lives, but that they are satisfied with renting until they have the financial means to buy property. Most respondents had achieved grade 12 schooling and were formally employed, earning monthly household incomes between R2 000 and R3 500. Few respondents reported that they were saving regularly, and only a small number of tenants had been in arrears with their rental payment. The results indicated that the respondents were satisfied with their overall housing situation, but had complaints about specific aspects of the housing unit, the complex and the management. Statistically a negative correlation was found between the satisfaction levels with the unit, complex and management indicators and overall housing satisfaction. Concerning the unit, the respondents felt that the units, and especially the bedrooms, were too small. They felt that the complex did not provide facilities that are needed by the residents, such as play areas for children and a convenience store. Respondents were also dissatisfied with the way in which tenants, who have defaulted on their rental payments, were treated by management. Furthermore, respondents were dissatisfied with the relationship between the management of the housing complex and the residents. The main reason for their dissatisfaction was management's low response rate to maintenance complaints. The GMHA should encourage the tenants to attend the Tenant Training Programmes run by the management. These programmes should outline the responsibilities of the management and the responsibilities of the residents with regard to the maintenance of the housing units. The GMHA should also look into providing the installment sale option as a tenure option to the residents, as this would enable those tenants, who would like to buy property, to do so. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Behuising Witskrif (Department of Housing, 1994: 12) stel die regering se breë behuisingsbeleid en die sewe strategieë wat onderneem is in die implementering van die beleid. Een van die strategieë is die mobilisering van behuisingkrediet, deur die totstandkoming van die Social Housing Foundation (SHF). Die SHF lewer opleiding, advies en ondersteuning aan nuwe en gevestigde sosiale behuisingsinstansies. Hierdie behuisingsinisiatiewe lewer hoëdigtheid gesubsideerde huur- of termyn-betalingbehuising aan die begunstigdes van die Staatsbehuisingsubsidieskema. Die Greater Middelburg Housing Association (GMHA) is 'n voorbeeld van so 'n instansie. Sosiale behuising in Suid-Afrika het ten doel om die meer omvattende lewenskwaliteit van die inwoners, wyer as bloot die behuisingstruktuur wat bewoon word, aan te spreek. Verder is die doel om huur-behuisingstrukture te bou, wat voldoen aan bepaalde kwaliteitstandaarde en wat nie te ver van ekonomiese bedrywighede en geriewe geleë is nie (Crofton & Venter, 2000:7). Om die inwoners se vlakke van tevredenheid met verskillende aspekte van hul behuising te bepaal, kan 'n na-ingebruiknemingsevalueringopname gebruik word, om te bepaal of die doelstellings van die sosiale behuisingsinstansies bereik word, deur die behuising wat beskikbaar gestel word. Die hoofdoelstelling van dié navorsingstudie was die bepaling van die verskillende vlakke van behuisingstevredenheid, soos dit ervaar word deur die inwoners wat in die Greater Middelburg Housing Association se Hope City behuisingskompleks woon. Die sekondêre doelstellings van die studie het voortgespruit uit die hoofdoelstelling en is eerstens die samestelling van die inwoners se sosio-demografiese en sosio-ekonomiese profiele, tweedens die bepaling van die inwoners se vlakke van behuisingstevredenheid ten opsigte van die behuisingseenhede, die behuisingskompleks en die bestuur van die behuisingsprojek. Derdens is die respondente se totale tevredenheid met hul behuisingsituasie bepaal, waarna aanbevelings vir verdere ontwikkelinge en verbeteringe aan die Hope City Behuisingskompleks gemaak word. Om hierdie doelwitte te bereik, is 'n na-ingebruiknemingsevalueringstudie onderneem waaraan 'n ewekansige steekproefvan 150 inwoners, wie woonagtig is in die kompleks, deelgeneem het. Data is bekom deur gebruik te maak van 'n gestruktureerde vraelys wat digotome, multi-keuse, geskaleerde, matriks-tipe en oop vrae bevat het. Die geskaleerde vrae bestaan uit 'n vierpuntskaal, waarvolgens die inwoner se opinie oor sekere aspekte van die behuisingseenheid, die kompleks en die bestuur bepaal/gemeet is. Die vraelys is tydens individuele onderhoude, van 40 minute elk, met die hoof, of die eggenoot van die hoof van die geselekteerde huishoudings, voltooi. 'n Dokument analise van die besigheidsplan van die GMHA is onderneem om insig te verkry in die organisasie se agtergrond, mikpunte en doelstellings. Die navorsingsresultate met betrekking tot die sosio-demografiese en sosio-ekonomiese profiel van die respondente, het aangedui dat die teikenmark van die GMHA hoofsaaklik pare in die ouderdomsgroep 21-40 jaar, wie afhanklikes het, is. Die meerderheid van die respondente het aangedui dat hulle op hierdie stadium van hul lewens verkies om 'n behuisingeenheid te besit, maar dat hulle tevrede is om te huur todat hulle finansieel in staat is om 'n huis te koop. Meeste respondente het graad 12-skoolopleiding voltooi, en was werksaam in die formele sektor, met maandelikse inkomstes van tussen R2 000 en R3 500. Baie min van die respondente het aangedui dat hulle op gereelde basis spaar, en slegs enkele huurders was al agterstallig in die betaling van hul huurgeld. Die resultate van die navorsing het aangedui dat die respondente tevrede was met hul behuisingsituasie in die algemeen, maar dat hulle klagtes gehad het oor spesifieke aspekte van die behuisingseenheid, die kompleks en die bestuur daarvan. Statisties is 'n negatiewe korrelasie gevind tussen die tevredenheidsvlakke met die eenheid-, kompleks- en bestuursindikatore en tevredenheid met die behuisingsituasie in die algemeen. Wat die eenheid betref, het die respondente gevoel dat die eenhede, veral die slaapkamers, te klein was. Hulle het ook gevoel dat die kompleks nie voldoen aan die inwoners se behoefte aan fasiliteite soos speelareas vir die kinders en 'n geriefswinkel nie. Respondente was verder ontevrede met die manier waarop die bestuur van die kompleks mense, wie tydelik nie in staat was om hul huurgelde te betaal nie, behandel. Die respondente het hulle ongelukkigheid met die verhouding tussen die inwoners en die bestuur geopper. Die hoofrede vir die ontevredenheid was die bestuur se traagheid om te reageer op die instandhoudingsklagtes van die inwoners. Die GMHA moet die inwoners aanmoedig om die Inwoner Opleidingsprogramme, wat aangebied word deur die bestuur, by te woon. Die programme behoort die verantwoordelikhede van die inwoners en dié van die bestuur, met betrekking tot die instandhouding van die behuisingseenhede, te verduidelik. Die GMHA moet dit oorweeg om die termyn-verkoopsopsie aan inwoners beskikbaar te stel, aangesien dit die inwoners van Hope City, wie graag eiendom sou wou koop, in staat sou stel om dit te doen.

Enrolments in agriculture programmes at universities in South Africa are low when compared to the other programmes. The purpose of this study was therefore to identify factors influencing the choice of agriculture as a study discipline by undergraduates in agriculture, in an open distance education university in South Africa. The study also investigated the impact of the three agriculture curricula taught at school level, as well as how well it prepares students for tertiary education. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were used. Open distance-learning agriculture students and agriculture educators participated in the survey. A structured online questionnaire and an open-ended questionnaire were employed. The study revealed that two major composite variables, namely family and friends, as well as job considerations, were highly significant in the students’ choice of agriculture at tertiary level. The impact of the agriculture curricula taught in the schools in preparation for tertiary education gave learners basic terminology and concepts involved in agriculture. The study also revealed challenges faced by agricultural science educators amongst which were the revealed challenges faced by agricultural science educators amongst which were the learners’ negative attitude towards the subject, inadequate or lack of infrastructure, and lack of proper guidance and counselling regarding choosing of subjects as factors that could hinder effective teaching and learning of agriculture in South Africa schools. Students studying through open distance learning indicated convenience, flexibility of studying at own pace, and ample time to spend with family and work, as factors that influenced their choice of studying through open distance learning. Recommendations on how to improve the agriculture curriculum in South African schools and attract more students’ enrolment in agriculture as a field of study at tertiary level upon completion of grade 12 are discussed in detail in the study / Agriculture, Animal Health and Human Ecology / M. Sc. (Agriculture)

The researcher attempts to establish how CCTV footage can be used as a surveillance technique, for evidence gained in that way to be admissible in court. To conduct effective investigation, it is important for investigators to be familiar with the application of CCTV footage, its purpose, its benefits and shortfalls. To achieve the goals and objectives of the practice of CCTV footage, investigators must know how to utilise the value of its evidence, and how to use it to identify suspects. The clarification and application to the crime situation, the identification of the perpetrator or suspect of a criminal act is mostly impossible, if CCTV footage is not available to assist in identification and tracing of suspects. / Police Practice / M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

Rotavirus infection causes acute gastroenteritis in children younger than five years of age, and commonly occurring human rotavirus strains include G1 - G4 and G9 associated with P[4], P[6] and P[8]. In this study, of 6050 stool samples collected from a Private Pathology Practice in Pretoria, March 2010 - August 2011, 664 tested positive using Coris test-strips. Of these samples, 752 were retested using EIA and, results showed: Coris sensitivity was 93,7% and specificity 99,8%; the winter epidemic peaked in July of both years; more males and children under 30 months of age were particularly vulnerable to infections. Rotavirus-positive samples from Trichardt, Rustenburg and Middelburg were analysed by PAGE and RT-PCR showing circulating strains as mainly G8P[4] (60%) with short electropherotypes, G12P[8] (66%) with long electropherotypes, and G1P[8] at low incidence in the 2010/2011 seasons. These results suggest additional research to monitor the impacts of recently introduced rotavirus vaccines on changing strain profiles in South African communities / Life & Consumer Sciences / M.Sc. (Life Sciences)

Rotavirus infection causes acute gastroenteritis in children younger than five years of age, and commonly occurring human rotavirus strains include G1 - G4 and G9 associated with P[4], P[6] and P[8]. In this study, of 6050 stool samples collected from a Private Pathology Practice in Pretoria, March 2010 - August 2011, 664 tested positive using Coris test-strips. Of these samples, 752 were retested using EIA and, results showed: Coris sensitivity was 93,7% and specificity 99,8%; the winter epidemic peaked in July of both years; more males and children under 30 months of age were particularly vulnerable to infections. Rotavirus-positive samples from Trichardt, Rustenburg and Middelburg were analysed by PAGE and RT-PCR showing circulating strains as mainly G8P[4] (60%) with short electropherotypes, G12P[8] (66%) with long electropherotypes, and G1P[8] at low incidence in the 2010/2011 seasons. These results suggest additional research to monitor the impacts of recently introduced rotavirus vaccines on changing strain profiles in South African communities / Life and Consumer Sciences / M.Sc. (Life Sciences)

The researcher attempts to establish how CCTV footage can be used as a surveillance technique, for evidence gained in that way to be admissible in court. To conduct effective investigation, it is important for investigators to be familiar with the application of CCTV footage, its purpose, its benefits and shortfalls. To achieve the goals and objectives of the practice of CCTV footage, investigators must know how to utilise the value of its evidence, and how to use it to identify suspects. The clarification and application to the crime situation, the identification of the perpetrator or suspect of a criminal act is mostly impossible, if CCTV footage is not available to assist in identification and tracing of suspects. / Police Practice / M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation)