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The removal of colour from effluent after dyeing of cellulosic fibres is a major problem due to the difficulty in treating such effluents by conventional treatment methods. Cellulosic fibres of a specific shade (colour) are produced by reacting the fibres with a mixture of reactive dyestuffs, salt and auxiliary chemicals. Reactive dye exhaustion to the fibre is about 80% i.e. 20% remains in the effluent; this is hydrolysed dye which cannot be reused for dyeing. The exhausted reactive dye bath together with first rinse represents 6 to 30 L effluent/kg of fabric and most of the colour and salt. The total water consumption for reactive dyeing ranges from 25 to 100 L effluent/kg fabric while the water consumption from total textile finishing ranges from 30 to 150 L effluent/kg fabric. Thus the concentration of the dye and salts are 5 times more concentrated when obtained at source. The use of activated carbon adsorption for the removal of colour from exhausted dyebath for the re-use of water, salt and energy has been studied. Four different commercial reactive dye chemistries and associated auxiliaries were tested and commercial activated carbon was used as an adsorbent. Different temperatures (20°C to 100°C), pH values (acidic, neutral, basic) and salt concentrations (50 g/L to 100 g/L) were evaluated and the high adsorption results were achieved when using high temperature, low pH (acidic) and high salt concentrations. The Freundlich adsorption parameters were obtained for activated carbon adsorption capacity and adsorption bond strength between reactive dyes and activated carbon. The overall removal of the reactive dye shades was 36% to 53% (based on colour in the effluent), salt recovery was about 94% to 97%, the water recovery ranged from 14% to 25% and energy savings of 17% to 32% could be achieved. Column adsorption test were performed at different temperatures and flowrates. The saturated activated carbon was regenerated and repeatedly used by elution with 1.0 M NaOH. The regenerated carbon was found to be effective up to 3 cycles of operations. A column system for treatment of reactive dyes using activated carbon was designed. The outcome of this study showed that treatment of reactive dyebath with activated carbon adsorption technique can allow re-use of water, salt and energy, thus enabling environmental improvements with a savings in salt, energy, water and treatment costs. / Thesis (M.Sc.Eng.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2007.

Policy documents such as The National Policy on Whole-School Evaluation (Department of Education, 2001), A Policy Framework for Quality Assurance and Training System in South Africa (Department of Education, 1998) and Integration Quality Management System (Department of Education, 2003) propose broad participation of major stakeholders, in particular educators, in the process of evaluating and monitoring school performance. This represents a major shift from the inspectorate system of the past that had limited transparency and openness between the evaluators (inspectors) and evaluees (educators) and had little to do with assuring the quality of education provision. Nevertheless many teachers have resisted the introduction of these policies designed to improve schools and their performance. The system known as Whole-School Evaluation focuses on the whole school rather than on individual staff members of the school, with the aim to develop schools in achieving their context-related goals and intended outcomes. Reasons for teachers‟ resistance to such a well intended framework of policies is not well understood. Thus, this study sought to investigate perceptions of educators about Whole-School Evaluation, which is the component of Integrated Quality Management System. To do this a case study was conducted at one KwaZulu-Natal Primary School in the Phumelela Circuit of Umlazi District. The focus of the study is on educators‟ experiences of Whole-School Evaluation, their understanding of their roles in the implementation process as well as their perceptions about the intention of Whole-School Evaluation, an interpretive approach was appropriate. The study uses two methods, interviews and questionnaires, for generating data. The major finding of this study is that, contrary to their initial resistance, educators are more positive about the Whole-School Evaluation system than the previous inspection system, because they perceive it to be developmental for themselves and their schools. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2008.

Total Quality management (TQM) is a different way to organize the efforts of people. The objective is to harmonize their efforts in such a way that not only do people approach their assigned tasks with enthusiasm, but they also participate in the improvement of how the work gets done. Quality management introduces a significant change in the relationship between those who manage and those who actually do the work. TQM has had a significant influence on contemporary management practices. It is in this regard therefore, that the purpose of this research was to examine the feasibility of TQM implementation in Kigali Institute of Science, Technology and Management (KIST) to improve the quality of education. The main objectives ofthis study included: • Determining whether TQM can be effectively implemented for quality improvement in KIST. • Finding out any limitations to the implementation of TQM for quality improvement in KIST. • Establishing any benefits ofTQM in KIST. Both qualitative and quantitative methods of research were used to carry out this research and the literature reviewed on TQM was a major guide in the analysis process. The results revealed that with major improvements in areas of staff commitment, encouraging teamwork and participation of all staff coupled with staff education and development, TQM implementation in KIST could be realised. Various limitations of the implementation of this system in KIST include: lack of resources in terms of finance, insufficient academic facilities, shortage of academic staff, to mention but a few. The benefits of this system include: helping the institution to focus on the needs of its customers, achieving top quality performance, better communication methods and achieving commitment of all the staff Due to the limitation of the short time frame allocated to this research, the study could not go in detail consequently recommendations for further research were made. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2005.

The South African Liquid Fuels Industry is currently in a state of flux. A new fuel pricing mechanism has been rolled out and new legislation has been enacted within the past few years that have significantly impacted on the business environment. The Main Supply Agreement which governed the marketing and distribution of Sasol's liquid fuel products also came to an end on the 1 st of January 2004. All these drivers have had a major impact on the business environment that the Sasol Liquid Fuels Business operated in. The government has also stated its policy to further deregulate the industry including the pricing structure of liquid fuel. The United States Liquid Fuels Industry is the largest in the world and is based on an unregulated fuel price thus leading to price competition among competing retailers. It therefore serves as a good basis with which to compare and evaluate the South African industry. A comprehensive industry analysis is performed in order to explore, understand and describe the nature of the liquid fuels business environments in the USA and South Africa. The Delphi technique was used to gather primary data on the state of the South African Liquid Fuels industry. Thereafter a benchmarking of the South African Liquid Fuels Industry is carried out using primary data from the Delphi study and secondary data from the literature review. The techniques used include PEST analysis and Porter's Five Forces. Aspects of the United States industry that are similar to the South African industry are identified. A scenario for a future deregulated South African Liquid Fuels Industry is described and a marketing and distribution strategy for Sasol is proposed. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2006.

The purpose of this study is to explain the dynamics of the interaction between the different stakeholders at Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) from a student development point of view. The study is conducted in order to develop an effective communication system that can assist in the management of relationships. The literature review presents an analysis of key documents. It focuses on the management of relations as well as the role that is played by communication in this regard. The systems approach provides a theoretical framework that guides the views of the researcher. Chapter Three outlines the design and procedure of the study. The research approach adopted by the researcher is qualitative and is based on a case study, which is Mangosuthu University of Technology. The following research methods are applied in the study; that is, the analysis of documentation, observations and a focus group, together with the application of questionnaires. Chapter Four presents a combination of qualitative and quantitative research data. The first part of the chapter focuses on observations that were made by the writer over a period of six months. This is followed by the analysis of the questionnaire. The last part discusses the responses that were elicited from the focus group. Chapter Five leads to the conclusive section of the whole study and it is an extension of Chapter Four in which the results of the research carried out are presented. The findings reveal that a systems approach has a significant role to play in assisting an organisation in managing relations. This approach recognises the existence of inter-relations between different parts of an organisation. The study concludes that MUT needs to take steps to create a knowledge-based institution where there is flexible learning, available anywhere, anytime and on any topic. / Thesis (M.Com)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2009.

This study is an investigation into how systems thinking was used in a school improvement initiative, which involved the implementation of the Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS) in a ward with twenty-two schools. The Superintendent of Education Management (SEM), as the practitioner, initiated the study in the form of an action research, using the soft systems methodology (SSM). The preference of the SSM was justified for its suitability to explore problem contexts of a pluralist complex nature. The School Development Team (SDT) Chairpersons were the participants that went through the learning process and provided insights from their worldviews and experiences as the leaders tasked with bringing about the requisite transformation and guidance aimed at the professional development of educators, their performance measurement and whole school evaluation. The reflective study interrogates the worldviews, perspectives, attitudes and values of the participants, promotes the use of systems tools and techniques and leads to the development of conceptual models which might constructively enhance school reform. The findings of this study highlight educators’ ability to engage in reflective activities and self-directed explorations, shared experience of educators learning to learn together and continuous professional development. The reflective educators learn to recall, consider and evaluate experiences in relation to a broader educational purpose. The study explores the possibility of using the IQMS systemically in action as leverage to enhance school improvement and bring about positive change in educator accountability. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2009.

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