D.Tech / No transformation is subtler, yet more explosive, than the mega shift from an industrial to an information society. In an industrial society, the strategic resource is capital whereas in an information society, the strategic resource is information. These mega trends are evident, to a greater or lesser degree, also in South Africa. At the same time, South Africa has to meet the challenges inherent in the transition to participatory democratic government. Crucial in both these global and local challenges is the management of information and public opinion. One of the primary role-players in achieving this is the public relations (PR) practitioner. Effective public relations depends in many ways on achieving the right balance between over-reacting and under-reacting to events in the environment, as they manifest, inter a/ia, in public opinion. The fundamental tool for achieving this balance in managing public opinion is information. This requires that information be utilised in a strategic way to manage the perceptions constituting public opinion. PR practitioners working in the field of political communication in South Africa need to contribute to the establishment of a framework of political communication based on full acceptance of the requirements of a participative democracy. This involves, inter alio, improving access to information and developing efficient two-way communication between decision-makers and stakeholders. The Free State Provincial Government Department of Finance, Expenditure and Economic Affairs identified the need to improve communication with its stakeholders. To achieve this, an appropriate communication strategy and supporting action plans had to be formulated. This communication strategy and action plans formed the point of departure of this study. Of particular importance for this study were the related principles of the systems management approach, the systemic approach to political communication and the two-way symmetric model of public relations. Both the systems management approach (from a public relations perspective) and the systemic approach (from a political communication perspective) emphasise the need to achieve equilibrium within the system by balancing communication input and output. The two-way symmetric model explains public relations as an attempt to adjust the socio-political environment to suit the political principal, as well as to help the political principal adjust to his/her environment. The PR practitioner plays a vital role in assisting his/her principal to achieve equilibrium and to adjust to the environment. A starting point in evaluating whether communication equilibrium has been attained is to evaluate the communication processes in political public relations. One method of evaluating these processes is by means of a communication audit. The main aim of this study was to develop an evaluative model for political public relations. The objectives of the study were to determine whether the Department, as a political communication system, was achieving communication equilibrium by balancing communication input from its stakeholders with appropriate communication output. The study further recommended steps to achieve communication equilibrium and devised a means of monitoring and evaluating progress with implementation. It resulted in the development of a model for the attainment of communication equilibrium in accordance with the demands of the two-way symmetrical model of public relations.

Thesis (M. Comm.) -- Central University of Technology, Free State, 2007 / From the Stone Age, each nation or group of people has had a distrust of those different from themselves. This is evidenced in various ways, for example, social welfare given to local residents only, scornful names given to foreigners and other ethnic groups and rituals designed to keep themselves separate from others. These incidents of diversity resulted into an unplanned and emergent set of norms, values and beliefs that exert enormous influence on the way in which an organisation operates, how organisational structure is developed, the integration and adaptation of internal and external relationships, as well as the orientation of the underlying values of the organisation. The main aim of changing culture is to improve organisational performance. To achieve this aim, it requires an understanding of the underlying assumptions and values that determine what is important in an organisation as well as assessment of the impact of culture on operational efficiency. The impact of organisational culture is identified through the negative and positive outcomes of mining activities, and is illustrated by employee satisfaction, job commitment, organisational loyalty, turnover, absenteeism and productivity. The aim of this research study was to identify the characteristics of organisational culture and evaluate the impact of organisational culture on gold mining activities in the Free State. The methodology used in this study comprises of empirical as well as a literature study. Questionnaires and interviews were used to gather information for the empirical study. The empirical study revealed that firstly, organisational culture is created partially by leaders, and that one of the most critical functions of leadership is the creation and the management of culture. Lastly, organisational culture emerges when employees think, believe and act according to the pressures and priorities of their environment. Unfortunately, employees do not set aside their cultural values and lifestyle preferences when they come to work. It is the responsibility of the management to create an environment that is conducive to a healthy working environment. This study established that the necessity to control the workforce productivity need not be accompanied by ruthless or aggressive exploitation of cultural management, but by reliance on employees’ capability to exercise judgement to cope effectively with environmental uncertainty. Rules, norms and strategies developed cannot “fit” every circumstance but encourage conformity rather than creativity, and compliance rather than commitment.

The aim of the study was to investigate the training of school governing bodies in the Free State Province from an education management point of view. Since 1994 the South African government has adopted a number of policy documents aimed at democratizing education in the country. The transformation of education in the new South African context encompasses the idea of partnership in which participants - such as parents, educators, learners (in secondary schools) play an active role in taking decisions on behalf of the school. The State alone cannot control schools, but has to share its power with other stakeholders. However, this can only happen if participants in school governance are trained to have power and the capacity to decide on matters affecting their schools. Hence, training is the cornerstone of affirming governors in the execution of their roles and responsibilities. Since school governing bodies are composed of a cross section of people with different ideologies, expectations and levels of education - training is necessary to prepare then for co-operative governance. Without adequate and on-going in-service training, it is unlikely that school governing body members can make informed decisions. The empirical method, namely qualitative research, was successful in obtaining information from participants about the training offered to them. It also established how participants felt and thought about their experiences and perceptions about the training they received, whether it built capacity or not. A number of recommendations were made with regard to the research findings for stakeholders to note. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Comparative Education)

Text in Afrikaans / Summaries in Afrikaans and English / Die doel van die sensus was om 'n perspektief te verkry oar die bestuur van plaaslike owerhede in die Vrystaat se primere gesondheidsafdelings deur verpleegkundiges. Faktore rakende die omvang van die verpleegkundige in beheer se bestuursfunksies, die werksverhoudinge tussen hulle en hul hoofde, hul optimale benutting ten opsigte van bestuur en sekere aspekte van hul bestuursopleiding is ge"ldentifiseer as belangrike komponente. Ontleding van data het getoon dat verpleegkundiges en hoofde van mekaar verskil ten opsigte van hul sienings rakende die bestuursfunksies van die verpleegkundige in beheer. Werksverhoudinge tussen die verpleegkundiges en hul direkte toesighouer is nie altyd bevredigend nie. Die swak benutting van hul bestuursvaardighede blyk vir die verpleegkundiges in beheer onaanvaarbaar te wees. Sekere aspekte van die bestuursopleiding van verpleegkundiges behoort aandag te geniet. Plaaslike owerhede behoort aan verpleegkundiges geleenthede vir voortgesette bestuursopleiding te bied. Aanbevelings om die optimale benutting van verpleegkundiges in beheer van primere gesondheidsafdelings van plaaslike owerhede te bevorder, is geformuleer. / The purpose of this census was to obtain a perspective on the management of primary health services of local authorities by nurses in the Free State. Factors regarding the extent of management in primary health care services by nurses, working relationships between them and their superiors, their optimal utilisation with regard to management and certain aspects of their managerial training, were identified as important components. Analysis of data indicated that nurses and their superiors differ from one another regarding their views on managerial functions of the nurses in charge. Working relationships between nurses in charge and their superiors were not always satisfactory. Nurses found the poor utilization of their management skills unacceptable. Certain aspects of the managerial training of nurses should receive attention. Local authorities should provide opportunities for ongoing managerial training for nurses. Recommendations to utilise nurses in charge of primary health care services optimally, were formulated. / Health Studies / M.A.

The challenge facing principals currently is to revisit their role to improve external examination results in the Republic of South Africa. Almost all schools in the Free State, in particular those in rural areas such as the Thabo Mofutsanyana Education District; the Xhariep Education District; part of the Motheo Education District (e.g. Botshabelo and Thaba-Nchu) and most urban areas, such as the Lejweleputswa Education District and the Fezile Dabi Education District, have schools which have had poor examination results for the past 20 years. To answer the challenges currently facing principals in the Free State, this research used a qualitative research framework and methodology to articulate research questions and arrive at constructive and instructive models to reveal and close the gaps between performing and underperforming secondary schools in the province. A particular group of principals was chosen, influenced by the performance and underperformance of their schools in the various education districts in the province. Research findings from unstructured interviews with doctoral candidates, and research on China, Finland and Singapore’s education systems with special reference to instructional leadership were conducted. The doctoral candidates’ ideas were confirmed by practical unstructured interviews with Sekgutlong and Beacon high school principals who visited Singapore with the MEC of the Free State Department of Education. In plenary and parallel encounters with principals of secondary schools in the Free State, it emerged that rote learning is prevalent in the Free State secondary schools. Therefore, was resolved by the majority of the principals that critical postmodern instructional leadership should be recommended as an instructional methodology to usher in critical thinking, innovation, creativity and self-reliance in Free State education. In addition, this will close the gap between performing and underperforming secondary schools. Finally, grounded postmodern instructional leadership as a leadership strategy will assist a contemporary secondary school learner’s generation to cope with the academic requirements of tertiary education. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Didactics)

Thesis (MPA)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The primary aim of the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is to make a positive contribution towards maximum employee productivity and effectiveness in the workplace. Various organisations implemented EAP, but the achievement of aims and objectives need to be investigated in order to ascertain whether the service is successful. In order to achieve the latter, the present study was therefore designed with the primary aim of evaluating the effectiveness of the EAP services in the Free State Department of Education, Motheo District. In order for the DoE to comply with legislation they need to ensure that there is adequate provision of human and capital resources. Employees should be knowledgeable on the content of policy guidelines and procedures to promote utilisation. Accessibility of the programme will depend on the restructuring of EAP section from a sub section to a Directorate. Appropriate structure can make the EAP section effective. Staffing, competency, integration and early identification can be dealt with if the DoE can employ personnel with appropriate skills. Confidentiality and the Model through which EAP service is rendered is a challenge in the DoE as it influences utilisation of EAP services. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die primêre doel van die Werknemersondersteuningsprogram (WOP) is om 'n positiewe bydrae tot maksimale werknemer-produktiwiteit en -effektiwiteit in die werkplek te lewer. Verskeie organisasies het die WOP geïmplementeer, maar ten einde vas te stel of die diens suksesvol was, moet die bereiking van doelstellings en doelwitte ondersoek word. Ten einde laasgenoemde te vermag, is die huidige studie dus ontwerp met die primêre doel om die effektiwiteit van die WOP-dienste in die Vrystaatse Onderwysdepartment, Motheo-distrik te evalueer. Die Onderwysdepartement moet, wetgewing nakom deur te verseker dat voldoende menslike en kapitaalhulpbronne beskikbaar gestel word. Ten einde verbruik te bevorder behoort werknemers goed ingelig te wees met betrekking tot die inhoud van beleidsriglyne en -prosedure. Toegankilikheid tot die program sal van die herstrukturering van die WOP afdeling van 'n onderafdeling tot 'n Direktoraat afhang. Toepaslike strukture kan die WOP-afdeling effektief maak. Personeeltoewysing, bevoegdheid, integrasie en vroeë identifisering kan hanteer word indien die Onderwysdepartement personeel aanstel wat oor die toepaslike vaardighede beskik. Vertroulikheid en die Model waarvolgens die WOP-diens bedryf word, bied 'n uitdaging in die Onderwysdepartement aangesien dit die verbruik van WOP-dienste beïnvloed.

Mining of the Basal Reef at Jeanette Mine, is typically complicated due to an overlaying Khaki Shale (shale) that has unfavourable rock engineering properties. Shale has always been either left underground or mined as part of the orebody. The first approach can only be applied in areas where the quartzite beam (directly above the Basal Reef and below the shale) is of sufficient thickness to support the shale in the hanging wall. This method is known as undercutting. Alternatively, open stoping can be applied in areas where the shale and the Basal Reef is extracted concurrently and sent to the mill as diluted ore. Alternatively, a resue stoping method can be considered in areas where undercutting cannot be done, due to a thin quartzite middling. Resue stoping involves stowing or packing of the shale into the mined-out area and is not included as part of the hoisted rock. In the past, resue stoping was done by hand packing, which is unsuitable for a modern mine. As such, two mechanised resue stoping methods can be considered, namely; Longhole Resue Stoping and Rib Cutting Resue Stoping. Rib Cutting Resue Stoping utilises a continuous miner (“CM”) to remove the shale in a first pass, extract the reef during a second pass and backfilling the mined-out rib with shale. The use of a CM will significantly improve the extraction/mining rate, sidewall stability, backfill placement, dilution and overall safety. Longhole Resue Stoping utilises strike drives from where longholes are drilled into the shale and the reef in an up-dip direction moving on retreat. The shale is blasted with sufficient force into the mined-out area behind it, compacting it. The reef will be loaded by Load Haul Dumper (“LHD”) or dozer. It was determined that Rib Cutting Resue Stoping is more effective than Longhole Resue Stoping due to a higher extraction rate, lower dilution, reef loss reduction and improved shale sidewall stability. The operating angles and equipment height limits the application to only 51% of the available reef at Jeanette mine with favourable dip and thickness. Longhole Stoping can navigate hard rock, shale and increased dip angles; it can be applied to 91% of the available ore deposit. Longhole Resue Stoping and Rib Cutting Resue Stoping should both be considered as suitable stoping methods for Jeanette. / Thesis is submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree of Master of Science in Engineering to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, School of Mining Engineering, 2018 / XL2019

Thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy University of the Witwatersrand South Africa 2015 / A multidisciplinary sedimentological, stratigraphic, mineralogical and geochronological analysis of a small, fossil-bearing, Holocene hillslope deposit, flanking a mesa, has enabled a reconstruction of the palaeo-environmental history of the region. The hillslope deposit, located on the farm Heelbo in the eastern Free State Povince, South Africa, overlies Jurassic mudrock and sandstone of the Elliot Formation, Karoo Supergroup. The deposit is located on a steep (~10°) slope and covers an area of ~7 km2 in two separate sections. It extends ~475 m downslope and reaches a maximum thickness of at least 6-8 m towards the base. Mineralogy indicates the deposit is sourced from the mesa but its fine grain size and location on a steep slope position Heelbo outside the scope of traditionally described alluvial fans or colluvial deposits. The hillslope deposit is described as an alluvial slope based on the morphology of the deposit and the grain size distribution against the slope gradient. The deposit comprises fine-sand to silt- grain size, but is found on a steep (~10°) slope. The source of the sediment is shown to be the sediment of the mesa, rather than input from an aeolian source. The grains are described as sub-angular and poorly sorted which also suggests a local provenance for the sediment. Microscopic and XRF analysis confirm the derivation of the sediment from the Elliot Formation, with the lithic fragments derived from subarkoses to arkoses of the underlying bedrock of the Upper Elliot Formation (UEF) in the Karoo Supergroup. Secondary calcite was visible in only two of the thin sections, thus it is likely due to a diagenetic overprint that is constrained by depth from the surface or time and not to specific layers. The deposit is cut by several mature and continuous gully networks with V-shaped profiles in the proximal slope, and combined V- and U-shaped profiles in the medial and distal sections. Gully formation is linked to both the sodium adsorption ratio (SARs), and high soil clay content, which facilitates swelling and shrinking. The Heelbo deposit comprises two palaeosols (BT1 and BT2) and four sediment (B1, B2, RB and TS) horizons. Through luminescence dating, the ages were found to be approximately 6390 ± 740 years BP for the oldest Brown (B1) horizon and 250 ± 170 years BP for the Red Brown (RB) horizon. The radiocarbon ages of the sediment were inconclusive, but the 14C ages of the fossil bones were in agreement with the luminescence ages. The multiple palaeosol horizons identified suggest two cycles of deposition, pedogenesis and erosion of the alluvial succession. The palaeosols and the presence of calcareous nodules and rhizocretions, and smectite and mixed-layer clay minerals, together with the total absence of illite and kaolinite, suggest protracted, dry periods with intermittent short periods of high rainfall. This is a similar climate regime to what the region experiences currently. Main findings: The Heelbo alluvial slope comprises locally derived sediment, rather than an aeolian source. Heelbo suggests that the hillslope deposits classification system needs to be re-evaluated and opens opportunities for wider study of Pleistocene-Holocene hillslope deposits in central / northern South Africa. This study also contributes to climate change debates in the Holocene.

The aim of the study was to investigate the training of school governing bodies in the Free State Province from an education management point of view. Since 1994 the South African government has adopted a number of policy documents aimed at democratizing education in the country. The transformation of education in the new South African context encompasses the idea of partnership in which participants - such as parents, educators, learners (in secondary schools) play an active role in taking decisions on behalf of the school. The State alone cannot control schools, but has to share its power with other stakeholders. However, this can only happen if participants in school governance are trained to have power and the capacity to decide on matters affecting their schools. Hence, training is the cornerstone of affirming governors in the execution of their roles and responsibilities. Since school governing bodies are composed of a cross section of people with different ideologies, expectations and levels of education - training is necessary to prepare then for co-operative governance. Without adequate and on-going in-service training, it is unlikely that school governing body members can make informed decisions. The empirical method, namely qualitative research, was successful in obtaining information from participants about the training offered to them. It also established how participants felt and thought about their experiences and perceptions about the training they received, whether it built capacity or not. A number of recommendations were made with regard to the research findings for stakeholders to note. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Comparative Education)

Text in Afrikaans / Summaries in Afrikaans and English / Die doel van die sensus was om 'n perspektief te verkry oar die bestuur van plaaslike owerhede in die Vrystaat se primere gesondheidsafdelings deur verpleegkundiges. Faktore rakende die omvang van die verpleegkundige in beheer se bestuursfunksies, die werksverhoudinge tussen hulle en hul hoofde, hul optimale benutting ten opsigte van bestuur en sekere aspekte van hul bestuursopleiding is ge"ldentifiseer as belangrike komponente. Ontleding van data het getoon dat verpleegkundiges en hoofde van mekaar verskil ten opsigte van hul sienings rakende die bestuursfunksies van die verpleegkundige in beheer. Werksverhoudinge tussen die verpleegkundiges en hul direkte toesighouer is nie altyd bevredigend nie. Die swak benutting van hul bestuursvaardighede blyk vir die verpleegkundiges in beheer onaanvaarbaar te wees. Sekere aspekte van die bestuursopleiding van verpleegkundiges behoort aandag te geniet. Plaaslike owerhede behoort aan verpleegkundiges geleenthede vir voortgesette bestuursopleiding te bied. Aanbevelings om die optimale benutting van verpleegkundiges in beheer van primere gesondheidsafdelings van plaaslike owerhede te bevorder, is geformuleer. / The purpose of this census was to obtain a perspective on the management of primary health services of local authorities by nurses in the Free State. Factors regarding the extent of management in primary health care services by nurses, working relationships between them and their superiors, their optimal utilisation with regard to management and certain aspects of their managerial training, were identified as important components. Analysis of data indicated that nurses and their superiors differ from one another regarding their views on managerial functions of the nurses in charge. Working relationships between nurses in charge and their superiors were not always satisfactory. Nurses found the poor utilization of their management skills unacceptable. Certain aspects of the managerial training of nurses should receive attention. Local authorities should provide opportunities for ongoing managerial training for nurses. Recommendations to utilise nurses in charge of primary health care services optimally, were formulated. / Health Studies / M.A.