Abstract The creation of nine provincial governments in 1994 held great promise as a key reform towards meeting the ideals of democracy and inclusiveness, in addition to representing an attempt to make government more efficient and effective. Nine provinces superseded an apartheid-based system of governing that defined the Republic of South Africa as four provinces containing self-governing territories and independent homelands for Africans. In cognisance of emerging arguments that propose that the South African government would operate more efficiently and effectively in the absence of this middle sphere of government, this article seeks to challenge such claims. Undoubtedly, provinces are hampered by a number of challenges, not the least of which relates to their limited abilities to generate sufficient own revenue. At the same time much of the responsibility for the provision of public goods and services rests with the provinces in the manner specified in Schedules 4 and 5 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996. The natural question arising from the latter situation is – if not for Provinces, would either local government or national government be able to fill the void that would be left behind by the exit (partial or otherwise) of provinces? In light of the above-noted arguments and counter-arguments, the right of existence of provincial government(s) is briefly explored.

Magister Commercii - MCom / The study aims to identify the management competencies needed during the time of crisis at a university as perceived by the stakeholders. The study includes the top tier of management including the Executive Management of the University, as well as Deans of Faculties and Directors of Units, Centres, Divisions and Institutes. This research study explores the specific competencies emphasised in crises and uses the case of a university and its top management tier in the face of the #FeesMustFall onslaught. The researcher tests the perceptions and feelings of the university’s designated stakeholders (staff) with self-administered questionnaires to establish which competencies are present within management during a time of crisis. The reason for this study is to identify the management competencies at play during a time of crisis at a university and to establish university managements as crisis managers.

Magister Educationis - MEd / The democratisation of the South African government created a policy environment that enabled transformation in every sphere of our society. Transformation of the education sector was marked by the adoption of inclusive education as a constitutional imperative in this country. This resulted in attempts to make ordinary mainstreams schools more accessible to learners with disabilities. The transformation of schools into inclusive institutions is a tedious process that is being further complicated by the contentious nature of the notion of inclusion. The challenge to schools and institutions is that there is no measuring instrument against which schools can measure their own development, and which can inform the process they embark on. Against this backdrop this study aimed at developing an instrument that could guide schools through the process of becoming more inclusive. The question that this study seeks to answer is: What are the indicators that can be used to evaluate the development of inclusive practices in mainstream schools in the Western Cape context? Methodologically the study is set in a qualitative research paradigm that employed a participatory action research method (PAR), that matches the spirit of democracy that permeates the society in which participants in study found themselves in. In-depth interviews were used to pursue the aim of the study. Inclusive education is described in literature as an elusive and contentious concept. This description resonated well with the findings of this study as participants conceptualised inclusive education in a variety of ways. The study explored the three interconnected dimensions of inclusive education to direct the development of inclusive education in a school. This exploration yielded a variety of indicators for each dimension that were categorised in general indicators and more specific indicators. These general and specific indicators, as were foregrounded by the participants, were then collated in an instrument that the stakeholders of the school could use to support and monitor the implementation of inclusive cultures, policies and practices in their school.

Characterized by scenic beauty and biodiversity, yet impoverished peoples, the Wild Coast of South Africa lies at a development crossroads, whereby various land-use proposals offer different outcomes. This thesis sought to analyze various stakeholder arguments in support of development strategies, especially involving the local people and environment. Based on a document analysis and interviews, the predominant development strategies supported were small community development initiatives (SCDIs) and tourism, supported by NGOs, and mining, supported by the private sector yet opposed by NGOs. A major finding was that while government outlines many development “objectives”, successful results are negligible, suggesting that this sector is an overall ineffective determinant for Wild Coast development. NGO and private sectors provided valid arguments in support of their strategies, leaving the researcher to conclude that means of collaboration should be determined in order to best develop the Wild Coast (via SCDIs, tourism, and mining) and improve local livelihoods.

Characterized by scenic beauty and biodiversity, yet impoverished peoples, the Wild Coast of South Africa lies at a development crossroads, whereby various land-use proposals offer different outcomes. This thesis sought to analyze various stakeholder arguments in support of development strategies, especially involving the local people and environment. Based on a document analysis and interviews, the predominant development strategies supported were small community development initiatives (SCDIs) and tourism, supported by NGOs, and mining, supported by the private sector yet opposed by NGOs. A major finding was that while government outlines many development “objectives”, successful results are negligible, suggesting that this sector is an overall ineffective determinant for Wild Coast development. NGO and private sectors provided valid arguments in support of their strategies, leaving the researcher to conclude that means of collaboration should be determined in order to best develop the Wild Coast (via SCDIs, tourism, and mining) and improve local livelihoods.

There is a close relationship between the industrial policies pursued by a government, and the nature and pace of the country's developmental path. The impact of industrial policy is important as it effects the social as well as economic development of the country. The South African government has developed an industrial policy as part of an aggressive strategy to position South Africa within the global economy, and stimulate the national economy through export-led growth for sustainable socio-economic development. The Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) Programme is a strategic initiative developed by the South African Department of Trade and Industry to encourage economic growth through export-orientated industry. The IDZs will operate as liberalised duty free and multi-sector development areas, and have been designed to have a simplified business environment with streamlined administrative systems to attract investment and maximise private sector participation in all aspects of zone operations and development. The aim of this is study is two-fold. Firstly to examine the extent to which the IDZ initiative can be expected to stimulate economic growth; and secondly to make recommendations to maximise the operations of the IDZs, which will ultimately add value to the resultant effects in the national economy. An examination of economic industrial location and trade theory has been undertaken and to address the question of whether the location of industry can be a stimulant or an impediment to plans for the involvement of international trade in the strategic development of the national economy. A second consideration is whether the IDZs are a strategically suitable means to achieve these economic objectives. In order to give perspective to this question, the concept of IDZs as they have been applied in other areas of the world (although termed differently in different areas) has been considered, as well as the IDZs as designed and intended for the South Africa. An assessment of the suitability of this initiative involves an evaluation of the extent to which it matches the specific needs of the South African economy. Data on the South African economic situation, patterns and predicted trends has been gathered, The findings of this study, based on the theories and empirical evidence, are: 1) The localisation of industry and supply-side features of the IDZs will create the conditions for the concentrated growth of an export-driven economy. Foreign direct investment and increased production in this sector will boost export and increase international competitiveness. 2) The IDZs can only be effective in meeting economic objectives if they are run with optimal expertise and service levels. The efficient and effective functioning of the IDZs will ensure concentrated growth in the industrial sector aimed at the export market. Specific recommendations are thus made for a private company with relevant experience and expertise to act in the capacity of an IDZ operator to optimise the level of service and operation of the IDZ. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

As part of environmental fiscal reform initiatives the South African government proposed, inter alia, increases in vehicle customs and excise duties (ad valorem) and the licensing fees of fuel-inefficient vehicles. Consequently it is proposed that the existing ad valorem excise duties on motor vehicles be adjusted to incorporate carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions as an environmental criterion from 1 March 2010. The purpose of these proposed vehicle green taxes is to discourage the acquisition and use of vehicles with higher carbon dioxide emissions and fuel-inefficient vehicles. The prospects of it achieving the aforementioned purpose could however be affected by the design of the proposed vehicle green taxes and the provisions of the Income Tax Act 58 of 1962. An extended literature review (non-empirical study) was performed. Literature on studies in Japan, European Union countries and fiscal reform instruments implemented in United States were reviewed. Certain weaknesses in, and alternatives for, the proposed vehicle green taxes were noted. The focus on consumers is probably the most important weakness which could be addressed by the implementation of a “feebate” policy (with the focus on vehicle manufacturers and “fuel economy technology”). Based on the findings of this study it is also apparent that certain provisions of the Income Tax Act 58 of 1962 do allow for a tax deduction if the proposed vehicle green taxes are incurred (depending on the category of the taxpayer). The possible tax deduction could impair the ability of the proposed vehicle green taxes affecting purchasing and usage behaviour. As section 23(d), of Income Tax Act 58 of 1962, currently does not prohibit these deductions possible amendments thereto should also be considered. Copyright / Dissertation (MCom)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Taxation / unrestricted

The South African Government adopted a new policy approach to national security in 1996. Whilst this contemporary approach is acknowledged, particularly in raising the political profile of issues such as poverty, environmental matters and human rights, it nevertheless raises concern about its sustainability in the long term, particularly with regard to the overwide agenda that views national security in the broad sense to incorporate political, military, economic, social and environmental matters. This concern resulted in the need to appraise the significance of the factors that underpin the fundamental shift in South Africa's approach to national security; to conduct an assessment of the understanding and perceptions held about South Africa’s approach to the national security; and to propose some measures which Government can use to sustain the new approach to national security including possible areas for further research. This study was carried out following a qualitative research methodology that combines both the descriptive and analytical approaches. The descriptive approach largely draws from the literature survey of primary and secondary sources while interview questions were formulated with the intention of eliciting perceptions held by a selected group of individuals about South Africa’s approach to national security. The findings confirmed that notwithstanding the elevation of the political profile of nonmilitary issues in the country’s new paradigm on national security, its most 100 important shortcoming is to seemingly automatically elevate these nonmilitary issues to the status of national security issues. The research finding also established that South Africa’s contemporary approach to national security is understood differently by the different strata of society, including a skewed perspective within the security forces. Most importantly, the study indicates that there is a requirement to adjust and align the imperatives of 1994 with the emergent realities of 2004 and beyond through the institution of requisite changes with a focus towards an integrated national security policy. It is therefore clear that a number of issues regarding South Africa’s current approach to national security need to be further debated and researched including the underlying assumptions, but also the further operationalisation and implementation of national security policy. / Dissertation (MSS(Security Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Political Sciences / MSS / unrestricted

The task entrusted to the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) is to provide and manage a world class, sustainable national roads network for the country as cost-efficiently as possible, in order to encourage economic growth and develop the quality of life of all South Africans. Underlying this task was the acknowledgement that transport plays a vital role in the economic and social development of any country. To achieve this, the South African Government currently provides government-guarantees of several billion Rands to enable SANRAL to negotiate loans from the capital markets to fund the development and maintenance of the national toll road network. With regard to non-toll national roads, SANRAL receives per annum budgetary amounts to maintenance and development. However, such funding is only sufficient to maintain approximately 40% of the non-toll national road network. The abovementioned information and statistics imply that currently SANRAL may have insufficient funds available to develop and maintain the required primary national road network. SANRAL’s main objective is to obtain the funding required to develop and maintain the proposed primary national road network and to reduce the dependency on government-guaranteed debt. As a result the toll roads policy alternative was elected as a vehicle towards executing SANRAL’s mandate. This article explores the modalities associated with the toll road policy alternative pursued by SANRAL. Copyright / Dissertation (MAdmin)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / School of Public Management and Administration (SPMA) / unrestricted

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / It has become a world trend that the opportunity for university education should be made available to all. The twentieth century witnessed the partial demolition of the barrier that retained higher education as the privilege of the élite group. Attendance at a university is seen today as the gateway to the membership of a profession, and to all the benefits of improved economic and social status. Rapid economic and industrial development in South Africa and overseas in the second half of this century has caused a general shortage of scientific manpower. Malherbe (1977, 496) stresses that full opportunities for developing the talent of every individual are no longer an idealistic aim but an economic necessity. The Wiehahn Commission (1980, 12), appointed by the South African Government to inquire into labour legislation and labour systems in South Africa, reported that a serious shortage of skilled manpower for professional, managerial and technical positions still exists. The universities, now having a major responsibility in the preparation of such personnel, have assumed greater significance as far as the public and private sectors are concerned. Educated people are a part of the nation's best human resources, and because education is one of the chief assets of the individual, there is a compelling need for research to improve the academic performance of students at all levels, especially at university. Arising from the shortage of skilled manpower and the increasingly growing demand for tertiary -education, more students enter universities. The rapid increase in university enrolment has brought with it new interest and concern relating to those students who fail or drop out. The problems of failure and drop-out at university have been the subject of many investigations in Western countries, especially Great Britain (Miller, 1970; Butcher and Rudd, 1972) and the United States of America (Pervin et aZ, -1965; Astin, 1971). In South Africa, the Government appointed a Commission of Inquiry into White universities (Van Wyk de Vries, 1974). Included in its terms of reference were: transition from school to university, and the high failure rate among undergraduates. As Astin (1975, 1) points out, most studies take the view that decision-makers legitimately want to know more about how to increase the students' chances of graduating. This concern is based, inter aZia, on: loss of talent; waste of limited educational resources; vocational and personal setbacks resulting from the student's impeded career development; futile expenditure of money, time and effort. The incidence of failure and drop-out evokes painful responses not only from the student but also from others, including his parents and his university. To parents, the admission to university of their son or daughter often represents a fulfilled ambition and the fruition of years of struggle and hope. Therefore failure or drop-out by the student is also a shattering experience for most parents - many of whom feel that they have failed as parents