This paper describes the soil remediation techniques that were employed at five bulk petroleum storage depots across southern Africa and the results of the remediation process. The different sites were remediated using up to date technologies, in as timeous a manner as possible. The remediation trains that were employed were specifically designed for the specific site, based on available technologies and products. The paper takes a case study approach and describes site by site the characteristics of the site, the areas of identified contamination to be remediated and the type of remediation train that was implemented. In most cases soil samples were taken before, during and after the remediation process in order to assess the success of the remediation plan. The sites were remediated through a commercial remediation company and thus a number of limiting factors were imposed, mostly due to budget and availability of technology constraints. However it is shown that in spite of these constraints, the effective remediation of hydrocarbon contaminated petroleum storage depots in southern Africa is possible. / Prof. J.T. Harmse

M.Sc. / The study site for this project is New Clydesdale Colliery situated in the Witbank Coalfield, South Africa. The Witbank Coalfield is located within the northern part of the Karoo Basin where the major coal deposits in South Africa are located. Optimum ash fusion temperatures derived from coal in this region are approximately 1400°C, and higher, although temperatures above 1300°C are also acceptable. In certain coal seams the ash fusion temperatures drop well below this optimum temperature, leading at times to problems in the user industry. Ash fusion temperature which is the temperature at which the mineral matter in coal begins to soften, flow and fuse, is an important aspect relating to coal utilization but is little understood and under-studied in South Africa. The objective of this thesis is to attempt to determine what factors, mineralogical or inorganic chemical, influence variations in the ash fusion temperatures in certain coal samples. An understanding of this problem will have a bearing on the ultimate assessment of a coal for utilization purposes, in general, and ash deposition prediction in future boiler plants in particular. This study is somewhat pioneering as no detailed studies have been undertaken or published previously. Samples were collected at four sites from New Clydesdale Colliery. The sample sites were selected based on pre-existing knowledge of the ash fusion temperatures obtained from company analytical sheets. The sites were therefore representative of low and high ash fusion temperature coal. The first two sites were located in the opencast area where the No. 2 seam is actively being mined. The other two sites were located underground where mining has ceased. Conventional analyses conducted on the samples include proximate analyses, calorific values, percentage sulphur, and ash fusion temperatures. Further analyses performed included ash analyses (composition of ash), X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and petrographic studies. It was found that although complex relationships exist between ash fusion temperature and the various geological and coal parameters, positive results were obtained. These indicate a possible relationship between low ash fusion temperatures and i) finer size fractions, ii) an increase in iron content present in the form of pyrite and iii) the form in which pyrite is present, namely cleats. High ash fusion temperatures tend to correlate with i) the absence of pyrite or ii) pyrite present as framboids.

D.Com. (Economics) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.Com. (Business Management) / Community engagement (CE) has been a concept which the has struggled with since it was first proposed. The purpose of this study was to explore how community engagement has been implemented in South African universities. A literature study, a data matrix analysis and interviews with the respondents who met the criteria of the study were used to collect and analyse the data. Primary data was gathered through personal in-depth interviews, and secondary data was gathered through university websites and is shown in a data matrix. The questions were aligned with the objectives set out in the study. The study examined, through a literature review, the themes underpinning the objectives of the research, namely the development of CE, CE policy, defining community, engagement, community engagement and implementation and monitoring. Each subject was investigated individually, after which the research literature was evaluated to determine how CE developed and what the basic definition of the concept entails. In the literature component a critical conceptual analysis of CE at universities reflects a lack of a structural and functional framework for the functioning of CE. The analysis of the data revealed that only a few universities have a CE policy; the majority of universities do, however, have a CE definition. The data also revealed that most universities have a CE office, but that this is not supported by an enabling university environment of clear monitoring and evaluation practices. Thus it can be concluded with limitations that CE is only effectively implemented in a few universities in South Africa, and that there is a need for a clear definition of the concept as well as the introduction of monitoring and evaluation tools.

LL.D. / The bill of lading in South African law is the theme of this study. In the first part of the thesis, the bill of lading in its traditional paper form is examined. The aim of the first part of the study is to reconcile the bill of lading that is based on English law with the principles of South African law, especially regarding concepts such as possession and ownership. A plea is made for the application of South African law to bills of lading rather than English law exclusively. Even though English law undoubtedly forms the basis of the law governing bills of lading, such law should be applied in a way that is consistent with the general principles of South African law. The functions of the bill of lading are considered in detail, particularly the bill of lading as a document of title. A submission is made of five characteristics of a document of title. The conclusion is that the bill of lading, though based on English law concepts, can be integrated into South African law without difficulty. The subsequent examination of the transfer of contractual rights and the imposition of liabilities will show that there is a dire need for new legislation in South Africa to replace an English Act of 1855. The current proposals for such legislation are, however, in need of extensive revision. The fact that the traditional bill of lading only arrives at the port of destination after the goods, leads to a multitude of problems. The carrier may only deliver the goods in exchange for a bill of lading. Letters of indemnity are therefore used to protect the carrier that delivers the goods without receiving a bill of lading. Such indemnities will be enforceable in South African law if the carrier has no reason to suspect that the receiver of the goods is not entitled to delivery. The consideration of the nature and functions of the traditional bill of lading, enables the study to progress to an examination of an electronic bill of lading. The use of an electronic bill of lading means that many problems facing the traditional bill of lading can be avoided. The continuing evolution of the bill of lading will be examined against the background of electronic commerce. Writing and signature requirements should not inhibit the development of an electronic bill of lading. The difficulty facing the dematerialisation of the bill of lading is providing for negotiability in an electronic environment, and ensuring that an electronic bill of lading is the equivalent of an original and unique paper bill of lading. It is possible to create an electronic bill of lading that performs all the functions of a traditional bill of lading, and there are examples of the use of such electronic bills of lading in practice. Delivery of the goods can take place by way of attomment rather than the usual symbolical delivery following the transfer of a paper bill of lading. It is submitted that there is currently no need for legislative intervention to provide for electronic bills of lading in South Africa.

M.A. (Politics) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.Comm. (Transport Economics) / In order to address the issue of who is responsible for airport development, maintenance, management and funding, a national airports policy is required. It is the opinion of the scheduled and charter airlines in South Africa that there is a lack of a formal comprehensive national airports policy and describes this problem as a major reason why there are problem areas at non-state airports with regard to management and funding. There is common concern in the airline industry in South Africa that passenger safety at airports is compromised and poses a disadvantage to both passengers and airline operators. The current policy with regard to airports in South Africa can therefore be regarded as being inadequately defined with definite shortcomings. In order to determine a policy research was undertaken to determine the current position and status of airport management, control and funding in South Africa and internationally. Shortcomings were identified and recommendations were made to address these shortcomings. The methodology followed for this study included a literature analysis of the role which aviation and airports play in the transportation system and what impact they have on economic development of a region, tourism, mobility and accessability to a region and a questionnaire survey of non-state airport operators to determine the status quo situation with regard to policy issues was undertaken. Personal interviews have also been conducted with airport operators, airline management, various local and regional authority officials. Interaction took place with the Airlines Association of South Africa (AASA) by means of a special committee. As part of the study an international overview has also been included. It became evident from the study that there are two main areas of concern where problems exist which need to be addressed namely safety and management which includes funding of non-state airports. With regard to passenger safety at non-state airports, the question which was raised in this study was whether the existing minimum legislative requirements with regard to equipment and facilities are adequate. This question was raised in view of the fact that the last amendment of the Aerodrome Regulations was in 1982 and since then there has been a substantial increase in passenger volumes as well as the introduction of much larger aircraft. To address this problem, it is recommended that the Ministerof Transport appoint a task group to evaluate the existing regulations and to make amendments where necessary. It is also recommended that once the regulations have been evaluated and amended, more emphasis is placed on enforcement of these regulations. With regard to the management and funding of non-state airports the study has shown that the authorities included in this study find it difficult to cope with the financial strain of being solely responsible for the management and funding of non-state airports in South Africa. In order to address this problem and to reach a mutually acceptable and favourable situation, three options were considered. These options were that of maintaining the status quo situation, increased involvement by the Regional Services Councils (RSC's) or Joint Services Boards (JBS's) and involvement by the recently established airports company. This study has proven that maintaining the status quo is unacceptable and that by increasing the responsibilities of RSC's and JSB's with regard to management and funding do not provide the ultimate solution to the current situation and that an alternative solution is required. It is recommended that, as is the case in other countries, the airports company become involved in the upgrading and improvement of certain major regional airports. It could in some cases result in new airports being developed. This solution does not necessarily mean that all non-state airports must fall under control of the airports company, and that all responsibility be withdrawn from the RSC's. The RSC's would maintain their regional responsibility as stated in the Regional Services Council Act of 1985 and the funding and management of only selected airports would fall under the joint responsibility of RSC's and the airports company. The selection of airports would be based on the airport's contribution to economic development and accessibility to a region, the extent of aircraft and passenger movements at the airport, and the airport's contribution to the tourism industry. This policy therefore proposes a joint venture between certain RSC's and JSB's and the airports company to finance, upgrade, maintain or even build new regional non-state airports that will benefit regions and therefore also South Africa. Co-operation between organisations similar to the airports company and nostate airports also exists in other countries. South African legislation which established the airports company appears not to preclude the proposed solution. A National Airports Policy for South Africa would therefore contain the following categories of Airports:- Major South African gateway airports (State-owned airports), managed by the airports company. Primary airports for feeder air services, managed and financed jointly by the airports company and the responsible RSC's/JSS's, or by the airports company only. Secondary airports for feeder air services, where the status quo is maintained (eg. control by regional services councils, local authorities, consortiums, mining companies, private companies, etc.). Local airports, where the status quo is maintained

M.Com. (Business Management) / The study was conducted to address a few of the fundamental factors that contributed to the present housing shortage in South Africa and also to emphasise certain aspects that may assist in the proper functioning of a future housing scheme in a post-apartheid South Africa. Substantial consensus has been reached by researchers that urbanisation should concentrate on employment creation, be development-oriented, and emphasise economic growth. Undesirable phenomena such as poverty, unemployment and the deterioration of land should be managed by the elimination of factors such as a high population increase, development backlogs and restrictions on mobility by means of long term strategies that are executed on a step by step basis. Affordable standards and realistic regulations for housing, physical infrastructure and social services should be implemented on an urgent basis to promote home ownership for all sectors of the market. The study substantiates the importance of the formulation of special programmes for the prevention and the reduction of housing backlogs as well as for the promotion of the upgrading of existing structures. All this must however be done within the financial ability of the state which in turn necessitates a substantial and urgent increase in contributions from the private sector.

M.Com. (Business Management) / The subject of this study is the legal position of the company director in South Africa and the influence of the law on the exercise of his management function in the business entity. The law as it pertains to the director is often thought to be unclear and it is a fact that many directors are not aware of all their duties. It is thus necessary to find out what the legal position is and the director must be aware of what the effect of this 'viII be on his function to manage. Is it possible that changes in the law can lead to more efficient management? In this study the conclusion is made that the legal position of the director is quite clear. However, a few changes to the legal position are recommended. The South African director has stringent duties of loyalty and good faith, but very light obligations of skill and diligence. It is recommended that a higher degree of care and skill should be required from the director. A distinction is drawn between the executive director and non-executive director. The main difference being that the executive director participates in the day-to-day management of the company's affairs or of a portion thereof, while the non-executive director does not. For this reason the executive director is the focus of the study. The focus of his management function is strategy formulation. He must keep the undertaking on track through effective strategic management. We are entering the information age where flexibility, creativity and innovation will determine success. Third-wave management will be critical in the future and the director will have to adopt this new approach to management to make sure that his undertaking will be adaptable to change.

M.Com. (Financial Economics) / The main concern of this study was to evaluate whether an announcement to host major international sporting tournaments in South Africa is perceived by stock market investors to be associated with net economic benefits for the domestic stock market. If the economic activities associated with a tournament are perceived to be beneficial stock prices should react positively and if such activities are perceived to be bad then prices should react negatively; else there should be no reaction if such announcement conveys no relevant investment information for the stock market. The study applied an event study methodology to analyse the daily historical log returns of the Johannesburg Securities Exchange (JSE) All Share Index (ALSI). It uses bidwinning announcements that South Africa would host three major international sporting tournaments, namely, the 1995 Rugby World Cup, 2003 Cricket World Cup, and 2010 Soccer World Cup. Event windows of 41 days, inclusive of announcement dates, are used to observe price reactions. The estimation samples consisted of 250 daily returns in the pre-event window period. Overall, the results showed that in South Africa all announcements led to a positive price reaction. Thus, the announcements for South Africa to be hosting these tournaments conveyed useful positive information to investors in the JSE.