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Magister Philosophiae - MPhil / This research is set out as a narrative analysis of the functioning of church communities in moral formation from the selected congregations in the Diocese of Cape Town of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (ACSA). The study focussed on three churches in the diocese. The research methodology employed can be described as qualitative and descriptive in nature. The data was collected by means of interviews involving clergy, church wardens, leaders of various organisations/formations, and members of the church who are also community members.

The Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) is one of 23 extant crocodilian species, and has been farmed in southern Africa since the 1960s. For the crocodile industry, chronic stress and its often negative consequences are a concern, since stressors can negatively affect animal production as well as the health of the crocodiles. When confronted with a stressor, an individual displays a stress response consisting of a suite of physiological and behavioral alterations to cope with the challenge. So far, however, no method for determining stress-related responses in Nile crocodiles has been established. In other crocodilians, the assessment of physiological responses to stress, like the related alterations in glucocorticoid concentrations, has already been done, but only by using an invasive approach, with the disadvantage of a possible handling-induced stress response. By establishing a non-invasive technique to monitor glucocorticoid levels in captive Nile crocodiles based on faecal hormone analysis, this study not only made an important contribution to a better understanding of stress and related hormonal changes in Nile crocodiles, but also provided a solid basis for developing similar non-invasive tools to collect information on the level of stress experienced by other crocodilians. Specifically the study aimed 1) to assess adrenocortical activity in Nile crocodiles by measuring faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) concentrations, and 2) to characterise changes in FGM levels in captive Nile crocodiles in relation to different housing conditions. An adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenge was performed on 10 sub-adult crocodiles at Le Croc crocodile farm, South Africa, resulting in serum corticosterone levels of up to ~1200 %, 1 - 5 hours post-injection, above the pre-injection levels. An additional 8 individuals were exposed to electric immobilisation and handling only (control group), which resulted in a 20 – 2700 % elevation in serum corticosterone concentrations, indicating that handling was already a sufficient stressor. FGM levels in 3 singly housed animals (2 ACTH challenge; 1 handling only) reached peaks of 136 – 380 % above pre-injection levels at about 7 to 15 days following treatment, demonstrating that non-invasive hormone monitoring can be used for assessing adrenocortical function in captive Nile crocodiles based on FGM analysis. By assessing the impact of group size (n = 1, 2, or 4 individuals) on FGM levels, highest mean hormone values were found in the paired animals. A possible explanation for this finding could be that the necessary re-grouping for the study resulted in an unstable group composition, especially for the paired animals of similar size, which is reflected in comparable higher FGM concentrations. However, future research would be necessary to investigate this potential relationship in more detail. My study created opportunities to improve the management and welfare of farmed crocodiles in terms of more appropriate housing conditions and husbandry for these animals. Finally, the now established non-invasive method for monitoring adrenocortical function in Nile crocodiles provides a solid basis for further studies focusing on monitoring factors influencing adrenocortical function in populations of Nile crocodiles in the wild. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Paraclinical Sciences / unrestricted

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg in part fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master in Management in Public and Development Management, 2018 / The regional economic integration is a positive process at work in the world economy, as it acts as an effective vehicle for trade and economic and financial globalization, thereby fostering growth. Regional economic integration is also a reflection of the diversity of economies and their histories, and it is notable that the process follows markedly different patterns across the world. Africa like all other continents, has developed a rational response to the difficulties faced by a continent with many small national markets, challenges of geopolitics and landlocked countries to address these shortcomings. African governments have over the years developed strategies, and from that concluded a very large number of regional integration arrangements, to drive this idea. The Development Finance Institutions (DFI’s) play, a positive and significant role in fostering economic growth and with the impact being stronger in low to medium income countries than in higher income countries. Financial investment has a huge role in the economic growth and in turn economic development. In their nature, DFI’s have an additional role, that of, bridging the gap that arise, as a result of commercial banks not able to finance infrastructural needs (soft and hard), creativity and innovations, that will lead to meaningful regional economic integration. However, it is not clear whether the regional DFI’s are having any specified, significant role in the regional economic integration agenda, hence this research. The aim of this research is to investigate the effectiveness roles of the DBSA, in the regional economic integration, in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). This study approach, focuses on three (3) main questions which are aimed at determining the effectiveness of the DBSA’s roles in the regional economic integration. The secondary questions are a supporting instrument to the initial question and the questions are meant to find out about factors hindering the effectiveness of the supporting roles of DBSA in the SADC’s regional economic integration. In endeavoring to determine the structural challenges faced by the DBSA, in the SADC region, the investigations explored the interventions and or measures that would improve the bank’s supporting roles, especially because of its developmental importance in the region. To carry out this exploratory study, the investigation followed a qualitative research approach, as a framework and structured face to face interviews and document analysis were also used. Almost all respondents sighted that the major roles of the DBSA in the regional economic integration in SADC to often be associated with resource mobilization and financing of regional infrastructures in SADC, identification of areas for cooperation to facilitate the economic development of SADC and influencing policy development through research and information exchange and sharing. Most of the interviewees, emphasized that the DBSA, has done extremely well in providing both technical and financial support to the SADC in their endeavor to facilitate for the regional economic integration. Simultaneously, most interviewees agreed again, that the, hindrances and or limiting factors to the effectiveness of the supporting roles of DBSA in the SADC’s regional economic integration, have been the inhibiting inherent heterogeneity of SADC countries, inability of the SADC to hold member states accountable and responsible, lack of political will to implement the integration, legal factors, and significant reliance on grants and foreign funding. The results shows that DBSA has been found to be very technically able to deal with support in the regional economic integration. This result suggest that the SADC leadership should consider revising the roles, and the funding model of the DFI’s for the benefit of the regional economic integration agenda. / XL2019

The unemployment rate is one of the most important indicators of economic growth. Reducing unemployment is crucial to ensuring inclusive growth in a country. This paper analyses the relationship between the unemployment rate and other macroeconomic variables in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The purpose of the study is to compare and understand the observed unemployment disparities between southernmost and the rest of the SADC countries. It draws on the theoretical framework of the Phillips curve and Okun's law and uses static panel data and fully modified ordinary least squares techniques (FM-OLS) to estimate the empirical model. Annual data for the period 1991 to 2020 are used. Analyses are conducted both at the aggregate SADC data level and at the subgroup level, i.e. at the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and non-SACU country levels. Diagnostic tests are conducted to ensure the robustness of the models. The empirical results of this study show that labour productivity, external debt and population have significant effects on unemployment across the SADC region. Inflation, labour productivity and population have significant effects in SACU, while external debt, labour productivity and population have significant effects in non-SACU countries. Gross domestic product (GDP) growth and foreign direct investment (FDI) have mixed but insignificant effects on the unemployment rate, indicating a low employment elasticity of growth in the region.

No / Once torn by ideological conflicts and the dominance of command economies, Southern Africa is now moving towards economic liberalism and openness. In general, the ascendancy of 'market economics' is acknowledged by its governments, albeit with different degrees of enthusiasm. Theoretically rich and empirically engaging this timely book offers a critical insight into the ensuing debate on regionalism and the process of regionalization in southern Africa.

The delivery of land administration (LA) systems particularly in urban areas underpins housing, industry and infrastructure development as well as the smooth operation of land and credit markets. However, fragmentation of LA activities across several autonomous organizations generally impairs end to end business processes flow and delivery. To facilitate improved service of LA systems we suggest the end to end measurement and monitoring of their business processes across organizational boundaries. This study proposes a performance measurement system that can facilitate end to end measurement and comparison of cross organizational business processes (CBPs) in LA. The research, which is structured in 2 parts, is based on a multi site study of LA CBPs in 6 urban municipalities across Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. First, a measurement instrument (scorecard) built on six key CBP performance measurement areas of quality and technological innovation (enablers of results), cost and time (measures of results) and customer satisfaction and society (measures of external success (or impact), is presented. To facilitate measurement across organizational boundaries, the proposed dimensions were embedded onto a multi level structural model that link process activities to sub processes and CBPs. For 5 of the 6 municipalities, a conventional case of subdivision of privately owned land within an established township was used to develop CBP descriptions and process models for each municipality. A comparison of CBP and sub process similarities between municipalities was then done using the similarity scenario degree. Our results showed similarities of over 60% for most CBPs while mixed values were obtained for sub processes. The similarity results were further used as a base for the construction of a business process reference model. The second part of the research tested the applicability of quality and time dimensions. Using the survey examination and approval and deeds examination and approval sub processes, the quality of submitted work was measured using performance indicators of process yield and rejection rates at 2 survey examination and 3 deeds registration sites. Our results showed that 80% and 60% of survey records submitted at both survey examination sites were rejected and returned backwards for corrections due to quality deficits. Based on our results, we conducted a root cause analysis at one of the survey examination sites to identify major contributors to lower process yield. In addition, we suggested numerous technological innovations to improve quality. Using the same sites, we then went on to measure and compare cycle times for cadastral survey examination and approval considering quality. Our results showed that 70% and 52% of survey records with good quality had approval times of 20 days or less for the first and second sites, respectively while only 32% and 18% of records with poor quality (for same sites) were approved within 60 days. Furthermore, shorter cycle times appeared to indicate lower process costs. After the separate analysis of the quality and time measurements, a global performance index that aggregates individual measures into a composite value was presented. Overall, the study has shown the potential of end to end CBP performance measurement in improving delivery and service of land administration in a holistic manner. The results are important for initiatives directed at integration and improvement of land administration operations. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2010.

No abstract available. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2013.

A theology of Church music for worship has been conspicuous by its absence. The need is clearly demonstrated in this thesis, as is the methodology to develop this theology. The Biblical record of musical usage shows that theological principles can be uncovered to guide theuse of music today. The same process can be applied to the use of music for worship in church history. In order for these principles to have practical application, the challenges facing the Methodist of Southern Africa today are examined. Finally, a theology of Worship Music is developed under three headings. The first, Worship Music as Sacred Sound, explores the inherent music making of God, and of humanity. The second heading, Worship Music as Sacred Act, explores the way music is used as part of the Church's worship activity. The third heading, Worship Music as Sacred Word, explains how music can communicate in worship. / Philosophy, Practical & Sytematic Theology / M. Th. (Systematic Theology)

A theology of Church music for worship has been conspicuous by its absence. The need is clearly demonstrated in this thesis, as is the methodology to develop this theology. The Biblical record of musical usage shows that theological principles can be uncovered to guide theuse of music today. The same process can be applied to the use of music for worship in church history. In order for these principles to have practical application, the challenges facing the Methodist of Southern Africa today are examined. Finally, a theology of Worship Music is developed under three headings. The first, Worship Music as Sacred Sound, explores the inherent music making of God, and of humanity. The second heading, Worship Music as Sacred Act, explores the way music is used as part of the Church's worship activity. The third heading, Worship Music as Sacred Word, explains how music can communicate in worship. / Philosophy, Practical and Sytematic Theology / M. Th. (Systematic Theology)