Thesis (MPA)--Stellenbosch University, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The focus of this study is to determine the perception of entry-level constables, field training officers and supervisors with regard to the level of competencies in the condensed Police Basic Training Programme. The research was done in the Pretoria area, which consisted oftwenty-one stations and the Pretoria West Basic Training College. The entry-level constable should complete both the college phase and the field training phase to be declared competent. The entry-level constable completed a questionnaire after completion of the college training and completed a second questionnaire after completion of the field training. The sample group consisted of a convenience group based in the Pretoria area representing the majority of the stations in the area. The supervisors of the entry-level constables were also requested to complete a similar questionnaire. The researcher interviewed the field training officers and mentors by means of a semistructured questionnaire. The entry-level constables were questioned on thirty-seven competencies during both the college and field training. Some competencies included were basic, whilst the other were classified as complex competencies. The duration of the college training and the field training were each four months. The entry-level constables were taught on various subjects in academics that included Law, Elements of a crime, Specific crimes, Statutory and Common Law, Communication, Detention and Law of evidence. Other areas of training were Musketry, Drill and Physical training. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die fokus van hierdie studie is om die persepsie van intree-vlak konstabels, veldopleidingsbeamptes en toesighouers te bepaal aangaande die vlak van bevoegdhede in die gekondenseerde Polisie Basiese Opleidingsprogram. Hierdie navorsing is in die Pretoria-area voltooi, en sluit 21 stasies asook die Pretoria-Wes Basiese Opleidingskollege in. Die intree-vlak konstabel moes beide die kollege- en die veldopleidingsfase voltooi het om bevoegd verklaar te word. Die intree-vlak konstabel het 'n vraelys voltooi na die voltooiing van beide die fases van opleiding. Die proefgroep het uit 'n geskiktheidsgroep bestaan wat in die Pretoria-area gestasioneer is en verteenwoordig die oorgrote meerderheid van die stasies in die area. Die toesighouers oor die intree-vlak konstabels is ook versoek om 'n vraelys te voltooi. Die navorser het onderhoude gevoer met die veldopleidingsbeamptes en mentors met behulp van semigestruktureerde vraelyste. Die vraelys het 37 bevoegdhede van die intree-vlak konstabels getoets wat hulle tydens beide hul kollege- en veldopleiding aangeleer het. Sommige van hierdie bevoegdhede was basies terwyl ander as komplekse bevoegdhede geklassifiseer is. Die tydsduur van die kollege- en veldopleiding was vier maande elk. Die intree-vlak konstabels het opleiding in verskeie vakke ontvang insluitende Regte, Elemente van 'n oortreding, Spesifieke oortredings, Landswette en Gemene reg, Kommunikasie, Aanhouding en Regte van bewyse. Ander areas van opleiding sluit in skietkuns, driloefeninge en fisieke opleiding.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The management of change in the South African public sector is facing a number of challenges. An integrated management model for the effective management of change in public sector organisations, which recognises the characteristics and environment of the public sector and integrates different approaches towards the management of organisational change, is not generally known or available to change agents in the public sector. The overall research objective is to develop an integrated management model for the effective management of change in the public sector. The differences and similarities in the management of change in public and private sector organisations will also be examined. Strategic management, organisational development and transformation as approaches towards management of change are analised in terms of processes, techniques, interventions and guidelines to manage the organisation through the change process. The concepts of organisation culture, leadership, power, authority, communication, ethics and role of change agents are studied. International case studies of the transformed public sectors of the United States of America and Britain are examined for guidelines that can be applied to the South African public sector. The case studies revealed that the success of public sector transformation resulted from the application of private sector management principles and practices. From the author's research it was found that changes in the political, economic and socio-cultural environment of the South African public sector, the new Constitution, new legal and policy frameworks, directives for transparency and inclusivity as well as the required social, political and administrative organisational cultures have a strong impact on the process and contents of management of change in the public sector. Supporting evidence was found that the application of strategic .management in the public sector provides direction for organisations, assists in analysing the external environment systematically and promotes the co-ordination of change management activities, provided the characteristics of the public sector are taken into account. Organisational culture can be changed through incremental processes and actions whilst culture replacement can be managed through revolutionary processes. Leaders and change agents should consolidate management and organisational behavioural competencies in an integrative approach towards the management of change. They must also aquire and demonstrate the necessary knowledge and skills to give direction, empower, communicate, validate, advise and inspire people on organisational, group and individual level. The change process requires a well planned and broadly consulted communication plan, structures and channels. Internal change agents (leaders, managers, etcetera) and external change agents (consultants, new members of top management, etcetera) should be appointed as members of a multi-disciplinary transformation team that will plan, facilitate and monitor the change process. Through research, the author has developed an integrated management model for the management of change in the public sector, comprising of 5 phases and 16 steps, some of which should be executed simultaneously and others consecutively to ensure a holistic process and the advantages of integrating the various approaches towards the management of change in the public sector. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die bestuur van verandering in die Suid-Afrikaanse publieke sektor kom voor verskeie uitdagings te staan. 'n Geintegreerde bestuursmodel vir die effektiewe bestuur van verandering in publieke-sektor-organisasies, wat die aard en omgewing van die publieke sektor erken en verskeie benaderings tot die bestuur van organisasieverandering integreer, is nie algemeen aan veranderingsagente in die publieke sektor bekend of beskikbaar nie. Die oorkoepelende navorsingsdoel is om 'n ge"integreerde bestuursmodel vir die effektiewe bestuur van verandering in die publieke sektor te ontwikkel. Die wesenlikheid van verskille en ooreenkomste in die bestuur van verandering in die privaat- en publieke-sektor-organisasies word ondersoek. Strategiese bestuur, asook organisasie-ontwikkeling en -transformasie, word ontleed as benaderings tot bestuur van verandering in terme van prosesse, tegnieke, intervensies en riglyne wat gevolg kan word om organisasies deur die veranderingsproses te bestuur. Die konsepte van organisasiekultuur, leierskap, mag, gesag, kommunikasie, etiek en die rol van veranderingsagente word ondersoek. Internasionale gevallestudies van die getransformeerde publieke sektore van die Verenigde State van Amerika en Brittanje word ondersoek vir riglyne wat in die Suid-Afrikaanse publieke sektor toegepas kan word. Die gevallestudies het aan die lig gebring dat die suksesvolle publieke-sektortransformasies die gevolg was van die toepassing van privaatsektorbestuursbeginsels. Uit die skrywer se navorsing is bevind dat die politieke, ekonomiese en sosio-kulturele omgewing van die Suid-Afrikaanse publieke sektor, die nuwe Grondwet, verskeie nuwe wetgewende en beleidsraamwerke en direktiewe aangaande deursigtigheid, inklusiwiteit sowel as die vereiste sosiale, politieke en administratiewe organisasiekulture, 'n sterk impak op die proses en program vir die bestuur van verandering in die publieke sektor het. Ondersteunende bewys is gevind dat, met inagname van die unieke aard van die publieke sektor, strategiese bestuursprosesse rigtinggewend vir die publieke-sektor-organisasies is. Hierdie bestuursprosesse help om veranderings in die eksterne omgewing sistematies te ontleed, en dit bevorder die koordinerinq van veranderingsaktiwiteite. Veranderingsagente moet toesien dat bestuurskundigheid met organisasiegedragskundigheid gekonsolideer word in 'n qeinteqreerde benadering tot die bestuur van verandering. Organisasiekultuurverandering kan deur inkrementele prosesse en aksies plaasvind terwyl organisasiekultuurvervanging deur revolusionere prosesse plaasvind. Leiers wat verandering effektief wil lei moet paslike kundigheid en vaardighede bekom en demonstreer ten einde rigtinggewend, stroombelynend, bemagtigend, kommunikerend, fasiliterend, adviserend en inspirerend op organisasie-, groep- en individuele vlak te wees tydens organisasieverandering. Die veranderingsproses vereis 'n kommunikasieprogram en kommunikasiestrukture en -kanale wat deeglik gekonsulteer, beplan en ge'implementeer is. Interne veranderingsagente (Ieiers, bestuurders, ensovoorts), en eksterne veranderingsagente (konsultante, nuwe lede van topbestuur, ensovoorts), behoort as lede van 'n multi-dissiplinere transformasiespan aangestel te word om die veranderingsproses te beplan, te fasiliteer en te moniteer. Die skrywer het 'n qeintegreerde bestuursmodel vir die bestuur van verandering in die publieke sektor uit die navorsing ontwikkel, wat uit 5 fases en 16 stappe bestaan. Sommige van die stappe behoort gelyktydig en ander stappe agtereenvolgend uitgevoer te word ten einde 'n holistiese proses en die voordeel van die integrasie van verskeie benaderings tot die bestuur van verandering in die model te verseker.

Thesis (MPA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The primary focus of this study is the civil service system as an organization and the extent to which it is institutionalized within a specific society. Within the ambit of organizational science the emphasis is on the concept of institutionalization, more specifically the institutionalization of the civil service system. Several aspects pertain to the field of Public Administration; these include the study of public organization structures and processes, the formulation and execution of public policy and the general administration and management of the public organization. Civil service systems form an integral part of public administration. The civil service is viewed as the focal point in this study as it represents a collective organization that incorporates the different public organizations within the system. This study focuses on four concepts identified by Bekke, Perry, & Toonen (1996) in their book Civil Service Systems - In Comparative Perspective. These concepts act as indicators of institutionalization within civil service organizations. The concepts are briefly explained as: boundedness (the influence of the boundaries between civil service system and society), exchange (the interaction that occurs externally between the civil service and society, and internally within the system), routinization (the extent to which the organizations within the system are rule and routine-bound) and connectedness (the extent to which the different components of the system are connected). Each of the indicators is developed within a theoretical framework that supports scientific operationilization. With operationilization each of the indicators are explored according to a set of questions. The answers to the questionnaires developed for a specific indicator represents the extent to which the civil service is institutionalized. The information supplied by all the different questionnaires provide for the creation of a profile that indicates to the level of institutionalization of the civil service system. This information can be utilized within a comparative analysis of civil service systems. These questionnaires and the information they provide can also be utilized in the identification of key concepts, they can improve understanding concerning relationships among concepts and the underlying logic or dynamic of different organizational relations within civil service organizations. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die primêre fokus van hierdie studie is die staatsdiensstelsel as 'n organisasie en die mate waartoe dit geinstitusionaliseerd is binne 'n bepaalde samelewing. Die doel van die studie behels die ontwikkeling van 'n navorsingsinstrument wat gebruik kan word binne 'n vergelykende studie aangaande die institusionalisering van staatsdienssteiseis. Verskeie akademiese dissiplines dra by tot die aard van vergelykende studies. Die primêre fokus van hierdie studie omvat twee van hierdie dissiplines, naamlik Publieke Administrasie en Organisasiekunde Wetenskap. Verskeie aspekte hou verband met Publieke Administrasie as "n studieveld, insluitend die bestudering van openbare organisasiestrukture en prosesse, die formulering en die uitvoering van openbare beleid asook die algemene administrasie en bestuur van "n openbare instelling. Staatsdiensstelsels vorm 'n integrale deel van publieke administrasie. Hierdie studie fokus hoofsaaklik op die staatsdiens as "n kollektiewe organisasie wat die verskillende openbare instellings inkorporeer en verteenwoordig. Binne die strekking van die organisasiewetenskap is die klem op die konsep institusionalisering en meer spesifiek die institusionalisering van die staatsdiens. Die klem val veralop die vier konsepte wat deur Bekke, Perry & Toonen (1996) in hulle boek Civil Service Systems - In Comparative Perspective geidentifiseer is. Hierdie konsepte word gebruik as indikatore om die mate van institusionalisering van die staatsdiens aan te dui. Die konsepte kan kortliks beskryf word as begrensing (die invloed van instellingsgrense of afbakenings tussen die staatsdienssisteem en die samelewing), uitruiling (die interaksie wat plaasvind tussen die staatsdiens en die samelewing asook die interaksie binne die staatsdiens), roetineering (die mate waartoe instellings binne die staatsdiens verbonde is tot reëls en roetine) en verbondenheid (die mate waartoe die verskillende komponente van die stelsel aan mekaar verbind is). Elkeen van hierdie komponente word omskryf deur middel van "n teoretiese raamwerk wat die wetenskaplike operasionalisering van elke komponent ondersteun. Met die operasionalisasie word die verskillende konsepte toegepas binne "n bepaalde vraelys. Die antwoorde op die vrae bied 'n aanduiding van die mate waartoe die instelling geinstitusionaliseerd is. Die inligting wat verskaf word deur die verskillende vraelyste gee aanleiding tot die samestelling van 'n profiel wat die vlak van institusionalisering binne "n bepaalde staatdiensstelsel aandui. Sulke profiele kan gebruik word binne 'n vergelykende studie van verskillende staatsdienssteiseis. Die vraelys inligting kan ook gebruik word vir die identifikasie van sleutel konstepte binne staatsdienssteiseis, asook die verklaring van bepaalde verhoudings en onderliggende logika of dinamika tussen die verskillende instellings binne die staatsdiens.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Recent developments in legislation pertaining to local government in South Africa depict performance management as a means to enable local government managers to actively plan, manage and measure the performance of the organisation. In order to ensure the implementation of performance management, local governments are required to develop and adopt an integrated performance managements system, which should consist of seven elements, namely performance planning; a framework for performance management; key performance indicators and targets; shared responsibility for performance; performance monitoring and measurement; performance review and reports; and performance improvement. However, the successful implementation of the performance management system is dependent on the availability of competent managers that possess the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to implement and manage the performance management system. Performance management training is seen as a fast and effective way to ensure the obtainment of competent managers to implement the performance management. However, to ensure that training programmes address the most critical needs in a cost-effective manner, training should be preceded by a comprehensive training needs assessment. This research aims to development a normative framework developed in this research, describing several knowledge elements, skills and abilities necessary for effective performance management, upon which a formal training needs assessment for local government managers may be based. Recommendations are also made pertaining to the development of performance management training activities to ensure the development of performance management capacity under local government managers. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Onlangse beleidsontwikkelinge rondom die bestuur van plaaslike owerhede in Suid-Afrika beskryf prestasiebestuur as 'n wyse waardeur plaaslike owerheid bestuurders die prestasie van die organisasie aktief kan beplan, bestuur en meet. Om die implementering van prestasiebestuur te verseker word plaaslike owerhede deur die wet verplig om 'n geïntegreerde prestasiebestuurstelsel te ontwikkel en formeel aan te neem. So 'n stelsel sal uit sewe elemente bestaan, naamlik prestasie beplanning; 'n raamwerk vir prestasiebestuur; kern prestasie indikatore en mikpunte; gedeelde verantwoordelikheid vir prestasie; prestasie monitering en meting; prestasie hersiening en rapportering; en prestasie verbetering. Die suksesvolle implementering van 'n munisipale prestasiebestuurstelsel is egter onderhewig aan die beskikbaarheid van kundige personeel wat oor die nodige kennis, vaardighede en vermoëns beskik om die stelsel te implementeer en bestuur. Prestasiebestuur opleiding word beskou as 'n vinnige en effektiewe manier om bevoegde personeel te bekom waardeur die implementering van prestasiebestuur verseker kan word. Gegee die hoë koste verbonde aan opleiding programme, is dit wenslik dat sulke intervensies vooraf gegaan word deur 'n omvattende opleiding behoefte bepaling. Hierdie navorsing mik op die ontwikkeling van 'n normatiewe raamwerk, saamgestel uit verskeie kennis elemente, vaardighede en vermoëns noodsaaklik vir die implementering van 'n prestasiebestuurstelsel, waarop 'n formele opleiding behoefte bepaling vir plaaslike owerhede gebaseer kan word. Aanbevelings word ook gemaak vir die ontwikkeling van prestasiebestuur opleiding intervensies waardeur prestasiebestuur kapasiteit onder plaaslike owerheidsbestuurders bevorder kan word.

Thesis (MPA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This paper that is composed of six chapters discusses the basic issues of modem tax administration and the extent to which Eritrean tax administration adheres to the requirements contained in these issues. The first chapter includes a general introduction, brief historical background of Eritrea, premise, problem definition, objective, design and methods, scope and limitation of the study. The second chapter deals with the literature review on the theoretical perspective of tax system and administration. There are detailed discussions about the types, characteristics, and functions, ethics of taxes and efficiency and effectiveness of tax administration. This theoretical aspect discusses the basic issues of modem tax administration trends and their development and reforms. The reforms are mainly concerned with prevention of tax evasion, avoidance, corruption and measures taken for making tax administration more efficient and reducing the complexity of taxation laws. Chapter three explores international success stories in dealing with major tax issues, thereby using the solutions as benchmarks. Experiences in Singapore, Bolivia, Croatia, Jamaica, Guatemala and Spain are used as standards to examine the level of efficiency and effectiveness of tax administration in Eritrea. This chapter also shows that modem tax administrations are concerned with a stronger focus on taxpayers, employees and their development, usage of technology, financial independence and privatisation of those areas that could be better performed by the private sector. To accomplish the above mentioned goals, the abovementioned countries have set in motion to reform tax administrations with the aim of solving key problems such as low salaries and the connected problems of attracting and retaining high quality personnel and curbing corruption. The fourth chapter presents the actual situation of tax administration in Eritrea. It deals with missions, objectives, functions, human resource condition, facilities, the level of application of modem technology and the weaknesses and strength of the Inland Revenue Department (lRD). It also describes the measures, which have been taken by IRD administration to motivate its employees and to enhance the voluntary compliance of taxpayers. The fifth chapter provides a consolidated assessment of the present situation of tax administration in Eritrea based on international experiences of tax administration and on theoretical aspects of taxation. This chapter also scrutinizes the amendments of Proclamation No. 62/1994 and 64/1994 and their effect on tax administration, saving, consumption and investment in Eritrea. The sixth chapter provides a conclusion and recommendations that could be used by tax authorities in Eritrea to implement the best practices of tax administration used in the abovementioned countries. This study provides an overview on IRD's present situation and how it could successfully manage organisational transformation to achieve significantly increased customer satisfaction, enhanced organisational flexibility, employee motivation and increase in tax collection by following the recommendations based on theory and the experiences of other countries. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie studie wat bestaan uit ses hoofstukke, word die basiese kwessies om moderne belasting administrasie bespreek en die mate waartoe die belasting administrasie van Eritrië daaraan voldoen. Die eerste hoofstuk sluit die volgende in: 'n algemene inleiding, 'n kort historiese agtergrond oor Eritrië, 'n voorafgaande stelling, 'n probleem definisie, asook die doelwitte, metodes, omvang en delimitasies van die studie. Die tweede hoofstuk bevat 'n literatuur oorsig oor die teoretiese perspektief op belastingsisteme en administrasie. Daar is gedetailleerde besprekings van die tipes, kenmerke en funksies van belasting asook die etiek daarvan en die doeltreffendheid en effektiwiteit van die belasting administrasie. Hierdie hoofstuk bespreek die basiese kwessies i.v.m. die tendense in belasting administrasie, hoe hulle ontwikkel en hoe hulle hervorm kan word. Die hervormings het meestal betrekking op die voorkoming van belasting ontduiking en vermyding, korrupsie, en metodes om die belasting administrasie meer effektief te maak en om die wette minder ingewikkeld te maak. Hoofstuk drie gaan in op internasionale suksesverhale i.v.m. belasting en die oplossings word as bakens gebruik. Die effektiwiteit van Eritrië se belastingstelsel word gemeet aan wat gebeur het in ander lande soos Singapore, Boliwië, Kroatië, Jamaika, Guatemala en Spanje. Hierdie hoofstuk toon ook dat moderne belasting administrasie meer fokus op belastingbetalers, werknemers, die gebruik van tegnologie, finansiële onafhanklikheid en die privatisering van areas wat beter deur die privaatsektor bedryf kan word. Om die bostaande te bereik, het die genoemde lande maatreëls ingestelom die belasting administrasie te hervorm en om die volgende sleutelprobleme op te los: lae salarisse, die lok en behou van hoë kwaliteit personeel en die voorkoming van korrupsie. In die vierde hoofstuk word die eintlike werklikheid van belasting administrasie in Eritrië bespreek. Dit behandel die doelwitte en funksies van die belasting department (IRD) asook die sterktes en swakhede daarvan en tot hoe 'n mate moderne tegnologie gebruik word. Dit beskryf ook wat die belasting departement gedoen het om sy wernemers te motiveer en om die samewerking van belasting betalers te verseker. Die vyfde hoofstuk is 'n waardebepaling van die eintlike huidige situasie van belasting administrasie in Eritrië gemeet teen internasionale ondervindings en die teoretiese aspekte van belasting. In hierdie hoofstuk word ook gekyk na die amendemente tot Proklamasie No 62/1994 en 64/1994 en hulle uitwerking op belasting administrasie, spaar, verbruik en belegging 10 Eritrië. In die sesde hoofstuk is daar gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings wat die outoriteite in Eritrië kan gebruik. Hulle kan die praktyke wat die beste in ander lande gewerk het, implementeer. Hierdie studie verskaf 'n oorsig oor die huidige situasie in die Binnelandse Inkomste Departement in Eritrië en oor hoe organisatoriese hervorming kan plaasvind wat sal lei tot beter belasting betalers tevredenheid, meer organisatoriese vlugheid, werknemers motivering en 'n dramatiese vermeerdering in belasting invordering. Hierdie hervorming moet gegrond wees op die aanbevelings soos geformuleer uit die ondervindings van ander lande.

Thesis (MPA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: During 1994 to 1997, local authorities in the Cape Metropolitan area underwent a transformation process aimed at, amongst other things, improving service delivery to all inhabitants. The transformation process dealt with, inter alia, the physical transferring of personnel from the former Cape Metropolitan Council to the former Tygerberg Municipality. This historic study identifies several theoretical aspects of organisational change and the personnel transferring processes that public managers should take cognisance of should they wish to successfully complete similar changes and personnel transferring processes in the future. This study analyses the transferring process as followed by the Cape Metropolitan Council and the Tygerberg Municipality in a systematic manner, and tests the perceptions of the "transferred" personnel and the "receivers" of the "new" personnel by means of the questionnaire method. Following this, normative suggestions are made for future personnel transferring processes at local authorities. An important fmding of this study revealed that respondents were of the opinion that although the physical transferring process were "successfully" executed and completed (measured against the relevant legislation), the transferring process was less successful when measured against the human (especially psychological) factors involved in the transferring process. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Gedurende 1994-1997 was plaaslike owerhede in die Kaapse Metropolitaanse gebied besig met 'n transformasieproses met, onder meer, die doel om aan alle inwoners doeltreffende diens te lewer. Die transformasieproses het onder meer verband gehou met die fisiese oorplasing van personeel vanaf die voormalige Kaapse Metropolitaanse Raad na die voormalige Munisipaliteit Tygerberg. Hierdie historiese studie identifiseer verskeie teoretiese aspekte wat betrokke is by organisatoriese verandering en personeeloorplasingsprosesse waarvan openbare bestuurders kennis behoort te neem indien hulle soortgelyke verandering en personeeloorplasingsprosesse suksesvol wil deurvoer. Die studie analiseer die oorplasingsproses soos gevolg deur die Kaapse Metropolitaanse Raad en die Munisipaliteit Tygerberg op 'n sistematiese wyse uiteen, en toets die persepsies van die "oorgeplaasde" personeel en die "ontvangers" van die "nuwe" personeel deur middel van die vraelysmetode. Voorts word normatiewe voorstelle gemaak vir toekomstige personeeloorplasingsprosesse by plaaslike owerhede. 'n Belangrike bevinding van die studie is dat respondente van mening is dat hoewel die fisiese oorplasingproses "suksesvol" uitgevoer en afgehandel was (gemeet aan die hand van relevante wetgewing), die oorplasingproses minder suksesvol was indien dit gemeet word aan die hand van die menslike (veral sielkundige) aspekte betrokke by die oorplasingsproses.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Development, a non-ceasing phenomenon as long as mankind has dwelt on this planet, IS a complex matter which encompasses the three bottom-lines, i.e. social, economic and environmental aspects and aims at improving the quality of life. In fact, development issues are always challenging countries and their leaders as they try to introduce strategies and projects to benefit their rural sector which constitutes, especially in developing countries, most of the population who are living in poverty and continuing to stagger in very destitute level. One of these countries is Eritrea, a nation of which more than 80% live in rural areas and which is rated one of the lowest twenty nations on the human development index (measurement of literacy, health and life expectancy status) as well as the human poverty index of which 53% of the population lived below national poverty line during the period of 1987 to 2000 (UNDP, 2002). This paper is an attempt to discuss rural development and how it is being implemented in relation to Eritrea's reconstructions and rehabilitation efforts that took place after its freedom from foreign occupation. It is an assessment on the rural projects' planning and implementation process, and eventually also looks at the impacts they have on the life of the beneficiaries. As a whole, this research paper consists of an introduction and nine chapters. It can be classified into five parts, i.e. the theoretical literature, the country's status in specific fields, the sample research areas, an overall synthesis and lastly conclusions and recommendations as one part. The theoretical background revolves around rural areas and their reasons for poverty, different development theories within which rural development could be seen as one ingredient, and focuses on participatory rural development where projects can play vital roles in changing life style especially when they are managed in an integrated way touching main areas of need. The second section of the paper is a general overview of the socio-economic status of Eritrea and some of the efforts made by the government. These are mainly the health, education, water supply, agriculture and darn construction projects, accomplished mainly by government in partnership with domestic and foreign NGOs, whereas the same time people contributed mainly in kind. In relation to these five projects the researcher has drawn up questionnaires and personally filled them in five villages, namely Sheeb, Ade-awhi, Korbariaya, Azien and Wara, while at the same time holding discussions with the beneficiaries. In this section the assessment of the people's state and their response in relation to the planning process as well as impacts of the projects on their lives have been made for every village. In other words, the chapter shows the practical data analysis of the research. The next is, in similar form, an overall synthesis of the research. The researcher weighs and analyses the results in relation to planning issues, especially how far the people played a role in participation and the extent of their influence as well as their contentment with the end result in comparison to their expectations. Moreover, it investigates the projects' impact on the environment, and their influence on the socio-economic lives of the beneficiaries, and then sees how the projects have been managed at institutional level and whether the policies that are in effect have direct influence on initiating rural development projects. Finally some conclusions are drawn and recommendations are made that could be a benchmark for further studies and provide impetus to accelerate the present rural development planning and implementation. The researcher may have overlooked some necessary elements or missed some basic factors in dealing the current way of initiating development. But with the resources were available and the time at his disposal, while faced by the limitations explained in the introductory section of the paper, the researcher has made some efforts to highlight his convictions to the best of his academic ability. The sole purpose of his final statements is based on his wish for more rural upliftment and long-term as well as sustainable benefit to the rural people of his country, Eritrea. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Ontwikkeling, 'n verskynsel wat nie ophou nie, bestaan al so lank as wat daar lewe op die planeet bestaan. Dit is 'n ingewikkelde saak wat drie aspekte behels: die sosiale, ekonomiese en omgewings aspekte en die doel daarvan is om lewensgehalte te verbeter. Ontwikkelingskwessies stel 'n uitdaging aan die leiers van lande; die regerings moet stategië uitwerk en projekte van stapel stuur wat die landelike sektor sal bevoordeel en veral in ontwikkelende lande, woon die grootste gedeelte van die bevolking op die platteland waar hulle gebuk gaan onder armoede. Eritrea is een van hierdie lande. 80% van die mense van Eritrea woon op die platteland. Etritrea word gereken as een van die twintig onontwikkelste lande op die menslike ontwikkelings indeks (wat geletterdheid, gesondheid en lewensverwagting meet) en ook op die menslike armoede indeks. 53% van die bevolking het vir die tydperk 1987 tot 2000 onder die nasionale armoedelyn geleef (UNDP, 2002). In hierdie studie word landelike ontwikkeling bespreek en hoe dit geïmplementeer is tydens die rekonstruksie en rehabilitasie pogings na die onafhanklikheid van Eritrea. Dit is 'n waardebepaling van die beplanning en implementasie van die landelike projekte en kyk ook na die impak wat dit op die lewens van die landelike bevolking gehad het. In die geheel bestaan hierdie studie uit 'n inleiding en nege hoofstukke. Dit kan in vyf afdelings ingedeel word: teoretiese literatuur, die stand van die land betreffende spesifieke gebiede, die navorsingsgebiede, 'n oorsigtelike sintese en ten laaste die gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings. In die teoretiese agtergrond gaan dit om die landelike gebiede en die redes vir armoede, asook die ontwikkelingsteorië waarin landelike ontwikkeling gesien word as een bestandeel. Dit fokus op deelnemende landelike ontwikkeling waarin projekte 'n belangrike rol kan speel om die lewensgehalte te verbeter, veral as dit bestuur word op 'n geïntegreerde wyse en die grootste behoeftes aanspreek. Die tweede afdeling is 'n algemene oorsig van die sosio-ekonomiese stand van Eritrea en van die regering se pogings om dit te verbeter. Die vyf projekte wat betudeer is, is gemoeid met gesondheid, onderwys, water voorsiening, landbou en die konstruksie van damme. Die regering het hierdie projekte onderneem in vennootskap met plaaslike en buitelandse nie-regerings organisasies (NGOs) maar die bevolking self het ook 'n bydrae gemaak, gewoonlik in die vorm van arbeid. Met betrekking tot hierdie vyf projekte het die navorser vraelyste opgestel en dit persoonlik in die vyf dorpies naamlik Sheeb, Ade-awhi, Korbariaya, Azien en Wara voltooi terwyl hy dan ook besprekings met die bevolking gehou het. In hierdie afdeling word daar vir elke dorpie'n waardebepaling gedoen van die toestand van die mense en hulle reaksie op die beplanningsproses asook die impak van die projek op hulle lewe. Dan volg 'n oorsigtelike sintese van die navorsing. Die navorser weeg die resultate op en analiseer dit veral betreffende beplanning en tot hoe verre die mense self 'n rol gespeel het, hoeveel invloed hulle gehad het en of die resultaat aan hulle verwagtings voldoen. Die studie kyk ook na die impak van die projek op die omgewing en die invloed wat dit gehad het op die sosio-ekonomiese lewens van diegene wat veronderstel is om voordeel daaruit te trek. Daar word gekyk na hoe die projekte op hoër vlak bestuur is en of regeringsbeleid 'n invloed het op die beplanning van landelike ontwikkelingsprojekte. Dan word gevolgtrekkings en aanbeveling gemaak wat tot nut kan wees vir ander navorsers en kan lei tot beter en vinniger beplanning en implementasie van landelike ontwikkelings projekte. Die navorser het dalk per abuis sekere elemente en basiese faktore oorgesien maar met die hulpbronne en tyd tot sy beskikking asook die beperkings wat in die inleiding tot die studie bespreek word, het hy sy oortuigings op skrif gestel tot die beste van sy vermoë. Hy hoop dat sy aanbevelings sal lei tot groter landelike ontwikkeling op die lang termyn en dat die mense van sy land, Eritrea, die volgehoue voordeel sal trek.

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / Please refer to full text to view abstract.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The end of the 20st and beginning of the 21st century is characterised by a multiplicity of ecological complexities and alterations that are impacting both nature and humankind negatively. Such ecological problems are an indicator of unsustainable living by humans in societies, with inadequate natural resources management. These ecological intricacies are exacerbated by the increasing disinterestedness and detachment of children from the marvels of the natural world resulting in the creation of generations of ecologically unconscious citizens and imbalanced ecosystems. It seems apparent that in this ecological crisis, it is the poor and, in particular, the younger generations that are most affected. In this context; how can the manifest and evolving ecological crisis be reversed? This study is an inquiry into the usefulness of ecological learning in ECD, towards developing conscious future citizens who promote sustainable and ecological balance on the earth. The core objective is to understand current trends, scope, content and methodologies involved in ecological learning and how they may assist in preparing a proecological generation. The study employs a literature review methodology to explore the concept of ecological learning in ECD; examining the application of this paradigm to the sector of ECD through an exploration of the practice of ecological learning in 2 case studies of ECD centres (the Lynedoch EcoVillage and Campus Kindergarten) that place ecological learning at the core of their practice. Using a review of literature on ecological learning and ECD and the two case studies, the study attempts to demonstrate ecological learning practices in ECD centres. The teaching and learning practices in such centres project ECD to be the primary stage whereby ultimate growth, development and learning are created and therefore a vital platform for mentoring an ecologically mindful generation of citizens. However, on the other hand, the study also observes that the scale at which ecological learning is taking place around the world is too negligible to have a large impact in producing a generation of ecologically informed citizens. The study, then, recommends a paradigm shift in the content and methodologies that prioritise ecological learning in ECD both as a way of preserving the ecology and promoting sustainable development. The study therefore suggests, (1) Underpinning ECD with transdisciplinary ecological learning within local contexts (2) Linking ecological learning to ECD may contribute to ‘just transitions’, and (3) Attending to the growing need of new ways of being that can generate connectedness and belonging in a postconsumerist society seem best inculcated at early ages. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die einde van die 20ste, en begin van die 21ste eeu word gekenmerk deur ’n magdom ekologiese kompleksiteite en veranderinge wat die natuur en die mensdom (meestal) negatief raak. Hierdie ekologiese probleme dui op onvollhoubare samelewings en natuurlikehulpbron-bestuur. Die ekologiese uitdagings word vererger deur kinders se toenemende onverskilligheid en afsydigheid teenoor die wonders van die natuurlike wêreld, wat generasies van ekologies onbewuste burgers, sowel as ’n ongebalanseerde ekosisteem tot gevolg het. Dit is voorts duidelik dat die huidige ekologiese krisis, laer inkomste groepe en die jonger generasie die ergste raak. Teen hierdie agtergrond, moet ons onsself afvra, hoe die onmiskenbare en ontvouende ekologiese krisis omgekeer kan word? In hierdie studie word daar ondersoek ingestel na die doeltreffendheid van ekologie in die vroeë kindontwikkelings- (VKO) stadium, om burgers op te lewer wat volhoubare en ekologiese ewewig bevorder. Die kernoogmerk is om die huidige tendense in die bestek en inhoud van, metodologieë vir ekologiese leer te verstaan; sowel as hoe dít ’n pro-ekologiese generasie help toerus. Daar word gebruik gemaak van ’n literatuuroorsig, ten einde die konsep van ekologiese-leer in VKO te ondersoek. Die praktiese toepassing daarvan in twee VKO-sentrums, naamlik die Lynedoch-ekodorp en Campus Kindergarten (CK), wat albei ekologiese leer as ’n kernaktiwiteit beskou, ondersoek. Aan die hand van die kritiese literatuuroorsig sowel as die twee gevallestudies, poog hierdie navorsing, om te toon dat VKO-sentrums toenemend ekologiese praktyke erken. Die onderrig- en leerpraktyke in sulke sentrums beskou VKO as die primêre stadium wat uiteindelike groei, ontwikkeling en leer bepaal, en dus is dit ’n uiters belangrike platform om ’n ekologies-bewuste generasie van mentorskap te voorsien. Aan die ander kant is daar ook gevind dat die skaal waarop ekologiese leer wêreldwyd plaasvind, te klein is om enige beduidende impak te hê op die skep van ’n generasie wat ingelig is oor ekologie. Daarom word daar aanbeveel dat daar ’n paradigmaverskuiwing in inhoud en metodologieë moet plaasvind om ekologiese leer in VKO te prioritiseer as ’n manier om die ekologie te bewaar sowel as volhoubare ontwikkeling te bevorder. Die studie dui op die volgende; (1) geïntegreerde leer, tesame met konsekwentheid in die aanbieding van onderwerpe, en die fasilitering van VKOonderwyseropleiding en–diens; (2) die skakel tussen ekologiese opvoeding en die bydrae wat dit tot VKO lewer; (3) om nuwe maniere te vind, waarmee daar ’n skakel gevestig, en ‘n verband getrek kan word, in ‘n post-verbruikers samelewing.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The interaction between people and their natural environment, as well as the manner in which it occurs, is of a complex nature. The sustainable use of natural resources should be strived for and our guideline should be sustainable development. A common phenomenon in low cost housing projects in South Africa is the dependency on the natural environment and the over-utilization of resources. Numerous poor rural and urban communities do not have the opportunity to think about this over-utilization, as their first priority is that of survival. Resource allocation in South Africa reflects a pattern of uneven distribution. In housing development the less fortunate are placed in poor ecological areas where the quality of the environment can scarcely maintain the minimum standard of living. This inequality not only hinders the promotion of a stable ecological basis, but also prevents nation-wide sustainable development. Due to this, the connection between poverty and ecology were made an environmental priority. The importance of integrating the environment and development, to achieve environmental sustainability, is acknowledged and therefore greater emphasis is placed on sustainable development. In this study an attempt is made to determine how natural environmental sustainability can be ensured with low cost housing development. In the process an evaluation instrument, consisting of three components, namely the principles of sustainable I development; natural environmental indicators for sustainable low cost housing development; and socio-economic indicators for sustainable low cost housing development, are designed to try to reconcile the natural environment and development through the phenomenon of sustainable development. An extensive literature study of relevant published and unpublished literature was done and forms the basis of this research study. A research survey, done by the University of Stellenbosch about the case study of Wesbank, and of which the researcher was part, is also utilised in this study. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die interaksie tussen mense en hulle natuurlike omgewing, asook die manier waarop dit geskied, is van 'n komplekse aard. Daar moet gestreef word na die volhoubare benutting van natuurlike hulpbronne, en ons rigsnoer behoort volhoubare ontwikkeling te wees. In talle laekostebehuisingontwikkelings in Suid-Afrika is 'n algemeen waarneembare verskynsel die afhanklikheid op die natuurlike omgewing en die oorbenutting van hulpbronne. Baie arm landelike en stedelike gemeenskappe het nie die geleentheid om oor hierdie oorbenutting na te dink nie, aangesien hul eerste prioriteit dié van oorlewing is. Suid-Afrika se hulpbron-toewysing retklekteer 'n patroon van ongelyke verspreiding. Die minder bevoorregtes word, in behuisingontwikkeling, in ekologiese swak areas geplaas waar die kwaliteit van die omgewing skaars die minimum lewensstandaarde kan volhou. Hierdie ongelykhede bemoeilik nie slegs die bevordering van 'n stabiele ekologiese basis nie, dit verhoed ook landswye volhoubare ontwikkeling, en daarom is die verband tussen armoede en ekologie 'n omgewingsprioriteit. Die noodsaaklikheid daarvan om die omgewing en ontwikkeling te integreer, om omgewingsvolhoubaarheid te verkry, word erken en groter klem word op volhoubare ontwikkeling gelê. In hierdie studie gaan gepoog word om te bepaal hoe natuurlike omgewingsvolhoubaarheid tydens laekostebehuisingontwikkeling verseker kan word. In die proses gaan 'n beoordelingsinstrument bestaande uit drie komponente, naamlik: die beginsels van volhoubare ontwikkeling; natuurlike omgewingsindikatore vir volhoubare laekostebehuisingontwikkeling; en sosio-ekonomiese indikatore vir volhoubare laekostebehuisingontwikkeling, ontwerp word om sodoende te probeer om die natuurlike omgewing en ontwikkeling te versoen deur die verskynsel van volhoubare ontwikkeling. 'n Ekstensiewe literatuurstudie van relevante gepubliseerde en ongepubliseerde literatuur is gedoen en maak die basis van die navorsingstudie uit. Daar word ook gebruik gemaak van 'n navorsingsopname, gedoen deur die Universiteit van Stellenbosch oor die gevalstudie van Wesbank, waarvan die navorser deel was.