Attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) is of utmost importance for African countries in order to create employment opportunities, reduce poverty and to ensure sustainable economic growth. Despite Africa’s exceptional FDI performance during the past decade, the majority of FDI inflows have been directed to a few selected countries. As investors face many risks when investing in developing countries it is argued that risk perception plays a vital role in the FDI inflows into Africa. This thesis focuses on the relationship between risk and FDI. A structural equation model is used to analyse this relationship with a dataset of ten risk categories and FDI data from 42 African countries. The importance of SEM for this study lies in the capability of modelling data from multiple groups. Hence, the four sectors used comprise metals, automotive, communications and the real estate sector. Overall results indicate that government effectiveness and legal and regulatory risks produce the biggest concern for investors. The conclusion is that there are different risk patterns regarding FDI in Africa. The empirical results further imply that if African countries wish to attract the levels of FDI required to stimulate economic growth, policies are needed to reduce risks in order to create a favourable investment climate for investors. / Thesis (MCom (International Trade))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Background: Children in South Africa are still affected by micronutrient deficiencies and children living in farm communities are especially vulnerable. African Leafy Vegetables (ALVs) are well endowed with micronutrients such as iron, zinc and vitamin A and might contribute to the nutritional status of children. However, these vegetables have been perceived as “poor people’s food” and over the years knowledge of and use of ALVs has decreased. Aim: This study assessed the potential contribution of ALVs to the nutritional status of children in a semi-rural farm community. Method: In this cross-sectional study, anthropometric indices, serum iron, zinc and retinol concentrations were determined in school children aged 5−13 years (n=155). Dietary intake of iron, zinc and vitamin A was evaluated by three 24-hour diet recalls of children (n=154). The iron, zinc and β-carotene content of selected ALVs was determined. Knowledge of and use of ALVs by primary caregivers was established using focus group discussions (FGDs). Descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, the Pearson Chi-Square Test and Mann-Whitney U Test were used. Anthropometric data were analysed using the World Health Organization Reference 2007 data. Dietary data were analysed using FoodFinder (version 3). Qualitative data from FGDs were translated, transcribed and color-coded to generate emerging themes. Results: Stunting (11%) was the most prevalent anthropometric indicator of malnutrition. This was supported by the low socio-economic status of households. Deficiency prevalence in iron (serum ferritin <15 μg/L; 15.5%) and vitamin A (serum retinol <20 μg/dL; 3.2%) was low. Zinc deficiency was the most prevalent (serum zinc <65 μg/dL; 74.8%) deficiency. Median dietary intake of iron, zinc and vitamin A was generally above the Estimated Average Requirement. ALVs were potentially good sources of iron, zinc and β-carotene and could contribute substantially to the Recommended Dietary Allowance for these nutrients in children, without taking into account inhibiting factors that might affect the bioavailability. Iron content of the ALVs studied ranged from 1.4−3.2 mg/100 g edible portion. Amaranthus cruentus was the best source of iron. Zinc content of the ALVs ranged from 0.7−1.4 mg/100g edible portions, with Cleome gynandra having the highest zinc composition. The β-carotene content of the ALVs ranged from 182−314 μg RAE/100 g edible portion, with both Amaranthus cruentus and Cleome gynandra being the best sources. Knowledge of ALVs and their use was indigenous and was transferred between generations. Caregivers had positive attitudes towards the use of ALVs. Conclusion: Although the prevalence of deficiencies was not severe (with exception of zinc deficiency), micronutrient deficiencies exist in the rural farm community studied. ALVs are potentially good sources of iron, zinc and β-carotene and might contribute to the nutritional status of school children. Knowledge of ALVs and the positive attitude and perceptions regarding their use by primary caregivers implied a potentially positive future response to interventions promoting consumption of ALVs in order to contribute to the alleviation of micronutrient deficiencies. / Thesis (MSc (Nutrition))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Background: The Platinum mining operations in South Africa mining platinum containing ore from areas where variable amounts of uranium are found, leading to the possibility of occupational exposure to the radioactive disintegration products of Uranium-238 and in particular the gas Radon-222. No scientific data is available for occupational exposure to Radon-222 in South African platinum mining operations. Objective: To determine the risk of occupational exposure to the radioactive disintegration products of naturally occurring Radon-222 gas in a South African platinum mine. Design: Quantitative sampling (personal and static) to establish baseline data on exposure to radioactive disintegration products of naturally occurring Radon-222 gas in a underground South African platinum mine. Setting: The Bafokeng Rasimone platinum mine located 30 km North West of Rustenburg in the Bushveld complex in the North West Province of South Africa. Study subjects: One hundred and seventy four potentially highest exposed underground employees and one hundred and twelve static underground samples were sampled. Method: Personal and area samples were taken on selected employees and in locations using RGM samplers using CR-39 plastic as a detection medium. Employees were selected to sample the highest exposed occupations and static samples were located to sample returning air from levels underneath the sampling point before it is exhausted to the above ground atmosphere. After analysis by an accredited laboratory, the results were converted to exposure following the National Council on Radiation Protection-78 methodology. Main outcome measures: Quantify the relative risks of potentially highest exposed employee`s exposure to the radioactive disintegration products of naturally occurring Radon-222 gas in underground working areas in milliSievert per year. Results: The mean reference background exposure averaged 0.6168 mSv/a with underground personal exposure averaging 0.6808 mSv/a, and underground static exposure averaging 0.8726 mSv/a. These values are substantially below the 50 mSv/a Occupational Exposure Limit, and only pose a slightly elevated risk for the development of lung cancer above the normal back-ground exposure. Mining Team leaders and rock drill operators were identified as the potentially highest exposed employees due to the close proximity to the working face, large amounts of time spent close to the working face and the lower ventilation volumes at the working face, with Team leaders having the highest exposure of the sampled occupations with a average of 1.16 mSv/a. Conclusions: Occupational exposure to radioactive disintegration products of naturally occurring Radon-222 gas in the underground air of a South African platinum mine does not pose a significant risk to the health of employees working in the platinum mine. / Thesis (MSc (Occupational Hygiene))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Cashew, Anacardium occidentale Linnaeus, is an economically important cash crop for more than 300,000 rural households in Tanzania. Its production is, however, severely constrained by infestation by sap-sucking insects such as Helopeltis anacardii Miller, H. Schoutedeni Reuter and Pseudotheraptus wayi Brown. The African weaver ant (AWA), Oecophylla longinoda Latreille, is an effective biocontrol agent of hemipteran pests in coconuts in Tanzania; but its efficacy for the control of sap-sucking insects, especially Helopeltis spp. and P. wayi, has not been investigated so far in cashew crops in Tanzania. Field trials were carried out at the Coast region of Tanzania to evaluate the effect of seasonality and abundance of AWA on Helopeltis spp. and P. wayi. Results showed that AWA abundance expressed, as number of leaf nests per tree, and colonization of trails on main branches varied significantly between cashew-seasons and off-seasons. There was a negative correlation between numbers of nests and pest damage. AWA-colonized cashew trees had the lowest shoot damaged by Helopeltis spp., 4.8 and 7.5% in 2010 and 2011, respectively, compared to 36 and 30% in 2010 and 2011, respectively, in uncolonized cashew trees. Similarly, nut damage by P.wayi was lowest in AWA-colonized trees with 2.4 and 6.2% in 2010 and 2011, respectively, as compared to 26 and 21% in 2010 and 2011, respectively, in uncolonized trees. Interaction between AWA and dominant ant species, namely big-headed ant (BHA), Pheidole megacephala Fabricius, and common pugnacious ant (CPA), Anoplolepis custodiens Smith, was examined because of the implication that the dominant ant species may have on the efficacy of AWA in its control of sap-sucking pests of cashew. Abundance of AWA was significantly negatively correlated to BHA (r(39) = -0.30; P < 0.0001) and CPA (r(39) = -0.18; P = 0.01) at Bagamoyo in 2010. A similar trend was also observed at Mkuranga. The presence of these ant species may therefore hinder effectiveness of AWA to control sap-sucking pests in cashew in Tanzania. Therefore, suppression of these two inimical ant species should be emphasized for effective control of the sap-sucking pests in cashew fields. It was therefore also important to establish the abundance and diversity of ant species occurring in cashew agro-ecosystems. Results from pitfall traps revealed the diversity and abundance of ants in cashew agro-ecosystems: a total of 14001 ants were trapped belonging to six subfamilies, 18 genera and 32 species. The ant species diversity was high in the cashew fields at two of the four sites, namely Mkuranga A and Kibaha during both seasons. CPA was the most abundant ants in the pitfall traps. It is an important aspect that should be addressed for effective control of sap-sucking pests in cashew fields with AWA, since the correlation between AWA and CPA abundance was found to be negative. The effect of alternative fungicides to sulphur dust used for powdery mildew disease (PMD) on AWA was also investigated. No significant difference could be found in the effect ofthe different fungicides on the number of leaf nests and colonization of trails. In order to develop AWA as a component of cashew integrated sap-sucking insect management, strategies for their conservation during cashew off-seasonswas evaluated. The use of fish and hydramethylon (Amdro®) as baits increased the number of leaf nests and colonization trails of AWA over the control during off-season; however, the increase was significantly high when both fish and hydramethylon were used together. Fish and hydramethylon can therefore be used for conservation of AWA during off-season. It can therefore be concluded that AWA effectively controls sap-sucking pests on cashew and can be conserved during off-season using disposal waste such as fish intestines. Fungicides used for the control of PMD did not have detrimental effects on AWA abundance and can therefore be integrated as a component of cashew IPM. / PhD (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

The importance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the economy should not be overlooked. The main function of SMEs is to contribute to the economic activities in a country, through the provision of goods and services to the public or other firms. These goods and services could be traded internationally, thus increasing a country?s export performance. It is important for economic growth that SMEs grow within their respective economies. One way that SMEs can achieve growth is through internationalisation. Firms are internationalising faster than ever before (because of advances in telecommunications and transportation) and internationalisation theories that can provide practical guidance to firms are more important today than in the past. A firm?s ability to internationalise no longer only depends on the quality of the product, the delivery terms and competitive prices. Internationalisation increasingly depends on the ability and willingness of financial institutions to grant credit. Obtaining trade finance has become a major hindrance to SME internationalisation, especially in Africa. By overcoming the difficulties in obtaining trade finance, African SMEs will be able to expand into foreign markets. The purpose of this study is to determine how African SMEs can overcome trade finance barriers to internationalisation. SMEs can do so by mitigating the risks involved in every international transaction and by becoming ?trade finance ready?. A trade finance facility that is well suited for African SMEs (because it revolves around identifying and mitigating the risks involved with their international transactions) is structured trade and commodity finance. In trading with China, African SMEs can obtain structured trade and commodity finance from a specialist financial institution that focuses on the Chinese market (which is the focus of this study). China Construction Bank (Johannesburg branch), through their association with Rand-Asia Trade Finance, provides structured trade and commodity finance to African SMEs. The key to receiving structured trade and commodity finance is that these SMEs, together with China Construction Bank (Jhb) and Rand-Asia Trade Finance have to mitigate the risks involved with their international transactions so that the SMEs can become ?trade finance ready?. / Thesis (M.Com. (International Commerce))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

This research was aimed at validating the PHQ–9 in an African context. This study forms part of the project of Psychosocial Health and Biomarkers in an African context (FORT3, Wissing, 2008). The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ–9) is a nine–item depression scale that has the potential of being a dual–purpose instrument to establish the diagnosis of a depressive disorder, as well as the grade of symptom severity (Kroenke, Spitzer & Williams, 2001). The PHQ–9 was administered with criterion related measures to a multicultural convenience sample of 2214 participants from the North West Province of South Africa, including two groups of adolescents (n1 = 1480 and n2 = 559) and an availability sample of adults (n3 = 185). Instruments to determine criterion validity were the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), designed to detect symptoms of mental disorders; the Mental Health Continuum - Short Form for Adults (MHC–SF) which measures the degree of emotional, social and psychological well–being; and the New General Self–Efficacy Scale (NGSE) designed to measure an individual’s general self–efficacy. Descriptive statistics for the PHQ–9 including its reliability in the various groups is reported. The PHQ–9 manifested a Cronbach Alph are liability index of 0.86. Criterion–related validity was supported by significant correlations between the PHQ–9 and criterion measures. Confirmatory factor analysis for the PHQ–9 yielded a one–factor solution in all groups. The percentage variance explained ranged between 34.71% and 46.62%. Exploratory factor analyses yielded two factors in all groups with the second factor comprised of no more than 2 items and thus interpreted as a minor factor. The construct validity obtained in this research indicates that the PHQ–9 may be a valid measure to identify depression in a South African context. Based on the psychometric properties found in this study, it can be concluded that the PHQ–9 is a valid measure of depression in two of the samples selected for this study. Future studies may further validate this instrument in specific language and cultural groups, and explore the cross–cultural measurement equivalence. / Thesis (M.A. (Research Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

An estimated 30 to 36 million people worldwide are living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). In 2009 about 5.7 million of the 30 to 36 million people who are infected with HIV were living in South Africa, making South Africa the country with the largest number of people infected with HIV in the world (UNGASS, 2010). Van Dyk (2008) states that HIV infection and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are accompanied by symptoms of psycho–social distress, but relatively little is known of the direct effect of HIV and AIDS on psychological well–being. The psychological distress is mainly due to the difficulties HIV brings to daily life and the harsh reality of the prognosis of the illness (Van Dyk, 2008). It is not clear whether people infected with HIV who are unaware of their HIV status show more psychological symptoms than people in a group not infected with HIV. The research question for the current study was therefore whether people with and without HIV infection differ in their psycho–social symptoms and strengths before they know their HIV status. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to explore the psychosocial health profiles of people with and without HIV and AIDS before they knew their infection status. A cross–sectional survey design was used for gathering psychological data. This was part of a multi–disciplinary study where the participants’ HIV status was determined after obtaining their informed consent and giving pre– and post–test counselling. This study falls in the overlap of the South African leg of the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology study (PURE–SA) that investigates the health transition and chronic diseases of lifestyle in urban and rural areas (Teo, Chow, Vaz, Rangarajan, & Ysusf, 2009), and the FORT2 and 3 projects (FORT2 = Understanding and promoting psychosocial health, resilience and strengths in an African context; Fort 3 = The prevalence of levels of psychosocial health: Dynamics and relationships with biomarkers of (ill) health in the South African contexts) (Wissing, 2005, 2008) on psychological well–being and its biological correlates. All the baseline data were collected during 2005. Of the 1 025 participants who completed all of the psychological health questionnaires, 153 (14.9%) were infected with HIV and 863 were not infected with HIV (since the HIV status of nine of the participants was not known, they were not included in the study). In the urban communities 435 participants completed the psychological health questionnaires, of whom 68 (15.6%) were infected with HIV and 367 were not infected with HIV. In the rural communities, 581 participants completed the psychological health questionnaires, of whom 85 (14.6%) were infected with HIV and 496 were not infected with HIV. The validated Setswana versions of the following seven psychological health questionnaires were used: Affectometer 2 (AFM), Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), Community Collective Efficacy Scale (CCES), Mental Health Continuum Short Form (MHC–SF), New General Self–efficacy Scale (NGSE), Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Descriptive statistics were determined for all measures for all the participants with, and without HIV. Significant differences in psychosocial profiles among individuals with and without HIV and AIDS and also between those in the rural and urban areas were determined by means of t–tests and by a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Practical significance was determined by the size of the effects. The results for the entire group showed statistically significant differences between the two groups of participants who were infected with HIV and those not infected with HIV regarding their sense of coherence and their perspective on the community’s capacity to succeed in joint activities, but these differences were of only small practical significance. The HIV–infected participants in the urban areas displayed statistically and practically a lower sense of coherence and viewed themselves as less capable of meeting task demands in community contexts, than did the participants not infected with HIV. Though the participants not infected with HIV in the rural group had, statistically and practically, a significantly greater capacity to succeed in joint community activities than the participants infected with HIV, an interesting finding was that the participants infected with HIV experienced more positive affect than the participants not infected with HIV. The research showed that people with and without HIV infection differ in some respects in their psycho–social symptoms and strengths even before they are conscious of their HIV status. It is striking that the differences found on the psychological measures for the participants reflected a personal sense of social coherence and perspective on their community’s capacity to succeed in joint activities, which was lower in the case of participants infected with HIV, and might therefore have led to high–risk social behaviours and consequent infections. It might be that the participants with a relatively lower sense of social coherence, integration, and co–operation towards collectively achieving meaningful goals were more inclined to manifest behaviours that would lead to detrimental consequences (in this case HIV infection) for themselves and others. The higher level of positive affect in the rural group of the participants infected with HIV is still unexplained and requires further research. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Clinical Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the transformation process that has taken place in the local government sphere over the past sixteen years. This process is based on the Constitution, Act 108 of 1996. Transformation applies to all areas of society, including the disabled – the focus point of this study. More specifically the focus of the study is on the effect of the transformation process on the disabled. The study was done within Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, taking into consideration the Constitution of 1996, as well as internal policies. The main focus during this study is to emphasize the position of the disabled, focusing on recognition, basic needs, funding, promotion, careers, and the incorporation of the disabled into the Municipality. / Thesis (M. Development and Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Background: In South Africa, as in many other developing countries, iron deficiency (the most common micronutrient deficiency) still remains unresolved; while obesity has emerged as a public health challenge causing increases in the incidence and prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Research has shown that certain iron indices are associated with both anthropometric and biological markers of CVDs. Adiposity is thought to modulate the pathway linking iron status to CVDs. Objective: To examine the associations between iron indices, anthropometric and biological markers of CVDs in an African population undergoing transition. Methods: This thesis was based on secondary analysis of data generated during the Transition and Health during Urbanisation of South Africans (THUSA) study; and primary and secondary analysis of the baseline Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiological (PURE) study. Both studies were cross–sectional in design and were conducted between 1996–1998 and in 2005 respectively in the North West Province of South Africa. The 1854 men and women participants in the THUSA study (>15years) and 1262 women participants in the PURE study (>35years) were included in the analysis. The relationship between iron and anthropometric indicators of CVD risk was examined in the THUSA study while that of iron status, anthropometric and biological markers of CVD risk was examined in the PURE study. Results: In the THUSA study, ferritin was positively associated with body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist to hip ratio (WHR), body fat and subscapular skinfold (r=0.141, 0.359, 0.396, 0.308, 0.141 respectively for men and 0.126, 0.232, 0.319, 0.126, 0.105 respectively for women; p<0.01). Only the women showed decreased serum iron concentration with increasing BMI (p<0.05). WC and WHR increased with increasing serum ferritin concentration for both genders (p<0.05). As for the PURE study, associations between iron status parameters and CVD risk factors were generally weak (r<0.3, p<0.01) and were not retained after adjusting for valid confounders. WC and WHR increased with increasing ferritin concentration (p<0.05). Conclusion: Although these results do not indicate any significant association between iron indices and biological markers of CVD, its association with anthropometric indices gives an indication of the possible contribution of iron in the aetiology of CVDs. Thus, it may be necessary to exercise caution on the emphasis placed on iron as a nutrient and iron intervention programmes because of the suggestive role of iron in CVD development. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Nutrition))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

This study begins with the question: "Is there a place for a Christian ethical code of conduct in the diverse and complex business world of today?" In chapter 2 I explain the context wherein one should understand this question. If you look at the history of South Africa you will see that there was discrimination that took place over a long period of time on the basis of race, religion and gender and that makes this issue a very sensitive one. The reason why it is so sensitive is if there were to be a Christian ethical code of conduct in the workplace could it lead to discrimination again? That is not allowed to happen under the current Constitution of South Africa. But the other side is also true, if you don?t have a Christian ethical code won?t you loose the beautiful things Scripture gives us on how to treat all people equally and fairly within the workplace? This study will show that according to the Constitution of South Africa it is possible to have a Christian ethical code of conduct as long it does not exclude any employee. In chapter 3 we have a look at Scripture that gives us guidelines on how to treat all people and also people in the workplace. Here are some examples: * the way employees should be handled; * the number of working hours the employees should be working; * the remuneration of the employees – is it fair; * how the Shareholders? / Stakeholders? interests are looked after; * the manner in which the business is being managed; * the Constitutional business environment; * the international law that transcends borders where macrobusinesses do business. In chapter 4 we look at the Christian ethical perspective in the business. We look at the role of the economy and the core values to manage a business. In chapter 5 we end with an example of a workable Christian ethical code of conduct and we compare two large business codes of conduct. / Thesis (Th.M. (Ethics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.