Fruit-feeding butterfly assemblages at two indigenous forests in KwaZulu-Natal, the Dlinza and Entumeni forests were studied with baited traps during a year cycle June 2008-May 2009 and an additional March-May 2010 (autumn) survey. A total of 2801 butterflies were trapped, which consisted of 28 species, representing five subfamilies of the Nymphalidae, with the most abundant and species rich subfamily being Charaxinae. Higher than expected abundances and numbers of species trapped during the present study, though significantly lower than some tropical areas in Africa, demonstrate that this technique of quantifying assemblages with baited-traps are effective in forests of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and should be included in future butterfly assessments. During a mark-release-recapture survey, very few fruit-feeding butterflies were recaptured, with no observed dispersal events between the two forests. A high turnover of fruit-feeding butterfly populations reflects adequacy of habitat quality and size at both the forests for the conservation of this guild of butterfly fauna. Season had a marked effect on butterfly assemblages with optimal times of the year emerging as autumn and winter, when butterfly abundance and species richness were highest. Abundance and diversity (Shannon index) at the smaller Dlinza forest were marginally higher or at least very similar to that of the larger Entumeni forest. Higher species richness (d) was recorded at the larger Entumeni forest. A greater number of individuals and higher number of species were trapped at both forest edges in comparison to forest interior (clearings). Species richness (d) and diversity (Shannon index) at Dlinza forest were higher at the interior (forest clearings) compared to that of the Dlinza forest edge. In contrast higher species richness and diversity (Shannon index) were recorded at the Entumeni edge if compared to the Entumeni interior. Highest species richness (d) was consistently recorded at the Entumeni forest edge. Similarity between the species compositions of both forests was high. The Entumeni forest are imbedded in a larger zone of natural grassland in contrast to the Dlinza forest which is partly located in an urban setting with small or absent grassland buffer zones. Altitudinal differences between these forests had lesser influence on the fruit-feeding butterfly assemblages whilst the closer urban edge at the Dlinza forest appears to contribute to a negative impact on the species richness at the forest margin. Recommendations to the conservation management of the Dlinza and Entumeni forests, stemming from this study, include conserving small forest remnants as part of stepping stone corridors between the forests, eradication of alien invasive plant species, conserving grassland buffer zones in which the forests are embedded and caution to any future developments in this unique area. Awareness to preserve and understand the wealth of indigenous smaller fauna, which are dependent on these magnificent forests, is to be promoted. / Thesis (Master of Environmental Sciences)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Fruit-feeding butterfly assemblages at two indigenous forests in KwaZulu-Natal, the Dlinza and Entumeni forests were studied with baited traps during a year cycle June 2008-May 2009 and an additional March-May 2010 (autumn) survey. A total of 2801 butterflies were trapped, which consisted of 28 species, representing five subfamilies of the Nymphalidae, with the most abundant and species rich subfamily being Charaxinae. Higher than expected abundances and numbers of species trapped during the present study, though significantly lower than some tropical areas in Africa, demonstrate that this technique of quantifying assemblages with baited-traps are effective in forests of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and should be included in future butterfly assessments. During a mark-release-recapture survey, very few fruit-feeding butterflies were recaptured, with no observed dispersal events between the two forests. A high turnover of fruit-feeding butterfly populations reflects adequacy of habitat quality and size at both the forests for the conservation of this guild of butterfly fauna. Season had a marked effect on butterfly assemblages with optimal times of the year emerging as autumn and winter, when butterfly abundance and species richness were highest. Abundance and diversity (Shannon index) at the smaller Dlinza forest were marginally higher or at least very similar to that of the larger Entumeni forest. Higher species richness (d) was recorded at the larger Entumeni forest. A greater number of individuals and higher number of species were trapped at both forest edges in comparison to forest interior (clearings). Species richness (d) and diversity (Shannon index) at Dlinza forest were higher at the interior (forest clearings) compared to that of the Dlinza forest edge. In contrast higher species richness and diversity (Shannon index) were recorded at the Entumeni edge if compared to the Entumeni interior. Highest species richness (d) was consistently recorded at the Entumeni forest edge. Similarity between the species compositions of both forests was high. The Entumeni forest are imbedded in a larger zone of natural grassland in contrast to the Dlinza forest which is partly located in an urban setting with small or absent grassland buffer zones. Altitudinal differences between these forests had lesser influence on the fruit-feeding butterfly assemblages whilst the closer urban edge at the Dlinza forest appears to contribute to a negative impact on the species richness at the forest margin. Recommendations to the conservation management of the Dlinza and Entumeni forests, stemming from this study, include conserving small forest remnants as part of stepping stone corridors between the forests, eradication of alien invasive plant species, conserving grassland buffer zones in which the forests are embedded and caution to any future developments in this unique area. Awareness to preserve and understand the wealth of indigenous smaller fauna, which are dependent on these magnificent forests, is to be promoted. / Thesis (Master of Environmental Sciences)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

The live music performance industry is growing tremendously in South Africa, with more and more international artists performing on our shores year after year. Competition is growing and various companies are beginning to identify this as a business opportunity to make money. However, managing live music performances is a complex task which involves managing various aspects (critical success factors) of the event in order to ensure that it is a success. Apart from this, visitors attend these performances hoping that their expectations will be exceeded and the performance is something which can be treasured and is worth remembering once everything is over. This is referred to as a memorable experience. In order to ensure a memorable visitor experience, it is essential for managers to be aware of what the visitors regard as important critical success factors. These are aspects that management can control and improve. Thus, the critical success factors should be implemented effectively in order to ensure that the event is memorable for visitors attending the live music performance. While various critical success factors are familiar to event organisers, they differ from event to event. Thus, the critical success factors of one event cannot be implemented at another with the same expectation of success. This is due to the heterogeneous groups of people who attend these events and who cannot be regarded as being the same, as each individual will have different expectations of the same event. Therefore, it is also important for the managers of live music performances to determine how the visitors to the different genre events regard the various critical success factors that are vital for a memorable experience. This is significant, as various music genres attract different attendees who each have their own expectations of a music genre and which may differ from those of visitors to other music genres. For example, the expectations for a memorable experience of individuals attending a classical live music performance will differ from individuals attending a rock or pop live music performance. In addition, it is also important for management to compare those critical success factors identified by the visitors to their own ideas of what is important for a successful event in order to identify any shortcomings. Thus, it was expedient to seek answers to the questions of what visitors to live music performances regard as important critical success factors as well as what the managers consider to be important for a memorable experience. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the critical success factors for managing a memorable visitor experience at live music performances from both the demand and supply sides. The said factors were subsequently compared in order to establish whether any shortcomings exist. This thesis comprises three articles. Firstly, the research was conducted from a demand (visitors) side. Thus, the aim of Chapter 3 was to determine what attendees at live music performances regard as being critical success factors for different music genres so as to enhance memorable visitor experiences. Surveys were conducted at various genres of live music performances which included classical music (Il Divo), R&B (Usher), rock (Sting), blues (Michael Buble), pop (Roxette) and Afrikaans music (Steve Hofmeyr). A total of 4 110 questionnaires were administered and a general profile of the visitors in terms of the different genres was compiled. A factor analysis was subsequently performed in order to determine the critical success factors for all six genres. Thereafter, an Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied in order to compare the critical success factors of the various genres with one another. The results indicated significant statistical differences amongst the different music genres with regard to that which the visitors to the different live music performances regard as being important for a memorable visitor experience. Secondly, the research was conducted from a supply (managers) side and the objective of Chapter 4 was to determine what the managers consider to be important critical success factors in ensuring a memorable visitor experience at a live music performance. A qualitative research method, by means of interviews, was used to obtain the relevant information from the selected participants. All the data collected in the process were transcribed into text and presented in a narrative form. The six step method formulated by Cresswell (2009:185-189) for data analysis and interpretation was used to analyse the data. Four major themes emerged from the analysis where each theme was differentiated in terms of various categories and subcategories. This process contributed greatly towards gaining detailed information regarding the main purpose of organising a live music performance; identifying the aspects that managers consider to be important when organising a live music performance and those aspects that are important in pre-, during- and post-event planning phases as well as how managers define a memorable experience. Lastly, in Chapter 5 a comparison was performed between the demand and supply sides of live music performances in order to establish whether any differences exist amongst the aspects that management consider to be important compared to the critical success factors that the visitors regard as being important to achieve a memorable visitor experience. Both qualitative (supply side) and quantitative (demand side) research methods were implemented in this research. The results of the critical success factors drawn from the first and second articles were used to conduct this research. The results of both the demand and supply sides were subsequently compared with one another where significant differences had been identified. This was the first time that research was conducted from both the demand and supply sides within the live music performance environment. The results of this research contribute greatly to literature and to the music industry. In addition, this was also the first time that both a qualitative and a quantitative research method were applied in research conducted at live music performances and which were subsequently compared with one another. Determining the differences between the critical success factors identified contributes towards event specific education and information for current as well as future live music performance managers. Therefore, results of this research can be employed to educate and inform current and future managers in the live music performance industry regarding important aspects relating to the enhancement of the important critical success factors that contribute to a memorable experience when individuals attend a live music performance. / PhD (Tourism Management), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The live music performance industry is growing tremendously in South Africa, with more and more international artists performing on our shores year after year. Competition is growing and various companies are beginning to identify this as a business opportunity to make money. However, managing live music performances is a complex task which involves managing various aspects (critical success factors) of the event in order to ensure that it is a success. Apart from this, visitors attend these performances hoping that their expectations will be exceeded and the performance is something which can be treasured and is worth remembering once everything is over. This is referred to as a memorable experience. In order to ensure a memorable visitor experience, it is essential for managers to be aware of what the visitors regard as important critical success factors. These are aspects that management can control and improve. Thus, the critical success factors should be implemented effectively in order to ensure that the event is memorable for visitors attending the live music performance. While various critical success factors are familiar to event organisers, they differ from event to event. Thus, the critical success factors of one event cannot be implemented at another with the same expectation of success. This is due to the heterogeneous groups of people who attend these events and who cannot be regarded as being the same, as each individual will have different expectations of the same event. Therefore, it is also important for the managers of live music performances to determine how the visitors to the different genre events regard the various critical success factors that are vital for a memorable experience. This is significant, as various music genres attract different attendees who each have their own expectations of a music genre and which may differ from those of visitors to other music genres. For example, the expectations for a memorable experience of individuals attending a classical live music performance will differ from individuals attending a rock or pop live music performance. In addition, it is also important for management to compare those critical success factors identified by the visitors to their own ideas of what is important for a successful event in order to identify any shortcomings. Thus, it was expedient to seek answers to the questions of what visitors to live music performances regard as important critical success factors as well as what the managers consider to be important for a memorable experience. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the critical success factors for managing a memorable visitor experience at live music performances from both the demand and supply sides. The said factors were subsequently compared in order to establish whether any shortcomings exist. This thesis comprises three articles. Firstly, the research was conducted from a demand (visitors) side. Thus, the aim of Chapter 3 was to determine what attendees at live music performances regard as being critical success factors for different music genres so as to enhance memorable visitor experiences. Surveys were conducted at various genres of live music performances which included classical music (Il Divo), R&B (Usher), rock (Sting), blues (Michael Buble), pop (Roxette) and Afrikaans music (Steve Hofmeyr). A total of 4 110 questionnaires were administered and a general profile of the visitors in terms of the different genres was compiled. A factor analysis was subsequently performed in order to determine the critical success factors for all six genres. Thereafter, an Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied in order to compare the critical success factors of the various genres with one another. The results indicated significant statistical differences amongst the different music genres with regard to that which the visitors to the different live music performances regard as being important for a memorable visitor experience. Secondly, the research was conducted from a supply (managers) side and the objective of Chapter 4 was to determine what the managers consider to be important critical success factors in ensuring a memorable visitor experience at a live music performance. A qualitative research method, by means of interviews, was used to obtain the relevant information from the selected participants. All the data collected in the process were transcribed into text and presented in a narrative form. The six step method formulated by Cresswell (2009:185-189) for data analysis and interpretation was used to analyse the data. Four major themes emerged from the analysis where each theme was differentiated in terms of various categories and subcategories. This process contributed greatly towards gaining detailed information regarding the main purpose of organising a live music performance; identifying the aspects that managers consider to be important when organising a live music performance and those aspects that are important in pre-, during- and post-event planning phases as well as how managers define a memorable experience. Lastly, in Chapter 5 a comparison was performed between the demand and supply sides of live music performances in order to establish whether any differences exist amongst the aspects that management consider to be important compared to the critical success factors that the visitors regard as being important to achieve a memorable visitor experience. Both qualitative (supply side) and quantitative (demand side) research methods were implemented in this research. The results of the critical success factors drawn from the first and second articles were used to conduct this research. The results of both the demand and supply sides were subsequently compared with one another where significant differences had been identified. This was the first time that research was conducted from both the demand and supply sides within the live music performance environment. The results of this research contribute greatly to literature and to the music industry. In addition, this was also the first time that both a qualitative and a quantitative research method were applied in research conducted at live music performances and which were subsequently compared with one another. Determining the differences between the critical success factors identified contributes towards event specific education and information for current as well as future live music performance managers. Therefore, results of this research can be employed to educate and inform current and future managers in the live music performance industry regarding important aspects relating to the enhancement of the important critical success factors that contribute to a memorable experience when individuals attend a live music performance. / PhD (Tourism Management), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

This study focuses on the skills and needs of forensic social workers, working with alleged child sexual abuse in the Western Cape. Forensic social work is based on specialised knowledge drawn from established principles and their application within proven methodology of training, familiarity with the law, evaluation and objective criteria associated with treatment outcomes. The scope of forensic social work thus includes a specialised skill where human service systems communicate the language in the context of legal systems. This means that the forensic process must withstand critical review and rebuttal from opposing parties in a legal system. It is evident that a forensic social worker needs to have specialised training and specific skills, focusing on forensic investigative interviews, all aspects of child sexual abuse and how the South African justice system operates. Without these skills, the legal process may not be successful and the prevention of child sexual abuse not as successful as it might otherwise be. The general aim of the study was to analyse the skills and needs of social workers assessing allegations of child sexual abuse in order to assist organisations working in the field of forensic social work by improving their support training practices in forensic social work. The researcher used a quantitative descriptive design also known as a survey design. This design usually makes use of a questionnaire as a data collection method and nineteen (19) respondents were selected according to a randomised method of sampling. The findings form part of a list of recommendations to participating welfare organisations. / Thesis (MSc (Physiology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

This study focuses on the skills and needs of forensic social workers, working with alleged child sexual abuse in the Western Cape. Forensic social work is based on specialised knowledge drawn from established principles and their application within proven methodology of training, familiarity with the law, evaluation and objective criteria associated with treatment outcomes. The scope of forensic social work thus includes a specialised skill where human service systems communicate the language in the context of legal systems. This means that the forensic process must withstand critical review and rebuttal from opposing parties in a legal system. It is evident that a forensic social worker needs to have specialised training and specific skills, focusing on forensic investigative interviews, all aspects of child sexual abuse and how the South African justice system operates. Without these skills, the legal process may not be successful and the prevention of child sexual abuse not as successful as it might otherwise be. The general aim of the study was to analyse the skills and needs of social workers assessing allegations of child sexual abuse in order to assist organisations working in the field of forensic social work by improving their support training practices in forensic social work. The researcher used a quantitative descriptive design also known as a survey design. This design usually makes use of a questionnaire as a data collection method and nineteen (19) respondents were selected according to a randomised method of sampling. The findings form part of a list of recommendations to participating welfare organisations. / Thesis (MSc (Physiology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

In South Africa, Science and Technology Education faces many problems. Insufficient numbers of Science and Technology teachers, inadequate in–service training, large classes, instruction with the aim of narrowly orienting students towards examination passes an insufficient integration of technology in the curriculum, and insufficient physical infrastructure dominates the list. The Department of Education envisages the use of ICT as a tool for learning and teaching. ICT has the potential to improve the quality of education and training. If adequate resources are available, and teachers have confidence in the usefulness of ICTs, then the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) may improve the teaching and learning of Mathematics and Science. A review of the literature indicated that the deployment of ICT resources alone will not bring about desirable pedagogical practices in the classroom. There exists a need for interventions that will enhance ICT pedagogical practices in South Africa. The following main research questions were formulated: What are the ICT pedagogic practices used by grade 8 Mathematics and Science teachers in South African classrooms? How do the barriers that grade 8 Mathematics and Science teachers encounter, as well as the support they receive, influence their pedagogical practices? What is the Principal’s role in promoting the emerging pedagogic practices using ICT in South African classrooms? This research comprises a secondary data analysis of the SITES 2006 South African data base. The population and sample for this study was based on the South African grade 8 Mathematics and Natural science teachers. In SITES 2006, the samples comprised more than 504 schools. Due to the fact that ICT is only significantly implemented in two out of nine provinces in South Africa, 25 strata were created to secure fair representation of the population with 666 Mathematics teachers and 622 Natural Science teachers. Bromfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory and Engeström’s Activity Theory was used to investigate Natural Science and Mathematics teachers’ progress in their ICT pedagogical practices through the time–frame 2004 to 2013, as stipulated in the South Africa’s White paper on e–Education policy. Statistical analysis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used to address the research and sub–questions. The study found that South African Mathematics and Natural Science teachers’ level of ICT use is small; when they do use ICT, it is enhanced 21st century pedagogic practices. This is in accordance with findings from the international literature study. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Education))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

The objective of this study was, firstly, to investigate the reliability of a measure of qualitative and quantitative job insecurity and, secondly, to determine the relationship between qualitative and quantitative job insecurity, job satisfaction, affective organisational commitment, turnover intention and locus of control. A cross–sectional survey design was used which included participants randomly selected from a retail banking group across junior, supervisory and middle management levels (n=178). The job insecurity scales of Hellgren, Sverke and Isaksson (1999); job satisfaction scale of Hellgren, Sjöberg and Sverke (1997); affective organisational commitment scale of Allen and Meyer (1990); turnover intention scale of Sjöberg and Sverke (2001) and the locus of control scale of Levenson (1981) were administered. Descriptive statistics were used in order to analyse the data. Structural equivalence was used for the comparison of the factor structures of the job insecurity scale for the three language groups. Furthermore, in order to determine the relationships between the variables, the Pearson product–moment correlation coefficients were used, while the dependent variable turnover intention was predicted by means of a regression analysis. As indicated at the outset, two research articles form the basis of this mini–dissertation: Based on the first article, results indicate that both the qualitative and quantitative scale presented satisfactory levels of reliability across different language groups, and a relationship between these dimensions (quantitative and qualitative) was noticeable. However, the item “I think my future prospects and opportunities within the organisation are good” included in the qualitative job insecurity scale could well be problematic, the deduction being that language barriers probably played a role in participants’ interpretation of the question. According to the second article, both qualitative and quantitative job insecurity positively related to turnover intentions. Furthermore, job satisfaction reported a negative relationship with turnover intention, and a negative relationship between qualitative job insecurity and job satisfaction came to the fore. Locus of control, on the other hand, had a direct bearing on qualitative job insecurity, while only job satisfaction and quantitative job insecurity directly predicted employees’ turnover intention in the banking sector. Finally, locus of control seemingly had no mediating effect when predicting turnover intention. Based on the afore–going, this mini–dissertation will conclude by offering deductions and making recommendations for further research as well as offering possible solutions to the commercial banking sector as far as the retention of staff is concerned. / Thesis (M.Com. (Human Resource Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

In South Africa, Science and Technology Education faces many problems. Insufficient numbers of Science and Technology teachers, inadequate in–service training, large classes, instruction with the aim of narrowly orienting students towards examination passes an insufficient integration of technology in the curriculum, and insufficient physical infrastructure dominates the list. The Department of Education envisages the use of ICT as a tool for learning and teaching. ICT has the potential to improve the quality of education and training. If adequate resources are available, and teachers have confidence in the usefulness of ICTs, then the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) may improve the teaching and learning of Mathematics and Science. A review of the literature indicated that the deployment of ICT resources alone will not bring about desirable pedagogical practices in the classroom. There exists a need for interventions that will enhance ICT pedagogical practices in South Africa. The following main research questions were formulated: What are the ICT pedagogic practices used by grade 8 Mathematics and Science teachers in South African classrooms? How do the barriers that grade 8 Mathematics and Science teachers encounter, as well as the support they receive, influence their pedagogical practices? What is the Principal’s role in promoting the emerging pedagogic practices using ICT in South African classrooms? This research comprises a secondary data analysis of the SITES 2006 South African data base. The population and sample for this study was based on the South African grade 8 Mathematics and Natural science teachers. In SITES 2006, the samples comprised more than 504 schools. Due to the fact that ICT is only significantly implemented in two out of nine provinces in South Africa, 25 strata were created to secure fair representation of the population with 666 Mathematics teachers and 622 Natural Science teachers. Bromfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory and Engeström’s Activity Theory was used to investigate Natural Science and Mathematics teachers’ progress in their ICT pedagogical practices through the time–frame 2004 to 2013, as stipulated in the South Africa’s White paper on e–Education policy. Statistical analysis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used to address the research and sub–questions. The study found that South African Mathematics and Natural Science teachers’ level of ICT use is small; when they do use ICT, it is enhanced 21st century pedagogic practices. This is in accordance with findings from the international literature study. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Education))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

The objective of this study was, firstly, to investigate the reliability of a measure of qualitative and quantitative job insecurity and, secondly, to determine the relationship between qualitative and quantitative job insecurity, job satisfaction, affective organisational commitment, turnover intention and locus of control. A cross–sectional survey design was used which included participants randomly selected from a retail banking group across junior, supervisory and middle management levels (n=178). The job insecurity scales of Hellgren, Sverke and Isaksson (1999); job satisfaction scale of Hellgren, Sjöberg and Sverke (1997); affective organisational commitment scale of Allen and Meyer (1990); turnover intention scale of Sjöberg and Sverke (2001) and the locus of control scale of Levenson (1981) were administered. Descriptive statistics were used in order to analyse the data. Structural equivalence was used for the comparison of the factor structures of the job insecurity scale for the three language groups. Furthermore, in order to determine the relationships between the variables, the Pearson product–moment correlation coefficients were used, while the dependent variable turnover intention was predicted by means of a regression analysis. As indicated at the outset, two research articles form the basis of this mini–dissertation: Based on the first article, results indicate that both the qualitative and quantitative scale presented satisfactory levels of reliability across different language groups, and a relationship between these dimensions (quantitative and qualitative) was noticeable. However, the item “I think my future prospects and opportunities within the organisation are good” included in the qualitative job insecurity scale could well be problematic, the deduction being that language barriers probably played a role in participants’ interpretation of the question. According to the second article, both qualitative and quantitative job insecurity positively related to turnover intentions. Furthermore, job satisfaction reported a negative relationship with turnover intention, and a negative relationship between qualitative job insecurity and job satisfaction came to the fore. Locus of control, on the other hand, had a direct bearing on qualitative job insecurity, while only job satisfaction and quantitative job insecurity directly predicted employees’ turnover intention in the banking sector. Finally, locus of control seemingly had no mediating effect when predicting turnover intention. Based on the afore–going, this mini–dissertation will conclude by offering deductions and making recommendations for further research as well as offering possible solutions to the commercial banking sector as far as the retention of staff is concerned. / Thesis (M.Com. (Human Resource Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.