Thesis (M.A. (African Languages)) -- University of Pretoria, 2007.

Brochures are often used to disseminate information to disadvantaged communities. This study attempts to evaluate the usability and effectiveness of information brochures developed by the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) for development communication among developing communities on guidelines on how to grow Bambara groundnut and the cultivation of maize in a South African development context. The main objectives of the study were to establish the target audience’s comprehension, usability and effectiveness of the selected pamphlets. The study also attempted to examine the influence of the demographic and socio-economic factors on the effective communication of information. Usability here refers to the extent to which communication materials such as information pamphlets can be used by specific users to achieve specific goals namely effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction in a specified context. This study’s main focus is on the distinguishing characteristics of reader focus text evaluation method as outlined in Schriver (1989). Reader focus text evaluation method was used to evaluate the usability of pamphlets in the research conducted among small-scale farmers of Tibane and Kordon at Ga-Matlala district in the Limpopo Province The two pamphlets were evaluated with the intention to establish whether the users understood the contents and whether the message was effectively communicated or not. The findings of the study indicate that the information disseminated by the ARC agricultural pamphlets is not effectively communicated because of the language and the arrangement of pictures or frames used in the pamphlets, which confused most illiterate participants. This ineffective dissemination of development information in rural communities needs to be revised to ensure its effectiveness. / Dissertation (MA (Development Communication))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Information Science / MA / unrestricted

Thesis (M.Sc. Agriculture (Animal Production)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / Refer to document / National Research Foundation (NRF)

The purpose of the study was to explore and describe leadership at Matlala District Hospital in Limpopo, a province of South Africa. The study was critical for a better understanding of leadership styles adopted in different situations (hospital, district or province) at Matlala District Hospital in the Sekhukhune district. The main objectives of the study were described in chapter 1 on leadership styles (transformational and transactional), to determine how best to investigate leadership styles at Matlala District Hospital, to determine what the current leadership style at Matlala District Hospital is and to propose the most appropriate leadership style for Matlala District Hospital. A mixed-methods approach was used with an exploratory and descriptive design. In terms of the qualitative methodology, purposive sampling was used as the managers were selected on their knowledge of the issues under investigation. Firstly, an interview schedule was developed and used to collect data at Matlala District Hospital. The sample size was 82. Interviews were conducted with 12 members of the executive committee who were regarded as senior managers of the hospital. Secondly, the researcher distributed the questionnaires to participants of the hospital that met the inclusion criteria. Seventy participants completed questionnaires, which were collected upon completion. A 100% response rate was reached. Thematic analysis was used to assess the qualitative data. With regard to quantitative data analysis, descriptive, frequency tables and charts and inferential statistics were used. According to the results, those managers who felt that resources had be provided felt strongly that leadership at the hospital should be improved. Accordingly, guidelines for improving leadership at Matlala District Hospital have to be developed to ensure that mitigating factors are in place for the improvement of the situation at the hospital. / Public Administration and Management / M. P. A. (Public Administration)