M.A. (Geography and Environmental Management) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.A. (Geography) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

The research aimed to explore the potential occurrence of the serial position effect and the own-race bias in facial recognition, and to explore whether these two socio-cognitive psychological phenomena had any influence on each other. Specifically, the researcher suggested that other-race facial recognition will show diminished U-type serial position curves in comparison to own-race facial recognition U-type serial position curves. This was done through a quasi-experimental design, testing 48 participants from an environmental consulting and ground engineering firm in Midrand, Johannesburg. Twelve (12) sets of slides showing either 5 black or 5 white faces were presented to participants, the sequence of faces was randomised and then displayed again to participants. Participants had to identify the original position in which the face was displayed (forcing a serial reconstruction task). Results yielded a U-type serial position curves for overall recognition, with a statistically significant effect for own-race bias effect. Specific interactions indicated that recognition for own-race facial stimuli exhibit clear serial position effect trends, whilst recognition of other-race facial stimuli recognition show increased recognition for the first, middle and last faces in a set. The researcher suggests that the results within this study could be attributed to the effect of an attentional primacy gradient within the Serial Information Processing model. However, further studies are required to eliminate numerous other confounding factors which may have played a role in the study. The results of this research have implications for the judicial system, in which false eyewitness identifications have profound consequences. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Psychology / unrestricted

A research report submitted to the School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies in Partial Fulfillment for the Master‘s Degree in Science University of the Witwatersrand. Johannesburg, 5 June 2017. / With consumer culture that encourages societies to buy more, waste production increases as well. A lack of site specific data regarding waste conceptualisations and practices inhibits sustainable waste initiatives such as separation at source programmes from being successful and results in poor participation levels. This research report investigates these issues through a case study of Elizabeth Fry Village (EFV) in Vorna Valley, Midrand, particularly focusing on a Separation at Source programme in Elizabeth Fry Village. This research was conducted over a 6 month period between September 2016 and March 2017. There are two approaches within the broad debate around waste that this research engages with. The first is the approach presented by Moore (2012), Gutberlet (2013), Oteng-Ababio (2014) and Parizeau (2015) who argue that the different ways that people understand and conceptualise waste influences their waste practices, including participation in recycling programmes. The second approach focuses on the practical factors that affect participation in recycling programmes (Tonglet et al., 2004 and Martin et al., 2006). Based on mixed methods including participant observation, interviews, desktop studies and a waste composition study conducted in Elizabeth Fry Village, this research report argues that it is necessary to combine both approaches to develop a comprehensive understanding of people‘s participation or lack thereof in recycling programmes such as separation at source (S@S). It is recommended that future research explores mechanisms for the better use of putrescible waste and that aspects such as convenience, time, space, knowledge and awareness are further investigated to increase participation rates in the area. Another major aspect identified for future research is exploring how to shift people‘s conceptualision of waste to recognise it as a positive material. Keywords: Recycling, waste, separation at source (S@S), conceptualisation, participation, Elizabeth Fry Village (EFV), Midrand / LG2017

Thesis is submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of M.Sc. Building (Project Management in Construction) to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, 2017 / The construction industry plays an important role in our lives, more specifically the residential sector, which serves to help people access their basic human right to housing. Housing is a basic human right which most South Africans are yet to realise. The high demand for housing and other forms of infrastructure by both the private and public sectors have attracted entrepreneurs who fall under the small and medium contractor categories, to venture into the residential construction mostly as sub-contractors. The construction industry is predominantly constituted of small, micro and medium enterprises. The construction industry is also unfortunately widely known to be a hazardous and accident prone sector; whereby workers are exposed to health and safety hazards on a daily basis, some which lead to loss of life. Literature has found that small and micro enterprises (SMEs) experience more occupational health and safety problems in comparison to their medium and larger counterparts. A positive safety culture is considered as an essential contributor to improved occupational safety performance in construction. Due to the highly reported health and safety challenges faced by construction SMEs, the study seeks to determine the existing safety culture of small and micro enterprises operating in private residential construction sector. The researcher explores the safety perceptions, attitudes, and behaviour of construction workers and management safety practices on small residential construction sites and therefore determine the existing safety culture. An existing safety climate assessment questionnaire was administered to workers employed at the Waterfall Country Estate, Midrand and the findings indicated that there generally exists a good safety culture on the affluent residential construction site. Unsafe worker behaviours have been blamed as the lead cause of accidents on construction work sites, but the current health and safety status of industry calls for more accountability instead of blame shifting amongst stakeholders. Interventions and strategies that seek to address the occupational health and safety of the construction industry should not be reactive, but should rather be a proactive and anticipatory process. It is therefore crucial to begin exploring proactive approaches towards the establishment of a positive health and safety culture, whereby more commitment and accountability is shown from all key stakeholders who collectively have the means to influence and contribute towards the creation of a positive safety culture in residential construction. / XL2018

One of the most important issues facing the South African democracy is that of breaking the grip of poverty on a substantial portion of its citizens. In South Africa, Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) play a major role in the development of assistance for the poor and in reducing poverty. As an NPO, the Greater Midrand Development Centre (GMDC) has played an important role in supporting and encouraging the development aspirations of Region A of the City of Johannesburg community in the areas of Agricultural projects, bakery, poultry and paper making. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of the Development Centre Approach (DCA) on poverty alleviation in the Region A of the City of Johannesburg community and to make recommendations on policy priorities and challenges that will fast track developmental social service delivery within a Development Centre Approach. The study focused on the GMDC poverty alleviation projects in five selected areas. The study followed a qualitative research approach. Data was collected by means of one-on-one interviews and focus groups by means of semi-structured interview schedules. The participants of the focus groups involved both those beneficiaries who were still attending the GMDC poverty alleviation projects, and those who have exited the development centre poverty alleviation projects. The one-on-one interviews involved five project leaders, members of the board, staff members, and officials from the Department of Social Development. The findings indicated that the GMDC has played a crucial role in terms of poverty alleviation of the beneficiaries. From the study it was concluded that the poverty alleviation projects of the GMDC appear to be alleviating the poverty of the beneficiaries by addressing some of their basic needs to a certain extent by improving a livelihood, but nonetheless still not reducing their poverty levels. The study recommends the development of a clear exit strategy which is understood and supported by beneficiaries. The exit strategy should include factors and elements which will promote sustainability, such as business and entrepreneurial skills; knowledge on equipment; material; a marketing strategy; and a strategy or guidelines on networking, including donors and financing institutions. / Dissertation (MSW)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted