Thesis (MBA) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / The purpose of this study was to investigate challenges faced by Supply Chain Management (SCM) officials in the implementation of the procurement process at the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Sekhukhune and Capricorn District as per the approval by TREC. The researcher requested the Head of Department for the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to grant approval to conduct the study at Sekhukhune and Capricorn Districts. The Head of Department delegated the Departmental Research Committee to attend to the researcher’s request. The Departmental Research Committee advised the researcher and granted approval to conduct the study at Waterberg, Mopani and Vhembe District offices, since the researcher is working at Sekhukhune District sharing the same complex with Capricorn District office. A qualitative research method was used to collect data which was collected using structured interview questions. Participants in the study were officials working at Waterberg and Vhembe District. The researcher was unable to conduct research at Mopani District due to the unavailability of the participants. The findings revealed that SCM officials are not adequately trained but are still expected to deliver service efficiently and effectively. The study further revealed that there is a shortage of staff and SCM officials are struggling to deliver because of IT Infrastructure network problems. It was concluded that SCM Practitioners are facing some challenges in the implementation of the procurement process at Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Waterberg and Vhembe District offices. The respondents indicated that there is a shortage of staff and also that posts which are vacant are not given priority. In addition, the IT Infrastructure Network problem was a big challenge to SCM Practitioners since they are without network most of the time while their systems require daily network access. The research indicated that officials are not well trained and that there is lack of communication between the districts and Head office. It is recommended that vacant posts be filled immediately after the post becomes vacant and that the Department should develop a communication tool which will be circulated to all SCM officials. Management at head office is advised to arrange iv monthlymeetingsanda SCM forum inviting all SCM officials starting from the lower level upwards to address challenges and update each other about the new developments within the Unit. It is recommended that the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development introduce intensive Training programmes within the Department to ensure that SCM Practitioners remain well informed. It is also recommended that the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development make a concerted effort to train top management in order to solicit their full support to the districts. It is recommended that the Department develops its SCM policy. The Department is advised to install Wi-Fi to officials working for the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development at all five Districts in order to promote effective and efficient service delivery. It is recommended that the Department should allocate all necessary Logis training to SCM officials before they get access to the system. The Department needs to work with Provincial Treasury on the allocation of the items which need to be procured e.g seed and seedling in order to speed up service delivery. It is recommended to the Department to appoint well qualified and experienced SCM officials to fill vacant posts, to offer training to officials who are already within the Unit and provide Bursaries to SCM officials to acquire long-term qualifications such as Diplomas and Degrees.

Актуальность исследования обусловлена недостаточным вниманием к сценографии театра современного танца в России. Объектом данной работы являются особенности художественного решения пространства contemporary dance. Предметом – анализ элементов структурирования пространства постановки на примере Екатеринбургского театра Провинциальные танцы, одного из наиболее профессиональных и интересных коллективов в области современной хореографии в России. Неоднозначность трактовок сценографии различных форм dance-театра обусловлена изменением характеристик взаимодействия со зрителем, многовариантностью постановочных пространств, особенностями пластического языка танца, обращающегося к до-рациональному, до-вербальному началу человека. Изменение понимания телесности актера и объектно-субъектных связей постановки, а также сложность и нерасчленимость составляющих элементов постановок contemporary dance позволяют проследить линию соответствия скульптуры и пластического танца, а также особенности взаимодействия этого направления dance-театра с другими формами искусства, объекты которых часто являются неотъемлемой составляющей постановки. / The research is relevant due to the lack of attention to the scenography of Russian contemporary dance. The subject matter of the study are specifics of the art and design of contemporary dance spaces. The scope of the study is an analysis of elements of space structuring in performances by the example of Provincial Dances Theatre (Ekaterinburg) as one of the most professional and interesting groups of contemporary choreography in Russia. Scenography of different forms of dance theatres is interpreted ambiguously due to change of characteristics of arrangement with viewers, multivariance of performance spaces, specific of dance language that appeals to prerational, preverbal human nature. Understanding of artist corporality changes, as well as relations between actors and objects in performance. The elements of contemporary dance performances are complex and indivisible. All of these allows tracing the interactions between sculpture and dance, also the interactions between contemporary dance and other art forms that are often integral to a performance.

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La alteración de procesos ecológicos tales como la dinámica de las interacciones biológicas, el ciclado de nutrientes y la dispersión de propágulos por parte de disturbios como el sobrepastoreo, promueve la ocurrencia de invasiones biológicas. En el caso de los pastizales naturales del sistema serrano de Ventania, el sobrepastoreo ha producido el reemplazo de gramíneas palatables por comunidades con alta representatividad de gramíneas no palatables como Nassella trichotoma. Esta especie posee características que explicarían su comportamiento invasor, por ejemplo: evitación del pastoreo, tolerancia a la defoliación a través de la elaboración de una alta densidad de macollos, alta producción y frecuencia de semillas en el banco del suelo, entre otros. A pesar de lo mencionado, el conocimiento sobre cómo los procesos ecológicos vinculados a los atributos de N. trichotoma intervienen en el incremento de su representatividad en su rango de hábitats de origen es incierto. Por tanto, el objetivo general de esta tesis es contribuir al entendimiento del proceso de invasión de N. trichotoma en el pastizal serrano del Sistema de Ventania a través del análisis de las características y requerimientos de esta especie en los distintos estadios de su ciclo de vida. Los objetivos específicos de esta tesis fueron (1) cuantificar y describir el patrón de distribución espacial de N. trichotoma en el banco de semillas del suelo en áreas con diferente abundancia de la especie, (2) evaluar el reclutamiento de plántulas de N. trichotoma y de una gramínea palatable en parches de vegetación dominados por una u otra especie y bajo distintas intensidades de defoliación, (3) determinar las relaciones de competencia entre N. trichotoma y especies palatables del pastizal serrano bajo distintos niveles de intensidad y selectividad de defoliaciones (mecanismo de competencia), (4) evaluar la productividad de biomasa aérea de N. trichotoma bajo distintos niveles de intensidad de defoliación (mecanismo de tolerancia), y (5) determinar la variación temporal en la concentración de proteína y de fibra en los tejidos foliares de N. trichotoma en plantas sometidas a distintos niveles de defoliación. La metodología utilizada comprendió muestreos de banco de semillas, siembra de semillas, estudios de competencia mediada por la defoliación y análisis de calidad nutritiva de las muestras. La densidad de semillas en el banco del suelo fue relativamente elevada a todos los niveles de abundancia estudiados. El reclutamiento de N. trichotoma fue mayor en micrositios con bajos niveles de competencia aérea en comparación con una especie palatable. Al mismo tiempo, N. trichotoma presentó un cierto grado de tolerancia a la defoliación y, contrario a lo postulado, la defoliación selectiva sobre gramíneas palatables creciendo en competencia aparente con N. trichotoma no parecería beneficiar a esta última en la competencia interespecífica. Por último, los resultados no apoyaron la hipótesis que el disturbio por defoliación mejora la calidad de N. trichotoma, al menos a las intensidades de defoliación aplicadas en el presente estudio. Los resultados obtenidos aportan evidencia a que N. trichotoma presenta mecanismos ecológicos que le otorgarían a la misma un carácter invasor y atributos de especie estrés/disturbio tolerante. / The alteration of ecological processes such as dynamics of biological interactions, nutrient cycling and propagule dispersal by disturbances such as overgrazing, promotes the occurrence of biological invasions. In the case of natural grasslands of the Ventania mountain system, overgrazing has led to the replacement of palatable grasses by communities with high representativity of non-palatable grasses such as Nassella trichotoma. This species has characteristics that may explain its invasive behavior, for instance: grazing avoidance mechanism, certain degree of tolerance to defoliation relaying on the elaboration of a high density of tillers, high production and frequency of seeds in the soil seed bank, among others. In spite of the aforementioned, information about how ecological processes linked to attributes of N. trichotoma intervene in increasing their representativeness in its region of origin is lacking. The specific objectives of this thesis were (1) to quantify and describe the spatial distribution pattern of N. trichotoma propagule density in the soil seed bank in areas with different species abundance in the established vegetation, (2) to evaluate the recruitment of seedlings of N. trichotoma and a palatable grass species in microsites located in patches of vegetation dominated by one or another species and under different intensities of defoliation, (3) to determine the competition relationships between N. trichotoma and a palatable species under different levels of intensity and selectivity of defoliation (competition mechanism), (4) to evaluate the standing biomass productivity of N. trichotoma under different levels of defoliation intensity (tolerance mechanism), and (5) to determine the temporal variation of physicochemical quality of foliar tissue of N. trichotoma under different intensities of defoliation. The methodology included seed bank sampling, seed sowing, competition studies mediated by defoliation and nutritional quality analysis of the samples. Seed density in the soil bank was relatively high at all abundance levels. The recruitment of N. trichotoma was higher at microsites with low levels of aerial competition in comparison to the palatable species. At the same time, N. trichotoma presented a certain degree of tolerance to defoliation and, contrary to expectations, selective defoliation on palatable grasses growing in apparent competition with N. trichotoma did not benefit the latter in interspecific competition. Finally, the results did not support the hypothesis that defoliation increases the chemical quality of N. trichotoma, at least at the intensities of defoliation applied in the present study. The results obtained provide evidence that N. trichotoma presents ecological mechanisms that may explain its invasive character and attributes of a stress/tolerant species.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the social networks and mobility of officials related to the provincial towns of Elkab, Hierakonpolis and Edfu in southern Upper Egypt. It analyses their sphere of influence in Egypt and Nubia against the backdrop of the Second Intermediate Period and the early New Kingdom. A prosopographical methodological approach is applied with Social Network Analysis as a theoretical framework. Based on epigraphic sources on which the southern Upper Egyptian officials are attested, the prosopography displays that a number of them were highly mobile within the confines of the Egyptian territory of the Second Intermediate Period. In the early New Kingdom, these officials also became attested in Nubia. Furthermore, the Social Network Analysis reveals that officials from the towns were well-connected locally with each other. Periodically, these officials were also closely linked to the central administration. / Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka ämbetsmän relaterade till de provinsiella städerna Elkab, Hierakonpolis och Edfu i södra övre Egypten, deras sociala nätverk och geografiska förflyttning. Den analyserar deras sfär av inflytande i Egypten och Nubien under andra mellantiden och det tidiga nya riket. En prosopografisk metod har tillämpats med social nätverksanalys som teoretiskt ramverk. Prosopografin som baseras på epigrafiska källor där ämbetsmän från södra övre Egypten är omnämnda visar på att ett antal var betydligt mobila inom det egyptiska territoriets gränser under andra mellantiden. Under det tidiga nya riket påträffas dessa ämbetsmän även i Nubien. Den sociala nätverksanalysen visar dessutom på att ämbetsmän från de tre städerna bibehöll kontakter med varandra lokalt. Periodvis var dessa ämbetsmän även sammanknippade med centraladministrationen.

The thesis is focused on the question of how responsibilities for the performance of public functions are assigned to levels or spheres of government. The term "public function" refers to the activities performed by governments in order to satisfy identified community needs. There is a paucity of validated knowledge concerning the particular phenomenon, and the purpose of the study is to make a research based contribution in this connection. Because of the exploratory nature of the study particular attention is paid to the orientation of the research in Public Administration terms, as well as to research design. A study of the assignment of responsibilities in a selection of foreign countries was undertaken, and the findings are recorded and evaluated. The conclusion reached is that in none of the countries studied a clear, comprehensive demarcation of governmental responsibilities has been achieved. Regarding South Africa, the thesis encompasses a historical overview, followed by separate analytical examinations of the arrangements set in place by the 1993 ("interim") and the 1996 ("final") Constitutions. In the pre-democratic era (1910 to 1994), ideological considerations patently played a prominent role. The treatment of the assignment question by the 1993 Constitution is found to have had substantial shortcomings, especially with regard to conceptual and technical aspects, the realisation of assignment principles, and the substance of assigned responsibilities. In the author's opinion a satisfactory deployment of responsibilities was not achieved. The 1996 Constitution improved the assignment scheme, notably through the better realisation of assignment principles, the introduction of exclusive powers for the provinces, and in dealing with the municipal domain. However, the 1996 Constitution also did not achieve a credible and clear-cut assignment of responsibilities. In assessing the degree to which a scientific approach to the assignment question is in evidence, the finding is that such an approach has not been established. A theoretical assignment model, following a Public Administration approach, is then presented. The model covers language, classification, assignment principles, and methodology. The thesis concludes with a reflection on the research, as well as on the practicalities of achieving improvement in the assignment of responsibilities. / Public Administration / D. Litt. et Phil. (Public Administration)

Momentous choices and opportunities have opened up in South Africa since a settlement was successfully negotiated and a new political and constitutional dispensation was created. Events such as the constitutional negotiations and the establishment of reconstruction and development initiatives have placed a renewed emphasis on development management, process facilitation and the development of policy. This study provides an overview of the broad field of policy studies and specifically focuses on policy process models. In particular, this study centres on the further development of the generic process model and provides an overview of the application thereof to the operational environment. From this, simulation exercises and case study material have been developed as policy learning methodologies. Institutional arrangements for policy processes and the institutionalisation of policy and related support capacities at intergovernmental and organisational level receive particular attention. The study demonstrates the application of the generic process model by applying the framework to a case study based on the provincial demarcation exercise. This study concludes that policy management, as a cross-cutting, lateral methodology, in conjunction with similar methodologies, such as strategic planning, research methodology and project management, should be regarded as a critical tool, by the academic community and development practitioners alike, for improving the decision-making capacity of government, the private sector and civil society. / D.Litt. et Phil. (Development Administration)

The thesis is focused on the question of how responsibilities for the performance of public functions are assigned to levels or spheres of government. The term "public function" refers to the activities performed by governments in order to satisfy identified community needs. There is a paucity of validated knowledge concerning the particular phenomenon, and the purpose of the study is to make a research based contribution in this connection. Because of the exploratory nature of the study particular attention is paid to the orientation of the research in Public Administration terms, as well as to research design. A study of the assignment of responsibilities in a selection of foreign countries was undertaken, and the findings are recorded and evaluated. The conclusion reached is that in none of the countries studied a clear, comprehensive demarcation of governmental responsibilities has been achieved. Regarding South Africa, the thesis encompasses a historical overview, followed by separate analytical examinations of the arrangements set in place by the 1993 ("interim") and the 1996 ("final") Constitutions. In the pre-democratic era (1910 to 1994), ideological considerations patently played a prominent role. The treatment of the assignment question by the 1993 Constitution is found to have had substantial shortcomings, especially with regard to conceptual and technical aspects, the realisation of assignment principles, and the substance of assigned responsibilities. In the author's opinion a satisfactory deployment of responsibilities was not achieved. The 1996 Constitution improved the assignment scheme, notably through the better realisation of assignment principles, the introduction of exclusive powers for the provinces, and in dealing with the municipal domain. However, the 1996 Constitution also did not achieve a credible and clear-cut assignment of responsibilities. In assessing the degree to which a scientific approach to the assignment question is in evidence, the finding is that such an approach has not been established. A theoretical assignment model, following a Public Administration approach, is then presented. The model covers language, classification, assignment principles, and methodology. The thesis concludes with a reflection on the research, as well as on the practicalities of achieving improvement in the assignment of responsibilities. / Public Administration and Management / D. Litt. et Phil. (Public Administration)

Momentous choices and opportunities have opened up in South Africa since a settlement was successfully negotiated and a new political and constitutional dispensation was created. Events such as the constitutional negotiations and the establishment of reconstruction and development initiatives have placed a renewed emphasis on development management, process facilitation and the development of policy. This study provides an overview of the broad field of policy studies and specifically focuses on policy process models. In particular, this study centres on the further development of the generic process model and provides an overview of the application thereof to the operational environment. From this, simulation exercises and case study material have been developed as policy learning methodologies. Institutional arrangements for policy processes and the institutionalisation of policy and related support capacities at intergovernmental and organisational level receive particular attention. The study demonstrates the application of the generic process model by applying the framework to a case study based on the provincial demarcation exercise. This study concludes that policy management, as a cross-cutting, lateral methodology, in conjunction with similar methodologies, such as strategic planning, research methodology and project management, should be regarded as a critical tool, by the academic community and development practitioners alike, for improving the decision-making capacity of government, the private sector and civil society. / D.Litt. et Phil. (Development Administration)