Black South African (SA) women are disproportionally affected by obesity and insulin resistance, which have been associated with depot-specific alterations in adipose tissue function. This thesis aimed to evaluate the differences in fatty acid (FA) composition and gene expression between abdominal (aSAT) and gluteal subcutaneous adipose tissue (gSAT), and the changes in response to exercise training in relation to body composition, hepatic fat, inflammatory and oxidative stress markers, and insulin sensitivity (SI) in obese black SA women. This research evaluated the i) FA composition of aSAT and gSAT, and red blood cell total phospholipids (RBC-TPL) and their associations with body composition, hepatic fat and SI, ii) changes in these FA profiles in response to exercise training and the relationship with changes in systemic inflammation, hepatic fat and SI; iii) effects of exercise training on systemic markers and SAT gene expression of inflammation and oxidative stress; and iv) regional differences in transcriptome profiles of aSAT and gSAT pre- and post-exercise training. Forty-five IsiXhosa women (30-40kg/m2 , 20-35 years) were randomized into control (n=22) or exercise groups (n=23; 12-week aerobic-resistance training, 40-60 min/session, 4 days/week). Pre and postintervention measurements included: anthropometry, body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, dietary intake, SI, hepatic fat, systemic markers and SAT gene expression of adipokines, inflammation and oxidative stress, RBC-TPL and SAT fatty acids profiles, and untargeted SAT gene expression analyses. The main findings showed differences in the circulating (RBC-TPL) and stored (SAT) FA composition, which reflected in different associations between these FA profiles and SI. Moreover, the changes in FA composition in response to exercise training were depot-specific, with the changes in RBC-TPL correlating with a decrease in systemic inflammation and hepatic fat. Exercise training alleviated systemic oxidative stress and induced increased gSAT inflammatory genes, reflecting SAT remodelling. These changes coincided with a reduction in gynoid fat and were not associated with increased SI. Furthermore, there were unique depot-specific gene expression signatures relating to embryonic development at baseline and more diverse functional-related processes at post-training. This generated novel candidate genes potentially implicated in the relationship between body fat distribution and metabolic status in obese black SA women.

Please read the abstract in the dissertation / Dissertation (MSc Agric)--University of Pretoria ,1967. / gm2014 / Zoology and Entomology / unrestricted

The research assesses the breadth of the definition of "distributions" and asks whether this definition may be too broad. Is regulation found wanting because the definition results in improper protection of the interests of creditors, even with the modern approach of applying the solvency and liquidity test? In answering this question, the South African position is assessed and the position in New Zealand researched for comparative purposes. / Dissertation (LLM (Corporate Law))--University of Pretoria, 2021. / Mercantile Law / LLM (Corporate Law) / Unrestricted

African Languages / D. Litt. et Phil. (Bantu Languages)

Major Depressive Disorder is regarded as a major contributor to the global burden of disease. It is considered as the fourth highest cause of disability across the globe and second highest between the ages of 15 and 44. It is a serious mental health condition that affects individuals’ physical and mental health and is often associated with comorbidities, functional impairment and at times fatal consequences. Men with depression are considered as an at-risk group as research has shown that males are less likely to receive intervention or health care compared to women, due to hegemonic masculine norms. Within the qualitative research community, some efforts have been made to give voice to men’s experiences of depression and help-seeking, as well as the coping strategies that they deploy to manage such symptoms. However, comparatively little to no research has focused on the South African population, and specifically on Black men’s experiences. Similarly, only a few studies have concentrated on the positive, helpful and/or adaptive coping strategies used by men to manage their internal distress. Thus, this study contributed to a growing body of knowledge and filled a gap in current literature. This research was qualitative in nature and deployed Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six-phase framework for conducting a thematic analysis, in order to analyse the eight individual interviews conducted. The analysis produced various themes and subthemes that elucidated the experiences of masculinity, depression, help-seeking and coping mechanisms among Black men in South Africa. The three overarching themes included: Real men don’t cry; Sadness hurts, but sharing hurts more; and Dark days, take control; all of which were related to several subthemes. The analysis indicated that Black men in South Africa do experience depressed moods and internal distress. However, they may deny such experiences due to their subscription to strength-based masculine ideals. They instead foster a mask of indifference to such pain by denying or supressing their emotions in order to assimilate into masculine norms. This was even more apparent in Black African cultures where hegemonic masculine norms were further entrenched and encouraged. Furthermore, public and self-stigma were commonly cited as a reason why the men in the study felt the need to uphold this image of indifference and keep subscribing to such dogmas. This translated into the men’s experiences and attitudes towards help-seeking, where they would often reject or be reluctant to disclose their emotional distress to professionals or to those closest to them. This was due to the perception that help-seeking is in line with femininity, which diverts/shifts away from the masculine ideals they sought to uphold. Another aspect introduced was how these concepts intertwined with Black African cultures. Namely, it may be more difficult for Black men in South Africa to openly express their experiences of depression or seek help psychologically, as these are Westernised terms and are uncommon in Black communities. However, a more traditionally accepted help-seeking route was to go to a traditional healer or Sangoma. Considering the men’s overall reluctance to seek help, they engaged in coping strategies in order to manage depressed feelings, as this was more in line with the masculinity expectations of autonomy, unemotionality and problem solving. Negative coping mechanisms were seen as a celebrated and normalized way for men to numb or supress their emotional distress, while still enacting masculinity. Lastly, although positive coping strategies were posited as a way for men to directly engage in distressful emotions, this was more difficult to adopt as they were perceived to be aligned with more feminine traits. This research created a framework that can be used to conceptualise Black South African men’s experiences of depression, help-seeking and coping strategies. This research is of utmost importance considering that men are noted to be more likely to experience functional impairments or fatal consequences due to their reticence for help-seeking. As such, men and future public health messaging could capitalise on this research in order to improve help-seeking and self-management behaviour amongst this population. This is particularly relevant considering our current context of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Keywords: Major Depressive Disorder, South African men, help-seeking, coping strategies, and qualitative thematic analysis. / Mini Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2021. / Psychology / MA (Clinical Psychology) / Unrestricted

The study of construct validity is particularly relevant in the twenty-first century, as more and more entities in South Africa are using psychometric instruments – instruments which have to be valid and reliable in accordance with the requirements of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). Even though validity and reliability, together with their accompanying aspects, are the two main considerations of a psychometric instrument, the construct validity of an instrument is one of the most important aspects to consider. This study’s focus is therefore, for the most part, based on the construct validity of the Life-Style Questionnaire. Even though the Life-Style Questionnaire is not a very distinguished questionnaire in the South African context, it is, however, a classified and useable questionnaire to determine into which of the five trait-descriptive lifestyle categories an individual belongs. In recent years, the Professional Board has become increasingly concerned about the misuse of assessment measures in South Africa, while recognising the important role of psychological assessment in the professional practice of psychology, as well as for research purposes (Foxcroft&Roodt, 2005:20). The need therefore existed to determine whether or not the Life-Style Questionnaire actually measures what it is supposed to measure, in other words to determine its construct validity. “The Life-Style Questionnaire was developed as an objective means to measure into which of five trait-descriptive lifestyle categories (aggressive, conforming, defensive, individualistic, or resistive) participants belong” (Driscoll&Eckstein, 2007:1). The purpose of this study was to determine the construct validity of the Life-Style Questionnaire, developed by Driscoll and Eckstein, in the South African -Questionnaire, developed by Driscoll and Eckstein, in the South African context. A quantitative descriptive survey design was used to conduct the research. The Life- Style Questionnaire was administered to a non-probability convenience sample consisting of 301 individuals living in South Africa and the results were subjected to factor analysis (FA), item analysis and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Various iterations of the (FA) indicated the primary factors for each of the components of the Life-Style Questionnaire. The final FA yielded a questionnaire consisting of five factors. This was confirmed through Kaiser’s eigenvalues and Cattell’s scree plot. The item analysis indicated that it should be considered to remove items 2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 27, 28, 30 and 32 from the Life-Style Questionnaire. After the factor and item analysis, a CFA was conducted. The purpose of the CFA was to determine whether the postulated theoretical model actually fits the observed data. The most common test used to measure the goodness-of-fit of an instrument is the chi-square test. The chi-square test was conducted by using the EQS programme. The results indicated a poor model fit. However, the reliability of the Life-Style Questionnaire was determined and a Cronbach alpha of 0.853 established the instrument’s high level of reliability. Thus, the Life-Style Questionnaire is a reliable, but invalid instrument. This research study contributed to the understanding and importance of construct validity in psychological instruments. It is important to realise that instruments do not necessarily measure what they are intended to measure and therefore they have to be investigated. Lastly, this study not only emphasises the importance of psychometric properties of psychological instruments, but also the important role that psychometrists and industrial psychologists play with regard to the development and use such instruments. / Dissertation (MCom)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Human Resource Management / unrestricted

This dissertation is the outcome of a study to map the economic structure and organisation of two selected mango export chains from South Africa by applying selected supply chain analysis tools. The study is part of an inventory on the export of fresh fruit and vegetables commissioned by the European Commission under the Veg-i-Trade Project Work Package 1. The two selected chains were the Bavaria fresh mango and the Blue Skies freshly cut mango export supply chains. The study sought to understand how food safety and quality standards are shaping the structure and relationships in the two export chains given the prevalence of food scares and scandals. An inventory of the activities and the various actors along the mango export supply chains was made in order to identify the structure and functioning of the chains and the issues and constraints faced with the various quality and safety standards. The objective of the study was to identify the actors and the role they play, determine the governance structure and relationships and identify the quality management programmes and standards employed in the two selected export chains. In addition, the study sought to identify and analyse the different information exchange categories and use of information between the different links along the chains. A qualitative research approach that incorporates case study methodology was used as the inquiry strategy. Through this methodology, the investigation untangled the complexity of the mango export supply chains which is faced with the challenge of maintaining a chain that guarantees adherence to customer specifications and client needs. The study’s findings established that food safety and quality management standards are shaping the structure and organisation of the chains and their stringency has increased with a widened and deepened scope. In addition, the ability to adopt a standard is directly affected by the scale of business operation and standards are technical barriers to entry for small scale mango producers and exporters mainly because of the high certification and operational costs. In reaction to the standards, it was noted that Bavaria and Blue Skies mango export chains are buyer-driven with a high degree of vertical coordination enforced by contracts. The two chains are modular with the use of and strategic positioning of category managers; a high degree of asset specificity and forward integration to reach their markets resulting in a shortened supply chain. Supply chain coordination is carried out on contracted logistics and cold chain services with regulatory functions provided by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) and the Perishable Product Export Control Board (PPECB) in South Africa and agricultural and health inspectors in the United Kingdom (UK). There is also product and process differentiation. It was also noted that compulsory certification of quality and food safety standards is the prerequisite to access export markets. The standards used in the Bavaria and Blue Skies mango export chains are the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) and Global Good Agricultural Practice (Global GAP). These are used in conjunction with the British Retail Consortium (BRC), Fairtrade, Ethical Trade Initiative (ETI), International Food Standard (IFS) and Linking Environment And Farming (LEAF). Quality audits and inspections are carried out at each supply chain level to ensure safety and adherence to quality requirements. The supply chain actors carry out continuous quality assessment and one way to achieve this was through the application of the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle. Quality and safety standards have also resulted in improved traceability in the Bavaria and Blue Skies Mango export chains. Traceability systems in the Bavaria and Blue Skies mango export chains are more automated though they are not harmonised, thus Paltrack, XsenseTM, Caretrace and TempTrip. Automated information systems used to share and exchange information are internet and email as well as barcodes which are used with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). Manual information systems in use are mainly telephones, facsimile and mobile phones. It was also established that major issues and challenges in the Bavaria and Blue Skies mango export chains are a result of factors that affect mango perishability, mainly post harvest handling procedures thus packaging, transportation, storage, ripening and distribution. If not managed well, poor safety and quality management result in economic losses due to product rejections, product recall and cessation of buyer-supplier relationships. / Dissertation (MSc(Agric))--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development / unrestricted

The South African broiler industry is the greatest contributor to the South African agricultural sector, while at the same time providing the cheapest form of protein to the South African consumer. In light of a recent application for increased tariffs due to the industry’s inability to compete with the price of imported products, the need for a tool that is able to quantify the benefit of increased tariff protection to producers, while at the same time considering the cost of increased tariffs on South African consumers became apparent. The integrated nature of the industry however raised the concern that the assumptions associated with traditional quantitative modelling techniques, particularly that of a perfectly competitive market, would not allow the current broiler model within the BFAP sector modelling framework to represent the industry accurately. The primary objective of the study was to determine the true method of price discovery within the South African broiler market, in order to specify a price equation that is able to capture the dynamics surrounding price formation with improved accuracy. This price formation mechanism was then integrated into a simulation model that represents the industry accurately. Due to its ability to represent reality within the market with greater accuracy, the New Institutional Economic (NIE) framework was used to analyse the structure of the South African broiler industry as action domain. The actors and activities in the value chain were evaluated, followed by an analysis of the institutions that govern exchange within the market, highlighting the implications of these institutions for price formation within this coordinated market structure. Upon evaluation of compensation structures used within broiler production contracts, it became evident that the market for live broilers produced by contract growers could be considered as a market for grower services, as opposed to a market for live broilers. Compensation based on a broiler production tournament offers significant incentives for greater efficiency, effectively ensuring that production efficiency increases on a continuous basis. Despite the contractual obligation of integrated producers to pay their contracted growers based on a formula including the cost of production, the broiler producer price is negotiated between integrators and retailer, within a concentrated market structure. The cost of production is used as bargaining tool in price negotiations, yet the availability of imported products at extremely competitive prices limits the extent to which increased production costs can be passed up through the value chain. This was confirmed by the fact that the response of the domestic broiler producer price was much more elastic to changes in the international price than to changes in feed costs. The theoretical factors that drive broiler producer prices in South Africa were confirmed econometrically through the use of an error correction model, estimated empirically using secondary monthly data from 2007 to 2012. The estimated equations were integrated into a partial equilibrium framework using an import identity to establish equilibrium in the market, rather than a price equilibrator. The inelastic response from the domestic broiler producer price to changes in broiler feed prices raised questions regarding South African producers’ ability to compete with imported products and produce sustainably in the long run. Given the higher costs of production domestically, as well as the relative size and importance of the broiler industry within the South African agricultural sector, the need to evaluate the tariff application objectively was clear. Policy decisions should weigh the benefit of increased producer prices on broiler producers against the cost of protective policy to consumers, while also considering the specific consumers that would be required to bear the cost of increased tariffs. Integration of the partial equilibrium model of the broiler industry into the BFAP sector modelling framework enabled the simulation of various tariff scenarios, quantifying the effect on the agricultural sector, as well as chicken consumption. At the same time, the successful simulation of different scenarios and policy shocks validated the model. Simulation of the tariffs applied for by SAPA resulted in a producer price increase of 6%, which would be a significant margin on the bottom line for domestic producers. The cost to consumers of a 3.3% increase in retail prices also seems digestible; however the underlying factors that drive competitiveness should also be addressed in order to ensure long run sustainability for the industry. / Dissertation (MSc Agric)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development / unrestricted

The pricing practices that firms that follow are important from a microeconomic as well as a macroeconomic perspective, indicating the nature and level of competition. These practices also prove to affect the effectiveness of monetary policy. This study engineered a survey approach to better understand the pricing behaviour of firms in the South African retail sector.The survey approach to understanding pricing setting has grown in popularity in recent times, allowing for deeper insights into the mindsets of actual pricing professionals than information offered by micro data studies. Most previous studies have focused on developed countries, while this study deals with a sector of high industry concentration in a developing country with a relatively unstable foreign exchange rate.The results of the study demonstrate that South African retail firms compete primarily with their pricing and quality, and that there is evidence of barometric price leadership. The dominant framework used by firms to set their prices is mark-up pricing.Both price reviews and price changes in South African retail firms were found to be time dependent, and the causes of price changes were asymmetrical depending on the direction of the change. The main driver of price increases was an increase in input costs, while the main driver of price decreases was a reduction in domestic competitor prices.Prices within the South African retail sector were found to be sticky, with the strongest specific cause of firms delaying price adjustments being the maintenance of threshold prices. When considering the reasons for stickiness more broadly as themes, customer relationships are the strongest driver of stickiness, followed by the avoidance of coordination failure. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

Magister Administrationis - MAdmin / The South African society is in a period of transformation that constantly challenges economic, social, and even psychological paradigms. Affirmative Action forms an integral part of the process of redistribution and has, for the longest time, attempted to make inroads into the mainstream of economic life in South Africa. The public service, being a government employer, generates a certain expectation with regards to substantive transformation amongst its ranks. For this reason, this study focuses on the Provincial Administration: Western Cape and the impact that affirmative action policies and strategies have had on management positions between the period 1995 and 1999. Government Affirmative Action policies and legislation have more than placed this issue in the forefront of social change and transformation, yet this investigation leads one to conclude that there is a lack of commitment from the provincial administration in terms of realizing national goals and objectives. This study critically assesses the dynamics at work in the transformation process in the administration and establishes the strengths and weaknesses of particular policies and strategies. Data relating to management positions, and the implementation of affirmative action policies and strategies during this period, suggest that little or nothing has been transformed.