Inaug.-diss.--Heidelberg. / Lebenslauf. Includes bibliographical references.

Masters in Public Administration - MPA / Plaaslike owerheidsaangeleenthede in Suid-Afrika het in die algemeen deurlopend heelwat aandag vanaf owerheidsweë geniet (cf. die talle verslae en bevindings van komitees van ondersoek na aangeleenthede rakende plaaslike bestuur sedert Uniewording in 1910). Hierdie proses is sedertdien voortgesit, maar vanaf 1994 het dit verdere momentum verkry met die nuwe grondwetlike bedeling wat tot stand gebring is. 'n Verskeidenheid van wetgewing het gevolg wat spesifiek op plaaslike owerhede van toepassing is. Die belangrikste hiervan is die Grondwet van die Republiek van Suid-Afrika, 1996; die Oorgangswet op Plaaslike Regering, 1993; Oorgangswet op Plaaslike Regering Tweede Wysigingswet, 1996; Wet op Ontwikkelingsfinansiering, 1995; Wet op Plaaslike Regering: Munisipale Strukture, 1998; Wet op Plaaslike Regering: Munisipale Stelsels, 2000; asook' die belangrike Witskrif op Plaaslike Regering van 1998. Hierdie verwikkelinge vestiq weer eens die aandag op die belangrikheid van instellings op die derde owerheidsvlak. Soos aanvanklik die geval was, is die oogmerk tans ook om onder andere werkverrigting en dienslewering te bevorder en effektiewe en doeltreffende aanwending van skaars hulpbronne te verseker. Hierdie aangeleentheid het veral momentum verkry met die Heropbou- en Ontwikkelingsprogram (HOP), wat in 'n groot mate op plaaslike oweheidsvlak afgestem is. Met die nuwe beleid van die sentrale regering om die huidige aantal plaaslike owerhede deur samesmelting ingrypend te verminder, maar hulle terselfdertyd te verplig om steeds voort te gaan met bestaande basiese dienslewering en om bykomend ook infrastruktuur vir voorheen benadeelde gemeenskappe te skep en in stand te hou sonder noemenswaardige verhoogde finansiële bystand vanaf sentrale owerheidsvlak, is plaaslike owerhede al hoe meer aangewese op eie hulpbronne. Plaaslike owerhede .gaan reeds gebuk onder ingrypende finansiële en personeeltekorte wat op sigself meebring dat diens van hoë gehalte nie te alle tye gelewer kan word nie (verwys in dié geval. na Sake Rapport, 16 Junie 2002: 18). Gepaard hiermee word plaaslike owerhede onder druk geplaas om aan die verwagtinge, behoeftes en aspirasies van die plaaslike samelewing te voldoen. Dit bring volgens Fourie (1998: 221) mee dat "ten einde 'n diens van uitnemendheid te lewer, is dit van belang dat die publiek se behoeftes begryp word, nastrewenswaardige doelwitte gestel word en dat die doelwitte aan die publiek gekommunikeer word". Daar is egter terselfdertyd ook 'n 2 verpligting op plaaslike owerhede om onrealistiese verwagtinge van die publiek te temper in die lig van wat werklik bekostigbaar is. Gevolglik word plaaslike owerhede verplig om weer eens hulomstandighede in oenskou te neem ten einde daadwerklik effektiewe en doeltreffende aanwending van skaars hulpbronne te verseker.' Resultate salook op 'n gereelde grondslag gemoniteer moet word ten einde vas te stelof doelwitte bereik is al dan nie (Fourie, 1998: 221). Hiervoor sal kundigheid op plaaslike owerheidsvlak ontwikkel moet word ten einde die bevordering van die algemene welsyn van plaaslike gemeenskappe te verseker. Persone met die nodige kwalifikasies en vaardighede sal dus in sleutelposte aangestel moet word.

Some of the largest and deepest mines in the world are situated in South Africa. Underground temperatures and humidity can be controlled by means of complex chilled water reticulation system. A cascade pumping system is used to pump the used water from the underground levels back to the surface. The dewatering process is energy intensive. Large volumes of water are used during the general mine drilling periods (06:00 to 12:00). During blasting periods (15:00 to 18:00) a minimum amount of personnel are underground, yet large volumes of water are still sent underground due to a lack of control. Reducing the water sent underground, will reduce the amount of water pumped back to the surface; resulting in significant energy savings. Water flow and pressure can be managed by installing control valves at appropriate positions throughout the water reticulation system. Selecting a control valve is typically governed by constraints such as cavitation, water hammer, flashing, safety ratings and control range. A basic set of calculations can be used to determine whether a valve conforms to a specific scenario. However, scenarios calculated by engineers are not indicative of all applied system scenarios. When control valves are installed, to optimise the operation of a system, it affects the system’s characteristics. Sampled system data will therefore no longer provide adequate readings to help with selecting the correct control valve. An analytical control valve selection method has been developed and implemented. The case study shows the results and practical implications of applying this method in the mining industry. Implementing the analytical valve selection method is shown to be viable, realising electrical energy cost savings for the mine by reducing power requirements from Eskom. Analytical control valve selection for mine water reticulation systems / Thesis (MIng (Mechanical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Some of the largest and deepest mines in the world are situated in South Africa. Underground temperatures and humidity can be controlled by means of complex chilled water reticulation system. A cascade pumping system is used to pump the used water from the underground levels back to the surface. The dewatering process is energy intensive. Large volumes of water are used during the general mine drilling periods (06:00 to 12:00). During blasting periods (15:00 to 18:00) a minimum amount of personnel are underground, yet large volumes of water are still sent underground due to a lack of control. Reducing the water sent underground, will reduce the amount of water pumped back to the surface; resulting in significant energy savings. Water flow and pressure can be managed by installing control valves at appropriate positions throughout the water reticulation system. Selecting a control valve is typically governed by constraints such as cavitation, water hammer, flashing, safety ratings and control range. A basic set of calculations can be used to determine whether a valve conforms to a specific scenario. However, scenarios calculated by engineers are not indicative of all applied system scenarios. When control valves are installed, to optimise the operation of a system, it affects the system’s characteristics. Sampled system data will therefore no longer provide adequate readings to help with selecting the correct control valve. An analytical control valve selection method has been developed and implemented. The case study shows the results and practical implications of applying this method in the mining industry. Implementing the analytical valve selection method is shown to be viable, realising electrical energy cost savings for the mine by reducing power requirements from Eskom. Analytical control valve selection for mine water reticulation systems / Thesis (MIng (Mechanical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Thesis (doctoral)--Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, 1992. / Cover title: Liberal trade and Japan : the incompatibility issue in electronics. Includes Curriculum Vitae (p. 303). Includes bibliographical references (p. [289]-302).

The central task in this study is to discover and analyse the legal framework applicable to input errors in electronic contracts. The study analyses the law of South Africa, the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 (hereinafter referred to as the ECT Act) to be more specific, and the United Nations Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts (2005) (hereinafter referred to as the UNECIC). The ECT Act is the statute regulating electronic communications and transactions in South Africa. It was passed by the South African parliament in 2002. Almost all provisions of the ECT Act are based on the United Nations Model Law on Electronic Commerce (1996) .However, section 20 thereof, which deals with input errors, was not based on the Model law, but on provisions from statutes of leading jurisdictions.1 The UNECIC is a new international convention by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (hereinafter referred to as UNCITRAL). The Convention came into operation on the 1st of March 2013,2 and is the first United Nations convention that deals with electronic communications. Article 12 thereof deals with automated transactions, and section 14 with input errors. These are the two provisions that shall be analysed in relation to the UNECIC in this work. With the UNECIC having come into full operation, there is a real need to harmonise domestic laws with it. In various jurisdictions, including Singapore3 and Australia,4 the statutes governing electronic communications have been amended with some provisions of the UNECIC. Article 14 is one of the provisions of the UNECIC which have been domesticated in both jurisdictions. Judged against the UNECIC, a number of issues relating to input errors in the ECT Act are inconsistent with the new international standards embodied in the UNECIC. This work recommends that South Africa must adopt the UNECIC, and secondly that some of the provisions dealing with input errors in the ECT Act must be aligned with the UNECIC by amendment. / LLM (Import and Export Law), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The central task in this study is to discover and analyse the legal framework applicable to input errors in electronic contracts. The study analyses the law of South Africa, the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 (hereinafter referred to as the ECT Act) to be more specific, and the United Nations Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts (2005) (hereinafter referred to as the UNECIC). The ECT Act is the statute regulating electronic communications and transactions in South Africa. It was passed by the South African parliament in 2002. Almost all provisions of the ECT Act are based on the United Nations Model Law on Electronic Commerce (1996) .However, section 20 thereof, which deals with input errors, was not based on the Model law, but on provisions from statutes of leading jurisdictions.1 The UNECIC is a new international convention by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (hereinafter referred to as UNCITRAL). The Convention came into operation on the 1st of March 2013,2 and is the first United Nations convention that deals with electronic communications. Article 12 thereof deals with automated transactions, and section 14 with input errors. These are the two provisions that shall be analysed in relation to the UNECIC in this work. With the UNECIC having come into full operation, there is a real need to harmonise domestic laws with it. In various jurisdictions, including Singapore3 and Australia,4 the statutes governing electronic communications have been amended with some provisions of the UNECIC. Article 14 is one of the provisions of the UNECIC which have been domesticated in both jurisdictions. Judged against the UNECIC, a number of issues relating to input errors in the ECT Act are inconsistent with the new international standards embodied in the UNECIC. This work recommends that South Africa must adopt the UNECIC, and secondly that some of the provisions dealing with input errors in the ECT Act must be aligned with the UNECIC by amendment. / LLM (Import and Export Law), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The need for information systems has increased to a point where virtually all business environments require some sort of software to aid in its daily operations. This study will address the need for quality information systems by examining techniques which can potentially aid in producing consistent high-quality information systems. Two techniques in particular, namely Process Maturity Models (PMMs) and Systems Development Methodologies (SDMs) are examined. Process Maturity Models such as the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) as well as the ISO-9000 standards aid in standardising and improving an organisation’s information systems development processes. These Process Maturity Models often require either the use of certain Systems Development Methodologies or at the very least techniques used within some Systems Development Methodologies. Systems Development Methodologies refer to a set of development processes, tools, techniques etc. which can be used during software development to standardise the entire development process by offering the use of modelling techniques, tools to analyse requirements, illustration of processes etc. These techniques differ from one Systems Development Methodology to the next. This study aims to identify the relationship between Process Maturity Models and Systems Development Methodologies. During the research process a questionnaire was sent out to people within the information technology business environment. The questionnaire contained questions used to determine and measure the usage of Systems Development Methodologies and how projects were affected. The questionnaire was also used to do an informal assessment of each respondent’s Capability Maturity Model level. Furthermore the data retrieved was statistically analysed and the results were interpreted. The results indicate that a relationship exists between the use of SDMs and the success of the respondent’s development processes and developed products. A total of 73% of respondents indicated that they do use SDMs to some extent, the most common being the Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC). The majority of organizations implementing SDMs have been doing so for three years or more. Results also show that most of the respondents are not certified in some formal Process Maturity Model; however, they do implement some of the processes required by models such as the CMMI. An informal assessment performed indicated that 65% of respondents can be grouped into a perceived CMMI level 2 category. Project outcome was measured and the relationship between PMM implementation as well as SDM use was measured. Results show no statistical evidence which indicates that an organisation’s perceived CMMI level is influenced by SDM use, both vertically and horizontally. Results do, however, indicate that organizations which have been implementing SDMs for a longer period of time are more likely to apply CMMI level 4 activities. Results also indicate that the horizontal use (number of projects/people which implement SDM knowledge) of SDMs have a significant effect on the development process- and the developed product success. Lastly the results indicated that organizations which satisfy more of the CMMI’s level 4 activities experience a higher quality development process which leads to a more successful development process. / Thesis (MSc (Computer Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

The need for information systems has increased to a point where virtually all business environments require some sort of software to aid in its daily operations. This study will address the need for quality information systems by examining techniques which can potentially aid in producing consistent high-quality information systems. Two techniques in particular, namely Process Maturity Models (PMMs) and Systems Development Methodologies (SDMs) are examined. Process Maturity Models such as the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) as well as the ISO-9000 standards aid in standardising and improving an organisation’s information systems development processes. These Process Maturity Models often require either the use of certain Systems Development Methodologies or at the very least techniques used within some Systems Development Methodologies. Systems Development Methodologies refer to a set of development processes, tools, techniques etc. which can be used during software development to standardise the entire development process by offering the use of modelling techniques, tools to analyse requirements, illustration of processes etc. These techniques differ from one Systems Development Methodology to the next. This study aims to identify the relationship between Process Maturity Models and Systems Development Methodologies. During the research process a questionnaire was sent out to people within the information technology business environment. The questionnaire contained questions used to determine and measure the usage of Systems Development Methodologies and how projects were affected. The questionnaire was also used to do an informal assessment of each respondent’s Capability Maturity Model level. Furthermore the data retrieved was statistically analysed and the results were interpreted. The results indicate that a relationship exists between the use of SDMs and the success of the respondent’s development processes and developed products. A total of 73% of respondents indicated that they do use SDMs to some extent, the most common being the Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC). The majority of organizations implementing SDMs have been doing so for three years or more. Results also show that most of the respondents are not certified in some formal Process Maturity Model; however, they do implement some of the processes required by models such as the CMMI. An informal assessment performed indicated that 65% of respondents can be grouped into a perceived CMMI level 2 category. Project outcome was measured and the relationship between PMM implementation as well as SDM use was measured. Results show no statistical evidence which indicates that an organisation’s perceived CMMI level is influenced by SDM use, both vertically and horizontally. Results do, however, indicate that organizations which have been implementing SDMs for a longer period of time are more likely to apply CMMI level 4 activities. Results also indicate that the horizontal use (number of projects/people which implement SDM knowledge) of SDMs have a significant effect on the development process- and the developed product success. Lastly the results indicated that organizations which satisfy more of the CMMI’s level 4 activities experience a higher quality development process which leads to a more successful development process. / Thesis (MSc (Computer Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

The purpose of this study was to make a contribution towards decision–making in complex environmental problems, especially where data is limited and associated with a high degree of uncertainty. As a young scientist, I understood the value of science as a measuring and quantification tool and used to intuitively believe that science was exact and could provide undisputable answers. It was in 1997, during the Safety Assessments done at the Vaalputs National Radioactive Waste Repository that my belief system was challenged. This occurred after there were numerous scientific studies done on the site that was started since the early 1980’s, yet with no conclusion as to how safe the site is in terms of radioactive waste disposal. The Safety Assessment process was developed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to transform the scientific investigations and data into decision–making information for the purposes of radioactive waste management. It was also during the Vaalputs investigations when I learned the value of lateral thinking. There were numerous scientists with doctorate and master’s degrees that worked on the site of which I was one. One of the important requirements was to measure evaporation at the local weather station close to the repository. It was specifically important to measure evaporation as a controlling parameter in the unsaturated zone models. Evaporation was measured with an Apan that is filled with water so that the losses can be measured. Vaalputs is a very dry place and water is scarce. The local weather station site was fenced off, but there was a problem in that the aardvark dug below the fence and drank the water in the A–pan, so that no measurements were possible. The solution from the scientists was to put the fence deeper into the ground. The aardvark did not find it hard to dig even deeper. The next solution was to put a second fence around the weather station and again the aardvark dug below it to drink the water. It was then that Mr Robbie Schoeman, a technician became aware of the problem and put a drinking water container outside the weather station fence for the aardvark and – the problem was solved at a fraction of the cost of the previous complex solutions. I get in contact with the same thinking patterns that intuitively expect that the act of scientific investigations will provide decision–making information or even solve the problem. If the investigation provides more questions than answers, the quest is for more and more data on more detailed scales. There is a difference between problem characterization and solution viidentification. Problem characterization requires scientific and critical thinking, which is an important component but that has to be incorporated with the solution identification process of creative thinking towards decision–making. I am a scientist by heart, but it was necessary to realise that apart from research, practical science must feed into a higher process, such as decision–making to be able to make a practical difference. The process of compilation of this thesis meant a lot to me as I initially thought of doing a PhD and then it changed me, especially in the way I think. This was a life changing process, which is good. As Jesus said in Mathew 3:2 And saying, Repent (think differently; change your mind, regretting your sins and changing your conduct), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Geography and Environmental Studies))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.