The Impact of Social Labour Plans (SLPs) on the Advancement of Local Economic Development: A Case Study of South Africa

The purpose of this survey was to theoretically appraise the impact of Social and Labor Plans (SLPs) on the advancement of local economic development with special reference to the South African situation. A desktop literature review research method was adopted by the survey to establish the role that SLPs have played in Africa as well as on the global platform. Reference was made to literature gathered on specific cases in the Republic of South Africa. The survey came up with the following findings: tendencies of undemocratic approach to development, no access to SLPs and related information, weak co-operative governance and responsibility shifting, no regional alignment of SLP initiatives, companies’ relationship with traditional leaders and exclusion of communities. Therefore, based on the aforementioned findings, the survey recommended the following: making the process of requesting information from the major stakeholders more accessible to communities; ensuring clearer legislative provisions regarding transparency of SLPs; ensuring that mining laws, regulations and policy recognise and acknowledge communities as central role players; Pursuance of Bench Marks Foundation’s proposal meant to address the challenges of mine-affected communities; specification of requirements for community participation in the design and amendment of SLPs; clarification on giving feedback to communities on progress made in SLPs;  integrating the development of SLPs into the IDP annual review and require community participation in this process. Keywords: Social and Labor Plans, Local Economic Development, Mineral and Petroleum Resource Development Act DOI: 10.7176/PPAR/10-8-07 Publication date:August 31st 2020

The Determinants of Successful Small Medium Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in Construction Sector: A case of Mpumalanga

This study sought to evaluate the determinants of successful Small Medium Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in construction sector in Mpumalanga Province. The study employed quantitative research approach to collect data using a survey questionnaire. A sample size of 150 participants was extrapolated using stratified random sampling.  The questionnaire was distributed to target participants comprised of the quantity surveyors, directors, project managers and line supervisors whose construction SMMEs are operating in Mpumalanga The findings of the study were that technical know-how, good cash flow, flatter organisational structure, good record keeping, qualified personnel, sound capital, innovation, managerial expertise and location were determinants for successful construction SMMEs. It was recommended that construction SMMEs should adopt these determinants for them to grow and survival. Keywords: SMMEs, Determinants, Construction Sector, Mpumalanga Province DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/12-24-08 Publication date:August 31st 202

An evaluation of the effect of four herbicides on some aquatic organisms

Studies were carried out on the effect of four commonly used herbicides (2,4-D atrazine, atrazine + metolachlor and paraquat) on some aquatic organisms in simulated aquatic ecosystem at 100 ppm, 150 ppm and 200 ppm of the herbicides active ingredients (ai). The effects of the herbicides on pH, blue-green alga – Aphanocapsa sp, aquatic weed –Lemna sp, tadpole (Bufo regularis) and bacterial species were investigated. While 2,4-D resulted in significant decreases in pH value; paraquat resulted in significant increases (p < 0.05). Atrazine and atrazine + metolachlor treatments impacted the most on the lysis of Aphanocapsa sp as all the cells were lysed at 2 days after application. Paraquat treatments at all concentrations resulted in the death of all (20) tadpoles at 2 days after application. Complete tadpole death in atrazine + metolachlor was observed at 8 days after application at 150 ppm and at 12 days after application at 100 ppm. A general decrease in bacterial counts relative to concentrations and days of treatment was observed with paraquat impacting the most on decreases in bacterial counts. Bacterial species isolated from untreated water samples (control) included- Proteus sp, Enterobacter aerogenes, E. coli, Bacillus sp, Pseudomanas sp, Citrobacter sp, Staphylococcus aureus and Flavobacterium sp; while Bacillus (41.2%) and Pseudomonas (56.3%) species were the most frequently isolated bacteria from herbicide treated water samples after 14 days of treatment. Conclusively, herbicides from agricultural run-offs can impair the normal balance of the flora and fauna of the aquatic ecosystem.Keywords: Herbicides, aquatic ecosystem, pH, bacteri

Effect of two commonly used herbicides on soil microflora at two different concentrations

The effect of two commonly used herbicides (atrazine and atrazine + metolachlor) on non-target soil microflora was investigated over a period of 8 weeks. One kilogram soil samples each from maize farm were treated with the herbicides separately at company recommended and one and half (X1.5) recommended rates. Effects of the herbicides on soil pH and percentage organic matter were also investigated. Significant changes in soil pH and percentage organic matter were observed only in atrazine treated soils (P < 0.05). Herbicide treatments at both recommended and X1.5 recommended rates resulted in decreases in microbial counts. Higher concentrations of herbicides treatments resulted in much lower microbial counts compared to soils treated with recommended herbicide does. Herbicide treatments also resulted in the elimination of some microbial species. Pseudomonas sp. and Bacillus sp. were the most frequently isolated bacteria from herbicide treated soils. While A. niger, A. Flavus, Penicillium sp and Trichoderma sp were the most frequently isolated fungi from herbicide treated soils.Keywords: herbicides, microflora, atrazine, metolachor, concentration

The Impact of Local Economic Development (LED) on Poverty Alleviation in South Africa: A Theoretical View

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the Local Economic Development (LED) policy on growing South African local economies as well as transforming the lives of previously disadvantaged groups. South Africa has had challenges in its endeavor to strike a balance between developing pro-growth and pro-poor LED strategies resulting in many scholars branding ‘LED strategies in the country as more of pro-growth rather than pro-poor’. This argument has therefore put the role of LED as a tool for poverty alleviation in the spotlight. Thus, to really establish the real picture on the ground this study was carried out using qualitative research approach where reference was also be made to LED campaigns on a global level.  The findings of this study include: Lack of common understanding of the role of LED and LED processes, Ineffective pro-poor LED strategies, Lack of LED that suits the South African context, Inability of LED to spatially transform South African cities, Inadequate planning resources and capacity and The ineffective relationship between provinces, districts and local authorities. The study therefore recommends the following: an obligatory level of accountability and responsibility from all role players affected by the projects, Rigorous monitoring and evaluation of the outcomes of LED projects, striking a balance between pro-poor and pro-growth strategies and heightening investments and resource deployment toward historically disadvantaged communities. Keywords: Local Economic Development (LED), Poverty Alleviation, Historically Marginalized Communities. DOI: 10.7176/JPID/55-06 Publication date:August 31st 202

Effect of organic amendments on microbial biomass of a tropical soil treated with some herbicides

Studies were carried out on the impact of organic amendments on microflora of soils treated with 2,4- dichlorophenoxy-acetic acid, atrazine, atrazine + metolachlor and paraquat herbicides applied at one and half doses of the recommended rates. Poultry manure-0.05%, urea-0.1 M and glucose–0.1 M of herbicide-treated soils resulted in significant (

Penobscot Exchange

A promotional brochure for the Penobscot Exchange, Bangor, Maine, Moon & Cratty, Proprietors, circa 1900. Includes several photo illustrations

A Critical Study Of Electoral Corrupt Practices As A Major Threat To Democracy

In Westminster pattern of democracy government is of the people for the people and by the people. It is a continual participative operation, not a cataclysmic, periodic exercise. The citizen in his multitude, marking his vote at the poll does an audit of his Parliament plus political choice of his proxy. Although the full flower of participative Government really blossoms, the minimum credential of popular Government is appeal to the people after every term for a renewal of confidence. So we have adult franchise and general elections as Constitutional compulsions. The right of elections is very essence of the Constitution. It needs little argument to hold that the core of the Parliamentary system is free and fair elections. Periodically held, based on adult franchise, although social andeconomic democracy may demand much more

EXISTENCE THEOREMS FOR ATTRACTIVE POINTS OF SEMIGROUPS OF BREGMAN GENERALIZED NONSPREADING MAPPINGS IN BANACH SPACES

Abstract. In this paper, we establish new attractive point theorems for semigroups of generalized Bregman nonspreading mappings in reflexive Banach spaces. Our theorems improve and extend many results announced recently in the literature