The role of strategic leadership in effective strategy implementation: Perceptions of South African strategic leaders

A review of the literature reveals that strategy implementation isan important component of the strategic management process.Research indicates that the ability to implement a strategy is viewedas considerably more important than strategy formulation, andthat strategy implementation, rather than strategy formulation, isthe key to superior organisational performance. However, the highfailure rate of strategy implementation efforts is well documented,and many barriers to effective strategy implementation exist. A lackof leadership, and specifically strategic leadership, at the top ofthe organisation has been identified as one of the major barriersto effective strategy implementation. In turn, strategic leadership isalso viewed as a key driver to effective strategy implementation.In the light of the identified problem, the primary objective of thisstudy was to investigate the perceived role of strategic leadershipin strategy implementation in South African organisations. Theconclusion is that strategic leadership positively contributes toeffective strategy implementation in South African organisations

Stabilization of a Tailings Dam by De-Watering

The failure of the outer slope of one of the paddocks of a tailings dam, resulted in a significant decrease in the area available for tailings deposition. Overloading of the remaining five paddocks resulted. To maintain the stability of the existing dam whilst construction of new disposal facilities was in progress, three techniques were investigated; horizontal, push-in drains at the dam toe, a rock buttress around the operational paddocks, and vertical de-watering wells installed on the first terrace, or ‘step-back’ of the dam. De-watering wells proved most effective, and 165 wells were installed. A monitoring programme included regular determination of the water level in each well, and the installation of piezometers at selected locations around the dam. These observations were used to optimise the use of the five remaining paddocks, thus ensuring stability of the dam during the transfer of deposition operations to two new tailings dams

The influence of wave action on coastal erosion along Monwabisi Beach, Cape Town

The coastline to the east of the Monwabisi Beach tidal pool has been subject to substantial visible coastal erosion. Monwabisi is located near the City of Cape Town and is situated along the northern coastline of False Bay. The erosion that has occurred has raised concern as it is damaging local infrastructure. The coastline retreat to the east of Monwabisi was investigated through analysis of aerial photographs and wave data to establish whether there is a relationship between dynamic wave action that this bay is subjected to, and the observed erosion within the study area. The maximum lateral coastal erosion at the Monwabisi study area from 2003 until 2014 was approximately 30m in a landward direction. Based on the correlation of the results between the rate of coastline retreat and the wave data, the study has concluded that the extreme rates of coastline retreat experienced within the study area at Monwabisi is most likely a direct result of a combination of influences including the number and height of big wave events, waves coming from a more southerly direction, the underlying geological substrate of the study area, and the impact that the local infrastructure has had on the geological substrate. Three time periods of maximum monthly erosion rates occurred from June 2008 to November 2009, March 2010 to March 2011 and April 2011 to June 2012

Centrifuge modelling of seepage through tailings embankments

Tailings storage facilities (TSFs) are manmade geotechnical structures usually comprising a perimeter embankment, fill material (the tailings) and a water-level control system. The key issues often raised in TSF operation are uncertainties surrounding likely seepage to the environment and accurate prediction of seepage surfaces for input into stability assessment. Critically, TSFs are much more complex than the current numerical models conventionally assumed. This paper presents techniques for investigating steady-state and drawdown seepage behaviour of TSF embankments using a fixed-beam geotechnical centrifuge. The development of experimental equipment for centrifuge testing is described and novel methods to characterise model materials preliminarily, using a ‘desktop’ centrifuge, is presented. Good agreement is found between experimental results from the fixed-beam centrifuge and those predicted by the GeoStudio SEEP/W software package for steady-state and drawdown conditions at all tested hydraulic gradients. </jats:p

ESTABLISHING A PLATFORM FOR SPRAY DRYING INHALABLE VACCINES IN SOUTH AFRICA

Mycobacterium bovis BCG is the current vaccine for tuberculosis (TB). However, BCG as it is currently administered shows highly variable efficacy in protecting adults against TB. The natural route of infection of TB is via inhalation of bacilli-containing aerosols and it is postulated that immunization by the natural route of infection may lead to a greater immunity given the fact that the lungs are the primary target of infection. By eliciting both local and systemic immune responses, it is anticipated that an inhaled form of BCG will offer greater protection against pulmonary TB. Current commercial BCG vaccine preparations are filled as bacterial suspensions in vials, dried through lyophilization and stabilized through refrigeration with a one year shelf life. However, freeze-dried BCG does not exhibit a particle form conducive for delivery via the aerosol route and must be injected. Spray drying studies by Harvard University and Medicine in Need (MEND) scientists have demonstrated that BCG could be spray dried into a viable aerosol with up to 1 year of stability under refrigerated conditions, with the potential for room temperature stability. To support the further preclinical development of the BCG aerosol for application in the developing world, MEND established a state-of-the-art Biosafety level 3 spray drying facility with local expertise in South Africa, where the vaccine will be produced for an IND-enabling toxicology study meeting OECD Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) requirements. Frozen BCG bulk is spray dried and the resulting dry powder is characterized in terms of viability and aerosol properties. The dried BCG aerosol is then aseptically filled into capsules using a semi-automatic filling device for delivery using a low-cost hand-held inhaler. In conclusion, the spray drying technology was successfully transferred from Harvard University to the MEND facility in Pretoria. MEND is developing local expertise and infrastructure to support further preclinical and clinical development of BCG for inhalation