Opposition to unequal education : toward understanding Black people\u27s objection to apartheid education in South Africa.

The problem examined in this research is that South Africa practices a system of education that sorts people in a way that makes Blacks receive unequal and separate education. The closer people are to the white power structure, the better their education and the farther away they are, the poorer their access to opportunities for a quality education on equal terms. In other words, it seems that the more white you are, the more opportunities and benefits you receive. This system of education does not appear to help students, especially black children and youth, learn at high levels of accomplishment. Rather, it creates long lasting problems in people\u27s lives and as such may need to be restructured in a way that permits students of all backgrounds to receive a quality education on equal terms. The purpose of the study was to understand reasons selected black South Africans seem to oppose their education system. More specifically, perceptions of these black people were helpful in suggesting the directions in which educational reform in South Africa ought to go. Specifically, the study was guided by two major research questions: (1) What are the perceptions selected black South African adults in the United States have toward their experiences in the apartheid education system in South Africa? (2) What are the recommendations of selected black South African adults in the United States for improving the education system for children and youth in South Africa? To answer these questions, interviews were used to collect data. Seven black South African adults were interviewed and their responses were analyzed, organized and thematically presented. One finding of the study is that apartheid education seems responsible for making respondents feel inadequate, incapable, less human, unable to think critically, inferior, anxious to venture in life beyond school, helpless, uneasy, and dubious to participate in class related activities. The findings of the study show that the education of black people in South Africa deserves speedy attention and major reform. The study concludes that apartheid education is an intolerable system of education that should be eliminated. The form of education to be created is a matter for intense discussion and wise decision making which may lead to quality education for all South Africans. The study recommends that black people should understand their historical underpinnings to help restore their confidence, to dispel negative fabrications, and to become contributors in the development of quality education in South Africa

A conceptual framework for the establishment and operation of project management offices in South African municipalities

The aim of this research is to develop a conceptual framework for the establishment and operation of effective PMO in the South African Municipal Environment. In pursuit of this aim, the theory and practice of the PMOs were investigated and analysed from both literature perspective and field work leading to findings being reported in the thesis. In addition, the municipal PMOs were investigated to determine the extent to which their attributes match those of the proposed conceptual framework. A specific research philosophy and approach were adopted by utilising the case study strategy using interviews, document reviews and observation. A questionnaire guideline was developed for the interviews. The sampling frame from which the participants were obtained was from the three municipalities (cases). A total of 27 interviews were conducted. Data was analysed in line with Table 3.6 which prescribes the process for case study analysis using NVIVO 11 software for coding, clustering and pattern matching. The findings confirmed the original expectations of the researcher and all the objectives were sufficiently addressed. The first objective, which was to identify and analyse factors considered in establishing PMOs in the three municipalities, was adequately dealt with by identifying, listing and analysing all the key factors considered in establishing the PMOs. In merging these factors with the best practices outlined through the theory and practice in chapter two, gaps were identified which indicates that the process followed by the department of local government was flawed when developing the MIG guidelines. The identified factors were brought into consideration in building the proposed framework. The second objective was to analyse the level of fitness for purpose of the PMOs in the three selected municipalities. In order to deal with this objective, the adequacy of PMOs to carry out their mandates was scrutinised. This was done through identifying the key drivers of municipal PMO mandates, their achievements and challenges and whether they adhere to project management best practices. Most challenges, failures and negative perceptions that the PMOs faced were as a result of internal disablers that could be dealt with by identifying and dealing with the internal system deficiencies that were a result of procedural wrongs that could be traced from the establishment stage. This analogy or approach assisted in finally formulating a framework that would deal with these system deficiencies. The third objective was to analyse patterns of municipal dependent factors that dictate the type of PMO that is suitable for the municipalities. This was approached in terms of grouping the factors that can be classified as common denominators across municipalities. There were also few internal unique factors in each municipality. The new proposed framework deals with these aspects holistically. Ultimately, the aim which was to develop a conceptual framework for the establishment and operation of PMOs in the South African municipal environment was sufficiently answered through the proposed model and framework as presented in Figure 5.2 and Figure 5.5 respectively. This was achieved by merging the identified gaps and by proposing a conceptual model which ultimately let to the proposed framework that can be used to establish an effective PMO for the municipalities. The main gap that was found was that there is no model and framework for establishing PMOs and therefore the department of local government in developing a guideline, did not have an appropriate foundation from which they could have drawn a relevant model and framework that could have properly guided the formation of these units in the municipalities. It was recommended that a PMO will be more effective as a stand-alone directorate whose mandate should be considered beyond the MIG, in order to gain more authority and improved performance. This is demonstrated by the developed framework which indicates the role of the PMOs and their expected performance outcomes.Business ManagementD.B.L

Mining-led development and local politics of youth participation in the Mokopane traditional authority area in Limpopo province, South Africa

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Geography and Environmental Studies. October 2017.In general, studies on development concur that participatory practice at the local level is influenced by local power relations. The structures of power in local communities are important in the way they determine the extent to which citizens participate in decision-making and development activities. However, there are a few empirical studies examining the impacts of power relations on youth participation in peripheral areas experiencing the rapid expansion of large-scale mining activities. Drawing on detailed ethnographic research conducted in two villages that host Ivanplats’s Platreef Mining Project, this study examines how the structures of power in Mokopane Traditional Authority Area in Limpopo Province shape and influence the character of youth participation in mining-led community development decisions and activities. The study adopts Gaventa’s Power Cube as its primary theoretical tool of analysis. The study shows how the youth, as a social category, hardly participate in mining-led community development because the model of participation adopted by local powerholders encourages the marginalisation of young people. Instead of reducing the power imbalances, the model is used to enhance the power of traditional elites over young people. The study also shows that the youth have not passively endured marginalization from decision making processes. Instead, the youth in the study area have actively sought to create alternative networks and spaces of associational life to counter their marginalization from local decision making structures. Young people at local level are resisting their continued exclusion from mining-led community development. They are mobilizing their identity and power to challenge the power of traditional elites over decision-making and demand attention on issues that affect them. The findings of the study provide insights into the emerging power shifts that take place at local level in communities coexisting with large-scale extractive industries. Power imbalances along social divisions like gender, generation and patriarchy fuel social conflicts and struggles for mineral resources in mining communities in various parts of the world. Insights from the research also shed light on local power configurations and contestations around the distribution of mining benefits. These insights are important for policy makers. Evidence on the socio-economic impacts of mining on different social groups and their access to participatory processes can enhance the efficacy of policy interventions meant to create more inclusive mining regimes. Overall, inclusive mining economies ensure that large-scale investments in this sector uplift local communities through, among other things, the reduction various forms of exclusions and related social conflicts.LG201

Process development and optimization for biocatalytic production of irones from iris root

Dissertation submitted for the qualification Master of Science in Chemistry (full time) University of Witwatersrand November 2015Irones are the pleasantly smelling terpenoids of orris oil used in the fragrance industry that are extracted from the rhizomes of Iris species through a lengthy process. Unfortunately syntheses of irones using chemical methods or Iris rhizome-derived sources have been reported to be long, unsafe and low yielding. These inefficient methods have therefore resulted in a high cost of the orris absolute (an alcohol extract of orris butter) which costs between 40 000 and 70 000 Euros/kg. A promising enzymatic process for irones production with good conversion of the precursors has been reported. However, the processing of the irone source into iridals (irone precursors) requires high temperatures and as a result the safety as well as energy input of the method is affected. Moreover, the prior solvent extraction was reported to affect the quality of the product. The present research aimed to develop a rapid and effective enzymatic process for the production of α- and γ-irones at 2L scale-up, as well as obtaining the final product in the form of orris butter. During the current studies a method for analysis of the irones samples was developed, and subsequently different solvents were investigated to identify the best sampling method. Thereafter different oxidoreductases were screened to identify the best enzyme source for maximum production of irones. Optimization of temperature, loading of lipoxidase, orris root, oleic acid, and dioxane, the ratio of minerals to irone concentration, incubation period and use of anti-fungal agents were investigated for maximum irones production. Furthermore, different methods to concentrate the irones and to produce the final orris butter product were evaluated. Lastly, testing the effect of purifying the enzyme on the production of irones was investigated. At laboratory scale the optimum reaction conditions were found to consist of incubating 5 g of fresh homogenised orris root with 20 mL crude soybean lipoxidase (prepared as 1 g soybean flour in 25 mL of 0.01 M borate buffer pH 9.2), with 50 mg manganese chloride and 25 mg ferrous sulphate, 1 mL dioxane and 0.25 mL oleic acid, for 5 days at 37°C in a rotatory shaker incubator. The laboratory scale product could be recovered by using a mixture of equal proportions of acetone and-DMSO for sampling under stringent sterile conditions. At the 700 mL and 2L scale it was determined that with improved agitation and oxygenation of the reaction mixture and subjecting the maturated suspension to Likens-Nickerson distillation resulted in the required orris butter profile. It was further found that purification of the enzyme reduced its ability to efficiently convert the precursors in fresh orris root into irones. Alpha (α-) and gamma (γ-) irones) of the same retention times (3.79 and 3.82) and mass (207 Da) as the α-irone commercial sample were produced at yields around 696 mg irone/kg dry orris root compared with 530 mg irone/kg dry orris root seen with traditionally processed rhizome. The current research is the first to use crude soybean lipoxidase to oxidize macerated fresh orris root into irones, and the first to identify the importance of minerals in the bioconversion

Organometallic iron complexes as catalysts for carbon nanotube synthesis

ABSTRACT In this study, CNTs were produced using the floating catalyst CVD method by injection of a catalyst solution into a high temperature zone of a furnace. The catalysts, organometallic iron complexes, were dissolved in a hydrocarbon source (toluene) and injected into the furnace to form CNTs. Various organometallic iron complexes were used as catalysts for CNT synthesis. The catalysts used included: (a) mixtures of ferrocene and M(CO)5 tBuCN (M = Mo and W), (b) mixtures of ferrocene and ferrocenyl sulphide, (c) alkyl-ferrocenes, (d) ferrocenylacetanalides and (e) cyclopentadienyl carbonyl iron complexes. The reactions were carried out in flowing 5% H2 in Ar (100 ml/min) in the temperature range of 700-1000 °C and at injection rates of between 0.2 and 3.3 ml/min, using various catalyst concentrations (1-10 wt%). The synthesis of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and carbon spheres (CSs) was achieved with ferrocene (Fc), Mo(CO)5L (L = CO, tBuNC) and bimetallic catalyst systems (Fc/M(CO)5 tBuNC; M = W or Mo). Ferrocene yielded CNTs and CSs while the M(CO)5L complexes yielded little carbonaceous material. EDS and TEM analysis revealed the formation of large particles of Mo/Fe alloys inside the tubes. It was observed that the diameters of the CNTs catalyzed by Fc are smaller while the diameters of CSs are larger relative to the diameters of CNTs and CSs produced by the bimetallic catalyst systems. In all instances MWCNTs were produced, which contrasts with the single walled CNTs produced by Fe/Mo supported heterogeneous catalyst systems. MWCNTs were synthesised using toluene solutions of ferrocene and 1,1’- bis(methylthio)ferrocene (ferrocenyl sulphide). It was found that the presence of large amounts of sulphur in the reactant mixture deactivated the catalyst, therefore generating only amorphous carbon while lower amounts of sulphur led to mixtures of MWCNTs and carbon fibres. The product distribution and yield varied with the sulphur content. Thus, when the sulphur content was high the yield was higher than when a low sulphur content was used. More CNTs were formed when a low sulphur content was used with more carbon spheres and amorphous carbon formed at a high sulphur content. HMTEM analysis revealed that the MWCNTs were poorly graphitised. Comparison with data using other sulphur sources (S8, thiophene) suggested that the proximity of the sulphur to the Fe catalyst in the gas phase did play a role in the CNT formation. Pyrolysis of (CpR)(CpR’)Fe (R and R’ = H, Me, Et and COMe) in toluene solution gave multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and carbon fibers (CFs). The effect of pyrolysis temperature (800-1000 °C), catalyst concentration (5 and 10 wt% in toluene) and solution injection rate (0.2 and 0.8 ml/min) on the type and yield of carbonaceous product synthesised was investigated. Carbonaceous products formed included graphite film (mostly at high temperature; 900-1000 °C), carbon nanotubes and carbon fibers. The yield of carbonaceous materials increased with temperature and concentration. The ferrocene ring substituents influenced both the CNT diameter and the carbon product formed. The outer diameters of CNTs formed by dimethylferrocene were found to be smaller (17-46 nm) than the diameters of CNTs formed by ferrocene (33-60 nm). Diethylferrocene produced carbon spheres and amorphous carbon with no success in forming CNTs. Toluene solutions of 3-ferrocenyl-N,N-diisopropyl-3-oxo-propionamide (diisopropylamide catalyst) were used to synthesize nitrogen containing MWCNTs. The effect of pyrolysis temperature and solution feeding rate on the yield and morphology of carbonaceous products were investigated. CNTs with bamboo structures were formed by the diisopropyl catalyst at 800 °C, with outer tube diameters in the range of 28-74 nm. Carbonaceous products formed include graphite film, which was formed mostly at high temperatures, carbon nanotubes, carbon fibers and carbon spheres. A boron containing iron catalyst {(1Z)-3-(diisopropylamino)-3-oxo-1-ferrocenylprop-1-ene-1-yl difluoroborate} was used in an attempt to synthesize boron-doped CNTs. MWCNTs which are not boron-doped were produced. The organometallic complexes, CpFe(CO)2I was found to be inactive for CNT synthesis and active for carbon spheres and fibers formation. CpFe(CO)2Me produced MWCNTs with narrow diameter range (19-41 nm). The influence of temperature and catalysts concentration was studied. High temperatures (900-1000 °C) produced more amorphous carbon while low temperatures produced more CNTs. A low catalyst concentrations (5 wt.%) was used to form more CNTs than a high catalyst concentrations (10 wt.%)

Lewis Acid-Base Properties of a Low Carbon Aluminium Killed Steel Substrate

An important factor in achieving maximum adhesion of a particular coating system to the substrate lies in the proper preparation of the substrate prior to the application of paint. The Lewis acid-base properties of the outer metal surface play a determinant role in many of these applications, and the chemical reactions involved  therein. In this work, the wetting properties of a low carbon aluminium killed (LCAK) substrate have been largely modified by a chemically activated surface treatment. XPS analysis was performed on the   surface.Wettability in water, a polar and protic probe liquid, and in α-bromonaphthalene, a non-polar and aprotic probe liquid, of theLCAKsurface is strongly modifiedwhentheLCAKsurface is treated with dilute formic  acid and warm water. Formic acid forms formate ions which have a higher reactivity with respect to molecular species and are able to react with the exposed surfaces, changing the relative structure of the hydroxyl layer.KEYWORDS: XPS, Lewis acid-base, wettability, steel, surface

The relationship between project performance of emerging contractors in government infrastructure projects and their experience and technical qualifications: an analysis of 30 projects conducted in the Mpumalanga Province over the 2011-2013 period

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Engineering, 11 August 2015This research set out to investigate two relationships; the relationship between technical qualifications and emerging contractor project performance, and the relationship between experience and emerging contractor project performance. The focus was on emerging contractors in the public sector. This study was motivated by the notion that emerging contractors generally fail and have poor project performance. The objective of the report was to determine the general factors that affect emerging contractor performance and demonstrate the relationship between competence and project performance. Information pertaining to progress and performance for thirty projects from a government institution in Mpumalanga Province was collected. This information included contact details of the contractors who conducted the 30 government infrastructure projects. The contact details were used to collect contractors’ curriculum vitaes and company profiles in order to extract information on qualifications and experience. Literature has shown that the most prevalent issues facing emerging contractors in South Africa can be attributed to the contractors’ competencies. These competencies include skills, experience, qualifications and project management knowledge. Other factors that affect emerging contractor performance include project delays caused by late payments by clients, shortage of labour and lack of financial resources and equipment. The results of this study showed that contractors with technical qualifications and experience generally perform better than those with no technical background. It was also found that where there is no technical background, the level of education also affects the level of project performance. This study demonstrated the importance of the number of technical or construction related projects conducted by an emerging contractor company as compared to the number of years that the company has been in operation. The number of projects conducted, regardless of timeline, is more beneficial to project performance than the number of years in operation in the construction industry. This study recommends that focus should be drawn to the definite need to develop emerging contractor competence through skills development, training, collaborations and knowledge sharing. Competence development should focus on transferring technical knowledge and experience through policy formulation, collaboration of government and educational or training institutes. Focus should also be drawn to developing project management competence of emerging contractors in the South African public sector

Recruitment and retention of IT staff within a leading South African bank

The Information Technology (IT) industry is currently faced with a shrinking pool of skilled IT employees as a result of the increasing demand for these employees. This increasing demand has put organisations under pressure to start devising retention strategies in order to retain the targeted employees. This paper is based on the study that was done in the IT department of one of the leading banks in South Africa. The study was conducted in order to understand the leadership's view on employee attraction and retention, and how these can be used as tools for reducing skills shortages in the IT department of the understudied bank. Findings of this study, which followed a qualitative methodology, indicated that high employee turnover is the main contributor of the skills shortages within this department. The non-existence of a proper retention strategy is making it difficult for the leadership team to identify the type of skills that are critical to the organisation and to retain such skills

The Bantu attribute noun class prefixes and their suffixal counterparts, with special reference to Zulu

The aim of this dissertation is to investigate the attributive noun classes, as well as their suffixal counterparts, firstly in Bantu, and secondly in Zulu. The investigation will be done with reference to aspects such as the following: the general distribution, meaning and function of the attributive noun class prefixes in Bantu. This study will also investigate the distinction between those prefixes which are exclusively used to categorise size and shape deviations, namely those belonging to classes 12/13, 19, 20, 21 and 22; and those class prefixes which have a secondary function of indicating such deviations, namely the prefixes of classes 5/6, 7/8 and 11. The main concern is the way in which these prefixes are often associated with positive or negative emotive perceptions regarding size and shape, and are therefore often used to express amelioration and derogation. In languages such as Zulu and Northern Sotho the existence of possible frozen remnants of such attributive noun class prefixes will be investigated. Some Bantu languages such as Venda that express variations in size and shape as well as the emotive perception by means of suffixes, or by a combination of prefixes and suffixes will be investigated. The possible semantic overlap between the meanings expressed by attributive class prefixes, and/or between the meanings expressed by attributive class prefixes and so-called ‘attributive suffixes’ will also be scrutinized. Apart from the aspects mentioned above, the relationship between augmentative and diminutive suffixes and the notion [+ feminine] in languages such as Zulu and Northern Sotho will be scrutinized. The occurrence of the Zulu suffix -azana/-azane, which is apparently a combination of the diminutive and augmentative suffixes, will also be investigated. This study will firstly provide a typological overview of the various strategies employed in Bantu in order to express variations in shape and size, as well as of the emotive perceptions that accompany such variations. Secondly, this study will provide an insight into the way in which shape and size variations, amelioration and derogation are expressed in Zulu through the utilisation of diminutive and augmentative suffixes. An indication will also be given of the possible diachronic development of attributive categories in this language. This study will make a significant contribution not only to the field of diachronic and comparative Bantu linguistics, but also to Zulu linguistics. This research will furthermore lead to a deeper understanding of the strategies employed in Zulu to express the semantic nuances of amelioration and derogation.Dissertation (MA (African Languages))--University of Pretoria, 2005.African Languagesunrestricte

The implementation of the holistically integrated multidisciplinary scientific management model (himsmm) for 2030

South Africa is a developing country located in the southern part of the African continent. It comprises of nine provinces, eight metropolitan municipalities, forty-four district and two hundred and twenty-six local municipalities. The population is estimated at 59,308, 690 million people. The road infrastructure in SA is grouped into national, provincial and local roads. There are well developed national roads and some less well maintained provincial roads. The national routes in SA are trunk roads and freeways which connect towns, cities, provinces and neighboring countries in the southern part of Africa. The freeway system comprises of the N1 to N19. In addition, some of the major provincial routes are cutting across South Africa. Some of the provincial and local roads are underdeveloped. The challenges that South Africa are facing include the high number of traffic crashes and traffic casualties, the inability of the traffic authorities to counteract violations due to the fact that the Traffic Management System (TMS) had not been properly implemented decades ago. This seems to suggest, firstly, that SA cannot succeed to reduce road traffic casualties by 50% by 2030 and, secondly, there is a lack of a Holistically, Integrated, Multi-disciplinary Scientific Management Model (HIMSMM) approach to be implemented, to manage, police, educate, transport and road traffic safety to reduce traffic fatalities rates by 2030 by 50% in line with the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety Programme (UNDARSP) and the National Development Plan (NDP). The aim of this paper is to discuss the implementation of the HIMSMM as the sub-system of the TMS under the Transport System (TS) to improve the traffic safety management system and to reduce road traffic casualties by 50% by 2030 in line with the UNDARSP and the NDP. The HIMSMM focuses on sixteen (16) (functional areas) as possible solution as to reduce crashes and fatalities by 2030.Papers presented virtually at the 39th International Southern African Transport Conference on 05 -07 July 202