Understanding the role that Quality of Work Life of food and beverage employees plays in perceived service delivery and productivity

3The purpose of this article is to determine the role that Quality ofWork Life plays in the perceived service delivery and productivityof food and beverage employees in Potchefstroom, South Africa.The questionnaires were distributed at selected food and beverageestablishments, and a total of 224 questionnaires were included in thestatistical analysis. The data analysis consisted of a demographic profile,a factor analysis and a structural equation model. The results indicatedthat job, creativity and aesthetics, actualisation, organisational supportand employee commitment attributes each exert an influence on theperceived service delivery and productivity of employees. This impliesthat food and beverage managers should try to improve the workingconditions of employees as well as provide an appropriate level ofrecognition to hardworking employees. Management should considerthe recommendations that are made in terms of the job satisfactionlevels of food and beverage service employees, as they are able topositively influence organisational performance and success.Key words: employee management, food and beverage sector, structural equation model,Quality of Work Lif

Expenditure-based segmentation of visitors to the Tsitsikamma National Park

Purpose and/or objectives: The purpose of this article is to apply expenditure-based segmentation to visitors at the Tsitsikamma National Park. The objective of the research is twofold, to identify the socio-demographic and behavioural variables that influence spending at the Tsitsikamma National Park and to make recommendations on how to attract the high-spending market. Problem investigate: The Tsitsikamma National Park is Africa's oldest and largest marine reserve and plays a vital role in the preservation and conservation of marine fauna and flora. The park is also a popular holiday destination for international and local tourists and therefore plays an important role in the regional economy. Due to the importance of the park to the community and region, the Tsitsikamma National Park needs to attract more high spenders since this will contribute to the sustainability of the park. Expenditure-based segmentation is regarded as the best method for creating a profile of the high-spending market. Design and/or methodology and/or approach: To achieve this, tourist surveys from 2001 to 2008 were used. In total, 593 questionnaires were used in the analysis. Statistical analysis was done by applying K-means clustering and Pearson's chi-square as well as ANOVA analysis. Findings and/or implications: The research revealed that the province of origin, group size, length of stay and accommodation preference have a positive influence on higher spending. Originality and/or value of the research : Even though this type of research has been done for the Kruger National Park, a more innovative approach was followed by using K-means clustering, which is also the first time that this approach was used in determining the high-spending market at the Tsitsikamma National Park. Conclusion: Two distinct markets were identified. These were the high and low spenders where the most significant differences were with regard to province of origin, group size, length of stay and preferred type of accommodation. Interestingly, aspects such as owning a Wild Card (which is a loyalty card) showed no significant difference. The same applied for age, marital status or frequency of visits. Therefore, the results (if one compares this research with that done at the Kruger National Park) confirm that the size of operations and activities available have a dual impact

"Good mission policy is good state policy in South Africa?" The influence of the Tomlinson Report on racial separation in church and state at the dawn of apartheid

Peer reviewedThe author studies the development of the single, multiracial Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) into a “family” of 10 racially separated churches, especially in the light of the findings of the Tomlinson Report, published in 1955. The Commission wanted to bring the relationship between mission policy and state policy in South Africa (SA) into line with (and indeed under control of) the apartheid policy of the National Party. The author concludes that the DRC instituted the first racially separated church in 1881 on the basis of the practical situation whereby black and white members had grown into separate congregations as a result of the 1857 decision. In the 1940s and 1950s an ideological-theological justification started developing based on German missiological thinking as articulated especially by Keysser and Gutmann. The author finds that the Tomlinson Commission based their findings and recommendations on a mistaken view of African Christianity in South Africa at that time. The findings of the Tomlinson Report did, however, seem to confirm the ideological development taking place, thus strengthening the hand of those wishing to introduce a theological justification for racially separated churches ex post facto. As a result serious damage was done to the credibility of the Church and Christian mission in South Africa.Research Institute for Theology and Religio

The beautiful birdsong of Tshwane : preliminary reflections on the beginnings of the Uniting Reformed Church of Southern Africa (URCSA) congregation Melodi ya Tshwane

Peer reviewedThe author recounts the history and reflects on the founding of the URCSA congregation Melodi ya Tshwane in the central business district of the Tshwane metropole. The history of this unique congregation has not yet been written. The congregation grew out of joint services of the various black Dutch Reformed Churches in Pretoria in the 1980s. It was the first black Dutch Reformed congregation constituted in “white” Pretoria. Prof Nico Smith, Dutch Reformed Church in Africa (DRCA) pastor in Mamelodi, and Prof JNJ Kritzinger of Unisa played a very important role in the constitution of this congregation, which today forms the centre of various religious and social ministries, as well as URCSA theological education, in central Pretoria.Research Institute for Theology and Religio

Missionary ecclesiology : a perspective from history

Peer reviewedThe concept of a missionary ecclesiology is analysed according to the statement of Vatican II that the church is missionary by its very nature. The analysis is approached from the perspective of history, since the historical context is deemed to have played an important role in determining the nature of the missionary church. After World War II the concept changed dramatically as a result of decolonisation and the growth of liberation theology. The author supports Boff’s conclusion that the church is “a community organized for liberation”. In the context of the article the concept of “freedom” rather than liberation is preferred, and the demands this makes on our understanding of a missionary church are indicated.Research Institute for Theology and Religio

Critical success factors for the management of 4x4 ecotrails

In South Africa, 4x4 ecotrails that fall into the adventure tourism category are increasing in popularity. The purpose of this study is to compile a profile of 4x4 trail users, identify their motives and then determine critical success factors (CSFs) for the management of 4x4 trails. The comprehension of the coherence between the travel motives that lead to a visit and the CSFs that determine whether visitors are satisfied and have gained a memorable experience (which should lead to repeat visits) is examined in this research. An online survey was conducted in South African National Parks and the focus was on ecotrails, which contribute to nature conservation and provide maximum sustainability. A total of 119 questionnaires were obtained. The results found seven motivations and CSFs, respectively, revealing two new motivational factors within this context (lifestyle and spiritual well-being) and three new CSFs that have not been identified before and put a clear focus on the trail itself (interpretation, trail planning and challenging experience). This information can be used by trail managers and marketers to reach this niche market and provide visitors with a memorable experience