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Learners' experiences of educators' aggression in a secondary school in Gauteng

  • Authors: Naicker, Aneshee
  • Date: 2011-05-16T08:11:01Z
  • Subjects: High school teachers , Aggressiveness , Gauteng (South Africa)
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/391412 , uj:7081 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3643
  • Description: M. Ed. , Adolescence is a phase in human development that is synonymous with change, namely, physical, cognitive, emotional and social changes. Educators start playing an important role in the lives of adolescents, and the school as an institution of learning is a place to promote social, emotional and intellectual growth that fosters the development of a positive self - concept in adolescent learners. The researcher was interested in the experiences of learners who witness educator aggression in the schooling environment and the impact this has on the adolescent learner and on the education system as a microcosm of the South African society. Current research on educator aggression indicates that aggression is detrimental to the emotional, social and mental health of learners, because aggression begets aggression. Guidelines are proposed to support both educators and learners who experience educator aggression, to facilitate their mental health. The research objectives were as follows: to explore and describe the learners’ experiences of educatoraggression in a secondary school in Gauteng; and to describe guidelines to assist learners and educators concerning educator aggression in order to facilitate their mental health. The data collected was used to formulate effective guidelines, designed to assist the adolescent learners and educators in a secondary school in Gauteng. Through this approach the researcher was able to gain insight into the experiences of learners related to educator aggression.
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The role of the College Council of Public FET Colleges in Gauteng

  • Authors: Coetzer, Louwrens Stefanus Daniel
  • Date: 2010-11-09T06:22:30Z
  • Subjects: Universities and colleges management , Universities and colleges administration , Continuing education , Gauteng (South Africa)
  • Type: Mini-Dissertation
  • Identifier: uj:6954 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3463
  • Description: M.Comm. , Public Further Education and Training (FET) Colleges are governed by a College Council, which need to perform actions in order to govern the Public FET College. (RSA, 2006:9). In order to discuss the governance role of the Public Further Education and Training Council, a historical perspective of Public Further Education and Training Colleges was firstly discussed. Extensive literature reviews of Public FET Colleges and Businesses were undertaken in order to provide a solid foundation for further quantitative research. An existing questionnaire developed to measure good corporate governance was used as a measuring instrument for the research. The questionnaire was designed within the framework of corporate governance applicable to Public FET Colleges and can be used for future research studies. The approach adopted for this study is of a quantitative nature, where data was obtained in the form of scores, which were tabulated, analysed and displayed in a graphical format. The primary objective of the research was to investigate the role of the College Council of Public FET Colleges in Gauteng. The secondary objective of the research was to investigate the following research questions: · determining if members of the College Council at Public FET Colleges are fully aware about their roles and responsibilities; · making meaningful recommendations on how to improve the perceptions of members of the College Council at Public FET Colleges, based on literature and empirical results obtained from this study and · make meaningful recommendations to the provincial government on capacitating Public FET College Councils in their roles and responsibilities. The results of the study indicated that members of Public FET College Councils in Gauteng are not fully aware of their roles and responsibilities and as a result thereof govern and manage Public FET Colleges ineffectively. The recommendation is that members of Public FET College Councils in Gauteng need to be capacitated in their roles and responsibilities and orientated properly in order to apply good corporate governance and add value to the College. There is a need for a follow-up study to be conducted on members of Public FET College Councils in South Africa to determine the perceptions of the role and responsibilities of College Councils and the conflicting roles of a College Council member and the Principal, should both be employed by the state. The clarification of roles will add to good corporate governance. The need to do research on the accountability of the members of College Councils and the consequences in the event that mismanagement occurs is further identified. Research is also needed to determine if an Activity Based Costing (ABC) method could be used effectively at Public FET Colleges in order to manage costs.
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An investigation into the use of workflow in companies in Gauteng

Perceptions of change at motor dealerships in Gauteng

  • Authors: Silva, Selma M. C.
  • Date: 2010-10-26T07:21:36Z
  • Subjects: General Motors Corporation , Automobile industry and trade , Organizational change , Gauteng (South Africa)
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:6942 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3452
  • Description: M.Comm. , Change is inevitable in today’s world. Multinational companies are constantly being forced to adapt in order to survive. When companies are not able to adjust to the changing environment they run the risk of becoming obsolete. When General Motors (GM) returned to South Africa and bought back Delta Motors Corporation (DMC) in 2004, dealers were faced with new procedures, policies and management styles. This study aimed to establish how GM dealers viewed change, by exploring their views on the Delta Motors takeover in 2004. Five dealerships participated in the study and 15 employees were interviewed. The results were analysed through content analysis. Recommendations are made with regard to addressing the change process and the difficulties that accompany it. The study reinforces the importance of communication, planning and employee development in a change process. By encouraging involvement, people own the change process and do not feel that change is being forced upon them. Although change is critical, research shows that it is a complex process that needs to be planned thoroughly. This research includes lessons learned from the change process that GM went through when it took over from DMC.
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The lived experience of aggression and violence by nurses in a Gauteng psychiatric institution

  • Authors: Bimenyimana, Emmanuel
  • Date: 2010-05-24T07:57:20Z
  • Subjects: Violence in psychiatric hospitals , Psychiatric hospital patients , Psychiatric nursing personnel management , Psychiatric nurses' mental health , Gauteng (South Africa)
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:6811 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3245
  • Description: M.Cur. , Violence and aggression in psychiatric hospitals are a worldwide known phenomenon. South Africa is no exception to the rule. Previous researches conducted in psychiatric institutions have mainly focused on the patients, leaving everyone to guess how this violence affects nurses who are in contact with the patients on a daily basis and who are key role-players in the care, treatment, and rehabilitation of the patients under their responsibility. The research aimed to explore and describe the lived experience of aggression and violence by the registered nurses in a Gauteng psychiatric institution, the essence of this violence, and how nurses cope with this violence, in order to formulate guidelines and recommendations that could assist them to manage violence. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive, and contextual study design was utilised. Data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews, and naïve sketches. Tesch’s method was used for data analysis, here and an independent coder was utilised. The uniqueness of this study was to bring to the surface the other side of violence as it is perceived and lived by the nurses. The findings show that the nurses face violence on a daily basis. Among the contributing factors there are: the type of patients admitted in the hospital; the staff shortage; the lack of support among the members of the multidisciplinary team (MDT); and the lack of structured and comprehensive orientation. The consequences of this violence to the nurses are emotional, psychological, and physical and take the form of: fear, anger, frustration, despair, hopelessness and helplessness, substance abuses, absenteeism, retaliation, a development of an “I don’t care attitude”, injuries, and damage to personal properties such as clothes, and spectacles.
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An evaluation of performance management in the public service

The management of football development programmes in Gauteng

  • Authors: Solomon, Mandy-Lee
  • Date: 2010-03-10T06:21:30Z
  • Subjects: World Cup (Soccer) 2010 , Football teams , Sports administration , Sports facilities , Sports management , Gauteng (South Africa)
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:6655 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3061
  • Description: M.Comm. , South Africa are the proud hosts of the FIFA 2010 Football World Cup™, and deservedly so. A significant effort has been placed in winning the bid and continues this continues to be the situation as construction and infrastructure are being put in place for event. Time is fast becoming limited, now with just less than three years to go, proper development is essential. Outside the rush and pressure to be ready for this event and the economic benefits that that are attached, the opportunity exists to divert some of that momentum into something that will last way beyond 2010 – sustainable youth development programmes and football clubs. This entails that grassroots development and youth football development programs are structured and sustainable in order for well-rounded, well-developed players to graduate from it for many years to come. This study set out to ascertain the extent to which business management principles are applied in the management of football, as well as to explore the availability and applicability of policies and programmes provided by government and the national federation. The exact population size was extremely challenging to determine, largely due to insufficient and non-centralised record keeping by national and regional administrators. A sample size of 30 (n=30) that was geographically representative of Gauteng, was drawn. Researcher-administered interviews, with questionnaires, were used in the investigation. Meaningful insight was provided in the fact that only 33% of the respondents were aware of the White Paper on Sport and Recreation South Africa and indicated that there was a degree of alignment to it. The study highlighted the fact that while this document, and other policies regulating and supporting sport and sport development nationally are available, the respondents indicated a general lack of knowledge of these tools made available by the South African Department for Sport and Recreation and its partners. The National Federation, SAFA, devote little effort to football development programmes and while strides are being made in this regard, the increments of success are very small and potential benefits do not materialise. One further aspect concluded from the study was the lack of a clear understanding of what sport development, and football in particular, encompasses, and thus what a development programme should include. Current football programmes were found to be lacking with regard to the holistic development of players, as well as coaches, administrators and officials, in areas that extend beyond the tactical and technical aspects of football.
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Assessment of structural quality of houses delivered through the people's housing process in South Africa

  • Authors: Ogunfiditimi, Olaosebikan
  • Date: 2010-03-10T06:20:26Z
  • Subjects: Housing , Housing policy , Structural analysis (Engineering) , Engineering standards , Construction industry quality control , Gauteng (South Africa)
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:6652 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3059
  • Description: M.Tech. , South African government is one of the countries in the world that has delivered the highest number of houses to the poor through various delivery mechanisms to fulfill her vision to adequate housing for all as reflected in the National Housing Policy framework. Since 1994, about One Million Eight Hundred and Seventy Seven Thousand Nine Hundred and Fifty Eight (1 877 958) houses has been delivered. People’s Housing Process is a state-assisted, self help housing programme and about 3% of the total houses built were delivered through the PHP housing delivery programme. The Government’s goal is, subject to fiscal affordability, to increase housing delivery on a sustainable basis to a peak level of 350 000 units per annum until the housing backlog is overcome (South Africa’s National Housing code policy, 2000:5). The government focused on quantitative housing delivery with qualitative shortcomings. However the focus has now shifted to the quality of the end product delivered. Defects in houses manifest themselves primarily through cracking, dampness, detachment, and water leakages. Defects may be patent or latent, and could be discovered through checking, observations and tests. This research work is a study of structural qualities of houses delivered through PHP. The study investigated the causes of structural inadequacies in PHP houses focusing in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. The findings show that different types of structural defects occurred in houses delivered through PHP scheme, these defects include roof leakages, cracks in walls, wall not being straight and defects in roof trusses. The cause of these defects was as a result of poor quality control mechanism put in place by the Department of Housing.
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The necessity of mentoring the historically disadvantaged senior history teacher

  • Authors: Van Velze, Anneke
  • Date: 2009-05-04T09:49:31Z
  • Subjects: Mentoring in education , In-service training of history teachers , Gauteng (South Africa)
  • Type: Mini-Dissertation
  • Identifier: uj:8346 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2471
  • Description: M.Ed. , Having been a marker and senior marker for the Matric final History exams in Gauteng I found that it was mostly the learners from the historically disadvantaged schools that were performing poorly. I assumed that the learners from these schools performed poorly in their matric exams because their teachers had developmental needs relating to their teaching skills. I also theorized that assisting the teachers through workshops only would not be a good idea, because most teachers complained about having to attend them. Based on the above assumptions, the aim of this research was to assess the developmental needs of historically disadvantaged senior History teachers in Gauteng residing in the D5 district. The results of this needs assessment would then form the basis of a discussion on how a mentoring programme could address these needs. The qualitative method of "one on one" interviewing was used to collect the data. Purposive sampling was used to select the participants and the constant comparative method of data analysis was used to identify the developmental needs. I complete this study with a discussion on how a mentoring programme can address these needs. The main findings were that mentoring could be very beneficial to address the developmental needs of senior History teachers, but that the problems regarding the poor Matric results for History of learners from historically disadvantaged schools involves more than assisting the senior History teacher. Further studies will need to be done to assess the standard of teaching in the lower grades. What also needs further investigation is the role that the attitude of fellow teachers and the broader community has on the motivation of learners to do well in the subject History.
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The registration process at a merged South African university from a personnel perspective

  • Authors: Meyer-Adams, Ernestine
  • Date: 2009-03-31T09:54:22Z
  • Subjects: Universities and colleges mergers , Higher education , Gauteng (South Africa) , Universities and colleges administration
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:8296 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2405
  • Description: M.Phil. , The primary aim of the study was to determine the subjective experiences and viewpoints- in other words the insider perspectives of- administrative personnel during the student registration process in a newly-merged South African university in the Gauteng Province. The task became very difficult as it had to be approached within the complexity of ongoing institutional change. In short, the merging of the institutions cannot be separated from the service delivery or the experiences and views of employees during this transitional period. Sampling, data collection and data analysis were done simultaneously and interactively, rather than in discrete sequential steps. I made use of a case study, meaning that “the data analysis focuses on one phenomenon, which the researcher selects to understand in depth regardless of the number of sites, participants, or documents for a study” (McMillian & Schumacher, 1997). In such a design the context of each participant's experience is important in its analysis. I considered a modernist qualitative-research approach since I was aiming at an in-depth understanding of the social world and work environment of the employees involved in the registration process. The research group comprised of administrative personnel who were permanently employed and specifically involved in the registration process. A purposive-sampling technique was used which led to twelve research participants being selected. The group consisted of six interviewees (4 males and 2 females) from the registration management sector. One person from each of the four campuses and two from the main campus were identified. I also conducted a focus-group discussion with a group of six females who represented the key faculty focused on in this study. The in-depth description of the grounded-theory application and my personal experience thereof should contribute to the application of this theory in other organisational settings. Recommendations for further studies conclude the dissertation. Service is the lifeblood of any organisation. Everything flows from it and is nourished by it. Customer service is not a department, it’s an attitude.
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An investigation into the success factors amongst small businesses in Gauteng

  • Authors: Keil, Maria Clara Mauricio Pereira
  • Date: 2009-03-31T09:19:53Z
  • Subjects: Small business , Success in business , Gauteng (South Africa)
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:8230 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2342
  • Description: M.B.A. , Gauteng, the smallest of the nine South African provinces, but the largest in terms of its contribution to national GDP (33.9%), generates 10% of Africa’s GDP (Gauteng Enterprise Propeller Overview, 2007) and is therefore a very important geo-economical zone. As South Africa latest unemployment rate is 25.5% (StatsSA, 2006), Government is geared towards promoting small businesses in an effort to grow the economy and reduce unemployment. It is therefore very important to the economy that small businesses succeed, grow and provide employment. Due to the fact that at present, very little research into the success factors amongst small businesses in South Africa has been conducted in South Africa, it seems appropriate at this time to investigate the success factors of small businesses in Gauteng. The problem statement in this research is that there is insufficient knowledge relating to the factors contributing to the failure or success of small businesses in South Africa, Gauteng. To conduct this research, a qualitative and exploratory approach was decided upon. A literature survey on the subject was conducted in order to ground the current research in existing theory and research. A questionnaire was sent out by e-mail to 3776 businesses in Gauteng, to which the response rate was 3.15% (119 questionnaires were returned). The questionnaire was divided into sections and covered the definition of success, entrepreneurial personality characteristics of owner/manager, use of management tools, resource availability and the classification of respondents and their businesses. Due to the small size of the sample this research is not able to conclusively achieve the primary research objective of identifying the success factors of small businesses in Gauteng, but it has nevertheless contributed to the body of research on the matter, since it established that there is a correlation between: • Entrepreneurial personality and the success of small businesses • The use of management tools and the success of small businesses • The availability of resources and the success of small businesses. In addition the following can be reported: • The owner/managers surveyed attributed their success to: - persistence and determination - experience - entrepreneurial personality - business knowledge - a great team - education • The existence and or use of the business plan and its relationship to success remains inconclusive • Financial resources do not feature prominently as a success factor, but business skills do seem to correlate with success. Further research is necessary to pinpoint conclusively which traits and behaviours are conducive to success, by comparing successful and unsuccessful business owners. Other recommendations that arose from this research were: • Research should be conducted into the assumption that economic growth is driven by the proliferation of small businesses • Research into the weight of internal factors ((personality, experience, attitude, knowledge) versus that of external factors (start-up capital, business plans, skill availability, economic and legal conditions) would contribute to the body of knowledge and could trigger a shift in approach.
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Stand en funksionering van bewareas in Suid-Afrika met spesiale verwysing na Gauteng

  • Authors: De Klerk, Renee
  • Date: 2009-02-09T09:16:30Z
  • Subjects: Natural resources conservation areas , Gauteng (South Africa)
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:8122 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2097
  • Description: M.A. , The Conservancy system was developed in KwaZulu-Natal but is not only limited to this province today. Conservancies are being established across South Africa and can be described as a type of conservation strategy that is constantly increasing. A Conservancy is defined as a group of farms whose owners have combined resources for the improved conservation and well-being of wildlife inhabiting the area. The term wildlife in this case encompasses mammals, birds, fish, natural vegetation and all desirable natural life forms. Local nature conservation authorities assist landowners in a conservancy by the training of staff, motivation of members, provision of animals at reasonable prices for re-stocking, and technical advice on management planning. Conservancies are however run and financed entirely by the farmers or landowners and they therefore do not have any legal nature conservation status. Through the establishment of Conservancies natural resources can be conserved, but emphasis has to be placed on the successful functioning and management thereof. Control over Conservancies, from a governmental point of view, is limited to each province's nature conservation department. This study was undertaken to determine the state and functioning of Conservancies in South Africa, with special reference to Gauteng. A literature study as well as various visits to the Gauteng Department of Nature Conservation and three existing Conservancies in the province were undertaken for this purpose. From this enough information was gathered to formulate various guidelines for the establishment and management of Conservancies. These guidelines are based on certain shortcomings that were identified in the management structure of Conservancies in Gauteng. Should these guidelines be taken into account when Conservancies are established, the functioning and management thereof will be successful and will contribute to effective environmental conservation.
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The role of government policy in the administration of school funds in Actonville public schools.

  • Authors: Singh, Lionel Rabinder
  • Date: 2009-02-09T08:54:20Z
  • Subjects: Public schools , Education and state , Gauteng (South Africa)
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:8119 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2094
  • Description: M.Ed. , South Africa’s current transformation process has effected momentous policy changes that have been designed under extreme pressure of redesigning a whole society. The process of transforming the Education system has been characterised by the passing of new legislation, restructuring of management systems and the decentralisation to a school level authority to make decisions related to the allocation of resources. Implementation problems arose when the policy has been misunderstood by managers at various levels of the department, or at school, perhaps because of insufficient explanation and socialisation from the National Department of Education and the Provincial Education Department. The current financial climate in South Africa has resulted in the responsibility for the financing of education being devolved to the private sectors, particularly the parent and business communities of the institutions. Schools therefore have to generate more funds to supplement the resources supplied by the State to be administered and managed as school funds. It is against the background of a fragile financial foundation for the funding of public education as well as the implementation problems experienced by various levels of the Education Department, that the remedy may then point to the development of awareness campaigns, or a rewording though not a redesign of policies. Therefore we need to look at the process of policy implementation from time to time in order to assess the degree of alignment with policy and effect various changes timeously in our attempt to fine-tune our systemic and individual capacities on an ongoing basis. Chapter one outlines the content of the research study, the declaration of the problem, the objectives of the study and the clarification of the concepts. Chapter two comprises of a thorough literature study which outlines the perspectives of various stakeholders regarding current financial management procedures in public schools in South Africa. Chapter three outlines the research methodology that is used in this research study. A valuable method was used to gather research material for the study of financial management at public schools. Chapter four is about the collection of information, its analyses and its interpretation. Themes and categories are identified and information analysed. Themes are also used as sub-categories during the analyses of the information. Chapter five is the findings of the research study. Theoretical information from the research study was compared with information consolidated from questionnaires and interviews. The last chapter consist of a summary, recommendations and the conclusion of the study.
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An integrated rehabilitation plan for the Wilgeheuwel Extension 29 Wetland, Gauteng

  • Authors: Hendricks, James
  • Date: 2009-02-05T07:15:04Z
  • Subjects: Wetlands , Wetland management , Wetland restoration , Gauteng (South Africa)
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:8098 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2026
  • Description: M.A. , Wetlands are being lost and degraded in urban areas. Urban wetlands perform a diverse range of valuable functions. The loss of wetlands, therefore, has a negative impact upon urban human populations. One of the major threats to urban wetlands in Gauteng is the development of residential and commercial developments. As prime land for development is at a premium, the urban developer has targeted wetlands, which are canalised, drained or filled before being developed over. A typical example is that of the case study used for this thesis, where a wetland found in Johannesburg, Gauteng, is in the process of being destroyed, with the developers removing wetland vegetation, levelling the site and inhibiting the flow of the Wilgespruit River. Eventually a townhouse complex to be known as Wilgeheuwel Extension 29 is to be developed on the site. An integrated sustainable rehabilitation plan is required to ensure that the Wilgeheuwel Extension 29 wetland is rehabilitated. This plan is to take into consideration all the factors that influence the wetland negatively at present, including impacts upstream and possible future impacts. Therefore, a hierarchical approach is used, where management plans for the Wilgespruit River sub-catchment, the proposed development and the individual wetland are integrated into one plan.
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Terrain suitability analysis for the proposed rapid-rail link between Pretoria, Johannesburg and Johannesburg International Airport

  • Authors: Roets, Wilna
  • Date: 2009-02-05T07:12:37Z
  • Subjects: Environmental impact analysis , Railroads , High speed trains , Gauteng (South Africa)
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:8085 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2014
  • Description: M.A. , The proposal to build the Gautrain rapid-rail link between Pretoria, Johannesburg and Johannesburg International Airport was approved in June 2000 by the Gauteng Provincial Government. It was noted that this particular development could have serious environmental implications for the area involved. The aim of this research is therefore to identify the most suitable terrain in order to optimise the rail route alignment with minimal environmental impact. This will be accomplished by undertaking a terrain suitability analysis. The different high-speed railway types are discussed and their impact on the environment is considered, culminating in an evaluation of the background and status of the proposed Gautrain rapid-rail link. The different approaches to terrain evaluation are discussed in order to draw conclusions relative to the methodology used in this research. Subsequently the activity approach as described by Mitchell (1991) and Hugo et al (1997) was chosen as the methodology to use for this research and the terrain within the study area was classified according to its suitability for the development of the Gautrain rapid-rail link. A Geographic Information System (GIS) was utilised to aid in the terrain suitability analysis. As a result of the analysis an optimised route is proposed and compared to the rail routes already proposed for the Gautrain rapid-rail link. It is imperative that a terrain suitability analysis should form part of the preliminary phase of any environmental management cycle as portrayed in Fuggle & Rabie (1998), in order to identify suitable terrain for the development in question; the rapid-rail link route should be no exception.
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The effectiveness of the developmental appraisal system in Thokoza primary schools.

  • Authors: Seheshe, Molapisi Jacob
  • Date: 2009-02-05T07:12:04Z
  • Subjects: rating of teachers , primary school teachers , school management teams , Gauteng (South Africa)
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:8082 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2011
  • Description: M.Ed. , Educators face the pressure of accountability from parents, employers, the state and the society. The success of teaching and learning at schools depends on the educator’s commitment and capabilities. The central question was : How can we describe the effectiveness of the developmental appraisal system at Thokoza primary schools and what are the reasons for a lack of commitment, capabilities and performance in the teaching staff? The focus of the study was a package of factors including the network of relationships in which educators are involved, which may be addressed to revitalize educators’ performances. The study was geographically confined to Thokoza Primary Schools in the East Rand. A convenient sample was chosen. Tools used were, questionnaires and interviews among educators and principals, and a critical review of the related literature. The project did not aim at generalization of the results but a sample, in depth understanding of the education situation concerning the developmental appraisal system at Thokoza Primary Schools.
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Expansive soil in Weltevreden Park, Gauteng, South Africa

  • Authors: Geyser, Clinton
  • Date: 2009-02-05T07:08:06Z
  • Subjects: Swelling soils , Clay minerals , Soil analysis , Gauteng (South Africa)
  • Type: Mini-Dissertation
  • Identifier: uj:14874 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1994
  • Description: M.Sc. , Weltevreden Park, just like many other suburbs around Johannesburg, has been an area of rapid development over the years. The development of low-rise buildings such as houses, townhouse complexes, office-block buildings, and shopping centers is set to continue. One of the potential problems facing construction in the area is expansive soils. Expansive soil is a term generally applied to any soil or rock material that has a potential for shrinking or swelling under changing moisture conditions and it is caused by the presence of swell clays, which absorb water and expand, in the soil. Expansive soil can cause damage to engineering structures, and this can result in significant financial losses. Due to its geological and geomorphic setting, Weltevreden Park is susceptible to expansive soil. Clay minerals, and possibly swell clays, tend to accumulate in the valley where Weltevreden Park is situated, due to the catena concept. The ridges above the area are composed of quartzite and shale, with the shale being a possible source of the clay minerals. Soil samples and a shale sample were collected to perform a mechanical and a mineralogical analysis. The mechanical analysis was performed by sieving each soil sample, then weighing each fraction and determining the silt/clay percentage of each sample. The mineralogical analysis involved analyzing each sample using various X-Ray diffraction techniques to determine the mineralogy of the soil and the shale. The X-Ray diffraction analysis also assists in determining if the clays are expansive or not. This was done by running an X-Ray diffractogram of an air-dried and a glycollated orientated sample of each soil and shale sample. A scanning electron microscope was also used to assist in both the mechanical and the mineralogical analysis. The mechanical analysis determined that there is an increase in the silt/clay percentage in the soil downslope from the ridges, with accumulation of clays in the valley. The mineralogical analysis determined that the most abundant clay minerals in the soil are kaolinite and illite, with some swell clays such as montmorillonite, nontronite and vermiculite occurring in the soil in the valley. These swell clays only showed partial expansion when comparing the X-Ray diffractograms of the air-dried and glycollated orientated samples. The study also shows that the shale layer is a major source of kaolinite and illite, but it is not the source of the swell clays. The study shows that there is a potential for expansion to occur in the soil in Weltevreden Park. The study also suggests a number of engineering techniques that can be used to mitigate the problem and prevent any damage to present and future construction in the area.
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Use of an area sampling frame to identify the spatial distribution of livestock in the Gauteng Province

  • Authors: Von Hagen, Craig
  • Date: 2009-01-29T12:10:00Z
  • Subjects: Livestock , Cluster analysis , Gauteng (South Africa)
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:14857 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1979
  • Description: M.Sc. , In South Africa, there are no reliable statistics regarding animal numbers and distribution. The goal, therefore, of this research is to provide the framework and procedure for obtaining these statistics efficiently and accurately. Available sampling methods and sampling frames were investigated and it was decided to carry out a sample survey because the Gauteng Province consists of a large number of holdings (land parcels). In the Gauteng Province, where a complete list of farmers or land owners is not available, it was decided to use an area sampling frame. Once the choice of sample design was made, the survey objectives were defined according to the clients’ needs. The sampling frame was constructed using various land parcel layers. These land parcels were merged, using GIS software, into one continuous layer of land parcels. They were then stratified to reduce the variance of the variable (animals) under study over the entire area, using area of land parcel and land-cover. The sample size was then calculated and the land parcels were selected randomly for survey purposes. The survey was conducted between September and December 1999 and the questionnaires were input into a database for the estimation procedures. The closed estimation procedure was used because it is the only possible option if the data surveyed are referenced to the land parcel (and not to a farm that includes several land parcels). The area frame sampling methodology worked well for cattle, sheep, horses, pigs and dogs/cats and to a lesser extent for goats, donkeys and game. The area frame method did not work well for poultry (because of extremely high values in a few land parcels), ostriches or mules (these are rare in the province). Spatial distributions and density distributions were then interpolated from the animal counts taken in the survey and they give a general idea of the location of animals. The distributions of cattle, sheep, horses, pigs and dogs/cats are reliable. The distributions of the rest are distorted due to extreme counts in a few land parcels but a general idea of concentrations can still be inferred. Considering that no historical data exists and that the overall goal of this research was to get an idea of animal numbers and the distribution of animals in Gauteng province, it can be considered successful, in that decision- makers now have a reliable source of information from which good decisions can be made.
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The present utilisation of pans on the East Rand

  • Authors: Welling, Diana
  • Date: 2009-01-29T12:09:49Z
  • Subjects: Pans (Geomorphology) , Gauteng (South Africa)
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/371331 , uj:14855 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1977
  • Description: M.A. , Pan are naturally occurring depressions or closed basins and play a very important role in ecosystems. The East Rand is characterized by more than one hundred pans dotting its landscape. The impact of urbanisation on these pans is significant. To determine exactly how the characteristics of the pans on the East Rand has changed, a comparison was done between the characteristics and utilization of the pans in 1992, as then described by Le Grange (1992) and the current situation in 2003. Water samples were also collected over a period of three months and analysed in the laboratories of Rand Water. The current utilization of the pans leaves much to be desired. Informal settlements, industries, residential areas and mine dumps are all found on the pan floors. Large waste dumping sites are developing at five out of the 19 pans in the study area. This has severely negatively affected the water quality within the pans, and the quality of bird life at thee pans. Continuous research is needed from government and private organisations on the pans found on the East Rand to improve their current quality and condition. Responsibility and proper management strategies must be implemented to protect the pans from negative human impacts.
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The Malay community of Gauteng: syncretism, beliefs, customs and development

  • Authors: Paulsen, Moegamat Abdurahgiem
  • Date: 2009-01-15T13:10:16Z
  • Subjects: Malays (Asian people) , Malays social life and customs , Islam , Ulama , Gauteng (South Africa)
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:14792 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1869
  • Description: M.A. , The dissertation focuses on a particular community, religiously defined, residing in a certain area. It characterizes their particular beliefs and customs, and portrays the history and development. For this purpose several sources have been consulted and no less than 37 people interviewed. The Malay community of Gauteng predominantly originated from the Cape and Port Elizabeth. Their ancestors were originally posted to South Africa from the Dutch settlements in the Malay Archipelago during the 17th and 18th centuries as slaves and political exiles. Some of them, however, were people of high rank. The Malays settled in Johannesburg and Pretoria towards the end of the 19th century and in Nigel between 1976 and 1977. This area is presently known as Gauteng. The Malay community of Gauteng are all Muslims and predominantly followers of the Shafi‘î madhhab (Islamic School of Thought). They constitute a minority group both religiously and ethnically. The Malays of Gauteng furthermore consist of various ethnical groups who were classified as part of the Coloured population group under the Group Areas Act 41 of 1950. In Johannesburg and Nigel the Malays lived in Coloured residential areas but in Pretoria the Malays rather associated them with the Indian Muslims. In Pretoria the majority of the Malays therefore settled in the Indian residential area Laudium instead of the Coloured residential area Eersterust. The research highlights the prominent early ‘Ulamâ’ (Muslim religious scholars) in both the Cape and Gauteng as well as their contributions towards the preservation, growth and development of Islam in both areas. Unfortunately in the Gauteng province (formerly part of the old Transvaal province) the Malays were often denied their contributions and initiatives in the Islamic field by another Muslim ethnical group. Attention is paid to the Malay communities’ acceptance of various syncretistic elements and innovations in their daily Islamic belief systems and social and religious customs. These include certain practices during pregnancies, ‘aqîqah (birth ceremonies), grave worshipping, engagements, weddings, doopmaal (baptisms), religious celebrations and tamats (Muslim religious school graduations). The research shows how pure Islamic elements were diffused and transformed into a unique local version of Islam since their days of slavery. The said practices also reflect possible elements of Hinduism and local tribal customs in them. It is founded in the research that the Malay community practised syncretism in the spirit of pure Islam. Their syncretistic customs were never intended to show disrespect to Islam or to create a new brand of Islam. It was practiced by the majority of the Malay community rich and poor, educated and uneducated. The Malay community of Gauteng never realised nor were they aware that their various religious customs and cultures were actually syncretistic in nature and not part of pure Islam. It was only during the last fifteen years that they became aware of this fact. To many Malays what they were practising was part of Islam and as such will always be part of Islam and part of their heritage. Their practices, however, brings them into conflict with some of the Malay ‘Ulamâ’. The research also discusses the various dark superstitious beliefs of the Malays of Gauteng. These kinds of superstitious beliefs formed an integral part of the belief system of the Pagans prior to the advent of Islam. Unfortunately even today superstition still forms part of some Malays’ belief system which include elements such as visiting dukums (Malay spiritual doctors), fortune tellers; avoiding double weddings; superstitious beliefs pertaining to pregnant ladies, new born babies and the misperception that the month of Safar (2nd Islamic month) is filled with fear, ill fortune and bad luck. Some Malay ‘Ulamâ’ especially those who are alumni from the Dâr al-‘Ulûms tried and are still trying various methods to rid the general Malay community of Gauteng from their syncretistic practises and superstitious beliefs but unfortunately they are not very successful in it. Wherever and whenever these ‘Ulamâ’ officiate at Malay religious functions they would not participate nor allow or even encourage that any of the Malay syncretistic practices should be part of the proceedings. Since the Malays of Gauteng have moved to new mixed racial areas far from vibrant Malay communities the future of the Malay culture is however unpredictable. The research further focuses on the spiritual, educational and economical development of the Malays of Gauteng. Firstly it focuses on the fact that the Malays were forcibly removed from their homes in Johannesburg and Pretoria and compelled by the government to resettle in new Coloured residential areas. Here they were however afforded the opportunity to purchase their own residential properties and built their own businesses. (Formely the Malays were deprived by the authorities to rent businesses from government owned business enterprices). Secondly it focuses on the growth and development, deterioration and eventual resurgence of the Malay Hifz (memorization of the Qur’ân) tradition. A similar tendency is also reported with regard to the number of ‘Ulamâ’. Most students are nowadays trained locally at the Dâr al-‘Ulûms in South Africa. Formerly they were educated at institutions in India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Many Malay ‘Ulamâ’, past and present were known for their extensive academic qualifications. Thirdly the research focuses on the Malay ‘Ulamâ’s inability and unsuccessful attempts since 1923 to establish a recognized ‘Ulamâ’ body (theological council) in Gauteng. The research found that the Malay ‘Ulamâ’ had over the years resisted all attempts to unite on a common ground in Gauteng.
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