Management and Commerce Departments

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Open Access
Willingness to pay for water in South African rural areas: a case of Nsikas Village of Mpumalanga Province
(2003-05-01) Mahlale, Rirhandzu Cornelius; Gyekye, A. B.
The scope and focus of this study was narrowed to the rural households in Mpumalanga Province - Nsikazi villages. Therefore the study was titled: The willingness to pay for water in South African Rural areas: A case study of Nsikazi Villages of Mpumalanga Province. The principal objectives of the study are as follows: determining the level of the relationship between the households' willingness to pay and the household's socio-economic and water sources characteristics; determining the amount of money that rural households are willing to pay for an improved water service, and the level of service that they would prefer to use, and lastly, determining the payment system that households prefer in their rural areas. This study was limited only to those households, staying in those villages in which the RDP water service was already put in place by the government. A Contingent valuation questionnaire was used to collect data from households and the questionnaire comprised three parts, namely, water sources; household willingness to pay for three levels of water services, and questions about the socio-economic and demographic characteristics of the respondents. A Contingent valuation method was used in order to determine whether the households were willing to pay for the running costs of an improved water system. Based on the willingness to pay estimates, households in Mpumalanga rural areas were willing to pay R6.1 million towards the cost of providing a yard tap water service. The revenue maximizing tariff per household in Mpumalanga Province for yard tap water was found to be R12.50 per household per month. An important finding of the analysis in this villages was that the overwhelming majority of households preferred a yard tap as they view it as a convenient water service option, and almost all the respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the street taps water supply system.
Open Access
The role and task of the teacher in school management with reference to the Dzondo Circuit
(2007-09-14) Mashamba, Tshilidzi Meshack; Ravhudzulo, M. A.
This study focused on the role of the teacher in School Management in Dzondo Circuit of region three. This study dealt with the important factors like; the planning role of the teacher, the organization role of the teacher, as well as discipline in schools. The empirical findings revealed that principals do not receive extensive insert training about managerial skills, the role of teachers in the formulation of the school policy is not clearly defined. The findings further revealed that teachers do not attend in-service training regularly. The study recommends that the role of teachers should be clearly define in the school - policy and that teachers should be involved in the formulation of the school policy. In the study questionnaires were used to gather information from educators, parents, principals and from the learners in the Dzondo Circuit. Prior to the distribution of questionnaires, a pilot study was done at one of the selected schools in Dzondo Circuit. The questionnaires focused on teachers age, gender, qualifications, experience and the important of the school policy in secondary schools. Findings of the study were gathered from ten percent of schools selected randomly by the researcher. Limitations of the study was characterised by the prolonged time spent doing researchers and the limited resources from the department of education.
Open Access
An appraisal of the efficacy of selected macrotourism policies of South Africa
(2009-09-08) Zembani, Pamela Edna; Steyn, P. E.
Open Access
An investigation into the challenges facing municipalities in women empoernment: a case study of Ward 2 in Thulamela Municipality
(2012-05-22) Mamidze, Azwidali Alfred; Khwashaba, M. P.
This study was intended to investigate the challenges facing municipalities in women empowerment. The investigation was done on the selected individuals from both Thulamela municipality and ward 2 in Thulamela. The sample was drawn from the population using the purposive and systematic random sampling methods. Sixty five respondents were chosen as follows: four managers and twenty employees in Thulamela municipality, Fourty women under ward 2 in Thulamela and finally the ward 2 Councillor in Thulamela municipality. A single instrument for data collection was used. A questionnaire in (Appendix A) was handed out to concerned people. The analysis of data was mostly qualitative and based on relevant frequencies of response. SOME OF THE MAIN FINDINGS OF THIS STUDY WERE: • The majority of the respondents agreed that women were employed in low paid jobs during apartheid era. • It has been confirmed by 92,3% of the respondents when they agreed that gender equity act and policies created more jobs opportunities for the previously disadvantaged groups of women in particular. • Most of the respondents indicated that more women are employed in more decent jobs in democratic era than in apartheid period. • There are currently more projects that are established to empower women. • Majority of the respondents indicated lack of education as an obstacle to women empowerment. •Education for girls will promote women empowerment • Most of the respondents disagreed that uneducated women are recognized in women empowerment. • Most of the respondents disagreed that majority of the ward Counselors are women. • Combination of family and gender roles hamper women empowerment, this has been confirmed by 63,1% of the respondents. RECOMMENDATIONS As a result of the findings and conclusion, it has been realized that so many problems regarding challenges facing municipalities in women empowerment need to be addressed. The following are some of the recommendations made out of those findings. • Women need to be employed to top management positions and in more decent jobs through Affirmative action. • Gender equity act and policies must be implemented by both public and private sectors for more jobs creation as women empowerment. • Government should go on providing more projects aimed at women empowerment. • Women must also be given tenders for their economic stability. • There to be are educational programmes like ABET that need provided to women as they were previously disadvantaged in education. • Government should have campaigns aimed at discouraging teenage pregnancies.
Open Access
The impact of foreign aid on the South African economy (1980-2008
(2012-09-26) Amusa, Rasheedat Gbeminiyi Omotola; Gyekye, A. B.; Masunda, Ushe
The role of foreign aid in promoting economic growth and improving welfare has been the subject of much debate among development specialists, researchers, aid donors as well as recipients in general. Two very strong views have emerged in the literature; proponents of aid posit that foreign aid contributes to higher welfare levels and economic growth while also improving the socio economic conditions of the poor in the receiving countries. Detractors of the idea that foreign aid promotes growth have argued that aid is not the solution to deep rooted economic problems of recipient countries. According to the latter, aid does not breed an environment that allows nations to themselves develop local strategies to improve growth. The country selected for this study, South Africa, poses an interesting case study given the fact that while the country is not aid- dependent, it still receives a significant amount of official development assistance (ODA). In spite of the above fact and the perceived benefits of foreign aid for growth and development, there are few empirical studies that have investigated the nature of the relationship between foreign aid and economic growth in South Africa. The study found that while foreign aid has positively affected growth in South Africa, the impact is insignificant. Although such aids has ensured a good macroeconomic environment which have been growth- enhancing for the country.
Open Access
The critical assessment of the challenges faced by Vhembe District Municipality with the implementation of supply chain management policies
(2012-12-07) Mutuvhi, Fhatuwani Lastborn; Khwashaba, M. P.; Thornhill, C.
Open Access
Challenges facing Shikundu community with regard to participation in the development projects in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province
(2012-12-19) Mahole, Ephraim; Khwashaba, M. P.; Marule, A. L.
Open Access
An investigation into the extent to which the district municipalities performance management systems impact upon local municipalities on service delivery : a case study of the Vhembe District Municipality.
(2013-02-27) Lavhelani, Nyawasedza Phellecy; Marule, L. A.; Khwashaba, M. P.
The study sought to investigate the extent to which the district municipalities performance management system impact upon service delivery in local municipal communities. The research focused on whether the Human Resources Department sets targets, objectives and priorities. In addition the study identified some challenges performance management systems experienced by the Human Resources Department of the Vhembe District Municipality. The quantitative approach was adopted in the present study. The study used a structured questionnaire to collect data. The questionnaire was administered to a sample of Human Resource officials (managers), Political office bearers, Administrators and Political Structure. The study amplify was composed 70 participants selected using the purposive sampling method. The Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyse and interpret the data for, example, frequencies and percentages were computed. The findings showed that regular monitoring may improve performance management system of the municipality activities / improves productivity and profitability. Managers have the responsibility to monitor employees about their daily working performance. Furthermore, it is important for the supervisors to monitor service delivery rendered to the community. The findings showed that the Human Resource Department of the Vhembe District Municipality implemented performance management systems. Monitoring of the employees performance promotes productivity and profitability in the municipality. Results suggest that managers should ensure that employees sign the attendance register. The majority of the respondents agreed that the Human Resources Department had enough resources to monitor performance of the employees. Most participants indicated that if the municipality does not have performance monitoring tools, it will not be productive. It also emerged that performance management system promotes productivity of the municipality. These results suggest that the Human Resource officials, political office bearers and councillors
Open Access
Factors influencing job satisfaction amomg public healthcare employees at Elim Hospital Limpopo Province
(2013-05-08) Maguga, Simon Gifty
This study investigates factors influencing job satisfaction among public healthcare employees at Elim Hospital, Limpopo Province. Relationships have been reported between job satisfaction, productivity, absenteeism and turnover among healthcare employees and as such it affects employees' organizational commitment and the quality of healthcare services. The aim of the study was to determine the factors influencing job satisfaction among healthcare professionals at Elim Hospital. Variables such as opportunity to develop, responsibility, patient care and staff relations were found to be significantly influencing job satisfaction and there was a significant positive association between job satisfaction and opportunity to develop, responsibility, patient care and staff relations for both clinical and clinical support staff. In this study, both quantitative and qualitative research methods were used to gather information through the utilization of a questionnaire. The study was conducted mainly to confirm the result obtained. The results of the study have assisted to reflect factors that could be influencing the health workers to leave Elim Hospital. One hundred and twenty (120) questionnaires were issued to the health professionals. Major findings of the study are the following: • The study found a low level of job satisfaction among the healthcare workers surveyed. Almost 80% were dissatisfied or highly dissatisfied with their job. • Factors found to be significantly associated with job satisfaction were, opportunity to develop, responsibility, patient care and staff relations. • The study found a significant positive medium correlation between staff relations, patient care, and responsibility, opportunity to develop and job satisfaction. • Almost three-quarters of participants (73.8%) did not think that their income was a reflection of the work they do. Major recommendation were drawn from the study. These included: • Encourage teamwork by rewarding teams: Allowing managers to facilitate and promote team-building exercises to enhance communication, productivity and job satisfaction. Team incentives should be addressed by rewarding teamwork. • Ensuring job satisfaction by respecting, rewarding, nurturing and upholding these skilled and trained employees fairly is also recommended the authorities should: Recognise individual growth and fairly reward good ideas. Respect experience and qualifications above legislative requirements in order to ensure that the most suitably qualified people are placed in specialised positions. • The human resource practitioners in the public service should be knowledgeable and supportive of the health profession, vacancies should be filled quickly and the recruitment process should be speeded up. In-service training should be provided to ensure the competencies of the health workers are of high standard at all times.
Open Access
Challenges causing delay in the implementation of water project in Mutale Municipality and its impact on social life of the community: a case study of Tshipise/Dambale Water Project
(2013-05-20) Kwinda, Tshifhiwa Solomon; Khwashaba, M. P.
The aim of the study was to investigate the challenges facing the delay in the implementation of a water project and its impact on social life of the community using Tshipise / Dambale water project as a case study. Questionnaires were used to collect the data. The study was placed in both the quantitative and qualitative research paradigm. The researcher used a non-probability method and its subtype purposive sampling for the purpose of collecting from the respondents with accurate and relevant information. The populations involved in this study were local traditional leaders; civic members from Tshipise and Dambale villages; and water committee from Tshipise and Dambale villages who completed the questionnaire and the community development worker (CDW), Ward councillor, community liaison officer (CLO) who were interviewed. The study revealed that the municipality is obliged, by the law, to provide the community with water and also that the municipality is aware that the law binds them to provide the community with water. The studies also revealed that lack of capacity of contractors in the implementation of water project have delayed the implementation of water project. It was recommended that competent contractors with relevant skills need to be appointed to render a relevant service. It was also recommended that the municipality must undertake proper monitoring to ensure the contractor is doing what he or she is supposed to do.
Open Access
The management of divorce cases in South Africa and their effects on men: a case study of Nzhelele and Thohoyandou Magisterial Districts in Vhembe District Municipality
(2013-08-20) Ramabulana, Rofhiwa Mashudu; Khwashaba, M. P.
The institution of marriage is regarded as one of the most important institutions in South Africa. There are different laws that are put in place to ensure that this institution is entered into in a right manner. These laws validate the existence of the institution of marriage. They guide how it is formed and also how it can be dissolved. Marriage symbolises the coming together of two people in a union that allows them to share each other's resources' strengthens and weakness. Companionship and dependence upon one another is often found within the institution of marriage. When the institution of marriage is dissolved or when it breaks down and the spouses go their separate ways, this ending or dissolution of marriage is referred to as divorce. There are many causes of this and also challenges that come with divorce. This study investigated how the management of divorce cases affect men, financially, socially and economically. The study was conducted in Nzhelele and Thohoyandou in Vhembe District Limpopo Province. The methodologies used in this study were mixed methodologies in that; the data collection processes that were followed were both qualitative and quantitative in nature. An interview schedule and a survey questionnaire were used to collect the data. The findings of the study are that divorced men face emotional challenges that are a result of the feelings of anger, betrayal and hurt and the financial loses they suffer because of the divorce. Another finding is 'that men face financial hardships due to a loss of valuable assets and estate; they also face social challenges as a result of loss of custody of children and difficulties in co-parenting children between two households. Another finding is that the management of divorce cases does not favour men more and women instead of men get custody of minor children more. The study recommends that that in divorce cases men's needs and challenges should be taken into consideration and should be awarded the same opportunity or an equal chance to can get the custody of minor children and also receive maintenance from their former spouse.
Open Access
The impact of the National Credit Act on the growth of small business lending in the Vhembe Region of Limpopo
(2014-01-10) Sandamela, Victor Noah Abel Gold; Gyekye, A. B.
The main purpose of this study is to asses the impact of the National Credit Act (NCA) no 34 of 2005 on the growth of the small retail business lending in the Vhembe region of Limpopo. Over the years there has been an outcry by the small business industry that the banks were unwilling to offer lending products to this sector. The banks on the other hand maintained that this was a high risk sector, especially in the rural areas presenting difficulties to avail financial loans especially when the high costs of delivery were also taken into consideration. Government, acknowledging the importance of small business viability and growth and the sector's role in alleviating poverty and addressing unemployment intervened by introducing the NCA. The National Credit Act provides and establishes various administrative bodies which are involved with the regulation of credit in the country and have legal powers to ensure compliance. Importantly it creates an environment in which debtors in need can be assisted and mediation between parties can happen to control over-indebtedness. Data was collected on a group of 100 small retail businesses in the Vhembe region of Limpopo comprising of 4 municipalities of Thulamela, Makhado, Mutale and Makhado to evaluate the impact of the NCA on the access of business loans from the banks. Also to asses whether the small business sector was growing because of the financial support due to the implementation of the Act. Chi-Square tests and correlation analysis were utilized to establish relationships amongst variables including the access to loans, the growth of small businesses, business location and the awareness, knowledge and education about the NCA. Based on the findings of this study the following recommendations were made: Government has to continue to regulate the sector and execute effectively on the following aspects: education and training in order to develop relevant skills; unlock opportunities in both rural and urban areas in the form of tenders and infrastructure developments to support small business initiatives; inform and communicate effectively about the NCA; promote stakeholder participation in cooperating and coordinating services to promote small business initiatives and growing the industry(eg. Chambers of Commerce, Small Business Agencies etc.) with special emphasis on banks.
Open Access
An assessment of the potential for sustainable community tourism development in the villages affected by the Nandoni Dam
(2014-01-10) Manavhela, Pfarelo; Spencer, J. P.; Nethengwe, T.
Open Access
A context-aware business intelligence framework for South African Higher Institutions
(2016) Mutanga, Alfred; Kadyamatimba, Armstrong; Mavetera, Nehemiah; Zaaiman, Jannie J.
This thesis demonstrates the researcher’s efforts to put into practice the theoretical foundations of information systems research, in order to come up with a context-aware business intelligence framework (CABIF), for the South African higher education institutions. Using critical realism as the philosophical underpinning and mixed methods research design, a business intelligence (BI) survey was deployed within the South African public higher education institutions to measure the respondents’ satisfaction and importance of business intelligence characteristics. The 258 respondents’ satisfaction and importance of the 34 observed business intelligence variables, were subjected to principal components analysis and design science research to come up with the CABIF. The observable BI variables were drawn from four latent variables namely technology and business alignment; organizational and behavioural strategies; business intelligence domain; and technology strategies. The study yielded good values for all the observed satisfaction and importance business intelligence variables as indicated by the Kaiser- Meyer-Olkin (KMO) Measure of Sampling Adequacy and the Bartlett Test of Sphericity. The data set collected from the survey deployed at the South African public higher education institutions, was reliable and valid based on the Cronbach α values which were all above 0.9. The researcher then used the descriptive and prescriptive knowledge of design science research, and the meta-inferences of the results from the principal components analysis to produce five contexts of CABIF. The BI contexts developed were, the Basic Context; the Business Processes Context which was divided into Macro and Micro business process contexts; the Business Intelligence Context; and the Governance Context. These contexts were extrapolated within the University of Venda’s business processes and this researcher concluded that the CABIF developed, could be inferred within the South African higher education institutions. At the University of Venda, this researcher managed to draw up CABIF based business intelligence tools that spanned from leveraging the existing ICT infrastructure, student cohort analysis, viability of academic entities, strategic enrolment planning and forecasting government block grants. The correlations and regression measures of the technology acceptance variables of the business intelligence tools modelled using CABIF at University of Venda, revealed high acceptance ratio. Overall, this research provides a myriad of conceptual and practical insights into how contextualised aspects of BI directly or indirectly impact on the quality of managerial decision making within various core business contexts of South African higher education institutions.
Open Access
Franchising in a volatile business environment: a case of the fast food industry in Harare, Zimbabwe
(2016-05) Shumba, Knowledge; Zindiye, S.; Jacobs, J. H.
See the attached abstract below
Open Access
The role of public participation in the improvement of basic service delivery in Thulamela Local Municipality, Limpopo Province
(2016-05) Matloga, Sanah Tebogo; Khwashaba, M. P.; Mahole, E.
See the attached abstract below
Open Access
Methodology and Model to Establish Cybersecurity for National Security in Africa using South Africa as a Case Study
(2016-05) Van Vuuren, Johanna Christina Jansen; Zaaiman, J. J.; Kadyamatimba, A.
See the attached abstract below
Open Access
Mobile and social networking technologies for teaching and learning in South African Universities: A case study of University of Venda and University of Limpopo
(2016-05) Chakuzira, Wellington; Kadyamatimba, A.; Zindiye, S.; Chibonda, T.
See the attached abstract below
Open Access
The impact of curriculum change on the market : the case study of South African Textbook Publishers and Retailers
(2016-05-18) Maphangwa, N. R; Shambare, R.; Zindiye, S.
Textbooks in the school context have a crucial role to play in order to achieve educational objectives as well as in directing teaching approaches (Doll, 1996). Curriculum change creates a demand for new textbooks (Taylor & Richards, 2014). The market for publishing and retailing of textbooks has many unique features, including the demand and supply aspect which is influenced by public procurement, and the existence of profit-driven textbook publishers and retailers. The phenomenon of curriculum change represents another distinctive characteristic of the market, which acts as a disruptor to the economics with significant implications for roleplayers in the market. These effects may be positive or negative, as insufficient information exists on the impacts of this feature of the market, especially in the South African context. In this study, textbooks publishers and retailers are the focus as it is their business obligation to supply textbooks to the Department of Education. The primary purpose of the study is to investigate the perceptions of selected textbook publishers and retailers on the impact of curriculum change on the performance of their businesses. The study identified proper communication and lack of intensive training as gaps that need to be addressed to ensure that textbook publishers and retailers succeed well in their businesses despite curriculum change. An in-depth qualitative study was conducted using purposive sample of 30 key respondents, that is, ten respondents from textbook publishers, ten respondents from textbook retailers and another ten from the Department of Education. The study employed the hermeneutic approach to analyse the empirical qualitative data generated from the research study. The analysis of the study was focused on the challenges that textbook publishers and retailers face due to curriculum change as well as their strategic response to curriculum change. The study found that textbook publishers and retailers’ perceptions on the impact of curriculum change on their business is both negative and positive and that the industry appreciates curriculum change as a stimulus of economic activity despite the challenges experienced. Recommendations for textbook publishers and retailers to cope with curriculum change are given.
Open Access
Unemployment among rural youth in South Africa : A case study of Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa
(2016-09) Dagume, Mbulaheni Albert; Gyekye, A. B.; Tsegaye, A.
See the attached abstract below