Cape Peninsula University of Technology

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    Investigation of 3 terminal differential protection using standard-based numerical relays

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    Thesis (MTech (Electrical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.Transmission lines are a vital part of the electrical distribution system, as they provide the path to transfer power between generation and load. Factors like de-regulated market environment, economics, etc. have pushed utilities to operate transmission lines close to their operating limits. Any fault, if not detected and isolated quickly will cascade into a system wide disturbance causing widespread outages for a tightly interconnected system operating close to its limits. Current differential criterion is used with success to protect various elements in power systems, i.e. transmission lines, power transformers, generators and busbars. The alpha plane differential relaying system provides sensitive protection for transmission lines, security and dependability for external faults. This thesis focuses on three terminal alpha plane differential protection with the aim to develop a complete test method using OMICRON test universe software essentially defining security, dependability and sensitivity of the alpha plane characteristic. The research analyses the three terminal alpha plane characteristic and existing primitive test methods and develops an improved test method using IEC 61850 standard. The primitive methods are time consuming and result in unnecessary prolonged outages. These methods have been discussed and improved in the thesis by implementing IEC 61850 standard. First the standard IED Capability Description (ICD) file is modified by developing new logical nodes using AcSELerator Architect and XML Maker software. Then the developed logical nodes, three terminal differential protection alpha plane characteristic with its additional infeed/outfeed check logic, and the developed test method are tested simultaneously using Test Universe software. A laboratory test bench is built using three SEL311L relays, two CMC 356 Omicron injection devices, PC, MOXA switch, CMIRIG-B time synchronising unit, SEL 2407 satellite synchronised clock, and a DC power supplier. The test method developed in this research vindicates benefits of IEC 61850 standard over hard wired systems. Prolonged outage times due to test set preparation using hard wires are drastically reduced. The thesis findings and deliverables will be used as a solution to industrial problems, postgraduate studies of other students and research project

    The role of social entrepreneurship in graduate employability in Cape Town, South Africa

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    Thesis (MTech (Business Administration (Entrepreneurship)))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.Graduates face challenges to secure relevant employment; even worse, obtaining a qualification does not guarantee employment or employability. The labour market no longer only searches for a qualification but also for a set of skills. Graduates are required to improve upon proficiencies that would qualify for positive performance and would benefit the employer to use for business purposes. In addition, scarcities of expertise, besides working environment knowledge, indicate that businesses are unwilling to employ graduates, hiring more experienced people as an option. This research has studied the developing concept of social entrepreneurship; but principally examined the context in which social entrepreneurship can be used to improve graduate employability. A quantitative method was used with the help of a structured questionnaire in order to achieve a high level of reliability in relation to data analysis. The subjects for this research comprised 187 social entrepreneurs who are formally registered as non-profit organisations within Cape Town, and are registered on the Western Cape Charity South Africa database. The data collected for this study were analysed and illustrated using tables, bars and pie charts. It is hoped that this study will not merely add to the knowledge of social business enterprise, but also disclose the likely roles that social entrepreneurs can play to improve graduate employability.National Research Foundation(NRF

    Job satisfaction and job performance during the implementation of a performance management system : the case of a Namibian municipality

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    Thesis (MTech (Human Resource Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.The primary objective of the current study was to conduct a survey on the job satisfaction of line managers in the City of Windhoek (CoW) Municipality. The identifying of such variables could empower the CoW Municipality to develop programmes and policies that are designed to improve their job satisfaction levels. The literature review confirmed the impact of motivation on the job satisfaction of employees, and, in turn, its impact on employee productivity, and, ultimately, on organisational performance. The level of job satisfaction experienced by an individual describes how content he or she is with his or her job. The purpose of this study was to measure the job satisfaction facets (supervision, relationship with co-workers, present pay notch, nature of work, and opportunities for promotion) among line managers in the CoW, and how such facets affected their overall job satisfaction. The non-probability sampling technique was adopted to collect data from 102 respondents from nine different departments by means of a structured questionnaire, resulting in a response rate of (N = 76), 75%. The study was, however, limited to the line managers in the CoW Municipality. Following on which the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was used to determine the internal consistency or average correlation of items in the survey instrument. The Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (Spearman’s rho) analysis was used to analyse the data with the aid of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 16. In addition, the independent-samples t-test and the analysis of variance (ANOVA) were employed to empirically test the relationships between the employees’ job satisfaction and their gender and age. The findings showed a significant linear relationship between the existing levels of job satisfaction and job performance. Furthermore, the findings suggested that the employees were significantly satisfied with certain aspects of their jobs (the nature of the work, and their salary, supervision and co-workers), but not with the one aspect of their job (opportunity for promotion). They were, however, significantly satisfied with their jobs in general, with there being no significant difference between the male and female employees’ levels of job satisfaction. The analysis showed that promotion has a modest and positive effect on job satisfaction. The study concluded that the line managers were, in general, satisfied with their jobs. Thus, the results cannot be generalised to other departments and Local Authorities. The study needs to be replicated in other departments and Local Authorities, using the same method

    Multicomponent crystals of sulfapyridine and sulfadiazine

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    Thesis (MTech (Chemistry))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.Crystal engineering principles were used to cocrystallize sulfa drugs, sulfapyridine (SFP) and sulfadiazine (SFD) with aromatic acids and an amine via solution crystallization. Sulfapyridine formed cocrystals with 3-nitrobenzoic acid (SFP∙3NBA), 5-bromosalicylic acid (SFP∙5BSA), 4-dimethylaminopyridine (SFP∙4DMAP) and salts with 4-nitrobenzoic acid [SFP+][4NBA-], 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid [SFP+][DNSA-] and 3,5-dibromosalicylic acid [SFP+][DBSA-], while sulfadiazine formed a salt with 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid [SFD+][DNSA-]. The newly formed complexes were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H and 13C NMR). The hydrogen bonding and crystal packing of the new solid forms were analyzed with the aid of Mercury and CrystalExplorer. The SFP and SFD compounds exhibit tautomerism. In this work it was investigated how the introduction of coformers with varying acidity provides the possibility to form a variety of synthons, and therefore disrupt the common preferred interactions within the sulfonamides. Using selected acids as coformers, the effect on crystal packing of the coformer’s substituent position was examined by using the isomers 3NBA and 4NBA. 5BSA and DBSA were employed to analyse the effect of the number of substituents on hydrogen bond formation and crystal packing. In addition, it was investigated how small structural changes in the pharmaceutical compound influences the crystal packing by cocrystallising structurally similar SFP and SFD with the same coformer. Evaluation of the change in coformer acidity was studied by using a pyridine coformer, 4DMAP, and its crystal packing was analyzed and compared to structures formed with carboxylic acid coformers. Finally, we examined how inter-conversion of tautomers promotes crystal formation by conforming to the geometric demands of the different coformers.National Research Foundation(NRF

    Impact of corporate governance mechanisms on sustainability of selected microfinance institutions in Cape Town, South Africa

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    Thesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.A highly uneven income distribution and South Africa’s economic structure has over the years produced a larger number of the so called ‘unbankable’ families or households that are not served by the commercial retail-banking sector. Microfinance institutions (MFIs) emerged as an important tool for poverty alleviation and as a substitute in providing access to credit facilities to those individuals. However, many MFIs have failed to sustain and grow their business due to malpractices and poor implementation of sound corporate governance mechanisms. This study aims to identify the impact of corporate governance mechanisms on sustainability at selected MFIs in Cape Town. The study was undertaken in order to bridge the information gap and increase the knowledge base on the issues of corporate governance and sustainability of MFIs as this lack of information may be due to insufficient research in the sector. A survey research design by employing the triangulation method was used to gather data from selected MFIs (n=15) in Cape Town. Quantitative, qualitative and secondary data instruments were used for data collection. Participants for this study were selected through the use of purposive sampling. Data were analysed through SPSS V24 to generate descriptive and statistical results. Cronbach’s alpha value was employed to determine the reliability of the dataset. The study found that most MFIs have no governance mechanisms in place that act as a blue print to address governance issues. Only a few MFIs distinguish the positions of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chairman. In addition, this research showed that MFIs are struggling to be profitable as most of them continuously record lower levels of operational self-sufficiency and return on assets. The study recommends the ideal board size of MFIs, board diversity, separation on the positions of CEO and the Chairman, the use of the King IV report, and strategies for sustainability

    Utilisation of budgets by small and medium enterprises in the manufacturing industry in the Cape Metropole

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    Thesis (MTech (Cost and Management Accounting))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.Background: Research has shown that a high percentage of SMMEs in South Africa are not sustainable, most of them failing in their infancy stage. In order to make sound decisions and achieve desirable results, owners/managers need to make use of budgets in managing their businesses. Utilisation of budgets is the core of financial planning and decision-making in manufacturing enterprises. Lack of utilisation of budgets in managing businesses can lead to business failure. There is need to conduct a study on the utilisation of budgets by SMEs in the manufacturing industry. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the extent to which SMEs in the manufacturing industry in the Cape Metropolis use budgets for managing their businesses. This was achieved by determining whether the SMEs in the manufacturing industry used budgets or not, what types of budgets were used, the purposes for which the budgets were used and what challenges if any were faced by these SMEs when using budgets. Methodology: Data was collected from 108 respondents by means of a questionnaire comprising closed-ended questions. Descriptive statistics were employed to analyse the data in SPSS version 24. Frequency tables and pie charts were used to present the findings. Findings: The findings of the study reveal that most SMEs in the manufacturing industry in the Cape Metropolis use budgets for managing their businesses. The SMEs prepare budgets which are used for various purposes. The SMEs however face challenges when utilising budgets. Recommendations: Future interventions by Department of Small Business Development on financial planning should focus more on micro and very small enterprises. Other categories of enterprises may apply this information and emulate the utilisation of budgets from the SMEs in the manufacturing industry as they strive to survive and grow

    Factors affecting the growth of locally owned spaza shops in selected townships in South Africa

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    Thesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.The ANC government relaxed a great many restrictions enforced by the apartheid regime. The restrictions included the illegal status of the spaza shops which operated in the townships. Faced with the challenge of unemployment, the present government crafted policies and programmes to support and promote the creation of Small, Medium and Micro-sized Enterprises or SMMEs. However, despite all of these initiatives, the small grocery shops which are commonly known as spaza shops, and particularly those owned by South Africans, are faced with a number of obstacles with respect to the establishment, operation and growth. This study was undertaken in order to determine the factors which affect the startup and growth of locally owned spaza shops in the Gugulethu and Nyanga townships in Cape Town, and to identify the support strategies necessary to assist these shops to grow into sustainable businesses. The study was motivated by the growing informal economy which, if it is effectively taken advantage of and made use of, can, to some extent, create employment opportunities, particularly for the previously disadvantaged people in both the Gugulethu and the Nyanga townships. The study employed an exploratory and descriptive research design, and a quantitative empirical research approach, through the use of a self-administered questionnaire. The findings of the research study revealed that there are significant challenges which adversely affect South African-owned spaza shops, and that obstacles are encountered during the startup and growth phases. Although the factors which affect the spaza shops adversely are many, it is important to single out the most significant ones. The significant factors evidence from the study were a lack of startup and expansion capital, load shedding, the lack of a network to buy cheaply in bulk, competition from non-South African entrepreneurs, crime, costs incurred by transportation of stock, a lack of collateral security to obtain finance from lenders, inadequate ability to handle financial records, a lack of management skills and a lack of information concerning government services

    Mission design of a CubeSat constellation for in-situ monitoring applications

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    Thesis (MEng (Electrical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.Real-time remote monitoring of Africa’s resources, such as water quality, by using terrestrial sensors is impeded by the limited connectivity over the vast rural areas of the continent. Without such monitoring, the effective management of natural resources, and the response to associated disasters such as flooding, is almost impossible. A constellation of nanosatellites could provide near real-time connectivity with ground-based sensors that are distributed across the continent. This study evaluates the high level development of a mission design for a near real-time remote monitoring CubeSat constellation and ground segment for in-situ monitoring in regions of interest on the African continent. This would facilitate management of scarce resources using a low-cost constellation. To achieve this, the design concept and operation of a Walker constellation are examined as a means of providing connectivity to a low bit rate sensor network distributed across geographic areas of interest in South Africa, Algeria, Kenya and Nigeria. The mission requirements include the optimisation of the constellation to maintain short revisit times over South Africa and an investigation of the required communications link to perform the operations effectively. STK software is used in the design and evaluation of the constellations and the communications system. The temporal performance parameters investigated are access and revisit times of the constellations to the geographic areas mentioned. The types of constellation configurations examined, involved starting with a system level analysis of one satellite. This seed satellite has known orbital parameters. Then a gradual expansion of two to twelve satellites in one, two and three orbital planes follows. VHF, UHF and S-band communication links are considered for low data rate in-situ monitoring applications. RF link budgets and data budgets for typical applications are determined. For South Africa, in particular, a total of 12 satellites evenly distributed in a two-plane constellation at an inclination of 39° provide the optimal solution and offer an average daily revisit time of about 5 minutes. This constellation provides average daily access time of more than 16 hours per day. A case study is undertaken that decribes a constellation for the provision of maritime vessel tracking in the Southern African oceans using the Automated Information System (AIS). This service supports the Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) initiative implemented by the South African Government, under its Operation Phakisa.National Research Foundation (NRF) French South African Institute of Technology (F’SATI

    Life Sciences teacher educators’ perspectives of the principle of knowledge integration in the Life Sciences teacher education curriculum

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    Thesis (DEd (Education))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.This study aimed at examining the Life Sciences teacher educator’s perceptions and perspectives of knowledge integration in the espoused curriculum prescribed by the South African Department of Higher Education and Training through the policy of Minimum Requirements for Teacher Qualifications (MRTEQ). The qualitative research design was adopted for data collection procedures. The selection of the sampling was purposive, in the sense that the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) who participated were classified into two categories. The first category consisted of three historical or traditional universities and the second category was formed by three higher education institutions that emerged after the merger of Teacher training Colleges, Technikons and universities. The study targeted lecturers, senior lecturers and professors in the field of Life Sciences Education who participated in the development of curriculum for Life Science teacher education and training. The interviews were conducted to elicit data on the experiences and perceptions that influenced the process of designing and developing the curriculum blue print which came out as a product to be adopted by the institution. The results of the empirical study were analysed by using qualitative procedures, which are; coding of data, classification of data into categories and the identification of themes and issues. The contesting views and perceptions were summarised in the results highlighted follows: The school Life Science curriculum requires teachers who are capable of integrating knowledge from various domains of scientific knowledge but the study demonstrates that the Life Science teacher educators who participated in the study had views and perceptions that are not congruent with those of the curriculum as it presently stands. This could imply that the Life Science teachers educated and trained for the school Life Science curriculum could experience problem with its implementation in classrooms. The twenty first century teacher could be expected to demonstrate competences such as; critical thinking, creative thinking, logic and independent thinkers. The study further concluded that there are academics in Science Education departments who still adhere doggedly to the traditional ways teaching their own disciplines. This study confirms the importance of breaking the artificial disciplinary boundaries to facilitate interdisciplinary knowledge construction. This study endorses the emerging trend of knowledge integration in Science Educations.Finally the study suggests that collaborative and collegial deliberations among Science teacher educators and experts in various knowledge domains could be a way of finding common ground on issues highlighted in the study

    Youth experiences of a holistic approach to personal transformation : a narrative inquiry

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    Thesis (DEd (Education))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.Many youth experience some form of identity crisis as they transition into adulthood. This crisis is amplified in the lives of many working-class youth who have to contend with heading households owing to the absence or death of parents and a socioeconomic context of poverty, lack of access to quality learning opportunities, unemployment and deepening inequality. A recent analysis of youth unemployment statistics in South Africa shows that at the end of 2016, at least 7.5 million youth were not in employment, education or training (NEET), with a large percentage residing in the Western Cape. The growing NEET numbers present a huge problem to youth, communities and the state, as youth who are not in employment, education or training have a greater propensity to become disengaged and disconnected from self, family and social, economic, political and cultural activities, further minimising their opportunities for growth and development. Despite the growing NEET numbers, there remains a paucity of research on credible and sustainable solutions to the NEET crises, including research that gives credence to youth voice and experience. The key purpose of the study was to explore youth experiences of a holistic approach to personal transformation as one particular programmatic approach or developmental pathway for vulnerable youth. The imperative is to explore ways of addressing the current NEET crisis and simultaneously deepen the theory and practice of youth development. The study used an ecological perspective as its theoretical framework that illuminated the influence of relationships and contexts on the development of children and youth. A phenomenological approach was chosen as it was deemed best suited to exploring and understanding people’s perceptions and experiences of a particular phenomenon. Narrative inquiry was employed as the methodological framework to explore the views of five youth respondents and their parents or guardians. Techniques to enhance the credibility and trustworthiness of the data included triangulation, which was effected through the collection of two sets of data, an extensive literature review and use of a reflective journal. The findings illustrate that a holistic perspective, as one particular philosophical and programmatic approach to personal transformation, has the potential to foster connection with self and family, enhance the psychological capital of young people and provide the impetus for them to remain on a positive developmental trajectory. The significance of a holistic approach lies in its ability to recognise and integrate all dimensions of their being into the learning process and meet a variety of needs as a result of their particular socioeconomic and psychosocial realities

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