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Reading the ox-head: the reception of Bucephalus in the Late Middle Ages
Get PDFThesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2025.Babl, B. 2025. Reading the Ox-Head:
The Reception of Bucephalus in the
Late Middle Ages. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/492b1fe7-bd5e-430c-ab3d-554fa9659b3bENGLISH ABSTRACT: The character of Bucephalus, the war-horse of Alexander the Great, has evolved over time and in different cultures. However, scholarship on the legends of Alexander and his reception tend to focus on Alexander himself, with little mention of his steed. This is despite the fact that Bucephalus played an integral role in the formation of Alexander’s identity and story, particularly in the representations of Alexander and his legend in horse-centric cultures like those of the ancient Mediterranean and medieval Europe. By switching one’s focus to the horse in the horse-rider duo, one gains new insight not only into Bucephalus but also into the character of Alexander. This research thus compares the depictions of Bucephalus from the ancient world (356 BCE- 500 CE) and the Late Middle Ages (1300-1500 CE), periods from which most extant works date, according to the categories of physical appearance, behaviour, and surrounding legends, by using both textual and visual sources in the form of ancient historiographies, ancient equestrian artwork, the Greek Alexander Romance, and manuscript illustrations. Both periods’ sets of depictions present Bucephalus as the ideal war-horse according to their respective cultures, with Late Middle Age depictions following a rather anachronistic path, presenting Bucephalus often as a caparisoned destrier performing charges with the lance. It is precisely the differences between the two depictions that are most eye-catching. Late Middle Age depictions present an animal with far more supernatural traits than ancient depictions. This likely developed because of the medieval fascination with exotic and fantastical creatures, best expressed in chivalric romance literature and the proliferation of bestiaries in the 13th century. Nevertheless, it is clear that in both time periods Bucephalus was regarded as an important facet to Alexander’s legend, his courage, loyalty and bond to his rider being praised above all.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die karakter van Bukefalos, Alexander die Grote se strydros, het met die verloop van tyd en in verskillende kulture ontwikkel. Navorsing oor die Alexander-legende en sy resepsie neig egter om op Alexander te fokus en weinig melding van sy perd te maak. Dit is ten spyte van die feit dat Bukefalos ‘n integrale rol in die vorm van Alexander se identiteit en verhaal gespeel het, veral in die uitbeeld van Alexander en sy legende in perd-sentriese kulture soos die´ van die antieke Mediterreense wêreld en Middeleeuse Europa. Deur die fokus in die mens-perd vriendskap na die perd te verskuif, word nuwe insig nie net in Bukefalos nie, maar ook in die karakter van Alexander bekom. Hierdie navorsing vergelyk dus uitbeeldings van Bukefalos uit die antieke tyd (356-500 v.C.) en die Laat Middeleeue (1300-1500 n.C.), tydperke waarvoor ons die meeste behoue werke het, volgens die kategorieë̈ fisiese voorkoms, gedrag en gepaardgaande legendes, deur van teks- sowel as visuele bronne gebruik te maak: historiografie, antieke ruiterkunswerke, die Griekse Alexander Ridderroman en manuskrip illustrasies. Die stel afbeeldings uit beide tydperke beeld Bukefalos as ideale strydros volgens die vereistes van die betrokke kultuur uit, met Laat Middeleeuse afbeeldings wat dikwels anakronisties is en Bukefalos in volle mondering as ‘n Middeleeuse strydros voorstel met lans en al. Dit is juis die verskille tussen die twee stelle afbeeldings wat die oog die meeste vang. Laat Middeleeuse afbeeldings beeld ‘n dier uit wat baie meer bonatuurlike eienskappe toon as in sy antieke uitbeelding. Dit het waarskynlik so ontwikkel weens die Middeleeuse aangetrokkenheid tot eksotiese en denkbeeldige wesens wat in ridderromans en die volop bestiaria in die dertiende eeu ten sterkste na vore kom. Dit is nogtans duidelik dat Bukefalos in beide periodes as ‘n belangrike deel van Alexander se legende beskou is en dat sy dapperheid, lojaliteit en band met sy ruiter veral geloof is.Master
When peacekeeping works: a comparative study of the effectiveness of hybrid peacekeeping in Liberia, Somalia, Sudan and the Ivory Coast
Get PDFThesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2025.Van As, S. 2025. When Peacekeeping works: A Comparative Study of the effectiveness of hybrid peacekeeping in Liberia, Somalia, Sudan and the Ivory Coast. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/49c07a94-58df-4127-ae92-5e0498dadc38ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Peacekeeping attempts first emerged following the second World War to assist conflict-riddled states. Introduced by the United Nations, peacekeeping aimed to decrease unrest and hostilities in the hopes that external assistance would contribute to longer-lasting peace, political stability and economic growth. These attempts were, nevertheless, put on hold for the most part during the Cold War but re-commenced soon afterwards. States first initiated unilateral missions and took on all the financing responsibilities, personnel contributions, and logistical support. However, an increase in conflict situations in Africa and Asia required more external assistance as the United Nations could not attend to the conflict situations independently. Global parties were, however, unable to deploy the necessary troops and thus approached regional bodies to assist with the deployment of peacekeeping troops. The hybridisation process, therefore, commenced as international and regional organisations grouped their resources to ensure that most conflict situations are attended to. There is currently a vast array of literature on peacekeeping operations throughout Africa, but it provides broad definitions and explanations regarding what hybrid peacekeeping attempts include. This is understandable, considering hybrid missions are relatively new compared to traditional peacekeeping missions. Scholars have, moreover, primarily focused on how peacekeeping deployments are pursued; hence, the literature has not provided adequate insight into why hybrid missions have had different outcomes. This study, therefore, seeks to address this gap in the literature. It compares the peacekeeping attempts undertaken in Liberia, Somalia, Sudan and the Ivory Coast. The study, moreover, identifies three distinct variables that can affect the outcomes of a hybrid mission: financial availability, resource sufficiency, and intervenor relations by referring to relative peace and security, economic growth, as well as political and social stability in the aftermath of peacekeeping attempts. This study concludes that the inadequate presence of all variables often results in ineffective outcomes. On the contrary, if all variables are sufficient, hybrid peacekeeping missions have a higher probability of reaping successful results. This study, therefore, aims to contribute to the available literature by analysing the possibilities that might affect the effectiveness of the newer peacekeeping model.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar nie.Master
On Boolean semiring partitioning
Get PDFJustus, C. L. 2025. On Boolean semiring partitioning. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/4c2c87b4-e49a-4b02-99cb-171b299e3e27Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2025.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this thesis, our aim is to add to the existing body of work on Q-ideals for semiring partitioning. We introduce a new method for constructing Q-ideals for the partitioning of a class of Boolean commutative semirings. Using this method, we develop a hierarchical partitioning algorithm and prove that it is nested. As a second focus, we prove that initial seeds of equal weight induce equally good Q-ideal partitions, and an initial seed of a lesser weight induces a Q-ideal partition of higher goodness index (than a seed of a greater weight). Finally, we prove that the Q-ideal partition is always a good partition.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Ons doel met hierdie tesis is om by te dra tot die bestaande werk oor Q-ideale vir die verdeling van halfringe. Ons stel ‘n nuwe metode voor vir die konstruksie van Q-ideale vir die verdeling van ‘n klas van Booleaanse kommutatiewe halfringe. Met behulp van hierdie metode, ontwikkel ons ‘n hi¨erargiese verdelingssalgoritme en bewys dat dit genes is. As ‘n tweede fokus bewys ons dat aanvanklike sade van gelyke gewig ewe goeie Q-ideaalverdelings produseer, en dat ‘n aanvanklike saad van ‘n kleiner gewig ‘n Qideaalverdeling van ‘n ho¨er goedheidsindeks produseer (as ‘n saad van ’n groter gewig). Laastens, bewys ons dat die Q-ideaalverdeling altyd ‘n goeie verdeling is.Master
Development of economically viable waste tyre pyrolysis technologies that yield liquid fractions meeting commercial fuel standards
Get PDFKhosa, M. 2025. Development of economically viable waste tyre pyrolysis
technologies that yield liquid fractions meeting commercial fuel standards. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/4e7c63fa-45a7-47de-b0f8-29cb85ee6701Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2025.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Waste tyre pyrolysis involves heating waste tyres in the absence of oxygen to produce non-condensable gases, volatiles, and char. The volatiles can be further processed into liquid fuel fractions with properties similar to commercial fuels. This study optimises the process using Aspen Plus® simulations and techno-economic analyses to produce low-sulphur fuel fractions that meet commercial standards while remaining economically viable. Four process scenarios were evaluated: (1) lumped tyre-derived oil (TDO) from simple condensation, (2) fractional condensation for liquid fractionation, (3) fractional distillation as an alternative to condensation, and (4) fractional distillation with extractive oxidative desulphurisation (OEDS) for sulphur removal. Experimental data from GC-MS and GC-VUV analyses were incorporated into the simulations, with GC-VUV providing a broader carbon range (C3–C36) than GC-MS (C7–C15). The Peng-Robinson Boston-Mathias (PR-BM) thermodynamic model was used for Scenarios 1–3, while Scenario 4 employed both PR-BM and NRTL/UNIFAC models. In Scenario 1, Aspen Plus® simulations of lumped TDO produced mass yields, boiling points, and densities comparable to experimental data and diesel fuel standards. However, the sulphur content was 0.7 wt%, exceeding the SANS342 limit of <0.005 wt%, and the kinematic viscosity was 1.39 mm²/s, below the required range of 2–5.3 mm²/s, necessitating additional treatment. Fractional condensation (Scenario 2) used three condensers to separate heavy (26.77 wt%), medium (39.90 wt%), and light (33.33 wt%) fractions, closely matching experimental values. The estimated densities (1.03, 0.910, and 0.832 kg/L) were comparable to experimental data. The viscosities of the medium and light fractions (2.02 and 0.7 mm²/s) matched experimental results, but the heavy fraction was significantly underestimated (4.1 vs. 37.73 mm²/s). The light fraction’s initial boiling point (57.33°C) was improved to 134°C by adjusting the third condenser temperature, making it kerosene-like. A fourth condenser was added to separate the remaining components from non-condensable gases, yielding a gasoline-like fraction. The medium fraction met diesel standards, while the heavy fraction aligned with marine bunker oil (MBO); however, both exceeded sulphur limits. Scenario 4 incorporated OEDS, with UNIFAC more accurately predicting sulphur removal compared to NRTL. Acetonitrile achieved 67% sulphur removal at 1:2 and 2:1 solvent-to-fuel ratios, closely matching experimental results (62% and 61%), while DMF achieved 65% removal at 1:2, compared to 61% experimentally. Economic analysis used kerosene’s market price (R12.87/L) to estimate the minimum selling price (MSP). Fractional condensation was the most cost-effective (MSP: R5.38/L) due to lower energy costs (R29 million/year). Fractional distillation had a higher MSP of R6.02/L. Heat recovery for preheating rubber crumbs resulted in an MSP of R6.29/L, which was more economical than electricity generation (MSP: R7.47/L). Treating only the heavy fraction via OEDS was technically and economically viable (MSP: R11.05/L), as it met fuel standards. Sensitivity analysis varied discount rate, tax rate, char price, fixed capital investment, and solvent price by ±25%, yearly wages by 65–129%, and plant operation years by a 33–56% reduction. Discount rate, yearly wages, and fixed capital investment were the most significant MSP drivers. All scenarios were economically feasible, except one requiring only experienced chemical engineers. Future work will focus on improving organo-sulphur compound measurements in TDO, studying the liquid–liquid and vapour–liquid equilibria of sulphones, and refining OEDS sulphur removal predictions.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar.Master
The psychometric evaluation of the South African School Principal Competency Questionnaire (SA-SPCQ)
Get PDFThesis (MCom)--Stellenbosch University, 2025.Karsten, M. E. 2025. The Psychometric Evaluation of the South African School Principal Competency Questionnaire (SA-SPCQ). Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/4f64993c-45c6-46fa-9999-a5b88a8b2f11ENGLISH SUMMARY: Despite three decades of democracy, South Africa continues to grapple with a legacy of inequality in education, with a significant disparity in resource allocation and performance between historically advantaged schools and disadvantaged schools, particularly those serving Black learners. This enduring inequality has hindered the development of a skilled workforce, contributing to broader socioeconomic challenges such as unemployment, inequality, and social immobility. In this context, effective school leadership has emerged as a crucial lever for improving school outcomes, as strong leaders can implement strategic changes, foster inclusive environments, and drive academic excellence despite systemic challenges.
The objective of this research study was to conduct a psychometric evaluation of the South African School Principal Competency Questionnaire (SA-SPCQ), which consists of 11 latent competency variables. This evaluation aimed to explore the instrument’s potential to inform the selection and development of school principals. Using a quantitative ex-post facto correlation design, the study examined data from a representative sample of 117 principals across four provinces in South Africa. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and item analysis were conducted to evaluate the dimensionality and internal consistency of the questionnaire, while discriminant validity was used to assess the degree to which the constructs were distinct from each other. The secondary objective of this study was to examine the relationship between school principal competencies, as measured by the SA-SPCQ, and matriculant achievement rates. This analysis utilised correlation techniques to understand how various competencies might influence academic performance.
The findings suggested that the SA-SPCQ has strong internal consistency across all subscales, with each demonstrating some degree of unidimensionality. These results highlight the SA-SPCQ measurement tool has the potential to enhance the selection and development of school principals, ultimately contributing to improved school performance. Moreover, the correlation analysis identified significant relationships between several competencies and matriculant achievement rates. However, discriminant validity revealed high correlations between some constructs, raising concerns about their distinctiveness. Despite its strengths, the study acknowledges limitations, including the small sample size, potential biased self-reports by principals, limited internet access for some participants, and possible language barriers in understanding the questionnaire. Recommendations for future research include exploring the longitudinal impact of school principal competencies on school improvement and learner achievement, as well as implementing the SA-SPCQ in diverse educational settings to further validate its effectiveness.
The study concludes that the SA-SPCQ is a promising tool for assessing school principal competencies in the South African context, providing valuable insights for educational authorities, policymakers, and professional training institutions. The proper utilisation of the tool can contribute towards reducing educational inequalities, enhancing school leadership development, and ultimately improving school performance across the country. Finally, it provides a robust foundation for future research studies and practical interventions aimed at transforming the quality of leadership in South Africa’s education system.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Ten spyte van drie dekades van demokrasie, sukkel Suid-Afrika steeds met 'n nalatenskap van ongelykheid in die onderwys, met 'n beduidende verskil in hulpbron-toewysing en prestasie tussen histories bevoordeelde skole en benadeelde skole, veral die wat swart leerders bedien. Hierdie voortgesette ongelykheid het die ontwikkeling van 'n geskoolde arbeidsmag belemmer en dra by tot bree r sosio-ekonomiese uitdagings soos werkloosheid, ongelykheid en sosiale immobiliteit. In hierdie konteks het effektiewe skoolleierskap na vore gekom as 'n belangrike hefboom vir die verbetering van akademiese en ander skooluitkomste, aangesien sterk leiers strategiese veranderinge kan implementeer, inklusiewe omgewings kan bevorder en akademiese uitnemendheid kan dryf ten spyte van sistemiese uitdagings. Die prime re doel van hierdie navorsingstudie was om 'n psigometriese evaluasie van die Suid-Afrikaanse Skoolhoof Bevoegdheidsvraelys (SA-SHB) uit te voer. Die vraelys bestaan uit 11 latente bevoegdheidsveranderlikes. Die evaluasie het ten doel gehad om die instrument se potensiaal vir die keuring en ontwikkeling van skoolhoofde te ondersoek. Hierdie doel is bereik met behulp van 'n kwantitatiewe eks-post-facto korrelasie-ontwerp waarin data van 'n verteenwoordigende steekproef van 117 skoolhoofde oor vier provinsies in Suid-Afrika ondersoek is. Bevestigende faktor-analise (BFA) en item-analise is uitgevoer om die dimensionaliteit en interne konsekwentheid van die vraelys te evalueer, terwyl diskriminante geldigheid gebruik is om die onderskeibaarheid van die konstrukte te bepaal. Die sekonde re doel was om die verwantskap tussen variansie in die instrument se veranderlikes en variansie in algehele slaagsyfer van die leerders van die betrokke skole te ondersoek. Hierdie sekonde re doel is deur middel van korrelasie verwesenlik. Dit is bevind dat die SA-SHB sterk interne konsekwentheid toon oor alle subskale, met elkeen wat 'n mate van eendimensionaliteit demonstreer. Hierdie resultate beklemtoon die SA-SHB se potensiaal as 'n waardevolle hulpmiddel vir die voorspelling van skoolprestasie. Verder het die korrelasie-analise beduidende verhoudings tussen verskeie bevoegdhede en matrikulantprestasie geidentifiseer. Diskriminante geldigheid het egter hoe korrelasies tussen sommige bevoegdhede aan die lig gebring, wat vrae laat ontstaan oor hul onderskeibaarheid. Naas die studie se sterk punte, word die volgende beperkings erken: die klein steekproefgrootte, moontlike bevooroordeelde selfverslae deur skoolhoofde, beperkte internettoegang vir sommige deelnemers, en moontlike taalhindernisse in die interpretasie van die Engelse vraelys. Aanbevelings vir toekomstige navorsing sluit in die verkenning van die langtermyn-impak van skoolhoofbevoegdhede op skoolverbetering en leerderprestasie, sowel as die implementering van die SA-SHB in diverse opvoedkundige kontekste om sy doeltreffendheid verder te valideer. Die studie kom tot die gevolgtrekking dat die SA-SHB 'n belowende hulpmiddel is vir die van skoolhoofbevoegdhede in die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks. Dit bied waardevolle insigte vir opvoedkundige owerhede, beleidsmakers en professionele opleidingsinstellings. Die behoorlike gebruik van die instrument kan bydra tot die vermindering van onderwysongelykhede, die bevordering van leierskapsontwikkeling en uiteindelik die verbetering van skoolprestasie regoor die land. Ten slotte bied dit 'n stewige grondslag vir toekomstige navorsingstudies en praktiese intervensies wat daarop gemik is om die kwaliteit van leierskap in Suid-Afrika se onderwysstelsel te help transformeer.Master
Towards an Integration between pre-marital counselling and marriage liturgies in the Dutch Reformed Church : a practical theological exploration
Get PDFThesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2025.Moll, M. J. 2025. Towards an Integration between Pre-Marital Counselling and Marriage Liturgies in the Dutch Reformed Church: A Practical Theological Exploration. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/53342e44-db82-4fee-975c-39447885014fENGLISH SUMMARY: Many people view life as a journey, envisioning a mapped path that they travel alongside God, navigating through various stages. While the detail of this path is not for certain, there are a few matters that stands firmly namely:
1. The path consists of a beginning, middle and end.
2. It starts with birth and concludes with death.
3. Two major transitions occur along this path: coming of age (becoming an adult) and finding a partner (marriage).
During these transitions, individuals often experience a period of disorientation known as a period of liminality. This phase requires individuals to adapt to new circumstances, affirm their new identities and realign their values. To navigate this complexity, rituals – particularly rites of passage – are employed to support and deepen individuals' experiences. This dissertation specifically explores the journey of finding a partner and entering into marriage within the context of the DRC. It examines three key aspects: a) marriage rituals and liturgies; b) pre-marital preparation and counselling; and c) faith formation. In response to rising divorce rates and family instability, many DRC congregations have emphasised marriage preparation and enrichment courses, commonly referred to as pre-marital counselling. These courses aim to guide couples during their engagement, a time also characterised as liminal. However, the DRC has not provided official guidelines regarding the materials, content, or duration of these sessions within the past five years. While many pre-marital counselling programs address various topics, they often overlook the theological significance of marriage as expressed in the marriage liturgy, the role and purpose of marriage rituals and liturgies within the DRC, as well as the integration of the value of this theological-liturgical rite of passage in preparing for marriage. This dissertation is a qualitative study within the discipline of Practical Theology, particularly in the sub-discipline of Liturgical Studies. The research draws on both theological disciplines (such as Pastoral Care, Biblical Theology and Liturgical-Ritual Studies) and non-theological disciplines (including Psychology, Sociology and Anthropology) through an interdisciplinary approach. Additionally, two hermeneutical approaches guide this exploration: a) Richard Osmer's four tasks and b) Ronald Grimes' ritual-liturgical systematic framework. The aim of this research is not to assert that the current pre-marital counselling programmes are entirely ineffective and unsuccessful; rather, it suggests that integrating an understanding of the marriage liturgy and the role of marital rituals can hopefully enhance the quality of these programmes and, consequently, the marriages that result from them. Therefore, this research aims to hopefully identify route markers that can serve as a preliminary praxis theory for the DRC, facilitating the development of new pre-marital counselling programmes. These programmes can help couples grasp the purpose of marriage and the importance of the marriage liturgy, particularly in how it shapes and influences their faith.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Mense beskou die lewe dikwels as ‘n reis, met ‘n gevisualiseerde pad wat hulle saam met God stap, terwyl hulle verskillende oorgange bereik. Terwyl die besonderhede van hierdie lewensreis nie vir seker is nie, is daar wel ‘n paar dinge wat stewig staan as konstante mylpale, naamlik:
1. Die reis bestaan uit 'n defnitiewe begin, middel en einde.
2. Dit begin met geboorte en eindig in die dood.
3. Twee van die grootste oorgange in hierdie lewenswandel is, met mondigwording (volwasse word) en om ‘n lewens maat te vind (die huwelik).
Dikwels tydens hierdie oorgange, ervaar die individu ‘n tydperk van disorientasie, ook bekend as 'n fase van liminaliteit. Hierdie fase vereis dat individuele by nuwe omstandighede moet aanpas, hul nuwe identiteite bevestig en hul waardes herbelyn. Om deur hierdie kompleksiteit te navigeer, word rituele – veral oorgangsrituele – gebruik om die individu se ervarings te ondersteun en te verdiep. Hierdie tesis fokus spesifiek op die reis van die vind van 'n lewensmaat en die betreding van die huwelik binne die konteks van die NG Kerk. Dit verken drie sleutel aspekte: a) huweliksrituele en liturgiee; b) voorhuwelikse voorbereiding en berading; en c) geloofsvorming. In reaksie op stygende egskeidingsyfers en gesinsinstabiliteit, le baie NG Kerk gemeentes klem op huweliksvoorbereiding en -verrykingsprogramme, algemeen bekend as voorhuwelikse berading. Hierdie programme poog om paartjies tydens hul verlowing te begelei, 'n tydperk ook bekend as ‘n periode van liminaliteit. In die afgelope vyf jaar, het die NG Kerk geen amptelike riglyne verskaf oor die materiaal, inhoud of duur van hierdie sessies nie. Terwyl baie voorhuwelikse beradingsprogramme verskeie onderwerpe aanspreek, word die teologiese betekenis van die huwelik soos uitgedruk in die huweliksliturgie, die rol en doel van huweliksrituele en liturgiee binne die NG Kerk, asook die integrasie van die waarde van hierdie teologies-liturgiese oorgangsritueel in die voorbereiding vir die huwelik dikwels oor die hoof gesien. Hierdie tesis is 'n kwalitatiewe studie binne die dissipline van Praktiese Teologie, veral in die subdissipline van Liturgiese Studies. Die navorsing sal put uit beide teologiese dissiplines (soos Pastorale Sorg, Bybelse Teologie en Liturgiese-Rituele Studies) en nie-teologiese dissiplines (insluitend Sielkunde, Sosiologie en Antropologie) deur 'n interdissiplinere benadering. Verder is daar twee hermeneutiese benaderinge wat hierdie ondersoek lei: a) Richard Osmer se vier take en b) Ronald Grimes se ritueel-liturgiese sistematiese raamwerk. Die doel van hierdie navorsing is nie om te beweer dat die huidige voorhuwelikse beradingsprogramme heeltemal oneffektief en onsuksesvol is nie. Die studie stel eerder ‘n weg van intergrasie tussen die begrip van die huweliksliturgie en die rol van huweliksrituele voor, om die kwaliteit van hierdie programme te verbeter en gevolglik die huwelike wat daaruit voortspruit. Daarom poog hierdie navorsing om roetemerkers te identifiseer wat as 'n voorlopige praxisteorie vir die NG Kerk kan dien, wat die ontwikkeling van nuwe voorhuwelikse beradingsprogramme kan fasiliteer. Hierdie programme sal hopenlik paartjies help om die doel van die huwelik en die belangrikheid van die huweliksliturgie te verstaan, veral hoe dit hul geloof vorm en beinvloed.Master
Investigating beach erosion and deposition patterns around Saldanha Bay by mapping naturally occurring radionuclides
Get PDFThesis (MMil)--Stellenbosch University, 2025.Sehone, A. M. 2025. Investigating Beach Erosion and Deposition Patterns around Saldanha Bay by Mapping Naturally Occurring Radionuclides. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/559a1305-9b5c-44fe-9d52-c06a4e346374ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of the study was to determine the erosion and deposition patterns of sediment on the beaches of Saldanha Bay by means of mapping natural radionuclide concentrations. Four beaches around Saldanha Bay were selected due to their relative locations within Saldanha harbour. These beaches are Danger Bay, North Bay, Saldanha beach and Leentjiesklip. Danger Bay is situated on the western side of Saldanha Bay and is exposed to high-energy waves. North Bay is located in the Outer Bay and is semi-protected from high-energy waves, while Saldanha beach and Leentjiesklip are located in the Inner Bay. These two beaches are exposed to high-energy waves entering the bay. To trace sediment deposition along the four beaches, natural radionuclides of potassium (40K), uranium (238U) and thorium (232Th) were used as tracers. The activity concentrations of these natural radionuclides present in the beach sediments were acquired by means of in-situ gamma-ray measurements on the four beaches. An in-house developed in-situ detector system called the Delta Atmospheric Gamma System (DAGS) was deployed for this purpose. The activity concentrations of the natural radionuclides were then extracted from the measured count rates spectra using the full spectrum analysis (FSA) method and were then plotted on a map using an inverse distance weighted (IDW) interpolation method in QGIS software. The results obtained showed that 40K was a good indicator of sediment deposition on all the measured beaches due to the abundance of potassium in nature. Concentrations of 238U and 232Th were found to be good indicators of sediments originating from anthropogenic sources, such as storm water drains and other pollutant debris from aquafarming activities within the bay. Using natural radionuclides as sediment tracers with the FSA method proved to be effective in determining sediment deposition along a beach profile.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar nie.Master
Optimised continuous unitary transformations for interacting fermionic systems
Get PDFThesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2025.Robson, D. 2025. Optimised Continuous Unitary Transformations for Interacting Fermionic Systems. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/5e78f76f-221b-4f32-9851-bfe3d14c58bcENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis is concerned with the so-called flow equation approach, an iterative method to approximately diagonalise Hamiltonians of a quantum system. The general aim of the thesis is to come up with improved variants of the flow equation approach, with a particular focus on applications to quantum systems in which the wave functions are to some degree localised in space. Two main ideas for improvements, both of which affect the approximation error made when truncating terms, are introduced and analysed in this thesis: the choice of basis in which the Hamiltonian is written, and the state with respect to which normal-ordering is done. To quantify the accuracy of the modified flow equation methods, we introduce the second trace invariant within a fixed particle number sector as a probe for the loss of unitarity, and also compare the eigenvalues obtained from the solution of the flow equation to exact numeric results. To benchmark the different improvements to the flow equation approach, we use the XXZ model with magnetic field disorder, which has the desirable property of a tunable disorder strength. The latter allows for control over the degree of localisation of the system’s wave functions. For the flow equation we find that normal-ordering with respect to a density matrix that targets an average particle number density corresponding to half-filling significantly reduces the truncation error in the higher particle-number sectors of the Hilbert space, and yields improved results for the eigenvalues. These improvements were especially noticeable at weaker disorder strengths, where the typical vacuum ordering performs poorly. We show that the choice of a different initial single-particle basis essentially leads to a different choice in generator, and find that single-particle bases which are delocalised in real space reduces the truncation error in the case of weak disorder. However, the benefit of the choice of single-particle bases in reducing the truncation error is lesser when compared to that of normal-ordering. Apart from the truncation error, we observe that a choice of basis may reduce computation time by speeding up the convergence of the flow towards the fixed-point Hamiltonian. By applying the normal-ordering results to Heisenberg’s equation of motion, we demonstrate that an appropriate choice of normal-ordering greatly improves our ability to capture the slow-relaxation dynamics at early times. However, our results eventually deviate from the expected dynamics in the long-time regime. We suggest that normal ordering with respect to the charge density wave state |010101 . . .⟩ may further improve the description of the slow-relaxation dynamics. This thesis presents new results for improving the numerical implementation of continuous unitary transformations for interacting fermionic systems, as well as a novel probe for the loss of unitarity, the second trace invariant within a fixed particle number sector, which has not appeared in the literature before.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis handel oor die sogenaamde vloeivergelyking benadering, 'n iteratiewe metode om die
Hamiltonian van 'n kwantumstelsel te diagonaliseer. Die algemene doel van die tesis is die
ontwikke- ling in verbeterde variante van die vloeivergelyking benadering, met 'n spesifieke fokus
op toepassings op kwantumstelsels waarin die golffunksies tot 'n mate in die ruimte gelokaliseer
is. Twee hoofidees vir verbeteringe word in hierdie tesis bekendgestel en ontleed: die keuse van
basis waarin die Hamiltoniaan geskryf word, en die toestand wat betrekking tot die normaal-ordering
uitgevoer word. Beide hierdie verbeteringe be¨ınvloed die benaderingsfout wat onstaan as gevolg van
die afkapping van terme. Om die akkuraatheid van die gemodifeerde vloeivergelyking metodes te
kwantifiseer, s tel o ns voor d ie tweede spoor-invariante binne 'n vaste deeltjiegetalsektor as 'n
getuie vir die verlies aan eenheid, en vergelyk ook die eiewaardes vanaf die oplossing van die
vloeivergelyking met presiese numeriese resultate. Om die verskillende verbeteringe te meet op die
vloeivergelyking benadering, gebruik ons die XXZ-model met magnetiese veldversteuring, wat die
voordelige eienskap van 'n stelbare versteuringssterkte het. Hierdie laat toe om die mate van
lokalisering van die stelsel se golffunksies te beheer. Vir die vloeivergelyking met
normaal-ordening met betrekking tot 'n digtheidsmatriks wat 'n gemiddelde deeltjiegetaldigtheid
stel ooreenstemmend met halfvulling, vind ons 'n aansienlikke vermindering in die afkappingsfout
vir die hoe¨r deeltjiegetal sektore van die Hilbert-ruimte, asook verbeterde resultate vir die
eiewaardes. Hierdie verbe- teringe was veral opmerklik by swakker wanorde-sterktes, waar die
tipiese vakuum-ordering swak vaar. Ons wys dat die keuse van 'n ander aanvanklike enkel-deeltjie
basis lei tot 'n ander keuse in generator. Ons vind dat die afkappingsfout word verminder deur
enkel-deeltjie basisse waar die werklike ruimte gede- lokaliseer is, in die geval van swak wanorde.
Die voordeel van die keuse van enkel-deeltjie basisse om die afkappingsfout te verminder, is egter
minder in vergelyking met die´ van normaal-ordening. Afgesien van die afkappingsfout, die keuse van
basis mag die berekeningstyd verminder deur middel van die konvergen- sie, van die vloei na die
vastepunt Hamiltoniaan, te versnel. Deur die resultate van normaal-ordening toe te pas op
Heisenberg se bewegingsvergelyking, demonstreer ons dat 'n gepaste keuse van normaal-ordening lei
tot 'n verbeterde vermoe¨ om die stadige-ontspanningsdinamika vas te vang in vroee¨ tye. Alhoewel,
ons resultate wyk egter vanaf die verwagte dinamika in die langer tye. Ons stel voor dat
normaal-ordening met betrekking tot die lading-digtheid golf toestand 010101 . . . mag verder die
beskrywing van die stadige- ontspannings dinamika verbeter. Hierdie tesis bied aan nuwe resultate
en verbeteringe oor die numeriese implementasie van deurlopende uniteˆre transformasies vir
fermioniese sisteme met interaksies, sowel as
'n nuwe getuie vir die verlies van uniteˆriteit.Master
Assessing the impact of administrative delays on local government vehicle fleets (LGVF) downtime in South Africa
Get PDFNyamutora, T. 2025. Assessing The Impact of Administrative Delays on Local Government Vehicle Fleets (LGVF) Downtime in South Africa. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/5ed4c803-5f95-4174-abe6-1891b70e6392Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2025.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: An essential part of managing cities or municipalities effectively are vehicle fleets. To facilitate the delivery of municipal services and transportation, this asset portfolio must be constantly available when required. The implications of local government vehicle fleet (LGVF) downtime include insecurity, delays in emergency response, waste buildup in residential areas, transportation issues for commuters, and the absence of basic utilities like power and water. The literature study shows that there is a perception among fleet managers in municipal environments that there are general inefficiencies in the running of LGVF. The inefficiencies manifest in different forms however, administrative delays are thought to have the greatest adverse impact on downtime which consequently impacts service delivery. The research focused on assessing the extent to which administrative delays affect LGVF downtime. A case study was conducted to analyse archival data on downtime events for the LGVF assets of one of the major metropolitan cities in South Africa. A mixed research approach was utilised for gathering information throughout the research. Interviews were conducted with different levels involved in LGVF management to establish their experience and perception of challenges faced which exacerbate LGVF downtime. In addition, statistical methods were used to analyse quantitative archival data and information obtained from the municipality’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. This data gave insights into the LGVF composition, age distribution, vehicle classes, while the detailed maintenance records enabled the quantification of downtime. Maintenance records and costing information were also utilised to estimate the impact of downtime by estimating the downtime cost using three models relating to fleet size, potential unutilised labour and hiring of replacement vehicles. The study found that it is statistically correct to claim that administrative delays have a significant impact on LGVF downtime. Due to the regulatory environment that governs municipalities through legislation such as Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), there are certain mandatory processes that must be adhered to in procuring of services, which inherently cause delays. In addition to bureaucracy causing delays, staff competency, inefficiency in planning and scheduling, and not fully utilising the ERP system or Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS) were also highlighted as some of the key challenges faced by fleet managers. Other findings related to the indirect impact of the delays experienced manifested in oversized LGVF to cover for inefficiencies and the upward trend of downtime percentage for the period analysed. The study proposed a LGVF Downtime Reduction (LGVFDR) framework which encompasses critical aspects that must be addressed to mitigate downtime in the LGVF sector. In conclusion, rigorous performance measurement accompanied by routine policy reviews to effect continuous improvement must be enforced with involvement of policymakers, to ensure data driven decision making. The impact of bureaucratic requirements, which introduce inefficiency and cause significant cost implications for municipalities, should be studied further so that measures can be put in place to minimise cost implications.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Wesentlike deel van die doeltreffende bestuur van stede of munisipaliteite is voertuigvlote. Om die lewering van munisipale dienste en vervoer te vergemaklik, moet hierdie bateportefeulje voortdurend beskikbaar wees wanneer nodig. Die implikasies van stilstand van plaaslike regeringsvoertuigvlote (LGVF) sluit in onsekerheid, vertragings in noodreaksie, afvalopbou in woongebiede, vervoerkwessies vir pendelaars en die afwesigheid van basiese nutsdienste soos krag en water. Die literatuurstudie toon dat daar 'n persepsie onder vlootbestuurders in munisipale omgewings bestaan dat daar algemene ondoeltreffendheid in die bestuur van LGVF is. Die ondoeltreffendheid manifesteer in verskillende vorme, maar administratiewe vertragings word beskou as die grootste nadelige impak op stilstand wat gevolglik dienslewering beïnvloed. Die navorsingsfokus was om te bepaal tot watter mate administratiewe vertragings LGVF-stilstand beïnvloed. ’n Gevallestudie is uitgevoer om argiefdata oor stilstandsgebeurtenisse vir die LGVF-bates van een van die groot metropolitaanse stede in Suid-Afrika te ontleed. 'n Gemengde navorsingsbenadering is vir inligtinginsameling deur die hele navorsing gebruik. Onderhoude is gevoer met verskillende vlakke betrokke by LGVF-bestuur om hul ervaring en persepsie van uitdagings wat die LGVF-stilstand vererger, vas te stel. Daarbenewens is statistiese metodes gebruik om kwantitatiewe argiefdata en inligting wat van die munisipaliteit se Ondernemingshulpbronbeplanning (ERP)-stelsel verkry is, te ontleed. Hierdie data het insig gegee in die LGVF-samestelling, ouderdomsverspreiding, voertuigklasse, terwyl die gedetailleerde instandhoudingsrekords die kwantifisering van stilstand moontlik gemaak het. Instandhoudingsrekords se koste-inligting is ook gebruik om die impak van stilstand te skat deur die stilstandkoste te skat deur gebruik te maak van drie modelle wat verband hou met vlootgrootte, potensiële onbenutte arbeid en die huur van vervangingsvoertuie. Die bevindinge van die studie was dat dit statisties korrek is om te beweer dat administratiewe vertragings 'n beduidende impak op LGVF-stilstand gehad het. As gevolg van die regulatoriese omgewing wat munisipaliteite deur wetgewing soos die Wet op Munisipale Finansiële Bestuur (MFMA) beheer, is daar sekere verpligte proses wat nagekom moet word by die verkryging van dienste, wat inherent vertragings veroorsaak. Benewens burokrasie wat vertragings veroorsaak, is personeelbevoegdheid, ondoeltreffendheid in beplanning en skedulering, en die nie ten volle benutting van die ERP-stelsel of Gerekenariseerde Onderhoudsbestuurstelsel (CMMS) ook uitgelig as van die sleuteluitdagings wat vlootbestuurders in die gesig staar. Ander bevindings wat verband hou met die indirekte impak van die vertragings wat ervaar is, het gemanifesteer in oormaat LGVF om te dek vir ondoeltreffendheid en die opwaartse neiging van stilstandpersentasie vir die tydperk wat ontleed is. Die studie het 'n LGVF-stilstandsvermindering (LGVFDR)-raamwerk voorgestel wat kritieke aspekte insluit wat aangespreek moet word vir die versagting van stilstand in die LGVFsektor. Ten slotte, streng prestasiemeting, vergesel van roetinebeleidsoorsigte om deurlopende verbetering te bewerkstellig, moet afgedwing word met die betrokkenheid van beleidmakers, om datagedrewe besluitneming te verseker. Die impak van burokratiese vereistes wat ondoeltreffendheid inbring en groot koste-implikasies op munisipaliteite veroorsaak, moet verder bestudeer word sodat maatreëls ingestel word om koste-implikasies vir die munisipaliteite te minimaliseer.Master
Ubuntu: the old and the neo
Get PDFFlatela, Sinovuyo. 2025.Ubuntu: the old and the neo. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/132355Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2025.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In recent years, substantial efforts have been made to revive the philosophy of Ubuntu, rootedinthe belief that this ancient African philosophy—centered on the value of persons andcommunity—offers an antidote to South Africa's social and political challenges. Ubuntuhas thusexerted significant influence on the country’s politics, identity, and policies. In this thesis, I arguethat it cannot be assumed that Ubuntu applies universally to various contexts, as it nowexistsintwo distinct forms: traditional Ubuntu, rooted in communal obligations, and Neo- Ubuntu, whichemphasizes individual dignity and human rights. Recognizing this distinction is crucial. It invitesus to reconsider the implications of Matolino and Kwindingwi’s declaration that Ubuntuhascome to an end. Does this signal the end of traditional Ubuntu, Neo-Ubuntu, or both? This thesissuggests that the declaration applies only to traditional Ubuntu, leaving Neo-Ubuntu aliveandrelevant to contemporary society.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In onlangse jare is aansienlike pogings aangewend om die filosofie van Ubuntu te laat herleef, gewortel in die oortuiging dat hierdie antieke Afrika-filosofie – gesentreer op die waardevanpersone en gemeenskap – 'n teenmiddel bied teen Suid-Afrika se sosiale en politieke uitdagings. Ubuntu het dus beduidende invloed op die land se politiek, identiteit en beleid uitgeoefen. Inhierdie tesis argumenteer ek dat dit nie aanvaar kan word dat Ubuntu universeel opverskeiekontekste van toepassing is nie, aangesien dit nou in twee afsonderlike vorme bestaan: tradisionele Ubuntu, gewortel in gemeenskaplike verpligtinge, en Neo-Ubuntu, wat individuelewaardigheid en menseregte beklemtoon. Die erkenning van hierdie onderskeid is van kardinalebelang. Dit nooi ons uit om die implikasies van Matolino en Kwindingwi se verklaringdat Ubuntu tot 'n einde gekom het, te heroorweeg. Dui dit die einde van tradisionele Ubuntu, NeoUbuntu, of albei aan? Hierdie tesis stel voor dat die verklaring slegs van toepassingisoptradisionele Ubuntu, wat Neo-Ubuntu lewendig en relevant laat vir die hedendaagse samelewing.Master