Palmyra Fiber as Additional Materials on Solid Concrete Brick of Aggregate
The use of waste as an additional material on the building work was increasingly actively developed, such as straw, styrofoam, bagasse, cow manure. The key drivers of the use of waste is the potential for waste is increasing, due to the depletion of non-renewable resources. Papyrus rod diameter 60 cm, length 30 meters, has a volume of 5,652m3 as well as the edges of the Rods that can be used for construction with a thickness of 3 cm has a volume 0,942m3, Pith and fiber volume content of the stem 4,71m3/rod, then in one rod, there are 2 to 3 bunches each fruit bunches yield as much as 20 to 30 items for one harvest, by weight of fruit fiber 101.2 gram / fruit, Fiber characteristics are round and smooth is expected to reduce cracks in solid concrete brick and also can reduce the use of sand. This study aims to determine the compressive strength of the composition of the additional material of Rods fiber content and Fiber of palmyra fruit with a percentage 3%, 6% and 9%, mixing ratio; 1 cement and 5 sand in the manufacture of solid concrete brick. Rods fiber content used the average Ø1,031mm with a tensile strength of single fiber 39,305N / cm and fruit fiber to an average value Ø0,40mm with a tensile strength of single fiber 33,691N / cm. Making test specimen with a length of 20cm, width 10cm and thick 8cm. The test results of compressive strength after 14 days with the lowest value at 3% of additional material combination of fiber content of 6% fiber stem and fruit by 70,384Kg/cm²with a water content of 15,254% In weight position 2,935Kg as well as the highest value on the combination of additional material 0% rods fiber content and 3% fruit fiber by 98,821Kg/cm² with a water content of 15,031% In weight position 3,058Kg. While N (without additional material) with a compressive strength below the average id 63,704Kg/cm2 with water content of 10,167 in weight position 3,072Kg. Research result of solid concrete brick with additional material of rods fiber content and palmyra fruit fiber was included on the type B70, the average value of the compressive strength of 78.57 Kg / cm² (SNI-03-1348-1989) with a water content of <25%.
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<![CDATA[Frederick Taylor as a Contributor to Public Administration ]]>
<![CDATA[Myrick, Darrell]]>
<![CDATA[ Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences Vol. 3 No. 12 (2012): November 2012 - Special Issue ]]>
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<![CDATA[Seventy-five years after his death, a question remains as to whether Frederick Taylor’s scientifictheories of management have made a significant contribution to Public Administration. Taylor’stheories focused mainly on increasing productivity in industrial manufacturing environments. Theprimary concern was for a pragmatic approach to efficiency where planning and standardisationaimed to optimise the human element in production. The article examines how practitioners of PublicAdministration have adopted and implemented Taylor’s theories. Evidence was found in the work ofMorris Cooke, a Taylor disciple who focused on public sector oriented approaches to management andpolitical economy. Taylorism was apparent in the public sector in the years after World War II, aturning point and period when Taylorist theories were humanised. The aim of the article then is toexamine how Public Administration has drawn from the field of industrial psychology, towardsimproving operations in public organisations. The key question is: to what extent has industrialscientific management principles been adopted in the discipline of Public Administration? In light ofpoor service delivery in South Africa, it is a relevant question that has implications for improvingoperational efficiency. A historical literature review was undertaken to determine the influence ofTaylor’s scientific management theories on Public Administration. The findings drawn from this reviewand analysis will serve to inform the need for more orderly scientific approaches to service delivery.]]>
<![CDATA[Perceptions on the Institutionalization of Public Participation in South Africa ]]>
<![CDATA[Madue, Stephens]]>
<![CDATA[ Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences Vol. 3 No. 12 (2012): November 2012 - Special Issue ]]>
Publisher : <![CDATA[Richtmann Publishing ]]>
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<![CDATA[In democratic systems, public participation is understood to be complementary torepresentative democracy whereby regular parliamentary elections are held. The electedrepresentatives are expected to engage the public in decision-making processes to enhancetransparency and trust. Representative democracy additionally calls for the establishmentof public participation platforms for engaging the citizenry in all public affairs. Moreover,the rationale for public participation advocates for the public to actively participate in thedevelopment of plans at the formative stage, rather than after officials have committed toparticular choices. A self administered questionnaire survey was conducted to assess theperceptions of the Members of the Provincial Legislature, Parliamentary ConstituencyOfficers and administrative staff on how public participation has been institutionalized inthe Gauteng Provincial Legislature. The results of the survey show that the GautengProvincial Legislature is not adequately engaging its people in decision-making processesas per the constitutional mandate as provided for in the Constitution of the Republic ofSouth Africa, 1996. The research supports the notion that a direct democracy is not feasiblein modern nations, but it is important to have a model of democracy that will provide thebest possible degree of direct popular public participation.]]>
<![CDATA[Supporting Small Medium and Micro Enterprises in South Africa ]]>
<![CDATA[Tsoabisi, Sello]]>
<![CDATA[ Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences Vol. 3 No. 12 (2012): November 2012 - Special Issue ]]>
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<![CDATA[The Local Government sphere in South Africa faces several cogent developmentalchallenges. Several interventions have been introduced to confront these challenges, whichinclude poverty, unemployment and skills shortage, with partial success. In this article, aconceptual framework is proposed for small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) inSouth Africa. The literature review includes an analysis of documents issued by fourmunicipalities as well by the former national Department of Provincial and LocalGovernment. In this regard, an explanation of the concept of SMMEs is provided so as tocontextualise the study. Apart from the lack of funding, SMMEs appear to suffer from a lackof information, efficient production technologies, and the inadequate use of managementand control systems. To further contextualise this study, the debate on local economicdevelopment (LED) in the South African local government sphere is presented to highlightthe current challenges. Common characteristics of LED and SMMEs are also enunciated soas to establish the nexus. Finally, drawing from the above context and discussions, aconceptual framework is articulated and presented, which is intended to assistmunicipalities to ensure that viable SMME strategies are developed.]]>
<![CDATA[Multipurpose Community Centers in South Africa An Empirical Study of Select Municipalities ]]>
<![CDATA[Mpehle, Zwelibanzi]]>
<![CDATA[ Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences Vol. 3 No. 12 (2012): November 2012 - Special Issue ]]>
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<![CDATA[The provision of basic services to citizens in a fair and equitable manner has been achallenge for the South African government, given the history of segregation based on raceand color that was instituted by the apartheid regime. It is such a challenge that compelledthe present government to identify various alternative strategies that will enhance servicedelivery, hence the birth of an idea to establish Multipurpose Community Centers (MPCCs),which later became known as Thusong Service Centers (TSCs), to serve as the vehicle inenhancing service delivery. The aim of this study was to evaluate if the MPCCs (herein alsoreferred to as TSCs or Centers) established by the South African government do enhanceservice delivery to the previously marginalized communities. The study was conducted inthree provinces in South Africa, and in each province three municipalities where TSCs havebeen established were randomly chosen on the basis of their geographical location, namelyrural, semi-urban and urban areas where previously marginalized communities dwell.Stratified random sampling was utilized in gathering information as the researchertargeted four population groups, namely the beneficiaries of services, government officialswho service clients in the TSCs, center managers and provincial coordinators of the TSCs.The researcher utilized structured questionnaires to gather information from beneficiariesof services, semi-structured interview schedule for government officials, and an observationsheet to record how TSCs operate, and whether the government officials practice BathoPele Principles in serving recipients of services. This article argues that although theintroduction of such Centers was a noble idea and that the household access to basicservices has changed for the better in certain communities, the Centers have not beensuccessful in accelerating services in some communities as revealed by the study. One ofthe reasons these Centers are not successful is lack of consultation by government withcommunities and other relevant stakeholders in the establishment of some Centers toestablish what services need to be rendered. Furthermore, some Centers do not haveadequate physical and human resources, and the managers running these Centers are notadequately trained in managerial and other relevant skills. The study also revealed thatlack of funding makes it impossible for these Centers and services rendered sustainable,and lack of communication and coordination of activities between departments utilizingthe Centers render integrated service delivery. The article concludes by givingrecommendations that were carefully drawn from the analysis of the findings and theentire study.]]>
<![CDATA[Mechanisms to Improve Accountability in the Public Sector ]]>
<![CDATA[Heerden, Mike Van]]>;
<![CDATA[Steyn, Sunette]]>
<![CDATA[ Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences Vol. 3 No. 12 (2012): November 2012 - Special Issue ]]>
Publisher : <![CDATA[Richtmann Publishing ]]>
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<![CDATA[Incidents of a lack of accountability, often associated with an element of corruption, amongpublic officials and institutions when rendering public services, is a worldwide occurrence.In an attempt to address this governance tendency, governments increasingly look towardsmore sophisticated managerial methods such as improved monitoring and evaluationsystems, and performance management systems, to address accountability deficits ingovernance. Such a managerial method is not necessarily similar to the rational theory as aremnant of the New Public Management (NPM). The prevailing belief in the NPM is thatimproved effectiveness and efficiencies enhance accountability and eliminate corruption.Accountability, however, is a political concept that relates to a power discourse. Citizens areoften unable to influence government decisions affecting their lives and eliminate theabuse of power by the government. A key challenge in practice is, accordingly, to createforms of accountability in terms of which citizens can have control over and sanction suchabuse of power. This type of approach necessarily positions accountability in a non-rationalneo-institutional theory framework. The article explores existing accountabilitymechanisms that scholars propose as solutions to address governance challenges and tostrengthen weak accountability. These mechanisms are analysed so as to indicateweaknesses and strengths of each. It then deals with other accountability mechanisms thatrelate to a neo-institutional theory framework and discusses strengths and weaknesses ofthose mechanisms. The article concludes with proposals of alternative innovativeaccountability mechanisms with which citizens could hold the public sector to account.]]>
<![CDATA[A Case Study of Non-Payment for Municipal Services In the Vhembe District Municipality ]]>
<![CDATA[Schalkwyk, Andre Van]]>
<![CDATA[ Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences Vol. 3 No. 12 (2012): November 2012 - Special Issue ]]>
Publisher : <![CDATA[Richtmann Publishing ]]>
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<![CDATA[The aim of this study was to investigate reasons for non–payment by residents for servicesrendered by the Vhembe District Municipality. The municipalities are responsible fordelivering such services as water supply, electricity, road maintenance, refuse collection andsanitation. Multistage sampling techniques were employed. The subjects in the study weregrouped into clusters and a sample was taken from each cluster. In this case the localmunicipalities that took part in the study were selected first, followed by wards, villages andhouseholds. Households in the selected villages were selected randomly to participate inthe study. The results showed that although the municipalities were making an effort toraise revenue and send bills to the residents, some 38% of the residents were notforthcoming with payments. The reasons found in the survey for the unwillingness to payservices by residents include ignorance, poverty and simple unwillingness to pay.]]>
<![CDATA[Ethical Leadership Principles in South African Public Administration Lost Opportunity or Alive with Possibility ]]>
<![CDATA[Naidoo, Goonasagree]]>
<![CDATA[ Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences Vol. 3 No. 12 (2012): November 2012 - Special Issue ]]>
Publisher : <![CDATA[Richtmann Publishing ]]>
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<![CDATA[South Africa is a society emerging from a chequered and troubled past with a legacy ofimpairments in terms of education skills, opportunities, resentments, equality andperceptions. As in many societies, corruption is recognized as a major hindrance to goodgovernance in the public sector. The South African government has prompted the publicsector to focus on anti-corruption measures as part of their mechanisms to prevent andcurb corruption. It is evident that these mechanisms are insufficient to prevent and curbcorruption, due to poor governance practices, such as weakness and gaps in legislation.Furthermore, the public sector has seen that there are unethical and even toxic leaders,who exploit the loopholes in the systems and processes and seek to fulfil their personaldesires at the expense of their departments. It is therefore argued that there is increasinglya need for ethical leadership in the public sector. This article therefore suggests the need forethical leadership to prevent and curb corruption and to promote good governance in theS.A. public sector. Ethical leadership is associated with leader effectiveness and goodgovernance. Leaders need to demonstrate ethical leadership in their daily behaviors,decisions and actions. By sending out strong messages about ethics and establishing clearreward and sanction systems to hold public sector employees accountable for their actions,leaders can do a lot to promote good governance in the public sector. This may need to belinked to values inherent in certain uniquely cultural and South African traditions.]]>
<![CDATA[Improving ICT for ODL in the UNISA Department of Public Administration ]]>
<![CDATA[Naidoo, Goonasagree]]>
<![CDATA[ Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences Vol. 3 No. 12 (2012): November 2012 - Special Issue ]]>
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<![CDATA[The University of South Africa (UNISA) is a comprehensive open and distance learning(ODL) institution that aims to be the premier online teaching and eLearning institution ofchoice. This article presents a case study of the Department Public Administration inUNISA with regard for the expansion of ODL practices to improve online teaching andeLearning. The purpose of this article is firstly to recommend that the teaching and learningmethods presently used by the Department of Public Administration (UNISA) should becombined with more interactive technology-enriched teaching and learning methodologiesso that the department can “be ahead of the game†when it comes to online teaching andeLearning.. The significance of this study is to improve Public Administration teaching andlearning by the Department of Public Administration (UNISA) through creating a virtualstudy environment and in ensuring the department becomes a fully fourth and fifthgeneration ODL provider. This includes an explanation of the blended use of Informationand Communication Technology (ICT) tools such as interactive satellite-based platforms,web-based management system and social networks, as mechanisms for improving onlineteaching and eLearning methodologies in Public Administration.]]>
<![CDATA[The Reception of Satellite Broadcast in Public Administration Teaching at the University of South Africa ]]>
<![CDATA[Wessels, Rochelle]]>
<![CDATA[ Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences Vol. 3 No. 12 (2012): November 2012 - Special Issue ]]>
Publisher : <![CDATA[Richtmann Publishing ]]>
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<![CDATA[The University of South Africa (UNISA) is an open learning distance education institutionwith approximately 220 000 registered students for 2012. Open distance learning (ODL)aims to bridge the time, geographical, and educational distances between the students andthe institution by removing barriers to access learning. UNISA currently uses non printinteraction, such as face-to-face contact sessions, to promote student success andmotivation. Interaction is a crucial element of the UNISA student support conceptualframework, as students engage with their material, their lecturers and with their fellowstudents to attain success in their studies. UNISA students do not attend regular classes.The average current UNISA student encounters difficulty in mastering the content ofmaterial in an isolated learning environment. This led to the need to consider alternativemethods of academic support. Satellite broadcast is a live or pre-recorded presentation oflectures or tutorials to students via a television screen at remote venues across the country.The use of satellite broadcast is especially relevant to students in South Africa studying atUNISA, as a large number of students live in rural and remote areas, and do not havecontact with their lecturers or their peers. The researcher has been using this method ofteaching for the past two years and has found that this teaching method assists thestudents with their learning processes. The researcher conducted a pilot exploratory studyon a small group of students who represent the Public Administration diploma studentswho attended the satellite broadcast classes. All students who attended the satellitebroadcast class were requested to complete the evaluation questionnaire. The perceptionsand experiences of the students were ascertained through the use of the evaluationquestionnaire. With the questionnaire, the researcher wanted to ascertain the perceptionsand experiences of the students of the satellite broadcast class. The researcher found thatthe students experienced this mode of teaching as generally beneficial to their overalllearning experience. This study will serve as a premise for further investigation on theeffectiveness of the ODL method of teaching Public Administration subjects so as toimprove the throughput of the students.]]>
<![CDATA[Progress and Challenges of Service Delivery in South Africa Since 1994 ]]>
<![CDATA[Hanyane, Barry]]>;
<![CDATA[Naidoo, Goonasagree]]>
<![CDATA[ Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences Vol. 3 No. 12 (2012): November 2012 - Special Issue ]]>
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<![CDATA[The new South Africa came into existence in 1994. The incoming government faced amassive task of fiscal, political, social and economic transformation, all of which wouldrequire an effective public service capability. Yet the public service itself had been subjectduring the Apartheid era to the same limitations as other key South African institutions.Due to the lack of know how in 1994, South Africa needed an overwhelmingtransformation of public service focus, culture and procedures. Yet, 15 years after thedemocratic dispensation’s arrival, many people still lack access to the most basic ofnecessities. Woolard (2002) in Burger (2005:483) argues that it is visible that poverty isSouth Africa’s priority as it is estimated that approximately 37% of South Africanhouseholds , and probably more today, survive on less than R1 000 in a month.]]>
