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The study investigates the impact of the level of education of owners on the performance of the business in the construction industry. Construction companies are key to economic development in South Africa, playing an economic role in the nation's GDP and solving economic problems like unemployment and equitable distribution of wealth, among other things. The construction industry is one of the industries with very high employment potential in South Africa; therefore, the success of the small businesses in the industry is key to the nation's success. Previous research in the field of business identified several parameters that affect business performance and among these is the human capital of the business (education level of managers and owners). However, limited studies have examined the level of education of business owners and how this impacts the performance of the construction business. So, this study aims to find the common level of education of business owners, the typical performance of the businesses and whether the level of education impacts the performance. The following objectives were used to achieve this; to find out the level of education of business owners in the construction industry; to establish the typical level of performance of construction businesses; to determine the perception of business owners on the impact of education on construction company performance and; to find out whether the level of education of business owners' impacts construction company performance. A quantitative research design approach was adopted using a questionnaire survey, administered using email, to obtain information from a sample population of 40 contractors that were being managed by Navi Professional consulting on Sanitation projects in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics that include cross-tabulations and histograms of the education parameters. A Chi-square statistical analysis was conducted to test the hypothesis but established that the level of education of construction owners does not significantly impact business performance. Based on the findings, the study concludes that the level of education of the business owner is not a significant factor that impacts the performance of construction businesses. It is therefore recommended that in order to avert failure, construction business owners should learn from their experience and continuos on-the-job training. Further research that examines the impact of the level of education of construction owners on business performance using a larger sample size is also recommended.

The article investigates the level of satisfaction with the South African Department of Public Work's Contractor Development Programme (CDP) in terms of its effectiveness. A mixed method research approach (combination of quantitative and qualitative approach) is employed for the collection of both statistical and in-depth information on the perceptions of participants on the CDP. Survey data collected from 364 participants and interview data from six focus-group participants in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province of South Africa forms the data sets for the article. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. Descriptive statistics is used to report the reliability of the various constructs, mean scores, standard deviations, and correlations. The findings show that participants not only deemed the programme unsatisfactory, but also reported an overall negative experience with the programme. Specific findings show that the CDP offers no training opportunities to registered members, lacks effective communication mediums, and benefited only those with political connections. The correlation results show that there is a strong relation between population and registering on the CDP, thus confirming that the open and easy access when registering on the CDP allows any interested person to automatically become a contractor creating the possibility of abuse of the programme. The study was limited to KZN contractors only and may, therefore, not be generalised to the entire national population of contractors. This article is relevant, as it gives insight into how satisfied contractors are with the CDP. It may help potential contractors to consider whether the CDP will be beneficial to them, before they decide to join the programme. Die artikel ondersoek die vlak van tevredenheid met die Suid-Afrikaanse Departement van Openbare Werke se kontrakteurontwikkelingsprogram (KOP) in terme van die doeltreffendheid daarvan. ' n Gemengde navorsingsbenadering (kombinasie van kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe benaderings) is gebruik. Die metode maak gebruik van die versameling van beide statistiese en in-diepte inligting oor die persepsies van deelnemers op die KOP oor die effektiwiteit daarvan. Opname-data versamel van 364 deelnemers en onderhouddata van ses fokusgroep-deelnemers in die KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) provinsie van Suid-Afrika vorm die datastelle vir die artikel. Data is geanaliseer met behulp van die SPSS-weergawe 23. Beskrywende statistiek is gebruik om die betroubaarheid van die verskillende konstrukte, gemiddelde tellings, standaardafwykings en korrelasies te rapporteer. Die bevindinge toon dat deelnemers nie net die program as onbevredigend beskou het nie, maar ook 'n algehele negatiewe ervaring met die program gerapporteer het. Spesifieke bevindings toon dat die KOP nie opleidingsgeleenthede aan geregistreerde lede bied nie, nie effektiewe kommunikasiemediums het nie en slegs diegene met politieke verbindings bevoordeel. Die korrelasieresultate toon dat daar 'n sterk verband is tussen die populasie en registrasie op die KOP wat bevestig dat die oop en maklike toegang tot die program deur enige belanghebbende persoon om outomaties 'n kontrakteur te word, die moontlikheid skep dat die program misbruik word. Die studie is slegs beperk tot KZN kontrakteurs en mag dus nie noodwendig tot die hele nasionale bevolking van kontrakteurs genasionaliseer word nie. Hierdie artikel is relevant, aangesien dit insig gee oor hoe tevrede kontrakteurs met die KOP is. Dit kan potensiële kontrakteurs help om te besluit of die KOP voordelig sal wees voordat hulle besluit om by die program aan te sluit.

International audience; Wolbachia are widespread endosymbiotic bacteria that manipulate the reproduction of arthropods through a diversity of cellular mechanisms. In cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), a sterility syndrome originally discovered in the mosquito Culex pipiens, uninfected eggs fertilized by sperm from infected males are selectively killed during embryo development following the abortive segregation of paternal chromosomes in the zygote. Despite the recent discovery of Wolbachia CI factor (cif) genes, the mechanism by which they control the fate of paternal chromosomes at fertilization remains unknown. Here, we have analyzed the cytological distribution and cellular impact of CidA and CidB, a pair of Cif proteins from the Culex-infecting Wolbachia strain wPip. We show that expression of CidB in Drosophila S2R+ cells induces apoptosis unless CidA is co-expressed and associated with its partner. In transgenic Drosophila testes, both effectors colocalize in germ cells until the histone-to-protamine transition in which only CidB is retained in maturing spermatid nuclei. We further show that CidB is similarly targeted to maturing sperm of naturally infected Culex mosquitoes. At fertilization, CidB associates with paternal DNA regions exhibiting DNA replication stress, as a likely cause of incomplete replication of paternal chromosomes at the onset of the first mitosis. Importantly, we demonstrate that inactivation of the deubiquitylase activity of CidB does not abolish its cell toxicity or its ability to induce CI in Drosophila. Our study thus demonstrates that CI functions as a transgenerational toxin-antidote system and suggests that CidB acts by poisoning paternal DNA replication in incompatible crosses.

International audience; Endosymbiotic Wolbachia bacteria are, to date, considered the most widespread symbionts in arthropods and are the cornerstone of major biological control strategies. Such a high prevalence is based on the ability of Wolbachia to manipulate their hosts' reproduction. One manipulation called cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) is based on the death of the embryos generated by crosses between infected males and uninfected females or between individuals infected with incompatible Wolbachia strains. CI can be seen as a modification-rescue system (or mod-resc) in which paternal Wolbachia produce mod factors, inducing embryonic defects, unless the maternal Wolbachia produce compatible resc factors. Transgenic experiments in Drosophila melanogaster and Saccharomyces cerevisiae converged towards a model where the cidB Wolbachia gene is involved in the mod function while cidA is involved in the resc function. However, as cidA expression in Drosophila males was required to observe CI, it has been proposed that cidA could be involved in both resc and mod functions. A recent correlative study in natural Culex pipiens mosquito populations has revealed an association between specific cidA and cidB variations and changes in mod phenotype, also suggesting a role for both these genes in mod diversity. Here, by studying cidA and cidB genomic repertoires of individuals from newly sampled natural C. pipiens populations harbouring wPipIV strains from North Italy, we reinforce the link between cidB variation and mod phenotype variation fostering the involvement of cidB in the mod phenotype diversity. However, no association between any cidA variants or combination of cidA variants and mod phenotype variation was observed. Taken together our results in natural C. pipiens populations do not support the involvement of cidA in mod phenotype variation.

MBA, North-West University, Mafikeng Campus The study investigated the effectiveness of Contractor Development Programmes among the entrepreneurs in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality in the North West Province of South Africa. The intentions were to identify whether the programme is effective or not and if not effective identify challenges, and propose solutions for the obstacles. The investigation is conducted through an evaluation of Contractors in the North West province using construction project implemented by government organisations in the North Pest Province in South Africa. This research considers the following factors in determining the effectiveness of the CDP: technical, financial and managerial training that the contractors received through the programme, the provision of relevant work experience for the duration of the programme as well as an increase in the contractor's CIDB grading after exiting the programme. The research adopted both a qualitative and quantitative research design, and in-depth interviews were used to gather data from the participants, SMMEs owners and managers in the Ngaka Modiri Molema, who were the target population. Emerging construction contractors contribute to the backbone of the South African economy, because of their importance in employment creation and value reorientation. The objective of this study will be to establish a benchmark to identify whether government policies to implement Contractor Development Programmes of SMMEs in South Africa are effective or need to be developed. The extensive literature review compiled from various articles and the field survey conducted on various SMMEs were used as the methodology. Questionnaires and random sampling were used as field survey instruments. It was found from literature that there are various obstacles in the implementation of Emerging Contractors. Among the list of the challenges are lack of finance, training and business skills, and unethical conduct amongst some of the stakeholders; these were indicated in the literature review and confirmed by field survey. The results will make contribution for developments to the problems faced by emerging construction companies in South Africa. That will give an indication to the government for in-depth research into departmental weaknesses and policy issues regarding implementation of the policy in South Africa. The findings imply that, to improve the growth and competitiveness of SMMEs, the obstacles named above have to be resolved. The research has contributed to the enhancement of understanding the programme to empower black people by establishing the core issues affecting the operations of SMMEs in South Africa. The North West Government, through its sister department, the Department of Public Works and the IDT has embarked on a positive programme for training Emerging Contractors that would make their development very effective and turn them into sustainable business enterprises. The programme will be assessed to measure its effectiveness in grooming Emerging Contractors into established contractors in the construction industry. The study further analyses the overall approach followed in implementing CDPs and emphasises some key considerations relating to the implementation approach. More importantly, the study highlights that the lack of emphasis on technical competence in terms of qualification and experience is one of the underlying shortcomings of CDPs. In conclusion, the research found that there is a need to review policies and procedures relating to CDPs. Masters

Civil engineering contractors encounter serious challenges in order to sustain their businesses, especially in a weak economic climate. A certain level of construction experience, expertise and training are required to manage a sustainable construction company. The Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) was established in 2000 as a statutory body to provide leadership to stakeholders and stimulate sustainable growth, reform and improvement of the construction sector for effective infrastructure delivery and improvement of construction skills. The objectives of this research were to investigate challenges faced by civil engineering contractors whilst making their enterprises sustainable. Contractors’ views were presented at “Construction Indaba 2011” held on 1–2 June 2011 and hosted by eThekwini Municipality’s Business Support, Tourism and Markets in Durban KwaZulu-Natal. Discussion and findings revealed to a skills’ shortage in the construction section and underlined the need for continuous training of the contractors’ employees. The South African government in conjunction with all stakeholders should develop and implement contractor programs to address the lack of technical and management skills in the construction sector.

Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011. The primary objective of this study was to identify and investigate the main restrictions automation suppliers encounter when attempting to promote and sell their products into the local Vaal Triangle manufacturing industry. Through the literature study that was conducted, a general investigation into the supply chains of some of the most prominent manufacturing industries within the geographical demarcation were analysed. Two manufacturing industries were chosen namely Sasol and Rand Water. The different criteria upon which they qualify their suppliers were identified and the reasoning behind it discussed. The identified criteria included product compliance restrictions; commercial restrictions as well as limitations placed on suppliers by the consumer themselves where suppliers are restricted to only a few per product or service. The commercial restrictions were identified as the only restrictions the supplier has total control over and for this reason, was investigated in detail. These commercial restrictions included the supplier's NOSA, ISO and CIDB rating, as well as their BBBEE status. After the literature review, an empirical study was conducted by making use of a questionnaire which was developed alongside the conduction of the literature study. This questionnaire was sent out to the top management of the identified local automation suppliers to be filled out. The completed questionnaires were analysed by the Statistical Consultation Services of the North-West University (Potchefstroom campus). After the reliability and validity of the questionnaire had been determined, the basic demographical information of the respondents was analysed. An assessment of the 12 constructs measured in the study was done and the relationships between the demographic variables and the constructs were identified. Following the detailed analysis, conclusions on the demographic information of the respondents as well as between all the demographic variables and the constructs measured which had practical significance were discussed. Practical recommendations regarding compliance to the commercial restriction studied were made. The success of the study was determined mainly based on the achievement of the primary and secondary objectives. The study concluded by making suggestions for further research on the topic at hand. Masters