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Item Open Access 3D visualization of data from groundwater flow and transport models(University of the Free State, 2000-11) Bekker, Meintjes; Messerschmidt, H. J.; Chiang, W. H.English: Groundwater flow and transport models produce large amounts of data, which the human brain cannot possibly grasp. Taking advantage of the natural abilities of the human vision system, 3D visualization is often the tool of choice for understanding and communicating conceptual models, verifying model input, understanding model output, explaining and communicating conclusions and recommendations, and motivating expenses. A 3D visualization tool has therefore been developed for intelligence amplification of model data. The tool is based on a groundwater modeling system (Processing MODFLOW) and makes use of the results from existing groundwater flow (MODFLOW) and transport models (MT3DMS, PHT3D and RT3D.). The Visualization Toolkit (vtk), a C++ class library for visualization was used to render 3D geohydrological objects. Realistic scenes of 3D geospatial models and 3D distributions of geohydrological properties, such as hydraulic conductivity, heads and solute concentrations, can be rendered. The advantages of 3D visualization are evident by applying the visualization tool to case studies.Item Open Access A taxonomic study of the genus cryptolepis (periplocoideae: apocynaceae)(University of the Free State, 2013) Joubert, Lize; Venter, A. M.; Venter, H. J. T.; Bruyns, P. V.Cryptolepis R.Br. (Apocynaceae, Periplocoideae) was taxonomically revised. Detailed descriptions of macro and micro-morphology, palynology, geographic distribution and ecological characteristics were presented. An identification key to the species was compiled and the nomenclature of all species was revised while all available type material was studied and lectotypes and neotypes were designated where necessary. Molecular phylogenetic analyses, based on the gene regions ITS, trnD–T and trnT–F, of representative species of 28 periplocoid genera and 22 Cryptolepis species were presented and the monophyly of Cryptolepis was evaluated. Historically a total of 81 species names and four subspecies names were published for Cryptolepis. However, a large number of species names were later placed in synonymy or transferred to other genera, while several new combinations were published. This resulted in a total of 29 accepted Cryptolepis species at the commencement of this study. Three new species, C. ibayana, C. thulinii and C. villosa, resulted from this study and the latter two were described in this thesis. One species, C. producta, was synonymised with C. oblongifolia. Cryptolepis, therefore, comprises a total of 31 species at present. In terms of species diversity, distribution and potential pharmaceutical and economic value, Cryptolepis is one of the most significant genera in the Periplocoideae. Cryptolepis grows throughout sub-Saharan Africa, the southern parts of Yemen, the island archipelago of Socotra, and southern Asia ranging from India to southern China, Taiwan, the Philippines and Indonesia. Most of the species grow in tropical forests or savannah, but 13 species are also adapted to arid environments. The majority of Cryptolepis species are concentrated in four centres of diversity along the east coast of Africa and on Socotra. These hotspots are associated with both arid and forest refugia in areas which have been regarded as local centres of endemism for a number of other plant taxa. The phylogenetic analysis of Cryptolepis indicates that most of these hotspots were colonized repeatedly by different Cryptolepis groups. In addition to the influence of climate shifts, edaphic conditions and also fire had a significant influence on species diversity and distribution in Cryptolepis. Macro and micro-morphological investigations indicated that numerous characters, including growth form, leaf shape and size, leaf epidermal characters, venation, inflorescence structure, floral structure and seed coat surface characters, are of diagnostic value at species level in Cryptolepis. However, the species can only be accurately identified by using a combination of these characters. The molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed that Cryptolepis is paraphyletic and, in order to establish a monophyletic genus, it was proposed that the circumscription of the genus be broadened to include Parquetina as a synonym of Cryptolepis. Several vegetative and reproductive characters showed a high degree of homoplasy, suggesting a high degree of morphological plasticity. This plasticity was also found at species level in C. oblongifolia, which showed significant variation in vegetative and reproductive features. This, together with a high tolerance for disturbance, has resulted in C. oblongifolia becoming the most widely distributed of all Cryptolepis species.Item Open Access Aanspreeklikheid van geneeshere op grond van nalatige wanpraktyk(University of the Free State, 1990-11) Claassen, Nicolaas Johannes Brand; Verschoor, T.Daar is gedurende die afgelope paar dekades geweldige voorvooruitgang hou egter nie net voordele in vir pasiënte nie, dit plaas ook bykomende verantwoordelikhede op die mediese professie. Die moderne gemeenskap stel veel hoër verwagtinge aan geneeshere as vroeër en 'n onrusbarende toename in siviele gedingvoering teen medici is dan ook inderdaad wêreldwyd te bespeur. Hierdie verskynsel kan nie aan die hand van 'n enkele faktor verklaar word nie, maar is eerder te wyte aan 'n aantal uiteenlopende redes. Veral in 'n land soos die Verenigde State van Amerika het die toename in eise teen geneeshere krisisafmetings begin aanneem, wat 'n geweldige spanning geplaas het op die bestaande reg- en versekeringstelsels. Op kort kennisgewing moes daar na alternatiewe metodes gesoek word om die probleem te help oplos. Skuld is 'n onontbeerlike vereiste vir sowel die strafregtelike as deliktuele aanspreeklikheid van 'n geneesheer. Daar word in ons reg 'onderskei tussen twee "skuldvorme", naamlik opset en nalatigheid. Ten einde vas te stelof nalatigheid aanwesig is, word van 'n objektiewe redelike man-toets gebruik gemaak. Hierdie tradisionele standaard word verhoog tot die standaard van die "redelike deskundige" wanneer getoets word of 'n geneesheer nalatig opgetree het. 'n Geneesheer moet tydens die behandeling van sy pasiënt redelike sorg en vaardigheid aan die dag lê. Wanpraktyk kom neer op behandelin9 wat verleen is sonder die behoorlike sorg, vaardigheid en bevoegdheid wat van die mediese professie verwag word. Wanpraktyk kan omskryf word as 'n vorm van nalatigheid wat op professionele persone van toepassing is. Alvorens 'n pasient aan behandeling onderwerp word , hetsy van terapeutiese of diagnostiese aard, moet sy toestemming daartoe verkry word. Toestemming sal alleenlik geldig wees indien daar voldoen word aan 'n verskeidenheid vereistes wat van regsweë gestel word. 'n Geneesheer wat 'n pasiënt behandel sonder dat laasgenoemde daartoe toegestem het, kan strafregtelik op 'n aanklag van aanranding vervolg word. In die VSA is daar onlangs met 'n nuwe gedingoorsaak teen geneeshere vorendag gekom wat gebaseer is op die geneeskunde se voorgeboortelike diagnostiese vermoëns, naamlik die sogenaamde "wrongful life"-aksie. Hierdie eis word deur 'n gestremde kind teen 'n geneesheer of ander genetiese raadgewer ingestel en het tot inhoud dat die verweerder op ~ nalatige wyse versuim het om die genetiese defek wat die kind se gebrek veroorsaak het, voor sy geboorte te diagnoseer en as gevolg daarvan is sy ouers die geleentheid ontneem om sy geboorte te voorkom. 'n Aantal verwere is tot beskikking van die geneesheer indien hy vir nalatige wanpraktyk aangespreek word, byvoorbeeld toestemming tot benadeling en verjaring. Na die beslissing in Mtetwa v Minister of Health1 wil dit voorkom of 'n hospitaalowerheid middellik aanspreeklik gehou kan word vir die nalatige handelinge van sy werknemers wat in die uitvoering van hul administratiewe sowel as professionele pligte uitgevoer is. Hoewel die verhouding tussen geneesheer en pasiënt tradisioneel as kontraktueel beskryf word, maak 'n geneesheer wat sy pasiënt deur nalatige behandeling benadeel hom skuldig aan kontrakbreuk of delik. Die pasiënt het in so 'n geval 'n eis om skadevergoeding op grond van of kontrakbreuk of delik: hy het die keuse van 'n aksie. Die benadeelde kan die twee eise ook as alternatiewe instel. Daar bestaan tans geen gevaar dat Suid-Afrika 'n "wanpraktykkrisis" sal beleef soos wat in die VSA voorgekom het nie. Ons reg in soverre dit geneeskundige aanspreeklikheid aangaan, kan as gebalanseerd beskryf word. Gesien in die lig van die probleme wat deur benadeelde pasiënte ondervind word om die nalatigheid van geneeshere in 'n geding te bewys, kan met vrug gekyk word na lande soos Swede en Nieu-Seeland se stelsels van buitegeregtelike pasiënte-vergoeding waarin skuld geen rol speel nie.Item Open Access The ability of a novel compound to enhance the effect of urea on nitrogen deficient tomatoes(University of the Free State, 2012-03-22) Pretorius, Hendri; Potgieter, G. P.English: A company, Elementol (Pty) Ltd, requested the evaluation of their novel product, Pheroids. Pheroids can apparently facilitate the transport of phytological beneficial substances over membranes. Information regarding the chemical attributes was withheld as patent registration is still pending. Pheroids is apparently a microemulsion containing free fatty acids (FFA’s) and or fatty acid derivatives. It apparently encapsulates a substance and facilitates its transport over the membrane. The exact mechanism involving encapsulation, transport and release of the substances inside the cells is still vague due to little information available on it. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of Pheroids to facilitate the transport of additional nitrogen, urea in this case, in tomatoes grown under nitrogen limiting conditions. Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Rodade Star) were cultivated in a greenhouse using a circulating ebb and flow hydroponic setup, which supplied the plants with either a control- or nitrogen limiting nutrient solutions. The plants cultivated in the nitrogen limiting conditions showed a remarkable reduction in vegetative development and yield. To alleviate the effect of nitrogen limiting conditions on yield, the plants were foliarly sprayed with 0.5% and 1% urea solutions, singly or mixed with Pheroids, once every two weeks. The purpose of these foliar treatments was to determine whether Pheroids can further enhance the absorption and transport of urea across membranes of the leaves to alleviate the effect of limiting nitrogen supply. Plants grown under nitrogen adequate conditions (control) were also foliarly treated with a 0.5% urea solution, singly and mixed with Pheroids, to determine to which extent control plants react to the additional nitrogen supplied. The reduction in yield, as a result of limited nitrogen supply, was partially alleviated by spraying nitrogen deficient plants with the 0.5% and 1% urea solutions. However, mixing the 0.5% and 1% urea solutions with Pheroids, not only improved vegetative growth and generative development, but also improved yield, suggesting that Pheroids indeed has the ability to improve the uptake of urea. The 0.5% urea / Pheroids solution specifically proved to have the best ability in alleviating the effect of nitrogen limiting conditions on yield without compromising fruit quality. Although the reducing effect was not completely alleviated, the yield and loss in income as a result of nitrogen limiting conditions was prevented to a large extent. Spraying control plants with 0.5% urea, singly or mixed with Pheroids, also improved yield, without compromising fruit quality. In addition, Pheroids itself, without mixing it with any substance, also resulted in increased yields in both control- and plants grown under nitrogen limiting conditions. In summary, it appeared that Pheroids has the ability to facilitate the transport of phytological beneficial substances, in this case urea, over plant membranes and enhances cellular nitrogen content, but this needs further detailed analyses. This phenomenon was more evident in plants grown under nitrogen limiting conditions than in plants grown under control conditions. Taking into consideration that most crops frequently may suffer from nitrogen limiting conditions in standard agricultural practices, Pheroids may have numerous potential applications in the agricultural industry.Item Open Access Abiotic stress tolerance and nutritional traits of newly developed quality protein maize hybrids in sub-Saharan Africa(University of the Free State, 2022) Engida, Bitew Tilahun; Labuschagne, M. T.; Terekegn, A.; Van Biljon, A.; Wegary, D.Drought and poor soil fertility are some of the most serious maize production challenges in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Identification and development of quality protein maize (QPM) cultivars that have high yield potential and tolerance to these stresses is a reliable and affordable option to improve food security and malnutrition problems in the region, especially for small scale farming communities. Although several stress tolerant maize varieties have been released and disseminated for commercial production in SSA so far, limited development and release of stress tolerant and high yielding QPM varieties compared to normal maize varieties is evident. Limited attention has also been given to the development of nutritionally enriched varieties compared to grain yield improvement. Therefore, the main goal of this study was to study 40 newly developed QPM hybrids obtained from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) – Zimbabwe, under stressed and non-stressed environments to allow selection of QPM hybrids that could outperform the existing commercial QPM and normal maize cultivars with respect to grain yield and concentrations of tryptophan, iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and molar ratios of Fe and Zn to phytic acid. The specific objectives were: (1) to determine variability and performance of QPM hybrids for grain yield and agronomic traits under stressed and non-stressed environments, (2) to determine tryptophan, Zn and Fe concentrations, and molar ratios of Zn and Fe to phytic acid in QPM hybrids grown under stressed and non-stressed environments, (3) to analyse genotype by environment interaction and grain yield stability of QPM hybrids and (4) to determine correlations among grain yield, agronomic and nutritional traits in QPM hybrids evaluated under stressed and non-stressed environments. Significant variation was seen for grain yield, and almost all studied agronomic and nutritional traits under stressed and non-stressed environments. Phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was higher than genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for grain yield and all other agronomic and nutritional traits under all conditions, indicating that environment effect was higher than genotype effect on the expression of the traits under stressed and non-stressed environments. Broad sense heritability of grain yield was higher than 0.6 across all environments, with the exception of managed drought conditions. Anthesis silking interval (ASI) had relatively high GCV estimates and genetic advance, as a percentage of the mean, across all conditions. This indicated that the presence of sufficient genetic variability among genotypes can improve synchronization under different management conditions through selection. Grain yield was reduced by 47% under random stress, 68% under managed drought and 71% under low N conditions. Protein and tryptophan concentrations in the grain were decreased by 36.0% and 21% respectively under low N conditions and Fe and Zn concentration also decreased by 48% and 36% under low N stress and 63% and 9% under random stress, respectively. Some QPM hybrids showed better or comparable performance in terms of grain yield potential and nutritional quality traits compared with the best QPM and normal maize checks under different management conditions, indicating the genetic gain that has been made in the QPM breeding programme. Based on Additive Main effect and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) analysis and Genotype and Genotype by Environment interaction (GGE) biplot analysis entries 10 (CZH142238Q) and 14 (CZH15142Q) under optimum; 23 (CZH17192Q) under random stress; 19 (CZH17188Q) and 40 (CZH17209Q) under managed drought and 14 (CZH15142Q) under low N were the most stable and the highest yielding hybrids. Environments Kwekwe (KW), Bindura (BIN), Chokwe (CHO) and Bako (BK2) were identified as discriminating and representative sites for optimum conditions, random stress, managed drought and low N stress conditions, respectively, therefore these environments are promising for selecting well adapted genotypes in the respective management conditions. Grain yield was significant and positive correlated with number of ears per plant and negatively with days to anthesis and silking under low N stress. This confirmed the importance of these secondary traits in developing high yielding and early maturing genotypes. Grain yield was not significantly correlated with most of the nutritional quality traits under all management conditions, indicating a lack of common genes for simultaneous improvement of grain yield and these nutritional traits. Significant and positive correlations were observed between Fe and Zn under low N and random stress conditions.Item Open Access Absenteeism of factory workers at the Grain Field Chickens Abattoir(University of the Free State, 2022) De Villiers, Kevin; Markham, L. G.This research was conducted to assess absenteeism at the Grain Field Chickens broiler abattoir in Reitz. This was assessed through the analyses of absenteeism by contextualizing the different forms of absenteeism according to the literature; determining the contributing factors of absenteeism; determining how absenteeism affects the workplace and determining if strategies exist to assist in reducing absenteeism. The researcher adopted a quantitative research design where questionnaires were distributed. The researcher used Regression Analysis, Kruskall-Wallis analysis, Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient, and Chi-Squared Analysis to analyse the results. The population consisted of 352 factory workers working at the Grain Field Chickens Abattoir. The primary explanatory factor of absenteeism was found to be years of employment, followed by family responsibility. It was found that as the years of employment increase, the rate of absenteeism increases. The average absent days for employees that are employed for less than three years were 8.93 days per year, while employees that are employed for longer than three years were absent on average of 20.39 days per year. It was found that the average absent days for employees with family members in their care were 18.67 days per year, as opposed to 9.16 days per year for employees who do not have a family member in their care. Based on the findings, absenteeism figures should be documented in such a way as to inform managers of any adverse trends that may exist.Item Open Access Academic achievement in schools: perspectives of township school managers(University of the Free State, 2012-04) Majola, Ndoyisile Moses; Bagarette, N.; Van Staden, J.Apparently, most schools which are situated in townships in South Africa still show the legacy of apartheid and a struggle for freedom and equality and thus poor academic performance. However, it is profoundly imperative to indicate that some township secondary schools in the Bloemfontein area consistently performed remarkably well over the last five year period (2007-2011) despite these political challenges. School academic results are in the forefront of many South Africans and education officials' minds since every parent wants his or her child to attend a well performing school. Furthermore, the education officials have to ensure that all schools perform well and concomitantly with the money allocated to education by the government. This is why the whole issue of academic performance is such a critical issue. The effectiveness or performance of schools is defined in terms of academic performance of the learners in the Grade 12 examinations. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to explore the perspectives of township secondary school managers with regard to academic performance in their schools. This was done by considering the Grade 12 results in the Bloemfontein area in the five year period from 2007 to 2011. Moreover, this research investigated how management and leadership practices contribute towards excellent academic performance. In pursuance of this investigation, the researcher consequently formulated the objectives of this study. A literature study of education leadership and management, the management tasks and the role school managers have to play in ensuring that academic achievement is attained was conducted. The purpose of this study was to establish' how these factors contribute to academic success. School managers are entrusted with an important responsibility of ensuring that schools operate effectively and thus enhance academic achievement. Therefore, school managers should become leaders who inspire creativity and higher levels of achievement. School managers should regularly motivate and develop educators by creating opportunities in order for them to grow and to learn from each other. The research study was approached from an interpretivist perspective to establish how the participants perceive academic achievement in their schools. In the process of data gathering, the qualitative investigation was undertaken using focus group interviews. The sample comprised of township secondary school managers in the Bloemfontein area. Emergent themes and categories were discussed in the data report on the findings of the qualitative investigation. Participants indicated various factors which are important for school managers to display and perform in their effort to lead their schools to effectiveness. It was also evident from the participants that school managers efficiently utilised both management and leadership skills in their daily school management tasks. Nevertheless, participants highlighted that school managers were not adequately empowered in terms of management and leadership skills and the Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS). On the basis of the qualitative results and the literature review, the main findings were interpreted and compared. Based on these findings, guidelines were proposed. In the light of the suggested guidelines, school managers need to be aware of the crucial role they play in ensuring that effective management and leadership are implemented in order to improve academic performance. Possible areas for further research were identified. It is hoped that the Free State Department of Education, as well as other provincial education departments in South Africa will be able to use the proposed guidelines in developing a training programme for school managers in the education fraternity.Item Open Access Academic performance in Mathematics among selected high school students in Phuthaditjhaba as a function of the teacher's motivation(University of the Free State, 2003-10) Ramosunya-Helu, Lerato Jacqueline; Mahlomaholo, M. G.This study seeks to investigate the academic performance in Mathematics among selected high school students in Phuthaditjhaba as a function of the teacher's motivation. This investigation was triggered by the arguments put forward by some educationists' belief that children do not have a learning problem, but it is the teachers who are having a teaching problem. For the purpose of this study, special focus was on learners doing Mathematics in Grade 11 and their teachers. It has been observed that South Africa is threatened with a shortage of Mathematics teachers and the number of Mathematics learners has decreased. It is therefore very crucial to unearth the difficulties bedeviling learning and teaching of Mathematics. The study used the following instruments to arrive at the findings - namely: A teacher's questionnaire mainly to measure their motivation or self-efficacy. All learners doing Mathematics at Grade 11 in six High schools in Phuthaditjhaba were included for stratified sampling. Males and females, learners of different ages, from different socio-economic backgrounds were included. Test scores of learners obtained from their tests and half yearly examinations written at each school. To use a more or less consistent average performance for learners, four tests were decided upon. The fact that all the sampled schools apply the system of continuous assessment meant that these average marks ultimately determine whether a learner gets promoted to the next grade or fails. No other independent test that may purport to be more objective than the ones used by the teachers of the mentioned learners were constructed. The findings of this study indicate that there is no significant relationship statistically between teacher's motivation and learner's performance and therefore the hypothesis that there is significant relationship is rejected. The results in table 4. 7 indicate that there is some correlation between teacher's motivation and learner's performance. Though the correlation coefficient is positive, the correlation is very small (r = 0.112) Although the study was conducted amongst all the African learners from historically disadvantaged schools doing Grade 11 Mathematics in Phuthaditjhaba High schools, this does not however, rule out the fact that some of the findings may in the end be applicable to learners in other provinces not being targeted at.Item Open Access Academic staff performance appraisal system for higher education in Lesotho(University of the Free State, 2004-05) Mpooa, Ts'ebetso Margaret 'M'amokheseng; Alt, H.; Hay, H. R.English: The changing social, political, economic and technological environment exerts pressure on governments throughout the world to ensure that higher education institutions are efficient and effective in the delivery of services. The continuing environmental change and, in particular, the financial decline has caused governments to apply stringent financial control measures and to demand higher education institutions to address external and internal demands for efficiency (see 2.2; 3.2.1; and 4.3). Likewise, the Lesotho government ensures that higher education institutions provide efficient services to justify the funds invested in them (see 2.2.2). In recognition of the significant role that a skilled workforce could perform in initiating change, governments - including the Lesotho government - shifted from a confidential to a developmental performance appraisal/management system as a performance control measure with the intention to improve efficiency (see 3.2.2; 4.3; and Table 4.1). This shift from the confidential performance appraisal system was based on the assumption that a holistic, integrated, democratic system would effect a change in staff performance compared to the autocratic system of assessing staff performance (see 3.2.2; Table 4.3; and 4.5.2). The purpose of this study was to determine the type of performance management system used in Lesotho institutions of higher learning and to suggest improvements that would ensure efficient staff performance. The main research question was what system of performance management could bring about efficient academic staff performance in the Lesotho higher education institutions, given the context within which higher education exists. In addressing the main question, this study set out to obtain responses from the Lerotholi Polytechnic (LP), the National Health Training College (NHTC) and the National University of Lesotho (NUL) concerning the following subsidiary questions: the meaning, purpose, principles and objectives of performance management; the existing policies and procedures of performance management; the relation between scholarship and performance management (see 4.2; 4.5.2; and 4.5.3). In addition it required suggestions for the improvement of the existing performance management system (see 8.6). Both a theoretical and a field study were conducted. In the field study, a combination of methods was used, which included a survey descriptive research design adopting both qualitative and quantitative techniques. Quantitative data was collected by means of the self-administered questionnaire. Qualitative data was gathered by means of interviews and focus group discussions. The findings from LP and NHTC with regard to the purpose of performance management revealed that performance management had been instituted to ensure efficiency and effectiveness. The intention was to make these institutions responsive to the demands of the internal and external stakeholders. The purpose of the system in both institutions seems to linger more towards judgement than towards scholarship development, which would result in staff efficiency. Similarly, findings from NUL seem to emphasise punishment and not scholarship development. The findings from NUL with regard to the performance management policy showed that a clear performance management policy did not exist and that preparations were made to introduce an appraisal policy. The staff were evaluated annually based on the point system. The activities of teaching and learning, research and community service are allocated points according to their perceived importance by management. Research is allocated more points, since it is considered to contribute to the improvement of subject content and the methodology of teaching. The findings also reflect that consultancy work contributes to the subject content. But it seemed that the respondents were dissatisfied with the value attached to research, since they had large teaching loads that made it difficult for them to conduct research. In addition, allocated funds were limited to conduct research. Also, the appraisal policy in the three institutions attached more value to research than teaching, yet the latter formed the core of the lecturers’ activities. These findings reflect that for a performance management system to be sustainable, a performance management policy should have clear guidelines to ensure that all forms of scholarship are equally valued and assessed. Based on the afore mentioned findings from the three institutions, it is recommended that the review of the existing performance management system should emphasise promotion of staff efficiency and effectiveness to enable the higher education institutions to respond to the internal and external demands for efficiency. The purpose of the appraisal should be to reflect staff skills and knowledge that need development and also factors that inhibit efficient performance. In all the institutions the recommendation is that the purpose of the performance appraisal system should be to develop staff competencies to enable staff to address knowledge and skill requirements in their contexts. This recommendation is in line with the argument of this thesis namely that for a performance management system to be effective, its purpose must be to develop scholarship. Various recommendations were made to ensure that a performance appraisal system, which supports scholarship development should be in place. The recommendations from both LP and NHTC were that the policy should be clear on the purpose and the procedure of the performance appraisal system. In addition, a policy that emphasises staff development is recommended, since it is not threatening and such a system supports staff to be efficient. With regard to the procedure the recommendation from LP and NHTC was that performance assessment should be based on agreed standards and indicators of performance; that job descriptions be aligned to the mission; the rating of staff should be consistent; and that the grievance procedure should be clear. The recommendations from NUL on procedures of performance management were that the methods and instruments used for collecting evidence on performance should be clearly stipulated; feedback on performance appraisal results should be provided to appraisees; and that the rating of the research and the teaching staff should be consistent. The recommendation from the respondents at LP, NHTC and NUL was that all forms of scholarship should be given equal recognition in appraisal. The institutions should also ensure that the necessary resources to conduct research are available. The respondents from the institutions studied indicated that the success of a developmental, continuous and democratic system of performance appraisal depended on the dynamic leadership that is supportive to change. Recommendations on future research are that research should be conducted on leadership and the management of staff performance in the three institutions studied. Such research is essential, since it will highlight whether the existing type of leadership is conducive for the success of a performance management system. Future research can also be conducted on the interaction between appraiser and appraisee in decisions on the action plans. Interaction promotes involvement in decisions. Without staff involvement in plans and decisions on appraisal, the appraisal system may not be sustainable. In addition, research on the process of appraisal is essential, since the processes determine the success and the continuity of appraisal.Item Open Access The acceptability of earth constructed houses in central areas of South Africa(University of the Free State, 2015) Bosman, Gerhard; Steÿn, Das; Van der Westhuizen, Diaan; Atkinson, DoreenEnglish: The traditional earth building techniques of South Africans are well documented, but little research reflects the current perceptions of these building materials and techniques. The thesis explores the factors (independent variables) that can be addressed in order to make earth constructed houses in general more acceptable in central areas of South Africa. The thesis draws on data obtained from the SANPAD project (South Africa-Netherlands Research Programme on Alternatives in Development) with a household survey (n=1790) from respondents regarding their perceptions and attitudes towards earth construction. Multiple qualitative and quantitative responses were recorded both for and against the use of sun dried earth blocks (adobe). Correlation and regression analyses were used to test for the characteristics (significant variables) that influence the acceptability of earth constructed houses. The findings show that respondents regard traditional earth building materials as inferior. Negative attitudes were found to be linked to the structural performance of unbaked earth materials regarding stability in wet conditions and maintenance. Limited other studies confirmed the low acceptability of traditional earth constructed walls. Regression analysis could not confirm that personal and household characteristics are associated with the housing, context and acceptability characteristics. Correlation analyses confirmed that certain housing characteristics (basic services such as water born toilets connected to sewerage systems, running water and electricity) influence the acceptability of traditional earth constructed houses. Correlation analyses confirmed that context characteristics (location and area types) influence the acceptability of traditional earth constructed houses. Furthermore, the data and literature confirm that the building culture (available material and buildings skills) and upward social mobility together with Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) houses (with basic services) influence the acceptability of traditional earth constructed housing. The findings concluded that attitudes toward traditional earth construction are more positive in 1) informal urban areas where informal houses do not have access to basic services and 2) rural households where the building culture dictates the norm even without basic services. The effects of conformity, imitation and upward social mobility were confirmed, as stated by the literature and the data. Together with upgraded earth construction techniques (such as cement stabilised compressed earth blocks or bricks) wall components for earth buildings in parts of central South Africa may be more acceptable. The hypothesis is that if the influencing factors on the acceptability of traditional earth constructed housing are known, it can be used in the promotion of contemporary earth construction. The thesis aims to promote contemporary earth construction techniques. This thesis states that the public should be equipped and educated about the importance of preserving existing forms and methods of earth construction, in order to support useful applications within contemporary architecture.Item Open Access Acceptance, attitudes and nutritional content of novel nixtamalized maize products developed for the South African consumer(University of the Free State, 2023) Colbert, Taylon Anthony; Du Toit, Alba; Bothma, Carina; van Niekerk, Johan; Swanepoel, Jan WillemSouth Africa is well-known for its good quality maize that serves as a staple crop for over 80% of the country’s population. Additionally, South Africa is also Africa’s top maize producer. However, maize provides an unbalanced supply of essential nutrients, such as the essential amino acids lysine and tryptophan. Moreover, the water-soluble vitamin B₃ is biologically unavailable to humans. Therefore, long-term consumption of maize-based diets, deficient in these nutrients, can result in pellagra, a disease manifested by the characteristic symptom dermatitis, on sun-exposed skin. The process of nixtamalization improves the nutritional, textural and sensory quality, and the physicochemical properties of maize products. Nixtamalization is the traditional process of preparing maize in Mexico. It involves cooking and soaking maize kernels in an alkaline solution, typically calcium hydroxide or slaked lime. The process allows bound nutrients to be more readily available for absorption, improves flavour and texture, as well as digestion. This study was divided into three essential phases: (I) the development of consumer-acceptable novel nixtamalized maize products; (II) the determination of consumer attitudes, knowledge and awareness towards nixtamalization and nixtamalized maize products, through the administration of a questionnaire; and (III) the analysis of the nutritional content of a novel consumer accepted nixtamalized maize product. The first phase aimed to explore South African consumers' acceptance of nixtamalization and novel nixtamalized maize products. Three nixtamalized maize products were developed: a vegetarian patty; a vegetarian nugget; and a maize chip. To evaluate the consumers' sensory acceptance of various attributes, including taste, aroma, texture, and appearance, the study employed the Just-About-Right (JAR) scales and a 9-point hedonic scale. Among the three products evaluated, the maize chip received the most acceptable JAR results, although improvements were required for its appearance attribute. Furthermore, correlation and penalty analysis revealed that appearance and taste played significant roles in the acceptance of nixtamalized maize products, among South African consumers. Consequently, the chips were flavoured with seasonings to improve taste and appearance, with different flavours, such as chutney and tomato. Notably, the chutney-flavoured maize chip achieved an acceptance rate of >70.0% for all four attributes, rendering it “just-about-right”. The study's second phase involved determining consumers’ attitudes toward nixtamalization and nixtamalized maize products. The data was collected online, using an Evasys© questionnaire, which was anonymously completed by respondents, during the sensory tasting of the maize chips. Quantitative analysis concluded that most respondents were open to nixtamalization as a new processing technique and to newly developed maize products produced, through nixtamalization. Specifically, respondents indicated that the safety aspect of nixtamalization played a crucial role in their willingness to consume nixtamalized maize, in the future. Moreover, the results indicated that the respondents were willing to incorporate nixtamalized products into their future consumption, and recommend them to friends and family. After achieving consumer acceptance, the third phase of the study focused on conducting nutritional analysis of the novel nixtamalized maize chip. The analysis revealed several noteworthy findings. The chips exhibited a high energy content of 2303 kJ/100 g and protein content of 6.64 g/100 g. Compared to two commercial chips, the nixtamalized maize chip displayed a higher insoluble fibre content of 15.87 g/100 g of NDF and 1.32 g/100 g of ADF. Additionally, the sodium content of the maize chip (706.67 mg/100 g), fell within the permissible limit set out by South African salt legislation (<800 mg/100 g), for savoury snack foods. Moreover, the chips demonstrated favourable potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium levels. The higher fat content of 23.72 g/100 g in the chips was attributed to the deep-frying process, used during preparation.Item Open Access Access to credit and agricultural production in Lesotho(University of the Free State, 2012-01) Motsoari, Charmaine; Van Schalkwyk, H. D.; Cloete, P. C.English: One of the factors hindering development in Lesotho is the limited access to credit. The development of the rural economy in developing countries depends on growth and development in the agricultural sector and other small and medium enterprises. These enterprises constitute the engine of growth, employment and income for the rural community. In an effort to make the landscape of rural finance more attractive and to fulfil the national objectives of increased production, policy makers and donors adopted the conventional approach of advancing credit, where all practices and operational procedures were geared towards the interests of the borrower. The initiatives to advance credit include amongst others, an emphasis on project appraisals, relaxing collateral requirements and the charging of close to market interest rates. Despite the changes, the problem of limited access to financial services still exists. In fact, these approaches (policies) invariably resulted in distortions in the financial markets, and reduced the number of financial products and services to which farmers have access. The purpose of this study therefore, was to examine factors that influence small-scale farmers’ access to credit, thereby affecting their productivity and to make suggestions for government interventions and for the reduction of market failures in the rural financial markets of Lesotho. The study was conducted in two agro-ecological zones in Lesotho, namely; the Lowlands and the Highlands regions. A random sample of districts in the regions was done to select representative districts in each region. Leribe, Mafeteng, and Berea districts represented the Lowlands while Mohale’s Hoek and Thaba-Tseka districts represented the Highlands region. Stratified random sampling was employed to select borrowers and non-borrowers for the study. The study employed the logistic regression model (logit) within the principal component regression (PCR) framework to assess factors affecting small-scale farmers’ access to credit. PCR was used to take care of the multicollinearity between the variables. Firstly, the variables included in the logit model were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) in order to reduce the variables into a few uncorrelated principal components (PCs). After principal components (PCs) were calculated, PCs with the smallest eigenvalues were eliminated and then PCR was fitted using standardised variables to improve the estimation power of the logit model. The empirical evidence of the study indicates that non-farm income, savings and remittances and pensions confirmed that increasing the household’s total income reduces the probability of a household being credit constrained. This shows that a better household situation affects the decision of the lender to ration the loan or that the household has less demand for loans because of its own equity capital accumulated through past income earnings. Farm income on the other hand, is positive, confirming that a higher farm income may improve the farmer’s creditworthiness and in some cases create a demand to expand production, thus increasing the demand for credit. The study revealed that farm income values of borrowers are higher than those of nonborrowers but lack of baseline data makes it difficult to associate the differences to the loans obtained by borrowers. However, the changes in income among borrowers are linked to the use of credit, confirming the hypothesis that credit has a positive effect on income and improvement of living conditions of credit users. Research into the behaviour of credit institutions in Lesotho will help to explain some of the actions taken by credit institutions, and at the same time assist policy-makers in formulating appropriate interventions.Item Open Access Access to finance of SMMEs from formal lending institutions in the Free State Goldfields(University of the Free State, 2020-11) Jordaan, Henine; Coetzee, JohanThe Matjhabeng municipality in the Free State Goldfields in South Africa struggles with poor economic growth and high levels of unemployment mainly due to the decline in the mining sector in the region. SMMEs are seen to be a major contributor to address these concerns, but face obstacles hindering them from accessing finance due to reasons such as lenders being risk-averse and poor credit records of the owners of SMMEs. Moreover, the government has several lenders that attempt to assist these SMMEs but have not resulted in tangible benefits that address growing the local industry. This has exacerbated the ability of SMMEs in this region to successfully access finance. This study investigates the factors affecting the access to finance of SMMEs in the Matjhabeng municipal area. By using a mixed-method research design, a quantitative focus on the nature and characteristics of SMMEs is supplemented with a qualitative perspective of commercial banks providing the finance in the region. For the quantitative analysis a sample of 364 was drawn from SMMEs employing 50 or less. For the qualitative analysis 10 bank officials were interviewed employed by the commercial banks dominating the banking sector in South Africa, providing financial services and credit to SMMEs in the Matjhabeng area. The data obtained from SMMEs were regressed to determine significant association between access to finance variables and the characteristics related to the nature of the SMME. Recuring themes and subthemes emerging from the interview data were supplemented with the relationships obtained from the SMME data. The results suggest that the age and size of the business, legal entity, area of operation and business plan all influence the ability of SMMEs to obtain credit and loans. Commercial banks in turn were shown to implement stringent criteria in the granting of loans that by themselves result in loans being rejected on grounds of factors such as poor credit ratings, incomplete information provided, the lack of financial literacy and business management skills, the lack of collateral, and poor constructed business plans. The study provides evidence that the information asymmetry between lender and SMMEs is a particularly pertinent problem in the lending process. More specifically, due to commercial banks being constrained by regulatory and legislative requirements, SMMEs in poorer municipal areas are constrained by both resources (be it capital- or collateral-related) and financial literacy challenges. These challenges re-enforce the importance of building a mutually beneficial relationship between the SMME and commercial bank where the latter can reduce the information asymmetry. The findings propose that soft information needs to be factored into the lending criteria more explicitly when risk assessments are done. Although easier said than done, commercial banks should ideally not be lulled into a mindset that providing access to SMMES be solely based on traditional measures of creditworthiness. This suggests a more innovative approach to the assessment of risk that may include non-traditional techniques related to, for example, the ‘softer’ behavioural characteristics of borrowers. Commercial banks therefore need to reassess the nature and extent of their risk-aversion mindset evidenced in the lending process. In doing this, commercial banks can potentially innovate in ways that contribute to the economic prosperity of not only the Matjhabeng municipal area, but SMMEs in communities outside metropolitan areas across South Africa.Item Open Access The accessibility of a written Bible versus a signed Bible for the deaf born person with sign language as first language(University of the Free State, 2005-11) Lombaard, Susanna Catherina; Naudé, J. A.; Botha, S.English: This research aimed to prove that Biblical texts in South African Sign Language are more accessible than written or printed Biblical texts for deaf born people in South Africa who use Sign Language as their first language. The study made use of the functionalist approach in translation to translate six Biblical parts into South African Sign Language (SASL). Mother tongue speakers were used as translators with the assistance of hearing specialists in the fields of religion and translation studies. Translation was done from the original Hebrew and Greek texts into South African Sign Language. After production of the video with the Biblical parts in South African Sign Language, the content of the video as well as the level of understanding of the texts, were evaluated in the Deaf community of South Africa by means of an empirical study done in the Western Cape, Kwazulu Natal, Gauteng, Northern Cape and the Free State. The results of the empirical study proved that the Signed Biblical parts were more accessible for mother tongue Deaf people than the written counterparts. Results from the study also indicated how a signed Bible should look. Conclusions can also been drawn from the study that a Bible in Sign Language is needed for use in the Deaf community in South Africa.Item Open Access Accessing small business support programmes in Maseru, Lesotho(University of the Free State, 2022) Monese, Azael Limpho; Beder, L.The terms small and medium enterprise (SME) and entrepreneurship were developed in the late 1940s. In developing these terms, policies emerged that included grants, subsidised credits, and special taxes for SMEs. It also included the establishment of small business support agencies funded by governments for the benefit of SMEs. The agencies were established in Japan, the United States of America (USA), India, Tanzania and Turkey in 1948, 1953, 1954, 1966, and 1976, respectively (Keskin et al., 2010, p. 189). According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), SMEs are essential participants in the economy and the broader business ecosystem (OECD, 2022, p. 19). SMEs play a critical role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, providing employment and decent work for all, promoting sustainable industrialisation and fostering innovation, and reducing income inequalities across countries at all stages of development (OECD, 2017, p. 8). In 2016, the government of Lesotho developed the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) policy, aiming to address the issues and problems affecting the development of MSME in Lesotho (Masupha, Beharry-Ramraj and Amolo, 2017, p. 7). The policy identified challenges to MSMEs as access to finance, market access, technological development and innovation, entrepreneurial training, skills development, infrastructural development, and business working space (Molebatsi, 2021, p. 20). Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the small business support programmes in Maseru, Lesotho, by establishing the types of small business support programmes available, determining the barriers for small businesses to access the SMEs support programmes, and lastly, determining what needs to be done to improve existing small business support programmes to ensure that they address SME challenges.Item Open Access Accountability within the governance of intergovernmental relations in South Africa(University of the Free State, 2020) Pholo, Goitsione Moses Pholo; Coetzee, T.This study intended to investigate accountability, as advanced by public officials, elected officials, public and private sectors, stakeholders and the citizenry within the framework of governance and intergovernmental relations (IGR) in South Africa. In the process of the investigation, the study as guide solely by addressing the indicators outlined in its problem statement, and the aims and objectives as the frame of reference for the investigation. Accordingly, the study was of the view that there were basic and key concepts of accountability within the governance of intergovernmental Relations (IGR) that needed to develop the public officials, elected officials, stakeholders and the citizenry in order to deliver an accountable state and governance to the electorate. These basic and key concepts of accountability as indicated in paragraph designed and simplified user-friendly integrated governance model (IGM) to guide the intended users. In order to attain the maximum targets set by the study, the abovementioned indicators were adopted for the implementation and monitoring by the intended users to ensure optimum accountability measures within the governance of intergovernmental Relations (IGR). The study set out four indicators to guide the investigation as the means of the frame of reference, and they (i) Demonstrated accountable governance perspectives, which included the intensity of relations, governmental distance, power dependence and bargaining power within the three spheres of government, (ii) Conducted the analysis on the intergovernmental governance and determined the outcomes to live up to the standards, as well as expectations for executed functions, as outlined by the Constitution (1996), (iii) Developed the new integrated governance model (IGM) as an instrument, to guide the intended users towards ensuring the maximum implementation of the accountability measures within the intergovernmental governance, and (iv) Developed the set of practical enforceable findings, conclusions and recommendations for public officials, elected officials, stakeholders and the citizenry within the intergovernmental governance. The outcomes of the findings and recommendations supplemented the intended integrated governance model IGM) for ease of reference to the users. Therefore, the findings, conclusions, recommendations, as well as the integrated governance model (IGM) are the profound solution and the pillar of the study. Hence, the integrated governance model (IGM) of the study made the unique contribution and significance of this investigation.Item Open Access Accountability: state cover provided to public officials liable for civil claims against the state(University of the Free State, 2021-11) Sutton, Walter; Reyneke, J. M.This study explores the meaning and different features of accountability as a constitutional value and obligation within the context of administrative action and how it relates to state cover provided to public officials liable for civil claims against the state. As accountability contributes to the realisation of just administrative action, the requirements for reasonableness and rationality are investigated and applied to decide whether such officials are entitled to state cover. A critical analysis of the criteria applicable to state cover is conducted. The analysis is preceded by a historical overview of how the criteria for state cover were developed before and since the adoption of current legislation and regulations concerned. Once a liability determination is made that an official is liable in law for compensation payments made and forfeits state cover, steps to recover expenditure involved must be initiated. Should an official enjoy state cover, the state as a bearer of its risks will accept all expenditures involved, and a claim against the official must be waived. Based on an investigation conducted to determine current trends with the waiver of claims against officials, it is evident that most claims for compensation payments against officials who are liable in law for such claims and who enjoyed state cover are waived. These trends may compromise accountability as a constitutional obligation. They may indicate due diligence that is lacking when decisions concerning the forfeiture or not of state cover are being made. The study is concluded with an investigation to determine the sufficiency or not of the criteria for state cover to secure accountability as intended by national legislation. Although the current criteria may be sufficient to pass constitutional muster to promote accountability as a constitutional value and obligation, it may not be sufficient to secure it. Recommendations are made to improve the current criteria to secure accountability and to continue with further research.Item Open Access Accounting ethics in the accounting profession: a sample stakeholder survey in Bloemfontein(University of the Free State, 2015-11) Makhabane, Frank Thebe; Massyn, LiezelRecent years have witnessed an increase in the emphasis on accountability and transparency in both private and public sectors, largely because of a need to optimize efficiencies and productivity. Accompanying this trend has been an increasing appreciation of the centrality of ethics in public life. A key profession in meeting these demands is the accounting profession. An often-understated aspect of the accounting profession that strives to ensure adherence to ethics by accounting professionals is accounting ethics, which is defined as an example of professional ethics and, in particular, the study and practice of moral values and judgments in the field of applied ethics as they apply to accountancy. Against this background and with a specific focus on Bloemfontein, this study sought answers from the following research question: (i) Why are accounting ethics important/critical to the accounting profession? To answer the above, the secondary objectives of the study were: (a) To identify the development of accounting ethics in accounting as a profession. (b) To assess the importance of accounting ethics in the accounting profession in Bloemfontein. (c) To evaluate the role of accounting ethics education in the accounting profession among stakeholders in Bloemfontein and thereafter map the range of these stakeholder perceptions. The research methods used was a quantitative approach through the use of questionnaires. Questionnaires were coded and analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Results from questionnaire data show a high percentage of the sampled population being aware of accounting ethics and that they chose to be ethical in their business decisions. Further, the overwhelming majority (85%) of the sampled population indicated that ethics should be integral to all modules that form the basis of accountancy training. It is for this reason that the study recommends that (accounting) ethics should not be a stand-alone module or subject but one that is integrated vertically (in a succession of study years, i.e. first, second and third years of study as the case may be) and horizontally (in different modules/subjects in a particular year of study). Other recommendations of the study include continuous development and support in the form of workshops and other forms of in-service training and development programmes for accounting professionals and corporate leaders, aimed at engendering accounting ethics in the workplace and as an integral part of personal values. Additionally, these recommendations include professional bodies in the accounting profession that should enforce registration by accounting professionals so as to be in a position to enforce their codes of conduct. Another recommendation is that there is a need for close cooperation in all aspects of accountancy training (from curriculum design through to curriculum delivery) between educational institutions and professional and regulatory bodies in the accounting profession so as to guarantee organic development of training in alignment with the changing demands of the profession.Item Open Access Accounting policy disclosure: practice in South Africa(University of the Free State, 2017-09) Van Zyl, Haneke Alouise; Britz, P. M.; Joubert, J. A.English: This study has been conducted against the background of the perceived decreasing usefulness of financial statements in the decision making process of users. The perceived decline being a result of the increasing volumes of disclosures in complete sets of financial statements that have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not the increase in the volume of financial statement disclosures, and thus the decrease in the usefulness of financial statements in the decision making process of users, can be attributed to the inclusion of generic, boilerplate accounting policies, in the financial statement disclosures. This study attempted to contribute towards the debate on the reasons for the so-called “Disclosure Problem” that is deducting from the usefulness of financial statements and to provide potential solutions in addressing this issue. The literature review of this study addressed the following: 1) the history and development of the accounting process, a complete set of financial statements and financial statement disclosures; 2) the technical considerations with regards to accounting policy disclosures; 3) the perceived nature of accounting policy disclosures today and 4) the review project conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) and the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants (NZICA), per request of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), as well as the Disclosure Initiative being conducted by the IASB in response to the perceived Disclosure Problem. Following the literature review, a document analysis of the complete sets of annual consolidated financial statements of South African companies, listed on the JSE within the Consumer Goods sector with financial year ends of no earlier than 28 February 2015, was conducted. The document analysis commenced with the determination of the significance of disclosed accounting policies in relation to a complete set of annual financial statements. This was done in order to determine whether disclosed accounting policies constitute a financial statement component that is sufficiently significant to have a material impact on the volume of disclosures, included in complete sets of financial statements. After the determination of the significance of disclosed accounting policies, an in depth analysis of the nature of disclosed accounting policies of the companies in the population, was performed. This analysis had the purpose to determine whether the significant accounting policy disclosure component, that can notably influence the volume of financial disclosures, is deemed to be generic or specific in nature. Disclosed accounting policies deemed to be generic are seen as unnecessarily increasing the volume of financial statements disclosures and are thus a possible reason for the decreased usefulness of financial statements in the decision making process of users. From the literature review conducted, it was evident that there is a perceived decline in the usefulness of financial statements in the decision making process of users. This is attributable to the increasing volume of disclosures to the annual financial statements that is prepared in accordance with IFRS. The results from the empirical study indicated that: 1) disclosed accounting policies do constitute a component of the financial statements that can significantly influence the volume of disclosures thereto; and 2) disclosed accounting policies of the population tested, include a notable percentage of generic accounting policies. These generic accounting policies unnecessarily increase the volume of disclosures that in turn decrease the usefulness of financial statements in the decision making process of users. In addition to the conclusions reached from the literature review and the empirical study, recommendations for addressing the issue of inefficiencies in current disclosure practices are made. Recommendations for possible future research to be conducted in this field are also made. The study contributes to the debate regarding the “disclosure problem” and provides insights on and support to the projects, such as the Disclosure Initiative, that is currently being conducted by the IASB to address the issue on hand.Item Open Access Accuracy of iodine-131 activity quantification and dosimetry for three-dimensional patient-specific models(University of the Free State, 2019-03) Ejeh, John Enyi; Van Staden, J. A.; Du Raan, H.Iodine-131 (131I) therapy of thyroid related and other diseases is limited by critical organ toxicity. Therefore, accurate activity quantification and dose calculation are important to optimise dose to tumours while limiting dose to critical organs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of 131I activity quantification and dosimetry for three-dimensional (3-D) patient-specific models. Retrospective patient Computed Tomography (CT) data were segmented to create clinically realistic patient 3-D voxel-based models. These were used to simulate Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) data with a Monte Carlo (MC) simulation software, which was validated against physical measurements. The simulated SPECT data were reconstructed using an ordered-subsets expectation maximization (OS-EM) algorithm which includes scatter correction, CT-based attenuation correction, and 3-D collimator-detector response compensation. Predetermined recovery coefficients were used to compensate for partial volume effects. Image counts were converted to activity by using a predetermined calibration factor. The patients’ reconstructed activity maps and density maps were used to perform 3-D dosimetry with the MC program, LundADose. LundADose calculated mean tumour and organ absorbed doses were compared with OLINDA/EXM calculated mean absorbed doses using statistical analysis. Validation of the simulation software resulted in a percentage difference of -6.50 % between the measured and simulated extrinsic energy resolution at the 131I peak energy of 364 keV and - 18.57 % error for the measured and simulated intrinsic energy resolution. The measured and simulated FWHM and FWTM of the camera for system spatial resolution had percentage differences of -7.41% and -7.38 % and an error of -1.50 % and -2.6 % for system sensitivity and collimator septal penetration fraction. SPECT activity quantification was evaluated by comparing the true tumour activities defined for the patient models with the quantified activities obtained from the models’ reconstructed SPECT images. The quantification error for the studied patient models was < 9.0 % and < 5.1 % for 3.0 and 6.0 cm spherical tumours situated in the lungs (mean values were 3.9 ± 3.3 % and -1.6 ± 1.9 %). The error for the two tumours in the liver was < 11.2 % (mean values of 7.7 ± 3.9 % and 8.4 ± 2.9 %). The mean percentage differences between the mean absorbed doses calculated by LundADose and OLINDA/EXM for the left lung, right lung, liver, 3.0 cm ‘tumour’ and 6.0 cm ‘tumour’ were comparable. These mean percentage differences were -2.23 ± 1.98 %, -3.06 ± 1.67 %, 1.31 ± 4.15 %, -28.44 ± 18.36 %, and -5.10 ± 2.87% for the listed organs and tumours when the 3.0 cm tumour was located in the lung and the 6.0 cm tumour in the liver. For the scenario where the 3.0 cm tumour was positioned in the liver and the 6.0 cm tumour in the lung, the corresponding results were -2.84 ± 3.42 %, -1.49 ± 2.68 %, 3.97 ± 4.12 %, -28.80 ± 5.05 %, - 8.21 ± 17.06 %. The SIMIND MC model of the gamma camera was accurately validated with good agreement between results calculated from the physical measurements and simulation. Good accuracy of 131I activity quantification and 3-D dosimetry was found for 3-D patient-specific models. Statistical analysis of the results of the comparison of LundADose and OLINDA/EXM showed that the two dosimetry programs were strongly correlated with R2 values ranging from 0.85 to 1.00 for the mean absorbed dose in the various organs and tumours. Furthermore, the two (MC and MIRD) methods were found to agree well using Bland-Altman analysis of the dosimetry results. For 131I, activity quantification and dosimetric accuracy better than 10 % were achieved using state-of-the-art hybrid equipment and sophisticated correction methods for image degrading factors.