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Protecting personal data in South Africa: the legal imperative for artificial intelligence regulation in the workplace
(University of the Western Cape, 2025) Ntsimbi, Delani Michael; Oriakhogba, Desmond
The increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) raises concerns about the protection of the personal data of workers in South Africa. Although the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) provides a framework for protecting personal information, it does not specifically address AI systems. As a result, the use of AI in the workplace poses significant risks, including discrimination and privacy concerns. The absence of a single, comprehensive legislation regulating AI in the workplace exacerbates these risks, calling for the establishment of a binding instrument, an Act that applies not only to the state but also to the private sector. This mini-thesis argues for the need to establish a single legislation that deals specifically with AI in the workplace, learning from international best practices such as the European Union‘s Artificial Intelligence Act (EU AI Act) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). It concludes that regulating AI is crucial for protecting personal data, promoting transparency and accountability, and improving working conditions.
Robust Spectral Methods for Solving Option Pricing Problems
(University of the Western Cape, 2012) Pindza, Edson
Robust Spectral Methods for Solving Option Pricing Problems by Edson Pindza PhD thesis, Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape Ever since the invention of the classical Black-Scholes formula to price the financial derivatives, a number of mathematical models have been proposed by numerous researchers in this direction. Many of these models are in general very complex, thus closed form analytical solutions are rarely obtainable. In view of this, we present a class of efficient spectral methods to numerically solve several mathematical models of pricing options. We begin with solving European options. Then we move to solve their American counterparts which involve a free boundary and therefore normally difficult to price by other conventional numerical methods. We obtain very promising results for the above two types of options and therefore we extend this approach to solve some more difficult problems for pricing options, viz., jump-diffusion models and local volatility models. The numerical methods involve solving partial differential equations, partial integro-differential equations and associated complementary problems which are used to model the financial derivatives. In order to retain their exponential accuracy, we discuss the necessary modification of the spectral methods. Finally, we present several comparative numerical results showing the superiority of our spectral methods.
Fischer-clifford matrices and character tables of inertia groups of maximal subgroups of finite simple groups of extension type
(University of the Western Cape, 2011) Prins, A.L.
The aim of this dissertation is to calculate character tables of group extensions. There are several well–developed methods for calculating the character tables of group extensions. In this dissertation we study the method developed by Bernd Fischer, the so–called Fischer–Clifford matrices method, which derives its fundamentals from the Clifford theory. We consider only extensions G of the normal subgroup K by the subgroup Q with the property that every irreducible character of K can be extended to an irreducible character of its inertia group in G, if K is abelian. This is indeed the case if G is a split extension, by a well-known theorem of Mackey. A brief outline of the classical theory of characters pertinent to this study, is followed by a discussion on the calculation of the conjugacy classes of extension groups by the method of coset analysis. The Clifford theory which provide the basis for the theory of Fischer-Clifford matrices is discussed in detail. Some of the properties of these Fischer-Clifford matrices which make their calculation much easier are also given. As mentioned earlier we restrict ourselves to split extension groups G in which K is always elementary abelian. In this thesis we are concerned with the construction of the character tables of certain groups which are associated with Fi₂₂ and Sp₈ (2). Both of these groups have a maximal subgroup of the form 2⁷: Sp₆ (2) but they are not isomorphic to each other. In particular we are interested in the inertia groups of these maximal subgroups, which are split extensions. We use the technique of the Fischer-Clifford matrices to construct the character tables of these inertia groups. These inertia groups of 2⁷ : Sp₆(2), the maximal subgroup of Fi₂₂, are 2⁷ : S₈, 2⁷ : Ο⁻₆(2) and 2⁷ : (2⁵ : S₆). The inertia group of 2⁷ : Sp₆(2), the affine subgroup of Sp₈(2), is 2⁷ : (2⁵ : S₆) which is not isomorphic to the group with the same form which was mentioned earlier.
Evaluating the effectiveness of township tourism initiatives: with specific reference to selected townships in the city of Cape Town, South Africa (2014 – 2024)
(University of the Western Cape, 2026) makhubela , lusizo
This study critically evaluates the effectiveness of township tourism initiatives in selected townships within the City of Cape Town, Western Cape Province, South Africa. The research is situated in Khayelitsha, with a specific focus on the 4Roomed eKasi Culture food and lifestyle concept. Tourism is recognised as a significant economic driver in the City of Cape Town, creating employment opportunities, reducing poverty, and promoting economic empowerment for previously disadvantaged communities. The study assesses the interconnected tourism subsectors associated with 4Roomed eKasi Culture, including guided tours, tourism safety monitors, car guards and washers, transport services, and cultural performers, which were operational between 2014 and 2024. 4Roomed eKasi Culture draws its inspiration from the four-roomed housing typology of apartheid spatial planning, reclaiming this legacy to promote Afrocentric identity and township heritage through food, design and storytelling. Despite its developmental potential, township tourism faces serious challenges compared to tourism facilities in affluent areas. Current policy and legislative frameworks at both national and municipal levels are not fully supportive of township tourism due to limited access to finance, ineffective policy implementation, safety concerns and underrepresentation in destination marketing. The study employed the qualitative methodology, drawing on secondary data from legislation, government policy documents and reports, tourism strategy frameworks, peer-reviewed academic literature and journal articles. The study is grounded in policy-evaluation phenomenology, using a framework that assesses efficiency, effectiveness, relevance, inputs, outputs, outcomes and sustainability in township tourism policies and practices. The 5C Protocols of policy implementation – content, context, commitment, capacity, and clients/coalitions – serve as the conceptual foundation for evaluating the extent and quality of township tourism implementation. The study recommends the sustainable township tourism framework. The framework encourages dynamic policy responsiveness, ensuring that feedback from outcomes informs new inputs and adjustments, thereby fostering continual enhancement in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of township tourism.
Investigations on the antifungal and cancer modulating properties of extracts from selected species of Tulbaghia
(University of the Western Cape, 2012) Keyser, Zanephyn
Fusarium verticil/ioides (Sacc) Nirenberg a common phytopathogen of maize and maize-based products produces fumonisin B (FB) mycotoxins that have been related to several diseases such as equine leukoencephalomalacia (ELEM), porcine pulmonary edema (PPE), liver toxicity in several animals and esophageal and liver cancer in humans. In one of our studies we hypothesize that aqueous extracts of indigenous South African wild garlic species (Tulbaghia violacea, T. alliacea and T. simmleri) may enhance the efficacy of the fungicides, SporekilPu, Thiram, Itraconazole and Fluconazole against F. verticil/ioides (MRC 826). Data analysis from in vitro results indicates that for the 16 different mixtures of each plant extract and fungicide combination, several significantly (P