Browsing by Author "Chimhamhiwa, Dorman."

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Analyzing an orthophoto mapping system using system analysis, SWOT and client satisfaction survey : a case study of the Chief Directorate of Surveys and Mapping, Republic of South Africa
(2010) Mnyengeza, Mnqweno.; Chimhamhiwa, Dorman.
An orthophoto map is made from a combination of different geospatial datasets such as relief, imagery, powerlines and annotation. These data sets are usually generated by different divisions within national mapping agencies. Often, when an orthophoto mapping project is to be undertaken, other functions within and outside the system, are actuated. Examples of such functions include; photogrammetric scanning, digital elevation capturing, aerial triangulation, ancillary data and imagery acquisition and map compilation. This research is underpinned by the hypothesis that different components that supply data required for generating orthophoto maps do not work as a coherent whole. This behaviour impacts negatively on the production of orthophoto maps as well as the quality of the end product and can have spill over effects on service delivery. In this research, systems analysis, client satisfaction survey and SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis are used as a collective set of tools to analyze an orthophoto mapping system (OMS) in order to mitigate this unwanted behaviour. The case of orthophoto map production at the Chief Directorate of Surveys and Mapping (CDSM) in South Africa is used. First, systems analysis, which uses the Data Flow Diagram (DFD) technique, is employed to depict the system‘s data stores, processes and data flows. This approach helps to show how the current system works thereby assisting to pin point areas that require improvement. After presenting the system ‘s processes, data stores and data flows, a client satisfaction survey, built on the criteria of; accuracy, completeness, correctness and accessibility of geospatial datasets, is conducted on one of the data stores – the Topographical Information System (TIS) database. Finally, a SWOT analysis is then done on the whole OMS to evaluate the internal and external environment under which the current system operates in. Gaps are identified and recommendations suggested. Although in this case, the recommendations are built based on the CDSM case study, it is believed they can benefit other OMS’s in similar operating conditions elsewhere.
Are farmers changing from food production to biofuel production? : a case study of the northern agricultural region of KwaZulu-Natal.
(2009) Mbele, Fezeka Faith.; Rugege, Denis.; Chimhamhiwa, Dorman.
A study was conducted to establish whether farmers are changing land use from growing food crops for human consumption to biofuel production to an extent that could significantly affect food security. Following concerns in the recent years about the excessive global demand for fossil fuel that drove prices to very high levels, biofuel alternatives derived mainly from agricultural food crops such as soybean, maize and sugarcane are being pursued in many countries. This study targeted a sample emerging farmers in the Northern Agricultural Region, one of the four administrative areas for agricultural extension services in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Biophysical suitability for change from maize food crop to soybean for biofuel land use was assessed using the locally developed Bio-resource spatial database. A sample of 11 emerging farmers was interviewed regarding land use change of food to biofuel production, farming operations, inputs and yields. Emerging farmers are black African farmers who were previously deprived of land and institutional support in developing into commercial farmers, but who are now recipients of land as well as financial and technical agricultural support services. This group of farmers arguably comes from vulnerable communities who depend on food crops for subsistence and who could influence change in land use with food security implications in their communities. Further information was obtained from an agricultural consultant regarding 7 commercial farms producing soybean biofuel. The study revealed that the Northern Agricultural Region had adequate suitability for profitable soybean production for biofuel. Furthermore, the majority of farmers interviewed had changed from maize production for human consumption to soybean production for biofuel. All the farmers interviewed applied farming operations with modern technology including land preparation and planting, fertilisation, irrigation, crop protection and harvesting. The majority interviewed farmers reported varied total earnings from soybean derived biofuel ranging from R 50, 000 to R 500, 000. The variability in earnings is consistent with the varied range of ages as attributable to experience and with the varied levels of education which may be related to management skills. Although the sample of farmers interviewed was too small to provide statistically valid conclusions, they represent an important sector in the farming community that shows future directions of food versus biofuel productions. The farmers indicated that they are fully aware of food production requirements and will endeavour to balance the two through soybean-maize crop rotation, a practice that not only ensures food security but also improves soil quality.
A database based information system for artisanal fisheries management : a case study of Moma-Angoche in Mozambique
(2007) Vales, Maria Eulália.; Chimhamhiwa, Dorman.
Sound management of information and data is an essential cornerstone for efficient and effective decision making. Structured, up to date and easily retrievable data from several heterogeneous sources is often required to effectively manage, monitor and predict resource quantities particularly for depleting resources such as fish. The documentation and management of fisheries data in most developing countries however poses great challenges. The main aim of this study therefore is to design an information system (IS) for Artisanal Fisheries management. The developed IS is supported by a database. Secondary data, from the provincial offices of Moma and Angoche in Mozambique, is used to test and populate the prototype database. The manner in which the database is developed demonstrates how in practice a database can be created as part of an information system. However, due to time restrictions, a complete database for the AF system could not be developed. To accomplish the objectives of the study, a model of the Artisanal Fisheries (AF) system was developed first. Based on standard system development approaches, the key components of the AF system that include; processes, data flows and data stores, were identified. The developed conceptual system was then used to identify critical data stores for the AF system and data models were subsequently developed. A prototype database to support the AF system was then implemented in MS Access. The motivation for this study is as a result of two observations made on information management which are a challenge in artisanal fisheries management in Moma-Angoche. These observations are; (i) the current information system lacks a structured approach and a database to document and archive data/information on the artisanal fisheries subsector; and, (ii) the high proportion of the data/information collected from different sources is not well processed, analyzed and is not user-friendly as yet. The Moma-Angoche Provincial Fisheries office was chosen because it is strategically suitable for research. This has been demonstrated by the amount of socio-economic artisanal fishing census data already collected and by the research on stock marine resources already carried out. As a result, the study area has become a pilot zone of integrated fisheries development projects. During the life cycle of the various projects, and even after their termination, the area remained an important zone where subsequent studies (for example baseline studies) were carried out. Furthermore, the existence of subsequent data available from those studies allows a good opportunity for data comparisons to be made.
Developing a spatial data infrastructure for Rwanda : case study of land administration sector.
(2007) Simbizi, Marie Christine Dushimyimana.; Chimhamhiwa, Dorman.
Governments all over the world are being challenged to develop Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI), to improve the access and use of spatial data for decision support and sustainable development. Therefore, SDI is part of the basic infrastructure that needs to be efficiently implemented and managed in the interest of any nation. The aim of this study, therefore, is to assess the feasibility of SDI implementation in Rwanda, using the Land administration geospatial data sector as a case study, given time constraints of the research. To achieve this, the concept of SDI is firstly explained in order to provide a common understanding of the concept. The new trends in the new Land Administration System of Rwanda, with emphasis on spatial data management are also presented. This information is generated from various written materials. Field work was also conducted by means of questionnaires, interviews and observation in attempt to assess Land Administration geospatial data, related assets and gaps with reference to SDI framework requirements. A situational analysis is carried out from the field work results. The research sets the scene providing the major findings. The main spatial data providers are public and based on national level. Land use and cadastral related spatial data are the least developed, and Land Administration application data are quiet non-existent. Various users, mainly decision makers, exist but lack effective access to data. A number of challenges, such as a high duplication of data collection and maintenance, lack of appropriate ways of data sharing, a shortage of human resources in Geo-information, absence of policies and regulations, are also found in the Land Administration spatial data sector. Nevertheless, the new Land Administration System orientations and national priorities in terms of information technology, offer a favourable environment for the implementation of SDI. Having considered this, the research proceeds to propose a Land Administration SDI prototype with its main application of Spatial Data discovery Facility, and then highlights its benefits. The research ends with a conclusion and recommendations for future research.
Improving end to end delivery of land administration business processes through performance measurement and comparison.
(2010) Chimhamhiwa, Dorman.; Mutanga, Onisimo.
The delivery of land administration (LA) systems particularly in urban areas underpins housing, industry and infrastructure development as well as the smooth operation of land and credit markets. However, fragmentation of LA activities across several autonomous organizations generally impairs end to end business processes flow and delivery. To facilitate improved service of LA systems we suggest the end to end measurement and monitoring of their business processes across organizational boundaries. This study proposes a performance measurement system that can facilitate end to end measurement and comparison of cross organizational business processes (CBPs) in LA. The research, which is structured in 2 parts, is based on a multi site study of LA CBPs in 6 urban municipalities across Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. First, a measurement instrument (scorecard) built on six key CBP performance measurement areas of quality and technological innovation (enablers of results), cost and time (measures of results) and customer satisfaction and society (measures of external success (or impact), is presented. To facilitate measurement across organizational boundaries, the proposed dimensions were embedded onto a multi level structural model that link process activities to sub processes and CBPs. For 5 of the 6 municipalities, a conventional case of subdivision of privately owned land within an established township was used to develop CBP descriptions and process models for each municipality. A comparison of CBP and sub process similarities between municipalities was then done using the similarity scenario degree. Our results showed similarities of over 60% for most CBPs while mixed values were obtained for sub processes. The similarity results were further used as a base for the construction of a business process reference model. The second part of the research tested the applicability of quality and time dimensions. Using the survey examination and approval and deeds examination and approval sub processes, the quality of submitted work was measured using performance indicators of process yield and rejection rates at 2 survey examination and 3 deeds registration sites. Our results showed that 80% and 60% of survey records submitted at both survey examination sites were rejected and returned backwards for corrections due to quality deficits. Based on our results, we conducted a root cause analysis at one of the survey examination sites to identify major contributors to lower process yield. In addition, we suggested numerous technological innovations to improve quality. Using the same sites, we then went on to measure and compare cycle times for cadastral survey examination and approval considering quality. Our results showed that 70% and 52% of survey records with good quality had approval times of 20 days or less for the first and second sites, respectively while only 32% and 18% of records with poor quality (for same sites) were approved within 60 days. Furthermore, shorter cycle times appeared to indicate lower process costs. After the separate analysis of the quality and time measurements, a global performance index that aggregates individual measures into a composite value was presented. Overall, the study has shown the potential of end to end CBP performance measurement in improving delivery and service of land administration in a holistic manner. The results are important for initiatives directed at integration and improvement of land administration operations.
Land use change detection of small scale sugarcane : a case study of Umbumbulu, South Africa
(2009) Pillay, Kavesha.; Chimhamhiwa, Dorman.
The aim of this study was to detect spatio-temporal changes in sugarcane land use using satellite imagery for 1991–2006 in Umbumbulu, South Africa. This change detection study will enable quantification of change and the changes between different land use and land cover that has occurred over the study period 1991–2006. This work embarked on a change detection analysis using image-processing software namely ERDAS, IDRISI and ArcGIS to complete the study. Three Landsat TM images from 1991, 2001, and 2006 were used. The images were geometrically corrected to a common map projection, followed by image processing operations namely: radiometric correction, supervised image classification, accuracy assessment and post classification comparison change detection. Each image was separately classified into land cover categories of water, grassland, mix bush/shrub, forestry, sugarcane and built-up land using the supervised classification maximum likelihood algorithm in ERDAS. Final classification accuracy was determined to be ‘satisfactory’ or ‘good’ by means of employing standardized accuracy assessment measures, the error matrix. The post-classification comparison technique was applied to compare the classified images to assess for changes in sugarcane land use over time using IDRISI software. The classified images produced were exported into ArcMap GIS software for additional change analysis. The results are displayed as change maps. Change analysis has been executed based on digital interpretation of classification results.
Metadata challenges faced by producers and users of spatial data in South Africa.
(2009) Alford, Judith.; Chimhamhiwa, Dorman.; Rugege, Denis.
A large number of spatial datasets have inconsistent and/or outdated metadata. In certain cases, metadata is entirely absent. Some spatial data producers suggest that metadata creation and maintenance is a time consuming and labour-intensive process. Conversely, users experience difficulties in understanding and accessing spatial datasets, if associated metadata is insufficient or non-existent. Eventually, deficient metadata use may lead to loss of spatial data meaning and cause its very existence to be forgotten. The purpose of the study was to assess the main challenges hindering metadata creation and maintenance on the part of producers and its usage on the part of users in South Africa. The main findings showed that: data was accessed at expected levels via the internet; most data users accepted alternative spatial data media including compact disks and hardcopy; the spatial data industry is generally under financial budget constraints; particularly in the public sector, lack of skilled personnel in spatial metadata management resulted in staff turnover problems; the framework datasets indicated outdated metadata; and different producers used inconsistent metadata standards and a number of organizations were at rudimentary stage of spatial metadata development. In conclusion, spatial data producers should be encouraged to maintain data with complete documentation in a standardized spatial metadata to assure information consistency for users. Raising awareness about spatial metadata benefits may encourage data managers and top leaders to build on metadata priorities. Moreover, strong compliance with the SDI policy necessitates solid cooperation amongst the spatial data community.
A system-based approach to land registration analysis and improvements : a case study of the KwaZulu-Natal deeds registration system.
(2010) Shange, Muzikayise B.; Chimhamhiwa, Dorman.
This study proposes a system-based approach to land registration ana lysis using the case of the KwaZulu-Natal Deeds Registry in Pietermaritzburg. The study seeks to; (i) investigate and analyze the land registration system (as a whol e) in terms of its key processes, data stores and data flows (ii) assess, based on the na ture of the data stores, data flows and processes, the turn around time of the as is (manual) and the to be (computerised) systems, and (iii) recommend improvements based on ident ified gaps and bottlenecks. The study identified two key role players in land regis tration; the Conveyancers (responsible for deed drafting) and Deed Registry (deed examination and approval). The interaction between the two, which has its own challenges , ensures the proper application of complex legislation related to the registration of land. To gain deeper insight into the activities of the land registrati on system, key informant interviews were held and several documents were reviewed to understa nd the data sources and their formats, processes performed, storage and acc essibility of such data as well as the internal and external data flows across Conveyancers , Deeds Registry and other stakeholders. In this regard, the land registration system wa s decomposed into a number of data flow diagrams (DFDs); namely context (system as a whole), top level (system as composed of main subsystems) and lower level (deta iled sub systems) to identify the core data stores, data flows and processes. Based on these diagrams, manual and electronic data stores, proces ses and data flows were identified and turnaround time of the as is (manual) and the to be (computerized) systems was derived and compared. A conventional case of a deed of transfer - from deed of sale to registration of the deed of transfer was used. The res ults showed that significant gains in turn around time, from 70 to 9 days can be realized through comput erisation of certain key data stores, processes and data flows. Recommendat ions for improvement were then generated based on the system diagrams and turn around times. The study thus demonstrates the potential of a holistic approach to la nd registration analysis and improvement.