Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Science, School of Geography, Archaeology & Environmental Studies, 2016. / The aim of this thesis is to expose the effects of water scarcity on rural livelihoods. The chosen study site for this investigation is Borakalalo village in Lehurutshe region (North West Province). The aim of this study was to explore the water usage patterns of households in Borakalalo village in order to unpack the various water-related activities that households in Borakalalo engage with. The main argument made in this thesis is that in order to comprehend the effects of water scarcity on rural livelihoods, it is paramount that the water usage trends of rural dwellers be documented and, the contribution made by various water-related activities in generating a livelihood income be scrutinised. Therefore, using the sustainable rural livelihood framework of analysis, the goal of this study was to investigate the role that water plays in securing a livelihood for households in Borakalalo village. The introduction chapter explains the relevance of this study in the context of South Africa as a whole, also paying special attention to Borakalalo village, which is the chosen study site for this investigation. The methodology chapter highlights the advantages and disadvantages of methodological techniques employed in this study. A critical engagement with literature on water scarcity reveals some of the key conceptual dilemmas in defining water scarcity. Furthermore, the social, political and economic impacts of water scarcity on a global and national scale are looked into. A household survey that was conducted with 150 households in Borakalalo village aimed to uncover the water usage trends of rural households and, to examine how water serves the livelihoods of households in Borakalalo village. In the discussion chapter some of the main findings in this investigation are brought forth through looking at the ways in which water-related activities such as agriculture, livestock herding and small water-related rural enterprises sustain rural livelihoods. Although the discussion uncovers the role of water in a productivist rural economy, the results also seem to suggest that there is a shift in the rural economy from productivist to post-productivist livelihood activities. Henceforth, as much as water scarcity poses a threat to productivist livelihood activities, it also limits the expansion of the emerging post-productivist rural livelihoods. Furthermore, the increased need for monetary income in rural households in order to compensate for the loss of productive rural activities is evident. However, high levels of unemployment in rural areas limit the capacity of rural households to generate monetary income, and henceforth, livelihoods in Borakalalo village are enormously threatened by current water shortages in the village. / MT2016

M.Tech. Business Administration. Business School.

The purpose of this study was to analyse personnel expenditure of the Directorate Veterinary Service in the North West Province and how it impacted on service delivery. Literature on personnel expenditure and its influence on service delivery, particularly in the field of Veterinary Services is still in its infancy. Financial condition was referred as a tool to evaluate trends and patterns in how personnel budgets increases over a period of time as a fraction of the total budget affected the ability of the directorate to deliver services to the citizens of the province. Financial condition uses a percentage change to analyse changes in the budget over time for the Directorate. Budget reports (2000-2002) collected from the Provincial Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment was analyzed in terms of a split between personnel and operational. This analysis was then used to elucidate patterns over time for the Directorate as a whole, which were then compared between the regions (using cost centers) to determine any bias in terms of resource allocation. The percentage change was also done per standard budget item used in the Province. From the study it is evident that there was deterioration in financial condition for the financial year 200112001. This deterioration in financial condition is shown by a drop in budget but also in terms of a bias towards personnel. This phenomenon was however reversed in the following year of 2002/2003. This study has identified a negative correlation between personnel budget and other expenditure,:, needs for the Directorate Veterinary Services that had negative consequences for service delivery. To this extent it recommends a regular monitoring process to be put in place and the use of public partnerships where practical as a solution to rising personnel costs.

The purpose of this study was to analyse personnel expenditure of the Directorate Veterinary Service in the North West Province and how it impacted on service delivery. Literature on personnel expenditure and its influence on service delivery, particularly in the field of Veterinary Services is still in its infancy. Financial condition was referred as a tool to evaluate trends and patterns in how personnel budgets increases over a period of time as a fraction of the total budget affected the ability of the directorate to deliver services to the citizens of the province. Financial condition uses a percentage change to analyse changes in the budget over time for the Directorate. Budget reports (2000-2002) collected from the Provincial Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment was analysed in terms of a split between personnel and operational. This analysis was then used to elucidate patterns over time for the Directorate as a whole, which were then compared between the regions (using cost centers) to determine any bias in terms of resource allocation. The percentage change was also done per standard budget item used in the Province. From the study it is evident that there was deterioration in financial condition for the financial year 200112001. This deterioration in financial condition is shown by a drop in budget but also in terms of a bias towards personnel. This phenomenon was however reversed in the following year of 2002/2003. This study has identified a negative correlation between personnel budget and other expenditure needs for the Directorate Veterinary Services that had negative consequences for service delivery. To this extent it recommends a regular monitoring process to be put in place and the use of public partnerships where practical as a solution to rising personnel costs. / (M.B.A.) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2004

Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) are often perceived as the backbone of an economy. There is widespread consensus on their significant contribution to economic growth, employment creation, poverty alleviation and local and regional development. In South Africa, a lack of access to funding, especially to the Previously Disadvantaged Individuals (PDIs), often hinders small businesses from developing their full potential. Funding limitation of SMMEs is mainly due to the high risk attributed to small businesses and their lack of collateral. The fact that SMMEs often receive inadequate financial support or the total lack of it puts them at a competitive disadvantage and tend to harm their long-term growth and development, a waste of entrepreneurial resources and edge, a reduction of productivity and a lower economic growth rate. Restricted access to funding is one of the main problems faced by tourism-related SMMEs in the North West Province, and can ultimately have an adverse effect on economic growth and overall welfare of the people. This research study presents a sociological evaluation of SMME access and participation in the North West Province, South Africa, tourism industry. The study appeals to an outcome-based evaluation approach of measuring and assessing the degrees and levels to which tourism SMMEs, since the all-inclusive 1994 democratic elections in South Africa, have benefitted . or otherwise from the provincial tourism industry. The study reveals that, ten years after the fall of apartheid, black entrepreneurs' access and participation in the provincial tourism industry, is still limited due to stringent qualification criteria that serve as barriers to accessing financial and developmental support needed to enhance and fast-track meaningful participation in the tourism industry, particularly in the North West Province. The virtual failure to help small business entrepreneurs creates a great controversy about their very existence and effectiveness of such financial institutions with the task of helping up-and-coming black entrepreneurs. This thesis stresses the need for comprehensive evaluation of such institutions so that their existence would have a meaning, more importantly to the PDIS within the tourism industry. The criticisms levelled against these financial support institutions are extensively explored in this study. In conclusion, the study recommends that, in order to make use of the full potential of small business entrepreneurs in the provincial tourism industry, thereby participating meaningfully in the industry, there is the need to provide them with an enabling environment, which encompasses the access to capital and relaxation of the set qualification criteria for financial support. / (M.Soc.Sc.) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2005

The aim of this study was to examine the fertility differentials between migrants and non-migrants in the North West province of South Africa. Evaluation of fertility behavior of migrants at the destination area and the causes of fertility differentials of migrants and non-migrants was also undertaken. Data used in · this study were obtained from the 1996 Census and the 1998 South African Demographic and Health Survey. It was found that migrant behavior at the destination areas tends to be influenced by the new environment, which motivated them to, adapt to the norms and values that would affect their fertility. Although South Africa has a lower fertility rate than to the rest of Sub Saharan Africa, It appeared that fertility differentials have existed between migrants and non-migrants. Fertility was higher among migrants than non-migrants and the difference between the two population groups has declined between 1996 and 1998. However fertility differentials were vividly observed with respect to Education, income age and employment status among both migrants and non-migrants in 1996 and income and age at first intercourse among both migrants and non-migrants in 1998. The study concludes by recommending that further research be done particularly on the issue of ethnicity and its impact on fertility since there is no concrete evidence to suggest that there is any marked link between migrants and non-migrants. Also, this kind of research should be done in other provinces to establish the state of migrant and non-migrant fertility and any variations among different socio-economic and demographic groups of Household society. Furthermore, Education should be universalized as a powerful tool to regulate fertility as it has shown to affect fertility, particularly in areas where fertility is still relatively high among both migrants and non-migrants. / (M.Soc.Sc.) North West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2004

This study was aimed at assessing the adequacy of the management development activity and its support by top management in the public service of the North West province. The South African public service is a key instrument by which service delivery can be ensured, as a result there is a need to enhance its capacity. Management development, particularly for senior management, should be seen as the most important component of human resource development in the public service, which should be improved. Certainly there are considerable benefits to be derived from an effort by any developing country to develop its public service senior managers. Current research reveals that management development is accepted as a contributor to organisational performance. Whilst this is the case, often not all management development programmes meet the needs of the organisation. Some management development programmes fail because of lack of top management support, together with organisational conditions and practices that are supposed to contribute to their effectiveness and overall organisational effectiveness. Thus, an assessment of the adequacy of the management development activity of the public service of the North West province should often be conducted so as to improve on it and thereby contribute to the enhancement of service delivery. In terms of research design and methodology, this study was evaluative in nature. The study involved the systematic collection of information on the worth of the management development programme, which has to make value judgements concerning the worth of such a programme. The target population for this study was all senior managers in the public service of the North West province. The accessible population comprises of those senior managers who were based in Mafikeng, the capital of the province and the seat of government in which all-administrative head offices of all provincial departments are located. The research sample was drawn from senior managers within some departments that form the North West provincial administration. Structured questionnaires and unstructured interviews were used in this study as data collection instruments. Combinations of both qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis are used. To interpret the data collected from the Management Development Audit section of the Questionnaire, a scoring and interpretation worksheet was adapted for use. Some managers were also interviewed in order to find out their opinions about management development effectiveness. The findings of the study revealed that the management development activity in the public service of the North West is inadequate and requires to be improved. The recommendations based on the findings of this study can be summarised by stating that 88% of the management development activity requires improvement. / Thesis (M. Phil.) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2004

Acacia erioloba (synonym: Acacia giraffae) commonly known as Mpatsaka (Sotho), Mokala (Tswana), Kameeldoring (Afrikaans) and camel Thorn (English) is an indigenous leguminous tree that is adapted and commonly found in semi-arid savanna environments of South Africa. Being a leguminous plant, Acacia erioloba can fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil. The objective of this study was to quantify the concentration of plant nutrients in soils beneath the canopies of Acacia erioloba trees in three land-use practices viz: fallow, grazing and bare land. Three trees were randomly selected in each land-use practice and soil samples were collected from beneath and beyond the tree canopies at depths of 0-10 and 10-20 cm. Consistently, soil analysis revealed that the concentration of nutrients (N, P, Ca, Mg, Zn and Mn) and soil biological properties (organic carbon, particulate organic matter, microbial biomass nitrogen and microbial biomass carbon) among the land-use practices were in the order: fallow > grazing > bare. Differences in the concentration of soil nutrients between the land-use practices seemed to be influenced by management within the land-use practices. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and zinc were significantly higher (p<0.05) in land under grazing while calcium and magnesium, were significantly higher (p<0.05) under fallow land. As expected, bare land had the lowest concentration of all the nutrients studied. The presence of animals around Acacia erioloba trees contributed to higher concentration of nutrients in land under grazing. The differences in the values of biological properties were considered to be likely due to higher plant biomass on the topsoil compared to the subsoil that increased the microbial activity. The improved biological properties are thought to have improved the nutrient concentration through processes such as mineralisation of nutrients from organic matter. With the exception of phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and zinc (Zn), concentration of all other nutrients (N, Ca, Mg and Mn) was not significantly different (p<0.05) in soil from beneath the tree canopy and those from beyond the tree canopies in all land-use practices. Topsoil (0-1 0 cm) had, significantly higher (p<0.05) concentration of all nutrients and biological properties that were measured compared to the sub soil (10-20 cm). This was attributed to the fact that much of the decomposition of soil organic matter takes place on the surface layer of the soil where most of the organic materials are added. Nutrient uptake from deep soil layers by roots of the trees may be another important mechanism that could enrich surface soils beneath Acacia erioloba tree with nutrients. The availability to a wheat crop of the nutrients found beneath the canopies of Acacia erioloba was evaluated using a "Neubauer" seedling technique in a glasshouse. Wheat seedlings were grown into PVC pots filled with soils collected from beneath and beyond the tree canopies. The wheat that was grown in soils collected beneath Acacia erioloba trees had significantly higher (p<O.OS) growth ~d nutrient uptake than that grown in soils from beyond tree canopies. Plant height, dry matter yields and nutrient uptake by the wheat seedlings were in the order fallow>grazing>bare land. The plant height were 20.9, 16.4 and 14.2 cm for fallow, grazing and bare, respectively. This was attributed to the high accumulation of organic matter from different sources such as leaf litter, grass residues and animal wastes under fallow and grazing land. Fallow and grazing promotes large organic matter inputs and therefore create conditions that favour rapid decomposition of organic matter and mineralisation of nutrients. Correlation coefficients between soil nutrients and nutrients in the tissues of wheat show that there was a strong and significant relationship between the two. It was suggested from these results that Acacia erioloba trees has a potential to be used in agroforestry systems within the farming systems of the small-scale farmers in the semi-arid savanna ecosystem of the North-West Province. Such systems could include agrislviculture and sylvopastoral. If Acacia erioloba trees are to be included in agroforestry systems, the densities need to be increased. This would imply increasing their propagation. More techniques of propagating the tree need to be researched. The nitrogen fixing potential of Acacia erioloba needs to be thoroughly investigated. / Thesis (M.Sc (Agric.) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2003

This research study investigates some of the problems or challenges faced by SMMEs in the Mafikeng and Mmabatho area of the North West province. It strives to find out the extent as to which these problems occur and the impact they have on these businesses. The research focuses on two major problems considered to be hindering the growth of SMMEs in this area, namely the lack of entrepreneurial management and financial skills. The lack of these skills in the running of small businesses results into poor business management, poor quality products or services. lack of demand for produce, lack of access to credit as well as poor marketing techniques. The absence of entrepreneurial education or sensitizing young people in a way that could encourage them to enter businesses and acquire a culture of entrepreneurship is one of the causes of the lack of these skills. A stratified random sampling method was employed, with stratifying variables being area and size of the business. Primary data were sought for this study, and gathered through structured questionnaires which were distributed to owners and managers of the sampled businesses. The descriptive statistics method of analysis was employed using a computer aided statistical analysis, the SPSS programme. Some of the significant findings of this research study are; that majority of entrepreneurs in the area do not have the necessary entrepreneurial, management and financial skills to run their businesses; that the educational and training levels of the members of top management of small businesses are relatively low; and many businesses do not have access to credit. The lack of entrepreneurial, management and financial skills can hamper the performance and growth of SMMEs in the area, which can cause many businesses' failure or closure. Education plays an important role in the overall running of a business enterprise in terms of revenues. Many entrepreneurs are unable to finance their own businesses. yet there is little support from financial institutions and government bodies. SMMEs in the Mafikeng and Mmabatho area need to be assisted in every way in order to enhance their performance, growth and sustainability. In order to achieve this. government needs to take the initiative to form collaborations with these business enterprises, in order to identify areas of need such as training and funding. This endeavour will impact positively to the economic growth, in tem1s of job creation to the entire province. / (MBA) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2005

Thesis (doctoral)--Université de Paris IV (Sorbonne), 1996. / Includes bibliographical references and index.