Child-friendly spaces are not successfully implemented in South Africa due to problems such as urbanization, development pressure, lack of qualitative open spaces and lack of policy and legislation guiding the planning and protection of such spaces. This study evaluates local and international planning approaches of childfriendly spaces in an attempt to identify best practices and explore how child-friendly spaces can be planned and utilized locally, in South Africa, (especially rural areas such as the Vaalharts district in the North West Province) to develop playful, educational, environmentally preserving and qualitative child-friendly spaces.The research methodology used in this study consist of (i) a literature investigation on concepts of child-friendly environments, qualitative open spaces, rural challenges, as well as current child-friendly policy and legislation, both from an international and local perspective; and (ii) an empirical study, conducted qualitatively by means of Pilot testing and case study evaluation. Local pilot tests were limited, due to a lack of child-friendly spaces in South Africa to, proposed Valhalla Water Park in Cape Town and Irene Village Mall in Pretoria. The case study evaluation consists out of Green Point Urban Park and the Vaalharts Water Innovation Project that is a newly planned, “still in progress”, project. International case studies included examples of successful child-friendly spaces such as La Louviere in Belgium, Chapefield play area and Darnley Park in Scotland, Play Field Farnborough in England, Caronport Spray Park in Canada and Bellevue Redmond Spray Park in Washington. Based on the findings, recommendations are made in terms of the planning and development of child-friendly spaces, incorporating examples such as the provision of spray parks in rural areas in order to create playful, educational, environmentally preserving and qualitative outdoor spaces. / MArt et Scien (Urban and Regional Planning), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Child-friendly spaces are not successfully implemented in South Africa due to problems such as urbanization, development pressure, lack of qualitative open spaces and lack of policy and legislation guiding the planning and protection of such spaces. This study evaluates local and international planning approaches of childfriendly spaces in an attempt to identify best practices and explore how child-friendly spaces can be planned and utilized locally, in South Africa, (especially rural areas such as the Vaalharts district in the North West Province) to develop playful, educational, environmentally preserving and qualitative child-friendly spaces.The research methodology used in this study consist of (i) a literature investigation on concepts of child-friendly environments, qualitative open spaces, rural challenges, as well as current child-friendly policy and legislation, both from an international and local perspective; and (ii) an empirical study, conducted qualitatively by means of Pilot testing and case study evaluation. Local pilot tests were limited, due to a lack of child-friendly spaces in South Africa to, proposed Valhalla Water Park in Cape Town and Irene Village Mall in Pretoria. The case study evaluation consists out of Green Point Urban Park and the Vaalharts Water Innovation Project that is a newly planned, “still in progress”, project. International case studies included examples of successful child-friendly spaces such as La Louviere in Belgium, Chapefield play area and Darnley Park in Scotland, Play Field Farnborough in England, Caronport Spray Park in Canada and Bellevue Redmond Spray Park in Washington. Based on the findings, recommendations are made in terms of the planning and development of child-friendly spaces, incorporating examples such as the provision of spray parks in rural areas in order to create playful, educational, environmentally preserving and qualitative outdoor spaces. / MArt et Scien (Urban and Regional Planning), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the role of colleges of education in the North West Province. Put differently it wished to determine to what extent colleges of education in the North West Province as institutions are adjusted to their real potential environments so that adjustments could be made if necessary. In order to be able to investigate teacher training in the North West Province, a literature survey was conducted to determine the core criteria regarding quality and efficiency in teacher training. The instruments used in the planning process are explained and the one which deals with strategic planning in an education system is used to plan the functioning of colleges of education in the North West Province to comply with the identified core criteria. A detailed consideration of the functioning of colleges of education in the North West Province is introduced by a brief overview of the evolving pattern of the South African teacher education and a review of proposals to unify higher education and to broaden the role of colleges. The literature study on the historical background of teacher education in South Africa revealed that it has been a fragmented and inefficient system in which teachers were inequitably distributed across South Africa. An investigation into the functioning of colleges of education in the North West Province is based on the components of the education system as entailed in the chosen strategic planning in education model mentioned earlier. The opinions of experts and stakeholders in the field of the role of colleges of education in the North West Province were obtained through the empirical study done according to the steps of strategic planning in education. The findings obtained after data interpretation were then compared with the information from the literature study. The following trends were identified amongst others: Firstly that there is a great need for in-service or further training to upgrade the qualifications of practising teachers. Secondly, that there is a great need for properly trained teachers for the technical, mathematics and science subjects and also that there is a need for trained teachers to assist with non-formal programmes. An analysis and evaluation of the identified trends revealed that colleges of education can play a larger and more important role and would be in a position to utilise their facilities and skills more effectively if they made the necessary adjustments. In sketching the future possibilities for colleges of education in the North West Province it was shown that colleges of education will function more cost-effectively if they diversify their function to include other tasks than the training of teachers, like carrying out the function of community colleges. / Thesis (MEd)--PU for CHE, 1998

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the role of colleges of education in the North West Province. Put differently it wished to determine to what extent colleges of education in the North West Province as institutions are adjusted to their real potential environments so that adjustments could be made if necessary. In order to be able to investigate teacher training in the North West Province, a literature survey was conducted to determine the core criteria regarding quality and efficiency in teacher training. The instruments used in the planning process are explained and the one which deals with strategic planning in an education system is used to plan the functioning of colleges of education in the North West Province to comply with the identified core criteria. A detailed consideration of the functioning of colleges of education in the North West Province is introduced by a brief overview of the evolving pattern of the South African teacher education and a review of proposals to unify higher education and to broaden the role of colleges. The literature study on the historical background of teacher education in South Africa revealed that it has been a fragmented and inefficient system in which teachers were inequitably distributed across South Africa. An investigation into the functioning of colleges of education in the North West Province is based on the components of the education system as entailed in the chosen strategic planning in education model mentioned earlier. The opinions of experts and stakeholders in the field of the role of colleges of education in the North West Province were obtained through the empirical study done according to the steps of strategic planning in education. The findings obtained after data interpretation were then compared with the information from the literature study. The following trends were identified amongst others: Firstly that there is a great need for in-service or further training to upgrade the qualifications of practising teachers. Secondly, that there is a great need for properly trained teachers for the technical, mathematics and science subjects and also that there is a need for trained teachers to assist with non-formal programmes. An analysis and evaluation of the identified trends revealed that colleges of education can play a larger and more important role and would be in a position to utilise their facilities and skills more effectively if they made the necessary adjustments. In sketching the future possibilities for colleges of education in the North West Province it was shown that colleges of education will function more cost-effectively if they diversify their function to include other tasks than the training of teachers, like carrying out the function of community colleges. / Thesis (MEd)--PU for CHE, 1998

Text in Afrikaans / Die doel van die ondersoek was om 'n beplannings- en beheermodel te ontwikkel en beskikbaar te stel vir benutting deur welsynsorganisasies. Die ondersoek is onderneem binne die konteks van die ontwikkelingsnavorsings- en benuttingsparadigma. Die proses van die ontwikkelingsnavorsingsparadigma verloop volgens 'n analise-, ontwerp-, ontwikkelings-, evaluerings-, benuttings- en verspreidingsfase. Elke fase het ondersoeker in staat gestel om op sistematiese wyse te werk te gaan om 'n beplannings- en beheermodel te ontwerp en om gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings in die verband te maak. In die analisefase wat 'n teoretiese beskrywing van beplanning en beheer as bestuursfunksies behels het, was dit duidelik dat daar nie 'n beplannings- en beheermodel bestaan wat op welsynsorganisasies van toepassing gemaak kon word nie. Bestaande beplannings- en beheermodelle is ontleed en sleutelkonsepte is ge1dentif iseer met betrekking tot beplanning en beheer as bestuurfunksies. Aan die hand van die sleutelkonsepte is 'n empiriese ondersoek na die stand van beplanning en beheer by agt welsynsorganisasies gedoen. Agt kantoorhoofde, 16 supervisors en 32 maatskaplike werkers was met behulp van 'n onderhoudskedule by die navorsing betrek. Hierdie empiriese ondersoek en die literatuurstudie bet die ondersoeker in staat gestel om in die ontwerpfase 'n beplanningsen Leheermodel te ontwerp wat op welsynsorganisasies van toepassing gemaak kan word. 'n Beplannings- en beheermodel is iii ontwerp wat voorsiening maak vir die uitvoering van take op 'n strategiese-, bestuurs- en operasionele beplannings- en beheervlak. Die model maak voorsiening vir die betrokkenheid van al die personeellede van 'n organisasie in die beplannings- en beheerproses. Die model is vir 'n periode van agt maande by een welsynsorganisasie geYmplementeer en geevalueer. Daar is tot die slotsom gekom dat die beplanning- en beheermodel wel deur welsynsorganisasies benut kan word. Die waarde van die model le daarin dat die gebruik daarvan 'n welsynsorganisasie in staat stel om sy eie strategiese, bestuurs- en operasionele beplannings en beheerplan te kan saamstel. Di t sal 'n welsynsorganisasie in staat stel om proaktief op interne sowel as eksterne omgewingsveranderings te reageer / Social Work / D. Phil. (Maatskaplike werk)

Text in Afrikaans / Die doel van die ondersoek was om 'n beplannings- en beheermodel te ontwikkel en beskikbaar te stel vir benutting deur welsynsorganisasies. Die ondersoek is onderneem binne die konteks van die ontwikkelingsnavorsings- en benuttingsparadigma. Die proses van die ontwikkelingsnavorsingsparadigma verloop volgens 'n analise-, ontwerp-, ontwikkelings-, evaluerings-, benuttings- en verspreidingsfase. Elke fase het ondersoeker in staat gestel om op sistematiese wyse te werk te gaan om 'n beplannings- en beheermodel te ontwerp en om gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings in die verband te maak. In die analisefase wat 'n teoretiese beskrywing van beplanning en beheer as bestuursfunksies behels het, was dit duidelik dat daar nie 'n beplannings- en beheermodel bestaan wat op welsynsorganisasies van toepassing gemaak kon word nie. Bestaande beplannings- en beheermodelle is ontleed en sleutelkonsepte is ge1dentif iseer met betrekking tot beplanning en beheer as bestuurfunksies. Aan die hand van die sleutelkonsepte is 'n empiriese ondersoek na die stand van beplanning en beheer by agt welsynsorganisasies gedoen. Agt kantoorhoofde, 16 supervisors en 32 maatskaplike werkers was met behulp van 'n onderhoudskedule by die navorsing betrek. Hierdie empiriese ondersoek en die literatuurstudie bet die ondersoeker in staat gestel om in die ontwerpfase 'n beplanningsen Leheermodel te ontwerp wat op welsynsorganisasies van toepassing gemaak kan word. 'n Beplannings- en beheermodel is iii ontwerp wat voorsiening maak vir die uitvoering van take op 'n strategiese-, bestuurs- en operasionele beplannings- en beheervlak. Die model maak voorsiening vir die betrokkenheid van al die personeellede van 'n organisasie in die beplannings- en beheerproses. Die model is vir 'n periode van agt maande by een welsynsorganisasie geYmplementeer en geevalueer. Daar is tot die slotsom gekom dat die beplanning- en beheermodel wel deur welsynsorganisasies benut kan word. Die waarde van die model le daarin dat die gebruik daarvan 'n welsynsorganisasie in staat stel om sy eie strategiese, bestuurs- en operasionele beplannings en beheerplan te kan saamstel. Di t sal 'n welsynsorganisasie in staat stel om proaktief op interne sowel as eksterne omgewingsveranderings te reageer / Social Work / D. Phil. (Maatskaplike werk)

In South Africa, urbanized environments are often studied individually, not taking the surrounding natural environment into account (McConnachie and Shackleton, 2012: 2). Current approaches focussing on the integration of Urban Planning and Urban Ecology seek to address these issues of integrated planning. Urban Ecology practice aims to describe the study of (1) humans in human settlements, of (2) nature in human settlements, and of (3) the joined relationships between humans and nature. Urban Ecology thus forms a major part of Urban and Spatial Planning, with regard to the objectives of sustainable planning and development, green infrastructure planning, and resilience. The role and impact of green spaces to support sustainable human settlements are no new phenomenon (Byrne & Sipe, 2010: 7). This is related to the different benefits which nature provides, referred to in this research as ecosystem services (or environmental benefits) of green spaces. Green spaces, in this sense, are fundamental areas in human settlements, in need of intentional and structured planning approaches to enhance sustainability and said environmental benefits. It is important to realise that the environment in urbanized areas is dependent on the local communities (in terms of conservation and appropriate planning approaches), but that local communities (society) are also dependent on the environment (in terms of certain benefits which are provided by the said green spaces and environment). Rural settlements in South Africa experience various problems and challenges in terms of planning for the environment through green spaces (as well as sustainability), mainly as a result of the fragmentation of these rural areas, the existence of lost spaces, urbanisation, urban sprawl and poverty (Trancik, 1986; Barnett, 1995; IIED, 2000; DEAT, 2006; McMahan et al, 2002). This research attempted to address the challenges of integrated planning and green space provision in a local rural context, by means of: (1) A literature study encompassing research on Urban Ecology; Urban Planning; environmental dimension of planning; provision of ecosystem services; green infrastructure planning; resilience, and relevant policies and legislation; (2) An empirical investigation and comparative evaluation of international case studies, along with a local case study; and (3) drawing conclusions and recommendations for the local case study, based on the international approaches and identified best-practices. This research evaluated the spatial and environmental benefits of green space and enhanced the importance of planning for such benefits in rural South African areas. / MArt et Scien (Urban and Regional Planning), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

In South Africa, urbanized environments are often studied individually, not taking the surrounding natural environment into account (McConnachie and Shackleton, 2012: 2). Current approaches focussing on the integration of Urban Planning and Urban Ecology seek to address these issues of integrated planning. Urban Ecology practice aims to describe the study of (1) humans in human settlements, of (2) nature in human settlements, and of (3) the joined relationships between humans and nature. Urban Ecology thus forms a major part of Urban and Spatial Planning, with regard to the objectives of sustainable planning and development, green infrastructure planning, and resilience. The role and impact of green spaces to support sustainable human settlements are no new phenomenon (Byrne & Sipe, 2010: 7). This is related to the different benefits which nature provides, referred to in this research as ecosystem services (or environmental benefits) of green spaces. Green spaces, in this sense, are fundamental areas in human settlements, in need of intentional and structured planning approaches to enhance sustainability and said environmental benefits. It is important to realise that the environment in urbanized areas is dependent on the local communities (in terms of conservation and appropriate planning approaches), but that local communities (society) are also dependent on the environment (in terms of certain benefits which are provided by the said green spaces and environment). Rural settlements in South Africa experience various problems and challenges in terms of planning for the environment through green spaces (as well as sustainability), mainly as a result of the fragmentation of these rural areas, the existence of lost spaces, urbanisation, urban sprawl and poverty (Trancik, 1986; Barnett, 1995; IIED, 2000; DEAT, 2006; McMahan et al, 2002). This research attempted to address the challenges of integrated planning and green space provision in a local rural context, by means of: (1) A literature study encompassing research on Urban Ecology; Urban Planning; environmental dimension of planning; provision of ecosystem services; green infrastructure planning; resilience, and relevant policies and legislation; (2) An empirical investigation and comparative evaluation of international case studies, along with a local case study; and (3) drawing conclusions and recommendations for the local case study, based on the international approaches and identified best-practices. This research evaluated the spatial and environmental benefits of green space and enhanced the importance of planning for such benefits in rural South African areas. / MArt et Scien (Urban and Regional Planning), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Throughout South Africa, people are faced with various decisions with regard to planning for their future, but more so in planning for their retirement. It happens quite often that these investment decisions are postponed until only a few years before retirement, whether it is because of personal circumstances (cash flow restrictions) or changing employment. A number of people simply forget to plan for their retirement. Investment for retirement has become increasingly complex because of the great number of investment choices available and therefore this research attempts to identify and evaluate the most commonly used retirement investment opportunities in the market with their respective advantages and disadvantages. The research focuses on investment opportunities from a savings point of view and also evaluates each option from a South African income tax point of view which includes the cash inflows and outflows at the different stages (during the investment period as well as the maturity/retirement period). A number of investing options might seem very attractive at the initial phase, but may be less attractive at retirement or maturity date (especially looking at the tax benefits). This study focuses on both the current and newly proposed legislation as presented during the recent budget speech by the current Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan. AFRIKAANS : Regoor Suid-Afrika word mense gekonfronteer met besluite ingevolge die beplanning vir hul toekoms asook die beplanning vir hul aftrede. Dit gebeur gereeld dat hierdie beleggingsbesluite uitgestel word as gevolg van persoonlike omstandighede (wat kontantvloeibeperkings insluit) asook as gevolg van verandering van werkgewers. Party mense laat eenvoudig na om vir aftrede te beplan. Om te belệ vir aftrede word toenemend moeiliker as gevolg van die hoeveelheid beleggingsopsies beskikbaar. Hierdie navorsing poog dus om die mees algemene beleggingsopsies wat beskikbaar is, te identifiseer tesame met elkeen se individuele voordele en nadele. Die navorsing fokus op beleggingsgeleenthede vanuit „n besparingsoogpunt asook die Suid-Afrikaanse inkomstebelasting gevolge van elk van die opsies. Die Suid-Afrikaanse inkomstebelasting gevolge sluit in die kontantinvloeie en -uitvloeie tydens die duur van die beleggings asook by aftrede. Baie beleggingsopsies lyk aantreklik op die beleggingsdatum maar kan nadelig wees by aftrede. Die belastingontleding fokus op beide die huidige wetgewing asook die voorgestelde verandering in die wetgewing soos voorgestel tydens die begrotingsrede deur die huidige Minister van Finansies, Pravin Gordhan. Copyright 2011, University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. Please cite as follows: Kokott, J 2011, The evaluation of different retirement investment options as savings and tax planning tools, MCom dissertation, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd < http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-03262012-124429 / > F12/4/182/gm / Dissertation (MCom)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Taxation / unrestricted

AFRIKAANS : Vakbondverteenwoordigers se rol en invloedsmag het die laaste dekade in die werkplek toegeneem. In hierdie navorsing is daar bepaal watter invloed die vakbondverteenwoordiger op die bestuur van die skool het. Die menings van skoolhoofde en vakbondverteenwoordigers in dieselfde skool is getoets. Deur middel van kwalitatiewe navorsing is 'n groep skoolhoofde, wat die bestuurspan van hul skole verteenwoordig, se menings verkry oor die invloed van vakbondverteenwoordigers op die bestuur van die skool. Aspekte soos beplanning, aanstellings, stakings en ander bestuurselemente is in die onderhoude ontleed. ʼn Verskeidenheid van reaksies is van die respondente verkry oor die vakbondverteenwoordigers se leierskapsrolle, die verkiesing en opleiding van verteenwoordigers asook hulle rol en funksie as maatskaplike ontwikkelaars. Die menings van vakbondverteenwoordigers by dieselfde skole is ook verkry oor beplanning, aanstellings, stakings en ander bestuurselemente. Die verteenwoordigers van verskeie artikel 21-skole het hulle eie funksies ten opsigte van sosiale dialoog beoordeel. Die inligting van elke skoolhoof en die ooreenstemmende vakbondverteenwoordiger kon met mekaar vergelyk word om die geldigheid en betroubaarheid van die navorsing te bevestig. Die rol en funksie van die vakbondverteenwoordiger oor die wêreld heen het ʼn nuwe kleur begin kry. Waar vakbondverteenwoordigers in die verlede die draers was van inligting vanaf die hoofkantoor, het hul rol verander na dié van sosiale dialoog. Die verteenwoordiger bevind hom/haar in die rol van bestuurder, beplanner en leier. Hierdie rol van die vakbondverteenwoordiger beïnvloed die bestuur van die skool. Die vakbondverteenwoordiger se invloed kan tweeledig opgesom word: hy/sy kan die stimuleerder wees, wat die bestuur van die skool help om doelwitte te bereik, of die verteenwoordiger kan die inhibeerder wees wat die bestuur van die skool rem. By die Internasionale Arbeidskongres in Lima, Peru, in 2006 is die nuwe era en rigting van die vakbondverteenwoordiger deur verskeie bekende arbeidskonsultante uitgewys. Van die aspekte, soos om deel te word van bestuur en sosiale dialoog, is aan die orde van dié era. Die vakbondverteenwoordiger het invloed op die bestuur van die skool en kan die sosiale dialoog van mede-personeel, ouers en leerders beïnvloed. ENGLISH : The role and extent of the influence of shop stewards in the workplace has increased over the past decade. This research study has attempted to determine what influence is exercised over a school’s management by the Shop steward. The opinions of the heads of schools and those of the shop stewards at the same schools were surveyed. By means of qualitative research methods, the opinions of a group of headmasters representing the management teams of their schools were obtained in regard to the influence of shop stewards on the school. Aspects such as planning, appointments, strikes and other management elements were analysed in interviews. Diverse opinions were expressed by the respondents about the leadership roles of the shop stewards, the election and training of representatives and their role and function as social developers. The shop stewards at the same schools were also asked for their views about planning, appointments, strikes and other elements of management. The representatives of several Section 21 schools evaluated their own functions in respect of social dialogue. Information obtained from each headmaster and their respective shop stewards could be compared to confirm the validity and trustworthiness of the research. The roles and functions of shop stewards are changing all over the world. Where shop stewards were formerly transmitters of information received from head office, their role has evolved into one of social dialogue. The shop steward now finds him-/herself in the role of manager, planner and leader. The shop steward’s role affects the management of the school. This influence is twofold: he/she can be a stimulator, helping the school’s management to achieve objectives, or an inhibitor who has a retardant effect on the school’s management. At the International Labour Congress in Lima, Peru, in 2006, the new era and direction of the shop steward were highlighted by several eminent consultants. Aspects such as active participation in management and social dialogue are predominant in this era. The shop steward influences the management of the school and can affect the social dialogue of fellow staff members, parents and learners. Copyright / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Education Management and Policy Studies / unrestricted