For the majority of rural people, agricultural activities continue to be one of their main livelihood strategies. Production of food crops is not dependent on any formally acquired knowledge of farming but is solely based on indigenous agricultural knowledge passed from generation to generation through experience and careful observations. Resource-poor farmers, especially in rural areas, follow traditional farming methods to produce their food crops and these are specifically tailored to suit their environments. Embo is located in rural KwaZulu-Natal and falls under Mkhambathini municipality. The area is characterised by small-holder farmers who are mainly Ezemvelo Farmers Organisation (EFO) members. The purpose of this study was to review the farming practices followed by farmers in respect of food crop production and secondly to understand what influences the continual practice of such farming practices among rural farming communities of Embo in KwaZulu-Natal especially the EFO farmers. The study looked at what farmers see as traditional agriculture. A combination of qualitative and quantitative methods was used for the study. Data collection methods included participatory observations, semi structured face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions. The study found that farmers are happy to follow traditional farming methods to produce their food crops. Traditional farming tools such as the hoe and animal traction are the main implements used to prepare land. Household members are the main source of farm labour with men mainly responsible for ploughing activities while the bulk of planting, weeding and harvesting activities is the responsibility of women. Cropping patterns include intercropping and crop rotation with common crops being amadumbe, beans, maize and sweet potatoes. The majority of these crops are produced for both subsistence and commercial reasons. Amadumbe is an important commercial crop produced organically. Crop protection against pests is done through traditional methods where farmers mix some concoctions made from locally available resource in order to minimise losses. Kraal manure is the main soil fertility strategy followed by farmers. Landrace seeds are the main seed type used by the farmers. Local seed sources include own production and asking from other farmers. Crops with good qualities are selected in fields and maintained as seeds, which are then stored separate from those for home consumption. Harvesting is mainly done manually and for important crops such as tubers with short shelf lives, harvested through piecemeal methods. Farmers are able to generate some income from their efforts and this contributes to local economies and household food security. Farmers value their farming methods and see their farming as efficient despite challenges. There is a need to consider developing labour support groups in order to ease the burden of labour especially by women. In view of the importance of traditional farming in the lives of rural people, it is important that agricultural scientists and extension officers take into consideration the knowledge farmers already have so as to develop technologies suitable for farmers’ environments. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.

國內許多社區擁有豐富的自然及人文資源，為了有效促進經濟發展與促使遊客了解社區環境資源，部分組織體系較完整的社區，已陸續展開社區發展規劃工作，鼓勵社區民眾共同參與社區林業經營與環境資源管理等工作。對於社區資源管理方面，如何將社區內各項資源進行有效地規劃與適當地呈現，以及與其他不同社區之間的資源資料整合，皆為當前主要面臨的課題之一。為考量社區的經濟條件限制，本研究利用低成本的開放源碼(Open Source)軟體如Django和QGIS (Quantum GIS)，及網路上提供的免費軟體Google Earth，搭配空間資訊科技輔助資料蒐集，建構出社區資源之地理空間資料庫，並建立一套完整的網際網路地理資訊系統WebGIS (Web-based GIS)平台，提供使用者可經由操作網頁方式進行資料分享、管理及分析等服務。並結合MapServer、Google Maps API (Application Programming Interface)、Openlayers API與JavaScript設計動態網頁，讓社區和一般使用者可以透過地圖互動方式與相關地理資料的多樣化呈現以了解社區之各項資源，且促使社區管理者更有效進行資源規劃及提高生態旅遊之效益；同時融入公眾參與地理資訊系統(Public Participation Geographic Information Systems, PPGIS)的理念，鼓勵共同參與資源管理，於網站上加入討論與分享機制，進而擴大居民參與社區資源規劃討論的空間。研究成果顯示，利用GPS軌跡記錄器可於低成本的條件下，幫助環境資源等資料的收集；本研究舉辦數次的教育訓練以及觀察社區居民的學習情形，證實利用WebGIS平台的簡易操作，能促使社區中不同的使用者願意分享各自擁有的資料，發揮自發性地理資訊(Volunteered geographic information, VGI)的精神。且藉由公眾參與的方式，將能獲得更多不同來源的圖資或社區資源相關資料，以強化系統的資料庫內容。此外，透過各種豐富圖資瀏覽與空間分析工具，更有利於社區資源管理與決策分析之應用。 / Many local communities have a wealth of natural and humanistic resources. In order to effectively promote economic development and let more tourists know the environmental resources of the community, some more well-organized communities have launched community development planning to encourage local people to participate in community forestry and environmental resources management work. For community resources management, the most important issue is how to manage and present various community resources effectively, and to integrate resource data collected by different communities. Considering the economic constraint of community, this study used low-cost open source software such as Django and QGIS (Quantum GIS), and free software such as Google Earth, and spatial information technologies to collect data and establish geospatial database of community resources. Moreover, a WebGIS (Web-based GIS) platform was built to provide users with various services including data sharing, management, and analysis. By combining MapServer, Google Maps API (Application Programming Interface), Openlayers API, and JavaScript dynamic web pages, the system let users understand the resources of the community through a diverse display of interactive electronic maps and related geographic information. It also enables the community manager to carry out resource planning more effectively, and promotes benefits of ecotourism. In addition, the system incorporates the concept of PPGIS (Public Participation Geographic Information Systems) by adding functionalities of discussion and information sharing so as to encourage public involvement in resource management, and facilitate residents to participate in the discussion of resource planning. The results show that, GPS tracking devices can assist in collecting community resources data with low cost and high efficiency. By observing the activities of community residents after several training workshops, this research proves that WebGIS platform can facilitate different users of the community to voluntarily share their own data, which conforms to the spirit of VGI (Volunteered geographic information). With public participation, the geodatabase can effectively incorporate more data about the community resources from different sources. Furthermore, the geodatabase and spatial analysis tools will be helpful for decision-making on community resources management.

The system of care for persons suffering from mental retardation is in a state of upheaval. Considering the mentally handicapped as holistic beings, this study explored and assessed the needs of those residing in the community of District 22 (sub-district 222), KwaZulu-Natal, thus facilitating the planning of care and care facilities for these individuals to enable them to function optimally in the community. To accomplish this purpose, specific objectives were formulated. A quantitative, exploratory and descriptive study based on Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory was carried out, using 167 respondents. The study revealed that despite being mentally retarded, they were still regarded as valuable members of the community, their needs did not differ from the needs of others in the rest of the world and that mental retardation is still rated low in the prioritization of health problems, hence the lack of resources and support needed for the rehabilitation of such persons. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

The system of care for persons suffering from mental retardation is in a state of upheaval. Considering the mentally handicapped as holistic beings, this study explored and assessed the needs of those residing in the community of District 22 (sub-district 222), KwaZulu-Natal, thus facilitating the planning of care and care facilities for these individuals to enable them to function optimally in the community. To accomplish this purpose, specific objectives were formulated. A quantitative, exploratory and descriptive study based on Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory was carried out, using 167 respondents. The study revealed that despite being mentally retarded, they were still regarded as valuable members of the community, their needs did not differ from the needs of others in the rest of the world and that mental retardation is still rated low in the prioritization of health problems, hence the lack of resources and support needed for the rehabilitation of such persons. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

The system of care for persons suffering from schizophrenia is in a state of upheaval and the community in general is visibly frightened of an illness it knows little about except for the information acquired often from media reporting. Considering persons suffering from schizophrenia as holistic beings, this study explored and assessed the needs of these persons residing in the Mogoto Village, Zebediela District in the Northern Province. The primary purpose of the study was to explore and describe the holistic needs of persons suffering from schizophrenia thus facilitating the planning of care and care facilities for these individuals to enable them to function optimally in the community. To accomplish this purpose, specific objectives were formulated. A quantitative, exploratory and descriptive study based on the Nursing Theory for the Whole Person was carried out. Through purposive sampling 60 respondents were selected. A questionnaire was administered to the respondents. Data from questionnaires revealed that despite the diagnosis of schizophrenia, the respondents were still regarded as valuable members of the community by those who cared for them. There was also an indication that the needs of persons suffering from schizophrenia in the Mogoto Village did not differ from the needs of other persons in the rest of the world. Like any unique person they have specific needs. There was also an indication that mental illness is still rated low in the prioritisation of health problems, hence the lack of resources and support needed for the rehabilitation of persons suffering from schizophrenia, especially in the rural areas. / Advanced Nursing Sciences / M.A.(Nursing Science)

The system of care for persons suffering from schizophrenia is in a state of upheaval and the community in general is visibly frightened of an illness it knows little about except for the information acquired often from media reporting. Considering persons suffering from schizophrenia as holistic beings, this study explored and assessed the needs of these persons residing in the Mogoto Village, Zebediela District in the Northern Province. The primary purpose of the study was to explore and describe the holistic needs of persons suffering from schizophrenia thus facilitating the planning of care and care facilities for these individuals to enable them to function optimally in the community. To accomplish this purpose, specific objectives were formulated. A quantitative, exploratory and descriptive study based on the Nursing Theory for the Whole Person was carried out. Through purposive sampling 60 respondents were selected. A questionnaire was administered to the respondents. Data from questionnaires revealed that despite the diagnosis of schizophrenia, the respondents were still regarded as valuable members of the community by those who cared for them. There was also an indication that the needs of persons suffering from schizophrenia in the Mogoto Village did not differ from the needs of other persons in the rest of the world. Like any unique person they have specific needs. There was also an indication that mental illness is still rated low in the prioritisation of health problems, hence the lack of resources and support needed for the rehabilitation of persons suffering from schizophrenia, especially in the rural areas. / Advanced Nursing Sciences / M.A.(Nursing Science)