The National Health Act (Act 61 of 2003) defined Municipal Health Services and gave full responsibility for this function to district municipalities and metropolitan municipalities. District municipalities were required, by law, to provide municipal health services which were previously rendered by local municipalities and the Provincial Department of Health. This, therefore, required the transfer of staff, assets and liabilities from local municipalities and the Provincial Department of Health to district municipalities. The purpose of the study was to identify barriers to and facilitating factors for the transfer of municipal health services from the seven local municipalities and the Provincial Department of Health to the uMgungundlovu district municipality. A cross-sectional, descriptive study design was employed. A structured questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data from local municipalities and the Provincial Department of Health on the package of environmental health services offered and the available human resources. Qualitative data was collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with key role players in the provision of environmental health within the district. The key findings of the study were: There were no changes to the package of environmental health services offered by local municipalities and the Provincial Health following the definition of Municipal Health Services. The Provincial Department of Health continues to play an important role in the provision of Municipal Health Services in the district There was a lot of awareness-raising on the integration process; however planning for the integration was very poor. The lack of progress in integration has had a negative impact on service delivery and on the environmental health personnel involved. The relationship between district and local municipalities, a lack of understanding of environmental health, budget allocation, communication, lack of commitment, capacity, and lack of a champion were seen as the main barriers to the integration process. The study was able to identify possible gaps in the planning process that, if revisited could assist the district municipality in better handling the process. / Thesis (M.Med.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

Our beautiful planet, earth, is under present and future threats ranging from over-utilisation of natural resources, limited access to water and food, poverty and climate change, to name a few. These threats are crafted by human kind in his quest for living a better life and can be resolved by man himself. The knowledge and skills to deal with such problems are essentially important and are thus embedded in education. Education is, therefore, viewed as a critical tool for addressing all these environmental threats and for promoting sustainable living among the school communities. The study focussed on evaluation of the role of environmental education in promoting sustainable living in secondary schools. It also aims to foster environmental behaviour in learners and transform secondary schools from unsustainable living to sustainable living. The study was conducted in five circuits in the District of UMkhanyakude. In each circuit two secondary schools were purposefully selected to participate. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative approaches, hence mixed method. A questionnaire was used to collect both quantitative and qualitative approach. The qualitative data was also collected through observations and through open-ended questions of a questionnaire. The participants were subjected to the pre-test, EEP and post-test evaluation. The findings of the investigation revealed that there was a significant statistical differences between the overall pre- and post-test impact on the environmental knowledge, behaviour, attitude and skills. The pre-test results revealed that there was a lack of participants’ knowledge, skills and attitude towards their environment. In the post-test scores, the participants exhibited significant improvement with regard to water savings, energy savings, waste management, purchasing and consumption, garden and school grounds. It is believed that the study will encourage individual learners, educators, non-educators and their parents to transform from present day patterns of unsustainable practices to the ones which are more sustainable. The conclusion drawn from this study, is that when EE is coupled with hand-on activities, becomes effective in promoting sustainable living. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Didactics)

South Africa is one of the countries that have a high rate of recidivism, especially amongst adult male 1offenders; this is evident in the large numbers flocking into the prisons. The high rate of recidivism is a serious problem in that it not only affects the offender and his immediate family, but also other vulnerable groups in society, as well as the government. The study intended to uncover various factors which contribute to this recidivism, as a phenomenon; South Africa has a notable dearth of research on factors contributing to recidivism. Unavailability of scientific research data has a negative impact on the fight against recidivism because it is empirical findings that can inform appropriate efficient and effective remedies to the challenge of recidivism. This qualitative study utilised explorative, contextual, phenomenological and descriptive research designs with the ecological system theory as a framework. Data were collected by means of semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with adult males who have re-offended after being reintegrated with their families. Data analysis was guided by thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2013:175) while Lincoln & Guba’s model in Bryman (2012:392) was employed for data verification. Ethical considerations were upheld throughout this study. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Work)

The study was carried out to: (1) determine the relationship between English and mathematical literacy scores at Grade 12 in Moloto Circuit, (2) understand and describe the learning difficulties experienced by learners when English language was used as a medium of instruction, and (3) suggest guidelines that could be used in teaching mathematical literacy. Regression and correlation analyses were carried out to determine the functional and strength of relationship between English language and mathematical literacy in the ten schools of Moloto Circuit. The views of the learners on the use of English language in the learning of mathematical literacy and the use of technical terms were sourced and analysed. The views of the educators about the use of English language as the medium of instruction were also analysed. A mixed approach methodology was used since both quantitative and qualitative methods were employed. The target population consisted of 305 learners who wrote the Grade 12 public examinations in 2016, 585 Grade 12 learners and 10 educators who completed questionnaires in January 2017. A census approach was carried out because everyone in Moloto Circuit doing Mathematical Literacy at Grade 12 level and their educators were studied. Grade 12 results for English and Mathematical Literacy for the 2016 academic year were collected and analysed. Questionnaires with closed and open-ended items were administered on Grade 12 learners and educators for the 2017 academic year in January 2017. Results in the ten schools showed that there was a positive relationship between performances in the two areas. In all cases the computed correlations were significant. This suggested that English influenced performance in Mathematical Literacy. This was supported by coefficients of determination calculations which ranged from 15% to 40%. Most responses indicated that learners found Mathematical Literacy difficult when English language was used as the medium of instruction. The learners preferred that Mathematical Literacy be taught in their mother tongue and that educators explain technical terms associated with mathematics. The educators said that learners had problems in Mathematical Literacy because of the use of English as the medium of instruction. They also said that learners found it difficult to relate Mathematical Literacy questions to real life situations and that the learners lacked adequate practice. The educators recommended the use of code-switching in their teaching in order to enhance understanding of Mathematical Literacy. / Mathematics Education / M. Ed. (Mathematics Education)

This qualitative study explored traditional healers’ perceptions on collaborating with bio medical professionals. Purposive sampling was used to select study participants, and individual in-depth interviews were used to collect data. Thematic data analysis was conducted. The main findings of the study were that healers are very popular and highly respected amongst African communities. Traditional healers experienced mistrust and disrespect by biomedical health professionals who demonstrated ignorance on traditional medicine. Lack of motivation, incentives and financial support to conduct collaboration activities was another key finding including lack of clear policies and management structures for collaboration. Due to concern for their patients, healers resorted to practising covert collaboration such as not using official referral slips. Positively, healers experienced transformation in terms of knowledge gained from the training on basic HIV-TB epidemiology. There was clear evidence of high ethical practices amongst healers where they put their patients’ welfare ahead of their business interests / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the socio-economic impact of learners’ achievement at public schools in Nkangala District in the Mpumalanga Province. The benefits of the study were highlighted within the narrative of the study. The study was qualitative in nature and included a literature study, observations and semi structured interviews. It was discovered from the data that the socio- economic conditions in the district, the learners’ home environment, the school environment and the Department of Education impacted on learners’ achievement. Based on the findings, recommendations were made for improvements to assist in addressing the socio economic impact on learners’ achievement. / Educational Management and Leadership / M. Ed. (Education Management)

Teenage pregnancy in South African schools poses a serious management and leadership challenge. Statistics from Statistics South Africa (2008) reflect the seriousness of this problem in all provinces wherein Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, Limpopo (where this study is situated) and Eastern Cape report high levels of early pregnancy. The main objective of this study was, therefore, to explore the challenges faced by the SMTs regarding teenage pregnancies at secondary schools in the Vhembe District in Limpopo province. A mixed methods approach was used to collect data from SMTs in schools that are located in Vhembe district. Questionnaires were distributed to the school management teams (SMTs) of different schools. In addition, qualitative data were collected through interviewing the SMTs. The study findings reflected that management of teenage pregnancy is still a problem at Vhembe District of Education despite the laws and policies that are in place. SMTs also felt that the issue of pregnant learners at schools should be left for medical experts to deal with them. The study recommends that there ought to be intervention programs including training of SMTs, SGBs and Educators regarding management of teenage pregnancy. / Educational Management and Leadership / M. Ed. (Education Management)

This study explored the attitudes of community members toward the Human Rabies in the Vhembe district of the Limpopo Province, South Africa. This study was underpinned by interpretative phenomenological analysis design. Data were collected using individual interviews of 20 participants and 6 focus groups consisting of six community members each. Both sets of interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis framework for data analysis. Three super-ordinate themes emerged from data analysis: attitudes toward the Human Rabies, factors influencing attitudes toward the Human Rabies and tackling the Human Rabies. Results indicate that attitudes toward the Human Rabies has a direct influence on adherence to prevention and care approaches. Attitudes can be influenced by addressing training and educational needs and perceptions of prevention and care approaches. Recommendations are made to enhance adherence to prevention and care approaches for management of the Human Rabies. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

The aim of this research was to identify the impacts and adaptation options of climate variability and change on agricultural crop production in Vhembe District Municipality. The study will contribute to the expansion of existing literature on climate change impacts on agricultural sector. The following two main objectives were formulated for the purpose of this study:  To determine the level of awareness of small-scale maize farmers about climate change impacts and threats in Vhembe District Municipality (VDM),  To compare the level of production scales between the farmers who are aware and the farmers who are not aware of climate change impacts and its threats. The study area was the Vhembe District Municipality; a representative sample of 150 farmers (aged 18 – 65+ years, 46 percent males and 54 percent females) participated in the study. Vhembe District Municipality is one of poorest municipalities in Limpopo due to lack of infrastructure development, and as a result of that, there is an increase of socio-economic problems such as food prices increase, unemployment, scarcity of food, and lack of local markets. The study further covers the municipality’s farming enterprises, systems, categories, infrastructure as well as other constraints that may be facing the emerging farmer in the District. The study highlighted the lack of climate change information, reduction of livestock production and crop yields of the farmers in the Vhembe District. The literature studies show climate variability and change adaptation strategies such as planting different varieties, crop diversification, different planting dates and shortening of growing periods. This study draws on lessons learned, experiences, and other existing research on climate change impact and adaptation across the globe. It was concluded during the research that change in climate was already perceived by farmers in the Vhembe District and the study also presented perceived adaptation strategies used by farmers in the Vhembe District. The study concludes that there is lack of local market, and low level of farmers’ awareness about the impact of climate change on the crop production in the Vhembe district. This low level of awareness translates into a low level of crop production which results in increased socio-economic problems, low income, increased unemployment, increased crops diseases and reduced crop yields. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Management)

The aim of the study was to explore the accessibility of antiretroviral treatment amongst people living with HIV and AIDS at Public Health Care Facilities in Gert-Sibande Region in Mpumalanga. The study was conducted at a selected Public Health Care facility in Gert Sibande Region at Msukaligwa Municipality in Mpumalanga. The study focused primarily on people attending wellness programmes that are living with HIV and AIDS, receiving antiretroviral treatment in Public Health Care facilities. Research design of the study was exploratory which fundamentally used to explore a new topic or to learn more about issues where little is known. The research approach was purely qualitative methodology which allowed the researcher to explore deeply the perceptions of people living with HIV and AIDS and the capabilities in the provision of antiretroviral treatment at public health care facilities in Msukaligwa municipality of Gert-Sibande Region in Mpumalanga. Qualitative interview is the method that has been used to gather data from 23 participants who took part in the study. Questions of the interview were semi-structured in-depth one-on-one interviews and were used to explore understanding in relation to the accessibility of antiretroviral treatment amongst people living with HIV and AIDS at Public Health Care Facilities in Gert- Sibande Region in Mpumalanga. The findings of the study revealed that, there is good accessibility of antiretroviral treatment at public health care facilities in Msukaligwa Municipality of Gert-Sibande Region in Mpumalanga. There is also an existence of negative staff attitude towards patients and a probable poor service delivery at the referral local clinics. It can be concluded that there is a need to re-look into the current Hospital’s reception filing system and the turnaround time at certain areas of the Hospital and the capacitation of staff at the wellness centre. There is also a need to intensify the established programmes and the encouragement of people on treatment to take their antiretroviral treatment consistently. / Health Studies / M.A. (Social behaviour Studies in HIV & AIDS)