As academic libraries continue to evolve as service organizations, they should focus on their users. This calls for a better understanding of the specific needs of library users in order to provide the appropriate type and level of service that meets those needs. The overriding goal will be user satisfaction. In this study, a survey was used to determine the levels of satisfaction of post-graduate education students with library services at the University of Transkei. A questionnaire was administered to 100 post-graduate education students registered in 1998 of which 57 responded. The most important finding that emerged from the analysis of the responses was that the majority of the respondents were in general satisfied with the library services offered at UNITRA. However, dissatisfaction was expressed by at least twenty percent of respondents with noise levels, opening hours, lack of photocopiers, the accuracy of the library catalogue, materials being in their correct place, inefficient staff and interloans. It was found that respondents were reluctant to commit themselves to expressing high levels of satisfaction or dissatisfaction. Suggestions made by respondents included computerization and the need for staff training. Recommendations based on the findings were then made followed by suggestions for further research. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1999.

This study is a brief history of college libraries in the former Transkei, from 1882 (the period of the missionaries) to 1994 (the year when Transkei was reincorporated into the Republic of South Africa). The history of college libraries in the Transkei has never been fully documented, despite the fact that some of the colleges and their libraries have been in existence for some time. Besides, there were some colleges which were without libraries. Even those that existed had not been fully developed, and the reasons for this have not been articulated. The author, therefore, considered it relevant to research the development of college libraries in this region. Fourteen college libraries were examined chronologically, starting from the colleges established during the missionary period (1882-1953), to the colleges established during the period of independence (1977 -1994) . Other periods covered were those of Bantu Education (1953-1962) and self-government (1963-1976). In order to provide a framework for the study, the historical development of each of the college libraries was examined in terms of the following criteria: adequacy of library accommodation; staffing; budget; the size and type of collection; users and types of services offered. The researcher gathered data by consulting and interviewing relevant people. Both primary and secondary sources were consulted. Conclusions drawn in this study clearly show that college libraries in the former Transkei were far from being centres of teaching, learning and research. Library staff were hampered in their efforts to improve library services, not only by a lack of funds and resources but also by the lack of a clear government policy regarding college libraries and by a lack of moral support. / Thesis (M.I.S.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1999.

<p>This study analyses the challenges faced by adult educators in reducing illiteracy among adult above twenty years of age in the Eastern Cape. The focal point is on ascertaining why there is an increase in the percentage of illiteracy in the province despite a slight decrease in other provinces. Most importantly is the determination of the significant role played by adult educators. A qualitative approach is employed to pursue the aims of the study. Data is collected using semi-structured interviews. The study has shown that lack of monitoring and supervision by ABET administrators, lack of resources for skills development and language of instruction, all contribute to the increase in illiteracy rate in the Province. For administrators of adult learning programmes it is suggested that they become more familiar with operations at Adult Learning Centres and provide training including technical where appropriate. Designers of curriculum should select curriculum resources appropriate to adult learners. Providers of direct support to adult learners should ensure that training is provided on an ongoing basis. This training should focus on teaching methods and learning approaches (pedagogy) as well as the effective use of ABET learning and teaching guides.</p>

Despite the fact that the Wild Coast area is well endowed with natural resources, the area is severely underdeveloped and experiencing high levels of unemployment. It is against this background that the South African government has chosen tourism as an appropriate development instrument for Port St. Johns. The empirical evidence shows that coastal tourism development has produced benefits such as employment and income generation in countries like Kenya, which share the same development trends with the Eastern Cape. Thus, the Wild Coast Spatial Development Initiative (WCSDI) has been proposed as a vehicle to promote tourism development. The WCSDI aims at unlocking the inherent and under-utilised economic potential of certain specific spatial locations, like Port St. Johns. In this study a critical analysis of the tourism-related projects proposed for Port St. Johns is undertaken, making use of cost-benefit analysis techniques and drawing on projections made in the course of the WCSDI planning process. The study shows that these projects can lead to economic growth through attracting investment and creating employment opportunities. However, this study does not show the exact number of jobs created by this development, as most of these projects are still in the planning stage. Lessons should be drawn from the Kenyan Coastal Development Corridor case study, in order to ensure that the WCSDI is a success. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1999.

[Introduction] During 1965 the author, in looking for a project for a thesis to be submitted for the degree of Master of Science in Geology, decided to map a suitable region in order to gain experience in geological field work. The exact nature of the region itself was of no great importance, but since this study was to be conducted through Rhodes University, it was decided that an area, as near to Grahamstown as possible, would be the most suitable. With this in view, the geologist in charge of the Grahamstown Office of the Geological Survey was invited to suggest an area suitable for study, and if possible, to obtain financial assistance. He indicated the region which has been mapped and which will eventually form part of the proposed sheet 143. It is immediately adjacent to, and to the west of the 1:125,000 sheet 136 of Grahamstown completed by Mountain in 1940.

The plant communities of the Andries Vosloo Kudu Reserve (6493 ha.; Acocks's Valley Bushveld) are classified using the Braun-Blanquet phytosociological technique. A checklist of the flowering plants is presented. The flora of the reserve displays an affinity to five phytochoria (Capensis, Karoo-Namib, Sudano-Zambezian, Afro-montane and Indian Ocean Coastal Belt 1, of which the Karoo-Namib and Indian Ocean Coastal Belt are the most extensive. The flora of the Valley Bushveld is regarded as adequately conserved, but a recommendation is made to consolidate the study area with adjacent farms. A small herbarium, containing specimens of all species listed in the checklist, has been established. The climate of the study area is classified according to the Koppen classification as Cfa. Simultaneous air temperature recording at four separate localities demonstrated that differences exist between local ities of marginally different altitude, aspect and slope. The phenology of 51 plant species, recorded at monthly intervals over a continuous period of 478 days, is presented. These species are classified according to their response to air temperature and rainfall for the initiation of new growth, flowering and fruiting. Species exhibited a spectrum of responses ranging from endogenous to exogenous control over phenological events. / KMBT_363 / Adobe Acrobat 9.53 Paper Capture Plug-in

The phenotypic plasticity of the cichlid Oreochromis mossambicus was examined in fresh and brackish water populations living in the eastern Cape near the southern extremity of the natural range. The primary goal of the study was to examine the wide variety of life-history styles which were expressed in relation to the varying environmental conditions. Four natural populations were studied during 1986 and 1987, and some experimental work under artificial conditions was carried out at the Rhodes University fishfarm during 1988. This comparative approach gave insights into the complex interactions between biotic and abiotic factors which are exploited by this hardy species. O. mossambicus displayed a wide variety of life-history tactics under harsh environmental conditions. The growth of juvenile fish was rapid and mortality of the young-of-the-year was high. Age at first onset of sexual maturity ranged from one to three years. Under harsh conditions growth rate was markedly reduced after maturity, which occurred during the second or third summer and growth disparity between the sexes was more pronounced. Longevity was found to vary from five to ten years for different populations. Under more favourable conditions (resembling the typical "floodplain" habitats of this species at lower latitudes) very rapid juvenile growth, and a high maximum mass of over 2300 g for both sexes was iii achieved. Sexual maturity under these conditions could be delayed until the third or fourth summer of life. O. mossambicus demonstrated an ability to withstand and even benefit from fluctuating water levels, and adjusted its life style according to the prevailing conditions: at times of high water level recruitment was low and sexual maturity delayed. During low water periods reproductive rates increased. Q. mossambicus showed a distinct preference for gentle gradients and well-vegetated habitats for feeding, nesting and refuge. During the study winter temperatures were near and at some times below the generally accepted lower limits for this species. This implies that these indigenous populations have a degree of cold tolerance. A further implication is that Q. mossambicus has the ability to thrive under adverse conditions which may partially explain its wide and successful colonisation of water bodies far from its natural range, and its obvious fisheries potential.

Magister Educationis (Adult Learning and Global Change) - MEd(AL) / This study analyses the challenges faced by adult educators in reducing illiteracy among adult above twenty years of age in the Eastern Cape. The focal point is on ascertaining why there is an increase in the percentage of illiteracy in the province despite a slight decrease in other provinces. Most importantly is the determination of the significant role played by adult educators. A qualitative approach is employed to pursue the aims of the study. Data is collected using semi-structured interviews. The study has shown that lack of monitoring and supervision by ABET administrators, lack of resources for skills development and language of instruction, all contribute to the increase in illiteracy rate in the Province. For administrators of adult learning programmes it is suggested that they become more familiar with operations at Adult Learning Centres and provide training including technical where appropriate. Designers of curriculum should select curriculum resources appropriate to adult learners. Providers of direct support to adult learners should ensure that training is provided on an ongoing basis. This training should focus on teaching methods and learning approaches (pedagogy) as well as the effective use of ABET learning and teaching guides. / South Africa

Several strategies used by the gobiid fish Caffrogobius caffer enabling it to colonise the harsh intertidal environment in the eastern Cape were studied. Q. caffer is opportunistic in its use of available food resources and feeds throughout the day with a slight tendency towards crepuscular peaks of feeding activity. The system of space utilisation used by C. caffer is so organised that all individuals of the population have access to patchily distributed food resources. Current velocities occurring over high tide limit the movements of Qo caffer and interpool movements occur only during the initial stages of a rising tide and in the final stages of an ebbing tide when the current velocities are below the tolerance limit of Q. caffer. The epifauna associated with the alga Ulva rigida, which forms an important constituent of the diet of the intermediate size classes of Q. caffer, was examined and it appears that this epifauna is an important source of food to Q. caffer. This report presents the results of the first detailed study of the biology of an intertidal fish in southern Africa.

[From Introduction]. It is the purpose of this thesis to examine some of the broad relationships which exist between different land use types and farming practises on the one hand and the geographical environment on the other. The enquiry is confined to the study of a number of farm units which have been selected within the area enclosed by the District of Albany and Bathurst situated in the south-East coastal belt of the Cape Province. The procedure adapted conforms broadly to that of a project carried out in South America by R.S. Platt of the University of Chicago and embodied in hls book "Latin America, Countryside and United Regions." Platt's project, he notes, consists of a collection of "small field studies in a frame of complex generalisations." It does not aim to give a complete geographical account of the regions he selected for investigation, but is an attempt to enlarge geograpical understanding of the respective areas.