Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: When considering the attitude of a workforce towards their work and ways of increasing their motivation, attention must be given to their culture. Attitudes within In this study the influence of culture on the implementation of ergonomics was studied with specific reference to the transfer of technology in developing countries. Cultural diversity factors such as language/communication, religious beliefs, anthropometrics, educational background time, ethnicity values, attitude and values was measured using a specially designed questionnaire. It was completed by eighteen managers representing seven large industries in the Mpumalanga province. The cultural factor with the highest significance was 'time'. Others with high significance were educational background, attitude, language/communication and values. Ethnicity values, anthropometrics and religious beliefs were cultural factors which was not considered to be significant, however the population was very small and it is considered that they do contribute towards the implementation of ergonomICS. Training, imported technology and management are external factors, which make a useful and practical contribution to the subject of Ergonomics and the implementation thereof in organizations. If understood, cultural factors provide a much richer environment and different viewpoints, which can increase productivity by the effective use of technology. an organization are due to the attitudes that exist in the culture from which the members of the organization have come. Management practices, therefore, must cope with the attitudes and prejudices of the cultures within the organization. These cultures have been influenced by many factors like religious doctrine and history, not primarily concerned with the efficiency and productivity of the organization. Ergonomics aim at the optimization of the interaction between human and machine and the operating environment. This can provide the information necessary to promote an acceptable and efficient interaction between human-machine and environment in any form of a human-at-work system. In the process of technology transfer from Industrial Developed Countries to Industrial Developing Countries, emphasis is laid on economic progress. Although improvement of the economic situation and the standard of living is important to achieve, neglecting ergonomic considerations is both economically expensive and socially disturbing, thus creating negative effects in the country acquiring the technology. Ergonomics serve as a link between human factor considerations and the transfer of technology. A comprehensive systems model of Ergonomics was used, which indicates the interaction between facets emphasizing information as a core dynamic process, which can be useful to ensure optimality of choices of technology. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Wanneer 'n werkerskorps ondersoek word met betrekking tot hul houdings teenoor werk en wyses om hul motivering te verhoog, moet aandag geskenk word aan hul kultuur. Houdings binne 'n organisasie ontstaan uit houdings wat reeds bestaan in die kultuur waaruit lede van die organisasie oorspronklik kom. Bestuurspraktyke moet die houdinge en bevooroordelings van kulture binne die organisasie hanteer. Hierdie kulture is beYnvloed deur vele faktore soos geloofsdoktrines en geskiedenis wat nie primer gerig is op die effektiwiteit en produktiwiteit van die organisasie nie. Ergonomika het ten doel die optimisering van die interaksie tussen mens en masjien en die omgewing van funksionering, wat die nodige inligting kan voorsien wat nodig is om aanvaarbare en effektiewe interaksie te bewerkstellig tussen mens, masjien en die omgewing ten opsige van enige mens-by-sy-werk sisteem. In die proses van tegnologiese oordrag vanaf Industriele Ontwikkelde Lande na Industriele Ontwikkelende Lande, word klem gele op ekonomiese vooruitgang. Alhoewel verbetering van die ekonomiese situasie en 'n verhoging van die standaard van lewe belangrik is om te bereik, sal die verwaardlosing van ergonomiese oorwegings beide ekonomies duur en sosiaal verontrustend wees en gevolglik negatiewe effekte veroorsaak binne die land wat die tegnologie moet verkry. Ergonomika dien as 'n skakel tussen die menslike faktor oorwegings en die oordrag van tegnologie. 'n Omvattende sisteem model van Ergonomika dui op die interaksie tussen belangrike fasette van inligting as 'n dinamiese kern proses wat bruikbaar kan wees by die optimisering van keuses van tegnologie. In hierdie studie word die invloed van kulturele faktore op die implementering van ergonomika bestudeer met spesifieke verwysing na die oordrag van tegnologie. Kulturele diversiteitsfaktore soos taal/kommunikasie, gelowe, antropometrie, opvoedkundige agtergrond, tyd, etniese waardes, houding en waardes is gemeet deur 'n spesiaal ontwerpte vraelys. Dit is voltooi deur agtien bestuurders wat sewe groot industriee in die Mpumalanga provinsie verteenwoordig. Die kulturele faktor wat as die mees beduidend gemeet het is 'tyd'. Ander beduidende faktore is opvoedkundige agtergrond, houdings, taal/kommunikasie en waardes. Nie beduidende faktore naamlik, etnisiteit, antropometrie en gelowe is weI beskou as bydraend in die implementering van ergonomika aangesien die populasie wat gemeet is as relatief klein beskou kan word en moontlik in 'n groter populasie as beduidend kon meet. Opleiding, ingevoerde tegnologie en bestuur is eksterne faktore wat 'n waardevolle en praktiese bydrae maak tot die vakgebied en die implementering van Ergonomika. Kulturele diversiteit voorsien 'n ryk omgewing met verskillende uitgangspunte en indien dit verstaan word kan dit lei tot verhoogde produktiwiteit deur verbeterde gebruik van tegnologie.

The research problem reflected a lower number of female postgraduate students and academics as compared to their male counterparts within the Faculty of Engineering at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. A descriptive survey was disseminated to a stratified sample of undergraduate final year students in the disciplines of Chemical, Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronic, Computer and Bioresources Engineering. An online survey was also sent to the nine female academics within the Faculty. The study indicates that the social and academic environment within the Faculty of Engineering at the University of KwaZulu-Natal was not a deterrent to female graduates studying further and entering academia. The exam performance of both male and female students was similar and neither the drop-out rate nor failure was due to gender but rather to the choice of degree. An issue of concern to both the student and the academic group was the low numbers of female academics. / Development Studies / M.A. (Development Studies)

Dissertation submitted in fulfilment of requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Chemical Engineering In the FACULTY OF ENGINEERING 2014 / In South Africa only 5% of the coal fly ash produced annually by power stations finds use. Due to the high quantities of Si and Al in the coal fly ash researchers have explored the opportunity to use the fly ash as a feedstock in zeolite synthesis. Two principal methods have been successfully employed on a micro scale namely the 2-step method and fusion assisted method. However, in order to scale-up these processes some fundamental process design changes are required. Fly ash contains various elements including highly toxic elements such as As, Pb and Hg. The fate of these elements during the synthesis processes is not known. Both these processes generate large quantities of liquid supernatant waste. Disposal of these wastes would be expensive and environmentally harmful, thus making these processes industrially unfeasible. The well known fusion assisted process, contains an energy intensive fusion step operating at 550 C. Construction and operation of a furnace to implement fusion would be too expensive on an industrial scale. The 2-step method has a time consuming pre-hydrothermal treatment step (aging step). In order to improve the feasibility of the 2-step process the processing time of the aging step needs to be reduced. In order to breach the scale gap between micro and pilot plant scale a principal reactor design has been suggested. However, to date, no consideration has been given to the safety and operational reliability of this design. A HAZOP study is required to prevent costly incidents from occurring during the operation of this reactor. The aim of this study formed part of the overall initiative to scale-up the synthesis of zeolites to pilot and ultimately do at industrial scale. The aim of this study specifically was to perform some principal process design activities in order to prepare these processes for scale-up. The objectives were to perform material balances on the two principals synthesis approaches in order to determine the distributional fate of elements. Secondly, to make critical process design changes and develop protocols whereby the supernatant waste resulting from these processes can be minimised. Thirdly, to replace the fusion step (used in the fusion assisted process) and the aging step (used in the 2-step process) with a short high intensity sonochemical treatment step. Lastly, to perform a HAZOP study on the principal bench scale reactor design, and make design changes based on the outcome of the study. Material balances illustrated that most of the elements originating from the coal fly ash (Fe, Mn, Mg, Ca, Ti, Ba, Ce, Co, Cu, Nb, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, Y and Zn) do not leach out into solution during either of the two synthesis approaches. This was due to the CaO content in the ash retarding the mobility of these elements. This meant that during the 2-step process these elements reported to the overall zeolite product but did not form part of the zeolite crystal structure. On the other hand, during the fusion assisted process these elements reported to the solid residue waste. The yield efficiency of the fusion assisted process was found to be poor with only 19.6% of the Si and 21.6% Al reporting to the zeolite A product. The 2-step process on the other hand incorporated 72.2% of the Si and 81.5% Al into the zeolite product. However, the 2-step process produced a mixed phase zeolite product while the fusion assisted process produced a pure phase zeolite A product. Therefore there is a trade-off between yield efficiency and product purity. It was found that the liquid supernatant waste produced during both the synthesis processes contained toxic elements such as As, Pb, Hg, Al and Nb. This highlighted the importance to minimise the liquid supernatant waste generated. The waste minimisation studies illustrated that the liquid supernatant waste can be recycled while still producing highly crystalline zeolite products, in both the synthesis approaches. During the 2-step process the supernatant waste was recycled as a source of NaOH. By recycling the waste it was found that 40% of the supernatant could be recycled. However, by making a minor process design change a protocol was developed whereby 100% of the supernatant waste could be recycled. Also, by recycling the liquid waste, zeolite analcime became the dominant phase due to the accumulation of Si in the waste. In the fusion assisted process, protocols were developed whereby the liquid supernatant waste was recycled as a source of water. It was found that 100% of the supernatant could be recycled without compromising the relative crystallinity and purity of the zeolite A product. Both the fusion step (used in the fusion assisted approach) and the 48 hr aging step (used in the 2-step process) could be replaced with 10 min of sonochemical treatment. It was found in both cases that the introduction of ultrasound, during the pre-hydrothermal stage, increased the rate of crystal formation during the hydrothermal treatment step. It was also found that by replacing the high temperature fusion step, in the fusion assisted process, the required hydrothermal treatment temperature could be reduced to 90 C. By introducing sonochemical treatment in these two synthesis approaches their synthesis time and energy demands could be reduced successfully. A HAZOP study on the principal bench scale reactor design enabled design changes to be made preventing future loss during operation. A final optimised reactor design was proposed based on the outcome of the HAZOP study. This study effectively prepared both zeolite synthesis approaches for up-scale operation. Scale-up of this process will reduce disposal of coal fly ash offering relief to the financial and environmental strain caused to the country.

Progress has been made in eradicating the backlog in sanitation. This is reflected by the 2011 Census results that reflect a 21 percent increase in the provision of sanitation between the 2001 Census and the 2011 Census. In the rural areas of O.R. Tambo District Municipality, the eradication of sanitation backlogs is done through the provision of VIPs for sanitation. Even with this progress, there are still challenges resulting from the previously constructed sanitation facilities. Some of the challenges relate to the poor quality of these facilities. Community members – via the IDP road shows have voiced their unhappiness with regard to some of the sustainability factors of these structures. Community members feel they were not involved in decisions related to the sanitation projects. It has also been observed that the municipality and its agents do not conduct environmental management studies; and some pits of these structures were not lined, and the health and hygiene training, together with post-construction assessment was not done. In this study, an assessment of the provision of sanitation facilities, in order to identify some of the key factors that are critical to the sustainability of rural sanitation facilities, was done. The research findings should be helpful in assisting local government to improve the provision of sanitation facilities, with the aim of ensuring sustainability, improving community satisfaction, and improving the quality of life for the people living in these villages. For the purpose of the study, a quantitative research approach was used. A research questionnaire was used to collect the data; and it was distributed through email to a sample of respondents that understood sanitation issues. The data were collected from municipal officials, consultants working on sanitation projects, as well as other stakeholders with influence and an interest in sanitation. The results were analysed to establish the findings and to propose recommendations, in order to improve the sustainability of rural sanitation facilities. From the research findings, the recommendations highlighted the need for an improved participatory approach in implementing sanitation projects. To ensure sustainability, the following issues are key: monitoring and supervision; community participation and adherence to design guidelines; a review of the sanitation provision policy; as well as the promotion of health and hygiene.

The focus of this investigation was an analysis of the work demands being placed on South African automotive industry workers as there is a recognised problem with regard to the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Preliminary work was conducted to highlight the dominant risks and areas which elicited higher numbers of MSDs within the chosen automotive plant. An area of concern was highlighted through medical record analysis and the use of risk assessment tools, thereby prioritising the need for ergonomic intervention. In particular, the effects of varying restricted and overhead work heights on the biomechanical, physiological and psychophysical responses of an individual were investigated. Twenty-eight subjects were required to complete sixteen conditions. The conditions consisted of the adoption of restricted and upright overhead static postures, with half requiring the holding of four kilograms of weight in the hands and the remaining eight conditions having no weight. Testing was carried out using an electromyography unit, ergospirometer and a perceptual Body Discomfort Map and Scale. This involved a habituation and testing session. The results of the testing revealed the biomechanical and physiological responses were dependant on the change in height. Body discomfort was also shown to be variable over the changing height conditions. This indicates that there is a significant effect of height on an individual’s responses during overhead work. The extreme restricted (-200mm and -100mm) and upright (+300mm and +400mm) overhead conditions within this study were limiting, as they elicited the highest muscle activation, physiological responses and body discomfort ratings. Positions that are preferable to adopt, which were identified from the results in this study, indicate conditions closer to head height (0mm and +100mm) were favourable. The results therefore illustrate how awkward working postures during work are likely to elicit higher demands from an individual, which could lead to an increased risk for the development of a musculoskeletal disorder. The added factor of weight elicited significant results over all variables, excluding a respiratory The focus of this investigation was an analysis of the work demands being placed on South African automotive industry workers as there is a recognised problem with regard to the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Preliminary work was conducted to highlight the dominant risks and areas which elicited higher numbers of MSDs within the chosen automotive plant. An area of concern was highlighted through medical record analysis and the use of risk assessment tools, thereby prioritising the need for ergonomic intervention. In particular, the effects of varying restricted and overhead work heights on the biomechanical, physiological and psychophysical responses of an individual were investigated. Twenty-eight subjects were required to complete sixteen conditions. The conditions consisted of the adoption of restricted and upright overhead static postures, with half requiring the holding of four kilograms of weight in the hands and the remaining eight conditions having no weight. Testing was carried out using an electromyography unit, ergospirometer and a perceptual Body Discomfort Map and Scale. This involved a habituation and testing session. The results of the testing revealed the biomechanical and physiological responses were dependant on the change in height. Body discomfort was also shown to be variable over the changing height conditions. This indicates that there is a significant effect of height on an individual’s responses during overhead work. The extreme restricted (-200mm and -100mm) and upright (+300mm and +400mm) overhead conditions within this study were limiting, as they elicited the highest muscle activation, physiological responses and body discomfort ratings. Positions that are preferable to adopt, which were identified from the results in this study, indicate conditions closer to head height (0mm and +100mm) were favourable. The results therefore illustrate how awkward working postures during work are likely to elicit higher demands from an individual, which could lead to an increased risk for the development of a musculoskeletal disorder. The added factor of weight elicited significant results over all variables, excluding a respiratory individual.

Genetically modified (GM) crops are commercially cultivated worldwide but there are concerns on their possible negative impacts on soil biodiversity. A glasshouse study was conducted to determine effects of Bt maize residues on soil microbial diversity. Residues of Bt maize (PAN 6Q-308B) and non-Bt maize (PAN 6Q-121) were incorporated into the soil and corresponding maize seeds planted. The treatments were replicated three times. Fertilizer and water application were similar for both treatments. Rhizosphere and bulk soil was destructively sampled from each treatment and analyzed for microbial community level physiological profiles using Biolog plates with 31 different carbon substrates. Absorbance in the Biolog plates was recorded after 72 h of incubation at 20oC. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi spore counts were also determined. Field studies were conducted at the University of Free State and University of Fort Hare Research Farms to determine the effects of growing Bt maize on soil microbial diversity. One Bt maize cultivar (PAN6Q-308B) and non-Bt maize (PAN6Q-121) were grown in a paired experiment at University of Free State farm, while two Bt maize (DKC61-25B and PAN6Q-321B) and their near-isogenic non-Bt maize lines (DKC61-24 and PAN6777) were grown in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Fertilization, weed control and water application, were similar for both Bt maize cultivars and their non-Bt maize counterparts. Rhizosphere soil samples were collected by uprooting whole plants and collecting the soil attached to the roots. The samples were analysed for microbial diversity and for arbuscular mycorrhizae fungal spore counts. Principal component analysis showed that soil microbial diversity was affected more by sampling time whereas genetic modification had minimal effects. Presence of residues also increased the diversity of microorganisms. Mycorrhizal fungal spores were not affected by the presence of Bt maize residues. Growing Bt maize had no effect on the soil microbial diversity in the rhizosphere.

Poultry provide affordable animal protein products compared to other animal products in agricultural industry. The demand of organic food by world health organisation and call for discard of conventional laying cage production method led to this research study. The aim of the study was to determine how (4 x 4) full diallel crossbreeding of the Potchefstroom Koekoek (PK), Naked neck (NN), Lohmann Brown (LB) and White Leghorn (WL) had an effect on production performance, egg parameters, genetic and phenotypic characteristics of F1 crossbreed offspring. The study was conducted at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), Livestock Production Improvement at the Irene Campus, which is situated about 25 km south of Pretoria. The (4 x 4) full diallel crossbreeding design used on four chicken breeds to produce four pure breeds, six crossbreeds and six reciprocal crosses. The total number of 352 chickens with16 treatments (2 cocks and 20 hens) used in phase 1 and 384 chickens 16 F1-treatments (3 cocks + 21 hens) used in phase 2. Data was analysed by full factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA), General Linear Model procedures and Scheffe post-hoc for multiple comparison of the means of different variable data. The outcome had shown that crossbreeding had an effect on the production performance, genetic and phenotypic characteristics. The performed F1 crossbreeds emerge from crossbreeding between the local dual-purpose PK and commercial LB chicken breeds. PKLB dominated on growth and production performance traits compared to other crossbreeds. All set null hypothesis differ significantly at (p < 0.05), the outcome of all five hypothesis of this study were rejected. In conclusion PKLB was the best performing F1 crossbreed, based on its best performance on growth, FCR, cost of rearing, productive, high quality safe eggshell, economic efficiency and consumer preference (brown eggshell and yolk colour). / Dikgogo di neelana ka dikumo tsa poroteine ya diphologolo go tshwantshanngwa le dikumo tsa diphologolo tse dingwe mo intasetering ya temo. Tlhokego ya dijo tse di bolang mo mekgatlhong ya boitekanelo ya lefatshe le pitso ya go latlha mekgwa ya kumo ya dikgetshe tsa go beela tsa tlwaelo di ne tsa isa kwa thutong ya patlisiso eno. Maikaelelo a thuto eno ke go tlhomamisa gore tsadiso ya kgabaganyo ya dilo tse pedi kgotsa go feta go tshwantshanya kgolagano ya mofuta wa dijene le tikologo tse di tletseng tsa (4 x 4) tsa Potchefstroom Koekoek (PK), Naked Neck (NN), Lohmann Brown (LB) le White Leghorn (WL) di na le ponalo mo tiragatsong ya kumo, diparametera tsa mae, le dijene le diponagalo tsa kgolagano ya mofuta wa dijene le tikologo tsa ditsadiso tsa kgabaganyo tsa ngwana wa F1. Thuto e ne ya diragadiwa kwa Agricultural Research Council (ARC) le Tokafatso ya Kumo ya Diruiwa kwa khempaseng ya Irene, e e agilweng bokana ka 25 km jwa borwa jwa Pretoria. Ditsadiso tsa kgabaganyo tsa dilo tse pedi kgotsa go feta go tshwantshanya kgolagano ya mofuta wa dijene le tikologo tse di tletseng tsa (4 x 4) di ne tsa dirisiwa mo mefuteng ya ditsadiso tsa dikgogo go ntsha mefuta ya ditsadiso e e tletseng e mene, ditsadiso tsa kgabaganyo tse thataro le dikgabaganyo tse di tshwanang tse thataro. Palo e e tletseng ya dikgogo tse di 352 ka ditiragatso di le 16 (mekoko e le 2 le dithole di le 20) di ne tsa dirisiwa mo letlhakoreng la 1 le dikgogo di le 384 ka ditiragatso tsa F1 di le 16 (mekoko e le 3 + dithole di le 21) di ne tsa dirisiwa mo letlhakoreng la 2. Data e ne ya tshetshereganngwa ka tshetshereganyo ya dintlha tse di tletseng tsa pharologantsho (ANOVA), dikgato tsa General Linear Model le tshwantshanyo ya bontsintsi ya morago (ANOVA), dikgato tsa General Linear Model le tshwantshanyo ya bontsintsi ya morago ga tiragalo ya Scheffe ka mekgwa ya data ya pharologantsho e e farologaneng. Ditlamorago di ne tsa bontsha gore ditsadiso tsa kgabaganyo di na le ponalo mo tiragatsong ya kumo, ga mmogo le diponagalo tsa dijene le setlhopha sa kgolagano ya mofuta wa dijene le tikologo. Go ne ga diriswa mefuta ya ditsadiso tsa kgabaganyo ya F1 tse di tlhagelelang go tswa mo ditsadisong tsa kgabaganyo magareng ga mefuta ya ditsadiso tsa dikgogo tsa PK tsa lebaka la gabedi la selegae le LB ya kgwebo. PKLB e ne ya fekeetsa metlhala ya tiragatso ya kgolo le kumo go tshwantshanngwa le mefuta ya ditsadiso tsa kgabaganyo tse dingwe. Setlhopha sotlhe sa dikakanyo tsa lefela se x farologana mo go bonagalang ka (p < 0.05) le ditlamorago tsa dikakanyo tse tlhano tse tsotlhe tsa thuto eno di ne tsa kganediwa. Kwa bokhutlong, PKLB e ne ya nna mofuta wa ditsadiso tsa F1 o o diragatsang go gaisa, go ikaegilwe ka tiragatso mabapi le kgolo, FCR, tshenyegelo ya go tsadisa, kumo, boleng jo bo kwa godimo jwa dikgapetla tsa mae tse di babalesegileng, bokgoni jwa ikonomi le boikgethelo jwa modirisi (dikgapetla tsa mae tse di tshetlha le mmala wa tlhae). / Agriculture and  Animal Health / Ph. D. (Agriculture)

Thesis (LLM. (Development and Management Law)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / The study looks into the phenomenon of Black Economic Empowerment in South Africa (B-BBEE) in the mining sector. The newly elected government in South Africa had to deal with the injustices of the past under the apartheid government and had to introduce programmes to help the Historically Disadvantaged South Africans and building the economy. For many years, the mining sector contributed to the South African economy; however, mining operations in South Africa have not given the Historically Disadvantaged South Africans opportunities to participate in the mining industries or partake in the mining sector. The introduction of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment in South Africa aims to promote and provide better opportunities to the previously disadvantaged communities in South Africa. However, it has been reflected that there is a slow transformation in the mining industry and economic participation of the Historically Disadvantaged South Africans in South Africa. The study finds that broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) policies have had little developmental impact and were not properly implemented in the mining sector. Keywords: Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment, Affirmative Action, Empowerment and the Mining Sector in South Africa

Thesis (M. Tech) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2008 / Food and water are two basic human needs. International projections indicate that water shortages will be prevalent among poorer countries where resources are limited and population growth is rapid, such as the Middle East, parts of Asia and Africa. Provisional estimates are that South Africa will run out of surplus usable water by 2025, or soon thereafter. Urban and peri-urban areas will therefore require new infrastructure and inter-basin transfers to provide safe water and adequate sanitation. Due to the high cost of these developments, such water is seen as being used for industrial and public needs only and not for irrigation. Currently, the agricultural water users consume the majority of the water used by humans. Taking cognisance of the before mentioned it is a reality that in the future the irrigation sector will have to sacrifice some of its water for public and industrial usage. This suggests growing conflict between the different water users and the agricultural water users. An attempt by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) to address this conflict has been the implementation of pilot studies to determine the steps Water User Associations (WUAs) could take to ensure more effective water use in the future by the agricultural sector. These steps include an increase in irrigation efficiency according to the benchmarks of crop irrigation requirements and more efficient dam and canal management. The Water Administration System (WAS) has been developed to fulfill this exact requirement as it ensures optimal delivery of irrigation water on demand. The program is designed as a management tool for irrigation schemes, WUAs and water management offices to manage their accounts, and also to manage water supply to clients more efficiently through canal networks, pipelines and rivers. The WAS program consists of four modules that are integrated into a single program. Three modules of the WAS program have already been implemented at the Vaalharts irrigation scheme. This scheme has been transformed from a government controlled scheme to a privately owned scheme, and is now known as the Vaalharts Water User’s Association (VHWUA). The main purpose of this study was to implement the fourth module of the WAS program at the VHWUA as only full functionality of the complete program will ensure effective water use at the scheme. The fourth module calculates the volume of water to be released for all the canals (main canal and all its branches), allowing for lag times, water losses and accruals in order to minimise waste and thus save water. The methodology followed in this study was to first of all develop an understanding of the distribution cycle and the current calculation procedure of the VHWUA. The fourth module was then applied on a typical feeder canal and used to calculate the release volumes in order to compare these results with the current values. The next step was then to verify all data abstracted from the database used by the WAS program to calculate the release volumes. The database consists of information like cross-sectional properties, positioning of the sluices, canal slope, as well as canal capacities. The verification of data was done by field work, by studying existing engineering design drawings, through meetings and consultations with all parties involved in the VHWUA as well as by mathematical calculations. Cross-checking and verification, if necessary, of all above mentioned data were done. After the verification process, the database was updated and another cycle of calculations were run to do the final calibrations. Accurate calibrations were done to the seepage and the lag time coefficient. Some final adjustments were also made to the canal geometry in the database. This was an important part of the study as only a trusted and verified database will deliver correct results, irrespective of the software program used. After calibration of the database, the fourth module was again applied, but this time water losses were included in the calculations and the results revealed trustworthy and accurate real-time release volumes. The study therefore succeeded in the implementation of the fourth module on a typical feeder canal at the VHWUA. The study was concluded by the compilation of a checklist, which the VHWUA can use to implement the module on the whole scheme. This would enable the VHWUA to implement and apply the complete WAS program, which offers all the benefits and answers in every need of any water management office. Sustainable water resource utilisation can only be achieved through proper management. Applying this most effective management program will ensure a cost effective and optimised process at the VHWUA.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Stellenbosch University was approached to assist with developing a techno-financial model for an urban freshwater aquaculture system in Philippi, Cape Town. Rapidly growing urban areas are predominantly becoming concentrated zones for malnutrition and poverty which require attention. Having enough food to eat does not mean that a family is food secure, the problem is usually associated with the lack of access to nutritious food. Fish is seen as an extremely healthy food which has the potential to effectively support food security and alleviate malnutrition. Aquaculture is identified as a largely underdeveloped sector in South Africa. It is currently undergoing rapid transition, being promoted by government as an industry that has potential to develop and create jobs, provide food security and grow the South African economy. Aquaponics- a method to integrate aquaculture with growing crops in a symbiotic system is a highly resource efficient closed-integrated food producing technology which has the potential to benefit from South African biosecurity regulations and climate-geographic characteristics. It is viewed as an effective food production alternative to deal with the challenges of declining high quality freshwater resources and available arable land. Training and capacity building is important for the development of aquaponic technology. This study explores and identifies the advantages aquaponic technology development would have in South Africa. The study has reviewed and assessed the fundamental principles for aquaculture production and management required for aquaponic systems development and management. A practical case study identifies the daily challenges and design parameters of aquaponic systems. The study is concluded with a techno-financial project proposal which shows how aquaponic systems can be planned. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Universiteit Stellenbosch was genader om 'n tegno-finansiele model to ontwikkel vir 'n stedelike akwakultuur plaas in Philippi, Kaapstad. The tempo waarteen die stedelike areas groei ontwikkel kommerwekkende uitdagings soos wanvoeding en armoede. In hierdie studie is vis geindentifiseer as 'n uiters voedsame aanvulling in die dieet van Suid Afrikaners. Akwakultuur is grootliks agter in terme van ontwikkeling. Dit word beskou as 'n sektor wat groot potensiaal inhou vir Suid Afrika se eknomiese groei, werkskepping en voedselsekuriteit. Akwaponika is die hersirkulerende integrasie van akwakultuur en hidroponika. Akwaponika hou groot voordele in terme van Suid Afrika se biosekuriteit regulasies and geografiese eienskappe en is 'n effektiewe manier om gebruikte akwakultuur te suiwer. Opleiding en beplanning word gesien as 'n fundamentele benadering tot suskesvolle akwaponika ontwikkeling. Hierdie studie bestudeer die Suid Afrikaanse omgewing en potensiaal vir akwaponika ontwikkeling. Die fundamentele beginsels van akwakultuur en hidroponika bestuur en produksie is saamgesit wat beskou word as die aanbevele manier om akwaponika te bestuur. 'n Praktiese gevallestudie toon die daaglikse uitdagings aan en gee raad oor daaglikse bestuur van akwaponika stelsels. Die studie word afgesluit met 'n tegno-finansiele model wat wys hoe om 'n akwaponika sisteem te beplan.