Architecture is intended to house, shelter and define the framework within which human activity occurs. It is far more than purely functional and its vast impact on the physical, emotional and psychological aspects of its users should not be ignored. Unfortunately, much contemporary architecture has become driven by external appearances, pushing the boundaries of technology and engaging with the eyes. The sensory aspects of architecture that enhance the body's experience, have largely been neglected, much to the detriment of the human experience, as it is through the body that one perceives, engages and enjoys architectural spaces. This dissertation looks into a more appropriate response to architectural design that understands the significance of the sensory experience of the human body. Benefits of such an architectural theory are considered and the practical application of this approach to architectural design is discussed. Furthermore, this exploration is used to analyse children's experience of the built environment. Basic research recognises the importance of the environment on children's development; however, this knowledge is seldom applied to the design of children's spaces. The research undertakes to more fully examine children's development and the physical, sensory and psychological manner in which children engage with the built environment. The findings include proposed design approaches that suitably respond to this. The research culminates in an analysis of the sensory approach to architecture in the local context of KwaZulu-Natal. Conclusions are drawn from the research carried out through interviews, a review of literature, and analysis of case studies and precedents studies. The outcome of this dissertation is a set of recommendations, principles and an understanding of the criteria necessary to inform the design of a Children's Centre and Community Facility in Umlazi. / Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

Coastal forests are a significant component of the remaining natural vegetation in the greater Durban area. Being closely associated with an historical and rapidly developing urban environment, these forests are invariably small, isolated and variously disturbed. The nature of disturbance as an ecological phenomenon, coupled with unknowable disturbance histories and ongoing disturbance events poses particular challenges to traditional and tradition-bound attempts to understand and manage such forests. The intention of this study was to discuss as deeply as possible the nature of such challenges, while at the same time considering the broader relevance of practising ecology in the urban environment. At a practical level the forests were sampled in an attempt to describe forest communities, to assess the effects of disturbance on them, and to gain insight into the effects of different disturbance histories and regimes on forest physiognomy and floristics with a view to proposing management guidelines. Various descriptive approaches, as well as a multivariate analysis using Detrended Correspondence Analysis were used in an attempt to interpret the data collected. The unsatisfying nature of the data led the thesis to propose a review of the paradigm in which its methods were rooted. Both the data, and the broader issues on which the thesis touched were discussed in terms of biology's rootedness in philosophical assumptions. This led the thesis to a methodological position aligning it both epistemologically and ontologically with a philosophical method of investigation called phenomenology. While other philosophical contentions were touched upon, the main conclusion of the thesis was that phenomenological thinking, while challenging to apply, was relevant to philosophically mature and methodologically appropriate attempts to conserve the forests with which the thesis was concerned. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1993.

Text in English, Appendice 9 (pages 253-264) the isiZulu version of the corresponding English version. / The discourse on youth in South Africa’s post-apartheid era attempts to explore black African youth as agents for social change in their locale. Various perspectives define methods that are utilised by the youth to overcome the social challenges in this era. A case study approach was adopted in conducting this research. The role(s) played by the youth to influence social change were also investigated. The term youth in this research, refers to black African youth between 18 and 29 years of age, living in the township of KwaMashu in the KwaZulu-Natal Province. This investigation attempted to unravel the contributions made by youth towards community development, as well as the strategies that they adopted to secure their day-to-day livelihoods. In addition, various stereotypes and attitudes connected to youth were examined and were also documented. This study also investigated the role played by social agencies such as government institutions, education sector and also non-governmental and faith-based organisations in relation to the empowerment of young people in defining their futures. This investigation enabled the exploration of the impact of contemporary cultural value system(s) in shaping youth’s identities and their perceptions. The findings revealed that there is a need for relevant stakeholders and policy makers to consider interventions that will ensure support of youth initiatives, to curb the scourge of unemployment and poverty. It also recommends that the academic sphere needs to consider the decolonisation of the curriculum towards an Afrocentric Indigenous Knowledge orientation to enhance the aspirations of the Constitution of South Africa. The study also discovered evidence that suggests that the youth have a critical role to play in the development of their locales. Finally, the findings of this research acts as the baseline that could assist future studies in identifying possible themes that can provide [a fuller] understanding of the role played by black African youth in different social settings, i.e. township life, academic and political spheres in the post-apartheid era. / Sociology / D.Litt.et Phil. (Sociology)

The first indentured Indians arrived in South Africa in 1860. Their importation was a consequence of the British, who wanted cheap labour from their colony, India, to serve the Empire’s needs in South Africa. Several of these Indians, upon completion of their term of their indenture, chose South Africa as their new ‘motherland’. They settled in Durban and its surroundings with some migrating inland. Consequently, the largest community of Indians in South Africa is still located in the Durban area. Indian communities globally show clear socio-economic development coupled with a strong association to religion and worship. The South African Indian diaspora is no different. Religion is deeply embedded in the fabric of this community. Rooted within most Indian religious practices are strong ties with music. The immigrants who arrived in South Africa shared common religious associations with India, the major religions being Hinduism, Islam and Christianity. Christianity in South Africa includes established and mainline church denominations such as Roman Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Lutheran and Pentecostal movement. The Pentecostal movement includes the Full Gospel Church of God, Assemblies of God and Apostolic Faith Missions. Music, a subsidiary to worship within the Pentecostal church movement, provides certain unique dimensions to the religious service as opposed to the traditional repertoire and instrumentation (hymns being sung with organ accompaniment) of the mainline churches. To date, little is known about the music education, performance practice and music praxis in these churches. The lack of data on the latter provides the basis for this current investigation into Church Music praxis within the Pentecostal movement. A mixed method research approach which integrates both the qualitative as well as quantitative is adopted for this study. This approach allows for greater insight into the target population and their phenomena. The qualitative phase which consisted of informal structured interviews and a review of literature, provided in-depth knowledge and thematic data that informed the quantitative phase. The sample population used in the quantitative phase draws on six of the largest churches in the predominantly Indian areas of Durban. A questionnaire was developed specifically for this study, submitted for review to an expert, and administered to the sampled population. The results were coded and entered into a statistics database (SPSS) for analysis. Findings suggest that there is a unique stylistic development and performance tradition within these churches. Results reveal that the majority of Pentecostal church musicians in the Durban area have no formal training in music, yet are able to function as musicians within their congregations. Many musicians indicated their inability to read music as their greatest challenge. Consequently, this led to a great deal of time being spent on learning music. In almost all of the latter cases this occurred either autodidactally, communally and/or simply aurally. Musicians also indicated that financial difficulties were a setback, in that several were unable to purchase instruments and the necessary equipment to engage with their core music functions within the church. Many relied heavily on church support to assist with this need. These musicians possess an ability to perform technically and musically challenging music repertoire that demands advanced music skills and knowledge. This phenomenon attests to the power of informal music education. Many of these musicians go on to pursue successful careers as musicians and music educators. / Art History, Visual Arts and Musicology / D. Litt. et Phil.

An exploratory study was conducted to understand work related stress and substance use among the cemetery workers of the Ethekwini Municipality Anecdotal evidence suggested that in order to cope with the work related stress, this group of workers used substances like dagga and alcohol to cope with the stressors. A qualitative study was done in which focus group discussions were used to understand the cemetery workers' stressors and coping strategies with particular interest in the use of substances. A purposive sampling technique was used and six cemeteries out of twelve within the Ethekwini Municipality were chosen. All the workers in these cemeteries performed similar duties. The participants were on permanent contracts and were mainly adult males, with only a few female workers. They were from Indian and African ancestry. Thematic content analysis was used to explore their stressors and coping strategies. The cemetery workers' stress revolved around the intense and strenuous nature of their work with special reference to the exhumation of graves. Organisational structures and management practices that allowed for inadequate communication and little participation in the making of decisions, impacted negatively on their job satisfaction. The stresses were managed by a general acceptance of their working conditions, and the use of substances like dagga and alcohol during working hours. The data suggested that the stressors would be lessened if attention is paid to the improvement of communication between the participants and management, and to allow for a more participatory decision making, regarding aspects that directly influenced their daily activities. Proper induction and selection procedures are needed, and health promotion activities are needed on the dangers of substance use and healthy stress management strategies. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2005.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P)-University of Natal, Durban, 2002.

Introduction: South Africa is currently experiencing one of the most severe AIDS epidemics in the world with South Africa‘s public sector under great stress and under-resourced whilst there exists a vibrant private healthcare sector. Private healthcare sector doctors have a pivotal role to play in the management of HIV and AIDS infection. However not much is known about the extent of private healthcare sector doctor involvement in the management of HIV and AIDS patients. In addition these doctors need to have an accurate knowledge of the management of the infection, and a positive attitude towards the treatment of persons with HIV and AIDS. With the availability of antiretroviral drugs only since around 1996, many of the doctors who were trained prior to 1996 would not have received any formal training in the management of HIV and AIDS patients, further it is very important that these doctors constantly update their knowledge and obtain information in order to practise high-quality medicine. Although private sector doctors are the backbone of treatment service in many countries, caring for patients with HIV brings a whole new set of challenges and difficulties. The few studies done on the quality of care of HIV patients, in the private sector in developing countries, have highlighted some problems with management thus it becomes important to ascertain these doctors‘ training needs together with where these doctors source information on HIV/AIDS to stay updated. In South Africa two thirds of the doctors work in the private sector. To address some of the resource and personnel shortages facing the public sector in South Africa, partnerships between the public and private sectors are slowly being forged. However, little is known about the willingness on the part of private sector doctors in the eThekwini Metro of KwaZulu-Natal, to manage public sector HIV and AIDS patients. Though many studies have been undertaken on HIV/AIDS, fewer have been done in the private sector in terms of the management of this disease which includes doctors‘ adherence monitoring practices, their training needs and sources of information and their willingness to manage public sector patients. A study was therefore undertaken to assess the involvement of private sector doctors in the management of HIV, their training needs and sources of HIV information, the quality of HIV clinical management that they provided, together with their strategies for improving adherence in patients. Further the study assessed factors that affect adherence in patients attending private healthcare, and finally investigated whether private sector doctors are willing to manage public sector HIV infected patients. A literature review of the barriers that prevent doctors from managing HIV/AIDS patients was also undertaken. Method: A descriptive cross sectional study was undertaken using structured self reported questionnaires. All private sector doctors practising in the eThekwini Metro were included in the study. The study was divided into different phases. After exclusions a valid sample of 931 participants was obtained in Phase 1. However only 235 of these doctors indicated that they managed HIV infected patients, of which only 190 consented to be part of Phase 2 of the study. In Phase 2 the questionnaires were administered by trained field workers to the doctors after confirming doctors‘ consent. The questionnaires were thereafter collected, the data captured and analysed using SP55 version 15. Results: Although 235 (71.6%) doctors managed HIV and AIDS patients, 93 (28.4%) doctors did not, and of the latter 48 (51.61%) had not encountered HIV and AIDS patients, twenty five (26.88%) referred such patients to specialists, six (6.45%) cited cost factors as reasons for not treating such patients, whilst twelve (12.90%) doctors, though they indicated that there were other reasons for not managing HIV infected patients, did not specify their reasons. Two doctors (2.15%) indicated that due to inadequate knowledge they did not manage HIV and AIDS patients. Significantly younger (recently qualified) doctors rather than older (qualified for more years) doctors treated HIV/AIDS patients (p<0.001). Most doctors (76.3%) expressed a need for more training/knowledge on the management of HIV patients. Eighty five doctors (54.5%) always measured the CD4 count and viral load levels at diagnosis. Both CD4 counts and viral load were always used by 76 doctors (61.8%) to initiate therapy. Of the doctors 134 (78.5%) initiated therapy at CD4 count < 200cells/mm3. The majority of doctors prescribed triple therapy regimens using the 2 NRTI +1 NNRTI combination. Doctors who used CD4 counts tended to also use viral load (VL) to assess effectiveness and change therapy (p<0.001). At initiation of treatment 68.5% of the doctors saw their patients monthly and 64.3% saw them 3-6 monthly when stable. The majority of the doctors (92.4%) obtained information on HIV and AIDS from journals. Continuing Medical Education (CME), textbooks, pharmaceutical representatives, workshops, colleagues and conferences were identified as other sources of information, while only 35.7% of doctors were found to use the internet for information. GPs and specialists differed significantly with regard to their reliance on colleagues (52.9% versus 72.7%; p < 0.05) and conferences (48.6% versus 78.8%; p < 0.05) as sources of HIV information. Of the respondents, 78.9% indicated that they monitor for adherence. Comparison of GPs and specialists found that 82.6% of the GPs monitor for adherence compared to 63.6% of the specialists. (p=0.016). Doctors used several approaches with 60.6% reporting the use of patient self reports and 18.3% pill counts. Doctors (68.7%) indicated that their adherence monitoring is reliable, whilst 19.7% stated they did not test the reliability of their monitoring tool. The most common strategy used to improve adherence of their patients was by counseling. Other strategies included alarm clocks, SMS, telephoning the patient, encouraging family support and the use of medical aid programmes. One hundred and thirty three (77.8%) doctors were willing to manage public sector HIV and AIDS patients, with 105 (78.9%) reporting adequate knowledge, 99 (74.4%) adequate time, and 83 (62.4%) adequate infrastructure. Of the 38 (22.2%) that were unwilling to manage these patients, more than 80% cited a lack of time, knowledge and infrastructure to manage them. Another reason cited by five doctors (3.8%) who were unwilling was the distance from public sector facilities. Of the 33 specialist doctors, 14 (42.4%) indicated that they would not be willing to manage public sector HIV and AIDS patients, compared with only 24 (17.4%) of the 138 GPs (p < 0.01). There was no statistical difference between adherence to treatment and demographics of the respondent patient such as age, gender and marital status. In this study 89.1% of patients were classified as non-adherent and reasons for non-adherence included difficulty in swallowing medicines (67.3%) (p = 0.01); side effects (61.8%) (p = 0.03); forgetting to take medication (58.2%) (p = 0.003); and not wanting to reveal their HIV status (41.8%) (p = 0.03). Common side effects experienced were nausea, dizziness, insomnia, tiredness or weakness. Reasons for taking their medicines included that tablets would save their lives (83.6%); they understood how to take the medication (81.8%); tablets would help them feel better (80.0%); and that they were educated about their illness (78.2%). All participants that were on a regimen that comprised protease inhibitors and two NRTIs were found to be non-adherent. Conclusion: All doctors in the private healthcare sector were not involved in the management of HIV/AIDS patients. Doctors indicated that they required more training in the management of HIV/AIDS patients. However private sector doctors in the eThekwini Metro do obtain information on HIV from reliable sources in order to have up-to-date knowledge on the management of HIV-infected patients, with the majority of private sector doctors being compliant with the current guidelines, hence maintaining an acceptable quality of clinical health care. These doctors do monitor for adherence and employ strategies to improve adherence in their patients who do have problems adhering to their treatment due to various factors. Many private sector doctors are willing to manage public sector HIV and AIDS patients in the eThekwini Metro, potentially removing some of the current burden on the public health sector. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

Aim The aim of this study was to describe ancillary health care workers’ perceptions of the Ancillary Health Care Learnership programme, and their current employment status within the health care sector. Methods A non-experimental cross sectional survey was used that incorporated complementary mixed method data collection (Balnaves & Caputi, 2001; Polit & Beck, 2010). Quantitative data collected during the first phase, a telephonic interview assisted self-report questionnaire was used to inform semi structured focus group interviews that took place during the second phase to obtain richer descriptions and explore response and results of the phase 1 cross sectional survey (Bell, 2005). A Convenience sample of ninety two (n=92) was achieved for the telephonic interview assisted self- report questionnaire, and was substantially lower that the number of potential participants (N=200). Purposive sampling was used to obtain fifteen (N=15) potential key informant participants, a final sample of nine (n=9) achieved for the focus group interviews. Results The research revealed that majority (69%) of participants had their expectations of the course met. Subjects such as agriculture and business plan were perceived as not valuable and participants recommended that these be removed from the course. Computer course information was seen as and needed addition in order to bridge the skills gap and improve the opportunities for employment.Despite particpants perceptions of the course being met, expectations regarding emplyment were not. Employment rates were low, specifically within the health care sector. Conclusion and Recommendations The Ancillary Health Care Programme has not assisted the graduates in gaining employment. The review of the Ancillary Health Care Programme and some of the unit standards is one of the recommended options that can be done to improve the employment opportunities. / Theses (M.N.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2014.

South Africa was presented with the unique opportunity of hosting the first 2010 FIFA World Cup (FWC) on African soil. This unique opportunity further extended itself to the non-hotel accommodation providers, as it was the first time in history that FIFA agreed to accredit non-hotel accommodation providers for the tournament. The research intended to examine the extent of the use of the housing asset to generate income from the 2010 FWC. The study was conducted in the municipal area of eThekwini Municipality (Durban), South Africa. The case study areas consisted of the lower-middle income, upper-middle income and high-income areas of Umbilo, Manor Gardens and Durban North respectively. The data collection method used in the study areas was a household survey with 30 respondents. The respondents were from the high-income area of Durban North, upper middle-income area of Manor Gardens and lower-middle income area of Umbilo. Interviews were conducted to collect data from financial institutions. Data was collected from conventional and non-conventional financial institutions. The findings of the study revealed that the extent to which the housing asset was used to generate income from the 2010 FWC was not high or considerable. This was due to many home-based enterprise (HBE) owners stating that FIFA would stand to benefit largely from the 2010 FWC, with no institutional support for HBE owners to benefit from government. It was also found that conventional and non-conventional financial institutions were not willing to provide financial assistance to HBE owners specifically for generating income from the 2010 FIFA World Cup, due to the short duration of the event. In conclusion, it was recommended that instruments to drive the implementation of the policies be deployed, to create an enabling environment for the small business sector to grow at a household level. A policy should be developed in eThekwini Municipality that standardises the land use management applications and zoning for accommodation providers and HBEs in line with the eThekwini Municipality’s drive to be the ‘Events Capital of Africa’. Intervention from government at all levels is required to ensure that the HBEs in the small business sector benefit from mega-events such as the 2010 FWC. / M. Housing University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2013.

Across the globe, both developed and developing countries strive to continuously increase economic growth. Many strategies have been developed to guide these countries towards achieving growth and development in a sustainable manner. For many of these countries, cites have become the hubs with regards to the various socio-economic activities taking place within countries. This has in turn subjected cities to tremendous growth. The increased growth of cities has been characterized by radial expansion, wherein development spreads out from the city center to the fringes. The radial expansion of cities has not always been under control or properly managed by government or the private sector as well as the relevant role playing stakeholders. Many socio-economic and environmental challenges have been associated with the rapid urban development that spreads into urban fringes. This dissertation focuses on assessing the sustainability of urban fringes and their developments. It presents a conceptual framework that tackles multiple urban fringe challenges and their various causes as well as the possible solutions thereof. It also focuses on empirically assessing the sustainability of the Cato Ridge urban fringe development in eThekwini Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal Province. The study discovers that the challenges of urban fringe development are economic, social and environmental. It concludes with recommendations for addressing policies of urban fringe developments in order to ensure sustainability. / M.T.R.P. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2013.