South Africa and the rest of the world currently face an exacerbating threat of environmental degradation, which can be partly ascribed to the fact that some parts of society still place economic growth as a priority over environmental conservation. This study shows that such an approach is only profitable over the short term and actually causes more harm than good. On the other hand, the world is still recovering from the major 2008 global financial crisis. To tip the scale back into balance, it is crucial that economic -, social -, and environmental development be sustainable; from now and into the future. This study recognises that, to achieve sustainable development at all three levels, a transition to a green economy is needed. In essence a green economy requires investment in the environment for the benefit of both society and the economy. This study then goes on to show that ecotourism can be used as a manner to invest in the environment, whilst at the same time uplifting society and improving the economy. Subsequently it is identified as a key driver of a green economy. However, a daunting reality is that ecotourism developments and - activities also threaten the environment. This study therefore argues that ecotourism has to be regulated effectively; otherwise it will not live up to its purpose and may, as a result, curtail South Africa’s efforts of a transition to a green economy, instead of positively contributing to it. This study asks the question: Does South Africa’s environmental legislation provide for the effective regulation of ecotourism? This question is answered by considering whether various relevant pieces of national environmental legislation measure up to certain criteria that is inherent to the effective regulation of ecotourism. Finally this study serves to show that; from an environmental law perspective, and to the extent that this study investigated the ecotourism environment, ecotourism as a phenomenon is regulated effectively in South Africa. However, it appears that there still remains tremendous scope for improvement. / LLM (Environmental Law and Governance), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

South Africa and the rest of the world currently face an exacerbating threat of environmental degradation, which can be partly ascribed to the fact that some parts of society still place economic growth as a priority over environmental conservation. This study shows that such an approach is only profitable over the short term and actually causes more harm than good. On the other hand, the world is still recovering from the major 2008 global financial crisis. To tip the scale back into balance, it is crucial that economic -, social -, and environmental development be sustainable; from now and into the future. This study recognises that, to achieve sustainable development at all three levels, a transition to a green economy is needed. In essence a green economy requires investment in the environment for the benefit of both society and the economy. This study then goes on to show that ecotourism can be used as a manner to invest in the environment, whilst at the same time uplifting society and improving the economy. Subsequently it is identified as a key driver of a green economy. However, a daunting reality is that ecotourism developments and - activities also threaten the environment. This study therefore argues that ecotourism has to be regulated effectively; otherwise it will not live up to its purpose and may, as a result, curtail South Africa’s efforts of a transition to a green economy, instead of positively contributing to it. This study asks the question: Does South Africa’s environmental legislation provide for the effective regulation of ecotourism? This question is answered by considering whether various relevant pieces of national environmental legislation measure up to certain criteria that is inherent to the effective regulation of ecotourism. Finally this study serves to show that; from an environmental law perspective, and to the extent that this study investigated the ecotourism environment, ecotourism as a phenomenon is regulated effectively in South Africa. However, it appears that there still remains tremendous scope for improvement. / LLM (Environmental Law and Governance), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

In the environmental context banks face direct, indirect and reputational risks from their internal operations and their external business activities. The current specific focus on the protection of the environment makes it essential for banks and their directors to be aware and stay on top of potential risks and liabilities. This is especially so because banks’ directors can be criminally prosecuted for environmental crimes. The application and effect of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998 (POCA) on persons convicted of an environmental crime or crimes has been identified as a possible new or added risk for banks and their directors. Banks in addition to their normal environmental risk and liabilities also need to contend with the possibility of lender liability. Existing legislation pertinent to lender liability does not expressly or specifically deal with lender liability. Absence of judgements on lender liability further exacerbates the risks and the uncertainty for banks in South Africa. Therefore, banks remain subject to legal uncertainty and associated risks. The issue of lender liability specifically with regard to the implication of “the person in control” requires clarification. Hence, it is recommended that legislation relevant to lender liability (National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998; National Water Act 36 of 1998 and the National Environmental Management: Waste Act 59 of 2008) be revised to specifically accommodate and protect lenders (lending banks) in certain distinct circumstances. The role of banks is that of an intermediary between borrowers and lenders of money. Therefore, it influences the direction and pace of economic development and by default steers and promotes either sustainable or non-sustainable development. Currently, mainstream banks are in effect financing a brown economy and hence subscribe to a weak form of sustainability. It would seem that mainstream banks are more concerned with managing the impact that environmental risk may have on bank lending than the impact of bank lending on the environment. The evolving nature of sustainability (from weak to strong and from a brown to green economy) demands a fundamental policy change for banks. It is expected that mainstream banks will be put under even greater pressure than before to make the transition from weak to strong sustainability. Hence, banks’ current environmental risk management systems will not be sufficient to cater for new environmental risks and liabilities that the move to stronger sustainability (in the form of the green economy) will present. Banks should adopt the stronger version of sustainability; formulate environmental principles that the bank will adhere to; incorporate these environmental principles into all aspects of its lending cycle, develop an environmental risk management system that should include as a minimum the identification of all the applicable legislation pertaining to the specific financing or lending of capital, risk identification, assessment of the specific risk, implementation of risk control measures, mitigation of the risk, risk monitoring and auditing. / LLM (Environmental Law and Governance), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

In the environmental context banks face direct, indirect and reputational risks from their internal operations and their external business activities. The current specific focus on the protection of the environment makes it essential for banks and their directors to be aware and stay on top of potential risks and liabilities. This is especially so because banks’ directors can be criminally prosecuted for environmental crimes. The application and effect of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998 (POCA) on persons convicted of an environmental crime or crimes has been identified as a possible new or added risk for banks and their directors. Banks in addition to their normal environmental risk and liabilities also need to contend with the possibility of lender liability. Existing legislation pertinent to lender liability does not expressly or specifically deal with lender liability. Absence of judgements on lender liability further exacerbates the risks and the uncertainty for banks in South Africa. Therefore, banks remain subject to legal uncertainty and associated risks. The issue of lender liability specifically with regard to the implication of “the person in control” requires clarification. Hence, it is recommended that legislation relevant to lender liability (National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998; National Water Act 36 of 1998 and the National Environmental Management: Waste Act 59 of 2008) be revised to specifically accommodate and protect lenders (lending banks) in certain distinct circumstances. The role of banks is that of an intermediary between borrowers and lenders of money. Therefore, it influences the direction and pace of economic development and by default steers and promotes either sustainable or non-sustainable development. Currently, mainstream banks are in effect financing a brown economy and hence subscribe to a weak form of sustainability. It would seem that mainstream banks are more concerned with managing the impact that environmental risk may have on bank lending than the impact of bank lending on the environment. The evolving nature of sustainability (from weak to strong and from a brown to green economy) demands a fundamental policy change for banks. It is expected that mainstream banks will be put under even greater pressure than before to make the transition from weak to strong sustainability. Hence, banks’ current environmental risk management systems will not be sufficient to cater for new environmental risks and liabilities that the move to stronger sustainability (in the form of the green economy) will present. Banks should adopt the stronger version of sustainability; formulate environmental principles that the bank will adhere to; incorporate these environmental principles into all aspects of its lending cycle, develop an environmental risk management system that should include as a minimum the identification of all the applicable legislation pertaining to the specific financing or lending of capital, risk identification, assessment of the specific risk, implementation of risk control measures, mitigation of the risk, risk monitoring and auditing. / LLM (Environmental Law and Governance), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

This thesis provides an analytical interpretation of the critique Dutch nineteenth-century statesman-cum-historian Guillaume Groen van Prinsterer (1801-1876) articulated of French revolutionary ideology. It achieves an original reading of Groen's thought as Protestant right-order theory. This reading achieves a clarification of the functions that Scripture, 'nature', and 'history' have in his thought, and connects his thinking to that of a small group of contemporary British-based political theologians, notably Oliver and Joan Lockwood O'Donovan, and their minority view on the ontological grounding of justice. Our comparison of Groen's argument of 'history' with that of Edmund Burke achieves original critical leverage on their concepts of 'history', and draws out that Burke's critique of the Revolution purposes to re-affirm English common law, while Groen's is an apologia for Christianity.

Abstracts in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa / Green information and communication technology (ICT) is viewed as a pioneering initiative that plays a key role in reducing the negative impact of ICT on the environment. The research problem of the study was the low green ICT adoption rate in South African small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The primary objective was to identify the most prominent barriers resulting in this low adoption rate. The first secondary objective was to determine the barrier with the strongest underlying correlation resulting in the low adoption rate of green ICT in South African SMEs. The second secondary objective was to recommend strategies on how to improve the adoption rate of green ICT. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data through electronic and paper-based surveys. A census study was conducted among owners and managers of high-technology-based SMEs located in Gauteng. An exploratory factor analysis was employed to identify the barriers resulting in the low adoption rate of green ICT. These barriers were found to be a lack of funding, awareness, legislation, skills, and knowledge based on complexity and uncertainty. A lack of funding was identified as the most prominent barrier to adopting low green ICT. Although five constructs were discussed in the literature, the overall results presented six components, with the construct of knowledge being made up of two parts – complexity and uncertainty. This study recommends that SMEs align green ICT initiatives with their strategic goals and that government consider more adequate support structures for SMEs. The study confirmed a low green ICT adoption rate in South African SMEs, and more research is required to explore the impact of each of the factors above on the environment. / Met groen inligting-en-kommunikasietegnologie (IKT) word baanbrekerswerk gedoen om die nadelige uitwerking wat IKT op die omgewing het, te verklein. Die trae tempo waarteen Suid-Afrikaanse klein en medium ondernemings (KMO’s) groen IKT aanneem was die navorsingsprobleem van hierdie studie. Die primêre oogmerk was om die grootste struikelblokke vir die aanneem van groen IKT aan te toon. Die eerste sekondêre oogmerk was om die struikelblok met die sterkste onderliggende korrelasie met die trae tempo waarteen Suid-Afrikaanse KMO’s groen IKT aanneem, te bepaal. Die tweede was om met strategieë te kom om die tempo te versnel waarteen groen ITK aangeneem word. Data is met ʼn selfvraelys deur elektroniese en papieropnames versamel. ʼn Sensusstudie is onder die eienaars en bestuurders van hoëtegnologie-KMO’s in Gauteng gedoen. Struikelblokke wat vir die trae aanneming van groen ITK verantwoordelik is, is met ʼn verkennende faktoranalise aangetoon. Daar is bevind dat gebrekkige befondsing en bewustheid, wetgewing, ʼn gebrek aan vaardighede en kennis weens die kompleksiteit en onsekerheid struikelblokke is. ʼn Gebrek aan befondsing was die grootste struikelblok vir die aanneem van groen IKT. Hoewel vyf konstrukte in die literatuur bespreek is, het die uitslag aangedui daar is ses. Die konstruk kennis is uit twee dele saamgestel: kompleksiteit en onsekerheid. Hierdie studie beveel aan dat KMO’s hulle groen IKT-inisiatiewe met hulle strategiese doelwitte in ooreenstemming bring, en dat die regering KMO’s beter ondersteun. Die studie bevestig die trae tempo waarteen Suid-Afrikaanse KMO’s groen ITK aanneem. Die invloed van elk van die bogenoemde faktore op die omgewing moet in verdere navorsing verken word. / Ulwazi lwezeMvelo kanye nobuchwepheshe bezokuxhumana (ICT) kuphawuleka njengemizamo yamaqhinga amasha adlala indima esemqoka ekunciphiseni umthelela omubi we-ICT kwezemvelo. Inkinga exazululwayo kucwaningo kwabe kuyizinga eliphansi lomthintela we-ICT kwezemvelo kumabhizinisi amancane nalawo asafufusa (SMEs) eNingizimu Afrika. Inhloso yokuqala kwabe kuwukuthola izikhinyabezo ezigqamile eziholela ekutheni kube nezinga eliphansi lokwamukela ezemvelo. Inhloso yokuqala esesigabeni sesibili kwabe kuwukuthola isikhinyabezo esinezimpawu ezihambisanayo kakhulu esidala izinga eliphansi lokwamukela ezemvelo kwi-ICT. Inhloso yesibili yesigaba sesibili kwabe kuwukuncoma amasu angasetshenziswa ukuthuthukisa izinga lokwamukelwa kwezemvelo kwi-ICT. Umbhalo wemibuzo ehlelwe wumcwaningi ngokwakhe wasetshenziswa ukuqoqa idatha ngohlelo lwesaveyi eyaqhutshwa ngekhomphyutha nangephepha. Ucwaningo lohlelo lokubalwa kwabantu/lwesensasi lwenziwa phakathi kwabanikazi kanye nabaphathi bamabhizinisi amancane nasafufusa esifundazweni saseGauteng, amabhizinisi encike kubuchwepheshe beqophelo eliphezulu. Uhlelo lokuhlaziya oluhlolayo lwasetshenziswa ngesizathu sokuthola izihibhe ezidala izinga eliphansi lokulandelwa kwezemvelo ku-ICT. Lezi zihibhe zatholakala ukuthi ukuswela uxhaso lwezimali, ukwexwayiswa, umthetho, izakhono zomsebenzi kanye nolwazi olwencike phezu kwesimo esixubene kanye nokungabi nesiqinisekiso. Ukuswela ukuxhaswa ngezimali kwabonakala njengesikhinyabezo esikhulu mayelana nokwamukelwa kwezinga eliphansi lwe-ICT yezemvelo. Yize kuye kwaxoxwa ngezakhiwo ezinhlanu kumbhalo wobuciko, yonke imiphumela iveze izigaba eziyisithupha, ngesakhiwo solwazi esahlukene izingcezu ezimbili – isimo esixubene kanye kanye nokungabi nasiqinisekiso. Ucwaningo luncoma ukuthi amabhizinisi amancane nasafufusa (SMEs) ahambisana nemizamo yohlelo lwe-ICT olulandela ezemvelo kanye nezimpokophelo zamasu kanye nokuthi uhulumeni ubhekelele ukuthi kube nezakhiwo eziningi nezanele zokuxhasa amabhizinisi amancane nasafufusa (SMEs). Ucwaningo luqinisekisile ukuthi kunezinga eliphansi lokubhekelelwa amabhizinisi amancane nasafufusa mayelana nezemvelo kwi-ICT eNingizimu Afrika, kanti kudingeka ucwaningo oluningi ukuhlola umthintela wazo zonke izinto ezingenhla mayelana nezemvelo. / Business Management / M. Com. (Business Management)

This study is environmental in nature, occurring within a series of nested frameworks, namely school role players, sustainable development and greening schools. From a South African context, the day-to-day operations of the school activities and programmes are not solely the principal’s responsibility. It is a shared responsibility among every person involved in an educational school context. The principal has the overall responsibility of leading and professionally managing the school through the school management team (SMT) and is accountable to the employer, which is the provincial Head of the Department of Education. The principal is also accountable to the community through the school governing body (SGB), which consists of elected representatives from the school community. This study was guided by these research questions: (1) What is the nature of the knowledge of the role players in the Tshwane North District schools about greening the school? (2) How do the contextual factors in the Tshwane North District schools shape the greening of the school? The SMT and SGB are key role players and gatekeepers at the school level. They were purposefully and conveniently sampled at three Tshwane North District (TND) primary schools in Gauteng Province of South Africa according to their locations (rural, township, urban). They participated in focus group interviews, observations and document analysis. The study, qualitative in nature, explored strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in greening the school for sustainable development. The two role players might not be knowledgeable about green and sustainable development, however given the opportunity to explore their knowledge, provided insight about greening schools and how to possibly change to more sustainable practices. Data collected was subjected to thematic content analysis. The results revealed that schools’ funds are swiftly depleted on resources such as water, energy, transportation, paper, stationary, maintenance and equipment, to name but a few. The results also revealed limited green culture across institutions, due to little knowledge of greening and sustainability practices by school role players. This was attributed to a lack of policy framework by schools which was exacerbated by a lack of capacity building from expertise in greening schools for sustainable development. / Hierdie studie is omgewings van aard wat plaasvind binne 'n reeks nes raamwerke, naamlik skoolrolspelers, volhoubare ontwikkeling en vergroening van skole. Uit 'n Suid-Afrikaanse konteks is die dag-tot-dag-bedrywighede van die skoolaktiwiteite en -programme nie net die skoolhoof se verantwoordelikheid nie. Dit is 'n gedeelde verantwoordelikheid onder elke persoon wat in 'n opvoedkundige skoolverband betrokke is.Die skoolhoof het die oorhoofse verantwoordelikheid om die skool deur die skoolbestuurspan (SUT) te lei en professioneel te bestuur en is verantwoordbaar teenoor die werkgewer, wat die provinsiale hoof van die departement van onderwys is.Die skoolhoof is ook deur die skoolbeheerliggaam (SGB) aan die gemeenskap verantwoordbaar, wat uit verkose verteenwoordigers uit die skoolgemeenskap bestaan.Die SMT en SGB is sleutelrolspelers en hekwagters op skoolvlak.Hulle is volgens hul plekke (landelike, township, stedelike) doelgerigte en gerieflik by drie Tshwane-Noord-distrikskole (TND) in Gautengprovinsie van Suid-Afrika gemonster.Hulle het deelgeneem aan fokusgroeponderhoude, waarnemings en dokumentanalise.Die studie, kwalitatiewe van aard wat daarop gemik is om sterk punte, swakhede, geleenthede en bedreigings te ondersoek om die skool vir volhoubare ontwikkeling te verging Die twee rolspelers is dalk nie kundig oor groen en volhoubare ontwikkeling nie, maar gegewe die geleentheid om hul kennis te ondersoek, het hulle 'n insig gegee oor groen skole en moontlik verandering aan volhoubare gedrag.Data wat ingesamel is, is aan tematiese inhoudsanalise onderwerp. Die bevindinge het aan die lig gebring dat skole se fondse vinnig uitgeput is op hulpbronne soos water, energie, vervoer, papier, stilstaande, instandhouding en toerusting om maar net 'n paar te noem.Die bevindinge het ook min kennis van vergroenings- en volhoubaarheidspraktyke deur skoolrolspelers geopenbaar.Dit is toegeskryf deur 'n gebrek aan beleidsraamwerke deur skole wat vererger is deur 'n gebrek aan kapasiteitsbou van kundigheid in die vergroening van skole vir volhoubare ontwikkeling. / Thutong ena ke ea tikoloho e hlahang ka hara letoto la meralo, e leng, ba nkang karolo ea sekolo, ntshwetsopele ea nako e telele le likolo tse tala.Ho tsoa maemong a Afrika Boroa, tshebetso ea letsatsi le letsatsi ea mesebetsi ea sekolo le mananeo ha se feela boikarabello ba mosuoe-hlooho.Ke boikarabello bo arolelanoeng hara motho e mong le e mong ea amehang molemong oa sekolo sa thuto.Hlooho ea sekolo e na le boikarabello ka kakaretso ba ho etella pele le ho tsamaisa sekolo ka sehlopha sa botsamaisi ba sekolo (SMT) mme o ikarabella ho mohiri, e leng Hlooho ea profinse ea Lefapha la Thuto.Hlooho ea sekolo e boetse e ikarabella ho sechaba ka sehlopha se busang sa sekolo (SGB), se nang le baemeli ba khethiloeng ba tsoang sechabeng sa sekolo.SMT le SGB ke karolo ea bohlokoa le balebeli ba liheke boemong ba sekolo.Li ile tsa etsoa sampole ka morero le ka mokhoa o bonolo likolong tse tharo tsa mathomo tsa Tshwane North (TND) tse Profinseng ea Gauteng ea Afrika Boroa ho latela libaka tsa bona (mahaeng, metse-literopong, le toropong).Maloko a SMT le SGB ba nkile karolo lipuisanong tsa sehlopha se tsepamisitseng maikutlo, maikutlo le tlhahlobo ea litokomane.Boithuto bona, bo nang le boleng ba tlhaho bo ikemiselitse ho lekola matla, bofokoli, menyetla le litšokelo ho silafatsa sekolo bakeng sa ntshetsopele e tsitsitseng. Baetsi ba karolo ba babeli ba kanna ba se be le tsebo mabapi le ntshetsopele ea botala le bo tsitsitseng, empa ba fuoe monyetla oa ho lekola tsebo ea bona, ba fane ka leseli mabapi le likolo tse talafatsang mme mohlomong li fetohela mekhoeng e tsitsitseng.Boitsebiso bo bokelletsoeng bo ile ba hlahlojoa ka litaba tsa bona, mme liphuputso li senotse hore lichelete tsa likolo li felloa kapele ho lisebelisoa tse kang metsi, motlakase, lipalangoang, pampiri, tse emeng, tlhokomelo le lisebelisoa ho bolela tse maloa feela.Liphuputso li boetse li senotse tsebo e nyane ea tshebetso ea tikoloho le botsitso ke bankakarolo ba sekolo.Sena se bakiloe ke ho haelloa ke moralo oa leano ke likolo tse ileng tsa mpefatsoa ke khaello ea matlafatso ho tsoa boitseaning ba likolo tsa botala bakeng sa ntshetsopele e tsitsitseng / Environmental Sciences / D.Litt. Phil (Environmental education)