Proefschrift--Utrecht.

Magister Scientiae (Biodiversity and Conservation Biology) - MSc (Biodiv and Cons Biol) / Aquaculture is a growing industry in South Africa, with the production of abalone, Haliotis midae, at the forefront. The Western Cape Province hosts 12 of the 18 abalone farms in South Africa, with a concentration of farms in the Walker Bay region of Hermanus and Gansbaai. Walker Bay is situated on the western side of the Agulhas bank, which allows warm water from the Agulhas current, as well as cold water from the Benguela current to mix. This area experiences seasonal upwelling pulses in summer, which provide the environment with a high nutrient load. This encourages the prevalence of harmful algal blooms (HAB) that can consist of toxin-producing dinoflagellate species. These species have the ability to kill organisms in the nearshore. This poses a problem for aquaculture farms situated in the area, where HAB events have caused the death of millions of abalone and has decreased productivity of farms in previous years. Farms therefore need to implement stringent phytoplankton monitoring schedules, as well as develop better filtering methods to reduce the density of phytoplankton that may flow into the farm. This study aimed to understand the phytoplankton community assemblages that may be pumped into an abalone farm (Abagold Ltd) over a 16 month period. This was achieved by investigating how phytoplankton community metrics such as abundance, species diversity, richness and evenness fluctuated over a 16 month time period. The frequency of HABs were investigated, comparing the peaks of blooms and how they differed between seasons and the subsequent impact on monitoring activities by the farm until the bloom passes. Secondly, a study was done to determine the efficiency of drum filters to reduce the density of phytoplankton cells from the water that is sourced from the ocean and pumped through the farm. Phytoplankton community assemblages were sampled and identified to genus level, and species level when possible, once a day for 16 months, from September 2018 to December 2019. As the risk of potential HAB formation rises, the number of sample collections increased to assist in the decision making process of the operational manager of the abalone farm to mitigate negative impacts originating from HAB events. The species richness, Shannon-Weiner diversity index and Pielou’s index of evenness were calculated. The number of phytoplankton samples collected each day were tallied to understand the change in monitoring frequency with regard to HAB abundance. Phytoplankton community samples were collected before and after a 15 μm drum filter during bloom events, after which the densities were then compared. The peak mean monthly cell density occurred in late early autumn of 2019 (March: 721 179 ± 226 473 cells/l). During this time, the diversity (Shannon-Weiner Index) of species was lower than that of mid spring and this trend is supported by literature, where a decrease in diversity occurs with an increase in HAB density. The relative abundance of species was calculated to quantify the dominant species present

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The species Haliotis midae is the only commercially exploitable abalone species of the six found in the South African coastal waters. This species is under substantial pressure from both legal and illegal harvesters, to such an extent that it could be commercially extinct within four years. Efforts to alleviate the pressures on the natural populations of both illegal and legal harvesting are being made. The genetic management systems for abalone farming and ranching activities should be carefully evaluated. The loss of genetic diversity and the risks of contaminating the gene pools of natural populations in the vicinity of a farm should be minimized. Genetic evaluation studies will be at great importance to acquire the necessary data needed for genetic diversity and differentiation analysis. The aim at this study was to develop species-specific microsatellite DNA markers to assess the genetic diversity and differentiation within and between the brood stock and commercial stock of the Sea Plant Products abalone farm (Hermanus, Republic of South Africa) and natural populations related to the brood stock. The species-specific DNA markers were also used for parentage assignments within the tarm population (first for abalone) and preliminary OTL (quantitative trait loci)-discovery analysis studying growth rate segregation. Samples were taken of the farm's brood stock and commercial stock (Rows 2, 3, 4) as well as from two natural populations (Saldanha Bay and Black Rock) related to the brood stock. Various statistical parameters and software packages were used to assess genetic diversity and differentiation, to infer parentage and to look for OTL's. Eight species-specific microsatellite DNA markers were designed and used for data analysis. Data analysis showed a loss at genetic diversity from the brood stock to the commercial stock caused by the subdivision of the original brood stock into rows and the differential contributions of parents to the offspring. No genetic differentiation (Fst) was detected between the farm and natural populations, except for the offspring of Row2. levels of inbreeding (ns) were high for all loci within the populations. Thirty-eight percent of all studied offspring were confidently assigned to a couple. The preliminary QTldiscovery suggested the segregation of a number of alleles and genotypes with growth rate. The study concluded that the commercial abalone population of the Sea Plant Products abalone farm holds no threat to the disruption of the genetic diversity of the natural populations. It is proposed that the farm implement a rotational breeding program to increase the genetic diversity of the commercial population. Any newly acquired brood stock must be profiled before their introduction into the breeding program to assess the influence of the animals on the current levels of genetic diversity within the farm. The accuracy and reliability of parentage assignments and QTl-discovery need to be optimised by adding more loci and sampling more animals or even by trying and developing new methods. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Van die ses perlemoen spesies wat langs die Suid-Afrikaanse kus gevind word, is die spesie Haliotis midae die enigste een wat van kommersiële belang is. Wettige, sowel as onwettige versameling, plaas hierdie spesie onder sulke geweldige druk dat dit dalk binne vier jaar verlore kan wees vir die kommersiële bedryf. Verskeie strategieë word tans geïmplimenteer om hierdie druk te verlig. Die genetiese bestuurstrategieë binne perlemoen plase moet deeglik ondersoek word. Die verlies aan genetiese diversiteit en die moontlikheid vir die kontaminering van die natuurlike populasies in die omgewing van die plaas se geenpoel, moet uitgeskakel word. Genetiese evaluasies sal van groot belang wees om die nodige data vir genetiese diversiteit- en differensiasie-analises te verkry. Die doel van die studie was om spesies-spesifieke mikrosatelliet DNA merkers te ontwikkel wat gebruik sou word om die genetiese diversiteit en differensiasie binne en tussen die broei diere en die kommersiële diere van Sea Plant Products se perlemoen plaas (Hermanus, Republiek van Suid- Afrika) en die natuurlike populasies wat verwant is aan die broei diere, te bepaal. Die spesies-spesifieke DNA merkers is ook vir ouerskap-bepalings binne die plaas se populasie gebruik, asook vir voorlopige OTL (quantitative trait locI) - ontdekking met betrekking tot groeitempo segregasie. Monsters van die plaas se broei diere en kommersiële diere (Ry 2, 3, 4) asook van twee natuurlike populasies (Saldanha Baai en Black Rock) wat verwant is aan die broei diere, is geneem. 'n Verskeidenheid van statistiese parameters en sagteware pakette is vir die genetiese diversiteit- en differensiasie-analises, vir ouerskap-bepalings en vir die opspoor van OTL's gebruik. Agt spesies-spesifieke mikrosatelliet DNA merkers is ontwerp en toe gebruik vir die data analises. 'n Verlies aan genetiese diversiteit vanaf die broei diere na die kommersiële diere is deur die data analises uitgewys. Dit is veroorsaak deur die verdeling van die oorspronklike broei diere in rye en die differensiële bydraes deur die ouers na die nageslag. Geen genetiese differensiasie (Fst) is tussen die plaas se populasie en die natuurlike populasies gevind nie, maar die nageslag van Ry 2 het wel differensiasie getoon. Die vlakke van inteling (Fis) was hoog oor alle lokusse binne alle populasies. Agt-en-dertig persent van die nageslag wat bestudeer is, was suksesvol met 'n ouerpaartjie geassosieer. Die voorlopige OTL-ontdekking studie toon die potesiële segregasie van 'n aantal allele en genotipes saam met groeitempo. Die bevindinge van die studie is dat die kommersiële populasie op die Sea Plant Products perlemoen plaas, geen bedreiging vir die versteuring van die natuurlike populasies se genetiese diversiteit inhou nie. Daar is voorgestel dat die plaas 'n rotasie-basis broeiprogram moet implimenteer om sodoende die genetiese diversiteit van die kommersiële populasie te verhoog. Enige nuwe broei diere se genetiese profiel moet ook voor die tyd ondersoek word om te sien wat se effek hierdie diere op die huidige genetiese diversiteit van die kommersiële populasie sal hê. Die akkuraatheid en betroubaarheid van die ouerskap-bepalings en OTL-ontdekking moet optimiseer word deur of meer lokusse te bestudeer, of meer diere in analises te gebruik of selfs om nuwe tegnieke te probeer of te ontwikkel.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study forms part of the GHACT economic impact study by the University of Stellenbosch. It is an investigation into the evaluation of the Hermanus Whale Festival, which forms an integral part of the Greater Hermanus tourism industry. The study highlights that the tourism industry of Greater Hermanus is faced with important challenges in managing its events as part of the tourism industry to benefit all. The ultimate success of events depends on leadership, co-ordination and team spirit between organisers, the host community and the sponsors. Upon the investigation into event evaluation and after consultation with the stakeholders it is recommended that the festival organisers must take the lead in future evaluations and co-ordinate the evaluation process. The festival organisers will have to involve all stakeholders as they offer a useful resource for event evaluation. The study includes the visitor survey, completed during the festival, which explored visitor characteristics, expenditure and perceptions. Based on all findings that the study has highlighted, it is recommended that the festival organisers must develop a festival strategy in co-ordination with all stakeholders. Further more, it is imperative that the festival management has insight into its target market and therefore uses market research to build market intelligence. This will be a useful input in developing the strategic direction as well as the marketing function to support the achievement of the festival's goals and objectives. The document concludes with argumentation for the implementation of market research and strategy and outlines the process for developing such a strategy. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie vorm deel van die GHACT ekonomiese impak studie van die Universiteit van Stellenbosch. Dit ondersoek die moontlike evaluering van die Hermanus Walvisfees, wat 'n belangrike onderdeel is van die "Greater Hermanus" toerisme bedryf. Die studie beklemtoon dat die bestuur van feeste, as deel van die toerisme bedryf, 'n belangrike uitdaging is vir die "Greater Hermanus" toerisme bedryf. Die sukses van die feeste is afhanklik van leierskap, koordinering en spangees tussen die organiseerders, die gasheergemeenskap en die borge. Na ondersoek van die fees evaluering en na konsultasie met verskeie rolspelers, is voorgestel dat die fees organiseerders die leidende rol moet neem in toekomstige evalueringsprosesse en dit ook moet koördineer. Die feesorganiseerders moet al die rolspelers in die proses betrek om van hulle waardevolle hulpbronne gebruik te maak. 'n Opname van besoekers tydens die fees wat ingestel is om definitiewe kenmerke, uitgawes en indrukke te bepaal, vorm 'n belangrike onderdeel van die navorsing. Gebaseer op al die bevindinge van die studie word aanbeveel dat die feesorganiseerders 'n strategie vir die fees moet ontwikkel in koordinering met die belanghebbende rolspelers. Verder is dit noodsaaklik om die mark te analiseer deur gebruik te maak van marknavorsing, met die einddoel om sodoende markintelligensie te ontwikkel. Dit sal 'n waardevolle inset wees vir die ontwikkeling van 'n strategiese rigting, sowel as vir die bemarkingsfunksie en om so die fees se doelwitte te bereik en te ondersteun. Die studie skets die proses vir strategie ontwikkeling en sluit af met die argument vir die implimentering van marknavorsing en strategie onwikkeling.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Quality, service and ambience are concepts synonymous with the restaurant industry. Whilst the importance of these, and the integral function they perform in ensuring guest satisfaction and ultimately the success of a restaurant can hardly be denied, how effectively these inextricable concepts have been integrated within restaurants of Hermanus is of particular interest to various stakeholders. In a recent article submitted to an impact study conducted by GHACT (Greater Hermanus Association for Commerce and Tourism) titled: "Restaurateurs and Other Catering Outlets - February 2002", the Chairman of the Restaurateurs Association of Hermanus stated: "Restaurateurs usually are very impulsive individual personalities, working long hours - they do not comply with regulations; do their own thing and do not plan their strategies for the future - seat of the pants. We urgently need to start managing and policing our industry similar to accommodation establishments (e.g.... cleanliness, quality control and star ratings.)" The aim of this study project, originally commissioned by GHACT, is to contribute to GHACT's aim of stimulating commerce and tourism to Hermanus as part of their functions of core marketing, project development (impact studies), environment maintenance, and complaint resolution. A review of related literature as well as information gathered from 273 interviews, concerning 43 out of approximately 51 restaurants, forms the backdrop to this document. Definitions of key terms, investigation into previous empirical research, and identification of various excellence and guest satisfaction techniques, are the major focal points of this literature review. Four quality, service and ambience related assessments form part of the research, namely: 1) industry consistency in dealing with seasonality; 2) competitiveness between six specific restaurants; 3) tourist versus resident perceptions of restaurant excellence; and 4) individual restaurant excellence development areas. It was concluded that, although consistency throughout 2002 does not appear to be a concern for the Hermanus restaurant industry, the actual levels of quality, service and ambience offered by certain restaurants are below an acceptable standard. The Quality Matrix intervention presented in Chapter 5 integrates the tangible and intangible product and service standards essential for service excellence and guest satisfaction within all restaurants of Hermanus. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Kwaliteit, diens en atmosfeer is konsepte wat sinoniem is met die restaurantbedryf. Alhoewel die belangrikheid van hierdie konsepte sentraal is om tevredenheid by gebruikers te verseker en uiteindelik om sukses te bepaal, is dit ook belangrik vir belanghebbendes om te sien hoe effektief hierdie konsepte in die restaurantbedryf van Hermanus ingeburger is. In 'n onlangse artikel deur GHACT (Greater Hermanus Association for Commerce and Tourism), getiteld: "Restauranteurs and Other Catering Outlets - February 2002", sê die voorsitter van die Restauranteurs Assosiasie van Hermanus dat "Restaurateurs usually are very impulsive individual personalities, working long hours - they do not comply with regulations; do their own thing and do not plan their strategies for the future - seat of the pants. We urgently need to start managing and policing our industry similar to accommodation establishments (e.g.... cleanliness, quality control and star ratings.)" Hierdie projek is deur GHAT aangepak in 'n poging om toerisme en koophandel in Hermanus te stimuleer deur impak studies, bemarking, omgewingsbeheer en klagte oplossing. 'n Oorsig van soortgelyke literatuur sowel as informasie wat versamel is van 273 onderhoude met betrekking tot 43 restaurante vorm die agtergrond van hierdie dokument. Die fokuspunt van hierdie literatuuroorsig was om die kern begrippe te definiëer, die bevindings van ander empiriese navorsing te analiseer, en tegnieke wat uitstaande diens en tevredenheid by gebruikers te verseker, te ondersoek. Vier kwaliteit, diens en atmosfeer verwante evalueringsareas vorm deel van die ondersoek, naamlik: 1) die eenvormigheid van die industrie in die hantering van seisoensverandering; 2) mededinging tussen ses spesifieke restaurante; 3) toeriste se persepsie teenoor die plaaslike inwoners se persepsie van restaurant kwaliteit en 4) individuele restaurant ontwikkelings areas. Alle gevolgtrekkings wat gemaak is in hierdie dokument is gebaseer op die bevindings van bogenoemde toetse. Daar is tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat alhoewel betroubaarheid nie 'n probleem blyk te wees vir die Hermanus restaurantbedryf nie, werklike kwaliteit, diensvlakke en atmosfeer deur sekere restaurante aangebied, wel onder aanvaarbare standaarde was. Die kwaliteitsmatriks voorgestel in Hoofstuk 5 integreer die tasbare en ontasbare produk en noodsaaklike standaarde vir kwaliteit diens en tevredenheid by gebruikers by al die restaurante in Hermanus.

Masters in Public Administration - MPA / Hawston, a small fishing town situated in Greater Hermanus is famous for its lucrative abalone resource. Since the drastic reduction of the abalone quota, which was implemented from 1994-2001, black commercial abalone divers have been on the receiving end of the new fishing legislation. The decimation of abalone by illegal harvesters, and the annual allocation of one and a half ton of abalone to all black commercial divers at present, are serious factors that influence the future of the commercial abalone divers and their counterparts. An abalone quota plays a pivotal role regarding the existence of various groups of people namely the Southern boat assistants, Overberg commercial abalone divers, Hawston fishing community etc. This study attempts to examine the effects of the drastic reduction of the abalone quota on the commercial divers (from 22-ton to one and a half ton), the boat assistants and the Hawston fishing community. The mentioned groups are also engaged in harvesting their allocated crayfish quotas, the research project mainly focuses on the effect of the new quota system on the allocation of abalone and crayfish quotas in Hawston. In essence, this research project seeks to examine the validity or invalidity of the White Paper regarding policies of the new Living Resources Act on commercial abalone divers, the boat assistants and the Hawston fishing community. The researcher has noted the various shortcomings in the White Paper on Marine Resources and the associated indiscrepancies being practiced by the Department of Environmental Affairs. In the study, a qualitative method is used to assess the impact of the implementation of new fishing quotas on various social groups in Hawston (existing and new groups). This was done by means of in-depth interviews. Some of the policy makers at the Department of Environmental Affairs were also interviewed. An evaluation of data gathered through the use of interviews and review of primary and secondary literature, revealed that equitable fishing quota allocation systems are not addressing the needs of the small-scale fishers in Hawston. By means of reports, it was concluded that various factors are infringing on the rights of those excluded from receiving allocation systems and also has the effect of fuelling uncertainty for the future of commercial abalone divers and small scale fishers in Hawston. The primary objective of this study is to investigate if the White Paper Policy on Marine Resources is benefiting the disadvantaged small-scale fishers in Hawston. Most important for the commercial abalone diver in Hawston, is the effect of the decimation of abalone and how legislation in the new quota system will influence their lives.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This document contains a Situation Analysis of tourism in the Greater Hermanus region, which is part of the Overberg region in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. It forms an essential component of the process to develop a Tourism Policy and Strategy for the local tourism bureau. As such it is important to note that the objectives of the document are threefold. Firstly, it provides overall background information and an analysis of the current tourism situation of Hermanus, the various role-players and the different festivals. Secondly, it provides a broad framework of the positive and negative impacts tourism and festivals could have on the economic, social and environmental fields of a tourist destination like Hermanus. Lastly, the document offers guidelines for future study areas under which the tourist, various role-players and festivals/events can be evaluated in order to calculate their impacts in the Hermanus tourism industry. These goals were to be established in subsequent interactive workshops, discussions, interviews and other inputs from the various community representatives and other tourism role-players in Greater Hermanus. The scope of this report is limited to an overall framework and broad guidelines to put festival and role-player evaluation, and impact management for the Greater Hermanus region on a firm platform and continuous footing. At this phase of the project specific recommendations and proposals for development of the tourism industry in the region are excluded, as this will form part of the further phases of the project of developing the Tourism Policy and Strategy. Based on the findings it is recommended that the local tourism bureau must focus on developing a sustainable tourism strategy, identify a single spokesperson that is recognised as the leading force for unifying the industry towards one goal, and lastly to develop and maintain a knowledge base system to ensure proper planning and support decisionmaking. The document concludes by summarising the recommendations along with a list of the key issues and strategic challenges that needs to be addressed. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie dokument bevat 'n situasie analise van die toerismebedryf in die Groter Hermanus, 'n gebied wat deel is van die Overberg in die provinsie Wes- Kaap, Suid-Afrika. Dit is 'n onmisbare komponent van die proses om in Toerisme Beleid en Stategie vir die plaaslike toerismeburo te ontwikkel. Die einddoel van die dokument is drievoudig. Eerstens word oorsigtelike agtergrond inligting en 'n analise van die huidige stand van die toerismebedryf in Hermanus, die verskillende rolspelers en die feeste daarin vervat. Tweedens verskaf dit 'n breë raamwerk oor die positiewe en negatiewe impak wat toerisme en feeste kan hê op ekonomiese-, sosiale- en ontwikkelingsgebied op 'n toeriste-attraksie soos Hermanus. Laastens bevat die dokument riglyne aan die hand waarvan verdere studies onderneem kan word, soos dié waarin toeriste, die verskillende rolspelers en feeste geevalueer word. Hierdie doelwitte is daargestel tydens werksessies, besprekings, onderhoude en ander insette deur verskeie verteenwoordigers van die plaaslike gemeenskap en ander rolspelers in die toerismebedryf van Hermanus. Die omvang van hierdie studie is egter beperk tot 'n oorsigtelike raamwerk en breë riglyne om die assesering van die feeste en die rolspelers sowel as die impakbestuur van die Groter Hermanus op 'n stewige voetstuk te plaas. Op hierdie tydstip van die projek word spesifieke aanbevelings en voorstelle vir die ontwikkeling van die toerisme-industrie in die gebied uitgesluit. Dit sal gevolglik ingesluit word in die verdere fases van die projek wanneer die ontwikkeling van 'n toerisme beleid en strategie in diepte bestudeer word. Aanbevelings wat spruit uit die bevindings van hierdie studie is dat die plaaslike toerismeburo 'n volhoubare toerisme strategie moet ontwikkel. Verder moet daar ook 'n persoon aangewys word om die industrie aan te voer tot 'n gesamentlike einddoel. Laastens moet die toerismeburo 'n kennis basis sisteem ontwikkel en onderhou wat voldoende beplanning sal verseker en besluitneming kan ondersteun. Ter afsluiting word daar volstaan deur die aanbevelings op te som en die sleutelfaktore en strategiese uitdagings wat aandag moet geniet, kortliks aan te spreek.

The DPS-4D is the latest version of digital ionosonde developed by the UMLCAR (University of Massachusetts in Lowell Center for Atmospheric Research) in 2008. This new ionosonde has advances in both the hardware and software which allows for the promised advanced capabilities. The aim of this thesis was to present results from an experiment undertaken using the Hermanus DPS-4D (34.4°S 19.2°E, South Africa), the first of this version to be installed globally, to answer a science question outside of the normally expected capabilities of an ionosonde. The science question posed focused on the ability of the DPS-4D to provide information on day-time Pc3 pulsations evident in the ionosphere. Day-time Pc3 ULF waves propagating down through the ionosphere cause oscillations in the Doppler shift of High Frequency (HF) radio transmissions that are correlated with the magnetic pulsations recorded on the ground. Evidence is presented which shows that no correlation exists between the ground magnetic pulsation data and DPS-4D ionospheric data. The conclusion was reached that although the DPS-4D is more advanced in its eld of technology than its predecessors it may not be used to observe Pc3 pulsations.

Thesis (MMed) -- Stellenbosch University, 2010. / Bibliography / Objectives: To describe the establishment of a colposcopy service in a district hospital in a rural sub-district and to assess its impact on the uptake of colposcopy. Design: A retrospective double group cohort study using a laboratory database of cervical cytology results, clinical records and colposcopy clinic registers. Setting: The Overstrand sub-district in the Western Cape: 80 000 people served by 7 clinics and a district hospital in Hermanus, 120 km from its referral hospitals in Cape Town and Worcester. A colposcopy service was established at Hermanus Hospital in 2008. Subjects: All women in the Overstrand sub-district who required colposcopy on the basis of cervical smears done in 2007 and 2009. Outcome measures: The number of women booked for colposcopy at distant referral hospitals in 2007 and at the district hospital is 2009, the proportion of those women who attended colposcopy, the time from cervical smear to colposcopy, comparison between the two years. Results: The uptake of colposcopy booked for distant referral hospitals was 67% in 2007. The uptake improved by 18% to 79% for the local district hospital colposcopy service in 2009 (p=0.06). When analysed excluding patients from an area with no transport to the district hospital, the improvement was more marked at 22% (p=0.02). The delay from cervical smear to colposcopy improved significantly from 170 to 141 days (p=0.02). Conclusion: The establishment of a colposcopy service in a rural sub-district increased the uptake of colposcopy and decreased the delay from cervical smear to colposcopy. This district hospital colposcopy service removed 202 booked patients in one year from the colposcopy load of its referral hospitals.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Based on the significant evidence from the three African randomized controlled trials, the WHO and UNAIDS recommended in 2007 that medical male circumcision should be a priority HIV prevention intervention. The three randomized trials in Africa demonstrated that adult male circumcision decreases the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquisition in men between 51% to 60%, with long-term protective efficacy. This study intends to document and analyze the effectiveness of three communication interventions used in transferring knowledge about medical male circumcision as an HIV preventative strategy. Furthermore it also aims to determine which communication intervention will have the greatest effect in improving knowledge and understanding about medical male circumcision as an HIV preventative measure for implementation in future health promotion programmes. The research in this comparative study was conducted on a farm in the Overstrand sub-district of the Western Cape Province in South Africa, Haygrove Haven. A total of 30 male employees aged 18 to 45 was randomly selected to participate in the study. The data was collected using a self-administered pre-test questionnaire. In order to compare the pre- and post-test answers, the questions were repeated to determine the knowledge transfer after the respective information and training sessions. Analysis of the data was a simple process and limited to the necessary information to graph the required conclusions by using the computer programme Microsoft Excel 2010. The study looked at the statistical indicators of knowledge, perception and awareness of participants with regards to medical male circumcision as an HIV and AIDS prevention strategy. The findings exhibited that most people knew about MMC but very few had knowledge of the protective effect of the procedure against HIV acquisition and transmission. The study concluded that providing accurate information with fitting communication material at the right literacy levels, peoples’ knowledge of the benefits of medical male circumcision does increase. This will contribute to change the perception and therefore increase the acceptability of the procedure. This conforms to the subject of the WHO and UNAIDS 2007 study and can improve their findings. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In 2007 het die WGO en UNAIDS aanbeveel dat mediese manlike besnydenis ‘n prioriteit MIV-voorkomings program moet raak, wat gebaseer is op die beduidende bewyse van drie Afrika gerandomiseerde gekontroleerde proewe. Die drie gerandomiseerde proewe in Afrika toon dat volwasse manlike besnydenis verminder die menslike immuniteitsgebreksvirus (MIV) in mans met 51% tot 60%, met 'n langtermyn beskermende doeltreffendheid. Hierdie studie is van voorneme om die doeltreffendheid van drie kommunikasieintervensies wat gebruik word in die oordrag van kennis oor mediese manlike besnydenis as 'n MIV-voorkomende strategie, te dokumenteer en te analiseer. Verder stel dit ook ten doel om te bepaal watter kommunikasie-intervensie die grootste invloed in die verbetering van kennis en begrip oor mediese manlike besnydenis as 'n MIV-voorkomende maatreël, vir implementering in toekomstige gesondheidsbevorderingsprogramme. Die navorsing in hierdie vergelykende studie is uitgevoer op 'n plaas in die Overstrand-sub-distrik van die Wes-Kaap in Suid-Afrika, Haygrove Haven. 'n Totaal van 30 manlike werknemers tussen die ouderdomme 18 tot 45 is lukraak gekies om deel te neem aan die studie. Die data is ingesamel met behulp van 'n self-geadministreerde vraelys waar die pretoets vrae in die post-toets herhaal word, om die antwoorde met mekaar te vergelyk, om sodoende te bepaal watter opleidingsessie die grootste kennis oordrag laat plaasvind. Ontleding van die data is beperk en so eenvoudig as moontlik om die gevolgtrekkings te maak en grafies deur te gee deur gebruik te maak van die rekenaarprogram Microsoft Excel 2010. Die studie kyk na die statistiese aanwysers van kennis, persepsie en bewustheid van die deelnemers met betrekking tot mediese manlike besnydenis as 'n MIV-en VIGSvoorkoming strategie. Die bevindinge van die studie is dat die meeste mense bewus is van mediese manlike besnydenis, maar baie min kennis gehad het van die beskermende effek van die prosedure teen MIV verkryging en oordrag. Die studie het bevind dat die verskaffing van akkurate inligting met gepaste kommunikasie materiaal op die regte geletterdheidsvlakke, mense se kennis van die voordele van mediese manlike besnydenis kan laat toeneem. Dit is bydraend om ‘n individu se persepsie te verander en dus die aanvaarbaarheid van die prosedure te verhoog. Dit voldoen aan die onderwerp van die WHO en UNAIDS 2007 studie en kan sodoende hul bevindings verbeter.