Thesis (MScConsEcol (Conservation Ecology and Entomology))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / The widespread ecological impacts of overgrazing by livestock within the Succulent Karoo have received considerable attention. Literature shows communal and commercial rangelands have been thoroughly studied, and vegetation responses have been investigated in an attempt to understand the effects of overgrazing. Regarding animal species, literature is in short supply. In a one-year study of small mammal assemblages, the effect of the rangelands, and subsequently vegetation, on small mammal assemblages was examined, as well as the effects on number of occupied, unoccupied and collapsed burrows. This study shows that vegetation composition differs between rangelands, with a greater perennial shrub cover on the communal rangelands and a greater perennial succulent cover on commercial rangelands, consequently creating different habitats for animal assemblages. This study supports the notion of small mammal composition relating to vegetation structure, with certain species being impacted by heavy grazing. Four small mammal species were found in greater abundances on commercial rangelands, with one being exclusive, while communal rangelands were exclusively occupied by three nocturnal species. Diet and habitat requirements are the most important factors regarding species occurrence. With small mammal species composition differing between rangelands, and species richness not being affected by rangeland type, this study illustrates that the disappearance of certain species may arise without these different rangelands. This could result in reduced species richness, and thus diversity being lost. Regarding species present on both rangelands, no differences were observed in body mass, body size or body condition. Despite no differences found in body condition, calculating a body condition index is a good method for investigating how a species is coping within an environment. The proportion and number of occupied and collapsed burrows can be seen as a measure of trampling effect. It was expected for grazing intensity, as well as vegetation changes, to affect the occurrence of such burrows. This study showed differences between the communal and commercial rangelands as negligible. As expected, numbers of burrowing small mammal species were negatively correlated with numbers of collapsed burrows. However, a lack of consistency deemed this result unimportant. Results show that the effects of overgrazing on small mammal populations are complex and require more attention if to be fully explained. This study provides insights into the effects of land use on small mammals and burrow numbers, which have implications for the conservation of these species within arid regions.

MSc / Thesis (MSc (Earth Sciences))—University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / Fan 2, one of five submarine fan systems of the Tanqua fan complex in the south-western Karoo Basin, South Africa, is subdivided into Lower, Middle and Upper units. Here, detailed analysis of the internal architecture and distribution of lithofacies associations of Middle Fan 2 facilitated the 3-D visualisation of the sedimentological and stratigraphical changes towards the pinch-out. Middle Fan 2 is interpreted to be a lower-fan, sand-rich terminal lobe, comprising three sandstone-lobe elements, separated by two siltstone interlobe elements. It is fed by a distributary channel that is hypothetically positioned to the west-southwest of the study area. The sandstone-lobe elements pinch out downdip to the north-east and updip to the southsouthwest in the study area. The consecutive pinch out of lobe elements to the north-east indicates a progradational stacking pattern similar to the entire lobe complex. Palaeocurrent analysis and the interpretation of isopach maps indicate that the transport direction of Middle Fan 2 was in a north-easterly direction. The fringes of the lobe and the distribution of internal elements (channels, amalgamated sheets and sheets) show a finger-like geometry in plan-view, in contrast to simple radial-lobe bodies that are commonly envisaged.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A new type of wideband lters, with tunability in both the centre frequency and bandwidth, is presented in this thesis. These lters are based on perturbed ring-resonators in cascade, while varactor diodes are used for electronic tuning. The Karoo Array Telescope (KAT-7) requires a front-end lter that has the ability for ne-tuning the response after fabrication, in order to obtain the designed ltering response. Not only are tune-all characteristics required, but also wide bandwidth, at passband, high selectivity and implementation in microstrip technology. In this thesis an extensive investigation of both tunable and wideband lters is done, in order to nd a possible solution for the KAT-7 speci cations. Following this investigation, it is concluded that no suitable design approach for tune-all wideband lters, implemented in microstrip, exists in current literature. Therefore, this thesis proposes a new type of lter along with the development of a complete design procedure. Two lters are designed with this procedure to achieve the required passband from 1.2 to 1.95 GHz (i.e. a fractional bandwidth of 49%). In the rst lter design, with a network consisting of 4 cascaded ltering-sections, the centre frequency is 5% tunable and the bandwidth 17.5%. With the second lter consisting of 6 cascaded ltering-sections, higher selectivity is achieved but with lower return loss. Here the centre frequency is 8.5% tunable and the bandwidth 18.8%. The theoretical results are validated with the fabrication of both lters. This design is very unique in that it achieves wide bandwidth, is realisable in microstrip and most importantly is tunable in both the centre frequency and bandwidth. An advantage of this design procedure is that full wave simulations are minimal, due to the complete circuit models used for optimisation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Nuwe soort van wye-band lters, met verstelbaarheid in beide senter frekwensie en bandwydte, word voorgelê in hierdie tesis. Hierdie lters is gebaseer op versteurde ringresoneerders in kaskade, terwyl varaktordiodes gebruik word vir elektroniese verstelling. Die Karoo Array Telescope (KAT-7) vereis 'n voorkant lter wat die vermoë het vir die instemming van die respons na fabrikasie, sodat die geontwerpde lter respons behaal kan word. Nie net word verstel-als eienskappe vereis nie, maar ook wye bandwydte, plat deurlaatband, hoë selektiwiteit en implimentering in mikrostrook tegnologie. In hierdie tesis is 'n veelomvattende ondersoek gedoen van beide verstelbare en wyeband lters, sodat 'n moontlike oplossing vir die KAT-7 spesi kasies gevind kan word. Na aanleiding van hierdie ondersoek, is die gevolgtrekking dat daar geen gepaste ontwerp benadering vir verstel-als wye-band lters, wat geïmplimenteer is in mikrostrook, in huidige literatuur bestaan nie. Daarom stel hierdie tesis, saam met die ontwikkeling van 'n volledige ontwerp prosedure, 'n nuwe tipe lter voor. Twee lters is ontwerp met hierdie prosedure om die vereiste deurlaatband vanaf 1.2 tot 1.95 GHz (dit is 'n fraksionele bandwydte van 49%) te behaal. In die eerste lter ontwerp, met 'n netwerk wat uit 4 kaskade lter-seksies bestaan, is die senter frekwensie 5% verstelbaar en die bandwydte 17.5%. Met die tweede lter bestaande uit 6 kaskade lter-seksies, word hoër selektiwiteit behaal maar met laer eggoverswakking. Hier is die senter frekwensie 8.5% verstelbaar en die bandwydte 18.8%. Die teoretiese resultate is geldig bewys deur die fabrikasie van albei lters. Hierdie ontwerp is baie uniek in dat dit wye bandwydte behaal, is realiseerbaar in mikrostrook en mees belangrikste dat dit verstelbaar is in beide senter frekwensie en bandwydte. 'n Voordeel van hierdie prosedure is dat heelgolf simulasies minimaal is, a.g.v. die volledige stroombaan modelle wat gebruik word vir optimering.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of requirements for the degree of Master of Science. Johannesburg, 2014. / The Karasburg Basin is situated in southern Namibia and preserves a heterogeneous succession of Karoo Supergroup strata up to 1000m thick. The uppermost preserved succession in this basin is the Amibberg Formation which is 250m thick and consists of intervals of sandstone, siltstone and mudstone. This study uses facies analysis, sequence stratigraphy and petrography to determine the palaeogeography and provenance for the Amibberg Formation. This is then used to establish environmental variability across the Karasburg – Aranos – Main Karoo basins and to define an equivalent of the Amibberg Formation in the Main Karoo Basin. Detailed stratigraphic logging of five outcrop localities has led to the identification of seven distinct lithofacies and two dominant ichnofacies (Cruziana and Skolithos). These lithofacies include: 1) Massive, laminated and bioturbated mudstones interpreted as offshore deposits (OS); 2) Bioturbated siltstones and sandstones which are representative of offshore-transitional environments (OST); 3) Interbedded sandstones and siltstones also interpreted as offshore-transitional deposits (OST) and generated by river-fed hyperpycnal plumes; 4) Sharp based, massive sandstones interpreted as being deposited on the distal lower shoreface (dLSF); 5) Non-amalgamated hummocky cross-stratified (HCS) and wave rippled sandstones interpreted as distal lower shoreface deposits (dLSF); 6) Amalgamated HCS and wave rippled sandstones interpreted as proximal lower shoreface deposits (pLSF); and 7) Soft-sediment deformed (SSD) sandstones and siltstones occurring in close juxtaposition with dLSF and pLSF deposits. The vertical arrangement of these lithofacies shows a general coarsening and shallowing upward trend. Overall the rocks of the Amibberg Formation consist of wave-dominated shoreface deposits with significant influence by tidal processes. Petrographically, the sandstone samples fall into the class of quartz and feldspathic wackes and are sourced from craton interior provenances. Geochemical analysis of mudstones and nodules indicate high levels of microbial activity under predominantly oxic conditions during the deposition of the Amibberg Formation. Five poorly defined 4th order T-R cycles are observable within the strata of the Amibberg Formation. Large regressive intervals are capped by thin transgressive tracts and these cycles are interpreted to have formed due to eustatic processes. Overall, the Amibberg Formation represents a regressive shoreline. iii Based on the mean palaeocurrent vectors a NNE-SSW palaeoshoreline orientation is deduced and the shoreface must have occupied a palaeohigh on the northern side of the western Cargonian Highlands. This emergent highland acted as an extensive headland and assisted in the connectivity of the Karasburg and Aranos basins, with partial connectivity with the Main Karoo Basin during the Early Permian. Based on this study, the Amibberg Formation is considered an equivalent of the Waterford Formation in the Main Karoo Basin based on similar: stratigraphic position; thickness; sedimentary structures; trace fossil assemblages and stacking patterns.

This research investigates the character and significance of shelf-edge deltas within the sedimentary source-to-sink system, and how variability at the shelf edge leads to different styles of deep-water deposition. Because the shelf-edge represents one of the key entry points for terrigenous sediment to be delivered into the deep water, understanding of the sedimentary processes in operation at these locations, and the character of sediment transported through these deltas is critical to understanding of deep-water sedimentary systems. The research was carried out using three datasets: an outcrop dataset of 6000 m of measured sections from the Permian-Triassic Karoo Basin, South Africa, a 3D seismic data volume from the Eocene Northern Santos Basin, offshore Brazil and a dataset of 29 previously published descriptions of shelf-edge deltas from a variety of locations and data types. The data presented highlight the importance of sediment instability in the progradation of basin margins, and deep-water transport of sediment. The strata of the Karoo Basin shelf margin represent river-dominated delta deposits that become more deformed as the shelf-edge position is approached. At the shelf edge, basinward dipping, offlapping packages of soft-sediment-deformed and undeformed strata record repetitive collapse and re-establishment of shelf-edge mouth bar packages. The offlapping strata of the Karoo outcrops record progradation of the shelf margin through accretion of the shelf-edge delta, for over 1 km before subsequent transgression. The Eocene Northern Santos Basin shelf margin, in contrast, exhibits instability features which remove kilometers-wide wedges of the outer shelf that are transported to the basin floor to be deposited as mass-transport packages. In this example, shelf-edge progradation is achieved through „stable. accretion of mixed turbidites and contourites. The data also emphasize the importance of the role of shelf-edge delta processes in the delivery of sediment to the basin floor. A global dataset of 29 examples of shelf-edge systems strongly indicates that river domination of the shelf-edge system (as read from cores, well logs or isopach maps) serves as a more reliable predictor of deep-water sediment delivery and deposition than relative sea level fall as traditionally read in shelf-edge trajectories or sequence boundaries. / text

Scrapter Lepeletier de Saint-Fargeau & Audinet-Serville, 1828 (Hymenoptera: Aculeatea: Anthophila: Colletidae) is a genus of solitary bees largely endemic to southern Africa. This dissertation investigated the phylogenetic systematics of the genus. Eleven new species of Scrapter are described, principally from the Succulent Karoo biome of South Africa, bringing the total number of species in the genus to 42. An updated dichotomous key to facilitate identification is provided. The previously unknown females of S. albifumus Eardley and S. amplispinatus Eardley are also described. The genus is recorded from outside southern Africa for the first time with the collection of S. nitidus (Friese) in Kenya. This constitutes a significant range extension of the genus. The taxonomic status of five species described by Cockerell in 1944, and subsequently overlooked, is addressed. They are all found to be synonyms of other Scrapter species, except one, which is found to be a Ctenoplectrina species (Apidae: Apinae: Ctenoplectrini). The new synonymies are: S. subincertus Cockerell = S. niger Lepeletier de Saint-Fargeau & Audinet-Serville; S. brunneipennis Cockerell = S. niger Lepeletier de Saint-Fargeau & Audinet-Serville; S. merescens Cockerell = S. leonis Cockerell; S. sinophilus Cockerell = S. algoensis (Friese). Scrapter ugandica Cockerell becomes Ctenoplectrina ugandica (Cockerell) as a new combination. Investigation of selected morphological features (e.g. postmentum, facial fovea, galea) revealed much diversity in Scrapter. The monophyly of Scrapter is not supported by unambiguous apomorphies, but is defensible by the congruence of various qualitative characters (e.g. premental fovea, T2 fovea, hindleg and sternal scopa in [females], two submarginal cells). A cladistic analysis using 25 morphological characters recovered numerous most parsimonious trees under both equal- and successive-weighting. To aid in resolution, several taxa known from only one sex or from very limited material, and with many unknown states, were deleted from the matrix. Analysis using this reduced matrix under equal- and successive-weighting resulted in better resolution, although with low consistency index values. Several subclades were common to both cladograms, and likely represent monophyla. The low consistency indices and general lack of unique synapomorphies upholding these subclades, however, dictated against making any classificatory re-arrangements. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2006.

Gethyllis multifolia L. Bolus and G. villosa Thunb. are winter-growing, summerblooming, deciduous and bulbous geophytes that grow naturally in the semi-arid succulent Karoo biome of South Africa. Both species grow under full sun conditions and have four distinctive growth phases: a winter (cold and wet) growing phase, leaf senescence phase towards spring, flowering phase during the hot and dry summer months, and fruit and leaf formation phase in autumn. The medicinal uses of this genus (including G. multifolia “Kukumakranka” and G. villosa “hairy kukumakranka”) range from cures for colic, digestive disturbances, teething problems, fatigue, boils, bruises and insect bites, to being used as an aphrodisiac. Gethyllis multifolia is threatened in its natural habitat and is listed in the ‘Vulnerable’ category of the ‘Red Data List of Southern African Plants’ and the ‘IUCN-World Conservation Union List of Plants’. The literature indicate that the habitats of both species are being exposed to drier conditions and is further threatened by the encroachment of invasive indigenous plant species. It is not known to which extent these factors may pose a threat to the existence of both species. The first objective of this investigation was to determine the costs of vegetative and reproductive growth during the seasonal life cycle of the plant, using carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) as a physiological currency. The second objective was to elucidate a functional basis to explain the difference in the conservation status of both species in their natural habitat. Both species were subjected to drought and shading as environmental stresses and the plant physiological performance was investigated via photosynthetic gas exchange. The third objective of the study was to evaluate the antioxidant content (total polyphenol, flavonol/flavone and flavanone content) and antioxidant capacity [ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and 2,2'-azino-di-3- ethylbenzthiazoline sulphonate (ABTS) radical cation scavenging ability] of natural populations and plant samples that were exposed to photo- and -drought environmental stresses. This study was done to elucidate the antioxidant profile of plant parts of natural populations as well as providing farmers, traditional healers and pharmaceutical companies with cultivation environmental conditions to enhance the antioxidant properties of the species. This investigation also attempted to isolate and characterize, by means of thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and column chromatography (CC), natural compounds from both species to lend support to the purported antioxidant benefit of both species and to further lend support to claims made by traditional healers of the medicinal potential of the genus. This study, however, did not engage in any in vivo studies or human trials to support published literature of the medicinal benefits of the genus. The photosynthetic adaptation studies indicated that G. villosa had a better photosynthetic performance than G. multifolia during both drought and low light conditions because of the inability of G. multifolia to adapt to a wider range of environmental extremes. The C and N cost of growth and reproduction studies revealed that G. villosa had a more efficient resource utilisation strategy for both growth and reproduction. These physiological responses suggest that G. villosa, in general, has a more efficient survival strategy and that G. multifolia will struggle to adapt to drier environmental conditions, as well as growing in the shade of encroaching invasive plant species. To conclude, this could be a contributing factor as to why G. multifolia is threatened in its natural habitat and G. villosa not. The antioxidant content-and -capacity study on natural populations of both species revealed the highest total polyphenol content, FRAP and ORAC values for the flowers and fruits of G. multifolia and G. villosa compared to other plant parts. These values were found to be in line with and in some cases higher than most commercial fruits and vegetables. The antioxidant activity during drought and photo-stress of the leaves, bulbs and roots was found to be highest in the roots of both species during drought stress. Gethyllis multifolia, in general, exhibited higher total polyphenol content than G. villosa, with the highest content measured during drought stress in the roots of G. multifolia. Phytochemical investigation of the leaves, bulbs and roots of G. multifolia and G. villosa revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, phenolics, saponins, glycosides as well as essential oils, while alkaloids were absent. The chromatographic profiles of the leaves, bulbs and roots of both species further indicated that the roots of G. multifolia contained the highest concentration of natural products, compared to G. villosa and other plant parts. Further in-depth studies on the roots of G. multifolia led to the isolation and characterization of three known flavonoids, of which one was also isolated as its endogenously acetylated derivative. In contrast to the fact that both species had a high polyphenol content and exhibited high antioxidant activity, the isolated compounds in this study revealed very low antioxidant activity. However, the literature revealed that some of these isolated compounds exhibit antifungal, antibacterial, antiangiogenic and anticarcinogenic properties in vitro, which could be ascribed to the medicinal applications of plant parts of certain species belonging to this genus. Furthermore, this study suggests that further chemistry and pharmaceutical research on the genus, Gethyllis, in specific the flowers and fruit of these two species, be pursued. / Philosophiae Doctor - PhD

Festivals have become a global phenomenon and now serve as a platform to promote the leisure and tourism industry within a nation. These events have an undisputed economic effect – not only on the hosting community – but also on the global community. Despite the encouraging community support and the socio-economic impact and spin-offs that are generated by means of such events, the financing of art festivals remains an intricate issue. The fact remains that not all festivals are financially self-sustainable and so require extensive sponsorship in order to ensure the continuation of the event. Limited government funding available due to budget constraints curbs the financial support forthcoming from municipalities and so forces event organisers to seek alternative funding to ensure the survival and feasibility of events. This responsibility places an additional burden on event organisers and so necessitates the use of assessment tools in order to convince private and public institutions or individuals to invest in such events through sponsorships. During an extensive literature study, it became apparent that the need exists to re-assess fully the economic impact analysis of events. The literature revealed that varying models are used to conduct economic impact analyses. In order to establish a concise framework within which to conduct an economic assessment, it was decided to select only the most-used models – Computable General Equilibrium (CGE), Input-Output (I-O) and Social Accounting Matrix (SAM). The dilemma facing tourism economists is to determine which economic assessment approach is most effective as every methodology has its own advantages and disadvantages. In addition, the type and size of an event also plays a fundamental role when selecting an appropriate measuring tool. This research was further motivated because of the existing gap that exists in the South African context for no study has yet been conducted where the various models that assess economic impact have been applied to the collated data of the same event. This study thus aims to provide an overview and a comparison of competing and supplementing methodologies for modelling the regional economic dynamics and the impacts of events. It further investigates the manner in which regional CGE, I-O and SAM based (multiplier) models operate towards capturing the region-specific, inter-regional and multi-regional production, consumption and factor market patterns as result of expenditures incurred during events. An analysis of the virtues and the limitations of these economic assessment methodologies suggests that it may be the considerations such as the data collection/compilation, expected output, research objectives and costs involved that ultimately determine the choice of a specific modelling framework. While addressing the problem stated above, this study produced the following three articles that are now embodied in the work: * Article 1 - “Critical assessment of economic impact analyses of the ABSA Klein Karoo National Arts Festival”, and * Article 2 - “Critical assessment of economic impact analyses of the Aardklop National Arts Festival”. Article 2 investigated and compared the economic assessment results when applying specific constructed models, being the Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) and Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) for the appropriate provinces, to the available data obtained from previous surveys conducted at the 2010 ABSA Klein Karoo National Arts Festival and from the Aardklop National Arts Festival. The two articles indicated that when different models of assessment are applied to the same data set of an event, the economic impact results might differ significantly. This may serve as a warning to economic assessors, academics and researchers that economic impact results can be misleading and therefore the application thereof should be handled with the utmost care in order to avoid misinterpretations and misconceptions. * Article 3, “Assessing the economic impact of the Aardklop National Arts Festival: a feast of models to opt for – or not?” In this article, data from a visitor and business survey conducted at the 2010 Aardklop National Arts Festival was used in the analyses made by applying SAM, CGE and I-O regional models constructed for South Africa’s Northwest Province. Results from these analyses were then compared in order to give researchers and practitioners a better insight and clarity regarding which approach works best for the economic assessment of an arts festival. This article highlighted the fact that the measured economic impact results differ when various models that are applied to the same event. It also became evident that the most conservative economic impact was measured by an I-O model, followed with a higher SAM measurement, while CGE revealed the highest economic assessment. The most significant contribution of this study is embedded in the fact that within the South African context – and even globally – it is the first study of its kind that aimed to determine the economic impact by means of applying more than one assessment model to the data set of a single event. Further, this study provides guidelines for event organisers, academics and economic advisors to follow in conjunction with the existing body of knowledge and practical implementation structures when assessing the economic impact of events. / Thesis (PhD (Tourism Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012

Festivals have become a global phenomenon and now serve as a platform to promote the leisure and tourism industry within a nation. These events have an undisputed economic effect – not only on the hosting community – but also on the global community. Despite the encouraging community support and the socio-economic impact and spin-offs that are generated by means of such events, the financing of art festivals remains an intricate issue. The fact remains that not all festivals are financially self-sustainable and so require extensive sponsorship in order to ensure the continuation of the event. Limited government funding available due to budget constraints curbs the financial support forthcoming from municipalities and so forces event organisers to seek alternative funding to ensure the survival and feasibility of events. This responsibility places an additional burden on event organisers and so necessitates the use of assessment tools in order to convince private and public institutions or individuals to invest in such events through sponsorships. During an extensive literature study, it became apparent that the need exists to re-assess fully the economic impact analysis of events. The literature revealed that varying models are used to conduct economic impact analyses. In order to establish a concise framework within which to conduct an economic assessment, it was decided to select only the most-used models – Computable General Equilibrium (CGE), Input-Output (I-O) and Social Accounting Matrix (SAM). The dilemma facing tourism economists is to determine which economic assessment approach is most effective as every methodology has its own advantages and disadvantages. In addition, the type and size of an event also plays a fundamental role when selecting an appropriate measuring tool. This research was further motivated because of the existing gap that exists in the South African context for no study has yet been conducted where the various models that assess economic impact have been applied to the collated data of the same event. This study thus aims to provide an overview and a comparison of competing and supplementing methodologies for modelling the regional economic dynamics and the impacts of events. It further investigates the manner in which regional CGE, I-O and SAM based (multiplier) models operate towards capturing the region-specific, inter-regional and multi-regional production, consumption and factor market patterns as result of expenditures incurred during events. An analysis of the virtues and the limitations of these economic assessment methodologies suggests that it may be the considerations such as the data collection/compilation, expected output, research objectives and costs involved that ultimately determine the choice of a specific modelling framework. While addressing the problem stated above, this study produced the following three articles that are now embodied in the work: * Article 1 - “Critical assessment of economic impact analyses of the ABSA Klein Karoo National Arts Festival”, and * Article 2 - “Critical assessment of economic impact analyses of the Aardklop National Arts Festival”. Article 2 investigated and compared the economic assessment results when applying specific constructed models, being the Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) and Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) for the appropriate provinces, to the available data obtained from previous surveys conducted at the 2010 ABSA Klein Karoo National Arts Festival and from the Aardklop National Arts Festival. The two articles indicated that when different models of assessment are applied to the same data set of an event, the economic impact results might differ significantly. This may serve as a warning to economic assessors, academics and researchers that economic impact results can be misleading and therefore the application thereof should be handled with the utmost care in order to avoid misinterpretations and misconceptions. * Article 3, “Assessing the economic impact of the Aardklop National Arts Festival: a feast of models to opt for – or not?” In this article, data from a visitor and business survey conducted at the 2010 Aardklop National Arts Festival was used in the analyses made by applying SAM, CGE and I-O regional models constructed for South Africa’s Northwest Province. Results from these analyses were then compared in order to give researchers and practitioners a better insight and clarity regarding which approach works best for the economic assessment of an arts festival. This article highlighted the fact that the measured economic impact results differ when various models that are applied to the same event. It also became evident that the most conservative economic impact was measured by an I-O model, followed with a higher SAM measurement, while CGE revealed the highest economic assessment. The most significant contribution of this study is embedded in the fact that within the South African context – and even globally – it is the first study of its kind that aimed to determine the economic impact by means of applying more than one assessment model to the data set of a single event. Further, this study provides guidelines for event organisers, academics and economic advisors to follow in conjunction with the existing body of knowledge and practical implementation structures when assessing the economic impact of events. / Thesis (PhD (Tourism Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study examines the history of water in two small Karoo towns. The main argument of the thesis is that the availability of and access to water has played influential roles in the development of Williston and Prince Albert. The ambitions of this thesis are three-fold: firstly, the approach is socio-environmental history and therefore it provides insight into the environmental as well as the social history of the resource in each region. It consciously reflects on the notion of power and explores the manner in which access to water was racialised by authorities in each town. Secondly, this thesis provides insight into the technological and legislative water supply and development of sanitation at both settlements, which is outlined in a broader national development to contextualise the local trajectories. Thirdly, through personal narratives it offers an ethnographic analysis of mind-sets such as fatalism and hopefulness in the face of extreme climatic conditions are examined. The experiences of the socially marginalised and underrepresented are intended to challenge the whiggish celebration of anthropogenic ascendancy over nature in the historiography. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie ondersoek die geskiedenis van water in twee klein Karoo dorpies. The hoof argument van die tesis is dat die beskikbaarheid van en toegang tot water bepalende rolle gespeel het in die ontwikkeling van Williston en Prins Albeit. Die doelstellings van hierdie tesis is drievoudig: eerstens, is die benadering sosio-omgewingsgeskiedenis en verskaf dit dus insig oor die omgewings- sowel as die sosiale geskiedenis van hierdie natuurlike hulpbron in elke streek. Hierdie werk weerspieel doelbewus die idee van mag en ondersoek die wyse waarop toegang tot water deur die dorpsowerhede rasbevooroordeeld was. Tweedens, verskaf hierdie tesis insig oor die water toevoer en die ontwikkeling van sanitere geriewe in beide nedersettings, waama die plaaslike ontwikkeling gesien word binne ' n breer nasionale konteks. Derdens word daar deur middel van persoonlike vertellings gekyk na die opkoms van etnografiese ingesteldhede soos fatalisme en hoop wanneer uiterste klimaatstoestande in die gesig gestaar word. Die ervannge van die sosiaal gemarginaliseerde en die onderverteenwoordigde groepe word uitgelig ten einde die liberate viering van antropogeniese dorninasie oor die natuur uit te daag.