>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Urbanisation and storm water input in the Kuils River catchment changed the flow of the river from ephemeral to perennial. This led to flooding problems in the Kuilsrivier central business district. The river was channelised in 2000 to increase the carrying capacity of the channel and thus to reduce the flood risk. This study aims to monitor the impacts of channelisation on the geomorphology and ecology of the Kuils River. This was done by selecting representative study sites upstream, within and downstream of the channelised reach. The geomorphological and ecological characteristics of the river were recorded in detail with changes tracked over a year period incorporating channelisation activities and winter floods.

Magister Educationis - MEd / The purpose of this project was to determine the status and value of physical education at primary schools as well as the extent to which it is offered. It is also hoped that this study will be useful in putting forward an argument for the inclusion or re-inclusion of physical education as a compulsory subject in the curriculum of schools. There appears to be a decline in the teaching of the subject at primary schools. Time tables afford little or no time to the teaching of physical education. This has implications for the holistic development of pupils and for providers of physical education teachers. Such institutions would find it difficult to provide opportunities for in-service experiences in physical education for prospective teachers and may come to perceive such courses as not viable.

Thesis (MMus (Music))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / The initiation and establishment of community music projects have been increasing in number in South Africa in the last decade due to the growing interest in these projects’ beneficial outcomes. Music education, music activities and a myriad of opportunities through music are provided to under-privileged communities who would otherwise be deprived thereof. The Redefine Music Education Project is a community music project situated in Kuils River and which draws learners from local impoverished communities and townships. The efficient management of project, staff and learner commitment, and community involvement has resulted in various project and learner achievements. However, it has also undergone several setbacks and faces frequent challenges. Due to the Redefine Music Education Project’s success rate and sustained years of operation, it is considered as one of the Western Cape’s reputable community music projects. This research study sets out by evaluating the need and role of a community music project in disadvantaged communities as well as describing the qualities that make a community music project successful. The research uncovered the impact that such a project has on the individual and on local communities in the Western Cape. A noteworthy result of the study is the fact that it serves as guidance and motivation to other operating and upcoming community music projects. It also provides and opens further opportunities of study and research regarding music in the community. / Die inisiëring en vestiging van gemeenskaps-musiekprojekte het in die laaste dekade in Suid-Afrika toegeneem vanweë die groeiende belangstelling in die voordelige uitkomste van hierdie projekte. Hierdie projekte bied musiekopvoeding, musiekaktiwiteite en ontsluit geleenthede deur musiek aan minder bevoorregde gemeenskappe wat andersins nie daarmee in aanraking sou kom nie. Die Redefine Music Education Project is 'n gemeenskaps-musiekprojek geleë in Kuilsrivier. Die projek staan grootliks in diens van leerders uit plaaslike verarmde gemeenskappe en townships. Die doeltreffende bestuur van die projek, personeel en leerder-toewyding, en gemeenskapsbetrokkenheid het verskeie projek- en leerderprestasies tot gevolg gehad. Die projek het egter ook verskeie terugslae ervaar en staar voortdurende uitdagings in die gesig. As gevolg van die Redefine Music Education Project se suksesse en die hoeveelheid jare wat dit reeds bestaan, word dit gereken as een van die Wes-Kaap se maatgewende gemeenskaps-musiekprojekte. Hierdie navorsing evalueer die behoefte aan en rol van 'n gemeenskaps-musiekprojek in minder bevoorregde gemeenskape. Dit ondersoek ook die kwaliteite wat so 'n projek help om suksesvol te wees. Die navorsing toon uiteindelik ook die impak wat so 'n projek op individue en op plaaslike gemeenskappe in die Wes-Kaap het. 'n Betekenisvolle resultaat van die studie is dat dit as gids en motivering dien vir ander huidige en toekomstige gemeenskaps-musiekprojekte. Dit beskryf ook verdere geleenthede vir studie en navorsing ten opsigte van musiek in die gemeenskap.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / The water quality in many Cape Town Rivers and streams is a major challenge. Kuils River is subject to multiple land use impacts from upstream to downstream because of rapid urbanization in its catchment area. The main pollution sources are urban and industrial, organic matter from litter under the road-bridge, and golf course. However no systematic efforts have been made to evaluate and improve the health of the river in term of management. To assess impacts on water quality, this study was conducted from 4th September to 27th November 2012 in 5 selected sites in the upper reach of the Kuils river. The main aim was to compare the health of the river in 2012 with that found in 2005 using physical and chemical characteristics and the South Africa Scoring System (SASS). The statistical analysis showed a significant difference between and within sites. The water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen concentration, total dissolved solids (TDS), and salinity were collected in situ by YSI 30 meter. To evaluate nutrient (nitrate and phosphorus) concentrations water samples were analyzed at UWC laboratory using spectrophotometer. In addition human activities, basic conditions (7.13 to 8.76), high total dissolved solids (416 to to 916.5 mg L¯¹) and salinity (0.31 to 0.71 mg L¯¹) concentrations were influenced by Malmesbury shales. Nitrate (0.1 to 3.1 mg L¯¹) and phosphorus (0.11 to 5.27 mg L¯¹) concentrations and the decrease in dissolved oxygen in November 2012 showed eutrophic conditions of the river. In the tributary site phosphorus (1.32 to 3.62 mg L¯¹) concentrations revealed hypertrophic condition compared to South Africa guideline. Macroinvertebrates sampled showed a total of 28 taxa grouped in 11 orders were sampled. Poor habitat diversity and water quality degradation were principal causes of low species diversity. The South Africa Score System version 5 (SASS5) and Average Score per Taxon (ASPT) indicated that the river is seriously impacted in 2012 compared to 2005 where water quality was in poor condition. The SASS and the ASPT scores were less than 50 and 4.2 at all sampling sites in most part of sampling period.

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Water quality analysis forms the basis in assessing and monitoring catchments. As urban development continuously increase, pollution sources increase in either point source (wastewater treatment works, industrial effluents) and/or non-point source origin (storm water discharge, domestic pollutants), accumulating pollutants in the environment. It was only recently discovered that certain pollutants have subtle disrupting effects on the endocrine system resulting in health related problems associated with the reproductive system and thyroid system (growth and development) of animals and potentially humans. Natural water resource management proves to include limited biological assays measuring endpoints for cytoxicity, inflammatory activity and endocrine disruption. The broad objective of this study was therefore to include several bioassays, not normally used in municipal (City of Cape Town) monitoring programmes, along with water quality data collected by the City of Cape Town. The Eerste/Kuils River catchment system, Western Cape, under the auspices of the City of Cape Town was chosen, and although this catchment does not contribute to drinking water resources, is subjected to a range of anthropogenic influences (industrial effluents, household wastewater, agricultural runoff). Within the short time-frame available for this study (six months) two months, July (following a dry summer and autumn season) and October (following a wet winter and early spring season) were selected for water quality monitoring. Spatial variation (with relevance to specific point and non-point contamination) among sampling sites were also obtained by choosing several (n=10) along the catchment. Specific aim of the study therefore included: Firstly (Chapter 2), the use of in vitro bioassays, lactate-dehydrolises assay (LDH) for cytotoxic activity, pro-inflammatory hormone Interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion by human blood cells and a specific Salmonella ELISA for faecal contamination, in conjunction with routine chemical and biological (mostly microbiological) monitoring activities. The study indicated significant variation among sites in all microbiological measures as well in IL-6 secretion and Salmonella presence. Between months, variations were also evident in certain variables. Secondly (Chapter 3), two bioassays using the yolk precursor protein, vitellogenin (Vtg) as endpoint was implemented in a) an in vitro Xenopus laevis liver slice assay (five day exposure) and b) an in vivo Zebrafish (Danio rerio) bioassay (seven day exposure) assessing estrogenic activity in the Eerste/Kuils River catchment. Although estrogen spiked positive control water samples stimulated Vtg production in vitro as well as in vivo, no dramatic estrogenic activity was measured at any of the selected sites. Thirdly (Chapter 4), a bioassay using the thyroid controlled metamorphosis in Xenopus laevis tadpoles to assess effects on the thyroid hormonal system was implemented. Thyroid stimulatory activity, compared with a negative control sample, was measured at two sites along the catchment. Although the practical implementation of the tadpole semi-static exposure protocol (water replacement) proved to be labour intensive, all the added bioassays proved to be valuable tools to add valuable information regarding water quality. It is clear that more research related to anthropogenic influences along the Eerste/Kuils River catchment system are needed, specifically in monitoring monthly variations to better understand annual variation in several of the endpoints studied. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Waterkwaliteit vorm die basis vir die evaluering en monitering van opvangsgebiede. Voortdurende stedelike ontwikkeling gee aanleiding tot ‘n toename in die voorkoms van besoedelstowwe in die natuurlike omgewing deur gelokaliseerde (punt) bronne (rioolwerke/industriële uitvloeisel) en/of nie gelokaliseerde (nie punt) bronne (vloed uitlaat/huishoudelike uitvloeisels) van besoedeling. Dit het onlangs aan die lig gekom dat van hierdie chemise besoedelstowwe subtiel die endokriene sisteem versteur en so aanleiding gee tot gesondheidsprobleme in terme van die voortplantingsisteem en tiroied sisteem (groei en ontwikkeling) by diere en moontlik ook die mens. Daar is beperkte gebruik van biologiese toetse wat inligting verskaf oor sitotoksiteit, inflammatoriese aktiwiteit en endokriene versteuring. Die doel van hierdie studie was dus om van hierdie biologiese toetse, wat normaalweg nie deel uitmaak van die roetine munisipale (Stad van Kaapstad) opvangsgebied monitering nie, gebruik te maak. Die Eerste-, Kuilsrivier, Wes Kaap, onder beheer van Stad Kaapstad is gekies en alhoewel die opvangsgebied nie water bydra tot drinkwaterbronne nie, word die opvangsgebied beïnvloed deur verskeie mensgemaakte bronne van besoedeling (afloop vanuit omliggende lanbougebiede). Binne die kort tydsraamwerk van die projek (ses maande) is besluit om twee maande, Julie (volg ‘n droë somer en herfs seisoen) en Oktober (volg ‘n nat winter en vroeë lente seisoen) vir water kwaliteit monitering te kies. Ruimtelike variasie langs die loop van die opvangsgebied is ingesluit deur moniteringspunte (n=10), met in ag name van die potensiële besoedelingsbronne. Spesifieke doelwitte van die projek sluit in: Eerstens (Hoofstuk 2), om die in vitro biotoetse, laktaat hidrolise (LDH) vir sitotoksisiteit, proinflammatoriese hormoon Interleuikin-6 (IL-6) vir inflammatoriese aktiwiteit, vrygestel deur menslike bloedselle en ‘n Salmonella ELISA vir ontlasting besoedeling saam met bestaande chemise en biologiese (hoofsaaklik migrobiologiese) veranderlikes te gebruik. Die studie het getoon dat beduidende variasie in alle mikrobiologiese toetse asook IL-6 vrystelling en Salmonella voorkoms bestaan het tussen versamelpunte. Maandelikse variasie in sekere van die veranderlikes het ook voorgekom. Tweedens (Hoofstuk 3), is twee biotoetse wat die dooiervoorloperproteïen, vitellogeen (Vtg) as eindpunt gebruik geimplimenteer in a) ‘n in vitro Xenopus laevis lewersnit biotoets (vyf dag blootstelling) en b) ‘n in vivo Zebravis (Danio rerio) biotoets (sewe dag blootstelling) om estrogenisiteit in die Eerste-, Kuilsrivier opvangsgebied te evalueer. Alhoewel, die estrogeen behandelde positiewe kontrole water monsters Vtg produksie veroorsaak het in beide die in vitro lewer-kulture en in vivo vistoets, is geen dramatiess estrogeniese aktiwiteit by enige van die moniteringspunte gevind nie. Derdens (Hoofstuk 4), is ‘n biotoets wat die tiroïedbeheerde metamorfose in Xenopus laevis paddavisse gebruik om effekte op die tiroïedsisteem te evalueer. Die differensiële stimulering (versnelling), in vergelyking met ‘n negatiewe kontrole watermonster, van die tiroied sisteem is by twee moniteringspunte in die opvangsgebied waargeneem. Alhoewel die praktiese implementering van die paddavis semi-statiese (water word gereeld vervang) biotoets arbeidsintensief is, het alle bykomstige biotoetse waardevolle bykomstige inligting oor water kwaliteit verskaf wat ‘n belangrike bydrae tot ingeligte bestuursbesluite kan verleen. Dit is duidelik dat meer navorsing int verband met die menslike invloed langs die Eerste-, Kuilsrivier opvangsgebied nodig is, veral met maandlikse monitering vir seisoenale veranderinge.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / The Kuils River Catchment is an urban river catchment that forms part of the larger Kuils-Eerste River system draining the eastern half of the Cape Metropolitan Authority area and Stellenbosch Municipality. Rapid urbanisation has resulted in the encroachment of residential and industrial areas into the river system through channelization and sewage disposal. This research project intends to assess the quality of surface runoff in the Kuils River catchment and determining non-point source pollutant loading rates in the catchment using GIS-based modelling. The study results show how modelled potential sources of surface runoff and NPS pollutants using desktop GIS analysis tools in a sequential process that involved different levels of software applications could explain the characteristics of the catchment. With the help of the Expected Mean Concentration (EMC) values associated with surface runoff from land use/covers, NPS pollutant loads were assessed downstream towards the Kuils River Catchment outlet using the Nonpoint Source Pollution and Erosion Comparison Tool (N-SPECT) based in ArcGIS. The outputs from this model consist of predicted annual pollutant loading (mg/mvyear) for each Kuils-Eerste River that occurs in the catchment. The results have shown clearly the spatial distribution of sources of particular pollutants in the catchment. Further or advanced processing knowhow with this model might provide far reaching insights into the problem and it is however recommended that these results produced using N-SPECT be compared to those of other hydrologic models using the same inputs.