In recent years the composition of urban vegetation has become far more complex than that of the surrounding natural vegetation. This is mainly due to the influence that humans have on the creation of new plant communities and the management of urban green spaces. Green spaces are fundamental to the restoration and maintenance of biodiversity in areas that have been severely impacted by urban development. Green spaces provide various ecosystem services and benefits for the health and well-being of urban residents, and can help to reduce the effects of global climate change. The most understudied green space in the entire urban green infrastructure is homegardens. Homegardens contribute greatly to the species composition of urban and rural settlements and are important in situ conservation sites that help to protect rare and endemic species. They are essential agricultural systems, especially in rural settlements, that provide both sources of additional income generation and food supply. In developing countries such as South Africa, very few studies have been done on homegardens and the benefits they provide to homeowners and to urban ecosystems in general. However, since South Africa become committed to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals in 2000, more research has been done on the potential of homegardens for poverty alleviation. The aim of this study was to determine the patterns of plant diversity in a rural settlement and to determine to what extent the socioeconomic status of the inhabitants influences the plant species composition of the settlement. The settlement of Ganyesa, situated in the Bophirima district in the North-West Province, was chosen for the study. Using GIS techniques, a grid was placed over the settlement and plant surveys were done every 500 m. Different land-use types were identified during the completion of the survey, namely natural areas, fragmented natural areas, fallow fields, road verges, wetlands, home gardens and institutional gardens. The national South African census data from 2001 proved to be too unreliable to accurately determine the SES of the residents in Ganyesa. Consequently, a social survey was completed by means of a questionnaire to determine the socioeconomic status of the owners of the homegardens under study. Clear differences could be observed between the land-use types and the indigenous and alien species composition, which were indicated in kriging maps. In comparison with the natural areas, homegardens contained more alien species than the surrounding natural areas. The vegetation composition for all the homegardens were correlated with the residents socioeconomic status along a socioeconomic gradient, ranging from low, to medium to high. ANCOVA, multiple regressions and basic statistical analyses were performed using all the vegetation and socioeconomic data. Meaningful correlations occur between the socioeconomic status of the homeowners and the plant diversity of their gardens. / Thesis (M. Environmental Science)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

An estimated 30 to 36 million people worldwide are living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). In 2009 about 5.7 million of the 30 to 36 million people who are infected with HIV were living in South Africa, making South Africa the country with the largest number of people infected with HIV in the world (UNGASS, 2010). Van Dyk (2008) states that HIV infection and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are accompanied by symptoms of psycho–social distress, but relatively little is known of the direct effect of HIV and AIDS on psychological well–being. The psychological distress is mainly due to the difficulties HIV brings to daily life and the harsh reality of the prognosis of the illness (Van Dyk, 2008). It is not clear whether people infected with HIV who are unaware of their HIV status show more psychological symptoms than people in a group not infected with HIV. The research question for the current study was therefore whether people with and without HIV infection differ in their psycho–social symptoms and strengths before they know their HIV status. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to explore the psychosocial health profiles of people with and without HIV and AIDS before they knew their infection status. A cross–sectional survey design was used for gathering psychological data. This was part of a multi–disciplinary study where the participants’ HIV status was determined after obtaining their informed consent and giving pre– and post–test counselling. This study falls in the overlap of the South African leg of the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology study (PURE–SA) that investigates the health transition and chronic diseases of lifestyle in urban and rural areas (Teo, Chow, Vaz, Rangarajan, & Ysusf, 2009), and the FORT2 and 3 projects (FORT2 = Understanding and promoting psychosocial health, resilience and strengths in an African context; Fort 3 = The prevalence of levels of psychosocial health: Dynamics and relationships with biomarkers of (ill) health in the South African contexts) (Wissing, 2005, 2008) on psychological well–being and its biological correlates. All the baseline data were collected during 2005. Of the 1 025 participants who completed all of the psychological health questionnaires, 153 (14.9%) were infected with HIV and 863 were not infected with HIV (since the HIV status of nine of the participants was not known, they were not included in the study). In the urban communities 435 participants completed the psychological health questionnaires, of whom 68 (15.6%) were infected with HIV and 367 were not infected with HIV. In the rural communities, 581 participants completed the psychological health questionnaires, of whom 85 (14.6%) were infected with HIV and 496 were not infected with HIV. The validated Setswana versions of the following seven psychological health questionnaires were used: Affectometer 2 (AFM), Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), Community Collective Efficacy Scale (CCES), Mental Health Continuum Short Form (MHC–SF), New General Self–efficacy Scale (NGSE), Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Descriptive statistics were determined for all measures for all the participants with, and without HIV. Significant differences in psychosocial profiles among individuals with and without HIV and AIDS and also between those in the rural and urban areas were determined by means of t–tests and by a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Practical significance was determined by the size of the effects. The results for the entire group showed statistically significant differences between the two groups of participants who were infected with HIV and those not infected with HIV regarding their sense of coherence and their perspective on the community’s capacity to succeed in joint activities, but these differences were of only small practical significance. The HIV–infected participants in the urban areas displayed statistically and practically a lower sense of coherence and viewed themselves as less capable of meeting task demands in community contexts, than did the participants not infected with HIV. Though the participants not infected with HIV in the rural group had, statistically and practically, a significantly greater capacity to succeed in joint community activities than the participants infected with HIV, an interesting finding was that the participants infected with HIV experienced more positive affect than the participants not infected with HIV. The research showed that people with and without HIV infection differ in some respects in their psycho–social symptoms and strengths even before they are conscious of their HIV status. It is striking that the differences found on the psychological measures for the participants reflected a personal sense of social coherence and perspective on their community’s capacity to succeed in joint activities, which was lower in the case of participants infected with HIV, and might therefore have led to high–risk social behaviours and consequent infections. It might be that the participants with a relatively lower sense of social coherence, integration, and co–operation towards collectively achieving meaningful goals were more inclined to manifest behaviours that would lead to detrimental consequences (in this case HIV infection) for themselves and others. The higher level of positive affect in the rural group of the participants infected with HIV is still unexplained and requires further research. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Clinical Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

In recent years the composition of urban vegetation has become far more complex than that of the surrounding natural vegetation. This is mainly due to the influence that humans have on the creation of new plant communities and the management of urban green spaces. Green spaces are fundamental to the restoration and maintenance of biodiversity in areas that have been severely impacted by urban development. Green spaces provide various ecosystem services and benefits for the health and well-being of urban residents, and can help to reduce the effects of global climate change. The most understudied green space in the entire urban green infrastructure is homegardens. Homegardens contribute greatly to the species composition of urban and rural settlements and are important in situ conservation sites that help to protect rare and endemic species. They are essential agricultural systems, especially in rural settlements, that provide both sources of additional income generation and food supply. In developing countries such as South Africa, very few studies have been done on homegardens and the benefits they provide to homeowners and to urban ecosystems in general. However, since South Africa become committed to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals in 2000, more research has been done on the potential of homegardens for poverty alleviation. The aim of this study was to determine the patterns of plant diversity in a rural settlement and to determine to what extent the socioeconomic status of the inhabitants influences the plant species composition of the settlement. The settlement of Ganyesa, situated in the Bophirima district in the North-West Province, was chosen for the study. Using GIS techniques, a grid was placed over the settlement and plant surveys were done every 500 m. Different land-use types were identified during the completion of the survey, namely natural areas, fragmented natural areas, fallow fields, road verges, wetlands, home gardens and institutional gardens. The national South African census data from 2001 proved to be too unreliable to accurately determine the SES of the residents in Ganyesa. Consequently, a social survey was completed by means of a questionnaire to determine the socioeconomic status of the owners of the homegardens under study. Clear differences could be observed between the land-use types and the indigenous and alien species composition, which were indicated in kriging maps. In comparison with the natural areas, homegardens contained more alien species than the surrounding natural areas. The vegetation composition for all the homegardens were correlated with the residents socioeconomic status along a socioeconomic gradient, ranging from low, to medium to high. ANCOVA, multiple regressions and basic statistical analyses were performed using all the vegetation and socioeconomic data. Meaningful correlations occur between the socioeconomic status of the homeowners and the plant diversity of their gardens. / Thesis (M. Environmental Science)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Dissertation (MA (Development Communication))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Information Science / unrestricted

Globally an estimated 33.4 million people were living with HIV/AIDS by 2008 (UNAIDS, 2009a:7). One of the main challenges facing the Republic of South Africa (RSA) today is the HIV/AIDS epidemic (NSP, 2007:17). By mid-year 2011 an estimated 5.38 million people (10.6% of the total population) were living with HIV/AIDS in the RSA (Statistics South Africa, 2011:2). Currently South Africa has the largest number of people enrolled in the Highly Active Antiretroviral Treatment programme (HAART) in the world (WHO, 2008:59). The objective of this study was to determine retrospectively the medicine treatment patterns of HAART at a district hospital in the North West Province of South Africa. The study was conducted at Thusong hospital in the Ditsobotla sub-district of the North West Province of South Africa. A non-experimental, retrospective, cross-sectional, drug utilisation research methodology was used to obtain the data. The target population included patients of all ages who visited Thusong hospital pharmacy during the data collection period, which commenced on 01 February 2012 and ended on 31 March 2012. The data of three hundred and ninety nine (N=399) adult and one hundred and sixty one (N=161) paediatric patients on HAART were used. The adult female patients accounted for almost 70% (n=276, 69.17%) and the adult male patients for only 30% (n=123, 30.83%). The male paediatric patients represented just over 60% (n=97, 60.25%), whereas the female paediatric patients comprised less than 40% (n=64, 39.75%). The majority of adult patients were unmarried (n=323, 80.95%) and this group of patients were also the youngest group (μ=36.38 ± 8.98 years) on ARV treatment. Almost 86% (85.96%, n=343) of adult patients were registered as unemployed. Ninety two (n=92, 23.06%) adult patients and fifty eight (n=58, 36.03%) paediatric patients defaulted treatment during the defined period. The investigation into the adult medicine treatment patterns revealed that more than half (52.38%, n=209) of all the adult patients were receiving regimen 1atn (EFV, TDF and 3TC), followed by 20.80% (n=83) on regimen 1a (EFV, D4T and 3TC). Most paediatric patients (n=73, 45.34%) were on regimen P1c (EFV, D4T and 3TC) and the second most (n=45, 27.95%) were on regimen P1a (D4T, 3TC and LPV/r). The average weight of adult female patients was 57.18kg (± 15.78kg) and the average adult male patient weighed 55.87kg (± 10.17kg) on initiation of HAART. The average adult male patient was initiated on HAART with a CD4 count of 130cells/mm3 (± 99.45cells/mm3), while for adult female patients it was 160cells/mm3 (± 96.52cells/mm3). The average male child was initiated with a CD4 count of 509.1cells/mm3 and the average female paediatric patient with 477.3cells/mm3. The average viral load for adult female patients on initiation of HAART was 103046copies/mm3 (± 189146copies/mm3) and for adult male patients it was 416600copies/mm3 (± 439746copies/mm3). The difference between the viral load of adult female and male patients were described as statistically (p=0.0006) and practically (d=0.713) significant. The average viral load for female paediatric patients on initiation of HAART was 242207copies/mm3 (± 709133copies/mm3) and for male paediatric patients it was 329734copies/mm3 (± 674532copies/mm3). Adult patients that received HAART at more than 12 consultations revealed an average weight gain of 3.43kg (± 8.11kg) from initiation of treatment. This group also showed an average increase of 214.71cells/mm3 (± 248.24cells/mm3) in CD4 count and an average reduction in viral load of 170944copies/mm3 (± 191854.69copies/mm3) from the day they started HAART up to the last date of receiving treatment. The paediatric patients on treatment for more than 12 consultations showed an average weight gain of 6.56kg (± 3.75kg) from initiation of ARV treatmentup to the last date of receiving treatment. They also showed an average increase in CD4 count of 396.63cells/mm3 (± 594.53cells/mm3) and a very encouraging average decrease of 538369.37copies/mm3 (± 948634.46copies/mm3) in the viral load. / MPham (Pharmacy Practice), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Globally an estimated 33.4 million people were living with HIV/AIDS by 2008 (UNAIDS, 2009a:7). One of the main challenges facing the Republic of South Africa (RSA) today is the HIV/AIDS epidemic (NSP, 2007:17). By mid-year 2011 an estimated 5.38 million people (10.6% of the total population) were living with HIV/AIDS in the RSA (Statistics South Africa, 2011:2). Currently South Africa has the largest number of people enrolled in the Highly Active Antiretroviral Treatment programme (HAART) in the world (WHO, 2008:59). The objective of this study was to determine retrospectively the medicine treatment patterns of HAART at a district hospital in the North West Province of South Africa. The study was conducted at Thusong hospital in the Ditsobotla sub-district of the North West Province of South Africa. A non-experimental, retrospective, cross-sectional, drug utilisation research methodology was used to obtain the data. The target population included patients of all ages who visited Thusong hospital pharmacy during the data collection period, which commenced on 01 February 2012 and ended on 31 March 2012. The data of three hundred and ninety nine (N=399) adult and one hundred and sixty one (N=161) paediatric patients on HAART were used. The adult female patients accounted for almost 70% (n=276, 69.17%) and the adult male patients for only 30% (n=123, 30.83%). The male paediatric patients represented just over 60% (n=97, 60.25%), whereas the female paediatric patients comprised less than 40% (n=64, 39.75%). The majority of adult patients were unmarried (n=323, 80.95%) and this group of patients were also the youngest group (μ=36.38 ± 8.98 years) on ARV treatment. Almost 86% (85.96%, n=343) of adult patients were registered as unemployed. Ninety two (n=92, 23.06%) adult patients and fifty eight (n=58, 36.03%) paediatric patients defaulted treatment during the defined period. The investigation into the adult medicine treatment patterns revealed that more than half (52.38%, n=209) of all the adult patients were receiving regimen 1atn (EFV, TDF and 3TC), followed by 20.80% (n=83) on regimen 1a (EFV, D4T and 3TC). Most paediatric patients (n=73, 45.34%) were on regimen P1c (EFV, D4T and 3TC) and the second most (n=45, 27.95%) were on regimen P1a (D4T, 3TC and LPV/r). The average weight of adult female patients was 57.18kg (± 15.78kg) and the average adult male patient weighed 55.87kg (± 10.17kg) on initiation of HAART. The average adult male patient was initiated on HAART with a CD4 count of 130cells/mm3 (± 99.45cells/mm3), while for adult female patients it was 160cells/mm3 (± 96.52cells/mm3). The average male child was initiated with a CD4 count of 509.1cells/mm3 and the average female paediatric patient with 477.3cells/mm3. The average viral load for adult female patients on initiation of HAART was 103046copies/mm3 (± 189146copies/mm3) and for adult male patients it was 416600copies/mm3 (± 439746copies/mm3). The difference between the viral load of adult female and male patients were described as statistically (p=0.0006) and practically (d=0.713) significant. The average viral load for female paediatric patients on initiation of HAART was 242207copies/mm3 (± 709133copies/mm3) and for male paediatric patients it was 329734copies/mm3 (± 674532copies/mm3). Adult patients that received HAART at more than 12 consultations revealed an average weight gain of 3.43kg (± 8.11kg) from initiation of treatment. This group also showed an average increase of 214.71cells/mm3 (± 248.24cells/mm3) in CD4 count and an average reduction in viral load of 170944copies/mm3 (± 191854.69copies/mm3) from the day they started HAART up to the last date of receiving treatment. The paediatric patients on treatment for more than 12 consultations showed an average weight gain of 6.56kg (± 3.75kg) from initiation of ARV treatmentup to the last date of receiving treatment. They also showed an average increase in CD4 count of 396.63cells/mm3 (± 594.53cells/mm3) and a very encouraging average decrease of 538369.37copies/mm3 (± 948634.46copies/mm3) in the viral load. / MPham (Pharmacy Practice), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

This mini–dissertation addresses the management of the potable water supply in the Mkhwanazi Tribal Authority's area of jurisdiction. The main objectives of the study were to determine the organisational structures and public policies governing the potable water supply in the uMhlathuze Local Municipality with a view to establishing the factors that hinder the provision of potable water to some parts of the Mkhwanazi Tribal Area and also determine how the present potable water situation is perceived by the MTA residents. The Mkhwanazi Tribal Authority's area of jurisdiction is predominantly a residential area for the Zulu speaking people under the uMhlathuze Local Municipality's area of responsibility in the Province of KwaZulu–Natal. The organisational structures governing the potable water supply in the MTA identified in the study are the ULM comprising of the Municipal Council and the administrative; Integrated Development Plan; Water Services Provider; Water Committee; and the Mkhwanazi Tribal Council. The provision of potable water in the MTA is regulated through the UMhlathuze Water Services By–Laws which are based on the standards of basic water and sanitation in terms of the White Paper on Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) (SA, 1994:17). The study established that the challenges affecting the potable water supply are the lack of funds in the Municipality, rising water demand, human capacity and water loss. The MTA residents appreciate the current potable water supply by the ULM but have a negative attitude towards paying for water services because they consider water as a natural resource that must be freely supplied to them by the Government. Therefore, the study recommended that water awareness campaigns be conducted regularly amongst the MTA community to raise the importance of having potable water in the community. / Thesis (M. Development and Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

This mini–dissertation addresses the management of the potable water supply in the Mkhwanazi Tribal Authority's area of jurisdiction. The main objectives of the study were to determine the organisational structures and public policies governing the potable water supply in the uMhlathuze Local Municipality with a view to establishing the factors that hinder the provision of potable water to some parts of the Mkhwanazi Tribal Area and also determine how the present potable water situation is perceived by the MTA residents. The Mkhwanazi Tribal Authority's area of jurisdiction is predominantly a residential area for the Zulu speaking people under the uMhlathuze Local Municipality's area of responsibility in the Province of KwaZulu–Natal. The organisational structures governing the potable water supply in the MTA identified in the study are the ULM comprising of the Municipal Council and the administrative; Integrated Development Plan; Water Services Provider; Water Committee; and the Mkhwanazi Tribal Council. The provision of potable water in the MTA is regulated through the UMhlathuze Water Services By–Laws which are based on the standards of basic water and sanitation in terms of the White Paper on Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) (SA, 1994:17). The study established that the challenges affecting the potable water supply are the lack of funds in the Municipality, rising water demand, human capacity and water loss. The MTA residents appreciate the current potable water supply by the ULM but have a negative attitude towards paying for water services because they consider water as a natural resource that must be freely supplied to them by the Government. Therefore, the study recommended that water awareness campaigns be conducted regularly amongst the MTA community to raise the importance of having potable water in the community. / Thesis (M. Development and Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

The aim of this study is to determine the security relevance of farm attacks in South Africa. This is based on the propositions that indications exist that farm attacks in the RSA reflect more than common criminality; that the combating of farm attacks requires specific measures; and that farm attacks in other African states, as well as prior to 1994 in some instances also in South Africa, had demonstrated specific political motives. In the search for the underlying causes behind the incidence of farm attacks, aspects such as the occurence of farm attacks elsewhere in Africa; the political history of the RSA; the dynamics associated with an increase in crime during political transition; land reform; and the extent of farm attacks in the RSA, were analysed. The occurence of farm attacks seems not to be unique to South Africa, as attacks of this nature also occurred in other African states such as Kenya and Zimbabwe. As could have been expected from international experience, crime increased substantially in South Africa during a period of radical political transition. Farm attacks, which inherently manifest as violent crimes, also increased, especially during the period between 1997 and 2001. Developments during South Africa’s political past led to a situation in which a substantial part of the population lost not only their political rights, but also their land. As a result, land reform is high on the agenda of those who feel deprived, as well as that of the government. The findings reached by commissions of enquiry and research into the causes of farm attacks reveal that crime is the single most important motive for farm attacks. Other motives were identified in single cases, but no common sinister motive or any specific organisation instigating farm attacks could be established. Although the level of trust between the farming community and government has in some cases suffered considerable harm, both parties are bound to the combating of farm attacks, including participation in the implementation of combined strategies such as the Rural Safety Plan. The occurrence of farm attacks is clearly a significant security issue. Although it is not yet considered as posing an immediate direct threat to national security, it has already been recognized that farm attacks could negatively impact on food security. The possibility of this phenomenon developing into a full-fledged national security issue, can thus not be excluded. / Dissertation (M (Security Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Political Sciences / unrestricted

AFRIKAANS : Verstedeliking is ’n verskynsel wat sowel Afrikaners as swart mense in die twintigste eeu in Suid-Afrika geaffekteer het. In sommige opsigte was die traumatiese effek van hierdie gebeure vergelykbaar vir die twee groepe, maar in andere was dit ’n heel ander werklikheid vir Afrikaners om die platteland vir die stad te verruil as vir swart mense. Daar bestaan weinig studies wat ’n gesamentlike blik op die verstedeliking van die twee groepe werp. Hierdie studie doen juis dit deur die representasie in literêre tekste van die stad en die stadslewe deur Afrikaners en swart mense te ondersoek. Die welbekende stad/plattelandopposisie word verken, maar met die klem op die stad soos wat dit in literêre tekste gerepresenteer word. Die term “cultuurtekst” word in hierdie bestudering van representasie aangewend. Die term word deur Maaike Meijer gebruik vir die verskynsel waar bepaalde wyses van representasie rondom ’n onderwerp voortdurend herhaal. Die cultuurtekst is dus ’n denkbeeldige ‘teks’ wat bestaan uit verstarde kodes van representasie (of kulturele skemas, soos wat sy dit ook noem) wat steeds weer in individuele tekste herhaal word. Die doel van die studie is om die bestaan van kultuurtekste oor die verstedeliking van Afrikaners en swart mense aan te toon. Literêre tekste in Afrikaans word bestudeer om ’n stel kulturele skemas te identifiseer wat oor ’n verskeidenheid tekste aangetref word, wat aandui dat ’n kultuurteks oor Afrikanerverstedeliking in hierdie tekste herhaal word. Dieselfde werkwyse word betreffende swart verstedeliking gevolg: Engelse en Zulutekste word bestudeer om bewys te lewer van ’n kultuurteks oor verstedeliking. Laastens word hierdie kultuurtekste oor verstedeliking met mekaar vergelyk, aangesien bepaalde feite rondom Afrikaner/swart verstedeliking pas duidelik word wanneer ’n vergelykende benadering gevolg word. Deur hierdie vergelyking word gevolgtrekkings ENGLISH : Urbanization is a phenomenon that affected both Afrikaners and black people in twentieth century South Africa. In some respects the traumatic effect of these events are comparable for the two groups, but in others the experience of leaving the country for the city was a very different reality for Afrikaners and black people. Few studies have taken a simultaneous look at the urbanization undergone by the two groups. This study does this by investigating the representation in literary texts of the city and city life as experienced by black people and Afrikaners. The well-known opposition of city/country is explored, but with the emphasis on the city as it is represented in literary texts. In studying this representation, the term “cultuurtekst” (cultural text) is employed. The term is used by Maaike Meijer to describe the phenomenon of certain ways of representation around a specific topic being constantly repeated. The cultuurtekst is thus an imaginary ‘text’ consisting of fixed codes of representation (cultural schemes, as she also calls them) that we find being echoed anew in individual texts. The aim of the study is to prove the existence of such a cultuurtekst pertaining to the urbanization of both black people and Afrikaners. In order to achieve this, literary texts in Afrikaans are studied to identify a set of cultural schemes that are found across a variety of texts, thus indicating that a cultuurtekst about Afrikaner urbanization is being repeated in these texts. The same procedure is followed concerning black urbanization: English and Zulu texts are studied to establish evidence of a cultuurtekst about urbanization. Finally, these cultural texts about urbanization are compared with one another, seeing that certain facts about Afrikaner/black urbanization only become truly clear when a comparative approach is followed. From this comparison conclusions are drawn about the similar and different experiences of urbanization and city life for Afrikaners and black people. Copyright / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Afrikaans / unrestricted