This study aimed to investigate the spatial extent of Land-Use Land-Cover (LULC) change and the implications for ecosystem services in order to develop a sustainable land-use management framework for traditional authorities in South Africa. Effectively, this study undertook an insightful examination of the impacts that arise from policy decisions and practices, which unfortunately were found to be ineffective. The methodologies and approaches used in this study included both quantitative and qualitative techniques. The critical quantitative method employed in this research was the use of survey questionnaires to collect primary data. Qualitative approaches, such as one-on-one and key informant interviews, were used to triangulate the findings. Remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) methods were used to investigate changes in LULC from 1990 to 2018 through the use of data obtained from the South African National Land-Cover project. Stochastic models were used to predict future LULC changes from 2018 to 2050. The Co$ting Nature Policy Support System was used to identify and undertake economic valuation of services provided by ecosystems. Statistical analysis using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences was used to identify correlations and the reliability of the data, while graphs and tables were generated to identify patterns and lessons from the research. Between 1990 and 2018, significant changes in land cover were noticed for thickets and dense bush, woodlands, waterbodies, subsistence agriculture, and built-up areas. Woodlands changed by over 1 000 hectares (ha) per year, while thickets decreased by over 900 ha per year. Drivers of these changes include deforestation, among others. Future predictions for LULC revealed that between 2018 and 2050, almost 500 ha of woodlands would be lost to built-up areas. The aggregate value of the services flowing from ecosystems was found to be R9 509 044 608.00. A significant issue was that 90% of the traditional leaders interviewed could not positively respond to whether they knew the extent of the land they presided over, which raised questions regarding the effectiveness of their management systems. Recommendations were made in this study to address the limitations identified in the land-use management practices by adapting elements of the main theoretical frameworks, namely the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services framework; the Drivers, Pressures, States, Impacts and Responses framework; the sustainability theory; and the hierarchy of plans, into a new framework designed specifically for traditional leaders, titled the “Traditional leaders land-use decision support framework”. / Environmental Sciences / D. Phil. (Environmental Management)

PhD (Sociology) / Department of Sociology / Introduction: Physical disability encompasses a complex multi-dimensional phenomenon within the context of a person’s life childhood and adulthood. Disability covers a wide and diverse range of disabling conditions. Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to explore and describe the experiences of physicaldisability acquired in adulthood. Methodology: The study adopted qualitative research approach, exploratory and descriptive design. Snowball sampling method was adopted to select seven participants who were interviewed by means of semi-structured face-to-face interviews. In order to analyse data, Tesch eight steps of analyzing qualitative data was employed. Results: It was found that experiences of physical disabled adults replete with daily difficulties marked by isolation, loneliness, social disapproval and rejection. Being physical disabled was accompanied with difficulties marked with, feeling of sadness and dejection which was their daily companions. However, the participants found strength and solace from support groups and religious structures which strengthen individuals who acquired physical disability at adulthood. Conclusion: Physical disability acquired in adulthood is accompanied with changes that bring about different difficulties in personal and social life. As a result adults with that experience are left with no choice but adopting coping strategies that assist them to continue with life positively. Recommendation: The study recommends conducting seminars/awareness where civil society and other community based stakeholders and government departments are orientated on the rights of persons with disabilities. Through dissemination of the findings of this study, the researcher hopes that strong message can be conveyed to all stakeholders in disability to ensure mainstreaming of disability in all spheres of life.

PhDENV / Department of Ecology and Resource Management / Kaolin dominated soils are common in the tropical and subtropical regions. People depend on kaolin-rich soils for agricultural production of food and fiber. The most popular of all South African soils is the Hutton form which accounts for the marvelous redness of the landscape across the Country. The apedal (structureless) soils in the group are characterised by a relatively low CEC (< 11 cmolc kg-1) reflecting oxidic mineralogy with predominantly kaolinitic assemblage. The geochemical and mineralogical composition of soil kaolin has significant implications on soil fertility, geochemical exploration and engineering properties. Despite the dominance of kaolin in these soils, little is known of their properties in the medium. The nature of kaolin minerals in soils varies with parent material, degree of weathering and pedogenic environment. Most studies conducted in South Africa on kaolins are limited to reference kaolins with little or no publication on soil kaolins, hence, this study. This research involved the evaluation of mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of oxidic soils and soil kaolins developed from four (4) selected parent rocks which were basalt, granite, arkosic sandstone, and gneiss. Soils developed from quartzite were selected as control. Representative soil samples collected from profiles developed from the different parent rocks were analysed for physico-chemical, mineralogical, and geochemical data. The mineralogical and geochemical data obtained by x-ray diffractometry (XRD), x-ray fluorescence (XRF), and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS) were used in unraveling the influence of the provenance and degree of weathering on the soil characteristics. The mineralogical and geochemical data for soil kaolins were determined through XRD, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry, XRF, and LA-ICPMS to establish their mineralogical and geochemical properties with respect to their parent rocks. Comparison between the soil kaolins and selected reference kaolins were also conducted. The phosphorus (P) sorption data acquired photometrically were employed to evaluate the relationship between the P sorption capacities of the soils and soil kaolins. The influence of soil properties on the fertility of the soils were assessed based on the physico-chemical (pH, particle size distribution, and electrical conductivity (EC)) and chemical (organic matter (OM) content, cation exchange capacity (CEC), available P, exchangeable cations (Ca, K, Mg, Na, and Al), and P sorption) data. The mineralogical and geochemical data for the parent rocks were obtained by XRD, optical microscopy, XRF, and LA-ICPMS. Multivariate statistical analyses were also conducted. Results showed that the dominant colour in the studied bulk soils was dusky red (31 %) followed by brown (23 %), reddish brown, yellowish red, and yellowish brown (23 %) as well as strong brown, dark brown, reddish grey, very dark greyish brown, and dark red. Soil textures were clayey to sandy loamy with OM contents between 0.41 and 4.76 %. The pH, EC, CEC, exchangeable cations, and available P values generally ranged from 5.22 to 8.38, 10.25 to 114.40 μS/cm, 2.93 to 18.30 cmol/kg, 0.03 to 13.92 cmol/kg, and <0.01 to 54.99 mg/kg, respectively. Kaolinite and quartz were the dominant phases for soils developed from basalt whereas, quartz and plagioclase were the dominant mineral phases in soils developed from granite, arkosic sandstone, and gneiss, respectively. Other minerals present in the soils were microcline, muscovite, hematite, goethite, montmorrillonite, anatase, gibbsite, chlorite, and actinolite. Geochemical compositions of the bulk soils show relative enrichment of Fe2O3, TiO2, CaO, K2O, MgO, MnO, and Na2O (except for CaO, K2O, MgO, MnO, and Na2O in soils developed from basalt). Chemical index of alteration (CIA), chemical index of weathering (CIW), and plagioclase index of alteration (PIA) values varied between 54.92 and 99.81 % which suggest low to high degree of chemical weathering. The ACN-K and A-CNK-FM diagrams for the different soils also support these observations. Trace elements were generally enriched in soils developed from basalt and gneiss (except for Rb, Sr, and Ba in soils developed from basalt), but were depleted in soils developed from granite and arkosic sandstone (except for Cr and Ta). The principal factors responsible for the mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of the soils were the parent rocks and degree of weathering. In the soil kaolins, the dominant clay mineral was kaolinite accounting for 23 to 85 wt % followed by montmorrillonite, chlorite, and gibbsite. The non-clay minerals like quartz, plagioclase, muscovite, microcline, anatase, goethite, hematite, and actinolite accounted for the remaining percentages. The soil kaolins were characterised by thin platy kaolinite particles with partially to poorly-ordered structural order. The platy kaolinite crystals have their longest dimension sizes between 0.06 and 0.25 μm. The dehydroxylation temperatures for the studied soil kaolins ranged from 425 to 475 ˚C. The SiO2/Al2O3 ratio was lowest in soil kaolins developed from basalt and higher in soils developed from granite, arkosic sandstone, and gneiss which is consistent with their mineralogy since the former have more kaolinite. Higher Fe2O3 and CEC values were obtained relative to reference kaolins which could be attributed to the presence of more structural iron in the soil kaolins as well as their smaller crystal sizes. The presence of weatherable and accessory minerals accounted for the enrichment of Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb in the soil kaolins. The kaolinite in the soils were formed by leaching and desilication of the primary minerals in the parent rocks under suboxic conditions. H-type P adsorption isotherms obtained for both the soils and soil kaolins indicated their high affinity for phosphorus by chemisorption. The average maximum P adsorption values were in decreasing order of soils developed from basalt > granite > arkosic sandstone > quartzite (control) > gneiss, respectively whereas, for soil kaolins is basalt > granite > quartzite (control) > arkosic sandstone > gneiss, respectively. Relative to other soils developed from different parent rocks, soils developed from basalt (with more clay content) had higher capacity and buffer power for P adsorption. The standard P requirements for the soils ranged from 7.78 to 92.91 mgP/kg and were classified as low based on the Langmuir model. Significant correlation between the P adsorption parameters for the soils and soil kaolins indicated that the later could be taken as a good predictor for P sorption dynamics in the soils. Electrical conductivity of the soils were taken to be negligible in interfering with plant growth. The available P values were generally below the critical level of 12 – 15 mg/kg for soils developed from basalt, gneiss, and quartzite (control) but higher in soils developed from granite and arkosic sandstone. All the soil evaluation factor (SEF) average values estimated were greater than five indicating that they are not of poor soil fertility. The correlation results between the soil properties and P sorption parameters suggest that several variables can influence the P sorption dynamics of the soil. Regression analyses further indicated that CEC, pH, OM, and clay content in the soils account for 99 % bounding P energy variation whereas, Fe2O3 accounts for 76 % P sorption maximum variation in the soils. In addition, variations in Fe2O3 and sand contents in the soils account for 96 % and 95 % maximum buffering capacity and external P requirement (EPR) variations, respectively. Models to advance the interplay between the various soil properties and P sorption parameters in the soils were developed. Mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of the soils were principally controlled by the parent rocks and degree of weathering. The soil kaolins displayed significant differences relative to reference kaolins. Langmuir model is most suited for describing P sorption in soils and soil kaolins developed from different parent rocks within the studied area. P sorption parameters for the soils can readily be obtained from the P sorption parameters of the kaolins present in them. EPR obtained and models for predicting P sorption parameters from selected soil properties developed for the various soils will improve the efficiency of routine P fertilizer applications. Iron oxide (Fe2O3) played the most crucial role in explaining the P sorption dynamics of the soils. The major contributions from this study have been: better understanding of the influence of parent rock characteristics and degree of weathering on the soil characteristics, the nature of soil kaolins and its influence on soil properties as well as P sorption dynamics in soils have been better established, and improvement of the understanding on the relationship between soil properties and P sorption dynamics in the soils. / NRF

Lephalale Municipality is a predominantly rural Municipality with 38 villages, two townships (Marapong and Onverwacht) and one town, Lephalale. Lephalale, formerly known as Ellisras, is a town situated in the “heart of the Bushveld” in Limpopo province. The town is growing rapidly and more industries are becoming concentrated within this small town. The construction of Medupi power station which is underway and other projects such as the expansion of Grootegeluk mine (coal 3 and 4 projects), and road developments in the area; have led to concern about the ambient air quality of the area. Other possible future projects are the Coal to Liquid project by Sasol and the Coal Bed Methane project by Anglo American Thermal Coal. The purpose of this study is to determine the ambient air quality impact of the Matimba power station in the Lephalale area. The AERMOD model and ambient air quality data obtained from Eskom’s Grootstryd and Marapong monitoring stations were used to assess the ambient air quality of Lephalale. Sulphur dioxide and Nitrogen oxides were investigated. Both the model’s results and the ambient air quality monitoring data indicated that the power station contributes to high -ground level concentrations of Sulphur dioxide. AERMOD simulated the nitrogen oxides results as nitrogen dioxide. From the study it is concluded that the power station is not the only source of nitrogen oxides. Nitrogen oxides concentrations were associated with low-level sources. The relationship between the criteria pollutants in this study was assessed. The study found that there is no relationship between sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. This finding was used to support the idea that sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are from different sources. It was also established that seasonality has an influence on the ground level concentrations of pollutants in the area.

Thesis (MPA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2017 / Despite the attempt by the South African government to transfer farms to black ownership, black farmers still remain poor and have to compete without technical skills. The majority of the previously disadvantaged farmers part of mostly practice subsistence agriculture characterised by low production and lack of market. The question that still remains to be answered is whether these subsistence farmers will ever grow to be commercial farmers, and white farmers continue dominating commercial farming. This prompted the researcher to engage in this study that will identify the challenges that make emerging farmers not to succeed as they should. The aim of this study is to investigate the challenges faced by black emerging farmers in the transition from subsistence to commercial farming in Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality and the role played by the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in ensuring that such transits take place. Data used in this study collected from 50 emerging farmers from the five villages in Ba-Phalaborwa and eight (8) extension officers from different sections in the department of Agriculture and Rural development in Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality. The researcher used mixed research design, questionnaires and semi-structured interviews to achieve the intended objectives. The finding shows that the majority of emerging farmers receive support to run their farm activities from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development mostly in the form of extension services. The study further indicated that emerging farmers are aware of the role being played by the Department of Agriculture, and Rural Development although they are not satisfied with the support the Department is giving them and they believe that if the departments can further support them, they can improve their productions. The study established that emerging farmers have been facing several challenges, including lack of property right or title deed, insufficient farm size, shortage of money, inadequate extension services, inadequate or damaged infrastructure, and climate change, risk on production, lack of market, and lack of information, stock theft, erratic rainfall is a major challenge, lack of access to electricity, lack of access to telephone, not receiving advices on farming activities, not receiving advices on marketing of products, bookkeeping and technology. The emerging farmers’ challenges are worsened by the fact that farmers who are facing droughts are not able to get immediate funding to engage in farming activities. Despite these challenges emerging farmers want to continue with farming and in the next five years they want to see themselves in commercial farming. The concerned government departments should be encouraged to provide farm inputs and equipment like tractors, fertilisers, improved seeds, irrigation system and other types of farm inputs to emerging farmers to empower them to move from subsistence to commercial. The government departments and extension officers should be encouraged to provide skills to emerging farmers like, soil cultivation, irrigation, controlling of weed, packaging, livestock health care, hygiene, breeding and nutrition, recording skills and maintenance of farm equipment to empower emerging farmers to move from subsistence to commercial. Furthermore, policy makers should be encouraged to develop alternative strategies that will motivate emerging farmers to overcome challenges they are facing like lack of property rights of title deeds, insufficient farm sizes, climate change and shortage of money

Thesis (Ph.D. (Development Planning and Management)) -- University of Limpopo, 2023 / Rural entrepreneurship is a relatively young sector in the entrepreneurship field, but it has emerged as one of the most important tools for rural economic growth in developing nations like South Africa. A majority of poor people live in the rural areas and face the challenges of extreme poverty levels, high unemployment rates, appalling socio-economic conditions, and inequalities. Therefore, rural entrepreneurship is regarded as a vital tool for accelerating Local Economic Development (LED) and improvement of the quality of life of the rural people and their communities. Rural entrepreneurship stimulates economic development by improving economic conditions, creating employment, reducing poverty and improving the overall standard of living of the rural populace. Theoretically, there is clear consensus that rural entrepreneurship has the potential to reduce poverty, unemployment, economic inequalities and low income as well as value creation and improving standards of life in rural areas through the creation of new enterprises. Entrepreneurial activities stimulate the local economy and create employment opportunities through the creation of new enterprises in the rural areas. Thus, entrepreneurship development is seen as one of the important components of LED and the development agenda in most developing countries. However, entrepreneurial success is dependent on various factors, internal or external, such as the need for achievement, locus of control and desire for personal control of business, human capital, infrastructure, training, communication network, financial support, business environment, economic climate, competitiveness, risk-taking propensity, confidence, and regulatory environment. These factors may determine or influence the success of enterprises, thereby hampering LED efforts in a particular locality. Literature further reiterates the importance of rural entrepreneurship development towards accelerating economic development of local communities in the developing countries. Entrepreneurship development is regarded as a driving force of local economic growth and development in the developing countries. Many developing countries are faced with numerous socio-economic challenges of extreme poverty levels, high unemployment rates, stagnant economic growth and poor living conditions. Entrepreneurship development has become an important policy agenda and priority for employment creation, poverty reduction and economic growth and development of communities in many developing countries. Thus, many developing countries have turned their focus on entrepreneurship development as an important mechanism and driver of economic development with expectations of addressing these challenges. Despite such efforts, entrepreneurship development in developing countries faces challenges such as financial, human, management, lack of access to markets, lack of capacity, lack of infrastructure and appropriate regulations. These challenges affect and undermine the potential of entrepreneurship to stimulate LED and address challenges affecting many developing countries. The role of local government in creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurial activities and LED to thrive is widely acknowledged in most developing countries. Local governments in developing countries have become important vehicles for the promotion and implementation of LED and the creation of enabling environment for entrepreneurial activities to take place. LED in these developing countries is driven mainly by globalisation and decentralisation as an important strategy to local development. Globalisation and decentralisation play an important role in reconfiguring of planning approaches to local and regional development in developing countries. The observations above are also prevalent in South Africa, where entrepreneurship development is one of the national development policy imperatives. However, South Africa has a low entrepreneurial rate compared to other developing countries because of various factors including those highlighted above. Lack of entrepreneurial spirit or culture is increasing highly in the country. Entrepreneurship development and LED practice in South Africa is shaped by overwhelming policies and legislations, which seek to support and encourage entrepreneurship and LED. These regulatory frameworks are aimed at creating conducive and enabling environment for LED and entrepreneurial activities to take place. Local governments have a constitutional obligation to promote social and economic development as well as improving the overall standard of living of local communities within the municipal area. In the process, municipalities must work collectively with local people and local stakeholders to develop their communities. LED has been adopted as one of the strategies to local growth and development of communities in South Africa. Despite LED efforts, the country continues to grapple with societal challenges of poverty, unemployment, inequality and stagnant growth of the economy. Currently, municipalities are plagued with various challenges and are in a dire state that threatens the ability to fulfil their constitutional and developmental mandate of promoting social and economic development. The aim of this study was to investigate rural entrepreneurship and its implications towards LED in the Mogalakwena Local Municipality, Limpopo Province. To achieve this aim, the study adopted descriptive, positivist case study design, and used the concurrent mixed methods approach to achieve the aim and objectives of the study. The study sampled 54 rural entrepreneurs around three Service Delivery Areas (SDAs) of Mokopane, Mapela and Bakenberg in Mogalakwena Local Municipality as well as key informants from Small Enterprise Development Agency, Local Economic Development Agency (LEDA) and Municipal LED Unit. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to solicit data from rural entrepreneurs whereas an interview schedule was used to solicit data from key informants. The study findings affirm that rural entrepreneurship plays a significant role towards LED through poverty alleviation, employment creation, economic opportunities, income generation, value or wealth creation, migration and overall improvement of the standard of living of local communities in Mogalakwena Local Municipality. Rural entrepreneurship is seen as one of the stimulators of economic activities in rural areas within the municipality. Despite the affirmation, the study found that rural entrepreneurs are faced with persistent challenges such as lack of access to finance and markets, lack of skills or capacity, stiff regulations and completion, crime, lack of infrastructure, lack of support by the municipality and poor participation or integration in LED. These challenges inhibit entrepreneurial activities to take place, thereby threatening the survival and success of rural enterprises. Therefore, the study recommends measures such as creation of an enabling regulatory environment, financial support models for entrepreneurs, skills development and training, recognition and integration of rural entrepreneurs in LED fora and promotion of entrepreneurship culture to maximize the potential of rural entrepreneurship in Mogalakwena Local Municipality. Additionally, future research is also important to tap into the niche area of rural entrepreneurship.

The South African government promulgated the Choice on Termination of pregnancy Act (CTOP Act, 92 of 1996). This was a dramatic declaration of intent unprecedented in the African continent and globally. This act changed the outlook of the practice of termination of pregnancy by ensuring that services play a critical role in the delivery of the service. This study, which is qualitative in nature, explored the experiences of Termination of Pregnancy service providers working in three designated public health institutions in the Limpopo Province. Interviews were conducted with six service providers to look at how they construct their practice of providing termination of pregnancy services. The information was analyzed and interpreted by means of a thematic analysis method. Major themes that emerged from the participants’ experiences centred on their relationship with family, colleagues, management, clients, and the community reflecting a sense of alienation and lack of adequate infrastructural support. Inadequate support has been found to greatly contribute to the loss of interest in the work around abortion. / Psychology / M. A. (Clinical Psychology)

The South African government promulgated the Choice on Termination of pregnancy Act (CTOP Act, 92 of 1996). This was a dramatic declaration of intent unprecedented in the African continent and globally. This act changed the outlook of the practice of termination of pregnancy by ensuring that services play a critical role in the delivery of the service. This study, which is qualitative in nature, explored the experiences of Termination of Pregnancy service providers working in three designated public health institutions in the Limpopo Province. Interviews were conducted with six service providers to look at how they construct their practice of providing termination of pregnancy services. The information was analyzed and interpreted by means of a thematic analysis method. Major themes that emerged from the participants’ experiences centred on their relationship with family, colleagues, management, clients, and the community reflecting a sense of alienation and lack of adequate infrastructural support. Inadequate support has been found to greatly contribute to the loss of interest in the work around abortion. / Psychology / M. A. (Clinical Psychology)

In 1997 a policy of rationalization and educator redeployment was adopted in South Africa to ensure funding equity among the provinces. This research investigates policy implementation with particular reference to the Limpopo Province. A literature review provided an overview of the policy including the determination of excess educators and the establishment of bodies to facilitate redeployment. Problems of implementation and the role of the school principal in this process are discussed. An empirical investigation using a qualitative approach explored the experiences of key stakeholders affected by educator redeployment: a government official, principals, educators who were transferred and educators awaiting redeployment. Participants were selected by judgement sampling and data gathered interviews. Findings illustrated the key role of the Department of Education, the educators' unions and principals; the effect on teachers' motivation; educator stress and the impact on receiving and sending schools. Based on the findings recommendations for practice are made. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Education Management)

This study explored knowledge, perceptions and attitudes regarding contraception and contraceptive practices among secondary school learners in the Limpopo Province. Self-administered questionnaires were completed by 612 Grade 8 and 332 Grade 12 learners from 24 randomly selected secondary schools. The study found that permissive attitudes prevailed towards sex, characterised by casual sexual activities commencing at 12 years of age. The availability of contraceptive and termination of pregnancy (TOP) services did not enable learners to utilise them, because of social, cultural, financial and service barriers. Most learners were sexually active without being knowledgeable about contraceptives, emergency contraceptives and TOP services. Two workshops conducted with learners produced similar results to those obtained from the completed questionnaires. Semi-structured interviews conducted with nurses, providing contraceptive and TOP services in the Limpopo Province, also substantiated the findings from the questionnaires. Secondary school learners in the Limpopo Province require more knowledge about and ready access to contraceptives to enable them to delay child bearing until they are emotionally, financially and physically ready for these responsibilities. Nurses and teachers in this province can enhance the learners' contraceptive knowledge and utilisation to help learners make better informed decisions about their own and their future children's lives. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)