MENVSC / Department of Geography and Geo-Information Sciences / The purpose of this study was to contribute towards a better understanding of the effectiveness of Biosphere Reserve as a tool in managing natural resources in the Vhembe District Municipality (VDM), Limpopo Province of South Africa. There are limited documented materials for a better understanding of the effectiveness of Biosphere Reserve (BR) as a tool in managing natural resources in the Vhembe District Municipality (VDM). As a result, this study was undertaken to bridge this gap and to discover new insights to assist in understanding the effectiveness of BR as a tool in managing natural resources. This study adopted a pragmatic research approach, which is a mixture of the qualitative and quantitative research approaches, wherein data were collected using primary and secondary sources. Both primary and secondary data were used, in order to obtain information concerning the effectiveness of biosphere reserve in the study area. Primary data were obtained using a combination of methods, including participatory rural appraisal (PRA) tools and techniques, and informal and formal surveys. The secondary data was collected from desk-based examination of relevant documentation relating to conservation of the Biosphere Reserves areas. The documents included previous reports from Greenest Municipality Competition (GMC) results for all local municipalities from 2012 to 2017, Management Effective Tracking Tool (METT-SA) from 2016 to 2018, and previous research data on conservation. The results obtained revealed that Biosphere Reserve (BR) is an effective tool for the conservation of natural resources within Vhembe District, South Africa. This is because natural resources are taken into consideration when there are developments and projects being undertaken. Furthermore, the communities in Vhembe District Municipality benefit from the programmes and projects aimed at conserving natural resources within the VBR. The study also revealed that there are environmental challenges within the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve due to mining activities, climate change, developments in natural resources and deforestation, which require the enforcement of by-laws and programmes and projects aimed at conserving natural resources. / NRF

MA (Tshivenda) / Senthara ya M.E. R. Mathivha ya Nyambo dza Afrika, Vhutsila na Mvelele / Muvhuso wa vhukoḽoni u tshi swika kha ḽino ḽa Afrika Tshipembe hu vhonala hu tshi nga wo vha wo ḓisa nḓaḓo na masiandaitwa mivhusoni ya vhongwaniwapo vha vharema, vhe vha vhonala vha tshi nga vho vha vho dzula zwavhuḓi ḽo lala. U bva zwenezwo hu vhonala hu tshi nga yo sia nḓaḓo na masiandaitwa azwo. Zwi vhonala zwi tshi vho nga tshilonda tshi sa phuphei tshine tsha dzulela u ṅweka tshi sa fholi u swika na ṋamusi. Ndivho ya iyi ṱhoḓisiso ndi u ita tsenguluso ya tsudzuluswo ya vhuluvha ha vhalanda u bva kha vhurangaphanḓa ha sialala u ya kha vhorapoḽotiki vha muvhuso tshiṱirikini tsha Vhembe. Muṱoḓisisi u ḓo shumisa ngona nthihi fhedzi, ndi ngona ya khwaḽithethivi. Kha ngona ya khwaḽithethivi muṱoḓisisi u ḓo kuvhanganya mafhungo awe nga u shumisa mbudzisavhathu na mbudziso. Vhurangaphanḓa ha sialala vhu vhonala vhu tshi nga vhu ḓo vhuelwa nga u luvhiwa, u ṱhonifhiwa, u wana mashango avho murahu khathihi na u ḓo swikelela kha u vha tshipiḓa tsha komiti ya vhusimamilayo ya muvhuso wa masipala, tshiṱirikini tsha Vhembe, vunduni ḽa Ḽimpopo. Ṱhoḓisiso iyi yo livha kha u tandulula thaidzo ya u sudzuluswa ha vhuluvha ha vhadzulapo u bva kha vhurangaphanḓa ha sialala u ya kha vhorapoḽotiki vha muvhuso. Ṱhoḓisisoni iyi hu vhonala zwi tshi nga hu ḓo konanywa vhurangaphanḓa ha sialala na vhorapoḽotiki, u tandulula thaidzo ya u sudzuluswa ha vhuluvha, u sa vha hone ha tshumisano vhukati ha vhurangaphanḓa ha sialala na vhorapoḽotiki vha muvhuso, u sa vha hone ha komiti ya ṱhanganelano masipalani, vhurangaphanḓa ha sialala na vhorapoḽotiki vha vhonala vha tshi ḓo ḓivha nḓila dzine vha nga dzi tevhela u vhuedzedza mashango kha vhaṋe vhao. Ṱhanganelano ya vhuvhusi ha shango na komiti ya mahosi, zwi vhonala i tshi nga vha yone nḓila ine ya nga fhelisa mifhirifhiri na pfhudzungule tshiṱirikini tsha Vhembe, vunduni ḽa Ḽimpopo, Afrika Tshipembe. / NRF

Thesis (M.Dev.) -- University of Limpopo, 2016 / This dissertation describes a study undertaken in Limpopo Province and is based on the LADEP Project which was created through an established working partnership of the Finnish government and LDA extension services. The study aimed to assess the impact of women food security projects on household food security. For many poor people globally, in particular in sub-Saharan Africa, food security continues to be a challenge today. The poverty levels and increase in the prevalence of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, reduced rainfall accompanied by changing climatic patterns, environmental degradation, the complexities associated with urbanization, globalization as well as technology shift in the agricultural sector and capitalistic market economies all play a role in the food security crisis. The study investigated the dynamics of food security in two villages in Limpopo Province: Jopi and Ntsako. This research has highlighted some of the factors that influence food economy and food security of poor rural dwellers. Achieving household food security for poor rural households requires an integrated approach in terms of poverty eradication as well as deliberate efforts with regards to food production and distribution within a framework of ecological integrity, with an aim of empowering the poor and ensuring that their household food security is guaranteed. The basic finding, and the one which impacts directly on the household food security of Jopi and Ntsako projects is that the majority of the people in these village depend on government grants, and are therefore classified as poor. However, as a survival mechanism, some women with experience in agriculture have resorted to farming, as well as initiating group farming projects to improve their socio-economic situation. Given the threats to sustainability of these projects, the study recommends that the government to mobilize financial resources to support the activities of these projects. There is also an increased demand for more training on various aspects of management and production for members to maximize output. The study also identifies the significance of a continuous monitoring and evaluation of projects on a regular basis.

MENVSC / Department of Ecology and Resource Management / Wetlands are amongst the world’s most important ecosystems providing many direct and indirect benefits to local communities. The majority of South Africans residing in rural areas depends mostly on natural resources for their livelihood. However, wetlands in South Africa continue to be the most threatened ecosystems primarily due to unsustainable use and poor resource management. Additionally, the history of South Africa has been characterised by exclusion of local communities in the process of decision-making and general management of natural resources. The aim of the study was to investigate possible challenges affecting the management of Thulamela wetlands by assessing the level of interaction and conflicting interest amongst participating stakeholders, including role of wetlands on local communities for possibly improved management scenarios. The study used questionnaires, interviews and observations to capture data on the local communities and management stakeholders. Seven wetlands within Thulamela were selected as study areas and the study population was selected based on their specialised expertise, involvement, and closeness to wetlands. Data was analysed using SPSS, Microsoft Excel and also using thematic analysis in NVIVO. The results show that selected wetlands are highly beneficial in supporting the local communities. Based on the socio-economic and demographic characteristics (family size, age, gender, and employment status) measured, the study deduced that unemployment rate or low income of the respondents is the main contributor to an increase dependency on wetland utilization. Additionally, the results revealed that unregulated use and excessive agricultural practices such as cultivation and livestock grazing are common in all study areas, hence further degradation of these wetlands. One of the findings from the study was the destruction of wetlands through expansion of human settlement. The population increase in the areas was found to be major drivers of socio-economic challenges causing people to spread through and exploit wetlands. Consequently, human settlement along the wetland area has resulted in the extensive clearance of natural wetland vegetation. Furthermore, the results show that there is poor wetland information transfer to the local communities most likely due to none/or insufficient outreach programmes. The current management arrangements and structures for selected wetlands are not being practiced through the unequal representation amongst management stakeholders and poor inclusion of local communities in management processes. Additionally, there are currently no openly known active platforms provided upon which stakeholders are able to air their views on wetlands management issues. The findings further show differences in perceptions amongst wetlands users, non-users and management stakeholders. The management stakeholders have a relatively strong focus on livelihood and environmental problems, they regard rules and regulations on wetland use’ as a relatively central variable. On the other hand, the local communities are currently more concerned about the benefits they receive from the wetlands than the conservation of those systems. The study also revealed unequal representation amongst participating management stakeholders. The findings show poor interaction between the management stakeholders and the local communities; differences in perceptions amongst resource users, non-users and managers; exploitation of wetlands resources; poor wetlands information transfer. The results suggest that centralised top-down rules and regulations on wetland use are not sufficient for maintaining the wetland ecosystem and this poses a challenge to sustainable wetland management. Therefore, there is a need to develop shared understanding through bottom-up approaches to wetland management that are nested within national regulatory frameworks, ideally combined with awareness building and knowledge sharing on the ecological benefits and management of wetland. / NRF

MESHWR / Department of Hydrology and Water Resources / Lebalelo area of Sekhukhune district is one of many areas in South Africa experiencing portable water scarcity, especially during prolonged dry season. Due to the dominance of low yielding aquifers in South Africa, it is essential to manage groundwater resources in these low yielding aquifers. However, the management of low yielding aquifer is difficult in areas like Labelelo where the hydrogeological characteristics of the aquifers are understudied. This study investigated the hydrogeological characteristics of the aquifers in the area using combined geophysical method and analytical groundwater models. Four newly drilled borehole and five existing boreholes were used for this study. Geophysical survey was carried out using magnetic and electromagnetic methods. The magnetic survey was used to locate the position of magnetic bodies such as dolerite dykes and different lithologies with different magnetic properties. The electromagnetic survey however, was used to determine zones of high permeability associated with the intrusive bodies as well as high permeability zones in fault planes. Step test, constant discharge test and recovery tests were conducted on all the boreholes to stress the borehole. This was used to determine a suitable and sustainable pumping rate of the aquifer. Pumping test data from the pumping period and recovery was evaluated and interpreted using AQTESOLVE. Aquifer transmissivity, storativity, internal and external hydraulic boundaries were determined from the data. The transmissivity in the area ranges from 0.08 to 124.7 m2/day. The aquifer types in the area are double porosity aquifer, radial flow aquifer with single porosity. Inductive Coupled Plasma (ICP-MS) was used to measure heavy metals, trace metals and cations while Ion Chromatography (IC) was used to determine anions in groundwater of the study area. The groundwater in the area is dominated by calcium carbonate as a result of long residence time with dolomite. The hydrochemistry of the water indicates that the chemistry of the groundwater in the area is mainly controlled by rock-water interaction. / NRF

Thesis (M.Ed. (Curriculum Studies) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / The main purpose of this study was to investigate enablers and inhibitors to implementing inclusive education in the Foundation Phase of rural schools in the Capricorn district, Limpopo province. The study was conducted in three primary schools (Foundation Phase) in the Capricorn district of Limpopo Province, South Africa. All the sampled schools have or once had special needs learners. This study employed qualitative research approach, which was backed by the case research design. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, focus group and document reviews. The interviews were backed by a tape recorder for quality and storage purposes. Eleven Foundation Phase teachers were sampled (but 10 interviews were used because the voice recording device I used to record, damaged the voice clip of an interview I had with T3A, and it was impossible to schedule another meeting due to school examinations commitments). These teachers were sampled using the purposive sampling technique. Data were analysed through the thematic data analysis method. The reviewed documents were The South African Schools Act (SASA), Education White Paper 6 (WP6) and Screening, Identification, Assessment and Support policy (SIAS). The findings were as follows: teachers showed an appealing understanding of inclusive education and teachers and policies agreed that Foundation Phase learners are susceptible to exclusions and priority must be projected towards them. Teacher training (inclusion workshops) and curriculum (lesson) differentiation are the chief enablers to implementing inclusive education at the sampled schools, yet challenges are pertinent. Unproductive workshops, overcrowded classrooms and a lack of resources, exclusion of rural teachers’ views on inclusion policies and issues of foreign learners are some of the factors that appeared key factors to inhibiting inclusion at the sampled schools.

MA (Linguistics) / Department of Communication and Applied Languages Studies / The question of the use of languages in radio broadcasting is of particular importance in multilingual communities in Vhembe district of Limpopo province. The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) issues broadcasting licenses, and further regulates conditions of implementation of these licenses. The purpose of this study is to explore the extent to which community radio stations in Vhembe district adhere to ICASA language policies and guidelines stipulated in their licenses. Literature was drawn from government language policy documents (Acts, rules and regulations), broadcasting legislative framework manuals (ICASA), government gazettes, books, journals, magazines, and newspapers. The design for the study is exploratory, whereas the target population comprised of seven (7) community radio stations, fifteen (15) radio programmes, and station managers of community radio stations in the Vhembe district. Purposive sampling was used to select three community radio stations, three programmes per station and station manager of each sampled station. Non-participant observation, documents analysis and tape recorder were used as instruments for data collection, whereby the researcher observed, recorded a total of (nine) 9 talk format programmes. The researcher further analysed documents (broadcasting licenses and programme schedules), from sampled radio stations, to examine stipulated language quotas by ICASA. Lastly, the researcher employed unstructured interviews to collect data from the station managers of community radio stations, in the Vhembe district. The sampled data was analysed through qualitative content analysis and interpreted subsequently. Findings from data analysis determined that community radio stations partially adhere to the policies stipulated in their licenses. / NRF

MPM / OR Tambo Institute of Governance and Policy Studies / There is a problem with the involvement of women on governance within traditional communities in South Africa. Consequently, the socio-political and cultural constraints narrow the potential of women and the otherwise untapped women contribution to the growing economy. This study investigates the involvement of women in governance within traditional communities in South Africa using the Ga- Machaka Village in Molemole Local Municipality as a case in point. Using the mixed method research approach, the study indicates that women in traditional communities are looked down upon and are disadvantaged from being part of governance and public administration based on gender terms. The study indicates that traditional communities in South Africa implicate negatively on women’s independent rights such as direct and equal opportunity to job offers. This is exacerbated by the customary inclination of women as house wives. The involvement of women in governance and public administration is somehow stifled within traditional communities as discussed in this study. / NRF

Participatory development is believed to be an essential ingredient of the development process because it enables the people to influence the policy and decision-making process. It facilitates the designing of and enhances the implementation of plans and programmes or projects and that participation results in the development of ownership and belonging among the people themselves. This feeling in turn goes a long way to ensure the success of a programme or project. This study highlights some of the elements that led to the successful implementation of an income-generating project with women. The study also demonstrates that the people's own ideas are able to command adequate levels of participation, support and commitment to enhance their ability to meet their needs. The study further looks at the ownership of the project as very important for successful implementation and that projects or programmes should be facilitated within the means of the local participants to manage and control them. The elements mentioned in this study are an essential part of participatory development and enable the people to learn to take charge of their lives and solve their own problems. The study further looks at cultural and traditional values as an essential part of human growth, because local action taken by the women is very important in promoting overall success of the project. / Social work / M.A. (SS) (Mental Health)

Participatory development is believed to be an essential ingredient of the development process because it enables the people to influence the policy and decision-making process. It facilitates the designing of and enhances the implementation of plans and programmes or projects and that participation results in the development of ownership and belonging among the people themselves. This feeling in turn goes a long way to ensure the success of a programme or project. This study highlights some of the elements that led to the successful implementation of an income-generating project with women. The study also demonstrates that the people's own ideas are able to command adequate levels of participation, support and commitment to enhance their ability to meet their needs. The study further looks at the ownership of the project as very important for successful implementation and that projects or programmes should be facilitated within the means of the local participants to manage and control them. The elements mentioned in this study are an essential part of participatory development and enable the people to learn to take charge of their lives and solve their own problems. The study further looks at cultural and traditional values as an essential part of human growth, because local action taken by the women is very important in promoting overall success of the project. / Social work / M.A. (SS) (Mental Health)