Thesis (M. Dev. (Planning and Management)) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / The new democratic government has introduced integrated development planning as a strategy to enhance service delivery at the municipal level. This study intends to investigate the efficacy of IDP in enhancing service delivery in Lepelle-Nkumpi local municipality. This study adopted a normative and evaluative research design. Data was collected using households survey, interviews, observation and literature review. A total of 80 households and 6 key informants participated in the study. The finding revealed that Lepelle-Nkumpi local municipality has been implementing the IDP. The integrated development planning has several importance’s for the municipality in particular to addressing service delivery backlogs, promoting community participation towards determining the needs and priorities as well as improving integration and coordination. However, the implementation of the IDP encountered certain challenges including amongst other poor shortage of resources, incomplete projects poor community participation and political meddling. another finding shows that the municipality has increased the level of services to beneficiary households more especially the delivery of electricity while the provision of water, sanitation and refuse removal are still inadequate. However, due to water and electricity cut-off the households developed some coping strategies. Most households reported their dissatisfaction with the provision of water, sanitation and refuse removal. Regarding involvement of communities in service provision respondents highlighted that municipalities held consultation sessions, IDP forums and ward councillor meetings. However, communities are still dissatisfied about their level of involvement. Despite the overall achievements by the municipality in rendering basic services, there is still a service delivery backlog caused by corrupt practices, shortage of resources, lack of capacity and improper targeting. The finding further shows that the implementation of the IDP has contributed significantly to enhance service delivery in the municipality. It is evident that all the development planning and programmes of the municipality start with the IDP hence the municipality is able to plan and deliver in accordance with the intended needs of the people. The services viii and infrastructural projects implemented through has assisted the municipality to provide basic service such as water, electricity and sanitation. In addition, the municipality has also implemented infrastructure including roads to benefit the community. However, the municipality has not fully achieved the provision of basic services due to poor implementation of the IDP which was caused by lack of capacity, poor community participation and shortage of resources. As a remedy, the study recommend that the municipality should give priority to improve the provision of water, electricity particularly for new settlements, sanitation and refuse removal. It is further recommended that the municipality should pay attention to improve community participation, efficient use of MIG and building its capacity to strengthen the planning and implementation of the IDP. / National Research Foundation (NRF)

Thesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2016 / The purpose of this study was to determine the attitudes and experiences of nurses when implementing the 24-hour on call strategy in clinics. A quantitative descriptive research was conducted. A stratified random sampling approach was used to divide the nurse’s population into homogeneous strata from which elements were selected randomly. Three groups of respondents participated in the study, namely, professional nurses (n=99), enrolled nurses (n=32) and enrolled nursing assistants (n=35). The study highlighted the areas that the respondents felt needed to be strengthened in order to provide quality care when implementing the strategy. The findings revealed that there were some personal and management factors that needed to be addressed and improved in order to ensure continuity of services to the communities in rural areas. The study also identified positive areas which the respondents felt supported the implementation of the strategy. KEY CONCEPTS 24-hour on call strategy, Integrated Primary Health care approach, experience, attitudes.

Thesis (MSc. (Geography and Environmental Science)) -- University of Limpopo, 2015. / Fresh water is a finite and vulnerable resource, essential to sustain life, development and the environment. Growth in population and economic activities have contributed to water scarcity, which is a frequent challenge in rural and township communities in South Africa. This study aimed at investigating onsite greywater reuse as a water conservation method in Lepelle-Nkumpi local municipality, Limpopo province. The study described the socio-economic characteristics, assessed the accessibility and availability of water supply, and ascertained the coping mechanisms for water scarcity as well as the perceptions and reuse of greywater. Four percent respondents each were selected from two settlements, namely, Mashite village and Lebowakgomo township (Zone F). Mashite village had a population size of 5314 people (1231 households) and Lebowakgomo Zone F had 5903 people and (1924 households). A systematic random sampling method was used to select the required households from the two settlements. Both open and close ended questionnaires were used. A Geographical Positioning System was also used to collect the absolute location of available taps in the study area. Data collected were analysed using SPSS version-22 and Arc GIS 10.1. The study found out that the socio-economic characteristics of importance on onsite greywater reuse included highest qualification, household size and employment status, but they varied in these two areas. In Mashite village the majority of the respondents went to secondary school (59%) as compared to Lebowakgomo Zone F where the majority (72%) attained tertiary qualification. Household size mean in Mashite is 6.18 as compared to Lebowakgomo Zone F (2.77). Sixty four percent of respondents in Mashite village were unemployed, whereas in Lebowakgomo 69% were employed. Water usage in the two areas differed; in Mashite village where they use less water (250 to 840 litres) as compared to Lebowakgomo Zone F, where more water is used (5900 to 8001 litres). In Mashite village, 87% of the respondents could not access water due to inaccessibility of taps and unavailability of water as compared to Lebowakgomo zone F (100%). It was also found that the Mashite community sometimes go for a period of two to three months without tap water whereas in Lebowakgomo water was comparatively regular. As a result both communities resorted to rainwater harvesting and greywater reuse. Seventy six percent (76%) of respondents in Mashite village and 30% of the respondents in ii Lebowakgomo Zone F harvested rainwater as a coping mechanism of water scarcity. Perceptions of greywater reuse were higher (76%) in Lebowakgomo Zone F compared to Mashite village (49%). A higher percentage of Mashite village respondents (98%) reuse greywater compared to Lebowakgomo Zone F respondents (59%). Both areas use greywater as water conservation method. These results reinforce the potential of domestic greywater reuse as an alternative for freshwater requirement. Greywater reuse as a water conservation method especially in villages can be used to alleviate the extent of water scarcity. / National Research Foundation (NRF)

Thesis (M. Dev.) -- University of Limpopo, 2016 / This study focuses on the contribution of community gardens to livelihoods of participants. It was carried out among 7 community gardens in Mudavula village in Thulamela Municipality in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The village is located in Vhembe District. The aim of this study was to assess the technical efficiency and the contribution of community gardens to the livelihoods of participants at Mudavula Village. The objectives of the study were to determine the contribution of community gardens to food security and the livelihood of Mudavula community gardens’ participants using per capita production to determine the technical efficiency of the community gardens in the village and to identify sources of improvement of the contribution of the gardens towards food security and livelihoods. The findings from the descriptive and quantitative test revealed positive and negative relationship between variables and how the constraints affect their livelihood. The results shows that there is no relationship between gender and years of education, years of education and age, family size and age, employment and gender. The estimate of technical efficiency for the irrigated crops suffers more from omitted variable bias (OVB) than the rainfed equation. The study reveals that community gardens have positive impact to the livelihood of Mudavula villagers. It is therefore recommended that the Department of Agriculture capacitate farmers through their local extension officers to help empower them and equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge. Key Words: community gardens, livelihood, technical efficiency, Mudavula

Thesis (Ph. D. (Medical Sciences)) -- University of Limpopo, 2016. / The burden of visual impairment is a major health problem worldwide, especially in the rural and remote areas of developing countries. Visual impairment does not only affect the productivity of the individuals affected, but may also result in a loss of income for those caring for them, which is time consuming. Globally, the majority of instances of visual impairment can be avoided or treated, if detected early. Therefore, it was considered important to evaluate the burden and determinants of blindness and visual impairment in order to institute measures to prevent avoidable blindness. AIM OF THE STUDY The aim of this study was to investigate the burden and determinants of blindness and visual impairment among the elderly in the Dikgale Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS), Capricorn District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. METHODOLOGY A cross-sectional analytic and descriptive study design was used. The participants included males and females, 50 years and above, who were permanent residents in the Dikgale HDSS. Optometric procedures were performed and a questionnaire was administered to the people selected as study participants to collect data about the knowledge, need, utilisation of eyecare services and barriers to the use of eye-care services in the area. Optometric procedures performed included case history, presenting visual acuity, pin-hole visual acuity if the presenting visual acuity was less than 6/18, auto and subjective refraction, visual fields using a Novissphere and Amsler’s grid, tonometry, direct ophthalmoscopy through a dilated pupil, and light perception for cases of blindness. Prevalence rates of blindness and visual impairment were determined by the results obtained from the oculo-visual examinations, such as visual acuity xvii measurements. Data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 23. Overall prevalence was calculated, as well as prevalence within subgroups defined by gender. To determine the predictive values for the determinants of visual impairment, the Pearson’s Chi square (with a 0.05 significant level) was used in order to eliminate the possibility that the observed results happened by chance. The odds ratios were calculated and interpreted at a 95% confidence interval to determine the strength of association between visual impairment and risk factors. Binary and multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to describe the relationship between visual impairment and demographics, socioeconomic factors, ocular risk factors and chronic diseases. All reported p-values which were two-sided and p-values <0.05 were considered significant. Results are presented in narrative and tabular forms and as figures. The study used descriptive analytical methods to describe the outcome of the research. RESULTS Of the 1000 selected subjects for the study, a total of 704 participated (i.e. completed the questionnaire and had the clinical tests performed on them), in other words, a response rate of 70.4%. The participants included 508 females and 196 males. All participants were Black South Africans and their ages ranged from 50 to 105 years, with a mean age of 65.6±10.3. The prevalence of bilateral visual impairment meeting the criteria in the better eye was 26.4% (186) of the 704 observed respondents. The majority of the participants had moderate visual impairment, with a similar prevalence in males and females. Many participants used tobacco products (278 or 39.4%). Cataracts (46.2%) and refractive error (40.3%) continue to be the leading causes of visual impairment, followed by corneal disorders (4.9%) and glaucoma (4.3%). The prevalence of low vision increased with age (p<0.001), but there was no significant difference between females (62.0) and males (58.5). The odds ratio of having visual impairment increased significantly with age ranging from OR 1.2 (95% CI, 0.6-2.3) in the age group 60-69 to OR 3.8 xviii (95%CI, 1.6-9.0) in the age group 80+. The likelihood of having visual impairment increased with tobacco use OR 1.9 (95%CI, 1.1-3.3). Not using available eye-care services increased the risk of having visual impairment OR 1.3 (95%CI, 0.8-2.2). Refractive error and pathological disorders were significantly associated with all the different degrees of visual impairment. Tobacco use was only significantly associated with moderate visual impairment and not significantly associated with severe visual impairment. Unemployment and lack of education are likely to increase the burden of visual impairment among the participants when looking at p-values for trends. CONCLUSION There is a high prevalence of presenting visual impairment in the 50+ age group in the Dikgale HDSS. Most of the leading causes of visual impairment are preventable and/or treatable, which can be achieved by appropriate screening strategies. Therefore, there is a need to embark on eye care promotion and awareness campaigns; and to provide low-cost, quality spectacles and cataract surgeries. Better education about prevention of blindness and visual impairment will help to minimise this burden.

Thesis (M. Dev.) -- University of Limpopo, 2016 / This study focuses on a critical analysis of sustainability of Local Economic Development (LED) projects in Mutale Municipality in Limpopo Province of South Africa. It furthermore investigates the extent to which the projects sustain project members. Based on an extensive review of the literature, the study explains an understanding of the emerging trends and challenges in sustainability of LED projects nationally and internationally. A mix of quantitative and qualitative research methods is used. The data were collected by means of unstructured interviews and questionnaires from purposively sampled project members and local economic development officers who came from randomly selected projects. The study demonstrates that while there are some benefits derived by LED project members, to a large extent, the projects are not sustainable. LED is not prioritized in terms of resource allocation by the Municipality. In addition, inadequacies of members‘ capacity in leadership and management also retard sustainability. It is therefore recommended that the Municipality has to prioritise LED in terms of resource allocation and building capacity of beneficiaries in management and other business-related competencies.

Thesis (MPA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2017 / The purpose of the study was to explore public perception on how sanitation has effects on the environment in the Polokwane Local Municipality. Quantitative, analytical research was conducted to determine community perceptions regarding the state of sanitation in Polokwane, that is to establish the perception of the effectiveness of the waste and refuse removal programme and to determine the extent of land pollution in the Polokwane Local Municipality. Data collection was done using structured questionnaires in which community members participated in the study. The total number of respondents, who were community members sampled randomly, was N = 136. The study has highlighted the areas of potential on perceptions of the community regarding the state of sanitation in Polokwane and the relationship of the perception, sanitation practices, the effectiveness of the waste and refuse removal programme and the extent of land pollution in Polokwane and settlement type. The findings of the research study include the following:  The study reveals that the Polokwane Local Municipality does not provide adequate sanitation throughout the municipality especially in the rural settlements;  The results reveal that the Polokwane Local Municipality still has a long way in the prevention and control of land pollution and river streams;  The study further finds that there is no frequent waste removal in the municipality especially in the suburban and rural settlement;  Furthermore, results reveal that there is no adequate hygiene education provision in the Polokwane Local Municipality. In conclusion, it is evident that the Polokwane Local Municipality experiences challenges of the provision of sanitation to the communities especially those who live in rural settlements. In the 21st century and two decades after democracy in South Africa, the residents of Polokwane still experiences sanitation challenges that were promised to be addressed in the dawn of democracy in 1994. Those challenges are land pollution, infrequent waste removal, illegal waste dumping, air and land pollution, river and stream pollution, inadequate hygiene education, inadequate sanitation provision in the rural settlement, lack of waste sorting options. The study recommends that the Polokwane local Municipality should provide adequate sanitation services in rural settlement. It should further develop measures to prevent environmental pollution and to foster communities to have a litter-free environment. The study further recommends that the municipality should have a frequent waste removal programme throughout the municipality even in the rural settlement and suburban areas. The municipality should prioritise community awareness campaigns to educate community members about the negative impact of littering. It is further recommended that, in addition to public awareness against littering, rubbish bins should be made available at all public places and street corners.

The study focuses on the regulation of informal trading, specifically street traders, within Polokwane Local Municipality. Municipalities required to manage street trading, and to deal with the challenge of increasing numbers of informal traders, which is affecting the formal trading economy. A small income and the limited ability of the government and the formal business sector to provide sufficient employment opportunities to people in the economically active age categories are two of the main reasons for informal trading in South African cities. As a result, the informal street trading sector plays an important role in providing a security net for millions of unemployed in the South African economy. However, informal street trading is not without its problems (Willemse, 2011:7). Often people blame government for not creating employment. When government is unable to provide sustainable employment to all the people, informal jobs emerge. Thus informal trading has become the only option for survival. Informal trading is a major source of income for the majority of the urban poor and therefore requires a properly regulated environment to address issues of income and unemployment for the poor. This study undertook to investigate how Polokwane Local Municipality regulates informal trading in the city of Polokwane. The research method employed in this study is qualitative. The main finding of the study is that because informal trading plays a significant role in creating employment, it must be well regulated and supported by the municipality in order to be organised. The main recommendation on the basis of this finding is that there should be a new approach, especially in terms of enforcement of by-laws. Most informal traders have applied for permits and have been waiting for a response from the Polokwane Local Municipality for years. In this regard, most of the informal traders are dissatisfied with municipal treatment of informal trading in the city. This dissatisfaction is also caused by lack of consultation.

Community-based projects are established in most of the communities as a strategy to create jobs and alleviate poverty. In the area under investigation community-based projects were established by members of communities but some of them failed and others are not sustainable in economic terms. This study investigated the reasons for failure of community-based projects at Folovhodwe area. The objectives of the study were to determine the reasons for failure of community-based projects, to provide community development officials with a guideline of the role they must play in community projects and to provide strategies for the improvement and future development of community-based projects. The study was both qualitative and quantitative. Questionnaires and interviews were employed to collect information. The study revealed that lack of funds, poor project management, poor management of funds, lack of commitment and motivation, low level of education of project members, lack of youth involvement in community-based projects, lack of monitoring and evaluation by government officials and community leaders, lack of training and unavailability of workshops for project members and lack of government involvement in addressing project challenges were identified as the reasons for failure of community-based projects. / Business Management / M.Tech. (Business Administration)

Thesis (MPA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / The Limpopo College of nursing had a high vacancy rate of nurse educators. in 2014 only 74 posts out of 147 were filled. The purpose of the study was to identify challenges in recruiting and retaining nurse educators and recommend strategies to deal with the challenges. The qualitative approach was found suitable as the study intended to explore nurse educators‟ experiences and the meaning they attach to recruitment and retention. Nurse educators who have been at the campuses for a period of five years or more were the target population; purposive convenience sampling was used. Thirteen (n=13) nurse educators were interviewed in focus groups, individual interviews were conducted with ten (n=10) heads of department (HOD‟S). Thematic data analysis was used. The findings revealed that to recruit and retain nurse educators; salaries improvement, advertisement of vacated posts, proper physical infrastructure maintenance and adequate equipment provision are the strategies to implement.