Calabrese (2005) identified two distinct ceramics styles in the Shashe- Limpopo basin at the same time – Leokwe and K2. This is the first record of ethnicity in the Iron Age of southern Africa. With this identification come new avenues for research. How these groups interacted, and their relative status through time is the focus of my research. According to Calabrese, some Leokwe groups maintained a higher, or at least equal status on initial contact with K2, before K2 became the dominant political group. He bases this claim on the identification of what he terms ‘Elite Symbolic Objects’ at sites, such as Castle Rock. Using GIS, it is clear that the locale of sites differ within the landscape. Specifically, locations vary through time on the escarpment and floodplain and their relationship to primary and secondary resources. This variation suggests that access to resources was controlled, and this implication influences ones assessment of the relative status of K2 and Leokwe groups. Additionally, new excavations at Castle Rock call into question the validity of ‘elite symbolic objects’ in determining status.

Although a vast number of air quality investigations have been conducted on the Mpumalanga Highveld previously, there has been limited attempt to integrate available datasets from the different methods of air quality monitoring (satellite, insitu and ground-based observations) and modelling. This study compares modelled, satellite and measured data to determine the most accurate estimate of ground level sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) concentrations. The main value of the project comes from the ‘improvement’ of modelled concentration fields using measurements. Measurements only provide information on air quality at isolated places (for example monitoring stations) or at isolated times (aircraft measurements and satellite observations). Dispersion models predict concentrations continually over a wide area. However, models have inherent inaccuracies based on the assumptions made in developing the model and the variability in the input parameters supplied. These can be accounted for or are part of the inherent variability of the model results. This study assists in the refinement of modelled outputs as well as the verification of satellite data using ground-based measured data as a point of reference. In the wake of increasing governance on air pollution, industry has been compelled to account for their impacts on the environment. This study aids industry by proposing a method to quantify their impacts on the environment and possibly on human health. Three datasets from 2003 (modelled, measured and satellite) were integrated using a geographic information system in order to analyse and interrogate the data and produce an integrated set of data, maps of potentially sensitive ecosystems and maps of potential exposure to poor air quality of sensitive population groupings. The results of the study have shown that although the concentration value for the NO2 iv tropospheric column is greater than the values observed on the ground there is a good correlation between measured observations and SCIAMACHY retrievals. The sample size was too small to indicate a statistically significant bias. The results from the validation of the CALPUFF model indicate with respect to SO2 predictions that themodel is only reliable for 62% of the time within the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s model performance guideline of acceptance i.e. predictions within a factor of 2, and for NO2 the predictions are reliable for only 50% of the time. There is also no constant value by which the model under or over predicts. The cumulative distribution function graphs illustrate that the CALPUFF model predicts the highest values from the bulk of the distribution rather that the tail of the distribution where the extremes lie. This could possibly account for the large variance between measured and modelled outputs. The results of identifying areas of potential harm from SO2 emissions reveal that hotspots for high to very high risk to human health occur around all power stations. Generally the category of high risk around power stations seems to be located in areas with population agglomerations between 0-1 000 per km2 and 2001- 5000 per km2. Several high risk areas for potential harm to ecosystems from SO2 emissions can be seen on the Highveld with a large spatial extent around Kendal, Matla and Kriel power station. Approximately 871 wetlands fall within the high risk areas. The vegetation risk map indicates a high risk to several grassland and bushveld types. Model results for this study indicate no potential risk to human health from emissions of NO and subsequent conversion to NO2 in the atmosphere.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Environmental Sciences Johannesburg, 2017. / PCBs are chemical compounds which were synthesised in the laboratory in the 1920s. They are classified under the category of POPs. They were mainly used in electrical equipments and transformers as the insulating material. PCBs were released to the environment in the form of oil spillages, combustion of PCB-containing equipments and others. Its production was banned in the 1970s after its toxic, persistent, bioaccumulative and carcinogenic behaviour was discovered. This study was conducted to determine and monitor the level of PCB in soil contaminated by oil spillages from pole mounted transformers in Polokwane, Limpopo, South Africa after sites have been remediated. Seventy eight soil samples were collected from five sites. The QuEChERS extraction method and GC-MS was used to extract and analyse PCBs. The PCB congeners targeted in this study are PCB-180, PCB-158 and PCB-101. The concentration of PCB-180 ranges between 10.02 and 78.30 μg kg -1, PCB-158 ranges between 3.89 and 45.36 μg kg -1 and PCB-101 ranges between 2.42 and 39.12 μg kg -1. The PCB congener with the highest concentration at all sites is PCB-180 followed by PCB-158 while PCB-101 has the least concentration; this order is consistent in all sampling sites. PCB concentrations after bioremediation were found to be extremely higher than concentrations before bioremediation which suggest that the bioremediation process was not efficient including actual analytical methods used. In comparison to the range of the PCB levels reported in literature, the PCB concentration determined from this study is found within a higher range. The PCBs concentration at all five sites was found to be below the legal limits. / LG2018

MPH, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 2007

This research study explored and described a partogram as a clinical practice guideline for monitoring and managing women during labour at Vhembe District of Limpopo province. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design was used in order to achieve the study objectives. Purposive sampling was carried out to select three hospitals in order to obtain comprehensive data from the district. The research study was conducted in three phases. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 midwives who were selected conveniently from the three hospitals. Document study was also conducted on 24 partograms that were conveniently selected from the three hospitals on the days that interviews were conducted, using a self-designed checklist. Tesch’s eight steps of qualitative data analysis were used to analyse the data, and simple, descriptive statistics using frequencies were used to analyse the data obtained from the document study. Four themes that emerged from the data are: benefits of implementing the partogram, challenges experienced, attitudes of staff and evaluation on how the guideline is being implemented in the wards, including giving feedback. These aspects were indicated as pivotal in the implementation of the guideline in monitoring a woman during labour. The findings on document study revealed gaps in recording, mostly on aspects that needed frequent observations and on aspects in which resources that needed to be used in monitoring were lacking. The strategies to improve the implementation of a guideline were developed based on the research findings, sent to one of the hospitals for review and comments were included in the discussions. It is recommended that in-service training on the implementation of the partogram be conducted regularly for midwives. Hospital management and supervisors need to provide support, enough staff and equipment in order to enable midwives to use the partogram / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

Magister Scientiae Dentium - MSc(Dent) / The aim of this study is to determine the perceptions of different occlusal appearance observed by schoolchildren aged 13 -16yrs in the Capricorn District of Limpopo Province in South Africa. The study determined schoolchildren’s perceptions of different occlusal appearances, by assessing the self-perception of schoolchildren toward their occlusal appearance using the Aesthetic Component (AC) of the Index of Orthodontic Need (IOTN). These were compared with the perceptions held by schoolchildren across age, gender and place of residence in Limpopo Province.

M.Fam.Med., Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 2009 / Trauma is a pandemic that has a significant negative impact on the lives of its victims and national economies. This descriptive study was conducted on 103 private medical general practitioners in Limpopo Province. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the University of the Witwatersrand Committee for research on Human Subjects (Medical). Approval protocol number M050230. The aim of the study was to determine the state of pre-hospital trauma care: training and preparedness of and practice by private medical general practitioners (GPs) in Limpopo Province. Data was collected by means of an anonymous, confidential, self-administered questionnaire. The objectives were to determine demographic features of the respondents; determine the status of emergency pre-hospital trauma training, preparedness and practice amongst the respondents; and to determine their incentives and disincentives to trauma medicine training, preparedness and practice in Limpopo province. The response rate was 36%. Fifty five per cent (55%) of the respondents had received trauma training since they commenced work as GPs. The proportion of GPs who said that they received trauma training while working in hospitals casualty departments was 52%. The number of respondents who completed ATLS was 24 (23%). Five (21%) of those who had completed ATLS updated their qualifications during years 2001 to 2005. Of the GPs surveyed 46% were not aware of ATLS course offered by the College of Emergency Care at Polokwane City. The majority of the respondents graduated as medical practitioners from the university of Pretoria (38%) and MEDUNSA (31%). But undergoing trauma management training was not associated with the medical schools from which 4 respondents graduated as medical practitioners (p=0.767; Fisher’s exact=0.827; Pearson chi2 = 4.9075). The medical schools from which respondents graduated as medical practitioners was also not related to the amount of private medical practice that comprised emergency care (p= 0.372). Undergoing trauma training was not associated with the age of a GP (p value= 0.120; Fisher exact=0.127). Sex was not found to be associated with trauma training (p=0.895; Fisher exact=1.000). Sex also had no link to the proportion of medical practice comprising emergency care (p-value=0.153; Fisher ‘s exact=0.214; Pearson Chi2). Even though location of GP’s practice was reported to be both an incentive and disincentive to trauma management training it was found not to be associated with trauma management training (p=0.393; Fisher exact=0.426; Pearson chi2 =1.5687) There was no association between location of GP’s practice and preparedness for trauma management. The exception to the finding was in terms of availability of chest drains where the p-value was 0.001. It was found that 31% of respondents who indicated that they had chest drains were based in rural areas while about 6% were practicing in urban areas. Availability of morphine and other analgesics (p-value=0.025, Fisher’s exact=0.038, Pearson Chi2 (1)=5.0165) were associated with preparedness for trauma. There was no association between type of GP practice and trauma management training (Pearson Chi2 (2) =2.1242. p- value = 0.346. Fisher’s exact = 0.429). Almost 95% of those who stated that they spent at least 50% of their time in private general medical practice were full-time. Being in full-time private general medical practice did not necessarily translate into a higher proportion of the practice that comprised trauma care. It was found that 64% of the respondents who were in full-time private general medical practice had an emergency trauma care burden of less than 10% compared to 36% that had a proportion of 10% and more. Amongst part-time practitioners the percentage of those whose burden of trauma care was less than 10% was equal to that of those with 10% and more. The findings implied lack of an association between time spent in private general medical practice and proportion of the practice that constitutes trauma care (p=0.621). The commonest method of updating trauma management skills was through personal study (37% of respondents) followed by attendance of trauma meetings (24% of respondents). Trauma trained GPs tended to have a higher proportion of their practices that comprised emergency trauma care (p-value = 0.030; Fisher’s exact =0.050) than those who had not. The frequently used sources of trauma management information were personal experience (58%) of the respondents followed by continuing medical education (50% of respondents). Almost 50.8% of the respondents reported that they were fairly skilled to manage in a pre-hospital setting various types of injuries. Minor soft tissue injuries were the type of trauma that 68% of the respondents said that they could manage excellently. Incentives factors to both trauma training and practice were high trauma prevalence (33.3% of respondents-training: and 20.7% of respondents-practice); performance improvement (20% of respondents-training: 12.1% of respondents respectively-practice); adequate and managed trauma care facilities (17% of respondents-training: 10.4% of respondents-practice); trauma care support (6.7% of respondents-training: 6.9% of respondents-practice); the need to improve trauma knowledge and skills (17% of respondents-training: 17.2% of respondents-practice) and; strategic GP practice location (7% of respondents-training: 6.9% of respondents-practice). Major disincentives to both trauma training and practice were lack of time for trauma care (28.9% respondents-training: 14.9% respondents practice); unsupportive staff (10% respondents-training: 14.9% respondents-practice); perceived high cost of trauma care and poor rewards (15.6% respondents-training: 11.7% respondents-practice); substandard and inaccessible trauma care facilities (15.6% respondents-training: 24.5% respondents-practice); under-utilized trauma knowledge and skills (6.7% respondents-training: 4.3% respondents-practice); 6 restrictive healthcare regulations and policies (2.2% respondents-training: 2% respondents-practice); and low number of trauma patients seen (11.1% respondents-training: 3.2% respondents-practice). In terms of preparedness for trauma the respondents were ill-prepared for trauma as evidenced by insufficient trauma equipment and drugs. Whereas almost all the respondents (frequency 102 or 99%) had stethoscopes only 7% had cricothyrotomy set. Only 18% of them had needle with one-way valve and chest drains. The trauma drug that appeared to have been the most widely stocked was adrenaline with a frequency of 96 or 93%. It was followed by aspirin with a frequency of 95 or 92%. Ketamine and zidovudine were drugs that were least stocked by the respondents. Their frequencies were 27 or 26%) and 33 or 32% respectively. The other equipment that was infrequently available at GPs’ rooms was goggles (frequency 46%) suggesting poor adherence to safety measures. There were low levels of preparedness to manage trauma patients independently with 43% reporting that they could independently adhere to universal safety measures. Whereas 52% of the respondents stated that they had received training in CPR 54.5% stated that they were equipped and prepared to open and protect the airway; 43% could independently provide adequate breathing while 45% of them could restore and maintain sufficient circulation, indicating a need to improve levels of CPR training. It was recommended that more general practitioners in Limpopo province should be trained and involved in trauma care. It was further recommended that awareness should be raised about the ATLS offered at the College of Emergency Care in Polokwane City. Further research is needed to explore how trauma trained GPs could be better equipped, prepared and supported in the management of trauma. There was also a need to address the disincentive factors to trauma training, preparedness and practice while strengthening the incentives. Given the critical shortage of advanced emergency practitioners (such as paramedics) in Limpopo province, there was perhaps a need to consider how GPs, with their 7 advanced medical qualifications and strategic positioning within communities, could be better deployed in pre-hospital trauma care.

Thesis (Ph. D. (Education)) -- University of the Limpopo, 2001 / Refer to document

Thesis (M. A. (Clinical Psychology)) --University of the North, 2001 / This study is an investigation into the sexual attitudes of incest abuse perpetrators in the Northern Province and attitudes towards their victims (South Africa). Forty-two convicted male incest abuse perpetrators and forty-two professional males nonperpetrators (as control group) participated in the study. The Hanson Sex Attitude Questionnaire was administered to both incest abuse perpetrators and professional males ' nonperpetrator (as control group) to compar':' their attitudes. The questionnaire includes: Sexual Entitle ment scale, Sexy-Children scale, Frustration scale, Affair scale, Sex/ Affection-Confusion scale. and Sexual-Harm scale. A quantitative research approach was followed in the study. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze the responses. Compared to the control group, the incest abuse perpetrators showed deviant negative attitudes in all the scales : (a) endorsing attitudes supportive to sexua l en title ment, (b) perceiving children to be sexually attractive, (c) being sexually frustrated in their life, (d) confusing sex with affection, (e) minimizing the harm caused by sexual abuse of childre n, and (t) accepting extra-marital affairs. Thus the attitudes of incest abuse perpetrators are significantly unfavorable to the victims. The researcher recommends psychological intervention for the perpetrators to help them adjust to their societal expectations. More job opportunities should be created in the province.

Thesis ( M.A. ( African Languages)) -- University of Limpopo, 2012 / The study handled a variety of taboos applicable in Tshivenda, that is, taboos that pertain to food, plants, initiation schools and ceremonies and animals. The study has highlighted whether taboos still have any role to play in present-day life as far as Tshivenda is concerned. Again, the study has examined whether the beliefs that some Tshivenda speaking people still have taboos which are based on facts or myths. Lastly, the study has investigated the impact of taboos regarding the preservation of Tshiven􀦒a identity and culture. Thodisiso iyi yo bvisela khagala zwiila zwine zwa vha hone kha lushaka lwa Vhavenda. Zwiila izwi ndi zwi kwamaho zwidiwa, zwimela, mula na zwifuwo. Ngudo iyi yo sumbedza uri zwiila zwi vhonala zwi tshe na ndeme na kha lushaka lwa Vhavenda namusi. Yo dovha ya sengulusa uri fulufhelo line Vhavenda vha vha nalo kha zwiila lo disendeka na nga mazwifhi kana ndi ngoho na. Tshinwe tshe tsenguluso iyi ya bvisela khagala ndi masiandaitwa a u tevhedza kana u sa tevhedza zwiila kha mvelele ya Vhavenda.