The study was aimed at exploring the relationship between poverty and aggravated robbery in Limpopo Province. Sampled secondary data of aggravated robbery of- fenders, obtained from the South African Police (SAPS), Polokwane, was used in the analysis. From empirical researches on poverty and crime, there are some deductions that vulnerability to crime is increased by poverty. Poverty set was categorised by gender, employment status, marital status, race, age and educational attainment. Variables for aggravated robbery were house robbery, bank robbery, street/common robbery, carjacking, truck hijacking, cash-in-transit and business robbery. Canonical correlation analysis was used to make some inferences about the relationship of these two sets. The results revealed a signi cant positive correlation of 0.219(p-value = 0.025) between poverty and aggravated robbery at ve per cent signi cance level. Of the thirteen variables entered into the poverty-aggravated model, ve emerged as sta- tistically signi cant. These were gender, marital status, employment status, common robbery and business robbery. / Mathematical Sciences / M. Sc. (Statistics)

South Africa is currently undergoing a process of change from a segregated education system to a more democratic system of education. The country is characterised by drastic policy shifts in the social, economic and political arenas. The problem that called for this research is that education managers at national, provincial, district, and circuit levels are facing challenges in the understanding, interpretation and implementation of education policies as they apply to support staff, educators, learners and their parents or guardians. Lack of access to and knowledge of acts, policies and procedures in educational leadership and management seem to impact negatively on the effective functioning of public schools in the provisioning of quality education in Limpopo province of South Africa. A qualitative research methodology coupled with ontology and epistemology theories were used in a phenomenological interpretive perspective. The rationale for choosing the qualitative approach was that the subject of this research study required data on the experiences, perceptions and views of the research participants. Three research instruments of data collection were employed, namely participant observation, document analysis and interviews. Purposive sampling was chosen to select the education managers as participants who were likely to be knowledgeable about and experienced in the phenomenon under study. Focus group and individual interviews were conducted with educators, education managers, and educator union representatives. I used content analysis method to catergorise data into themes. The findings in this study revealed that knowledge of the education policies is a pre-requisite for the implementation of such policies for quality education. It was evident that education managers have inadequate understanding of the formulation, interpretation and implementation of policies. Education managers had contrasting perceptions of education quality and divergent interpretationsof education policies. The deployment of circuit managers undermined the value of management qualifications, experience and expertise in such management posts. The absence of a policy enforcement agency and a lack of coordination within different levels of education management in the province have led to unresolved cases of misconduct and non-compliance with education policies. The researcher recommends that induction of newly appointed education managers, continuous training of the serving education managers, mentoring and monitoring of the implementation of education policies should receive priority for the provision of quality education in public schools. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Education Management)

D.Ed. / Some parents from the rural areas of the Limpopo Province leave their families due to work absorption to the urban areas. This causes changes in the family in which children have to grow alone and this is likely to spawn many other social problems. The family forms part of the network of systems, which impact upon the development of the child as an individual. The relationship in which an individual finds himself/herself within a changed parent-absent family is part of the changed environment. Parent-absent children from the schools in the Limpopo Province and educators were identified as the target group from which the sample was drawn. The research was qualitative and the design descriptive, exploratory and contextual. The study comprised of two phases. Phase I involved the collection of data on the experiences and problems of the parent-absent early adolescent children. Data was collected through the use of individual interviews, focus group interviews, life histories, field notes and observation. This phase also focused upon the analysis and contextualisation of the findings. The findings were organised in accordance with two areas, namely home and school problems and experiences. Early adolescents’ home experiences and problems were reported under poverty, adult responsibilities and feelings. On the other hand, school experiences and problems were discussed under the following themes: academic achievements, educators’ attitudes, lack of school necessities, discipline and dropouts. Phase II was concerned about the development and description of an approach for the intervention to assist parent absent children to be able to deal with experiences and problems they experience at home and at schools. An interdisciplinary approach to children’s multidimensional problems was adopted. The Interdisciplinary Initiative Empowerment Programme Approach (IIEPA) an intervention provided by stakeholders as a collective was adopted. Interdisciplinary empowerment programme have been suggested in order to provide empowerment intervention to the parent-absents. / Prof. J. Pillay

M.Sc. / Mabula Game Reserve initiated an extensive grass-monitoring programme ten years ago. At the same time, management kept records of factors such as rainfall, burning, game numbers and game composition that might have an influence on grass production. They also conducted an extensive mapping programme over a number of years to familiarise themselves with the physical phenomena of Mabula, namely geology, soils, slope and aspect, that influence grass growth. The most important aspect of their mapping programme was to divide the reserve into different vegetation communities. The objective of the study is to supply Mabula Game Reserve with clear-cut evidence of the condition of the grazing resources at Mabula. The aim of the study is to assist the management of Mabula with future guidelines in the veld management of the reserve. The overall purpose of this study was to investigate the veld management efficiency of Mabula Game Reserve by establishing whether the ecological status of the grazing had been degraded or improved over the study period. This researcher analysed the grass monitoring data to determine veld condition indices, grazing values, perenniality and to establish the amount of climax and pioneer grass. He sequenced his research by: • classifying grass species in terms of the ecological index method to determine whether grass had been utilised in a sustainable manner or over-utilised;. • calculating the grazing capacity for each vegetation community over the past ten years; • highlighting those grass species in the analyses that showed abnormal growth or decline over the ten years; and • interpreting the results in terms of the ecological status of the relevant area.. The study was conducted firstly by categorising the grass monitoring stations into different vegetation communities. Ecological indices for each vegetation community was determined. The grass species that showed the biggest increase/decrease in the ten years of monitoring were seperated to determine the ecological significance of the increase/decrease. The ecoloical indices of the different vegetation communities were compared with each other to determine the overall improvement or deterioration of the veld quality. By re-calculating the game numbers for every year, this researcher was able to determine the Game Livestock Unit for the area. With this figure, he was able to differentiate between the grass utilisers, comparing them from year to year in terms of their grazing capacity. The study revealed that in order to obtain an objective view of the condition of the veld, it is necessary to evaluate the condition of the veld in terms of each vegetation community, as well as the total area. Such an approach would enable the manager to plan according to a specific vegetation community. The study also made it clear that it is necessary to reduce the number of game, but that this must be done by culling the appropriate group of utilisers. The necessity of introducing a browsing monitoring programme soon became evident. The study showed how the grass and game monitoring analyses for the area can be applied in association with the rainfall figures in forward planning in order to manage the sustainable utilisation of biological resources and to minimise the effects of drought conditions. The researcher concluded this study by highlighting the shortfalls of the ecological index method in determining the condition of the veld, and recommended other methods i.e. the Benchmark Method, Key Species Method, and the Weighted Key Species Method to supplement the present method. Another recommendation was to collect two different sets of data during monitoring to avoid conflicting results, as was the case with the 2004 survey. One data set should include herbs and forbs while the other set should only contain grass species.

Blouberg is situated in the Limpopo Province, west of the Soutpansberg, in the Republic of South Africa. The majestic Blouberg Mountain is a 2000-meter high prominence inhabited by a Sotho-speaking community whom live in relative isolation. The area is rich with a diverse range of natural elements: tree species, birds, animals and geographic features as well as cultural heritage. The camp, which is located on top of Blouberg, is a prime example of government-initiated community development. This tourist camp was established on the mountain with the objective that the local community would manage it for their own benefit. The community on Blouberg has strong cultural beliefs and heritage resources, which proves to have immense potential for ethnotourism development. However, cultural heritage and natural resources are also extremely vulnerable to over-exploitation and over-development, which consequently creates a need for sustainable management. The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic analysis of sustainable ethnotourism on Blouberg in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. It acknowledges the multidisciplinary limitations and challenges that sustainable ethnotourism development presents, especially in rural communities such as the Hananwa at Blouberg. With regard to contemporary tourism development in the Limpopo Province, there seems to be a sense of expectation amongst local communities. This study investigates whether the full potential of the Blouberg camp is being achieved and whether the need for sustainable management exists. A sustainable management plan requires accurate research, evaluation of resources and the analysis of potential opportunities. Although there is limited information available regarding the opportunities, threats, impacts and effects of ethnotourism in South Africa, it is possible to integrate existing literature with principles of sustainable development to create a valuable framework to evaluate ethnotourism on Blouberg. / Prof. G. Verhoef

Multi-grade education is currently a national priority. Situational analyses carried out by Adele Gordon (1987, 1999), Grey (2001), Lungwangwa (2000) and Potenza (2000) have indicated that quality education in multigrade schools is suffering. Visits to farms in South Africa by journalists of leading newspapers like Jabusi, Letsaoleo, Mecoamere (Sowetan, 1999 & 2000) and Thompson and Mboyane (City Press, 1999 & 2001), respectively, have confirmed the findings in respect of farm schools, leading to this study. Attempts were made from 1980 to 1988 to address these problems. The previous Department of Education and Training (DET) implemented a programme to assist and develop farm schools. This programme was the result of the recommendations of a synthesis report in 1986 on black schools in rural areas, including farm schools. A number of reports and memoranda contributed to the above programme, for example: • a memorandum about the upgrading of farm school education; • a committee report on the provision of education on smallholdings and small farms; and • an investigation into the facilities available to learners in rural areas (July 1983). A new view of multi-grade schools in the Limpopo province is related to a study undertaken in 2000 by Professor Geoffrey Lungwangwa. Although the study concentrated on the Limpopo province, the findings and recommendations were submitted so that they could be applied nationally, some even worldwide. These findings and recommendations were presented at national level during the UNICEF conference in Durban during 2000. Workshops were scheduled throughout the country to address the recommendations of the studies of 2000. These recommendations largely involved the services of NGO's. The NGO's had a lion's share in the recommendations, as indicated by those who participated in the study. It appeared that districts were not up to standard. They had no structures in place to address the challenges of multi-grade teaching. It was also evident that districts had no programme to present and were looking for a way to remedy the situation. The NGO's in the districts were consequently appointed. / Prof. T.C. Bisschoff

The study focuses on the attitudes of teachers towards inclusive education that is phased in according to White Paper 6 on inclusive education. Since the first democratic elections in South Africa in April 1994, a general feeling of optimism and a common commitment to improving the quality of education has emerged and many changes have taken place. The basis of this change is laid by the constitution of the country and the Bill of Rights that ensures the rights of all civilians including those of learners towards education. Furthermore the rights of all learners towards their education is categorically emphasised in White Paper 6. White Paper 6 is a policy document which upholds inclusive education and is in accordance with international trends whereby all learners including those with barriers to learning have a right to an education of their choice wherever its practicable. White Paper 6 of 2001 makes reference to the need to remove these barriers in favour of effective learning for all learners irrespective of their barriers to learning. In the process of learning, teachers always play an important role. In much local and international literature where inclusion and teachers’ attitudes have been studied it has been found that positive attitudes in teachers towards inclusive education play an important role in the implementation process of inclusive education. It was also clear from the literature that negative attitudes makes teaching in an inclusive educational setting negative. In South Africa inclusive education is in the process of being implemented. Therefore, it is important to determine what the attitudes of teachers are towards inclusive education. Furthermore, the purpose of this study is to gain insight into teachers’ attitudes towards inclusive education. The data gathered will be helpful in training teachers, policy implementation towards facilitation of the development of positive attitudes and process of inclusive education. In achieving this of identifying the attitudes of special school teachers towards inclusive education, one focus group and two individual interviews were conducted at two special schools. From the analysis of data, it was apparently clear that teachers demonstrated negative attitudes towards inclusive education. The transcribed data of the interviews were analysed through the constant data analysis method as a “process whereby data gradually evolves into a core of emerging theory” (Merriam, 1998:191). In the dynamic and complex process of meaning making of data, five themes were eventually identified among the separate sub-themes to establish the main patterns for the data. In an effort to establish more positive attitudes in general towards inclusive education it would probably be advisable for government to take note of these negative attitudes and train teachers towards a more accepting changing of roles. / Prof. J. Pillay

Blueberry, Cherry and Raspberry (berry) production is a potential alternative land use opportunity in the Limpopo Province (LP) of South Africa (RSA). RSA based site selection criterion and literature is limited. Haenertsburg and an area near Pietersburg (Polokwane) were identified for berry production potential. In Haenertsburg, most viable land is held by the timber industry. In Pietersburg, soil and climatic conditions vary greatly, representing a site selection risk. Using accepted site selection processes, a study was conducted which identified the need to select land qualities and characteristics (QC’s) appropriate to berry production. The study revealed key QCs’ and secondary QCs’. Key QCs’ must be adhered to for site selection, while secondary QCs’ have site-specific application. The key land qualities are climate, soil, water, topography and management. In order to design a land rating system (LRS), specific characteristic values were cataloged per quality and per berry. Characteristic values were assigned to a land rating system where S1 (highly suitable), S2 (moderately suitable), S3 (marginally suitable), N1 (currently not suitable) and N2 (not suitable). To test the LRS, a real, but non-representative resource assessment (RA) took place. The RA revealed the further need to incorporate land limits into site selection. QCs’ and land limit data was collected from existing sources and measured in situ where the data was insufficient. Finally the RA data was applied to the LRS through the process of matching. The matching precipitated the formation of a site selection process or tool, presented on tables. Each table represents a land quality. Water and soil criteria varied per berry, while topography, water and management were common to all three berries. Additionally, the site selection tool enabled the assessment of secondary QCs’. The assessment process is conservative, allocating the lowest land rating as the overall rating. This allows for the land user to address the most limiting factor from worst to least, thereby ensuring sustainable and good land use. / Dissertation (MInstAgrar (Land-Use Planning))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Plant Production and Soil Science / unrestricted

At present, many national and local governmental programmes initiated to promote greater economic growth as well as alleviating poverty and unemployment include, among others, Local Economic Development (LED) poverty alleviation projects. LED poverty alleviation projects which are the focus of this study typically concentrate on empowering vulnerable groups, especially women and the disabled to improve their livelihoods by providing them with rural infrastructure, employment opportunities as well as training. It is evident that the need to address poverty and inequality has been firmly placed at the centre of the nation’s agenda. Several poverty audits have been undertaken, and a range of policy documents and strategies have been developed to address this crucial issue. The LED strategy is a locally driven process by which public, business and the non-governmental sector partners work collectively to create better conditions for economic growth and employment generation in order to sustain livelihood and to improve future economic prospects. This study explored the concept of poverty as understood globally and investigated the perspectives and poverty alleviation approaches in developing countries and in South Africa against the background of certain developing countries’ trends, especially LED. The study also determined the meaning of the concept of LED within the South African context and investigated the historical legislative milieu of LED, the key role players and strategies as well as an investigation on how this relates to the implementation strategy of LED implementation projects in the Thulamela Municipality. This study also assessed whether LED initiatives, and in particular, LED projects are successful toward alleviating poverty in the Thulamela Municipality in the Limpopo province. Specific critical issues addressed in this study include the determination of the socio-economic development benefits derived by the projects’ participants in the Thulamela Municipality towards unemployment and poverty alleviation as well as the sustainability of the projects. / Prof. C. J. Auriacombe

Prof. T.C. Bisschoff