Magister Artium - MA / The extent of a community experiencing social vulnerability depends on the community’s ability to access resources that may contribute to coping mechanisms (either within the household or provided externally by a responsible authority) that decrease the impacts and effects of a disaster. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to identify the existence of social and institutional mechanisms that aim to reduce experiences of water inaccessibility and the causes of social vulnerability, and increase coping mechanisms within Kayamandi. Kayamandi is a low income residential community on the north-westerly periphery of the greater Stellenbosch town in the Western Cape. The research attained responses through questionnaires and surveys from residents,community organisations and responsible personnel. These surveys allowed the researcher to produce raw attribute data for each household that assisted in spatially representing vulnerable households and informing the five priority areas of the Hyogo Framework for Action. Contributing to this method of attaining information, secondary geographic data collection was obtained through the Stellenbosch Local Municipality, the National Geospatial Information Directorate and the National Demarcation Board. The findings of this thesis established that household and public water infrastructure contribute to the risk of experiencing social vulnerability that affects economic standings and quality of health within the community. Contributing to this and due to Kayamandi’s politically sensitive and historically fractioned community, social cohesion has also been noted as an area of vulnerability. Although these vulnerabilities are experienced, residents are able to implement technical, social and municipal reliant coping mechanisms. However, although efforts from Stellenbosch Local Municipality do respond to most of the key indicators within the Hyogo Framework for Action, the study found no concrete efforts within the Stellenbosch Local Municipality that illustrate integrated mechanisms to reduce the impacts of disasters and compound effects.

Thesis (M. Dev. (Development Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2016 / This study examines the way cooperatives operate and particularly how these poverty alleviation projects impacts on poverty in Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality (LNLM). The study also assessed the significance of government interventions contributing to the role the cooperatives play in alleviating poverty in LNLM. The research methodology used for this study involved both qualitative and quantitative research approaches. Data was collected using questionnaires whereby the researcher conducted one-on-one interviews to administer them. The interviewees were composed of officials from the three spheres of government and the members of the cooperatives in the chosen area of study. The various international and local literatures relating to cooperatives were reviewed. The key findings of this study revealed that cooperative enterprises in the municipality can alleviate poverty especially leveraging on interventions, such as training, specific funding and skills development for the cooperatives which will assist the cooperative to grow and to be more sustainable. It has also shown that members in cooperatives have been able to support their families to meet their basic needs despite the pressing conditions under which cooperatives operate. Some of the key recommendations proposed include: firstly, that government should create awareness amongst cooperatives on what are the national funding,and how this funding operates; secondly, that government should market the funding opportunities and clearly explain to the cooperatives how the schemes work and how they will assist in the operations of the cooperatives in order to avoid misconceptions; and thirdly and most importantly, the monitoring and evaluation by the state on cooperatives funding programmes should be conducted on a regular basis.

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Arts in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Masters Degree in Recreation and Tourism in the Department of Recreation and Tourism at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2015 / The fundamental aim of the study is to establish the involvement and participation of tourism stakeholders in (Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises) with regard to tourism policy planning and execution. In other words, the study wants to discover the role played by policy and practice in the planning of small, medium and micro enterprises in the uMhlathuze Local Municipality. Many of the tourism policies and strategies in South Africa have been formulated with the intention of supporting communities by affording them job opportunities and employment in order to alleviate poverty. The findings indicate that the tourism stakeholders from the uMhlathuze Local Municipality were not fully conversant with the policy, planning and execution. Among other things, the study is also carried out to explore the level at which tourism policy mandates are implemented and the extent to which these elicit positive community responses. In addition, the study seeks to establish the degree to which local communities perceive any benefits from the increased tourism activities within the uMhlathuze Local Municipality. The findings indicate that tourism stakeholders from uMhlathuze Local Municipality were not fully conversant with the policies and strategies that were meant to enhance their participation in tourism activities. Furthemore, not all communities supported the promotion of sustainable tourism development in their area. There has been an ongoing debate among other tourism scholars. The research study involves identifying key strategies that would contribute in developing tourism policies that will address and contribute towards community beneficiation in the uMhlathuze Local Municipality. Finally, local authorities have advocated for a better interpretation and execution of the existing policies. The research study, therefore, has raised the following objectives: (a) To find out whether the local stakeholders understand the importance of the formulation of policy and planning in relation to small, micro and medium enterprises in the study area (b) To reveal whether there are adequate tourism policies addressing matters relating to small, micro and medium enterprise practices in the study area (c) To ascertain the extent to which the local communities participate in SMMEs tourism related activities. (d) To establish whether local communities perceive policies and planning as resulting in job creation and poverty alleviation. (e) To assess the degree to which the SMMEs are contributing to community beneficiation. The study has also identified related hypotheses towards finding answers to the research question. The method of collecting, data analysing and interpreting data involved computer manipulating of data utilizing the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS).

Thesis (LLM. (Labour Law)) --University of Limpopo, 2014 / This mini-dissertation discusses the application of the principles of corporate governance in the Musina Local Municipality. It further discusses the legislative framework and the institutions of government which are responsible for the effective implementation of corporate governance in the local government sphere. It further discusses the challenges faced by Musina Local Municipality which are ranging from fraud and corruption and poor financial management and this result in poor service delivery.

Thesis (LLM. (Labour Law)) --University of Limpopo, 2014 / This mini-dissertation discusses the application of the principles of corporate governance in the Musina Local Municipality. It further discusses the legislative framework and the institutions of government which are responsible for the effective implementation of corporate governance in the local government sphere. It further discusses the challenges faced by Musina Local Municipality which are ranging from fraud and corruption and poor financial management and this result in poor service delivery.

Bibliography: leaves 97-104 / In this dissertation I examine the public's use of two community libraries in the Moretele local municipality. My research focused on who uses the libraries, for what purpose the libraries are being used, and patrons’ perceptions of the libraries. Data was collected using three methods namely interviews, observations in the form of seating sweeps and written patron surveys. The data collected show that the libraries play an important role in the information and social needs of the communities. They are highly valued for the resources they provide such as study space, books and photocopiers. The libraries are also greatly utilised by local communities, especially UNISA students, and function as public and third places. As public spaces they offer the community a space to meet, work together and discuss issues that are of importance to the community. As third places, the libraries offer ideal places for people, especially the youth, to play and socialise. I conclude that the libraries are irreplaceable spaces for the community and, therefore, not easily replicated elsewhere. / Kule-dissertation, ngihlola ukusetshenziswa ngumphakathi kwamalayibrari amabili omphakathi kuMasipala wendawo yaseMoretele. Ucwaningo lwami lugxila ekuthengi ngobani abasebenzisa amalayibrari, nokuthi bawasebenzisela ziphi izinhloso lamalayibrari, kanye nemibono yabantu abasebenzisa lamalayibrari. Ulwazi luqokelelwe ngezindlela ezintathu, okuyilezi, ama-interview, ukuqapha okwenzekayo ngendlela yokubheka ukuthi abantu bayisebenzisa kanjani indawo kanye nokwenza ama-survey abhaliwe kubasebenzisi belayibrari. Ulwazi oluqokelelwe lukhombise ukuthi amalayibrari adlala indima ebalulekile ngolwazi, kanye nezidingo zabantu emphakathini. Athathwa njengomthombo obaluleke kakhulu ngoba asiza ngendawo yokutadisha, izincwadi kanye nokwenza ama-photocopy. Amalayibrari abuye asetshenziswe yimiphakathi yendawo, ikakhulukazi izitshudeni zase-Unisa, kanti futhi abuye abe yindawo lapho lapho umphakathi ohlangana khona kanye nokuba yindawo yesithathu kwabanye abantu. Njengendawo yokuhlangana kwabantu, ahlinzeka ngendawo yemihlangano yomphakathi, ukusebenzisana kanye nokuxoxa ngezinto ezibalulekile emphakathini. Indawo yesithathu, amalayibrari asiza ngendawo enhle kubantu, ikakhulukazi intsha, ukudlala kanye nokuzihlanganyela nje khona ukubonana nokuxoxa. Ngiphetha ngokuthi amalayibrari yindawo isikhundla sawo engeke yathathwa ngokunye emphakathini, ngakho-ke, akuwona izinto indawo yawo engathathwa ngokunye noma ukwenziwa kwenye indawo. / Mo thutopatlisisong eno, ke sekaseka tiriso ya dilaeborari tse pedi tsa baagi ba setšhaba mo Lekgotlatoropong la Selegae la Moretele. Patlisiso ya me e ne e totile gore ke bomang ba ba dirisang dilaeborari, gore dilaeborari di dirisediwa mabaka afe, le megopolo ya badirisi malebana le dilaeborari. Go kokoantswe data go dirisiwa mekgwa e le meraro, e leng dipotsolotso, kelotlhoko ka go ela tlhoko go nna ga badirisi le ditshekatsheko tse di kwadilweng tsa badirisi. Data e e kokoantsweng e bontshitse gore dilaeborari di na le seabe sa botlhokwa malebana le ditlhokwa tsa tshedimosetso le loago tsa baagi. Di tsewa di le mosola tota ka ntlha ya ditlamelo tse di di tlamelang ka tsona di tshwana le sebaka sa go ithuta, dibuka le metšhini e e dirang dikhopi. Dilaeborari di dirisiwa thata ke baagi ba selegae, bogolo segolo baithuti ba Unisa, mme di dira jaaka mafelo a botlhe le a boraro. Jaaka mafelo a botlhe, di tlamela baagi ka sebaka sa go kopana, go dira mmogo le go buisana ka dintlha tse di botlhokwa mo baaging. Jaaka mafelo a boraro, dilaeborari di tlamela ka mafelo a a maleba gore batho, bogolo segolo bašwa, ba tshameke le go golagana. Ke konosetsa ka gore dilaeborari ke mafelo a a ka se emelweng ke sepe a baagi mme, ka jalo, ga go kgonege go dira ape a a tshwanang nao gope gape. / Anthropology and Archaeology / M.A. (Anthropology)

The study investigates how the school management teams (SMTs) manage the implementation of the National Curriculum Statement (NCS). The NCS has been incrementally implemented as a curriculum change in the South African secondary schools’ Grades 10-12 from 2006. In addition to literature review, this study employed empirical investigation based on qualitative research approach which involved three semi-structured focus group interviews to gather data from the six sampled schools in Moretele Area Project Office, North West Province. The review of related literature reflected that SMTs are responsible for the successful implementation of curriculum change in schools. The empirical findings revealed that SMTs experience challenges that overwhelm their function of managing the implementation of the NCS effectively. These challenges involve, poor training of SMTs, resources constraints, poor stakeholder involvement, policy overload, and lack of APO administrative support. Finally, the study elicited some strategies that can be applied to overcome certain challenges. / Educational Leadership and Management / MED (ED MNG)

This study aimed to evaluate the benefits of life skills training as a preventive strategy for HIV and AIDS, for secondary school learners in one secondary school in the Moretele District of Mpumalanga. The objectives of this study were to determine the levels of learners’ knowledge about HIV and AIDS, and levels of teacher training in life skills, to assess how teachers’ and learners’ attitudes affect life skills training, to explore the perceptions of teachers and learners regarding the usefulness of life skills training in the prevention of HIV transmission and to assess the usefulness of the learning and teaching support materials (LTSM) used in life skills training. The study also investigated the challenges encountered by learners and teachers in life skills training in order to make recommendations for improvements. This is a qualitative evaluation study that involved qualitative focus group interviews, qualitative semi-structured interviews and qualitative observation. Sampling was purposive and it entailed 30 grade 9 learners and 2 grade 9 Life Orientation teachers. The Health Belief Model and Social Cognitive Theory formed the theoretical framework for this study. The results of the study showed that the aspects which significantly benefited learners were: sufficiently acceptable levels of knowledge about HIV and AIDS, the use of other resources from the library, and development of positive attitudes of learners and teachers involved in life skills. Aspects of life skills training which demonstrated partial benefits for the learners were teacher training and involvement of parents and other health care professionals. However, aspects which were less developed were the learners’ and teachers’ knowledge and application regarding some skills needed for prevention of HIV infection / Social Work / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV-AIDS)

The majority of people in the mining areas in Limpopo, South Africa, depend on agriculture to sustain their livelihoods; however, the mines have also become important because they create better employment opportunities. The purpose of the study was to analyse the impact of mining on agriculture and socio-economic aspects in the rural communities of the Greater Tubatse Local Municipality. The objectives were to profile the socio-demographic characteristics of the community members surrounding a chrome mine; to determine the impact of mining activities on agricultural production (crop and livestock production); to determine factors influencing farmers’ perceived impact of mining activities on agricultural production; and to ascertain the socio-economic (natural capital, financial capital, social capital, human capital, physical capital) impact of mining activities on the local communities. A quantitative research approach was used to conduct the study using a survey design. Six villages surrounding a chrome mine in the Greater Tubatse Local Municipality in Limpopo participated in the study. Stratified and random sampling approaches were used to select participants from each village to constitute a sample of 347. A total of 347 survey questionnaires were administered through face-to-face interviews but only 309 were correctly and fully completed. SPSS version 24 was used to analyse the data. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, the ordered logistic regression model, Wilcoxon signed ranks test and binomial test. The majority (50.8%) of the respondents were male. Sepedi was the most spoken language (97.7%). Most (63.3%) of the respondents were in the age range of 18-30, and 76.4% were single in terms of marital status. A large proportion of the respondents (70.6%) could read and write because they had secondary education. Land ownership findings show that more than half (58.1%) of the respondents had farm plot sizes between 4.6 and 10.5 ha. Average farm plot size was 4.1 ha, and only a few (1.3%) of the plots were above 9 ha. The average family size was about 7 people (actual 6.7). A large proportion (77.7%) of the respondents were dependent on government social grants (pensioners, disability and orphans) as the main source of income. Regarding the impact of mines on agriculture, the study found that in general, the mines did not have a negative impact on the production of livestock and crops, except for donkeys and groundnuts, which were negatively affected. In addition, the findings also show that a large proportion (92.6%) of the respondents lost their agricultural land (mainly grazing land) because of increased mining activities, although the loss of land did not affect production. With regard to the socioeconomic impact of mining activities on the surrounding communities, the study found that the mines had a negative impact on natural capital, physical capital, financial capital and social capital. However, the impact on human capital was positive. It is recommended that mining companies in the study area provide the necessary support to improve the socioeconomic status of the rural communities surrounding the mines in Greater Tubatse Local Municipality. / Agriculture, Animal Health and Human Ecology / M. Sc. (Agriculture)

Tension between school principals and school governing bodies arises despite a clear demarcation in the South African Schools Act 84 of 1996 of the powers and responsibilities of school governing bodies. The aim of this study was to devise tension management strategies that can be used to manage tension between the principal and school governing body in three selected schools in Nkomazi West Circuit. A qualitative research approach was followed, and a multiple case study research design was employed. Multiple data-collection methods, namely, a literature study, in-depth interviews, qualitative questionnaires, a focus group discussion and observations, were employed, to ensure validity of the data through triangulation. The findings of the study revealed that the main sources of tension are the overlapping roles of governance and management, role uncertainty and blurring of responsibilities and the perceived high “illiteracy” rate among parent governors. Tension management strategies, tailor-made to each school, were developed. The new and innovative tension management strategies were related to the sources of tension present in each school. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Education Management)