Foundation phase teachers of an urban, primary school at which the researcher is presently teaching, often complain about the behaviour of learners. Learners are sent out of the classrooms almost everyday, which contravenes education policy. Some of the problems foundation phase teachers complain about are disobedience, fighting, aggression as well as stealing and un-cooperative behaviour. These teachers often send learners with behavioural difficulties out of classes, and then call in parents but this intervention does not result in any changes. Teachers seem not to understand the nature of behaviours and strategies of behaviour management. They resort to losing control, using corporal punishment and think of resigning. Successful management of behavioural difficulties in foundation phase classes is crucial for learner development. Learners are still young and it is their first year at school. They come from different homes and neighbourhoods. Their background often influences their behaviour. Some of foundation phase learners practice the unacceptable behaviour practiced at home or by neighbours not knowing that the behaviour is not acceptable at school. Foundation phase teachers therefore do not always understand learners with behavioural difficulties because of lack of understanding of the nature of the causes of behavioural difficulties as well as the lack of strategies in managing learners with behavioural difficulties. Against this background the purpose of this study is therefore to investigate, explore and describe the support needs of foundation phase teachers in managing behavioural difficulties. In this study the research was conducted in a qualitative research paradigm. The data collection methods were individual interviews and field notes from individual interviews, which were taken as supportive data. A literature survey on the nature and causes of behavioural difficulties as well as the support needs of teachers is discussed in section two. Data was analysed through the qualitative content analysis method. Four categories emerged which are types of behavioural difficulties, causes of behavioural difficulties as well teachers’ present behavioural management strategies and the support needs of foundation phase teachers. Summary of the findings, recommendations for the study as well as critical discussion of the findings is also stated. Recommendations for further research are then suggested. / Mrs. J.V. Fourie

M.Ed. / The school effectiveness studies that began appearing in the 1970's have suggested that leadership in schools with improving learner achievement differed from leadership in schools with declining learner achievement. The difference was mainly due to the fact that principals of schools that were improving were seen to be instructional leaders who are focused on the implementation of effective instructional programmes (Sybouts and Wendel, 1994: 19). The research by Hallinger and Heck that was conducted in 1996, supports the above argument. In their research they assessed forty studies of the principals' instructional role. Their report illuminated that three quarters of their studies conceptualised the role of the principal in effective schools as the instructional leader. When emphasizing the relationship between instructional leadership and learner achievement, Hopkins (2001:16) mentions that the domain of instructional leadership is the focus on student learning and achievement. Gary (1993:37) also supports the suggestion that there is a relationship between the leadership of the school and learner achievement. He contends that learning should be placed at the heart of school leadership. In order for principals to achieve excellence in learner achievement it is essential to exercise effective instructional leadership which is the path to good learning and teaching (National Department of Education, 2001:1). The above concepts of instructional leadership suggest that principals are shouldered with the responsibility of propelling the teaching and learning activities in the right direction. Nanus (1996:5) succinctly states that the principal should constantly improve every aspect of management and governance and he/ she should always strive for excellence. / Prof. B.R Grobler

M.Comm. / Recent studies into the strategic management field indicate that there is a lack of knowledge on strategy implementation. The lack of comprehensive implementation frameworks is particularly raised by a number of scholars. Strategy implementation is one aspect of strategic management. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the implementation of the Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS) of the Mpumalanga Department of Education. The research problem in this report refers to the achievement of the quality objectives of the IQMS. This report aims to explore whether the IQMS objectives are met. It also investigates the effective implementation of the IQMS. This study aims to identify gaps, if any, in the implementation process of the IQMS. Definitions of strategic management and the strategic management process are explored in this report. Strategy implementation levers as described by the McKinsey 7-S Framework are discussed. The role of Total Quality Management and the Balanced Scorecard in successful strategy implementation is shortly mentioned. This study reflects on the perceptions of a sample of the “implementers” of the IQMS. Data is collected by means of a questionnaire that is structured around the implementation levers. It highlights positive/negative aspects/perceptions of the system and the current implementation thereof. The sample consists of a mixture of principals, educators and administrative staff from the various schools in the Nkangala district as well as officials in the provincial office. With respect to the strategy for implementation, respondents seem uncertain. The study indicates that there is uncertainty regarding the organisational structures and its effectiveness in achieving the IQMS goal of support and development of educators. There is also uncertainty regarding the systems available for strategy implementation. It appears that there is uncertainty regarding systems and how it manages to identify specific needs of educators regarding support and development. Educators appear to be uncertain regarding the shared values in the organisation and this can indicate a problem regarding effective communication of the common values and objectives of the IQMS. A shortage of qualified officials and the large learner-to-educator ratios in schools are identified as staff issues in this study. Training and feedback regarding the implementation of IQMS is also a problem. There is uncertainty amongst principals and heads of departments with respect to skills. The respondents indicate an uncertain perception as to whether the IQMS is able to identify specific needs regarding support and development, which is one of the objectives of the IQMS. Recommendations include a review of the actual IQMS and widespread participation is encouraged. Regular communication about and training on how to implement the actual IQMS is necessary. Regular feedback on the implementation process is needed.

The objective of the study was to establish the behaviour and experience of tourists while visiting privately owned game lodges in Mpumalanga and the Northern Province. The theoretical objectives were to determine from a demand and a supply perspective what the phenomenon wildlife tourism entails. The aim was to unveil the consumer behaviour of wildlife tourists and to delineate the components and levels of the game lodge product. It was also deemed necessary to investigate wildlife utilisation issues in a South African context and to describe the tourism industry in South Africa with special reference to game lodges and ranches, and the holiday markets of Mpumalanga and the Northern Province. Lastly the complexities of marketing destinations and attraction products had to be uncovered. The objective of the empirical study was to ascertain what attracts visitors to game lodges, what they do and experience during the visit and what they find most appealing. The hypothesis was that wildlife tourists customise the components of the overall product which they consume in order to create memorable and differentiated experiences. Interviews with 68 visitors were held on location and at a regional airport who stayed at least one day and night at a lodge, and with 50 people who influenced the visitor experience, such as game rangers, tourist guides, managers, personnel, intermediaries and so forth. The findings contribute to an understanding of the features and benefits of the game lodge product from a visitor’s perspective. The core attraction for foreigners is to experience something unusual; to have an intimate new emotional experience. To go ‘on safari’ is in vogue and it satisfies a spirit of adventure, as well as a long held fascination with seeing animals in a genuine wilderness, especially the Big Five. Visitors want to live in a fantasy world of the past and share the animal’s world for a while. Whereas overseas visitors want to be busy and have a catered experience, South Africans want to confirm their emotional bond with Africa and experience timelessness and solitude amongst the animals; they want a being experience. Overseas visitors are on holiday and visiting a game lodge is part of a personal growth experience, whilst South Africans take short breaks and will return to for the genuine magic of the bush. / Prof. J.A. Bennett

M.Sc. / The coal-bearing Permian Vryheid Formation of the Ecca Group (Karoo Supergroup) was investigated at New Denmark Colliery, situated in the north east section of the Karoo Basin, South Africa. The lithostratigraphy of the sequence is defined in terms of conventional lithostratigraphic terminology but also by applying detailed genetic stratigraphic schemes that have previously been proposed for the adjacent coalfields. The succession is divided up into depositional sequences named after the underlying and overlying coal seams, the No. 2, 3, 4 and 5 seam sequences. The sedimentary succession was divided up into five facies, namely: conglomerate facies, sandstone facies, interlaminated sandstone-siltstone facies, siltstone facies and coal facies. These were interpreted hydrodynamically. Facies assemblages were then interpreted palaeoenvironmentally. Glacial, fluvial, deltaic and transgressive marine sequences were responsible for forming this sedimentary succession. Attention was then focussed on the main economic No. 4 seam, which is mined underground at the colliery. Detailed subsurface geological cross-sections, core sequences and isopach maps of the No. 4 seam coal and the lithologies above, were used to determine specific aspects of the depositional environment that could contribute to unstable roof conditions above No. 4 seam. Coarsening-upward deltaic cycles, fining-upward bedload fluvial cycles, glauconite sandstone marine transgressions and crevasse-splay deposits are recognized in the overlying strata. Poor roof conditions occur parallel to palaeochannel margins because the interbedded channel sandstone and adjacent flood plain argillites cause collapsing along bedding plane surfaces. Rider coals overlying thin crevasse-splay sequences in close proximity to the No. 4 seam, create one of the most serious roof conditions; complete collapse occurs along the rider coal contact with the underlying splay deposits. Differential compaction of mudrock/shale/siltstone over more competent sandstone causes slickensided surfaces that weaken the roof lithologies. Correct identification of these sedimentological features will enable the prediction of potential poor roof conditions during mining operations and mine planning.

M.Sc. / Mpumalanga, “the place where the sun rises”, sets the scene for one of the rarest wetland types in South Africa. They are formed on one of the last remnants of the ancient African land surface, contain peat and together with a variety of other pan types make up the Mpumalanga Lakes District. Of these approximately 320 pans, only ±2.3% are reed pans. These endorheic wetlands are unique from other pan types and peatlands in South Africa and support an abundant biodiversity. They perform vital functions such as water storage, filtering out impurities and carbon fixation, which prevents an excess release of CO2 into the atmosphere. There is very little known about these endorheic wetlands and thus they are constantly being threatened by various activities such as agriculture, livestock and mining. The objectives of this study were to determine the spatial and temporal variation of macroinvertebrate community structures of reed pans and the environmental factors, such as water quality, responsible for the maintenance of these structures; to determine the best method for sampling aquatic invertebrates in reed pans; as well as to determine the relationship between aquatic invertebrates and the water, sediment and habitat quality of a reed pan. Together with this the amphibian diversity as well as the occurrence of other biotic components was determined. Four reed pans were assessed during four different seasons over a one year period to account for the different hydrological extremes. Sub-surface water samples were analyzed for their suspended solid content, nutrient levels, metals and chlorophyll-a concentrations as well as in situ water quality parameters. Sediment samples were analyzed for metal concentrations, organic carbon and water content, as well as sediment size distribution. Invertebrates were collected using the following sampling techniques: aquatic light trap, terrestrial light trap, emergent trap, sweep net, plankton net, as well as benthic sampling using an Eckman grab.

M.Sc. / This study focuses on the rehabilitation of borrow pits on linear pipeline projects. In the past there have been many attempts to rehabilitate borrow pits to an ecological acceptable manner. Recently legislation has become more stringent regarding mine closure and rehabilitation. With the introduction of the new Mineral and Petroleum Development Act (MPRDA 28 of 2002), there has been an increase of awareness towards the immediate environment. As this project was a challenge in itself, there were no clear and concise methods in the Act that provide guidelines for final rehabilitation. Normally borrow pits as used on road concessions for material sourcing is left as different landforms like before excavation. The main reason for this is that materials are removed from the pits and not replaced, resulting in areas that are usually lower than their original ground levels. Some unwanted screened material will return to these borrow pits but will not complement what the original level should be. These borrow pits are usually clearly visible as low lying areas filled with water alongside roads. The Vaal River Eastern Subsection Augmentation Project (VRESAP) pipeline borrow pits were unique in the sense that not only material from screening activities were replaced, but also material excavated from the trench were replaced into the borrow pits. What makes this study unique is the fact that an opportunity was presented and clearly stipulated by the standard environmental management plan (SEMP) that borrow pits had to be filled back to their original ground levels or an acceptable level agreed on by the landowner. With this unique project, unique problems arose causing excess material amounting to 327 700 m³, available from the pipeline cavity. External spoil areas had to be promulgated and managed as part of site. This study through its various elements addresses some of the main problems encountered on VRESAP by looking at soil analysis, monitoring regimes, pre and post land use and other mechanisms from literature studies used on similar projects in the mining industry. vii The study also provides recommendations to the reader for future pipeline developments as well as conclusions made by the author. The recommendations made, include ways of rehabilitation planning through trials and errors made on site. Various conclusions were made that would substantiate this study in perspective to user-friendly and practical approaches.

The Uitkomst Complex is a mineralized, layered basic to ultrabasic intrusion, hosted by sedimentary rocks of the lower part of the Transvaal Supergroup. It is situated on the farms Uitkomst 541JT and Slaaihoek 540JT, about 25 km north of Badplaas and 50 km east of the eastern limb of the Bushveld Complex in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa. The intrusion plunges between 8 to 10º to the northwest with an established length of 12 km and a total thickness of 850 m. It is divided into seven lithological Units (from base to top), the Basal Gabbro (BGAB), Lower Harzburgite (LHZBG), Chromitiferous Harzburgite (PCR), Main Harzburgite (MHZBG), Pyroxenite (PXT), Gabbronorite (GN) and Upper Gabbro units (UGAB). A detailed petrographic and geochemical investigation of borehole core SH176, which provided a complete intersection of the Uitkomst Complex was carried out. The study shows that the Complex may have crystallized in a dynamic magma conduit setting. The whole rock geochemical trends indicate that there is a reversed fractionation in the basal portion of the Complex and a lack of fractionation in much of the MHZBG. Trace and REE variations show a decrease in concentration with height, contrary to what is expected of a progressively differentiating magma in a close system. Further, the platinum-group element concentration of the four basal units show no depletion with increasing height, suggesting that the individual units are not related to each other by means of in situ fractionation. Instead, a model whereby the individual units crystallized from distinct pulses of magma best explains the data. By comparing Nd isotopes and ratios of highly incompatible trace elements like [Th/La]n and [Sm/Ta]n from the Uitkomst Complex and Bushveld Complex it is seen that the Uitkomst magmas are of a similar lineage as the B1 magma of the Bushveld Complex, supporting a genetic link between the two complexes. The upper portion of the Uitkomst Complex shows values more akin to B3 magmas indicating the possible presence of more than one type of magma. Based on the available S isotope and trace element data, the sulphides of the Complex appear to have formed within the Complex, probably in response to contamination of the magma with dolomite. Entrainment of sulphides from depth is considered unlikely. The relatively low Cu/Ni ratios of the sulphides in the LHZBG, PCR and MHZBG (Cu/Ni 0.03 to 0.8) may be modelled by sulphide segregation from B1 magma and not from fractionation of sulphides that were later entrained in the streaming magma. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology / Unrestricted

Please read the abstract in the section, 00front, of this document / Thesis (PhD (Botany))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Plant Science / unrestricted

Thesis (PhD (Soil Science))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Plant Production and Soil Science / unrestricted