Published in: SAMJ November 2016, Vol. 106, 1096-1102, DOI:10.7196/SAMJ.2016.v106i11.10689 / Background. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) produce various types of waste in the course of rendering healthcare services. Each classification of waste must be disposed of according to the prescribed guidelines. Incorrect disposal of waste may pose a danger to employees, patients and the environment. HCPs must have adequate knowledge of the disposal of medical waste. Objectives. To determine the knowledge and practices of HCPs with regard to medical waste disposal at a hospital in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Methods. A quantitative cross-sectional research approach was used. The study respondents included nurses, medical doctors, dental health staff and allied health staff. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires and analysed using IBM SPSS version 22.0. Results. A high proportion of HCPs did not have adequate knowledge regarding the disposal of medical waste, but nevertheless disposed of medical waste appropriately. While the knowledge and practices of HCPs with regard to medical waste disposal were not associated with age, gender or years of experience, there was an association between professional category and knowledge and practices. Conclusions. Disposal of medical waste is the responsibility of all HCPs. All categories of HCPs should receive regular training to improve their knowledge regarding disposal of medical waste and to minimise the risks associated with improper waste management. This will further increase compliance with the guidelines on disposal of medical waste.

After 1994, the South African government prioritized land reform as a strategy for development in order to redress the legacy of apartheid, while contributing to national reconciliation, growth and development. The government with endless persuasion from gender activists, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and interested individuals acknowledged the crucial role that women could play in transforming its society. As a commitment to gender equity, it ratified various international conventions and national declarations, including in 1995, the United Nations on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). Subsequently, a variety of institutions and gender divisions (units) in the country were established to advise, monitor and implement gender mainstreaming programs within government departments, NGOs and parliamentary structures. These include amongst othersthe Office of the Status on Women (OSW), The Commission on Gender Equality (CGE) and gender focal points. In 1995, a delegation of South African women led by politicians participated in the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. In response to this report, the Department of Land Affairs (DLA), together with other government departments, committed itself “to take legislative and administrative measures to give men and women equal rights to economic resources, including access to ownership and control over land and other properties, credit facilities, natural resources and appropriate supporting technology” (DLA, 1997:18). Despite these commitments, the South African government in general and the land sector in particular was criticised for contradicting its intentions. These were evident in policy development processes. An example widely documented was the controversies and compromises which were made by the ANC led government during the development of the Communal Land Rights Act of 2004 (Walker, 2005; Hassim, 2005; Claassens 2003). In addition, the land policies, including the DLA Gender Policy, have been widely criticised by several researchers (Hall, 1996; Mann, 1999; Walker, 2002; Claassens, 2005). The common trend was the scepticism of whether these policies would achieve their intended gender equity goals. Amongst others, weaknesses of these polices were the poor conceptualisation of gender and the lack of clarity on the government’s 2 gender equity intentions and outcomes. These would make it difficult to translate policies into practice. This study investigates whether these assertions are valid. The focus of the research is the analysis of the Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development (LRAD) Programme which was established in 2001. Using a project located in Mpumalanga Province, called the Mathebula Communal Property Association, the study evaluates the implementation of this programme. The project is located near Rock’s Drift in the Mbombela Municipality about 6 kilometers from White River on the White River- Nelspruit road (R40). It is amongst the first projects to be administered by the provincial DLA, under the new LRAD programme. This property was used for chicken and smallscale pig farming. The location of the project is of significance because the Mpumalanga province is amongst the most rural poverty stricken provinces in South Africa with a population of approximately 3 million. According to May (2000: 22), about 45% of the individuals in this province are living in poverty. The study was undertaken during the presettlement stages. The main goal was to investigate the DLA commitment to its gender policy through a case study. In addition, it explores the relationship between the primary beneficiary, a rural woman named Aida and the DLA officials during the research period. This is a means to assess whether Aida was empowered through these processes, as per the LRAD policy statements. The study draws its theoretical basis from a Gender Analysis Approach. This analysis recognises in every context that it is relevant to determine the gender-based division of labour and to understand the forces that constrain this division or act to change it. This framework was useful in collecting data tool for this study. The study uses a case study methodology. This research strategy has been chosen because of its ability to offer an “in-depth analysis of a case so as to interpret its unique features and to solicit an understanding of the social arrangements and their existence” (Ragin, 2000:24). The case study approach has shown that without investigating the processes which occur within these projects, the real impact of land reform on the beneficiaries’ lives is far from being realised. The major findings of this research revealed that whilst South Africa has put in place several national legislative frameworks to address gender equity in general, women still struggle to access resources through government systems. Aida, the main driver of this 3 project, experienced 4 years of insurmountable problems whilst trying to acquire a farm she had identified from a willing seller. The research revealed that Aida’s determination to acquire the farm is attributable to her intellectual capabilities, negotiation skills and manipulative tactics, which is contrary to the dominant argument that factors affecting rural women's access to land are dependent on “educational level, age, social status of the family and marital status” (Moser, 1993; Bob, 1994)). In addition, the dynamics within projects often not reflected in policies are very crucial in successful implementation of projects. For instance, in this project, the ‘inactive’ strategy of registered members reduced conflict within the project such that Aida became the sole owner of the project and was able to successfully acquire the farm without any interference from the other members. Overall, a significant contribution of this case study to the SA women’s empowerment theoretical framework is the identification of the external and internal factors, some of which were specific to gender empowerment failures. These include the challenges of targeting women, access to information, lack of accountability on gender as well as the absence of strong social movements. Lastly, the study also revealed unintended outcomes as a result of the lengthy period of the pre-land transfer stage, issues which are normally ignored and undocumented. Studies of land reform (and development) projects in Mpumalanga province and throughout SA have revealed similar findings as outlined through this document. These findings raise key questions that have broader implications for LRAD, and land reform program in general. The study acknowledges that there are examples of women in Mpumalanga province and maybe in other parts of the country who may have had positive experiences through the same program. However, it also confirms findings by earlier studies done by different researchers and thus raises critical questions with regards to the implementation and sustainability of the LRAD projects in South Africa, specifically in the Mpumalanga Province.

Thesis (PhD (Curriculum Studies))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / In the Mpumalanga Province, the high rate of black African people aged 20 years or older who had no schooling, namely, 32% in 1996 and 30.1% in 2001, was a cause for concern. The unemployment rate in the province increased from 18.6% in 1996 to 26.3% in 2007. The unemployment rate for black Africans in particular increased from 20.3% in 1996 to 24.6% in 2001. The rural areas in the province are mainly populated by black Africans and since Mpumalanga is a rural province, the conclusion could be drawn that most of the people affected by these figures were found in the rural areas of the province. The Further Education and Training colleges (FET colleges) are the delivery arm of government in skills training programmes, which are primarily suited to the development of human resources in South Africa and especially in rural areas. A research project was carried out to investigate the role of the Further Education and Training colleges in the development of human resources in the rural areas of Mpumalanga Province. A questionnaire was administered to managers of industries, and another one to the managers of Further Education and Training colleges in the province. The results of the research project showed that Further Education and Training colleges did not make a significant contribution towards skills development of human resources in the targeted areas and that the existing offering of programmes were not addressing the critical needs of the people in these areas. Lack of funding contributed towards the limited involvement of the Further Education and Training colleges. It was shown that both Further Education and Training colleges and industries believed that through collaboration in a number of fields such as learnerships, sharing of resources, and planning together can improve their prospects for development. In interpreting the findings within the context of the literature review it was concluded that the role and involvement of Further Education and Training colleges in the rural areas should be directed by the genuine development needs of people in these areas. The identification of training and development needs is critical towards a successful intervention for the development of human resources in rural areas. Furthermore, the training providers targeting rural areas should be informed by both theoretical and practical considerations towards the provision of training intervention programmes. The research presented a number of recommendations, some of the most important being that Further Education and Training colleges be transformed, that there should be collaboration between Further Education and Training colleges and the private sector, that advocacy of the Further Education and Training colleges should take place, that the approaches to planning and development of skills training programmes should be meaningful, that training needs be identified and that funding should be made available for rural development projects.

Thesis (PhD (Curriculum Studies))—University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The rural nature of most parts of Mpumalanga Province poses a number of human resources development challenges to the people in the rural communities of the province. The high rate of black African people aged 20 years or older who had no schooling (32% in 1996 and 30.1% in 2001) in the province is one such a challenge. The overall unemployment rate in Mpumalanga increased from 18.6% in 1996 to 23.1% in 2001 and 26.3% in 2007 (Statistics SA, 1996; 2001 & 2007), while for black Africans in particular it increased from 20.3% in 1996 to 24.6% in 2001. Since Mpumalanga is a rural province that is populated mainly by black Africans, the conclusion may be drawn that most of the people who are affected by unemployment live in the rural communities of the province. Research was carried out to investigate the role of the University of South Africa in the development of human resources in the rural communities of Mpumalanga. The institutes/bureaus of the University of South Africa were identified as the target population for the research. A questionnaire was administered to the managers of 21 sampled institutes/bureaus of the University of South Africa. The colleges at the University of South Africa offer the non-formal, non-subsidised and need-driven training programmes through the institutes/bureaus which are regarded as the delivery arm of those programmes. The research found that the institutes/bureaus of the University of South Africa had no significant contribution to make towards the development of human resources in the targeted communities and that most of the programmes presented were not targeting the critical developmental needs of the people in rural communities. The role and involvement of the University of South Africa and other higher education institutions in rural communities should be directed by the genuine developmental needs of people in these communities. The training providers targeting rural areas should be informed by both theoretical and practical considerations towards the provision of training intervention programmes. The identification of training and developmental needs is crucial to a successful intervention for the development of human resources in rural communities. iii The research concluded, among others, that the University of South Africa is lacking in observing the stakeholder role and the strategic partner role of a university in the development of human resources in rural communities. It is however focusing, to a certain extent, on the service provider role. Furthermore, the University of South Africa is not carrying out the service learning practice through which the university students could participate and contribute to the development of human resources in rural communities. Universities have the knowledge base, expertise, networks and, in most cases, the required resources to make a contribution to the development of human resources in rural communities. The universities should therefore commit themselves to this aspect in order to assist in the development of rural communities. The practice of social responsibility implies that universities should become involved in community development activities in the needy rural communities without a profit intent, but with a community development rationale. Many poor people from rural communities would benefit from the practice of social responsibility by universities. / AFRIKAANS OPSOMMING: Vanweë die landelike aard van die grootste deel van Mpumalanga ervaar die plattelandse bevolking in hierdie provinsie talle uitdagings met betrekking tot die ontwikkeling van menslike hulpbronne. Een so ʼn uitdaging in die provinsie is die groot persentasie swart mense bo die ouderdom van 20 jaar wat geen skoolopleiding ontvang het nie (32% in 1996 en 30.1% in 2001). Die totale werkloosheidsyfer in Mpumalanga het van 18.6% in 1996 tot 23.1% in 2001 en 26.3% in 2007 gestyg (Statistics SA, 1996; 2001 & 2007), en vir swart mense in hierdie provinsie in die besonder het dit van 20.3% in 1996 tot 24.6% in 2001 toegeneem. Aangesien Mpumalanga ʼn landelike provinsie is wat hoofsaaklik deur swart mense bevolk word, kan die afleiding gemaak word dat die meeste van die mense wat deur werkloosheid geraak word in die landelike gebiede van die provinsie woon. Navorsing is gedoen om ondersoek in te stel na die rol van die Universiteit van Suid-Afrika in die ontwikkeling van menslike hulpbronne in die landelike gemeenskappe van Mpumalanga. Die institute/buro’s van die Universiteit van Suid-Afrika is as die teikenpopulasie van die navorsing geïdentifiseer. Die bestuurders van 21 institute/buro’s van die Universiteit van Suid-Afrika wat as steekproef gedien het, het ʼn vraelys voltooi. Die Kolleges aan die Universiteit van Suid-Afrika bied die nie-formele, nie-gesubsidieerde en behoeftegedrewe opleidingsprogramme aan deur die institute/buro’s wat as die vertakking beskou word wat diens moet lewer ten opsigte van hierdie programme. Die navorsing het bevind dat die institute/buro’s van die Universiteit van Suid-Afrika ten tyde van die ondersoek nie in staat was om enige beduidende bydrae te maak tot die ontwikkeling van menslike hulpbronne in die geteikende gemeenskappe nie en dat die meeste van die programme wat aangebied is nie op die kritieke ontwikkelingsbehoeftes van die mense in landelike gebiede gerig was nie. Daar word aanbeveel dat die rol en betrokkenheid van die Universiteit van Suid-Afrika en ander hoëronderwysinstellings in landelike gemeenskappe deur die werklike ontwikkelingsbehoeftes van die mense in hierdie gemeenskappe gerig word. v Voornemende verskaffers van opleiding in landelike gebiede behoort beide teoretiese en praktiese oorwegings in ag te neem wanneer hulle intervensieprogramme vir opleiding beplan en ontwerp. Die identifisering van opleidings- en ontwikkelingsbehoeftes is van kritieke belang in die daarstelling van ʼn suksesvolle intervensie vir die ontwikkeling van menslike hulpbronne in landelike gebiede. Op grond van die navorsing is tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat UNISA nie sy belanghebberrol en sy rol as strategiese vennoot as universiteit in die ontwikkeling van menslike hulpbronne in landelike gemeenskappe nakom nie. Daar word wel in ʼn mate aan die eise van die diensverskafferrol voldoen. Voorts kom die toepassing van diensleer, waardeur studente deel kan word van en bydra tot die ontwikkeling van menslike hulpbronne in landelike gemeenskappe, nie tot sy reg nie. Universiteite beskik oor die kennisbasis, kundigheid, netwerke en, in die meeste gevalle, oor die nodige bronne om ’n bydrae te maak tot die ontwikkeling van menslike hulpbronne in landelike gemeenskappe. Universiteite behoort hulle dus te verbind tot hierdie aspek van hulle sosiale verantwoordelikheid ten einde ’n bydrae te maak tot die ontwikkeling van landelike gemeenskappe. Die toepassing van sosiale verantwoordelikheid impliseer dat universiteite, sonder winsmotief, betrokke behoort te raak by gemeenskapsontwikkelingsaktiwiteite in die arm, landelike gemeenskappe. Baie arm mense in landelike gemeenskappe sal deur die toepassing van sodanige sosiale verantwoordelikheid deur universiteite baat vind.

Compliance monitoring is a continuous process used to ensure that conditions stipulated in an environmental authorisation are adhered to. Compliance monitoring is a key component of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and EIA follow-up. The aim of this research was to critically assess EIA follow-up conditions formulated for Environmental Authorisations in Mpumalanga Province. The practicability of conditions set out in the authorisation for EIA follow-up are of particular concern. Forty-two (42) environmental authorisations (EAs) issued under the 2010 NEMA EIA regulations were reviewed and assessed to analyse information relating to follow-up practice. In order to synthesise the data effectively and create a comprehensive analysis, the EAs were divided into project type categories rather than listed activity categories. The assessment results on the strengths and weaknesses related to compliance monitoring and enforcement of the authorisation conditions revealed that the EIA follow-up conditions in Mpumalanga do make provision of EIA follow-up. The EAs fulfils the requirements of regulation 37 of the NEMA EIA regulations 2010 by promoting compliance monitoring of impacts. However, some conditions raises difficulty in monitoring due to their impracticability. Another weakness is that conditions focus mainly on the construction phase and very little attention is paid to operational and decommissioning impacts. The analyses results show that the practicability of the authorised conditions for environmental compliance monitoring had the following challenges: conditions intended to mitigate the adverse environmental impacts are generic and do not apply to specific projects or activities being authorised and there are no clearly defined timeframes for conditions requiring repetitive monitoring. Moreover, the study revealed gaps in monitoring of the authorised conditions that included poor clarity of roles of environmental control officers (ECOs) and auditors and a lack of reference to sections to be complied with pertaining to other relevant legislation. The critical assessment of the EIA follow-up conditions formulated for Environmental Authorisations in Mpumalanga Province indicate that the formulation of conditions have implications in ensuring that compliance is effectively implemented. Clearly defined conditions will ensure proper interpretation and correct implementation for compliance purposes. / M (Environmental Management), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Compliance monitoring is a continuous process used to ensure that conditions stipulated in an environmental authorisation are adhered to. Compliance monitoring is a key component of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and EIA follow-up. The aim of this research was to critically assess EIA follow-up conditions formulated for Environmental Authorisations in Mpumalanga Province. The practicability of conditions set out in the authorisation for EIA follow-up are of particular concern. Forty-two (42) environmental authorisations (EAs) issued under the 2010 NEMA EIA regulations were reviewed and assessed to analyse information relating to follow-up practice. In order to synthesise the data effectively and create a comprehensive analysis, the EAs were divided into project type categories rather than listed activity categories. The assessment results on the strengths and weaknesses related to compliance monitoring and enforcement of the authorisation conditions revealed that the EIA follow-up conditions in Mpumalanga do make provision of EIA follow-up. The EAs fulfils the requirements of regulation 37 of the NEMA EIA regulations 2010 by promoting compliance monitoring of impacts. However, some conditions raises difficulty in monitoring due to their impracticability. Another weakness is that conditions focus mainly on the construction phase and very little attention is paid to operational and decommissioning impacts. The analyses results show that the practicability of the authorised conditions for environmental compliance monitoring had the following challenges: conditions intended to mitigate the adverse environmental impacts are generic and do not apply to specific projects or activities being authorised and there are no clearly defined timeframes for conditions requiring repetitive monitoring. Moreover, the study revealed gaps in monitoring of the authorised conditions that included poor clarity of roles of environmental control officers (ECOs) and auditors and a lack of reference to sections to be complied with pertaining to other relevant legislation. The critical assessment of the EIA follow-up conditions formulated for Environmental Authorisations in Mpumalanga Province indicate that the formulation of conditions have implications in ensuring that compliance is effectively implemented. Clearly defined conditions will ensure proper interpretation and correct implementation for compliance purposes. / M (Environmental Management), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Rural agriculture in Mlondozi, as for South Africa, is has a low productivity, which is the result of poor knowledge, information, beliefs and land tenure which limits the acquiring of loans for inputs. A LandCare Project was conducted for four years. Training was in the form of farmer managed research demonstrations which included the taught Conservation agriculture farming system which they compared to the Traditional farming system. Eighteen farmers initially joined the program and their soils were monitored for four years. At the end of the project undisturbed soil samples were taken from their fields where maize was cultivated following no-till (NT) farming system, and the conventional tillage system (CT). The soils from the two farming systems were compared using a laboratory rainfall simulator for run-off, erosion and infiltration. Each storm event in the rainfall simulator lasted for a period of 110 minutes (50 rotations). There were two statistical analyses done on the results. The first was a t-test was applied to the data to test for differences between the two systems, with a sample size of 72, at 18 sights with 4 replicates, except for carbon which was 36 analyses for the 18 sights. There was a significantly higher soil loss for NT soils for storm 1, compared to the CT soil, and a non significant difference for run-off for storms 1 and 2. Infiltration was significantly lower for the NT soil for the first storm, and not significantly higher for the NT soil for the second storm. The CT soils had a significantly higher infiltration rate for the first 16 rotations. After 68 minutes (rotation 34) the NT soils infiltration rate was higher. For simulated storm 2 the CT soils had a slightly higher infiltration rate up to 32 minutes (16 rotations) where after NT soils had a higher infiltration rate. Between 48 and 80 minutes (rotations 24 and 40) the NT soils had a significantly higher infiltration rate. From the results it can be concluded that the NT soils maintained the aggregate stability far longer than the CT soils. The initial and final infiltration rates were compared for the NT and CT soils for the simulated storms 1 and 2. The CT soils’ initial and final infiltration rate was similar, while the NT soils had a higher initial and final infiltration rate for the second storm, due to the soils settling with the first storm. The results question current literature that states that sealing of soils is a permanent feature. The carbon content of the NT soils was not significantly higher than the CT soils, which corresponded with the results. / Dissertation MInst (Agrar)--University of Pretoria, 2014 / gm2015 / Plant Production and Soil Science / MInst (Agrar) / Unrestricted

Thesis (M. Dev.) -- University of Limpopo, 2017. / The purpose of this study was to assess and reflect on the perceptions of educators towards the implementation of an Integrated Quality Management System in the White Hazy Circuit, Mpumalanga Province. The IQMS is a clear reaction to the autocratic mode of evaluation that operated during the Apartheid era and is a major shift from the old paradigm of external evaluators. The new paradigm calls for a joint collaboration between schools, districts and supervisory unit with the main aim to enhance the quality of education in South Africa. The researcher used quantitative method for this study. In its quantitative approach the study was to describe, analyse and interpret the data to determine if there were any negative perceptions among White Hazy educators about IQMS implementation. The reason to use this approach was to obtain the detailed descriptions of the information required for the study. Secondly results are based on objective method which can be expressed in a specific management technology. Data collection was done using structured questionnaires (N = 97). Respondents of all post level in the teaching profession participated. The participants were selected randomly to give equal participation of all respondents from 16 selected schools. The participants come from both primary and secondary schools. The study highlighted that compliance, lack of training, shifting of responsibility to one another and insufficient time for development play a significant role in IQMS implementation. The findings revealed that the IQMS Policy is implemented in schools. However, there are some areas where there is a lack of school based teacher development to some schools and there is no consistency in the implementation which affected teacher performance and learner performance. The results which arose from the study suggested the following recommendations: quarterly training to enhance service delivery and the reviewing of the current policy to cover trends of contemporary conditions in schools and to capacitate school management teams to become effective in the IQMS implementation.

The WHO member countries undertook to eliminate poliomyelitis globally by the year 2000. Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance finds paralytic cases of polio so that swift action can be taken and shows that wild poliovirus has been eliminated when polio cases no longer occur. Mpumalanga Province, a rural province in the north-east of South Africa, developed a rapid reporting system where infection control nurses at the public and private sector hospitals report weekly to the AFP surveillance Officer, including zero reporting, on 9 infectious disease syndromes that require rapid action on clinical presentation alone. This system was implemented in 1998 and included AFP. The non-polio AFP reporting rate increased from 0.37 in 1997 to 0.55 during 1998 with more than 80% of the units reporting weekly. The binomial exact confidence intervals however include 1. A hospital record review of all paediatric admissions revealed that only 2 AFP cases were missed by the system. The AFP reporting rate remains below the international standard of 1 per 100 000 children under 15 years of age despite an adequate reporting system. The role of chance variation, particularly in small geographical areas, has not been discussed in official polio-eradication guidelines but it is . imperative that population size be taken into account when judging the rate of AFP case detection. With the low international reference rate and play of chance variation it is possible that regions with relatively small populations, low non-polio AFP detection rates and no cases of polio detected for an extended period may have adequate surveillance systems supporting polio free certification. In these areas additional criteria for determining the adequacy of the surveillance system should also be considered. / Dissertation (MMed)--University of Pretoria, 2006. / School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH) / Unrestricted

The outlook for Nile crocodiles in the Olifants River does not look optimistic. Since the increase in capacity of the Loskop and Flag Boshielo Dams, the crocodile population was left with no basking or nesting sites and has declined over the past 30 years. Shortly after the Massingire Dam in Moçambique filled to full capacity an estimated 160 crocodiles died in the Olifants River Gorge, a couple of kilometres upstream from the dam. The Olifants River is acknowledged by many experts as one of the most polluted rivers in South Africa and acid mine drainage, industrial pollution and untreated sewage in the river are all contributing to the poor water quality of the river. Further, the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry acknowledge that water demand already exceeds their capacity to supply and that the situation will worsen considerably in the near future. Aerial surveys of Nile crocodiles in the Olifants River was carried out during December 2005 and November 2009. An average total population of 714 Nile crocodiles were counted and corrected to an estimated 1140 individual crocodiles to eliminate the effects of undercounting. The Kruger National Park and specifically the area of the Olifants River Gorge was found to be one of the preferred habitat areas for crocodiles in the Olifants River as was the Flag Boshielo Dam, the area between the Blyde River and the western boundary of the Kruger National Park and the Olifants River between the Loskop Dam and the Flag Boshielo Dam. Repeated nesting in areas such as the Kruger National Park, the Flag Boshielo Dam and the Olifants River between the Loskop Dam and the Flag Boshielo Dam confirmed that these areas are critically important to the nesting success of Nile crocodiles in the Olifants River. The Elands River was confirmed as an important refuge area for Nile crocodiles in the Groblersdal-Flag Boshielo Dam area of the Olifants River. Surveys revealed an estimated total of only 15 crocodiles in the Loskop Dam and confirmed that no crocodiles in the large (2.1 - 4.0m TL) and very large size class (>4.0m TL) are currently present in the population. Blood biochemistry results indicate that the Olifants River Nile crocodile population probably suffers from chronic inflammation (especially in the Loskop Dam and Olifants River Gorge populations), infectious disease (particularly in the Loskop Dam population but all other sites also showed elevated values), possible inadequate diet and malnutrition (especially during the pansteatitis outbreak of August/September 2008) and are suffering serious immune problems in the Olifants River Gorge. A conservation and management plan is suggested which identifies threats to the continued existence of a viable Nile crocodile population in the Olifants River. Finally, it is suggested that the conservation status and risk of extinction of Nile crocodiles in the Olifants River be upgraded to the Endangered category since it currently complies to the following criteria; EN A2abce; C2a(i) published in the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria Version 3.1 (IUCN, 2001). / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Centre for Wildlife Management / unrestricted