Tribal (rural) communities possess assets/resources that can be utilised in improving the quality of life of their residents. The processes involved in the usage of these assets toward community-led development can determine the success or failure of the development efforts by the community. The research conducted was aimed at investigating the processes involved in utilising these assets, with reference being placed on two community-led development approaches namely Asset Based Community Development and Sustainable Livelihood Framework. The research will examine the processes that the Royal Bafokeng Nation has used in the successful development of its community. A comparison of the community-led development processes will be compared to the Integrated Sustainable Development Strategy formulated by the South African government to develop rural communities. The results indicate that development is not just about asset identification, it‟s more complex than that. If development was just about resource identification then a lot of tribal communities would be developed. Development is about the interactions between leaders, community and external sources and in the case of RBN, administration as well. It is about interaction between leaders and community in the form of participation in development efforts; interaction between leaders (and administration) with external sources such as municipalities to enhance development; and interaction between community and external sources through social capital. The results also indicate that whilst it is the duty of government to provide basic services, communities can partake in other development initiatives. That development in it‟s entirely should not be left to government if communities have the means of initiating development. That government has to improve certain aspects in their development strategies, but that it has made strides in formulating strategies to develop rural communities. The challenges for government come in the implementation of these strategies. That partnership between community and government can lead to better and sustainable development initiatives.

D.Ed. / The purpose of this inquiry was to explore perceptions and practices of family well-being in the context of child-headed families, and to propose a comprehensive framework that would be beneficial for supportive, educational interventions in the families. This inquiry was conducted among orphans living in two child-headed families. Family life of the orphans was the major focus of this study. All the resources from within a family, the activities, interactions and the way a family organizes and plans determines the well-being of individuals in the family. The specific characteristic of this inquiry is that it captures phenomena around human group way of life (families) and human conduct (lived experiences, interactions and behaviours). It is for this reason that the qualitative ethnographic design was employed and a Grounded Theory Approach of analysis was used to inductively derive a comprehensive framework for the facilitation of well-being in the child-headed families who participated in this study. Data generation was done through in-depth interviews, small group discussions, visual and imagery observation, and theoretical sampling. Interviews were conducted with orphans 12 years and older and for orphans under the age of 12 years observations were employed for ethical compliance. The grounded theory analysis included initial coding, focused coding, axial coding, identifying main categories and memo writing to develop the framework.

The mining industry produces vast quantities of overburden and mill tailings. In many instances the disposal of these wastes on the Earth's surface have caused local, and occasionally even regional, water resources to become contaminated. Contamination typically arises from the oxidation of metal sulfide minerals contained within these wastes. Upon oxidation these minerals release sulfate, their associated metal cations and acidity into solution. This study investigated the potential for groundwater contamination arising from a Pb/Zn tailings impoundment in the North West Province of South Africa (Pering Mine). The tailings is composed predominantly of dolomite, which imparts to the material an alkaline pH and a high acid buffering capacity. Acid-base accounting (ABA) established that the capacity of the tailings to buffer acidity surpasses any acid producing potential that could arise from pyrite (FeS2), galena (PbS) and sphalerite (ZnS) oxidation. These minerals account for about 3 to 6% of the tailings by mass. Total elemental analysis (XRF) showed that the material has high total concentrations of Fe (19083 mg kg-I), Zn (5481 mg kg-I), Pb (398 mg kg-I), S (15400 mg kg-I), Al (9152 mg kg-I) and Mn (29102 mg kg-I). Only a very small fraction of this, however, was soluble under saturated conditions. An estimation of potentially available concentrations, using the DTPA extraction method, indicated that high concentrations of Zn (1056 mg kg-I), and moderate concentrations of Pb (27.3 mg kg-I) and Cu (6.01 mg kg-I) could potentially be available to cause contamination. A number of leaching experiments were undertaken to accurately quantify the release of elements from the tailings material. These experiments were aimed at determining the potential for groundwater contamination and also provided a means whereby the long-term release of contaminants could be modelled using the convection-dispersion equation for solute transport. Four leaching treatments were investigated. Two consisted of using distilled water under intermittent and continuous flow, while a third used intermittent flow of deoxygenated distilled water to assess leaching under conditions of reduced oxygen. The.mobilisation of potential contaminants under a worst case scenario was assessed by means of leaching with an acetic acid solution at pH 2.88 (after the US Environmental Protection Agency's toxicity characteristic leaching procedure). The acid buffering potential of the tailings was considerable. Even after 8 months of weekly leaching with 1 pore volume of acetic acid solution the pH of the effluent was maintained above pH 5.90. The protracted acidity caused very high concentrations of Pb, Zn, Mu, Ca, Mg, Hg and S to be released into solution. Leaching the tailings with distilled water also caused the effluent to have noticeable traces of contamination, most importantly from S, Mg, Mu and Zn. In many instances concentrations significantly exceeded guideline values for South African drinking water. Modelling solute transport with the convectiondispersion equation predicted that sol- and Mu contamination could persist for a very long period of time. (±700 years under continuous saturated leaching), while Mg and Zn concentrations would most likely exceed recommended limits for a much shorter period of time (±300 years under the same conditions). In light of the various column leaching experiments it was concluded that seepage from the Pering tailings impoundment could cause groundwater contamination. A drill-rig and coring system were used to collect both tailings and pore-water samples from eight boreholes spread out across the tailings impoundment. These investigations showed that most of the impoundment was aerobic (Eh ranged from +323 to +454 mY) and alkaline (pH 8.0 to 9.5). This chemical environment favours sulfide oxidation and as a consequence high concentrations of S have been released into the pore-water of the impoundment (S concentrations ranged from 211 to 1221 mg r l ). The acidity released as a by-product of sulfide oxidation was being buffered by dolomite dissolution, which in turn was releasing high concentrations of Mg (175 to 917 mg r l ) and Ca (62.6 to 247 mg r l ) into solution. Metal concentrations in the pore-water were low as a result of the strong metal sorbing capacity of the tailings and possible secondary precipitation. The only metal which significantly exceeded recommended limits throughout the impoundment was Hg (concentrations were between 100 and 6000 times the recommended limit of 0.001 mg r l ). Under the current geochemical conditions it is expected that Hg, S and Mg will likely pose the greatest threat to groundwater. The main concerns associated with mine tailings are that of mine drainage and dust blow off..In order to eradicate the latter problem, the tailings impoundment at Pering Mine was covered with a layer of rocks. Modelling the water balance of the impoundment using the computer model HYDRUS-2D showed that the rock cladding has potentially increased the volume of drainage water seeping from the impoundment. In light of the leaching experiments and field work, which proved that water passing through the tailings became enriched with various potentially toxic elements, it is expected that the problem of groundwater contamination around Pering Mine has been further exacerbated by the rock cladding. It was therefore concluded that there would be a strong likelihood of groundwater contamination in the vicinity of the mine. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2006.

This thesis is a search for the relationship between the church and SMMEs in the Tswaing Municipality, in the North West Province. It concerns the role of the church in supporting SMMEs in such a way that they benefit the whole community instead of individuals, thus contributing towards the building of the economy in selected areas of rural Tswaing. The selected areas are Khunwana, Atamelang, Manamolela and Gannalaagte/Vrischgewaagd. It is written in the context of the church that has come to understand that ministry to the poor is never complete without dealing with wealth creation, and in recognition of the fact that the church can offer alternative economic values. Small business development and support in rural communities is seen to be a key factor in the building of the community economy. It is argued that rural economies have generally collapsed due to various factors. First the apartheid policies which displaced communities from areas where agricultural ventures were thriving to areas that were not suitable for subsistence farming. Second was rural urban migration which caused some Tswaing community members to go to cities to find work, leaving behind elderly people and youth who could no longer or were not willing to live off the land. Whilst in the cities such migrants were marginalized and remained jobless. Research findings indicate that the Tswaing community have assets and entitlements that could be harnessed by the church and other stakeholders like Government and big business, using Kretzmann and McKnight’s approach to community development; that of building the community from the inside out to enhance the economy. Four areas of involvement have been identified for the church (i) engaging the three tiers of government by advocacy for small businesses and ensuring implementation of policy; (ii) promotion of development and support for SMMEs and (iii) that the church sets up its own development project. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2009.

The aim of this research project was to investigate the impact of funding on the service delivery of the Information Technology Division in the Department of Finance, North West Province. A secondary related purpose of the study was to determine the existence and utilisation of a proper strategic plan in the Division of Information Technology. A Division or Programme without a proper strategy would not be in a position to compile a credible budget. Two different self-administered questionnaires were developed. The first questionnaire was a survey of all Information Technology staff members including high-ranking officials such as assistant directors, deputy directors and managers. The second questionnaire was directed to provincial departmental officials across various departments who were willing to take part in the study. Eight provincial departments were chosen and the sample represented a total population of twelve provincial departments in the North West Provincial government. In addition to the surveys, direct interviews were conducted in cases where the respondents were not able to complete questionnaires without assistance. Although the intention of the study was to determine the impact of funding on the service delivery of information technology Division in the Department of Finance, the overall findings revealed that the strategic plan, which was not well defined, was found as the major problem that impacted on the process of compiling a reasonable budget. This, in effect, had a greater impact on service delivery than the actual funding of the Division. / (MBA) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2004

This study seeks to support the thesis that African indigenous languages in South Africa should enjoy equal treatment in terms of the South African Constitution. Therefore, it will explore and find ways and means of how the South African government can reach out to rural communities with inadequate English proficiency, in an English-dominated South Africa, by breaking down the existing language barriers and curbing social inequalities. Language rights, like any other human rights, should be protected, as enshrined in the new democratic Constitution of South Africa.

This dissertation focuses on investigating the relationship between organisational culture and employee engagement in a Public Service department. In this quantitative study, undertaken in a South African Public Service department (North West province), dimensions of organisational culture (measured by the South African Culture Instrument) were correlated with the dimensions of employee engagement (measured by the South African Engagement Measurement). Correlational analyses revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between each of the dimensions of organisational culture and employee engagement, respectively. ANOVA statistical technique was used to determine whether significant differences exist between groups. Regression analyses revealed that leadership, employee needs and objectives, vision and mission, management processes and internal relationships would predict employee engagement. Leadership made the most significant predictor of employee engagement. The means to achieve objectives dimension showed no effect in predicting employee engagement. This indicates that positive perceptions of organisational culture are likely to be related to higher levels of employee engagement. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Against the background of evidence that HIV-AIDS has had and continues to have an enormous impact on all South African schools, a need has arisen for HIV -AIDS policies and programmes to be effectively implemented in all schools. In this study, a qualitative methodology was used to evaluate policy implementation in the North West province. Data was gathered by means of field notes, observation and interviews with management and educators. The study found that although principals and educators are knowledgeable about HIV -AIDS, there is a tendency to discriminate against infected educators, particularly in terms of educator workload. This study also revealed that educators fear being accidentally exposed to HIV -AIDS infected blood, despite the guidelines given in the National HIV -AIDS policy and the availability of emergency first aid kits. The key thought emerging from this study is that not all schools are able to deal effectively with HIV -AIDS and that schools urgently need to plan or implement their own policies in this regard. School-based HIV-AIDS policies can only be successful if they take cognisance of local contextual issues and involve the three spheres of influence in the lives of educators and learners, namely, the sphere of the school, the sphere of family life and the sphere of the community. / Sociology / M.A.(Social and Behavioural Studies in HIV-AIDS)

Against the background of evidence that HIV-AIDS has had and continues to have an enormous impact on all South African schools, a need has arisen for HIV -AIDS policies and programmes to be effectively implemented in all schools. In this study, a qualitative methodology was used to evaluate policy implementation in the North West province. Data was gathered by means of field notes, observation and interviews with management and educators. The study found that although principals and educators are knowledgeable about HIV -AIDS, there is a tendency to discriminate against infected educators, particularly in terms of educator workload. This study also revealed that educators fear being accidentally exposed to HIV -AIDS infected blood, despite the guidelines given in the National HIV -AIDS policy and the availability of emergency first aid kits. The key thought emerging from this study is that not all schools are able to deal effectively with HIV -AIDS and that schools urgently need to plan or implement their own policies in this regard. School-based HIV-AIDS policies can only be successful if they take cognisance of local contextual issues and involve the three spheres of influence in the lives of educators and learners, namely, the sphere of the school, the sphere of family life and the sphere of the community. / Sociology / M.A.(Social and Behavioural Studies in HIV-AIDS)

The escalating figures of unemployment and poverty in South Africa are posing a threat to the nuclear family. The deteriorating conditions in the home environment, particularly regarding material provision, has led to an increase in disadvantaged home environments. The investigation in this study focused mainly on the self-concepts of adolescents from disadvantaged home environments. The aim of the research was to see how the home environment influences the self-concept of an adolescent in disadvantaged areas. The literature study showed that factors such as unemployment, poverty, low socio-economic background, single parenthood, absent parents, parents' level of literacy and parenting styles were associated with disadvantaged home environments. With regard to the self-concept the researcher probed the physical, emotional, social, academic and general self-concepts. An empirical investigation was undertaken regarding grade 9 and 11 learners in Hebron in the North West Province. A structured questionnaire was developed focusing on home environment and self-concept. By using Pearson's correlation, ANOVA and Tukey's t-test, findings indicated that there is a significant relationship between home environment and the self-concept. The adolescent's emotional self-concept is affected by religion, supervision at home (parent or guardian) and the number of siblings in the family. Moreover, girls had a better social self-concept than boys. On the whole the physical, academic, social and general self-concepts were not affected by religion, number of siblings in the family and different kinds of supervision. With regard to the physical self-concept it was found that it differed with age. Therefore, the educators who facilitate Life Orientation in the General Education and Training (GET) band and Life Skills in the Further Education and Training (FET) band should assist children who come from disadvantaged home environments by applying intervention strategies suggested by the researcher in this study to foster positive self-concepts in adolescents. Positive self-concepts are key factors for successful learning, general behavioural patterns and high participation in school activities. Upgrading of educators is also recommended so that they are fully equipped to assist a learner who is from a deprived home environment. / Educational Studies / D.Ed.(Psychology of Education))