The objective of this study is to assess the relationship between work engagement, job demands and job resources in a sample of educators. A cross-sectional survey design was used. Convenience samples (N = 157) were taken of educators in an area of Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. The Utrecht Work Engagement Scale and the Job Demands Resources Scale were administered to the sample of educators. The results showed that job resources are significant predictors of work engagement. Also, growth opportunities and organisational support played a major role in educators’ engagement and thus needs to be made a priority in the education system. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

The current organisational framework of public policy management offers a powerful tool that of network management. Policy network theory revolves around the idea that no one can work in isolation, and therefore, the notion of interdependency between different organisations becomes very important in order to achieve policy goals efficiently and with efficacy. This encompasses the interactive relationship that is based on information sharing as well as resources. The assumption behind policy network is that nobody is an expert in everything, and nobody has sufficient resources to address every problem. The concept of interdependence entails the co-operation and collaboration of various autonomous actors who have different interests and yet collaborate to achieve certain policy objectives. There is then a need to build "bridges" to facilitate these interactions. The size and scope of policy networks depend on the nature of each policy and the context in which it is formulated, implemented and evaluated. Environmental networks in South Africa, and especially in Pietermaritzburg, has been utilised in order to address the problem of environmental management. The Keep Pietermaritzburg Clean Association has been instrumental in implementing waste management programmes using a policy network strategy. This research focuses on one such programme "Adopt a Spot". Here there are 123 stakeholders all with the aim to beautifying P ietermaritzburg. This research indicates the usefulness of policy networks particularly as an instrument to facilitate policy implementation. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2004.

The main aim of educational institutions is to ensure that effective teaching and learning is achieved. My personal ontological disposition is that in order to reach this ideal, teacher leadership and professionalism needs to be a reality in all schools. It is for this reason that I embarked on this study to gain a meaningful understanding of how teachers felt they could lead schools better to ensure that they are professional places of teaching and learning. In developing this study I focused on two key areas, which were to examine teachers understanding of professionalism and I attempted to identify what factors enhanced or inhibited teacher leadership and professionalism in schools. The research methodology that I employed was a case study which was conducted in a secondary school. I employed five data collection tools to obtain the information I required. The first was a survey which was conducted among the entire staff of the school. The second tool was individual interviews that focused on five teacher leaders of the school who were the unit of analysis. The next data collection method involved all five teacher leaders in a focus group interview. The fourth tool was observations that were carried out throughout the research process. The final data collection tool was document analysis, which included a range of documents varying from staff meeting minutes to department policies. In addition, I kept a reflexive field note journal as a tool to enhance the validity of my study. This study revealed several key findings which I feel are vital for educational success to become a reality. At first this study revealed that teacher leadership was a reality in the case study school and was occurring in four zones: in the classroom, collaboration, whole school and with surrounding schools. Next this study revealed that teaching is a profession that is underpinned by key characteristics, namely: you have to study, uplift the name of the profession and behave and dress in a professional manner. Furthermore, this study revealed that there were several factors that promoted teacher leadership and professionalism, like incentives, school culture and relationships. Finally, this study revealed that there were various barriers to teacher leadership and professionalism, like, unions, formal leadership and teachers’ dispositions. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.

This study examines the knowledge-base of mentors in two South African schools. Working within an interpretivist paradigm this study gained an in-depth understanding of the knowledge, strategies and the sources of mentoring knowledge the mentor teachers draw on to inform their mentoring practices. Data was collected using questionnaires and semi-structured interviews from school-based mentors. The study seeks to construct an understanding of the mentors professional knowledge base in relation to Shulman’s (1985) model of teacher knowledge and Jones’s (2006) model of mentoring knowledge. The study provides a rich, holistic perspective of the mentoring knowledge mentor teachers say informs and underpins their mentorship practices. Firstly, the findings of this study suggest that the majority of mentors draw on their professional practice and personal experience as teachers when enacting their mentoring roles. A central message conveyed is that mentors must have a deep knowledge of subject matter, curriculum issues and teaching strategies to mentor effectively. Secondly, the findings suggest that mentor teachers draw from their personal values and interpersonal skills to inform their practices. Since the mentors works with adult learners careful nurturing of another’s personal and professional growth in a collaborative and reciprocal partnership based on trust, respect, equality, encouragement is key to the cultivation of healthy mentoring relationships. These findings also suggest that it is important that the mentors’ practices are effective, consistent and underpinned by a knowledge base that can serve as a point of reference when training mentor teachers. In order to ensure this, it is necessary to provide mentors access to adequate formalized training programmes that will equip them with a sound knowledge base for mentoring. Mentor teachers also need to be provided with conditions and resources within their schools that allow them to work collaboratively with each other to construct and extend their knowledge base as mentors. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of spatial and categorical resolution of satellite images in landcover classification. Three images namely, SPOT 5, Landsat TM, and MODIS were used, each of varying spatial resolution. Landcover classes were chosen for each of the classifications, were placed into groups of 11, and then merged to 8. This was to evaluate the effect that the categorical resolution plays on the final classification algorithm. Three traditional classifiers were used to create landcover maps. It was found that the higher resolution imagery produced higher accuracies at the 11 class level and these accuracies were improved by reducing the number of classes to 8. The coarser resolution imagery was able to classify larger features more accurately than the smaller features. This allowed the conclusion to be drawn that, before classifications are to be done, the size of the features to be detected should be considered when deciding which imagery to use. To improve upon the accuracy of the maximum likelihood classifier, an Artificial Neural Network was trained using ancillary data and the SPOT 5 image. Results showed an increase of over 30% in the classification accuracy of the ANN. Specific classes were easily identified, showing the ability of the ANN to classify imagery from a complex savanna environment. Experiments with various parameters of the neural network confirmed that there are no general guidelines that can be applied to a neural network to obtain high classification accuracy. / Thesis (M.Sc.) - University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.N.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

Urbanisation is an inevitable process that creates opportunities for economic growth and development, however, it can come at the cost of urban poverty and environmental degradation - two of the greatest challenges facing policy-makers. The global failure to develop in a sustainable manner has led to the adoption of green economy in the context of poverty alleviation and sustainable development. Given South Africa’s high rates of urbanisation, the nation’s government, in partnership with civil society and the private sector, is taking steps to green its economy, with the transition ranging from large-scale solar installation projects to small-scale grassroots level projects where the green jobs are created for the poor, predominantly women, by paying them for environmental services. This research investigates how urban poor women in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, under the management of a local environmental non-governmental organisation (ENGO), Wildlands Conservation Trust (WCT), are using the green economy concept to generate income and contribute to environmental sustainability. Using a case study approach, three areas were selected in which semi-structured questionnaires were administered to women who are involved in a ‘green-preneurship’ initiative, consisting of three project nodes, namely, waste-, tree-, and food-preneurship. The women registered under the project collect and segregate waste for sale to the ENGO (waste-preneurs), while others grow indigenous trees for sale to the ENGO (tree-preneurs), and some grow food crops for subsistence and sale of any excess to community members (food-preneurs). The project is reducing poverty levels and empowering the women both economically and socially. Furthermore, while the primary incentive for participating in the green economy initiative was found to be financial, the project has helped to raise environmental awareness and is a mechanism through which women can contribute to environmental sustainability. Their voluntary participation in the project indicates the importance of urban poor women to green economy. This role stems from understanding the importance of the environment to their livelihood, and in this regard, green economy can be said to be addressing the social and environmental externalities of urbanisation, with women at the forefront. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2013.

A democratic ―tsunami‖ is moving around the world, nations are embracing democracy which brings power to the people and enables their voices to be heard. South Africa has one of the most progressive Constitutions in the world which contains the Bill of Rights where equality is preached. The Grant Thornton International Business Report on Women in Management (2012) rightly concludes that women occupy only 21% of top managerial positions, worldwide. In South Africa, women occupy only 28%, which is slightly more than the international average. In light of the above information, this study looks at women‘s representation in business, with special emphasis on the challenges faced by women at top management level in public enterprises in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. The inference deduced from the above statistics unveils that women are underrepresented at top management level. Several authors have viewed the challenges faced by women in top level managerial positions from different perspectives and the core challenges this study has identified are as follows: the ‗glass ceiling‘; balancing work and family responsibilities; organisational culture; human resource policies; politics of power and the ‗Queen Bee Syndrome‘. This study has unveiled a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by women employed in top level managerial positions, useful in enabling women at this level to overcome their challenges and thereby assist them to function to their utmost capacity, while at the same time attempting to increase women‘s representation at top management level. The researcher adopted a mixed method of data collection in carrying out this study. In-depth interviews were carried out with respondents; the insight gained in these interviews assisted the researcher to carry out further telephonic interviews with other respondents and lastly; questionnaires were employed to complement other sources of data collection in the study. These findings of the study show that the ills of Apartheid could be responsible for the lack of self-confidence of black women holding top level managerial positions. In the researcher‘s point of view, the Bantu system of education did not provide a sound foundation of quality education for the black women of Pietermaritzburg. In conclusion, the thesis argues that, since women constitute a significant proportion of the economically active population in South Africa, it is fair only that they should be equitably represented at top managerial level. To achieve this goal, the study proffered a recommendation which has managerial benefits that may assist in accelerating and increasing women‘s representation at top management level. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2013.

This exploratory retrospective record review extending from 1975 – 2013 of the Pietermaritzburg Child and Family Centre (hereafter referred to as the “CFC”) aimed to create a database to electronically capture CFC records to generate descriptive statistics, and the create CFC user profiles utilising multiple data analysis methodologies in order to create baseline data to inform future program evaluations. To date, no formal program evaluation has been conducted by the CFC, resulting in programs being launched without the backing of systematic and empirical data used to inform decisions. Data driven decision making is imperative when deciding on resource allocation to ensure maximum derived benefits. The study sample totalled 1974 records from the past three decades since CFC inception in 1975. These records were captured electronically in a Microsoft Access database. SPSS and ArcGIS were used to analyse the data to create service user profiles, and gather baseline data to inform future Needs Assessments and Program Evaluations. The study found temporal changes in CFC user demographics, referral problems, socio-economic standing, and referral schools since inception in 1975. The study explored, using geographic information software, client distribution of demographics, residence, referral problem, and CFC service reach, and found that there are significant geographical variations in each of these constructs. The geographic variations, together with the statistical findings highlight the importance of establishing Monitoring and Evaluation systems in order to stay relevant to the needs of CFC users. Further, findings suggest a tailored approach to CFC program development and focus, depending on future CFC priorities. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2013.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Technology in Nursing, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2015. / Abstract The HIV pandemic continues to intensify in most countries, especially in Sub­ Saharan Africa, with 1.8 million new people becoming infected with the disease in 2011. Sub- Saharan Africa is the world's worst HIV and AIDS affected region. The intensity of the AIDS pandemic in South Africa creates additional challenges for health workers. Apart from the fact that they could be infected, they have to deal with an increasing number of people who suffer from a fatal disease for which no cure has been found. Nurses are expected to give all the necessary care to these patients. The HIV and AIDS epidemic in South Africa poses challenges for an overburdened health care system. There is limited knowledge about health care perceptions and emotional experiences of providing HIV and AIDS related care and support. It is against this backdrop that the researcher has chosen to explore the experiences of first-year student nurses, caring for HIV and AIDS patients. Aim of the study The purpose of the study was to explore the lived experiences of first-year student nurses, nursing HIV and AIDS patients. Methodology A descriptive phenomenological research design was used to explore the experiences of first-year student nurses, caring for HIV and AIDS patients. The research setting was two colleges of nursing in the uMgungundlovu District that offer the four-year nursing diploma programme. The type of purposeful sampling that was used was criterion sampling, which entailed studying cases which met pre-set criteria. In-depth interviews with the first-year student nurses, who had experienced nursing HIV and AIDS patients, were conducted. The data was analysed manually and put into categories and sub-categories as they emerged. Results The findings revealed that the participants had positive and negative experiences when they provided nursing care to HIV positive patients. The positive experiences were that the participants did not fear meeting HIV positive patients and they were not traumatized. These participants nursed HIV positive patients like any other patient. The participants expressed their feelings as sad and bad. Participants who had negative experiences were shocked, scared and cried when they met HIV positive patients. Six participants reported that they did not know of any facilities available for debriefing and sharing of experiences. The remaining participants identified the group lecturer, group mates, the psychologist and registered nurse in the ward. There was a lesson in class that was dedicated to debriefing and the sharing of experiences. The majority of the participants (n=10) stated that HIV and AIDS was transmitted through contact with infected body fluids and blood. The participants identified similar methods of transmission, which were unprotected sexual intercourse, needle-stick injuries, use of contaminated needles and mother- to- child transmission of HIV and AIDS. The participants were able to correctly identify the modes of transmission, except for one participant who was not sure if HIV and AIDS was transmitted through breast-feeding, due to a lack of knowledge of the modes of transmission. Six participants identified voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) as a support service available for nurses exposed to HIV and AIDS. Three participants verbalised that they did not know of any services available to student nurses. Some participants were not sure if the services were available and accessible and had no idea if the services were available and accessible to the student nurses. There were various problems that were encountered by the participants with regards to accessing the services. These included a lack of privacy, fear of giving information to colleagues, early closure of the clinic and unavailability of the counsellor when needed. Recommendations were made concerning the need for adequate preparation of student nurses in their early training, with regard to VCT, PMTCT, home- based care and support groups. The stigma for HIV and AIDS needs to be adequately addressed. Support for student nurses needs to be provided when dealing with death of HIV and AIDS patients, as a large majority voiced not being able to cope. Conclusion Student nurses who shared their experiences nursing HIV and AIDS patients had positive and negative experiences when they provided nursing care to HIV positive patients. The participants needed the relevant support and counselling to be available when needed. Stigma still exists, even though HIV and AIDS has existed for at least thirty years. / PDF copy unavailable. please refer to hard copy for full text information / M