Newspaper article: "Old tree chopped by age and insects. Age and insects have put and end to one of Maritzburg's national monuments. An acacia mimosa tree that stood in the centre lawn of the Parkside home of the Administrator of Natal since about 1800, has been chopped down for safety reasons. The stately old tree was National Monument and the plaque on the stump reads: Monuments Commission. Around this tree, Commandant A. W. J. Pretorius, member of the Volksraad and the Burgers of the Republic Natalia decided by a majority on July 5, 1842, to accept British rule.”

This study assesses the presence of selected trace metals and pops in the Baynespruit River, Sobantu, KwaZulu-Natal. Sediments, plants and water samples were collected along the river during dry and wet season. For metal analysis, the extraction was done using acid digestion and then determined on the inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, for total metals in sediments, plants and water. Bio-available metals in sediments were analysed using atomic absorption spectroscopy. POPs were extracted in sediments using soxhlet extraction, which was followed up by evaporation on the rotary evaporator, sample clean up on a GPC column, further sample concentration on the rotary evaporator and later analysed on GC/MS instrument. Metals of concern in both seasons were Cu, Cr, Pb and Zn which exceeded maximum permissible limits for South African soil, Cr was just about the maximum permissible limit. The targeted POPs were not detected on any site during this work. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Science)

Magister Public Health - MPH / Malnutrition continues to be a major public health problem in Africa, yet the compliance to the IMAM, a treatment protocol that began in KwaZulu-Natal and viewed as a highly efficacious approach to treat malnutrition, is very low. The Dietetics outpatient department at a regional hospital in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, where the study was conducted, has about 375 children enrolled in the outpatient nutrition programme. The outpatient nutrition programme enables patients with stable Severe Acute Malnutrition and Moderate Acute Malnutrition to access nutritional supplements and to manage malnutrition outside the hospital. It is estimated that about 124 children between the age of 6 to 59 months default from the outpatient nutrition programme annually, accounting for a defaulter rate of 33%.

The biggest pandemic that the Sub- Saharan Africa is faced with is HIV / AIDS. This research examines the experience and challenges of living with HIV / AIDS; as well as how people living with HIV / AIDS use religious/spiritual coping mechanisms and the effect on their quality of life. In addition, it examines the perceived role and effect of Faith-Based Organisations in enabling or impairing coping with their HIV challenges. A qualitative methodology was adopted and semi-structured interviews conducted with ten individuals living with HIV / AIDS. A thematic analysis of these transcripts revealed that most of the interviewees used religious/spiritual coping methods, which generally led to improved quality of life. However, results also showed that religious beliefs/practices could also be a hindrance to coping. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, PIetermaritzburg, 2006.

This study sought to investigate the relationship between perceived parental monitoring and adolescents' engagement in risky behaviour, in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. A total of 705 adolescents from both township and suburban schools in and around the city of Pietermaritzburg were involved in this study. Data collection took place during April and May of2002. Among the questions the study aimed to answer was whether there would be gender and school grade or age differences with regards to perceived parental monitoring, what the relationship would be between age, gender, perceived parental monitoring, level of religiosity, family structure, family conflict and attitudes towards condom use and, lastly, what the main predictors of engagement in risky behaviour would be. A survey which measured amongst other things, perceived parental monitoring, attitudes towards condom use, level of religiosity and the type of risky behaviours the adolescent might be involved in, was administered to the participants. Results showed perceived parental monitoring to be inversely correlated with involvement in risky behaviours and that, girls and the younger youth, were more monitored than boys and the older youth. Gender, level of religiosity, attitudes towards condom use, and age were identified by regression analysis as the four main predictors of engagement in risky behaviour. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine the long-term relationship between perceived parental monitoring and engagement in risky behaviour. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2003. / National Research Foundation.

This study aims to explore the challenges faced by Street level bureaucrats in the implementation and regulation of the Tobacco Products Control Act 83 of 1993 (and the Tobacco Control Amendment Act of 1999) in relation to the selling of tobacco products (especially cigarettes) to minors in the Pietermaritzburg central business district area. These Acts are national policies formulated through the various stages of policymaking for tobacco control. Policymaking is not complete once a policy is approved. Instead implementation and regulation determine the success or failure of a policy or programme therein. Common implementation challenges include amongst others large number of participants in a programme, diverse goals, lack of commitment to the programme, lack of resources and technical difficulties. It is the purpose of this study to critically analyse and discuss the implementation problems faced by street level bureaucrats who have certain discretionary powers and are at the frontline of policy implementation. Specific focus will be given to environmental health officers and police officers in the Msunduzi Municipality and the Drugs and Liquor Section respectively (Pietermaritzburg central business district area). / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

The operations of South African SMMEs have significant environmental and social implications, and the implementation of Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) practices in these companies is therefore of great value, both environmentally and socially. Implementation of practices of CSR is influenced by the stakeholders of a company and thus by the socio-economic and political context in which the company operates. This study examines the practice of CSR in manufacturing SMMEs in the Pietermaritzburg area, and how this practice is influenced by their stakeholders. This is done through semi-structured interviews with representatives from key local stakeholders and a sample of eight local manufacturing SMMEs. The study shows that manufacturing SMMEs in the Pietermaritzburg area have implemented a wide variety of CSR practices and that they are managing and interacting with their stakeholders in a sophisticated manner. The studied companies do in general have a limited understanding and narrow interpretation of CSR, and CSR is often confused with Corporate Social Investment (CSI) as it is described in the South African Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) scorecard. The companies do, however, practise CSR in a number of ways. The companies have implemented practices that address all of the CSR issues examined in this study: Labour issues, B-BBEE, HIV/AIDS, environmental issues and community outreach. The nature of, extent of, and motivation for these activities do, however, vary considerably. The results of the study reveal that the motivation for undertaking practices of CSR generally can be attributed to influence from the stakeholders of the examined companies. In this study the stakeholders were identified on the basis of a contextual analysis, and the stakeholder model of Donaldson and Preston was grouped into: Civil society stakeholders and communities, Government stakeholders, Stakeholders affiliated with the companies, and Business stakeholders. All groups of stakeholders were found to be exerting a significant influence on the CSR practices undertaken by the examined companies. The degree of influence varies amongst the different stakeholders and practices, and some of the CSR practices had been undertaken as a result of influence from several stakeholders. A few of the CSR practices undertaken by the interviewed SMMEs can be attributed to influence from the local key stakeholders that were interviewed in this study. It is also possible to find examples of companies implementing CSR practices as a result of local stakeholders combining their efforts. The study shows that SMMEs in the Pietermaritzburg area are responsive to their stakeholders and that the practice of CSR is greatly influenced by what the companies consider to be their stakeholders’ concerns. The interviewed local stakeholders have, however, only a limited influence on the SMMEs. It is therefore likely that the stakeholders can deepen the practice of CSR in local SMMEs by co-operating and thus increasing one or more of their stakeholder attributes: power, legitimacy, and urgency. The study has contributed to a greater understanding of the role of stakeholders in influencing CSR practice in South African SMMEs and has revealed important hints on how this influence can be strengthened and directed through government activities and other stakeholder alliances. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2011.

The dissertation analyses the economic and ecological aspects of Darvill Waste Water Works (WWW) through key indicators from Sustainable Development Records (SDR). The SDR study identifies disturbances caused by large concentrations of soap, oil and grease (SaG), therefore a framework of proposed solutions to dealing with these problems has also been investigated. The first component of the study highlights the importance of adequate indicators. Key indicators provide important information that is useful to management and policy makers. The SDR used to analyse the DarvillWWW in Pietermaritzburg provides relevant information for the management of Darvill WWW and Umgeni Water (UW), the City Council and the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF). According to the SDR model the Works is identified as a service providing social institution. The operation of this institution affects the community of Pietermaritzburg as well as the surrounding natural environment. SDR uses the key indicators of effectiveness, Thrift and Margin to analyse the economic and ecological impacts of the service provided.The study incorporates relevant data for Darvill WWW during 1993- 1996. Effectiveness measures the degree of compliance with national water quality standards as set out by the DWAF. Compliance of the following variables, E.coli, Chlorine, Soluble Reactive Phosphate (SRP), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Conductivity, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Ammonia were investigated. These variables produce varying trends. Increasing compliance is linked to improved plant efficiency while decreasing compliance is linked to the poor quality of industrial effluent. Industrial effluent containing large concentrations of SOG is a particular problem. Thrift measures the costs of operating the Works in terms of energy, chemicals, labour and capital. Overall financial, energy and labour thrift declined while chemical thrift increased. Increasing chemical thrift is due to the reduced consumption of chemicals as a result of a greater reliance on the process of biological phosphate removal. Decreasing thrift is related to increased costs of capital, energy and labour due to the deteriorating quality of vegetable oil effluent. Margin measures the deviation of non-complying samples from water quality standards. Analysis of the data produced varying trends. The following variables were analysed, E.coli, Chlorine, SRP, TSS, Conductivity, COD and Ammonia. Marginal difference is studied in an attempt to analyse those samples which do not comply with national standards. Deteriorating quality of industrial effiuent seems to be the reason for deviation from the standards. Chemical margin was also studied for the period between 1993-1996. Chemical margin is a comparison between the value of sludge produced and the cost of chemicals used to produce the sludge. The SDR study highlights deteriorating quality of industrial effluent as a cause for concern to Darvill WWW. Proposed management options are investigated to provide a workable solution. The second part of the study investigates alternate options for handling wet industrial effluent from the vegetable oil industries. These industries were identified as the source of large concentrations of SOG that were entering the Works which impacts negatively on the operational capacity, thereby increasing operating costs and decreasing the quality of the service provided. Vegetable oil industries were found guilty of discharging industrial effluent that did not meet the City standards into the sewers, they were also charged with illegal dumping into rivers. The study identified the interested and affected parties and alternate solutions were proposed to the problems. Interested and affected parties include UW, Pietermaritzburg City Council, DWAF. Some of the aspects that were investigated include the local industrial tariff, the drainage By-laws, national legislation, the "polluter pays" principle and the principle of pollution prevention. Economic incentives using economic instruments were reviewed. These include ecotaxes such as marketable/tradable permits and pollution charges. These instruments may allow for more equitable charges thereby promoting the "polluter pays" principle. The use of these instruments may be able to achieve a workable solution but further investigations are necessary. SDR analysis indicates that Darvill WWW seems to be effectively treating wastewater but operating costs are increasing in order to achieve compliance. These costs are being unfairly borne by the City ratepayers and UW and a more equitable situation is necessary. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1997.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of the Pietermaritzburg Cluster of Theological Libraries, a network of theological libraries in an around Pietermaritzburg. The Pietermaritzburg Cluster of Theological Libraries is an association of the libraries of the Evangelical Bible Seminary of Southern Africa, St. Joseph's Theological Institute, the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, the Evangelical House of Studies, Anglican House of Studies and the Las Casa Dominican Community. The library network is a component of the Pietermaritzburg Cluster of Theological Institutions (PCTI). An analysis of literature related to resource sharing between libraries and the evaluation of information services was conducted. The performance of the Pietermaritzburg Cluster of Theological Libraries was evaluated primarily from the viewpoint of the users of the network. The research problem addressed in the study was: "Does the Pietermaritzburg Cluster of Theological Libraries meet its objectives and satisfies the needs of its users?". The research problem was broken down into three subproblems, namely: 1. Awareness of the target population of the existence of the Pietermaritzburg Cluster of Theological Libraries. 2. How much use is made of the Pietermaritzburg Cluster of Theological Libraries? 3. Overall performance of the Pietermaritzburg Cluster of Theological Libraries in meeting objectives. Site visits, document review, transaction records, questionnaire survey and interviews were used for data collection. A questionnaire, accompanied by a cover letter, was the main tool used in data collection. The questionnaire was administered to the primary targets, the theological students from the various institutions, to obtain data related to their awareness and understanding of the Pietermaritzburg Cluster of Theological Libraries (PCTL), whether they use the facility and the reasons for use of non-use, as well as the overall perception of and attitude towards the service by the users. Interviews were conducted with staff members from the various institutions to determine their usage of the library network. Major findings of the questionnaire survey were: a high awareness of the PCTL among the respondents, the majority of the lending were by the users from the University of Natal; the main reason for non-use of the network was that the home library is sufficient; majority of the respondents were satisfied with the regularity of the service, found the lending polices satisfactory or good and requested material usually or most often available; the service was generally seen as an advantage by the respondents because they have access to more materials; the long waiting period and the process of acquiring material were identified as problems; and a user education programme, interavailability of borrower cards and streamlining the process were suggested by the respondents. The transaction records reflected that the users of the University of Natal use the service most heavily. Of the requests submitted by the University of Natal, 40,32 % was for national interlending via SABINET. The delivery rate of the network is 86,58 %. It was determined that the users, although they have complaints about the network, are satisfied with the network and view it as an asset. The study proposed a combined user education on the activities of the library network, the inter-availability of tickets and/or a more regular service and improved access to the online union catalogue at St. Joseph's Theological Institute and the Evangelical Bible Seminary of Southern Africa. / Thesis (M.I.S.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1996.

This study sought to investigate the role of church leaders in the prevention and management of HIV and AIDS in the Sweetwaters community. In terms of HIV and AIDS South Africa is the most affected country in sub-Saharan Africa with KwaZulu-Natal as the epicenter of the pandemic. Therefore it is against this backdrop that the researcher articulates the management and leadership roles of church leaders in the prevention of HIV and AIDS as the center of this study. It is imperative that church pastors equip among themselves in order for them to have a significant effect in addressing HIV and AIDS issues in a context like the Sweetwaters community, for example. Church leaders are strategically positioned to play a central role in the combat against the pandemic within their churches and communities. This study has been undertaken using questionnaires and focus group studies with ten church leaders from Sweetwaters the community. The research seeks to: (a) gain a understanding of challenges confronting church leaders; (b) understand how they can tackle this challenge effectively as regards their leadership role. The above mentioned is summed up in the main research question of the study, which is formulated as follows: How do the church leaders understand and respond to their leadership role within their churches and the community in the supervision of a diversity of issues arising from the pandemic. The study pointed out that the involvement of church leaders in the prevention of HIV and AIDS is generally limited to spiritual and relief work. The only structured program available to the particular local churches, and which has been implemented, is to care for orphans. The position taken in this study is that there is a need for church leaders to develop modern realistic HIV and AIDS educational programs and to train their church members to engage in HIV and AIDS issue. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2010.