The study examines the role religious institutions play in responding to health crises in the community with particular focus on mV/AIDS. The thesis argues for the importance of focusing on health outcomes rather than the traditional "economic" models for assessing health sector in time of AIDS crisis. Health outcomes measures: good practice, increases accountability of services, quantifies the values of interventions where traditional research data may be impractical or lacking. It even assists in determining resource allocations and help to monitor and improve standards of care. This opens the door to focus on religious institutions, where selecting and measuring outcomes could be deeply connected to a community's or institution's mission and be able to describe a specific desirable result or quality of institution's services. The role of religious institutions has not been well recognized in dealing with health issues, and in particular within the religious community itself. Religious communities have not recognized their enormous assets, which they could mobilize in an effort to create good health conditions while facing the challenges of the HIV / AIDS pandemic and other diseases. The study examines the involvement of a local Anglican Church, St Paul's in health in the urban context of Pietermartzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. The asset-based approach guides the study in capturing the basic notion that assets carry value and may be used to create greater value. The research findings show that the worshippers of St Paul's Anglican Church seem to have little understanding of their religious asset portfolio, which can be used effectively to improve the health conditions and health prospects of those in need in order to build healthy communities. The study argues that religious congregations and other faith-based organizations can play a vital role in local public health systems and community-based health improvements initiatives. In addition, faith communities can act as conveners and mobilizers of community residents and other faith-based groups around issues of health policy and interventions for health promotion and disease prevention (e.g. nutrition, care, VCT, etc.). / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

This study reviews some of the trends in the theory and practice of public participation processes as an element of policy development. It attempts to locate public participation within a theoretical framework for policy development based on the work of Kingdon (Agendas, Alternatives and Public Policies, 2nd ed. 1995) on policy streams, and that of Roe (Narrative Policy Analysis. 1994) on the use of discourse analysis. It uses the KwaZulu-Natal Waste Management Policy process as a case study and shows that it is possible to combine these two theories to come to a better understanding of the way in which policy is arrived at. The policy streams proposed by Kingdon are identified in the case study and the 'crisis', which moved the issue of waste management onto the decision agenda, is described. Two dominant narratives that emerge from a series of interviews are discerned, together with two counter narratives. By comparing and contrasting these a metanarrative is developed that meets Roe's criteria for telling a better story and so becomes the basis for the final policy. Public participation is shown as being a useful way of ensuring that alternative 'stories' are included in the shaping of policy and so allowing a metanarrative to emerge. Some conclusions about the implications of the analysis for future processes are drawn. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2002.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the skills development project which aims at developing income generating skills, impacts on the ability of unemployed women to generate income. Secondly, the researcher wished to know how the women who have been involved with the skills development programme, used the developed skills to generate income. The study, in order to document the experiences of the women in trying to gain these skills and to use them in generating income, has produced life histories of the women who succeeded in generating income after their dressmaking skills were developed. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

This thesis surveys the Akan collections in the Natal Museum, Pietennaritzburg. Chapter one of this thesis gives a historical overview of Akan cultural traditions. The second chapter introduces the main focus of the thesis by surveying two collections of Akan works accessioned into the Natal Museum during the first decade of the twentieth century. Chapter three analyses contextually the Akan collections on the basis of their social and symbolic functions at their African place of origin. The fourth chapter focuses on the Akan goldweights in the Natal Museum and discusses their historical traditions, methods of production, and contextual use. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1998.

The provision of a basic water supply and sanitation service to the 12 million South Africans without an adequate water supply and the 21 million without basic sanitation is a mammoth task that is currently being undertaken by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. Billions of rands have been spent on, and committed to, water and sanitation projects that involve national, provincial and local spheres of government, as well as parastatals, non-government organisations and private developers. It is acknowledged that important successes have been achieved in the water and sanitation sector. However, despite the provisions provided in national and local legislation, internationally lauded policy directives, the numerous studies undertaken and recommendations made by institutions such as the Water Research Commission, problems have continued to emerge in the sustainable delivery of water and sanitation projects, particularly in the peri-urban and rural areas. It is clear that the installation of physical structures such as pipes, taps and ventilated improved pit latrines in these areas have created a sense of 'delivery' however, little thought seems to have gone into how these projects are to be sustained. International experience has shown that the concept of 'community ownership' is very important in providing sustainable water and sanitation services. The most important principles in achieving sustainability are community participation and community decision-making throughout both the development of the project as well as the further operation and maintenance of the system. International experience has also shown that financial contributions towards the scheme from the community (in cash, labour or materials), also assists in obtaining community ownership. Over the past decade emphasis in South Africa has shifted towards community participation and the empowerment of previously disadvantaged communities where communities play an active role in determining the level of service provided and the manner in which these services are delivered. However, current government policy advocates that water must be treated as an economic resource to achieve sustainability and this does not always lie comfortably with the policy of delivering free basic water. As a result of these two often-juxtaposed concepts, the delivery of sustainable water and sanitation services, a function performed by local government, is thus made more difficult. This study assesses the importance of delivering a potable water supply and adequate sanitation service to enhance the quality of lives of people. It also considers the key issues that contribute towards sustainable water and sanitation service delivery, with particular reference to the concept of 'community ownership'. The complex nature of the policy, legislative and institutional framework for water supply and sanitation is considered along with an analysis of the Msunduzi Municipality's water supply and sanitation policy and objectives. The study then focuses on the delivery of water and sanitation services to one such project, Edendale Unit RR (commonly known as Newtown), as an in-situ upgrade case study. A Provincial Housing Board funded project has, over the last five years, provided housing units, roads, stormwater drains, and water and sanitation infrastructure to this community. This initial research is undertaken with the intention of providing an evaluation of the installation of the water supply and sanitation service to the in-situ upgrade of Newtown. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2003.

In order to manage the often highly dynamic urban landscapes, it is important to map different themes from time to time. This study made use of Geographical Information System and aerial photographs to determine LULC transformation in the eastern suburbs of Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Land use land cover maps for the eastern suburbs (Copesville, Eastwood, Raisethorpe and Willowton) for the years 1989 to 2009 were generated and transformations based on twelve LULCs determined. Results in this study showed that the most significant increase were in residential (formal and informal) and industrial LULCs while the most significant decrease were recorded in the cultivated and open LULC. Generally, results in this study further show that urban LULC attributed to human influx has been at the expense of internal open green spaces and peripheral cultivated and uncultivated lands. The study concludes that aerial photographs in concert with GIS are valuable tools in mapping rapidly changing urban landscapes. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.

This thesis investigates the development of the Department of Information Studies, with the aim of assessing the role it has played in education for librarianship in South Africa from 1973 to 1994, a period of change and transformation in the country. Historical sources, both written and oral, have been traced, analysed, and where possible, verified against other sources, thus using historical method. The study, the first in-depth research into a library and information studies department in a South African university, was seen as necessary in order that the future development of the Department in question be placed upon as sound a socio-historical basis as possible. A literature review provides the context for the study and the thesis contextualizes education for librarianship within national and international library and information services (LIS) and again within the broader context of the South African socio-political and economic situation of this period. The Department's contribution within the University context is also assessed. The findings indicate that, in spite of its uneven development during the 1970s and 1980s, the Department has played an important role in LIS in KwaZulu-Natal, in South Africa and, to some extent, in the southern African region as a whole. This role revolves around training LIS practitioners from school library diploma to doctoral levels; producing and publishing research; participating in wider LIS initiatives and contributing nationally to leading education for librarianship. / Thesis (M.I.S.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1998.

This study explores the challenges posed by the HIV-AIDS epidemic on the Holiness Union Church leadership in Pietermaritzburg KwaZulu-Natal: towards a holistic Pastoral care model. South Africa has the highest prevalence rate of HIV infection in Sub-Sahara Africa and the province of KwaZulu-Natal is the epicentre of the epidemic. This motivated the researcher to investigate the role of the HUC-PMB leadership in the struggle against the HIV-AIDS epidemic within and outside the Church. The Church leaders in this context of the HIV-AIDS are expected to play a significant role, so that the campaigns of HIV prevention, intervention, care and support for those living with the HIV-AIDS should have positive impact in the Church and the community. The literature review argues that this can be achieved when church leaders are well trained and equipped with all necessary skills and acquire comprehension information about the HIV-AIDS. The study adopted an empirical research using qualitative using interview schedule, focus group discussion and church archives for data collection. Five Church leaders and four church members participated in the study. The investigations were led by the following research question: What are the challenges posed by the HIV-AIDS epidemic on the HUC leadership in Pietermaritzburg KwaZulu-Natal? In order to address the main question of this study, the following questions were formulated. What is the current situation of the HIV-AIDS epidemic in the HUC-PMB? How is the HUC-PMB leadership response to the HIV-AIDS epidemic? What kind of Pastoral care model that would enhance the HUC leadership holistic response to the HIV-AIDS epidemic? The study findings show that the Church leaders at HUC-PMB do not officially engaged in the struggle against the HIV-AIDS epidemic in the church and in the local community. This implies that the HUC-PMB has limited spiritual and support work for those who are HIV infected and affected within and without the church. The study thus recommends that knowledge on the HIV-AIDS epidemic is vital to all people especially the church leaders; and the church must use its pastoral approach to pursue this goal; the leaders must be thoroughly educated and equipped on the HIV-AIDS related issues, so that to be able to minister (w)holistically in the light of the HIV-AIDS epidemic; the Church and its leaders is also recommended and called to be HIV-competent in terms of their belief approach in dealing with epidemic and stigma within and outside the church context. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2013.

There has been a paucity of research concerning vocational training of learners with special education needs. The literature study focused on a vocational training and transition planning programme in the United States of America, which could provide as a useful guide to educators and school managers, when implementing vocational training and transitional planning in South Africa. Research was conducted using semi-structured interviews with educators and principals at special schools, observation of learners whilst performing skills training and documentary analysis, to explore whether learners with barriers to learning are receiving skills training that could position them for employment in the open labour market after they exit school. Findings revealed that principals and educators at special schools are faced with challenges in the learner’s microsystem, exosystem and macrosystem, resulting in the inadequate preparation of learners with special education needs for employment in the open labour market. Based on the findings, recommendations in terms of Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory were made, to increase the opportunity for learners who experience barriers to learning, to be engaged in meaningful employment. / Education Management / M. Ed. (Education Management)

This study involved an assessment of the Pietermaritzburg Waste Minimisation Club (PWMC) during 2001, and a waste minimisation audit conducted at two coil coating lines. Waste minimisation is the reduction or elimination of waste at source4 • It is often achieved through waste minimisation clubs which comprise a small number of companies, generally in the same geographicaI area, that are interested in reducing waste 1"711 . The success of the PMWC was evaluated in terms of the degree to which members implemented waste minimisation principles. Two questionnaires were used to assess the success of the club. These indicated that although the training material gave the members a good understanding of the basic principles of waste minimisation, the material has not given the members enough practical information to implement a waste minimisation programme in their companies. The main barriers to waste minimisation identified include production pressure, operational constraints, lack of human resources and a lack of management time. The drivers for waste minimisation were financial savings, improved plant utilisation and improved environmental performance. Coil coating is a continuous process where a coiled sheet of aluminium is cleaned, pretreated and coated with paint. The flow rates, compositions and costs of all input and output streams to the cleaning and pretreatment sections were gathered from operators or measured. The data were collected over a three-month period to obtain a representative sample, and then analysed to determine waste minimisation opportunities using mass balances, monitoring and targeting, a scoping audit and a true cost of waste assessment. The scoping audit was found to be the most useful technique because it accurately prioritised the waste minimisation opportunities but required a relatively small amount of data for its application. However, the scoping audit underestimated the savings that could be achieved at the coil coating department and therefore the 'scope to save' percentages, which were developed for United Kingdom industries, need modification to better reflect South African industry. Opportunities for waste minimisation on Coil Coating Line 1 (CCL1) included reducing the water consumption, reducing the acid and chromium raw materials consumption, and finding a cheaper energy source for heating the process and rinse tanks. Potential fmancial savings of R116 000 and environmental savings of 18 200 kL of water or effluent per year were calculated for CCL1. The chromium and acid effluent treatment and solid waste disposal are the main areas for waste minimisation on Coil Coating Line 2 (CCL2). Savings could be achieved in these areas by using roller application ofthe chromium pretreatment rather than spray application, and by preventing a leak of chromium pretreatment into the acid process and rinse tanks. Other savings can also be achieved by operating the chromium process tank as a fed-batch process, and operating the alkali and acid process tanks as continuous processes at the specified chemical concentrations and with recycle of the rinse water (dragout). The total financial savings that can be achieved on CCL2 are R5.3 million, and potential environmental savings are 31 600 kL ofeffluent per year. / Thesis (M.Sc.)- University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2002.