abstract: Cyber systems, including IoT (Internet of Things), are increasingly being used ubiquitously to vastly improve the efficiency and reduce the cost of critical application areas, such as finance, transportation, defense, and healthcare. Over the past two decades, computing efficiency and hardware cost have dramatically been improved. These improvements have made cyber systems omnipotent, and control many aspects of human lives. Emerging trends in successful cyber system breaches have shown increasing sophistication in attacks and that attackers are no longer limited by resources, including human and computing power. Most existing cyber defense systems for IoT systems have two major issues: (1) they do not incorporate human user behavior(s) and preferences in their approaches, and (2) they do not continuously learn from dynamic environment and effectively adapt to thwart sophisticated cyber-attacks. Consequently, the security solutions generated may not be usable or implementable by the user(s) thereby drastically reducing the effectiveness of these security solutions. In order to address these major issues, a comprehensive approach to securing ubiquitous smart devices in IoT environment by incorporating probabilistic human user behavioral inputs is presented. The approach will include techniques to (1) protect the controller device(s) [smart phone or tablet] by continuously learning and authenticating the legitimate user based on the touch screen finger gestures in the background, without requiring users’ to provide their finger gesture inputs intentionally for training purposes, and (2) efficiently configure IoT devices through controller device(s), in conformance with the probabilistic human user behavior(s) and preferences, to effectively adapt IoT devices to the changing environment. The effectiveness of the approach will be demonstrated with experiments that are based on collected user behavioral data and simulations. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Computer Science 2016

Unemployment, particularly if long-term, represents a serious economic and social problem, which brings along negative effects on the unemployed individual, his/her family and the society as a whole. This unfavorable situation may be addressed by a pro-active employment policy through its tools. One of the tools is the community service. I have selected Evaluation of community service from the viewpoint of employers as the subject of my thesis as it is very topical and it has not been explored by student works at our faculty. The objective of the thesis was to map opinions of employers about community service as one of the tools of the pro-active employment policy. Another objective of the thesis was to compare different levels of unemployment in the regions of České Budějovice and Havlíčkův Brod. In the theoretical part I focused on the national employment policy and on the community service in detail. Further, I covered the significance of work for the individual, unemployment and its economic and social consequences. In order to achieve the outlined objective and to confirm the set hypotheses I used a quantitative research, specifically a questionnaire survey among selected employers in the regions of České Budějovice and Havlíčkův Brod. As a complementary method I performed a secondary analysis of the data. The hypothesis ``Community service may help to find prospective employment for problem categories of job applicants `` has been confirmed; the hypothesis ``Community service is used more in regions with a poor situation on the labor market `` has not been confirmed. The thesis proposes potential solutions of problems and shortcomings, based on the evaluation of community service from the viewpoint of employers. The conclusions of the thesis may also serve as a feedback for Employment Offices as the administrative authorities that conclude agreements with employers about creation of jobs in community services and provide financial contributions to the employers for such jobs within the pro-active employment policy.

Text in Afrikaans / Alhoewel die lokvalstelsel as misdaadbekampingsmetode lank reeds bestaan, is die toepassing daarvan nog altyd kontroversieE!I. Hierdie omstredenheid is die laaste paar jaar op die voorgrond gedryf deur 'n Regskommissie-ondersoek, sowel as deur die aanvaarding van 'n Handves van Menseregte. Ondersoek word ingestel na hierdie omstredenheid deur te kyk na die inhoud en toepassing van die stelsel, sowel as na die rol wat private persona, die polisie en die hot by die stelsel speeL Die gevolgtrekking waartoe gekom word, is dat die omstredenheid van die stelsel te danke is aan die feit dat dit verband hou met pro-aktiewe regshandhawing, wat in wese bestaan uit die gebruik van misleiding ten einde die pleging van 'n misdaad teweeg te bring. Die probleem met pro-aktiewe regshandhawing is dat dit 'n geleentheid skep vir die uitoefening van polisiediskresie wat grootliks sonder beheer geskied, met potensiele wanoptrede aan die kant van regshandhawers en die ondermyning van die publiek se vertroue in die billikheid van die strafregspleging. Ondersoek word gevolglik ingestel na metodes om diskresie-uitoefening by die lokvalstelsel te regverdig, aangesien daar wei ruimte is vir diskresionere magte wat behoorlik begrens, gestruktureer en gekontroleer is. Die vernaamste metodes van beheer oor diskresie­ uitoefening by die lokvalstelsel, naamlik die uitsluiting van getuienis en weerstand in 'n strafgeding, word grondig ondersoek met verwysing na die Engelse-, Amerikaanse- en Kanadese reg. Dit is egter die uitgangspunt van hierdie proefskrif dat wetgewende strukturering van diskresie-uitoefening by die lokvalstelsel die mees effektiewe oplossing bied vir meeste van die problema van die stelsel. Die enigste aanvaarbare basis waarop die lokvalstelsel kan funksioneer, is om deur middel van wetgewing die trefwydte van toelaatbare lokvaltegnieke en die beperkinge waarbinne regshandhawers regsonderdane mag beweeg om misdade te pleeg, te definieer. Daar is dus 'n behoefte aan die kodifisering van standaarde waaraan voldoen moet word voordat enige lokvaloperasie behoort te begin. / Although the system of trapping has long been used as a method of preventing crime, its employment has always been controversial. In the recent past, this controversy has come to the front due to an investigation by the South African Law Commission and the acceptance of a Bill of Rights. This thesis investigates this controversy by looking at the contents and application of the system, as well as the role which private persons, the police and the court play in the system. The conclusion arrived at, is that the controversy surrounding the system is due to the fact that it has to do with pro-active law enforcement, which consists of the use of deception to induce the performance of a criminal act. The problem with pro-active law enforcement is that it creates an opportunity for the exercise of police discretion which is mainly uncontrolled, with potentialmisconduct on the part of law enforcement officials and the subversion of public trust in the reasonableness of the criminal justice system. Consequently, methods by which the exercise of discretion in the system of trapping can be justified are investigated, since there is room for discretionary powers which are properly circumscribed, structured and controlled. The main methods of control over the exercise of discretion in the system of trapping, namely the exclusion of evidence and a defence in a criminal proceeding, are fully investigated with reference to English, American and Canadian law. Having considered the above, the conclusion is advanced that legislative structuring of the exercise of discretion in the system of trapping offers the most effective solution for most of the problems underlying the system. The only acceptable basis on which the system can function, is to define the scope of acceptable trapping techniques and the confines within which law enforcement officials may prevail on someone to commit a crime. This must be done by means of legislation. Accordingly, there is a need for codification of standards which have to be complied with before any trapping operation may commence. / Criminal & Procedural Law / LL.D. (Criminal & Procedural Law)

Submitted by Jaqueline Silva (jtas29@gmail.com) on 2014-10-06T20:56:54Z No. of bitstreams: 3 Dissertação - Aline Valverde Arrotéia - 2013 (1).pdf: 19845597 bytes, checksum: a0771de1e645df07c152873e59f534e2 (MD5) Dissertação - Aline Valverde Arrotéia - 2013 (2).pdf: 17441990 bytes, checksum: b1f22aee78d803aedac8b5d5827fa31b (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Jaqueline Silva (jtas29@gmail.com) on 2014-10-06T20:57:05Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 3 Dissertação - Aline Valverde Arrotéia - 2013 (1).pdf: 19845597 bytes, checksum: a0771de1e645df07c152873e59f534e2 (MD5) Dissertação - Aline Valverde Arrotéia - 2013 (2).pdf: 17441990 bytes, checksum: b1f22aee78d803aedac8b5d5827fa31b (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-06T20:57:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 3 Dissertação - Aline Valverde Arrotéia - 2013 (1).pdf: 19845597 bytes, checksum: a0771de1e645df07c152873e59f534e2 (MD5) Dissertação - Aline Valverde Arrotéia - 2013 (2).pdf: 17441990 bytes, checksum: b1f22aee78d803aedac8b5d5827fa31b (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-09-26 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / During the last twenty years the construction field in Brazil has evolved significantly in response to its market growing and competitiveness. However this evolving path has faced many obstacles such as cultural barriers and the lack of efforts to achieve quality at the Brazilian construction site. As one of the causes of this facts the lack of integration between construction and the designing process generates waste, pathologies, work redone and improvised changes originated by incompatible projects which were taken by incapacitated personnel at an inconvenient moment. At the same time, the great amount of information generated on the designing or construction phases is lost due to the lack of an effective coordination of these activities. From this scenario Souza (2001), has developed two management methods in her doctorate thesis named Preparation for the Execution of Buildings (known as PEO) and the Pro-active Coordination (known as CPA), these methods are based on the application of the processes adopted by the French construction industry on Brazilian construction sites. These methodologies aim to establish the integration of the project phases by a set of actions and activities implemented by a system of meetings where the main objective is to discuss the projects and the planning of the construction site seeking to obtain a better quality and better outcome on the productive process. These methodologies aim to bring expressive improvements on the productivity, as well as on the lowering of waste, on the settlement of goals, on planning actions in accordance with all the agents involved and mainly on the reduction of costs allied to higher quality standards. Thus is an objective of this research to implement the Preparation on the Execution of Buildings (PEO) seeking to understand the management of the designing process and its interface with the construction site. The methodology applied on the development of the analysis is classified as qualitative and it will be carried by the practical application of the research and the evaluation of its results. Thus, the study was divided into two stages, one of them intended for a pilot study of PEO in Company A, and the other to the implementation of PEO on the company B. This way, the method was developed from a system meetings entitled structured in three different stages: the release of PEO; the development of PEO and the completion of the intensive phase of PEO, which were performed over a period from two to three months. The data analysis was structured upon five main aspects which were evaluated during the implementation of the method on the studied companies. These aspects were: the actions taken during the PEO phase, the development of the actions and the participation of the agents; the internal structure of the companies analyzed; The management and design coordination and the contract form of the contractors, architects and engineers. The results obtained demonstrated the PEO method's effectiveness and viability while a booster on the improvement of project management. Therefore, it can be concluded that the PEO is feasible to be applied in building construction companies, since this method can contribute to the integration of the design phases and construction, as well as to the improvement of the communication between the agents involved in the building construction field. / Nos últimos 20 anos, o setor da construção civil no Brasil evoluiu significativamente em resposta ao crescimento da competitividade no mercado. Entretanto, nesse processo de evolução ainda têm sido encontradas barreiras culturais e organizacionais, e, sobretudo, dificuldades nos esforços à qualidade nos canteiros de obras brasileiros. Aliada a este quadro, a falta de integração entre as atividades de construir e projetar provoca uma série de desperdícios, patologias, retrabalhos e alterações improvisadas decorrentes de projetos não compatibilizados, ora por ausência de detalhes nos projetos, ora por decisões tomadas por pessoas não capacitadas em momentos inadequados. A partir dessa realidade, Souza (2001) desenvolveu dois métodos de gestão nomeados Preparação da Execução de Obras (PEO) e Coordenação Pró-Ativa (CPA) em sua tese de doutoramento, por meio da transposição desses métodos adotados na gestão da interface projeto-execução de obras na França para a realidade dos canteiros de obras brasileiros. Esses métodos visam à integração das etapas de projeto e obra a partir de um conjunto de ações e atividades realizadas por meio de reuniões sistematizadas voltadas à discussão do projeto, ao planejamento e à organização do futuro canteiro de obras, a fim de obter melhor qualidade e desempenho no processo produtivo. Dessa forma, este trabalho tem como objetivo geral implementar o método da preparação da execução de obras (PEO) a fim de avaliar a interface entre a gestão do processo de projeto e a execução do canteiro de obras. A metodologia adotada para o desenvolvimento deste trabalho é classificada como qualitativa, a qual foi realizada por meio de uma pesquisa-ação, e dividida em duas etapas diferentes, sendo uma destinada ao estudo piloto da PEO na empresa A, e a outra à implementação da PEO na empresa B. Deste modo, a aplicação do método foi desenvolvida a partir de um sistema de reuniões em três fases intituladas: lançamento da PEO; desenvolvimento da PEO e finalização da fase intensiva de PEO, as quais foram realizadas em um período entre dois e três meses. A análise de dados foi estruturada a partir de cinco aspectos principais, os quais foram avaliados durante a aplicação do método nas empresas estudadas, sendo eles: quanto às ações desenvolvidas na fase de PEO, quanto ao desenvolvimento das reuniões e a participação dos agentes; quanto à estrutura organizacional e departamental das empresas; quanto à gestão e a coordenação de projetos; e quanto ao formato de contratação dos projetistas e subempreiteiros. Os resultados obtidos com a realização deste trabalho comprovaram a eficácia do método da PEO e a sua viabilidade enquanto potencializador na melhoria da gestão da interface projeto-execução de obras. Portanto, pode-se concluir que a PEO é viável de ser aplicada em empresas de construção e incorporação de edifícios, uma vez que este método pode contribuir para a integração das etapas de projeto e execução, bem como na melhoria da comunicação e na interação entre os agentes envolvidos na produção de edifícios.

L'objectif de l'informatique ubiquitaire ou ambiante, telle que définit par Weiser dans son article de référence, est de faire disparaître l'informatique traditionnelle au profit d'un espace informatisé. L'ordinateur ambiant doit également offrir des capacités d'interaction plus naturelles, être transparent et utilisable sans effort. L'intelligence ambiante est la rencontre de l'intelligence artificielle et de l'informatique ambiante. Il s'agit de déterminer, grâce à l'ensemble des dispositifs de perception présents, l'activité des utilisateurs (le contexte) afin de mieux comprendre et anticiper leurs besoins et leur proposer automatiquement des services appropriés (assistants virtuels). On parle d'applications sensibles au contexte. La conception et la réalisation d'une application sensible au contexte est une tâche complexe, aussi bien du point de vue du développeur que de l'utilisateur final. Il est important de proposer une approche adaptée à ces deux catégories d'acteurs. Nous avons tout d'abord proposé un modèle formel de spécification de contexte permettant d'établir le dialogue entre l'utilisateur et le développeur de l'application. Notre objectif est ensuite de proposer des approches permettant d'automatiser une partie de la production du code de manière à raccourcir le chemin entre cette spécification du modèle de contexte et sa mise en oeuvre au sein d'une application. Dans le cadre de l'aide au développeur, nous avons proposé une approche basée sur l'apprentissage supervisé pour l'interprétation des données capteurs sous forme d'entités et de rôles. Cette interprétation des données capteurs sert d'entrée à la reconnaissance de contexte (scénarios). En nous appuyant sur une approche de type Ingénierie Dirigée par les Modèles, nous avons projeté la spécification du contexte vers deux méta-modèles pour la reconnaissance de scénarios : les réseaux de Petri synchronisés, et les réseaux de Petri Flous. Nous nous sommes également intéressés à l'apprentissage automatique d'un modèle de situations basé sur un ensemble d'observations annotées. Dans le cadre de l'aide à l'utilisateur final, nous avons proposé deux approches permettant à l'usager d'adapter précisément l'application à ses besoins réels. La première approche est basée sur une analyse hors ligne du comportement de l'application (apprentissage supervisé). La seconde approche propose une modification en situation (punition – récompense) en s'appuyant sur une approche de type apprentissage renforcé indirect.

The world political economy passed through sea changes starting from the early-1980s. The transformation of the finance capital was an indispensible and important aspect of this change. Most of the countries in this process adapted themselves in line with the abovementioned transformation and liberalized their financial systems. However, the specific country practises diverged from each other considerably. On the one hand, some of the countries transformed their finance capital as part and parcel of a comprehensive political economy framework. As a result of the strategic involvement of the state (&lsquo / pro-active states&rsquo / ) and the organic interaction between the interest groups in the industrial and financial sphere, the transformation of financial systems materialized within the context of the upward restructuring of the overall political economy structure of these countries. On the other hand, some countries could not establish the productive link between industrial, financial and state elites (&lsquo / reactive states&rsquo / ) and the financial transformation exacerbated the structural problems in the countries in question. As illuminating examples of the former and latter categories, Spain and Turkey represent instructive cases in point. In this regard, the aim of this study is to make a comparative political economy analysis between the transformation of the finance capital in Spain and Turkey and to pinpoint the diverging paths of the political economy structures of these countries.

Text in Afrikaans / Alhoewel die lokvalstelsel as misdaadbekampingsmetode lank reeds bestaan, is die toepassing daarvan nog altyd kontroversieE!I. Hierdie omstredenheid is die laaste paar jaar op die voorgrond gedryf deur 'n Regskommissie-ondersoek, sowel as deur die aanvaarding van 'n Handves van Menseregte. Ondersoek word ingestel na hierdie omstredenheid deur te kyk na die inhoud en toepassing van die stelsel, sowel as na die rol wat private persona, die polisie en die hot by die stelsel speeL Die gevolgtrekking waartoe gekom word, is dat die omstredenheid van die stelsel te danke is aan die feit dat dit verband hou met pro-aktiewe regshandhawing, wat in wese bestaan uit die gebruik van misleiding ten einde die pleging van 'n misdaad teweeg te bring. Die probleem met pro-aktiewe regshandhawing is dat dit 'n geleentheid skep vir die uitoefening van polisiediskresie wat grootliks sonder beheer geskied, met potensiele wanoptrede aan die kant van regshandhawers en die ondermyning van die publiek se vertroue in die billikheid van die strafregspleging. Ondersoek word gevolglik ingestel na metodes om diskresie-uitoefening by die lokvalstelsel te regverdig, aangesien daar wei ruimte is vir diskresionere magte wat behoorlik begrens, gestruktureer en gekontroleer is. Die vernaamste metodes van beheer oor diskresie­ uitoefening by die lokvalstelsel, naamlik die uitsluiting van getuienis en weerstand in 'n strafgeding, word grondig ondersoek met verwysing na die Engelse-, Amerikaanse- en Kanadese reg. Dit is egter die uitgangspunt van hierdie proefskrif dat wetgewende strukturering van diskresie-uitoefening by die lokvalstelsel die mees effektiewe oplossing bied vir meeste van die problema van die stelsel. Die enigste aanvaarbare basis waarop die lokvalstelsel kan funksioneer, is om deur middel van wetgewing die trefwydte van toelaatbare lokvaltegnieke en die beperkinge waarbinne regshandhawers regsonderdane mag beweeg om misdade te pleeg, te definieer. Daar is dus 'n behoefte aan die kodifisering van standaarde waaraan voldoen moet word voordat enige lokvaloperasie behoort te begin. / Although the system of trapping has long been used as a method of preventing crime, its employment has always been controversial. In the recent past, this controversy has come to the front due to an investigation by the South African Law Commission and the acceptance of a Bill of Rights. This thesis investigates this controversy by looking at the contents and application of the system, as well as the role which private persons, the police and the court play in the system. The conclusion arrived at, is that the controversy surrounding the system is due to the fact that it has to do with pro-active law enforcement, which consists of the use of deception to induce the performance of a criminal act. The problem with pro-active law enforcement is that it creates an opportunity for the exercise of police discretion which is mainly uncontrolled, with potentialmisconduct on the part of law enforcement officials and the subversion of public trust in the reasonableness of the criminal justice system. Consequently, methods by which the exercise of discretion in the system of trapping can be justified are investigated, since there is room for discretionary powers which are properly circumscribed, structured and controlled. The main methods of control over the exercise of discretion in the system of trapping, namely the exclusion of evidence and a defence in a criminal proceeding, are fully investigated with reference to English, American and Canadian law. Having considered the above, the conclusion is advanced that legislative structuring of the exercise of discretion in the system of trapping offers the most effective solution for most of the problems underlying the system. The only acceptable basis on which the system can function, is to define the scope of acceptable trapping techniques and the confines within which law enforcement officials may prevail on someone to commit a crime. This must be done by means of legislation. Accordingly, there is a need for codification of standards which have to be complied with before any trapping operation may commence. / Criminal and Procedural Law / LL.D. (Criminal & Procedural Law)

Syftet med den här studien är att undersöka hur ett träningsprogram baserat på metoden Simultaneous Learning upplevs av lärare och elever. I bakgrundskapitlet beskrivs metoden som är skapad av Paul Harris och hur den förändrats över tid. Det finns endast lite tidigare forskning om metoden, på grund av att den är relativt ny, men den som hittats redogörs det för. Bakgrundskapitlet inkluderar också tidigare forskning om enskild musikundervisning och några viktiga problem som identifierats inom det området. Studien är en fallstudie där tre lärare, utan tidigare erfarenhet av Simultaneous Learning, fick delta i ett träningsprogram i metoden. Lärarna använde metoden i sin undervisning under 3-6 lektionstillfällen. Under datasamlingen intervjuades elever och lärare för att undersöka hur interventionen i form av träningsprogrammet upplevts. I resultatet framkommer att eleverna och lärarna upplevde skillnader, i form av till exempel nya moment i undervisningen såsom improvisation. De upplevde även att undervisningen efter träningsprogrammet påminde om den tidigare undervisningen. Det kan också lyftas fram att lärare upplevt att träningsprogrammet inom metoden gjorde det enklare att undervisa proaktivt. Ett sista relevant resultat var att elever uppskattade att momentet improvisation tillfördes i undervisningen. I diskussionen relateras studiens resultat till tidigare forskning samt till frågor kring hur olika perspektiv på lärande kan påverka synen på Simultaneous Learning som metod. Slutligen diskuteras hur Simultaneous Learning skulle kunna vidareutvecklas / The purpose of this study was to investigate how a training program based on Simultaneous Learning was perceived by teachers and students. In the background chapter the evolution of Simultaneous Learning, developed by Paul Harris, is traced. There is only little earlier research regarding the method since it is comparatively new. The research that was found is however presented. The background chapter also includes earlier research in the wider field of music-studio teaching, and the problems that have been identified within this style of teaching are presented. The study is a case-study where three teachers, with no prior experience with the method, participated in a training program and later proceeded to teach a selection of students with the method for between 3-6 lessons. To gather data semi-structured interviews with both the teachers and the students was conducted, to investigate how the intervention was perceived. Results show that both teachers and students noticed differences and similarities with their previous style of teaching. Some significant results include that teachers experienced that Simultaneous Learning was helpful in creating a pro-active teaching and students experienced the introduction of improvisation to the lesson as positive. In the discussion the results are related to earlier research and how different perspectives on the role of a teacher can affect how Simultaneous Learning is perceived as a valuable tool or not. Lastly, some suggestions on how the method could be further improved is suggested and discussed.

As a national key priority programme, land reform acts as a driving force for rural development and building the economy of the country. In order for land reform to contribute to sustainable livelihoods for land reform beneficiaries, it must be supported by diversified programmes of pre- and post-settlement support of agrarian reform in a non-centralised and non-bureaucratic manner. Post-settlement support in the context of South African land reform refers to post-transfer support or settlement support given to land reform beneficiaries after they have received land. Support services, or complementary development support, as specified in the White Paper of the South African Land Policy of 1996, include assistance with productive and sustainable land use, agricultural extension services support, infrastructural support, access to markets and credit facilities, and agricultural production inputs. Government’s mandate is, however, not only restricted to the redistribution of land or making land more accessible. It is also responsible for empowering beneficiaries and for creating an effective support foundation to ensure that sustainable development takes place, specifically in the rural areas of the country. In practice, sustainable development entails that, for land reform to be successful, the quality of life of beneficiaries must improve substantially and the acquired land must be utilised to its full commercial potential, after resettlement on claimed land has occurred. Therefore, an effective post-settlement support strategy and model must be set in place. The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) and the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Administration (DARDLA) are the key departments that have been mandated to implement the Land Reform Programme (LRP). DRDLR is responsible for facilitation of the land acquisition (pre-settlement support) and DARDLA for post-settlement support, ensuring that the land or farms that have been delivered or acquired by land beneficiaries are economically viable. Without post-settlement support, land reform will not yield to sustainable development and nor improve the quality of life of rural people. There is, however, little or no evidence to suggest that land reform has led to improved efficiency, improvement of livelihoods, job creation or economic growth. Against this background, the study investigated and unlocked the key challenges related to the post-settlement support of the LRP, with emphasis on the agricultural support programmes rendered by the DARDLA in Mpumalanga Province to land reform beneficiaries. It further examined how such support impacts on the sustainability of the LRP, and made recommendations to the management of the Department on what could be done to further improve post-settlement support to land reform projects towards achieving the objective of sustainable development. / M Public Administration, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

As a national key priority programme, land reform acts as a driving force for rural development and building the economy of the country. In order for land reform to contribute to sustainable livelihoods for land reform beneficiaries, it must be supported by diversified programmes of pre- and post-settlement support of agrarian reform in a non-centralised and non-bureaucratic manner. Post-settlement support in the context of South African land reform refers to post-transfer support or settlement support given to land reform beneficiaries after they have received land. Support services, or complementary development support, as specified in the White Paper of the South African Land Policy of 1996, include assistance with productive and sustainable land use, agricultural extension services support, infrastructural support, access to markets and credit facilities, and agricultural production inputs. Government’s mandate is, however, not only restricted to the redistribution of land or making land more accessible. It is also responsible for empowering beneficiaries and for creating an effective support foundation to ensure that sustainable development takes place, specifically in the rural areas of the country. In practice, sustainable development entails that, for land reform to be successful, the quality of life of beneficiaries must improve substantially and the acquired land must be utilised to its full commercial potential, after resettlement on claimed land has occurred. Therefore, an effective post-settlement support strategy and model must be set in place. The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) and the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Administration (DARDLA) are the key departments that have been mandated to implement the Land Reform Programme (LRP). DRDLR is responsible for facilitation of the land acquisition (pre-settlement support) and DARDLA for post-settlement support, ensuring that the land or farms that have been delivered or acquired by land beneficiaries are economically viable. Without post-settlement support, land reform will not yield to sustainable development and nor improve the quality of life of rural people. There is, however, little or no evidence to suggest that land reform has led to improved efficiency, improvement of livelihoods, job creation or economic growth. Against this background, the study investigated and unlocked the key challenges related to the post-settlement support of the LRP, with emphasis on the agricultural support programmes rendered by the DARDLA in Mpumalanga Province to land reform beneficiaries. It further examined how such support impacts on the sustainability of the LRP, and made recommendations to the management of the Department on what could be done to further improve post-settlement support to land reform projects towards achieving the objective of sustainable development. / M Public Administration, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014