Thesis (M.Ed.) -- University of Limpopo, 2006 / The aim of this study is to investigate whether Total Quality Management strategy can address the problem of school development within the previously disadvantaged schools at Sabie Circuit, Mpumalanga Province. In order to realize this aim, sixty-four respondents from eight schools, were given questionnaires as the data collection techniques. To ensure validity of the questionnaires, a pilot study was conducted in one of the primary schools. Findings of the study were used to make recommendations to principals, educators and parents who are members of school governing bodies. The researcher identified insufficient time as a limitation of the study because the researcher is a part time student.

This study critically examines the Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS), a quality and performance management system that was introduced into South African schools in 2005. The extent to which the Integrated Quality Management System has contributed to the development of the school in its entirety has been largely unchartered. The objectives of this dissertation were to determine what the perceived impact of the Integrated Quality Management System was on whole school development. A combination of both qualitative and quantitative research paradigms was employed in order to gather data in this study. Survey questionnaires were administered to principals and educators in KwaZulu-Natal in order to elicit their views on the IQMS. Semistructured and unstructured interviews were also conducted with principals, Senior Management Team members and educators. The data gathered was analyzed using the metatheoritical framework of ‘critical theory’ mainly because the main objective of the study was to uncover the assumptions underpinning the IQMS and its contribution to whole school development. The conclusions arrived at indicate that the mechanical aspects of the IQMS relating to ‘performitivity’ undermine the potential of the IQMS as a genuine professional development tool actuating whole school development. If IQMS is used for the latter purpose it would inevitably lead to an enhancement of the quality of teaching and learning and convert schools into highly developed institutions. Neo-liberal ‘managerialist’ and post-welfarist reforms adopted by the state are not apposite currently for a developing country like South Africa. South Africa requires an educator evaluation policy that is genuinely developmental, taking into account both the professional development needs of its educators and the socio-economic context in which schools operate to ensure schools develop holistically. / Further Teacher Education / D. Ed. (Education Management)

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the Masters Degree of Technology: Quality, Durban University of Technology, 2011. / Quality management has not been developed and marketed well in South African based small, medium and micro enterprises (SMME‟s). The focus of SMME‟s has been on product price. In order to improve small business initiatives a culture or the behaviour towards quality needs also to be embraced by SMME‟s. Debenham (2008) finds that focussing on price alone indicates that SMME‟s do not grow and become sustainable. Support from both government and the private sector has focussed primarily on providing financial aid to SMME‟s. Ninety percent of South African small businesses largely remain in the survival stage because of a lack of skills and resources. It has become clear that financial support alone is not enough to grow and sustain SMME‟s. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect that the ISO 9001 quality management system (QMS) has on SMME‟s in the Greater Durban Area with the view to determine the contribution it has made in terms of growth and survival of those SMME‟s. This was a qualitative study investigating SMME‟s in the Greater Durban Metropolitan Area. The sampling frame was made up of two groups of SMME‟s. Unstructured interviews were conducted at 40 SMME‟s, comprising of 20 SMME‟s who have implemented ISO 9001 QMS(have the control/case) and 20 SMME‟s who have not implemented ISO 9001. The raw data was coded into categories and themes. Descriptive statistics, using the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS), was used to analyse the data. The study indicates that the majority of respondents from both groups had a positive perception towards the ISO 9001 QMS contributing to their growth and survival.

Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Berg River is one of the largest rivers in the winter rainfall area of the Western Cape and is one of the most important water supply sources of the area. The Riviersonderend-Berg system needs to be expanded in order to meet increasing water demands of the Greater Cape Town (GCT) region. The implementation of future schemes will remove additional fresh water from the Berg River main stem, which will give rise to increased nutrient levels and higher salinity in the water. A water quality information system (WQIS) has been proposed to benefit the management of water resources, the flow quantity and the quality of the water. A part of this WQIS will be a water-quality simulation model that characterizes the water quality situation and is able to predict water quality responses to future implementations, as well as simulate different scenarios that can be used for management purposes. The objective of this study is to represent the water quality situation of the Berg River in a simulation model by implementing, testing and verifying a water quality simulation model, and assembling a hydraulic and water quality database suitable to meet foregoing objectives. This study firstly examined the water quality variables of concern: pH, Total Dissolved Salts (TDS) and phosphates to develop an understanding of the water quality responses and causes of the main stem of the Berg River system. A thorough review of the available models has been undertaken in the light of certain selection criteria, before determining that DUFLOW would be an acceptable model for this study. The water quality variables that have been modelled are TDS, Phosphates as P04, Oxygen and Temperature. As no predefined module simulating temperature, TDS and COD was included; these algorithms, describing the processes of these water quality variables have been additionally coded. The coding was possible, as DUFLOW' s water quality module consists of an open structure. The predefined water quality module was simplified to only include the water quality process algorithms, for water quality variables where data was available. Unfortunately, phosphates were mainly simulated on advection, and the influence of all the additional processes could not be assessed. All data gathering and preparation for the model had to be completed before commencing the model configuration. This included information on cross-sections, historical flow records, bridges and weirs for the hydraulic component ofDUFLOW. For the water quality module, information on historical grab samples has been obtained and 'infilled' to provide daily time series. To simulate the water quality in a river as accurately as possible, the flow simulation needs to be accurate. Ungauged subcatchment runoff was added to the simulation model to improve the correspondence between the simulated and the measured flow. Calibration of the water quality part of DUFLOW was completed by adjusting the different parameters after a sensitivity analysis. The model was verified by using a different time period than for the configuration, to ensure that an independent data set has been used. After configuring, calibrating and verifying the model, the applicability of the model could be tested for different scenario runs. Three scenarios were chosen according to real situations: • a short term effluent spill, with and without water releases from an upstream source (either Skuifraam Dam or Voëlvlei Dam); • the impact on the flow and water quality situation of the river when an upstream dam is built; • a long term management control scenario, that analyses load or concentration releases into the river according to limitations upstream and downstream of the discharge location. The scenario analysis provides an opportunity to assess the applicability of DUFLOW to simulate real time management and operational issues in a river and to aid in management decisions. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Bergrivier is een van die grootste riviere in die winterreënvalgebied van die Weskaap en is een van die mees belangrike waterverskaffingsbronne in die area. Die Riviersonderend-Bergrivier-stelsel moet uitgebrei word om aan die groeiende waterbehoefte van die groter Kaapse Metropolitaanse Area te voldoen. Die implementering van toekomstige skemas sal addisionele vars water uit die hoof-loop van die Bergrivier onttrek, wat tot hoër voedingstof-vlakke en soutgehalte in die water sal lei. 'n Waterkwaliteitsinformasiestelsel (WQIS) sal van nut wees om die vloei-omvang en waterkwaliteit van waterbronne te bestuur. 'n Deel van die WQIS sal 'n waterkwaliteit-simulasiemodel wees, wat die waterkwaliteitsituasie sal kan ontleed, waterkwaliteit-reaksies op toekomstige implementerings kan voorspel, asook verskeie scenarios vir bestuursdoeleindes kan simuleer. Hierdie studie behandel spesifiek die waterkwaliteitsveranderlikes pH, totale opgeloste soute, fosfate, temperatuur en suurstof om 'n begrip te ontwikkel van die waterkwaliteitsreaksies en oorsake van die hoofloop van die Bergriviersisteem. Die doelwit van hierdie studie is om die waterkwaliteitsituasie van die Bergrivier uit te beeld deur die implementering, toets en kalibrasie van 'n waterkwaliteit-simulasie model, asook die insameling van hidrouliese- en waterkwaliteitsdata om aan bogenoemde doelwitte te voldoen. 'n Reeks beskikbare modelle is deeglik ondersoek voordat besluit is dat die DUFLOW model 'n gepaste model vir hierdie spesifieke studie is. Die keuse was gebaseer op spesifieke vereistes wat as belangrik beskou is deur potensiële bestuursgeorienteerde gebruiksgroepe. Die waterkwaliteitsveranderlikes wat gemodelleer is, is totale opgeloste soute, fosfate as P04, suurstof en temperatuur. Omdat geen voorgegewe temperatuur-, TDS- en COD modules in die model ingesluit is nie, is die algoritmes wat die prosesse van hierdie waterkwaliteitsveranderlikes beskryf, addisioneel gekodeer. Die kodering is moontlik gemaak deur die oop struktuur van DUFLOW se waterkwaliteitsmodule. Die voorgegewe waterkwaliteitsmodule is vereenvoudig om alleenlik die waterkwaliteit proses-algoritmes in ag te neem wanneer data vir waterkwaliteitsveranderlikes beskikbaar was. Ongelukkig is die fosfate hoofsaaklik op beweging gesimuleer, en die invloed van alle addisionele prosesse kon nie getoets word nie. Alle data-insameling en -voorbereidings vir die model moes voltooi word, voordat begin kon word met die opstel van die simulasie-model. Dit het inligting oor dwarssnitte, historiese vloeirekords, brik en keerwalle vir die hidrouliese komponent van DUFLOW ingesluit. Vir die waterkwaliteitsmodule is inligting van historiese bemonstering verkry en ingevulom 'n daaglikse tydreeks te verkry. Om die water-kwaliteit van 'n rivier so akkuraat as moontlik te simuleer, moet die vloei-simulasie redelik akkuraat wees. Ongemete sub-opvanggebied afloop is bygetel om die korrelasie tussen die gesimuleerde en gemete vloei te verbeter. Kalibrasie van die waterkwaliteitmodule van DUFLOW is voltooi deur die verskillende parameters te verstel na 'n sensitiwiteits-analise. Die model is geverifieer deur 'n ander tydperiode as die vir die opstel te gebruik, om sodoende te verseker dat Inonafhanklike data stel gebruik word. Na die opstel, kalibrasie en verifiering van die model, kon dit toegepass word vir verskillende bestuursscenanos. Drie scenarios is na aanleiding van werklike situasies gekies: 'n korttermyn uitvloeisel storting-situasie met en sonder loslatings van 'n stroomop bron (Of Skuifraamdam Of Voëlvleidam), die impak op die vloei- en waterkwaliteitsituasie van die rivier sou 'n dam stroomop gebou word. 'n langtermyn bestuurs-scenario waarin die lading en konsentrasies, veroorsaak deur die loslatings vanuit die dam na die rivier, ontleed word na aanleiding van beperkings stroomop en -af van die loslatingsplek. Die analise van die scenarios verskaf 'n geleentheid om die toepaslikheid van DUFLOW te ondersoek om werklike operasionele aangeleenthede te simuleer en om sodoende bestuursbesluite te vergemaklik.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The study of climate change and its effect on the eutrophication of surface waters is a current and critically important study for the well-being of the entire planet. Within the same emission scenario various probable climate change models outcomes are possible that affect the water quality of a body of water. Voëlvlei is an off-channel dam that supplies water to the city of Cape Town in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Historically, it is a eutrophic dam and with climate change, its water quality is expected to worsen. Four statistically downscaled climate models are used to produce meteorological outputs that drive the hydrodynamic and water quality model. The times simulated were the present day (1971-1990), the intermediate future (2046-2065) and the distant future (2081-2100). The operating procedure was not expected to change for the dam and inflows and withdrawals were kept the same for each of the simulation periods. The water quality model CE-QUAL-W2 version 3.6 was used. The bathymetry was validated with measured data. The model was calibrated for temperature, phosphorus loading, ammonium, nitrite-nitrates and chlorophyll-a concentration. The model was used to predict a present day situation in the dam, which was the basis from which future changes would be assessed. The main driver for algal growth other than nutrients and light was water temperature, which was linked to air temperature. With climate change, the air temperature will raise and enhance algal growth. The limiting nutrient was phosphorus during the winter and the rest of the year nitrogen limits algal growth. In the present day, the dominant algal group was the green algae. With climate change an increase in the surface water temperature will increase evaporation and cause a decrease in the yield of the dam and further concentrates the algal nutrients. The surface phosphates concentration show increases in all months but especially in autumn. The total algal growth was increased annually and especially during autumn, signalling a seasonal shift and lengthening of the bloom season. The dominant algae however are still the green algae. There will be an increase in the annual concentration of diatoms. The green algae are present in the highest concentrations when compared to diatoms and cyanobacteria. The increase in its nutrients throughout the year as well as the increased water temperature allowed for unabated growth the entire year with peaks earlier in the year during autumn. Cyanobacteria are present at the surface for the entire year at significant concentrations but with intermediate and future climate change their concentrations does not change significantly. The result for cyanobacteria was inconclusive as the inter-variability between the climate models has the greatest variability for cyanobacteria, with 2 models showing an increased concentration and 2 a decreased concentration for intermediate and future time-period. For climate change, the water quality worsens especially during winter. With climate change water quality will worsen earlier in the year confirming a seasonal shift. The modelling of dissolved oxygen proved daunting as the results indicated supersaturation. The concentration of dissolved oxygen does not vary much as would be expected due to the warmer waters. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die studie van klimaatsverandering en die uitwerking daarvan op die eutrofiseering van die oppervlaktewater is 'n huidige en krities belangrike studie vir die welsyn van die hele planeet. Binne dieselfde emissie scenario, is verskeie moontlike uitkomste van klimaat modelle moontlik en die invloed op die kwaliteit van die oppervlakwater. Voëlvlei is 'n buite-bedding dam wat water verskaf aan die stad van Kaapstad in die Westelike Provinsie van Suid-Afrika. Histories is dit is 'n eutrofiese dam en met die verandering van die klimaat sal die kwaliteit van die water na verwagting verswak. Vier statisties afgeskaal klimaat modelle word gebruik om meterologiese toesttande te skep en hiedie word dan gebruik as invoer vir die hidrologiese and water kwaliteits model vir die huidige situasie (1971-1990), die intermediêre toekoms (2046-2065) en die verre toekoms (2081-2100). Die bedruifs-proses vir die dam was nie verwag om te verander nie en die invloei en onttrekkings was dieselfde gehou vir elk van die simulasie periodes. Die watergehalte model CE-QUAL-W2 3.6 was gebruik. Die bathymetrie was bevestig met gemete data. Die model was gekalibreer vir temperatuur, fosfor, ammonium, nitriet-nitrate en chlorofil-a konsentrasie. Die model was gebruik om 'n huidige situasie in die dam te simuleer, wat die basis vir klimaatsveranderinge sou wees. Die vernaamste aandrywer vir die alge groei anders as voedingstowwe en lig, was water temperatuur, wat met lugtemperatuur gekoppel was. Met klimaatsverandering word die lugtemperatuur verhoog en alge groei. Die beperkende voedingstof was fosfor gedurende die winter en die res van die jaar was die dam stikstof beperk. Die dominante alge-groep in die huidige situasie was die groen alge. Met klimaatsverandering stuig die temperatuur van die oppervlakwater, verhoog verdamping, veroorsaak afname in die vlak van die dam en verhoog die konsentrasie van die alge voedingstowwe. Die oppervlak fosfate konsentrasie verhoog in al die maande veral in die herfs. Die totale alge groei jaarliks en veral gedurende die herfs, 'n teken van 'n seisoenale verskuiwing en verlenging van die blom seisoen. Die dominante alge was nog steeds groen alge. Daar sal 'n toename in die jaarlikse konsentrasie van diatome wees. Die groen alge is in die hoogste konsentrasies vergelyk met diatome en sianobakterieë. Die toename in die voedingstowwe deur die loop van die jaar, sowel as die verhoogde watertemperatuur kan vir 'n onverpoos groei vir die hele jaar, veral in die herfs. Sianobakterieë is teenwoordig vir die hele jaar op beduidende konsentrasies, maar met intermediêre en toekomstige klimaat verander die konsentrasies nie veel nie. Die resultaat vir sianobakterieë was onoortuigend as gevolg van die inter-veranderlikheid tussen die klimaats modelle, met 2 modelle wat 'n toename in konsentrasie voorspel en 2 'n afname in konsentrasie voorspel. Vir klimaatsverandering, die kwaliteit van die water vererger veral in die winter. Met klimaatsverandering skyf hierdie verswakking van water kwaliteit na vroeër in die jaar, wat bevestig 'n seisoenale skui vir verergering. Die modellering van opgeloste suurstof was uitdagende en die resultate was super-versadig. Die konsentrasie van opgeloste suurstof wissel nie veel as wat verwag sou word as gevolg van die warmer water.

A Research Report submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Engineering University of Witwatersrand Johannesburg, February 2016 / A growing population, rapid urbanisation, and climate change are increasing the pressure on water supplies. The chances of finding new freshwater sources for urban areas are becoming nearly impossible, implying that existing water supplies must go further to satisfy the basic need of potable water. Water reclamation involves the treatment of wastewater to meet defined water quality standards so that it may be reused. Direct potable reuse refers to the introduction of wastewater, which has been treated to meet specified standards, directly into the potable water supply distribution system. Water reuse has become an attractive alternative since wastewater is constantly being produced by populations, which can be treated for reuse. This study examines the sustainability of water reclamation for potable purposes, through an assessment of the Beaufort West Water Reclamation Plant, which includes interviews with the plant manager and process controllers, as well as a review of the relevant documentation. The study employs the use of economic, environmental and societal indicators as a tool in determining the sustainability of water reclamation. The results of the research show that direct potable reuse may be a sustainable solution to reducing the stress on water resources, although certain aspects of the reclamation process require further development in order to progress toward sustainability. In order to provide a long term solution, water reclamation will have to be implemented in conjunction with other water conservation strategies. / MT2017

A research report submitted to the faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management (in the field of Public and Development Management) March 2015 / The citizen science approach has a role to play in the restoration of river health in catchments affected by pollution. Everyone can become involved in monitoring the health of a river, dam, estuary or wetland closest to them. In KwaZulu-Natal, uMngeni and Msunduzi Catchments, voluntary participation in river health initiatives has been adopted by schools, conservancies, NGOs and catchment management forums. The purpose of the study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of the use of miniSASS, a simplified South African Scoring System (SASS) tool for monitoring river health in uMngeni and Msunduzi Catchments over the past 15 years. A qualitative exploratory and descriptive study was undertaken through semi-structured interviews and documentary analysis. The researcher managed to purposively select a sample of ten participants, mainly the active users of the miniSASS citizen science tool in the identified catchments. The finding of the study is that miniSASS is perceived and experienced as a valuable community-based educational tool in Msunduzi and uMngeni catchment which has led to local government authorities to respond faster in solving incidents of industrial pollution; address poorly maintained water infrastructure and fix the leaking sewers contaminating freshwater. The study recommends that a further investigation be made on the economic value of citizen science contribution in KwaZulu-Natal since there were indications that it has already benefited some of the accommodation businesses who appreciated the change in the nearby streams.

MSc., Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, 2011 / Sodic soils are salt-affected soils which are high in sodium in relation to magnesium and calcium. Commonly called sodic sites in the Kruger National Park (KNP), these patches exhibit unique functional characteristics due to the high levels of sodium which cause surface crusting, cracking and the dispersion of clay particles. The aim of this study is to use satellite imagery to map sodic sites in the KNP at different spatial and spectral scales, giving the best option for a repeatable, semi-automated classification. The resultant map of sodic sites for the KNP will be used as a management tool and for future research projects. A field test for sodicity was necessary to collect sufficient ground truth samples for robust accuracy assessment of the image classification. Sodic soils are identified by measuring EC, pH and SAR which are highly variable within site and between testing methods, and therefore not useful for rapid ground truth classification of sodic soils in the field. The sodium level at which clay particle dispersion takes place varies between soils, but is measurable in the field using the Emerson dispersion test. Laboratory tested sodic soil sites from previous research re-tested in this study showed positive results for dispersion of clay particles in water. The physical properties of sodic sites described in the literature and observed in the field were applied to classify sodic sites in the KNP in the field using a decision tree, together with results from the dispersion test and the observed presence of the grass species Sporobolus iocladus. Landsat 7 and SPOT 5 imagery cover the whole park, with ASTER, CAO hyperspectral, LiDAR and black and white orthophotos available for selected areas. The topography elements of crest and footslope were derived from the STRM 90m digital elevation model (DEM). Image preprocessing to top of atmosphere reflectance was performed where necessary and visual enhancement techniques and transformations were applied to derive the normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) and other indices. Spectral signatures were checked against spectral signature libraries, and the class separation was tested using the cluster analysis of spectral signatures. MODIS NDVI averages placed the imagery in phenological context. Object-based image analysis using eCognition was applied to classify the sodic sites of the Shingwedzi and Ripape River catchments. The input imagery was segmented into ecologically meaningful patches and classification accuracy was assessed using the field samples collected using the decision tree to identify four classes: sodic sites (bare and woody), river sand, riverine vegetation and savanna areas. Comparison of the accuracy assessments for the Shingwedzi study site showed that the Landsat 7 and SPOT 5 classification algorithms gave an overall kappa index accuracy of 89% and 78% respectively, and a sodic site kappa index of 90% and 89%. Validation results using the ground truth samples gave an overall kappa index accuracy of 61% for Landsat 7 and 52% for SPOT 5, with a sodic site kappa index of 49% and 39% respectively. The classification algorithms were applied to the Ripape study site for Landsat 7 and SPOT 5 with repeatable results for the SPOT 5 imagery of 88% overall kappa index and 81-93% kappa index for sodic sites using similar seasonal imagery in the wet to early dry season. The Landsat 7 classification algorithm was applied to the entire KNP based on the repeatability results of 56% overall kappa index and 60% sodic site kappa index for the Ripape site. The quest for a repeatable algorithm to classify sodic sites from satellite imagery has been met by the SPOT 5 imagery using scenes acquired at similar seasonal stages. The late wet season or early dry season imagery was used to apply the classification algorithm with the best success. Changes in size or shape of sodic sites over time requires very high resolution imagery and further studies to understand where the edge of sodic sites are detected from imagery, and how the phenology of the vegetation growing on these sites affects detecting any change in size of the sodic site.

The main purpose of this study was to assess the negative external impact of water pollution upon water resources and the users thereof within urban areas.

The Air Quality Act (AQA) Act No.39 of 2004 promulgated in 2004 follows the outdated Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act (APPA) (Act No.45 of 1965). The legislative approach shifted from a source- based, end of pipe, command and control, guideline principle to ambient air quality management and improvement of compliance to standards through a consultative process. The AQA’s management framework incorporates a co-operative and integrated approach with government, communities and polluters to look at the holistic management of ambient air quality and the identified roles and responsibilities for all stakeholders. The AQA branched from the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) 107 of 1998, which is the first piece of legislation formalizing the principles of the Integrated Pollution Waste Management (IPWM) Policy published in 2000 and the Bill of Rights. Government and Industry have a role to play in the implementation of the AQA. Government’s role covers the management and enforcement aspects, whilst industries’ role includes the management of air emissions and compliance reporting to improve the overall ambient air quality. The AQA’s industrial requirements range from compliance and reporting by ensuring emission licenses are in place, compliance with standards set by different spheres of government and the management of these emissions. The management of these requirements includes understanding the legislation, its implications and the provision of other financial, human and technological resources. Industry needs to consider the impacts of these legislative changes and how it may impact business as a whole. The aim of this study is to analyze the industrial perspectives of the AQA and its implementation through the use of a questionnaire. Open-ended questionnaires were administered to a total of forty industrial companies in the chemical, petrochemical, energy and mining sectors in the Gauteng, North West and Durban industrial areas. Industries were identified as those which have scheduled process certificates or companies that will be impacted by the impending changes as a result of the AQA. The overall outcome of the industrial responses revealed poor general knowledge of the principles, purpose and the reasons for the transition from APPA to AQA. Few industries had insight into the type of challenges they may face from the AQA’s listed control measures and the control measures that would apply to their particular industry. There is a general concern surrounding the government’s lack of support and the essential enforcement that is required to ensure ambient air quality compliance. These challenges and recommendations are discussed in the thesis. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2009.