The provision of goods and services by aquatic ecosystems plays an important role in socio-economic development and livelihoods in the southern African region. Water resource management in South Africa developed from an agrarian and pastoral focus up to 1956 to also supporting mining and industrial activities. This led to the introduction of the resource water quality objectives and pollution prevention approaches, which balanced the needs for development and protection. Prior to 1994, access to water resources was limited to riparian property owners and a minority of the population who controlled industrial and mining activities. The establishment of a democratic government amplified the need for accelerated socio-economic development, with equity, efficiency and sustainability being the principles of such development. New approaches were needed, which could achieve these development objectives and secure the resource base for future generations. An overview of the scientific process highlighted a risk based approach as potentially supporting the much needed balance between development and protection. The aims of this thesis is to develop a framework and process for the application of ecological risk assessment to water resource management in South Africa, to use case studies to draft guidelines for ecological risk assessment and to assess the degree to which ecological risk assessment can contribute to effective water resource management in South Africa. The United States Environmental Protection Agency’s guidelines for ecological risk assessment were identified amongst international best practice as meeting the requirements for local application. A framework was drafted for ecological risk assessment in South Africa, with the main phases being to agree on objectives, formulate the analysis plan, analyse information, characterise risk and manage risk. Modifications from the Environmental Protection Agency’s process include the order of activities in the first phase, the explicit testing of hypotheses and clarification of the evaluation of existing data or collection of new data. An industrial effluent case study was used to assess the applicability of the proposed framework. The case study dealt specifically with the assessment of risks posed by current conditions and long term licence conditions. The framework was found to be useful to identify weaknesses in the established monitoring programme and to evaluate lines of evidence to assess the degree to which the stated conditions would have unacceptable consequences. The study highlighted several weaknesses in the suggested framework, of which the most critical is the interpretation of the risk hypothesis as a testable null hypothesis. It became clear that cause-effect relationships should be stated as the risk hypothesis, whereas the assessment should evaluate expressed or expected conditions against a risk profile for a given stressor to benefit fully from the risk assessment approach. Changes to the framework terminology were suggested as well as nested feedback loops to allow for iterative processes where new information becomes available. The proposed guidelines incorporate the learning from the case study application as well as feedback from a peer review process. The guidelines incorporate the suggested actions under each phase as well as notes providing the rationale for each step. Three case study outlines were provided to assist users with the interpretation of the guidelines in different applications. The proposed guidelines are applied in an ecological Reserve determination case study, which specified the ecological water quality requirements. The study found that a risk-based approach was followed in the development of the water resource management policy, but the Reserve determination method is generally hazard based, with site specific modifications of the target values being allowed on a conservative basis. The case study highlighted a lack of readiness of water resource managers to accommodate scientific results expressed as probability distributions in support of management decisions. The thesis is concluded with a discussion of the key learning points of the ecological risk assessment development process. The evaluation highlights the move from stating and testing a null hypothesis to stating the risk hypothesis and evaluating the stated conditions against a risk profile. Several implementation challenges are highlighted, with specific recommendations made for adopting the proposed guidelines.

Strategic Management cycle consist of strategic planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and review of strategy. Strategy implementation has thus become the most significant management challenge. Yang et al. (2010) claim that although formulating a consistent strategy is a difficult task for any management team, making that strategy work and implementing it throughout the organisation is even more difficult. Yang further argues that Strategy implementation has been recorded as a key challenge for today’s organisations. According to Gurowitz (2008, there is evidence which shows that less than 10 percent of strategies formulated are effectively executed. Hrebiniak (2005) advances that; failure in organisations to effectively execute strategies is often as a result of limitation in linking organisational goals with objectives (operations). There are many other factors that influence the success of strategy implementation, ranging from the people who communicate or implement the strategy, to the systems or mechanisms in place for co-ordination. Brynard (2005) asserts that strategy implementation is equally challenging for management in Government departments, given that efforts of Government are aimed at improving service delivery. Poor strategy implementation is linked to poor service delivery. It is also worth noting that whilst implementation is acknowledged as a challenge, joint planning and joint implementation policies and strategies experience even a greater challenge in their implementation According to Young (2006), Debra and Yeates (2008), strategy implementation is in itself a risk because of its impact on the processes, people, and the systems. Strategy implementation is thus considered one of the main risk factors in organisations. In concurring with this view, Lorenzi et al. (2008) proposes that, strategy implementation implies change, and therefore poses risk to the processes, the people and the systems.

The construction industry is considered to be an extremely dangerous working environment, and therefore the health status of construction workers needs to be considered prior, during and on leaving the industry. Occupational hazards relative to the construction worker are well researched internationally; however few countries undertake routine medical surveillance to identify the health status of the construction worker relative to these hazards. Employers have a higher duty of care to identify workers who could be a risk at work from non-occupationally related conditions such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Work could exacerbate these conditions, leading to absenteeism, poor performance and eventually leaving the industry due to ill health. The dissertation explores, inter alia: the risks to which workers are exposed; the legal aspects; relevant literature regarding medical surveillance, and the use of a medical surveillance instrument used to determine the health status of 142 construction workers who consented to participate in the study. The methodological approach used in this study was a quantitative descriptive design, more specifically, using a randomised cross-sectional survey design. The instrument used to determine health status included a full medical, occupational and social history, as well as a physical examination undertaken by Occupational Health Nursing Practitioners (OHNs). Findings indicate that most construction workers believe they are healthy. However only a small percentage of construction workers did not require referral for further investigation and / or treatment.

By gathering information from a volunteer sample of men who sleep with men (MSM) in the Johannesburg inner city, the study aimed to discover those decisions and behaviour that influence their health decision-making and health-seeking behaviour, particularly as far as HIV and their sexual health was concerned. Eleven in-depth interviews were conducted by three interviewers using a semistructured interview guide which asked questions on demographics, health-seeking behaviour, sexual orientations and behaviour, knowledge of HIV/AIDS and community support. During analysis, collected data was classified into the themes of access to health care, personal and general MSM HIV risk perceptions, sexual behaviour, alcohol and unprotected sex, prostitution, religion and stigma, violence and discrimination. This study was the first qualitative study researching MSM in the Johannesburg inner city and provides useful baseline information for further qualitative MSM studies in the geographical area and for the development of MSM aligned interventions. / Sociology / M.A. Sociology

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2006. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study shows that a close relationship exists between the South African wine industry and South African financial institutions. Research indicated a need to understand the characteristics and complexity of the wine industry, as well as that of credit assessment. This is important for both industries to further develop and strengthen their relationships. SA WIS provides statistics about various aspects of the South African wine industry. The wine industry is characterised by a fragmented basis. To strategically focus the industry, the South African Wine and Brandy Company (SAWB) was established in 2002. In the application for finance it is important for the applicant to know how credit is evaluated by financial institutions, and which aspects are of importance in the application. One cannot predict the future. The credit assessor therefore bases his credit decision on historical financial data, with the assumption that the trend will continue unless there are indications to the contrary. A specific wine industry credit application and evaluation process is discussed in the study. The final decision is only as good as the analysis, and the analysis is only as good as the information gathered. This study thus provides evidence that with a better understanding of the South African wine industry, financial institutions will be able to assess credit risks better. Similarly, the wine industry will benefit by a better understanding of credit assessment when applying for finance. A detail SWOT analysis was done on this industry. A summary was done of the most important finance needs of the South Afican wine industry, compared to the financial products offered by the South African banking industry and the information required to do the credit assessment. The additional information that the wine industry can supply to help the assessor to assess the application, is also listed. The study closes with proposals to the South African wine and banking industries on what to implement, in an effort to achieve a better relationship. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die studie toon dat 'n verwantskap bestaan tussen die Suid-Afrikaanse wynindustrie en Suid-Afrikaanse finansiele instellings. Navorsing toon aan dat daar 'n behoefte bestaan om die karaktereienskappe en kompleksiteit van die wynindustrie te verstaan, sowel as die van krediet keuring. 'n Beter verstandhouding is nodig om die twee industriee se verwantskap te versterk. SAWIS verskaf statistieke oor 'n verskeidenheid van die wynindustrie se aktiwiteite. Die wynindustrie het 'n gefragmenteerde basis. Die Suid-Afrikaanse Wyn en Brandewyn Maatskappy (SAWB) is in 2002 gestig, juis ten doel om die bedryf strategies te fokus. Dit is belangrik vir 'n aansoeker van krediet om te verstaan hoe die finansiele instelling kredietaansoeke evalueer, asook watter aspekte belangrik is om aan te spreek in 'n kredietaansoek. Die toekoms kan nie met sekerheid bepaal word nie. Die kredietkeurder baseer dus sy kredietkeuring op historiese data, met die aanname dat die tendens sal aanhou, tensy daar aanduidings is van die teendeel. 'n Spesifieke wynindustrie kredietaansoek en evaluasieproses word bespreek in die studie. Die finale krediet besluit is slegs soos goed soos die analise en die analise op sy beurt is weer net so goed soos die inligting wat versamel is. Die studie bewys dus dat met 'n beter begrip van die Suid-Afrikaanse wynindustrie, finansiele instellings 'n beter kredietanalise evaluasie sal kan doen. Terselfdertyd sal die wynindustrie bevoordeel word deur beter te verstaan hoe kredietaansoeke geevalueer word wanneer vir finansiering aansoek gedoen word. 'n Detail SWOT-analise is op die bedryf gedoen. 'n Opsomming word gedoen van die mees algemene finansieringsbehoeftes in die wynbedryf, gemeet teenoor die finansiele produkte aangebied en inligting vereis deur die finansiele instellings. Addisionele inligting wat die wynbedryf kan bied ten einde die kredietkeurder te help om die aansoek beter te kan evalueer, word ook gelys. Die studie sluit af met voorstelle aan die Suid Afrikaanse wyn- en bank industriee wat geimplimenteer kan word teneinde 'n beter verhouding te bewerkstellig.

Thesis (MSc (Botany and Zoology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / South Africa is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world and even with conservation initiatives in place continues to face biodiversity loss. There is a need to prioritise areas for conservation as resources for conservation purposes are limited in South Africa. From prioritisation methods reviewed it was found that prioritisation indices normally use one or a combination of variables that measure stock; and/or variables that measure threat.

Thesis (MScSportSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Numerous studies have shown that coronary artery disease (CAD) has its origin in childhood. Several risk factors that increase a person's risk for the development of CAD are prevalent amongst children. South African statistics concerning the prevalence of these risk factors are limited. Research has shown that early intervention to eliminate risk factors can decrease the risk for the development of CAD. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of certain coronary risk factors amongst children aged 11 to 13 years in certain Western Cape schools. Certain selected factors were tested. These included obesity, lack of physical activity, hypertension, low physical fitness (V02max), a family history associated with an increased risk, exposure to cigarette smoke, prevalence of diabetes mellitus and an unhealthy diet. The sample consisted out of 288 children and was made up by 154 boys and 134 girls. Certain anthropometrical measurements (stature, weight, skinfoids, waist and hip circumferences) were taken. Activity levels, family history, exposure to cigarette smoke, prevalence of diabetes mellitus and diet, were measured by means of questionnaires. Physical fitness (V02max) was tested with a three-minute step-test. A sphygmomanometer was used to measure blood pressure. Depending on the circumference of the child's arm, a paediatric or adult size cuff was used. The results of the study showed that 22.01% of the boys and 59.7% of the girls had a percentage body fat so high that it was considered a coronary risk factor. Physical fitness levels were considered risk factors in 2.6% of the boys and 9% of the girls. A very high percentage of the children tested had a family history associated with an increased risk for the development of CAD (73.38% of the boys and 78.36% of the girls). Systolic hypertension was prevalent among 22.01% of the boys and 23.13% of the girls. Diastolic hypertension was only prevalent among 5.19% of the boys and 5.97% of the girls. Low activity levels were considered a risk factor in 31.17% of the boys and 39.55% of the girls. Out of all the subjects, 32.47% of the boys and 37.31% of the girls were exposed to cigarette smoke on a daily basis. The results of this study shows that certain coronary risk factors are quite common amongst children. Prevention programmes that focuses on elimination of coronary risk factors, such as hypertension, inactivity and obesity, is essential for the prevention of subsequent coronary artery disease in adults. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Verskeie studies het al bewys dat koronêre hartvatsiekte (KHS) reeds sy ontstaan het in kinders van baie jong ouderdomme. Verskeie risikofaktore wat tot die latere ontstaan van KHS lei kom ook onder jong kinders voor. Statistiek ten opsigte van die voorkoms van hierdie risikofaktore onder kinders in Suid-Afrika is egter baie beperk. Verskeie navorsing toon dat vroeë intervensie kan lei tot "n verlaging in risiko vir die ontwikkeling van KHS op "n latere stadium. Die doel van die studie was om die voorkoms van sekere koronêre risikofaktore in kinders in Suid-Afrika te ondersoek. Sekere risikofaktore is ondersoek, dit het ingesluit, obesiteit, lae fisieke aktiwitietsvlakke, hipertensie, lae fisieke fiksheid (V02maks), 'n familie geskiedenis wat geassosieer word met "n verhoogte risiko, blootstelling aan sigaret rook, die voorkoms van diabetes mellitus en "n swak dieet. Die steekproef het bestaan uit 288 kinders waarvan 134 meisies en 154 seuns was. Verskeie antropometriese meetings (lengte, massa, velvoue, middel- en heup omtrekmates) is geneem. Aktiwiteitsvlakke, familiegeskiedenis, blootstelling aan sigarette rook, voorkoms van diabetes mellitus en dieet is deur middel van vraelyste vasgestel. Fisieke fiksheid (V02maks) is deur middel van "n drie-minuut-opstaptoets vasgestel. Bloeddruk is met "n sfigmomanometer gemeet. Afhangend van die omtrek van die kind se arm is "n pediatries- of volwasse-grootte drukband gebruik. Persentasie liggaamsvet was by 22.01% van die seuns en 59.7% van die meisies so hoog dat dit as "n risikofaktor beskou kan word. Fisieke fiksheidsvlakke kan by 2.6% van die seuns en 9% van die meisies as "n risikofaktor beskou word. "n Baie hoë persentasie van die kinders het "n familiegeskiedenis gehad wat geassosieer word met "n verhoogde risiko vir die ontwikkeling van KHS (73.38% van die seuns en 78.36% van die meisies). Sistoliese hipertensie het onder 22.01% van die seuns en 23.13% van die meisies voorgekom. Diastoliese hipertensie het baie minder voorgekom as sistoliese hipertensie (5.19% van die seuns en 5.97% van die meisies). Lae aktiwiteitsvlakke het onder 31.17% van die seuns en 39.55% van die meisies voorgekom. 'n Redelike hoë persentasie van die kinders word daagliks aan sigaretrook van hulouers of oppassers blootgestel (32.47% van die seuns en 37.31% van die meisies.) Die resultate van die studie dui aan dat daar 'n redelike hoë voorkoms van sekere koronêre risikofaktore onder kinders is. Ondersoek moet ingestel word na moontlike, goed gestruktureerde intervensieprogramme.

Thesis (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / Fixed investment is a prerequisite to economic growth and sustainable development. Such investment includes large and focused capital spending on the expansion and maintenance of major integrated economic infrastructure. South Africa‘s municipal environment is characterised by extensive infrastructure backlogs, an apparent lack of available funding to eradicate these backlogs as well as incapacities to unlock the required funding. This study proposes a mechanism to successfully unlock available funds and to optimally gear large infrastructure projects. The proposed mechanism focuses on reducing and mitigating project and unsystematic risk evaluations of private financiers. As part of the solution the two concepts of Security Risk Deposit and Limited Risk Deposit are introduced. The solution is based on the principle of associated risk transferral and a type of financial insurance related to remaining perceived levels of project and unsystematic risk. The key dilemma relating to the approach to infrastructure development in South Africa, is presented and is systematically resolved over the course of the study. The proposed solution is simulated and it confirms that it is indeed a valid way of ensuring that government attains more value from the limited available grant funding. Private financiers, government departments and the citizens of South Africa will be able to benefit from the proposed approach.

Thesis is submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree of Master of Science in Development Planning to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, School of Architecture and Planning at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2017 / Throughout the 21st century, floods have caused major disasters in urban areas worldwide and especially in Africa. Several factors influence the ability of government to manage flood disasters through the phases of, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery at a local level. The vulnerability of poor communities to flood disasters exacerbates the impact of the flooding on their livelihoods. The inability of governments to communicate effectively with communities about preparedness strategies for flood mitigation has resulted in much damage in urban areas. The study used semi-structured interviews with Disaster Management officials and community members involved in flooding to evaluate the Disaster Risk Management in Bramfischerville. The fieldwork took place in Bramfischerville that was affected by the 2009 floods. The research revealed that the 2009 Bramfischerville floods were caused by heavy rains, the building of RDP housing on a floodplain and ineffective implementation of Disaster Management strategies by the CoJ. This research argues that in order to understand flood disasters, cooperation between all stakeholders involved in Disaster Management is vital in knowledge accumulation. The 2009 floods had negatively impacted the livelihoods of people in Bramfischerville. Their houses were damaged and they had difficulty traveling to work and school. In this view, the costs associated with floods are continuously being a debt for the people living in Bramfischerville. This research found that the disjuncture between the community and the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) officials exacerbates the negative impacts floods have on people’s livelihoods in Bramfischerville. / MT2018

By gathering information from a volunteer sample of men who sleep with men (MSM) in the Johannesburg inner city, the study aimed to discover those decisions and behaviour that influence their health decision-making and health-seeking behaviour, particularly as far as HIV and their sexual health was concerned. Eleven in-depth interviews were conducted by three interviewers using a semistructured interview guide which asked questions on demographics, health-seeking behaviour, sexual orientations and behaviour, knowledge of HIV/AIDS and community support. During analysis, collected data was classified into the themes of access to health care, personal and general MSM HIV risk perceptions, sexual behaviour, alcohol and unprotected sex, prostitution, religion and stigma, violence and discrimination. This study was the first qualitative study researching MSM in the Johannesburg inner city and provides useful baseline information for further qualitative MSM studies in the geographical area and for the development of MSM aligned interventions. / Sociology / M.A. Sociology