A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Johannesburg, 2015 / Cities are characterised by a contradictory dynamic of opportunities for and the suppression of the livelihoods of the poor. At the turn of the twentieth century, well into the first half of that century, Rustenburg was defined by a broad-based participation in the local economy. Although black people’s involvement in that economy was marked by the relation of dependency to the dominant, white social formations, they both managed their relationship with the city and contributed to its vibrancy. Today, the same is true for livelihood activities in this city. However, from the mid-1990s (as it was the case from the 1940s until the official end of apartheid) various forces are delivering Rustenburg into an elite space of formal cultural practices. With that said, such exercises of power are not generalisable to the whole city. Thus, the way various sites of the city are constituted and valorised affect whether or not ordinary people can build livelihoods and pursue other goals in and through such sites. Overall, the redevelopment practices in Rustenburg bring into focus the tensions of city life – urban residents and the city space are agents of social reproduction on the one hand and are resources for creating emancipatory spaces on the other. In this sense, living and making a living in the city involves mediating such tensions – although the new spaces produced by the body and the dream often cohere into real material landscape that shapes everyday practices and social identities, the sensual, rationality, history, and the landscape provide resources for continual exploration and reproduction of new spaces of emancipation from poverty and domination.

M. Tech. Business Administration / The objective of the research study was to analyse specific socio-cultural barriers affecting the success of female entrepreneurs in Rustenburg. The methodology involved a collection of primary data from a random sample of n=50 female entrepreneurs, through one-on-one interviews administered with structured questionnaires. The study also considered secondary data that was collected by means of reviewing publications and journals. The key findings from this study clearly provide an analysis of challenges that female entrepreneurs face, which include business management challenges, personal or psychological challenges that form a major component of socio-cultural barriers and, lastly, socio-cultural challenges in comparison to their male counterparts.

M. Tech. Business Administration / The aim of this research it to investigate factors that can sustain T1 category small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that provides service at Impala Platinum Mine in Rustenburg. The population for the study was 53 SMEs owners/directors, convenient sampling was used and a sample of 26 percent responded to the questionnaire.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) constitute a serious health issue because they play a significant role in the transmission of HIV. STDs are associated with increased risk of either acquiring or transmitting HIV because of the breaks and inflammation they cause on the genital lining and the skin. Prevention or treatment of STDs can significantly lower the risk of HIV transmission. The purpose of this study is to identify the socio economic factors in Rustenburg that fuel STDs and which could lead to the transmission of HIV among youth of Rustenburg, and to make suggestions on actions that could be taken to mitigate the effects of STDs and HIV infection in the community. The method used in this study was a qualitative approach. An interview guide with eighteen open-ended questions for semi structured interviews was undertaken amongst Rustenburg youth aged 20 to 35 attending clinic for STDs in two health facilities (Job Shimankane Tabane Hospital and Classic House Clinic) in Rustenburg. The following socio-economic factors: alcohol use, poverty, concurrent multiple sexual partnership, and commercial sex work were found to be contributing to the spread of STDs and HIV in Rustenburg. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Seksueel oordraagbare siektes (SOS) bly 'n ernstige openbare gesondheidskwessie as gevolg van die rol wat dit speel in die oordrag van MIV. SOS word geassosieer met 'n verhoogde risiko van beide die verkryging, of oordrag van MIV as gevolg van die breek en inflammasie wat dit veroorsaak op die voering van die geslagsorgane en die vel. Voorkoming of behandeling van seksueel oordraagbare siektes kan die risiko van oordraagbaarheid van MIV aansienlik verminder. Die doel van hierdie studie is om die sosio-ekonomiese faktore in Rustenburg te identifiseer wat seksueel oordraagbare siektes vererger wat kan lei tot die oordrag van MIV-infeksie onder die jeug van Rustenburg, en om voorstelle te maak oor stappe wat geneem kan word om die gevolge van seksueel oordraagbare siektes en MIV-infeksie te verminder in die gemeenskap. Die metode wat in hierdie studie gebruik is, was ‘n kwalitatiewe benadering. 'n Onderhoudgids met agtien ope vrae vir semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude, is onderneem onder die jeug van Rustenburg tussen die ouderdomme van 20-35 wat die kliniek vir seksuele oordraagbare siektes bywoon in twee gesondheidsfasiliteite in Rustenburg, naamlik (Job Shimankane Tabane-hospitaal en Classic House kliniek). Daar is gevind dat die volgende sosio-ekonomiese faktore naamlik die gebruik van alkohol, armoede, verskeie gelyktydige seksuele maats en kommersiële sekswerk, bydra tot die verspreiding van seksueel oordraagbare siektes en MIV in Rustenburg.

An event study is an economic tool of analysis that has begun to gain popularity in recent empirical literature. It is a technique that gives a researcher the opportunity to map out the reaction of a firm's stock to an event, usually making use of daily or monthly data. However, up to this point, event study methodology has generally been applied to more traditional phenomena capable of affecting equity value, such as dividend and macroeconomic policy announcements, and there have only been a few exceptions to this. This study looks at what impact the tragic shootings at Lonmin mine in Marikana on August 16th 2012 had on the share prices of platinum mining firms based in South Africa using event study methodology. It makes use of the technique to investigate how the share prices responded to the tragedy over a number of trading days, including the day of the shootings. To be best of our knowledge, no attempt has been made to analyse the impact on share prices using events of this nature. For the investigation, daily returns data was used for each firm. The abnormal returns and cumulative abnormal returns to each were then calculated and compared with their respective expected returns in order to determine whether investors in the shares of that particular firm reacted positively, negatively or not at all. The evidence found suggests that tragedies of this nature are capable of influencing share prices in the same manner as more traditional economic phenomena. Overall, only one firm was found to have been negatively affected by the shootings in a persistent manner, while the shares of the other firms examined reacted in a manner that was positive overall, but varied according to individual firm characteristics such as size. These finding conformed to our a priori expectations. In addition, the results also confirm the benefits of applying event study methodology to a wide variety of phenomena that fall outside the boundaries usually associated with business.

This quantitative study was aimed at determining the value of the psychosocial services rendered by the staff members of the Godisanang OVC programme to OVC in Rustenburg in order to make recommendations on how these services could be improved. Fifteen caregivers, who were employed by the Godisanang OVC programme, were interviewed in October 2013. Data was presented in the form of statistics, tables and numbers. This study revealed that the psychosocial services that are rendered by the Godisanang OVC programme to OVC are of value. Therefore, it is recommended that the psychosocial services be extended to other regions of Rustenburg. / Health Studies / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

This quantitative study was aimed at determining the value of the psychosocial services rendered by the staff members of the Godisanang OVC programme to OVC in Rustenburg in order to make recommendations on how these services could be improved. Fifteen caregivers, who were employed by the Godisanang OVC programme, were interviewed in October 2013. Data was presented in the form of statistics, tables and numbers. This study revealed that the psychosocial services that are rendered by the Godisanang OVC programme to OVC are of value. Therefore, it is recommended that the psychosocial services be extended to other regions of Rustenburg. / Health Studies / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the perceptions on the role of locally owned small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in the economic development of Rustenburg, South Africa. The study was motivated by theoretical findings that SMMEs are the cornerstone of economic development; yet, the levels of unemployment and poverty were still escalating in Rustenburg. This prompted the researcher to investigate the perceptions on the role of locally owned small, medium and micro enterprises in the economic development of Rustenburg, South Africa, and the extent of their contribution. The study adopted a descriptive research design and a quantitative approach to determine the role of SMMEs and the extent of their contribution to the economic development of Rustenburg. The study focused on Rustenburg, which had 223 registered SMMEs at the time. The registered 213 SMMEs were identified as the target population of the study, and 10 registered SMMEs participated in the pilot study. A structured questionnaire was used as a data collection instrument. Two hundred and thirteen (213) copies of questionnaires were self-administered. One hundred and eighty-two (182) completed questionnaires were returned, which represented an 85% response rate. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data by utilising the Statistical Analysis Software (SAS). Statistical techniques used in this study comprised frequency analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson’s correlation test, and Tukey’s studentised range test. Empirical findings revealed that SMMEs play a significant role in contributing to the economic development, employment generation and poverty reduction of Rustenburg, with SMMEs in the mining sector making a greater and more significant contribution than other sectors. The study concluded that SMMEs perform a critical role in contributing to the economic development of Rustenburg, especially those in the mining sector. Recommendations were that government should consider increasing the development programmes for SMMEs that operate in Rustenburg, invest in SMMEs’ technology and provide practical SMMEs development training. In addition, government should provide sufficient funding for SMMEs and improve the regulatory framework that governs the SMME sector. This particular study focused on SMMEs operating in Rustenburg. Another study could be conducted on foreign-owned SMMEs. / Business Management / M. Com. (Business Management)

Research Report Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Environmental Sciences Date: May 2016 / This study assesses the water quality status of the Hex River downstream of Kroondal Mine (KMS15, sampling point located downstream of Kroondal Mine) and the effects of mining activities (Kroondal Chrome Mine) on the water quality of the Hex River in Rustenburg, which is in the North West Province of South Africa. Potential pollutants were identified, quantified and their distribution was determined over seven years (2007 to 2013) along different sampling points upstream and downstream to the mine. Water quality-monitoring data was obtained from the mine. The surface and underground water was sampled on a monthly basis and analysed by Aquatico, (a water quality service provider of Kroondal Chrome Mine) at SANAS Accredited Testing Laboratory (No T0374). Data was collected for the Hex River and its tributary; the nearby discharge from Crocodile Farm and Farm Dam; as well as mine containment dams, slimes dams, run-off from the processing plant and water dams within the mine. Descriptive statistics (mean/average, minimum and Maximum) and box plots are used to explain the water quality at all sampling points. Water quality from sampling location points was compared against the Total Water Quality Guideline Range (TWQGR) for irrigation, livestock watering, ideal domestic use, aquatic ecosystem limits and the exemption permit issued to the Kroondal Chrome Mine by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) in 2007, now Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS). The water quality of the Hex River, downstream of Kroondal, was described as neutral, alkaline, saline and very hard with a high pH, and a high concentration of Electric conductivity (EC), Total Dissolve Solids (TDS), Chlorine (Cl), Sulphate (SO4), Nitrate (NO3), Ammonium (NH3), Hardness (CaCO3) and Orthophosphate (PO4). Pollution sources and pathways were identified using the study area layout and by conducting an impact pathway analysis using annual descriptive statistical (annual mean or average values) of water quality tables generated by SAS enterprise 6.1 (a software used to analysed descriptive statistics of the mine water quality data) for a period 2007 until 2013, and box pots graphs showing monthly water-quality data for pH, EC, TDS, Cl, SO4, NO3, NH3, CaCO3 and PO4 at 15 monitoring localities between Kroondal Chrome Mine, the Hex River and its tributaries (Kroondal tributary and Sandspruit) over seven years. It was concluded that the surface/groundwater of the Kroondal Chrome Mine process – such as seepage from slimes dams, plant run-off and the vent shaft underground water dam – had an influence on the water quality of Hex River with regard to the discharge of pH modifying pollutants, EC, TDS, Cl, SO4, NO3, NH3, CaCO3 and PO4. Other pollution sources were discharge from Crocodile Farm and Hex River, as well as the Sandspruit upstream sources such as mining (platinum and chrome), industries’ municipal sewage treatment works, agricultural activities and informal settlements activities. Mine pollutants or constituents were identified as a unique example of the compound impact of weathering, hydrologic and anthropogenic processes such as the increased use of explosives containing NO3 and NH3 underground. The chemical compositions of surface water in the mine sampling location were strongly influenced by rock water in tractions, dissolution and dilution, as well as anthropogenic inputs. Key insights drawn from the study is that, cumulative impacts in the Hex River catchment present different issues, roles and responsibilities for industries, government/ regulators and community stakeholders. Practical and cooperative management of cumulative impacts by catchment stakeholders can benefit regional environments and communities of Rustenburg and the North West Province at large. This study demonstrates the usefulness of descriptive statistical techniques for analysis and interpretation of complex data sets, water quality status of the Hex River catchment, influence of the Kroondal Chrome Mine (KCM) waste water to the Hex River catchment, pollution sources and pathways from different activities around Hex River catchment. Best practice water management was recommended to form part of the Kroondal Chrome Mine environmental objects, target and management plan as well as the mine risk profile. Cumulative management dimensions, approaches and/or methods were recommended for all Hex River catchment stakeholders including Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), mines, farmers, industries and disadvantage communities along the catchment.

Traditionally, education has been considered as the territory of educators and the participation of parents has been very limited. Nowadays, however, parents are considered as co-partners in the education of their children. In this regard, they have an important role to play both at home and school. Both educators and parents now believe that effective education requires the cooperation between educators and parents without any reservation. Changes that have taken place .in education in this country over the past decade require parents to assume greater responsibilities in the education of their children. This study was aimed at analysing the responsibilities of parents for the effective implementation and management of Curriculum 2005 in the Phokeng Circuit of Education of the North-West province. The study was further intended to find out the problems, difficulties, and challenges faced by parents, with the advent of the Curriculum 2005, the Outcome-based Education program in South Africa. The subjects involved in this study included 240 parents and 60 educators. Two separate questionnaires (Appendix A and Appendix B) were designed and administered to the respondents. The study revealed that parents have taken up their role in education very seriously, though it was discovered through the empirical investigation that some parents are still clinging to their traditional beliefs about education, that it is confined to educators. Several recommendations based on literature and empirical investigations were made in an attempt to involve more parents in the education and school life of their children. The study recommended regular and prompt communication between parents and the school, assisting parents who have difficulties in helping their children with homework and parent training. / Thesis (MBA) North-West university, Mafikeng Campus, 2003