(M.Soc.Sc.) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2005

Thesis (M.Sc.)(Geography)--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Includes summary. Includes bibliographical references. Available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.

Today’s parents are raising adolescents in a world far removed from the era of ‘Ozzie and Hamet’, that is about thirty years ago. Young people are challenged with rapid social changes, shifting of moral and social values. There is an increasing shift of decision making responsibility from society to individual (Naude and Bodibe n.d: 4). The research presented in this mini dissertation reviews the middle adolescent stage as a challenging time, one of life’s fascinating and perhaps most complex stage, a time when they take on new responsibilities and experiment with independence. Often that result in a certain amount of rebellion and defiance as normally seen with females. The purpose of this research study is to explore and describe the lived-experience of the middle female adolescents against the background presented. It hopes to provide some base for developing guidelines to support the middle female adolescents during this challenging time. The participants in this research study were middle female adolescents from the Rustenburg District of Education, Bojanala West region. All the girls who participated were all fifteen (15) years old and in grade ten (10). The research design followed a qualitative pattern because of its explorative, descriptive and contextual nature. The qualitative researcher’s emphasis is on studying human action in its natural setting and through the eyes of the humans themselves, together with an emphasis on detailed description and understanding phenomena within the appropriate context (Babbie and Mouton 2004:278). This research was conducted in two phases. During phase one of the study, data was gathered through phenomenological interviews. Ethical measures were clearly laid out. A tape recorder was used for record purposes with each participant, and also field notes were used in support of the purposes. The central question was for each participant to tell of their experience as a middle female adolescent in a rural area. 6 Data was analyzed using Tesch’s method of data analysis (Tesch 1990:142-145 in Cresswell, 2003:192). The services of an independent coder were utilized and a consensus discussion was reached on the analysis of the data. The following categories and subcategories were identified after data analysis. The middle female adolescents described this life stage as ‘the most challenging time in life’. The experience is described throughout with double messages, such as ‘great but fun’. The following categories were identified:- • The middle female adolescents’ relationship with their parents was described as trying in related to lack of communication. • They also experienced challenges in relation to physical, emotional, self image and in the society. • The adolescents also demonstrated internal resources in terms of responsibility and a sense of hope about their future. The research findings indicate that middle adolescent girls lack effective communication with their parents, they feel not to be understood and trusted by their parents. A striking issue is the demonstration of internal resources by the middle adolescents. There is therefore a need for guidelines to support middle female adolescents and their parents. In phase two of the study, based on the categories, guidelines were described to support middle adolescent girls in their challenging time. Recommendations were made based on the pathway and the approach that would effectively improve the interpersonal relationships. The recommendations are measures for policy makers, service providers, community or youth organizations, and all those concerned with the well being of middle female adolescents. These would also be an intention to reduce the risks, involvement in risky behaviours and prevent misbehaviour in schools. / Prof. C.P.H. Myburgh Prof. M. Poggenpoel

M. Ed. / The aim of the study was to identify factors that hinder collaboration between the school and the families and developing strategies to overcome those barriers. Perspectives on schoolfamily collaboration and theoretical framework were also discussed. A qualitative investigation was explored. It was approached using Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model. This model helps us to understand the complexity of the family as a system and how the individual child functions within the family and society. Data was obtained by means of individual and focus groups interviews with educators, parents and school management team at a school located at an informal settlement in South Africa. The study revealed that families, school management team and educators regard collaboration as vital for the learners’ academic success. The study also revealed barriers occurring at different levels, namely: the family, schools and community. Recommendations based on the findings were made: Develop involvement strategies that are appropriate to the school’s community setting for example informal settlements. Teacher training should equip educators with skills for initiating collaboration. Department of Education together with the school governing body should collaborate in empowering educators and parents.

A sequence of 3250 m of the Rustenburg Layered Suite and its associated mineralization south of Potgietersrus was investigated. Four episodes of faulting have deformed the area. This resulted in very early differentiates, not seen elsewhere in the Bushveld Complex, to outcrop together with economic concentrations of the best metallurgical grade chromite presently being mined in the Republic. The Mg:Fe:Ca ratio of theCa-poor pyroxenes varies from 89,5:8,8:1,6 in the lower zone to 44,2:52,3:3,37 in the upper zone. The latter composition demarcates the Fe-rich end of the two pyroxene limit. Textural evidence implies that there is a peritectic reaction between the ironrich Ca-poor pyroxene and the melt and that this may account for the termination of the two pyroxene field. A significantly higher mean Ko~~~F~p; for the study area (0,822) than for the other sectors of the Bushveld Complex (0,782) suggests that the pyroxenes of similar composition crystallized at higher temperatures in the Potgietersrus limb. Examination of the Al :Si ratio in Ca-rich pyroxenes from a variety of magmatic environments confirms that this variable can be used to monitor relative changes in the a ~~~t. Chemical data of the Ca-rich pyroxenes suggest that this phase define~ an Fe enrichment - Ca depletion trend during differentiation uhlike that for most other tholeiitic intrusions. The V205 content of the main magnetitite layer and the cr203 and the Cr/Fe2++Fe3+ values in the upper and lower chromitite layers in the study area are the highest encountered in the Bushveld Complex. Textural evidence in these layers show that they have been up-graded to dense monomineralic layers by postcumulus sintering. Calculated intensive parameters for the Potgietersrus magma suggest that it crystallized over a temperature interval from 1276°C in the lower zone to 1022°C in the basal portion of the upper zone. Oxygen fugacity conditions for the lower zone ranged from 10-6,21 to 10-4,98 atm whereas lower values of 1o-11 to 1o-9 atm were operative in the upper zone. The study area contains abundant concentrations of sulfides at several levels in the sequence. The separation of the sulfide liquid is related in most cases to new influxes of metal-rich magma and mixing with the residual magma in the chamber. Several definite sulfide facies occur in the layered sequence. Sulfur isotope investigations indicate that all the sulfur in the study area is mantle derived and that the isotopic composition of the sulfur was controlled by the prevailing fo2, which in turn controlled the partitioning of S02 and HzS between sulfide melt and magma. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 1983. / gm2014 / Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering / Unrestricted

M.Sc. (Environmental Management) / In South Africa, there are practically no freshwater lakes. Therefore, exploitable water supplies are confined to rivers, artificial lakes behind dams, and groundwater. The many demands for water, and the erratic flow of most South African rivers, have led to the creation of artificial lakes and dams, i.e. impoundments on all the major rivers, in order to stabilise flow and therefore guarantee annual water supply. Cyanobacterial bloom formation in freshwater sources, such as rivers, lakes, dams and reservoirs are known to occur throughout the world. In South Africa, the occurrence of cyanobacteria has also been recorded with the best known being the bloom of the hyper-eutrophic Hartbeespoort Dam. In South Africa specifically, cyanobacteria are mostly seasonally driven. Species that are known to cause bloom formation are Microcystis sp., Anabaena sp., Oscillatoria sp. and Cylindrospermopsis sp. These species are known to produce cyanotoxins that cause health problems in animals and humans, but also produce taste and odour problems in drinking water, if not treated effectively. In most cases where cyanobacteria blooms have been known to occur, it also enters source water for drinking water purification plants. Because source water containing cyanobacteria and the effect it has on the consumer, environment and animals, it is thus important to identify the dominant algae species. Cyanotoxin drinking water guidelines must be developed and implemented and a management plan for the Water Treatment Plant must be produced, to ensure that the risk of human exposure to the cyanotoxins are minimised. The present study focuses on the Vaalkop Dam from which raw water is abstracted and treated by the Magalies Water Vaalkop Water Treatment Plant (MWVWTP) to produce potable water. The source water abstracted from the Vaalkop Dam can contain high numbers of cyanobacteria as well as cyanotoxins that must be removed by the MWVWTP during potable water purification to ensure compliance to water quality standards. The overall objective of the study is to investigate the occurrence of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in the Vaalkop Dam at the point where the source water is abstracted for drinking water purification.

This research is concerned with the nature and extent of problems experienced by detectives in the collection, processing and utilisation of crime information for the investigation of crime. The problems gave rise to poor detective performance. The development of information-led policing offers an alternative to the traditional ”reactive” model of investigation of crime. Information-led policing advocates the targeting, gathering, analysis and dissemination of information which is used to inform decisions about the prioritisation of problems and allocation of resources to address the problems (Cope, as quoted by Alison, 2005:93). The purpose of this study is to determine the strengths and weaknesses in the collection, processing and utilisation of crime information at the Rustenburg Detective Service, to find new knowledge that can improve the situation, and to apply the found knowledge to enhance the performance of detectives. / Criminology / M.Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

This research is concerned with the nature and extent of problems experienced by detectives in the collection, processing and utilisation of crime information for the investigation of crime. The problems gave rise to poor detective performance. The development of information-led policing offers an alternative to the traditional ”reactive” model of investigation of crime. Information-led policing advocates the targeting, gathering, analysis and dissemination of information which is used to inform decisions about the prioritisation of problems and allocation of resources to address the problems (Cope, as quoted by Alison, 2005:93). The purpose of this study is to determine the strengths and weaknesses in the collection, processing and utilisation of crime information at the Rustenburg Detective Service, to find new knowledge that can improve the situation, and to apply the found knowledge to enhance the performance of detectives. / Criminology and Security Science / M.Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

Early engagement in sexual activities amongst adolescents has become a worldwide concern, with studies finding them to begin as early as 12 or earlier (Booysen & Summerton, 2000; Dowsett & Aggleton, 1999). The behaviour becomes even more concerning when youths engage in sexual relationships which are considered as “risky”, that is, that put their health and wellbeing in danger. According to Trends (2010), such behaviour increases one’s risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies. Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model, this study investigated risky sexual behaviours amongst adolescents living in the rural areas. The motivation was twofold, namely: to change the behaviours and to strengthen school sexuality education programme. The study aligned itself to qualitative paradigm and adopted a case study design. Data was collected using focus interviews with 20 adolescents (10 boys and 10 girls) in the age range of 15-17 years, who were selected following purposive sampling. The findings revealed adolescents’ tendencies of engaging in risky sexual behaviours such as: sexual relationship with older people, involvement with multiple partners, unstable relationship, pornography, sex in exchange of money. Factors contributing to these behaviours include: limited sexuality education, parents not teaching about sexuality education, lack of good role models, poverty, and fear to disclose problems to teachers, ostentatious lifestyles, peer pressure, and myths about sex. Suggestions put forth for preventing involving risky sexual behaviours include: appropriate school programmes, good learner-teacher relationship, effective communication with parents, strengthening of the learning content of Life Orientation, discipline at home, good friends, closing down of illegal taverns, illegalising sex with young boys and girls and restricting access to pornography on the internet. In conclusion, I suggest that the problem be addressed ecosystematically. / Inclusive Education / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

Early engagement in sexual activities amongst adolescents has become a worldwide concern, with studies finding them to begin as early as 12 or earlier (Booysen & Summerton, 2000; Dowsett & Aggleton, 1999). The behaviour becomes even more concerning when youths engage in sexual relationships which are considered as “risky”, that is, that put their health and wellbeing in danger. According to Trends (2010), such behaviour increases one’s risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies. Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model, this study investigated risky sexual behaviours amongst adolescents living in the rural areas. The motivation was twofold, namely: to change the behaviours and to strengthen school sexuality education programme. The study aligned itself to qualitative paradigm and adopted a case study design. Data was collected using focus interviews with 20 adolescents (10 boys and 10 girls) in the age range of 15-17 years, who were selected following purposive sampling. The findings revealed adolescents’ tendencies of engaging in risky sexual behaviours such as: sexual relationship with older people, involvement with multiple partners, unstable relationship, pornography, sex in exchange of money. Factors contributing to these behaviours include: limited sexuality education, parents not teaching about sexuality education, lack of good role models, poverty, and fear to disclose problems to teachers, ostentatious lifestyles, peer pressure, and myths about sex. Suggestions put forth for preventing involving risky sexual behaviours include: appropriate school programmes, good learner-teacher relationship, effective communication with parents, strengthening of the learning content of Life Orientation, discipline at home, good friends, closing down of illegal taverns, illegalising sex with young boys and girls and restricting access to pornography on the internet. In conclusion, I suggest that the problem be addressed ecosystematically. / Inclusive Education / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)