Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016. / Water is a critical resource in Southern Africa. The region thus needs to protect both the quality and the quantity of its water resources through robust water conservation and demand management (WC/DM) measures. Water demand management encompasses activities that aim to decrease water demand, improve the efficiency of water use and prevent the deterioration of water resources. Water conservation refers to policies, measures or consumer practices that promote the conservation of water resources. Water resources should be used wisely to secure a water supply that is of good quality and enough for South Africa’s people and its natural environment, which provides the ecosystem that supports all forms of life. When a water utility systems experience water losses, the amount of water available to consumers is reduced, making it difficult to satisfy demand. Water losses also occur as a result of inaccuracies in customer meters, data errors in the billing system and unauthorised consumption. Such losses result in non-revenue water (NRW), which is a serious threat to the water supply sector. NRW refers to the water that is produced and lost without generating revenue for the utility. This research study investigated strategies that could be used to address the challenge of water losses, by developing a more suitable business model that could be incorporated into Ugu District Municipality (DM)’s existing NRW reduction strategies. The study was carried out in Amandawe and Umzinto zones of the District Municipality and it covered the period 01 March 2014 to June 2015. The study objectives were made up of four components. The first was to identify and prioritise the implementation of NRW reduction strategies. This was achieved by identifying the pipes to be closed off, which were supplying a significant number of consumers. For those pipes that were not closed off, flow meters were installed to measure the flow into and out of a zone. The system was then tested for zero pressure by isolating all closed valves to ensure that there were no potential feed-backs into the zone. Pressure gauges were set up on standpipes for routine pressure monitoring. The test was run at night (between 01.00 and 05.00 hours) when the system was under pressure. When the pressure dropped consistently, this meant that there was no feedback into a zone. Leaks were detected by logging the system in order to obtain night flows, which were analysed to determine the system behaviour. The results for Amandawe Zone after implementation of the pressure management programme, indicated that the average zone’s night pressure (AZNP) decreased from 7.38 bars to 5.95 bars. For Umzinto Zone, the AZNP dropped from 5.5 bars to 3.3 bars. The minimum night flows (MNFs) dropped from 34.80 m3/hr to 15.20 m3/hr in Amandawe Zone and from 6.4 m3/hr to 1.70 m3/hr in Umzinto Zone. The daily cost of excess night flow due to bursts was reduced from R2276.17/day to R862.61/day in Amandawe Zone and from R361.24/day to R40.46/day in Umzinto Zone, which provided huge savings. The second objective was to identify the sources and causes of water losses in the study area by conducting field measurements and observations. This was achieved by physically inspecting the infrastructure using visual observation, mechanical listening sticks, correlators, ground microphones and system loggers. The following indicators were used to physically identify underground leaks: unusually wet surfaces in landscaped areas, pools of water on the ground surface, noticeably green, soft and mouldy areas surrounded by drier surfaces, a notable drop in water pressure or flow volume, unexplained sudden increase in water demand or water use at a fairly steady rate for several billing cycles, cracks in paved surfaces, potholes or sink holes and the sudden appearance of dirty water in the main distribution system. For this study, the water losses in the system were found to be as a result of various causes including leaks, aging infrastructure, high pressure in the system, damaged pipes and illegal connections, among others. The third objective was to construct a water balance in order to determine the key performance indicators for the NRW reduction strategies. This was achieved by determining the system input volume (SIV), billed authorized consumption (BAC), unbilled metered consumption (UMC), unbilled unmetered consumption (UUC), real losses (RL), apparent losses (AL) and IWA Key Performance Indicators. Bulk and domestic meter readings were used to calculate the components of the water balance. The results of the water balance indicated that there was a decrease in the SIV from 904 kL/day to 523 kL/day in Amandawe Zone and from 382 kL/day to 221 kL/day in Umzinto Zone. The physical water losses were reduced from 611 kL/day to 377 kL/day in Amandawe Zone and from 93.8 kL/day to 45.8 kL/day in Umzinto Zone. The NRW was reduced from 659 kL/day to 395 kL/day in Amandawe Zone and from 94.2 kL/day to 46.2 kL/day in Umzinto Zone. The fourth objective was to develop the most suitable business model for Ugu DM based on the results arising from the first three objectives. Ugu DM needs to ensure both operational and financial efficiency. Operational efficiency could be achieved by minimising real water losses through reviewing water services standards, developing district metering areas, pressure management, leak detection and repair, reservoir control to stop overflows and pipe replacement programs. Financial efficiency could be achieved by carrying out regular meter testing and calibration, securing database integrity, managing illegal connections, ensuring that all customer connections have meters and ensuring that the tariff structures were cost reflective in order for the municipality to cover costs and generate revenue. Findings of this study could assist other water utilities operating under similar conditions. The implementation of this study’s results could have positive economic, social and environmental effects on Ugu DM. It was concluded that rezoning, pressure management and leak detection were the most critical NRW reduction strategies as they had a positive impact on the system. The main causes of leaks in the system were identified as aging infrastructure, high pressures in the system, and illegal connections. All the critical KPIs of IWA water balance responded positively after the implementation of the strategies by reducing. The operational and financial efficiencies were identified as critical for a WSA to develop a business model that could sustain itself.

Thesis in compliance with the requirements for the Doctor’s Degree in Technology: Language Practice, Durban University of Technology, 2012. / South Africa’s dynamic post-Apartheid education climate is beset by a plethora of new policies designed to transform education. Our county’s educators are expected to be the alchemists of change to create the new and transformed society envisaged in these policies, albeit with insufficient logistical planning and support. Moreover, so many of our schools are operationally dysfunctional, with literacy and numeracy levels at an all time low. Under these daunting circumstances our Provincial Education Department Teacher Development Institution, Ikhwezi In-Service Training Institute, develops training materials and delivers courses aimed at implementing policy while at the same time modelling progressive, internationally recognized and democratic adult-based methodology. In this self-study project of my departmental work with a group of trained educators, I use action research to trace the potential of integrated arts to transform teaching and learning in under-resourced rural and township classrooms. An aspect of this self-study looks at the therapeutic potential of the arts in my own life and career as an arts educator. When my Masters research revealed the dramatic effect a project-like arts approach to teaching could engender, I was motivated by compassion to develop the work further to reach a broader base of learners. I also wished to educate the authorities into mainstreaming the default marginalising of the arts in schools by developing photographic, written and video evidence promoting the arts in schools, mainly to emphasize their holistic educational role, but also as an essential healing, a potential remedy for the ills of the past that continue to impact on the present. / D

Thesis submitted in compliance with the requirements fo the Doctoral Degree in Technology: Education (Management), Durban Institute of Technology, 2004. / This study focused on women in Technikons who hold status positions as Dean or higher in the academic management hierarchy and aimed at uncovering those attributes which contributed to their success in breaking the 'glass ceiling'. The gender imbalance in their career paths highlighted the need to identify those attributes so that ways could be found to increase the representation of professional women in leadership and management position. The experiences and struggles of women in Third World Countries, such as South Africa, unfold in a very different context from those of women in First World Countries. As this research is about women for women and gives 'voice' to those women who participated in this project, attention must be paid to the knowledge and theory that incorporates women's experience and perspectives. It is therefore appropriate to view the marginalisation of women and hence their struggle for equality of opportunity in Technikon management from a feminist viewpoint. Narrative enquiry using primarily semi-structured in-depth interviews provided the data which was processed in terms of a categorical-content perspective. The relevant themes identified were interpreted by the researcher and used to formulate grounded theory. The results of this research study drew attention to the importance of the possession of emotional competencies and attributes, that is, the importance of emotional intelligence as an empowering attribute for women managers in academe. This is of special significance in that these attributes can be learned. It is imperative that women in management be provided with opportunities to develop these qualities and / M

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Education, Technikon Natal, Durban, 2001. / This study filled a void in the existing educational management literature and highlighted the communication problems that exist between the educators, learners, and parents in multicultural secondary schools, especially when the educator, learner and the parent belong to different cultural groups. The communication problems between educators, learners and parents pose a serious challenge to management as they impede the progress of teaching and learning in the classrooms. The thorny issue of language in education in South African schools has not been given much emphasis. Neither have educationists and policy makers given much attention to the problem of communication in multicultural schools. Opening schools to all cultures did not solve the communication problems, but created new ones. The main method used in this investigation was the literature study. Using the investigative methods associated with qualitative studies, the researcher attempted to investigate data collected from a number of sources. Research on co-operation in the multi-ethnic classroom revealed that pupils of different ethnic groups preferred to socialize in their own language groups. This study confirmed that culture and language influenced not only which peers pupils choose to play with, but also who they deliberately excluded from their games. In many schools, there are few systematic attempts to enhance pupils' cross-ethnic friendships and this may work to consolidate the evident 'own race and language preference' of a large portion of pupils. Thus there is a need for communication to enhance cross-cultural friendships. There is an increasing need for educators to encourage intercultural communication. Educators should use the language of instruction to learn about each others' culture and language so that there are mutual respect and tolerance. Teaching in multicultural classrooms demands a high level of expertise among educators. Culturally diverse learners may have prior learning experiences that predispose them to learn in ways that may not be compatible with some methods of instruction in common use in many classrooms. Therefore, educators need to adopt an inclusive and flexible approach to instruction, observing their pupil's responses and adjusting instructions to meet the needs of individuals and groups in the classroom. It is now becoming clear that even educators and school managers need guidance and assistance in coping with communication in the multicultural school. The more people of different cultures communicate with each other, the more they discover how similar they are. This study examined some of the communication problems present in multicultural schools, the possible causes of the problems and management solutions to some of the problems. / M

Thesis is submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree of Master of Science in Building (Construction Project Management) to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, School of Construction Economics and Management at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2017 / Access to housing and safe accommodation is an essential part of the South African government’s commitment to poverty relief and the improvement of the wellbeing of its people. Despite the substantial commitment and progress by the South African government towards ensuring adequate housing, much still needs to be done to combat the existing challenges facing the low-cost housing industry. Amongst various challenges, the low-cost housing sector faces challenges of poor quality houses. The level of dissatisfaction due to poor quality appears to be dominant in the low-cost housing sector. These challenges are crucial as the impact is severely noticeable, both socially and economically. The literature reviewed and the data collected is indicative that the use of emerging contractors who are likely inexperienced in the construction of low-cost houses is one of the major contributing factors to the poor quality of the end product. Emerging contractors form a majority of the construction contractors in the country and have been identified to play a vital role in the construction of low-cost houses. Constraints experienced by emerging contractors are posing risk to the projects and pose a challenge to the successful completion of these projects. The under-development of emerging contractors has resulted in poor workmanship and poor quality low-cost houses. Subsequent to the identified problem areas, this study on investigation of the factors required to improve the quality of low-cost houses in eThekwini municipality, KwaZulu Natal was initiated. The research objectives pursued by this study aimed to compare the contributing factors to the poor quality of low-cost houses as perceived by housing project managers and emerging contractors; to compare key factors that can be improved to enhance the quality of low-cost houses as perceived by project managers and emerging contractors; and to identify quality management mechanisms currently available in the construction of low-cost houses and determine their influence level. A mixed research methodology was employed, using the survey method as the research design and data collection, through semi-structured questionnaires. The questionnaires were hand delivered to forty (40) participants and twenty seven (27) 2 2 responses were received and analysed, which comprised ten (10) project managers and seventeen (17) emerging contractors. Results from the study showed that there are undeniably issues of poor quality that include foundation failures, structural cracks and leaking roofs in the low-cost housing sector in eThekwini, KwaZulu Natal. It is evident from the analysis that there are many probable underlying causes to the poor quality of low-cost houses, which include: lack of continuous development for emerging contractors; insufficient subsidy amounts; the use of inferior materials; and the use of unskilled labourers on site. The results of the study indicated that shortcomings exist in terms of the necessary skills among emerging contractors, which means there is a huge need for continuous training on different important skills. The need for training of emerging contractors is enormous and that all aspects in terms of training should be considered to be of equal importance. It can also be determined that there is a lack quality management framework within the department and the municipality. These quality management frameworks need to be developed to ensure improvement in quality of the low-cost houses. / XL2018

This research report is submitted to the School of Social Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in the field of Demography and Population Studies for the year 2016, September 2017 / Background: South Africa has some of the most progressive legislation when it comes to sexual and reproductive health rights. However, contraceptive use amongst this segment of the population group remains distorted. From a public health perspective, investing in the sexual and reproductive health needs of young people translates into an improvement in the sexual health status of the population at large. As such this paper makes use of the Health Belief Model to investigate the factors associated with the choice of type of contraceptive methods used by sexually active young women to prevent a pregnancy. Methodology: Data for this study was obtained from Wave 2 of the Transitions to Adulthood survey. The weighted sample size is 464. Analysis on the weighted data was conducted in STATA 13.1 in survey mode in order to achieve the objectives of this study. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data at the univariate level. The Chi-squared test was conducted to examine the relationship between the variables under investigation and the outcome, contraceptive use. The multinomial logistic regression model was used to analyse the data at the multivariate level. The results of which were provided in terms of relative risk ratios. Findings: Approximately 41% of sexually active young women in KwaZulu Natal did not use contraception to prevent a pregnancy with their most recent sexual partner. Results from the multinomial logistic regression model revealed that sexually active young women who were single were 77% less likely to make use of hormonal and other contraceptive methods to prevent a pregnancy compared to their who were counterparts in a relationship (p-value= 0.00001). Young women who have been pregnant at least once were approximately 60% less likely to utilise hormonal and other contraceptive methods to prevent a pregnancy with their most recent sexual partner. Conclusion: By using the Health Belief Model as a theoretical basis this study highlighted the complex non-linear relationships between the variables selected to constitute the health beliefs as well as the health-related behaviour of contraceptive use. The findings of this study demonstrate two key realities related to contraceptive use of sexually active young women in KwaZulu Natal. Firstly, relatively low rates of contraceptive uptake. Secondly, amongst sexually active young women who utilised contraception, there are even lower usage rates of long-acting reversible contraceptive methods. As such, it is important for healthcare facilities in KwaZulu Natal and South Africa at large to support young women in their decision to protect themselves from unintended pregnancies and from infections of HIV and others STIs. / XL2018

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Business Administration (MBA), Business Studies Unit, Durban University of Technology in the Faculty of Commerce, 2008 / Higher Education institutions have undergone and are still undergoing transformation in South Africa and this research focused on the merger of a higher education institution as a background to conduct empirical evidence to investigate the relationship between motivation and perceived productivity at the organization under study. In determining the relationship between motivation and perceived productivity, three hypotheses were tested. The first hypothesis indicated that there exists a relationship between motivation and perceived productivity. Hypothesis two was that motivation remains constant through a merger and the last hypothesis was listed as perceived productivity remains constant through a merger. The concept of motivation was very broad, so the study narrowed the focus so that the factors that were examined were collectively labelled motivation resulting from contentment in the workplace and from rewards for good performance. The third aspect of motivation that forms part of the study is that of motivators. The primary data employed included a self administered survey and the secondary data include a literature framework that underpins the discussion of the variables motivation and productivity. The results reflect that there is a positive relationship between motivation and perceived productivity at the specific organization under investigation indicating an increase or decrease in motivation is accompanied by a corresponding increase or decrease in perceived productivity.

Submitted in fulfilment for the requirements of the degree of Master of Technology: Business Administration in the Faculty of Management Sciences at the Durban University of Technology, 2009. / Competition is increasing as trading borders continue to widen in this global marketplace. As a result, South African organisations need to improve their efficiencies. The primary objective of the study was to examine the effectiveness of the Lean Enterprise Strategy (LES) at improving business efficiency, in the electrical pre-payment industry in KZN. Several underlying objectives which support the primary objective were examined and realtionships established. Two forms of empirical studies, observation and questionaire based, were used. These studies provided substantive findings which were analysed and interpreted. A positive relationship between the LES and business efficiency were established and the various underlying objectives addressed. Communication was found to be inadequate and highlighted. It was also found that there is a substantial delay in return on investments; therefore, sustainability should be targeted and the LES should have a continual re-cycling mechanism, which allows it not only to be sustainable, but also renewable.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements of the degree in Masters of Technology in Nursing, Durban University of Technology, 2014. / Background The rapid growth in information and communication technology (ICT) in the 21st century has impacted all spheres of human activity, including the health sector. The change introduced by ICT requires educational institutions to relook at the way in which they develop and implement their education programmes. In contemporary clinical practice environments, ICT skills are providing benefits for nurses as well as for the patients they care for. Aim The aim of the study was to investigate the status of usage of ICT by academic staff, students and administrators within campuses of the KwaZulu-Natal College of Nursing which consists of 11 main campuses and 14 sub-campuses. Methodology A quantitative, cross sectional study was conducted which included academic staff, administrative staff, and students (R425 and R212) of the KwaZulu-Natal College of Nursing. A random sample of 576 individuals participated in the study consisting of academic staff (176); administrative staff (30) and students (340). Participants completed a questionnaire that established their demographic data and ICT usage. Results The questionnaire response rate was academic staff (80%), students (89%) and administrative staff (93%). The findings showed that while respondents were able to manage work related activities; they experienced poor access to computer training with 66% indicating they had access to computer training. The access to computer training for the administrative staff was 50%, with 8% of rural and 1% of urban students having access to training. The majority of academic staff have access to desktop computers with there still being a divide in terms of rural access as compared to urban access p=0.24. Significantly more administrative staff had access to desktop computers than those who do not p<.0005. The access to desktop computers for students was low, with 22% of respondents in both rural and urban campuses indicating that they have access. Access to the internet was low for all respondent groups with a significant difference between those who have access compared to those who do not have access p=<.0005, for both the academic and student groups. There is a low use of ICT for the purposes of teaching and learning with the majority of respondents (60%) indicating that they do not use ICT for teaching compared to those who do p=.0007. All respondent groups have experienced poor ICT support with the majority indicating that they do not receive ICT support p=<.0005. The usage of the online library was low for all groups, with 61% of academic staff, not accessing the online library for reasons of access, or knowledge about the library, 23% of urban students and 20% of rural students have indicated ever using the online library. Conclusion The study highlights the need for the KZNCN to be on par with higher education institutions globally in access to and usage of ICT. Benchmarking with higher education institutions in the health and other sectors is essential, in order for the KZNCN to benefit from the trend in incorporating technology into the teaching and learning process. Strong collaboration is necessary between the KZNCN as an academic institution and clinical health facilities to ensure that the developments in ICT within both sectors are reflected in the teaching and learning process, so that graduating nurses are able to function effectively. Clear policy documents and guidelines are required for the KZNCN which reflect the norms required for both ICT equipment and systems to enable functioning of the institution within an increasingly technological environment.

The overall aim of the study was to study the relevance of educational provision in KwaZulu-Natal. There have been no vocationally orientated alternatives available in the schools of this province. The poor performance of our matriculants results in wide-spread media coverage. A further consideration in the formulation of the aims of this study was the decline in the socio-economic development of this province. It was postulated that the problems of high youth unemployment were related to the perceived irrelevance of educational provision. A basic needs approach for human development was adopted as the theoretical foundation for the study. The aims included a comparative examination of a selection of international systems of education from high and low-income economies of the world. Primary analysis was vis-a-vis a historical, legal, socio-economic, and structure of education analytical framework .. The secondary analysis was visa- vis a framework that included trends, critical issues and anticipated future developments or reforms in education. The analytical framework was applied stringently through-out the study. Consequently the data reduction process was cyclical and on-going. Data gathering process was done by means of a process of document collection supplemented by interviews with stakeholders and educators. Two questionnaires were designed for implementation at a critical stage of the study .. These two surveys focused on critical areas of relevant education in the region. Data reduction took place systematically the context of Chapters 3, 4 and 5. The emerging themes were concluded in a final summarising chapter. The findings indicated that the problems of relevance in KwaZulu-Natal were linked to a fragmented historical past. The perpetuation of irrelevance in education was however, associated with neo-ideological considerations. The study suggested that the provincial education department did not have the capacity to provide relevant education. A decline has taken place in the standards of education in the public school sector. The strength of the private sector of this province was concluded to be a factor of relevance. Further research in human resources development was critical for the future development of the province. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Comparative Education)