Tourism is the fastest growing economic industry and has become one of the leading sources of growth and development in South Africa. However, tourism is in a constant state of flux requiring continuous research to document and analyse these shifting trends. Since 1999, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (South Africa’s first World Heritage Site) has been using ecotourism as part of its development and conservation strategy. This has resulted in the shift in tourism from what used to be a fishing destination prior 1999 to its current form as a premier ecotourism destination. The aim is to analyse and document the shift from mass tourism to ecotourism in iSimangaliso Wetland Park, using the Eastern Shores as a case study. Through modernism and postmodernism tourism discourse, this dissertation analyses visitor characteristics, behaviour and perceptions of both tourists and tourism businesses over time in an attempt to describe and explain the tourism shift on the Eastern Shores. This research reveals that there has been a distinct tourism shift in the Park from the ‘mass’ fishermen created by the Fordist mode of mass and standardised production to the more ecologically inclined ‘niche’ tourist where the de-differentiation of postmodernism has created diversified forms of tourists and tourism products. Within these broad classifications, this research has discovered the existence of more nuanced tourist profiles. Mass tourists range from the ‘sun, sea, sand, sex and sangria’ tourist to fishermen. Ecotourists on the other hand range from the casual or mainstream ecotourist who practices a shallow form of ecotourism to the dedicated ecotourist whose activities promote conservation and sustainable development allowing for a deeper form of ecotourism. Further, on the Eastern Shores, domestic coastal ‘mass tourists’ have also become more ecologically inclined. Previously these tourists would come for one activity, that is, to relax on the beach or fish. At present, the majority of these tourists now also pursue nature based activities, adventure tourism and/or sightseeing. The changes in the tourists visiting the Eastern Shores are representative of the global shifts in tourism that are currently taking place. Tourism is constantly evolving as part of global capitalism and will continue to shape tourism in iSimangaliso Wetland Park. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2013.

Abstract not available. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

The spotlight on rural developed and sustainable livelihoods has increased over the years. Additionally, the importance of natural resources (specifically in poorer contexts and rural areas that have limited infrastructure and services) is well documented. This research focuses on examining the natural resource asset base of rural households in KwaDube, a rural community in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It argues that natural resources are central to rural households. The research further asserts that, for rural households to have sustainable livelihoods, their natural resources should be available, diverse and accessible. A diverse natural resource asset base provides rural households with a variety of strategies and means for strong livelihood outcomes and coping mechanisms during times of shocks and stress. The research establishes that KwaDube has 28 natural resources used by households of which land is the primary resource. However, households of KwaDube have limited control and access to land and other natural resources in their community. Research further establishes that due to the influence of patriachal traditions which favor men over women in the allocation of resources and opportunities, there is limited equitable access to natural resources. Added to the impact of partriarchy, this study observes that the other main challenge to natural resource accessibility and use is the continuity of Apatheid policies and traditional administrative arrangements which provided access and entitlements to specific groups of people at the expense of others (age, race and gender). The research notes the numerous challenges faced by rural households that highlight their inability to have adequate resources. There is generally very little if any ownership in the form of private property. The available natural resources such as land, forests and water are public property and are degraded. There are inadequate laws protecting use of public property, hence households find themselves exposed to over-consumed natural resources associated with the tragedy of the commons. Diminishing resources mean households continue to struggle to build strong natural resource asset bases. Consequently, households adopt livelihood strategies that are survivalist in nature such as seeking jobs elsewhere, diversifying their income by engaging in off-farm employment and engaging in petty trade using some of the natural resources in KwaDube. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2013.

During the past two centuries, land cover has been changing at an alarming rate in space and time and it is humans who have emerged as the dominant driver of change in the environment, resulting in changes of extraordinary magnitudes. Most of these changes occur due to demands placed on the land by the ever-increasing human population and their need for more land for both settlement and food production. Many researchers underscore the importance of recognizing and studying past land-use and land cover changes as the legacies of these changes continue to play a major role in ecosystem structure and function. The objectives of this study were to determine the extent of land cover changes between 1992 and 2008 in the study areas, Esikhawini and Dube located in the uMhlathuze municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, and to both predict and address the implications of the extent of future changes likely to occur in the area by 2016. Three Landsat satellite images of the study area were acquired for the years, 1992, 2000 and 2008. These images were classified into nine classes representing the dominant land covers in the area. An image differencing change detection method was used to determine the extent of the changes which took place during the specified period. Thereafter, a Markov chain model was used to determine the likely distribution of the land cover classes by 2016. The results revealed that aside from Waterbodies and Settlements, the rest of the classes exhibited a great degree of change between 1992 and 2008, having class change values greater than 50%. With regards to the predicted change in the land cover classes, the future land cover change pattern appears to be similar to that observed between 1992 and 2008. The Settlements class will most likely emerge as the dominant land cover in the study area as many of the other classes are increasingly being replaced by this particular class. The overall accuracy of the classification method employed for this study was 79.58% and the results have provided a good overview of the location and extent of land cover changes in the area. It is therefore plausible to conclude that these techniques could be used at both local and regional scales to better inform land management practices and policies. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2012.

Urbanisation is an inevitable process that creates opportunities for economic growth and development, however, it can come at the cost of urban poverty and environmental degradation - two of the greatest challenges facing policy-makers. The global failure to develop in a sustainable manner has led to the adoption of green economy in the context of poverty alleviation and sustainable development. Given South Africa’s high rates of urbanisation, the nation’s government, in partnership with civil society and the private sector, is taking steps to green its economy, with the transition ranging from large-scale solar installation projects to small-scale grassroots level projects where the green jobs are created for the poor, predominantly women, by paying them for environmental services. This research investigates how urban poor women in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, under the management of a local environmental non-governmental organisation (ENGO), Wildlands Conservation Trust (WCT), are using the green economy concept to generate income and contribute to environmental sustainability. Using a case study approach, three areas were selected in which semi-structured questionnaires were administered to women who are involved in a ‘green-preneurship’ initiative, consisting of three project nodes, namely, waste-, tree-, and food-preneurship. The women registered under the project collect and segregate waste for sale to the ENGO (waste-preneurs), while others grow indigenous trees for sale to the ENGO (tree-preneurs), and some grow food crops for subsistence and sale of any excess to community members (food-preneurs). The project is reducing poverty levels and empowering the women both economically and socially. Furthermore, while the primary incentive for participating in the green economy initiative was found to be financial, the project has helped to raise environmental awareness and is a mechanism through which women can contribute to environmental sustainability. Their voluntary participation in the project indicates the importance of urban poor women to green economy. This role stems from understanding the importance of the environment to their livelihood, and in this regard, green economy can be said to be addressing the social and environmental externalities of urbanisation, with women at the forefront. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2013.

This study determines and predicts multi-temporal Land-Use-Land-Cover Change (LULC) in a peripheral urban landscape over a 22 year period in relation to the study area‘s greenery. A change detection analysis using post classification Maximum Likelihood algorithm on three multispectral SPOT-4 images was used to determine land-cover transformation. To predict future land coverage, a Land-Cover Change Modeler (LCM) and a Markov Chain were used. Results show that between the year 2000-2006, 2006-2011 and 2000-2011 the study area experienced varied changes in the different LULCs. Built-up areas increased by 10.08%, 3.15% and 13.23% in 2000-2006, 2006-2011, and 2000-2011 respectively. Areas covered by thicket decreased by 0.59% in 2000-2006 but increased by 0.56%, 0.07% in 2006-2011 and 2000-2011 respectively. Forest land-cover increased by 2.59% in 2000-2006, 2.82% in 2006-2011, and 5.41% in 2000-2011. Grassland declined by 8.46% and 2.64% in 2000-2006 and 2000-2011 respectively while degraded grassland declined by 3.62%, 12.45% and 16.07% in 2000-2006, 2006-2011, and 2000-2011 respectively. Projection results indicate a consistent pattern of growth or decline to those experienced between 2000-2011. This study provides insight into LULC patterns within the eThekwini metro area and offers invaluable understanding of the transformation of the urban green spaces. Key words: Land-Use-Land-Cover Change, Change detection, Land-Cover Change Modeler, Markov Chain Process, Land-Cover Change Prediction. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2013.

Because of the variety of ecological and economic functions they perform, estuaries and mangrove swamps are recognised as amongst the most valuable habitats on earth. However, estuaries and related mangrove swamps are threatened by human expansion and exploitation which leads to changes in land cover change within and surrounding these sensitive ecosystems. Such land cover changes can either have desirable or undesirable effects on natural ecosystems. Examples of undesirable impacts of land cover change include soil erosion and degradation, the removal of indigenous vegetation for human development, and the pollution of water. Without an effective means of identifying, monitoring and managing land cover changes over time, these sensitive ecosystems face a bleak and uncertain future. The researcher sought to determine whether wetland bird species could be used as an effective method of monitoring the environmental health of estuaries and mangrove swamps. In particular, the research sought to determine whether analysing fluctuations in the populations of wetland bird indicator species, as evident in the CWAC Bird Census data, could assist in monitoring and assessing undesirable and desirable land cover changes within the Mgeni Estuary and Beachwood Mangrove Swamps. An examination of the archival aerial imagery of the study area for the years 1991, 1997, 2003 and 2008 provided by the University and private companies, revealed significant changes in land cover over the last two decades. The land cover changes identified represent an actual decline or increase in the suitable foraging, roosting or reproductive habitats of wetland bird indicator species within the study area. The research focused on investigating whether fluctuations in wetland bird populations can be correlated with the recorded changes in land cover over the last two decades. The research discovered a direct and comprehensive link between fluctuations in specific populations of wetland bird indicator species and the land cover changes identified within the study area over a 20 year period. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Floods have been identified as one of the major natural hazards occurring in South Africa. A disaster risk assessment forms the first phase in planning for effective disaster risk management through identifying and assessing all hazards that occur within a geographical area, as required by the Disaster Management Act (Act No. 57 of 2002). The National Water Act (Act No. 36 of 1998) requires that flood lines be determined for areas where high risk dams exist and where new town developments occur. However, very few flood hazard maps exist in South Africa for rural areas. The data required for flood modelling analysis is very limited, particularly in rural areas. This study investigated whether flood hazard maps can be created using the existing data sources. A literature review of flood modelling methodologies, data requirements and flood hazard mapping was carried out and an assessment of all available flood-related data sources in South Africa was made. The most appropriate data sources were identified and used to assess an evaluation site. Through combining GIS and hydraulic modelling, results were obtained that indicate the likely extent, frequency and depth of predicted flood events. The results indicate that hydraulic modelling can be performed using the existing data sources but that not enough data is available for calibrating and validating the model. The limitations of the available data are discussed and recommendations for the collection of better data are provided. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Vloede is van die vernaamste natuurlike gevare wat in Suid-Afrika voorkom. 'n Ramprisiko-analise is die eerste stap in die proses van suksesvolle ramprisiko-beplanning deur middel van die identifisering en analise van alle gevare wat voorkom in 'n geografiese gebied, soos vereis deur die Rampbestuurwet (Wet 57 van 2002). Die Nasionale Waterwet (Wet 36 van 1998) bepaal dat vloedlyne slegs vir gebiede waar hoë-risiko damme voorkom en vir nuwe uitbreidingsplanne in dorpe vasgestel moet word. Egter is die data wat vir vloedmodelleringsanalises benodig word baie skaars in Suid-Afrikaanse landelike gebiede. Hierdie studie het ondersoek of vloedgevaar-kartering met die beskikbare data moontlik is. 'n Literatuurstudie oor vloedmodelleringsmetodologieë, data-vereistes en vloedgevaarkartering is voltooi en alle beskikbare vloed-verwante data in Suid-Afrika is geëvalueer. Geskikte data-bronne is gekies en gebruik om 'n toetsgebied te assesseer. Deur GIS en hidrouliese modellering te kombineer, is die omvang, waarskynlikheid en diepte van die voorspelde vloedgebeurtenisse gemodelleer. Die studie het bevind dat, alhoewel vloedgevaarkartering met die beskikbare data moontlik is, daar nie genoeg data beskikbaar is om die model te kalibreer en te valideer nie. Tekortkominge van die bestaande data word bespreek en aanbevelings oor die verbetering van die bestaande data vir toepassings in vloedgevaarkartering word gemaak.

Thesis (MA (Geography and Environmental Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / Agricultural production has become vital to the Sandveld, of which Verlorenvlei is a part, in terms of both economic growth and food security. It is well documented as an area under threat of severe natural resource depletion if it is not well managed with sustainability in mind. Agricultural production, other human-driven development and the survival of the local ecosystems compete for the limited water resources. This study uses the SWAT hydrological model to simulate the transport of water through the catchment area. ArcSWAT, a third-party software extension to ArcGIS, is used as an interface between ArcGIS and the SWAT model. Spatial data (DEM, soil and landuse) is used in the preprocessing phase and fed into the SWAT model through the interface. Daily climate data were sourced and prepared according to the SWAT model’s input requirements. Considerable effort was required to fill temporal and spatial gaps in available climate data, and to infer certain unmeasured climate variables from other measurements (e.g. infer solar radiation from daylight hours, time of the year and latitude). The SWAT hydrological model was then run. The model results compared favourably to measured flow data. The study recommends building on from this first step using the SWAT hydrological model to simulate future land use scenarios for the catchment area.

Thesis (MSc (Geography and Environmental Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / Botswana, a developing country in southern Africa, has not been spared the proliferating scourge of traffic accidents that is sweeping across the world. After HIV/AIDS, traffic accidents are the second largest cause of unnatural deaths in Botswana. The country is losing two per cent of its GDP every year to traffic accident costs. Furthermore, road safety is one of the major challenges the country will have to overcome in order to achieve its Vision 2016. This study investigates traffic accidents in Gaborone, the capital city of Botswana, for the years 2000 and 2005. The study analyses the characteristics of traffic accidents, examines their causes, maps the spatial distribution of traffic accidents for 2000 and 2005, and outlines the countermeasures government is instituting to curb accidents. The main data on traffic accidents used was extracted from the microcomputer accidents analysis package V5.0 (MAAP 5) obtained from the Traffic Police Division. Semi-structured interviews with transport and safety officers, traffic police and other stakeholders were conducted. The interviews were mainly about what government is doing to reduce the carnage caused by traffic accidents. Existing reports were also used as data sources. Microsoft Excel and ArcGIS 9.1 packages were used to do the analyses. The road casualties of drivers/riders are concentrated in the economically active age category of 15-64 years (95% for all casualties). In particular, the casualties are very high in the 20-39 age cohort with one third and three quarters of all casualties for 2000 and 2005 respectively. In addition, driver casualties by gender for the 20-39 age cohort show a high representation of males, namely 57% and 64% for 2000 and 2005 respectively.