Protected areas in Kenya constitute 7% of the total land area with over 75% of wildlife in the country being found on private or communal land. Wi th one of the highest population growth rates in the world and facing a range of developmen t issues with limited resources, one of the greatest challenges in Kenya is reconciling and sus taining economic development with biodiversity conservation and sharing the costs and benefits of conservation between individuals, state and the general community. The study was info rmed by the relevant literature and the researcher’s fieldwork which was conducted in 2008 in three categories of protected areas under different governance types and primary management o bjectives in Kenya (Lake Nakuru National Park – government managed, Kimana Community Wildlif e Sanctuary – communally managed, and Kedong Game Ranch – privately managed). The res earch examined the general issues of how local communities in Kenya have embraced differ ent biodiversity conservation strategies. A major emphasis was on identifying those factors inf luencing their attitudes towards conservation approaches and their participation in conservation management institutions. At issue was whether support for a particular conservation strat egy is primarily a function of communities’ experiences with biodiversity decline or their rela tionship with the conservation authorities. The research employed both qualitative and quantitative techniques in gathering the data. A total of 270 community respondents and 45 staff respondents were interviewed. Several demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the local peo ple that include age, gender, educational level and location, amongst others, were found to signifi cantly influence the attitudes of the local people towards the protected areas conservation act ivities. The direction of the influences (whether positive or negative) depended on the mana gement category of the particular protected area. The general findings of the study suggest tha t although local people appreciate the crucial value of biodiversity and the role of protected are as in conserving it, there is some evidence of resentment towards some management activities of th e protected area regulators. Negative attitudes were attributed to perceived problems of living next to the protected areas such as lack of involvement of the local people in the managemen t of the protected areas, restrictive access to and use of resources from the protected areas, hara ssment by the conservation enforcing agents, conflicts with wildlife and lack of compensation fo r damages and losses incurred. Widespread support for the management activities was associate d with perceived benefits to the local populations such as support for educational program mes, social amenities, employment and business opportunities. It is clear from this study that different rationales of conserving biodiversity need to address the issue of protected area management in the context of sustainable development through a combination of conservation s trategies. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

This study was designed to investigate the meaning of the concept of tourism among black South Africans in general and black urban dwellers in particular. The aims of the study were as follows: (a) To look at how black urban dwellers engage in tourist activities. (b) To look at what black urban dwellers understand by the concept of tourism. (c) To find out what places and tourist destinations black people prefer to patronise. (d) To establish the distances black people travel to reach tourist destinations. (e) To focus on the quality of the experiences black people gain at tourist destinations. (f) To gain knowledge about the modes of transport black people use to reach tourist destinations. The dimensions, which pertain to the expression of tourism, were connected. This connection was done in such a way as to reflect on those features of tourism experience which are common amongst urban blacks, and those, which differ for a variety of social and economic reasons. The data presented and analysed in this investigation was gathered from two sources. Quantitative data was collected from a sample of 580 urban black dwellers from several black townships. Qualitative data was collected from 30 families who reside at Esikhawini township. The principal hypothesis of the study is that tourism is not popular among black South Africans mainly because of economic constraints, and a legacy of discriminatory legislation, discriminatory attitudes, as well as the unattractiveness to black tourists of tourist destinations. The sub-hypotheses are as follows: (a) Blacks prefer to visit places where they can be accommodated by friends and relatives. (b) Blacks regard visits to friends and relatives who stay long distances from them as part of tourism. (c) Black people's experience of tourism is more regional than national. (d) Black people prefer to visit urban destinations than rural areas. (e) There are clearly identifiable dimensions of black people's participation in tourism and tourist experience which are common amongst urban blacks. The most important conclusions of the study are: (a) Black urban dwellers understand tourism to mean the practice of travelling for recreation. (b) Black urban dwellers prefer to visit destinations where they can be accommodated by friends and relatives. (c) Black urban dwellers' experience of tourism is more regional than national. (d) Black urban dwellers are mostly attracted to urban destinations than rural areas. (e) Black urban dwellers' tourist experiences have been grossly affected by the policy of apartheid which prohibited them from visiting certain destinations and deprived them of disposable income. The study sheds light on the perceptions and involvement of black urban dwellers in tourism. The investigation of the meaning and expression of tourism among urban blacks is a valuable exercise if tourism is to be made accessible to all South Africans regardless of race, colour and creed. Key words: Tourism, Tourist, Urban Black, Tourist Attraction, Tourism Experience, Tourism Destination. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Durban-Westville, 1999.

Many rural communities suffer from the poor management of natural resources they depend on. Natural resources such as land, water and forests are the source of their daily needs. It is well known that the sustainable use of natural resources is important, however, in the process of natural resource management some people are excluded from the decision-making process, especially rural women. This study examines the efficiency and equity consequences of natural resources and land management institutional practices in land reform projects in rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) in relation to gender issues. Case studies of two land reform projects in KZN, Platt Estate (restitution) and Ekuthuleni (redistribution) are used. Both quantitative (questionnaire surveys) and qualitative (focus group discussions, venn diagrams, mental mapping and ranking exercises) methods were used. The study examines the main links between women's needs and concerns as well as their participation in decision-making over land use and management of resources. Another noteworthy aspect that is examined is the way in which changing and differentiated patterns of control, access and use of land resources at household and community levels affect the ways in which resources are exploited and managed, especially in relation to women. Generally, the research findings illustrate that sustainable land use and natural resource management at the community and household levels in rural areas cannot be neglected or ignored in areas where high levels of poverty persist and where the re-invention and re-assertion of tradition is prevalent, especially traditional governance structures and patriarchy. In all two communities, structures pertaining to land management exist but the functionality, sustainability and viability of these structures and their ability to address development and environmental needs that impact on the social, economic, political and environmental quality of life are major concerns. Furthermore, women's participation in these structures is limited and several problems are experienced. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2006.

The vegetation along the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal has long been considered to have originally consisted of forest, scrub forest and savanna. The classical view is that in the last 600 years the early Africans and European farmers were responsible for the removal of forest and scrub forest along the coast. This view was not based on direct evidence but on the theory that the eastern part of the country has a climate "suitable" for forest and scrub forest. The present 'false' grasslands were thus thought to have developed through anthropogenic influences. All of this has its basis in the paradigm of ecological succession and the presence of a "climatic climax". This traditional view has been contested recently, based on archaeological, historical, biogeographical and ecological evidence that has become available since the 1950's. It is suggested that South Africa's grass lands have been in existence for the last two thousand years but probably for more than ten thousand years. This study aims to investigate this controversy in greater detail, using evidence from archaeological records, travellers records, transcripts, historical reviews, and diarised records. The locations of archaeological sites within the study area were determined and mapped out, followed by an analysis and interpretation of the data with reference to vegetation change. Archaeological evidence included shell middens, evidence of iron working and pottery remains. The activities of the early humans included iron smelting, agriculture and stock farming. Their activities required the selective use of vegetation for specific purposes, and vegetation was cleared for homesteads and villages. However, the density of people within the study area was low, and there was limited technological development, such that extensive clearing by relatively few people is unlikely. Furthermore, sites are concentrated along the coastline, with fewer sites away from the coast, suggesting that impacts would have been greatest along the coastline. However, this is where forests presently occur. Overall, the evidence suggests that the natural vegetation on the north coast was not modified drastically by precolonial settlers. Historical accounts of early travellers and settlers indicate a strip of forest along the coastline and a grassland/woodland mosaic away from the coast. Records of mammals suggest a fauna typical of savannas and not forest. With settlement over time, the major activity that impacted on the north coast vegetation, was agriculture. Sugar cane plantations contributed considerably to the clearing of vegetation that seems to have consisted primarily of open grasslands with patches of trees. Colonial settlement of this area resulted in various activities that required the large-scale removal of natural vegetation. It is important to know the human disturbance history of an area as this helps to assess the extent of change and to design appropriate management strategies for conservation of plant resources. The belief that the early vegetation of the north coast was forest has placed great emphasis on the conservation of forests along this coastal area. Based on this study, it seems that this vegetation type should not be the focus of conservation efforts, but that coastal grasslands with scattered bush clumps should be given much greater emphasis. Grasslands were more widespread in the region prior to European settlement, and based on this, conservationists should place greater emphasis on preserving this habitat. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2000.

Until recently educational geographers have concerned themselves largely with questions regarding those parts of the discipline which should be included in school and university curricula (Fitzgerald, 1969; Thomas, 1978). The advent of the quantitative and more recently the behavioural approaches to geography have focused attention on the nature of the discipline and educationalists faced with the change in emphasis from a regional to quantitative approach have incorporated new areas of study into the school curricula, without (in many cases) considering the needs of school children and their stages of conceptual development. The emphasis in geography teaching has in this manner moved away from a factual basis towards the teaching of concepts. Geographic concepts which are important for children to acquire have been defined by academic geographers (Hagget, 1975) but unfortunately little research has been undertaken into the teaching of these concepts. Only recently have geographers begun to show an interest in the way in which concepts are acquired by young pupils. In particular, the works of Blaut and Stea (1973, 1974), Catling (1978, 1978b, 1979), Balchin and Coleman (1973), Naish (1977), Cole and Beynon (1968, 1969), Rushdoony (1971) and Cracknell (1976) have focused attention on the need for geographic educators to understand the way in which pupils develop spatial concepts so that teaching strategies can be correctly planned. Deep seated prejudices regarding what children can understand at primary school are being subjected to careful analysis with sometimes surprising results (Blaut and Stea, 1974). Research into spatial concept formation and the teaching of geography is still in its infancy and more research is needed to enable geography at the primary school level to play a meaningful part in the total development of the child. In this regard the emphasis placed on the teaching of graphicacy needs special attention and mapwork skills need to be improved (Balchin and Cole, 1973). In this thesis an attempt is made to analyse and discuss the major theories of spatial concept development and to apply the ideas of the theorists to the practice of geography teaching in senior primary schools. The research into childrens' spatial concepts in two Natal primary schools, and into ways in which mapwork concepts can be utilised to aid spatial concept development, should help to improve the effectiveness of geography teaching at this level. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, 1980.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1965.

Tourism in Lesotho reached a peak in the mid-1970's, based upon the opening of modern hotels and casinos in Maseru and the attraction of gambling. This was an activity which was not then available in the neighbouring country of the Republic of South Africa. Casinos became Lesotho's dominant tourist product. The legalising of gambling in South Africa increased competition in the casino market and Lesotho could therefore no longer capitalise on casinos. Furthermore, the casinos in the country were externally owned and controlled. This form of tourism was therefore not economically viable for the greater proportion of the host population because most of the revenue generated drained back to parent countries. As a result, the strategy for tourism development shifted to the development of natural environment, landscape and outdoor pursuits such as pony trekking. Pony trekking became popular in the late 1970's and has since become one of the most important tourist products of the country. In the 1980's community pony trekking associations were established. These pony trekking initiatives were identified as one development option that could provide economic opportunities for rural communities where few other opportunities exist. The purpose of this study is to examine whether pony trekking initiatives in Lesotho can yield maximum possible economic, social and environmental benefits for the present and future host communities. While investigating its potential to meet the needs of host communities for improved living standards, it also examines whether this tourist product satisfies the demands and expectations of visitors. The field work described in this dissertation was carried out in three pony trekking centres, namely: the government owned Basotho Pony Trekking Centre located at Molimo-Nthuse in the Maseru district; the privately owned Malealea Pony Trekking Centre at Malealea in the Mafeteng district; and the community owned- Khohlonts'o Pony Trekking Centre at III Bokong in the Thaba-Tseka district. This study has revealed that pony trekking activities provide substantial socio- economic opportunities for local communities along the trek routes and around the trekking centres, from the renting of overnight facilities and horses, the production and selling of crafts and tour guiding by local people. Furthermore, the majority of members of pony trekking associations surveyed revealed high support for the activity due to the economic benefits. It was also found that the demands of the majority of visitors are being met. They were satisfied with the facilities and services offered in these centres and regarded public reception as being good. Though pony trekking contributes to social upliftment of the host communities, it is found, however, that there are major drawbacks. The survey indicates that at present limited number of people are involved or participate in pony trekking associations. Not only that, but even communities that are directly involved in pony trekking associations do not have control of such initiatives. Further, the survey shows that there is insufficient community capacity building and lack of government involvement in funding in the investment in infrastructure. Finally, the potential to attract more visitors remains relatively untapped due to a lack of proper marketing strategies; a lack of integrated marketing efforts in promotional campaigns; and weak advertising of the product between the public and private sectors. On the basis of these findings suggestions are made for further improvement. These include, firstly, a need to launch education and awareness programmes on the important role that tourism can play in socio-economic development of the communities. Secondly, more opportunities for the local population and new areas for pony trekking development should be opened. Finally, stronger support, from both the government and private firms for the tourist industry is needed. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1999.

The spatial mobility of the aged has, until recently, been a neglected area of study. Studies by gerontologists focused on housing, health and social services that influenced the quality of life of elderly and ignored spatial mobility. Mobility is an important variable for the aged, to take advantage of the wide variety of shopping, social, cultural and recreational services provided within residential environments. Moreover, for any interaction to take place outside the home, the aged must utilize public transport, motor vehicles or walk. Apartheid policies with its associated racial discrimination had a major impact on the lives of the aged, especially in black communities. Presently, there is a lack of understanding of the problems of the aged in disadvantaged communities because previous research was conducted mainly in white communities. In the light of the above, the aim of this study was to determine the spatial mobility patterns of the aged in Chatsworth, Durban, and to identify difficulties encountered when engaging in day to day activities. It is based on the rationale that mobility is a good measure for assessing the quality of life of the aged and determines the mobility patterns of the elderly in terms of time, cost and distance of travel. This study also identifies factors impeding mobility and makes recommendations to improve the spatial mobility of the aged. The study revealed that the aged in Chatsworth are both mobile and active. It was evident, however, that the aged experienced mobility problems that limited their access to essential services and facilities, because of inefficient transport, low income, lack of facilities and disabilities associated with the ageing process. The underlying feeling of the majority of the respondents was that the transport service in the area should be improved and the state pensions that they received should be increased in order to enhance their mobility and quality of life. Planners and policy makers must consider the concerns of the aged and respond to their needs so that they can continue to have active and independent lives in the community. The planning process can assist in breaking down barriers that hinder the mobility of the aged, and in so doing give the elderly improved opportunities to enjoy the same quality of life as the rest of society. Assistance with mobility and access to services and facilities will not only increase the range of opportunities for the elderly, but in the long term, reduce the amount of institutional care spent on them. Future generations of elderly people will have higher aspirations, expectations, be better educated and prepared for retirement. Present services and facilities are inadequate to cater for the new generation of elderly people and must be upgraded to cope with, and prevent, similar problems recurring in the future. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Durban-Westville, 1995.

Ecotourism has increasingly been adopted in many countries as a responsible and sustainable form of tourism. The role of the private sector in ecotourism development and specifically the involvement of communities in their activities, is of interest given that the global system of development and neo-liberalism, advocates for an increased involvement of the private sector in developmental activities. This thesis aims to explore the relationship between the private sector and surrounding communities in the ecotourism sector using Umngazi River Bungalows in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province, as a case study. Literature on neo-liberalism, ecotourism, community participation, and stakeholder theory was used to provide the theoretical framework for the study. A multi-strategy methodology approach was adopted in the study with qualitative and quantitative methods being used. Data analysis included basic quantitative statistical analysis and Dey’s approach of grouping responses for qualitative analysis. The thesis distinguished between three types of ecotourism and social responsibility projects at Umngazi River Bungalows, including service infrastructure, income-generating, and philanthropic projects. It was concluded that those projects where the hotel had substantial operational control were more successful than those that were fully community driven. The hotel was found to practice soft ecotourism. The management of the hotel and communities were proactive in ensuring that the natural environment was protected. The hotel has a positive and open relationship with its employees and the tribal authority in the area, and a conspicuous absence of government involvement as a key stakeholder in the operation of ecotourism in the area was noted. It was also concluded that full participation was not necessarily achieved through involvement in decision making structures, but that communities appeared to be content with the other forms of participation. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.

Many of today‟s global environmental problems can be traced back to cities. Managing the urban environment has become a priority not only for cities themselves, but also for the global environment as a whole. It has also placed considerable pressure on local governments to capacitate themselves with strategies, tools, and other competencies that enable them to effectively manage the environment. This thesis was undertaken to explore how the eThekwini Municipality located in South Africa is integrating sustainability, specifically within its Integrated Development Planning Process. This thesis is underpinned by the literature works of environmental policy making and discourse analysis as a methodology purported by Hajer (1995). One of the central premises of this literature is that any understanding of the natural environment is based on various representations coupled with assumptions and social choices. Therefore a detailed understanding of discursive practices that guides our perception of reality must be understood (Hajer, 1995). Ecological Modernisation, a newer policy discourse, does not comprise a unified set of ideas but has developed over many years of institutional debate. These set of ideas were initially drawn from large firms, environmental organizations, and scientific experts and to a lesser extent from local communities. Consequently this discourse represents a form of weak sustainability. The strong sustainability discourse calls for more involvement of local communities in respect of environmental issues and includes the discourse of LA21. The literature review therefore spans over a spectrum of discourses covering both weak and strong sustainability thinking as a base foundation on which to explore the case study of the eThekwini Municipality‟s Integrated Development Plans (IDPs): 2002-2005. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.