Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / This study gives an overview of the sustainability of potable water supply in rural areas of South Africa in general and four rural areas of uMhlathuze in particular. Three key challenges in achieving sustainable rural water supply are discussed in more detail and later on used to evaluate the inadequacy of financial revenues to cover the full operation, maintenance and replacement of infrastructure. This research study analysed the factors pertaining to the tariff structure used in maintaining and sustaining rendered service. It analysed the current tariff structure that includes the poorest and most marginalised in line with revenue needed to cover recurrence costs. It was the purpose of this study to examine the adequacy of the management system used to sustain the supply of potable water in rural areas, taking into cognisance the costs of rendering the account and of illegal connections combined with high water losses. The study also attempted to link these points to the challenges faced by the rural areas. The sustainability of rural water supply was analysed, based on financial factors, affordability and on the willingness to pay for the service. The researcher first compared the water billing (levies) and payment patterns of each customer in rural areas of uMhlathuze Municipality with others; and secondly, compared the primary data against theory and the literature. Differences and similarities between the collected data and theory were at the core of the analysis The research results determined that the municipality has the capacity to maintain and sustain the potable water supply network in these areas, while dealing with management questions and recommending to management what is needed to ensure that the water reticulation system is run on a sustainable basis. Sustainability of rural water supply seems to be dependent on factors like policy, legal framework and economic factors such as an ability to meet the costs and willingness to pay for rendered service.

MSCAGR (Plant Production) / Department of Plant Production / Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an excellent utilizer of residual soil moisture in agricultural ecosystems. However, its seed quality and hence reproduction is constrained by water stress, seed size and storage conditions. This study was carried out at the University of KwaZulu- Natal (UKZN), Pietermaritzburg Campus. It was conducted to evaluate the performance of chickpea genotypes (Desi-K, Saina-K and ICCV-K) with different seed sizes on seedling emergence (i), seed ageing effect on seed quality and imbibition of genotypes produced under water stressed and non-stressed conditions (ii), and (iii) the effect of water stress during seed development on sugars and protein accumulation, germination and seed vigour. Pot experiments were conducted under glasshouse / tunnel conditions at the Controlled Environment Facilities (CEF). The experiment for objective 1 was laid out as a single factor in completely randomized design (CRD). Data on emergence rate, final hypocotyl and complete emergence was collected. The small seeded Desi-K showed higher and faster emergence compared to medium sized Saina-K and large seeded ICCV-K. In the experiment of the second objective, seeds of the three genotypes were first obtained by production under water stressed and non-stressed growing conditions. They were then aged for 0, 1, 3, 5, or 7 days at 41 ºC and 100% relative humidity to form a 2 x 3 x 5 (water levels x genotypes x ageing) factorial design. Data was collected on germination percentage (GP), mean germination time (MGT), electrical conductivity (EC), tetrazolium chloride test (TZ) and imbibition weight. Seed ageing caused progressive loss of seed viability and vigour in all genotypes, which resulted in lower GP, delayed MGT, reduced TZ staining, cell death and high solute leakage from the seeds produced under the two water regimes. However, the effect was more severe under water stressed conditions. In the experiment for objective 3, seeds of all three genotypes were larger when grown under non-stressed condition compared to those under water stressed condition. These larger seeds had higher seed viability and germination percentage but lower electrical conductivity and mean germination time. Stressed seeds had higher soluble sugars than non-stressed seeds. It was deduced that irrigation during seed development reduces the final sugars and protein content but increases the seed size and physiological quality parameters allied to production of chickpea. Therefore, water provision to chickpea crop is critical during seed development. / NRF