M.Ed. / A number of studies has shown that adult education is a matter of great concern in South Africa, and the Northern Province has been earmarked as one of the regions with which needs thorough redressing and restitution of equality. This is because this region is constituted of rural areas characterised by poverty, unemployment and lack of proper housing and infrastructure. Many adults, most of hem middle-aged, and teenagers are illiterate because they either missed out on school or dropped out of school. It therefore becomes important that, given the situation in the province, ABET centres and relevant programmes be established and provided in order to fight against illiteracy. The literature shows that good provision in adult education should go hand in hand with the identification and assessment of the needs of adult learners. Whatever investigation is made on the needs of adult learners, the social and cultural background of the learner should be considered because it is the context which guides and influences expression of their needs. This suggests that appropriate methods for conducting ABET needs assessment should be selected and used - methods which will adapt to the background of the adult learners. The aim of this study, therefore, is to describe the process of conducting a needs assessment for the development of a programme for adult learners using the hermeneutic-dialectic methodology, and simultaneously assessing the viability of this methodology for developing appropriate needs assessment instruments in rural areas of South Africa. This study was approached from a constructivist (interpretive) perspective. This perspective is one which asserts that there exists multiple realities which are socially constructed. Within this perspective, the hermeneutic-dialectic methodology is suggested as a way of conducting research. Using this methodology as a framework, the open interview method was used in order to elicit constructions of participants. It became evident that the hermeneutic-dialectic methodology may be one of the appropriate methodologies which can be used for conducting needs assessment in rural areas. This is because the methodology adapts to the social and cultural background of the adult learners.

M.A. / Although South Africa is a country endowed with abundant energy resources (fuels such as coal, uranium and gas), biomass is the prime source of energy for cooking and heating in the rural domestic sector. Fuelwood is the common biomass used, followed by crop residues and animal dung. This research examines the environmental and socio-economic impacts of biomass energy consumption in the Mbhokota village in the Northern Province. The research was conducted by means of a field survey. Data collection methods included administering questionnaires to those who are involved in fuelwood collection (mostly women), interviews with various interested groups and personal observation of the affected sites, and a review of literature relevant to this study. The use of biomass as a source of fuel has much wider implications for the social and biophysical environments. The excessive cutting of trees for fuel leads to a reduction in the diversity of plant species and destruction of habitat for wildlife. Loss of soil cover through the use of crop residues increases soil erosion and thus reduces the agricultural production. The use of biomass fuels gives rise to high levels of indoor air pollution which affects the health of people. As fuelwood supplies diminish, people must travel further and hence spend more time collecting wood. Greater time spent collecting wood means that less time is spent on food production and other household activities (farming, childcare, housekeeping, socialising and educating themselves). Other issues of concern include the high cost of purchasing wood from vendors and personal security in places where wood is collected. The above factors do not only entrench poverty, but also have dire implications for the rural economy. This study has shown that the present patterns of fuelwood collection inflict permanent damage on the environment, reducing its ability to provide further fuel in the future. The implication is that the supply of fuelwood can no longer be guaranteed in some parts of the study area, leading to the use of crop residues and animal dung. This report also highlights the recommendations and management measures (based on the results of the study) that can be used in mitigating the impacts of biomass energy use. These include the introduction of improved stoves, use of solar energy as an alternative energy source, empowerment of women, establishment of community based projects and integrating energy with rural development

M.A. / In the former Republic of Venda, many people lost their jobs when industries that had mushroomed during the 1980's pulled out of the area. This happened just prior to the collapse of the Bantustan government. The most affected were women who, because of lack of education, could not get employment within and outside of the province. As a way of alleviating poverty, people resorted to selfemployment and community development projects. Different community development projects were started throughout Venda. Some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) helped women who were unemployed by giving them training and help them to start projects such as sewing, knitting, chicken farming, creches and small-scale gardening. The training of people in different skills was done as a way of helping to equip communities so that they may start projects that they could manage, and that could become selfsustainable. The new South African government, through its Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP), also assisted the poverty-stricken rural areas to start generating projects that would generate jobs for the people. These programmes involved the communities, the NGOs and the government through the RDP. Short and long term projects that were considered suitable by the members and community developers in the different areas were started. In order to maintain the smooth running and the co-ordination of all their projects, many communities instituted Community Development Committees (CDC). The CDC was an umbrella body within a community whose members had been elected by the community itself. The main task of the CDC was to help the different `Community Development Project' (CDP) committees responsible for the different projects within the community to obtain funds from different sources. They also helped to organise training for interested project members. In most cases, they worked hand in hand with the civic association committees and the traditional leaders, as well as the community members themselves. In this study, I have compared the activities of the community gardening projects within two rural communities. These two gardening projects are at Mangondi and Tshisahulu rural areas in Venda within the Northern Province. In their attempts to fight unemployment and poverty, these two communities (like many other communities within the Province and Venda in particular) embarked on the establishment of several community development projects, gardening being one of them. Most of the gardeners in these two projects are women. These women vary in age, education and family situations. The aim of this study was to establish the problems facing rural women in their attempts to free themselves from the grip of poverty and unemployment that continues to render them marginalised. The provision of government policy on the problem of women's rights on land ownership was also examined. The method of research used in the collection of data during field work was the interview method. This method was most preferred because it allowed me an opportunity to ask questions directly to these gardeners most of whom cannot read or write. A literature study was done on the role and activities of women in small gardening projects and the development process. It is my wish that this work be of assistance to the development workers and the policy-makers as well as the RDP officers of the Northern Province under which this area falls.

This document consists of three sections, and they are the academic paper (section 1), literature review (section 2) and research methodology (section 3). The academic paper consists of the purpose of the research, the summarised literature review, summarised research methodology and the research findings. The literature review section is a detailed review of literature used in this study. The research methodology section explains the research methodology and design which was employed in this study and it gives more details than the summarised version of the academic paper section. This summary integrated all the elements of section 1, section 2 and section 3. The purpose of this research is to identify the main problems that the Department of Environment and Nature Conservation (DENC) could encounter during the implementation and use of a performance management system, based on employee perspectives. The objectives of this research are therefore: to establish how often a particular problem has been encountered during the implementation and use of a performance management system in DENC; to identify the impact of various problems on the implementation of a performance management system, to establish whether these problems can be easily solved or not, and to analyse the problems associated with the implementation of a performance management system, as well as making recommendations for the successful implementation of a performance management system in the future. In this study, the researcher employed both quantitative and qualitative research approaches, informed by post-positivism as research orientation. The data collection techniques employed in this research include survey questionnaires and individual interviews. The survey questionnaire was answered by fifty respondents, and interview questions were answered by four respondents. The ethical issues were addressed by writing a letter to the Head of Department and getting authorisation to complete the research and informing respondents of their right to withdraw and to participate voluntarily. The findings indicate that the problems are either sometimes encountered or rarely encountered, and the division is about fifty percent of those sometimes encountered to those rarely encountered. This research indicates that most of the problems have a moderate impact on the use and implementation of a performance management system. The lack of management has a high impact, and a lack of positive attitude to performance management system (PMS) certainly has an impact on the use and implementation of the performance management system. Items such as the problem of information and communication technology (ICT) which does not support PMS adequately, and defining too many key performance indicators (KPI), have a small impact on the use and implementation of the performance management system. There are three problems which are difficult to solve and they are: lack of management commitment, organisational members‟ lack of positive attitude to the PMS and an insufficient period of commitment from management to PMS. This research indicates that most of the problems associated with PMS are moderately easy to solve. Two other problems that are easy to solve include the problem where there are too many KPIs defined and the problem where there is no organisational member appointed to take ownership of the PMS. According to this research, the top ten ranking problems have high ranking scores and this indicates that they can create major difficulties for the DENC in implementing the performance management system, and the chance of encountering these problems is high in the DENC in comparison to other problems. Almost all the problems ranked in the top ten seem to score highly in terms of the severity of their impact, and therefore this means that these are the problems which have an impact and, when they are not easily solved, they can become a tenacious issue for the organisation.

M.Phil. / The problem that exists in the developing areas of the Northern Cape area of Eskom (and also in all other developing areas in South Africa), is to make the correct decisions in terms of electrification, marketing and sales of electricity and electrical appliances when electrifying these areas. This study investigates this problem. The results from field work before and after electrification and recommendations form the main part of the study. The main methods followed for this study were as follows: Previous pre-electrification studies over a period of roughly six years in 82 developing areas were aggregated into 33 tables with maximums, minimums and averages calculated, including compiling 52 graphs. This process took the best part of one year. This gives an in-depth combined view of energy - and socioeconomic aspects particular to the Northern Cape. A needs analysis was also done amongst role players inside and outside Eskom, inter alia the management of Eskom, municipalities, Rand Afrikaans University, electrical contractors and district councils. The most important needs were investigated during field work done for this study in 1994. Data processing in dBase and Microsoft Excel and statistical analysis in Statgraphics was done, and the findings were taken up in four internal before/after publications during 1995 and 1996 and finally, in this study. It provides a clearer insight into electrification -, socio economic and health aspects in the developing areas of Northern Cape before and after electrification. Electrification in developing areas in Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe is uneconomical and in many cases has just about come to a standstill. Electrification in Namibia and Botswana is progressing slowly, at a cautious economic pace. Amongst the most important findings (in another 29 tables and another 58 graphs) for the Northern Cape area of Eskom are: The number of prepaid customers in the developing areas grew from less than 100 in 1989 to more than 38 000 in 1996, an increase of more than 20 000%. At this stage these customers of Eskom consume 4.148 GWh of electricity p.m., the equivalent of about 4 148 big households, each consuming 1 000 kWh (units) of electricity. This translates to only 109.16 kWh (Eskom ±70 kWh nationally)per customer p.m., which is not even nearly economical to Eskom. It must be remembered that it took 20 years in Ireland for electrification programmes to become economically viable. The target of Eskom in South Africa vary from 350 kWh to 572 kWh p.m., the latter which can only be achieved by "second phase" electricity consumption, i.e. by using heavy appliances such as geysers as well. When the developing areas have been fully electrified, total electricity demand in South Africa could increase by 7.4%, which could cause the building of another 1.26 big power stations. After electrification, there was a statistically significant reduction in the monthly average spending on wood and coal in the developing areas of Northern Cape. The electrical appliances mostly in use (after electrification) are irons, kettles and TV's. After electrification there was a statistically significant increase in the percentage of the maximum average "marketing potential" of appliances. The electrical appliances that most residents still want to buy after electrification, are washing machines, fridges and geysers. After electrification, only 68.63% of kettles are electrical types (on average). Nearly all electrical appliances are used during the peak hours of Eskom. The maximum amount that residents are prepared to spend on electricity, is R75.89 p.m., compared to R53.64 p.m. before electrification. The recalculated total average spending on energy (excluding petrol and diesel) is R91.72 per month before electrification and R121.21 p.m. after electrification. The average level of education is between standard 5 and 6 compared to between standard 3 and 4 before electrification (this is also statistically significant). The average income of households is R943.89 p.m.,compared to R507.59 p.m. before electrification. The average number of people per household is the following (pre-electrification figures in brackets): men 1.05 (0.96), women 1.21 (1.17) and children 3.26 (2.98). The total number of people per household is 5.51 (5.11). Most residents are very satisfied with health services in their areas. The biggest group (on average 95.30%) in the electrified developing areas of Northern Cape make use of modern medicine. The next biggest group (on average 4.7%) make use of modern medicine and traditional healers.

This paper describes a participatory action research project involving a group of the aged from the Makgoba community. The focus of this study was the establishment ofa service centre by the rural aged. In the course of this project, the researcher discovered how the rural aged were empowered through the participatory action research process. This process enabled the aged to accomplish their goals, and so to grow and develop. In particular, they improved their lives, and enhanced their self esteem and dignity. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Science : Mental Health)

The system of care for persons suffering from schizophrenia is in a state of upheaval and the community in general is visibly frightened of an illness it knows little about except for the information acquired often from media reporting. Considering persons suffering from schizophrenia as holistic beings, this study explored and assessed the needs of these persons residing in the Mogoto Village, Zebediela District in the Northern Province. The primary purpose of the study was to explore and describe the holistic needs of persons suffering from schizophrenia thus facilitating the planning of care and care facilities for these individuals to enable them to function optimally in the community. To accomplish this purpose, specific objectives were formulated. A quantitative, exploratory and descriptive study based on the Nursing Theory for the Whole Person was carried out. Through purposive sampling 60 respondents were selected. A questionnaire was administered to the respondents. Data from questionnaires revealed that despite the diagnosis of schizophrenia, the respondents were still regarded as valuable members of the community by those who cared for them. There was also an indication that the needs of persons suffering from schizophrenia in the Mogoto Village did not differ from the needs of other persons in the rest of the world. Like any unique person they have specific needs. There was also an indication that mental illness is still rated low in the prioritisation of health problems, hence the lack of resources and support needed for the rehabilitation of persons suffering from schizophrenia, especially in the rural areas. / Advanced Nursing Sciences / M.A.(Nursing Science)

This paper describes a participatory action research project involving a group of the aged from the Makgoba community. The focus of this study was the establishment ofa service centre by the rural aged. In the course of this project, the researcher discovered how the rural aged were empowered through the participatory action research process. This process enabled the aged to accomplish their goals, and so to grow and develop. In particular, they improved their lives, and enhanced their self esteem and dignity. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Science : Mental Health)

The system of care for persons suffering from schizophrenia is in a state of upheaval and the community in general is visibly frightened of an illness it knows little about except for the information acquired often from media reporting. Considering persons suffering from schizophrenia as holistic beings, this study explored and assessed the needs of these persons residing in the Mogoto Village, Zebediela District in the Northern Province. The primary purpose of the study was to explore and describe the holistic needs of persons suffering from schizophrenia thus facilitating the planning of care and care facilities for these individuals to enable them to function optimally in the community. To accomplish this purpose, specific objectives were formulated. A quantitative, exploratory and descriptive study based on the Nursing Theory for the Whole Person was carried out. Through purposive sampling 60 respondents were selected. A questionnaire was administered to the respondents. Data from questionnaires revealed that despite the diagnosis of schizophrenia, the respondents were still regarded as valuable members of the community by those who cared for them. There was also an indication that the needs of persons suffering from schizophrenia in the Mogoto Village did not differ from the needs of other persons in the rest of the world. Like any unique person they have specific needs. There was also an indication that mental illness is still rated low in the prioritisation of health problems, hence the lack of resources and support needed for the rehabilitation of persons suffering from schizophrenia, especially in the rural areas. / Advanced Nursing Sciences / M.A.(Nursing Science)

Thesis (MScAgric (Soil Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / South Africa is a water scarce country and in certain regions the quantity of surface water is insufficient to provide communities with their domestic water needs. In many arid areas groundwater is often the sole source of water. This total dependence means that groundwater quality is of paramount importance. A high nitrate concentration in groundwater is a common cause of water being declared unfit for use and denitrification has been proposed as a potential remedy. In groundwater of the Marydale district in the Northern Cape Province, nitrate levels are high enough to be of concern for domestic and livestock consumption. A review of the literature indicates that bacterial denitrification of groundwater can be achieved in situ by using a suitable energy substrate. The technology has been tested elsewhere in the world but more certainty is needed on whether it is a feasible option for local groundwater remediation using local, cost-effective energy substrates and exploiting bacterial populations present naturally in the regolith. The objective of this study was to perform denitrification experiments by laboratory incubation using soil and groundwater samples collected in Marydale in order to determine; 1) The effectiveness of different carbon sources; 2) The effect of using soil sampled at different depths; 3) The effect of C:N ratio of the carbon substrate; and 4) The quality of resultant water. Various experiments were set up using 10 g soil and 40 mL groundwater with different concentrations of carbon sources (sawdust, glucose, maize meal and methanol). All experiments were done under a nitrogen atmosphere to exclude oxygen and temperature was kept constant at 23 °C. Indicator parameters were selected based on literature review, and major cations and anions and some metals were analysed for initially and at selected times during each experiment to evaluate whether major ion chemistry was changing over time. Parameters analysed in supernatant solutions after varying periods of time to indicate progress of denitrification and reduction included nitrate, nitrite, sulfate, alkalinity, chloride, acetate, basic cations, ammonium, pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved organic carbon, heteThe Marydale groundwater in some boreholes is of predominantly NaCl type and the nitrate concentration of 19-32 mg/L as N exceeds ideal limits for drinking water of 6mg/L as N . Two soil materials were sampled at different depths from a red sand overlying calcrete (Plooysburg form, Family Py1000). The incubation experiments showed denitrification was complete within a period of between 1 and 6 weeks depending on the carbon substrate and C:N used. Higher rates of nitrate removal were achieved where greater C:N was used. Readily degradable carbon substrates e.g. glucose showed rapid denitrification, while sawdust, a slowly degradable substrate, effected slower denitrification, hence it was concluded that intermediately degradable carbon substrates e.g. wheat straw may prove more suitable. Use of shallower soil material containing initially higher nitrate levels resulted in better denitrification rates, however, both soil materials effected denitrification.. Heterotrophic plate counts increased with time, this presence and growth of heterotrophic bacteria confirmed that conditions were optimum for growth and denitrification and that inoculation with bacteria is not a requirement for in situ denitrification. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration could be directly correlated to the initial input of carbon substrate as soil and groundwater lacked organic material. Results showed that reaction products such as acetate and nitrite, and basic cation concentrations were elevated in the supernatant solution in preliminary experiments. This was interpreted to be attributed to incomplete oxidation of organic material and excess soluble and available carbon for reaction. Cation concentrations were interpreted to have resulted from a decrease in pH brought on by organic acids produced during denitrification. The method used showed specificity, as the only parameters affected by the denitrification experiment were DOC, alkalinity, nitrite, nitrate, and the heterotrophic plate count. The DOC and HPC did not comply with acceptable levels for drinking water. Removal of HPC by boiling or chlorinating is required to ensure that the resultant water composition is of potable quality. For further research with slowly degradable carbon sources it is recommended that a C:N ratio of more than 12 should be employed, and monitoring should focus on soluble carbon nitrate, nitrite, and heterotrophic plate count. The study confirmed that denitrification of this groundwater with a range of carbon sources is possible within a short period of anaerobic contact with local soil material. With sufficient knowledge of the characteristics of the soil and groundwater in the area, establishment of a working in situ denitrification plant is probably feasible.