>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Subsistence farmers may contribute significantly to food production, food security, and employment in South Africa. However poor storage practices and contamination with mycotoxins, particularly fumonisins and aflatoxins impacts adversely on production, food safety and food security. Mycotoxins are toxic natural food-borne compounds which frequently contaminate agricultural produce worldwide. They are hazardous to humans and animals and result in significant production losses for farmers. This study focused on former Bantustans in Northern South Africa, namely Vhembe District Municipality (Limpopo) and Gert Sibande District Municipality (Mpumalanga). The aim was to assess mycological and mycotoxin contamination of crops grown by subsistence farmers. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to randomly thirty-nine households. Data on demographics, storage practices and production during period of 2011 and 2012 cropping seasons were collected. One hundred and fifteen (115) crop samples (maize, beans and peanuts) were collected for analysis. Standard mycological methods and validated mycotoxin analysis methods (HPLC and LC- MS/MS) were used. It was found that maize was the staple food in both provinces, with a significant difference (p = 0.0184) in its production between the two districts; Vhembe produced 0.6 tonnes compared to 2.4 tonnes in Gert Sibande. The majority of the farmers for storage used traditional open wooden cribs (15/20) and steel tanks (5/20) while VDM farmers used sealed store houses 5/19 and 15/19 used polystyrene sacks. Aflatoxin occurrence was low with <1% of GSDM samples contaminated compared to 11% of VDM samples. No significant difference (p > 0.05) was observed in the aflatoxin contamination in VDM samples between the year 2011 and 2012. Samples from VDM households had higher Aspergillus fungal infection (maximum incidence 69%) compared to GSDM (27%) over both seasons. The most frequently isolated Fusarium species in VDM samples was F. verticillioides (92%; 93%), and F. subglutinans (97%; 80%) in GSDM samples over seasons 2011 and 2012, respectively. Highest levels of fumonisins (FB1+ FB2) ranged between 1010 μg/kg and 12168 μg/kg with less than 30% extremely contaminated above the regulated limit in 91% of samples from Limpopo over both seasons (2011 and 2012). Fumonisin levels between the two seasons in VDM showed no significant difference (p>0.05). Only three (less than 5%) from 68% GSDM contaminated maize samples were above the FB1 and FB2 limit. In 2011, there were two highly contaminated maize samples (1762 μg/kg and 4598 μg/kg) with the other samples less than 600 μg/kg, whereas in season two (2012) all samples were below 200 μg/kg, except one highly contaminated sample (26115 μg/kg). None of the beans and peanuts from Mpumalanga was contaminated with mycotoxins above the recommended limit, but from Limpopo 1/5 peanuts was found contaminated with aflatoxin G1 (41 μg/kg). Natural occurrence and contamination of both fumonisin and aflatoxin in stored home-grown maize from VDM was significantly (p < 0.0001) higher than GSDM over both seasons. In general, Limpopo farmers’ experience lower harvests and greater mycotoxin contamination of agricultural produce. This may be attributed in part to poor storage practices and environmental and climatic conditions in that agro-ecological zone.

The study focused on the challenges facing school governing bodies in the Vhembe district in the implementation of finance policies. Through the provision of the South African Schools Act, 84 of 1996, the school governing body is entrusted with the responsibilities of establishing and managing the school fund. The research was a multi-site case study of the Vhembe district. Purposive sampling of schools was conducted. Semi-structured interviews, observations and document analyses were carried out. The findings suggest that the finance personnel and committees at school level were not well established, trained and thus became dysfunctional. The researcher recommends that finance policies should be amended, finance committees trained and continuous monitoring of finances provided by the circuit and district officials. The study was also characterized by a number of limitations, including difficulties in understanding financial terminology by some participants and fear of handing in financial documents for examination. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Education Management)

The purpose of my study was to investigate about the support that Foundation Phase learners with Mathematical problems receive from different role players and to determine difficulties faced by these learners and educators concerning Mathematical barriers. Based on the findings from my study, recommendations were made to the Department of Education and educators who had learners experiencing problems in Mathematics. This study was of qualitative approach and it was conducted in three different primary schools. In my study, open-ended questions were used in a form of interviews. The interviews took place at the three different schools. Participants were told that their interview was voluntary and they were free to withdraw at any time if they felt uncomfortable. The data was collected by writing response from participants and using tape recorder. It was then transcribed, organised, marked by hand, and coded to produce labels that allowed the key points of the information to be highlighted. In my study, I maintained strict confidentiality to protect identity of participants and research sites. My study provided valuable information for future studies with regard to learners with learning barriers in Mathematics in Foundation Phase. / Inclusive Education / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

Theses (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The municipal elections of 5 December 2000 ushered in the final phase in the transformation of local government in South Africa. Legislation and directives from national government require that municipalities operate within a context of a strategic framework. This strategic framework, or Integrated Development Plan, determines how a municipality in an integrated practical approach, implement its legislative mandates obtained from the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act, 1998 and other legislation. In the past municipalities were characterized by operating within strong functional divisions or departments. It was inevitable that service delivery, career development and performance management developed within the context of functional isolation. However, the solutions to many of the socio-economic problems which face municipalities require that it have to be dealt with in a multi disciplinary manner. Based on the legislative framework in which municipalities operate, as well as the directives from national government, the study concluded that Eden District Municipality is obliged to reconsider its present operational methodologies. Based on a literature study of organisational structures and the introduction of project management within organisations, a number of recommendations are formulated to assist Eden District Municipality in the implementation of project management as strategic objective. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Transformasie van plaaslike regering in Suid-Afrika het sy finale beslag gevind na die munisipale verkiesings van 5 Desember 2000. Wetgewing en voorskrifte van die nasionale regering vereis tans dat munisipale owerhede sal opereer binne die konteks van 'n strategiese raamwerk. Sodanige raamwerk, of Geïntegreerde Ontwikkelingsplan, bepaal die wyse waarop 'n munisipaliteit op 'n geïntegreerde wyse praktiese beslag moet gee aan die funksionale mandate soos ontleen uit die Grondwet van die Republiek van Suid-Afrika, 1996, Plaaslike Regering: Munisipale Strukturewet, 1998 en ander wetgewing. Munisipaliteite in Suid-Afrika is egter in die verlede gekenmerk deur departementalisering streng binne funksionele konteks. Gevolglik het dienslewering, loopbaanontwikkeling en prestasiemeting onvermydelik ook in 'n patroon van funksionele isolasie ontwikkel. Die sosio ekonomiese -eise wat munisipaliteite tans die hoof moet bied, kan egter beswaarlik binne 'n enkel dimensionele funksionele benadering hanteer word. Gegrond op die vereistes van die wetgewende raamwerk wat plaaslike regering in Suid-Afrika reguleer, sowel as die voorskrifte van die nasionale regering, word in die studie bevind dat dit onafwendbaar vir Eden Distriksmunisipaliteit is om sy bestaande operasionele metodologië in heroorweging te neem. Op grond van 'n literatuurstudie van organisasiestrukture en die toepassing van projekbestuur in organisasies, word bepaalde voorstelle aan die Eden Distriksmunisipaliteit geformuleer om projekbestuur as strategiese oogmerk te implementeer.

Since the introduction of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) in 2003 and the Public Sector Risk Management Framework in 2010, Municipalities had to start focusing on proper risk management as part of their management activities. Within the government sector, risk management needs to be implemented in order to prevent financial losses and to improve service delivery. If shortcomings regarding risk management exist within a municipality, it could have a negative effect on sound financial management and the outcome of annual audits. This study was conducted to test the hypothesis, namely if shortcomings regarding risk management exist within a municipality. Should this be the case, it could possible affect sound financial management and the outcome of annual audits. This was to a large extent proven within this case study and it is likely that other municipalities will have similar problems. Information was obtained from two groups of officials of the Sedibeng District Municipality by means of one-on-one interviews and hand delivered questionnaires. Group 1 consisted of 14 officials not in management positions and group 2 of 11 officials in senior management positions. The questionnaire comprised five sections of questions that aimed at determining the extent of knowledge and attitude of the respondent towards monitoring, assessment, identification and response to risk management within their specific departments. Analysis of the results indicated clearly that the overall risk management knowledge differed substantially from group 1 to group 2. The knowledge, monitoring, assessment, identification and response to risk management activities were minimal or unclear to respondents not in management positions. Respondents in senior management positions were more aware of risk management responsibilities. However they admitted that it was not always done as required and in many cases only due to compliance. The results are strengthened by the statement released by the Auditor General in his 2011 audit report on Sedibeng District Municipality stating “the implementation of appropriate risk management activities to ensure risk assessment, were not conducted and the risk strategy to address the risks was not developed and monitored.” Various recommendations are proposed within this article that could improve the overall management and sustainability of risk management within municipalities. / M Development and Management (Public Management and Governance), North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2014

The dawn of democracy and adoption of the new constitution heralded in a new political dispensation for South Africa. These development set local government in a new path as various pieces of legislations and policies were passed to transform local government from fragmented and racially – based municipalities into democratic and non – racial entities. Transformation did not end on amalgamation of racial municipal entities and change to racial composition of the administration staff but has to transcend beyond to ensure accountability, transparency, responsive and participation of communities in the affairs of local government to promote good governance. The Sedibeng District Municipality (SDM) established various structures, systems and processes intend on promoting transformation. However, its process of transformation is limited only to the structure and composition of the administration. Little was done to transform the reigning culture which has its roots in the apartheid past, despite the existence of policies including the White Paper on the Transforming Public Service Delivery (Batho Pele). Accordingly, the existence of new structures, systems and processes failed to curb corruption in the ranks of Sedibeng District Municipality. Currently, a number of staff members are facing various charges of fraud and corruption. The Auditor – General have found that millions of rands have spent without proper procedure being followed. The state of affairs give indications that existing structures, systems and processes are not solid enough to curb corruption. Furthermore, the situation is accentuated by the municipality’s failure to involve communities in the affairs of the local government. Communities are only used to rubber – stamp processes and programmes that are imposed by the municipality. This renders communities and community organisations useless and ineffective in holding the councillors accountable. Against the background of the problem statement, the hypotheses of the study were formulated as follows: * There is a non – compliance of municipal regulations required for transformation and good governance at Sedibeng District Municipality. * The leadership of the municipality does not possess adequate knowledge and the political will to monitor and ensure consistent adherence to regulations as required by law to promote transformation and good governance. The study utilized both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The study involved a number of techniques to gather information which includes literature study and empirical research. The findings of the study prove that there is a high level non – compliance of municipal regulations required to promote good governance at Sedibeng District Municipality. The responses of senior management also prove that there is a clear lack of leadership in the Sedibeng District Municipality. The study offers significant recommendations to improve the situation. The intend of the study was to explore and open avenue for further research in the field of change management (transformation of behaviour and culture), impact of cadre deployment in municipal performance and idea of public participation and involvement in the affairs of local government. / M Development and Management (Public Management and Governance), North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2014

M. Tech. Comparative Local Development. Department of Economics. / Local systems of innovation are defined as spatial concentrations of market and non-market agencies that combine to create new products and/or services in specific lines of economic activity. If successful, local systems of innovation bring about local economic development, building up the economic capacity of a local area in order to improve its economic future and the quality of life for its population. The aim of this research project is to study the local economy of the Amathole District Municipality using the local systems of innovation approach.

Magistro darbe tiriama elninių žvėrių populiacijos Jurbarko rajono savivaldybės teritorijoje. Darbo objektas – Jurbarko rajono savivaldybės teritorijos miškų elniniai žvėrys. Darbo tikslas – Įvertinti Jurbarko rajono savivaldybės teritorijojos elninių žvėrių populiacijų gausos ir tankio dinamiką, kokybę pagal ragus ir sumedžiojimo dinamiką. Darbo metodai – Žvėrių gausos ir sumedžiojimo duomenys paimti iš Aplinkos ministerijos oficialių ataskaitų. Elninių žvėrių vertinimo pagal atrankos grupes metodas. Leidinių, literatūros šaltinių analizės metodas, lyginamosios analizės metodas. Darbo rezultatai – Tyrimo metu nustatyta elninių žvėrių popukiacijos dinamika. Nuo 2008 iki 2011 metų briedžių populiacija padidėjo 32%, taurių elnių – 32%, stirnų – 29%. Visų trijų elninių žvėrių lyčių santykis atitinka mėsinės krypties medžioklės ūkio organizavimo principus. Briedžių populiacija nesudaro mažiausio leistino tankio, todėl medžioklė draudžiama, tauriųjų elnių populiacija viršija ekologinį tankį, todėl tikslinga jų gausą reguliuoti intensyviau, kad nebūtų padaryta didelė žala miškų ir žemės ūkiui, stirnų populiačija artėja prie ekologinio tankio ribos, todėl tikslinga gausą reguliuoti intensyviau. Per praėjusius keturis medžioklės sezonus sumedžiota santykinai daugiau atrankinių tauriųjų elnių patinų, o atrankinių stirninų sumedžiojimas padidėjo net 41%, nei prieš 10 metų. Tauriųjų elnių daugiausiai buvo sumedžiota 5–8 ragais, rugsėjo mėnesį, o stirninų daugiausiai buvo sumedžiota 3–5... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / In master thesis there were made analyzes about populations of deer animals of Jurbarkas district municipality. Object of work– Deer animals of Jurbarkas district municipality forests. Aim of work– To evaluate dynamic of deer (Cervidae) populations abundance and density in Jurbarkas district municipality forests, quality by horns and entrapment’s dynamic. Research methods– Information of deer abundance and entrapment is collected from official reports of the Ministry of Environment. Deer animals‘ evulation method by selection groups. Publications, literature sources‘ analysis method, comparative analysis method. Results– It was found dynamic of deer animals populations. Population of moose raised by 32 %, red deer – 32 %, roe – 29 % since 2008 until 2011 years. Ratio of all three deer animals sex matches principles of meat hunting organization. Moose hunting is forbidden because of low population. Population of red deer exceeds ecological density so there is necessary to control more intensive to avoid damage in husbandry and forestry. Population of roes is near to the limit of ecological density so there is necessary to control more intensive. There were hunted more selective red deer males. Entrapment of roebucks was increased even by 41% during 10 years. Much of red deers were hunted with 5-8 horns in Septembers. Most of hunted roebucks had 3-5 horns and entrapment is almost identic every month of hunting season.

Since the introduction of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) in 2003 and the Public Sector Risk Management Framework in 2010, Municipalities had to start focusing on proper risk management as part of their management activities. Within the government sector, risk management needs to be implemented in order to prevent financial losses and to improve service delivery. If shortcomings regarding risk management exist within a municipality, it could have a negative effect on sound financial management and the outcome of annual audits. This study was conducted to test the hypothesis, namely if shortcomings regarding risk management exist within a municipality. Should this be the case, it could possible affect sound financial management and the outcome of annual audits. This was to a large extent proven within this case study and it is likely that other municipalities will have similar problems. Information was obtained from two groups of officials of the Sedibeng District Municipality by means of one-on-one interviews and hand delivered questionnaires. Group 1 consisted of 14 officials not in management positions and group 2 of 11 officials in senior management positions. The questionnaire comprised five sections of questions that aimed at determining the extent of knowledge and attitude of the respondent towards monitoring, assessment, identification and response to risk management within their specific departments. Analysis of the results indicated clearly that the overall risk management knowledge differed substantially from group 1 to group 2. The knowledge, monitoring, assessment, identification and response to risk management activities were minimal or unclear to respondents not in management positions. Respondents in senior management positions were more aware of risk management responsibilities. However they admitted that it was not always done as required and in many cases only due to compliance. The results are strengthened by the statement released by the Auditor General in his 2011 audit report on Sedibeng District Municipality stating “the implementation of appropriate risk management activities to ensure risk assessment, were not conducted and the risk strategy to address the risks was not developed and monitored.” Various recommendations are proposed within this article that could improve the overall management and sustainability of risk management within municipalities. / M Development and Management (Public Management and Governance), North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2014

The dawn of democracy and adoption of the new constitution heralded in a new political dispensation for South Africa. These development set local government in a new path as various pieces of legislations and policies were passed to transform local government from fragmented and racially – based municipalities into democratic and non – racial entities. Transformation did not end on amalgamation of racial municipal entities and change to racial composition of the administration staff but has to transcend beyond to ensure accountability, transparency, responsive and participation of communities in the affairs of local government to promote good governance. The Sedibeng District Municipality (SDM) established various structures, systems and processes intend on promoting transformation. However, its process of transformation is limited only to the structure and composition of the administration. Little was done to transform the reigning culture which has its roots in the apartheid past, despite the existence of policies including the White Paper on the Transforming Public Service Delivery (Batho Pele). Accordingly, the existence of new structures, systems and processes failed to curb corruption in the ranks of Sedibeng District Municipality. Currently, a number of staff members are facing various charges of fraud and corruption. The Auditor – General have found that millions of rands have spent without proper procedure being followed. The state of affairs give indications that existing structures, systems and processes are not solid enough to curb corruption. Furthermore, the situation is accentuated by the municipality’s failure to involve communities in the affairs of the local government. Communities are only used to rubber – stamp processes and programmes that are imposed by the municipality. This renders communities and community organisations useless and ineffective in holding the councillors accountable. Against the background of the problem statement, the hypotheses of the study were formulated as follows: * There is a non – compliance of municipal regulations required for transformation and good governance at Sedibeng District Municipality. * The leadership of the municipality does not possess adequate knowledge and the political will to monitor and ensure consistent adherence to regulations as required by law to promote transformation and good governance. The study utilized both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The study involved a number of techniques to gather information which includes literature study and empirical research. The findings of the study prove that there is a high level non – compliance of municipal regulations required to promote good governance at Sedibeng District Municipality. The responses of senior management also prove that there is a clear lack of leadership in the Sedibeng District Municipality. The study offers significant recommendations to improve the situation. The intend of the study was to explore and open avenue for further research in the field of change management (transformation of behaviour and culture), impact of cadre deployment in municipal performance and idea of public participation and involvement in the affairs of local government. / M Development and Management (Public Management and Governance), North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2014