Lack of access to agricultural extension and advisory services is one of the major challenges facing emerging farmers in South Africa. The purpose of the study was to determine the level of access to extension and advisory services by emerging livestock farmers in uThungulu district municipality of KwaZulu Natal province. A survey design of face-to-face interviews was used to collect data using a structured questionnaire. A sample of 1 437 was randomly selected from 4 792 emerging livestock farmers in the district. A sampling fraction of 30% was used. Stratified sampling was used to determine the number of participants from each local municipality. The survey was conducted with different groups of emerging livestock farmers representing different age groups ranging from 18 years of age and older. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 software. The results showed that more than 90% of emerging livestock farmers in the district had better access to public extension compared with 14% who had access to private extension. On average, 30% of the respondents indicated that they also had access to extension and advisory services from agricultural cooperatives. With regard to extension delivery approaches, advisory was the main (43.5%) extension approach practised in uThungulu district municipality followed by project approach (37.8%), participatory approach (36.4%) and technology transfer at 11.1%. In conclusion, the involvement of private sector and cooperatives in rendering agricultural extension and advisory services in the emerging livestock sector was an indication that various stakeholders collaborate in the improvement of agriculture in the province. The emergence of project approach showed that extension agents or officers have become more target oriented rather than technology transfer driven. The use of participatory extension approach indicated that in the 21st century, farmer’s opinions were also taken into consideration in the delivery of agricultural extension and advisory services in the emerging livestock sector. It was recommended that there should be a wider partnership of extension and advisory services involving various stakeholders such as farmers, municipalities, non-governmental organizations and the private sector, to address and boost the efficiency of services to farmers in South Africa. Therefore, more work is required to increase access to extension and advisory services through cooperative associations by organizing emerging farmers in cooperative associations for the participatory approach to succeed / Agriculture, Animal Health and Human Ecology / M. Sc. (Agriculture)

(a) Background of the study The study was conducted at Umzinyathi District schools. Umzinyathi District comprises of four circuits, i.e. Umvoti, Nqutu, Msinga and Endumeni. The study intended to find out if EE education is available and effective enough through Eco-Schools Programme at Umzinyathi District Schools. Each circuit was represented by three schools. One school was the school that was registered with Eco-Schools Programme and have a green flag status, the second school was the school that was registered with Eco-Schools Programme and working towards getting the green flag status and the third school was the school that was not registered with the Eco-Schools Programme. (b) Methodology Qualitative, explorative research was conducted in order to determine the availability and effectiveness of Eco-Schools Programme at Umzinyathi District Schools. Data collection was done using different types of interviews for different types of participants, i.e. educators, learners, members of the School Governing Bodies, officials of the DoE, DAEA as well as of the local municipalities. Site visits to the Eco-Schools was also used to collect data. When collecting data, a tape recorder was used. The interviews were conducted in both isiZulu and English and translated to English by the researcher. (c) Results and findings The study proved that Eco-Schools Programme is the necessary tool in bringing about the change in teaching about protecting and caring about the environment. The study also discovered that at the Umzinyathi District is not available and effective enough. Another thing the study discovered is that, there is another programme that is run by the DAEA, which is called NEEP (National Environmental Education Programme). The study also finds out that some of the Eco-Schools are also registered with this programme. (d) Recommendations It was recommended that the Eco-Schools Programme be compulsory to all the schools of Umzinyathi District where the study was based. Another recommendation was that the Department of Education appoint some people within the department to work full time with the DAEA in implementing, monitoring, supporting and assessing the progress of the programme in the district. / Environmental Sciences / M. Ed. (Environmental Education)

No abstract / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

Stigma is broadly considered as an important obstacle in HIV prevention and treatment. In Mozambique, more PLWHIV have access to treatment than ever. ART increased their QoL and created a new context for stigma production. This cross-sectional study conducted in Northern Mozambique explored a possible association between stigma and QoL. The Berger Stigma Scale and WHOQOL-BREF were used to measure levels of HIV-related stigma and perceived QoL in two groups of PLWHIV receiving ARV, with participation in a HBC programme as the independent variable. The study uncovered a weak to moderate negative correlation between stigma and QoL scores. Statistically significant differences were discovered between the groups’ scores on the Berger Stigma Scale and a higher perceived QoL for PLWHIV in the HBC group on three WHOQOL-BREF subscales and on the overall score. The scores on the social relationships subscale indicated lower perceived QoL for PLWHIV in the HBC group. / Sociology / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

This research focussed on the roles and responsibilities of school principals, School Governing Body chairpersons and finance officers in managing the finances of Section 21 schools to ensure that quality teaching and learning are provided within context. A qualitative investigation was conducted using individual interviewing. This was supplemented by a study of official documents on financial management at the different research sites. A research sample of 33 participants consisting of eleven school principals, eleven School Governing Body chairpersons, and eleven finance officers represented the selected eleven schools. The findings revealed that school principals lack knowledge and understanding of legislation on financial management. All three types of role-players lack capacity to augment school finances, capacity to manage school assets sufficiently, and capacity to comply with prescripts guiding school finance management. Based on the perceptions of participants, guidelines are provided to improve the capacity of the role-players to manage school finances effectively. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Education Management)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the Performance Management System, since its inception and to date, with regards to the advancement of organisational goals and objectives through employee development, as well as resource allocation for service delivery to the residents of the Amathole District Municipality (ADM). The concept of performance management is key for achieving organisational goals and objectives, since it seeks to develop employees by identifying areas of strengths and weakness. The study is based on the assumption that although municipalities are different, and their approach to performance management particularly individual performance differs. This study therefore is based on the assumption that, levels of poor service delivery, and the consequent service delivery protests experienced in the ADM, can be ascribed to a poor linkage between annual performance planning and the assessment of municipal officials. Annual organisational performance, and individual performance planning and output, is not commensurate. Furthermore, a lack of correlation between these variables has led to the poor implementation of basic services and good governance, which has resulted in low levels of citizen satisfaction with the ADM. The empirical survey and research methodology used in the study is described and explained and followed by the data collection in a form of questionnaires. The research findings from the empirical survey are then analysed and reported accordingly. Recommendations are presented in the last chapter based on the empirical survey findings through the respondent’s inputs in the questionnaire. Recommendations are therefore also presented on how Amathole District Municipality can improve its business to achieve the objectives performance management. The key recommendation that came from the study is that ADM planning should be executed in collaboration with other government departments, government agencies, municipalities, private sector and NGOs, in order to maximize chances of achieving effective and efficient service delivery in communities.

Magister Artium (Social Work) - MA(SW) / Student performance have decreased from 2008-2013 in the Kgatleng District, Botswana, despite efforts to encourage parents to actively be involved in their children‘s school. It is apparent that parents are not involved and leave the responsibility of child nurturing and development to the school with the teachers. Contributing factors to un-involved parents at school are communication; employment; single parenting, and poverty. This lead to the research question: What are the perceptions of teachers about factors that contribute to parental involvement/non-involvement in Public Schools? The aim of the study was to determine teachers‘ perceptions on factors that contribute to parental involvement/non- involvement in public schools. The objectives to arrive at the aim was to explore and describe teachers‘ perceptions on factors contributing to parental involvement in public schools; to explore and describe teachers‘ perceptions on factors contributing to parental non-involvement in public schools and to make recommendations for improving parental involvement in public schools to the Ministry of Education. Social constructivism was used as theoretical framework because teachers‘ perceptions are shaped by their contexts and language. The study used a qualitative research approach and an exploratory, descriptive design. The population was teachers who teach standard seven in all primary schools in the Kgatleng district. There are 35 primary schools in the Kgatleng district. The sample was a non-probability, purposive sample consisting of four (4) urban and four (4) rural schools in Kgatleng district of which from each school, two (2) participants were purposefully selected. Data was collected by in-depth interviews and analyzed by using a thematic approach. The research findings presented key factors that affect teachers and made recommendation on how they can work with the parents and the community to successfully address the issue of non-parental involvement in schools. Tools for identifying specific needs and challenges for the uninvolved parents have to be developed and implemented. All relevant stakeholders should be included. A strong relationship with the social workers to address social challenges faced by the students, yielded positive results, hence recommending the need to have school based social workers. Recommendations include a partnership between the community, schools, teachers, parents and the Ministry of education to improve parental involvement in school

Beekeeping and Public Private Partnerships (PPP) are the key words in this study. The study investigates the effectiveness of the use of PPP for the development of commercial beekeeping for the small-scale beekeepers in selected rural areas of the Amathole District Municipality. The small-scale beekeepers do not seem to be achieving the required results of meeting market demands for honey and other bee by-products, due to challenges associated with production and marketing of these products. Significant investment (physical, human and financial) is required to develop the capacity of the small scale beekeepers in order to generate honey for the market and associated revenue in any significant quantity. While job creation and poverty alleviation are key issues on the government’s service delivery agenda, specifically through entrepreneurial development, government alone does not have the capacity to provide all the necessary resources for the establishment of commercial beekeeping to the resource-poor small-scale beekeepers. Based on the results of this study, all respondents (beekeepers and officials) in the study had a general understanding of “Public Private Partnerships”. However, the general interpretation of PPP was where government, business and civil society are working together in areas of mutual interest to achieve common or complementary goals than the regulated PPP arrangements guided by the specialized Treasury PPP Unit, whereby contractual obligation between different role players is paramount. In the context of small-scale beekeeping, all respondents were in support of type of PPP, whereby the association or partnership would involve the transfer of substantial financial, technical and operational risks. Besides the numerous limitations faced by the small-scale beekeepers in the running of their beekeeping operations, the study identified the following as the major factors believed to be compromising and limiting the proper functioning of PPP.

The global economy has been reeling from the continued effects of the economic crisis since 2007. A range of approaches to economic recovery have been followed, ranging from financial bailout during the 2007/08 financial crisis, to austerity measures in the most recent 2011/12 sovereign debt crisis, but each with limited success. South Africa has similarly experienced significant shockwaves from the meltdown. The South African economy officially entered into recession in the second quarter of 2009. The economy was quick to emerge from economic recession by the first quarter of 2010, but has been on a bumpy path of recovery since. Moreover, economic recovery has been thwarted by the ensuing sovereign debt crisis in the Euro. South Africa is characterised by inequitable growth and development, a high incidence of poverty, a relatively underdeveloped economic base, low levels of skills development and low levels of access to basic services and infrastructure. LED has had a difficult birth in South Africa with regards to accomplishing its objectives of job creation and poverty alleviation. In an attempt to address these problems, the Amathole District Municipality has implemented a number of local economic development projects within the area aimed at improving the wellbeing of communities through the creation of job opportunities and sustainable livelihoods. The study is intended to assist the municipality to identify and address challenges that affect the successful implementation of LED projects. The following research aims to identify and assess the impacts that these projects have had on beneficiaries and the district as a whole. Furthermore the research aims to identify project successes as well as highlight shortcomings in order to enhance the economic impact of these projects in the future.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role played by records management in an organisation. The primary question that was explored was whether the management of records receives the attention it deserves at the Amathole District Municipality. In order to achieve the research objectives, an in-depth literature study was undertaken. A survey was also conducted to examine the current records management practices at ADM and the data was collected by means of self-administered questionnaires. The literature study proved the hypothesis to be correct, which stated that effective records management plays a significant role in the effective administration of an organization. The empirical study revealed that the records management function is not receiving the attention it deserves at ADM. Even though participants acknowledged the importance of records management in the decision-making process, strategic planning process (Integrated Development Plan), the realisation of the Batho Pele Principles and the overall performance of ADM, it was evident that ignorance was displayed with regard to the management of records. It has been discovered that Amathole District Municipality has a good Records Management Policy, Procedure manual and File Plan, but adherence to these policies should be continuously monitored. Regular training has been identified as one of the areas on which ADM should apply its focus to ensure sound records management. Recommendations were made within the context of empirical survey findings and the regulatory framework for records management. To improve the current records management practices at ADM, it has been recommended that the records management function be incorporated into the organisation-wide strategic plans and that records management forms part of the key performance areas of senior managers.