Vir die wetenskaplike bestuur van natuurreservate is die toepassing van ekologiese kennis nodig om die vooraf bepaalde doelstellings te bereik. Dit is dus noodsaaklik dat die bestuurder die fundamentele ekologiese beginsels verstaan en kan toepas. Die klimaat, geologie en grande van die Honnet-natuurreservaat word aan die hand van beskikbare literatuur bespreek. Die klimaat van die gebied kan as semi-aried beskou word. Die belangrikste geologiese formasies is basalt, Clarenssandsteen, doleriet, alluvium en ijoliet. Vyf grondvorme naamlik Hutton, Glenrosa, Oakleaf, Dundee en Mispah kom op die reservaat voor. Die plantegroei is met behulp van die Braun-Blanquet-benadering geklassifiseer en die strukturele beskrywing deur van die Varieerbare-kwadrantperseelmetode gebruik te maak. Twaalf plantgemeenskappe met vier variasies is onderskei en gekarteer. Ses bestuurseenhede is op grand van kenmerkende plantgemeenskappe 1 grondvorm en topografie onderskei. Die veldtoestand is met behulp van drie verskillende metodes bepaall waarvan die ekologiese indeksmetode die aanvaarbaarste resul taat gel ewer het. Die veldtoestand is swak met 1 n telling van 360 vir die totale studiegebied. Die weikapasiteit vir die studiegebied is 29 GVE. Die droemassa-produksie van die graslaag is in elke bestuurseenheid bepaal en 1 n gemiddeld van 345.4 kgjha is vir die totale studiegebied verkry. Die beskikbare blaarmateriaal vir elke bestuurseenheid en die totale studiegebied is bepaal. Op dies 1.5 m1 >1.5-2.0 m en >2.0-5.0 m hoogteklasse was 4 090.0 kgjha 1 2 605.2 kgjha en 8 990.6 kgjha blaarmateriaal onderskeidelik beskikbaar. 'n Regressievergelyking tussen die produksie van die graslaag en boomdigtheid (ETBE) word met ander soortgelyke studies vergelyk. Die positiewe korrelasie in die studiegebied teenoor die negatiewe korrelasie deur ander navorsers gevind kan moontlik aan die oormatige oorbeweiding en vertrapping van die reservaat toegeskryf word. Die bevolkingstruktuur, habitat- en voedselvoorkeure van die verskillende grater soogdiersoorte is ondersoek. Die dierebevolkings is gesond. Die gemsbok en rooihartbees kom nie natuurlik in die gebied voor nie en 'n werklik geskikte habitat vir die waterbok 1 bestaan nie op die reservaat nie. Dit word aanbeveel dat die diersoorte van die reservaat verwyder word. Vraelyste is aan besoekers uitgedeel om vas te stel aan watter tipe aktiwiteite hulle sal deelneem 1 waarvolgens 1 n voorkeur vir staproetes 1 wildkykritte en swem bestaan. Voorstelle vir omgewingsopvoeding en verskillende aspekte van toerisme word gemaak. 'n Oornagvoetslaanroete word aanbeveel en is reeds ui tgemerk. Die wei- en blaarvreetkapasiteit vir die reservaat is onderskeidelik 28.2 GVE en 180 BVE waarvolgens wildladings aanbeveel is. Aanbevelings word· vir algemene wild- en veldbestuur, onder andere gereelde wildtellings, monitering van veldtoestand en oop- en toemaak van waterpunte gemaak. Passiewe aanpassingsbestuur word aanbeveel waardeur wildgetalle aangepas word volgens die reenval en veldtoestand. 'n Beslui tnemingsmodel word aangebied wat as riglyn en hulpmiddel in die neem van bestuursbesluite kan dien. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 1995. / gm2013 / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / unrestricted

Jürgen Moltmann se panenteïstiese ontologie en sy oortuiging dat die Drieënige God met die skepping in ‘n dinamiese perichoretiese verhouding is, lei sy logika tot die gevolgtrekking dat tydens die laaste oordeel God alles en almal universeel gaan red. Gegewe egter die huidige ekologiese krisis, is daar nog genoeg tyd oor vir hierdie evolusionêre proses om in die konsummasie van die wêreld te kulmineer? Maar al sou die uiteindelike redding van alle wesens tog wel so realiseer, maak dit enigsins sin dat organismes wat lewe bedreig, ook gered word? Moltmann se dialektiese ontologie blyk in die afwesigheid van ‘n God-wêreld dualisme nie lewensvatbaar te wees nie. As gevolg van God se alomteenwoordigheid is ‘n terrein buite Hom nie moontlik nie. Belangrike hermeneutiese kwessies inaggenome, is die Bybelse getuienis van God se oordeel met ‘n dubbele uitkoms tog sterk. Die enkele tekste wat voorgehou word om universele redding te attesteer, is nie noodwendig in konflik met die ander, oorweldigende oorvloed van teksgedeeltes wat wel op ‘n Laaste Oordeel-leer dui nie. Hoewel Moltmann die vryheid van die mens erken, glo hy dat die mens nie ‘n keuse vir of teen God kan maak nie. Die moontlikheid van die mens se keuse teen God, verhoed dat God tydens die konsummasie van die skepping sy eie "nie-syn" transendeer. Tog word die liefde van God vir die mens verklaar en bevestig juis deur sy/haar Godgegewe vryheid om self te kies. Deur God se liefde vir die mens word Hy kwesbaar, en deur die mens se “nee” vir God, word die dialektiek in God nooit opgehef nie. God is immers aan Homself getrou en respekteer daarom die mens se vryheid. Hoewel Hy uiteindelik tydens die kosmiese Sabbat vervul word deur die wat aan Hom behoort, treur Hy ook oor diegene wat hulle aan die buitekant van sy eskatologiese koninkryk bevind. Daarom word gekonkludeer dat Moltmann se postulaat ‘n non sequitur is. God gaan die mensdom weliswaar oordeel en die gevolge daarvan is ‘n onafwendbare dualisme – hemel en hel. / Dissertation (MA Theol)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / gm2014 / Dogmatics and Christian Ethics / unrestricted

Fetale alkoholsindroom (FAS) is ‘n voortgaande probleem in Suid–Afrika, veral in die Wes–Kaap. Baie kinders met FAS word in pleegsorg geplaas vanweë hul ouers se drankmisbruik en onvermoë om die kinders te versorg. Daar is reeds baie navorsing gedoen in akademiese en sosiale omgewings oor die voorkoms en simptome van FAS. Minder is bekend oor die hanteringsbehoeftes by pleegouers van pleegkinders met FAS en derhalwe is dit die navorser se doelwit om navorsing te doen in hierdie veld. Die doel van hierdie studie was om die behoeftes wat pleegouers ondervind in die hantering van hul voorskoolse pleegkinders met FAS te verken en te beskryf. Die navorsingsvraag vir die studie lui soos volg: “Wat is pleegouers se hanteringsbehoeftes ten opsigte van hul voorskoolse pleegkinders met FAS?” Hierdie navorsingsvraag is aangespreek deur kwalitatiewe navorsing, en die studie kan geklassifiseer word as verkennende en beskrywende navorsing. Die navorser het vir die doel van hierdie studie gebruik maak van ‘n niewaarskynlikheidsteekproef deur middel van doelbewuste steekproefneming. Die navorser het 17 pleegouers, van twee gesinsorgorganisasies gewerf. Fokusgroeponderhoude binne twee fokusgroepe is benut om die hanteringsbehoeftes by pleegouers van voorskoolse pleegkinders met FAS te identifiseer. Die onderhoude is getranskribeer vir die doeleindes van dataanalisering en aan die hand van Creswell (2007) se stappe ontleed. Sewe temas is geïdentifiseer, naamlik (1) Dissiplinering van voorskoolse pleegkinders met FAS; (2) Hantering van gedrag van die voorskoolse pleegkind met FAS; (3) Ondersteuningsdienste aan pleegouers of pleegkinders; (4) Inligting of ondersteuning rondom FAS; (5) Verwerping van die voorskoolse pleegkind met FAS; (6) Emosionele impak van die voorskoolse pleegkind met FAS op die pleegouer; en laastens (7) Rol van die biologiese ouers van die voorskoolse pleegkind met FAS. Hierdie temas is in subtemas verdeel en aan die hand van toepaslike narratiewe uit die fokusgroepe bespreek en met literatuur gekontroleer. Gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings is na aanleiding daarvan gemaak. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Fetale alkoholsindroom (FAS) is ‘n voortgaande probleem in Suid–Afrika, veral in die Wes–Kaap. Baie kinders met FAS word in pleegsorg geplaas vanweë hul ouers se drankmisbruik en onvermoë om die kinders te versorg. Daar is reeds baie navorsing gedoen in akademiese en sosiale omgewings oor die voorkoms en simptome van FAS. Minder is bekend oor die hanteringsbehoeftes by pleegouers van pleegkinders met FAS en derhalwe is dit die navorser se doelwit om navorsing te doen in hierdie veld. Die doel van hierdie studie was om die behoeftes wat pleegouers ondervind in die hantering van hul voorskoolse pleegkinders met FAS te verken en te beskryf. Die navorsingsvraag vir die studie lui soos volg: “Wat is pleegouers se hanteringsbehoeftes ten opsigte van hul voorskoolse pleegkinders met FAS?” Hierdie navorsingsvraag is aangespreek deur kwalitatiewe navorsing, en die studie kan geklassifiseer word as verkennende en beskrywende navorsing. Die navorser het vir die doel van hierdie studie gebruik maak van ‘n niewaarskynlikheidsteekproef deur middel van doelbewuste steekproefneming. Die navorser het 17 pleegouers, van twee gesinsorgorganisasies gewerf. Fokusgroeponderhoude binne twee fokusgroepe is benut om die hanteringsbehoeftes by pleegouers van voorskoolse pleegkinders met FAS te identifiseer. Die onderhoude is getranskribeer vir die doeleindes van dataanalisering en aan die hand van Creswell (2007) se stappe ontleed. Sewe temas is geïdentifiseer, naamlik (1) Dissiplinering van voorskoolse pleegkinders met FAS; (2) Hantering van gedrag van die voorskoolse pleegkind met FAS; (3) Ondersteuningsdienste aan pleegouers of pleegkinders; (4) Inligting of ondersteuning rondom FAS; (5) Verwerping van die voorskoolse pleegkind met FAS; (6) Emosionele impak van die voorskoolse pleegkind met FAS op die pleegouer; en laastens (7) Rol van die biologiese ouers van die voorskoolse pleegkind met FAS. Hierdie temas is in subtemas verdeel en aan die hand van toepaslike narratiewe uit die fokusgroepe bespreek en met literatuur gekontroleer. Gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings is na aanleiding daarvan gemaak. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

In the service of child protection organisations, where services are focused on the protection of children within the preservation of families, social workers are exposed to the adverse conditions of children and families forming part of their caseload. Social workers must remain objective and make thoughtful decisions in the best interest of children and families, while they themselves might be traumatised by the circumstances of these children and families. Various studies have been done about occupational stress, secondary trauma, compassion fatigue and the role of supervision in this regard. Less is however known about support as a function of supervision for social workers employed by child protection organisations and the social workers’ experience(s) of this support. The aim of this study was to investigate and to descripe, by means of a descriptive qualitative design, social workers employed by child protection organizations' experience of support as function of supervision. For the purpose of this study, the researcher used a purposeful non-probability sampling. Ten social workers from seven child protection organisations within the specific field of child protection were selected according to their willingness to participate. Unstructured, in-depth, one-on-one interviews, with one question to initiate the interview, were conducted with social workers to investigate their experience of the support as function of supervision. During interviews with the individual social workers the researcher made use of observations and field notes as tools for data collection tools. A focus group with eight social workers was also utilised to verify initial findings and to allow for any additional data that would emerge. The first theme deals with participants’ view of support as a function of supervision, which includes receiving guidance and emotional support. Theme two is about participants’ experience of support as a function of supervision in terms of task-oriented as well as emotional support. The third theme that came up was alternative sources of emotional support, including colleagues, external counselors, family members and selfcare. These themes were divided into sub-themes and categories and discussed according to relevant quotations from interviews and literature reviews. Conclusions and recommendations were made according to these results. One of the most important recommendations arising from the findings of the study, is that the support function of supervision should be used more effectively. Social workers and supervisors must develop a greater awareness of the importance to discuss emotions and the dangers of suppressing emotions. Social workers that receive the opportunity to reflect on their emotions, develop a sense of self-worth, appreciation and experience job satisfaction and motivation, which leads to an increase in service quality. / MSW, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

In the service of child protection organisations, where services are focused on the protection of children within the preservation of families, social workers are exposed to the adverse conditions of children and families forming part of their caseload. Social workers must remain objective and make thoughtful decisions in the best interest of children and families, while they themselves might be traumatised by the circumstances of these children and families. Various studies have been done about occupational stress, secondary trauma, compassion fatigue and the role of supervision in this regard. Less is however known about support as a function of supervision for social workers employed by child protection organisations and the social workers’ experience(s) of this support. The aim of this study was to investigate and to descripe, by means of a descriptive qualitative design, social workers employed by child protection organizations' experience of support as function of supervision. For the purpose of this study, the researcher used a purposeful non-probability sampling. Ten social workers from seven child protection organisations within the specific field of child protection were selected according to their willingness to participate. Unstructured, in-depth, one-on-one interviews, with one question to initiate the interview, were conducted with social workers to investigate their experience of the support as function of supervision. During interviews with the individual social workers the researcher made use of observations and field notes as tools for data collection tools. A focus group with eight social workers was also utilised to verify initial findings and to allow for any additional data that would emerge. The first theme deals with participants’ view of support as a function of supervision, which includes receiving guidance and emotional support. Theme two is about participants’ experience of support as a function of supervision in terms of task-oriented as well as emotional support. The third theme that came up was alternative sources of emotional support, including colleagues, external counselors, family members and selfcare. These themes were divided into sub-themes and categories and discussed according to relevant quotations from interviews and literature reviews. Conclusions and recommendations were made according to these results. One of the most important recommendations arising from the findings of the study, is that the support function of supervision should be used more effectively. Social workers and supervisors must develop a greater awareness of the importance to discuss emotions and the dangers of suppressing emotions. Social workers that receive the opportunity to reflect on their emotions, develop a sense of self-worth, appreciation and experience job satisfaction and motivation, which leads to an increase in service quality. / MSW, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Sexual abuse of children is a reality that occurs in communities on a daily basis. In a specific informal settlement in Buffalo City, where the researcher has previously worked as social worker, statistics showed that children in their early childhood are the most vulnerable to sexual abuse. The parents' socio-economic circumstances lead to inadequate protection and security for their minor children, making them vulnerable to sexual abuse. Research shows that each community has specific risk and protection factors in respect of sexual abuse. The aim of this study was to explore and describe through a descriptive, qualitative design the risk factors that contribute to sexual abuse of children in a particular informal settlement in Buffalo City. The research question for the study reads as follows: What are the risk factors that contribute to sexual abuse of children in a particular informal settlement in Buffalo City? Sixteen participants were interviewed by means of semi-structured one-on-one interviews. Purposeful, non-probability sampling was used to select parents or caregivers of children who were sexually abused as well as community leaders in the community to participate in the interviewing. Detailed reflections were ob tained from participants of their perceptions of contributing risk factors that left the children vulnerable. These interviews were conducted with the use of an interview schedule that was compiled in accordance with a literature study and thereafter tested. The methods that were use to capture data were interviewing, observations, reflections and fieldnotes. The interviews were transcribed for the purposes of data analysis and were analysed according to the steps of Creswell (2009). The ecological system perspective has served as the theoretical framework for this study, and five themes were identified in this context. These themes were divided into sub-themes and categories, and were discussed with relevant narratives. The narratives were obtained from the transcripts. Finally, the findings were checked and verified against existing literature. The results can be summarised as follows: i. According to the findings, risk factors that contribute to the preschool child as an individual being vulnerable to sexual abuse is leaving the child alone at home without adequate supervision or the inability of parents or caregivers to provide adequately for the child’s basic needs. ii. Inadequate parenting was identified as a contributing risk factor on micro level. iii. Apathy among neighbours due to the absence of ubuntu was a contributing risk factor on meso level. iv. Inadequate programmes by social service organisations to preschool children were contributing risk factors on the eco systemic level. v. Finally, poverty and inadequate infrastructure were contributing risk factors within the community as macro system. / Thesis (MSW)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

The ecosystem services of the lower Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti Rivers are used extensively through sugarcane agricultural activities, heavy industries and rural sewage-treatment works. These activities affect the ecological integrity of the lower Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti Rivers. The Umvoti River is already being referred to as a „working river‟. This study aims to determine the current state of ecological integrity of the lower Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti Rivers and to establish trends between current and historical periods for the evaluation of changing trends in ecological integrity. Abiotic (driver) and biotic (responder) indicator components were used in order to identify and monitor any changes in the surrounding environment as well as to determine the ecological integrity of the lower Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti Rivers. Driver components include water quality, sediment grain size, moisture and organic content as well as habitat state, whereas responder components involve macroinvertebrates and fish assemblages. Two surveys were carried out; one during the low-flow period (5-11 August 2011) and the other during the high-flow period (20-28 March 2012). Current data and findings together with historical data from 1999 to 2010 were used to establish trends of selected driver and responder components. Water quality variables selected include general variables such as water temperature, chemical oxygen demand (COD), electrical conductivity (EC), pH and total alkalinity (TAL) as well as salts, nutrients and toxics. These variables provide indications as to the state of the water-quality component of this study. The Target Water Quality Requirements (TWQR) as developed by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry for domestic use (Volume 1) and Aquatic Ecosystems (Volume 7) were used to evaluate the quality of the water sampled in this study. The water quality as well as quantity was also compared to historical data obtained from previous studies that have been done for the same study area. The sediment analyses were performed according to the protocol set out by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Habitat availability, diversity and state were assessed by means of the Integrated Habitat Assessment System Version 2 (IHAS v 2) and the Index of Habitat Integrity (IHI). The water quality of the lower Amatikulu River was found to be in a slightly modified state with the majority of water quality parameters within the target values as set by the TWQG. Water quality parameters considered on the lower Thukela River such as water temperatures, oxygen levels, nutrient and salt loads occurred at elevated levels and were not within the TWQG requirements. The water quality of the Thukela River wasconsidered to be in a modified state which may cause negative impacts on the structure and function of the river, while the water quality of the lower Umvoti River was seriously modified. Sediment analyses revealed that the organic content of the Lower Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti Rivers was low. Sediment grain-size distributions are dominated by well-sorted larger soil grain-sizes (>500 μm) which is not ideal for the biodiversity. This is an indication that erosion and transportation are taking place in the Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti Rivers. The removal of riparian vegetation by agricultural activities and water abstraction contributes to the habitat deterioration as well as erosion and transportation of sediments that occurs in lower Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti Rivers. The use of macroinvertabrates as biological indicators in the determination of the ecological integrity, state or health of lotic ecosystems is globally well established. The South African Scoring System, version 5 (SASS 5), the Macroinvertebrate Response Assessment Index (MIRAI) and multivariate statistical analyses were implemented in order to determine the ecological integrity of the lower Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti Rivers. Results revealed that the SASS 5 integrity classes were generally one class higher than the integrity classes of MIRAI. SASS 5 and MIRAI integrity classes of the Amatikulu River ranged from natural (Class A) to largely modified (Class D/E) while the Thukela and Umvoti rivers ranged from natural to seriously modified (Class E/F). Fish assemblages are commonly used as key indicators to describe the ecological state of aquatic ecosystems. Methods used to sample fish included electronarcosis and a 5m wide 12mm meshed seine net. The Fish Response Assessment Index (FRAI) and multivariate statistical analyses were implemented in order to determine the ecological integrity of the lower Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti rivers. Results revealed that the automated FRAI integrity classes were constantly lower than the adjusted FRAI integrity classes. Automated and adjusted FRAI integrity classes of the Amatikulu River ranged from largely natural (Class B) to largely modified (Class D) while the Thukela and Umvoti rivers ranged from natural (Class A) to seriously modified (Class E/F). The current ecological integrity of the lower Amatikulu River was found to be in a largely natural, with few modifications (Class B) state. The Thukela River was found to be in a moderately modified (Class C) state while the Umvoti River was found to be in a largely modified (Class D) state. The trends in ecological integrity of the selected driver components which include water quality, sediment and habitat availability fluctuated noticeably. The general trend in water quality of the lower Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti Rivers slightly recovered towards 2012. Sediment analyses revealed that the sediment grain-size distribution as well as the moisture and organic contents generally remained stable. There was a decline in the general state of habitat integrity towards 2012. As a result of the decline in the habitat ecological integrity the ecological integrity of macroinvertebrates also slightly declined towards 2012. However, a noticeable improvement in the ecological integrity of fish assemblages was observed towards 2012. To conclude, the ecological integrity of water quality and fish assemblages improved towards 2012, while habitat and macroinvertebrates deteriorated and sediment stayed the same. The general and overall state of ecological integrity of the lower Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti Rivers did not deteriorate nor did it improve, but rather it stayed the same. Impacts on the ecological integrity of the lower Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti Rivers include a multitude of different sources. To prevent the current ecological integrity of the lower Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti Rivers from deteriorating further, a collective effort involving all parties is essential. / MSc (Zoology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

Sexual abuse of children is a reality that occurs in communities on a daily basis. In a specific informal settlement in Buffalo City, where the researcher has previously worked as social worker, statistics showed that children in their early childhood are the most vulnerable to sexual abuse. The parents' socio-economic circumstances lead to inadequate protection and security for their minor children, making them vulnerable to sexual abuse. Research shows that each community has specific risk and protection factors in respect of sexual abuse. The aim of this study was to explore and describe through a descriptive, qualitative design the risk factors that contribute to sexual abuse of children in a particular informal settlement in Buffalo City. The research question for the study reads as follows: What are the risk factors that contribute to sexual abuse of children in a particular informal settlement in Buffalo City? Sixteen participants were interviewed by means of semi-structured one-on-one interviews. Purposeful, non-probability sampling was used to select parents or caregivers of children who were sexually abused as well as community leaders in the community to participate in the interviewing. Detailed reflections were ob tained from participants of their perceptions of contributing risk factors that left the children vulnerable. These interviews were conducted with the use of an interview schedule that was compiled in accordance with a literature study and thereafter tested. The methods that were use to capture data were interviewing, observations, reflections and fieldnotes. The interviews were transcribed for the purposes of data analysis and were analysed according to the steps of Creswell (2009). The ecological system perspective has served as the theoretical framework for this study, and five themes were identified in this context. These themes were divided into sub-themes and categories, and were discussed with relevant narratives. The narratives were obtained from the transcripts. Finally, the findings were checked and verified against existing literature. The results can be summarised as follows: i. According to the findings, risk factors that contribute to the preschool child as an individual being vulnerable to sexual abuse is leaving the child alone at home without adequate supervision or the inability of parents or caregivers to provide adequately for the child’s basic needs. ii. Inadequate parenting was identified as a contributing risk factor on micro level. iii. Apathy among neighbours due to the absence of ubuntu was a contributing risk factor on meso level. iv. Inadequate programmes by social service organisations to preschool children were contributing risk factors on the eco systemic level. v. Finally, poverty and inadequate infrastructure were contributing risk factors within the community as macro system. / Thesis (MSW)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

The ecosystem services of the lower Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti Rivers are used extensively through sugarcane agricultural activities, heavy industries and rural sewage-treatment works. These activities affect the ecological integrity of the lower Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti Rivers. The Umvoti River is already being referred to as a „working river‟. This study aims to determine the current state of ecological integrity of the lower Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti Rivers and to establish trends between current and historical periods for the evaluation of changing trends in ecological integrity. Abiotic (driver) and biotic (responder) indicator components were used in order to identify and monitor any changes in the surrounding environment as well as to determine the ecological integrity of the lower Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti Rivers. Driver components include water quality, sediment grain size, moisture and organic content as well as habitat state, whereas responder components involve macroinvertebrates and fish assemblages. Two surveys were carried out; one during the low-flow period (5-11 August 2011) and the other during the high-flow period (20-28 March 2012). Current data and findings together with historical data from 1999 to 2010 were used to establish trends of selected driver and responder components. Water quality variables selected include general variables such as water temperature, chemical oxygen demand (COD), electrical conductivity (EC), pH and total alkalinity (TAL) as well as salts, nutrients and toxics. These variables provide indications as to the state of the water-quality component of this study. The Target Water Quality Requirements (TWQR) as developed by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry for domestic use (Volume 1) and Aquatic Ecosystems (Volume 7) were used to evaluate the quality of the water sampled in this study. The water quality as well as quantity was also compared to historical data obtained from previous studies that have been done for the same study area. The sediment analyses were performed according to the protocol set out by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Habitat availability, diversity and state were assessed by means of the Integrated Habitat Assessment System Version 2 (IHAS v 2) and the Index of Habitat Integrity (IHI). The water quality of the lower Amatikulu River was found to be in a slightly modified state with the majority of water quality parameters within the target values as set by the TWQG. Water quality parameters considered on the lower Thukela River such as water temperatures, oxygen levels, nutrient and salt loads occurred at elevated levels and were not within the TWQG requirements. The water quality of the Thukela River wasconsidered to be in a modified state which may cause negative impacts on the structure and function of the river, while the water quality of the lower Umvoti River was seriously modified. Sediment analyses revealed that the organic content of the Lower Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti Rivers was low. Sediment grain-size distributions are dominated by well-sorted larger soil grain-sizes (>500 μm) which is not ideal for the biodiversity. This is an indication that erosion and transportation are taking place in the Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti Rivers. The removal of riparian vegetation by agricultural activities and water abstraction contributes to the habitat deterioration as well as erosion and transportation of sediments that occurs in lower Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti Rivers. The use of macroinvertabrates as biological indicators in the determination of the ecological integrity, state or health of lotic ecosystems is globally well established. The South African Scoring System, version 5 (SASS 5), the Macroinvertebrate Response Assessment Index (MIRAI) and multivariate statistical analyses were implemented in order to determine the ecological integrity of the lower Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti Rivers. Results revealed that the SASS 5 integrity classes were generally one class higher than the integrity classes of MIRAI. SASS 5 and MIRAI integrity classes of the Amatikulu River ranged from natural (Class A) to largely modified (Class D/E) while the Thukela and Umvoti rivers ranged from natural to seriously modified (Class E/F). Fish assemblages are commonly used as key indicators to describe the ecological state of aquatic ecosystems. Methods used to sample fish included electronarcosis and a 5m wide 12mm meshed seine net. The Fish Response Assessment Index (FRAI) and multivariate statistical analyses were implemented in order to determine the ecological integrity of the lower Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti rivers. Results revealed that the automated FRAI integrity classes were constantly lower than the adjusted FRAI integrity classes. Automated and adjusted FRAI integrity classes of the Amatikulu River ranged from largely natural (Class B) to largely modified (Class D) while the Thukela and Umvoti rivers ranged from natural (Class A) to seriously modified (Class E/F). The current ecological integrity of the lower Amatikulu River was found to be in a largely natural, with few modifications (Class B) state. The Thukela River was found to be in a moderately modified (Class C) state while the Umvoti River was found to be in a largely modified (Class D) state. The trends in ecological integrity of the selected driver components which include water quality, sediment and habitat availability fluctuated noticeably. The general trend in water quality of the lower Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti Rivers slightly recovered towards 2012. Sediment analyses revealed that the sediment grain-size distribution as well as the moisture and organic contents generally remained stable. There was a decline in the general state of habitat integrity towards 2012. As a result of the decline in the habitat ecological integrity the ecological integrity of macroinvertebrates also slightly declined towards 2012. However, a noticeable improvement in the ecological integrity of fish assemblages was observed towards 2012. To conclude, the ecological integrity of water quality and fish assemblages improved towards 2012, while habitat and macroinvertebrates deteriorated and sediment stayed the same. The general and overall state of ecological integrity of the lower Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti Rivers did not deteriorate nor did it improve, but rather it stayed the same. Impacts on the ecological integrity of the lower Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti Rivers include a multitude of different sources. To prevent the current ecological integrity of the lower Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti Rivers from deteriorating further, a collective effort involving all parties is essential. / MSc (Zoology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013