The National Cadetship Programme (NCP) is part of a comprehensive Education and Development Programme within the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra (KZNPO). The NCP offers promising young South African players focused coaching and first hand experience of playing in a professional orchestra. One of its main aims is to increase the number of South African musicians in the pool of present and future orchestra musicians. However, though the NCP has been in existence for just over ten years, the demographic representation of the KZNPO remains largely unchanged. This research investigated whether it is necessary to make changes to the NCP in order for it to be more effective. It began by revealing the intended overall structure of the Programme through interviews with the orchestra management, comparing it to what is actually happening, and discussing the implications that this has for learning within the Programme. It also obtained the expectations of the various participants of the NCP regarding the educational process, and evaluated the level at which these expectations were being met. Further, it analysed the reasons why these expectations were or were not being met in terms of experiential learning and programme development, and discussed the implications for the Programme. The research found a lack of clarity amongst the mentors and cadets about the structure of the NCP and the roles expected of them. It also revealed that the formal assessment and feedback procedure needed to be improved in order for it to be more educative, and that the cadets needed to be given more performance opportunities. The research concluded that it would be beneficial to the NCP for experiential learning to be formalised within the Programme with the systematic adoption of an experiential learning model. / Thesis (M.Mus.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2008.

The water sector in South Africa is in the delivery phase of its transformation process, with transformation having commenced in 1994. This transformation is not unlike developments in this sector in other developing countries. South Africa is facing huge backlogs in the provision of basic rural water and sanitation services (DWAF, 2002a, p.3), typical of the scenario facing international developing countries. The SA Government has committed itself to eliminate the basic water supply backlogs by 2008, and the basic sanitation backlogs by 2010 (DWAF, 2002b, p.ii). These targets are more ambitious than the international Millennium Development Goals of halving the world's population without adequate or safe drinking water, or access to basic sanitation by 2015 (WSSCC, 2002a, p.l). The research investigates whether the targets set by Government are achievable in the Province of Kwazulu-Natal (KZN). The South African targets were set ahead of the completion of the Water Services Development Plans or the planning required of the Water Services Authorities (WSAs) in KZN. Although some Municipalities, in their capacity as Water Services Authority, have completed their Water Services Development Plans, others are still in the process of doing so. The deficiency in the provision of basic water and sanitation services in KZN, has been ascertained in this investigation. Also ascertained are the costs and financial resources needed to address the backlogs in service provision and the constraints to delivery of the needed services. The research findings have shown that the backlog in basic water supply in KZN is approximately 3,66 million people, representing 38,2% of the KZN population, whilst the backlog in basic sanitation services is 4,94 million persons, representing some 51,4% of the KZN population. In a rural context only, these figures are appreciably higher. This investigation has shown that the targets set by Government to address rural backlogs in basic services in KZN are ambitious. In terms of planned programmes at Water Services Authority level, it will take an estimated average of 12 years to eliminate the basic water supply and sanitation backlog. The earliest and longest water supply delivery programme ranges from 5 years to 20 years, whilst that for sanitation delivery, ranges from 6 years to 33 years. These programmes far exceed Government's target dates. In terms of the research findings, the backlogs in basic water services in KwaZulu-Natal will require financial resources of R4,87 billion to totally eradicate all basic water backlogs. Similarly, to address the basic sanitation backlog has been estimated at R1,44 billion. It has been recommended in this report that with relatively little additional annual funding that it will be easier to achieve the government target of 2010 (DWAF, 2002b, p.ii) for sanitation delivery than it would for water supply. The planned level of sanitation service has been ascertained to be the VIP latrine in all cases, which does not require a water supply, and thus water and sanitation delivery programmes can be implemented separately. The investigation has revealed that there is sufficient grant funding available in South Africa to meet the planned basic water services delivery programmes of the WSAs, but their programmes exceed the target dates set by Government by many years. If the delivery programmes are accelerated to meet the Government's target dates, the current budget allocations of both DWAF and the Consolidated Municipal Infrastructure Programme (CMIP) are insufficient. In the short-term, the WSAs are not expected to have sourced donor funding to assist with their planned delivery programmes. Thus funding sources within South Africa will initially have to be relied upon.Whilst planned programmes have been developed for the alleviation of water services backlogs in KZN, it has been recommended in the report that they need to be monitored to ensure delivery of services in terms of these programmes. This monitoring and certification of the implementation of planned programmes are essential management tools, as the current planned programmes of the WSAs do not meet the Government's targets of 2008 and 2010 respectively for the elimination of the basic water and sanitation backlogs (DWAF, 2002b, .ii). Financial budgets have been cited as being a problem area by most, but a higher priority problem appears to be the lack of institutional capacity at WSA level to ensure sustainability of projects/schemes in the post-construction phase. Should the projects/schemes not be adequately operated or maintained, it could lead to the implemented projects/schemes becoming defunct, which would negate the national initiatives aimed at backlog alleviation. It is fortunate that legislation such as the Municipal Systems Act (Act N° 32 of 2000) enables Local Government to implement a range of public and private water service provider options that can assist with the needed institutional capacity building, and to also render operations and maintenance services on a contract basis. It is evident from this investigation that a number of major obstacles may delay the achievement of either the planned delivery programmes of the WSAs, or the even greater challenges to meet the Government's targets. The successful, sustainable implementation of these programmes will be dependent on both sufficient funding being available and on solving the lack of institutional capacity. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2003. / Umngeni Water.

The South African government has set a target of reducing unemployment by fifty percent by the year 2014. In order for government to achieve this target, more attention needs to be given to female entrepreneurs. This is due to the fact that women in South Africa make up half the business force and their contributions have not been adequately nurtured. The South African government is aware of the significance that female entrepreneurship has had on the growing economy of the country. As a result, many initiatives have been undertaken by the South African government, including business start-up training and advice as well as mentoring and coaching programmes. Thus, the aim of this study is to critically evaluate the role of female entrepreneurs and their contribution to economic growth in KwaZulu-Natal. The study will further analyse the role played by the South African government in terms of promoting female entrepreneurship, specifically relating to access to finance and training programmes. A ‘snowball’ sample of fifty female entrepreneurs was selected from the central business region of KwaZulu-Natal to complete the questionaire who were in business for more than three years. Data was collected using a questionnaire developed by the researcher. Statistical analysis was conducted on the data in order to reveal whether there were any significant relationships between training programmes instituted by the government and success of the small to medium owned businesses as well as the access to financial support and start-up costs. Research in this study have shown that there are a number of challenges which hindered the growth of female entrepreneurs including shortage of skills, limited access to start-up capital, lack of mentorship and government assistance as well as insufficient family support. Although the government has assisted organisations to assist female entrepreneurs in terms of mentorship and training programmes, more needs to be done in terms of building awareness of these programmes. The government needs to be more proactively involved in the promotion and advertisement of these programmes as well as sponsoring training programmes for women. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2010.

Background Recent malaria epidemics in KwaZulu-Natal indicate that effective anti-malarial therapy is essential for malaria control. Although artemether-lumefantrine has been used as firstline treatment for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in northern KwaZulu- Natal since 2001, its efficacy has not been assessed since 2002. The objectives of this study were to quantify the proportion of patients treated for uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria with artemether-lumefantrine who failed treatment after 28 days, and to determine the prevalence of molecular markers associated with artemether-lumefantrine and chloroquine resistance. Methods An observational cohort of 49 symptomatic patients, diagnosed with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria by rapid diagnostic test, had blood taken for malaria blood films and P. falciparum DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Following diagnosis, patients were treated with artemether-lumefantrine (Coartem®) and invited to return to the health facility after 28 days for repeat blood film and PCR. All PCR P. falciparum positive samples were analysed for molecular markers of lumefantrine and chloroquine resistance. Results Of 49 patients recruited on the basis of a positive rapid diagnostic test, only 16 were confirmed to have P. falciparum by PCR. At follow-up, 14 were PCR-negative for malaria, one was lost to follow-up and one blood specimen had insufficient blood for a PCR analysis. All 16 with PCR-confirmed malaria carried a single copy of the multi-drug resistant (mdr1) gene, and the wild type asparagine allele mdr1 codon 86 (mdr1 86N). Ten of the 16 samples carried the wild type haplotype (CVMNK) at codons 72-76 of the chloroquine resistance transporter gene (pfcrt); three samples carried the resistant CVIET allele; one carried both the resistant and wild type, and in two samples the allele could not be analysed. ii Conclusions The absence of mdr1 gene copy number variation detected in this study suggests lumefantrine resistance has yet to emerge in KwaZulu-Natal. In addition, data from this investigation implies the possible re-emergence of chloroquine-sensitive parasites. Results from this study must be viewed with caution, given the extremely small sample size. Recommendations A larger study is needed to accurately determine therapeutic efficacy of artemetherlumefantrine and resistance marker prevalence. The high proportion of rapid diagnostic test false-positive results requires further investigation. / Thesis (M.Med.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2013.

Despite increased interest in the control and spread of the alien weed, Chromolaena odorata, little is known of its photosynthetic characteristics under field conditions. The aim of the study was to obtain a better understanding of the ecophysiological attributes of C. odorata that contribute to its invasive success. Photosynthetic performance of C. odorata was evaluated by monitoring diurnal changes in gas exchange, chlorophyll a fluorescence and plant water relations. Gas exchange characteristics of plants growing in exposed and shaded environments, as well as seasonal patterns, were evaluated. The response of C. odorata to water stress was also determined. Chromolaena odorata exhibited high CO2 uptake rates with no light saturation. Shade plants had significantly larger leaf surface areas and greater concentrations of total chlorophyll, total carotenoids and chlorophylls a and b than sun plants. Relatively high photosynthetic uptake rates in C. odorata may allow for greater carbon gain in high light environments thus contributing to increased growth and spread of the species. Chromolaena odorata can successfully acclimatise to low photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), thus, outcompeting less tolerant species under low light conditions. Leaf conductance, CO2 uptake, transpiration and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters in winter were tightly coupled to summer. Plants had higher water use efficiency (WUE) in summer compared to winter, probably to maximise CO2 uptake and minimise water loss. There was a progressive decrease in leaf water potential with increase in water stress in water stressed (WS) plants. The leaves of WS plants showed signs of severe wilting 10 days after the onset of stress compared to well watered (WW) plants. Increased proline concentration and leaf wilting probably increase (WUE) and may be an adaptive strategy to protect against dehydration injury.The effects of the herbicide, glyphosate, on gas exchange and translocation were studied. Glyphosate treatment decreased leaf conductance leading to a reduction in CO2 uptake and transpiration. Glyphosate is a mobile herbicide that is transported from leaves to roots and caused death of plants within a week of treatment. The potential antimicrobial properties of the weed were evaluated using selected bacteria and fungi. Crude leaf extracts exhibited some antibacterial and antifungal activity. Extracts from the weed are unlikely to be useful antimicrobial sources due to low concentrations of active compounds. A co-ordinated strategy, taking into account the high plasticity of the weed, is needed to curtail the spread of C. odorata. The ecophysiological responses to environmental conditions should be considered when planning management and control strategies for C. odorata. / Ph.D. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2013.

The object of this research is to investigate in detail the origin and growth of Natal Hospitals - their design and function. The 19th Century saw the birth of the Republic of Natalia, and with it the establishment of towns and villages where public institutions, including hospitals, were being founded paraliel with private dwellings. Twofold development of the colony by Voortrekkers and English settlers resulted in different cultural influences, which can be observed in the architecture of that time. Whereas public, commercial, religious, domestic and collegiate buildings in Natal were, in their own scaled-down fashion, comparable with their counterparts in the United Kingdom, matters of public hygiene, mental health and prison systems were seriously neglected. The importance of the problem was recognised only in the late 1850's. The change in thinking was caused by the radical improvements in European Hospitals which were considered to be: "....essentially creations of the era beginning in the mid-18th century (for before this date the accommodation was provided in ad hoc premises), and all possessed the common quality of demanding, that certain clearly defined functions be fulfilled. The new hospitals imposed an overriding demand for maximum ventilation. It was in buildings such as these, that modern functionalism best expressed itself, and as a result, the 19th century subjected to a considerable amount of architectural research." Natal Hospitals represent an interesting group of institutions. Their layouts and architectural styles originating in Europe, they were brought here by Dutch and English settlers. Though the study of the function and design of the hospitals included in this research is focused on a limited range of buildings, the general conclusions-are related to the overall situation in Natal. In addition the research is done only on some specific aspects, covering the most important issues regarding the quality of hospital services and general standard of design. In the complex environment of the Natal hospital, the influence of design upon function is very significant, although it is often believed that function has dictated the design. / Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1988.

Predation and abiotic processes rather than competition should influence the community structure of rodents and shrews with life histories characterised by high fecundity, short longevity and unstable populations. I investigated the influence of abiotic processes, predation and competition on three parameters of community structure (species composition, phenotypic and phylogenetic niches) of rodents and shrews at Mkhuze and Kube Yini, two game reserves in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, using null models and multivariate analyses. Rodents and shrews were sampled between 2007 and 2009. Sample-based rarefaction curves indicated that rodent species richness was higher at Mkhuze than at Kube Yini, while shrew species richness was identical at both reserves. Species richness estimators indicated that estimates of species richness were fairly accurate, hence strengthening the results from my null model analyses. I found evidence that immigration and extinction operating at a regional scale influenced rodent species composition. Moreover, habitat filtering operating at a local scale influenced rodent and shrew species composition. These processes produced nested assemblages: species present at species-poor sites were subsets of species present at species-rich sites. Habitat filtering also influenced the phenotypic niche of rodents and shrews: sympatric species showed similar phenotypic adaptations (phenotypic niches were underdispersed), probably in response to similar food requirements. Furthermore, shrew phenotypic traits showed a convergent evolution, and local assemblages comprised distantly related species (phylogenetic evenness), suggesting the influence of habitat filtering on the phylogenetic niche structure of shrews. Predation influenced shrew phenotypes. Bullae and ears were underdispersed and larger than expected by chance, probably to reduce predation risk through increased hearing sensitivity. In contrast, I found no evidence that predation influenced the rodent phenotypic niche. Competition influenced the phenotypic niches of rodents and shrews in species-rich assemblages (phenotypic niches were overdispersed). In these assemblages, the coexistence of species was facilitated by dietary and microhabitat partitioning. Competition also influenced the phylogenetic niche of rodents: phenotypic traits showed a convergent evolution, and local assemblages comprised closely related species (phylogenetic clustering). In conclusion, both abiotic and biotic processes influenced different parameters of the community structure of rodents and shrews. However, despite similar life-history traits, the community structure of local assemblages differed between rodents and shrews. Comparing patterns and processes of community structure across taxa would help find general trends of community organisation. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2012.

This study explores principals’ experiences of school leadership. Through synthesis of varying definitions of leadership, the conceptualisation of the three foci of leadership namely, “person, practice and context” offers an initial organisational framework for this study. The democratic South Africa provides the context of change which is operationalised around issues of the pass rate, desegregation and democratic school governance. The existing landscape of leadership theory is then grafted with the South African context of change to set up the theoretical framing of this study. This study is positioned differently from dominant leadership studies in that the leader (principal) is fore-grounded rather than the “practice” of leadership. An interpretive paradigm is invoked to facilitate the acknowledgement, activation and inter-woveness of the researcher’s dual positioning as researcher and as school principal. This ambivalent positioning creates a methodological paradox that simultaneously privileges and imprisons the production of knowledge. Coherent with the methodological choice of narrative methodologies, an award winning literary play “Copenhagen” is used as a creative representational device. This play highlights issues of “personal, political, moral and scientific” challenges which become key pivotal points with which to connect all the chapters of this study. Six principals of previously disadvantaged schools, facing similar challenges of leadership participate in this study. Narrative methodologies guides both the data production and data analysis strategies. It also intentionally focuses on “personal, political and moral” challenges. Lengthy interviews produce richly detailed co-constructed mindscapes of leadership. The voices of principals and their stories are represented as individualised “reconstructed career narratives”. These provide complex, themed and descriptive understandings of leadership at the first level. At the second level, the researcher’s voice becomes dominant while meshing together data, theory and first level analysis to provide cross-case analysis providing deeper insights into experiences of school leadership. These insights challenge the dominant theoretical landscape of leadership. The main finding of this study suggests that principals “personal” experiences re-define relationships between key components of the context of change and in this way determine understandings of leadership. Principals consider the pass rate to be most important at a systemic level. However, their “personal/biographic” experiences with regard to “validation” and “professional experience” mediate that consideration and influence particular understandings of leadership. Similarly, principals’ “personal” experiences together with institutional histories play a significant role in understanding leadership in relation to issues of desegregation (geography). Principals’ “personal” experiences also determine how democratic school governance is understood with regard to accountability, consultation and agenda constructions. Finally, leadership is understood to be intricately linked to the concept of reward. The “scientific” construct of a Trefoil knot is used to develop an explanatory model and posit the basis of a “Relational Reward Theory” of understanding leadership. The thesis concludes with a discussion of the implications of pushing back contextual, methodological and theoretical boundaries in understanding school leadership. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.

The University of KwaZulu-Natal introduced a part-time Post-Graduate Certificate in Education programme in 2008, to enable graduate teachers to study part-time in order to become professionally qualified. To date, there has been very little academic research on how these professionally unqualified student teachers acquire professional knowledge informally on the job and from the formal Post-Graduate Certificate in Education programme. This study addresses such a gap in the academic literature by exploring the acquisition of professional knowledge through informal learning from their schools where they are teaching and formal learning from the Post-Graduate Certificate in Education. Given that the Post- Graduate Certificate in Education programme may continue to play a pivotal role in the training of teachers, this study has gone some way towards enhancing our understanding of how part-time teachers acquire professional knowledge through formal and informal learning. This study, which is located in the interpretative paradigm, used 10 in-depth interviews with Post-Graduate Certificate in Education students (aged 25 to 42), who were purposively sampled to solicit their views on the acquisition of professional teaching knowledge. Grossman’s model of teacher professional knowledge domains proved to be the appropriate lens and heuristic tool for this study, as it offers insights into the acquisition of general pedagogical knowledge, pedagogical content knowledge, content knowledge and knowledge of the context by these student teachers. The findings from the study suggest that teacher learning occurs in both formal and informal places. Drawing from a teacher knowledge model, it can be argued that propositional knowledge is acquired through academic institutions of learning and practical knowledge is obtained in different school situations of learning. Professionally unqualified teachers can learn general pedagogic knowledge and knowledge of context on the job, with the help of dedicated mentors. These findings could possibly be valuable for lecturers who are involved in teaching and preparing learning materials for Post-Graduate Certificate in Education programmes at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and other universities. In brief, the findings of the study could perhaps inform the curriculum and delivery of the part-time PGCE programme. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2013.

Thesis (doctoral)--Universität, Bonn, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (p. [241]-268).