A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science June 2015 / Lephalale is the home of Matimba, one of Eskom’s coal-fired power stations. Matimba is the biggest power station with a dry cooling system in the world. There are other industries (including coal mines) currently in operation in close proximity to the station. This industrial area is expected to grow as more industrial activities are planned for the following years. These activities will aggravate the levels of air pollution and possibly result in it being a “hot spot” for air pollution. The impact of air quality on health is covered by the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), but the impact of air quality on the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem is not known. Therefore, this study focuses on the deposition of nitrogen oxides (NOx) (as nitrogen dioxide (NO2)) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) within Lephalale in the Waterberg-Bojanala Priority Area. Additionally, inter-annual variability of NOx and SO2 ambient concentrations and back trajectories of air masses were analysed. The study obtained ambient air quality data and meteorological data from Eskom for the period 2008–2012, while additional meteorological data were obtained from the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and the South African Weather Service (SAWS). An inferential model was used to estimate the dry deposition flux of SO2 and NOx (as NO2), and the Hybrid Single Particle Langrangian Integrated Trajectory (Hysplit) Model was used to cluster back trajectories of air masses. The results of the seasonal dry deposition velocities of SO2 (0.17 to 0.23 cm/s) and NOx (0.10 to 0.15 cm/s) (as NO2) were higher in summer and lower in winter. They were also within the magnitude of the deposition velocities found in previous studies in the Highveld. The high deposition velocities in summer were attributed to photosynthetically active vegetation, turbulence and solar radiation. However, seasonal dry deposition fluxes of SO2 and NOx were higher in winter across the years. The higher flux values in winter were attributed to higher ambient concentrations of the trace gases. Additionally, the annual dry deposition flux of SO2 ranged between 0.43 and 0.67 kg S ha-1 yr-1, while NOx (as NO2) ranged between 0.84 and 1.05 kg N ha-1 yr-1 over the period studied. The annual deposition flux values found in the current study are lower than those found in previous studies in the Highveld. This difference could be because of the lower ambient concentrations of SO2 and NOx observed in this study. There is an inter-annual variability of the ambient concentrations of SO2 and NOx during the period 2008–2012. However, the difference is not large or statistically significant. The dominant direction of the back trajectories of air masses is east and southeast across all seasons for the entire period of 2008–2012. This lack of seasonal pattern in back trajectories and source regions cannot explain the seasonal changes in ambient concentrations (SO2 and NOx). Hence, climatic factors (e.g. change in weather) or seasonal changes in combustion source intensity must be responsible.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Geography)) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / Floods are one of the major natural hazards that occur with devastating effects globally. South Africa is one of the countries that is affected as flooding frequently occurs at different sub-national scales and with devastating impacts on human settlements. The variability of the nature, impact and frequency of flood occurrence in the country has heightened interest in the assessment and determination of flooding vulnerability, particularly in areas that have been affected or are likely to be affected in the near future. Given the uncertainties surrounding flood occurrence and the enormous damages resulting from the events, this study sought to assess the vulnerability of settlements to floods in Ward 7 and 9 of Lephalale Local Municipality. To accomplish this, both primary and secondary sources of data were used in this study. A mixture of closed-ended and open-ended household questionnaire, which was administered to 133 and 227 randomly selected households in Ward 7 and 9 respectively was used. In addition, a vulnerability index was developed using an indicator approach in order to determine levels of flood vulnerability in the study areas. Indicators were identified, grouped and normalised using the standardization method, then weighted using pairwise comparison method. The various indicators were then aggregated through a linear summation method into a vulnerability index. This index was subsequently used to produce a vulnerability map showing the spatial pattern of the different flood vulnerability levels in the studied areas. The results reveal that socioeconomic as well as physical factors influence settlements’ vulnerability to flooding disasters. Furthermore, the vulnerability index map showed that Ward 7 was more vulnerable to flooding, with an average index of about 0.16 while Ward 9 was less vulnerable, with an average flood vulnerability index of 0,07. The vulnerability map also indicated that out of the total land area of 13.54km2 occupied by settlements in Ward 7, 9.38 km2 was very vulnerable, 2.27km2 highly vulnerable and 1.89km2 had low vulnerability. In Ward 9, about 4.44km2 of settlements land was experiencing low vulnerability while 29.96km2 experienced very low levels of vulnerability. The study concludes that the high vulnerability of Ward 7 was a result of an interplay of factors that include its nearness to the stream, a high proportion of low-lying land, land use type and high population densities. The results of this study can serve as a basis for targeting prioritization efforts, emergency response measures, and policy interventions at the ward level for minimizing flood disaster vulnerability in municipal areas. The study recommends that flood vulnerability assessments should integrate socio-economic characteristics with physical factors in order to adequately assess vulnerability and therefore enable municipalities to anticipate floods and plan for them. / University of Limpopo Staff Financial Assistance, Risk and Vulnerability Science Centre and VLIR

Text in Afrikaans / According to Kerkspieel III (s.a. :20) a tendency has been observed in the Dutch Reformed Church during the last decade, to aim its ministry mainly at members of ·the higher professional careers, consequently failing to reach people from the lower blue collar occupations. This tendency has caused a rise in membership of the higher professional career group, from 27.43% to 36.90%; and a consequent drop in that of the lower blue collar occupations, from 28.74% to·20.21% during this time. Is it possible for members of the Dutch Reformed Church, belonging to a -lower socio-economic status (S.E.S.), to have certain needs which ~he church cannot satisfy? The purpose of· this study is to investigate the issue of church members with a lower S.E.S., having peculiar needs which are not satisfied by the ministry of the Dutch Reformed Church. Ellisras-Wes, are atively young industrial congregation. _ It was revealed from the literature· study that churches or denominations in general are inclined to feel an affinity with a limited section of society. Protestant Churches in particular are inclined to pay special attention to ·certain S.E.S. groups. Although certain differences regarding patterns of conduct and attitude have been. identified among various S.E.S. groups,. there was no considerable indications that a correlation exists between members' S.E.S. and needs. The perception that.people with a lower S.E.S. would be irreligious, uninvolved and disinterested, can therefore be rejected. Evidence to the contrary is that the religious experience of lower S.E.S. members is more genuine and traditional, while members with a higher S.E.S. tend to have a critical attitude against the Bible and church-doctrine. Even atheism occurs to a greater extent within this group. This tendency will continue until such time as the Dutch Reformed Church acknowledges its deficiency in this respect and reach to lower S.E.S groups. The church may consequently show a considerable growth. / Philosophy, Practical & Systematic Theology / D.Th. (Practical Theology)

Text in Afrikaans / According to Kerkspieel III (s.a. :20) a tendency has been observed in the Dutch Reformed Church during the last decade, to aim its ministry mainly at members of ·the higher professional careers, consequently failing to reach people from the lower blue collar occupations. This tendency has caused a rise in membership of the higher professional career group, from 27.43% to 36.90%; and a consequent drop in that of the lower blue collar occupations, from 28.74% to·20.21% during this time. Is it possible for members of the Dutch Reformed Church, belonging to a -lower socio-economic status (S.E.S.), to have certain needs which ~he church cannot satisfy? The purpose of· this study is to investigate the issue of church members with a lower S.E.S., having peculiar needs which are not satisfied by the ministry of the Dutch Reformed Church. Ellisras-Wes, are atively young industrial congregation. _ It was revealed from the literature· study that churches or denominations in general are inclined to feel an affinity with a limited section of society. Protestant Churches in particular are inclined to pay special attention to ·certain S.E.S. groups. Although certain differences regarding patterns of conduct and attitude have been. identified among various S.E.S. groups,. there was no considerable indications that a correlation exists between members' S.E.S. and needs. The perception that.people with a lower S.E.S. would be irreligious, uninvolved and disinterested, can therefore be rejected. Evidence to the contrary is that the religious experience of lower S.E.S. members is more genuine and traditional, while members with a higher S.E.S. tend to have a critical attitude against the Bible and church-doctrine. Even atheism occurs to a greater extent within this group. This tendency will continue until such time as the Dutch Reformed Church acknowledges its deficiency in this respect and reach to lower S.E.S groups. The church may consequently show a considerable growth. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / D.Th. (Practical Theology)