The number of female secondary school students in Mozambique is very low. Different reasons are stated for this, but mainly that the students’ parents believe that education is better suited for boys than girls. Furthermore, the students who do attend education might face a low quality of education, lack of proper hygiene facilities, and run the risk of being sexually abused by teachers at school. This study took place at two schools in Maputo and the aim of this study was to find out how students in Maputo regard their secondary education and what factors they believe can affect their education. The main focus was on the female students, since they are the ones most likely having trouble with attending education. However, some data were collected from male students in order to make a limited comparison. Furthermore, some teachers and officials have also been interviewed and thus given their views on the issues. Most of the students’ future plans were to get into university in order to get a good job with a high salary. However, some wanted to get a job directly after secondary education. Regarding their present education, the use of alcohol and drugs in school, money, and the teachers’ handling of marks were brought up as problems. The students gave examples of how their fellow students drink and do drugs within the school area, but also on how they work with campaigns and meetings in order to prevent and stop it. The issue of money was mostly connected to the possibility and difficulty of entering university. These difficulties were also connected to the low number of places available at each course at the university and the students’ inability to pay the high fees. In the race for entering university, it was important to have good marks. However, the handling of marks was not always done in a professional way by the teachers. The students gave examples of how teachers demand money or sexual favours in exchange for good marks, and they were aware of the consequences of offering such sexual favours and provided many solutions to get rid of the problem. One solution was to avoid dressing ‘sexy’, while others were to start campaigns, meetings or groups where these issues are discussed. The teachers’ view was that Mozambican education faces many difficulties, such as too many students, lack of properly built schools, lack of material and the students’ lack of motivation. The teachers acknowledged that there is a problem of teachers abusing female students sexually, or selling marks to students, and emphasised that teachers have to follow the ethics of their profession. Much information on female education in Mozambique was provided by the ONP, the Ministry of Education and the Board of Education in the City of Maputo, where it was discovered that the number of female students in the city of Maputo is actually equal to the number of male student, despite the disparity in the country. Some of the teachers as well as the officials claimed that the issue of sexual abuse is most common in the countryside. However, the students’ awareness and experiences of the problem imply that it exists in Maputo as well, and that the students have the possibility to do something about it. Furthermore, it is evident through campaigns and work done by organisations and authorities that it is considered a problem which has to be stopped. Moreover, concerning all the issues the students find problematic, most of them show awareness and strength and will to change things for the better. Hence, when working for improving education and especially regarding the issues brought up by the students, it is important to listen to the students’ ideas and let them participate.

<p><font face="Cambria" size="3"><font face="Cambria" size="3"><font face="Cambria" size="3"><font face="Cambria" size="3"><font face="Cambria" size="3"><font face="Cambria" size="3"> <p>The objective of the study was to find out whether the decentralisation of responsibulities for social economics development facilitated the management of disaster risk during the 2007 floods in Mozambique. the specific aims of the study were to : analyse <font face="Cambria" size="3"><font face="Cambria" size="3">and discuss national policies for decentralisation and their significance for DRM.&nbsp / Investigate which responsibilities, human and financial resources were available to local governments&nbsp / for the planning, implemantations and monitoring of DRM activities. Identify&nbsp / mechanisms institutions and activities for DRM and&nbsp / find out whether they provided to be effective. Explore how concerned&nbsp / communities participated in DRM activitiesto reduce&nbsp / their vulnerability to disaster risk.&nbsp / &nbsp / &nbsp / &nbsp / &nbsp / &nbsp / &nbsp / &nbsp / </font></font><font face="SymbolMT" size="3"><font face="SymbolMT" size="3"> <p>&nbsp / </p> </font></font>&nbsp / </p> <p>&nbsp / </p> <p>&nbsp / </p> <p>&nbsp / </p> <p>&nbsp / </p> </font></font></font></font></font></font></p> <p>&nbsp / </p>

The aim of this study was to assess the electrical performance of the Cahora Bassa HVDC scheme. For practical reasons a database was developed to hold and analyse the performance data. Microsoft® Access 2002 relational database management system was chosen for this work. The principle of simplicity and flexibility were used in the design of the database. The Apollo year 2002 faults data was populated into the database. The database stored the information in a format that enables the user to extract results and the information required by Ciqre, The Ciqre Working Group 14 collects performance information from all the participating HVDC schemes around the world annually. The Apollo converter station's 2002 performance data was compared to other similar HVDC schemes that submitted to Cigre in the year 2002. In addition performance trends were drawn from similar schemes that submitted to Cigre over the past years. The Apollo performance data is quite comparable to other similar schemes in 2002 and over the past years. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2005.

Natural resource harvesting still plays an important role in the economy of southern Africa. In Mozambique, the continuous exploitation of the most valuable components of the indigenous woodlands in locations such as the Catuane Administrative Post in Matutuine District, have put pressure on the natural resources so that concern has motivated this research in order to guide such actions in support of sustainable use. This was a preliminary study, the intention being to establish: • what are the necessary environmental conditions for the sustainability of silviculture? • which species may be candidates for cultivation? • whether local people would support cultivation of trees for charcoal and woodfuel; and • what the attitude of government and non-government organizations was to tree cultivation.? The research approach taken in this study was qualitative, relying on interviews, reviewing literature and documentary analysis. Respondents were drawn from different categories such as the local communities of the study area, experts in silviculture, government officials and NGO employees. The study shows that environmental conditions are harsh and are not particularly favourable for the cultivation of trees. Nevertheless, a review of information on the requirements and properties of woody species indicates that there . are candidate species that could be considered for cultivation, but productivity is likely to be low. Although there is some support for cultivation of trees, motivation is weak and strong extension support will be required to achieve success. The findings show, however that whilst there is policy support it is not accompanied by support on the ground. It is suggested that this reflects failure to appreciate the value of co-operative management and suggestions are made as to how these can be improved. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2003.

Tourism is the world's largest earner of foreign currency. It brings an estimated R20 billion a year into the South African economy, second only to the manufacturing and mining industry in its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). An estimated 1.7 million overseas and African tourists visited South Africa in 1999. Of the 1.7 million approximately 500 000 or 30% of these tourists visited KwazuluNatal. Forty seven percent of the foreign tourists visited the Zululand and Maputaland area, which falls within a malaria transmission zone. An estimated 8 million domestic tourists from outside or within this province travelled to one or more destinations within KwaZulu-Natal on an annual basis. The Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative is a tri-Iateral initiative between the governments of Swaziland, Mozambique and South Africa to develop the Lubombo region into a globally competitive economic zone. The geographical area targeted by this initiative is broadly defined as eastem Swaziland, southem Mozambique and north-eastem KwaZulu-Natal. Accelerated development with regards to agriculture and tourism is the main objective of the Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative (LSD!). The Lubombo corridor has the potential to develop into an intemational tourist destination but malaria is hampering the growth and development of the region. Perceived malaria risk by tourists is believed to be an important factor that has a negative influence on the tourism industry in the study area. The risk factor, as defined in this study, is the possibility of contracting malaria whilst visiting a tourism facility in the area. It is therefore essential to understand perceptions relating to malaria and malaria risk in the LSDI area. Malaria control plays a pivotal role in the Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative (LSD!). The objective of the malaria control component of the LSDI is to put in place a malaria control programme that will protect the economic interest of the Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative (LSD!) and stimulate development. Malaria control activities have been taking place in the three countries since 1999. Residual house spraying is the method used to control malaria in the Lubombo corridor. Major reductions in both malaria cases and parasite prevalence have been recorded. Swaziland's malaria incidence reduced by 64%, South Africa's malaria incidence plummeted by a staggering 76% and Mozambique saw a parasite prevalence reduction of40% in the first year of residual house spraying in 1999. This study focuses on the scientific study of malaria incidence and distribution as well as on both tourists and tourism operator's perceptions of malaria risk. It considers the factors that drive people's perceptions of risk and investigates how tourists and tourism operators respond to malaria risk. It draws conclusions about how malaria impacts on tourism in the LSDI and recommends how malaria control can play a positive role in tourism development in the area. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

This study provides information on the biology, stock status and the management of C. puniceus, a key linefish resource in southern Mozambique. This is regionally endemic to Mozambique and KwaZulu-Natal. Fairly resident species, is found on the continental shelf ranging north to Zavora and south to KwaZulu-Natal and Transkei, and inhabits rocky seabeds, ranging between 20 and l00m. In Mozambique is manly exploited by semi-industrial fleet, and exported to South Africa. The reproductive biology, assessed through gonad somatic index as well as microscopic and macroscopic assessment, indicates that spawning extends over the spring months from August to November, peaking in September. It is a protogynous hermaphrodite, relatively slow growing and long lived species. The length-weight relationships for male and female C. puniceus show to be different, and the overall length frequency distribution shows clear difference in size between male and female C. puniceus, with male length frequency distribution restricted to the larger size classes. The monthly length frequency distribution of female C. puniceus is unimodal and peak at 300 mm FL, male shows unclear year classes. Age determination was carried out using otoliths and growth was estimated using the model developed by Punt et al (1993) for protogynous hermaphrodites reproductive styles. Validation of annuli was done by examining the outer margin of otolith, and also through mark and recapture information. Validation following the first method indicated that the opaque band is laid down twice a year, but the mark recapture results were inconsistent. This contradicts previously published information on C. puniceus, and thus; both single and double scenarios were modelled. The Von Bertalanffy growth parameters found for C. puniceus suggest relatively slow-growth, with the number of rings found from reading the sectioned otolith ranging from 2 to 18. Reproducibility of age estimates was evaluated using the average percentage error (APE) technique, and was equal to 22%. The age at full recruitment was found to be 2.5 and 5 years for bi-annual and annual banding, respectively. The analysis of the age-at-50% maturity, based on double band scenario, suggests that C. puniceus mature at 1.5 year-old, which corresponds to a mean FL of 240mm. A preliminary yield per recruit assessment revealed that at the current fishing mortality, C. puniceus fishery is moderately overfished, with the spawning biomass-per-recruit at 35.43% and 36.57%, for one and two bands, respectively, of its unexploited level. Fishing mortality was equal to 0.2 year-1 and 0.41 year-1, for single and double band, respectively. YPR analysis shows that the single band scenario is less conservative than the double band assessment, which has a bearing on the management approach. It is suggested as the preliminary management strategy a reduction of the number of boats. Indeed the average number of crew per boat, needs to be evaluated in terms of overall effort. To complement this management measures, there is a strong and urgent need to establish marine reserves in order to protect spawning stock, and also, to develop an overall linefish management plan, which will help in the management of the whole linefish resource in Mozambique. Furthermore, an age and growth study for C. puniceus over a larger geographical area needs to be done as a mean to overcome the differences between previous study and this study, once C. puniceus is being shared between the two countries (Mozambique and KwaZulu-Natal). / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2001.

Up until 1969 Nile Crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) were considered as vermin in South Africa and were actively persecuted throughout the country. In an effort to re-establish viable populations within protected areas in Zululand a restocking program was initiated in the late 1960‟s and early 1970‟s. Ndumo Game Reserve (NGR) in north eastern KwaZulu-Natal was one of the reserves involved in the restocking program and the Nile Crocodile population in the reserve increased from a minimum absolute abundance of 348 (SE ± 3.39; N = 3) in the early 1970‟s to a minimum absolute abundance of 992 (SE ± 58.70; N = 4) in the 1990‟s. However, in recent years there has been some concern that the NGR Nile Crocodile population may be on the decline, initiating the current investigation into the ecology and conservation of the NGR population. We examined changes in relative abundance using aerial survey data from 1971 – 2009. The precision and accuracy of population estimates was affected by water level, season, aircraft type and the use of different observers. A correction factor was applied to survey data and the current NGR Nile Crocodile population is estimated at an absolute abundance of 846 (± 263). Distribution data from the aerial surveys were also used to examine habitat use over the last 40 years and revealed that Nile Crocodiles were not evenly distributed in NGR and that crocodiles favoured the Phongola over the Usuthu floodplain systems. NGR is characterised by a floodplain mosaic landscape and crocodile distributions between the various habitat patches were influenced by landscape physiognomy and composition as well as connectivity and corridor quality. Anthropogenic disturbances influenced the functionality of the floodplain landscape negatively with impacts on habitat use and connectivity. To quantify the effects of environmental conditions on crocodile habitat use we conducted 40 diurnal counts at Lake Nyamithi between 2009 and 2012 and related changes in crocodile numbers here to temperature, rainfall and water level. Crocodile density in Lake Nyamithi was significantly and negatively related to average maximum ambient temperature and numbers increased in the lake over the cool, dry winter season. Water level and rainfall had strong but not significant (p >0.05) negative influence on crocodile density in Lake Nyamithi. Environmental variables influenced different size class of Nile Crocodiles differently and the density of crocodiles in the 1.5 – 2.5 m Total Length (TL) size class were significantly influenced by rainfall and average minimum monthly temperature. Movement patterns of 49 Nile Crocodiles between 202 – 472 cm total length (TL) were followed over 18 months using mark-resight (n = 36), radio (n = 10) and satellite (n = 3) telemetry. The duration of radio transmitter attachment (131 days, SE ± 11.35) was significantly related to TL and reproductive status. Satellite transmitters stopped functioning after 15 (SE ± 12.53) days and home range was calculated for 7 crocodiles ranging in size from 202 cm TL – 358 cm TL. Sub-adults (1.5 - 2.5 m TL) occupied smaller, more localized home ranges than adults (> 2.5 m TL). Home ranges overlapped extensively suggesting that territoriality, if present, did not cause Nile Crocodiles to maintain spatially discrete home ranges in NGR during the dry season. A single large scale migration event occurs every year between October and November whereby the majority of the NGR crocodile population leaves the reserve and enters the Rio Maputo floodplain in adjacent Mozambique and only return in April/May. Nesting effort (19 – 21 %) in NGR was comparable to other populations of Nile Crocodile in southern Africa. Nests are completely destroyed by floods once every 10 years and predation rates may range from 20 – 86 % per year. In addition to aerial surveys, nesting surveys and movement studies crocodiles (n = 103) were caught opportunistically to collect demographic data on population structure. The population structure of Nile Crocodiles in NGR is currently skewed towards sub-adults and adults suggesting an aging population that may decline naturally in the future. This could be due to low recruitment levels in NGR that are not able to sustain the artificially high population size created by the restocking program. Sex ratios were skewed towards females in the juvenile and sub-adult size classes and towards males in the adult size class while the overall sex ratio was even between males and females. It is predicted that the NGR Nile Crocodile population will decline in the future and that this decline should be considered as a natural process. However, the rate of decline will be accelerated at an unnatural speed and to an unnatural extent due to poaching, uncontrolled harvesting and destruction of nesting habitat within NGR. Based on the findings of the current study, management recommendations for the conservation of the combined NGR – Rio Maputo Nile Crocodile population were made. It is important that further research takes place in the Rio Maputo floodplain in Mozambique to better quantify the nesting ecology of the NGR Nile Crocodile population and to identify possible threats facing Nile Crocodiles in this region. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2013.

This thesis aims to shed light on issues related to women’s rights to access and benefit from land in matrilineal communities in rural, northern Mozambique. It portrays the environment in which organisations working with implementation of land rights operate as well as proposes conclusions on the core obstacles to their work. A qualitative study was conducted and forms the basis of the study and is complemented with previous research on this topic. Women in rural, matrilineal communities in northern Mozambique are not equal with their male counterparts and they hold a lower social position despite the alleged matrilineal structure. However, they appear to be less marginalised than women in southern, patrilineal Mozambique, which suggests that the matrilineal structure does have a positive effect on the lives of the rural women. Furthermore, this study shows that the obstacles when implementing women’s land rights can be summarised as: (i) strong patriarchal attitudes, (ii) an insufficient level of education that excludes women from decision-making and (iii) a too narrow understanding of the gender-power relations.

The principal Water target of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) is to Ensure environmental sustainability by halving the proportion of people without access to safe water by 2015. Although great strides have been made in meeting this challenge in terms of provision of services since the year 2000, the safety of many these water supplies remains unknown. One of the biggest challenges therefore facing water development professionals is how to ensure sufficient levels of both quantity and guality of safe water. One of the principal mechanisms for monitoring the progress towards attaining the MDG goals for access to safe water is the UNICEF/WHO Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP). However, the JMP acknowledges that one of its current weaknesses is in assessing safety related to different technology types. In acknowledgement of these weaknesses and of the weakness of reliance on "end product testing" as a means of assuring microbiological safety, the thesis proposes improved methods of assessment and management of microbiological water safety based on a "risk" paradigm. Coinciding with proposed new risk based methods of assessing water safety outlined in the 3d edition of the World Health Organization Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality (2004), the thesis researches the risk to three well technology types in Mozambique. Principal pathways to microbiological contamination of shallow groundwater were assessed which included both the conventional aquifer pathways and preferential or localised pathways. The research adopted an experimental design that uses a mix of qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques. Data were collected over 12 months in 25 well sites in Lichinga, Mozambique. Findings from the research demonstrated that risk assessment and management are effective tools in understanding the level of safety associated with the well technologies under study. The research indicated firstly that risk assessment aids the identification of specific risk variables (of which animal faeces is a predominant risk), secondly that the use of alternative indicator organisms (e.g. enterococci) may improve risk understanding, thirdly that there is a strong statistical correlation between use of surrogates (e. g. turbidity) and microbes and fourthly that Water Safety Plans are an appropriate method of risk management. Furthermore, the research supports the JMP definitions of improved water sources, which suggest that upgraded wells are not an improved source due to their high vulnerability to contamination through localised pathways. The recommendations from the thesis include; non-inclusion of upgraded wells in the JMP in Mozambique, greater use of enterococci and turbidity as surrogate indicators of faecal pollution, the need for the development of rapid risk assessment and management techniques for rural areas in developing countries and the inclusion of localised pathways as a principal route of assessment. Potential areas of further research include field-based studies of assessment of faecal sources of Enterococci bacteria, and rapid methods for the development of model Water Safety Plans.

<p><font face="Cambria" size="3"><font face="Cambria" size="3"><font face="Cambria" size="3"><font face="Cambria" size="3"><font face="Cambria" size="3"><font face="Cambria" size="3"> <p>The objective of the study was to find out whether the decentralisation of responsibulities for social economics development facilitated the management of disaster risk during the 2007 floods in Mozambique. the specific aims of the study were to : analyse <font face="Cambria" size="3"><font face="Cambria" size="3">and discuss national policies for decentralisation and their significance for DRM.&nbsp / Investigate which responsibilities, human and financial resources were available to local governments&nbsp / for the planning, implemantations and monitoring of DRM activities. Identify&nbsp / mechanisms institutions and activities for DRM and&nbsp / find out whether they provided to be effective. Explore how concerned&nbsp / communities participated in DRM activitiesto reduce&nbsp / their vulnerability to disaster risk.&nbsp / &nbsp / &nbsp / &nbsp / &nbsp / &nbsp / &nbsp / &nbsp / </font></font><font face="SymbolMT" size="3"><font face="SymbolMT" size="3"> <p>&nbsp / </p> </font></font>&nbsp / </p> <p>&nbsp / </p> <p>&nbsp / </p> <p>&nbsp / </p> <p>&nbsp / </p> </font></font></font></font></font></font></p> <p>&nbsp / </p>