D.Ed. / The primary aim of this research was to develop an appropriate management framework to manage education-business partnerships and partnership projects by: determining to what extent education-business partnerships and partnership projects could best be managed at all levels of education especially at the school level; and developing an appropriate framework for managing education business partnerships and partnership projects. In order to achieve the general aim of the research project the following specific aims were investigated, namely to: describe and analyse what education-business partnerships are; describe the management of education-business partnerships and partnership projects as a component of education transformation; investigate a framework for managing education-business partnerships and partnership projects by reviewing the significant literature and examining the possibilities for the South African context; investigate empirically the perceptions and perspectives of business and education in respect of managing education-business partnerships and partnership projects; and devise an appropriate management framework for effective education-business partnerships and partnership projects, and the application of it in practice. The researcher has found that during his sojourn with the Mpumalanga Department of Education that there was no management framework in place to manage education-business partnerships and partnership projects. Neither in Mpumalanga Province nor in any other province are there best practices or benchmarks for managing partnerships. If there are then these are still very much in their infancy. In light of the above this research was conducted. Since 1994 the South African government has attempted to address the legacy of apartheid through a number of policy documents and legislation. Central to these policies and legislation have been the issues of redress, equity, quality and access to education. Similarly, the South African government and especially the education departments (national and provincial) are exploring new, effective and efficient forms of service delivery. These have given rise to new forms of social cooperation in the form of partnerships. In the case of education, partnerships are viewed as creative, innovative, productive and practical responses to the challenges faced by the South African education system. Government in general and education in particular realise, that service delivery is not the exclusive preserve of government alone but that there is a need to engage business and civil society organisations in partnership to address these challenges. In particular, government needs to create a sustainable environment for education-business partnerships to develop.

M.Ed. / The Revised National Curriculum Statement (RNCS) aims to develop the full potential of each learner as a citizen of a democratic South Africa. It seeks to create a lifelong learner who is confident and independent, literate, numerate, and multi-skilled, compassionate, with a respect for the environment and the ability to participate in a society as a critical and active citizen (DoE, 2002:08). The aim of this study was to investigate educators’ views concerning the implementation of environmental education in the RNCS. It also seeks to identify difficulties/challenges, which they experience in implementing Environmental Education (EE) in line with the RNCS. The data was collected using qualitative techniques of lesson observations and focus groups interviews and the study was conducted in Mpumalanga province, Gert Sibande Region, with four schools in four different circuits. The findings indicate that most educators are happy about the new curriculum and the environment as an integral approach in the RNCS, but that they still need to learn more about dealing with the EE in the curriculum. It was found that educators are eager to learn, hence the majority indicated that they still need more workshops on environmental learning and RNCS. Based on the findings of this research, it is recommended that curriculum implementers and subject advisors take the leading role in ensuring that EE is well implemented in the RNCS. The main findings are that teachers are happy with EE in the RNCS, but that there is a need for support programmes for the RNCS and for the implementation of EE in the RNCS. / Prof. H.G. van Rooyen

A phytosociological study covering approximately 12 000 km2 was completed within Southeastern Mpumalanga high altitude grasslands. The towns of Belfast, Barberton, Piet Retief and Wakkerstroom represented the four corners of the area. The study formed part of the Grassland Biome Project sponsored by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. The Braun-Blanquet approach was applied. Grassland research results from the western side of the country, determined that soil patterns and vegetation distribution are significantly correlated. Based on these results, it was hypothesised that the same correlation would exist in the east. The eight soil patterns used during the survey as homogenous units, were Ab, Ac, Ad, Ae, Ea, Fa, Fb and lb. A pro rata, randomly stratified sample size of 405 plots were used. An in-depth literature study of the environmental and other factors related to vegetation distribution, indicated on local scale that a significant correlation exists between landform and plant distribution. Two geographic information systems, Idrisi and Arc-Info/Niew, aided in the modelling and extraction of environmental attributes from existing databases. A TWINSPAN classification of the complete floristic data set falsified the null hypothesis based on the soil patterns but verified the null hypothesis based on landforms. The TWINSPAN dendrogram revealed clusters associated with three landforms (mountains, hills and lowlands, and plains) in two ecosystems, the terrestrial and the wetlands or aquatic. The three landforms represented three mapping units: Southeastern Mpumalanga Mountain Vegetation Type, Southeastern Mpumalanga Hills and Lowland Vegetation Type and Southeastern Mpumalanga Plain Vegetation Type. A second TWINSPAN classification was executed on each of the vegetation types. The resulting clusters were tested for uniqueness and informational value using a set of criteria. Those clusters which qualified were arranged in a Braun-Blanquet table to determine communities, sub-communities and variations using constancy and fidelity values. The plant communities within the vegetation types were described in terms of floristic composition and environmental attributes. The indirect gradient analysis ordination program DECORANA was used to determine environmental trends and was confirmed by using multiple regression. Soil water availability was the most significant environmental trend between the two ecosystems and within the communities of the ecosystems in each vegetation type. Soil water availability is influenced by numerous factors, whose significance differs from one vegetation type to another. lt was concluded from this study that, in high rainfall areas, soil patterns and vegetation distribution are not significantly correlated but that landforms and vegetation distribution are significantly correlated. Landscape slope configuration or landform influences soil water availability through soil characteristics (rockiness, texture and depth) and local climatic conditions (aspect, perpendicular insolation and precipitation). lt is suggested that the current Grassland - Savanna Biome boundary be changed towards the west using the boundary between the covered and exposed shields. This suggestion is supported by the presence of Hyparrhenia hirta/Hyperthelia dissoluta - Acacia sieberiana communities to the east of the study area in the different vegetation types which correlate significantly with the thorntree-tall grass savanna formation on a global scale. AFRIKAANS : 'n Fitososiologiese studie is gedoen van die Suid-oostelike Mpumalanga hoe liggende grasveld tussen die dorpe Belfast, Barberton, Piet Retief en Wakkerstroom. 'n Area van ongeveer 12 000 km2 is bestudeer. Die studie is deel van die Grasveld Bioom Projek gefinansier deur die Departement van Omgewingsake en Toerisme. Die Braun-Blanquet benadering is gebruik. Resultate van grasveldnavorsing in die westelike deel van die grasveld bioom, het aangedui dat 'n betekenisvolle verband tussen grondpatrone en plantegroei verspreiding bestaan. Na aanleiding van hierdie resultate, is die hipotese gemaak dat dieselfde verband in die ooste sal voorkom. Agt grondpatrone, Ab, Ac, Ad, Ae, Fa, Fb, en lb is as homogene eenhede beskou. 'n Eweredige ewekansige steekproefneming van 405 punte is gebruik. 'n Deeglike literatuurstudie van die omgewing en faktore wat verband hou met plantegroei verspreiding, het aangedui op lokale skale, dat 'n verband tussen landvorm en plantegroei verspreiding bestaan. Twee geografiese inligtingstelsels, ldrisi en Arc-lnfo/View, is gebruik in die modelering en verkryging van omgewings data vanuit bestaande databasisse. 'n TWINSPAN klassifikasie gebaseer op die volledige spesiesamestelling, het die nul hipotese oor die grondpatrone ongeldig verklaar maar die nul hipotese oor die landvorme bevestig. Die TWINSPAN dendrogram het groeperings bevat wat verband hou met drie landvorme (berge, heuwels en laaglande en vlaktes) in twee ekosisteme, terrestrieel en vleiland van akwatiese omgewings. Die drie landvorme is beskou as drie karteerbare eenhede: Suid-oostelike Mpumalanga Berg Plantegroeitipe, Suidoostelike Mpumalanga Heuwels en Laagland Plantegroeitipe en Suid-oostelike Mpumalanga Vlakte Plantegroeitipe. 'n Tweede TWINSPAN klassifikasie is op elk van die plantegroeitipes toegepas. Elke plantegroeitipe se groeperings is met behulp van bepaalde voorwaardes vir uniekheid en inligtingswaarde getoets. Die groeperings wat gekwalifiseer het, is met behulp van konstantheids en getrouheids waardes in 'n Braun-Blanquet tabel gerangskik in gemeenskappe, sub-gemeenskappe en variasies. Elke plantegroei tipe se gemeenskappe is beskryf in terme van floristies spesiesamestelling en omgewingsfaktore. 'n indirekte gradientanalise ordeningsprogram DECORANA is gebruik vir die bepaling van omgewings tendense en is bevestig met behulp van veelvuldige regressies. Grondwaterbeskikbaarheid was die mees betekenisvolle omgewingstendens tussen die ekosisteme en die gemeenskappe van die plantegroei tipes. Grondwaterbeskikbaarheid word deur 'n aantal faktore beïnvloed, waarvan die belangrikheid van plantegroei tipe tot plantegroeitipe wissel. 'n Gevolgtrekking van die studie is, dat in hoë reënvalomgewings daar nie 'n betekenisvolle verband is tussen grondpatrone en plantegroei verspreiding nie maar wel tussen landvorme en plantegroeiverspreiding. Landskap hellingsamestelling of landvorme beïnvloed grondwaterbeskikbaarheid deur middel van grondeienskappe (klipperigheid, tekstuur en diepte) en lokale klimaatstoestande (aspek, loodregte bestraling en presipitasie). Daar word voorgestel dat die huidige Grasveld- Savanna Bioom grens weswaarts geskuif word om ooreen te stem met die grens tussen die bedekte en blootgestelde plate. Die voorstel word ondersteun deur die teenwoordigheid van Hyparrhenia hirta/Hyperthelia dissoluta - Acacia sieberana plantgemeenskappe in die ooste van die plantegroeitipes wat betekenisvol ooreenstem met die langgras-doring boom savanna formasie op globale skaal. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 1999. / Plant Science / unrestricted

The purpose of the study was to identify the main factors influencing the small-scale production of sugar cane in Nkomazi, Mupumalanga province. The study assesses the influence of some selected personal and environmental, and intervening factors on the adoption of recommended agricultural practices and farming success or production efficiency of small-scale sugar cane growers. A total of 139farmers were randomly drawn from two distinct districts of Komatipoort and Malelane in Nkomazi, which represented a `10% stratified sample. In the analysis of data, correlation, chi-square analysis, as well as multiple regressions analysis were used in order to identify the most important determinants associated with behavioural change and to calculate their contribution to the variance of farming success. The results indicate that, the intervening variables tended to have the highest prediction value. They were found to explain 87,13% of the variance of behaviour associated with the production efficiency, while the independent variables had R2 of 0.50 thus contributing significantly less to the variance of farming success. Amongst the intervening variables, needs and knowledge were found to have the greatest effect on the farming success or dependent variables (P<0,0001). These findings imply that managerial skills or farming success of small-scale sugar cane farmers in Nkomazi is dependent on intervening variables. The intervening variables are the best prediction of decision making, practices adoption behaviour and farming success, so that they should be the focus of extension programs, and also the criteria for monitoring. / Dissertation (MSc (Agricultural Extention))--University of Pretoria, 2003. / Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development / unrestricted

A thesis submitted to the Faculty Arts in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Masters in Development Studies in the Department of Anthropology and Development Studies at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2017. / The study hopes to bring about the enlightenment to the operations of agricultural cooperatives at Nkomazi municipality namely ward 7, 25, 29 and 30. The study therefore assess the operations of agricultural cooperatives while identifying the operational processes of cooperatives; examining the management techniques of cooperatives; determining membership participation and commitment to cooperatives and identifying the measures adopted in the monitoring and evaluation of agricultural cooperatives. The research method that was used to gather data was qualitative research approach, the design adopted descriptive research design and the research method used is multiple case study method. The research data collection tools comprises of structured and unstructured interviews, policy document analysis, structured observations and this was done using a questionnaires an instrument for a sample size of 40 agricultural cooperatives. A non-probability sampling was used and the type on non-probability that is both purposive and convenience sampling to sample the respondents. The results showed that 75% of the respondents are employed by the agricultural cooperatives. Significantly, 90% agricultural cooperatives have members depends on agricultural cooperatives for income. It is noted that 10% of the agricultural cooperatives were established during the year 1993 and before significantly 8% (3) was operational in that particular year. Astonishingly, the results show statistically a constant growth by 45% of established and operational agricultural cooperatives in the year 2015 to 2016. The results shows that the operations of the agricultural cooperatives depended massively on the main activities associated and other several operational events such as funds, human resources and raw material.The outcome of the study was evident that even though some cooperative operate without proper management and monitoring and evaluations techniques, the cooperatives still contribute massively the local food nets and to the local economy within the study area.

Introduction Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a disease which is both curable and preventable, with recognised complications such loss of lung function and progressive massive fibrosis (PMF). It is a major cause of pulmonary disability and mortality in the South Africa mining industry. Tuberculosis has a high social and economic cost, both for the individual concerned and for the industry as a whole. However, notwithstanding the extensive literature on TB in the mining industry, given the size and economic importance of coal mining in South Africa, there is surprisingly scanty information available on TB and other occupational lung diseases in coal mines. A strong correlation was reported in Canada, the USA and China between coal usage and TB. This highlights the possibility of the direct impact of coal usage on TB. Although black miners have historically done jobs with the highest exposure in the coal mining industry, there have been remarkably few studies reporting the prevalence of TB and the exposure response relationship in black coal miners in South Africa. Dust exposure in coal mines is a risk factor for occupational lung diseases such as coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP), chronic obstructive airways disease (COAD) and lung function deficiency. However, there are still doubts and debates about the risk in such work of tuberculosis. The aim of this study was to fill the gap in the literature by determining the prevalence and exposure response relationship of TB to coal dust exposure. Objective To determine, within a sample of coal miners: . Prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) . Prevalence of coal workers' pneumoconiosis and past TB . Association of outcome variables with exposure variables and underground coalmine workers' exposure as compared to that of surface workers . Association of TB with coal workers' pneumoconiosis and past TB . Exposure response relationship of TB, coal workers' pneumoconiosis and past TB to respirable coal dust. Method A cross-sectional study of 344 employed black male coal miners at a coal mining complex with fourteen mine shafts at Secunda in Mpumalanga, was done. The records from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2005 were reviewed. The main outcome measure was the prevalence of current TB in coal miners. The sample consisted of 220 underground and 124 surtace coal miners. The exposure variables considered were lifetime mean exposure level (LMEL) (mgim3), cumulative dust exposure (CDE) in mg-years/m3, and coal mining years. Information was collected from multiple sources including hospital files, surveillance records and medical records, and crossvalidated with the information from the human resources department. Information was collected on the demographic profile, exposure, underground or surface work, area of work, smoking history, HIV status from medical records, dust exposure intensity, length of service, TB diagnosis and the methods of diagnosis and outcome of the treatment, and previous TB and CWP. Participants with current TB were either sputum culture positive or sputum culture negative TB. Results The mean age of the sample was 45.2 years, (range 2844 years; SD = 8.2).The mean duration of service was 16.1 years (range 4.1-27.7 years; SD 5.9). There were 34 (9.9%) cases of current TB in total, of which 31 were underground coal miners and three were surface coal miners. The prevalence of current TB reported by this study was 9.97o, with a mean age of 46J years and length of service of 16.2 years. The prevalence of current TB among the underground and surface workers was 14.1o/o and 2.4o/o rcspectively. The prevalence of CWP was 3.8o/o, with a mean age of 51.3 years and a mean length of service of 2Q.l years. The prevalence of past TB was also 3.8o/o, with a mean age and length of service of 44.9 and 1 6. 1 years respectively. Underground coal mines workers' exposure to coal dust was high, with a lifetime mean exposure level (LMEL) and cumulative dust exposure (CDE) of 2.4 mg/m3 and 33.4 mgyears/ m3 respectively. The difference in LMEL and CDE among underground vs. surface workers was significant, with underground exposure being higher than surface exposure, namely p<0.001 and p<0.001 respectively. The difference in length of service between underground and surface participants was not significant. The difference in exposure to coal dust (LMEL and CDE) among participants with current and previous TB, compared to those without current and previous TB, was statistically significant, p<0.008 and p<0.04. The difference between the coal dust exposure indices (LMEL, CDE exposure duration) for participants with and without CWP was significant. However, the difference between participants with current TB and previous TB compared to those with non-current TB and without previous TB in age and length of service years was not significant. This also applied to HIV status and smoking: the difference between participants with and without current TB was not significant. There was a strong significant association of underground mine work with current TB, with a prevalence odds ratio (POR) of 6.62 (p<0.001).This showed that the association of exposure to coal dust with current TB was strong and significant as underground mine workers were exposed to higher coal dust concentrations than surface workers. Workers with current TB were more likely to have co-existing CWP, with a POR of 1.7 (95Vo Cl:0.f7.1). The exposure-response relationship of LMEL and CDE in participants with current TB and CWP was significant. A significant trend was observed of increasing of LMEL and CDE with an increase in the prevalence of current TB, CWP and past TB. Conclusions There was a possible dose response relationship between coal dust exposure and the risk of development of pulmonary TB. The study showed that coal dust exposure was associated with pulmonary TB, and a dose response relationship with the trend of increasing coal dust exposure. lt has been shown that there is a more significant and stronger association of underground coal mine work with current TB than there is in surface work. This study has shown a significant exposure response relationship in the exposure indices (CDE and LMEL), age and length of service for CWP. This study found a high prevalence of pulmonary TB of 9.9% in black migrant coal mine workers who historically held jobs in the dustiest areas in the mining industry. The limitations of the study include the use of cumulative exposure calculated from current exposure, and the secondary healthy worker effect or survivor workforce. Dust control and HIV/AIDS programmes should be an integral part of a TB and occupational lung disease control strategy in the mining industry. / Thesis ( M.Med. )-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.

The Cu/(Cu+Ni) ratios associated with the Basal Gabbro also display the vertical reverse fractionation trend, supporting the supercooled margin model. The disseminated sulphides in the lowermost units, are regarded as being the result of sulphur saturation induced by contamination from the dolomitic and quartzitic xenoliths. This is supported by isotope data which indicate the high degree of contamination in the lowermost units of the Complex. The results of this study are used to propose a model for the petrogenesis and metallogenesis of the Uitkomst Complex, whereby the Complex is closely related to the Bushveld Complex. The Basal Gabbro, as supported by its chemistry and style of mineralisation (Cu-rich), represents a supercooled margin to the lowermost units of the Uitkomst Complex, which stoped upwards into the surrounding sediments, assimilating the country rock xenoliths, and precipitating sulphides. Following this was a period in which large quantities of magma moved laterally through the system before the magma flow waned, and closed system crystallisation ensued. As the body cooled, the primarily magmatic water was superceded by the hydrothermal magmatic water released from the xenoliths, and later by geothermally driven circulating meteoric water, producing the extensive alteration. This alteration was accompanied by considerable stress and the development of fractures and shears. Finally the Complex was itself intruded by diabase sills and later dolerite dykes.

The full text of this thesis/dissertation is not available online. Please <a href="mailto:upetd@up.ac.za">contact us</a> if you need access. Read the abstract in the section 00front of this document. / Thesis (DPhil (Consumer Science))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Consumer Science / unrestricted

Dissertation submitted in compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology (Marketing) in the Department of Marketing, Retail and Public Relations, Faculty of Management Science, Durban University of Technology, 2009. / Generally the study intends to determine the perception of tourists on the issues of safety and security during their visit to Mpumalanga. In particular, the study will firstly aim to ascertain whether visitors to Mpumalanga felt unsafe, and if so, to what extent. Secondly, the study will work towards ascertaining whether the tourists choose to limit their activities because they related to their perceptions of crime and safety in Mpumalanga. Lastly, the study will try to establish whether specific demographic factors of the respondents related to their perceptions of crime and safety in Mpumalanga. The research was quantitative in nature. The data was gathered from approximately 400 tourists in Mpumalanga. These respondents were extracted from a bigger population of tourists that utilised tourist destinations in Mpumalanga. The 400 respondents were randomly selected to complete the questionnaire at the time of their departure. The responses were analysed using the Statistical package of social science (SPSS) statistical analysis computer programme. This software helped to organise the data into tables, charts and graphs and also perform statistical calculations that were pertinent to the data analysis process. The questionnaire was administered on a sample of 400 of which 40% were males and 60% were females. From the whole group, most were between 32 and 42 years of age and 57% of this sample was earning between R5001 and R1000 per month. Most of the respondents were from Africa, with some from South Africa, followed by Europe, America and Asia. A greater number of respondents were actually on holiday with some coming for different purposes like visiting family, friends or doing business. Data shows majority of respondents not encountering any crime related incidences with 19% actually being victims of different types of crime, from xiii harassment to being robbed. Even within these unfortunate incidences, there was some degree of safety for a bigger number of visitors and most felt safe to tour during the day and using public transport while 60% felt unsafe to walk along the streets at night. The perception of safety at night and at place of accommodation varied with age, gender, country of origin and monthly income. Based on the finding from this study the issue of safety and security was a concern to tourists such that it was suggested that: there should be dissemination of information on safety to tourists, development of safety and security policies for tourism, improvement of public transport and participation of police in tourism in order to improve the situation.

Dissertation submitted in compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology (Marketing) in the Department of Marketing, Retail and Public Relations, Faculty of Management Science, Durban University of Technology, 2009. / Generally the study intends to determine the perception of tourists on the issues of safety and security during their visit to Mpumalanga. In particular, the study will firstly aim to ascertain whether visitors to Mpumalanga felt unsafe, and if so, to what extent. Secondly, the study will work towards ascertaining whether the tourists choose to limit their activities because they related to their perceptions of crime and safety in Mpumalanga. Lastly, the study will try to establish whether specific demographic factors of the respondents related to their perceptions of crime and safety in Mpumalanga. The research was quantitative in nature. The data was gathered from approximately 400 tourists in Mpumalanga. These respondents were extracted from a bigger population of tourists that utilised tourist destinations in Mpumalanga. The 400 respondents were randomly selected to complete the questionnaire at the time of their departure. The responses were analysed using the Statistical package of social science (SPSS) statistical analysis computer programme. This software helped to organise the data into tables, charts and graphs and also perform statistical calculations that were pertinent to the data analysis process. The questionnaire was administered on a sample of 400 of which 40% were males and 60% were females. From the whole group, most were between 32 and 42 years of age and 57% of this sample was earning between R5001 and R1000 per month. Most of the respondents were from Africa, with some from South Africa, followed by Europe, America and Asia. A greater number of respondents were actually on holiday with some coming for different purposes like visiting family, friends or doing business. Data shows majority of respondents not encountering any crime related incidences with 19% actually being victims of different types of crime, from xiii harassment to being robbed. Even within these unfortunate incidences, there was some degree of safety for a bigger number of visitors and most felt safe to tour during the day and using public transport while 60% felt unsafe to walk along the streets at night. The perception of safety at night and at place of accommodation varied with age, gender, country of origin and monthly income. Based on the finding from this study the issue of safety and security was a concern to tourists such that it was suggested that: there should be dissemination of information on safety to tourists, development of safety and security policies for tourism, improvement of public transport and participation of police in tourism in order to improve the situation.