Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Thesis (PhD (Education Management))--University of Pretoria, 2001. / Education Management and Policy Studies / unrestricted

Cryptosporidium spp. is an oocyst-forming apicomplexan protozoan, which infects humans and a large variety of animals. Several species and genotypes are potentially zoonotic and ruminats are considered as an important source of infection. Pre-weaned calves are major hosts for zoonotic C. parvum, and show higher rates of infection than post-weaned or adult animals. Cryptosporidium infection has been demonstrated in a wide variety of wild animals, which may co tribute to environmental contamination. In sub-Saharan Africa, where the HIV infection prevalence is the highest in the world, high incidence of severe and even fatal Cryptosporidium infection have been reported in humans. This study investigated the epidemiology of Cryptosporidium spp. simultaneously in wildlife, indigenous cattle and young children living at the wildlife, livestock and human interface on the western boundary of the Kruger National Park (KNP) in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Initially, a pilot study was carried out to assess the zoonotic or anthroponotic importance of Cryptosporidium in diarrhoeic children in South Africa, representing the human group most likely to be infected. This geographically broad study involved hospitals from four provinces in South Africa. Stool samples from hospitalized diarrhoeic children from 0-1 year of age were analysed by microscopy (modified Ziehl-Neelsen (MZN) acid-fast staining) and molecular techniques: polymerase chain reaction (PCR), restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and sequencing. An overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection of 12.2% was revealed, mainly involving species of anthroponotic origin, such as C. hominis (76%) and C. parvum of anthroponotic nature (20%). Only one species of uncertain zoonotic importance (C. meleagridis) was detected in this study. These findings were in accordance with reports from sub-Saharan Africa (including South Africa), where anthroponotic species of Cryptosporidium were responsible for most infections in humans. The study then concentrated on the public health importance of cryptosporidiosis at the wildlife/livestock/human interface of the KNP. Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in elephant, impala and buffalo samples collected in three different study areas of the KNP; two located close to the boundaries of the KNP and a third one in the centre of the KNP. The MZN staining technique and an immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) test were applied to identify oocysts from faecal samples. The prevalence detected with MZN was higher than that detected with IFA, however both tests found a higher prevalence in elephants (25.8% and 4.2%, respectively) compared to the other species. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium in buffalo was 5.5% and 1.4% with MZN and IFA, respectively, and 4.2% and 1.8% respectively in impala. In the two study areas adjacent to the fence of KNP, the combined prevalence was significantly higher compared to the area in the centre of the KNP. The agreement between the MZN staining technique and the IFA test was assessed for each wildlife species; the estimates of kappa suggested moderate agreement in buffalo and impala and fair to poor agreement in elephant. The above results of were analysed further by the use of molecular techniques in order to reveal the species and genotypes of the parasite in wildlife and in addition faecal samples collected from post-weaned calves. A questionnaire was also conducted among farmers to investigate observed contacts between cattle and wildlife species in grazing areas outside and inside the KNP. Four of the 241 wildlife samples were PCR-positive (2.8% each in impala and buffalo and of 0.0% in elephant) and sequencing revealed the presence of C. ubiquitum in two impala and one buffalo and C. bovis in one buffalo. Cryptosporidium ubiquitum has been commonly found in a large number of animals, including humans. Among calf samples, 8% (4/51) were PCR-positive and were identified as C. andersoni (2/4) and C. bovis (2/4). The probability of contact between cattle and wildlife outside the KNP, observed by farmers, was higher for buffalo (Pr=0.6) and impala (Pr=0.46) than for elephant (Pr=0.04). This suggests that the detection of C. bovis in both cattle and buffalo might be due to direct or indirect contact between these two species. The detection of C. ubiquitum in wildlife, with its zoonotic potential, suggests that Cryptosporidium may be of public health concern for people living at the interface. We further investigated the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in cattle and humans, this time targeting younger (pre-weaned) calves and children. Children <5 years were sampled at six rural clinics within the same interface and stool samples were screened by the MZN staining technique. All MZN-positive and suspicious samples of children and samples of 36 calves within the age of 0-4 months were analysed by nested PCR. Eight of the 143 children (5.6%) were positive on PCR, and sequencing identified predominantly C. hominis, while one sample was identified as C. meleagridis. Eleven of the 36 calf samples (30.5%) were PCR-positive and were identified as C. bovis and C. ryanae. Due to limited resources, molecular analysis could not be performed on more samples. Variables such as source of drinking water, age and contact with animals for children, were analysed as potential risk factors for humans and cattle; however, none were statistically significant. In conclusion, the prevalence of Cryptosporidium detected in human and wildlife was low compared to that reported in other studies in Africa. The species and genotypes detected in humans were predominantly of anthroponotic nature; however, the isolation of C. Ubiquitum from buffalo and impala shows that at least one species of zoonotic importance is present at the wildlife/livestock/human interface. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS in our study area is one of the highest worldwide; therefore the potential public health importance of this parasite should be investigated further. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2013 / Production Animal Studies / unrestricted

MPH / Department of Public Health / The healthcare profession has emerged as one of the professions that is mostly prone to burnout. Burnout is a major problem affecting healthcare professionals nationwide and abroad. When employees experience burnout, it becomes difficult to remain productive at work since this starts to impact negatively on their occupational functioning. Although studies have been done on burnout, very little is known about factors that influence burnout among healthcare professionals. Knowledge around the concept of burnout and accompanying risk factors is vital for early detection and intervention. The study aimed to explore on the factors that influence burnout among healthcare professionals at selected hospitals in Ehlanzeni District, South Africa. A qualitative research approach using phenomenological research design was used for the study. A sample was chosen from the target population by means of convenient sampling. The total number of participants was determined by a rapid assessment test which was used to screen burnout among the professionals. Data were collected through a semi-structured interview guide. The data collected was analyzed using thematic content analysis. The findings show that burnout is influenced by a number of different factors (workload, financial problems, emotional exhaustion, poor working relationships, lack of social support, and experience/number of years working at the hospital and personality type. In addition, most healthcare professionals are vulnerable to burnout while some are experiencing it. Also, there are currently no adequate strategies/initiatives put in place to prevent burnout. / NRF

MEd (Educational Management) / Department of Educational Management / In South Africa, violence continues to undermine the functioning of schools. Literature has revealed that the subject of school violence is quite varied and covers a wide variety of related areas from sociology to educational psychology; these examine psychological factors such as peer pressure, stress, cognition, emotional development and their relation to school violence. The study was aimed at investigating the effects of school violence in South African rural schools in Mpumalanga Province. The study used mixed methods approach employing both qualitative and quantitative approaches. For the quantitative part of the study, the study adopted simple random sampling to select the learners. A 'purposive sample' was used to select the principals and educators for the qualitative part of the study. A sample of 423 learners from the 9 secondary schools in the circuit was selected for the quantitative part of the study. A purposive sample of 9 principals and 18 educators was also be deemed appropriate for the qualitative part of the study. IBM SPSS version 23 was used to analyse quantitative data. Frequency tables were generated (univariate analysis), and the Chi-square test was used to calculate significant differences in the effects and coping strategies between male and female victims of school-based violence. Qualitative data was analysed thematically and used to support and complement the quantitative data. Principals and educators in schools with high prevalence of school-based violence was prioritised. It was expected that the effects of school-based violence in the study area were described. Causes of violence, its effects and ways to improve coping strategies in the respective schools are also anticipated to be comprehensively covered as expected outcomes. / NRF

Thesis (M. A. (Social Work)) --University of Limpopo, 2019. / The study was aimed at exploring the family member‟s experiences of living with people who consume home brewed alcohol (spayoni) in Oakley. Oakley is a village based in Ehlanzeni district, Mpumalanga province. The researcher looked into the financial management, balancing of the work-family nexus and the manner in which people that consume spayoni deal with and conduct themselves in violent situations. A qualitative research approach was used by the researcher through an exploratory design. A total number of nine (9) respondents took part in the study. They were identified by the use of a purposive and snowball sampling method. Furthermore, the researcher used a semi-structured interview to collect data which was analysed by a thematic analysis structure. Data obtained from the study reveals that people that consume spayoni spend less time with family members as they are either out at work or drinking spayoni throughout the day. They leave home very early in the morning and come back late at night. Family roles and relationships are negatively affected by their routines. The people that consume spayoni mostly rely in piece jobs hence they don‟t have stable income. Nonetheless, the little money that they get is spent solely on the purchase of spayoni. They do not prioritise financial contribution towards household needs. The study also identified that people that consume spayoni are generally disrespectful when drunk but refrain from violent situations. In order to combat the challenges faced by the family members, internal and external measures should be put in place. The use of community awareness campaigns is one method which can help in reducing the demand of spayoni in Oakley village. Involvement of monitoring bodies such as the Liquor control boards and the local traditional authorities will assist the community to have regulations governing the supply of home brewed alcohol. Family members should also develop platforms of open communication between each other to avoid misunderstandings and build a more positive family environment.

Thesis submitted in 25% completion of the degree of Master of Management in the field of Security at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, March 2018 / The provision of security to citizens had in the past been the sole responsibility of the state, this in many countries led to the militarization of the police services. The concept of community policing has since been adopted by many countries around the world as an alternative method of policing to shift policing from the traditional reactional method that focused on law enforcement, aggressive crime control with limited public interaction to an inclusive policing policy that involves communities in policing their areas. The traditional policing method isolated the police from the communities and the relationship between these parties was worsened. Previous researches on community policing found that successful implementation of the Community Policing Policy relies on a well-resourced police service and the opposite renders the concept dormant. The research focused on the South African context to explore challenges of effectiveness of Community Policing Forums (CPFs) as a vehicle in the implementation of the Community Policing Policy. CPFs are constitutional bodies established in terms of the South African Police Service Act, No 68 of 1995 to among others establish and maintain a partnership between the police and the communities, improve the delivery of police-service to the community and to ensure the police are accountable for their actions and conduct. An exploratory case study design was used to explore effectiveness of CPFs in two police stations, namely Nelspruit and Pienaar both found in the Mpumalanga Province. The research found that indeed community policing is resource intensive, and the South African Police Service is still struggling with basic resources that include functional vehicles to support CPFs to carry out their constitutional mandate. / XL2019

South Africa has become, after deregulation, part of the global village. This brought about many business opportunities, but with it came many challenges with respect to grain marketing. It is well-known facts that the marketing of grain has become quite a challenge in S.A. South African producers do not receive support from government as far as input subsidies and significant import tariffs are concerned and have to make sure that they stay ahead of rising input costs in order to produce maize on a profitable basis. It is therefore extremely important for any maize farmer in South Africa to make use of the best grain marketing strategies at his or her disposal. Choosing the best grain marketing strategy will not only assist the producers to receive the best price for their produce, but will also serve as a very effective risk mitigation strategy. The general objective of the study is to examine different marketing strategies and to determine the optimal maize marketing strategy for a representative farm located in the Mpumalanga Highveld for a specific season under volatile marketing and environmental conditions. A representative farm for the Mpumalanga Highveld is constructed, based on production data, budgeted financial statements, general financial management and the complete farm setup as obtained from a farmer study group located in the district of Middelburg, Mpumalanga Highveld, The most general maize marketing strategies available for the representative farm is identified and discussed as far as each of their advantages and disadvantages are concerned. The complete farm setup for the representative farm is used to develop a budgeting and maize marketing model. This is done in conjunction with three different scenarios, which cover the most frequent circumstances in which producers can find themselves. With the help of this model, the optimal marketing strategies are determined which yields the optimal profit and minimize price risk for the representative farm. Copyright / Dissertation (MSc(Agric))--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development / unrestricted

After 1994, the South African government prioritized land reform as a strategy for development in order to redress the legacy of apartheid, while contributing to national reconciliation, growth and development. The government with endless persuasion from gender activists, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and interested individuals acknowledged the crucial role that women could play in transforming its society. As a commitment to gender equity, it ratified various international conventions and national declarations, including in 1995, the United Nations on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). Subsequently, a variety of institutions and gender divisions (units) in the country were established to advise, monitor and implement gender mainstreaming programs within government departments, NGOs and parliamentary structures. These include amongst othersthe Office of the Status on Women (OSW), The Commission on Gender Equality (CGE) and gender focal points. In 1995, a delegation of South African women led by politicians participated in the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. In response to this report, the Department of Land Affairs (DLA), together with other government departments, committed itself “to take legislative and administrative measures to give men and women equal rights to economic resources, including access to ownership and control over land and other properties, credit facilities, natural resources and appropriate supporting technology” (DLA, 1997:18). Despite these commitments, the South African government in general and the land sector in particular was criticised for contradicting its intentions. These were evident in policy development processes. An example widely documented was the controversies and compromises which were made by the ANC led government during the development of the Communal Land Rights Act of 2004 (Walker, 2005; Hassim, 2005; Claassens 2003). In addition, the land policies, including the DLA Gender Policy, have been widely criticised by several researchers (Hall, 1996; Mann, 1999; Walker, 2002; Claassens, 2005). The common trend was the scepticism of whether these policies would achieve their intended gender equity goals. Amongst others, weaknesses of these polices were the poor conceptualisation of gender and the lack of clarity on the government’s 2 gender equity intentions and outcomes. These would make it difficult to translate policies into practice. This study investigates whether these assertions are valid. The focus of the research is the analysis of the Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development (LRAD) Programme which was established in 2001. Using a project located in Mpumalanga Province, called the Mathebula Communal Property Association, the study evaluates the implementation of this programme. The project is located near Rock’s Drift in the Mbombela Municipality about 6 kilometers from White River on the White River- Nelspruit road (R40). It is amongst the first projects to be administered by the provincial DLA, under the new LRAD programme. This property was used for chicken and smallscale pig farming. The location of the project is of significance because the Mpumalanga province is amongst the most rural poverty stricken provinces in South Africa with a population of approximately 3 million. According to May (2000: 22), about 45% of the individuals in this province are living in poverty. The study was undertaken during the presettlement stages. The main goal was to investigate the DLA commitment to its gender policy through a case study. In addition, it explores the relationship between the primary beneficiary, a rural woman named Aida and the DLA officials during the research period. This is a means to assess whether Aida was empowered through these processes, as per the LRAD policy statements. The study draws its theoretical basis from a Gender Analysis Approach. This analysis recognises in every context that it is relevant to determine the gender-based division of labour and to understand the forces that constrain this division or act to change it. This framework was useful in collecting data tool for this study. The study uses a case study methodology. This research strategy has been chosen because of its ability to offer an “in-depth analysis of a case so as to interpret its unique features and to solicit an understanding of the social arrangements and their existence” (Ragin, 2000:24). The case study approach has shown that without investigating the processes which occur within these projects, the real impact of land reform on the beneficiaries’ lives is far from being realised. The major findings of this research revealed that whilst South Africa has put in place several national legislative frameworks to address gender equity in general, women still struggle to access resources through government systems. Aida, the main driver of this 3 project, experienced 4 years of insurmountable problems whilst trying to acquire a farm she had identified from a willing seller. The research revealed that Aida’s determination to acquire the farm is attributable to her intellectual capabilities, negotiation skills and manipulative tactics, which is contrary to the dominant argument that factors affecting rural women's access to land are dependent on “educational level, age, social status of the family and marital status” (Moser, 1993; Bob, 1994)). In addition, the dynamics within projects often not reflected in policies are very crucial in successful implementation of projects. For instance, in this project, the ‘inactive’ strategy of registered members reduced conflict within the project such that Aida became the sole owner of the project and was able to successfully acquire the farm without any interference from the other members. Overall, a significant contribution of this case study to the SA women’s empowerment theoretical framework is the identification of the external and internal factors, some of which were specific to gender empowerment failures. These include the challenges of targeting women, access to information, lack of accountability on gender as well as the absence of strong social movements. Lastly, the study also revealed unintended outcomes as a result of the lengthy period of the pre-land transfer stage, issues which are normally ignored and undocumented. Studies of land reform (and development) projects in Mpumalanga province and throughout SA have revealed similar findings as outlined through this document. These findings raise key questions that have broader implications for LRAD, and land reform program in general. The study acknowledges that there are examples of women in Mpumalanga province and maybe in other parts of the country who may have had positive experiences through the same program. However, it also confirms findings by earlier studies done by different researchers and thus raises critical questions with regards to the implementation and sustainability of the LRAD projects in South Africa, specifically in the Mpumalanga Province.

Thesis (M.Com. (Development Theory and Policy))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, School of Economic and Business Sciences, 2014. / Economic activities such as mining extraction and farming have in the past been supported by railway infrastructure, which continues to provide a cheap transportation option for the movement of freight. This research paper looks at the apparent bias that exists in the shared-use of railway infrastructure in South Africa between coal miners and citrus growers in Mpumalanga. The study is specifically concerned with the regulatory regime governing access and the extent to which it enables or hinders the shared-use of rail infrastructure, which is critical in the movement of freight for different sectors of the economy. The paper uses literature on regulatory practices and a case study of Mpumalanga’s coal miners and citrus growers, to investigate South Africa’s regulatory regime and its role in creating particular biases in the use of rail infrastructure.

Thesis (M.Dev.(Planning and Development)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / Mpumalanga Province has witnessed service delivery unrest and protests that destroyed the public infrastructure. There is thus an immediate need to conduct the study - to contribute to the body of knowledge, and to assist the concerned city under review. The service delivery challenges in the municipality are just a drop in the ocean, among the major problems in the sphere of the local government. Communities expect service delivery from their municipalities. Mpumalanga Province has witnessed unrest and protests, due to poor service delivery. The City of Mbombela is no exception. This study aims to examine the lack of service delivery to develop the communities in the Mbombela municipality due to shortage of capacity. The study assesses the strategies used in capacity building to improve service delivery. A qualitative research method is used to collect data. A sample of 15 respondents were interviewed using semi-structured interviews. The finding shows that the Mbombela Municipality has been playing a vital role in the provision of basic services to the local communities. However, the municipality faces several challenges related to service delivery, especially insufficient funds, corruption and political interference. The finding also highlights that the municipality lacks proper capacity building strategies for enhancing service delivery. The study recommends that mitigation measures could address these capacity-building challenges. These include enhancing recruitment, spending money wisely, avoiding politics and implementing strategies. Key words: Capacity building, service delivery, Mbombela Local Municipality