M.Sc. / This study examined the disturbance and recovery patterns and processes of a subtropical dry forest in Southern Maputaland, South Africa in an attempt to determine how the forest areas interact with non-forest areas in the presence of human-induced disturbances. The KwaNibela Peninsula is an outcrop of land at the northern reaches of Lake St Lucia with patches of forest interspersed in a woodland matrix. The peninsula is inhabited by the local KwaNibela community who utilise the forest resources for a variety of purposes and the question is: how do the vegetation communities and species respond to these disturbances? The forest has increased in extent over the last 71 years; however the degree of forest patch fragmentation has also increased as a result of clearcutting areas of forest for homesteads, kraals, cropland and infrastructure. The floristic and structural changes from areas of core forest to the open woodland show that forest regeneration is taking place, particularly within the young, re-growth stages and certain shade-intolerant species only occur within the forest as mature individuals, with no recruitment under the forest canopy. The presence of open areas/gaps in and around the forest allows the recruitment of shade-intolerant species and this drives forest succession in a woodland environment. The resource use by the local community contributes toward the relatively high levels of regeneration and the forest in KwaNibela can be described as a young and dynamic KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Forest with affinities to related forest types. The vernacular names and uses of 82 plant species and eight animal species were recorded and compared to previously-recorded Zulu knowledge, as well as uses recorded elsewhere in Africa. A considerable number of species were found to have uses and vernacular names that are new to our current recorded knowledge and this study, therefore, reveals that the ethnobotanical knowledge of the Zulu ethnic group in Maputaland is incompletely recorded. A framework for sustainable resource use management was provided, based on the information collated during this study and it was ascertained that managerial efforts should focus on encouraging responsible resource use practices and promoting income and resource alternatives in the attempt to relieve pressure on forest resources while ensuring the long-term sustainability of forest-based livelihoods in this area.

Magister Artium (Human Ecology) - MA(HE) / The research employed a qualitative research paradigm. The ethnographic approach was used to conduct the research. Data collection was done though various ethnographic techniques, classroom observation, in-depth interviews and document analysis. The population was 85 women who participated in a Adult Basic Education and Training programme in Eersterivier in the Cape Peninsula area a questionnaire was used to collect demographic information of the participants Data was analysed by thematic analysis and coded, categorised and discussed according to the aim and objectives of the study in relation to previous studies The main findings were why exploring the existing literacy practice women were depended on others for literacy assistance, which made them avoid literacy events and become vulnerable in this process to cope with the everyday life. / South Africa

Magister Artium - MA / In South Africa, poverty engendered by the apartheid regime has long been part of the fabric of the economy. Against this background of social marginalisation, material deprivation and individual vulnerability, tourism has over the years increasingly been mooted as a strategically important and lucrative sector that, if fully explored and exploited, would lead to sustained poverty alleviation in the Republic of South Africa. The central aim of this study was to establish whether tourism as evident in the Spier Tourism model is a sustainable poverty-reduction strategy. The specific objectives of this study were to examine the socio-economic impact of Spier tourism initiatives on its workers (previously disadvantaged individuals) and the local population, to assess the pro-poor tourism practices as implemented by Spier in relation to Rogerson's pro-poor approach, to identify the challenges that Spier is facing in its pro-poor tourism approach with respect to poverty reduction goals, to provide recommendations on how the challenges can be met most effectively and to examine how pro-poor tourism can be promoted and enhanced in South Africa. The study employed both the qualitative and quantitative research designs. Data were collected through different qualitative and quantitative techniques (in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, questionnaire). Summary findings indicate that Spier has positively contributed to the socio-economic improvement in the living standards (contribution to livelihood - increased income, enhanced health and food status), through job creation, improved education/healthcare, empowerment through training and skill development, investment in the corporate social responsibility. However, Spier is still grappling with challenges such as racial disputes, insufficient income of employees and unqualified staff to mention a few. This study makes several recommendations which are based on the findings. / South Africa

The objective of this thesis is to define how strong is the influence of investment and macroeconomic climate of Arab exporters on how countries of Gulf Cooperation Council treat their income from the export of hydrocarbons. I would like to answer the question whether they invest their funds in domestic economies or in markets in other part of the world. I will try to point out the weaknesses of the investment environment and opportunities for remedies, which would lead to the strengthening of internal and external balance and to increase in the competitiveness of the GCC countries in the global economy.

Magister Artium (Psychology) - MA(Psych) / Student counselling services, typically located within a holistic developmental approach, aim to render comprehensive student services to service users in relation to their psychological, social, educational and spiritual well-being. However, a number of cognitive and affective barriers reportedly reduce the likelihood of young people at universities seeking professional psychological help for personal-emotional problems. Accordingly, the aim of this study, which is located within the Theory of Reasoned Action, was to explore students' attitudes towards utilising student counselling services, as well as their interpretations of the influence of age, gender and education on their attitudes and self-rated knowledge regarding seeking psychological help. The study thereby attempts to provide an understanding of the factors that influence help-seeking behaviours in university students. The research sample consisted of twenty nine students from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. The data was collected through focus group discussions, which were conducted using an open-ended and participant centred approach to the discussion. The qualitative approach of the study was informed by the theory of social phenomenology. Data gathered from the focus group discussions was thematically analysed. The results suggest that attitudes have a potentially important influence on intentions to seek out psychological counselling. Findings show that students feel shame and guilt when they are struggling psychologically and as a result avoid seeking psychological intervention for fear of being negatively stigmatised. The study revealed that education around mental health disorders and the management thereof was crucial in order for them to be demystified and de-stigmatised, and to facilitate openness in the sharing of these problems, and society's understanding and acceptance of people experiencing psychological disorders. Results also indicate that there is a shift taking place in these attitudes, and suggest ways in which this change can be further facilitated, such as the utilisation of peer helpers who could playa key role in facilitating and reinforcing help seeking behaviour. The outcomes of the study may further contribute to informing universities' goal to provide accessible, quality and effective development and support services to its students.

Magister Scientiae Dentium - MSc(Dent) / The epidemiology of periodontal disease in the Republic of South Africa has received only scant attention in the past and consequently the available information is limited. The present study was therefore planned with the primary goal being to establish base-line information regarding periodontal disease in a portion of the population. The adolescent age group was selected as the target for the survey in that destructive periodontal disease (periodontitis) probably commences in many instances during the teenage years and therefore the group would be the one most likely to derive maximum benefit from preventive care and simple treatment measures which could be realistically provided by existing community dental health services. To translate the result into practicality a simple method of treatment needs estimation was also incorporated. In view of the diverse nature of the inhabitants of the Republic of South Africa and in keep with previously conducted studies, the presedt survey was confined to a single ethnic group. The population comprised all 3 .684 white pupils in Standard VIII attending the 34 schools in the Cape Peninsula during 1977. A random sample of 500 was selected for investigation. The average age of the sample was 15 years 9 months and the two sexes were equally represented. Only 7,2% were classified in the lower grade socio-economic class and thus were considered not to have a significant effect on the results. METHOD A team of three, consisting of the author and two assistants, visited each school. Portable equipment included a reclining chair, lighting, compressed air, and hand instruments. The investigation began with a questionnaire to establish the attitude to and experience of symptoms, prevention, and treatment of periodontal disease within the sample. Each subject was then examined and at each of 12 sites, on the 8 incisors and 4 first molars, recordings were made of plaque, gingivitis, supragingival calculus, subgingival calculus, and loss of attachment (periodontitis) according to defined criteria. A standard statistical package was used to analyse the recordings. RESULTS The questionnaire: This showed that almost all the subjects (98%) were interested in the prevention and treatment of periodontal disease in order to achieve and maintain oral health. Not with standing this.The overall prevalence of plaque was 97% and the mean Plaque Index (Pl.I) was 0,94 with 75% of the subjects having a mean Pl.I=0,5. The site prevalence data revealed that out of 12 sites, on average, 4 had Pl.I~O, 4 had Pl.I~l, and 4 had Pl.I~2. In the maxilla the molar sites had the higher plaque levels, whilst in the mandible the incisor sites had higher plaque levels. The sex-specific data showed the males to have higher mean plaque levels than the females, but in 50% of sample with a mean PI.I 0,5 to 1,45 there was ) had had any appurtenant treatment. The overall prevalence of plaque was 97% and the mean Plaque Index (Pl.I) was 0,94 with 75% of the subjects having a mean Pl.I=0,5. The site prevalence data revealed that out of 12 sites, on average, 4 had Pl.I~O, 4 had Pl.I~l, nd 4 had Pl.I~2. In the maxilla the molar sites had the higher plaque levels, whilst in the mandible the incisor sites had higher plaque levels. The sex-specific data showed the males to have higher mean plaque levels than the females, but in 50% of sample with a mean PI.I 0,5 to 1,45 there was no difference.

Background: Coastal ecosystems in Mexico remain understudied in spite of their ecological, economic and conservation value and are being impacted by human activities along the coast. Knowledge on spatial patterns of plant species distribution that helps preserve these fragile ecosystems is crucial. Aims: We evaluated differences in species richness, species diversity and species dominance patterns in 16 plant communities as well as the degree to which differences were driven by climatic conditions in sandy dunes in Yucatán. We evaluated the importance of invasive species in mediating patterns of species diversity and species dominance patterns. Results: We found wide variation in plant species richness, species diversity and species dominance patterns among communities that stems from broad climatic differences along dune systems. Invasive plants represent almost one-third of total species richness and seem to be drastically changing the species dominance patterns in these communities. Conclusions: Regional climatic differences along the Yucatán north coast seems to be a major driver of plant diversity and species composition. Our findings suggest that invasive plants have successfully colonised and spread along the coast over the past 30 years. Even though invasive species do not alter spatial patterns of species diversity, they are becoming more dominant with potential detrimental consequences for native plants.

Hiemalora is a genus residing within the Ediacaran biota. There are just two species of Hiemalora; H. stellaris and H. pleiomorphus. Despite there being only being two species within this genus, there is a degree of morphological variability within each species which is highlighted by the description of specimens around the world. The distribution of Hiemalora is global with specimens observed in Newfoundland, England, the White Sea (Russia), Siberia, Australia and arctic Norway. There has been a great deal of evolution in the interpretation of Hiemalora since the original description of H. stellaris in 1980. This genus was first interpreted as a hydrozoan with a central polyp with radiating tentacles (Fedonkin. 1981). It is now thought to be associated with rangeomorphs as a holdfast-type basal attachment structure. It is most closely linked to the frondose taxon Primocandelabrum which is abundant in Mistaken Point, Newfoundland and Charnwood Forest, England.The Hiemalora fossils in this study are sampled from the Indreelva member on the Digermulen Peninsula, Finnmark, Norway during fieldwork in both 2015 and 2018 at two close although separate localities. The most abundant species in this study is H. stellaris which makes up the majority of the 9 samples. There is also the potential inclusion of a H. pleiomorphus specimen, which features a distinctly different morphology to the other Hiemalora samples. One specimen has been identified with what is possibly a Primocandelabrum frond attachment. It is almost certainly a rangeomorph although the affinity is up for debate. One of the main aims for this study is to, as accurately as possible, determine the taxonomic affinity for all the specimens. This is subsequently an aim to better understand the biota inhabiting the Ediacaran seafloor in Digermulen Peninsula and the palaeoenvironment. This study is the first incorporating Hiemalora concerning material from the Digermulen Peninsula since the work done since Farmer et al. in 1992 and the first study in this area solely focused on the genus. Due to this, the study is allowing for the comparison between modern interpretations of Hiemalora from other Ediacaran locations around the world. Due to the Digermulen Peninsula residing on Baltica during the Ediacaran, comparisons to Avalonian assemblages such as in Newfoundland and England may highlight polarising features or many similarities. / Hiemalora är ett släktskap av skivformad organism som levde under Ediacaraperioden. Ediacara är den sista perioden under Neoproterozoicum och varade från 631Ma till 541Ma. Fossil av Hiemalora är globalt distribuerade, med exemplar från Ryssland, England, Kanada, Australien och Norge. Hiemalora-exemplaren i denna studie hittades på Digermulen-halvön i Finnmark, Norge. Det har funnits många olika tolkningar av Hiemalora kring dess livsstil, utseende och dess affinitet inom fylogenien eftersom den först beskrevs 1980. Den enkla uppbyggnaden hos fossilen, med bara en central skiva och "tentakelliknande" strålar som härrör från det i ett plan lämnar mycket för tolkning. Hiemalora är relativt sällsynt i jämförelse med andra skivformade fossil. Andra discoidala Ediacarafossil som Aspidella är mycket vanligare. Det finns två arter av Hiemalora som har beskrivits. Dessa är H. stellaris och H. pleiomorphus. Det finns subtila morfologiska skillnader mellan dessa arter. Skillnader mellan dessa arter inkluderar parallella ribbliknande strukturer på ytan av den centrala skivan av H. pleiomorphus och tätt packade strålar. Den centrala skivan i H. pleiomorphus är också proportionellt större i jämförelse med dess centrala skiva. H. stellaris har associerats med fronds. Fronds är en förgreningsstruktur som är orienterad vertikalt i vattenkolumnen. Dessa strukturer är associerade med olika skivliknande organismer och kan ha en stor morfologisk variation. Den frond som är associerad med H. stellaris är Primocandelabrum. Denna frond ses vid H. stellaris fossil i Newfoundland, Kanada. En frond som är tveksamt identifierad som Primocandelabrum ses vid en av Hiemalora-exemplaren i denna studie. Betydelsen av detta skulle vara att det är det första Hiemalora-exemplaret utanför Newfoundland och Charnwood Forest, England som bevaras med en Primocandelabrum frond. Det finns nuvarande idéer att Primocandelabrum och H. stellaris kan vara samma organism fast med olika delar bevarade. Faktumet att båda delarna är bevarade på Digermulen halvön kan ge mer inblick i detta. Sju av Hiemalora-exemplaren i denna studie är H. stellaris, medan en art möjligen är H. pleiomorphus. Provet med fronden är sannolikt H. stellaris, men på grund av att den är dåligt bevarad runt centralskivan är dess affinitet inte säker. En dålig bevarandekvalitet hos många exemplar i studien gjorde det svårt att identifiera den. Bevarandet ger dock en inblick i miljön som Hiemalora bodde i och under vilka förhållanden den dog. Många platser runt om i världen har exceptionellt bevarade fossil som kan ha varit möjligt på grund av en händelse där alla blev bevarade samtidigt, likt de vulkaniska askadepositionerna i Newfoundland. Detta var inte fallet i Digermulen-halvön, där organismer sannolikt inte begravdes omedelbart efter döden.

Magister Chirurgiae Dentium (MChD) / The study was carried out to 1) determine the effectiveness of the caries inhibiting effect of a weekly mouthrinsing programme in South African schools over a three year period and 2) compare neutral solutions of 0,2 per cent and 0,05 per cent NaF using a placebo of tapwater as control. Twelve to 13 year old White school children from eight randomly selected schools in the Parow School Board area of the Cape Peninsula were chosen. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the three rinsing groups. After three year's participation, the mean net increment in DFS per child was 4,7 for the 0,2 per cent NaF group; 5,9 for the 0,05 per cent NaF group and 7,5 for the placebo. These differences are statistically significant (p<:O,OOI). This meant a caries reduction of 38 per cent for the stronger and 21 per cent for the weaker sodium fluoride mouth rinse. It is concluded that such a mouth rinsing programme is a practical, feasible and an efficient approach to caries prevention in South African circumstances.

Doctor Educationis / Writing is an important skill throughout learners’ schooling trajectory because it is through writing that learners need to situate meaning and sense-making across the curriculum. Writing proficiency becomes even more important when learners access tertiary studies. Yet studies suggest that most students struggle with academic writing. Various authors suggest that writing has not been taught appropriately especially in secondary schooling contexts in South Africa and that writing becomes even more daunting for Second Language speakers of English when they reach tertiary education. There is abundant literature on students’ challenges with academic writing and ways to address academic writing challenges but the use of digital storytelling in relation to academic writing development is recent and distinctively underexplored in the literature.