Master of Arts - Development Studies / This research explores the socio-economic impact of nature-based tourism on surrounding communities in the Pilanesberg National Park (PNP). The study pays particular attention to the Bakgatla community. The study looks at issues of employment creation, and the participation of the community in the management of the park. Of particular importance here is whether, PNP generates employment and income making opportunities for neighbouring communities, most notably, the Bakgatla. The level at which the Bakgatla are involved in decision-making processes of the park is closely scrutinised. Notwithstanding the obvious limitations with regard to the kinds and number of jobs that PNP, as an attraction is able to generate in the area, the study reveals a significant contribution that the park makes in this regard. Lodges serve as the major sources of employment recruitment in the PNP. The bulk of the recruits are mainly people from surrounding communities except in cases where required skills are not available locally. Concerning the question of participation, the study shows that more still need to be done in terms of broadening the concept to include and reflect diverse interests groups within the community. The concept of community participation also needs to be defined beyond mere ‘trickling down’ of benefits to the community, to imply real empowerment. The latter relates to the question of sustainability, which could effectively be realised through meaningful involvement of the community groups and individuals in the making of decisions, and policies affecting their lives.

A viability study was undertaken on a farm Zandrivierspoort 210 JP, in the Pilanesberg Alkaline Complex to investigate the red syenite deposit. The red syenite deposit of interest is located in the south-western quadrant of the Pilanesberg. It is a potential source of nepheline, which is used as a flux in glass and ceramics industry. The study was aimed at establishing the demand for the material in South Africa and the market logistics related to its exploitation. Glass and ceramics manufacturers have different specifications as far as the quality and the product form is concerned. A market study conducted indicated that glass manufacturers require already beneficiated material with a low Fe content, depending on the kind of glass being manufactured. Ceramics manufactures also want material with low Fe content, but the material can be unbeneficiated as most of these factories already have facilities to remove Fe and other gangue. The common requirement is that material must be crushed and milled to a specific size. Red Syenite complies with the specifications of the ceramics manufacturer and did not comply directly with the specification of the glass manufacturer. The main reason for not non-compliance with glass specifications can be attributed to the fact that the material supplied was unbeneficiated. A major concern from the industry is the continuity of production from the deposit and an assurance of constant quality. It was also established that the availability of substitutes such as feldspar at a lower cost than nepheline results in an unwillingness of potential users to source nepheline despite its advantages. It is recommended that extensive geological studies be undertaken to confirm the resources and reserves of the entire nepheline-bearing deposits in the Pilanesberg. The mining of the deposit will be undertaken by employing a quarrying method, which will be followed by opencast to a depth of 50m. The Run-Of-Mine (ROM) will be crushed and milled to sizes specified by clients and the beneficiation process will follow. A financial investigation based on the known facts about the deposit established that capital, production rate, and selling price have the highest influence on the viability of the project. Transport and operating costs in this case showed a less significant influence on the viability of the project. / Dissertation (MSc (ESPM))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Geology / unrestricted

Thesis (M. A. (Sociology)) -- University of the North, 1974 / Refer to the document