Evaluation of intervention programmes is essential to adduce evidential information on their implementation, delivery and effectiveness. Evaluation of programmes is conducted for various reasons: to identify provision of programme services and ways to improve the programme, to judge programme merit and to generate knowledge about programme functioning. Process evaluation explains the operation of the programme, service delivery and the utilisation of resources with a view to continuous improvement. However, process evaluation has been neglected despite the significant role it plays in the continuum of evaluation strategies. In South Africa, the poor performance of Grade 12 learners has led to the introduction of the Secondary School Intervention Programme (SSIP) to reduce the number of failures in the matriculation examination and improve the results, particularly in underperforming secondary schools. This study evaluated the delivery of the SSIP in the Tshwane West district through process evaluation using qualitative research methods. As part of the evaluation, relevant records and SSIP documents, which yielded information on the participating schools, learner attendance, the tutors and their qualifications were examined. During the course of the fieldwork, 10 lesson presentations were observed and 10 tutors were interviewed immediately thereafter. Ten learners, the Programme Coordinator and 3 site managers volunteered for interviews about the programme. Findings indicated the necessity of tutor training in the use of the programme materials and frequent assessment of learners to determine improvements in learner performance. The SSIP should focus not only on improving matriculation results but also on the education and professional development of educators. To enhance effective programme delivery, innovative and modern teaching resources, such as computers to access the internet and other technologies, should be introduced. Based on the findings, it was recommended that SSIP should not be confined to underperforming schools but should be extended to other schools as well. Learner feedback on strengths and weaknesses in the programme and how the latter can be remedied will contribute to programme improvement. Finally, this study reflects the need to adopt process evaluation as a significant component of evaluation and advocates further research conducted on other areas of evaluation. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

The Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system in South Africa has undergone transformation. This includes the introduction of the National Certificate (Vocational) [NC (V)]. The literature on curriculum development and on the TVET college sector in South Africa informed a qualitative inquiry into the lecturers’ experiences of the implementation of the NC (V). The research site was the Tshwane South TVET College, Gauteng Province. Data were gathered by means of individual and focus group interviews with the Campus Manager, four Divisional Heads, and seven lecturers, selected by means of purposeful sampling. The findings were organised around the following key themes, namely the limited participation of the lecturers in curriculum design, the effectiveness of curriculum dissemination, the lecturers’ participation in curriculum review, their perceptions of the NC(V) entry level requirements, the NC(V)’s positioning on the NQF, assessment in the NC(V), the fit between the lecturers’ qualifications and the curriculum, the lecturers’ capacity-building, and finally, their perceptions of the involvement of the industry in the NC(V). / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Comparative Education)

Higher education has been challenged to respond to the inequalities of the past. This required an education system that is more responsive to the needs of underprepared students. The question that arises is whether Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) curricula create opportunities for students to adhere to the demands of the world of work and to assist students to take responsibility for their own learning. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of a responsive curriculum in optimising learning in higher education. An interpretative and descriptive qualitative approach was used in which semi-structured interviews and document analysis served as data collection techniques enabling the researcher to gain more depth in understanding the reality of the responsiveness of curricula used in the Department of Informatics at a Higher Education Institution in Gauteng. The study revealed that there is a dynamic but complex relationship between a responsive curriculum and optimisation of learning. Although the investigated curricula, responds to aspects of the knowledge domain, the findings seemed to indicate that there was not always a clear indication that the curricula fully respond to the needs of the students and industry. The findings further suggest that although content knowledge of the curricula plays a crucial role in the development of students, the needs of industry, society and students should also be met. Although the study’s results cannot be generalised due to the small sample, the researcher is of the opinion that more can be done to improve the state of the current curricula. Inclusive curriculum development training should be provided to all stakeholders (lecturers, students and industry). This descriptive study concludes with the suggestion of using a responsive curriculum model that would enable curriculum developers to design a responsive curriculum allowing students to experience optimal learning in higher education. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

This study focused on constructing a psychological retention profile by investigating the relationship between an individual’s psychological career-related attributes (psychological contract and psychosocial career preoccupations), biographical variables (generational cohorts, gender, race, marital status, job level and employment status) and retention factors (compensation, job characteristics, training and development, supervisor support, career opportunities, work/life balance and commitment) in order to inform retention management practices for diverse groups of employees in the context of higher educational environment in South Africa. A quantitative survey was conducted on a purposively selected sample of academic and support staff (N = 579) at the University of South Africa. The canonical correlation analysis indicated employer obligations and state of the psychological contract as the strongest psychological career-related variables in predicting the retention factor variables of compensation, training and development opportunities, supervisor support, career opportunities and organisational commitment. The canonical correlation data were used to inform the structural equation modelling, which indicated a good fit between employer obligations and compensation and training and development opportunities and between the state of the psychological contract and supervisor support and career opportunities. Hierarchical moderated regression showed that psychosocial career preoccupations significantly moderated the relationship between the psychological contract and training and development opportunities as retention factor. Moderated mediation modelling found that the effect of positive perceptions of employer obligations on high levels of retention factors satisfaction through the state of the psychological contract increased when the scores on psychosocial career preoccupations were high. The results also indicated that the effect of positive perceptions of employer obligations on high levels of retention factors satisfaction through positive state of psychological contract increased when the age group of participants was lower (i.e. younger generations). Tests for significant mean differences revealed significant differences in terms of the biographical variables. On a theoretical level, the study expanded the understanding of the individual and behavioural elements of the hypothesised psychological retention profile. On an empirical level, this study delivered an empirically tested psychological retention profile in terms of the behavioural elements. On a practical level, individual and organisational interventions in terms of the psychological retention profile were recommended. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)

Summaries in English and Afrikaans / This research explores the potential value for the application of the visual expressionistic arts, as well as the application of forensic art for the emancipation of victims of violent crime. Qualitative research methods are used in order to make certain assumptions and recommendations for the application of the forensic arts in the emancipation of traumatized victims. The research is based on the view that human behaviour is influenced by different internal and external contextual influences. The theoretical basis for the research is further supported by the grounding principals of the psycho-analytic, symbolic interactionistic and the phenomenological theoretical approaches. The potential for the application of the forensic arts during crisis intervention and trauma counselling as a therapeutic technique and a communication medium are investigated. The potential forensic value of the victims’ art for the criminal justice system is also explored during the research. / Die navorsing ondersoek die potensiele waarde vir die aanwending van die tradisionele visuele beeldende kunste asook die aanwending van die forensiese kunste vir die emansipasie van slagoffers van geweldsmisdaad. Kwalitatiewe navorsingsmetodes word tydens die navorsing gebruik ten einde sekere afleidings en aanbevelings te maak aangaande die aanwending van die forensiese kuns vir die emansipasie van getraumatiseerde misdaadslagoffers. Die navorsing word teoreties gebaseer op die beskouing van die mens wie se gedrag beinvloed word deur verskillende interne en eksterne kontekstuele invloede. Die teoretiese basis vir die navorsing word verder ondersteun deur die grondbeginsels van die psigo-analise, simboliese interaksionisme en die fenomenologiese teoretiese benaderings. Die potensiaal vir die aanwending van forensiese kuns as 'n terapeutiese tegniek en kommunikasiemedium tydens krisisingryping en berading word ondersoek. Die potensiele forensiese waarde van misdaadslagoffers se kuns in die regsplegingstelsel word ook in die navorsing ondersoek. / Criminology and Security Science / M.A. (Criminology)

The economic and population growth have led to the increased volumes of municipal solid waste in South Africa, hence more pressure to the waste management facilities. Municipal solid waste management is a by-product of everyday living, this is the reason why there is an environmental burden caused by waste to the environment. This study was conducted in Pretoria within the three sampled areas, namely: Garsfontein, Marabastad and Pretoria Central Business District (CBD). The rationale of the study was to establish the influence and effects of biographic factors (age, marital status, educational background, gender) and religious conviction on littering. This project constitutes both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. About 150 of the questionnaires were administered to each of the three sampled areas. Therefore, the overall proportion of the respondents was 450. Visual inspection was done in all the three sampled areas to observe the littering status quo and waste management situation in these particular areas. The visual inspection uncovered very interesting findings. It was established that Marabastad was cleaner in the morning than in the late hours while Garsfontein was clean throughout the day. Another problem that was discovered, amongst others was that of the condition of the bins in Marabastad and Pretoria Central Business District (CBD) which was bad compared to Garsfontein. From the questionnaire, it was found that the 72% of elderly respondents (< 36 yrs) are more environmental conscious than the young people (18-35 yrs) who 83% of them claim to litter when there is no bin. Further, among young people, 78% said litter cigarette butts and 93% of these said better street cleanliness would help reduce littering. 72% of adults said religious convictions would help reduce littering. The chi-square and correlation coefficient statistical data analysis methods were used to establish the relationship between different biographic and religious variables. Gender, marital status, monthly income, age and religious conviction were all found to have significant effects on issues regarding littering in the city. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Science)

Text in English / The literature review indicated similarities between education and chess playing and possible transfer of knowledge between these two different domains. A link was then suggested between some aspects of intellectual abilities and chess instruction in children, but not in adults (Frydman & Lynn, 1992; Waters, Doll & Mayr, 1987). In this research study the aim was to explore the relationship between chess playing and cognitive and intellectual development in Grade R learners at Garsieland. Therefore the positive influence that chess playing brings to bear on the intelligence of 64 Grade R learners (as measured on intelligence scales) was investigated. The data was collected through short biographical questionnaires and psychometric tests and the participants in both groups were assessed on two occasions. The study suggested that chess instruction exerted a positive (small) effect on Performance intelligence and subsequently on the Global scale of the Junior South African Intelligence Scales. The children in both groups also exhibited improved cognitive development after the 40 week period during 2009. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

The mining industry has been associated with environmental pollution throughout the ages. Old abandoned mines are of particular concern due to the lack of remediation and monitoring of the pollution. The abandoned Edendale Lead Mine in Tshwane, South Africa, was in operation from the 1980’s until 1938 and mined primarily galena for the lead content, although some silver was also recovered in the early years. The mine was decommissioned before environmental legislation in South Africa, namely the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 and the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act 28 of 2002, required the mitigation of environmental impacts associated with mining. Consequently, the environmental effects of Edendale Lead Mine have not been determined. This study is aimed at establishing the source, extent and magnitude of environmental pollution associated with metal contamination from mining operations in the area. Such investigation is of particular interest as there are two schools in the area, namely the Edendale Primary and High School, and the mine site is located immediately adjacent to the Edendalespruit. Furthermore, there are numerous farms and some private residences in the area that rely on borehole water that may potentially be polluted. The ore at Edendale Lead Mine was mined from a hydrothermal deposit, with irregularly disseminated argentiferous galena being the only ore mineral of importance. Two mineralisation stages can be recognised from material available on waste rock dumps, i.e. an intensely fragmented and strongly silicified breccia and a carbonate-dominated breccia with minor pyrite. The galena is restricted to the first mineralisation stage. Water and solid samples were collected from the mine site and from the surrounding area. Through ion chromatography, Inductively Coupled Plasma - Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) and Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis, the water of the area is found to be of good quality according to the South African Department of Water Affairs and Forestry Domestic Water Guidelines. The main concern is the presence of hazardous concentrations of lead in the Edendalespruit below the old plant site and in a pit near shaft one; determined to be from the abundance of relatively soluble anglesite (PbSO4) and susannite/leadhillite (Pb4(SO4)(CO3)2(OH)2) in the slag heap and the waste rock dump. Solid samples were mineralogically and chemically analysed using X-Ray Powder Diffraction (XRD) and X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (XRF), which determined the soil to be enriched in lead, zinc, and copper. The lead, zinc and copper are from secondary minerals of galena, sphalerite and chalcopyrite, respectively. Metal mobility and availability was found to be limited through high soil pH conditions, which encourage metal-carbonate precipitation reactions and absorption by iron oxides and hydroxides. However, the high concentrations of lead in the soil are of considerable concern due to its toxicity and the number of people at risk, namely at the Edendale Primary and High Schools as well as users of the Edendalespruit and local ground water sources. The soil lead levels exceed the European Union target and intervention standards, therefore, requiring immediate mitigation and remediation measures. Recommendations for remediation and prevention measures may include the removal of the slag heap at the old mine site and the use of phytoremediation. / Prof. J.M. Huizenga Prof. J. Gutzmer Mr. H. Coetzee

The ecology and life history of the vlei rat, Otomys irroratus (Brants, 1827), were studied in a population on the Van Riebeeck Nature Reserve near Pretoria. Two main procedures were used to collect the basic information and material for the project. First, a permanent live-trapping grid was established where 333 animals were captured, marked, released, and recaptured over a period of 26 months, Second, snap-trapping and live-trapping were conducted elsewhere in the study area for supplementary material. Because Otomys angoniensis Wroughton, 1906, a sibling species of 0. irroratus, also occurred in the study area and grid, it was necessary to define the differences in morphology and ecological distribution between the two species. The ecology and life history of 0. irroratus are described and discussed in regard to the following major topics: taxonomy and morphology, distribution, population dynamics, reproduction, postnatal growth and development, activity, behavior, and economic importance. In addition to the presently used means of distinguishing 0. irroratus and 0. angoniensis, it was found that the hind foot length of the two species differed, being 29-34 mm in 0. irroratus and 25-28 mm in O. angoniensis. The baculum of the two species was also found to be distinct in both shape and size. In Southern Africa 0. irroratus occurs primarily in the grassland subregion of the Southern Savanna biotic zone, while O. angoniensis occurs primarily in the woodland subregion of the same biotic zone. The preferred habitats of the two species on the study grid were determined. There was little overlap of niches and each species had a high degree of association with a different veld type, O. irroratus being associated with the more mesic habitat. The population size of O. irroratus reached a peak in May and a low in September. The population also fluctuated considerably from one year to the next, with rainfall possibly being the main contributing cause. The ratio of juveniles, subadults, and adults fluctuated primarily in respect to the season when the young were born. The sex ratio did not depart significantly from 1:1. Males comprised 49,5 per cent of the total and females 50,5 per cent. The rate of disappearance after one month from first capture was 41 per cent, indicating that a large number of transients and individuals dispersing from their birth site were involved. The overall rate of disappearance, excluding the high first month rate of disappearance, was 3,1 per cent per month. The mortality rate appeared to be at its highest between August and September when the food and cover were of very poor quality and quantity. This was also the period when males demonstrated a significant loss in body weight. The major factors causing mortality appeared to be flooding of the habitat and owl predation. Floods not only reduced the population but significantly interrupted breeding. Otomys irroratus was one of the most prominent prey species of both barn and grass owls. The major factors causing mortality appeared to be flooding of the habitat and owl predation. Floods not only reduced the population but significantly interrupted breeding. Otomys irroratus was one of the most prominent prey species of both barn and grass owls. Recapture data revealed that the mean home range size was 1 443m2, while that of males (1 730 m2) was highly significantly different (P<O,Ol) from that of females (1 252m2). Home range size decreased significantly in winter but only slightly in relation to a doubling of the population size. Of 18 individuals recaptured after a flood, 12 (66,7 per cent) had returned to their previously determined home range. Despite a small mean litter size (2,33) and relatively long gestation period (about 40 days), the long breeding season (nine months) and precocial birth, rapid development, and nipple-clinging behavior of the young together give O. irroratus a good reproductive potential. Several litters of young were reared. They are precocial at birth and development proceeds rapidly. At birth the incisors are erupted, enabling the young to cling firmly to the nipples of the mother, thereby reducing mortality losses. Most adult behavior patterns are developed before weaning at 13 days of age. Sexual maturity is reached at approximately three months of age. Otomys irroratus is primarily crepuscular, but activity tests conducted in the field and laboratory indicated some activitv throughout the day and night. Individual and social behavior are described and discussed. The vlei rat is shy and retiring in captivity and in nature is not easily captured by the use of snap-traps. Interactions of adults were tested and they were found to be antisocial, with intrasexual aggression occurring when caged. Complex threat and communication patterns exist, a feature of asocial behavior. Mating failed to occur in captivity, probably as a result of their antisocial nature. Marking behavior is very distinctive and, combined with urination and possibly defecation, would appear to be useful in delineating territories. It would also appear from their social habits, marking behavior, and considerable overlap of home ranges that their interactions with conspecifics in nature are represented by a dominance hierarchy. The influence of O. irroratus upon the environment was found to be slight. The species serves as a common prey item for a number of predators and was found to harbor several endo- and ectoparasites of public health importance. / Thesis (DSc)--University of Pretoria, 1973. / gm2013 / Zoology and Entomology / Unrestricted

Man’s relationship with architecture is not intellectual, but associated with our emotive subconscious. The quality of space, as defined by architecture, is personified and evaluated through the experience it orchestrates. The investigation aims to uncover the process of choreographing emotive experiences through design. These pertain to the writings of renowned Swiss architect, Peter Zumthor, who manages to design evocative spaces, architecture that embodies definite atmospheres. Zumthor explains in his manifesto Thinking Architecture, that atmosphere is measured through man’s emotional sensibility, rendering experience and emotion as tools for designing spatial quality. Architecture is not abstract, but concrete matter, an assemblage of quantifiable substance, and thus, the architectural palette exists within emotion. Beyond its physicality, architectural elements embody sensory potential in its application, arrangements and composition. The architect orchestrates the infinite architectural palette to provoke the senses, which defines experience. Finnish architect, Juhani Pallasmaa, better known for his writings on architecture and the senses, writes extensively on the non-cognitive realm of architecture as experienced, not only through the traditional senses measured by sight, sound, smell, touch and taste, but includes the human body in its dimensionality as it relates to its surroundings, ergonomically and spatially. The architectural premise lead to an investigation into the lost landscape of Pretoria’s Central Business district, where spatial and material degradation have abandoned various sites in hostility. The forsaken lot on the corner of Pretorius and Sophie de Bruyn Streets, currently offers its users, the South African National Police Service (SAPS), nothing more than a parking space. The vastness of emotion in which the architectural palette exists, focused the exploration on a specific emotion as derived from the users of the identified, abandoned lot. As a result of a media-generated perception, members of the SAPS have been alienated by society. Alienation, translated into architectural terms, means ‘to be outside’. The architecture is informed by the contrasting experiential conditions of alienation and belonging, outside and inside, danger and safety, chaos and cosmos. The architecture becomes the transitional medium. The Inner City Police Retreat fills the empirical void in a series of orchestrated experiences, in an attempt to inspire and transform the day to day existence of its users. / Dissertation MArch(Prof)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / Architecture / MArch(Prof) / Unrestricted