Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree: Doctor of Technology: Quality, Durban University of Technology, 2012. / There is extensive focus on the practical performance of ecotourism in respect of environmentally invasive activities and the satisfaction of ecotourists in South Africa. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to evaluate the impact of quality management practices on service quality in the accommodation sector serving ecotourism destinations in KwaZulu-Natal. The study was conducted at 58 hotels within a 50 kilometre proximity to ecotourism development regions of KwaZulu-Natal province. Two separate self-administered questionnaires were designed for the hotel managers and for their guests. A quantitative approach and a census of 58 managers were conducted and the guest response of 587 was obtained using convenience sampling. The results revealed that there are mismatches in guests’ actual experience on the variables of interest for customer service quality and the importance they attach to each variable. The experience-importance findings show that most guests rated their experiences above the importance they attach to those experiences. Little attention has been paid to hotel service quality research pertaining specifically to quality-related performance. This study fills this gap by identifying congruent hotel service quality attributes and relating these to management performance by analysing the importance of these attributes for hotel-guests seeking experiences of the natural environment. The results of the study offer measures for ecotourism service quality enhancement for the ecotourists experience at the hotels and a starting point for hotel managers to optimise the service quality growth and development while protecting the resources on which they are based. Quality function deployment has emerged as a significant tool to guide hotel managers in ecotourism destinations to attain planned levels of guest service quality and formulate a well-informed and systematic framework that will advance strategies for service quality enhancement.

Submitted in fulfillment requirement for Doctor of Technology Degree: Human Resource Management, Durban University of Technology, 2013. / The intended contribution of this empirical study was the development of an exploratory employee assistance programme (EAP) model for secondary school educators in KwaZulu-Natal. The academic EAP model formulated was hybrid as it relied on the synthesis of traditional and contemporary paradigms that encapsulated System, Gestalt and Leadership theories. The main problem revolved around the lack of an effective on-site EAP model for secondary school educators in KwaZulu-Natal. Hence the need for this study. The objective of this study was to conduct an audit of EAP policy and action plans at secondary school level in KwaZulu-Natal and develop an exploratory EAP model. The research design adopted a quantitative methodological approach using a self-administered questionnaire that was mailed to a representative sample of 512 secondary schools in KwaZulu-Natal. A significant response rate of 59.7% was obtained as 311 respondents returned the questionnaires. The data was analyzed using the computerized Statistical Program for Social Sciences (SPSS version 17.0 for Windows). Some significant findings emerged from this study. The respondents reported that 69.2% of schools did not have an EAP policy, while 66.9% of schools did not have action plans to implement EAP. A further 71.8% of respondents required training on EAP frameworks. The respondents also indicated that 79.1% of educators would use an EAP due to work-related stress and only 9% of schools had a budget to pay external EAP service providers. The Pearson Chi-Square test showed a significant correlation for 25 out of the 27 hypotheses that tested the variables of the exploratory EAP model. One of the recommendations suggest that, for fair and consistent treatment of the troubled and underperforming educator, on- site EAP policy and action plans be developed and implemented. Another recommendation highlighted that, in the absence of specialized EAP professionals, school management teams use the exploratory EAP model as a strategic intervention to assist troubled and underperforming secondary school educators in KwaZulu-Natal. The study concluded with suggestions for future research in this field.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master Technology: Consumer Science Food and Nutrition, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2014. / Food security is a global concern and the insecurity thereof is prevalent in South Africa even though the country is deemed to be secure in terms of food availability. The study was conducted to determine the socio-economic, health and nutrition and food security status of the community living in the Valley of a Thousand Hills in KwaZulu Natal, in addition to analysing their coping strategies. Two hundred and fifty seven respondents were required to participate in this study. Data were collected by interviewing the respondents using pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaires; socio demographic questionnaires, dietary intake questionnaires- namely 24 hour recall and Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and the coping strategy questionnaires were used. Lastly anthropometric measurements were taken to determine BMI. A prevalence of extreme poverty exists as a magnitude of the high unemployment rate, out of which 75.8% had been unemployed for more than 3 years. The household monthly income was less than R500 per month for 37.3% of the respondents. The mean Food Variety Scores (FVS) (±SD) for all foods consumed from the food groups during seven days was 22.45 (±10.32), indicating a low food variety score. In this study the food group diversity is summarized as the majority of the respondents (91.1%, n=226) being classified with a good dietary diversity score using 6-9 food groups. The mean of the three 24-Hour recall nutrient analysis indicated a deficient intake by both men and women in all of the nutrients (100% of the men and women could not meet the DRI’s for energy and calcium) except for the mean (±SD) carbohydrate intake by men aged 19-50 (214.71 ± 80.22). The main source of food intake was from the carbohydrate food group with an insufficient intake of animal products, dairy products and fruits and vegetables respectively; contributing to the macro and micro nutrient inadequacies. Ninety six percent of this community experienced some level of food insecurity with the worst Coping Strategy Index food insecurity score being 117 out of a possible 175. Four percent of this community was classified as being food secure. Overweight and obesity were the most exceptional anthropometric features by the women respondents with 26.5% (n=66) being overweight and 57% (n=142) obese. The men’s anthropometric features were predominantly normal weight. This study has established poverty and unemployment as being the principal contributors for the food insecurity experienced by the populace and poor dietary intakes. The low food variety diet consumed by the respondents resulted in the DRI’s not achieved for most nutrients. The majority of the respondents only consumed two meals a day, as a coping strategy to reduce/prevent temporary food insecurity. Intervention strategies are needed to improve the food security status and dietary intake of the community members to overcome the crisis of malnutrition. / M

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Magister Technologiae: Human Resources Management, Durban University of Technology, 2012. / The research project focussed on the effectiveness of an induction programme for newly appointed staff at Coastal KZN FET College in Kwa-Zulu Natal. The main aim of the study was to investigate the perceptions of educators with regard to the effectiveness of the induction programme for newly appointed lecturers. The key findings of the research were that newly appointed lecturers experienced various problems. The study also explored experiences faced by newly appointed lecturers at Coastal KZN FET College. The challenges arise from the lack of an effective induction programme. These problems resulted in poor productivity among newly appointed lecturers. The empirical component underpinned the review and analysis of the effectiveness of an induction programme for newly-appointed lecturers as they adjust to their entry into the teaching profession. The study also investigated the high turnover (lecturer attrition) among newly appointed lecturers as well as the possible solutions which can be implemented. The survey method was used to administer the questionnaire to all 45 target respondents using the personal method. The study adopted the quantitative research method with precoded close ended questions. The personal method was used to administer the questionnaire to all 45 target respondent and in this way a high response rate of 100% was obtained. An important finding in this regard was that the induction programme was not evaluated and improved frequently. The induction programme should ensure that new lecturers are treated with dignity and are allowed the opportunity to display their strengths and the knowledge they bring to their new College by implementing an effective induction programme. Arising out of the empirical analysis the researcher has recommended and developed a set of guidelines which could be used in developing an effective induction programme for the Coastal FET College in Kwa-Zulu Natal. The study concludes with directions for future research to expand on the body of knowledge in this field. / M

This Dissertation is submitted in partial fulfilment of the Master of Arts in Demography and Population Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand, 2017 / Background: In South Africa, poor choice of contraception method or contraceptive failure has been noted as one of the key contributors to high rates of unwanted pregnancy and HIV/AIDS. Contraceptive use is highly correlated with pregnancy and fertility intention. While research knows the role of contraceptive use in delaying conception and/or childbearing, what remains unknown is an understanding of whether the methods of contraception used by young women match their fertility intentions. The objective of this study is to determine the relationship between fertility intention and method of contraception among young women (20-24 years old) South Africa. Methods: This study provides a secondary data analysis on cross-sectional data from the 19992002 Transition to Adulthood in the Context of HIV/AIDS survey. Given that the survey involved two waves of data collection in 1999 and 2002, the two respective datasets are pooled together to achieve a representative sample of 8 370 adolescents aged 14 – 24. However, because the population of interest is young women, further sample restrictions are performed and a weighted sample of 1,020 sexually active young women aged 20-24 years old is attained. A multinomial regression is adopted for this study because the outcome variable-method of contraceptioncomprises of three categories: (1) modern method (2) traditional (3) no method. As such, in establishing the relationship between fertility intention and method of contraception, three levels of analysis are carried out. Firstly, is a univariate analysis of the variables in the study, followed by a bivariate analysis using Chi2 to examine the association between predictor variables and method of contraception. Finally, a multivariate analysis producing the adjusted and unadjusted associations is conducted to examine whether a statistical relationship exists between fertility intention and method of contraception. Results: Of the 1,020 sexually active young women 20-24 years old years old in the sample, 77.8% do not use any method of contraception while 13.9% make use of modern methods and only 8.1% use traditional methods of contraception. There was no significant association found between fertility intention and method of contraception. Among young women that intend to have three or more children in their lifetime compared to those that intend to have 1-2 children, the relative risk of using a modern method of contraception compared to not using any method of contraception is expected to decrease by a factor of 0.620 (95% CI=0.351,1.095; P>0.05). However, positive associations were found between relationship status and method of contraception as well as between place of residence and method of contraception. Among young women that have steady partners compared to those that are single/not in a relationship, the relative risk of using a traditional method of contraception compared to not using any method is expected to decrease by a factor of 0.274 (95% CI=0.122, 0.617; P<0.05). Furthermore, among young women living in rural areas compared to those in urban areas the relative risk of using a modern method of contraception compared to not using any method is expected to decrease by a factor of 0.499 (95% CI=0.300, 0.831; P<0.05). Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that fertility intention cannot be used as the sole predictor of the choice of contraception used by young women. Rather, there are prevailing and contextual demographic and socio-economic factors that intervene this relationship and influence women’s adoption of any method of contraception. Notably, the limited access to healthcare centres; ambivalent feelings about pregnancy as well as misconceptions and perceived side effects of contraception influence the poor use of modern methods of contraception. To address the high rate of unwanted pregnancy among youth in South Africa, it is advisable that policies and programmes assist young women to become decisive about their fertility intentions and provide them with the necessary support and resources to access contraceptive methods that will assist them in achieving their fertility goals. / XL2018

Ph.D., Faculty of Science (Botany), University of the Witwatersrand, 1990

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Geography. 24 March 2017 / There is substantial evidence to show that the climate has been changing on various scales across the world. The change in climate conditions has had negative impacts for developing countries, particularly poorer communities who use climate-sensitive resources such as urban agriculture which is prone to extreme weather. It is evident that urban agriculture has become a major source of income for a lot of people and its contribution to household food security is significant and in many instances it is increasing. The MSc study investigated the implications of climate variability and change on food production focusing on urban agriculture. It was also of key interest to explore the different adaptive approaches that FHH employ in reducing the impacts thereof. The approach informing the study combined two approaches; firstly, the `bottom-up' participatory research undertaken in three communities namely Inanda, Ntuzuma and Kwamashu; secondly, a rapid appraisal of policies, programs and institutions. The results were then triangulated using a micro-action planning workshop and a consultation process. A total of 84 small scale farmers who are actively involved in subsistence farming participated in the research study. From the empirical findings it is evident that climate change has manifested itself in floods and droughts and has been ranked extremely prevalent and frequent by 75% and 86% of the overall responses from the three study sites. The combination of these two extreme events has had negative impacts on food production and food accessibility. However, it has been found that FHH use asset based adaptation to modify and adjust their livelihoods as a way of coping with established threats. The eThekwini municipality has developed the Municipal Climate Change Protection Programme (eTMCCPP) with the purpose to mainstream climate change adaptation in the general city planning and development framework as well as to harmonize local urban responses to climate variability. However, only 48% of the participants have received any form of assistance and support from the Municipality. More needs to be done to help build capacity at household level and improve livelihoods of the local community particularly of Female headed households. / MT 2017

Dissertation submitted in compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology in the Department of Marketing, Durban University of Technology, 2009. / The dissertation presents an overview on market segmentation established on the basis of collection of information. The study illustrates the important role of information in tourism and examines the socio-economic impact of the sardine run event and the marketing strategy in the South Coast Region of KwaZulu -Natal. A survey of the tourists at the sardine run event was conducted. There is no reason to divide customers and prospects into separate groups if they are going to be treated the same. This research examines the nature of what might be the overall personality type of the tourist and how this overall picture can be used to identify individual characteristics much more coherently and use the information to develop the marketing strategy. In line with the overview of major attempts to measure the effectiveness of a marketing strategy, this dissertation suggests that segmentation is imperative for strategy development. One key goal of each information strategy lies in an optimal matching between segmentation and marketing strategy. The findings of the study revealed that the economic impact of an event normally focuses on changes in sales, income and employment in a region as a result of tourism activity. Secondly, this research proposes that income influences tourists’ spending patterns. Since almost no research has been conducted on the analyses of the socio-economic impact and the marketing strategy of the sardine run, this research should contribute to knowledge about the target market and the socio- economic impact of the event.

Dissertation submitted in compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology in the Department of Marketing, Durban University of Technology, 2009. / The dissertation presents an overview on market segmentation established on the basis of collection of information. The study illustrates the important role of information in tourism and examines the socio-economic impact of the sardine run event and the marketing strategy in the South Coast Region of KwaZulu -Natal. A survey of the tourists at the sardine run event was conducted. There is no reason to divide customers and prospects into separate groups if they are going to be treated the same. This research examines the nature of what might be the overall personality type of the tourist and how this overall picture can be used to identify individual characteristics much more coherently and use the information to develop the marketing strategy. In line with the overview of major attempts to measure the effectiveness of a marketing strategy, this dissertation suggests that segmentation is imperative for strategy development. One key goal of each information strategy lies in an optimal matching between segmentation and marketing strategy. The findings of the study revealed that the economic impact of an event normally focuses on changes in sales, income and employment in a region as a result of tourism activity. Secondly, this research proposes that income influences tourists’ spending patterns. Since almost no research has been conducted on the analyses of the socio-economic impact and the marketing strategy of the sardine run, this research should contribute to knowledge about the target market and the socio- economic impact of the event.

M.Cur. / The purpose of this study is to describe guidelines for a Community Based Curriculum in Psychiatric Nursing Science for a nursing college in KwaZulu Natal. The study consists of 4 phases. To reach the purpose of the study, a situational analysis was done in 3 phases to identify the principles for a Community Based Curriculum in Psychiatric Nursing Science. In Phase I - a document analysis of relevant government policies and legislation was conducted to obtain the principles of mental health care. In Phase H - the statistics of the psychiatric diagnoses of patients from two community psychiatric clinics and one psychiatric hospital admission unit were collected. From the prevalence of the mental disorders, the mental health needs and problems were identified. These were the principles of Phase II. Phase III - was the focus group interviews with the psychiatric nurse educators of a nursing college in KwaZulu Natal to ascertain their viewpoints on a Community Based Curriculum in Psychiatric Nursing Science. From the findings of the focus group interviews, a literature control and conceptual framework were done. Thereafter, the principles of mental health care from this phase were identified. The principles of Phase I, II and III were used to formulate Phase IV, which was the guidelines for the operationalisation of Community Based Curriculum in Psychiatric Nursing Science. The outcomes based approach was used in the Community Based Curriculum in Psychiatric Nursing Science in accordance with the National Qualifications Framework of the South African Qualifications Authority. Recommendations concerning nursing practice, nursing education and further study were made at the end of the study including the limitations affecting the study