Lower reaches of rivers as well as estuaries are regarded as South Africa’s most productive ecosystems due to the important functions such as providing nursery areas and feeding sites for juvenile macro-invertebrate and fish species they perform. Furthermore, ecologically healthy estuaries are not only of critical importance since they facilitate the provision and recirculation of nutrients, they also provide conduits for fish migrations into the fresh water system and act as buffers during floods. In South Africa, these functions are continuously being threatened by residential and/or industrial developments. It is thus essential to determine the ecological integrity (structure and function) of these systems. An Ecological integrity study was carried out on the selected rivers in Kwazulu Natal between 2015 and 2017. This study was assessed in terms of selected abiotic drivers on specific biological responses. The study was carried out according to the guidelines of the ecological determination methodologies and the resource directed measures for aquatic resources as set out by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, South Africa. Surveys were carried out during summer and winter seasons. Abiotic and biotic monitoring was carried out at four sites along each estuary. The abiotic component such as sediment composition and physio-chemical properties of the water was analyzed using standard methods. The biotic and abiotic components were analyzed using various indices, where applicable. The ecological integrity of the system can be accessed on the basis of its ability to carry out its natural functions. Results showed the various anthropogenic activities in the upper reaches of each river contributed to the high modified state of some of these rivers’ unacceptable water quality, loss and/or modification of habitat and an altered hydrological pattern due to impacts by agricultural, industrial and domestic uses. The ecosystem services of the lower areas of the rivers under investigation are used extensively through sugarcane agricultural activities and heavy industries works inclusive of sand mining and rural sewage-treatment. These activities affect the ecological integrity of the rivers and ultimately the estuaries. This study aimed at determining the current state of ecological integrity of five selected rivers in KwaZulu Natal and to establish trends between current and historical periods for the evaluation of changing trends in ecological integrity. Abiotic and biotic indicator components were used to ascertain changes in the surrounding environment as well as to determine the ecological integrity of these rivers. Monitoring of water quality, sediment grain size, moisture and organic content as well as habitat state, macro-invertebrates and fish assemblages was undertaken. The following variables water temperature, chemical oxygen demand (COD), electrical conductivity (EC), pH and total alkalinity (TAL) as well as salts, nutrients and toxics were investigated to provide indications as to the state of the water-quality of these rivers. The Target Water Quality Requirements (TWQR) as developed by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry for domestic use (Volume 1) and Aquatic Ecosystems (Volume 7) were used to evaluate the quality of the water sampled in this study. Historical data obtained from previous studies of similar study areas have also been evaluated. Sediment analyses were performed according to the protocol set out by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. As a result of the abiotic drivers, results showed that the invertebrate reside in modified state. Physio-chemical, geomorphological and hydrological changes in this system resulted in the rivers’ suffering a loss in both biological and ecological function as well as aesthetic value. It is apparent from the above that there is not a need for rehabilitation but also a need for effective and continuous management strategies. These strategies can only be successful if the bio-monitoring of the system includes the effects at both economical and social levels. The water quality of the rivers under this investigation was found to be in a slightly modified state with the majority of water quality parameters falling within the target values. Water quality parameters of the lower Thukela River, not within the required target, was highly elevated and could possibly cause negative impacts on the river functionality. The water quality parameters of Umvoti river, Umdloti river and uMngeni river were seriously modified. The sediment clearly indicated that the organic content of the all the rivers was low and directly relating to the possibility of erosion and transportation taking place in the Rivers. The removal of riparian vegetation by agricultural activities, sand mining and water abstraction contributed to the destruction of the habitats along all these rivers. The South African Scoring System, version 5 (SASS 5), the Macro-invertebrate Response Assessment Index (MIRAI) and multivariate statistical analyses were implemented in order to determine the ecological integrity of the rivers. Results revealed that the SASS 5 integrity classes were generally one class higher than the integrity classes of MIRAI. The Fish assemblage methods used to determine fish samples included electro-narcosis and a 5m wide 12mm meshed seine net. Impacts on the ecological integrity of the Rivers under investigation have been assessed by various sources. To protect the current ecological integrity and further destruction of the rivers under investigation, direct involvement by the relevant authorities is of paramount importance. / Agriculture and Environmental Science / D. Litt. et Phil. (Environmental Science)

A qualitative study was undertaken in Pietermaritzburg to unveil the experiences and challenges of WLWHIV as perceived by social workers as well as to explore and describe the experiences of social workers in rendering services to these women. Explorative, descriptive and contextual research designs were employed for the research process. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were utilised to recruit participants who met the set criteria. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirteen participants. Data obtained were transcribed and analysed applying Tesch‘s eight steps (Creswell, 2009). Data verification was guided by Guba‘s model (Krefting, 1991). The findings revealed the existence of strained relationships between WLWHIV and their partners and ineffective delivery of social work services to WLWHIV. Based on the findings, it is recommended that specialised training for social workers on issues related to death and dying and services for children of WLWHIV be incorporated in the guidelines for social work practice / Social Work / M.A. (social Work)

M.Sc. / Known outcrops of the supracrustal Mesoarchean Mozaan Group of the Pongola Supergroup occur in north-eastern Kwazulu-Natal and southern Mpumalanga in South Africa, and southern Swaziland. Outcrops of the Mozaan succession in Swaziland are preserved in the Ntungulu-Mahlangatsha and Kubuta-Mooihoek areas. The succession is composed of polymictic conglomerate, poorly sorted scour based quartzite, orthoquartzite, shale, iron-formation, polymictic diamictite and lava. In the Kubuta- Mooihoek area a 3000m thick succession is preserved and correlates almost bed for bed with that in the Hartland area in South Africa. The succession is preserved from the Dipka member of the Sinqeni Formation at the base to the Tobolsk lava at the top. The depositional environment ranges essentially between fluvial and marine with two distinct glaciogenic diamictite units and one unit of lava near the top of the succession. Seven unconformity bounded sequences are recognised in the succession and from these a relative sea-level curve could be constructed. Trace element geochemistry of the shale reveals that the source area was predominantly felsic with a mafic component probably derived from the uplifted pre-Pongola granitoids and Nsuze Group. The petrography of the quartzite in the succession suggests a change in provenance from a low-lying deeply weathered to uplifted moderately weathered source area higher up in the stratigraphy. Part of the tectonic uplift may have been associated with isostatic rebound related to melting of continental glaciers. The Tobolsk lava is a continental flood basalt also possibly related to a tectonic uplift event. There are indications of sediment recycling in the upper part of the succession where conglomerates are predominantly composed of chert clasts A pretectonic quartz porphyry sill, folded with the strata, provides an upper age limit of 2837±5 Ma for the deposition of the Mozaan Group. The Mooihoek granite (2824±6 Ma) that intrudes and deforms the synclinal structure along its eastern flank, provides an upper age limit of the folding event. This suggests that the deformation of the Mozaan succession took place in the intervening 13 Ma period between 2824 and 2837 Ma ago.

Aspects of the biology of the sharptooth catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) were studied in a clear coastal lake (Lake Sibaya, KwaZulu.). Catfish reach maturity towards the end of the first year (total length 200-250mm) and breed in summer. Gonadal maturation is cyclical, and most fishes are ripe between September. and January e ach year. Maturation stages and fecundity are described. Twenty-two catfish spawning runs were witnessed. There were no large aggregations of catfish before the Summer rains, as reported in some impoundments and rivers, but catfish accumulated on the shallow terrace immediately before a spawning run. Spawning usually took place in flooded marginal areas after heavy rain on dark calm nights. Peak activity occurred between 20h00 and 02h30. Pre-nuptial aggression, courtship and mating are described and illustrated in detail for the first time from field observations. Gonadal products are released while in amplexus and fertilized externally. The eggs have an adhesive disc for attachment to plants, and develop rapidly. Early development and feeding are described. The growth rate of catfish was determined using rings on the pectoral spines, and validated using recent techniques. C.gariepinus in Lake Sibaya grow rapidly and remain in good condition to a length of 500mm, but larger catfish have a poor growth rate and condition, and few exceed 650mm. The modal length and weight of the Sibaya population is intermediate between that of other populations but the number and condition of larger catfish in Lake Sibaya is lower. Other studies on C.gariepinus growth are reviewed. Very high and low first year increments obtained previously may be due to methodological errors, but catfish do appear to have variable growth rates. The size reached by C.gariepinus is reviewed. Catfish are equipped morphologically and behaviourally to feed on a wide variety of·prey in different situations, but they usually feed at night on exposed, active benthic organisms. Social hunting facilitates the capture of prey which is too fast or manoevrable for a single predator. Food preferences are scored by three different methods and presented for the total catfish population and for different length groups, seasons, and habitats. Juveniles feed more often and on a greater variety of prey, and their condition is better than that of adults. The proportions of several food items in the diet changed at different lake levels as marginal areas became inundated. In particular, increasing lake levels resulted in a change in relative density of three cichlid prey in the shallow water feeding area of catfish. This situation provided the opportunity to study the effect of changing cichlid density on predation by catfish. The world literature on factors influencing the predator-prey relationship in fish is reviewed and several key factors are identified. The interaction of fish predators and prey in Africa, and particularly Lake Sibaya, is examined in detail, and prey density, modified by accessibility, is found to be an important factor. The effect of cichlid prey density on catfish predation was therefore investigated using field collections and experimental observations. Catfish prey on the cichlid species with greatest relative abundance, with some deviations which can be explained in terms of accessibility. The experimental results also describe feeding periodicity, imitative hunting and the effect of water depth , day-night light intensity changes and predator number on predation efficiency on cichlids. Catfish predation is discussed in terms of recent predation theory, and it is concluded that their ability to switch from one prey to another as prey availability (= density+ accessibility) changes , is an an important aspect of their success as predators. Catfish predate more efficiently on invertebrates, but feed largely on fishes after the first year. This preference for fish prey is probably related to food quality, as fishes contributed over 75% of the energy content of all ingested food, as well as abundant protein and the correct amino acid balance. Finally, I conclude that the role of C.gariepinus as a predator on S.mossambicus is three-fold: (a) to enhance species' fitness by removing enfeebled individuals i.e. to act as a 'cleanser' (b) to restrict the distribution of prey under certain conditions i.e. act as a 'restricter' (c) to dampen fluctuations in cichlid abundance i.e. act as a 'regulator'. The relative importance of these roles may alter at different lake levels in Lake Sibaya in response to changes in the vulnerability of fish prey.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Education (Management), Durban Institute of Technology, 2003. / The introduction of Curriculum 21 in South Africa in 1998 has brought with it added responsibilities for parents. According to the South African Schools' Act, No.84 (1996), parents have been granted powers to "support teachers in the performance of their task "and "determine subject choices" for their children. However, when Curriculum 21 was introduced in 1998, relevant programmes for introducing parents to these ideas dia not exist. According to Schlebusch and Spady (1999) family, home, identity and respect are important features of Curriculum 21 and only parents can create the best conditions for the academic development of their children. Therefore, the involvement of parents in the education of their children is vital. This dissertation is a case study of a rural KwaZulu- Natal public school, Hopewell Primary School, in which a pilot study of a programme to introduce parents to their responsibilities in the implementation of Curriculum 21, was first introduced. / M

Rehabilitation is a dynamic process influenced by factors related to more than one field of ecology. It is therefore necessary to consider all these components when assessing the rehabilitation, although in the initial stages the successful revegetation of the disturbed areas is the most important criterion. Richards Bay Minerals, on whose mining site this project was carried out, is dredge mining heavy minerals on the north coast of Natal, where they have rehabilitated mined areas since 1978. This project has been carried out to establish: 1) The success of their dune forest rehabilitation using quantitative techniques. 2) The available seed bank in their rehabilitation stands. 3) The similarities in the succession taking place in rehabilitation stands compared to the revegetated stands in the vicinity of Richards Bay. 4) The best methods for creating alternative vegetation communities, especially grasslands, with a high species diversity on the mined tailings. This study reviews only the success of rehabilitation of the natural vegetation but other studies focusing on the insect, reptile, mammal and bird populations are also being undertaken by other researchers. No particular method of determining the success of vegetation rehabilitation has been chosen by restoration ecologists. Therefore in this study a broad range of quantitative techniques were used to show whether successional changes are occurring in the vegetation and physical environment. The results obtained from sampling the rehabilitated vegetation have shown that both the species richness and diversity are increasing as the returned vegetation matures. Levels of soil properties such as Sodium, Phosphate, Calcium and percentage organic matter have also risen with increasing stand age. Community complexity is also increasing with stand age, and TWINSPAN and DECORANA plots have separated out the differently aged stands based on their differences. A "pilot" study was done on the seed bank present in the rehabilitation stands. This has shown the presence of large amounts of early successional, mostly herbaceous species. Seeds of later successional and woody species were scarce which may be a result of the sampling intensity used. However seeds of late successional ground cover species were found in the older stands. Comparisons between the natural revegetation of disturbed areas in the vicinity of Richards Bay and the rehabilitation stands revealed similarities in both species composition and complexity. Species richness and diversity values are comparatively similar for the younger revegetated and older rehabilitation stands, and lWlNSPAN and DECORANA analysis techniques clustered the samples recorded from these areas in close proximity on their relative plots. The oldest revegetated sites contain a number of species found in the rehabilitated vegetation but as Acacia karroo has thinned-out in these stands many of these other species are now mature individuals. Attempts at rehabilitating an area of grassland at Richards Bay Minerals has not produced satisfactory species diversity and experimental manipulations were used to try and increase the diversity of the existing Eragrostis curvula dominated community. Of the several treatments used for the manipulation, a combination of burning and further topsoiling was the most successful in reducing Eragrostis importance and in increasing the species richness. Grassland topsoil spread directly onto the bare tailings produced an extensive vegetation covering over a short period but species richness was not significantly greater than for the existing Eragrostis dominated grassland, and further treatments and management needs to continue if this technique is to be employed. Only a limited amount of alien infestation of the rehabilitated areas was evident from the sampling undertaken during this research. As the removal of alien plants is an ongoing process and the rehabilitation stands are continuously monitored to identify any new invaders, this is not expected to become a problem. From the results of work done overseas and the rehabilitation carried out in South Africa it appears that it is possible to return natural vegetation communities on mined areas. That this is a lengthy process is to be expected but by manipulating the vegetation and continuously monitoring the process it may be possible to speed up development. Areas in need of further research have been identified based on the findings of this project. This will help to reinforce the undertaking of management proposals that will enhance the vegetation recovery and the success of the rehabilitation programme.

Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Master of Health Sciences in Nursing, Durban University of Technology, 2017. / Tuberculosis (TB) is South Africa’s greatest community health problem. Nurses have a critical role in supporting patients in the TB treatment process. An estimated 480 000 new cases of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and 190 000 people died in 2014. An estimated 43 million lives were saved between 2000 and 2014 with effective diagnosis and treatment of TB. Despite these measures TB remains one of the world’s biggest threats. In an attempt to improve the practice of nurses in the prevention of MDR-TB, the knowledge of nurses with regards to the prevention of MDR-TB is essential. Aim of the Study The aim of the study was to describe the practice of the nurses in the prevention of MDR-TB and to determine whether the practice was effective in the prevention of MDR-TB. Methodology Quantitative, descriptive survey was used to conduct the study. Purposive sampling method was employed to select six primary health care clinics at uThungulu District. The target population consisted of professional nurses and enrolled nurses working in these clinics. The sample size was 122. The questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the data graphically. In order to test for significant trends in the data, inferential statistics were applied. Results The findings of the study revealed that nurses were implementing measures of preventing MDR-TB like tracing of patients who interrupted TB treatment although there were inconsistencies with implementation of other measures. There were gaps related to attendance of TB courses by TB staff. Nurses were working in an overcrowded environment where it was difficult to implement measures for preventing MDR-TB. There was an increase in the workload due to the high number of patients having TB. Conclusion In this study, the majority of nurses working in primary health care clinics scored well in infection control measures with regard to practicing cough hygiene, placing patients in a well-ventilated area, collection of sputum from patients suspected of having TB and giving of health education to patients with TB and relatives but there areas that need improvement. The findings indicate knowledge gap with regard to TB. There is a need for attendance of short courses in TB, increase of staff attending to TB patients so as to cope with the workload and efficient allocation of resources. / M

The main focus of this thesis is the child support grant, as part of a broader social security system, in post-apartheid South Africa. Since the end of apartheid of 1994, the new South African government has sought to redress the racial imbalances and inequalities of the past by engaging in measures of redistribution. Central to this pursuit of redistribution has been a restructured system of social grants, of which the child support grant is the most significant. However, the post-apartheid government has adopted a largely neo-liberal macro-economic strategy such that social inequality and endemic poverty remain pervasive particularly amongst the African population, which includes the recipients of the child support grants. In adopting a sustainable livelihoods framework as the main theoretical perspective, the thesis seeks to understand the livelihoods of child support grant mothers in the face of conditions of extreme poverty. It does this through a localised study of twenty child grant mothers in Sinathingi Township in KwaZulu-Natal Province. In examining the livelihoods of these child-grant mothers, the thesis brings to the fore that mothers and their children do not exist as autonomous living units but are embedded in a broader set of social relations, including intra-household relations and relations with the fathers of the grant-children. It also demonstrates that child-grant mothers are not simply victims of structures of poverty in contemporary South Africa, but actively construct their livelihoods through a range of activities and strategies which show perseverance and ingenuity.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Health Sciences (Nursing), Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2017. / BACKGROUND: Quiet often when students return from clinical placement, complain of being abused by patients and their relatives. Student nurses view clinical placement as an anxiety producing part of the nursing programme (Magnavita and Heponiemi 2011: 208). As a result, some resign and leave nursing fearing for their lives. AIM OF THE STUDY: To determine the extent and types of violence experienced by student nurses from patients and their relatives or friends in public hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, and whether this leads to intentions to leave the nursing profession. METHODOLOGY: A quantitative, descriptive cross sectional survey approach conducted amongst student nurses (n=421) at KwaZulu-Natal College Nursing R425 Program starting from their first year of training up to the midwifery module. Self-Administered Questionnaires (SAQ) were used to collect data and data analysed using SPSS version 23. RESULTS: All respondents (n=421) completed the SAQ (annexure B). Many student nurses, especially female students, are victims of intimidation, bullying and verbal abuse as opposed to physical and sexual abuse by patients’ relatives and patients. The workplace violence against student nurses resulted in anger and absenteeism. The majority have not reported any abuse and they were not even aware of any policy that exists in their institutions against any form of violence. DISCUSSION: Findings in this study revealed that student nurses, like all other nurses, were also at a high risk of workplace violence. This may be because nurses have the closest contact with patients and their relatives; hence they are at high risk of exposure to violence. Since all settings are potentially high risk for violence, it is therefore necessary for the management to improve security in all high-risk areas for the student nurses to be safe. RECOMMENDATIONS: Public hospitals and the Department of Health (DOH) needs to formulate clear policies regarding violence against student nurses, and information on how to report the occurrence. There is a need for development or improvement of policies, procedures and intervention strategies. The DOH needs to address the issues of violence by implementing strategies to create a supportive environment that facilitates empowerment for the positive emotional wellbeing of student nurses. Managers have the responsibility to create and maintain zero tolerance regarding workplace violence. Public hospitals need to employ Managers with required skills and higher education to deal with workplace violence. There is a need for further research and more details on workplace violence and its cause. / M

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirement for the Degree of Master of Management Sciences Specialising in Business Administration, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2017. / In the electricity prepayment metering industry the continuous increase in customers’ expectations and technological innovation demand that leading firms in the industry differentiate themselves from the competition by going beyond customers’ present expectations. Thus, organizations which have set their goals on mere customer satisfaction are, from a customers’ perspective, deemed to be of limited value and may subsequently lack the anticipation and preparation essential to meet the demands of the future. Electricity prepayment metering market competition today is forcing organisations to seek the means to gain customer satisfaction, and thus aim to sustain their future in times of economic instability. The study revealed that the most effective way to retain customer satisfaction is consistent service quality that decreases the cost of attracting new customers and raises sales and market share. The quality of service is one of the most effective factors in creating competitive advantages and advance business. Factors that influence customer satisfaction in the electricity prepayment industry were investigated and tested. The study also attempted to identify the critical factors, as identified in the literature, among those investigated: service quality, customer expectations, customer perception and customer retention. Against this background, the study sought to determine the interrelationship between customer satisfaction and the critical factors of customer satisfaction with Conlog Electricity Prepayment Meters in KwaZulu-Natal. The research developed to ascertain subjects’ perceptions of the critical factors of customer satisfaction; determine the interrelationship among the critical factors of customer satisfaction; and explore the relationship between customer satisfaction and the critical factors of customer satisfaction. The research population comprising of Conlog electricity prepayment metering customers in KwaZulu-Natal was selected and interviewed. Questionnaires were distributed through electronic mail and self-administered for data collection and a sample of twelve respondents was selected for interview. Interviews were analysed using conversational analysis and the data collected from the interviews were merged with the questionnaire data, seeking depth as well as breadth. Data collected from respondents was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. The tool utilised to analyze data was the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA). A p value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Conclusions and recommendations were drawn from the literature and the findings of the study. The results of the study revealed that service quality is the most significant critical factor of customer satisfaction. The study recommends that the management of Conlog can use the specific data obtained from the measurement of service quality in their strategies and plans. The study further recommends that Conlog allocates resources to this effect to provide better service to their customers. The results and findings of the study will provide further information concerning customer satisfaction and customer perception in the prepayment metering industry in KwaZulu-Natal. It will also contribute to future industry research, setting the ground for further research in measuring levels of customer satisfaction in the electricity prepayment industry in South Africa. / M