Dealing with HIV and AIDS and parental illness and death are realities many teenagers have to face, yet little is known about their psychosocial well-being. This study gauged the psychosocial well-being of teenaged orphans in a rural area in KwaZulu-Natal. Using a narrative approached, data were collected by means of interviews. The study examined the nature of social support available to teenaged orphans and their subjective experiences of well-being. Findings suggest that these teenagers were confronted with drastic changes before and after the deaths of their parents. The ramifications of these and the different ways of coping with orphanhood were explored. Foster parents and other care-givers were found to provide differentially in the needs of the teenagers and this impacted on their well-being and coping. This study extends the literature on children made vulnerable by HIV and AIDS by considering the specific experiences of teenagers. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

The illegal trade in endangered animals in KwaZulu-Natal, with an emphasis on rhino poaching, is tactically addressed in this dissertation. The aim is to expose the nature and extent of these crimes; the victims, offenders and modus operandi involved; the adjudication of wildlife offences; the causes and consequences concerned; the relevant criminological theories to explain these crimes; and recommendations for prevention. This research intends to examine the contemporary pandemic of rhino poaching in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and offer potential techniques for intervention. Furthermore, one of the main goals of the study is to reveal and enhance the extremely neglected field of conservation criminology. A general disregard by society for the environment, as well as the overall ineffectiveness and corruption of criminal justice and conservation authorities, comes to the fore. The purpose of the research is therefore to suggest possible prevention strategies in order to protect the rights of endangered species. / Criminology and Security Science / M.A. (Criminology)

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Technology: Education, Durban University of Technology, 2013. / This study investigated the management of inclusive education in the four selected junior primary schools in the Empangeni District, KwaZulu-Natal. Despite the fact that the White Paper 6 on Special Needs Education and Training: Building Inclusive Education and Training System was released in 2001, aiming at providing quality education for all learners, the implementation and management of inclusive education in schools still remain a challenge. This research, therefore, investigated possible challenges and suggested solutions that could be used for the effective implementation and management of inclusive education in schools. This study was conducted to answer the following questions: i. What are the challenges at school level that delay the implementation of inclusive education? ii. What skills do teachers and principals have or acquired in order to identify and support learners who experience barriers to learning and development? iii. What are the teachers’ perceptions regarding the inclusion of learners who experience barriers to learning and development? iv. Does our education system provide teachers with relevant training to meet the challenges that come with inclusive education? An ethnographic research was conducted in four junior primary schools at the Empangeni District, KwaZulu- Natal to find out what happens in their school setting. Fifteen foundation phase teachers from four junior primary schools, four principals and six final year university student teachers participated in the study. The findings of data collected from teachers, principals and student teachers regarding their views on inclusion of learners who experience barriers to learning were used to make recommendations. The findings from the study revealed the need for schools to effectively implement the White Paper 6 on Special Needs Education and Training: Building Inclusive Education and Training System (2001). Inclusion of learners who experience barriers to learning and development is an international initiative, which aims to provide quality education for all learners. The success of inclusion is based on the adoption and implementation of the international, national and provincial inclusive education policies, declarations and guidelines. In this study, it became evident that there is a shortage of teachers who have specialization in Special Education: Barriers to Learning. In- service teacher training and special education element should be included in all courses of initial teacher training. Ongoing professional development of teachers on inclusive education issues is also crucial. Teachers need to be provided with necessary skills to identify developmental delays and barriers to learning early. This study highlighted the importance of the establishment of the functional support structures, Institutional Level Support Team and District Based Support Team so that inclusive education is effectively managed in the education system. Provision of skills that will assist teachers to provide relevant support to learners who experience barriers to learning, lies on the existence of the support structures. The findings also revealed that schools or any other stakeholder cannot address barriers to learning in isolation. Linkages with Tertiary Institutions, Department of Health, Department of Social Development, Non-Governmental Organizations, parents/ caregivers and teacher unions need to be prioritized, in order to ensure that diverse needs of learners are met and barriers to learning and development are addressed. The positive response from the National Department of Education to the international initiatives for promoting single inclusive education system that is responsive to the diverse needs of all learners, resulted to the release of the White Paper 6 on Special Needs Education and Training: Building Inclusive Education and Training System in 2001. The need to close the gap between theory outlined in all the policies and guidelines that promote inclusive education and practice becomes evident in this study. The management of inclusive education in schools, therefore requires the School Management Team to facilitate, amongst other things, human resource development and establishment of the Institutional Level Support Team.

Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Health in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2009. / Objectives: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of amateur outdoor and indoor volleyball players in a KwaZulu-Natal North Coast region. Methods: The location of the study was the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast region, which includes two of its districts, viz, Tongaat (Indoor) and Kwa Dukuza (Outdoor). A total of 115 out of a possible 160 volleyball players participated in this study which comprised of 68 outdoor and 47 indoor players. The answering of the questionnaires was done on separate days for both the districts. On the allocated days, they were given a letter of information (Appendix B) to read and the questionnaires (Appendix C) to answer. Participation in the study was voluntary and consent was given by filling in the questionnaire. The researcher was present on this day to supervise and to collect the completed questionnaires immediately after the session was completed. Results: Out of a total of 115 participants, 79 (68.7%) of the participants sustained an injury due to volleyball. According to results found in this study, the knee, ankle and shoulder were the most frequently injured sites. 79 Participants reported to have sustained an injury, 67 participants reported to have a present injury and 60 participants reported a worst injury. The knee was found to be the most injured site in both the outdoor and indoor participants, followed by the ankle. The results in this study show that the use of protective gear can help minimise injury rates. 6 Conclusion: The prevalence and risk factors of amateur outdoor and indoor volleyball players in a KwaZulu-Natal North Coast region has been discussed in this study. With regards of number of injuries, the results have shown that there is no significant difference between outdoor and indoor volleyball players. In terms of the site of injuries, the lower limb was affected the most in comparison to the rest of the body. Results in this study have shown that outdoor players sustained more knee injuries whilst indoor players showed a high number of ankle injuries.

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Business Administration (MBA), Business Studies Unit, Durban University of Technology, 2008 / The pharmaceutical industry is in the midst of a fundamental transformation. Time and cost constraints are forcing marketers to search for new ways to maintain and grow brand awareness. The amount of time that doctors allow for representatives to market their products is becoming less and less and as a result products are not getting the exposure they used to. Organisations that find innovative ways to maintain exposure of their products may gain a competitive advantage over those organisations that rely on traditional marketing methods. The prolific increase in the use of the internet may provide pharmaceutical organisations with a complementary channel to market their products. The objective of this study is to determine the levels of internet technology adoption among general practitioners. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) is one of the most influential research models in studies of the determinants of information systems/ information technology (IS/IT) acceptance. In TAM, perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use are hypothesised and empirically supported as fundamental determinants of user acceptance of a given IS/IT. Using TAM, this study sets out to determine general practitioners’ intention to use the internet as a source of pharmaceutical information. The literature review provides an extensive evaluation on the development of TAM and its application in different technologies. Based on these findings, the researcher developed this study to investigate internet technology acceptance in the pharmaceutical industry. Use is made of the descriptive survey method and data is retrieved from a sample of 105 general practitioners in Kwazulu-Natal. The observation is made via the benefit of a questionnaire. The process of sampling is that of convenient sampling. The analysis is quantitative and makes use of statistical analysis appropriate for the data. Analysis of the survey results produces useful insights into the factors influencing internet technology adoption by general practitioners. When analysing the independent variables, respondents were not in strong agreement about the perceived usefulness nor the perceived ease of use of internet technology as a source of pharmaceutical information. However, positive results from the relationships between the independent (perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use) and dependent variables (attitude and intention to use) provide valuable data with which organisations may develop internet-based marketing strategies. Based on the survey findings, recommendations using the Beynon-Davies (2004) Internet Adoption Model are suggested.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Since the first democratic elections in 1994, the emphasis in corporate and public life has been on transforming practices previously advocated by the apartheid government. As the service provider to the public there has been significant emphasis placed on the major sectors such as health and education. In addition to policy documents which focus specifically on health service delivery and the transformation envisaged, policy has also extended to transforming service delivery in all sectors of government. In designing policy for the transformation initiative little if any attention has been paid to the particular needs of the health sector as a whole and the public health sector in KwaZulu-Natal. Research conducted revealed that most employees were unaware of the results required in order to effect transformation within the public health sector of KwaZulu-Natal. To effect change and transformation, an internal marketing strategy and plan had to be designed. This strategy and plan would align the activities of each and every employee to the vision, mission and values of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health. The plan seeks to address issues such as performance management, communications, control, and budgeting considerations in order to market transformation to the 52 000 employees of the Department who serve the health needs of 26 percent of the country's population. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Sedert die eerste demokratiese verkiesing in 1994 val die klem in beide die korporatiewe en publieke sektore op die transformasie van gebruike/praktyke wat voorheen deur die apartheidsregering onderskryf is. As openbare diensverskaffer is daar aansienlike klem geplaas op sekere hoofsektore soos gesondheid en onderwys. Bo en behalwe beleidsdokumente wat spesifiek fokus op dienslewering en die beoogde veranderings in gesondheid, is beleid ook uitgebrei om verandering in dienslewering in alle regeringsektore in te sluit. In die ontwikkeling van beleid vir die transformasie inisiatief, is weinig of geen aandag geskenk aan die spesifieke behoeftes van die gesondheidsektor in die algemeen en spesifiek die openbare gesondheidsektor in KwaZulu-Natal. Navorsing bevind dat die meeste amptenare onbewus is van welke resultate nodig is om transformasie in die openbare gesondheidsektor in KwaZulu-Natal te verseker. Ten einde verandering en transformasie te laat plaasvind, was dit nodig om 'n interne bemarkingstrategie en-plan te ontwerp. Hierdie strategie en plan sal die aktiwiteite van elke amptenaar fokus op die visie, missie en waardes van die Departement van Gesondheid van KwaZulu-Natal. Die plan poog om aangeleenthede soos prestasie-bestuur, kommunikasie, kontrole en begrotingsimplikasies aan te spreek en sodoende die transformasieproses te bemark aan die 52 000 werknemers van 'n Departement wat die gesondheidsbehoeftes van 26 persent van die land se bevolking bedien.

Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of Master's Degree in Technology: Tourism and Hospitality, Durban University of Technology, 2010. / Tourism is playing an increasingly important role in the local national economy. The outstanding beauty of the northern Drakensberg is a prime tourist attraction in KwaZulu-Natal, attracting a regular flow of tourists throughout the year (Drakensberg Tourism, 2007). The primary objective of this research is to investigate whether the benefits of tourism that are supposed to be reaped by the local community of Bergville, exist. If so, what are these benefits? There might be people from the local community, who are working within the tourism sector, but what are the types of jobs that they do, their level of job-satisfaction, and the extent to which they are able to earn a living from employment within the tourism sector? Do they have the necessary skills and training to allow them to make a successful career within sector? The White Paper on the Development and Promotion of Tourism (DEAT, 1996), states that with any tourism development in the local communities, local people should be involved in the decision making. They should be trained if they lack the necessary skills required to participate in that development. All these issues are relevant to Bergville as the region has a lot of tourism development, and it is a place that integrates tourism and conservation. The results and conclusions of this study are based on a sample of 307 members of the Bergville local community and 15 local tourism establishments including hotels, Bed and Breakfasts and community tourism organisations. The results suggest that tourism has a greater potential for job creation in the area, that the local community lack the requisite skills and understanding to fully reap the benefits that tourism can bring to their community and that the local tourism authority is not carrying out its mandate to support tourism in Bergville. Policy recommendations include greater collaboration amongst the community, the local tourism authorities and the private sector to promote Bergville as a prime tourism destination in the Drakensberg. / M

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: After the dismantling of apartheid in South Africa, the transformation of the entire education system began with a plethora of new policies introduced by the Department of National Education (DNE). Among these, under the title of Curriculum 2005, the DNE introduced an outcomes-based education (OBE) curriculum for schools. Before the planned implementation of OBE in the Senior Phase of the General Education and Training (GET) band, the DNE decided to conduct a pilot programme at the beginning of 1999. The intention of the programme, among others, was to test the practical implementation of the new curriculum policy. However, this programme was aborted by the DNE in March 200 I. There has been no review of the programme since it was suspended. The aim of this study is to document the experiences of educators in an OBE pilot programme in a single school. This study is significant because it sheds light on realities faced by schools with the practical implementation of curriculum policy. The data generated from the study might therefore be useful to the broad education community. The findings of the study suggest that the shift from policy into practice is not a simple process. The educators interviewed in the study indicated that they were faced with many obstacles and challenges such as large class sizes, lack of resources and inadequate training and support that impeded the implementation of OBE. They became "frustrated" and were "relieved" when the programme was aborted. These difficulties suggest that contextual realities need to be considered in the development of curriculum policy. In addition, in order to translate policy into practice key aspects of curriculum, i.e. curriculum development, learning materials and training, must be fully in place and in alignment. The decision to follow an OBE model was made by the DNE with little participation by the broader education community. However, it is apparent that the DNE cannot achieve success on its own. Since OBE is likely to remain with us for a very long time, this study concludes with recommendations for the successful implementation of OBE. The recommendations are made on the assumption that there is a need for full participation of all stakeholders to bridge the 'gaps' between policy-making and policy implementation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die aftakeling van apartheid in Suid-Afrika het gepaard gegaan met 'n proses van transformasie in die onderwys. Dit het tot die gevolg gehad dat 'n hele aantal beleidsdokumente die lig gesien het, ev.: die Uitkoms- gebaseerde onderwys (UGO) model het in skole onder die vaandel van Kurrikulum 2005 verskyn. Voor die beplande implementering van UGO in die Senior fase van die Algemene Opvoeding en Opleidings (GET) band/ fase, het die Departement van Nasionale Onderwys (DNO) besluit om 'n loodsprogram aan die begin van 1999 in werking te stel. Die doel van die program was, onder andere, om die praktiese implementering van die nuwe kurrikulumbeleid uit te toets. Hierdie program is egter deur die DNO in Maart 2001 beeindig. Tot dusver is die program nie heroorweeg nie. Die doel van hierdie studie is om die ervarings van opvoeders in 'n UGO loodsprogram in 'n enkele skool te dokumenteer. Die studie is betekenisvol aangesien dit lig werp op die werklike uitdagings wat die skole in die gesig staar, met die praktiese implementering van kurrikulumbeleid. Die data wat tydens die studie geproduseer is, mag dus betekenisvol vir die onderwys gemeenskap wees. Die bevindinge van die studie dui daarop dat die proses van transformasie vanaf beleid na praktyk 'n gekompliseerde proses is. Die betrokke opvoeders met wie daar onderhoude gevoer is, het die volgende struikelblokke aangedui: groot getalle leerders in die klas, 'n gebrek aan hulpbronne, en ontoereikende opleiding en ondersteuning met die implementering van UGO. Van die opvoeders was gefrusteerd en was verlig toe die program misluk het. Hierdie uitdagings bring mee dat gekontekstualiseerde werklikhede in ag geneem moet word wanneer kurrikulumbeleid ontwikkel word. Om beleid in praktyk te implementer, vereis dat sleutelaspekte soos kurrikulumontwikkeling, leermateriaal en opleiding ten volle in plek wees. Die besluit om 'n UGO model te implementer was 'n eensydige besluit van die DNO sonder veel deelname van die breë onderwysgemeenskap. Dit is duidelik dat die DNO nie sukses op sy eie kan behaal nie. UGO is tans 'n realiteit wat waarskynlik nog 'n lank- deel van die stelsel gaan wees. Hierdie studie maak aanbevelings wat moontlik tot meer suksesvolle implementering van UGO kan lei. Die aanbevelings berus op die aanname dat daar 'n behoefte is aan ten volle deelname deur alle rolspelers ten einde die gaping tussen beleidsmaking en praktiese implementering te oorbrug.

Submitted in full requirement for the Degree Masters in Technology: Marketing, Technikon Natal, 2000. / It has been largely accepted that Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) are principal driving forces in economic development (UN-ECE, 1999; Istomina, 1998; Lalkaka, 1996). However, many small, medium and micro enterprises are constrained by an array of problems such as a lack of access to finance, training services and physical infrastructure. Also, small, medium and micro enterprises are forced to operate in highly competitive environments and transition economies and this limits the ability of small, medium and micro enterprises and even large organisations to operate successfully and efficiently. Consequently, a strategy focused on inter-firm linkages and collaboration could alleviate the problems faced by small, medium and micro enterprises. Research indicates that inter-firm linkages or clustering can lead to the emergence of collective efficiency, which facilitates the industrialisation of SMMEs and has the potential of contributing to economic development (Schmitz, 1995). A cluster would involve interaction between enterprises or networks of enterprises that produce identical or similar products. These linkages create 'collective efficiency' which is critical in sustaining a competitive edge. The ability of small, medium and micro enterprises to maintain this competitive edge will ensure greater success and opportunities for specialisation and differantion. / M

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Management, University of Witwatersrand, in 50% fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Management in the field of Public Policy June 2017 / Successfully translating policy intentions to desired policy outputs has been identified as a challenge that most developing countries and emerging democracies are faced with. In the early 1970s theorists and researchers realised that in part the problem is not paying enough attention to policy implementation. As a result, more research effort was put into understanding policy implementation and what factors contribute towards or impede a successful implementation of policies. This research is aimed at exploring the factors that contribute to successful implementation of policies in South African Local Government. Focus has been put on institutional provisions that are put in place by these local government institutions to support the implementation of policies. The policy used for the purposes of this study is the National Policy Framework on Public Participation (NPFPP) and the area of focus is the Ugu District. The study followed the qualitative method and nineteen (19) in-depth interviews were held with members of government, civil society and community members and representatives. Municipal documents were analysed for purposes of validating information received from interviews. The study found that there are structural and systemic challenges that contribute to low levels of success in implementing the NPFPP in the Ugu district. This is mainly due to the fact that there are inadequate and ineffective provisions for public participation in the district. Issues identified include lack of capacity within municipalities, both in terms of understanding policy requirements and the number of staff available to implement the policy. Furthermore, there was no perceived involvement of all the strategic units within the municipality to implement the policy. The external structures put in place by the municipalities in accordance with the provisions of the policy, that is, ward committees and IDP processes, proved inadequate and ineffective. The study also found that communities were unaware of their right and responsibility to participate in municipal matters. However, willingness and eagerness to work with the municipalities was displayed by both communities and civil society organizations. The study concluded by making recommendations for implementation of the NPFPP in local government generally and also recommendations for the specific area of interest. / MT 2017