Debarking of Acacia mearnsii in South Africa has been conducted using mainly manual systems. Labour shortages and reliability of these systems has caused interest in alternative systems that might be able to debark A. mearnsii. The aim of the research is to compare three mechanised debarking technologies used to debark A. mearnsii. Research trials were conducted on the Demuth, Hyena and Hypro debarkers that would form part of semi-mechanised harvesting systems. The debarking technologies were analysed and compared in terms of productivity per productive machine hour (PMH), debarking quality, system costs and the quality of the bark that was produced. Furthermore, the effect that tree volume, strippability and form have on each of the debarking technologies was determined. The debarking technologies were affected by each of the factors researched. Decreasing tree form had a negative effect on the productivity of each of the technologies. An increase in strippability class (strengthening wood-bark bond strength) caused a decrease in the productivity of each of the machines. An increasing tree volume had a positive effect on the productivity for the three debarking technologies. After the debarking had taken place, samples of bark were analysed at a laboratory to determine if it was acceptable for the processing facilities. Each of the debarking technologies produced bark of varying dimensions, but they were all found to be acceptable. The system costs of the three debarking technologies were compared to a manual system cost at tree volumes of 0.1m³, 0.15m³ and 0.2m³. The Demuth debarker had the best system cost for a tree size of 0.1m³, while the manual system was best for tree volumes 0.15m³ and 0.2m³. The Demuth, Hyena and manual system costs were very similar for each of the tree volumes, with the Hypro being a little higher.

M.A. / Squatter settlements have mushroomed all over South Africa. The Government no longer can turn the blind eye on this phenomenon. There is an urgent need to develop policy to deal with this matter and also to intervene in a manner that is not only going to control the problem but also bring satisfaction to all the parties involved. This study was undertaken to, investigate the needs of communities in squatter settlements. This study was based on literature and research from South Africa and KwaZulu-Natal. The respondents of the study were people who are involved with settlements, Community leaders, Social workers and Community Workers. Qualitative design of exploratory nature was conducted. Thirteen people participated in focus groups. Three focus group interviews were conducted. The sample was representative of the population under study. One limitation was that some interviews were conducted in Zulu and later translated into English, which might have resulted in a loss of meaning in some instances since there are some Zulu words that do not exist in English. The results showed that most of the needs of squatter settlements are basic. Valuable results emerged as how those needs can be met, to the satisfaction of the communities. Conclusions and recommendations for further research were discussed according to results from the study.

Submitted in fidfillment of the requirements for the degree DOCTORATE OF EDUCATION in the Department of Educational Psychology of the Faculty of Education at the University of Zululand, 2006. / The aim of this investigation was to establish educators' perceptions of developmental appraisal by means of a literature study and an empirical investigation. As an introduction to the study, the developmental appraisal system in other countries was reviewed. In doing so the South African developmental appraisal system was compared with other countries, and the common characteristics were highlighted. Educators* perceptions of developmental appraisal in other countries were also focused on. The literature review reflects that there has been a paradigm shift in teacher evaluation from a judgmental approach to a developmental approach. In the judgmental approach there is a tendency to find fault, to be negative in reports that are written and not to acknowledge the positive things that educators do. The main aim of the developmental appraisal is to facilitate the personal and professional development of educators in order to improve the quality of teaching practice and education management. The primary aim of this investigation was to investigate educators' perceptions of developmental appraisal through the medium of literature and empirical study. The implementation of developmental appraisal, appraisal and staff development and the integrated quality management system were investigated using the literature and empirical study. The study revealed that educators have a negative perception of developmental appraisal. For the purpose of the empirical investigation, a self-structured questionnaire was utilized. An analysis was undertaken using 217 questionnaires completed by educators in the eThekwini Region- The data obtained from the completed questionnaires was processed and analysed by means of descriptive and inferential statistics. Essentially the following were the main research findings: XXll • the process of developmental appraisal did not contribute to the development of educators; • outside assessors were not invited when needed; • the rating scale of A or B was not adequate; • appraisal of educators did not result in improvement of qualifications; • the quality management initiatives resulted in an unnecessary increase in educator's workload; and • a better working relationship between the staff development team and the school management team was encouraged. The summary and findings emanating from the literature study and the descriptive and inferential statistics were presented. Based on these findings the following recommendations were made: • The Department of Education must re-introduce incentives and rewards for further study. • The inclusion of an appraisee from the outside on the appraisal panel should be made compulsory. • The Department of Education, teacher unions, principal's forum and other educational organizations must convene seminars, workshops and training programmes for appraisal panel members. • Further research should be conducted on the following: > The changing role of the educator and its impact on developmental appraisal. > The success of developmental appraisal based on the staff development team's leadership style. > Educators' perceptions of what role developmental appraisal serves in the integrated quality management system.

Submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Communication Science at the University of Zululand, 2005. / This is a dissertation presented on the development of e-education in KwaZulu-Natal, beginning with the dawn of the e-education process, covering its development and rate of penetration in previously disadvantaged rural, urban and township areas. The study investigates the problem of applying Information Communication Technologies (ICTs1) in education in the context of KwaZulu-Natal. The first part of the study reviews theories and literature relevant to understanding and defining e-education and the nature and scope of e-education worldwide. Subsequent chapters describe the construction of a survey instrument employed to measure and evaluate the extent of e-education in KwaZulu Natal, and the findings of the survey. Penultimate chapters blend the insights gained from this literature review to interpret the results, obtained through the quantitative research methodology, to describe a set of conclusions and recommendations in the context of applying Information Communication Technologies in the formal learning environment in KwaZulu-Natal.

The purpose of this study was to describe the perceptions of the bridging programme graduates regarding their preparedness to manage a nursing unit .Quantitative; descriptive survey design was used with a structured questionnaire as data collection instrument. The sample included 58 bridging programme graduates who had completed their training at a private nursing school and was working at seven private hospitals in KwaZulu Natal. The graduates reported competence in performing some but not all management competencies addressed by this survey. Some graduates reported they were placed in charge of the nursing unit, in spite of not feeling competent, as early as in their first month. Recommendations with regard to nursing education, nursing practice and further research, specifically relating to improvement of management competencies for new graduates, were made / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

This study arises from a preliminary environmental impact assessment of a proposal by the Natal Parks Board to develop a 200 bed ecotourism facility at Cathedral Peak in the Natal Drakensberg Park. The author of this study was one of a team of five postgraduate students1 from the Department of Environmental and Geographical Science at the University of Cape Town, hereafter referred to as the Masters Group, commissioned to undertake this assessment by the Natal Parks Board (NPB) in January 1995. The preliminary environmental assessment included a scoping exercise to identify all Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs), as well as a socio-economic survey to identify potential positive and negative impacts of the proposed development on neighbouring communities. In addition, this social investigation served to identify opportunities for community involvement in the project, both in the construction and post-construction phases. The complete terms of reference for this preliminary environmental assessment are contained in Attachment 1.

A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Communication Science at the University of Zululand, 2003. / This study begins by investigating the development of cellular technology as within the overall convergence of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT's). The study briefly sketches its scope and extent in South Africa and the African continent. It examines the various communication functions of cellular technology and investigates the uses to which these functions are put, and examines the concept of praxis in this connection. As a case study, it examines the use of cellular phones by students at the main campus of the University of Zululand. A survey is carried out and comparisons to international and national trends of cellular phone usage are referred to, and students' attitudes towards its use by lecturers and administration are probed. In conclusion, recommendations are made concerning the use of cellular phones for communication purposes and for further research.

This is a historical study of AWG Champion, the former leader of the Industrial and Commercial Workers' Union (ICU) and provincial President of the African National Congress, in the politics of Zululand and Natal from 1965 to 1975. The study examines the introduction of the Zulu homeland and how different political forces in that region of South Africa responded to the idea of a Zulu homeland during the period under review. It also deals with Champion's political alienation from the ANC. This dissertation is also a study of the development of Zulu ethnic nationalism within the structures of apartheid or separate development, the homelands. Issues running throughout the study are the questions of how and why Champion tried and failed to manipulate `separate development' in order to build a Zulu ethnic political base. / History / M.A. (History)

Educator stress is a major problem worldwide. This study focuses on the role of the principal in the secondary school in providing support and assisting educators manage work-related stress, with particular reference to schools in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. The problem was investigated by means of a literature study and empirical investigation. The literature identified perspectives on educators' stress, the stress process of the educator and the principal, causes of work-related stress in educators and coping strategies. Furthermore, principals' leadership styles, theories of motivation and causes of principals' stress were discussed. A qualitative inquiry using focus group interviews was undertaken with a small sample of secondary school educators selected by purposeful sampling. Findings suggested that educator stress was caused by a lack of learner discipline; deterioration in educational standards; workload; policy changes; promotion procedures and the principal's leadership style. Based on the findings, recommendations were made for improvement of practice. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Education Management)

Since 1994 the South African government has implemented principles of equity, redress and social empowerment in broader society and in education. Consequently, corporal punishment was banned in schools and new methods of managing discipline were introduced. Moreover, decision-making power is decentralised to School Governing Bodies on which learner representatives serve in secondary schools. Thus, the latter are also involved in the management of discipline. This study explores the learners' role in the management of discipline in urban secondary schools in KwaZulu-Natal. Current perspectives on school discipline and an overview of the learners' role in discipline management in the South African context were provided. A qualitative investigation used interviews with learners and educators in selected schools to collect data. Findings suggest that learner involvement in discipline can be positive but lack of training and poor communication impede the full deployment of learners in this regard. Finally, recommendations for the improvement of practice are made. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Education Management)