As biofuels were growing in importance, Jatropha curcas has been widely promoted as the best suitable source for biodiesel that can be exploited by developing countries .Whilst there were fears that this development may threaten food security and put a strain on other natural resources there was a view that if well managed, the activity may spur rural economic growth thereby reducing poverty and unemployment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact that growing Jatropha curcas for supplying the biodiesel industry has made on the livelihoods of the households that were involved within the community of Mpaka in Swaziland. The target respondents were all the farmers that had an agreement with D1 Oils Swaziland and actually planted Jatropha curcas based on the Sustainable Livelihoods framework and using qualitative techniques data were collected using documentation, semi-structured interviews, focus group discussion, and some observation. Content analysis was then carried out to document the history of growing Jatropha curcas in Swaziland; map out the vulnerability context for the community of Mpaka; identify the range of assets that create the different livelihood strategies for the different households; determine the effect of policies and institutional conditions; and describe what the stakeholder’s view of growing Jatropha curcas is. The findings of the study revealed that growing Jatropha curcas greatly reduced the households’ vulnerability to drought, crops being browsed by livestock and high cost of farming inputs. However the study also revealed that the activity did not yield the desired outcome of income generation as the project did not continue due to bad publicity coupled with a poor policy environment and lack of coordination between and within government ministries and departments. Whilst it can be concluded that that the activity had a negative impact on the households involved it showed a great potential provided government through the relevant ministries and departments creates an enabling environment of proper policies and institutions and by involving all stakeholders at the right time. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.

This study has endeavored to find out socio-cultural factors that influence gender injustices with special focus on sexual and health reproductive rights of women in Swaziland community. It has further examined the extent to which Church Forum as ecumenical instrument has addressed these issues of concern. It has been argued that gender injustice in Swaziland is a result of multifaceted factors. In the first place, the model of governance stands at the apex in championing gender injustice while perpetuating the violation of women sexual and health reproductive rights. It has been found that Swaziland community has embraced a hybrid of both Western and traditional features of governance where the preeminence of the traditional element has been evident. Patriarchal dominance is the second another contributing factor to the plights of women’s gender injustice on issues of sexual and health reproductive rights. This has been compounded by polygamous marriage which is overwhelmingly evident and which is honored, respected and cherished throughout the community. Coupled with absolute poverty, a third factor, these are the critical factors that have significantly contributed to promoting gender injustice forcing most women to engage into a risk unhealthy sexual and reproductive behavior. The Church Forum, which stands as ecumenical instrument has made an intense attempt in addressing issues that affect the entire community of Swaziland, particularly women’s concern. However, this study has revealed that the church engagement has been narrowly limited to HIV and AIDS and food security. It is due to this deficiency of the church engagement into the broader perspective of gender inequalities, unhealthy women’s sexual and reproductive rights have persisted. In this regard, the study has suggested that the ecumenical body in Swaziland should take a more holistic life-affirming approach in order to address women’s gender concerns comprehensively. Such approach must begin with a re-envisioning ecumenical commitment while incorporating aspects of radical feminist approach in order to foster life-enhancing change in Swaziland Community, especially women sexual and health reproductive rights. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2014.

The aim of this study was to describe the knowledge and attitudes of college students of the Manzini Nazarene Teacher Training College with regard to HIV/AIDS. The aim was to identify risky sexual practices of the college students as well, which may require redress in order to enhance their effectiveness in combating the spread of HIV.

This thesis investigates aspects of the diversity, abundance and biology of the fish species inhabiting Mnjoli Dam, an irrigation dam that is located in the rural lowveld region of Swaziland. Specific objectives for this thesis were: to determine the fish species present and select three principal species based on their abundance; to investigate the relative abundance and distribution of the three selected species; and to describe key population parameters, such as growth, maturity, reproductive seasonality and mortality. The three dominant species were selected on their fisheries potential. These were Marcusenius pongolensis, Oreochromis mossambicus and Schilbe intermedius. Marcusenius pongolensis was the most abundant species in terms of both catch per unit effort and mass. Catch rates were shown to vary according to habitat type. Age and growth parameters were obtained from sectioned otoliths. Marginal zone analysis showed that annulus formation occurred in winter for all three species. The maximum-recorded ages were 8, 6 and 8 for M. pongolensis, O. mossambicus and S. intermedius, respectively. Growth for the three species was best described by the three parameter von Bertalanffy growth model as Lt = 1.88.67(1- exp⁻¹·⁴⁸⁽t⁺°·⁶⁷⁾) mm FL for M. pongolensis; Lt = 226.83(1- exp⁻°·⁴⁽t⁺²·°²⁾) mm TL for O. mossambicus and Lt = 214.59(1- exp⁻°·⁶°⁽t⁺¹·²°⁾) mm FL for S. intermedius. Sexual maturity was estimated for male and female M. pongolensis at 134 mm FL and 119 mm FL, respectively. Oreochromis mossambicus matured at 239 mm TL and S. intermedius at 205 mm FL. Two spawning peaks for M. pongolensis and S. intermedius were observed, one at the onset of summer (November) and the second at the beginning of autumn (February-March). Oreochromis mossambicus also exhibited two spawning peaks, one in spring (September) and the second in autumn (February –March). Mean mortality rate (Z), estimated using catch curve analysis was 0.77 year⁻¹ for M. pongolensis, 0.49 year⁻¹ for O. mossambicus and 0.79 year⁻¹ for S. intermedius. Natural mortality was assumed to be equal to Z since there is no fishery activity at the dam. Size specific selectivity curves were developed for each species. Of all the mesh sizes used, the 44 mm mesh size net had the highest catch rates in terms of numbers for M. pongolensis and S. intermedius. The 75mm mesh caught the highest catch rates for O. mossambicus. . The 44mm and 75 mm meshes seem to be the most suitable mesh sizes for harvesting the candidate species. It is concluded that no commercial fishery should be established on the dam, yet a small subsistence fishery could be a possible option. Management options such as input controls, open and closed seasons and areas and minimum sizes are discussed.

No abstract available / Development Studies / M.A. (Development Studies) / (M. A. (Development Studies))

The aim of this study was to find out how praxis is fostered in professional development processes, through the assignment four of the Rhodes University / Swaziland Participatory course in Environmental Education (referred to as the Swaziland course), in the Swaziland context. The research aimed at exploring instances of praxis in assignment four development processes and in implementing the assignment ‘product’ in the field of participants’ practice at their schools. The research is intended to improve practice in professional development in the Swaziland course, and in the SADC region more broadly, although the case study does not assume generalisability. The study employed a naturalistic research methodology, involving the development of an interpretive case study to aid understanding of social phenomena in the natural setting. It is influenced by the belief that knowledge is socially constructed and the assumption that meanings are generated and shared through language. The research methods involved observing interactions in the course processes during tutorials sessions and I compiled a course processes profile. I also analyzed copies of assignment four products of two course participants, and observed them using their assignment ‘products’ in their workplaces. Using this data, I generated two ‘constructions’ of the two course participants’ experiences of praxis-based assignment work in the Swaziland course. I also interviewed two course tutors. Data was analysed with an intention to understand actions and interactions relating to praxis-based assignment work. Two ‘layers’ of data analysis were undertaken, to deepen understanding of the phenomenon studied. Through this research I have learnt that though assignment processes enable praxis basedlearning, there are problems encountered in participants’ field of practice due to power relations and participants articulation of the relationship between theory and practice. These, and other structural factors impinge on reflexive agency in the context of both educational and environmental praxis. The structures in the school system frustrate reflexive agency in environmental teaching and learning, and socio-political and socio-economic structures also constrain environmental praxis, hence false consciousness prevails. Given the above situation I recommend further research into the relationship between environmental and educational praxis in environmental education and further research into reflexive agency in environmental education contexts.

M.Cur. (Nursing Education) / The competence of the newly qualified comprehensive diploma nurses has been a cause for concern to professional nurses in Swaziland. Once the diploma graduate nurses are deployed in the clinical health facilities, they tend not to display the expected competence when providing care to patients. This compromises the quality of care given to patients. The purpose of the study is to explore and describe the expectations of professional nurses regarding the competence of the newly qualified comprehensive diploma nurses in Swaziland rural clinical health facilities, in order to formulate strategies to improve their competence and subsequently improve nursing practice in general. A contextual, qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive research design was employed to explore the expectations of professional nurses regarding the competence of the newly qualified comprehensive diploma nurses in the Swaziland rural clinical facilities, thereby formulating strategies to improve practice. A purposive sampling method was used to select professional nurses in the rural clinical facilities of Swaziland who meet the inclusion criteria. The data was collected through focus group interviews. The focus group interviews were directed by the research questions. Data was analysed using the open coding qualitative method of data analysis as described by Tesch (in Creswell, 2007: 154 – 156). This method of data analysis was applied to reduce data from interview transcriptions into themes and categories. Trustworthiness was ensured by using the four criteria described by Lincoln and Guba’s model (1985), namely: credibility; transferability; dependability; and confirmability. Ethical considerations were in accordance with the Faculty of Health Science Committee for Academic Ethics (2005). The researcher obtained approval to conduct the study from the University Higher Degree and Ethics Committee, Scientific and Ethics Committee in Swaziland.

Although Swazi women's contribution to national development has been phenomenal, they like any other women in patriarchal societies confront an overbearing situation in which they have been regarded and treated as minors, both in the family and most spheres of public life. This has largely been due to the social construction of gender. Traditional gender-based attitudes, deeply ingrained in the people's mind set, not infrequently, have limited women's access to and control of various aspects of public life, and impinge on their rights, most especially the rights to selfdetermination and equal participation in the decision making process. Coupled with religion which influences "the deepest level of what it means to be human" (King, 1994:4) and zealous cultural conservatism, the Swazi women, with a few notable exceptions, experience an asymmetry of power due to the pervasive nature of gender. Nonetheless, the history of Swaziland bears testimony, however muted, to a legacy ofwomen's struggles to overcome gendered conditions imposed upon them either by taking full advantage of their spiritual endowment and charisma to overcome attitudinal barriers or by organising themselves into groups to work for the social transformation of their conditions and status. This study examines the Swazi women's search for gender equality. It discusses the social and cultural context of gender in Swaziland, the various moments in the Swazi women's quest for equality and its manifestations, and the push and pull effect of religion and culture. Particular attention is given to four organisations, namely Lutsango lwakaNgwane (loosely referred to as women's regiments), the Council of Swaziland Churches, the Women's Resource Centre (Umtapo waBomake) and Swaziland Action Group Against Abuse (SWAGAA). The study shows that Swazi women have, across a passage of time, adopted different strategies, including ritual, economic empowerment and creation of new knowledge through promotion of gender awareness and social advocacy either in a womanist approach that accepts women's embeddedness in Swazi culture or in the liberal feminist tradition that espouses women's individual rights. However, the study shows that the women's movement has yet to reach the critical mass level so as to influence public policy and come to terms with the deconstruction of the dominant gender ideology. / Religious Studies and Arabic / D. Litt. et Phil. (Religious Studies)

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the health education for clients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus by nurses working in the diabetes clinic of the specific hospital. The quantitative descriptive cross sectional design used two questionnaires to collect data from all 20 nurses working in the diabetes clinic and from a convenient sample of 132 clients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, making use of the health services at the diabetes clinic of the hospital. Data was analysed by a computer program, statistical package for social science (SPSS). Measures were taken to ensure acceptable ethical practice, validity and reliability of the study. Findings revealed the absence of official documents to guide the health education and other factors, such as not knowing the learning needs of the clients, not utilising teaching methods optimally. Recommendations address the development of standard procedures, lesson plans, recording of health education sessions and education skills development for the nurses. / Health Studies / M. A. (Nursing Science)

Thesis (MTech. degree in Architecture (Professional))--Tshwane University of Technology, 2011. / The thesis emcompasses the design of an interpretive and research centre in the Mvembili area, Swaziland. The centre will have a multifaceted function as it will include the following: a landmark gateway, museum and tourist centre, and a limited research facility for the water and flora of the immediate region. The thesis seeks to give the structure a symbolic and poetic quality which will interpret the cultural and natural aspects of the environment and people and subsequently provide meaning to visitors. It will also acknowledge the beauty of the natural surroundings through the building's form and use of material and technology.