The Upper Vaal Water Management Area (Upper Vaal WMA) lies in the eastern interior of South Africa. This WMA includes the Vaal, Klip, Wilge, Liebenbergsvlei and Mooi Rivers and extends to the confluence of the Mooi and Vaal Rivers. It also includes major dams such as the Vaal Dam, Grootdraai Dam and Sterkfontein Dam. The southern half of the WMA extends over the Free State province; the north-east mainly falls within Mpumalanga and the northern and western parts in Gauteng and North West provinces respectively (DWAF 2004). Several wastewater treatment works (WWTW) located in this area do not meet the standard set by the present legislation that addresses proper treatment of water. This results in number of problems that affect the quality of water in this catchment. It was noted by the WRC (2006b) that with the challenges of implementation in an environment of shared responsibility, it is increasingly recognised that public/government institutions must foster institutional cooperation and interaction for efficient provision of public services, both at the policy-strategy level and the operational-implementation level. According to WRC (2006b), poor cooperation between institutions in the implementation of their interrelated mandates has resulted in inefficient utilization of scarce resources and/or endless disputes. In order to address this shortcoming, a study that investigated the effects of cooperative governance in the Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) in the Upper Vaal Water Management Area was initiated. The results of the research indicate a lack of cooperation between the three spheres of governance that participate in the sustainable management of water treatment in this area. / Thesis (M. Environmental Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

The Upper Vaal Water Management Area (Upper Vaal WMA) lies in the eastern interior of South Africa. This WMA includes the Vaal, Klip, Wilge, Liebenbergsvlei and Mooi Rivers and extends to the confluence of the Mooi and Vaal Rivers. It also includes major dams such as the Vaal Dam, Grootdraai Dam and Sterkfontein Dam. The southern half of the WMA extends over the Free State province; the north-east mainly falls within Mpumalanga and the northern and western parts in Gauteng and North West provinces respectively (DWAF 2004). Several wastewater treatment works (WWTW) located in this area do not meet the standard set by the present legislation that addresses proper treatment of water. This results in number of problems that affect the quality of water in this catchment. It was noted by the WRC (2006b) that with the challenges of implementation in an environment of shared responsibility, it is increasingly recognised that public/government institutions must foster institutional cooperation and interaction for efficient provision of public services, both at the policy-strategy level and the operational-implementation level. According to WRC (2006b), poor cooperation between institutions in the implementation of their interrelated mandates has resulted in inefficient utilization of scarce resources and/or endless disputes. In order to address this shortcoming, a study that investigated the effects of cooperative governance in the Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) in the Upper Vaal Water Management Area was initiated. The results of the research indicate a lack of cooperation between the three spheres of governance that participate in the sustainable management of water treatment in this area. / Thesis (M. Environmental Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

In order to gain a better understanding of the position of women in the field of policing, it was necessary to study the attitudes of the policewomen, which presently exist with regard to the role of the woman in the South African Police Service. Although some studies have been done on policewomen world-wide, none have been done in the rural areas of the Vaalrand and this is where the research took place. Only women formed part of this survey. Detailed questions were asked concerning their role in policing. This was an empirical qualitative study. The research procedures as stipulated for a descriptive study were followed, as the main objective of the research was to describe the circumstances of women in the predominantly male environment of policing. A survey interview was drawn up, containing semi-structured in-depth questions regarding their recruitment, motivation for joining and job-related satisfaction and other issues including discrimination and domination by men. Qualitative methods were applied not only for data collection but also for data analysis. The coding consisted of conceptualising the raw data. Open coding was used in this qualitative research. The researcher read through all the collected data and then assigned initial codes to condense the mass of data collected. The following main issues were found: that discrimination still exists in the SAPS, as well as resentment, a lack of recognition, misunderstanding and unfulfilled challenges which relate to conflict being experienced. These respondents have aspirations in their work and aspire to better positions in the SAPS, as there have been major contributions by women in the police. They have also had an impact on policing, as they have become major role players in the field where victims are concerned. The presence of policewomen in the SAPS is an important asset to modern law enforcement and their present day role in policing should be explored and expanded. Qualified women could also be utilised in important staff service units such as planning and research, training, intelligence, inspection, public information, community relations, and as legal advisors instead of being utilised only in administrative work. Recommendations are made for further research on aspects highlighted by the findings. / Criminology / D.Litt. et Phil.(Criminology)

In order to gain a better understanding of the position of women in the field of policing, it was necessary to study the attitudes of the policewomen, which presently exist with regard to the role of the woman in the South African Police Service. Although some studies have been done on policewomen world-wide, none have been done in the rural areas of the Vaalrand and this is where the research took place. Only women formed part of this survey. Detailed questions were asked concerning their role in policing. This was an empirical qualitative study. The research procedures as stipulated for a descriptive study were followed, as the main objective of the research was to describe the circumstances of women in the predominantly male environment of policing. A survey interview was drawn up, containing semi-structured in-depth questions regarding their recruitment, motivation for joining and job-related satisfaction and other issues including discrimination and domination by men. Qualitative methods were applied not only for data collection but also for data analysis. The coding consisted of conceptualising the raw data. Open coding was used in this qualitative research. The researcher read through all the collected data and then assigned initial codes to condense the mass of data collected. The following main issues were found: that discrimination still exists in the SAPS, as well as resentment, a lack of recognition, misunderstanding and unfulfilled challenges which relate to conflict being experienced. These respondents have aspirations in their work and aspire to better positions in the SAPS, as there have been major contributions by women in the police. They have also had an impact on policing, as they have become major role players in the field where victims are concerned. The presence of policewomen in the SAPS is an important asset to modern law enforcement and their present day role in policing should be explored and expanded. Qualified women could also be utilised in important staff service units such as planning and research, training, intelligence, inspection, public information, community relations, and as legal advisors instead of being utilised only in administrative work. Recommendations are made for further research on aspects highlighted by the findings. / Criminology and Security Science / D.Litt. et Phil.(Criminology)

Summaries in English and Afrikaans / Text in Afrikaans / Die probleem van armoede is aangespreek deur middel van die groepwerkproses, waardeur mense sodanig bemagtig is dat die kringloop van armoede verbreek kon word. 'n Kwasi-eksperimentele navorsingsontwerp is gebruik met die groepwerkprogram as onafhanklike veranderlike en die algemene tevredenheid en graad van bemagtiging van die groeplede as die afhanklike veranderlikes. Slegs die voorondersoekgroep en twee eksperimentele groepe is aan die program onderwerp, maar nie die kontrolegroepe nie. n Voor- en natoets is deur aldie groeplede voltooi, om kwantitatiewe data te versamel. K walitatiewe data is versamel deur deelnemende waarneming en doelgeribte gesprekvoering. Die belangrikste verskil tussen die resultate van die eksperimentele groepe en die kontrolegroepe, was dat eersgenoemde tot aksie oorgegaan het terwyllaasgenoemde passief gebly het. Die gevolgtrekking kan dus gemaak word dat die groepwerkprogram wei tot die bemagtiging van die groeplede gelei het wat aan die program onderwerp was. Sleutelterme: Armoede, werkloosheid, haweloosheid, kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe navorsing, eksperimentele ontwerp, beskikbaarheidsteekproef, groepwerk, bemagtiging. / The problem of poverty was addressed through the group work process, in order to empower people so that the cycle of poverty could be broken. A quasi-experimental design was used with the group work programme as the independent variable and the general contentment and degree of empowerment of the group members as the dependent variables. Only the pilot study group and the two experimental groups were exposed to the programme, while the two control groups were not. Pre- and posttests were taken of all the group members to gather quantitative data. Qualitative data was gathered by means of participant observation and purposeful conversation. The most important difference between the different groups was that action was taken by the groups subjected to the programme, whereas the control groups remained passive. It can thus be concluded that the group work programme was instrumental in empowering those group members exposed to the programme. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Work)

Summaries in English and Afrikaans / Text in Afrikaans / Die probleem van armoede is aangespreek deur middel van die groepwerkproses, waardeur mense sodanig bemagtig is dat die kringloop van armoede verbreek kon word. 'n Kwasi-eksperimentele navorsingsontwerp is gebruik met die groepwerkprogram as onafhanklike veranderlike en die algemene tevredenheid en graad van bemagtiging van die groeplede as die afhanklike veranderlikes. Slegs die voorondersoekgroep en twee eksperimentele groepe is aan die program onderwerp, maar nie die kontrolegroepe nie. n Voor- en natoets is deur aldie groeplede voltooi, om kwantitatiewe data te versamel. K walitatiewe data is versamel deur deelnemende waarneming en doelgeribte gesprekvoering. Die belangrikste verskil tussen die resultate van die eksperimentele groepe en die kontrolegroepe, was dat eersgenoemde tot aksie oorgegaan het terwyllaasgenoemde passief gebly het. Die gevolgtrekking kan dus gemaak word dat die groepwerkprogram wei tot die bemagtiging van die groeplede gelei het wat aan die program onderwerp was. Sleutelterme: Armoede, werkloosheid, haweloosheid, kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe navorsing, eksperimentele ontwerp, beskikbaarheidsteekproef, groepwerk, bemagtiging. / The problem of poverty was addressed through the group work process, in order to empower people so that the cycle of poverty could be broken. A quasi-experimental design was used with the group work programme as the independent variable and the general contentment and degree of empowerment of the group members as the dependent variables. Only the pilot study group and the two experimental groups were exposed to the programme, while the two control groups were not. Pre- and posttests were taken of all the group members to gather quantitative data. Qualitative data was gathered by means of participant observation and purposeful conversation. The most important difference between the different groups was that action was taken by the groups subjected to the programme, whereas the control groups remained passive. It can thus be concluded that the group work programme was instrumental in empowering those group members exposed to the programme. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Work)

Understanding the sexual behaviour patterns that can place the adolescent at risk for the development of sexually transmitted diseases is crucial in the HIV I AIDS epidemic era. An explorative descriptive survey was conducted among adolescents in the age group 14 to 19 years attending sexually transmitted disease services in the Vaal Region clinics. The purpose of the study was to explore the sexual behaviours of the adolescents and the impact the life style health education programme had on their sexual practices. Of the 89 respondents who attended the sexually transmitted disease clinic more than half were found to be engaging in sexual intercourse on a weekly basis. The study further revealed that the adolescents lacked in-depth information on sex and sexuality and expressed the need for change in the implementation of the adolescent life style health education programme. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)

Breast cancer poses a serious public health concern. This case-control study describes the relationship of night-shift working on the development of breast cancer in 57 women diagnosed with breast cancer compared to 49 women with other types of cancer in the Vaal Triangle area (selected through non-probability purposive sampling from CANSA). The study revealed that women who work night-shift developed breast cancer 1.24 times more often than women who do not work nightshift (OR=1.24 [95% CI 0.52 to 2.89]). The odds ratio was further increased in women who worked rotating-shift (OR=1.44 [95% CI 0.58 to 3.59]). Night-shift work exposure was not statistically related to the development of breast cancer. It is recommended that the relationship between night-shift exposure and breast cancer risk be further explored through cross-sectional and cohort studies, and other breast cancer pathways. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

Breast cancer poses a serious public health concern. This case-control study describes the relationship of night-shift working on the development of breast cancer in 57 women diagnosed with breast cancer compared to 49 women with other types of cancer in the Vaal Triangle area (selected through non-probability purposive sampling from CANSA). The study revealed that women who work night-shift developed breast cancer 1.24 times more often than women who do not work nightshift (OR=1.24 [95% CI 0.52 to 2.89]). The odds ratio was further increased in women who worked rotating-shift (OR=1.44 [95% CI 0.58 to 3.59]). Night-shift work exposure was not statistically related to the development of breast cancer. It is recommended that the relationship between night-shift exposure and breast cancer risk be further explored through cross-sectional and cohort studies, and other breast cancer pathways. / Health Studies / M. A. (Public Health)

Understanding the sexual behaviour patterns that can place the adolescent at risk for the development of sexually transmitted diseases is crucial in the HIV I AIDS epidemic era. An explorative descriptive survey was conducted among adolescents in the age group 14 to 19 years attending sexually transmitted disease services in the Vaal Region clinics. The purpose of the study was to explore the sexual behaviours of the adolescents and the impact the life style health education programme had on their sexual practices. Of the 89 respondents who attended the sexually transmitted disease clinic more than half were found to be engaging in sexual intercourse on a weekly basis. The study further revealed that the adolescents lacked in-depth information on sex and sexuality and expressed the need for change in the implementation of the adolescent life style health education programme. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)