An Assessment of the Effectiveness of Water Quality Monitoring and Drinking Water Quality Compliance by Environmental Health Practitioners at Selected Metropolitan and District Municipalities in South Africa during 2013-2014

Access to safe drinking water is a basic right accorded to all people, and their well-being is critically dependent on both the quality of water and its availability, and how well these are managed. Water quality monitoring is an important activity for ensuring water supplied to the community is safe for human consumption. The legislation safeguarding the delivery of safe water has been evolving and implementation varies. Demand by communities for improvement in services places more pressure on the municipalities. The aim of the study is to assess the water quality compliance and explore the effectiveness of water quality monitoring by Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) in South Africa. The aim of the study is to assess the effectiveness of water quality monitoring and the water quality compliance rate in municipalities in the country. The specific objectives of the study: describe the water quality monitoring system by local municipalities in the country; assess the compliance rate of domestic water quality samples taken by EHPs per municipality; assess the staffing norm of EHPs per municipality in comparison to the population served; and establish the relationship between the results of water compliance rate and the number of EHPs per municipality. A retrospective qualitative and quantitative study was conducted of the water quality compliance rate using the District Health Information System (DHIS) data for the period 2010-2014, with the focus on the period 2013-2014. Detailed analysis was conducted on water quality compliance rate per municipality per month, EHPs staffing norm in municipalities per province, and the compliance rate of domestic water samples taken by EHPs per municipality. The compliance rate was compared to the number of EHPs and also to the population served. Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) was used to test for association of the water quality compliance rate and number of EHPs per Municipality. Data was also analysed on health outcomes, specifically the reports of acute diarrhoea outbreaks during the same year in the North West, KwaZuluNatal and Northern Cape provinces. The results reveal that water quality monitoring is not implemented effectively by most municipalities. The national microbiological compliance rate for the selected municipalities in 2013 to 2014 was at 88.8%, which is below the acceptable compliance standard (100%) in iii terms of SANS 241. It was also observed that the staffing status is not compliant with WHO norms: Mopani District Municipality in Limpopo has a shortage of 95%, and in Amajuba and Zululand District Municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal at 88%. Gaps in the routine data of the DHIS could not allow for a more comprehensive analysis of water quality compliance rate monitoring. Whereas the study has shown a weak positive association between the water quality compliance rate and the environmental health practitioner staffing rate in the municipalities, the Pearson's Coefficient Correlation test results were not statistically significant (R2 =0.0186). The regression line shows a slight positive relationship and the correlation coefficient is also positive. While, a variability may be perceived, it is not statistically obvious nor significant and maybe the result of inappropriate data in the DHIS, tools applied or a flawed assumption of a positive relationship between these two variables. The system exists to ensure a safe drinking water supply to communities. Gaps in legislation, formal guidelines and other contributing factors at different levels need to be addressed by various key stakeholders. As part of the water quality monitoring programme implementation by municipalities, there should be a strong emphasis on data management and communication amongst stakeholder including the Department of Health. Similarly, serious gaps in staffing for environmental health services (70%) need to be addressed to meet the WHO staffing norms. The following are recommended to strengthen water quality monitoring at municipal level: 1. There must be a strong policy to strengthen collaboration among key stakeholders on water provision services: water services authorities, environmental health services and the community to ensure effective and efficient service delivery. 2. Review legislation to harmonise functional powers between different ministries, including reviewing the powers of MECs responsible for health to support environmental health services at municipality level, and look at the roles and responsibilities of other relevant stakeholders. 3. EHPs should be more independent from municipal structures to allow for system that will function more efficiently without any hindrance. 4. The shortage of staff guided by the WHO Norm of 1: 10 000 EHPs per population needs to be addressed by municipalities. 5. Data management including reporting and communication should be strengthened at all levels

Understanding the Social Gifts of Drinking Rituals: An Alternative Framework for PSA Developers

Binge drinking behavior has been described as the most significant health hazard on college campuses today. Using definitions of ritual behavior drawn from the literature, the authors conducted focus groups, depth interviews, and participant observations to explore the ritualized nature of alcohol beverage consumption among college students at two large universities. The themes that emerged provide an understanding of the rituals associated with college student drinking. With the drinking-as-ritual interpretation as a theoretical framework, the authors discuss how developers of public service announcements (PSAs) could capture and contextualize drinking rituals and thus make PSAs more relevant to the target audience. They provide examples of PSAs that could be tested

The development of Environmental Salvage and the 1989 Salvage Convention: the proposed amendments to the 1989 Convention and the issues regarding the assessment of Environmental Salvage Awards.

Master of Laws in Maritime Law. University of KwaZulu-Natal. Durban, 2017.The International Salvage Union (ISU) believes that it is time to reconsider its provisions and amend the 1989 Salvage Convention to create a separate and distinct environmental salvage award. ISU is of the opinion that the present systems under the 1989 Salvage Convention and SCOPIC do not provide proper recognition of the salvor’s efforts in protecting the environment. For a long time, salvage was concerned with the principle of no cure no pay. In order to overcome this the 1989 Convention introduced the salvor’s skill and effort to minimize or prevent damage to the environment as a criteria for fixing rewards in terms of Article 13; and Article 14 which allows for a special compensation to be paid even where no property was saved provided there were efforts to protect the environment. Due to difficulties with Article 14 SCOPIC was introduced, which is a clause that can be incorporated under the LOF. This dissertation will critically analyze the ISU’s proposed amendments of the 1989 Salvage Convention and to consider whether this should be incorporated into the South African Wreck and Salvage Act, 1996

Land and water use rights in smallholder farming : impacts on productive use of irrigation water and entrepreneurial spirit in KwaZulu-Natal.

Master of Science in Agricultural Economics. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2017.The increasing pressure on land and water resources in developing countries due to population growth has led to the need for improvement of the regulations that control the use of these scarce resources. However, the impact of those regulations and institutional issues therein are little understood, especially in the communal rural areas of South Africa. Recently, entrepreneurship has come to be recognized as a major engine for job creation and economic development in countries around the world. The South African 2012 National Development Plan suggests that agricultural development needs to be based on successful land reform, employment generation through establishment and expansion of agri-businesses, and ensuring strong environmental safeguards. Yet, policy makers have very little information on how the policies they develop and adopt affect smallholder farmers’ entrepreneurial spirit. Moreover, very little is understood about whether smallholder farmers are interested in expanding their farming operations or not and if so, what factors influence their willingness and ability to expand. Not much research has empirically analyzed the impact of land use rights and water use rights on the productive use of irrigation water and entrepreneurial spirit of smallholder farmers. Previous studies have mainly focused on the impact of land tenure systems on agriculture investment. This study differs as it classifies customary land tenure system to identify which of the bundle rights have a significant impact on the productive use of irrigation water and entrepreneurial spirit, while taking into account water use rights which have not been accounted for in those studies. Moreover, no research has empirically analyzed the factors that influence the willingness and ability of smallholder farmers to expand their farming operations. Yet, government has been making efforts in trying to move smallholder farmers into commercial farming by expanding existing irrigation schemes and creating new ones. The study was conducted in three areas, namely, Msinga, Nongoma and Jozini. The data was collected from 242 smallholder farmers using a combination of purposive and stratified random sampling methods. The study purposively selected farmers who are engaged in food crop farming to allow for comparison across different smallholder farmers. A stratified random sampling technique was then employed to select the respondents. Households were categorized into four strata: scheme irrigators (166), non-irrigators (23), community gardeners (27) and home gardeners (26). The study made use of key informant interviews, focus group discussions and household surveys to gather the data. To analyze the data, descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Univariate General Linear Model (UGLM), Multivariate General Linear Model (MGLM), ordered probit regression model and Heckman selection model were used. The descriptive analysis was performed to compare socio-economic characteristics of smallholder farmers’ typologies. The study made use of the PCA method to develop land use right indices (right to use & exclude others, land transferability and land use decision making), water use right indices (secure access to water, effective scheme management and access to irrigation equipment), psychological capital indices (mainly capturing risk taking, open mindedness, self-confidence and ambition) and entrepreneurial spirit indices (business mindset, self-confidence, innovation and risk taking). The Keiser-Meyer-Olkin and Bartlett’s sphericity tests were employed to test the assumptions underlying the use of PCA. The gross margin analysis was used to compare variations among crops and smallholder farmer typologies. The UGLM was used to analyze the factors that influence the gross margin per hectare (proxy for productive use of irrigation water). The MGLM was used to analyze the factors that influence smallholder farmers’ entrepreneurial spirit. The oprobit and Heckman model were used to explain the factors affecting smallholder farmers’ willingness and ability to expand. Based on the findings of this study, smallholder farmers face many challenges like drought, pests and crop diseases, scarce arable land with water, market availability, old age, low level of education, availability of quality infrastructure like good roads within the schemes and good cellphone network connections, and access to quality inputs. Due to these challenges, agriculture contribution to total household income is low and social grants are the major contributor. This study found that the existing land tenure system is in line with the communal land tenure policy in the irrigation schemes with land related matters being handled by scheme committees who report to traditional leaders and they, in turn, report to government. The findings indicated that education level hinder productive use of irrigation water, while access to input markets, land transferability and scheme management enhance productive use of irrigation water. To encourage smallholder farmers’ entrepreneurial spirit, there is a need to take into account their mode of water supply, output market information, right to use & exclude others from land, land transferability, access to irrigation equipment and on-farm income. To change smallholder farmers’ subsistence mindset, investments need to be made in output markets and irrigation equipment. The findings suggest that there are three statistically significant variables that deter the smallholder farmers’ willingness and ability to expand, namely, age, gender and household size. From this study, it’s not clear what benefits privatization of individual land title would bring to improve productivity or investments in land when commons are governed collectively and effectively. This is especially the case as smallholders were not willing to use their land as collateral and also did not have credit records or proof of income which is required by banks to get credit. Therefore, customary tenure system was found to be favorable in this study as it was inclusive, ensured sustainability of land and accountability of leadership. The communal land tenure policy was found to be consistent with what was happening at local level. Therefore, the study recommends that the roles and responsibilities of scheme committees be reflected in both the communal land tenure policy and the national water resource strategy as a body that is responsible for land and water in the irrigation schemes for smallholder farmers. Agency control tenure systems need to be more inclusive in decision making as it affects smallholders’ production level. A provincial body of scheme committees is needed whereby smallholders will capacitate each other to collectively address the challenges they face related to water, land and markets. This body would also need to be represented in the policy formulation and can aid in policy implementation. When agriculture and other livelihoods fail, smallholder farmers depend mainly on social grants to survive. Therefore, the study recommends that when developing irrigation projects, departments like social development and economic development should also be part of the consultation to improve smallholder farmers’ livelihoods. Moreover, the study recommends that in new irrigation schemes young people must be given priority and there must be proper incentive schemes targeted specifically for them. Furthermore, it must be ensured that they receive necessary training and exposure to be able to participate meaningfully in the whole value chain

Proving constructive dismissal: a critical evaluation of section 186(l)(e) of the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 and recent judgments.

Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.The focus of the research is to evaluate the interpretation of section 186 ( 1 )( e) of the Labour Relations Act of 1995 which defines a dismissal to include circumstances where an employee resigns with or without notice because the employer has made continued employment intolerable for the employee. The purpose of the research is to set out the appropriate test to be followed in dealing with a constructive dismissal claim in terms of section 186(1 )(e) and assess whether the Constitutional Court has adequately formulated a test to be applied in the case of Strategic Liquor Services v Mvumbi 2010 (2) SA 92 (CC) where it was held that the test for proving constructive dismissal is not whether the employee had alternatives short of resignation but only that the employer made continued employment intolerable. The test formulated by the Constitutional Court will be revisited and the research will further evaluate if there has been progression on the approach adopted by the CC. The focus of the research will be mainly on the evaluation of recent judgments. The significance of adopting a purposive approach when interpreting the LRA is discussed as well as the remedies which follows once an employee succeeds with a claim of a constructive dismissal

Mobile Library Service at UNISA Western Cape: A Case Study

The purpose of this poster is to describe the mobile library as a method of library service delivery in Open Distance Learning (ODL). In the context of this presentation the mobile library is a vehicle that carries library material and services to UNISA students. The mobile library is considered as one of the dynamic strategies of providing library and information service to students residing in outlying areas of Cape Town. It reaches out to students who would under normal circumstances not be able to visit branch libraries. It strives to be student-centered by enhancing opportunities of equitable access to library services. The mobile library service provides access to the print book collection, assistance with e-books and journals, electronic resources, reference service, catalogue and subject searches, library related and non-library related queries. An opportunity for students to browse through the collection is created

The impact of effective schools infrastructure and facilities management on learners and educators.

Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.The school infrastructure and facilities management are the key components towards the actualisation of the core business for which the school was designed for. The attainment for the educational objectives relies solely on the physical learning environment; societal teaching and learning environment, as well as facilities management. Physical environment for learning denotes various school building locations; school cultures and contexts under which the teaching and learning takes place. Societal teaching and learning environment, on the other hand, refers to the effects and the state of the surroundings; communities or societies under which educators teach and learners receive their education prerogatives. Infrastructure and facilities management are facing diverse challenges regarding: the state or conditions; maintenance; management; schools support by officials; implementation problems and bureaucratic processes which are a stumbling block to effective service delivery. The KwaZulu-Natal DoE (KZNDoE) has implemented programs in order to face infrastructure challenges and facilities management. However, their effect was minimal and inadequate. There seems to be a connection or link challenge in the endeavours of dealing with the above-mentioned. An in-depth study to unpack the missing link on the impact of effective schools Infrastructure and Facility Management on Learners and Educators is vital and might address the frustrations facing KZNDoE school management teams and officials responsible for the implementation thereof. A quantitative study approach was adopted in this research since it measures problems by formulating numerical information that can be converted into the statistics that can be useful. It further enumerates attitudes; opinions; behaviours; as well as generalising results from a larger sample population. A survey was conducted at KZNDoE schools, targeting iLembe district, in which 100 schools were selected out of 123. A 98% response rate was registered, whereby a primary tool used to collect data was a questionnaire. The study revealed the following: unsatisfactory health and safety ethics in schools; exposed poor infrastructure management; ignored learning environment in schools; inadequate support on infrastructure planning and facilities management. Provincial and District management teams need to review and refine their operations towards obtaining better service delivery. All the stakeholders involved need to take their full responsibilities. This study will be beneficial to all concerned