Theses and Dissertations

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Open Access
Mapping ecological zones in the Kruger National Park using remote sensing
(2010-08) Ratshibvumo, Thihanedzwi; Munyati, C.; Ogola, J. S.
See the attached abstract below
Open Access
A comparative evaluation of rural development programmes in the Thulamela Municipality : a case study of Sidou and Malavuwe Villages
(2013) Musiwalo, Takalani Enos; Nelwamondo, T. M.; Mudau, N. V.
The focus of the study is on the comparative assessment of Rural Development Programmes between Sidou and Malavuwe Village within Ward 22 of the Thulamela Municipality. The study aims to investigate the gap that exists between effective programme implementation and less effective programme implementation in rural areas. To achieve this, the study uses Malavuwe Village as a control village and Sidou Village as an experiment village. The study found that there was a discrepancy in service delivery between the two villages; more services were delivered effectively at Malavuwe than at Sidou Village. The study further investigates the causes of this discrepancy in service delivery between the two villages and also suggests feasible approaches that can be employed by the Thulamela Municipality to enhance programme implementation and service delivery within the study area. The study found that Sidou Village lacked community services such as clinics, high schools, community halls, sporting facilities and income generating community projects. On the contrary, Malavuwe Village had most community services. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that the Thulamela Municipality should ensure thorough provision of services and encourage community participation through consultation and partnership at Sidou Village. Such an approach will be bottom-up and will encourage community members at Sidou Village to be actively involved in the prioritisation and implementation of vital services, thus raising the socioeconomic conditions and infrastructure development in the village
Open Access
An evaluation of environmental sustainability of land reform in Zimbabwe : a case study of Chirumanzu District, Midlands Province
(2013-02-26) Kori, Edmore; Musyoki, A.; Nethengwe, N. S.
Open Access
Assessing the contribution of agroforestry technologies to poverty alleviation in Thulamela Municipality Limpopo Province, South Africa
(2013-02-26) Muhoni, Lina Hazyviyemurwe; Ojungu, O; Mwihomeke, S.
Open Access
The assessment of the impact causuarina cunninghamiana miq. (river-she-oak) windbreak on macadamia trees orchards in Limpopo Province, South Africa
(2013-12-10) Mwihomeke, Mickfanaka; Bhat, R. B.; Ligavha-Mbelengwa, M. H.; Steyn, J. N.
Open Access
Assessment of the impacts of selected Limpopo Province Dams on their downstream river ecosystems using remote sensing techniques
(2013-12-10) Mokgoebo, Matjutla John
Open Access
Adsorption of oxyanions of As, B, Cr, Mo and Se from coal fly ash leachates using A1/Fe modified bentonite clay
(2014-01-10) Masindi, Vhahangwele; Gitari, Wilson Mugera; Tutu, Hlanganani
Open Access
Assessing the impacts of riparian land use on gully development and sediment load : a case study of Nzhelele River Valley, Limpopo Province, South Africa
(2015) Mavhuru, Blessing; Nethengwe, N. S.; Dondofema, F.
Human activities on land degradation have triggered several environmental problems especially in rural areas that are under developed. The main aim of this study is to analyse the contribution of different land uses to gully development and sediment load on the Nzhelele River Valley in the Limpopo Province. Data was collected using different methods such as observation, field data techniques and experiments. Satellite digital images, topographic maps, aerial photographs and the sediment load static model also assisted in determining how land use affects gully development and sediment load. For data analysis, the researcher used the following methods: Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient and statistical correlation methods. The results of the research illustrates that high land use activities create negative changes especially in areas that are highly fragile and vulnerable. Distinct impact on land use change was observed within settlement area (9.6 %) within a period of 5 years. High correlation between soil organic matter and soil moisture (R=0.96) was observed. Furthermore a significant variation (p ≤ 0.6) between the soil organic matter and soil moisture was also observed. A very significant variation (p ≤ 0.003) was observed in bulk density and extreme significant variations (p ≤ 0.0001) were observed in organic matter and soil particle size. The sand mining and agricultural activities has contributed significantly to the amount of sediment load in the Nzhelele River. A high significant amount of total suspended sediment (55.3 %) and bed load (53.8 %) was observed within the agricultural area. The connection which associates the development of gullies to various land use activities determines the amount of sediment load. These results are consistent with other previous research and suggest that land use activities is likely to exacerbate the development of gullies and sediment load in the Nzhelele River Valley
Open Access
Bioremediation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on contaminated soils : a case study of Rietvlei Farm Borehole No. 11, Limpopo Province, South Africa
(2015) Sengani, David; Potgieter, Natasha; Mojapelo, M. P.
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are worldwide environmental pollutants which contaminate the environment through careless disposal practices and accidental spills or leakages from electrical transformers. These organic compounds are lipophilic chemicals soluble in fats, slightly soluble in water and readily bioaccumulated in the fatty tissues of fish, birds, animals and humans. The main objective of this study was to isolate and identify PCB degrading bacteria from PCB contaminated soils and test them for their degradation ability of PCBs in natural habitat conditions. Three bacteria species which comprise of Gram negative and Gram positive microorganisms were isolated and identified through biochemical tests, catalase tests, oxidase tests and morphological study and included Burkholderia cepacia, Pasteurella pneumotropica and Enterococcus faecalis. The results indicated that, there was an overall decrease of PCB concentration level and the readings ranged between -1.51 and -1.79 respectively for all the microorganisms. Enterococcus faecalis remove as much as 32% of PCBs in the contaminated soil samples. Whereas Pasteurella pneumotropica could remove 24% of PCBs, Burkholderia cepacia 21% of PCBs and the mixed culture removed 23%. Data showed that the 3 bacterial strains could tolerate high concentration of PCBs. The results provided the evidence that naturally occurring bacteria in soil contaminated with PCBs have the potential to degrade PCBs. Statistical analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between bacteria growth and treatment with a coefficient of (r) =0.1459 and p value <0.001.
Open Access
Development of guidelines for dealing with morphological and environmental impacts of sand mining along the Nzhelele River, Limpopo Province of South Africa
(2015-01-22) Mathada, Humphrey; Amponsah-Dacosta, F.; Gondo, T.
Open Access
Diet and behavioural ecology in sacred chacma baboons a case study at Lwamondo Hill in the Limpopo Province, South Africa
(2015-02-03) Mulaudzi, Rendani
Open Access
An evaluation of institutional capacity for implementation, coordination and monitoring of a comprehensive rural development programme a case sudy of Muyexe Pilot Project, Limpopo Greater Giyani
(2015-02-04) Todani, Shumisanani Juliah; Nethengwe, N. S.; Mudau, N. V.
Open Access
An evaluation of urban and rural land use change, conflict and competition
(2015-02-06) Nemukula, Nkhangweleni Lennox; Musyoki, A.; Nethengwe, N. S.
This study set out to evaluate the extent of land use change, competition and conflict in Polokwane city and in selected land restitution areas of Limpopo province. The methods of data collection and analysis included document analysis, triangulation of quantitative and qualitative survey methods, use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) techniques and field observations. The restitution studies relied on information from the regional land claims commission regarding land dispossessions, land claims and post settlement activities which were analysed using content analysis. Land use maps and data from department of land affairs were obtained covering different time periods from 1994 to 2002 and GIS analysis was used to document land use change, competition and conflicts. A questionnaire survey involving a sample of 240 residents, 164 business people and 16 government officials was conducted and analysed quantitatively to establish perceptions and experiences with land use changes. In-depth interviews with key informants were also conducted and information analysed qualitatively. The researcher also engaged in extensive field observations in the city and surrounding land restitution areas. The study found that both Polokwane city and the surrounding land reform areas were characterised by rapid land use change, competing interests, conflict, disputes and tensions related to access, control and use of land resources historically and currently. Other key findings include the fact that the structure of Polokwane area is a result of apartheid planning. It has a distorted spatial pattern, the result of political factors that can be identified as: a legacy of apartheid; land use policy; competition among potential users; inadequate legislation and planning; low provisions for land use control and rezoning; land use speculation and lack of adequate public participation in the planning processes. Polokwane interaction with the rural areas is inadequate and does not support development of these areas leading to persistent service delivery issues. A management strategy is recommended with the following features: Capacity building, Conflict resolution, Stakeholders participation and Governance. Adequate land use control mechanism need to be put in place; public policies should minimise conflicts between alternative land development strategies; existing policies and procedures applicable to land management should be reviewed. An effective national land reform programme is required to drive development; public participation is key in all planning activities. Mediation is essential because it is a more efficient and less costly means of concluding land use conflicts. Polokwane needs to play a greater role in managing land use, changes, competition and conflicts both in the capital city and in the surrounding rural areas.
Open Access
Spatial and reproductive differentiation of small terrestrial mammals in a complex environment in the Western Soutpansberg Mountain, Limpopo Province
(2015-02-26) Nemakhavhani, Tshifhiwa; Baxter, R. M.; Taylor, P. J.
Open Access
Potential impacts of climate change on myosorex as a model for extinction risk of montane small mammals in South Africa
(2015-02-26) Owino Lilian Ogony; Taylor, P. J.; Baxter, R. M.; Ogola, J. S.
Open Access
Biodiversity of terrestrial small mammals along an altitudinal transect in the Western Soutpansberg, Limpopo Province, South Africa
(2015-02-26) Munyai, Aubrey; Baxter, R. M.; Taylor, P. J.
Open Access
An assessment of the impact of alien plant invasions along the Riparian Zones: a case study at Luvuvhu, Lutanandwa and Mutshindudi Rivers, Limpopo Province, South Africa
(2015-02-26) Sebola, Azwinndini Patricia; Bhat, R. B.; Ligavha-Mbelengwa, M. H.
Open Access
Investigating past, present and future distributions of cryptic species of vlei rats (otomys auratus, o. irroratus s.s and o. angoniensis) in South Africa, with a focus on Limpopo Province
(2015-02-26) Nengovhela, Aluwani; Taylor, P. J.; Baxter, R. M.
Open Access
Remediation of acid mine drainage using magnesite and its bentonite clay composite
(2015-05) Masindi, Vhahangwele; Gitari, Mugera Wilson; Tutu, Hlanganani; De Beer, Marinda
See the attached abstract below
Open Access
Ant diversity across an elevational gradient; functional versus taxonomic perspectives in the Soutpansberg Mountains, South Africa
(2015-05) Munyai, Thinandavha Caswell; Foord, Stefan H.; Baxter, Roderick M.
See the attached abstract below