http://hdl.handle.net/10386/35 2026-04-06T13:00:27Z http://hdl.handle.net/10386/5360 Lessons learned from community-based resilience strategies applied to mitigate inconsistent potable water supplies in a selected village in Lepelle Nkumpi Local Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa Muroa, Mmatseke Portia The objective of the study was to investigate the mitigation strategies developed by residents of Mashite village in Limpopo Province to build resilience to the ongoing inconsistent potable water supply. The study involved an exploratory qualitative research approach collecting data from 15 participants using a semi-structured interview guide. The study employed an inductive thematic analysis based on face-to-face interviews. The findings of the research indicate that the participants have adopted several resilience strategies including household water storage facilities; sharing of water between households and purchasing water from local vendors. The participants also expressed their frustration with Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality’s inability to deliver potable water especially that they are not informed when the potable water supply is on which means that they are unable to fill their water storage facilities. It is recommended that the Municipality communicates appropriately with residents to reduce this frustration. Thesis (M. Dev. (Planning and Management)) -- University of Limpopo, 2025 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10386/5181 Assessing the impact of online education on visually impaired students at the University of Limpopo : a development management perspective through the lens of social inclusion and digital learning Soana, Modula Marcia This study Assessed the Impact of Online Education on Visually Impaired Students at the University of Limpopo: A Development Management Perspective through the Lens of Social Inclusion and Digital Learning. The study seeks to understand and explore the effects of online teaching and learning experience of visually impaired students. The study also assessed the challenges that visually impaired students face during online teaching and learning. Opportunities to enable effective online teaching and learning for visually impaired students and recommendations measures that can be implemented to overcome online teaching and learning challenges for visually impaired students. This study employed a qualitative research approach, and interviews were used to collect data from the respondents. The respondents were fifteen visually impaired students and three Reakgona Disability Centre staff members. The aim of this research study is to investigate the effects of online learning on visual impaired students at the University of Limpopo, to investigate the accessibility of online learning for visually impaired students, to identify the barriers to effective online learning for visually impaired students, to identify opportunities to enable effective online learning for visually impaired students, and to recommend measures that can be implemented to overcome online learning challenges on visually impaired students. The main findings presented in this study are the demographics of the participants and key informants, online teaching and learning experiences of visually impaired students, assistive devices that are used by visually impaired students to access online classes, suitable study materials for visually impaired students, visually impaired students’ academic performance, preferred class attendance method/mode for visually impaired students and the challenges faced by visually impaired students when attending online classes. Thesis (M. Dev. (Planning and Management)) -- University of Limpopo, 2025 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10386/5178 The effects of traditional leadership on spatial distribution in rural areas : a case of Motantanyane Village, Limpopo Province Monama, Sakiel Albert The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of traditional leadership on spatial distribution in rural areas at Motantanyane Village. Despite the 29 years of democracy, local governments in South Africa, particularly those in rural areas, have endured challenges due to a dualistic government, which has led to fragmented and distorted spatial distribution, impeding service provision and societal development. Some of these challenges arose because of the existence of traditional leadership institutions and their practices on the spatial planning, distribution and management in rural areas. Local authorities have allocated land to people in areas that are not habitable such as wetlands, flat plains and land designated as agricultural land. Traditional leaders have been criticised for using traditional spatial allocation systems such as the customary patrilineal approach that have been in place since the 1800s. As a result, the municipal and traditional systems often act autonomously, making it difficult for local governments to deliver basic services when land is given or leased without their consent. The study was undergirded by the Collaborative Learning Theory and the Great Man Theory. The study employed a mixed methods research approach to provide a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the research topic. A combination of purposive sampling and systematic sampling techniques was adopted to solicit the information needed for the study. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data from the Chief, Traditional Councils and Household Heads in Motantanyane Village. On the other hand, an unstructured interview schedule was employed to collect qualitative data from the Municipal Officials at Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality. The study consisted of 86 participants sampled from the target population. The study used a thematic analysis tool to analyse the qualitative data, and the IBM SPSS Statistics 22.0 was used to analyse the quantitative data. The research findings revealed that traditional leadership is still a crucial form of government in rural areas, although it is founded on inefficiencies surrounding the spatial development affairs of rural areas. It has become evident that the independence of traditional leadership in spatial administration has created an insurmountable barrier to sustainable rural development. Local governments are unable to provide basic services such as water and electricity due to spatial fragmentation, which has hampered rural development. The poorly organised spatial settings make service delivery more expensive for municipalities, and the allocation of land in areas that are not habitable. In conclusion, due to the fragmented landscape, traditional leaders were found to be a contributing factor to the underdevelopment and poor service delivery in rural areas. Thus, the study recommended that local government and traditional leadership should collaborate in the administration of land to promote sustainable spatial development. Additionally, the local government should assign land experts who can collaborate closely with traditional leaders in rural communities. The cooperation between these two institutions must be guided by a single spatial distribution plan that will specify how the land in villages will be arranged. Thesis (M.Dev. (Planning and Management)) -- University of Limpopo, 2023 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10386/5156 The contributions of Small and Medium Enterprises towards poverty reduction in Mankweng Township (Zone1), Limpopo Province Nkoana, Isaac The study aimed to investigate the contributions of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Mankweng Township (Zone 1), Limpopo Province. Poverty is the greatest challenge in the 21st century in developed and developing countries. Various countries including South Africa employed SMEs as tactics to attempt to lower the poverty rate. SMEs, which significantly reduce poverty levels, create jobs, and accelerate economic growth, are the focus of South Africa's current efforts. Thus, SMEs are regarded as drivers of development in local communities. However, SMEs are confronted with various challenges and obstacles. These challenges continue to undermine the ability of SMEs to reduce poverty in countries all over the world. The study was grounded in the Entrepreneurship Theory and Human Capital Theory. The research utilised a mixed methods approach to gain a thorough insight into how SMEs contribute to reducing poverty. Purposive sampling was used to gather the necessary information for the research. Semi-structured questionnaires were utilised to gather quantitative data from the SME owners in Mankweng Township (Zone 1). Moreover, the Local Economic Development (LED) manager at Polokwane Local Municipality was collected through semi-structured interviews. The research involved 61 participants selected from the desired sample group provided relevant information on the contributions of SMEs towards poverty reduction and strategies on how to improve the effectiveness of SMEs. The research utilised Microsoft Word for thematic analysis of qualitative data and correlational analysis for analysing quantitative data. The research findings revealed that SMEs in Mankweng Township (Zone 1) significantly contribute to various aspects of the local economy, including economic development, investment, skill-building, and empowerment. However, SMEs in Mankweng Township (Zone 1) face many challenges, including limited access to funds, power outages, restricted market access, lack of technology, supplier shortage, and insufficient training and education. This study finds that SMEs in Mankweng Township (Zone 1) underperform due to the above-mentioned challenges. Therefore, the study recommends strategies to address funding gaps, techniques to improve lacking marketing abilities, offering leadership training for SMEs, fostering entrepreneurial skills, handling power outage issues, and improving training and education opportunities. By adopting the recommendations provided, SMEs can actively reduce poverty in South Africa townships. Through job creation, skills development, community participation, and ethical business practices, SMEs can become powerful agents of change, supporting LED and improving the quality of life for people and communities facing poverty. SMEs have the potential to have a significant impact on poverty reduction in South Africa townships Thesis (M.Dev. (Planning and Management)) -- University of Limpopo, 2025 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z