https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/131 2026-10-05T22:40:53Z 2026-10-05T22:40:53Z Seletisha, Moses Shimo https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/33101 2026-09-30T08:09:34Z 2026-09-16T00:00:00Z

Physicochemical and microbio effects of coal mining on the quality of Naauwpoortspruit river, Mpumalanga, South Africa Seletisha, Moses Shimo Coal mining has been shown to affect both surface water and groundwater quality, primarily because of the presence of acidity in mine drainage, heavy metals, and microbial contaminants. Hence, this study aimed to determine the environmental impacts of coal mining and processing activities on the quality of water of the Naauwpoortspruit River in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga Province. This study used an integrated mixed-methods approach to capture the responses and lived experiences of residents as to how coal mining influences water quality within the Naauwpoortspruit River in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga, South Africa. Qualitative data on perceived water quality and associated health risks were obtained from focus group discussions. Quantitatively, we collected 18 water samples from Masakhane, Coalfield, and Boat Camp during both dry and wet seasons. Qualitative feedback showed that the residents perceived the water as discoloured, foul-smelling, and not safe, with frequent diarrhoea, stomach cramps, and skin irritations. The physicochemical analyses indicated a pH within the range of 7.17-7.35. Iron (Fe) ranged between 0.10-0.30 mg/L, manganese (Mn) within 0.00-0.04 mg/L, while aluminium (Al) ranged from 0.04 to 0.22 mg/L and sulphate (SO₄²⁻) within 143 to 188 mg/L. Aluminium and iron were found to exceed the permissible limits set by SANS 241:2015 at some sites. Microbiological testing showed significant contamination. Total coliform bacteria ranged from 555 to 920 CFU/100 mL, and faecal coliforms varied between 34 and 766 CFU/100 mL. Of these sampling sites, the Boat Camp site showed the highest level of faecal pollution. The study concluded that coal mining environment and related human activities have degraded the water quality of the Naauwpoortspruit River, presenting notable environmental and public health risks. It emphasized the urgent need for improved mine water management and more effective wastewater control

2026-09-16T00:00:00Z Mwelase, Zamawelase Immaculate https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/33081 2026-09-22T13:03:10Z 2026-07-01T00:00:00Z

Guild structure and population dynamics of small mammal assemblages in suburban patches of KwaZulu-Natal Sandstone Sourveld grassland within eThekwini Mwelase, Zamawelase Immaculate The KwaZulu-Natal Sandstone Sourveld (KZNSS) landscape is one of the Critically Endangered ecosystems that forms part of the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany (MPA) biodiversity hotspot. It is a biodiversity hotspot which supports important assemblages of endemic fauna and flora and provides social and ecological services to the eThekwini assemblages. More than ~90% of this landscape has been completely altered and modified, and only ~0.1% is under statutory protection. To understand and improve conservation efforts for this threatened ecosystem, it’s important to understand the effects of anthropogenic and environmental factors on biodiversity in this vegetation type. The Durban Metropolitan Open Space System (D’MOSS) initiative is one of the eThekwini efforts to conserve areas with high biodiversity value. Small mammals are key components in terrestrial ecosystems and their abundance and diversity are key bioindicators of ecosystem health, habitat quality, and the impacts of fragmentation. This study aimed to assess small mammal guild structure, species richness, diversity and population dynamics between D’MOSS and protected areas within this landscape. A Capture Mark Recapture (CMR) approach was used to monitor the seasonal dynamics of the native small mammal assemblages. Live trapping transects and H.B. Sherman™ live box traps were implemented inside and outside three protected areas (Krantzkloof Nature reserve, Giba Gorge Nature Reserve and Doornrug and Uitkomst Conservancy (reference site)) between July 2018 and June 2019. Over 16 586 trap nights, 890 unique individuals representing 11 small mammal species from 8 families and two Orders, were captured. The haul was dominated by rodent species. Mastomys natalensis (54%) and Rhabdomys dilectus (28%) suggesting that these species form the core of the small mammal assemblage in this threatened landscape. Local elevational gradients, regional variation and habitat management regimes (treatments) had a significant influence on total captures, trap success, minimum know alive (MKA), species richness and diversity Slope aspect, one of the under-surveyed environmental variables in small mammal studies significantly influenced total captures, trap success, MKA, and species richness, while seasonal variation significantly influenced total captures and MKA. Grassland condition significantly influenced total captures, MKA, and species richness. The body size of several small mammal species varied in response to changes in elevational gradients, slope aspect, seasonal variation, grassland

2026-07-01T00:00:00Z Malepa, Piet Lesiba https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32982 2026-08-23T14:44:02Z 2024-07-01T00:00:00Z

Dissecting the political economy of space : the role of public parks in the City of Johannesburg Malepa, Piet Lesiba Using Lefebvre's theory of the production of space as a framework, this study examines the production of public spaces in the City of Johannesburg by ascertaining how the management of space has evolved throughout South Africa's three historical eras and how post-apartheid local governments reshaped public spaces to serve the interests of businesses, the state, and urban inhabitants. The transformation of Johannesburg from the conceived segregation of space that accompanied colonialism and apartheid has been slow; many of the dynamics are ossified in the form and spatial practice of the city. Parks, especially as they were developed for white areas before democracy, are a means to redress the fragmentation associated with the past and to offer communities, many of which have very little space, the numerous benefits of parks. These developments need to balance the needs of capital, government, and urban inhabitants. The research issues posed in the study were addressed by the mixed-methods research (MMR) approach, which utilised both qualitative and quantitative data. The research employed the convergent parallel type of the MMR design, wherein simultaneous collection, and separate analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data. Information for the study was acquired through document analysis, in-person interviews, questionnaires, observations, and field notes. One hundred participants were randomly selected in each park and filled out open-ended and closed-ended surveys that addressed the issues of contextually perceived and lived settings to evaluate how these conflicts and inconsistencies appeared in the chosen parks. One or two parks from each region were included in the purposive sample. Ten parks that were chosen based on their history, usage, and governance. Depending on when they were built, the chosen public parks were divided into three distinct eras: colonial (Joubert, Zoo Lake, and Rhodes Parks), apartheid (Golden Harvest and Lone Hill Parks), and post-apartheid (Diepsloot, Thokoza, Orange Farm, Westbury, and Rose Parks). The spatial triad that Lefebvre outlined in his book on the production of space may be seen in action in the three political eras that saw parks built in Johannesburg. The most significant factors during the colonisation that inspired the creation of Joubert Park, Zoo Lake Park, and Rhodes Park were the dominance of capital, wealth extraction and the establishment of imperialist cultural norms. These factors greatly influenced how towns grew and who had access to public open spaces in South Africa. Apartheid presented a deepening of these dynamics, and the conceived space of parks was imbricated in draconian segregationist laws. While the conceived and perceived spaces of parks were dominated by the logic of white supremacy, in the lived aspect of parks, black people continued to use parks despite laws prohibiting them from doing so. The post-apartheid era has focused on measures to remedy historical injustices brought by the colonial and apartheid regimes since South Africa made the transition to democracy in 1994. Building public spaces in the post-apartheid era was intended to involve local populations in the process of constructing open spaces, which democratises the used area. This is a means to build a collective right to the city. Very few studies have assessed the development and governance of these spaces, and this study contributes to filling this gap. Even though studies on public space have been conducted, none of them have specifically examined how administrative changes over the colonial, apartheid, and post-apartheid periods affected policy. Since this study is the first to examine that particular area, it will be able to add to the body of knowledge. It also examines how the spatial practices of parks have evolved to reflect the cultures of their local communities. This understanding of the importance of parks and their functioning is a step towards ensuring the ongoing transformation of the City of Johannesburg.

2024-07-01T00:00:00Z Manyatsi, Mason Isaac https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32898 2026-08-10T10:20:44Z 2026-03-01T00:00:00Z

Exploring Eswatini’s environmental compliance management, monitoring, and enforcement issues of construction projects Manyatsi, Mason Isaac This study explored issues of environmental compliance management, enforcement, and monitoring in Eswatini’s construction industry, focusing on case study construction projects in the Hhohho Region. Although legal frameworks do exist, Eswatini still experiences widespread environmental non-compliance in the construction industry, leading to environmental degradation and threatening efforts of environmental protection. The purpose of the research study was to answer the main research question: What are the environmental compliance management, enforcement, and monitoring issues of construction projects in Eswatini? The mechanism for answering the main research question was through the formulation of four sub-questions focusing on global environmental compliance mechanisms, Eswatini’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) obligations, issues experienced by EIA follow-up parties of construction projects, and measures of environmental compliance enhancement. The study employed a qualitative research approach, using an exploratory multiple case study design. Data was collected from four (4) construction projects in the Hhohho Region through in-depth interviews with 21 purposively sampled key informants. The key informants included first, second, and third EIA follow-up parties at the selected construction projects. Secondary data gathered for the study included legal and institutional frameworks and policy documents. Data was analysed with the support of ATLAS.ti software to identify themes and patterns from the data. Findings addressing sub-question 1 show that environmental compliance globally relies on an integrated regulatory cycle encompassing planning, implementation, monitoring, enforcement, and adaptive feedback mechanisms. In response to sub-question 2, the study discovered that while Eswatini has established environmental laws and institutional frameworks governing construction projects, there are constraints due to weak enforcement capacity and limited coordination. Results addressing the sub-question 3 showed that first, second, and third EIA follow-up parties experience challenges including limited financial and human resources, poor compliance attitudes among developers and contractors, political interference, and inadequate authority to enforce compliance. Addressing sub-question 4 identified capacity building measures through training and awareness, as well as the adoption of technological advancements for monitoring and policy reform key measures that can enhance environmental compliance at construction projects. An examination of the findings shows a divide between the application of environmental compliance procedures and policy rules. Environmental compliance management, enforcement, and monitoring across construction projects is compromised by weak institutional capacity, dispersed governance systems, and inadequate accountability mechanisms. The study makes a meaningful contribution by providing practical, evidence-based insights into the key factors affecting environmental compliance in Eswatini’s construction sector. The study demonstrates how challenges such as weak enforcement capacity, fragmented governance structures, and limited accountability work together to hinder effective environmental compliance and EIA follow-up. In addition, the study adds to existing knowledge by offering a clearer understanding of these issues within a developing country context, where resource and institutional constraints are common. It also proposes practical ways to improve environmental compliance, including strengthening institutional capacity, improving coordination between stakeholders, and making better use of technology for monitoring and reporting. These contributions are relevant not only for Eswatini, but also for other developing countries facing similar challenges.

2026-03-01T00:00:00Z