Ecosystem Health and Water Quality of the Mooi River and Associated Impoundments Using Diatoms and Macroinvertebrates As Bioindicators
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Country Profile – South Africa
Country profile – South Africa Version 2016 Recommended citation: FAO. 2016. AQUASTAT Country Profile – South Africa. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Rome, Italy The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. The views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of FAO. FAO encourages the use, reproduction and dissemination of material in this information product. Except where otherwise indicated, material may be copied, downloaded and printed for private study, research and teaching purposes, or for use in non-commercial products or services, provided that appropriate acknowledgement of FAO as the source and copyright holder is given and that FAO’s endorsement of users’ views, products or services is not implied in any way. All requests for translation and adaptation rights, and for resale and other commercial use rights should be made via www.fao.org/contact-us/licencerequest or addressed to [email protected]. FAO information products are available on the FAO website (www.fao.org/ publications) and can be purchased through [email protected]. -
The Hills Above Pietermaritzburg: an Appreciation
THE HILLS ABOVE PIETERMARITZBURG: AN APPRECIATION P.G. Alcock May 2014 The residents of Pietermaritzburg are well-aware that the hills overlooking the city define Pietermaritzburg in a scenic context, and give it a particular sense of place. The optimum vantage point for viewing these hills is from the southern and eastern parts of the city, looking across the bowl-shaped Msunduzi River Valley.1 It is rather surprising that not much attention has been paid to the hills of Pietermaritzburg in articles and books about the city.2 A partial exception was a chapter in a volume published to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Pietermaritzburg in 1988.3 Specific details regarding the higher-lying land above the city are again sparse in this book, excluding maps showing the general topography, the suburbs and the natural vegetation. The book incorporates some early paintings of the settlement (circa the mid-1850s) with various hills in the background. These paintings reveal an appreciation of the terrain which does not appear to have been carried forward to more recent times.4 The hills have a special resonance, given the contrasting climates to the north and to the south of Pietermaritzburg. Many of the northern slopes are cool and well-watered with spectacular views and with remnants of verdant indigenous vegetation (although dominated by commercial forests) whereas the southern slopes are hot and dry and have limited ambience. Two commonly-touted names for Pietermaritzburg are the “The City of Choice” and perhaps more appropriately “The Green City”. In keeping with an environmental theme are the names “The City of Flowers” as well as “The Garden City”, and in a different context “The Heritage City”. -
Early History of South Africa
THE EARLY HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA EVOLUTION OF AFRICAN SOCIETIES . .3 SOUTH AFRICA: THE EARLY INHABITANTS . .5 THE KHOISAN . .6 The San (Bushmen) . .6 The Khoikhoi (Hottentots) . .8 BLACK SETTLEMENT . .9 THE NGUNI . .9 The Xhosa . .10 The Zulu . .11 The Ndebele . .12 The Swazi . .13 THE SOTHO . .13 The Western Sotho . .14 The Southern Sotho . .14 The Northern Sotho (Bapedi) . .14 THE VENDA . .15 THE MASHANGANA-TSONGA . .15 THE MFECANE/DIFAQANE (Total war) Dingiswayo . .16 Shaka . .16 Dingane . .18 Mzilikazi . .19 Soshangane . .20 Mmantatise . .21 Sikonyela . .21 Moshweshwe . .22 Consequences of the Mfecane/Difaqane . .23 Page 1 EUROPEAN INTERESTS The Portuguese . .24 The British . .24 The Dutch . .25 The French . .25 THE SLAVES . .22 THE TREKBOERS (MIGRATING FARMERS) . .27 EUROPEAN OCCUPATIONS OF THE CAPE British Occupation (1795 - 1803) . .29 Batavian rule 1803 - 1806 . .29 Second British Occupation: 1806 . .31 British Governors . .32 Slagtersnek Rebellion . .32 The British Settlers 1820 . .32 THE GREAT TREK Causes of the Great Trek . .34 Different Trek groups . .35 Trichardt and Van Rensburg . .35 Andries Hendrik Potgieter . .35 Gerrit Maritz . .36 Piet Retief . .36 Piet Uys . .36 Voortrekkers in Zululand and Natal . .37 Voortrekker settlement in the Transvaal . .38 Voortrekker settlement in the Orange Free State . .39 THE DISCOVERY OF DIAMONDS AND GOLD . .41 Page 2 EVOLUTION OF AFRICAN SOCIETIES Humankind had its earliest origins in Africa The introduction of iron changed the African and the story of life in South Africa has continent irrevocably and was a large step proven to be a micro-study of life on the forwards in the development of the people. -
Review of Existing Infrastructure in the Orange River Catchment
Study Name: Orange River Integrated Water Resources Management Plan Report Title: Review of Existing Infrastructure in the Orange River Catchment Submitted By: WRP Consulting Engineers, Jeffares and Green, Sechaba Consulting, WCE Pty Ltd, Water Surveys Botswana (Pty) Ltd Authors: A Jeleni, H Mare Date of Issue: November 2007 Distribution: Botswana: DWA: 2 copies (Katai, Setloboko) Lesotho: Commissioner of Water: 2 copies (Ramosoeu, Nthathakane) Namibia: MAWRD: 2 copies (Amakali) South Africa: DWAF: 2 copies (Pyke, van Niekerk) GTZ: 2 copies (Vogel, Mpho) Reports: Review of Existing Infrastructure in the Orange River Catchment Review of Surface Hydrology in the Orange River Catchment Flood Management Evaluation of the Orange River Review of Groundwater Resources in the Orange River Catchment Environmental Considerations Pertaining to the Orange River Summary of Water Requirements from the Orange River Water Quality in the Orange River Demographic and Economic Activity in the four Orange Basin States Current Analytical Methods and Technical Capacity of the four Orange Basin States Institutional Structures in the four Orange Basin States Legislation and Legal Issues Surrounding the Orange River Catchment Summary Report TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 6 1.1 General ......................................................................................................................... 6 1.2 Objective of the study ................................................................................................ -
Wetland Plant Communities in the Potchefstroom Municipal Area, North-West, South Africa
Bothalia 28,2: 213-229 (1998) Wetland plant communities in the Potchefstroom Municipal Area, North-West, South Africa S.S. CILLIERS*, L.L. SCHOEMAN* and G.J. BREDENKAMP** Keywords: Braun-Blanquet, DECORANA. disturbed areas, MEGATAB, TURBOVEG. TWINSPAN, urban open spaces ABSTRACT Wetlands in natural areas in South Africa have been described before, but no literature exists concerning the phyto sociology of urban wetlands. The objective of this study was to conduct a complete vegetation analysis of the wetlands in the Potchefstroom Municipal Area. Using a numerical classification technique (TWINSPAN) as a first approximation, the classification was refined by using Braun-Blanquet procedures. The result is a phytosociological table from which a number of unique plant communities are recognised. These urban wetlands are characterised by a high species diversity, which is unusual for wetlands. Reasons for the high species diversity could be the different types of disturbances occurring in this area. Results of this study can be used to construct more sensible management practises for these wetlands. CONTENTS Many natural wetlands have been destroyed in the course of agricultural, industrial and urban development Introduction..............................................................213 (Archibald & Batchelor 1992), and are regarded as one Study area................................................................ 215 of South Africa’s most endangered ecosystem types Materials and methods..............................................215 (Walmsley -
British Scorched Earth and Concentration Camp Policies
72 THE BRITISH SCORCHED EARTH AND CONCENTRATION CAMP POLICIES IN THE 1 POTCHEFSTROOM REGION, 1899–1902 Prof GN van den Bergh Research Associate, North-West University Abstract The continued military resistance of the Republics after the occupation of Bloemfontein and Pretoria and exaggerated by the advent of guerrilla tactics frustrated the British High Command. In the case of the Potchefstroom region, British aggravation came to focus on the successful resurgence of the Potchefstroom Commando, under Gen. Petrus Liebenberg, swelled by surrendered burghers from the Gatsrand again taking up arms. A succession of proclamations of increasing severity were directed at civilians for lending support to commandos had no effect on either the growth or success of Liebenberg’s commando. His basis for operations was the Gatsrand from where he disrupted British supply communications. He was involved in British evacuations of the town in July and August 1900 and in assisting De Wet in escaping British pursuit in August 1900. British policy came to revolve around denying Liebenberg use of the abundant food supplies in the Gatsrand by applying a scorched earth policy there and in the adjacent Mooi River basin. This occurred in conjuncture with the brief second and permanent third occupation of Potchefstroom. The subsequent establishment of garrisons there gave rise to the systematic destruction of the Gatsrand agricultural infrastructure. To deny further use of the region by commandos it was depopulated. In consequence, the first and largest concentration camp in the Transvaal was established in Potchefstroom. The policies succeeded in dispelling Liebenberg from the region. Introduction Two of the most controversial aspects of the Anglo Boer War are the closely related British scorched earth and concentration camp policies. -
Chapter Two: Study Areas with General Materials and Methods
Chapter Two: Study Areas with General Materials and Methods 40 2 Study areas with general materials and methods 2.1 Introduction to study areas To reach the aims and objectives for this study, one lentic and one lotic system within the Vaal catchment had to be selected. The lentic component of the study involved a manmade lake or reservoir, suitable for this radio telemetry study. Boskop Dam, with GPS coordinates 26o33’31.17” (S), 27 o07’09.29” (E), was selected as the most representative (various habitats, size, location, fish species, accessibility) site for this radio telemetry study. For the lotic component of the study a representative reach of the Vaal River flowing adjacent to Wag ‘n Bietjie Eco Farm, with GPS coordinates 26°09’06.69” (S), 27°25’41.54” (E), was selected (Figure 3). Figure 3: Map of the two study areas within the Vaal River catchment, South Africa Boskop Dam Boskop manmade lake also known as Boskop Dam is situated 15 km north of Potchefstroom (Figure 4) in the Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality in the North West Province (Van Aardt and Erdmann, 2004). The dam is part of the Mooi River water scheme and is currently the largest reservoir built on the Mooi River (Koch, 41 1975). Apart from Boskop Dam, two other manmade lakes can be found on the Mooi River including Kerkskraal and Lakeside Dam (also known as Potchefstroom Dam). The Mooi River rises in the north near Koster and then flows south into Kerkskraal Dam which feeds Boskop Dam. Boskop Dam stabilises the flow of the Mooi River and two concrete canals convey water from the Boskop Dam to a large irrigation area. -
Forever Begins Today
Forever begins today Index • First Group Wedding Collection 1-2 • We Can Do Anything 3-4 • Specialised Services 5-6 • Catering To Your Needs 7-8 • Your Wedding Night 9-10 • Your Bridal Party 11-12 • La Vita Wellness Spa 13-14 Collection • Selborne Hotel - Pennington 15-18 • Oceanic All Suites - North Beach, Durban 19-22 • The Palace All Suites - North Beach, Durban 23-26 • Bushman’s Nek Resort - Southern Drakensberg 27-30 • Gethane Lodge Resort - Lydenburg 31-34 • La Montagne Resort - Ballito 35-38 • Magalies Park Resort - Magaliesberg 39-42 • Margate Sands Resort - Margate 43-46 • Midlands Saddle & Trout Resort - Mooi River 47-50 • Qwantani Resort - Sterkfontein Dam 51-54 Wedding Collection First Group is a dynamic company, passionate about providing the highest levels of service excellence throughout its hotels, all-suites, resorts and self-catering apartments and chalets. We let you be... Managing over 60 properties locally and internationally, First Group offers a wide variety of accommodation types for both business and leisure travellers, as well as a collection of destinations for conferences and weddings of all sizes. Selborne Hotel - Pennington Oceanic All Suites - Durban The Palace All Suites - Durban Bushman’s Nek Resort - Southern Drakensberg Gethlane Lodge Resort - Lydenburg La Montagne Resort - Ballito Magalies Park Resort - Magaliesberg Margate Sands Resort - Margate Midlands Saddle & Trout Resort - Mooi River Qwantani Resort - Sterkfontein Dam RESORTS 1 2 We Can Do anything At First Group our event planners will assist in creating the most memorable day you could wish for, whatever your expectations or location. Whether you prefer the backdrop of the berg, bush or seaside, we’ll ensure your day is a spectacular one, to be remembered for a lifetime. -
Jorge Luis Martínez Olmedo
Over the past several years, The WILD Foundation has provided support for students at Earth University, located in Guácimo, Limón, Costa Rica. Earth University is a private university dedicated to education in the agricultural sciences and natural resources. WILD supports the vision of Earth University, and thus provides scholarships for qualified students seeking to further their career in conservation. To learn more about Earth University, visit their website www.earth.ac.cr. Below is the inspiring story of a WILD scholarship student, Ephraim Bonginkosi Pad…. Ephraim Bonginkosi Pad Wild Foundation Scholarship Beneficiary Date of birth: November 7, 1985 Address: Mooi River, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa Class: 2008-2011 Grade Point Average: 8.2 Native of Mooi River, a rural community in South Africa, Ephraim has been involved in agriculture throughout his childhood. He grew up on a farm, where he helped milk and feed the cattle and tend to crops during his school vacations. He grew up with his grandfather, who, after both of his parents passed away, took on the responsibility of raising Ephraim and his little sister along with several of his cousins. Ephraim is fluent in four languages: English, Xhosa, Zulu and Afrikaans. At EARTH he is learning Spanish. “At first, I did not understand anything, but now, my communications skills are improving,” Ephraim notes. In Africa, he was an outstanding student in high school and college. He served as the President of the Student Council twice in high school and was the official speaker in different debate contests. “We had a debate group that competed with other high schools. -
1214 Final Report SF 10 03 06-CS
AN ASSESSMENT OF SOURCES, PATHWAYS, MECHANISMS AND RISKS OF CURRENT AND POTENTIAL FUTURE POLLUTION OF WATER AND SEDIMENTS IN GOLD-MINING AREAS OF THE WONDERFONTEINSPRUIT CATCHMENT Report to the WATER RESEARCH COMMISSION Compiled by Henk Coetzee Council for Geosience Reference to the whole of the publication should read: Coetzee, H. (compiler) 2004: An assessment of sources, pathways, mechanisms and risks of current and potential future pollution of water and sediments in gold-mining areas of the Wonderfonteinspruit catchment WRC Report No 1214/1/06, Pretoria, 266 pp. Reference to chapters/sections within the publication should read (example): Wade, P., Winde, F., Coetzee, H. (2004): Risk assessment. In: Coetzee, H (compiler): An assessment of sources, pathways, mechanisms and risks of current and potential future pollution of water and sediments in gold-mining areas of the Wonderfonteinspruit catchment. WRC Report No 1214/1/06, pp 119-165 WRC Report No 1214/1/06 ISBN No 1-77005-419-7 MARCH 2006 Executive summary 1. Introduction and historical background The eastern catchment of the Mooi River, also known as the Wonderfonteinspruit, has been identified in a number of studies as the site of significant radioactive and other pollution, generally attributed to the mining and processing of uraniferous gold ores in the area. With the establishment of West Rand Consolidated in 1887 gold mining reached the Wonderfonteinspruit catchment only one year after the discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand. By 1895 five more gold mines had started operations in the (non-dolomitic) headwater region of the Wonderfonteinspruit as the westernmost part of the West Rand goldfield. -
Export Directory As A
South African Government Provincial and Local Government Directory 2021-09-27 Table of Contents Provincial and Local Government Directory: Eastern Cape Municipalities ..................................................... 7 Alfred Nzo District Municipality ................................................................................................................................. 7 Amahlathi Local Municipality .................................................................................................................................... 7 Amathole District Municipality .................................................................................................................................. 7 Blue Crane Route Local Municipality......................................................................................................................... 8 Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality ........................................................................................................................ 8 Chris Hani District Municipality ................................................................................................................................. 8 Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality ....................................................................................................................... 9 Elundini Local Municipality ....................................................................................................................................... 9 Emalahleni Local Municipality ................................................................................................................................. -
UW IMP 2018 Vol2.Pdf
For further information, please contact: Planning Services Engineering & Scientific Services Division Umgeni Water P.O.Box 9, Pietermaritzburg, 3200 KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Tel: 033 341-1522 Fax: 033 341-1218 Email: [email protected] Web: www.umgeni.co.za PREFACE This Infrastructure Master Plan 2018 describes Umgeni Water’s infrastructure plans for the financial period 2018/2019 – 2048/2049. It is a comprehensive technical report that provides detailed information on the organisation’s current infrastructure and on its future infrastructure development plans. This report replaces the last comprehensive Infrastructure Master Plan that was compiled in 2017. The report is divided into six volumes summarised in Table i and shown schematically in Figure i. Table i Umgeni Water Infrastructure Master Plan 2018/2019 volumes. Focus Area Purpose Volume 1 describes the most recent changes and trends within the primary environmental dictates that influence Umgeni Water’s infrastructure development plans (Section 2). Section 3 provides a review of historic water sales against past projections, as well as Umgeni Water’s most recent water demand projections, compiled at the end of 2017. Section 4 describes Water Demand Management initiatives that are being undertaken by the utility and Section 5 contains a high level review of the energy consumption used to produce the water volumes analysed in Section 3. Section 6 focuses on research into the impacts of climate change and alternative supply options including waste water reuse and desalination. Section 7 provides an overview of the water resource regions and systems supplied within these regions in Umgeni Water’s operational area.