Long-term conservation ecosystems require a broader understanding of the ecological processes involved. Because ecosystems react differently to different management practices, it is important that a description and classification of the vegetation of an area are completed. A vegetation survey of the valley areas of the Kammanassie Nature Reserve was undertaken as part of a larger research project to assess the environmental impacts of large-scale groundwater abstraction from Table Mountain Group aquifers on ecosystems in the reserve. From a TWFNSPAN classification, refined by Braun-Blanquet procedures, 21 plant communities, which can be grouped into 13 major groups, were identified. A classification and description of these communities, as well as a vegetation map of the different areas are presented. Associated gradients in habitat w ere identified by using an ordination algorithm (DECORANA). The diagnostic species as well as the prominent and less conspicuous species of the tree, shrub, forb and grass strata are outlined. The study also resulted in a total number of 481 species being identified and the discovery of a new <em>Erica</em> species. These vegetation surveys and descriptions provide baseline information for management purposes and that allows monitoring as well as similar surveys to be conducted in future

The science of victimology aims at understanding and alleviating the pain or experience of being a victim. Phenomenology is an approach which seeks to understand the life-world of a subject. A phenomenological analysis appears to be an appropriate method of gaining an understanding of the experience of being a victim. In South Africa a number of people have recently had their houses petrol bombed or burnt down. In the case of criminal victimization such as rape or theft, the aim of the victimizer is usually personal gain. The incidents discussed in this study are related to social change rather than personal benefit. The aim of the victimizers in this study appears to have been to curtail the socio-political activities of the victim. Whatever the motive of the victimizer, the victim remains the sufferer. The purpose of this study is to present a phenomenological analysis of this type of victimization in the hope that it will increase our understanding of victimization in general. Six victims were interviewed. The interviews were unstructured. One interview was used for idiographic analysis and the remaining protocols were used for a general analysis. The results yielded a rich description of the experience of having one's house attacked. Certain experiences were are common to all subjects. The victims are pawns in a struggle for social change.

This article reports on an exploratory study that used metaphoric objects as a therapeutic aid. During Rogerian therapy sessions, a metaphoric object was handed to clients. The metaphoric object was used as a reflection of an aspect of the client's being. The clients were asked to describe the effect the object had on them. The protocols obtained were subjected to a phenomenological analysis. The study indicates that metaphoric objects can be a useful therapeutic aid.

Diabetes is a chronic, complex disease involving numerous pathophysiological features. There is a paucity of studies relating to psychological factors. The available research is not conclusive and in addition is largely quantitative in nature. The aim of this investigation was to gain an understanding of the life-world of people with diabetes and to acquire insight into the demanding aspects of their lives. The research procedure involved interviewing subjects who suffer from diabetes. A pilot study was conducted in order to test a number of openended questions. On the basis of these results, a set of semi-structured questions was formulated for the main study. The main study involved interviews with 13 subjects aged between 20 and 45 years who belonged to a diabetic organization and who volunteered for the investigation. The interviews were recorded on audiotape and later transcribed. Five of the protocols obtained were analyzed according to the method outlined by Giorgi and they produced an encompassing description of the life-world of a diabetic. The themes which emerged included the appearance of the first symptoms and their effect on people with diabetes, the impact of the diagnosis, the emerging pattern of the life-world of people with diabetes and the prospects for the future. The phenomenological approach proved valuable in highlighting many aspects of diabetes. Recommendations are made which may be of benefit to people with diabetes and their families.Diabetes is 'n chroniese, komplekse siekte waarby verskeie patofisiologiese verskynsels betrokke is. Daar is baie min studies in verband met psigologiese faktore. Beskikbare navorsing lewer nie afdoende antwoorde nie en is boonop meestal kwantitatief van aard. As prosedure vir die huidige navorsing is onderhoude met mense met diabetes gevoer. Nadat 'n reeks loodsvrae vooraf getoets is, is 'n stel oop vrae gebaseer op die resultate van die toetsvrae vir die hoofstudie geformuleer. Die hoofstudie het onderhoude behels met 13 Iyers, tussen die ouderdomme van 20 en 45 jaar, en wat aan 'n organisasie vir diabete behoort en wat vrywillig aan die studie deelgeneem het. Die onderhoude is op oudioband opgeneem en later oorgetik. Die protokolle is ontleed volgens Giorgi se metode en het 'n omvattende beskrywing van die leet-wereld van 'n diabeet daargestel. Temas wat duidelik opval, sluit in die verskyning van die eerste simptome en die effek daarvan op die persoon, die skok wat met die diagnose gepaard gaan, die nuwe lewenspatroon wat die persoon moet volg en die vooruitsigte vir die toekoms. Die fenomenologiese benadering het waardevolle lig gewerp op baie van die aspekte van die siekte. Aanbevelings word gedoen wat moontlik vir persone met diabetes en hul gesinne van waarde kan wees.