Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Copperbelt Province (Zambia)'

Natural resource management is an important issue around the world in the light of increased global population size and the subsequent demands arising from an increased need for food, clean water and other ecosystem services. This has often resulted in the encroachment of protected areas and the adoption and maintenance of unsustainable land use practices. This study is concerned with the development of tools that will help us understand the characteristics of land use decision-making by people who illegally settle in protected areas. The study has the main aim of developing a model of local stakeholder land-use decision-making for the encroached forest areas in the Copperbelt Province of Zambia. This will allow the modelling of the stakeholder land-use practices. This will help predict their effects on the environment of the Province. Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) was used to develop a conceptual model of land use decision making in the study area and the outputs from SSM were used to develop a Belief Network (BN) model of land use decision making in the study area. Decision trees were also used to model the land use decision-making characteristics of the local stakeholders in the area. The findings suggest that SSM is a useful tool for the modelling of the complex problem situation in the study area and the subsequent development of solutions to the problems identified through participatory approaches. The research also showed that BNs and decision trees were able to model land use decision-making by using the agricultural activity as a basis for analysis. The findings suggest that BNs and decision trees are complementary and have the potential for addressing applications in land-use decision-making in informal settlements where available information is more likely to be scant and disparate.

Thesis (MSc (Forest and Wood Science))—University of Stellenbosch, 2007.<br>The utilization and commercialization of indigenous fruit trees has in the past been overlooked by extension agencies due to the misconception that they do not play a major role in contributing to the rural livelihoods. There is new and increasing emphasis on the contribution of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) on improving the livelihoods and sustainable management of forest ecosystems of the Miombo woodlands. This study was conducted around Mwekera area in the Copperbelt province, Zambia to determine the role of indigenous fruit trees in the rural livelihoods. A total of 70 households were interviewed in the survey using semi-structured questionnaires, in-depth open ended interviews and focus group meetings to collect information on the use of indigenous fruits. The study revealed that 99% of the households experience ‘hunger’ during the rainy season from November to April every year. Ninety seven percent (97%) of the households collect indigenous fruit, with the most collected fruits being Uapaca kirkiana (74%), Anisophyllea boehmii (71%) and Parinari curatellifolia (67%). Additionally, there is very little selling of indigenous fruit (31%) but that Uapaca kirkiana and Anisophyllea boehmii account for 95% of the fruits sold. Forty six percent (46%) of the households process fruits of U. kirkiana, A. boehmii and P. curatellifolia into juice and/or porridge. Furthermore IFTs are also used as traditional medicine. Sixty three percent (63%) of the households used IFTs for medicinal purposes with two-thirds of the respondents citing Anisophyllea boehmii as an important medicinal tree species. The study also showed that 85% of the respondents have seen a change in the forest cover resulting into loss of biodiversity with 70% of the respondents indicating that the change is with respect to reduction in forest size and scarcity of some species; and that charcoal production and clearance of land for cultivation are the major causes of the scarcity of indigenous fruit trees. It is concluded that the major contribution of IFTs in the study area is in filling the gap during times of hunger rather as being a source of income through selling. Charcoal production and clearance for agriculture are the main contributing agents for the loss of biodiversity and scarcity of IFTs. It is recommended that domestication of IFTs and sustainable forestry and agricultural management practices be employed to ensure that future generations continue to benefit from the forest resource.

The NW Province of Zambia is fast becoming a major significant mining district challenging to usurp the economic importance of the traditional Copperbelt Province that has been mined for nearly a century. With latest developments at Kansanshi, Lumwana and Kalumbila mines exploration efforts in the search for Copperbelt style mineralisation have doubled up in the province in recent months. Traditional methods of stream sediment and soil sampling, geophysics, aerial photo and Landsat imagery interpretations have been employed in exploration targeting campaigns. This thesis asks the question: Can we use the Copperbelt geochemical footprint as a proxy to finding new copper deposits in NW Province? The challenge faced in such studies is that few geochemical datasets for old mines exist and the little that does is proprietary information. In some mines this dataset is entirely nonexistent - at least not in the public domain. Attempting to run orientation geochemical trials on such mines is not feasible at present due to maturity of mining and the levels of contamination of the natural environment that have occurred over several decades of mining. However, in tackling this question few Copperbelt geochemical datasets from Baluba, Nkana, Mimbula, Nchanga, Bwana Mkubwa, Mufulira West and Lufubu North were used. The findings presented in this report are that for Copperbelt style mineralisation Cu/Co, Cu/Ni, Cu/Ag ratios in soil geochemistry data should be in the ranges of 0.25 to 0.48 provided geochemical studies occurred in residual soils. These ratios hold true for sediment hosted copper-cobalt mineralisation hosted at various stratigraphic levels within the Roan Group or in upper levels elsewhere on the Central African Copperbelt. Geochemical dataset for the study areas presented in this report show that the soil geochemistry footprint in the province is not dissimilar to the soil geochemistry footprint of the traditional Copperbelt Province. This means there is great potential for finding Copperbelt style mineralisation in the province and other styles of mineralisation in which copper is associated with cobalt, lead, zinc, nickel, vanadium and molybdenum. The areas of study also possess requisite geological factors that are conducive to hosting Copperbelt style deposits. These factors include: favourable structural traps with similar trends to existing mines in the province, geophysical characteristics comparable to other deposits in the province, right geological package known to host multi-type deposits in the Katangan stratigraphic sequence, and similar geochemical footprints observed on other deposits within the Lufilian fold belt. For this reason, geochemical dataset must not be looked at in isolation but should be treated in considerations with other factors and geological environment.

Water resources management is high on the agenda both locally and globally because of its important role in social, economic and environmental development. For example, as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, all United Nations Member States adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015 that covered thematic issues including water, energy, climate, oceans, urbanization, transport, science and technology. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) no.6, which targets universal access to safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030, is of particular interest in this study. The mining industry contributes to socio-economic development; however, it has also contributed to declining water quality in rivers and lakes in many regions globally. In this study, the status and governance of water resources within the Copperbelt province of Zambia over the period 2000 to 2020 was examined. The study investigated population and economic growth within the region and its correlation with changes in water quality and quantity. The research also focused on understanding the ways copper mining is affecting local water resources. The study also investigated challenges faced by regulators and institutions in the water sector, and considered how these challenges could be addressed. Secondary data was obtained from government institutions within Zambia such as National Water Supply and Sanitation Council (NWASCO), Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA) and Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA), which are the key institutions in the water sector and the environment. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with the three key institutions in the water and pollution control sectors. The results showed that the total population in the Copperbelt province has increased by 20% since 2000 to a total of 1 972 317 in 2010. The population is projected to be 2 669 635 in 2020, representing about 27% increase from 2010. The rural population is projected to be 423 511 in 2020, representing about 11% increase from 2010 while the urban population will be 2 246 124 in 2020 representing about 29% increase from 2010. The majority of this growth has occurred in urban areas, which grew by about 30% from 2000 to a total of 1 595 456 in 2010. Rural population has increased by 8% since 2000 to a total of 376 861. The results also showed increased economic activities driven mainly by copper mining. Water abstraction has generally declined since 2000 mainly due to decrease in mining activities. In 2000, about 1 million m3 /day was abstracted in the Copperbelt province and about 600 000 m3 per day in 2005. The reduction in 2005 could be attributed to reduction in mining activities and institutional changes in the water sector. Water production and consumption from commercial utilities has generally been in decline from 2000 to 2017. This is also the case with water consumption per capita and water production per capita. For example, water consumption per capita per day in 2001 was 203 liters and reduced to 113 liters in 2017, representing a 44% reduction in consumption. The results showed that water consumption from 2004 to 2008 averaged 100 million m3 while the production averaged 160 million m3 per year. NWASCO attributed the general downward trend in water production and consumption in the province to maintenance and rehabilitation of water infrastructure, and investment in new infrastructure, thereby reducing the unaccounted-for water. The other reason could be that new housing developments prefer to use groundwater sources rather than utility water (supplied by water companies). The reduction could also be attributed to the cost of water and that consumers needed to adjust from the background where utility services such as water supply and sanitation were the sole responsibilities of the mines (ZCCM), prior to privatization. In terms of water supply and sanitation coverage, there has been an increased coverage since 2000. In 2001, the population that had access to water supply and sanitation was 81% and 46%, respectively. Therefore, roughly 50% of the population had no access to sanitation. However, in 2017 the population with access to water supply and sanitation was 91% and 75%, respectively. This represented only 25% of the population in serviced areas that had no access to sanitation. Between 2007 and 2008, the sanitation coverage had seen a reduction compared to the year 2006. This was due to institutional changes on the Copperbelt province, and the 2008 economic recession – the mine townships that were previously serviced by an asset holding after privatization of the mines were taken over by other utility companies. Consequently, the service delivery in the province initially dropped, but then started increasing again in 2009.

The dominium command in Genesis 1:28 (Gn 2:15) is the point of departure for an eco-theological assessment for the sustainability of creation, in the case of Kitwe of the Copperbelt Province in Zambia. ILamba is a territory of an indigenous community, whose wild life was endowed with various forests, marine and animal species. The scenario has changed following the discovery of minerals, particularly copper, after which the region was named the Copperbelt. The copper mining industry, as an extractive undertaking has its impact on biodiversity and nature. The reconstruction of the indigenous community?s forest, wild life, their concept of God, their lifestyle before the industrialisation of the territory, their cultural cosmology, a consideration of the global ecological crisis debate, and a theological framework are used to assess the impact of the industry from an eco-theological perspective. Pope Francis in his most recent encyclical letter argues that ?neglecting to monitor the harm done to nature and the environmental impact of our decisions is only the most striking sign of a disregard for the message contained in the structures of nature itself?? (Francis 2015: 68). The assessment therefore aims at rediscovering the human responsibility pertaining to creation. Moltmann argues that Interpreting the world as God?s creation means precisely not viewing it as the world of human beings, and taking possession of it accordingly. If the world is God?s creation, then it remains his property and cannot be claimed by men and women. It can only be accepted as a loan and administered as a trust. (Moltmann 1993:30) The copper mining industry?s activities in the Copperbelt therefore have to be assessed in the light of scripture Through eco-hermeneutics, relevant texts of scripture have been explored to understand the desire of the creator for the created, including human beings. This is done in view of Pope Francis? statement who further argues that ? sister earth, along with all the abandoned of our world cry out, pleading that we take another course. Never have we so hurt and mistreated our common home as we have in the last two hundred years. Yet we are called to be instruments of God our father, so that our planet might be what he desired when He created it and correspond with his plan for peace, beauty and fullness. (Francis 2015:33) The situation in relation to Pope Francis? concern as indicated above is explored with regard to the Copperbelt. A theological framework serves as praxis for a desired ecological outlook, taking into consideration the role of scripture, the Church, Government, investors and individual citizens in mitigating and resolving the ecological crisis locally and globally. The crisis, we maintain is mostly due to human activities such as the effects of copper mining, carbon emission and the use of chemicals. Obedience to scripture is the basis for the change of the human mind-set, particularly in Zambia?s Copperbelt. Among the findings of the dissertation are: Disobedience to God?s law, misinterpretation of scripture, depletion of species, loss of cultural heritage, disregard of policies, particularly by investors and of course materialism or greed in its barest form. Further research is recommended on issues of ecological, social and economic effects, the extent of damage to ecosystems in the Copperbelt, and how best to reconstruct them. Sustainability for continued desired status for the sake of the species, nature and future generation is the quest of the study.<br>Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2015.<br>tm2016<br>Dogmatics and Christian Ethics<br>PhD<br>Unrestricted

Water pollution is recognized as one of the major environmental problems in the mining industry. This has been compounded with an increase in agriculture activities. Water pollution is a major problem on copper and coal mines throughout the world and Zambia, the focus of this study, is no exception. Worldwide freshwater resources, which provide important ecosystem services to humans, are under threat from rapid population growth, urbanization, industrialization and abandonment of wastelands. There is an urgent need to monitor and assess these resources. In this context, the physical, chemical and ecological water quality of the Munkulungwe Stream located on the Copperbelt of Zambia, was assessed with possible contamination from Bwana Mkubwa TSF, agriculture activities and subsequent impact on the surrounding community. The chemical and physical parameters were assessed at four sampling locations. Sampling site S1 was located on the Munkulungwe stream upstream of Bwana Mkubwa TSF, S2, S3 and S4 were on the main stream downstream of Bwana Mkubwa TSF. In addition, a macroinvertebrate composition analysis was performed to estimate the quality of water using the biotic index score. Finally, the relationship between physiochemical parameters and biotic index score was analysed to interrogate their inter-relationship with respect to water quality. The results showed that the average values of dissolved oxygen (DO) of 4.52 mg/l, turbidity (40.96 NTU), Co (0.24 mg/l), Pb (0.25 mg/l), Fe (0.36 mg/l) and Mn (0.22 mg/l) downstream exceeded international standards for drinking water. Upstream, the values of Co, Pb, Fe and Mn were within acceptable standards for drinking water, DO and turbidity were above acceptable standards. The metal concentration and total dissolved solutes were impacted by closeness to the mine tailings deposit with the heavy metal concentration being highest at S2 and S3. Moreover, high turbidity levels revealed that land erosion induced by agriculture activities is a severe problem in the area. Physical parameters were high in the rainy season due erosion escalated by rains while chemical parameters were high post rainy season. During the rainy season, the chemical contaminants are diluted and thus they are not such a big impact, but they tend to concentrate up during the dry MDNLEE001 III season. The stream at sampling points S2 and S3 was dominated by species tolerant (leech, Isopod and Snail: Pouch) and semi tolerant (Blackfly larvae and Amphipod or Scud) to pollution. The change in season influenced the composition of macroinvertebrates, with the number of species increased post rainy season. The average biotic index score (2.5) showed that the stream condition is not good, it is slightly polluted. The results showed that water quality downstream was substantially affected by Bwana Mkubwa TSF, agriculture activities and is likely to affect human health and food security. It is recommended that groundwater surrounding tailings dams should be monitored in both active and abandoned mines. Curtain boreholes around a tailings dam can be drilled and the water extracted and treated so that it doesn't contaminate other water bodies. To improve the environmental management of mining related impacts in Zambia, mining areas should be completely rehabilitated. There is need for remediation strategies for abandoned mine sites. Constructed wetlands, roughing filtration and phytoremediation are highly promising techniques, as they are reliable, cheap, effective and sustainable.

Magister Public Health - MPH<br>Background: One study on estimating rates of mother to child transmission of HIV (MTCT) in program settings in Zambia showed significant reduction in the MTCT rate with some specific prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) interventions. Prolonged breastfeeding and mixed feeding practices by HIV positive mothers increased the MTCT rate by more than double by the time the infant reached 6 to12 months of age. Although the study did not assess the quality of PMTCT counselling in antenatal care settings, literature shows that poor quality of counselling on PMTCT reduces the effectiveness of PMTCT interventions. Study aim: To evaluate the quality of PMTCT counselling offered to pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) services in four public health facilities in Kitwe, Copperbelt province of Zambia. Study design and data collection: This was a cross sectional descriptive study. Data was generated using qualitative research methods including document analysis and individual interviews with 22 participants using non-participant observations, client exit interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) to collect data. The study participants were ANC attendees and PMTCT providers. Two FGDs were conducted with a total of 98 counselling observations done and 16 ANC client exit interviews. Client exit interviews were done immediately after the mothers had undergone PMTCT counselling. Results: Content for group health education (GHE) varied across the facilities. Individual pre-test, post-test and follow up counselling sessions were very short and lacked depth. A total of 41 (83.7%) pre-test observations took between 1 and 5 minutes to be conducted. In addition, several key topics including major modes of HIV transmission, MTCT and the "window period" were omitted. The counsellors' interpersonal skills were generally good but they did not consistently summarize the main issues. The 16 mothers interviewed had limited knowledge of PMTCT with only one client knowing all the MTCT modes correctly. Discussion: Quality of PMTCT counselling did not meet expectations. With a lot of key topics omitted, outcomes of PMTCT interventions may not be as good as expected. Facilities are faced with serious staff shortages and limitations with space. The few members of staff available are overworked and are not able to provide quality PMTCT counselling. Conclusion: While the PMTCT uptake was good and clients felt satisfied, the quality of PMTCT counselling is compromised. There is need to improve it and ensure optimal effectiveness of PMTCT services.

The study was conducted to investigate whether the use of a wider range of teaching methods can improve the quality of environmental learning in five Zambian primary schools. Nine teachers from five schools were involved in the preliminary stage of answering of questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussions about the use of dominant teaching methods and new teaching methods; while only four were involved in the observations of four lessons. The study is a contribution to the on‐going debate on the investigation of whether teaching methods used by teachers can be one of the factors that can influence the quality of education. Definitions of quality and educational quality in particular, are not easy to establish and no agreed upon framework for educational quality exists at present. This study reviews the debates on educational quality, and identifies three major paradigms or discourses on educational quality; and considers the human rights, social justice and capabilities approaches and educational quality frameworks as being relevant to environmental learning and education for sustainable development in the Southern African Development Community context. This, together with a review of research on teaching methods in environmental education, provides the theoretical framework for this study. Using action research and an interpretative methodological framework, a series of research activities were undertaken to generate research data because the study was investigating the teachers’ practice with a view to probe change and to analyse the findings. Nine teachers participated in the preliminary stage of answering questionnaires and focus group interviews reflecting on existing teaching methods. In stage two of this study, teachers went through a planning workshop during which they planned lessons using new preferred teaching methods. The third stage was lesson observations of planned lessons. The final stage was the reflection workshop during which the teachers shared their experiences with the use of new teaching methods. The teaching practices of teachers using the new teaching methods were the subject of further analysis. In order to find out how the use of a wide range of teaching methods can improve quality of environmental learning in primary schools nine teachers were observed teaching lessons with new teaching methods. The Nikel and Lowe (2010) fabric of dimensions of educational quality was adapted and used to find out if teachers included dimensions of quality in the teaching process. Additional socio‐cultural and structural quality dimensions, identified through a review of southern African research, were used to find out if teachers included contextualized regional dimensions of educational quality. This was done to investigate whether the process of teaching and learning was relevant to the learners. Teachers involved in the research reflected that when they used a wider range of teaching methods the result was that the learning opportunities for learners were enhanced and that the methods added value to their teaching, improving the quality of their teaching. The use of a wider range of teaching methods showed the presence of several indicators of dimensions of educational quality, as reflected in the quality analysis tool. Teachers indicated that the use of a wider range of teaching methods led them to include the socio‐cultural dimensions such as the use of local languages and structural dimensions such as informal seating arrangements or group work that they would otherwise neglect if they used the traditional narrow range of teaching methods. A wider range of teaching methods provided learners with an enjoyable learning atmosphere during the lesson. The research also identified that this study can be taken further through broader observations, and that the educational quality dimensions tool is useful for different levels of the education system, and that it has potentially productive uses in teacher education, particularly for observations during teaching practice.

The efficiency and effectiveness of any library in delivering quality services to clients is not only dependent on how skilled the librarians are but also on how motivated they are. This study investigated factors which affect motivation of librarians in Central and Copperbelt Provinces of Zambia. The study was a survey design involving questionnaires and interview technique to obtain information. A whole population of 100 respondents was used to collect data. The survey combined qualitative and quantitative methods, qualitative data obtained from interviews were analysed by coding and regrouping similar themes using constant comparative techniques. Quantitative data from questionnaires were analysed by using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). Study findings indicated that there were various factors which motivated librarians to do more work such as responsibilities, good salary, promotion and work achievement. However, further revelation showed that there is still need to reinforce these factors to enhance more motivation of librarians.<br>Information Science<br>M.A. (Information Science)

Copper is the mainstay of the Zambian economy. From the inception of mining activities in the 1920s, it has accounted for the majority of the country‟s exports and foreign earnings. However, most people are of the view that its contribution to development programmes is disproportionate, well below their expectations. They attribute the contemporary failure to copper price volatility, international market forces, ownership, government ineptitude and the consequences of neoliberalism. Given the large expense involved in establishing and running copper mines, the country depends heavily on foreign capital. A big proportion of the copper that is mined in Zambia is sold in an unprocessed state denying the country additional revenue. This study assesses both the role of copper mining in the economic history of Zambia and its role in contemporary development as perceived and understood by current university-educated job market entrants on the Zambian Copperbelt, their educators and other commentators with work experience in the sector.<br>Theses (M.Dev.Studies)--University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2014.

The study was primary undertaken to critically study the nature of learner performance and teaching in public secondary schools in Zambia, with a focus on four public, co-education, day schools in the Copperbelt region for the purposes of addressing the challenge of poor performance in the Grade 12 National examinations that has characterised public secondary schools in the country. The researcher was guided by the main research question: ‘What is the nature of learner performance and teaching in public secondary schools in Zambia?’ The aim of the research was to establish the factors that negatively affected learner performance and teaching in the selected schools in order to develop effective mechanisms that would improve the education system in public secondary schools both at regional and national levels. The study was undertaken using a qualitative interpretive phenomenological approach mainly propounded by Martin Heidegger (1889-1976), for the purposes of collecting the lived experiences of the 24 purposively selected participants employed in this research: 4 head teachers, 8 teachers and 12 learners. Data collection was based on semi-structured interviews among the two longest serving teachers (male and female) per school and each of the head teachers in all the four schools; and two focus group interviews (from the highest and lowest performing schools) comprising six learners per group of equal gender among the selected Grade 12 candidates from the debate club and school council. The research also included analysis of documents like: school mission statements and visions, schemes and records of work and learners’ record of performance. The gathered information was manually analysed and interpreted. The major findings from the analysed data were that public secondary schools were negatively affected by four main categories of factors: (a) socio-economic factors; (b) the nature of the teaching and learning environment; (c) personal factors relating to the learners, teachers and head teachers; and (d) policy issues relating to learner enrolment and assessment, teacher selection, recruitment and development and highly controlled bureaucratic systems. The study established that improved learner performance is crucial to national development because the quality of an education system is measured by the performance of learners, and is the major drive for many aspects of development. The study also revealed that it was possible to improve learner performance, based on a number of lessons that can be drawn from the international research findings on characteristics of high-performing schools. Finally, the study recommends that public secondary schools in Zambia should revise their approach to enrolment of learners, teacher recruitment and development, and leadership appointment, and should adopt policies that meet the needs of the Zambian context as well as investing in research.<br>Educational Studies<br>D. Ed. (Philosophy of Education)

The research explores and examines the relationship that exists between religion and health. Four church health related activities were examined as case studies to assert their direct and indirect contribution to health and well being of communities on the Copperbelt Province of Zambia. The main thrust and perspective of the study is a theological position on the contribution of the Christian Church toward holistic health care and provision. The study is rooted in a large field of study called African Religiou s Health Assets Program [ARHAP] which has developed a theory to help establish the link that exist between religion and health in health care. The insights from the ARHAP theoretical framework are engaged in this study to identify the religious health assets known as tangible and intangible in each institution and how they contribute to health promotion and care . Key informants from each of the four religious health institutions were interviewed to establish and examine the kind of religious health assets they have and on how they affect and contribute to health outcomes. Through these case studies of four Christian religious health institutions, in Ndola and Masaiti districts, the thesis has shown that religious health institutions have diverse assets that enhance and contribute directly and indirectly to better health outcomes . These assets [referring to what is present in these institutions] are labeled as ‘religious health assets’ in this thesis . The findings of the thesis indicate that Christian religious health institutions have assets, which could be aligned and leveraged in public health policy for the well being of people and communities.<br>Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.

MPH, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand<br>Poor retention rates and a lack of human resource management capacity have led to a critical shortage of nurses and serious disparities in their distribution between urban and rural areas in Zambia. The Zambian government is faced with the challenge of developing retention schemes that address the most pressing needs of nurses in rural service. The aim of the study is to contribute to the body of work in Zambia that looks at the influence of non-financial incentives on the retention of nurses in rural areas. The study also aims to show what factors nurses think would keep them in rural posting. The objectives of this study are to determine the perceptions of nurses in two rural hospitals in the Copperbelt province of Zambia about non-financial incentives that could influence retention in rural areas and to determine which factors nurses perceive to be the most important for retention. The study design was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Forty nurses were conveniently sampled. Data was collected by means of structured interviews using a questionnaire and was analysed using stata10. The majority of nurses strongly agreed that individual, institutional and local environmental factors play a significant role in retention. Factors identified as the most important for retention were motivation to work (n=26), appreciation from the community (n=33), ability to make decisions about work (n=17), satisfactory accommodation (n=32), availability of schools for children (n=26), managable distance to work (n=13), access to continuing education and iv professional development (n=26), having good relationships with colleagues (n=15) and, availability of essential equipment, tools and supplies (n=14). Factors ranked first choice according to level of importance by the majority of nurses were satisfactory accommodation (n=25), access to continuing education and professional development (n=20) and motivation to work (n=18). There are no straight forward answers to the problem of retention in rural areas. The development of appropriate strategies requires an understanding of the interaction of factors which influence nurses’ decisions to work in a rural and remote post. Successful retention strategies will require strengthening and upgrading of human resource management capacity. The response must be all inclusive, engaging relevant stakeholders, including non-health and nongovernmental group