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Sulemena, Anas. "Communicating corporate social responsibility via telecommunications websites." Information Development 33, no. 5 (September 28, 2016): 512–24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0266666916671772.
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Many organizations engage in and also endeavor to report their corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities to placate the key stakeholders in society. This study is a cross-country analysis of CSR themes communicated by the eight top telecommunications companies in Africa using websites as a disclosure medium. The study evaluates CSR reportage in community involvement, ethical involvement, product and customer, human resource and environmental engagement in South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria and Kenya. The work concludes that the telecommunications companies in Africa sampled in the study are committed to and report their CSR activities. However, significant differences do exist in how the various companies reported on their CSR. The South African firms clearly lead in reporting CSR in most of the constructs investigated. However, the sampled firms all reported their contributions to education and community engagement. The work makes significant contributions to CSR reportage, especially in the area of cross-country analysis of CSR themes.
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Harvey, Brian, James Stuart, and Tony Swan. "Evaluation of a Drama-in-Education Programme to Increase AIDS Awareness in South African High Schools: A Randomized Community Intervention Trial." International Journal of STD & AIDS 11, no. 2 (February 2000): 105–11. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/095646240001100207.
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A community intervention trial was undertaken in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa to evaluate the effectiveness of a high school drama-in-education programme. Seven pairs of secondary schools were randomized to receive either written information about HIV/AIDS or the drama programme. Questionnaire surveys of knowledge, attitude and behaviour were compared before and 6 months after the interventions. One thousand and eighty students participated in the first survey and 699 in the second. Improvements in knowledge ( P=0.0002) and attitudes ( P<0.00001) about HIV/AIDS were demonstrated in pupils at schools receiving the drama programme when compared to pupils receiving written information alone. These changes were independent of age, gender, school or previous sexual experience. In schools receiving the drama programme, sexually active pupils reported an increase in condom use ( P<0.01). It is important to provide resources to sustain such programmes and to obtain stronger evidence of effect on behaviour by measuring changes in HIV incidence.
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Fennie, Thelma, Mokgadi Moletsane, and Anita Padmanabhanunni. "Adolescents' experiences of menarche and menstruation in disadvantaged schools in South Africa: a qualitative exploration." Health Education 121, no. 4 (May 4, 2021): 408–19. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/he-12-2020-0122.
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PurposeThis study explores how menstruation is perceived, experienced and navigated by school-going adolescent girls living in low-to-middle income settings in South Africa. Existing research from developing countries suggest that the onset of menstruation has implications for school attendance and academic performance. There is evidence that menstrual cycle–related symptoms (primarily physical) lead to difficulties in, or interference with, and disengagement from school, social relations, and physical activities (van Iersel et al., 2016; Steiner et al., 2011; Kiesner and Pastore, 2010; Taras, 2005). The onset of menstruation can be shame-inducing and has been associated with anxiety and confusion. Few studies have been conducted on menstruation in countries with a history of sectarian violence and characterised by substantial socio-economic disparities and high levels of gender-based violence. Understanding the experiences of girls in these contexts is important in generating contextually-grounded knowledge and appropriate interventions.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design was used to collect data from 48 adolescent girls aged 13–16 year-old. A total of six focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire among a purposive sampling method. Data collected were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. Written parental consent was obtained for participants under 18 years old.FindingsThe findings illustrated complex psychological experiences in response to menarche and menstruation. Experiences of shame in relation to menstruation were aggravated by unsupportive responses from school teachers. Challenges such as scarcity of sanitary products were experienced as creating a barrier for girls' school attendance.Research limitations/implicationsExisting research from developing countries suggests that the onset of menstruation has implications for school attendance and academic performance. The research data includes the views of adolescent learners and their negative reactions and positive experiences towards menstruation within the school environment.Practical implicationsGiven the comparative paucity of research emerging from developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa, this paper addresses an important gap in the literature by providing contextually-nuanced information about the menstrual experiences of adolescent girls. The study can further provide information for efforts made by the Department of Education and Department of Health regarding the impact of menstruation on adolescent girls' school attendance.Social implicationsThis study provides important insights regarding the experiences of South African school girls in relation to menstruation. Although dominant feelings of shame, confusion and disgust may surround menstruation, the study also highlighted potential positive experiences associated with menstruation. Teachers and school administrators need to be oriented towards the needs of adolescent girls if issues regarding poor school attendance are to be addressed.Originality/valueTo reduce absenteeism in schools and ensure learners are provided with improved allocation of sanitary products in schools, there is a need for the advocacy regarding sexuality education and resources to promote the psychological health of adolescent girls.
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Zwama, Gimenne, Karin Diaconu, Anna S. Voce, Fiona O'May, Alison D. Grant, and Karina Kielmann. "Health system influences on the implementation of tuberculosis infection prevention and control at health facilities in low-income and middle-income countries: a scoping review." BMJ Global Health 6, no. 5 (May 2021): e004735. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2020-004735.
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BackgroundTuberculosis infection prevention and control (TB-IPC) measures are consistently reported to be poorly implemented globally. TB-IPC guidelines provide limited recognition of the complexities of implementing TB-IPC within routine health systems, particularly those facing substantive resource constraints. This scoping review maps documented system influences on TB-IPC implementation in health facilities of low/middle-income countries (LMICs).MethodsWe conducted a systematic search of empirical research published before July 2018 and included studies reporting TB-IPC implementation at health facility level in LMICs. Bibliometric data and narratives describing health system influences on TB-IPC implementation were extracted following established methodological frameworks for conducting scoping reviews. A best-fit framework synthesis was applied in which extracted data were deductively coded against an existing health policy and systems research framework, distinguishing between social and political context, policy decisions, and system hardware (eg, information systems, human resources, service infrastructure) and software (ideas and interests, relationships and power, values and norms).ResultsOf 1156 unique search results, we retained 77 studies; two-thirds were conducted in sub-Saharan Africa, with more than half located in South Africa. Notable sociopolitical and policy influences impacting on TB-IPC implementation include stigma against TB and the availability of facility-specific TB-IPC policies, respectively. Hardware influences on TB-IPC implementation referred to availability, knowledge and educational development of staff, timeliness of service delivery, availability of equipment, such as respirators and masks, space for patient separation, funding, and TB-IPC information, education and communication materials and tools. Commonly reported health system software influences were workplace values and established practices, staff agency, TB risk perceptions and fears as well as staff attitudes towards TB-IPC.ConclusionTB-IPC is critically dependent on health system factors. This review identified the health system factors and health system research gaps that can be considered in a whole system approach to strengthen TB-IPC practices at facility levels in LMICs.
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Victor, Janine, Gideon Smith, Abraham Van Wyk, and Shanelle Ribeiro. "Plant taxonomic capacity in South Africa." Phytotaxa 238, no. 2 (December 11, 2015): 149. http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.238.2.3.
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South Africa’s exceptionally rich and diverse flora faces challenges in terms of utilisation, management and conservation; these actions are underpinned by taxonomic research. The principal purpose of this review is to determine whether South Africa has the human capacity and resources to conduct taxonomic research that is required to support end-users of plant taxonomic information, and to identify shortages of capacity or resources that might prove to be an obstacle for plant taxonomic research. From an analysis of the existing gaps in taxonomic information, current research trends, and resources, it is apparent that there is a critical shortage of human capacity in South Africa to conduct plant taxonomic research for the benefit of biodiversity and society. Training institutions need to ensure the supply of suitably trained graduates including concentrating on those who meet Employment Equity targets. The need for more taxonomists is clearly justified, but may not be a priority in a country that already has such shortages of capacity in education and social services. Aside from lobbying for more jobs to be created, there is an urgent need to utilise available resources (human and other) effectively, and to implement a strategy for taxonomic research to ensure that priority activities are conducted.
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Taljaard, Susan, and Willem A. M. Botes. "Marine water quality management in South Africa." Water Science and Technology 32, no. 2 (July 1, 1995): 281–88. http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/wst.1995.0118.
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In South Africa the ultimate goal in water quality management is to keep the water resources suitable for all “beneficial uses”. Beneficial uses provides a basis for the derivation of water quality guidelines, which, for South Africa, are defined in Water quality guidelines for the South African coastal zone (DWAF, 1991). The CSIR has developed a practical approach to marine water quality management, taking into account international trends and local experience, which can be applied to any coastal development with potential influence on water quality. The management plan is divided into three logical components, i.e. • site-specific statutory requirements and environmental objectives; • system design with specific reference to influences on water quality; and • monitoring programmes. Within this management approach water quality issues are addressed in a holistic manner, through focused procedures and clear identification of information requirements. This paper describes the procedures and information requirements within each component of the water quality management plan, with specific reference to marine disposal systems. Ideally, the management plan should be implemented from the feasibility and conceptual design phase of a development and the timing of the different procedures within the development process are therefore also highlighted. However, the logical lay-out of procedures allows for easy initiation (even to existing disposal system) at any stage of development.
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Schutte, C. F. "Education and training of water practitioners in South Africa: needs and programmes." Water Science and Technology 38, no. 11 (December 1, 1998): 279–85. http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/wst.1998.0478.
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South Africa is facing severe water supply and water quality problems as a result of its limited water resources and other complicating factors. Adequately educated and trained water practitioners are needed to address these problems to ensure economic prosperity and a reasonable standard of living for all South Africans. Training and education needs are analysed in this paper and available programmes and initiatives to deliver the water practitioners needed are discussed. The main areas where training and education is needed include education at community level to educate local water committee members and community support personnel; training of technical staff to operate and maintain water treatment and supply schemes; and education of high-level scientists and engineers to develop new technologies, to improve performance, design and management of processes, plant and projects.
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Cormack, R. H., N. J. Lewis, and J. J. Barnard. "The Development of Operator Training in the Republic of South Africa." Water Science and Technology 21, no. 8-9 (August 1, 1989): 1025–35. http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/wst.1989.0304.
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As part of the campaign to protect the Republic of South Africa's limited water resources, legislation has been drawn up stipulating the number and calibre of operators to be employed on a water care works. The registration and classification of both works and their operators will provide essential information for the refining and expansion of present training provisions. Four new courses in water and wastewater treatment have been approved for inclusion in the National Technical Certificate system. A preliminary training strategy is outlined and some anticipated improvements and modifications to be made in the years ahead are given.
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Oyediran-Tidings, S. O., F. H. Nekhwevha, E. M. Ondari-Okemwa, and Oghenere Salubi. "Access to educational information enabled by ICT tools in the Fort Beaufort Education District (FBED), Eastern Cape, South Africa." Information Development 37, no. 3 (February 25, 2021): 402–16. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0266666921995232.
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The benefits of the application of ICT tools in the education of high school learners have been well-established in various studies. As developments in technology have increased the reach of electronic information resources and enhanced learners’ access to educational information, it is imperative that these tools be available and accessible without any hindrances whatsoever to high school learners. This study was set out to evaluate the state of ICT infrastructure available to high school learners for the advancement of access to educational information while accentuating the efforts by the South African government to promote computer access in schools. This study underscores the importance of ICT tools for high school learners in ensuring quality educational outcome. A triangulated design was adopted to collect both qualitative and quantitative data on the condition of ICT-enabled access to educational information from Grade 12 learners and teachers in the Fort Beaufort Education District, Eastern Cape South Africa. Results show that learners’ access to educational information is constrained by inadequate provision of ICT infrastructure, restricted access to ICT tools, regulations for use of personal ICT tools and absence of information literacy for high school learners. The study, therefore, recommends the improved and dedicated provision of ICT resources, ICT-enabled educational information literacy program and flexibility of rules regarding the use of personal ICT tools at school.
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Neerputh, Shirlene. "INTEGRATING INFORMATION LITERACY IN THE GENERAL EDUCATION MODULE AT THE DURBAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, SOUTH AFRICA." Mousaion: South African Journal of Information Studies 34, no. 1 (July 16, 2016): 43–55. http://dx.doi.org/10.25159/0027-2639/700.
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A university curriculum re-design process provides a promising opportunity for the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Library to become an active academic partner as it modifies its contribution to enhance teaching, learning and research in the twenty-first century information environment. This article provides a conceptual framework for the library to engage in the General Education Module (GEM) for first-year undergraduate students. The GEM at DUT emanated from a curriculum renewal strategy to enhance student-centred learning across all six faculties of the university. The GEM is underpinned by a humanistic educational university strategy. Constructivist theory underpins the compulsory credit-bearing information literacy (IL) programme in the GEM at DUT. The article shows how an academic library can become a cohesive instructional partner in contributing to academic success. The library, in addition to its traditional role as the gatekeeper of learning resources and information provision, offers an integrated credit bearing IL programme in the GEM. This also constitutes a paradigm shift for instructional design at DUT.
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Tlakula, Tintswalo Pascalis, and Madeleine Fombad. "The use of electronic resources by undergraduate students at the University of Venda, South Africa." Electronic Library 35, no. 5 (October 2, 2017): 861–81. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/el-06-2016-0140.
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Purpose This paper aims to establish the level of use of the electronic resources at the University of Venda, which is one of the previously disadvantaged universities in South Africa. It identifies the different electronic resources used at the university, determines the level of awareness and training in the use of these resources and suggests ways in which electronic resources may be enhanced. The rapid changes in the information and communication technology (ICTs) have influenced service delivery in academic libraries in terms of how information is gathered, accessed, retrieved and used. Hence, electronic resources are invaluable research tools in academic libraries in the twenty-first century. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative research methodology was adopted, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with each participant to get in-depth information. The target population was all third-year students registered with the School of Human and Social Sciences at the University of Venda. The third year undergraduate students from this particular school where chosen because statistics revealed that these students where ranked among the top in the use of computers. Findings The findings revealed that the level of usage of these resources by undergraduate students is elementary and limited to SABINET and EBSCO host. Undergraduate student’s level of awareness of the different electronic resources is low. They confused electronic resources to Web-based internet sources. It also revealed that the level of awareness and training in the use of these resources is still generic, as training is mostly a once off orientation at the first year. Research limitations/implications This paper focuses on third year undergraduate students who were using computers because the researchers were interested in finding out whether students using computers were also using electronic resources. It excluded other profiles such as age, gender and computer usage behaviour of electronic resources. Practical implications Adequate use and knowledge of electronic resources at universities is instrumental towards realisation of the country’s ICT Strategy and the outcome-based education (OBE) model of teaching movement. Suggestions are made to the university, the university library, university librarians and the Library Association of South Africa on how to enhance the use of electronic resources. Originality/value It establishes the level of use of electronic resources in one of South African historically disadvantaged universities, a point of contact to other previously South African disadvantaged universities and make suggestions on how electronic resources may be enhanced. It adds to the body of knowledge on the use of electronic resources in academic libraries in South African universities.
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Ashton, P. J., F. C. van Zyl, and R. G. Heath. "Water quality management in the Crocodile River catchment, Eastern Transvaal, South Africa." Water Science and Technology 32, no. 5-6 (September 1, 1995): 201–8. http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/wst.1995.0603.
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The Crocodile River catchment lies in an area which currently has one of the highest rates of sustained economic growth in South Africa and supports a diverse array of land uses. Water quality management is vital to resource management strategies for the catchment. A Geographic Information System (GIS) was used to display specific catchment characteristics and land uses, supplemented with integrative overlays depicting land-use impacts on surface water resources and the consequences of management actions on downstream water quality. The water quality requirements of each water user group were integrated to optimise the selection of rational management solutions for particular water quality problems. Time-series water quality data and cause-effect relationships were used to evaluate different water supply scenarios. The GIS facilitated the collation, processing and interpretation of the enormous quantity of spatially orientated information required for integrated catchment management.
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Odendaal, Peter E. "Recent Advances in Water Reuse Research in South Africa." Water Science and Technology 23, no. 10-12 (May 1, 1991): 2061–71. http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/wst.1991.0662.
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Due to limited water resources, water reuse is pursued as a major component of an overall strategy to optimise water use in South Africa. Progress in South African water reuse research, mainly since 1985, is reviewed. In the field of potable reuse research, the topics addressed are epidemiological studies, activated carbon, the microbiology of reclaimed water, bioassaying, and reverse osmosis. Information is provided on the scale of direct agricultural and industrial reuse of purified sewage effluents. Indirect reuse is steadily increasing and research which traditionally addressed direct potable reuse is becoming of equal relevance to indirect reuse. In addition, research becomes necessary on problems which relate specifically to indirect reuse, such as : treatment of algal waters, variation of raw water quality, upgrading of sewage effluent quality, organohalogens, and salination problems. Recent advances in research on internal water reuse by industry focused in particular on membranes and salt removal technology. Cases mentioned are textile dyehouse, scouring, bleaching and mercerising processes; bottle washing; wool scouring; water works wash water; and power station cooling.
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Bradshaw, York W. "Using Information Technology to Create Global Classrooms: Benefits and Ethical Dilemmas." International Review of Information Ethics 7 (September 1, 2007): 332–39. http://dx.doi.org/10.29173/irie36.
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The global digital divide represents one of the most significant examples of international inequality. In North America and Western Europe, nearly 70% of citizens use the Internet on a regular basis, whereas in Africa less than 4% do so. Such inequality impacts business and trade, online education and libraries, telemedicine and health resources, and political information and e-government. In response, a group of educators and community leaders in South Africa and the United States have used various information technologies to create a ?global classroom? that connects people in the two countries. University students, high school students, and other citizens communicate via Internet exchanges, video conferencing, and digital photo essays. The project has produced a number of tangible benefits and it has developed a model for reducing inequality in global education, at least for those institutions with the technological resources to participate. We also present several recommendations for how to expand the initiative and thereby increase the number of people who can benefit from it.
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Phetlhe, Lesego, Heather Morris-Eyton, and Alliance Kubayi. "Sources of Stress among Soccer Coaches in Gauteng Province, South Africa." International Sports Studies 42, no. 2 (December 21, 2020): 45–52. http://dx.doi.org/10.30819/iss.42-2.05.
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The purpose of this study was to examine sources of stress among football coaches in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Participants were 150 football coaches who completed the twenty-six item Stressors in Sports Coaching Questionnaire (Kubayi, Toriola, and Didymus, 2018). Players were generally seen as providing the greatest source of stress through ‘players underperforming in training’ and ‘lack of discipline and commitment from players’. The most important task related stressors came from the ‘lack of recognition of good coaching’ and ‘performing multiple roles’. ‘High expectation to win’ and ‘my performance is judged on players’ results’ were the major sources of performance stress and ‘job insecurity’ was the leading environmental stressor. It is recommended that sport clubs and managers in Gauteng need to increase the resources available to their coaches to cope with the stresses that have been identified. Particular attention should be paid to assist coaches in improving their resilience and coping skills when under pressure from the many external demands that accompany their coaching role.
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Abiodun, Oluwafemi Peter, Dominique Anderson, and Alan Christoffels. "Exploring the Influence of Organizational, Environmental, and Technological Factors on Information Security Policies and Compliance at South African Higher Education Institutions, with a Focus on Implications for Biomedical Research." Proceedings 45, no. 1 (March 10, 2020): 2. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2020045002.
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Globally, concerns over information security vulnerabilities are growing exponentially, fuelled by several headline reports of data breach incidents, which increase in size with each occurrence. On the Africa continent, South Africa is ranked among the most ‘at-risk’ countries for information security vulnerabilities, having lost approximately fifty billion rands to cybercrime in 2014. South Africa is currently considered to be the most cybercrime-targeted country in Africa. Worldwide, cyber vulnerability incidents greatly affect the education sector, due to the fact that this sector holds more Personal Identifiable Information (PII) than many other sectors. The PII ranges from (but is not limited to) ID numbers and financial account numbers to biomedical research data. In response to growing threats in South Africa, a similar regulation strategy to the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), called the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) will be implemented, with a view to mitigating cybercrime and information security vulnerabilities. The extent to which African institutions, and specifically the South African universities, have embraced and respond to these two information security regulations (GDPR and POPIA) is not yet clear and will be a matter of great importance for biomedical researchers. This research study aims to conduct a qualitative exploratory analysis of information security management across three universities in South Africa, by using a Technology, Organizational, and Environmental (TOE) model to investigate the factors which may influence the effectiveness of information security measures. This study is poised to make a significant contribution to the development of a Management Model for security practitioners and a framework for information management of biomedical data.
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van Vliet, H. R., S. J. Swart, and D. J. Roux. "National and regional surface water quality assessment in the Republic of South Africa." Water Science and Technology 30, no. 10 (November 1, 1994): 25–35. http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/wst.1994.0508.
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Concern over the deteriorating quality of South African surface water resources in the past several decades has resulted in a number of fundamental changes in the approach to national water quality management, the most significant being a shift from a point-source control approach to a more complex and information-intensive receiving-water-quality based strategy. These changes highlighted the urgent need for a new focus on the development of a balanced and integrated strategy for the national and regional assessment of water quality and aquatic ecosystem health. An overview of the current developments, direction and strategies for water quality assessment of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, is presented.
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Bangani, Siviwe, Sabelo Chizwina, and Mathew Moyo. "An analysis of interlibrary loan services: a case study of a university in South Africa." Information Discovery and Delivery 46, no. 1 (February 19, 2018): 26–37. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/idd-08-2017-0059.
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Purpose The landscape of teaching, learning and research has changed requiring the need for diverse information resources. Given the current budgetary constraints and financial conditions prevailing in many universities, sharing of information resources has become a necessity. The Interlibrary Loan (ILL) services have thus become an important service to meet the immediate needs of library users. The aim of this paper is to analyse the ILL services of the North-West University in South Africa from 2006 to 2016. Using statistical data, the paper shows the emerging pattern in borrowing and lending between institutions as well as determines the existence of correlations between borrowing and lending libraries. The results of this study show that ILL amongst libraries has decreased in the past 11 years. A need exists for increased awareness of ILL and there is need for technological innovations that will ensure that library users are able to request for information resources seamlessly. Design/methodology/approach This is a quantitative study that uses ILL data from the North-West University. Data were downloaded from the SABINET ILL system using the three NWU JC codes. They were then collated and uploaded on excel spreadsheets. In the main, the excel spreadsheets were used to interpret the data. Further, the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, in particular Spearman’s Correlation Analysis, was used to test correlations between data from libraries that requested information resources from NWU and data from libraries that supplied information resources to NWU during this period using Rumsey’s guidelines to interpret the correlations. Findings The findings of the study reveal that ILL among libraries in South Africa had generally declined owing mostly to the proliferation of online resources resulting to changes in user information-seeking behaviour. The decline is despite the challenges of low budgets received by most libraries for the acquisition of information resources. It can also be concluded that public university libraries still value ILL as demonstrated by the high number of items requested from other libraries. The findings also reveal that most ILL activities were conducted by public universities. Research limitations/implications It was not possible to obtain the list of titles that have been requested and also to obtain the user’s details. This would have enabled the authors to determine the type of titles that are being requested, and the users that request them. Practical implications ILL should continue to be enhanced in view of the challenge of dwindling library budgets against the escalating prices of information resources. There is also a need for user education so that they become aware of the ILL service. From experience, library users normally give up once they realize that what they wanted is not available through the local catalogue and this calls for librarians to create an awareness to users that ILL could help solve their frustrations. Social implications These results show that ILL can play a significant role to level the playing field between the well-resourced libraries in urbanized regions or provinces and the poorly resourced ones in rural regions or provinces. This social justice aspect of ILL is probably the reason why better resourced libraries in South Africa have decided to remain in the scheme unlike other countries where better resourced libraries opted out of reciprocal arrangements with small and medium-sized institutions. Originality/value The study adds to a very limited number of studies emanating from Africa. A study of this nature has never been conducted in Africa, as previous studies were nationwide studies. As far as the authors know, this is the first study that uses ILL data to research the impact of the global financial crisis on libraries in Africa.
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El-Ghandour, Nasser M. F. "Neurosurgical education in Egypt and Africa." Neurosurgical Focus 48, no. 3 (March 2020): E12. http://dx.doi.org/10.3171/2019.12.focus19804.
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OBJECTIVEAfrica still significantly lags in the development of neurosurgery. Egypt, located in North Africa, is well-developed in this specialty, with the largest number of neurosurgeons among all African countries. This article provides insight into neurosurgical training in Egypt, the challenges African neurosurgeons are facing, and the requirements needed to enhance neurosurgical education and build up the required neurosurgical capacity in Africa.METHODSThe information presented in the current work was collected from databases of the Egyptian Society of Neurological Surgeons and the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies.RESULTSThere are two types of neurosurgical certification in Egypt. The first type is granted by the universities (MD), and the second is awarded by the Ministry of Health (Fellow of Neurosurgery). The program in both types ranges from 6 to 9 years. The number of qualified neurosurgeons in Egypt constitutes one-third of the total number of African neurosurgeons. There is a significant shortage of neurological surgeons in Africa, and the distribution is entirely unbalanced, with the majority of neurosurgeons concentrated in the North and South regions. The most important challenge facing neurosurgery in Africa is lack of resources, which is considered to be the main obstacle to the development of neurosurgery. Other challenges include the limited number of neurosurgeons, lack of training programs, and lack of collaboration among the different regions.CONCLUSIONSProper collaboration among the different regions within the African continent regarding neurosurgical education will enhance African neurosurgical capacity and make neurosurgery an independent specialty. The definite functional polarity among different regions, regarding both the number of qualified neurosurgeons and the neurosurgical capacity, is an important factor that could help in the development of neurosurgery in this continent.
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Burgess, Steven M., and Nicola Oldenboom. "South African and Singaporean exporters: Their attitudes, information sources and export problems." South African Journal of Business Management 28, no. 2 (June 30, 1997): 53–62. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/sajbm.v28i2.789.
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South Africa's emergence from years of political and regulatory trade barriers has focussed attention on South African exporters. In a replication of Elliot Krasnostein's study of 54 Singaporean exporters, the perceptions, attitudes and characteristics of a representative sample of 321 experienced South African exporters and their decision makers were investigated. Consistent with other international studies, the results suggest that managerial, organizational and environmental forces and perceptions motivate export behaviour. However, South African firms clearly are responding to unique situational factors and national export resources as well. The findings indicate that managerial leadership, supportive attitudes and extensive exporting experience are widely available in South Africa. Secondary information sources could be improved and freight costs reduced to improve South African export effectiveness.
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Andrianatos, Kristien. "Implementation of a Multimodal Academic Literacy Resource at a South African University." International Journal of Mobile and Blended Learning 13, no. 4 (October 2021): 83–102. http://dx.doi.org/10.4018/ijmbl.2021100105.
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As a lecturer at a higher education institution in South Africa, the author is conscious of an emphasis placed on multimodal resources as part of the globally experienced shift to teach remotely due to the COVID-19 epidemic. In this autoethnographic study, she critically reflects on her experience in planning and executing the implementation of a custom-made multimodal resource called WIReD. WIReD is an acronym for writing, information literacy and reading development. She situates academic literacy and WIReD within the theoretical framework of multiliteracies, and thereafter provides background in terms of the study context and gives a brief description of WIReD. The methodology section includes the data used, a brief discussion on validity, reliability, and the reflexive process. The data analysis led to two broad categories of implementation inhibitors, namely inadequate resources and collaboration. These hindrances highlight broader issues with regard to institutional management, lecturers, and the needs of students in the South African higher education context.
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Park, Eunil, and Angel del Pobil. "Eco-Friendly Education Facilities: The Case of a Public Education Building in South Korea." Applied Sciences 8, no. 10 (September 25, 2018): 1733. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/app8101733.
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Since the importance and effects of national energy policies, plans, and roadmaps were presented in South Korea, the role of renewable energy resources has received great attention. Moreover, as there is significant reasoning for reducing and minimizing nuclear and fossil fuel usage in South Korean national energy plans, several academic scholars and implementers have expended significant effort to present the potential and feasibility of renewable energy resources in South Korea. This study contributes to these efforts by presenting potential sustainable configurations of renewable energy production facilities for a public building in South Korea. Based on economic, environmental, and technical information as well as the presented simulation results, it proposes an environmentally friendly renewable energy production facility configuration that consists of photovoltaic arrays, battery units, and a converter. Subsidies for installing and renovating such facilities are also considered. The potential configuration indicates $0.464 as the cost of energy, 100% of which is renewable. Potential limitations and future research areas are suggested based on the results of these simulations.
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Fosu, Agyei. "E-Learning and Conventional Learning in 21st Century Information Age: A Case Study Of Students from Selected Universities in Buffalo City Metropolitan Eastern Cape South Africa." International Journal of Community Development and Management Studies 3 (2019): 031–41. http://dx.doi.org/10.31355/39.
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NOTE: THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED WITH THE INFORMING SCIENCE INSTITUTE. Aim/Purpose................................................................................................................................................................................................. The main aim of the study is to critically examine the forces that can impede or support students to use e-learning in higher education teaching and learning environment which require not only pre-technological literacy’s but easy access to the e-learning platform and ICT devices. Background................................................................................................................................................................................................. The concept of e-learning has grown considerably in the past three or four decades, which according to Pollock and Cornford, (2003) has prompted a great deal of interest in using and integration of technology into teaching and learning environment thereby transforming the very nature of the traditional higher education system. Murphy et al (2001) have highlighted that not only does the new technologies supplement the conventional course delivery in institutions of higher learning, but they have also become a catalyst for change in higher education. South Africa as a developing nation has adopted the introduction of ICTs in the education system with the hope that it may offer some solutions to the challenges of education in South Africa. The South African Department of Education believes that developments in ICTs and its introduction to the education system creates access to learning opportunities, redresses inequalities, improve the quality of learning and teaching, and deliver lifelong learning (Department of Education, 2004). Even though internet access and ICT devices are becoming more common in South Africa, the use of them for teaching and learning purposes are limited. According to the White Paper on E-education in South Africa (SA, 2004), the Province of Eastern Cape has ranked lowest in terms of number of schools with computers for teaching and learning and as a result many students from Eastern Cape Province who enter higher education do not have adequate technological literacy levels to cope with the demands of higher education teaching and learning environment. Methodology................................................................................................................................................................................................. The design of the study was a case study and it utilized quantitative method. The number of sample units in the study was 65 students from Walter Sisulu University, University of South Africa, Pearson Institute of Higher Education (formerly called CTI) and University of Fort Hare campuses based in East London Eastern Cape Province South Africa. The data were analyzed using MS Excel spreadsheet database for conversion into percentages for the descriptive statistics. Contribution................................................................................................................................................................................................. It is essential to understand the forces that can impede or support e-learning. Possible solutions can be suggested for successfully integrating e-learning into higher education teaching and learning environment to meet 21st century students’ needs. The South Africa case study identified that a number of respondents indicated that the resources are available for e-learning on their university campuses. But these available resources are not efficiently used by most respondents to support their studies. Findings......................................................................................................................................................................................................... The results indicated that in the area of infrastructure required for e-learning, the majority of respondents indicated that the resources are available for e-learning on the campuses of the sampled universities. But these available re-sources are not efficiently utilized by respondents to support their studies. Recommendations for Practitioners............................................................................................................................................................... While universities and other institutions of higher education are encouraging integration of e-learning into the curriculum, it is also imperative that their teaching and learning strategies and policies take into account that some students are unevenly challenged in terms of technological skills and still require additional support. Recommendation for Researchers................................................................................................................................................................ There is the need to explore in depth the aspects that lead to the successful integration of e-learning into conventional lecture method of courses delivery. Impact on Society........................................................................................................................................................................................... With the dawn of 21st century digital and knowledge-based economies evolution where the integration of computers and other ICTs tools in higher education teaching and learning environments have been found to be very beneficial to students, hence not only pre-technological literacy’s of students but easy access to the e-learning platform and ICT devices are critical to higher education learning environment. Assessing students technological skills and access to e-learning platforms to which this study contributes will assist in improving quality education which has a greater impact on society. Future Research............................................................................................................................................................................................... In the context in which this study was conducted further examination of the technological skills of academic staff of the successful integration of e-learning into curriculum would be advisable.
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Wright, Clayton R., and Sunday Reju. "Developing and deploying OERs in sub-Saharan Africa: Building on the present." International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning 13, no. 2 (April 13, 2012): 181. http://dx.doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v13i2.1185.
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Open educational resources (OERs) have the potential to reduce costs, improve quality, and increase access to educational opportunities. OER development and deployment is one path that could contribute to achieving education for all. This article builds on existing information and communication technology (ICT) implementation plans in Africa and on the experiences of organizations and initiatives such as the African Virtual University (AVU), OER Africa, the South African Institute of Distance Education (SAIDE), and the Teacher Education in Sub-Saharan Africa (TESSA) Project, to present one view of the benefits, challenges, and steps that could be taken to realize the potential of OERs in sub-Saharan Africa. Thus, the article focuses on the factors necessary for creating and sustaining a vision for OER development and deployment; developing and distributing resources with an open license; improving technology infrastructure and reducing the cost of Internet access; establishing communities of educational collaborators; sustaining involvement in the OER initiative; producing resources in interoperable and open formats; establishing and maintaining the quality of OERs; providing local context to address national and regional needs and conditions; informing the public about OERs; and taking the initiative to build on the knowledge, skills, and experiences of others. In order to assist educators and decision makers, links to a variety of resources are provided.
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Rahman, Md Naimur. "Urban Expansion Analysis and Land Use Changes in Rangpur City Corporation Area, Bangladesh, using Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) Techniques." Geosfera Indonesia 4, no. 3 (November 25, 2019): 217. http://dx.doi.org/10.19184/geosi.v4i3.13921.
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This study aim to attempt mapping out the Land Use or Land Cover (LULC) status of Regional Project Coordination Committee (RPCC) between 2009-2019 with a view of detecting the land consumption rate and the changes that has taken place using RS and GIS techniques; serving as a precursor to the further study on urban induced variations or change in weather pattern of the cityn Rangpur City Corporation(RCC) is the main administrative functional area for both of Rangpur City and Rangpur division and experiencing a rapid changes in the field of urban sprawl, cultural and physical landscape,city growth. These agents of Land use or Land cover (LULC) varieties are responsible for multi-dimensional problems such as traffic congestion, waterlogging, and solid waste disposal, loss of agricultural land. In this regard, this study fulfills LULC changes by using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) as well as field survey was conducted for the measurement of change detection. The sources of data were Landsat 7 ETM and landsat 8 OLI/TIRS of both C1 level 1. Then after correcting the data, geometrically and radiometrically change detection and combined classification (supervised & unsupervised) were used. The study finds LULC changes built-up area, water source, agricultural land, bare soil in a change of percentage is 17.23, 2.58, -9.94, -10.19 respectively between 2009 and 2019. Among these changes, bare soil is changed to a great extent, which indicates the expansion of urban areas is utilizing the land to a proper extent.
Keywords: Urban expansion; land use; land cover; remote sensing; geographic information system (GIS); Rangpur City Corporation(RCC).
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Ayodeji, Peter Ifegbesan. "WOODLAND RESOURCE USE, ATTITUDES AND CONSERVATION PRACTICES: EVIDENCE FROM THREE COMMUNITIES IN BUSHBUCKRIDGE MPUMALANGA PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA." African Journal of Science and Nature 10 (November 10, 2020): 62. http://dx.doi.org/10.46881/ajsn.v10i0.179.
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This study adopted a mixed-method approach to examine the uses, attitudes, and conservation perceptions of rural people from three communities in Bushbuck ridge, Mpumalanga Province South Africa. The study revealed that rural communities attached a high premium value on the forest as socially, economically, and culturally, both to the country and individuals. It also revealed that people rely heavily on woodland resources for cooking, building materials, food, and medicines. The results indicated that the overwhelming majority of respondents possessed positive attitudes and practices towards forest/woodlands conservation. However, their socio-demographic characteristics except, for the level of education does not influence people's attitudes and practice of forest/woodland conservation. The people are willing to participate in the conservation of forest resources through the adoption of alternative resources and strategies. It is, therefore, recommended that attitude and practice of conservation should be sustained and enhanced through community-based environmental education, which will continue to sensitise as well as encourage them on the importance of conservation.
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Mukuna, Kananga Robert, and Peter J. O. Aloka. "Exploring Educators’ Challenges of Online Learning in Covid-19 at a Rural School, South Africa." International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research 19, no. 10 (October 30, 2020): 134–49. http://dx.doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.19.10.8.
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This study explored the perceived challenges of online learning encounter by rural educators in response to COVID-19 pandemic at a selected rural school in South Africa. Within the qualitative approach, a multiple case study was used as a research design. A sample size of six participants (N=6, two males and four females) was drawn from a rural school in a Thabo Mofutsanyana District in the Free State Province. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques were used to select participants in this study. The participants had teaching experience ranging from 2 to 7 years. Data were collected through telephone interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. The finding suggested that the Protection Motivation Theory was an insightful framework in responding to the challenges emanating from COVID-19 induced online teaching and learning. Thus, the study revealed that there are various challenges to online learning. These include poor parental involvement in children’s homework, incomplete work and poor performance, insufficient personal protective equipment, poor access to network access, and lack of learning devices. Subsequently, we recommend that stakeholders such as the Department of Education, Department of Basic Education, and School Governing Bodies, among others, should ensure that parents are sensitized about the need for learners to manage the resources at their disposal. Furthermore, the provision of adequate resources such as; Internet connectivity and Information and Communication Technologies learning devices is imperative.
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Mkhongi, Felicity Aphiwe, and Walter Musakwa. "Perspectives of GIS Education in High Schools: An Evaluation of uMgungundlovu District, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa." Education Sciences 10, no. 5 (May 7, 2020): 131. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/educsci10050131.
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Geographic Information Systems (GIS) education in South Africa and elsewhere has been envisioned to be a strategy that can contribute to new ways of teaching, learning and understanding. However, very few studies have assessed how GIS is taught in South African high schools. Consequently, this study aims to analyze GIS education dynamics and perspectives in uMgungundlovu District, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. A survey with both open and close-ended questions was conducted with geography educators and geography students. Questions focused on GIS content, how the content is taught, challenges in GIS education, educators’ GIS proficiency and GIS education perspectives. The sample was guided by purposive sampling that intentionally selected schools with the desired qualities. From the results, it was evident that GIS is progressively taught in secondary schools. However, the full potential of GIS education has been restricted by challenges such as inadequate resources and limited exposure of students to GIS’s practical uses. Subsequently, the study recommends that GIS education in South African schools should be accompanied by appropriate hardware, software and opportunities for exposing students and educators to practical methods of teaching and learning GIS. Furthermore, educators should also be trained to be able to adequately equip students with GIS skills and knowledge.
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Viljoen, F. C. "The World Health Organization's water safety plan is much more than just an integrated drinking water quality management plan." Water Science and Technology 61, no. 1 (January 1, 2010): 173–79. http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/wst.2010.792.
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South Africa is a country of contrasts with far ranging variations in climate, precipitation rates, cultures, demographics, housing levels, education, wealth and skills levels. These differences have an impact on water services delivery as do expectations, affordability and available resources. Although South Africa has made much progress in supplying drinking water, the same cannot be said regarding water quality throughout the country. A concerted effort is currently underway to correct this situation and as part of this drive, water safety plans (WSP) are promoted. Rand Water, the largest water services provider in South Africa, used the World Health Organization (WHO) WSP framework as a guide for the development of its own WSP which was implemented in 2003. Through the process of implementation, Rand Water found the WHO WSP to be much more than just another integrated quality system.
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Adewumi, J. R., A. A. Ilemobade, and J. E. van Zyl. "Decision support for the planning of integrated wastewater reuse projects in South Africa." Water Supply 10, no. 2 (April 1, 2010): 251–67. http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/ws.2010.231.
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Wastewater reuse is an attractive option for supplementing available water supplies. Benefits of reuse include pollution abatement due to the reduction of effluent discharge to surface water bodies, the decrease in the use of freshwaters from sensitive ecosystems, replenishment of soil nutrients in agriculture, enhancement of groundwater recharge and delay in the future expansion of water supply infrastructure. This paper presents ongoing research in developing and testing of a decision support system (DSS) for assessing the feasibility of implementing wastewater reuse projects in South Africa. The DSS employs multi-criteria qualitative assessment across technical, environmental, social, institution and water resources. The database of the DSS contains 33 wastewater treatment unit processes with known information on performance, costs and qualitative criteria obtained from literature. The knowledge base on the other hand, consists of a set of rules for combining the treatment units to form treatment trains and contains information on maximum allowable values for different water quality parameters for five end users. The weighted average method was used to aggregate scores obtained from the assessment of the different criteria to generate an indicative value that could form the basis for decision making. Testing of the DSS was applied to the Parow wastewater treatment plant in Cape Town. Results of the analysis shows that only the water resources evaluation score (1.0) is considered excellent for reuse implementation while the institutional evaluation score is weak (0.35) in guaranteeing success. Social evaluation and treatment train technical/environmental have qualitative evaluation scores of 0.76. The desirable score for all the criteria is 1.0 in order to facilitate the successful implementation of any reuse project. The quality of treated effluent from the proposed treatment trains meets the quality requirement in most of the pollutant determined except total phosphorus (2.88). The value is acceptable if the use of the effluent is limited to irrigation. If decision makers give adequate attention to the criteria highlighted in this model, success of a reuse project in South Africa can be better enhanced.
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Wong, Tinadale, and Kim Travers. "Evaluation of a Peer Health Education Project in the Gambia, West Africa." International Quarterly of Community Health Education 17, no. 1 (April 1997): 43–56. http://dx.doi.org/10.2190/jaux-g44k-dx2u-9jj3.
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The purpose of this study was to evaluate a peer health education program among high school students in The Gambia, West Africa. Using convenience sampling, two of the ten high schools targeted by the program (one urban and one rural) were selected for evaluation. A total of eighty respondents, forty from each school, were randomly selected for participation. A validated questionnaire with both open and closed-ended questions was the data collection instrument which was subject to qualitative content analysis and quantitative descriptive analysis. Altogether, seventy-four participants completed the questionnaire for a response rate of 92.5 percent. Respondents' almost universal awareness of the peer health education program and their ability to recall the presentations suggested that peer education is an effective and acceptable means of disseminating information among youths. Over 90 percent of respondents applied the health information to their own lives, suggesting that peer health education can also have an influence on health behaviors of youths. Within the context of a developing country, peer health education was found to be culturally appropriate and allowed for the efficient utilization of local resources.
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Manona, Wendy. "An Empirical Assessment of Dropout Rate of Learners at Selected High Schools in King William’s Town, South Africa." Africa’s Public Service Delivery and Performance Review 3, no. 4 (December 1, 2015): 164. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/apsdpr.v3i4.102.
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This study investigated and analysed factors responsible for high dropout rate of learners at selected high schools in King William’s Town District, Province of the Eastern Cape. The aim of the study is provide an understanding into inherent problems of early exit of learners in the education sector, which impede the long-term production of professionals with bright future. The main findings of this study revealed that multiple motives, associated with individual characteristics of dropouts and social problems emanating from their family background and influence of the community, prompted learners to dropout. Moreover, learner dropout is inter alia caused by social factors such as lack of resources, the effect of poverty, orphans at school, the distance between the school and the community, drug abuse, pregnancy and HIV and AIDS prevalence in schools, gangsterism and learning barriers. The results of this research suggest that the government should make resources available with regard to scholar transport, school nurses to provide education awareness programmes in relation to early pregnancies, HIV and AIDS infection to improve attendance rate. The Department of Social Development should provide information with regard to benefits available to orphaned learners. The government should ensure sustainable provision of the school nutrition programme to alleviate hunger and poverty. School management should effectively regulate the behaviour of learners to promote discipline in schools so that substance abuse is eliminated.
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Amoo, O. T., M. D. V. Nakin, A. Abayomi, H. O. Ojugbele, and A. W. Salami. "SYSTEM DYNAMICS APPROACH FOR EVALUATING EXISTING AND FUTURE WATER ALLOCATION PLANNING AMONG CONFLICTING USERS." ISPRS - International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences XLIV-4/W3-2020 (November 23, 2020): 45–51. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-xliv-4-w3-2020-45-2020.
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Abstract. Water shortages are a chronic and severe problem in South Africa. Allocation of this limited water resources, environmental quality, and policies for sustainable water use are issues of increasing concern that require accurate and timely information to evolve strategies for dynamic natural resources management. Specifically, this paper is aimed to assist the planning, restoring and to rationally allocate the water resources in any river basin in resolving the current water stresses in many parts of South Africa, by using integrated knowledge from simulation and integrated river basin management approach. The developed system dynamic (SD) allocation system was used to investigates the extent to which the framework is ‘sustainable’ in the medium and long terms in evaluating existing and future water allocation among conflicting users at Mkomazi River Basin (MRB), KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa The invented SD framework confirms agricultural water use as the highest demand when compared with other users. The optimal sustainability performance index (0.25) of the system at 70% dependable flow shows an integrated scenario that combines rainfall variation with improved irrigation water use efficiency as a suitable framework plan. The study uses integrated knowledge from simulation and integrated river basin management approach as a feasible method to assist the planning, restoring and to rationally allocate the water resources in any river basin with similar attributes to the study area in resolving the current water stresses in many parts of the country. Water resources managers would find these tools beneficial in understanding the complex nature of water resources allocation and in determining priorities area which required prompt attention and intervention.
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Opoku, Maxwell Jnr, and Angela James. "PEDAGOGICAL MODEL FOR DECOLONISING, INDIGENISING AND TRANSFORMING SCIENCE EDUCATION CURRICULA: A CASE OF SOUTH AFRICA." Journal of Baltic Science Education 20, no. 1 (February 5, 2021): 93–107. http://dx.doi.org/10.33225/jbse/21.20.93.
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In Africa, Science education curricula have been instrumental in promoting Western worldviews as being universal. An educational transformation and decolonisation of the school curriculum is required. A focus on an African worldview and an integration of the local context and community-based information is necessary for survival, i.e., Indigenous Knowledge System (IKS). While IKS is enshrined in the schooling curriculum, Educators experience challenges with implementing it, because the pedagogical strategies have not been clearly described. An in-depth qualitative study was conducted with the Indigenous Knowledge (IK) holders of the Zulu cultural group and Senior High School (SHS) Science teachers to explore how IK on environmental sustainability could be taught in South African science classrooms. The research employed an interpretivist, multi-site ethnographic, qualitative approach, and naturalistic research style. In-depth interviews were used to generate data from the purposively selected community persons. The thematically analysed findings were used to develop a culturally specific pedagogical model on how to teach IK in science classrooms: touring cultural places; demystifying indigenous practices and perception; utilizing indigenous pedagogies; teaching wisdom behind indigenous practices etc. The research recommends that future studies be conducted on applying the model in different geographical and cultural schooling contexts. Keywords: context sensitive curricula, pedagogical strategies, South African curriculum, Western worldview
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Tawiah, Sampson. "Exploring the Effects of Adult and Community Education and Training on Economic Development of Women, in South Africa." European Scientific Journal, ESJ 13, no. 22 (August 31, 2017): 94. http://dx.doi.org/10.19044/esj.2017.v13n22p94.
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In South Africa, Adult and Community Education and Training (ACET) is established to cater for the educationally disadvantaged individuals, especially rural women, hence, ACET programmes are running in the country nationally. One of the aims of ACET is to open economic opportunities for women; however, the majority of rural women are still performing poorly economically. This empirical study aimed to explore the effect of ACET on the economic development of women in the Lusikisiki district of South Africa. A qualitative approach in the form of a case study design was used for the study to help the researcher relate to the real life circumstances of the women. Purposive sampling was used to select 35 participants from a population of 115. The participants were selected because they had wealth of information and could explain better the phenomenon under study. Data collection instruments used were face to face individual interviews which were audio recorded with the consent of participants. The major findings of the investigation include the following: inadequate learning resources available to women; inadequate skills development programmes provided and skeptical perception of the economic benefit of ACET to women. The study suggested that the programmes of ACET should be restructured and skills driven to meet the needs of women, especially in rural communities.
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Bulunga, Angel Ancha Lindelwa, and Gladman Thondhlana. "Action for increasing energy-saving behaviour in student residences at Rhodes University, South Africa." International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education 19, no. 4 (May 8, 2018): 773–89. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ijshe-07-2017-0107.
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Purpose In response to increasing energy demand and financial constraints to invest in green infrastructure, behaviour change energy-saving interventions are increasingly being considered as a tool for encouraging pro-environmental behaviour in campus residences. This paper aims to report on a pilot programme aimed at reducing energy consumption via behaviour change interventions, variably applied in residences at Rhodes University, South Africa. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected via structured questionnaires, energy consumption records and post-intervention programme focus group discussions. Findings Participant residences that received a mix of different interventions in the forms of pamphlets, face-to-face discussions, incentives and feedback recorded more energy reductions of up to 9 per cent than residences that received a single or no intervention. In post-experiment discussions, students cited personal, institutional and structural barriers to pro-environmental energy-use behaviour. Practical implications Overall, the results of this study suggest that information provision of energy-saving tips combined with regular feedback and incentives can result in energy-use reductions in university residences, which may yield environmental and economic benefits for universities, but addressing barriers to pro-environmental behaviour might maximise the results. Originality/value Given the lack of literature on energy conservation in the global South universities, this study provides the basis for discussing the potential for using behavioural interventions in universities for stirring pathways towards sustainability.
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Toms, Rob. "the Sustainable Harvesting of Edible Insects in South Africa, with Reference to Indigenous Knowledge, African Science, Western Science and Education." Australian Journal of Indigenous Education 36, S1 (2007): 145–54. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1326011100004828.
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AbstractIn our ongoing research on edible insects in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, we have found evidence of the unsustainable harvesting of edible insects and the food plants of certain insects. The decline in the edible insect industry, together with the need for food security provides a strong incentive to investigate possible causes of problems using different knowledge systems. Any solution to these problems needs to take Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) into account if it hopes to be successful and sustainable. We have found that different communities have different explanations for the same phenomena. Some of these explanations correspond with the explanations for the same phenomena in Western science. Where areas of overlap between IKS and Western science exist, these can be used in education in such a way that recommendations for sustainable harvesting can be developed with reference to African science. In this process, the area of overlap between the systems may grow as information from one system is incorporated in another. In this contribution the overlapping roles of IKS, African science and Western science are explored in the teaching of the sustainable harvesting of Indigenous resources for food security and conservation. This creates opportunities to teach relevant science in such a way that the concerned communities can benefit through better food security and the conservation of culturally important plants and animals.
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Kootbodien, Tahira, Kerry Wilson, Nonhlanhla Tlotleng, and Nisha Naicker. "P.3.15 Suicide trends by occupation in south africa, 1997 to 2016." Occupational and Environmental Medicine 76, Suppl 1 (April 2019): A100.1—A100. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/oem-2019-epi.274.
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BackgroundThe risk of suicide varies across occupations. However information is limited in South Africa. Surveillance data are vital to raise awareness of suicide risk for effective interventions in workplaces.MethodTo assess trends in suicide-related mortality by occupation, we analysed underlying cause of death data and occupation information from vital registration data from Statistics South Africa. Suicide (X60-X84) was coded using the 10th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). Occupation groups were based on the South African Standard Classification of Occupations (SASCO) groups: (1) managers, (2) professionals, (3) technicians, (4) clerks, (5) service workers, (6) skilled agricultural and fishery workers, (7) craft and related trade workers, (8) plant and machine operators and (9) elementary occupations. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to calculate mortality odds ratios (MOR) for occupation groups in men and women, adjusting for age, year of death, education level, marital status and province of death.ResultsThe 20 year study examined 7 113 episodes of suicide in South Africa of all persons of working age from 1997 to 2016. Deaths by suicide increased from 1997 (n=93, 0.05%) to 2016 (n=389, 0.15%, nptrend, p<0.001). Among men, the risk of suicide was highest in skilled agricultural and fishery workers (MOR=3.0, 95% CI 1.75–5.16). Among women, risk of suicide were highest in skilled agricultural and fishery workers (MOR=2.7, 95% CI 1.03–6.84) and clerical workers (MOR=2.40, 95% CI 1.29–4.46).ConclusionThe results show that agricultural and fishery workers are at highest risk of suicide in men and women of working-age. There is a need for future studies to investigate explanations for the observed differences across occupations, particularly in people employed in lower skill-level groups.
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Opoku, Samuel Kwasi, Walter Leal Filho, Fudjumdjum Hubert, and Oluwabunmi Adejumo. "Climate Change and Health Preparedness in Africa: Analysing Trends in Six African Countries." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 9 (April 27, 2021): 4672. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18094672.
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Climate change is a global problem, which affects the various geographical regions at different levels. It is also associated with a wide range of human health problems, which pose a burden to health systems, especially in regions such as Africa. Indeed, across the African continent public health systems are under severe pressure, partly due to their fragile socioeconomic conditions. This paper reports on a cross-sectional study in six African countries (Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Namibia, Ethiopia, and Kenya) aimed at assessing their vulnerabilities to climate change, focusing on its impacts on human health. The study evaluated the levels of information, knowledge, and perceptions of public health professionals. It also examined the health systems’ preparedness to cope with these health hazards, the available resources, and those needed to build resilience to the country’s vulnerable population, as perceived by health professionals. The results revealed that 63.1% of the total respondents reported that climate change had been extensively experienced in the past years, while 32% claimed that the sampled countries had experienced them to some extent. Nigerian respondents recorded the highest levels (67.7%), followed by Kenya with 66.6%. South Africa had the lowest level of impact as perceived by the respondents (50.0%) when compared with the other sampled countries. All respondents from Ghana and Namibia reported that health problems caused by climate change are common in the two countries. As perceived by the health professionals, the inadequate resources reiterate the need for infrastructural resources, medical equipment, emergency response resources, and technical support. The study’s recommendations include the need to improve current policies at all levels (i.e., national, regional, and local) on climate change and public health and to strengthen health professionals’ skills. Improving the basic knowledge of health institutions to better respond to a changing climate is also recommended. The study provides valuable insights which may be helpful to other nations in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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Nomnga, Vikelwa Judith. "Unlocking the Potential of Women Entrepreneurs in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa." Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies 9, no. 4 (September 4, 2017): 6. http://dx.doi.org/10.22610/jebs.v9i4.1817.
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At the height of political turmoil and the so-called economic downgrade to ‘junk’ status by rating agencies in South Africa, the tourism and hospitality industry, through women entrepreneurship, seems to be an alternative exit the government can use to foster economic growth and curb unemployment. The paper adopts an extensive documentary review analysis to determine the challenges and opportunities for women entrepreneurs in the tourism industry in South Africa. The paper observes that women entrepreneurs in the Eastern Cape Province face a myriad of challenges emanating from low levels of education, lack of financial resources, poor information dissemination, gender inequity, limited support from stakeholders, limited technical skills and reluctance to shift from status quo. The paper concludes that, to unlock the potential of tourism and hospitality industry, women entrepreneurs need to embrace education and get trained on how to use modern technologies-which is fundamental in coping with the trends in the globalized environment. The paper recommends and empowers women to be at the forefront and become active entrepreneurs in tourism opportunities whereby stakeholder funding is the key to achieve economic growth.
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Moonasar, Devanand, Anban Pillay, Elizabeth Leonard, Raveen Naidoo, Shadrack Mngemane, Wayne Ramkrishna, Khadija Jamaloodien, et al. "COVID-19: lessons and experiences from South Africa’s first surge." BMJ Global Health 6, no. 2 (February 2021): e004393. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2020-004393.
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On 5 March 2020, South Africa recorded its first case of imported COVID-19. Since then, cases in South Africa have increased exponentially with significant community transmission. A multisectoral approach to containing and mitigating the spread of SARS-CoV-2 was instituted, led by the South African National Department of Health. A National COVID-19 Command Council was established to take government-wide decisions. An adapted World Health Organiszion (WHO) COVID-19 strategy for containing and mitigating the spread of the virus was implemented by the National Department of Health. The strategy included the creation of national and provincial incident management teams (IMTs), which comprised of a variety of work streams, namely, governance and leadership; medical supplies; port and environmental health; epidemiology and response; facility readiness and case management; emergency medical services; information systems; risk communication and community engagement; occupational health and safety and human resources. The following were the most salient lessons learnt between March and September 2020: strengthened command and control were achieved through both centralised and decentralised IMTs; swift evidenced-based decision-making from the highest political levels for instituting lockdowns to buy time to prepare the health system; the stringent lockdown enabled the health sector to increase its healthcare capacity. Despite these successes, the stringent lockdown measures resulted in economic hardship particularly for the most vulnerable sections of the population.
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Krasnoryadtseva, Alina, Christina Derksen, Nicola Dalbeth, and Keith J. Petrie. "Not Every Picture Tells a Story: A Content Analysis of Visual Images in Patient Educational Resources About Gout." Journal of Rheumatology 47, no. 12 (March 15, 2020): 1815–21. http://dx.doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.191245.
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Objective.The aim of this study was to evaluate which concepts about gout and its treatment are reflected in images in online educational resources about gout.Methods.A Google search was performed to identify English-language patient resources from medical and health organizations and health education websites in 7 countries: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, UK, and USA. Two raters independently coded the images in the resources into 5 main categories: clinical presentations of gout, urate/monosodium urate (MSU) crystals, medicines, food/healthy lifestyle, and other advice for people with gout.Results.In total, 103 resources were identified; 28 resources without images were excluded. Seventy-one educational resources with a total of 310 images were included in the study sample. Of the 310 images, clinical presentations of gout were depicted in 92 images (30%), food/healthy lifestyle in 73 images (24%), urate/MSU crystals in 50 (16%), medicines in 14 (5%). Urate-lowering medication was shown only in 1 image (0.3%) and just 6 images (2%) depicted a serum urate target. Ninety-one images (29%) did not convey specific information about gout.Conclusion.Key concepts about gout and treatment are underrepresented in the images used in educational resources for patients. A large proportion of the images do not convey useful information about gout or its management.
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Mojapelo, Maredi Samuel. "A LEGISLATED SCHOOL LIBRARY POLICY: CAN FUNCTIONAL SCHOOL LIBRARIES BE ENVISIONED WITHOUT ONE?" Mousaion: South African Journal of Information Studies 33, no. 2 (November 18, 2015): 36–55. http://dx.doi.org/10.25159/0027-2639/154.
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Although school libraries are important resource centres that support curriculum delivery and important pedagogical matters, it is disturbing that, in South Africa, only a minority (7.2%) of schools have well-stocked functional school libraries. A legislated school library policy is crucial for a country to roll out effective school library and information services (LIS). This is particularly true in South African schools, which are characterised by enormous disparities in the provision of resources because of the legacy of apartheid. Grounded in the literature review, the fact that the national Department of Basic Education (DBE) does not have a legislated and approved school library policy is a stumbling block to developing and sustaining an active and dynamic school library service for all public schools in South Africa. The purpose of this article is to help relevant stakeholders understand the importance of a legislated school library policy in championing the establishment and development of an active, vibrant and dynamic functional school library service to support the progressive, constructivist and resource based curriculum in the country. The study recommends that the National Guidelines for School Library and Information Services (SA DBE 2012) be amended to a legislated school library policy to resuscitate indeterminate and non-functional libraries in the majority of schools.Â
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Nomnga, Vikelwa Judith. "Unlocking the Potential of Women Entrepreneurs in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa." Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies 9, no. 4(J) (September 4, 2017): 6–13. http://dx.doi.org/10.22610/jebs.v9i4(j).1817.
Full textAbstract:
At the height of political turmoil and the so-called economic downgrade to ‘junk’ status by rating agencies in South Africa, the tourism and hospitality industry, through women entrepreneurship, seems to be an alternative exit the government can use to foster economic growth and curb unemployment. The paper adopts an extensive documentary review analysis to determine the challenges and opportunities for women entrepreneurs in the tourism industry in South Africa. The paper observes that women entrepreneurs in the Eastern Cape Province face a myriad of challenges emanating from low levels of education, lack of financial resources, poor information dissemination, gender inequity, limited support from stakeholders, limited technical skills and reluctance to shift from status quo. The paper concludes that, to unlock the potential of tourism and hospitality industry, women entrepreneurs need to embrace education and get trained on how to use modern technologies-which is fundamental in coping with the trends in the globalized environment. The paper recommends and empowers women to be at the forefront and become active entrepreneurs in tourism opportunities whereby stakeholder funding is the key to achieve economic growth.
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zambuko, oliver, and akim j. mturi. "sexual risk behaviour among the youth in the era of hiv/aids in south africa." Journal of Biosocial Science 37, no. 5 (March 7, 2005): 569–84. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0021932004007084.
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the paper discusses factors associated with sexual risk behaviour, i.e. failure to use condoms consistently during sexual intercourse, among unmarried sexually experienced youths in south africa. data from the ‘transitions to adulthood in the context of aids in south africa’ surveys of 1999 and 2001 were analysed to identify factors associated with high sexual risk behaviour among the youth. the multinomial regression models for male and female youths were fitted separately for the 1999 and 2001 data sets. the results show increasingly consistent use of condoms during sexual intercourse and that high sexual risk behaviour among youths is predominantly determined by social factors such as ‘ever-pregnant’ or ‘ever made pregnant’, ‘ever given something for sex’, age of sexual partner, currently in school, pressured by friends to have sex, peer influence on safe sex and education level for males. there is evidence that availability of contraception information is important in strategic interventions that seek to change the sexual behaviour of the youth in south africa.
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Boonzaier, Billy, and Michèle Boonzaier. "The job diagnostic survey: A functional tool for South African managers." South African Journal of Business Management 25, no. 3 (September 30, 1994): 101–9. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/sajbm.v25i3.849.
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Current literature on manpower problems in South Africa has hardly focused on what should be done to improve jobs in order to create job experiences that will fulfil employee goals and organizational goals simultaneously. While the focus has been on the environmental (economic, social, political) and organizational (human resources policies, e.g. affirmative action) components of human resources management, in this article the authors provide guidelines to facilitate a process through which South African managers can practically achieve the optimal fit between current employees and their jobs. A theory that specifies when workers will display motivation, satisfaction and productive behaviour is reviewed. The accompanying diagnostic instrument is presented with South African norms for use by managers of change. Where remedial action is required, guidelines are proposed to assist managers in planning for an enriched work-place. The authors conclude that this approach represents a powerful strategy that can help organizations achieve their goals as well as meeting the needs of contemporary employees for a more meaningful work experience. This approach ensures that changes in the workplace are brought about on the basis of relevant information regarding the characteristics of jobs and the needs of workers, which is, in turn, based upon fundamental psychological rules and buttressed by South African findings that the theory is empirically sound.
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Tsotsotso, Khotso, Elizabeth Montshiwa, Precious Tirivanhu, Tebogo Fish, Siyabonga Sibiya, Tshepo Mlangeni, Matsemela Moloi, and Nhlanlha Mahlangu. "Determinants of skills demand in a state- intervening labour market." Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning 7, no. 4 (November 13, 2017): 408–22. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/heswbl-08-2017-0050.
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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to improve the understanding of the drivers and determinants of skills demand in South Africa, given the country’s history and its current design as a developmental state. Design/methodology/approach In this study, a mixed methods approach is used. The study draws information from in-depth interviews with transport sector stakeholders including employers, professional bodies, sector regulatory bodies and training providers. Complementary to the interviews, the study also analyses employer-reported workplace skills plans from 1,094 transport sector firms updated annually. A Heckman correction model is applied. Findings The study finds that changes in competition, technology, ageing employees, market conditions and government regulations are among the most frequently stated determinants reported through interviews. Using a Heckman regression model, the study identifies eight determining factors, which include location of firm, size of a firm, occupation type, racial and generational transformation, subsector of the firm, skills alignment to National Qualification Framework, reason for skills scarcity and level of skills scarcity reported. The South African transport sector skills demand is therefore mainly driven by the country’s history and consequently its current socio-economic policies as applied by the state itself. Research limitations/implications Wage rates are explored during stakeholder interviews and the study suggests that wage rates are an insignificant determinant of skills demand in the South African transport sector. However, due to poor reporting by firms, wage rates did not form a part of the quantitative analysis of the study. This serves as a limitation of the study. Practical implications Through this research, it is now clear that the state has more determining power (influence) in the transport sector than it was perceived. The state can use its power to be a more effective enabler towards increasing employer participation in skills development of the sector. Social implications With increased understanding and awareness of state’s influence in the sector, the country’s mission to redress the social ills of the former state on black South Africans stands a better chance of success. Private sector resources can be effectively mobilized to improve the social state of previously disadvantaged South Africans. However, given the economic dominance of the private sector and its former role in the apartheid era in South Africa; too much state influence in a supposedly free market can result in corporate resistance and consequently, market failure which can be seen as result of political interference. Originality/value South Africa has had an unprecedented social and economic trajectory to date. This said, its economic and social policies are unlike what we have observed before. Thus, identification of determinants and understanding of mechanisms of influence, on skills demand in the sector in which an African state plays such a close and active role, is in itself a unique contribution to knowledge and compels us to revisit our traditional assumptions about market behaviour. This study is one of the very few of its kind in the labour market research with a South African context.
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Morris-Paxton, Angela A., Johanna M. Van Lingen, and Diane Elkonin. "An evaluation of health information and wellness priorities among socioeconomically disadvantaged students." Health Education Journal 76, no. 3 (October 7, 2016): 271–81. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0017896916670690.
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Objective: A critical evaluation of a salutogenic, wellness education programme was conducted with a group of first-year socioeconomically disadvantaged higher education students, in order to assess the value they placed on health information and wellness priorities. Methods: This study took a mixed-methods approach utilising a quantitative–qualitative design. Quantitative analysis regarding the values placed by the students on 22 aspects of health-related information and qualitative analysis of their health priorities drew on findings from a semi-structured researcher-generated questionnaire, administered pre-, post- and 15-week post-post-intervention. Setting: The setting was a higher education institution in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Participants were 34 first-year consumer science students, who engaged in a year-long, salutogenic wellness programme. Results: Findings revealed an increase in the participants’ value of health information for a number of wellness variables. Future planning, positive thinking and nutrition ranked high among wellness priorities, the reasons for which were disease prevention, as well as the impact of various aspects of health on participants’ future success. Conclusion: A holistic, salutogenic, wellness education programme increased student values for information with regard to a number of health variables.
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Mavhandu-Mudzusi, Azwihangwisi Helen, Tshimangadzo Selina Mudau, Thulile Pearl Shandu, and Nthomeni Dorah Ndou. "Transgender student experiences of online education during COVID-19 pandemic era in rural Eastern Cape area of South Africa: A descriptive phenomenological study." Research in Social Sciences and Technology 6, no. 2 (September 10, 2021): 110–28. http://dx.doi.org/10.46303/ressat.2021.14.
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COVID-19 affected education in many ways. As a response, various strategies were introduced to ensure students’ access to education, including online education. For most of the students, fulltime online education brought diverse challenges. This descriptive phenomenological study explored the experiences of transgender student regarding online education during the COVID-19 pandemic in Buffalo City Metro Municipality, South Africa. Data were collected by means of individual telephonic interviews with eight purposively selected transgender students using the snowballing technique. Data were thematically analysed using the interpretative phenomenological analysis framework for data analysis. The findings indicate that transgender students faced barriers in accessing online education, including (i) limited interaction, (ii) unconducive home environment because of stigmatisation, abuse and disruptions, and (iii) lack of access to the internet owing to the centralisation of internet access points, the unaffordability of data, unstable internet connections and an intermittent electricity supply. The findings further highlighted that transgender students face stigmatisation and abuse which hinder their learning. The situation is exacerbated by a lack of sources of income for transgender students, especially those who must make means for money to buy educational resources such as data for internet connection needed for online classes. Based on the findings, the researchers recommend continuous support for transgender students to ensure their continued engagement in online education, amidst the challenges they face. To this end, educational institutions should ensure that students have alternative means of accessing education so that those from diverse populations, settings and socioeconomic statuses are reached.
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Nkuna, Khensani V., Vernon Visser, John R. U. Wilson, and Sabrina Kumschick. "Global environmental and socio-economic impacts of selected alien grasses as a basis for ranking threats to South Africa." NeoBiota 41 (December 21, 2018): 19–65. http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.41.26599.
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Decisions to allocate management resources should be underpinned by estimates of the impacts of biological invasions that are comparable across species and locations. For the same reason, it is important to assess what type of impacts are likely to occur where, and if such patterns can be generalised. In this paper, we aim to understand factors shaping patterns in the type and magnitude of impacts of a subset of alien grasses. We used the Generic Impact Scoring System (GISS) to review and quantify published impact records of 58 grass species that are alien to South Africa and to at least one other biogeographical realm. Based on the GISS scores, we investigated how impact magnitudes varied across habitats, regions and impact mechanisms using multiple regression. We found impact records for 48 species. Cortaderiaselloana had the highest overall impact score, although in contrast to five other species (Glyceriamaxima, Nassellatrichotoma, Phalarisaquatica, Polypogonmonspeliensis, and Sorghumhalepense) it did not score the highest possible impact score for any specific impact mechanism. Consistent with other studies, we found that the most frequent environmental impact was through competition with native plant species (with 75% of cases). Socio-economic impacts were recorded more often and tended to be greater in magnitude than environmental impacts, with impacts recorded particularly often on agricultural and animal production (57% and 51% of cases respectively). There was variation across different regions and habitats in impact magnitude, but the differences were not statistically significant. In conclusion, alien grasses present in South Africa have caused a wide range of negative impacts across most habitats and regions of the world. Reviewing impacts from around the world has provided important information for the management of alien grasses in South Africa, and, we believe, is an important component of management prioritisation processes in general.