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Current management of solid waste from pulp and paper activities represents an environmental and economic burden worldwide due to pollution emissions. This study investigates the potential of hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC) treatment as a sustainable alternative for producing cleaner and energy-dense solid fuel from paper mill sludge. The effect of process parameters (temperature, reaction time and solid load) on hydrochar fuel formation from paper sludge was evaluated and, for the first time, the paper sludge-derived hydrochar was optimised to maximise the mass yield and calorific value using response surface methodology (RSM). The physicochemical characteristics, thermal fuel behaviour, energy recycling efficiency and electricity generation potential were assessed by proximate and ultimate analysis, thermogravimetry, bomb calorimeter, scanning electron microscopy and process energy assessment. Results showed that hydrochar fuel formation and properties were mainly influenced by the process temperature and residence time, and governed by dehydration and decarboxylation reactions which reduced the atomic H/C and O/C ratios by 35.5% and 64%, respectively. The produced hydrochars presented low sulphur, nitrogen and ash content with a maximum calorific value (HHV) of 22.9 MJ/kg, equivalent to the HHV of coal for commercial utility in South Africa. The HHV of the hydrochar corresponded to a 49.80% increase over the HHV of the initial feedstock. The optimum operating conditions were 231 ± 1 °C and 1.99 h for a hydrochar yield of 74.4% and calorific value of 18.5 MJ/kg. The energy assessment showed that up to 58.34% of the energy produced by hydrochar fuel combustion may be recycled as heat or power, while the remaining 41.66% of the combustion energy could be utilised to sustain the HTC treatment of paper sludge. The substantial water demand was concluded to be a drawback. Thus, water recirculation and the potential to catalyse the HTC reactions to increase overall process efficiency will constitute a future study to make the process more environmentally friendly for industrial-scale application. [Display omitted] • Dehydration and decarboxylation were predominant. • Optimum energy yield of 18.5 MJ/kg and 74.4% hydrochar was achieved under 231 ± 1 °C and 1.99 h. • Higher HTC reaction severity enhanced the physicochemical properties of the hydrochar. • Hydrochars produced have low nitrogen and sulphur (<1%) content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern day societies and economies are becoming increasingly vulnerable to the continued erosion of the stocks and flows of essential ecosystem services. Thus, the management of complex socio-economic systems to effectively provide these essential services has become a global priority policy and academic research area. Understanding how underlying processes and functions contribute towards the provision of final ecosystem services can facilitate improved dissemination of credible, legitimate and salient information to decision-makers. This paper presents an ecosystem service value chain analysis framework that applies basic system dynamics modelling in the form of causal loop diagrams to facilitate an alternative analysis of ecosystem service value chains. A scoping application of the framework is applied to a case study for flood attenuation services in the Baviaanskloof catchment in South Africa. The framework enables the identification of forward linkages and ripple effects in individual value chains of final ecosystem services as well as the identification and assessment of challenges and opportunities within individual causal pathways. Ultimately, providing the potential to advance strategies for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of final ecosystem service provision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effluent arriving from the Mondi Kraft paper mill at Piet Retief, South Africa, was filtered through tubular poly(ether sulphone) (PES) ultrafiltration membranes under constant pressure cross-flow conditions. The effluent that was fed into the membranes and permeate produced during filtration were characterised by UV–VIS light-spectroscopy. Substances that absorbed onto membranes during filtration caused changes to the permeability characteristics of the membranes. Changes in membrane performance were monitored by pure-water and product flux (pf) measurements.A colourimetric staining technique was developed to determine the nature of foulants adsorbed onto the membranes. Membrane cleaning solutions were subsequently selected using information obtained from the characterisation studies. In addition, the anti-fouling potential of non-covalently attached coating materials was investigated as a possible membrane pretreatment technique. Results showed that foulants present in the effluent are of phenolic and hydrophobic nature. Increasing the hydrophilic characteristics of membranes prior to filtration could reduce the amount of organic foulants that adsorbed onto the membranes. Membrane pretreatment not only reduced fouling, but also improved the effectiveness of cleaning methods. Membranes were effectively cleaned by a combination of mechanical and chemical cleaning techniques. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Theoretically placing strategic communication management within the DRR paradigm. [•] Defining DR4 in the South African environment. [•] Indicating the need for DR4 communication in the South African environment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Lists the paper and books published by South African Association of Botanists members in 2001.

Phosphate rock is mined on a large scale as a source material for fertilizers and other phosphorous containing products, such as phosphoric acid and gypsum. The potential problem of high concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides in the phosphate industry has been recognized for many years. The industry is responsible for the production of millions of tons of phosphogypsum waste, which is usually stockpiled and might impact the surrounding environment. The presented study aims to assess the natural radioactivity concentrations in raw and waste sub-products from phosphate mining and fertilizer production in South Africa and determine the potential radiological risk associated with the industry. Activity concentrations of 238U, 226Ra and 232Th in phosphate rock, phosphogypsum, tailings, fertilizer, soil and sediment were found to be similar to values reported in previous studies conducted in South Africa. Concentrations of the 232Th decay series were higher than those of the 238U series in rock and ore. The low concentrations of 238U and 226Ra in rock and ore, compared to other countries, makes it more suitable to be used for fertilizer production, and therefore increases the demand for export of rock phosphate and fertilizer from South Africa. 228Ra concentrations in phosphogypsum were higher than 226Ra. The activity of 228Ra was also enriched compared to 232Th, with a ratio of 0.45–19.8. Similar equilibria as described in literature were observed, with almost all the 228Ra and 226Ra present in the phosphate rock observed in the phosphogypsum. Only a low percentage of 232Th present in the original rock remained in the phosphogypsum, with more than 60% present in the fertilizer. The activity concentrations of all nuclides in the analysed samples from the phosphate industry were less than the 1000 Bq kg−1 exclusion value proposed internationally for regulation of NORM. With the exception of phosphate rock samples, concentrations in all solids were lower than the 500 Bq kg−1 limit proposed by the National Nuclear Regulator in South Africa. The obtained values of Ra eq for all phosphogypsum, tailings and soil samples were less than the recommended limit of 370 Bq kg−1. The gamma index for the majority of samples was less than 0.5. The index exceeded the limit of unity only for phosphate rock and fertilizer samples, indicating some radiological risk to people living in the vicinity of the industry. The results suggested that members of the public were unlikely to receive any significant dose from the use of phosphate rocks and fertilizers, with an annual effective dose of less than 0.5 mSv.a−1. The highest external dose of 0.45 mSv a−1 is expected from phosphate rock. The suitability of use of phosphogypsum as building material was evaluated. Based on the calculated gamma index [ I γ = 0.52 ± 0.14] use of phosphogypsum as building material is permitted. • Characterization of natural radioactivity in samples from the phosphate fertilizer production industry in South Africa. • Comparison of measured activity concentrations in these samples with those in similar products worldwide. • Evaluation of the radiological impact associated with the phosphate industry in South Africa. • Evaluation of utilization of by-products such as phosphogypsum as building material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: South Africa is pursuing a malaria elimination initiative, with the goal of zero local transmission by the year 2018. The South African National Department of Health has developed a 24 Hour Electronic Reporting System that is expected to decrease the time required for malaria cases to be reported from the health facility level, to the district, provincial and national levels. This will facilitate case investigation within 48 hours and response within 72 hours upon/of diagnosis, the objective of our study was to compare timeliness of data input between the paper-based and the 24-hour reporting system and to assess the acceptability of end users to use the new 24-hour reporting system. Methods & Materials: This is a prospective descriptive study, using a questionnare with open and close ended questions which was developed using Epi Info 7. We compared 148 cases of the current reporting paper-based system and the 24-hour reporting system (Unstructured supplementary service data-USSD platform). We analysed the responses using STATA version 13. Results: The preliminary findings from the study show that the mean time difference in days from date of diagnosis to the case being captured was one day for the 24-hour reporting system and seven days for the current papaer-based system. the mean time difference in days for case investigation to occur using the papaer based system is 5.4 days. all 120 health care facility workers interviewed found the system to be simple to use and were willing to use the system to report malaria cases. Conclusion: The 24-hour reporting system has decreased the time required for maaria cases to be notified from the healthcare facility to the district, provincial and national levels. the next step will be to assess whether this system will improve investigation timeliness (48 hours from diagnosis) and response (72 hours) for those sub-districts that have an annual parasite rate of <0.1/1000 population at risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrated Water Resource Management relies intensive coordination, vertically across different levels of government and horizontally across policy sectors, as many decisions affecting water resources are taken outside the water sector (e.g., in agriculture, industry). Coordination problems across levels and sectors may arise due to incompatibilities of governance modes – coordinative mechanisms ranging from hierarchy, network, to market mode – employed in the often fragmented water policy domain. This paper contributes to the discussion departing from the overarching hypothesis that synergistic interplay of governance modes rather than the dominance of a single mode supports coordination. This hypothesis is rooted in the assumption that given the plurality of state and non-state actors in water governance, who are entangled in formal and informal relationships, neither the dominance of hierarchical control, market competition, nor collaboration in networks alone is capable to ensure coordination results as different modes are appropriate for different relationships within the sector. Coordination processes and results, therefore depend on the synergistic interplay between the governance modes employed. The paper presents case studies from Germany, Mongolia, South Africa, and Spain, which face different cross-sector coordination challenges. Our findings suggest that despite policy reforms for integrated water and environmental governance, hierarchy prevails in formal provisions and practices to differing degrees. We find evidence that synergistic interplay between governance modes supports horizontal coordination, which is necessary for solving nexus governance challenges. However, synergistic interplay is not sufficient to translate coordination practices to coordination outcomes. Factors such as leadership and conflicts powerfully influence the translation as well. • Synergies between governance modes affect cross-sectoral coordination processes and results. • The article presents a rigorous comparative study on five river basins worldwide. • Despite integrated management approaches, hierarchy prevails in water governance. • Horizontal coordination requires synergistic interplay of governance modes. • Conflicts over water resources and power asymmetries may render coordination ineffective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, teaching and learning in contact face-to-face universities had to transition to online learning during 2020, following the disruptions caused by COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns imposed in many countries around the world. The purpose of this paper is to provide insights from preliminary results of ongoing research focusing on students' personal concerns raised about online learning during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa. Data were collected using a web-based survey in 2020, sampling one group of second-year university students. Internationally, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an acceleration in digital transformation for teaching and learning in many face-to-face contact universities. The key findings from the survey reported in this paper are twofold: firstly, it was found that COVID-19 has fundamentally changed both teaching and learning space geographies with large proportions of university students having to study from their homes during the lockdown; secondly, students recognised that access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure and the unaffordability of internet connections were significant concerns for most respondents who took part in the study. The study seeks to highlight that even though the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an acceleration in the digital transformation underway in tertiary education and has drawn university teaching and learning more comprehensively into the digital era, the uneven distribution of ICT infrastructure accentuates the barriers to and inequalities that exist for students and for practical home studying. The study makes initial policy suggestions for assisting this acceleration into the digital world. Future research can build on this platform by analysing the post-COVID-19 effects in the university teaching and learning environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sappi Saiccor mill in Umkomaas, KwaZulu Natal (KZN) Province, is a global pulp producer. It is also a major emitter of noxious substances in the heavily polluted and historically marginalised South Durban area. Taking a qualitative, narrative approach, this paper examines Saiccor's legacy of contamination, community opposition to the mill, and responses of state actors responsible for governing industrial risk. Through a conceptual framework combining theories around participatory environmental governance, legitimacy and state capture, the article explores the extent to which measures deployed by/on behalf of the Sappi Saiccor mill to engage with local residents and activists can be considered legitimate. The paper argues that prevalent corporate instrumentalism and a lack of political will continue to undermine the legitimacy of community engagement processes, which remain characterised by mistrust. It concludes the South African state cannot be relied upon to support genuinely inclusive, deliberative, empowering and reflexive governance practices. It is therefore left to organised civil society to force discourse beyond hegemonic, ecologically-modernised, technocentric ideals, and to bring issues of power, agency, and social justice to the fore of public and policy debate. The way might then be paved for strong political leadership committed to transparent, equitable environmental governance processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neutron monitor (NM) observations provide a unique, long-term record of galactic cosmic ray intensities, from which many valuable insights have been drawn as to the transport and modulation of these particles. In this paper, the African Neutron Monitor Network, which provides NM observations for broad range of cutoff rigidities, and spanning an exceptional period of time, is introduced. Aspects of these NM observations from this network are discussed, followed by a demonstration of time-dependent numerical cosmic ray modulation modelling done at the North-West University in South Africa, which hosts this network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes an adjusted econometric approach to quantity accessibility. The metric can have significant benefits in allowing to account for inequality in evaluating transport interventions in an agent-based setting. Econometric accessibility, in its traditional form, is a place-based metric allowing us to account for the benefit of participating in an activity and the cost of getting to the particular activity. However, it does not account for the number of people affected by the (in)accessibility. The approach employed in this paper overcomes that criticism. Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan in South Africa is used to illustrate the effect that accounting for population density has on the accessibility metric. It succinctly captures the known inaccessibility experienced by many poor citizens on the periphery of the urban area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• South Africa is not spared from the adverse effects of climate change which alters the ecosystem and have a ripple effect on food security. • This paper reviewed the impacts of climate change on the phenology, physiology, and economic benefits of wild fruits and vegetables in South Africa. • The possible productivity of wild fruits and vegetables was evaluated with spatial-based data through land use/land cover which showed that South Africa had varied vegetation and land cover dynamics. • There is a need to develop cultivation strategies for edible wild fruits and vegetables to expand knowledge and create options in utilizing the wild species. • This will boost the country's economy, help to improve diet, and can play a crucial role in food security. Overdependence on exotic plant species constitutes a major setback for the consumption of wild fruits and vegetables among South Africans. The country is not spared from the adverse effects of climate change which play a substantial role in altering the ecosystem and have a ripple effect on food security. Wild fruits and vegetables have been identified to be underutilized despite the country's struggle in nourishing its population. This paper reviewed the impacts of climate change on the phenology, physiology, and economic benefits of wild fruits and vegetables in South Africa. Furthermore, spatial-based data was used to evaluate the possible productivity of wild fruits and vegetables through land use/land cover (LULC) assessment. The result showed that South Africa had varied vegetation and land cover dynamics. For example, Northern Cape and Western Cape Provinces are dominated by shrubland and barren land, thus unsuitable for fruit and vegetable production. In contrast, Limpopo, North-West, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Free State, some parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape Provinces are covered with grassland and cultivated areas which made them good for vegetable farming and potential ground for wild fruit and vegetable cultivation. Thus, there is a need to develop cultivation strategies for edible wild fruits and vegetables with known nutritional characteristics to expand knowledge about nutritional benefits and options in utilizing the wild species. This will boost the country's economy, help to improve diet, and can play a crucial role in food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The highly invasive Nassella neesiana, N. tenuissima and N. trichotoma are naturalised in high altitude mountain grasslands of South Africa. • The current knowledge of Nassella invasion dynamics is based on limited research mainly done before the 1990s or research being done in Australia and New Zealand. • Current control methods are not coping with invasions. • There's a potential to use biological agents to control Nassella invasions. • There are many knowledge gaps that require urgent research in order to effectively manage invasions. Three species of Nassella have naturalized in South Africa. Nassella trichotoma and N. tenuissima are declared weeds under category 1b of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEM:BA) and occur mainly in the montane grasslands of the Western and Eastern Cape provinces. Nassella neesiana is not listed in NEM:BA but is naturalized in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Free State provinces. Research conducted in the 1970s and 1980s led to vigorous government-funded awareness and control campaigns which ended in 2000. No research on Nassella distribution or control has been undertaken since then. Despite this hiatus, Nassella remains a dangerous genus in southern Africa, given the serious impacts of these species in similar social-ecological systems in Australia and New Zealand. This paper presents a synthesis of available information about Nassella invasions in South Africa and identifies research gaps. It specifically addresses these questions: What identification issues exist? What is the current spatial distribution of Nassella ? What is the autecology of the genus? What are the social-ecological impacts of Nassella ? What control measures are currently applied and what are their strengths and limitations? What do we know about Nassella distribution and its response to climate change? This paper highlights many knowledge gaps about Nassella, such as the species' current distribution range, field identification and detection difficulties, and the uncoordinated control efforts that require urgent research to inform an effective management response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water governance systems have evolved around the exploitation of provisioning ecosystem services. The overexploitation of provisioning and the degradation of regulating services have led to a decline in the capacity of ecosystems to provide any services at all. Decisions affecting water-related ecosystem services are often not made in the water sector. Governance that does not take into account ecological interdependencies lead to unsustainable use of resources. In such situations, one can speak of a misfit between interdependencies of ecosystem services and coordination processes that would allow addressing them. The article introduces an approach to identify such misfits and potential solutions to overcome them and applies the approach to case studies in Germany, South Africa and Iran. The context-sensitive analyses highlight factors that contribute to or even determine prevailing practices in water management. The fit with the pattern of ecosystem service uses was found to be higher for governance processes in practice (formal and informal) than for formal coordination instruments on paper. Actors may not lack opportunities to exchange but these are not translated into tangible coordination outcomes. To reduce trade-offs between the uses of ecosystem service, improved synergies are needed between formal and informal institutional settings. Instruments need to be tailored to local circumstances. Scope and effectiveness of local action may be limited by higher governance levels. The analyses have demonstrated that the path from improving social-ecological fit to achieving sustainability is long. Addressing institutional deficits requires transformational change rather than short-term measures for addressing isolated problems or crisis situations. • New approach to identify misfits between ecosystem services uses and coordination and potential solutions to overcome them. • Results from case studies in Germany, South Africa and Iran. • Synergies needed between formal and informal institutional at local level to reduce trade-offs between ecosystem services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between managerial qualities and risk management is unclear, particularly for small and medium-sized organizations (SMEs) in developing market economies such as South Africa, because much research has focused on big enterprises in industrialized nations. To address this knowledge gap, this paper investigates the relationship between SME owner-manager characteristics and risk management, using upper echelons theory in a novel approach to provide a better understanding of how owner-manager characteristics may be linked to risk management strategies. This was achieved by the distribution of questionnaires to 320 purposely selected SMEs in Cape Town as well as personal interviews with two risk experts. The results show that risk avoidance is SMEs' most prevalent risk management strategy. The findings also show that SME owner-manager characteristics and risk management strategies are firmly and significantly linked, revealing the key determinants of effective risk management in SMEs. This paper is unique because it focuses on the often-overlooked topic of applying echelons theory to SMEs. Aside from bridging this knowledge gap, it has significant implications, such as informing SME owner-managers and policymakers on key variables that influence SME risk management strategies and making recommendations for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the connection between water supply and energy consumption in a circular economy is crucial for managing the demands of these resources. Sankey diagrams have the potential to enhance the visualisation of resource flows. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding the effective use of Sankey diagrams to capture the water-energy nexus and circularity of water. This study focused on effectively utilizing Sankey diagrams to model the nexus of water and energy flows and to assess the circularity of water. A comprehensive literature review was conducted on major studies on water material flows and modelling. This was supported by a review of approaches for modelling circularity, which have evolved from the material circularity index. The newly developed framework in this paper models water resource flows at all stages of the water supply chain, embedding the nexus as an interaction and considering resource intensity and material circularity index at each node. A city-level case study in South Africa was then used to apply the recommendations, model circularity, and the water-energy nexus using Sankey diagrams. In terms of circularity, the results indicate that water loss in the study area was very high, accounting for up to 40% of the total water supply and the water recycle rate was still very low, ranging from 3% to 7%. In terms of the nexus, the residential sector was found to have the highest energy intensity for water supply, primarily due to energy demand for water heating. Exploring the use of renewable or solar energy for water heating will be of interest and value. The new approach presented in this study allows for the simultaneous consideration of objectives, enabling a more robust analysis of energy-effective water use and water circularity along the water supply chain. [Display omitted] • A new framework for modelling the water energy nexus enriched by circularity options, energy intensity factors and confidence modelling. • Options for embedded circularity through the water supply chain. • The urgent challenge to address massive water loses in water supply systems for water scarce regions. • New Sankey diagrams showcasing how to model nexus and circularity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Cowpea is a highly valued fruit and leafy vegetable crop contributing to food, nutrition, and health security. • Low cowpea production and productivity in sub-Saharan Africa and globally are due to a lack of improved cultivars with multiple disease, and insect pest resistance and drought tolerant; moreover, there is a lack of seed system research in cowpea. • The extensive phenotypic and genotypic variation found in cowpea genetic resources is useful for the development of cultivars with enhanced grain yield, leafy yield and nutritional values as well as drought tolerant. Despite the contribution of cowpeas to food security and the crop's numerous nutritional and health attributes, consumers in South Africa have labelled cowpeas, among other leguminous crops as a "poor people's food" ; this contributed to the gradual decline in the cultivation and use of the crop. This, in turn, resulted in the observed high reliance on limited number of plant based protein crops and excessive consumption of livestock products. In this paper, three aspects are interrogated, i.e., genetic resource management, production constraints as well as the trade performance and consumption of cowpeas in South Africa. A clear understanding of these aspects renders an informed decision upon which recommendations for the necessary practical interventions that are needed to be put in place to spur the development of target products and cowpea's value chain. The assessment of genetic resource management and seed production constraints of cowpeas was based on a review of relevant literature, while descriptive analysis of secondary data spanning a period of 10 years (2010-2019) obtained from Trade Map and FAOSTAT databases was used to interrogate the trade performance and consumption of cowpeas. Findings reveal that seed production constraints are largely anchored on the limited attention government and policy making institutions have accorded to the seed system of orphaned crops, thereby compromising their potential by failing to supply affordable good quality seeds to smallholder and commercial farmers. However, South Africa has one of the largest and most diverse collections of cowpea germplasm housed at the Agricultural Research Council. With regard to trade performance and consumption, results show that South Africa is a net exporter of cowpeas, with a 10 years' period annual average worth R2.9 million. Given that South Africa does not re-export cowpeas, yet on average 4848 tonnes are produced annually, it is a clear indication that the country produces lightly more than what is consumed domestically – on average 4634 tonnes per annum. Therefore, recommendation is made to bolster cowpea production and productivity through mainstreaming the legume seed system towards boosting local and export markets as well as strongly enhancing local consumption by creating awareness of the nutritional and health benefits of cowpeas. Furthermore, there is a need to increase awareness about the nutritional and health benefits of cowpeas and other leguminous crops, among other socio-economic benefits. This is important in spurring cowpeas consumption domestically, while countering the over reliance on animal products as protein sources and the associated risks such as such as high greenhouse gas emissions and obesity for people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has been spreading rapidly in South Africa (SA) since its first case on 5 March 2020. In total, 674,339 confirmed cases and 16,734 mortality cases were reported by 30 September 2020, and this pandemic has made severe impacts on economy and life. In this paper, analysis and long-term prediction of the epidemic dynamics of SA are made, which could assist the government and public in assessing the past Infection Prevention and Control Measures and designing the future ones to contain the epidemic more effectively. A Susceptible–Infectious–Recovered model is adopted to analyse epidemic dynamics. The model parameters are estimated over different phases with the SA data. They indicate variations in the transmissibility of COVID-19 under different phases and thus reveal weakness of the past Infection Prevention and Control Measures in SA. The model also shows that transient behaviours of the daily growth rate and the cumulative removal rate exhibit periodic oscillations. Such dynamics indicates that the underlying signals are not stationary and conventional linear and nonlinear models would fail for long-term prediction. Therefore, a large class of mappings with rich functions and operations is chosen as the model class and the evolutionary algorithm is utilized to obtain the optimal model for long term prediction. The resulting models on the daily growth rate, the cumulative removal rate and the cumulative mortality rate predict that the peak and inflection point will occur on November 4, 2020 and October 15, 2020, respectively; the virus shall cease spreading on April 28, 2021; and the ultimate numbers of the COVID-19 cases and mortality cases will be 785,529 and 17,072, respectively. The approach is also benchmarked against other methods and shows better accuracy of long-term prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

South Africa's unique flora and extensive use of African traditional medicines has created a unique research opportunity on medicinal plants for local and international scientists. In this paper, submitted to a special issue of South African Journal of Botany (SAJB) dedicated to "sub-Saharan Ethnobotany", we aim to explore the research landscape on medicinal plant research as published in SAJB. A bibliometric assessment (1982–2017) showed that medicinal plant research represents 24% of the published volume in SAJB and that contributions on this topic are increasing exponentially. Although most papers are broad-based invitro screening studies, the range of topics covered is impressive. Antimicrobial (41%) and anti-oxidant (21%) studies dominate the research space with fewer studies focusing on diseases highly relevant to the African continent, e.g. malaria (3%) and tuberculosis (2%). Although the SAJB has contributed greatly to disseminating knowledge on important species (e.g. Aspalathus and Cyclopia) several taxa of potential economic relevance remain poorly investigated (e.g. Adansonia , Bulbine etc.). The citation footprint and authorship networks which have been established attest the pivotal role the SAJB has played to build research capacity and create awareness in this important field of research. • Medicinal plant papers contributed 24% of papers published in SAJB (1982–2017). • The 629 papers considered attracted 6313 citations. • In vitro studies represented 89% of experimental papers. • Highest number of published papers were antimicrobial (41%) and anti-oxidant (21%). • Few studies focused on relevant diseases like tuberculosis (2%) and malaria (3%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health Information Systems (HIS) in public health institutions are currently not used as intended; health care providers (HCPs) are increasingly resorting to workarounds or informal systems known as "Shadow Information Technologies" to accomplish their work. This multiple case study in three public hospitals in South Africa and Namibia describes factors driving the enactment of workarounds to the Vula mobile referral application. An interpretive paradigm was taken and semi-structured interviews conducted with 29 HCPs were analysed using a thematic analysis approach. Substantial evidence is found indicating misfits between work and use of referral applications in public hospitals. A conceptual framework is developed to explain workaround practices based on emerging concepts. The study finds that there is misfit between work and use e-referral applications in public hospitals. As a result, HCPs are enacting workarounds in a form of 1) Shadow IT (Information technology), 2) Augmenting existing systems by using alternative computer-based, telephonic and paper-based referrals 3) Fitting by adapting the e-referral application to accommodate misfits with work activities. These practices suggest a design-reality gap in failing to accommodate these issues in the e-referral application design. Additionally, these practices have brought severe security risks to clinical information used on shadow systems, compromising the privacy and confidentiality of patient information. Public health institutions therefore need to develop more effective measures, policies, and strategies to address unresolved constraints in the referral system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we analyse the effects of relaxing financial constraints on economic growth, total factor productivity and inequality, using a micro-founded general equilibrium model and firm-level data for South Africa. The results show that relaxing participation constraints, along with a marginal reduction in collateral requirements and monitoring costs, increases GDP by 3% points, while TFP increases by 2%. Inequality reduces by up to 3% points, driven by improvements in intermediation efficiency. There is, however, minimal participation by wealth-constrained firms either due to lack of information about available finance or preference for internally generated funds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food security is threatened in Southern Africa, because of unpredictable droughts and higher summer temperatures brought on by climate change and global warming. Durable and hardy plants that grow easily and quickly in such conditions must be adopted to ensure sustainable and reliable food supplies. The young cladodes (nopalitos) from the cactus pear plant, which adapts to hot and dry climates, is an underutilised alternative food source that can serve as a healthy vegetable. It thrives in many environments such as deserts, below sea level, high altitude regions and tropical regions with temperatures above 50°C. Nopalitos are a traditional staple vegetable and have been consumed in Mexico for over 9000 years. However, it is underutilised and unknown as an alternative vegetable in Africa. Research on the physiochemical and nutritional content has been conducted. However, the information on harvesting nopalitos from cultivars available in South Africa for optimal edible quality is not available. Good quality nopalitos are young, thin, bright green, soft, fresh and not too sour or slimy. This paper aims to identify the effect of and the interaction between size, cultivar and harvesting season to obtain optimal eating quality. Data were obtained for two cultivars (Morado and Fusicaulis) at 9 cm, 12 cm, 15 cm, 18 cm, 21 cm and 24 cm, which were harvested in spring (October) and autumn (March) over two years. The quality characteristics were translated into the measurable attributes of morphology (weight, width, diameter, volume and surface area), texture (firmness and compressibility), colour (L*, a*, b*, C*and h°), turgidity (moisture content, mucilage yield and viscosity) and gustatory (percentage titratable acidity, pH and total soluble solids). ANOVA and Principal Component Analyses were performed to determine significant differences and interactions between the length groups, two cultivars and two seasons. The results showed that the size, cultivar and season influenced the edible characteristics. Both cultivars were most tender at 15 cm and presented the best edible qualities in spring. Morado showed better colour, turgidity and gustatory qualities. Morado was thinner, a brighter green colour, less sour and less slimy compared to Fusicaulis nopalitos. • Nopalito quality is highly influenced by harvest size, cultivar and season. • At 15 cm, nopalitos from both Morado and Fusicaulis were the most tender. • Morado nopalitos was the preferred cultivar, but Fusicaulis also performed satisfactorily. • Spring harvest was preferable, but autumn harvest nopalitos were acceptable. • Morado was thinner, a brighter green colour, less sour and less slimy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Coal currently dominates the energy mix in South Africa. • South Africa can achieve a power sector relying on 100% renewable energy by 2045. • The decarbonization is mainly driven by wind power and photovoltaics. • Provinces will benefit from new employment opportunities related to renewable energy. • A just energy transition without net job losses only brings negligible cost increases. This paper assesses the impact of decarbonization on the energy system and related employment in South Africa. The cost-minimizing, global energy system model (GENeSYS-MOD) is utilized to project two energy mix scenarios and their associated employment implications at provincial level. While the business as usual (BAU) scenario shows a continuous use of coal capacity in the South African power sector until 2050, the 2 °C scenario exhibits a phase-out of coal by 2040 and a higher diversification of power generation dominated by solar and wind capacity. The increase in renewable energy sources (RES) generates employment in the energy sector which can partially substitute the decline in coal related jobs in affected regions. However, it is not certain that the employment created by RES will directly benefit those negatively impacted by the transition. The results of a sensitivity of the 2 °C scenario provide a near cost-optimal energy system in line with a just transition towards a 2 °C world that limits the employment impacts for former coal regions. Thus, a technological transition from a coal- to a RES-based system needs comprehensive plans for job-transfers, policy formulations, support mechanisms and structural transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Socio-economic development and economic growth is connected with the intensive use of energy resources, which poses also risks to long-term viability of the biosphere by causing natural resource depletion and environmental degradation. One of the options to reduce Human and environmental risks from extensive energy generation are renewable energy sources. However, there are several barriers for transformation of energy sector towards a greater share of renewable energies. Human factors such as social support or opposition are crucial drivers for this transition. This paper examines the state of infrastructure projects in South Africa and assesses how lessons from these projects can contribute to improve development of energy transformation in the country. It analyses the challenges of applying participatory governance in the energy transition in South Africa, as a critical component of successful infrastructure project implementation, and of insights into fostering environmental leadership. The paper is based on the case studies analysis of ten large infrastructure projects in South Africa and focuses on public participation in these projects, its effects and challenges by applying the ladder of public participation methodology. Findings from the study support the scientific arguments that public participation in decision-making regarding deployment infrastructure projects creates an enabling environment for successful implementation. In conclusion public participation was only in the context of environmental impact assessment which is a mandatory requirement for infrastructure projects in South Africa. Currently public participation is manly regarded as a reactive measure to conflict resolution. It is organized to provide feedback on the results of environmental impact assessment, mainly as a way to address conflict, which has already emerged. Our results show that provision of information and consultation are the two most frequent levels of public participation. Land use issues and questions about benefits and impacts from infrastructure projects on local communities are the most frequent concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past decade, a series of controversies has arisen about equity and justice in the rooibos industry, centred both on the biological resource and on the traditional use and knowledge that fostered the growth of this lucrative trade. Accusations of biopiracy, meaning the misappropriation and patenting of genetic resources and knowledge without consent, have taken centre stage, leading to a reassessment of the conditions under which rooibos is traded. Claiming to be the primary holders of traditional knowledge relating to rooibos, indigenous San and Khoi have also launched demands—to date unmet—for a stake in rooibos benefits. Meanwhile, small-scale coloured rooibos producers, despite their involvement in fair trade, remain marginalized. All remain embedded in a political history of rooibos that is characterized by dispossession and adversity, having been propped up by the South African apartheid system. The melding of these issues with a complex and ambiguous legal framework has led to a situation described by some as “the mother” and “testing ground” of so-called access and benefit sharing. Such approaches stem in part from the Convention on Biological Diversity and its Nagoya Protocol, which lay down new and more equitable ways of treating trade in genetic resources and the use of traditional knowledge. With growing international interest in rooibos tea and its bioactive compounds, a surge of patents associated with the plant, the successful granting of geographical indication status, and threats to the industry of changing climates, ecologies and ecosystems, the stage is set for a reconceptualization and transformation of the industry. Drawing on longitudinal research over the past 20 years, this review paper aims to bring conceptual clarity and a holistic analysis to an often emotional, divided and, to date, narrowly framed debate. Through exploration of rooibos histories and traditional knowledge claims, bioprospecting and patent activities, and conservation imperatives, this paper reviews the spectrum of issues that require attention when considering access and benefit sharing in the rooibos industry and provides suggestions for a more integrative, environmentally responsive and just approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

South Africa is the economic hub of southern Africa and is regarded as an important source region of atmospheric pollutants. A nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) hotspot is clearly visible from space over the South African Mpumalanga Highveld, while South Africa is also regarded as the 9th largest anthropogenic sulphur (S) emitting country. Notwithstanding the importance of South Africa with regard to nitrogen (N) and S emissions, very limited data has been published on the chemical composition of wet deposition for this region. This paper presents the concentrations of sodium (Na + ), ammonium (NH 4 + ), potassium (K + ), calcium (Ca 2+ ), magnesium (Mg 2+ ), nitrate (NO 3 − ), chloride (Cl − ), sulphate (SO 4 2− ) and water-soluble organic acids (OA) in the wet deposition samples collected between 2009 and 2014 at four South African IDAF (IGAC DEBITS Africa) sites, which are regarded as regional representatives of the north-eastern interior. Also, wet deposition fluxes of the ten ions are calculated and presented in this paper. The results show that the total ionic concentrations and fluxes of wet deposition were much higher at the two sites closer to anthropogenic emissions, while the pH of wet deposition at these two sites were lower compared to that of the two sites that were less impacted by anthropogenic emissions. . The major sources of the ten ions included marine, terrigenous (crust), fossil fuel combustion, agriculture and biomass burning. Significant contributions from fossil fuel combustion were determined for the two sites in close proximity to anthropogenic source regions. The results of back trajectory analysis, however, did indicate that the two remote sites are also affected by air masses passing over the source region through anti-cyclonic recirculation. The largest contributions at the two sites distant from the anthropogenic source regions were marine sources, while the impact of biomass burning was also more significant at the remote sites. Comparison to previous wet deposition measurements at the South African IDAF sites indicated increases in the wet deposition fluxes of S and N, and more wet deposition events with lower pH. This could be ascribed to a significant increase in anthropogenic activities and population growth in this part of South Africa with an associated increase in energy demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Packaging can play a key role in reducing food waste and enabling resource efficient logistics operations. This paper offers insights into why this potential is not fully adopted by companies in food supply chains by exploring adoption barriers for sustainable packaging practices in ten companies in South Africa and Sweden. The paper develops an analytical framework from theory and applies it to the empirical data. This resulted in ten propositions that structure adoption barriers for sustainable packaging practices in food supply chains and explain the reasons for their occurrence. The propositions can form a basis for researchers to understand why the adoption of sustainable packaging practices in food supply chains may be lacking. Corporate decision-makers can use the propositions to form strategies and initiatives to overcome adoption barriers. The study also identified some contextual differences, but overall, the contextual impact on adoption barriers was surprisingly low. To deepen research and practice insights about the complexity of adopting sustainable packaging practices, the paper offers a process view on the adoption barriers in which their relationships are linked. The analytical framework and the process view offer integrative views on adoption barriers for sustainable packaging practices that enable researchers and practitioners to address them with a structured approach. This explorative study finally unfolds further research opportunities. • Explore adoption barriers for sustainable packaging practices in food supply chains in South Africa and Sweden. • Ten propositions structure adoption barriers explain the reasons for their occurrence. • Help to understand why the adoption of sustainable packaging practices may be lacking. • Support corporate decision-makers to form strategies to overcome adoption barriers. • Identify contextual differences, which overall were surprisingly low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scenarios with high levels of diversity lend themselves to be represented or imitated by disaggregate, agent-based models as the individual agents can capture the unique attributes of the constituents of the overall system. This paper describes the methodology to establish a baseline transport simulation model, using MATSim, to represent and imitate vehicle-specific emissions. The study area is the multi-metropolitan megacity (and province) of Gauteng, South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The early COVID-19 epidemic in South Africa was highly heterogeneous looking at the epidemiological progression between major provinces. • Early transmission in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) was associated with multiple international introductions of SARS-CoV-2. • The dominating lineages during this time of the epidemic were B.1 and B, which mainly originated from Europe. • Evidence for transmission clusters during the first month of the epidemic suggested locally acquired infection. • A clustered outbreak was linked to a major hospital outbreak in Durban, which inflated the early mortality in KZN. The Network for Genomic Surveillance in South Africa (NGS-SA) was formed to investigate the introduction and understand the early transmission dynamics of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in South-Africa. This paper presents the first results from this group, which is a molecular epidemiological study of the first 21 SARS-CoV-2 whole genomes sampled in the first port of entry – KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) – during the first month of the epidemic. By combining this with calculations of the effective reproduction number (R), it aimed to shed light on the patterns of infections in South Africa. Two of the largest provinces – Gauteng and KZN – had a slow growth rate for the number of detected cases, while the epidemic spread faster in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape. The estimates of transmission potential suggested a decrease towards R = 1 since the first cases and deaths, but a subsequent estimated R average of 1.39 between 6–18 May 2020. It was also demonstrated that early transmission in KZN was associated with multiple international introductions and dominated by lineages B1 and B. Evidence for locally acquired infections in a hospital in Durban within the first month of the epidemic was also provided. The COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa was very heterogeneous in its spatial dimension, with many distinct introductions of SARS-CoV2 in KZN and evidence of nosocomial transmission, which inflated early mortality in KZN. The epidemic at the local level was still developing and NGS-SA aimed to clarify the dynamics in South Africa and devise the most effective measures as the outbreak evolved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lockdown is one of the drastic measures implemented by governments to curtail the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic and save lives. However, it has caused unprecedented damages to the economy. This paper provides a quantitative approach to assess the impact of a gradual, post-lockdown context concerning the spread of the disease. We propose to create a special class of individuals called "protected" who are risk-free to be infected. Such individuals could also be the vaccinated when an effective vaccine will be available. We developed a mathematical epidemic model for Covid-19 which describes the interactions between susceptible and infected individuals. We investigate the various and optimal strategies to curtail the spread of the infection at a minimum cost. As a case study on South Africa, the sensitivity analysis shows that investing on the special class "protected" is a better approach to reducing new secondary infections as opposed to reducing the contact rate between susceptible and infected individuals, or having more recovered patients. The simulations reveal that the peak could be reached in September 2020. This is consistent with the projection of the South African government as the winter season is expected to be over in mid August. Moreover, if 1 out of 1000 susceptible (cumulatively) join the special class, we project a maximum of 400,000 active cases. The number of infected and deaths could drastically increase as the proportion of individuals joining the special class decreases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agent-based models (ABMs) are appropriate tools for modelling socio-ecological systems due to their ability to handle complexity. However, development of such models is often an intensive process. There are many tutorials on the general methods and steps in ABM development but there are not necessarily practical details on how to overcome certain challenges. Honeybush (Cyclopia spp.), a kind of fynbos vegetation found in the Western and Eastern Cape mountains, is an important ecological and agricultural product in South Africa. It is considered a complex system due to its variability and unpredictability. The honeybush tea industry faces the challenge of meeting emerging market demands while maintaining sustainable harvesting practices, in the midst of an uncertain future due to climate change. We created a prototype model, HoneybushModel, using the MARS framework, a C# multi-agent simulation toolkit. The model was validated using historic data. Whilst outlining the development processes used to create the HoneybushModel, this paper provides a methodology for the development of such models and demonstrates techniques for addressing data, domain and framework limitations. The implemented model also acts as a case study for similar systems that could be modelled using an ABM. • A prototype model of honeybush is described. • Methods for resolving agent-based model development problems, data, domain and framework issues are discussed. • The model is found to be explanatory but requires further work to be predictive. • The system is found to represent honeybush complexity adequately, but not necessarily reduce this complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the scale of energy poverty remains elusive. It is, however, a key metric in the global effort to eradicate poverty. The analysis presented in this paper provides insights into the true scale and impacts of unreliable electricity service provision. The paper introduces a simple and novel approach to quantifying the difference between electricity supply and demand, accounting for both met and unmet demand in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). To assess unmet demand, generator use, reduced utilization due to unreliable electricity service, unrealized demand from unelectrified households, and the effect of tariff reductions are considered. We find that at 2018 prices, SSA (excluding South Africa) on-grid power networks had annual unmet demand of 8.83 TWh for on-grid users and 42.9 TWh with the inclusion of the off-grid sector. With a 50% reduction in tariff by country, the on-grid power sector would face a 21.46 TWh of unmet demand in the region, rising to 55.53 TWh with the inclusion of off-grid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precision surface mining is gaining traction in the phosphate, iron ore, copper, iodine, limestone, bauxite, coal and gypsum markets. Precision surface mining allows following an ore body in three dimensions to increase ore quality over that possible from drill and blast techniques by keeping the ore separate from the waste. In addition to eliminating the need for a primary crusher, precision surface mining allows for production of a uniform material with a tight particle size distribution. Top-down cutting allows variation in product size, with fewer fines being generated than that obtained in the same material using drill and blast techniques. In this study, we present case studies in Chile (iodine) and South Africa (coal) to illustrate these results. Vermeer is committed to developing the capabilities of our surface mining machines to make them more efficient and environmentally friendly. The second section of the paper is focused on a new dust containment capability not involved with using water. The remainder of the paper describes step-by-step developments of the Vermeer “road to autonomy.” While true autonomous operations are sometime in the future, there are several necessary steps along the way which must be operational. These include a remote control capability to allow mining next to walls, an operating system (SmartTEC) which teaches the operator how to more efficiently run the machine – along with presenting operational data for management purposes. In addition this section includes a description of automatic steering using GPS techniques – both in a straight line and turning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, developments and innovations in television technology, including the launch and growth of over-the-top television services (OTT TV), have affected traditional pay-TV operators' ability to grow a subscriber base and retain existing customers. Despite attempts made by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) to ascertain the impact of the OTT TV on pay-TV services, the results have remained inconclusive. In the absence of a comprehensive assessment and credible evidence, this paper sought to ascertain the impact that OTT TV services have on traditional pay-TV services in South Africa. A quantitative research method was adopted using a non-probability sampling technique for data collection. A total of 391 responses were collected utilising an online survey questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics on IBM® SPSS® version 26. The main findings of the study showed that OTT TV services are a complementary service to pay-TV services as opposed to a substitute. Low-income earners are using free/paid mobile applications to consume TV content, and for those who have neither OTT TV nor pay-TV services, free-to-air services are the preferred platform for TV consumption. This study benefits all stakeholders in digital media and business strategy, as well as marketing students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Being a water stressed country, South Africa has become one of the leading countries in the production of water technological knowledge. • Many local innovations have not achieved their potential commercial success. • Policy measures are necessary to foster diffusion of local water technologies. • Partnerships with industrial operators can help overcome innovation diffusion hurdles. Because of its long experience with water scarcity, South Africa has built a highly active research and innovation capacity in the water sector, which is spearheaded by the Water Research Commission (WRC). As a result, South African scientists have been among the significant contributors to new knowledge creation in the water innovation domain, especially in water treatment technologies. This innovation dynamism has however not been translated into a large-scale harnessing of technological innovations to avert the looming threat of water shortage. This paper combines innovation diffusion theory with the technology maturation framework to explore the main factors that help explain the pace of innovation diffusion in the South African water sector. Data from key informant interview analysis as well as available secondary sources indicate that financing constraints and technical validation difficulties are among the main hurdles limiting the ability of innovators to scale up their inventions for commercialisation. Adoption costs and lack of municipal support budget are the most important factors that limit the ability of low income rural households to adopt water innovations. Policy measures to support diffusion strategies are necessary to ensure that innovators have the means to overcome the multiple diffusion obstacles that they are confronted with. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Increasingly, transnational rule-setting also occurs for the mining sector. • Provisions for the protection of water resources are not always included. • Water is mostly treated as a public health concern, sometimes as an economic good. • The cultural dimension of water resources often remains unacknowledged. • Newer certification schemes and guidelines tend to be more comprehensive. This paper investigates how different dimensions of water – water as a public health concern, as an essential prerequisite for producing livelihoods, and as a cultural heritage or an element of spiritual practice – are taken up in international guidelines and certification schemes for the extractive sector. As a notoriously water-intensive economic activity, mining frequently infringes on other forms of water use. Simultaneously, the legal articulations and governance implications of the hydrological aspects of mining are complex, as commercial interactions associated with mining span the globe, governance efforts occur primarily at the national level and negative externalities manifest locally. Increasingly, transnational initiatives play a role in setting rules and norms for 'responsible' or 'sustainable' mining. We assess to what extent these rules and norms take into account the hydrological implications of mining, looking at eight guideline documents and ten certification schemes for mineral extraction that originate from international organizations, corporate groups, or multi-stakeholder initiatives. We then illustrate the influence of transnational institutions in two cases, one in Mongolia and one in South Africa. Our results show that water as a public health concern receives the most attention while water as a cultural heritage is reflected the least. However, all institutions in our sample that were devised over the last two years refer to the different dimensions of water use comprehensively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide, soils are under threat of deterioration and contamination due to anthropogenic activities. Whilst risk assessment of soils in Europe has been well studied, the same cannot be said of soils in Southern Africa. Soil screening values exist in SA, which enables soil quality assessment, but lack a clear risk-based scientific foundation and site-specific risk assessment. This is specified, in the light of the proximity of mine tailings disposal facilities to residential areas, exposing people to a wide range of possible contaminants. The aim of this paper is to give an overview of soil quality risk assessment with specific reference to European models, and to explore how these could be used in a Southern African context where soil quality risk assessment is a relatively new and insufficiently investigated field. Therefore, the attention in this paper is on typical non-Western conditions to which soil quality risk assessment has to be attuned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moringa is widely distributed across the globe for its multiple uses as well as high nutritive content and great economic attributes; subsequently it has been highly commercialised. Even though moringa is fast becoming an important crop in several parts of the world, in South African context, it is not recognised for such, and is listed on the Species Under Surveillance for Possible Eradication or Containment Targets (SUSPECT) under National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act (NEM:BA), since it is not native to South Africa. Where it is established in South Africa, people perceive the numerous qualities of moringa as beneficial and this can result in conflict generation between communities and policy makers who have to safe guard against alien and invasive species spread and impact. In this paper, we review the ecological, social and legal status of moringa in South Africa, and highlight the importance of conducting research on non-native species with the focus of improving evidence base prior listing of species on national regulations. Moreover, we highlight the need to also focus on social aspects of invasive species, using a cost–benefit approach to assist in decision making regarding control, management and eradication of moringa and other non-native plants. • In South Africa, moringa is on the Species Under Surveillance for Possible Eradication or Containment Targets (SUSPECT). • Moringa has the potential to be a conflict-generating species, particularly between communities and policy makers. • Listing of non-native species under NEMBA should be guided by impact-based evidence to ascertain their risks and benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• South Africa successfully developed land degradation neutrality targets. • Biomes rather than land cover types form the fundamental unit of analysis. • Subjectively and objectively developed bassline data was combined for identifying priority interventions. • The global indicators proved problematic for identifying interventions. • Alien plant invasions and woody plant densification were the most pressing degradation problems needing intervention. South Africa undertook a national Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) target setting process during 2017/18 in response to the United Nations Convention to Combatting Desertification's call for signatory countries to voluntarily commit to LDN as also requested under Sustainability Development Goal 15.3. The process was supported by the Global Mechanism (GM) and followed their guidelines. This resulted in an ambitious set of targets being set for 2030. Early in the process it was recognised that biome level or landscape process based (bush encroachment, alien plant species removal) targets were more appropriate than location specific targets. South Africa has used the World Overview of Conservation Technologies and Approaches (WOCAT) Mapping Questionnaire (QM), to conducted two, ten years apart, assessments based on experts' perception of municipal level land degradation. The spatial location and extent of degradation, as identified from these studies, differed substantially from the three global indicators suggested as a baseline for LDN target setting. An analysis of the reasons for the discrepancies between the UNCCD indicators from the perception-based studies, and the implications this has for setting and monitoring South African land degradation is the main focus of this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thesium L., section Hagnothesium is endemic to the Greater Cape Floristic Region (GCFR), South Africa. In the past there has been a propensity in revisionary work of the section Hagnothesium to split taxa into distinct species or vice-versa. Consequently, 15 different names exist although only 6 are accepted formally. Following recent molecular phylogenetic studies, the monophyly of the section Hagnothesium is now well-established but the circumscription of species within the section remains problematic given the complicated nomenclatural history which has added further confusion. In this paper we revise the section using a total evidence approach to propose a revised taxonomy. We studied both herbarium collections as well as plants in their natural populations to circumscribe species boundaries, determine their geographical ranges and estimate their conservation statuses. Species of the section Hagnothesium are dioecious, generally having four-merous campanulate flowers produced in spikes borne in bract axils and arranged along the length of branchlets, with valvate perianth lobes and a short to absent hypanthial tube. We recognise eight species, of which one is described in this study as new: T. fragile L.f., T. fruticulosum (A.W.Hill) J.C.Manning & F.Forest, T. hirtum (Sond.) Zhigila, Verboom & Muasya comb. nov., T. leptostachyum A.DC., T. longicaule Zhigila, Verboom & Muasya nom. nov. T. microcarpum A.DC., T. minus (A.W.Hill) J.C.Manning & F.Forest) and T. quartzicolum Zhigila, Verboom & Muasya sp. nov. We provide updated taxonomic keys, species descriptions, illustrations, distribution maps, new combinations, synonyms, and notes on the red list status for each species. • A review is given of Thesium section Hagnothesium (Santalaceae) an endemic clade to the GCFR. • Eight species are recognised, of which one, T. quartzicolum is described here as a new. • Key to the species in section Hagnothesium is provided • Species delimitations and nomenclatural changes are provided. • Species geographical ranges and the estimate of their conservation statuses are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reported for the first time the aroma profile and essential oil composition of eight species of Helichrysum endemic in South Africa but grown in Italy (CREA-Sanremo collection). The volatiles of all the studied Helichrysum were dominated by monoterpene hydrocarbons, except for H. basalticum , where sesquiterpene hydrocarbons was the main class of compounds with β-caryophyllene (13.7%) and α-guaiene (11.9%) as major components. Despite the great diversity of compounds obtained in the volatile emission (more than 130), only four compounds were responsible for at least 34% of the identified fraction. These compounds were: sabinene (16.0%), β-caryophyllene and α-guaiene in H. basalticum ; sabinene (57.7%) in H. foetidum ; (Z)-β-ocimene (34.6%), tricyclene (16.2%) and myrcene (10.0%) in H. incanatum ; myrcene (29.3%), tricyclene (21.5%) and limonene in H. indicum ; tricyclene (32.1%) and (E)-3-hexanol acetate (20.1%) in H. montanum ; limonene (10.3%), sabinene (8.9%), 1-decene (7.6%) and 1-hexanol (7.0%) in H. mutabile ; α- and β-pinene in H. patulum (27.6% and 44.9%, respectively) and α-pinene (36.3%) and α-fanchene(15.6%) in H. setosum. The EOs composition of these species was also different from each other with sesquiterpene compounds as the prevalent class. Valerianol (16.3%, os, in H. basalticum), ledol (16.3%, os, in H. foetidum), β-caryophyllene (11.0% and 13.4%, sh, in H. indicum and H. patulum , respectively), viridiflorol (18.3%, os, in H. montanum) and valerianol (30.1%, os in H. setosum) were found to be the main constituents. It is worthy to highlighting that the H. incarnatum EO showed a similar behaviour to that of the spontaneous emission with a predominance of monoterpene hydrocarbons (60.7% in EO vs 81.4% in VOC), both represented by (Z)-β-ocimene as main constituent. • First chemotaxonomic characterisation of eight South African Helichrysum spp. • These South African were grown in the same edaphic and climatic conditions. • Monoterpene hydrocarbons dominated VOC samples except for H. basalticum. • Sesquiterpenes had the highest percentage in seven EO samples. • Helichrysum incarnatum EO was characterised by high amount of monoterpenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a demand-driven growth model is used to explore climate change scenarios faced by the South African economy. The focus is on key macroeconomic variables including employment, productivity, income distribution, trade, and fiscal balances. Results show that emission reduction alone will not put South Africa on a sustainable and equitable growth path. Expansionary macroeconomic policies are necessary. We show that, under sufficient global mitigation, expansionary fiscal and monetary policies lead to faster output and productivity growth, higher employment, and lower inequality. By contrast, macroeconomic tightening or "free riding" on global emission reduction lead to inferior outcomes, putting sustainable development out of reach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD+) is regarded by its proponents as one of the more efficient and cost effective ways to mitigate climate change. There was further progress toward the implementation of this mechanism at the 16th Conference of Parties (COP) in Cancun in December 2010. Many countries in southern African, including South Africa, have not been integrated (do not participate) into the UN-REDD+ programme, probably due to their low forest cover and national rates of deforestation. This paper discusses the potential contribution of REDD+ activities to the South African Government''s pledge of reducing national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 34% below business as usual by 2020. A number of issues such as complex land tenure system, limited forest cover and other conflicting environmental issues present challenges for REDD+ in South Africa. Despite these genuine concerns, REDD+ remains a practical strategy to contribute to climate change mitigation for South Africa. The paper raises the need for development of a variety of emission reduction programmes – not only in the energy sector. The paper also assesses several national options and opportunities towards a working REDD+ mechanism. It concludes by identifying key mechanisms for moving forward to prepare for REDD+ actions in South Africa and raises the urgent need for national dialogue between stakeholders and institutions to evaluate the feasibility of making use of the mechanism in South Africa and the Southern African Development Cooperation (SADC) region. The paper further addresses possible synergies and conflicts between the national climate change and forestry policies towards REDD+ development. It suggests that REDD+ should be part of the national dialogue on policy to respond to climate change and should be integrated into the national flagship programmes that the national climate change white paper seeks to implement. A multiple-benefit REDD+ initiative for South Africa can benefit from these international financial initiatives. It is anticipated that this initiative will provide a platform to enhance policy, institutional and technical stakeholder capacities to access financial incentives that may lead to sound environmental practises. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper provides an evidence-based contribution to understanding processes of climate change adaptation in water governance systems in the Netherlands, Australia and South Africa. It builds upon the work of Ostrom on institutional design principles for local common pool resources systems. We argue that for dealing with complexities and uncertainties related to climate change impacts (e.g. increased frequency and intensity of floods or droughts) additional or adjusted institutional design propositions are necessary that facilitate learning processes. This is especially the case for dealing with complex, cross-boundary and large-scale resource systems, such as river basins and delta areas in the Netherlands and South Africa or groundwater systems in Western Australia. In this paper we provide empirical support for a set of eight refined and extended institutional design propositions for the governance of adaptation to climate change in the water sector. Together they capture structural, agency and learning dimensions of the adaptation challenge and they provide a strong initial framework to explore key institutional issues in the governance of adaptation to climate change. These institutional design propositions support a “management as learning” approach to dealing with complexity and uncertainty. They do not specify blueprints, but encourage adaptation tuned to the specific features of local geography, ecology, economies and cultures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract Responsible tourism is embraced globally as one of the vectors to achieving the United Nations' 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through the Theory of Planned Behaviour, this article attempts to establish the understanding of responsible tourism among owners of small budget hotels in the Johannesburg West Rand Region, South Africa. The conclusion it reaches is that a general appreciation of responsible tourism does not translate into being responsible in daily operations. The paper proposes a 'Best Responsible Tourism Model', which identifies four ways that small hotels can be encouraged by the public sector to participate in responsible tourism, including education, economic motivation, marketing motivation and building social networks. Combined, these feed into the Theory of Planned Behaviour variations, normative beliefs, behavioural beliefs and control beliefs, which will determine the behaviour and perceptions of hoteliers on Responsible Tourism Practice. Participatory democracy should be adopted by hoteliers and other key responsible tourism actors to augment understanding and practice of responsible tourism in small hotels. Highlights • The Theory of Planned Behaviour, established the understanding of responsible tourism among owners of small budget hotels. • A 'Best Responsible Tourism Model', identifies four ways that small hotels can be encouraged by the public sector to participate in responsible tourism. • Participatory democracy should be adopted by hoteliers and other key responsible tourism actors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A hierarchical model predictive controller is developed. • Little to no modification is required on the architecture of the existing system. • A stable power exchange between the renewable system and the grid is achieved. • Fast variations are completely removed from the battery power. • Increased utilization of intermittent renewable energy is achieved. This paper presents a two-layer control strategy designed for easy integration of supercapacitors in a grid-integrated solar photovoltaic-battery hybrid renewable system, initially controlled by a typical model predictive control method. To operate the upgraded energy system, either without or with little modifications of the pre-existing architecture, an additional control layer is applied at the bottom of the original control system. Considering the complementary characteristics of batteries and supercapacitors, the design of the new model predictive control layer and its coordination with the original one help to deliver a stable power flow between the hybrid renewable system and the utility grid, and remove fast variations from the battery power. Actual measurements of solar radiation in South Africa are used to test the effectiveness of the proposed strategy. Simulations carried out on a 1-MW photovoltaic plant confirm the benefits in terms of adherence to power quality regulations, improved conditioning of the power generated by the intermittent renewable sources, and lifetime extension of the battery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Nowadays, the remotely sensed images are of huge sizes that require the implementation of compression technique to be easily stored on the internet. In addition, image fusion which is the merging of panchromatic and multispectral images to generate a single image with high spatial and spectral resolutions is required to increase the information in the resulted image. The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of image compression and fusion techniques on the classification accuracy. In this study, two pan and mul Geo-eye images covering an area of Cape Town, South Africa were registered and fused using different fusion techniques. The fused image with the superior accuracy was then compressed with various compression ratios ranging from 1:10 to 1:100. Then, the compressed fused images were classified using Maximum Likelihood Classification and Artificial Neural Network Classification techniques. Finally, the confusion matrices of the classified images were generated and evaluated to determine the effect of compression and fusion techniques on the accuracy of the classification process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • A systemic-relational (SR) approach to environmental ethics is provided. • Eleven principles are set out for the realisation of the SR approach. • The SR approach enables the balancing of values in water resource management (WRM). • The SR approach is applied to WRM in South Africa. Abstract This paper argues for a systemic-relational (SR) approach to environmental ethics, in order to enable water resource management (WRM) to be effective and fair. This will require WRM to develop and internalise an ethically grounded approach. An SR approach holds that value with regard to the social-ecological system (SES) is to be primarily located, not at the level of its constituent components, but at the level of the SES as an integrated unit. The key principles informing the SR approach are spelled out, and its potential relevance to WRM is illustrated, using the key values operating within the WRM sector in South Africa as a case study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The present study describes total mercury (THg) levels in surface water, sediment and biota from the Olifants River Basin (ORB) (South Africa) and investigates the trophic transfer of THg by means of trophic magnification factors (TMFs) in the subtropical ORB food web. Although levels in surface water, sediment and invertebrates were low, elevated levels of THg were measured in fish species of higher trophic levels (0.10–6.1 μg/g dw). This finding supports the biomagnificative character of mercury. THg concentrations in fish from the present study were find to be higher than most values reported in fish from other African aquatic ecosystems and comparable or lower compared to more industrialized regions. Fish length, trophic level, sediment THg levels and TOC in sediment were determining factors for THg levels in fish tissue. Concentrations were found to be higher in larger (and older) fish. Mercury has a high affinity for organic matter and will bind with the TOC in sediment, thus reducing the bioavailability of THg for aquatic biota which is reflected in the significant negative correlation between THg and TOC in sediment. A significant positive relationship between relative trophic level and THg concentrations was observed and also TMFs indicate biomagnification in the ORB food web. However, the trend of lower TMFs in tropical areas compared to temperate and arctic regions was not supported by the results. The consumption of fish from higher trophic levels at the average South African consumption rate is expected to pose a significant health risk. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • Large data gap on THg levels and trophic transfer in (sub)tropical ecosystems. • Pollution status and biomagnification of THg in the subtropical ORB is studied. • This study confirms the previously reported biomagnificative character of Hg. • Higher levels of THg in fish species of higher trophic levels and TMFs > 1. • The consumption of fish from ORB is expected to pose a significant health risk. This paper contributes to the knowledge gap on the fate and transport of THg in (sub)tropical aquatic ecosystems, specifically in Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]