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Aim: The spatially varying prevalence and determinants of depression in the urban population of South Africa have remained unexplored. This study sets out to examine the spatial variations and determinants of depression status among the urban population of South Africa. Methods: Data were sourced from the Wave 5 of the National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS) of 2017, which was a survey of households and individuals aged 15 years and above living in the nine provinces of South Africa. The outcome variable is depression status. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, mapping, and geographically weighted regression. Results: Results showed variations in the prevalence of depression status across the nine provinces of South Africa. The prevalence of low depression status ranged from 77% in Eastern Cape Province to 88% in Western Cape Province. In addition, the results revealed spatial variations across the provinces on the influence of socio-economic factors on depression status of the urban population in South Africa. Conclusion: This study recommends the development and implementation of unique effective approaches for prevention, mitigation, and management of depression problems for each of the provinces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outbreak and spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is probably the most serious global challenge since World War II. While research has paid considerable attention to the technical, epidemiological and public health aspects of the pandemic in Africa, it neglects the social, economic and political dimensions. Relying on analysis of data on trends of COVID-19 infections from the World Health Organization and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and a rapid review of available international and national policy/programme documents on COVID-19 control responses in Africa, this study assessed the extant protocols and responses to COVID-19 in relation to urban governance principles. Utilizing the political economy framework, the social conditions of informal labour and business activities during the COVID-19 pandemic are explored with accession to social habitus of informality. The paper argues that in as much as the COVID-19 pandemic is a pervasive health problem it should be treated more as a social and political economy challenge given the large informal nature of urbanism in Africa. The study concludes that urban governance that incorporates collective organization, community groups, non-state and informal actors offers scope in the battle against COVID-19 in Africa. Rethinking African urbanism in line with the principles of the Global Campaign on Urban Governance is also canvassed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study applies the political ecology perspective in reframing corporate-community engagement and adapts the community-directed intervention ( CDI) strategy using Global Memorandum of Understanding ( GMoU) framework in relation to 30 rural communities that are likely to be affected by gas exploration and production activities in the Niger Delta region. The study draws attention to the indigenous structures and capacities of communities to implement CDI initiatives for possible replication in areas facing similar development challenges. Adopting the CDI framework as represented by the GMoU model could reconfigure social relations of power between companies and communities and fast-track development and prevent or, at least, reduce corporate-community tensions and conflicts in the petro-economy of the Niger Delta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]