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Technology is key to making education systems more resilient to disruptions. In the South African higher education sector, technology will continue to play a much larger role than the years preceding the COVID-19 pandemic. Technology, however, cannot replace the value gained through social contact and concerns about relational disengagement in curricular, co-curricular and extra-curricular spaces have been noted. Drawing on large-scale qualitative data collected as part of the South African Survey of Student Engagement, this article explores what students consider as the most important factors in supporting their learning and development and how these factors might be translated to technologically enhanced learning and teaching spaces. Such insights from students' experiences could inform blended learning and teaching spaces that leverage technology to enhance relational engagement.

Background: For many years, the lived experiences, knowledge systems and histories of previously colonised people have been misinterpreted, removed and devalued in university teaching. The present curricula of African universities are predominantly Eurocentric and Criminology is no exception. In the wake of the #RhodesMustFall student protest action, there is a recognition and need to include African epistemology within the discipline of Criminology. Aim: The study investigated the views of lecturers and postgraduate students regarding the content, transformation and decolonisation of Criminology curricula. Setting: South African universities offering Criminology as a degree and/or academic subject. Methods: A total of 87 respondents, 42 lecturers and 45 postgraduate students, voluntarily participated in an online survey. Lecturers were purposively selected whilst postgraduate students were recruited via snowball sampling. Results: Nearly all the respondents had heard of decolonisation before, with the majority of the academic staff members being aware of it prior to #RhodesMustFall. Respondents agreed that the Criminology curriculum needs to be decolonised, with statistically significant differences emanating between black lecturers and white lecturers. Conclusion: Decolonisation and transformation have been debated for many years without meaningful translation in and changes to Criminology curricula.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, technology-enhanced learning and its relation to student engagement, and the necessity of good student-staff relationships for creating a successful education environment were evident. The COVID-19 pandemic forced higher education to adapt to a challenging technology-led learning environment that demanded, inter alia, high levels of flexibility and human-centredness. Valuable lessons were learned that highlighted new perspectives on curriculum design and delivery in a normalised, technology-driven environment. Against the background of COVID-19-related literature on teaching and learning, the authors reflect on their insights regarding curriculum design and delivery of two quantitative skills modules during the COVID-19 pandemic, and its impact on further curriculum planning. The focus of the article is on the intentional flexibility built into curriculum offerings during 2020-2022. The study reviewed flexibility on three levels, namely student, facilitator (staff) and delivery levels, through a multi-method research methodology. Quantitative data related to the academic performance of 2 949 students enrolled for the two quantitative skills modules from 2020 to 2022. Qualitative data related to themes through thematic analysis of student and facilitator surveys, focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews. The improved student academic performance reported by the study could be attributed to, amongst other factors, 1) flexibility of the selected delivery option, 2) positive staff and student experiences and engagement, and 3) intentional inclusion of activities promoting student-staff relationships. The good academic results obtained during the pandemic led to important curriculum decisions for a normalised future for these modules, which will be built on flexibility and human-centredness. Among these decisions is to continue presenting the modules in an online environment, even though traditional face-to-face teaching options are available.

Background: Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) affects motor skills and consequently has an impact on the performance in daily living activities of learners with this impairment. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of possible DCD in Grade 1 (Gr. 1) learners in a low socio-economic environment in Mangaung, South Africa. Setting: The study was conducted in the Mangaung Metro, Motheo District, Free State Province. Gr. 1 learners, 6-8 years old (n = 242), from a low socio-economic environment attending Quintile 1-3 schools were randomly selected for assessment. Methods: The Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2nd edition (MABC-2) was used to identify learners with possible DCD. Furthermore, results were compared with regard to gender. Results: Of the 242 learners, 9.9% were identified with possible DCD. With regard to gender, 10.5% of boys and 9.3% of girls showed signs of possible DCD. No significant difference (p = 0.9439) has been found between boys and girls. Conclusion: The prevalence of possible DCD among Gr. 1 learners in this setting was higher than that in previously reported studies in other low and high socio-economic environments of South Africa. Further research is required to establish the full extent of possible DCD within learners living in low socio-economic environments.

In South African high schools, many learners have limited support in making career related decisions to prepare them for the world of work after school. An important early transition for career-related decision-making is at the end of Grade 9 when learners are expected to decide which subjects they will select for the last phase of high school. Grade 9 is also the juncture where adolescents may decide to exit their formal schooling and enter the labor market. To support Grade 9 learners in making informed career-related decisions, this study examined the effectiveness of a group-based career guidance intervention implemented in eight secondary schools located in resource-constrained communities in the Western Cape, South Africa. The intervention aimed to improve learners' career decision-making readiness and aid in making subject choices and subsequent career choices. The intervention consisted of interest assessment conducted in a group-format with the learners, after which a workshop was facilitated to share relevant information pertaining to their interests, other career attributes and pending subject choices. The results of this study demonstrate a significant impact of early adolescents' career adaptability and ability to engage in the career decision-making process. These results show promise in the implementation of group-based career intervention, supporting learners to make informed decisions in relation to their career paths.

Learners today need more than the core subjects offered at school to be successful in the twenty-first-century. By involving technology student teachers in activities that are authentic to technological practice, as teachers, they should be able to provide stimulating and relevant learning for learners ("Turnbull in Int J Technol Des Educ" 12(1):23-40, 2002), which include twenty-first-century skills that enable them to develop minds and responsibility for the future (Snape and Fox-Turnbull in "Int J Technol Des Educ" 23:51-68, 2013). Previously, a fourfold set of criteria, developed by Ankiewicz (Proceedings of the PATT 29 conference, Marseille, France, 2015b), was applied to the first four semester modules of the academic major Engineering Graphics and Technology Education. It is found that there was a strong emphasis on conceptual knowledge with little time spent on practising procedural knowledge. Ankiewicz (2015b) anticipated that the final module might address these concerns as it was designed as a project-based module aimed at aspects of authentic technological practice. Students are expected to solve real-world technological problems. However, after the first year of offering the module the module's success is unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the extent to which the module succeeds in developing technology student teachers' procedural knowledge. A qualitative study (Merriam in Qualitative research and case study applications in education, Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, 1998) was conducted in which students' portfolios and open-ended questionnaires were analysed. Indications are that the module contributed positively to enhancing the procedural knowledge of the students enrolled for this module.

With the introduction of a new school curriculum in South Africa in 1998, Technology as a school subject was introduced for the first time. Implementation by the National Department of Education took place over a very short time frame allowing very little time for adequate training of technology teachers by the provincial departments of education. Teachers were expected to implement technology in schools without being adequately trained. They needed to develop their professional knowledge which comprises school knowledge, subject knowledge and pedagogical knowledge. This could mainly be done through continuing professional teacher development (CPTD). To address the lack of CPTD opportunities and to develop these teachers' professional knowledge, the Unit for Technology Education at a university in South Africa established a Community of Practice (CoP) as a strategy to develop teachers' professional knowledge in Civil Technology. However, after a number of CoP workshops, and although these CoPs have been designed to serve as a tool for CPTD, we do not know to what extent it succeeds in developing teachers' professional knowledge. The purpose of this article is to determine to what extent the CoP succeeded in developing teachers' professional knowledge. A qualitative study was conducted. Data were collected through the observation of the teachers during the CoPs, open-ended questionnaires and field notes taken during workshop discussions. The main findings were that the teachers gained discipline knowledge and acquired instructional methodology (pedagogy) from which learners may benefit. The presentation and organisation of the CoP influenced the learning of the teachers.

This article foregrounds the iterative journey of a group of educational development (ED) practitioners at a research-led university towards an enhanced understanding of the ED opportunities we offer. Reflecting on the intention of our interventions to facilitate academics' professional learning, we developed a framework within which the range of growth opportunities we provide might be meaningfully situated. Our objective was to extend our insight into both the journeys that academics follow towards adopting a more scholarly approach to their teaching and our own journeys of growth in ED as well as professionally. (Contains 1 note, 1 figure, and 3 tables.)

This study reports on a collaborative teaching enhancement project at a research-led university, within the context of a focus on the first-year experience. It demonstrates the kind of influence which a combination of managerial and collegial approaches can have on the collaboration. It illustrates the importance of working with a conscious understanding of the academic development orientations underpinning an educational change initiative. In the study, academic developers teamed up with lecturers from eight departments to embark on change endeavours to enhance teaching and learning in the lecturers' immediate settings. The adoption of an action research-oriented, interdisciplinary and collaborative approach to professional development was found to be appropriate at a research-led institution. Contextual and cultural factors inherent to the disciplines, departments and institution were shown to have an impact upon the involvement of participants in the project. (Contains 2 tables and 1 note.)

Evidence of the impact of educational development (ED) programmes on faculty is often not gathered beyond ascertaining the immediate reactions of participants. This paper reports the results of a study to determine what level of impact an ED programme at a university has had on academics' teaching practice over time. Kirkpatrick's framework provided a useful approach to conceptualise how to examine critically the impact of ED efforts. A series of semi-structured interviews with 14 programme participants and a subsequent questionnaire survey of 248 participants were undertaken. The programme resulted in high-level impact when rated according to Kirkpatrick's framework, including changes to individual behaviour and organisational practice, benefits to academics and perceived benefits to their students. Change was reported up to seven years after participation. These results emphasise the role that a well-designed ED programme can play in enhancing the quality of teaching and assessment practice at a research-intensive university. (Contains 2 tables.)

Copyright of Contaduría y Administración is the property of Facultad de Contaduria y Administracion-Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Due to high development demands, environmental impact assessment (EIA) systems internationally are under increasing pressure to simplify, streamline and demonstrate efficiency. South Africa, as a country, has decades of experience in finding solutions to this challenge. Here we aim to provide a critical reflection on the different streamlining interventions implemented over time. Five key interventions are covered, namely: exemptions, refined screening activities, norms and standards, stricter time frames, and the introduction of strategic instruments. We conclude that although well intentioned, attempts at continually refined and expanded legislation, policy, guidelines and protocols have had the opposite effect, by making the system inefficient, overly complex and confusing. Two pragmatic recommendations are made, namely: (i) to provide for more discretion in decision-making, especially during screening, and (ii) to provide for an exit decision after scoping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Marine cargo insurance covers the loss or damage to goods while in transit. It is an important supply chain risk management tool for organisations involved in international trade, especially in regions where cargo insurance penetration is low, and protection gaps are high. However, marine cargo insurance faces new challenges because of increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events. This study focuses on the case of South Africa: a developing country with a strategic role in connecting Africa with the global market. Objectives: The research analyses the trends, differences, and seasonality of weather-related marine cargo insurance claims in South Africa from 2013 to 2022. Method: Statistical and general claims analysis was performed on a master dataset of 17 727 claims to answer the three research questions related to the research objectives. Results: The results show that weather-related marine cargo insurance claims have been increasing over the past decade, creating challenges and disruptions to the supply chain network in South Africa. Furthermore, this research shows that weather-related claims have higher average values and follow a seasonal pattern compared with non-weatherrelated events on supply chains in South Africa. Conclusion: This research reveals the growing impact of weather-related events in South Africa. Contribution: It provides practical and theoretical implications for supply chain managers and insurers to manage weather-related risks more effectively and proactively contributes to the literature by offering empirical insights from a developing country perspective, and provides considerations for future work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wound care management and the dressing of wounds represent some of the most basic services offered in primary health care facilities across Southern Africa. Clinicians should have a basic understanding of the processes of wound healing and wound bed preparation to match the ideal cost-effective dressing to the particular type of wound to be managed. In the 'kingdom of wounds', the authors use a popular analogy and propose the best five strategies for the clinician in choosing the right management option in the 'game of dressings'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparative microplastic (MP) data for cephalopods between oceans is scarce. Our aim was to quantify, characterise, and compare MPs in gills, digestive gland, and mantle of chokka squid from the South Atlantic Ocean (SAO) and Indian Ocean (IO) off the coast of South Africa. South African squid had more MPs compared with other studies (means = 2.0 and 0.4 in SAO and IO squid mantle, respectively). Blue fibres were dominant. Identifiable MPs were polyethylene. Despite IO water having higher MP concentrations than the SAO, SAO squid had higher MP concentrations. Dilution by growth is the likely reason for the lower MP concentrations. Fibres were shorter in SAO than IO squid. However, we could not explain why fibre and mantle lengths from both oceans were positively correlated. Squid may not be the best indicator of marine MPs. The characteristics of MPs in squid can be used to track stocks and migrations. • Microplastics for tracking fish stocks. • Microplastic move through ocean via bio-assisted transfer. • Comparison of microplastics in organisms between two oceans. • Dilution by growth of microplastics in Loligo reynaudii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2019, the murders of five homeless men in Pretoria drew attention to the vulnerability of people living on the street. Despite more than two decades of democracy, social injustices and inequality continue to characterise post-apartheid South Africa. In addition to rampant poverty burgeoning informal settlements and poor housing, homelessness forms an integral part of the country's urban and rural landscapes. However, homelessness is often accompanied by victimisation, racial and social injustices, and human rights violations. This paper reports on the victimisation of homeless people in South Africa, their patterns of reporting such incidences, and interactions with criminal justice agents. The paper also contextualises a fear of crime among the homeless and evaluates the limitations of the lifestyle exposure, routine activities, and deviance place theories to adequately explain injustices committed against the homeless. Implications for context-specific and global realities regarding homeless people are discussed. Quantitative data was obtained through non-probability sampling strategies from 40 urban and 30 rural homeless people. More than half of respondents felt unsafe while living on the streets (55.8%), feared becoming a victim of crime in the next year (54.5%) and the greater proportion of respondents (57.1%) had fallen victim to crime in the past. Statistically significant differences (p<0.05; r>0.4) featured between urban and rural respondents in terms of theft and harassment and anticipating victimisation. The findings highlight the social injustices suffered by homeless people, often at the hand of those who are supposed to protect vulnerable groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In South Africa, significant progress has been made in legislative and policy efforts to advance victim participation in the parole process. Victims now have a legal right to make representations at a Correctional Supervision and Parole Board (Parole Board) hearing in certain matters relating to parole placement decisions. This conceptual paper aims to discuss the circumstances in which crime victims may exercise their rights to information and participation in parole hearings. Any reference to a victim in South Africa includes a complainant or a relative of a deceased victim. In promoting a victim-centred approach to criminal justice, provision has been made in both section 75(4) of the Correctional Services Act 111 of 1998 and section 299A of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 for the involvement of victims in Parole Board hearings. In 2005, the South African Department of Correctional Services issued specific directives to facilitate and promote the involvement of complainants in Parole Board hearings. These directives were developed in support of the Victim Empowerment Programme of Government, which is based upon the concept of restorative justice. The stance of the Department of Correctional Services is that all parole considerations should include victim participation; however, this paper argues that practical challenges remain for both the Department of Correctional Services and the victims of crime. It proposes directions for future research as there is little to no research that has been conducted on the effects of the parole process on victims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined associations between temperature and several categories of crime in two diverse township communities on the Cape Flats of South Africa, namely Nyanga and Manenberg. Analysis of variance (ANO VA) is initially used to identify whether there are significant differences in the mean amount of daily crimes (murder, assault, robbery, and rape) by season. Next, multiple regression analysis is used to determine whether any statistically significant relationships exist between temperature and crime at the daily level while controlling for a number of confounders. Overall, we found evidence that increasing temperature is associated with an increase in the magnitude of assault crimes at both the seasonal and daily level. However, most of the results for murder, robbery and rape were nonsignificant and/or inconsistent across the two township communities. It is anticipated that through the results of this research we can develop a better understanding of crime on the Cape Flats of South Africa, and in doing so, make a small but meaningful contribution in attempting to alleviate and prevent this scourge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, it is an acceptable principle that a more diverse economy, where economic activity is spread across all economic sectors, has a better chance to survive external shocks and is much more resilient than more sectoral concentrated economies. Developing countries are struggling in this process of diversification as this process requires structural changes in the economy with improved technology, productivity and skills levels. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between economic diversification and economic growth and development in a developing country. South Africa was selected due to the fact that it is the most advanced economy in Africa with well-developed economic sectors. The methodology is quantitative in nature and panel time series data were collected from 1996 to 2018 for all nine provinces in South Africa. The relationship between selected variables were econometrically tested using two different models with GDP per capita and a diversification index as dependent variables respectively. Other variables included in the models were annual household income and income inequality (Gini Coefficient). The results indicated that there is a long-run relationship between all variables and that diversification does positively impact on GDP per capita, as well as rise in household income. The results also indicated that GDP per capita also impacts positively on the level of diversification of the economy. In terms of causality on the short-run, GDP per capita causes improvements in diversification. It can therefore be concluded that a positive relationship has been identified between economic diversification and economic growth and development in South Africa and that a policy for increased diversification across all economic sectors is a viable economic development strategy that should be implemented by developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High Performance Centres (HPCs) in South Africa are seen as a fairly new discipline, although these centres have been in operation internationally for much longer. In the South African SPORT context, the Sport Science Institute of South Africa (SSISA) opened its door in 1995, being the first of its kind in South Africa. Furthermore, universities in South Africa are under immense pressure to be selfsustainable and to rely less on government funding and generate more third-stream revenues. University HPCs are seen as strategic assets to the university, but generally do not receive continuous direct funding from the universities. The onus rest on these HPCs to be sustainable and even profitable, with retained earnings being used for capital improvements and additions, as well as general operational expenses of the centres. The aim of this research is to establish whether commercial, private, government-operated and university HPCs can be financially sustainable and profitable. To reach the aim, variance analyses were completed of the financial ratios of university HPCs compared to non-university (consisting of commercial and government-supported centres) HPCs, as well as between HPCs in the Northern compared to the Southern Hemisphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A single-rod subdermal contraceptive implant containing 68 mg of etonogestrel, ImplanonNXT®, was introduced to the South African healthcare system in 2014. Initially the new device was well received but later uptake tapered off. A need was identified to determine the factors that influence women's choices with regard to the use of ImplanonNXT® in order to improve its uptake. The aim of this study was to explore the factors that influence women’s choice of ImplanonNXT®. Method: A qualitative study was performed, using semi-structured interviews to explore patients’ knowledge, attitudes and beliefs regarding ImplanonNXT®. Ten patients were interviewed at Knysna Hospital. Findings: There was confusion amongst women about the harms and benefits of using ImplanonNXT® and it became apparent contraceptive counselling during pregnancy greatly affects the choices they make. Other factors that influenced the participants’ choice with regard to contraception included social influences, preference for familiar methods and the side effect profile of the various options. Perceptions of the adverse side effects of the implantable device added to confusion and fear of this method, which influenced women’s ideas about the use of ImplanonNXT®. Poor communication and reluctance from clinic staff to discuss ImplanonNXT® during antenatal visits contributed to poor knowledge about the implantable device and its side effects. Conclusion: Clearer communication during antenatal visits with pregnant women may address some of the fears and beliefs that surround its side effects, workings and efficacy. The fear of possible side effects should be a focus for counselling and education, as it predominantly contributes to women’s confusion and fear of the device. Further research is needed to address this as well as evaluate if interventions such as better counselling and a dedicated team approach can change the attitudes and beliefs of post-partum women towards the ImplanonNXT® device in the South African district health system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Major developments can result in significant impacts on biodiversity, which the mandated process of environmental impact assessment (EIA) aims to mitigate. There has been a recent move towards the application of biodiversity offsets as a last-resort, compensatory measure when options at the earlier stages in the mitigation hierarchy of avoidance, minimisation and restoration have been exhausted. Guidance on biodiversity offset planning available in different jurisdictions, however, demonstrates a lack of consensus about when biodiversity offsets should be formally introduced into the EIA process, and previous research has highlighted the perceived risks associated with commencing detailed offset planning too early as well as too late. Here we explore the implications of how and when offset considerations are introduced within EIA. We do this by reviewing and synthesising best practice principles for biodiversity offsets from the international literature, and then exploring how and when offsets were considered in a number of case studies that draw on documentary analysis and interviews with key role players. Our case studies are based in South Africa where regional guidance on offsets exists, supporting a body of practice. The research finds that the timing of involvement of biodiversity specialists is critical in determining whether considering offsets early will reap the combined benefits of: transparency and stakeholder engagement; guaranteeing the offset before development commences; and offset enforceability without jeopardising adherence to the mitigation hierarchy. Bypassing the mitigation hierarchy was perceived as allowing proponents to 'buy' approvals for developments that might otherwise be found unacceptable, although there was no evidence for this in any of the case studies evaluated. Although some of our findings may be specific to the South African context, the approach taken using international best practice principles for biodiversity offsets as a benchmark can equally be applied to evaluate practice in other EIA systems. We confirm the utility of this approach by evaluating the recently released South African Draft National Biodiversity Offset Policy for its potential to support best practice biodiversity offsets in EIA. Highlights • International principles for biodiversity offsets are reviewed and synthesised. • The principles are applied to five case studies and a draft offsets policy. • How and when offsets are introduced into EIA affects quality of offsets. • The timing of involvement of biodiversity specialists in EIA is important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Body mass is commonly used to determine medication dosages and equipment size. In emergency situations (including cases necessitating surgery) weighing paediatric patients can be impractical. Clinicians may use any of several body mass estimation techniques to surmount this obstacle. This study's aim was to compare the actual body mass of children with estimated mass as predicted by several commonly used estimation methods. Methods: This diagnostic cross-sectional study recorded data from patients between one and five years of age in the Tshwane district. Measurement procedures were standardised to ensure consistency. Results: The relationship between anthropometric and demographic variables were determined and applied to different estimation models to assess the models' applicability to the Tshwane district population. The APLS (Advanced Paediatric Life Support) formula (Body mass (kg) = (Age + 4) × 2) proved the most appropriate. This formula gave a mean underestimation of 0.51 kg. Age proved to be the variable with the strongest correlation to body mass. A formula was developed specifically for the selected population, adding mid upper arm circumference as a second variable. This formula is more complex and offers only a marginal improvement in accuracy of weight estimation. Conclusion: The APLS formula is a reasonable tool to use when estimating the body mass in children between one and five years old in the Tshwane district population. It is a well-known and simple formula, making it well suited to this purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Of South Africa's nine provinces, Limpopo Province - in relation to the redistributive economic demands as reported by the media since 2011 - seems to harbour the most radicalising political elements. Verbalized by Julius Malema, among others, calls for the nationalisation of all South African mines and continual demands for radical redistribution of land spread through the country. In this context, the article investigates whether Limpopo Province, with its largely rural population, is on the verge of a swing towards the populist left and whether an imminent political change is likely. The role that the ruling government's failure (despite lip-service to transformation) to implement redistributive policies in Limpopo played in the forming of a political climate that may induce a swing to the left, is also considered. By utilising applicable economic data from various sources and incorporating the notion of perceived provincial asymmetry, the investigation centres on these circumstances during the period of 2011 to 2016, while logically sound reflections on the province's future complement the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lack of long-term studies remains a limiting factor in understanding the home range, spatial ecology and movement of giraffes. We equipped eight giraffes with GPS satellite units and VHF capacity, which were built in to the collars for the remote collection of data on their movements and home ranges over two years on Khamab Kalahari Nature Reserve (KKNR) within the Kalahari region of South Africa. Giraffe numbers in KKNR dropped from 135 individuals to 111 in just five years, revealing the lack of knowledge about their required habitat needs, space use and diet. With over 1000 km 2 available for roaming within the reserve, habitat selection, principle and preferred food species played a significant role in home range size and overlap between individuals. These giraffes used an average annual home range of 206 km 2 (20 602 ha) as calculated by a 95% minimum convex polygon (MCP) with a standard deviation core home range calculated by a 50% MCP of 10.1 km 2 to satisfy their annual needs for survival and reproduction in their preferred vegetation. In the wet, hot season (summer: December–February) when food was abundant, giraffes frequented smaller areas (average 177 km 2 ), while in the dry, cool season (winter: June to August) the mean home range size increased to approximately 245 km 2 . Rainfall influenced spatial distribution since it determined vegetation productivity and leaf phenology. The different seasons influenced giraffe movements, while different vegetation types and season influenced their home range size. Season and food availability also influenced home range overlap between different giraffe herds. Home range overlap occurred when giraffes were forced to roam in overlapping areas during the dryer months when the winter deciduous nature of the majority of the tree species resulted in lower food availability. In winter, the overlap was approximately 31% and in autumn approximately 23%. During the wet and warmer months, overlapping was 15% in summer and 19% in spring, respectively. The percentage of time spent in different vegetation type areas was influenced by the abundance of the principal food species of that plant community. It is thus concluded that the movements of giraffes were primarily influenced by a combination of environmental factors such as season, rainfall and vegetation density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of African Population Studies is the property of Union for African Population Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article focuses on the construction of a bulk liquid terminal in the Port of Richards Bay in South Africa. Information on the result of the study conducted by the WSP Africa Coastal Engineers (Pty) Ltd. to assess and implement shoreline mitigation measures is provided. Suggestion on the factors that lead to the successful implementation of the physical modeling and design of the floating concrete breakwater in Richards Bay Harbour is offered.

Traditional African medicine often carries with it a perception and stigma of being irrational and ungrounded in scientific method in academia. One reason for this common prejudicial view of traditional African medicine is the failure to effectively interpret African traditional medicine concepts, as these are often metaphorical descriptions of the biological and psychological effects of plants or combinations of them used in the traditional medicine preparations. When translated into other languages such as English, these metaphorical descriptions of medicinal plant use can seem to incorrectly reflect mysticism and/or superstition with no scientific basis. This difficulty in interpreting cultural descriptions of medical phenomena, together with the fact that there are hardly any academic papers engaging the science of South African traditional medicine in the biological sciences, is an indication of the disconnection between the humanities studies and the biomedical studies of South African traditional medicine. This paper investigates some popular examples of spiritual plant use in traditional South African medicine using phytopharmacological studies together with anthropological fieldwork methods, demonstrating the empirical basis for use of some plants in divination (by producing clarity of thought or dreams). The examples also reveal the phytochemical and biomedical foundations of the South Bantu speaking traditional healers' explanations of why and how various spiritually used plants have medicinal value. The challenge for scientists (such as botanists) is to effectively translate and interpret cultural and language based descriptions of spiritual medicinal plant use made by indigenous peoples while recognizing and discarding cultural prejudices that prevent a more comprehensive and integrated understanding of the science that intersects and forms the basis of many, though not all, cultural healing practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on restorative mediation between victim and offender as an expression of restorative justice in South Africa. Topics include restorative mediation acting as an agreement to remedy the harm, outcome of restorative mediation seen as a developmental social work and expected fundamental changes in people, relationships and communities in form of a social change. Other topics include need of longitudinal research to evaluate the longer-term impact of restorative mediation.

Abstract: Internationally there is a growing demand for environmental impact assessment (EIA) to move away from its traditional focus towards delivering more sustainable outcomes. South Africa is an example of a country where the EIA system seems to have embraced the concept of sustainability. In this paper we test the existing objectives for EIA in South Africa against sustainability principles and then critique the effectiveness of EIA practice in delivering these objectives. The outcome of the research suggests that notwithstanding a strong and explicit sustainability mandate through policy and legislation, the effectiveness of EIA practice falls far short of what is mandated. This shows that further legislative reform is not required to improve effectiveness but rather a focus on changing the behaviour of individual professionals. We conclude by inviting further debate on what exactly practitioners can do to give effect to sustainability in EIA practice. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Extrapair paternity is a crucial parameter for evolutionary explanations of reproductive behavior. Early studies and human testis size suggest that human males secure/suffer frequent extrapair paternity. If these high rates are indeed true, it brings into question studies that use genealogies to infer human life history and the history of diseases since the recorded genealogies do not reflect paths of genetic inheritance. We measure the rate of nonpaternity in an old Afrikaner family in South Africa by comparing Y-chromosome short tandem repeats to the genealogy of males. In this population, the nonpaternity rate was 0.73%. This low rate is observed in other studies that matched genealogies to genetic markers and more recent studies that also find estimates below 1%. It may be that imposed religious morals have led to reduced extrapair activities in some historic populations. We also found that the mutation rate is high for this family, but is unrelated to age at conception. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background. Diarrhea! disease remains one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in young children in South Africa. Although a rotavirus vaccine will reduce rotavirus diarrhea! morbidity and mortality, its introduction and sustainability will incur considerable costs. The aim of this study was to estimate the costs associated with diarrheal disease of all etiologies in children <5 years of age at Dr George Mukhari Hospital, a tertiary level hospital in Gauteng, South Africa. Methods. Cost data were obtained by a review of systematically selected records of patients admitted for diarrhea during 2004 and the prospective recording of the treatment of consecutive inpatients admitted for diarrhea from February through June 2005. Data on hospital stay, medications, nondrug orders, and diagnostic tests were abstracted using standardized recording forms. Costs were calculated using 2004 and 2005 prices. Carers were interviewed using a standard interview schedule to determine out-of-pocket expenses. Stool samples were tested for rotavirus by the Medical Research Council Diarrheal Pathogens Unit. Results. The review sample comprised 86 (20 rotavirus positive) patient records. The prospective sample comprised 77 inpatients (25 rotavirus positive). The mean duration (± standard deviation [SD]) of hospital stay was 4.6 ± 3.4 days and 5.7 ± 4.7 days for the review and prospective samples, respectively. The mean total inpatient cost (±SD) was R5963 ± R4070 (review sample) and R7256 ± R5599 (prospective sample; P>.05). Although mean total costs did not differ significantly between rotavirus-negative and -positive samples, mean facility and antibiotic costs were significantly higher for the rotavirus-negative sample (P < .05) in the prospective sample. Mean out-of-pocket expenses (± SD) were R100.00 ± R112 for inpatients. Conclusion. Although total inpatient costs did not differ significantly between the rotavirus-negative and - positive patients, costs for the rotavirus-negative patients tended to be higher. Although a rotavirus vaccine will reduce the burden of diarrheal disease, it is imperative that measures for reducing the incidence and severity of diarrheal disease due to other pathogens are strengthened. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community papers perform a unique role by informing, educating and rallying their demarcated piece of society,as well as reflecting the opinion of such communities and shaping them. In this respect Eikestadnuus (in Stellenbosch, Western Cape Province, South Africa) is no different to any other weekly newspaper. Yet, it has its own story. A belated birth, maturity after 30 years (when it came under new ownership) and now, with 60 years behind it, it is still going from strength to strength. Eikestadnuus, as the news organ of a university town, and with different cultures, has to cater for a broad spectrum of readers. It had to adapt to opposing political systems, interpreting the nature of democracy differently as well and shifting ethical and practical priorities to the dictates of 14 editors to date. In this paper the above is discussed and Eikestadnuus is measured against the universal blueprint of a fully functional community newspaper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of correlation between public transport infrastructure investments and adjacent property price increases in South Arica in reference to Gautrain railway. Topics discussed include burden on local governments to raise revenue to finance infrastructure upgrades and additions, theories behind transport infrastructure and value of a property, and residential property value percentage change.

Privately protected areas (PPAs) are internationally considered to be important policy implementation instruments to augment and strengthen protected area networks. However, there has been limited reflection on the performance of PPAs over time. This paper aims to identify key risks to the performance of PPAs as policy implementation instruments through the application of Theory of Change (ToC). Identifying and understanding these risks are important to allow for the evaluation and monitoring of PPA performance. The ToC method was applied to a specific PPA policy instrument namely, private nature reserves (PNRs) in the South African context. The research results produced 29 key assumptions translated into 29 key risks. These risk are critically discussed against existing South African and international literature. To test and refine the risks further it is recommended that they be applied to PPA case studies in different contexts. • Theory of change (ToC) is applied to privately protected areas (PPAs). • 29 key assumptions are identified that underpin the performance of PPAs. • Key assumptions are translated into 29 key risks to the performance of PPAs. • These key risks can be used to evaluate the future performance of PPAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A parallel development to the dominant state-centered paradigm of strategic culture is the salience of regional organisations such as the European Union and the Southern African Development Community. After the Cold War the European Union and the Southern African Development Community emerged as regional actors dedicated to development and security, but both were soon confronted by the prioritisation of security matters. After 2000 both regions responded to security interests through regional arrangements that recognised the indispensability of the military instrument—although in different roles. However, despite the higher profile of this strategic option, both the European Union and the Southern African Development Community lack a strategic culture that guides the use of their armed forces as a policy instrument. Subsequently, the need exists to reconcile this strategic option with a regional strategic culture—a matter characterised by gradual progress in the European Union, but apparently absent in the Southern African Development Community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SEA has been described as being more about process than about product. Yet very little research has been conducted to gain a better understanding of how SEA processes perform within developing country contexts. To address this gap in knowledge the research underlying this paper aimed to evaluate the quality of SEA processes within the South African context against specifically designed key performance indicators. Comparison of the different data patterns revealed general SEA process features as well as three broad models, namely the ‘stand alone’, ‘central to decision making’ and ‘integrated’ models. The research results suggest a particularly poor performance in terms of process quality for the SEA case studies investigated. Moreover, it shows that there is no one understanding of SEA process within the South African context. The main limitations related to a weak understanding of the decision making processes SEA aimed to inform, as well as an inability to incorporate flexibility into process design. To take the debate forward it is proposed that SEA follow-up and effectiveness research be explored to determine which of these models (if any) ultimately contributed to influencing decision making and promote sustainability. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

There has been little empirical investigation of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) performance towards safeguarding conservation and promoting responsible tourism within protected areas. This paper examines the quality of EIA Reports (EIARs) prepared for tourism developments in the world-renowned Kruger to Canyons (K2C) Biosphere Reserve, one of the largest in Africa. An adapted version of the internationally recognised Lee and Colley report review package was used. The review results indicate that the EIARs are, overall, of satisfactory quality and that the reports provide adequate information to support the incorporation of sustainable and responsible tourism principles in decision-making. However, inadequacies are observed in certain review areas, namely public participation, provision for mitigation and monitoring, and content of non-technical summaries. Notably, the analytical review areas (e.g. impact assessment) perform better than the descriptive ones (e.g. presentation of assessment results), which contrasts with review findings reported in the international literature. This research provides important insights and contributes to advancing review frameworks and to ongoing debates around the potential of EIA to foster environmental protection and sustainability within protected areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Innovation and knowledge networks should focus on concentration and clustering. • A knowledge-rich region must be informed by both active and passive ICT. • A pertinent focus on readiness ICT will establish higher adaptability. • A knowledge network structure to resemble a "core-periphery" structure. • Strong core that is loosely tied to the periphery. • Aids in resisting shocks and mitigating slow-burn processes in periphery. The potential role of innovation and knowledge networks in regional growth and development is well recognized. However, there has been scant reflection on its role as a policy mechanism, specifically for peripheral regions. In response, this paper investigates the role of innovation and knowledge networks as a policy mechanism towards more resilient peripheral regions. Through a multiple country policy analysis, the paper determines to what extent innovation and knowledge networks are reflected in regional development policies of 17 OECD countries with predominantly rural characteristics. Moreover, the role of innovation and knowledge networks towards more resilient regions is quantified and measured for a specific peripheral region case in South Africa as developing country. The research ultimately concludes that the innovation and knowledge network mechanism of resilience, is dependent both on the extent and the quality of the innovation network within a region. It has been established that the mere presence of infrastructure (passive information communication technology - ICT) cannot specifically be associated with high levels of innovation and technological advantage, but rather a mind-set of change, being open to possibilities and ready for innovation injections (readiness ICT). In establishing a knowledge-rich region informed by both active and passive ICT, but with a pertinent focus on readiness ICT, a region with higher adaptability is established. This results in a peripheral region receptive to change, new technology and innovation. Primary policy actions such as the creation of Special Economic Zones (SEZs), skills training initiatives, centres of expertise, business development, and venture capital will promote innovation and knowledge networks as key actions towards more resilient peripheral regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Robust population size estimates of female sex workers and other key populations in South Africa face multiple methodological limitations, including inconsistencies in surveillance and programmatic indicators. This has, consequently, challenged the appropriate allocation of resources and benchmark-setting necessary to an effective HIV response. A 2013-2014 integrated biological and behavioral surveillance (IBBS) survey from South Africa showed alarmingly high HIV prevalence among female sex workers in South Africa's three largest cities of Johannesburg (71.8%), Cape Town (39.7%), and eThekwini (53.5%). The survey also included several multiplier-based population size estimation methods. Objective: The objective of our study was to present the selected population size estimation methods used in an IBBS survey and the subsequent participatory process used to estimate the number of female sex workers in three South African cities. Methods: In 2013-2014, we used respondent-driven sampling to recruit independent samples of female sex workers for IBBS surveys in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and eThekwini. We embedded multiple multiplier-based population size estimation methods into the survey, from which investigators calculated weighted estimates and ranges of population size estimates for each city's female sex worker population. Following data analysis, investigators consulted civil society stakeholders to present survey results and size estimates and facilitated stakeholder vetting of individual estimates to arrive at consensus point estimates with upper and lower plausibility bounds. Results: In total, 764, 650, and 766 female sex workers participated in the survey in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and eThekwini, respectively. For size estimation, investigators calculated preliminary point estimates as the median of the multiple estimation methods embedded in the IBBS survey and presented these to a civil society-convened stakeholder group. Stakeholders vetted all estimates in light of other data points, including programmatic experience, ensuring inclusion only of plausible point estimates in median calculation. After vetting, stakeholders adopted three consensus point estimates with plausible ranges: Johannesburg 7697 (5000-10,895); Cape Town 6500 (4579-9000); eThekwini 9323 (4000-10,000). Conclusions: Using several population size estimates methods embedded in an IBBS survey and a participatory stakeholder consensus process, the South Africa Health Monitoring Survey produced female sex worker size estimates representing approximately 0.48%, 0.49%, and 0.77% of the adult female population in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and eThekwini, respectively. In data-sparse environments, stakeholder engagement and consensus is critical to vetting of multiple empirically based size estimates procedures to ensure adoption and utilization of data-informed size estimates for coordinated national and subnational benchmarking. It also has the potential to increase coherence in national and key population-specific HIV responses and to decrease the likelihood of duplicative and wasteful resource allocation. We recommend building cooperative and productive academic-civil society partnerships around estimates and other strategic information dissemination and sharing to facilitate the incorporation of additional data as it becomes available, as these additional data points may minimize the impact of the known and unknown biases inherent in any single, investigator-calculated method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers the author's insights on the realization he gained after the Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa (PSSA) national exco meeting that was held in Pretoria, South Africa in August 2016. The authors mentions his realization about the life and principles of pharmacist, the importance of respect to individual, and the fight of pharmacists against moral dilemma.

Background: Patients with community-acquired urinary tract infections (UTIs) frequently present to healthcare facilities in South Africa (SA)., Aim: To provide information on UTI aetiology and antimicrobial susceptibility of pathogens., Methods: We recruited women with UTI-related symptoms, who tested positive for ≥2 urine dipstick criteria (proteinuria, blood, leucocytes or nitrites) at 1 public and 5 private primary healthcare facilities in 2011. Demographic and clinical data were recorded and mid-stream urine (MSU) specimens were cultured. UTI pathogens were Gram-stained and identified to species level. Etest-based antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed for amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, cefixime, cefuroxime, ciprofloxacin, fosfomycin, levofloxacin, nitrofurantoin, norfloxacin and trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole., Results: Of the 460 women recruited, 425 MSU samples were processed and 204 UTI pathogens were identified in 201 samples. Most pathogens were Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) (182; 89.2%) and 22 (10.8%) were Gram-positive cocci (GPC). Escherichia coli was the most frequent GNB (160; 79.6%), while Enterococcus faecalis was the predominant GPC (8; 4.0%). The UTI pathogens had similar susceptibility profiles for fosfomycin (95.5%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 92.6 - 98.4), the 3 fluoroquinolones (94.1%; 95% CI 90.8 - 97.4), nitrofurantoin (91.7%; 95% CI 87.8 - 95.6), cefuroxime (90.1%; 95% CI 86.0 - 94.3) and cefixime (88.2%; 95% CI 83.7 - 92.6). UTI pathogens were less susceptible to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (82.8%; 95% CI 77.5 - 88.0) when compared with fluoroquinolones and fosfomycin. Trimethoprim/ sulphamethoxazole was the least efficacious antimicrobial agent (44.3% susceptible; 95% CI 37.4 - 51.2)., Conclusion: This study provides relevant data for the empirical treatment of community-acquired UTIs in SA.