Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf): Open Journal Systems
Not a member yet
8651 research outputs found
Sort by
Endogenous irrigation in arid Zimbabwe: farmer perceptions of livelihood benefits and barriers to scaling
No full textIn Zimbabwe, farmer-led irrigation is far more widespread than planners and policy makers realise. Along the Shashani sand river, in the arid to semi-arid lands of south-western Zimbabwe, diverse farmer-initiated irrigation ventures exist. This qualitative case study focuses on bucket irrigation, in which very small vegetable fields of up to 450 m2 are fenced by tree branches, and irrigated with water from scoop holes in sandy river beds. Farmers initiate and operate their fields with no external assistance. This study presents the benefits of bucket irrigation as an often-overlooked form of farmer-led irrigation development. Through this qualitative and strongly observational study, 26 bucket irrigation farmers and 4 non-irrigators were interviewed using semi-structured interviews where farmers’ perceptions and experiences were captured. We investigate what drives and sustains bucket irrigation, its significance to rural livelihoods under harsh economic and climatic conditions, and the barriers towards scaling this type of farmer-led irrigation development. The results show that drivers for bucket irrigation stem from economic hardship and are gendered. Women are motivated to irrigate mainly by the need to produce vegetables for household consumption, whereas men pursue irrigation due to a lack of employment. Bucket irrigators experience enhanced food security, and have more secure income, contributing to improved wellbeing. Furthermore, despite the desire to scale, the farm size is mainly constrained by fencing and energy for transporting water, which is a result of a persistent lack of financial capital to invest in irrigation technologies. We conclude that bucket irrigation acts as an important livelihood strategy, and that it significantly enhances farmers’ resilience to economic and climatic shocks. Bucket irrigation should not be overlooked in policies that advocate scaling of irrigation. Bucket irrigators have the potential to expand and benefit significantly if supported with innovative financial mechanisms that enable investments in the required technology and knowledge
RACIAL CONSIDERATIONS ARE A PREREQUISITE AND NOT AN AFTERTHOUGHT: A DISCUSSION OF Kroukamp v The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development [2021] ZAGPPHC 526 and Magistrates Commission v Lawrence 2022 1 All SA 321 (SCA)
No full textThis case note engages in a critical examination of two recent cases concerning the issue of race-based appointments, or rather the lack thereof, in the judiciary. The crux of this case note concerns the appointment of judicial officers as regulated by section 174 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Constitution). In particular, the case note is driven by subsection 2 of section 174, which provides:“The need for the judiciary to reflect broadly the racial and gender composition of South Africa must be considered when judicial officers are appointed.”In essence, this case note is an advocate for the argument that the South African judiciary must reflect the demographics of the country. That is to say, racial considerations are a prerequisite in judicial appointments, and not an afterthought. The case note starts with a discussion of the matter that was before the Gauteng High Court, sitting as the Equality Court, in Kroukamp v The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development ([2021] ZAGPPHC 526). The case note then discusses the later decision of the Supreme Court of Appeal in Magistrates Commission v Lawrence (2022 1 All SA 321 (SCA))
Socio-demographic Context of Resilience for Adaptation to Climate Change and Implication for Agricultural Extension in Buffelspruit, South Africa
No full textThe study examined the socio-demographic characteristics of smallholder farmers’ and resilience strategies for adaptation to climate change in Buffelspruit, South Africa. The objectives of the study were to determine local resilience strategies used by farmers and examine adoption behaviour in the use of local resilience strategies for mitigating climate change. The study was conducted in Buffelspruit community. A total number of 306 participants were selected randomly for this study. Structured and semi-structured questionnaires were used for data collection. The adoption behaviour of the farmers in the use of local resilience strategies was analysed using the logit model. Crop rotation, crop diversification and the adjustment of planting dates were the resilience strategies used by farmers. The result from the logit analysis reveals that gender (p = 0.047), level of education (p = 0.16), employment (p = 0.043), farm skills (p = 0.058), extension services (p = 0.011) and farm size (p = 0.022) influenced the adoption of climate resilient strategies in the study area. Extension education must move beyond technical training to enhance farmers’ abilities for planning, problem solving, critical thinking and leadership skills to work with multiple stakeholders. Extension must be proactive with capacity development in climate change education.
Utilisation of Digital Technologies by Smallholder Farmers in South Africa
No full textThe study's objective was to assess the utilisation of digital technologies by smallholder farmers, focusing on the types of digital technologies they use, their awareness and perceptions, and the constraints they face. The study used a systematic literature review design. The results show that there has been an increase in studies focussing on using digital technologies by smallholder farmers in South Africa. The focus has been on e-readiness, tools, and constraints in assisting smallholder farmers amongst extension workers, mainly from North West, KwaZulu-Natal, and Eastern Cape Provinces. Relevant topics have been smart farming, digital agriculture, adoption, and climate change. However, smallholder digital technology studies in South Africa have transitioned from small-scale agriculture and extension between 2012 and 2014 to transformation, food security and perception between 2014 and 2018, and innovations, communication technologies, and dissemination, more recently. Recent studies have focused on the productivity-enhanced adoption of ICTs, with various technologies used along the complexity spectrum. However, smallholder farmers have concentrated on low-tech digital technologies on the lower end of the complexity spectrum because they are more aware of them. End-user, service provider, and digital technology characteristics have constrained the use of digital technologies. In conclusion, smallholder farmers are aware of and use low-tech digital technologies limited by inherent internalised characteristics of the farmers themselves and the digital technologies
Distribution and impact of the Asian seed beetle, Megabruchidius tonkineus (Pic, 1904) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) on Gleditsia triacanthos L. seeds in South Africa
No full textHoney locust, Gleditsia triacanthos (Fabaceae) is a fast-growing deciduous tree native to North America. The tree has been introduced worldwide and has become invasive in South Africa. In 2017, it was listed as one of the nine fastest-spreading weeds in South Africa. Once established, it competes with and displaces indigenous species and dense stands can significantly reduce stream flow. The Asian seed-feeding bruchid, Megabruchidius tonkineus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) was introduced into South Africa and has subsequently taken honey locust as a host plant. The beetle damages honey locust seeds and is therefore considered a biological control agent, despite no host-specificity or impact studies having been conducted. This study shows that M. tonkineus has established across the entire G. triacanthos population range in South Africa, damaging approximately 9% of seeds. Laboratory studies show that M. tonkineus completes its larval development in the seeds of G. triacanthos in about 66.80 ± 0.69 SE days before emerging. This study is the first to describe the distribution and impact of this alien insect in South Africa
Restorative considerations in children with congenital dental anomalies
Get PDFChildren with congenital dental manifestations may have to endure challenges due to their abnormal tooth development, altered skeletal growth, compromised masticatory and speech function and poor aesthetics. This may further lead to psychosocial problems. These children may have deficient ridge height and volume in edentulous areas, missing teeth, malformed or malpositioned teeth and often the added complication of xerostomia. These anomalies complicate conventional treatment and have led clinicians to consider alternative restorative treatment options. Recent literature suggests that Osseo integrated implant therapy may be a viable option for children with congenital dental defects. However, studies are scarce, with no standardization of success or survival criteria, and little long-term follow-up results. This paper explores the various restorative options and highlights the need for a multidisciplinary team. approach
Climate Change Impact and Adaptation of Agro-Pastoral Farmers in Awerial County, Lakes State of South Sudan
No full textThis study examined the impact of climate change and weather-related extremities on the livelihoods of agro-pastoral farmers to identify the climate change adaptation practices adopted by the climate-affected households in Awerial County of South Sudan. A mixed methods approach was utilised. 401 respondents were interviewed using individual questionnaires and focus group discussions. The study’s results showed that agro-pastoralists perceive climate change as occurring in the study location, as evidenced by perceived increases in temperature, rainfall variability, and increased frequency of floods and droughts. Climate change also impacts livelihoods, as can be seen from livestock losses, increased food insecurity, loss of inputs, deforestation, and diminished water for livestock and domestic purposes. In the face of climate change, agro-pastoral farmers adapt by planting trees, crop/livestock diversification, mixed farming, soil and water conservation, reduction in livestock numbers, adjustment of planting dates, irrigation, and application of fertilisers. However, adaptation to climate change by agro-pastoral farmers is constrained by limited access to credit, lack of skills/information and access to agriculture inputs/technologies. The extension message includes strengthening local early warning systems, livelihood diversification and promotion of climate-sensitive agricultural practices for agro-pastoralists.
Market Participation Decision of Emerging Farmers Under the Land Restitution Programme in Limpopo Province, South Africa
No full textThis paper examined the factors influencing market participation decisions and the level of the emerging farmers under the land restitution programme in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The study used stratified and purposive sampling to sample 200 emerging farmers. The results of the descriptive statistics revealed that approximately 33% of emerging farmers participated in the markets. The double-hurdle results indicated that age, post-settlement support, training, irrigation, market information, transportation, credit access, extension services and farmer association membership positively influenced participation decisions and level. In contrast, non-farm businesses, sources of income and enterprises negatively influenced participation decisions and levels. This paper recommends providing support services entailing credit, training and marketing cooperatives to improve and strengthen market participation by emerging farmers in Limpopo Province
Determinants of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) Technologies Adoption by Smallholder Food Crop Farmers in Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, Free State
No full textClimate change is already influencing agricultural production and distribution and heightening farming risks. Over the last decade, the sector has been subject to drastic economic and social evolutions contributing to the climate variability change in the agricultural sector. Smallholder farmers, especially from developing countries (South Africa), have been recognised as the most vulnerable to climate hazards due to the prevalence of low adaptive measures. Addressing climate change’s effects on agriculture is an exceptional challenge. Policymakers have presented Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) as an alternative strategy to enhance agricultural productivity, which will help improve food security and reduce poverty, especially in developing countries. However, the adoption and diffusion of CSA have been slow. Therefore, this paper aims to assess the determinants of (CSA) technologies adoption by smallholder food crop farmers in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, Free State.
The study used a cross-sectional research design to collect data using structured questionnaires. Stratified random sampling collected data from 120 smallholder food crop farmers. Descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression were employed for the analysis. The study findings show that using and adopting CSA by smallholder farmers
enhanced agricultural productivity. The majority (66%) of the sampled food crop farmers fell in the category of users of CSA practices. The study found that farmers’ knowledge influenced their use and adoption of CSA technologies and farmers’ available financial support. Lack of financial support, knowledge and inadequate farm inputs and training were the challenges limiting smallholder farmers from using CSA. The paper recommends that to ensure a smooth transition to climate-sensitive agricultural practices, development actors must strongly support the inculcation of indigenous knowledge of modern agricultural technologies for easy use by farmers. It also recommends that policymakers develop and implement more elaborate capacity-building programs at the local level to influence farmers’ attitudes towards pro-environmental behaviour
S v P – The Abuse of Protection Orders to "Gag" Victims of Rape
No full textIn recent years there has been the emergence of global and local anti-gender-based violence movements such as #MeToo and, in South Africa, #menaretrash, which has precipitated an increase in the disclosure of the names of the alleged perpetrators of sexual violence by the survivors. The increase in the disclosure of these names has been met with the intensification of legal processes by alleged perpetrators to counter and silence survivors.
This case note will focus on the recent appeal case of S v P 2022 2 SACR 81 (WCC) in the High Court of South Africa, Western Cape Division, in Cape Town. In this case the court had to consider whether the court a quo was correct in issuing a final protection order (in terms of the Protection from Harassment Act 17 of 2011) against the appellant (S) where the court a quo found that her act of harassment was a third party's public disclosure of the respondent (P) as her rapist.
It will be argued that the Western Cape High Court was correct in finding that the court a quo should not have issued a final protection order against S. It will be further argued that the reasons to overturn this decision included the court a quo's failure to appreciate the gendered purpose of the Protection from Harassment Act and that P misused and abused the Act in order to silence S. It will then be argued that one of the reasons why survivors choose to disclose alleged perpetrators' names on social platforms is a societal contextual reason, which includes the high rates of gender-based violence in South Africa alongside the high rates of attrition in gender-based violence cases in the criminal justice system.
Finally, I will consider the cases of Mdlekeza v Gallie 2021 (WCHC) (unreported) case number 15490/2020 of 20 April 2021 and Booysen v Major (WCHC) (unreported) case number 5043/2021 of 30 August 2012 and argue that these cases are further examples of this abuse of process employed to silence survivors. With the courts seeing an increase in these applications to silence victims, it is argued that the courts must adopt a feminist-contextualised approach in order to avoid gagging survivors of gender-based violence and being complicit in the increasing weaponisation of court processes by alleged perpetrators