11613 research outputs found
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Socio-legal reflections on Zimbabwe’s Lithium Industry: the role of public participation in Resource Governance and Environmental Justice
No full textZimbabwe has one of the largest lithium deposits in Africa. As the world strives to decarbonise and to relinquish energy sources that produce harmful emissions, the demand for lithium is rising to astronomical levels. Zimbabwe's lithium is a prime target for the producers of lithium-ion batteries used in electric cars, smartphones, laptops, and solar panels for domestic use. However, Zimbabwe's law and mining policy need to include measures to ensure that citizens properly participate in and profit from its extractive activities, including the mining of lithium. Outdated mining legislation and past experience show that the exploitation of a resource can be a curse in Zimbabwe, as in the smuggling of diamonds and the sequestration of the wealth generated by gold mining to only a few individuals. Public participation in decision-making in the lithium industry is a scarce commodity, and it is generally expected that a repeat of the catastrophic circumstances of Zimbabwean gold and diamond mining is likely to be seen in the lithium industry. This article examines the social implications of the lack of effective regulation of Zimbabwe's lithium industry. It assesses Zimbabwe's current decision to ban raw lithium exports and answers the question whether this has positive social implications for communities that live near lithium deposits.ER -Publishers' versio
Caring for perpetrators of sexual violence: proclaiming freedom for the captives, and release from darkness: a pastoral theological imperative
No full textProfessional/ Advisory note / report in a numbered series (CPSC Notes No. 33)The previous article described what sexual violence and perpetrators of sexual violence are in society. It further discusses the causes of sexual violence perpetration behaviour in an individual. Its purpose is to give an understanding of this pandemic to the church so that it can fully understand the enemy that is facing its society.
. That is to contribute to combating the existing human problems, in this case, sexual violence perpetration, through the will of God by the engagement of the scriptures (Sunday, 2020 & Kalmanofsky, 2017).Publisher's versio
Trajectories into gang membership: exploring risk exposure, protective factors and the factors motivating involvement in devil-worshipping gangs
No full textGangs represent a complex phenomenon, emerging in response to social exclusion, limited opportunities and systemic inequalities. In South Africa, gang-related crime is rife, impacting on individuals, families and broader society. Gang practices in the Free State province allegedly incorporate elements of the occult, including devil-worshipping and witchcraft, generating fear within affected communities. These gangs engage in spiritually-motivated crimes including blood sacrifice, animal slaughter and communication with demons. Drawing on qualitative data obtained from interviews with detained gang members, non-gang-affiliated offenders and service providers, the paper explores key factors motivating membership as well as the protective factors which safeguard against gang involvement. Moreover, the existence of ‘devil-worshipping’ gangs and the prominent risks and protective features in this regard are explored. The findings highlight the need for protection, poverty and peer influence as pertinent factors perpetuating gang membership, while creating prosocial activities, employment and gang-awareness were noted as key protective factors. Understanding risk exposure, gang trajectories and factors that enhance resilience from the lived experience of offenders serve to humanise the gang issue and assists social workers and other stakeholders to strengthen support services for vulnerable youths, develop targeted interventions, refine policies and systemic responses, and incorporate relevant protective factors when designing or facilitating programmes within gang-prone communities.Publisher's versio
Implementing e-participation platforms to enhance citizen engagement and participation within South African municipalities
No full textThe success of e-participation initiatives across South African municipalities hinges upon a nuanced comprehension and roles of the complex interplay between political, social, and technological factors. With the aid of an in-depth literature review, this study explores e-participation initiatives and their progress in strengthening the governance of South African municipalities. Using the content analysis technique, this study reveals that there is a serious lack of digital infrastructure and that digital gaps and lack of proper research addressing these problems between urban and rural municipalities contribute to inadequate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) strategies to improve citizen engagement and participation in governance processes. From this perspective, this study recommends an urgent need to undertake deliberate awareness campaigns to promote the use of e-participation platforms; and identify the citizens’ needs and concerns to formulate locally preferred content and design inclusive policies to strengthen the order of local governance.Publisher's versio
Exploring Interconnection of Rural Female Learners' Psychological Resilience and Academic Achievement Amidst Climate Change in Zimbabwe
No full textThis qualitative study explored the intricate relationship between the psychological resilience of rural female learners and their academic achievement in the context of climate change in Zimbabwe. Focusing on two secondary schools in the Masvingo North region, the research employed a case study design to examine the lived experiences of 13 participants, including learners, educators, and community members. Despite the growing body of literature on climate change and education, a specific gap existed regarding the interplay between psychological resilience and academic performance among rural female learners in Zimbabwe. This study aimed to fill that gap by providing nuanced insights into how environmental challenges impacted learners' psychological well-being and educational outcomes. Through focus group discussions, the research captured authentic narratives, revealing that enhanced resilience led to improved academic performance among participants. Thematic analysis of the data highlighted critical patterns. One finding was that enhanced psychological resilience positively influenced academic performance among rural female learners facing climate change challenges. Therefore, it was recommended that stakeholders implement targeted resilience-building programs in rural schools to support female learners' academic achievements.Publisher's versio
Bridelia ferruginea tea consumption improves antioxidant status in individuals living with Type 2 Diabetes
No full text: It is well-known that persistent hyperglycaemia predisposes individuals with diabetes to oxidative stress. Benth., a tropical African plant, is known for its antioxidant activity.
: This comparative cross-sectional study assessed the oxidative status and associated parameters in 70 individuals living with type 2 diabetes (ILWT2D) who were receiving standard diabetes treatment and consistently drank Bridelia tea (Bridelia group) compared to 92 ILWT2D receiving standard diabetes treatment only (comparator group). Lipid peroxidation assessed using thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) served as an indicator of oxidative stress. In addition, the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), and dietary intake of antioxidant-rich foods were assessed.
: The comparator group had significantly better glycaemic control [median HbA1c—7.7% (IQR 6.7–9.4)] than the Bridelia group [9.2% (7.6–11.4)], = 0.001. The comparator group had been on metformin treatment for a significantly longer period than the Bridelia group ( < 0.0001). Participants in the comparator group consumed antioxidant-rich fruits more frequently (monthly basis) than those in the Bridelia group who ate fruits seldomly ( < 0.0001). There was no significant difference ( = 0.11) observed in oxidative stress levels between the Bridelia group and the comparator group [TBARS: 323.0 ng/L (287.5–374.0) and 317.0 ng/L (272.5–342.0), respectively]. Nonetheless, the Bridelia group had significantly higher antioxidant capacity ( = 0.001) compared to the comparator group [TAC: 1.01 mmol/L (0.93–1.10) versus 0.92 mmol/L (0.84–1.03), respectively]. Participants in the comparator group, who did not drink Bridelia tea, had been on longer metformin treatment with better glycaemic control. However, those who drank the Bridelia tea showed comparable levels of oxidative stress and exhibited elevated antioxidant levels compared to those who did not.
: Bridelia tea consumption may serve as a sustainable source of antioxidants; however, its effect on mitigating oxidative stress in ILWT2D requires further investigation, particularly given that no significant improvement in TBARS was observed. Future studies are needed to clarify the potential role of Bridelia tea in oxidative stress management in resource-limited settings like Ghana.Publisher's versio
Applying a decolonization paradigm to planning theory for inclusion and equity
No full textThe Global North has dominated the planning theories for decades to resolve planning problems globally. These Northern theories were not feasible for most problems in the Global South, as the continued use of Northern theories maintains the inequalities of disjointed and divided cities caused by colonialism. However, as this approach is inappropriate and inadequate, planning theories require decolonization from the continued focus on the Global North in order to reflect the realities of the South. This paper contributes to the scholarship of decolonization in planning by investigating how planning academics and professionals in South Africa view the progress made in the decolonization of planning theories for inclusion and equity.Publisher's versio
Lesotho integrated curriculum: using professional learning communities to monitor the challenges in the implementation
No full textGlobally, various studies highlight challenges in the implementation of most new curricula. Lesotho introduced the Lesotho Integrated Curriculum as a response to the examination-oriented curriculum that had been in place for some time. This study aims to explore the challenges experienced by school leaders, who are responsible for supervising the implementation of the Lesotho Integrated Curriculum. Informed by Change Management theory, we situated the study within the interpretive paradigm. Furthermore, we opted for a qualitative research approach and a Participatory Action Research design. This study was conducted in a rural primary school using a Professional Learning Community to monitor the implementation of the Lesotho Integrated Curriculum. Data was gathered from seven participants, comprising three senior teachers and four teachers who were at the entry level of their teaching profession. To generate data, participants were asked to reflect during scheduled meetings. Ahead of these meetings, participants were required to review the official teaching and learning books, as well as integrated curriculum-related documents at different intervals. To make sense of the data, we thematically arranged it. The findings revealed that in monitoring the implementation of the Lesotho Integrated Curriculum, school heads face challenges such as a lack of suitable time for monitoring curriculum enactment, learners' absenteeism, an inconsistent assessment mechanism, large class sizes, and teachers' negative reactions towards classroom visits. The current study calls for the Ministry of Education, policymakers, and universities to create more time for training and engagement prior to implementing any new curriculum, and to ensure manageable class sizes.Publisher's versio
Cost efficiency versus disruption: are traditional universities doomed?
No full textInternationally, universities face the consequences of the disruption caused by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, accelerated by COVID–19. Traditional universities have lost their competitive advantage due to rapidly changing skills needed and online learning gaining momentum. Historically, universities benefitted from higher levels of enrolments, also increasing their tuition fees above inflation with researchers indicating their concern, but failing to address the reason(s) for this increase.
To assess the extent to which universities are geared to face the disruption of potentially declining enrolments with limited opportunity to increase tuition fees in the future (relevance of skills, more competition, students having more choices), it is imperative to assess why tuition fees increased above inflation in the past. The focus of this quantitative research study is to establish the level of efficiency of managing Expenses amongst a sample of sixteen publicly funded South African universities from 2010 to 2019. The data was secondary data in the public domain.
Serious levels of financial distress caused by declining enrolments have already been reported in many universities in the United Kingdom (UK), Europe, the United States of America (USA) and Australia. The research question addressed in this article is to assess what the reasons are for the abnormal increases in tuition fees in the past with the intent to assist universities in the future if (when) the disruption of declining enrolments and lower tuition fees is realised.
Although this study focused only on South African universities, the unique contribution of this research is the methodology applied using Management and Cost accounting to assess the efficient management of expenses at South African universities from 2010 to 2019.Publisher's versio
Geospatial analysis of shoreline change of ethekwini coastline from 1990 – 2023
No full textCoastal areas are dynamic environments impacted by both natural and anthropogenic processes. Hence, it is important to continually and accurately monitor these areas for change and develop coastal management strategies. The present study uses the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) and satellite imagery to assess the changing dynamics of the Durban coastal stretch of the eThekwini Municipality from 1990 to 2023. Net Shoreline Movement (NSM), End Point Rate (EPR), and Linear Regression Rate (LRR) were calculated in DSAS to analyse the shoreline changes. The analysis revealed significant variations in erosion and accretion across the coastline. The average shoreline movement was 2.49 m in the north and -7.42 m in the south, indicating predominant erosion in the southern regions. Specifically, 53.85 % of transects in the north and 71.9 % in the south were negative distances, highlighting erosion areas. The EPR analysis indicated an average annual change rate of 0.09 m/year for the north and -0.22 m/year for the south, with erosion rates averaging -2.05 m/year in the north and -1.21 m/year in the south between 1990 and 2023. The LRR method corroborated these findings with annual changes of -0.01 and -0.37 m/year, respectively. High erosion rates were concentrated in areas such as Umhlanga Rocks and Beachwood, while engineered structures contributed to accretion in parts of Durban North. Conversely, the southern coastline, particularly around Amanzimtoti and Isipingo, experienced more erosion than accretion due to fewer protective structures. This study highlights the dynamic nature of shoreline changes along the Durban coast. Understanding these trends is essential for effective coastal planning and management and building resilience against the multiple hazards ravaging coastal communities.Publisher's versio