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The causes and impacts of flood risks in South Africa
No full text: Floods are classified as one of the hydrological hazards affecting many countries worldwide. With most weather-related disasters occurring in developing countries, demographics and socioeconomic pattern changes have contributed to many losses relating to water-related disasters such as floods. South Africa is among the developing countries most frequently affected by natural disasters, particularly floods. Thus, this study assessed the causes and impact of floods on the communities of Bronville and Hani-park in Welkom in the Free State Province in South Africa.
: The study adopted a quantitative approach, using a structured questionnaire to collect the data. The study used an R statistical package to analyze the data and applied descriptive statistics and a series of Generalized linear models to examine the impacts of floods in the community.
: The findings reveal a community-wide concern about flooding impacts. There was a statistically significant difference between whether floods affected your physical structure as an outcome variable and how the flooding affected participants (Wald χ₆² = 30.364; = 0.001). Also, a significant difference was found regarding how floods affect the water quality in your community (Wald χ² = 1.496; = 0.030). The subjective perception of flood impacts on households has been reported to be aligned with observed damage to physical structures, underscoring the direct influence of floods on various household elements. The study also emphasises the costly nature of flood recovery and the potential strain on household resources due to flooding. Respondents indicated floods adversely affect vegetation, soil stability, and ecological dynamics. he study also, reveals that while some residents affected by flooding reach out to their municipalities for support, many do not seek or receive financial assistance.
: The study concludes that floods have a considerable socioeconomic impact on households and communities, particularly regarding repair costs for flood-related damages. In addition, the study concludes that floods have significant implications for drinking water quality in the community, with statistical evidence supporting the claim that floods contribute to water quality degradation. The findings of flood preparedness suggest a clear gap in early warning dissemination and evacuation planning tailored to the study community’s needs. The findings of this study underscore the urgent need for comprehensive and sustainable flood mitigation strategies in vulnerable communities like Bronville and Hani-park.Publisher's versio
Taking stock of South African responses to homelessness: advocating for victim-inclusive and protective policy reform
No full textHomelessness remains a neglected and under-prioritized area of policy intervention in South Africa. Without a national policy framework, homelessness is generally overlooked, resulting in intermittent, fragmented and ineffective responses. The lack of attention has contributed to a concerning rise in both at-risk and street-based homeless populations, who continue to face challenges in accessing effective support. Using document analysis, the paper maps the content of six local homelessness policies. The findings reveal that the documents adhere to a rigid and static framework, thereby failing to capture the complex contextual and conceptual factors associated with homelessness. A notable shortcoming is the limited focus on and response to experiences of victimization. Using the Health Policy Triangle (HPT), the paper aligns the key findings with the four dimensions of the framework to advocate for inclusive, protective and victim-sensitive policy recommendations to aid in the development of holistic and humane responses to homelessness in South Africa.Publisher's versio
Implementing mother tongue based bilingual education through translanguaging in multilingual classrooms: a systematic review
No full textMother-tongue based bilingual education (MTBBE) and translanguaging have received increased attention in recent years. MTBBE has been widely recognized as an asset in early grades to improving learning outcomes and linguistic equity in multilingual contexts. However, its implementation often faces challenges related to teacher preparedness, complex linguistic realities of classrooms, and public attitude. Translanguaging, which leverages learners’ full linguistic repertoire, has also emerged as a promising pedagogical strategy to enhance MTBBE since it promotes fluid language use in multilingual context. However, a concern is that research on MTBBE implementation and translanguaging approaches has not addressed the complex issues of multilingual classrooms. This systematic literature review draws on empirical studies on pilot projects on MTBBE and translanguaging in South Africa (SA). Using a PRISMA guideline for systematic literature review, this study reveals the current state of MTBBE implementation in pilot schools across the country and highlights the benefits of translanguaging in the implementation of MTBBE in multilingual classrooms. A data search of MTBBE and translanguaging between 2015 and 2025 was conducted to address this area of interest. This systematic literature review synthesizes the state of implementation of MTBBE in pilot schools and in multilingual classrooms using translanguaging, to inform the educational stakeholders about the implications of the implementation of MTBBE using translanguaging approaches and contribute to the growing body of knowledge in multilingual context by offering insights from educators and the public on the implementation of MTBBE.Publisher's versio
Psychometric properties of an adapted work-family boundary management tactics scale
No full text: Current workplace trends are characterised by the continuous integration of technology and the seamless traversal between work and home domains. This has complicated the work–life interface, resulting in boundary management challenges.
: The purpose of this article was to validate the 12-item work–family boundary management tactics scale (WFBMT) within the South African context.
: Owing to the increased interest in boundary management behaviours, there is a critical need to validate measurement scales that can be used to operationalise such behaviours. Very few scales currently exist in this regard, with limited empirical evidence.
/ : The study used a quantitative cross-sectional research design. A non-probability sample (N = 521) was drawn from five higher education institutions representing typical knowledge workers. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to investigate the psychometric properties of the scale.
: The results demonstrated acceptable goodness-of-fit for the proposed factor structure. Adequate convergent and discriminant validity were achieved. A moderately dominant general factor emerged, although more than half (51.27%) of the explained common variance was attributed to the first-order factors. Scalar invariance was obtained between male and female respondents and between designated and non-designated group employees.
/ : The WFBMT represents a reliable and valid measurement to operationalise boundary enactment behaviours in the South African context.
/-: As far as could be ascertained, the study provides the first empirical evidence of the validity and measurement invariance of the WFBMT scale on a South African sample.Publisher's versio
The effect of milk replacers containing fermented plant protein and a higher carbohydrate content on the growth performance and profitability of Holstein bull calves
No full textDissertation (M.Sc.(Animal Science))--University of the Free State, 2025The objective of this study was to evaluate the biological and economic viability of alternative milk replacers for Holstein bull calves, focusing on high-carbohydrate and fermented plant protein-based formulations. The primary goals were to assess the impact of these alternatives on calf growth, health, and profitability by identify the most cost-effective options for farmers.
investigate the effects of fermented plant protein (FP) and increased carbohydrate (HC) levels in milk replacers on calf growth performance. Four different milk replacers were formulated: a
conventional replacer (A), one with 20% fermented plant protein (B), a high-carbohydrate replacer (C), and a high-carbohydrate replacer with 20% fermented protein (D). These milk replacers were tested in a 77-day trial (TP, total phase) involving 32 Holstein bull calves, which were randomly assigned to four treatments (n = 8). The trial was divided into two phases: Phase 1 (P1, days 0–63), where milk replacers were fed, and Phase 2 (P2, a two-week post-weaning period), designed to evaluate weaning shock. Milk replacer intake was controlled, while starter meal intake was offered . Growth performance metrics such as weight gain, dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG), DMI as a percentage of body weight (DMI/BW%), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were analysed using a factorial ANOVA. An interaction was observed for TP FCR (P = 0.036). Except for controlled milk replacer intake and P2 DMI/BW% and P2 FCR, milk replacers containing FP generally resulted in poorer performance (P < 0.05) compared to milk replacers containing standard protein (SP). The lower performance was attributed to the higher levels of trypsin inhibitors present in the FP, which negatively impacted calf growth. High-carbohydrate milk replacers promoted greater starter meal intake during all phases (P < 0.05) and is recommended. Fermented protein should only be considered when the fermentation process is improved to reduce trypsin inhibitor levels to below 4 mg/g of protein.
shifts focus to the financial analysis, comparing the cost-effectiveness of the different milk replacers (A, B, C and D). Financial parameters such as total cost, average daily cost (ADC), cost per weight gain (Cost/WD), and income from the sale of calves were assessed. In terms of overall cost and ADC, treatment D was the most economical, with a total feeding cost of R2739.40 per calf for TP. However, when factoring in feed conversion ratio (FCR), treatment C was the most costeffective, with the highest income and lowest cost per unit weight gain (R58.83), although not significantly different when compared to Treatments A and D.
extends the financial analysis by exploring the use of girth circumference weight estimation tapes as an alternative to expensive electronic scales. This method is valuable for calf
management, as weight is crucial for feed management and medication protocols. The study found that while the specific tape used in the trial overestimated calf weights, it holds potential as a lowcost alternative, with further refinement needed. The data collected can contribute to the development of a larger database to improve future weight prediction tools.
, this study demonstrates that high-carbohydrate milk replacers are a viable and costeffective alternative to conventional formulations, offering potential cost savings without sacrificing calf growth performance. While fermented plant protein showed promise as a cost-effective protein source, its effectiveness in this trial was reduced by the presence of trypsin inhibitors, which could be addressed through improved processing methods. Additionally, Chapter 5's exploration of girth circumference measurement as a cost-effective weight estimation tool further supports the economic viability of alternative approaches to calf rearing. The findings highlight the need for ongoing research to optimize these alternatives and improve profitability in the dairy industry.
___________________________________________________________________Die doel van die studie was om die biologiese en ekonomiese lewensvatbaarheid van alternatiewe melkvervangers vir Holstein bulkalwers te evalueer, met die fokus op formulasies met ‘n hoër koolhidraat en gefermenteerde plantproteïen insluitings. Die primêre doelwitte was om die impak van hierdie alternatiewe op kalfgroei, gesondheid en winsgewendheid te evalueer.
In is die effek van gefermenteerde plant proteïen (FP) en verhoogde koolhidraat (HC) insluitings vlakke deur vier melkvervangers vir kalwers ondersoek. Die vier melkvervangers was 'n standaard melkvervanger (A), een wat 20% gefermenteerde plantproteïen bevat het (B), 'n hoëkoolhidraat melkvervanger (C) en 'n hoë-koolhidraat melkvervanger wat 20% gefermenteerde proteïen bevat het (D). Hierdie melkvervangers is getoets in 'n 77-dae proef (TP, totale fase) met 32 Holstein bulkalwers, wat ewekansig aan vier behandelings (n = 8) toegeken is. Die proef is in twee fases verdeel: Fase 1 (P1, dae 0–63), waar melkvervangers gevoer is, en Fase 2 (P2, 'n twee weke na-speen tydperk), wat gebruik is om speenskok te evalueer. Melkvervanger-inname was beheer, terwyl die aanvangsmeel beskikbaar was. Groeiprestasie-maatstawwe soos gewigstoename, droëmateriaal-inname (DMI), gemiddelde daaglikse toename (GDT), DMI as 'n persentasie van liggaamsgewig (DMI/BW%) en voeromsettingsverhouding (FCR) is met behulp van 'n faktoriale ANOVA ontleed. 'n Interaksie is waargeneem vir TP FCR (P = 0.036). Behalwe vir beheerde melkvervanger-inname en P2 DMI/BW% en P2 FCR, het melkvervangers wat FP bevat, oor die algemeen swakker prestasie (P < 0.05) tot gevolg gehad in vergelyking met standard proteïen (SP) melkvervangers. Die laer prestasie kan toegeskryf word aan die hoër vlakke van tripsien-inhibeerders teenwoordig in die FP, wat kalfgroei onderdruk het. Hoë-koolhidraat melkvervangers het inname van die aanvangsmeel gedurende alle fases bevorder (P < 0,05) en word aanbeveel. Gefermenteerde proteïen moet slegs oorweeg word wanneer die fermentasieproses verbeter word om tripsieninhibeerdervlakke tot onder 4 mg/g proteïen te verminder.
In het die fokus na die finansiële aspekte verskuif, waar die koste-doeltreffendheid van hierdie melkvervangers (A, B, C en D) geëvalueer is. Finansiële parameters soos totale koste, gemiddelde daaglikse koste (ADC), koste per gewigstoename (Cost/WD), en inkomste uit die verkoop van kalwers is ealueer. Wat algehele koste en ADC betref, het Behandeling D die beste presteer, met 'n totale voerkoste van R2739.40 per kalf vir TP. Wanneer voeromsettingsdoeltreffenheid (FCR) inag geneem word, was Behandeling C egter die mees kostedoeltreffende opsie, met die hoogste inkomste en die laagste koste per eenheid gewigstoename (R58,83), alhoewel daar geen beduidende verskil was in vergelyking met Behandelings A en D nie.
het die finansiële analise uitgebrei deur die gebruik van borsomtrekmaatband as 'n alternatief vir duur elektroniese skale te ondersoek. Hierdie hoofstuk het ten doel gehad om hierdie laekoste-metode verder te verifieer as metode om die gewig van kalwers te beraam, aangesien gewig 'n noodsaaklike bestuurshulpmiddel is wat gebruik word tydens voerbestuur en medikasieprotokolle. Die studie het bevind dat hoewel die spesifieke maatband wat in die proef gebruik is, die gewig van kalwers oorskat het, die data wat ingewin is kan bydra tot die ontwikkeling van 'n groter databasis wat gebruik kan word om meer akkurate voorspellingsgereedskap in die toekoms te ontwikkel.
Ten slotte het die studie getoon dat hoë-koolhidraat melkvervangers 'n lewensvatbare, kosteeffektiewe alternatief vir konvensionele melkvervangers is. Dit het die potensiaal om koste
besparings te bied sonder om kalfgroei te benadeel. Terwyl gefermenteerde plantproteïen belofte toon as 'n koste-effektiewe proteïenbron, was die prestasie in hierdie proef onderdruk deur die teenwoordigheid van tripsien-inhibeerders. Dit kan aangespreek word deur beter verwerkingsmetodes te ontwikkel om die tripsien-inhibeerders te de-aktiveer. Die borsomvangmaatband kan as 'n laekoste manier om gewig te beraam bydra tot die ekonomiese lewensvatbaarheid van kalfgrootmakers. Die bevindings beklemtoon die behoefte aan voortgesette navorsing om hierdie alternatiewe te optimaliseer vir verbeterde winsgewendheid in kalfproduksie.
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And they just keep coming: four new genera of dark sac spiders from southern Africa (Araneae, Trachelidae)
No full textAs part of ongoing revisions of the Afrotropical , four new genera are described from southern Africa: . ., with . . . from South Africa (Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape) as the type species, . . . from the Free State, . . . from the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, and a fourth undescribed species from Zimbabwe; the monotypic . ., with . . . from KwaZulu-Natal as the type species; . ., with . . . from the Northern Cape as the type species and . . . from the Western Cape; and . . from South Africa, with . . . from the Northern Cape as the type species and a second undescribed species from KwaZulu-Natal known only from juveniles.Publisher's versio
Chemical analyses and geographical origins of residential attic dust in central South Africa
No full textParticulate matter (PM) is a widely used air pollution proxy indicator. Substantial supporting evidence links exposure to PM with adverse health effects. This study compares long-term accumulated particulate matter's chemical and morphological properties and possible sources from various locations in Bloemfontein, Kimberley, and the Vanderbijlpark residential areas. As the first study of this kind in South Africa, dust samples were collected from the attics of houses built over fifty years ago. Potential area PM sources located far away were identified by analyzing every tenth year from 1972 to 2022, representing five decades of backward Long-Range Transport (LRT) clusters, for air masses that passed the sampling sites. Several PM sources were determined by combining LRT geographic origin studies and chemical analyses of collected samples. Elemental compositions of samples were determined by the use of scanning electron microscopy, and electron dispersive spectroscopy. Mineral content was determined by X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, and electron probe microscopy techniques, revealing airborne sources that moved significantly due to climate change, over the 5-decade period. Potential area PM sources located far away included various South African provinces, neighboring states to the north, and the Atlantic and Indian Oceans west and east of South Africa. Elemental composition included: Al, Ag, C, Ca, Cl, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, O, S, Si, Ti, and Zn. Mineral composition included SiO₂, TiO₂, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, MnO, MgO, CaO, Na₂O, K₂O, P₂O₅, SO₃, Cr₂O₃ and NiO. The most prominent minerals found were quarts and plagioclase. While considering relevant mining activities, combining methods allowed a successful study of change in source distribution associated with climate change.Publisher's versio
Pilot-scale wastewater surveillance for pathogenic yeasts in Mangaung, South Africa
No full textDissertation (M.Sc.(Microbiology))--University of the Free State, 2024Considering the emerging concern posed by invasive fungal infections, it is important to study the dissemination and proliferation of pathogenic fungal species in the environment. It is crucial to identify major vectors that aid in the spread or act as a hub for pathogenic yeasts in order to prevent infections in susceptible individuals, which mainly include individuals who are immunocompromised or immunosuppressed. , species are commonly found in a variety of water sources with which humans are in frequent contact through daily activities like bathing, washing clothes and cooking. The World Health Organisation has recently published a list of priority pathogens in which fungi are classified into critical, high and medium-priority groups. species are found in all three levels and species are in critical and medium groups. This further warrants the investigation into the possibility that infections may occur through contact with yeastcontaminated water. In addition, the close association between antifungal pollutants and yeast in water may induce antifungal resistance development, further complicating the effective treatment of these infections. Thus, it is important to investigate the presence and antifungal susceptibility of yeast found in water as well as to identify ways to monitor potential fungal outbreaks, including through wastewater surveillance. This review deals with the occurrence and infection risks posed by pathogenic yeasts in water as well as the possibility of these yeasts acquiring antifungal resistance due to the simultaneous presence of antifungal compounds from medical and agricultural runoff
The rugged trajectory of Africa’s Reparations Agenda: from aspiration to claim and action
No full textThe first advances of Africa’s reparations agenda are traceable to the First International Conference on Reparations held in Nigeria in 1990. The profile of the subject was promptly raised to that of a regional undertaking at the level of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1991. The continent is henceforth seen to stumble into institutional formulations that lack the support infrastructure and formidability to operate. The momentum for reparations set by the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action of 2001 faltered in Africa, primarily because the continent prioritised development assistance, investment and market reforms with the very powers responsible for reparations. More than two decades after this conference, it is increasingly evident that reparations are crucial for dismantling the structural impoverishment that undermines even the most well-intentioned reforms. The African Union (AU) is currently resuscitating the continent’s reparations agenda, amid some gains by Africa’s diaspora, protracted litigation and advances by certain African societies and the renewal of the UN International Decade for People of African Descent, which is based on the pillars of recognition, justice and development. A continent’s reparations agenda must be guided by clear and established principles of engagement, driven by a formidable and sustainable institution, with continental-wide representation and consensus. A holistic agenda must unify the continent, in its diversity, around the core objective. It should include strategies that exert influence over the nations owing reparations to fulfil their obligations and be supported by authoritative African-centred thought leadership rooted in an authentic African conscience. It is a multi-sectoral, multi-dimensional, multidisciplinary, multi-layered and resilient venture.Publisher's versio
Destination Europe: migration governance along the Nigeria-Libya route
No full textThesis (Ph.D.(Africa Studies))--University of the Free State, 2024While migration in terms of push-pull factors has received considerable scholarly attention (Adesina, 2021; P. Obi-Ani, Obi-Ani & Isiani, 2020; Mafu, 2019; Flahaux & De Haas, 2016; Adepoju, 2016), its governance architecture remains under-researched and under-theorised. The increasing cross-border movement along the Nigeria-Libya Route to Europe has become a significant challenge to Nigeria, Niger, Libya and countries of first entry in Europe such as Italy and Malta. Moreover, the risky journey has also led to sexual exploitation, human commodification, physical abuse, human insecurity and the death of thousands of African migrants. Consequently, this interdisciplinary study aims to diagnose and address these challenges, paradoxes, and predicaments through the lens of migration governance along the Route toward solution-driven strategies for safer, regular and effective migration management in Africa. The study deploys the World System Theory, Aspirations-Capabilities Model and Statist-Controlled Model as theoretical frameworks to understand the migration governance of the Nigeria-Libya route.
Methodologically, this qualitative research employs the pragmatic paradigm to unpack the real-life challenges of migration governance to generate real-life solutions. It also adopts the case study design and qualitative content analysis. The data sets generated through the key informant interviews, in-depth interviews and online questionnaires were collected from the 20 sampled governmental actors, institutions, and stakeholders in 5 major states of southern and northern regions of Nigeria. The data sets were analysed using NVivo 14 software to critique the extant normative frameworks addressing migration challenges in Africa, understand the dynamics of migration dangers along the route, evaluate the effectiveness of migration policy frameworks and institution architecture of the transnational and national spaces of the route and uncover strategies for effective migration governance of the route. Three major categories of findings emerged. The first key findings revealed that the extant migration normative frameworks addressing the subject of migration cannot grapple with the contemporary realities of migration in the case of the Nigeria-Libya Route.
The second key findings crystallised the perils of the route, which include the environmental-determinism risks (hunger, thirst, desert scare, body weakness and sickness), gender-related risks (physical abuse and sexual exploitation of migrants, forced marriage and labour, susceptibility to STDs) and migrants’ brush with death experiences (loss of organs and death). The third major findings showcased the strengths and weaknesses of target migration policies and major institutions such as the International Organization for Migration, the European Union, the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States, and the Arab Maghreb Union at the transnational space. At the same time, the weaknesses and strengths of Nigeria’s migration institutional architecture and the national migration policy in the national space of the Nigeria-route were also documented in the study.
The restrictive cross-border control, capacity deficits and lack of monitoring mechanisms, among others, were revealed as the drawbacks of migration governance in the transnational space of the route. Meanwhile, migrants’ agnotology, inadequate funding, restrictive visas, poor data management, and inter-agency rivalry emerged as the factors undermining migration governance architecture in Nigeria – the national space of the route. Finally, the study recommended a proposed migration governance framework (MGF) toward safe and orderly migration through pre-departure, transit, entry, and stay for effective migration governance in Africa, particularly along the Nigeria-Libya Route to Europe. The recommended framework (MGF) offers informed policies to states, migration institutions and migration policymakers in Nigeria, Niger, Libya and European countries and beyond. The MGF also encapsulates and elicits actionable strategies for migrants themselves and future researchers