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The political policy landscape representation of AFMs in policy and service delivery models
Get PDFAddictive disorders are complex and highly prevalent public health problems that threaten the health
and well-being of those who experience addiction and their significant others. The 2022 World Drug Report produced by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) indicates that drug use accounted for 9% of the global substance use related disability-adjusted life years (DALY) in 2019 while drug and alcohol use collectively accounted for approximately 124 million deaths. Problem gambling has also been identified as
a significant concern, with a recent systematic review finding that 0.23% of the global population has sought help for problem gambling, with higher help-seeking prevalence reported for those with increased gambling severity [2]. In addition to the established harms caused to the person with addiction problems, addictive disorders have a profound impact on the quality of life of families and significant others. Yet, as is evident throughout this book,
family members often suffer in silence and with little formal support, intervention, or policy priorities to help them cope effectively with the various challenges they face due to the relative’s addiction and related behaviors.
Integrating indigenous and modern knowledge systems for household food security in the smallholder irrigation schemes in South Africa
Get PDFThere is currently a debate on the role of modern and indigenous knowledge systems in the smallholder farming sector. While the modern knowledge systems have been viewed as superior and are being touted as key towards meeting sustainable development goals, especially goal two of eradicating hunger, the performance of smallholder farmers utilizing modern systems remains below expectations. The performance of farmers using indigenous knowledge systems has not resulted in better outcomes either. There are growing calls for an integration of the two knowledge systems to co-produce solutions relevant to smallholder farmers. However, not much is known about the extent to which this is already happening, how the integration is happening, and welfare effects of this integration. This paper assessed the extent to which smallholder irrigators integrate indigenous and modern knowledge; and whether this integration has resulted in improvements in cost reduction, productivity, and welfare levels. A sample size of 392 farmers in four irrigation schemes of KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape were interviewed. The results showed that the majority (52%) of the farmers integrated knowledge systems, while 10% and 38% relied on indigenous and modern systems, respectively. Farmers actively incorporated modern knowledge to enhance their traditional practices in their production methods in response to local challenges or opportunities. The results indicate that high maize yields attained by modern users were eroded by high inputs cost, while integrators were able to significantly reduce input costs (such as fertilizer, pesticide, herbicide costs) and the money saved was used to purchase more food, hence improving household food security. The results suggest that government, private institutions and NGOs should build on farmers’ agencies to plug-in modern knowledge into the indigenous knowledge systems through appropriate research and innovations rather than completely replacing indigenous systems with modern farming systems. Extension officers should change their mindset and acknowledge the importance of integrating indigenous knowledge into their training so that what is relevant to farmers may be adopted, thus enhancing sustainability and resilience of development efforts in developing countries.
Unpacking NEET youth in South Africa: from census and QLFS data. Spatial Insights: Edition 16
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Our knowledge, our stories: South Africans' connection with traditional science and technology
No full textKnowledge takes many forms. While modern science relies on analytical and reductionist methods, traditional knowledge emphasises intuition and holistic understanding. Both of these forms of knowledge are vital and worth promoting.N/
Public perceptions of corruption and democratic dissatisfaction in South Africa’s third decade of democracy
No full textDeep-seated challenges concerning service delivery, mis-governance, corruption and state capture were uncovered by the Zondo Commission of inquiry. While the triple challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment continued to persist as well, at the same time, disillusionment with democracy has led to citizens questioning its status as the preferred government form. In this study, the connection between corruption perceptions and the evaluation of democracy in South Africa’s third decade is explored. A quantitative methodology utilizing descriptive statistics and an analysis drawing from public opinion data accessed through the South African Social Attitudes Survey is adopted for this study. Key findings that emanate from the study indicate that the South African public is now more likely to recognize corruption as one of the top three problems that face South Africa. The results also indicate a growing preference for non-democratic, authoritarian governments. This has been characterized by low voter turnout in the local government elections of 2016 and 2021, and the national and provincial elections of 2019 and 2024. Erosion of public trust in democratic institutions—the government, courts and parliament—has fueled the delegitimization of democracy, with citizens showing growing wariness. Democracy has suffered from a decade of perceived unchecked corruption, a trend set to continue unless the state intervenes with anti-corruption measures, accountability initiatives and successful prosecutions of those accused of state capture and grand corruption.
A comparative analysis of generalized additive models for obesity risk prediction
No full textrelationships between risk factors, limiting predictive accuracy and hindering effective public health interventions. Conventional methods overlook non-linear associations and interaction effects across demographic,
socioeconomic, and behavioral predictors, which are particularly important in diverse populations with varying
obesity determinants. To address these limitations, we applied Generalized Additive Models for Location,
Scale, and Shape (GAMLSS) to analyze obesity predictors in a nationally representative adolescent sample
(N = 671). Our framework included comprehensive variable selection across demographic, socioeconomic,
behavioral, and clinical domains, comparison with three alternative regression models, and validation using the
Generalized Akaike Information Criterion (GAIC). The binomial stepwise GAMLSS model demonstrated superior
performance (GAIC = 624.98). Key findings included strong geographic variation, significant gender disparity,
a socioeconomic gradient, and important behavioral predictors such as weight gain attempts. The GAMLSS
framework improves obesity risk prediction by modeling complex relationships often missed by traditional
methods, offering targeted intervention strategies based on geographic, gender, and socioeconomic factors,
and challenging assumptions about dietary influences.
Assessing the preparedness of primary healthcare facilities for the implementation of universal test and treat in uThukela District, South Africa: a cross-sectional study
No full textThe study highlights gaps in UTT services in uThukela district, with variability in infrastructure availability across health facility types. Mean readiness was 86% (95% CI: 77.6% to 92.1%) for OPD-CHC-H; 70% (95% CI: 60.0% to 78.7) for gateway clinics and 67% (95% CI: 56.8% to 76.0%) for mobile clinics. Mean availability of indicators for basic amenities was 61% (95% CI: 50.7% to 70.5%); 90.4% (95% CI: 82.3% to 95.0%); and 80.9% (95% CI: 70.8% to 87.3%) in mobile clinics, gateway clinics, and OPD-CHC-H, respectively. HIV test kits, palliative care guidelines and improved water sources was limited across all facility types. Overall, facility readiness was 74% (95% CI: 64.2% to 82.2%), which was deemed satisfactory according to WHO-Service Availability and Readiness Assessment criteria.
Persistent shortages in antiretrovirals, HIV test kits, palliative care guidance and logistics/operations hinder care; integrating HIV testing into routine screenings, expanding self-testing and adopting digital and personalised care models can ease burdens and improve outcomes.
Climate, governance, inequality, and the elusive promise of water access in Limpopo province, South Africa: an integrative review
No full textThis paper critically examines the persistent challenges of water access in Limpopo Province, South Africa, through an integrated conceptual lens that combines environmental justice, political ecology, and polycentric governance. Using an integrative review methodology that synthesizes peer-reviewed literature, policy
documents, and comparative case studies from Kenya, India, and Brazil, the study reveals how apartheid-era planning has left a legacy of infrastructural underdevelopment that contemporary governance systems have struggled to redress. The analysis demonstrates how decentralized service delivery models have, in practice, reproduced exclusion through capacity constraints, poor coordination, and inadequate accountability, while emerging challenges, including Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), digital exclusion, mining expansion, and procurement corruption, compound existing inequities. Drawing on comparative polycentric governance experiences and rights-based frameworks, the paper argues that the water crisis in Limpopo cannot be
understood as a purely technical or environmental issue but must be seen as a justice issue rooted in structural and historical inequities. The study concludes by calling for a rights- and equity driven approach to water governance that centers the voices of marginalized communities, institutionalizes participatory mechanisms, and strengthens accountability systems to fulfil the constitutional promise of water for all.
Closing the gender gap in digital, education, STEM and AI
No full textHSRC Policy Brief, OctoberDigital inclusion cannot advance without online safety. Technology-facilitated gender-based violence and femicide (TFGBVF), including harassment, algorithmic discrimination, image-based abuse, and cyberstalking is escalating. Unless G20 nations embed digital safety across all policy domains, women and girls will continue to be silenced and excluded. This brief puts forward four recommendations for G20 governments under South Africa’s 2025 Presidency. Together, they combine economic rationale with a rights-based imperative, and position
digital safety and TFGBVF prevention as the foundation for inclusive innovation.N/