UCT Open Access Journals (Univ. of Cape Town)
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Fostering Entrepreneurial Mindsets in Engineering and Science Education: A Comparative Study of Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Namibia
Full text linkThe integration of entrepreneurship into engineering and science education is critical for equipping graduates with the necessary skills and mindset to thrive in today's competitive landscape. This study examines the current state of entrepreneurship education within engineering an science programs in Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Namibia, highlighting the challenges and opportunities unique to each context. In Kenya, a significant gap exists between the skills imparted in technical education and the entrepreneurial competencies required for self-employment, exacerbated by high youth unemployment rates (Kahando & Mungai, 2018). Similarly, in the DRC, internal migration and social capital have been shown to influence youth entrepreneurship, yet formal education often lacks a focus on entrepreneurial skill development (Kiuma et al., 2020). Namibia presents a different scenario, where the need for a structured approach to entrepreneurship education is evident, as many engineering graduates are ill-prepared to navigate the entrepreneurial landscape (Andalibi, 2019). This paper proposes a framework for integrating entrepreneurship into engineering curricula across these countries, emphasizing the importance of experiential learning, collaboration with industry, and alignment with national economic goals. By fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, engineering programs can better prepare graduates to contribute to economic development and innovation in their respective regions
Participative Leadership and Success of Government Construction Projects in Uganda: Testing the participative leadership dimensions.
Full text linkThis paper aimed at establishing whether all dimensions of Participative Leadership, namely consultation, delegation, and collective decision making, matter in the Success of Government Construction Projects in Uganda. The study employed a cross-sectional and quantitative approach utilising a self-administered questionnaire to gather data. Stratified random sampling was used to select a sample of 100 construction projects from a population of 120 from the five divisions of Kampala district (KCCA website). Later, purposive sampling was used to select a project manager, engineer, contractor and local council leader from each of the 100 projects arriving at a total of 400 respondents. Using SPSS, correlation analysis examined the association between variables, while linear regression analysis assessed each participative leadership dimension to project success. Results revealed stakeholder consultation and joint decision-making are the most significant participative leadership style dimensions of project success. Theoretically, this study provides maiden evidence of the insignificant contribution of delegation to the success of government construction projects, highlighting stakeholder consultation and joint decision-making as key components in project success based on findings from Uganda. In practice, while executing, managers should consult and jointly make project decisions with stakeholders to realise project success
Anting behaviour observed in Cape Sugarbirds Promerops cafer at Van Staden’s Wild Flower Reserve, Eastern Cape
Full text linkDuring a visit to the Van Staden’s Wild Flower Reserve near Gqeberha, Easern Cape, South Africa, a group of Cape Sugarbirds Promerops cafer was observed engaging in active anting. Although anting is a well-documented behaviour among various bird species, it appears to be rarely observed or reported in Africa. This may represent the first recorded instance of anting in Cape Sugarbirds
First record of small mammal predation by a Bokmakierie on a Forest Shrew in eastern Free State Province, South Africa
Full text linkThis article reports on a novel observation of predation behaviour exhibited by a Bokmakierie (Telophorus zeylonus) on a Forest Shrew (Myosorex varius), captured via a Bushnell remote camera trap in the eastern Free State of South Africa. This documentation marks, to our knowledge, one of the first recorded instances of such predation, providing insights into the Bokmakierie diet and ecological interactions within this habitat
Piloting camera traps to determine nest predators and competitors of Cape Parrots (Poicephalus robustus) in Hogsback, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
Full text linkThe Vulnerable Cape Parrot, a secondary cavity nester endemic to South Africa, faces habitat-loss challenges, which limit nest site availability. Its breeding success could be further threatened by nest predation and competition, but conventional methods may miss such observations due to the cryptic or brief nature of these interactions. To overcome these limitations, a pilot study was conducted using camera traps to monitor potential nest predators and competitors. Camera traps were deployed for three years at six nesting sites—three natural nests and three nest boxes—in the Hogsback region, Eastern Cape Province. The camera traps identified distinct visitation patterns between the two nest types. African Harrier-Hawk, a suspected avian predator, was detected during the breeding season at natural nests only, although no predation events were observed. Conversely, all nest boxes recorded detections of large primate predators, including Samango Monkeys and Chacma Baboons, predominantly during the Cape Parrot breeding season. No primate detections were recorded at natural nests, which may be linked to the subtlety and reduced accessibility of cavity entrances. Potential competitors (Green Woodhoopoe and small rodents) and potential parasitic species (honeyguides) were detected at natural nests and nest boxes; however, no interactions with Cape Parrots were observed. While Cape Parrots inspected all nest boxes, no successful breeding attempts were recorded; in contrast, Cape Parrots were observed successfully breeding at natural nests. This pilot study supports the use of camera traps as a valuable tool for gaining insights into the risks faced by this threatened species. The results highlight differing threat landscapes: avian predators and rodents at natural nests, versus significant primate threat at nest boxes. Our findings suggest that the future placement and design of conservation nest boxes must prioritise sites less accessible to primates and utilise sturdier construction materials to mitigate this risk
Notes on the reproduction of the Ultramarine Grosbeak Cyanoloxia brissonii in northeastern Brazil
Full text linkWe conducted a study of 21 nests of the Ultramarine Grosbeak Cyanoloxia brissonii between May 1986 and April 2018 in the state of Alagoas in northeastern Brazil. Most of our observations were made during the rainy season, particularly in April and May, with additional data gathered at the beginning and end of the season.
The clutch size averaged 2.06 eggs per nest. The eggs measured an average of 20.7×15.7 mm and weighed c. 2.6 g. Both parents shared incubation duties, with an incubation period averaging 13 days. The nestling period was 13–14 days.
Although Ultramarine Grosbeaks typically breed in secondary forests, clearings, and forest edges, we noticed a decline in the local population during the study period. We believe this decline is linked to factors such as capture for cage breeding, illegal wildlife trafficking and the widespread use of pesticides, all of which probably affect the survival of Ultramarine Grosbeak and other seed-eating birds in the region.
There is limited information in the literature about the reproductive biology of Ultramarine Grosbeak; thus, the information presented here contributes to a deeper understanding of the biology of the species. We hope that it will also help to guide conservation efforts for both the Ultramarine Grosbeak and its habitat.
Keywords: Reproductive biology, eggs, incubation, chicks, Grosbeak, north-east Brazil.
An Australian Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon macrotarsa scavenging on discarded human food
Full text linkScavenging human foods is known within the family Laridae, but this behaviour is more typically seen in gulls rather than terns. This note reports behaviour of an Australian Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon macrotarsa scavenging a discarded French fry. This species’ diet mainly comprises of invertebrates such as insects, crustaceans and worms, though a degree of opportunism has been demonstrated by published records of fishes, rodents and lizards also being taken. The observation here expands our knowledge of novel food items in the Australian Gull-billed Tern
A strange breaching behaviour of a beaked whale
Full text linkAn undescribed breaching behaviour of a beaked whale Mesoplodon sp. was seen west of Brazil in the deep waters off the Abrolhos Bank. Consecutive breaches were performed in a counterclockwise circle, the whale always falling on its left side with its head inwards where two other whales were basking
Observations of Seychelles Fodies feeding on mosquitos attracted to nesting Hawksbill Turtles on Cousin Island Special Reserve
Full text linkCousin Island Special Reserve is a nesting hotspot of Hawksbill Turtles. As part of on-going long term monitoring, emerging females are observed and nests noted and marked. During the 2023/24 nesting season, unprecedented levels of mosquitos were recorded over the island. We observed the endemic Seychelles Fody predating mosquitos on and around nesting female turtles during their digging and egglaying process
Scavenging of a road-killed Green-striped Frog Cyclorana alboguttata by a Union Jack Wolf Spider Tasmanicosa sp. (Aranae: Lycosidae)
Full text linkThis note documents an account of a Union-Jack Wolf Spider Tasmanicosa sp. actively feeding upon a freshly road-killed Green-striped Frog Cyclorana alboguttata. This provides the first report of this genus scavenging on vertebrate prey