UCT Open Access Journals (Univ. of Cape Town)
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Challenges of Land Resettlement for the Inland Dry Port Project in Ibadan
Full text linkOne way the government often adopts to compensate people dispossessed of their land is to resettle the dispossessed landowners. Notwithstanding the good purpose for which resettlement is meant to be adopted, the act is not without a number of challenges. This study sought to investigate the challenges of land resettlement with respect to the land acquired by the government for inland port projects in Ibadan, Oyo State. Based on records from the Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development and the office of the Surveyor General of Oyo State, 44 households of the total 145 displaced landowners/households earmarked for resettlement were sampled. Data were collected from the respondents with the aid of questionnaires administered in person. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics tools such as percentages, mean and Relative Importance Index. The results indicated that in acquiring land for a public project, statutory procedures were followed, notifying the respondents of the government's intention to acquire the land and resettlement arrangements. The results of the study showed that the respondents suffered exposure to security and welfare risks from prolonged delays in the resettlement process. Additional challenges included loss of shelter and ancestral homes, as well as being deprived of access to a common heritage. The study concluded that the loss of livelihood and the increase in the cost of living led to a decline in the standard of living for the dispossessed landowners
Review of arthropod parasites and epifauna taken from the Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapilla in North America
Full text linkA review of arthropod associates taken from Ovenbirds is provided. Two species of louse flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae), one species of blow fly (Diptera: Calliphoridae), four species of lice (Psocodea: Menoponidae, Philopteridae), three species of feather mites (Sarcoptiformes: Proctophyllodidae, Trouessartiidae), one or two species of nasal mites (Mesostigmata: Rhinonyssidae), one species of quill mite (Trombidiformes: Syringophyllidae), and five species of ticks (Ixodida: Ixodidae) have been collected from Ovenbirds. A number of other arthropods have also been collected from Ovenbirds, or in one case are suspected to occur based on symptoms
Self-sustaining population of Indian Peafowl on a wine farm in the Wellington district, Western Cape
Full text linkA population of at least 60 Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus has been established on a wine farm on the eastern edge of the Paardeberg, near Wellington, in the Western Cape, South Africa. They have been feral for at least 25 years. We describe the daily routine of these birds and provide photographic evidence of breeding. We discuss the need to document other self-sustaining populations in southern Africa, pointing out that Indian Peafowl populations are reported to be decreasing in their natural range in southern Asia, and that in same of the places where populations have become established, they have achieved pest status
No limbits! The feasibility of providing low-cost 3D printed below elbow and below knee limb replacements in a resource limited setting
Full text linkBackground: South Africa faces the challenge of producing large numbers of prostheses each year. Three-dimensional (3D) printing was investigated as a potential method of efficiently providing prostheses.Objective: To evaluate the need for below-knee (BK) and below-elbow (BE) limb replacements at Groote Schuur Hospital; and to determine the feasibility of providing low-cost 3D printed limb replacements at Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH).Methods: We performed a literature review and conducted interviews with staff at the Amputation clinic. Information regarding the need for BE and BK prostheses, qualifying criteria, durability and cost of traditional prostheses, and manufacture times was collected. Communication with e-NABLE and a senior biomechanical engineer provided further information. We investigated the feasibility of producing a 3D printed prosthesis by printing and assembling a prosthetic hand.Results: 3D printing reduces the cost of a BE prosthesis by approximately 26.6% and shortens the manufacturing time; however, 3D printing technology is currently unable to provide adequate weight bearing BK prostheses and is not as cost efficient as traditional manufacturing techniques. Conclusion: It is feasible to provide 3D printed BE prostheses in a resource-limited setting; however, BK prostheses face design challenges and are more costly than those traditionally made.
Probing Relationships Between Real Estate Agents: The Case of the Competitive Potchefstroom Real Estate Industry
Full text linkRelationships between real estate agents are crucial for their success in a competitive market. However, limited research is available about these relationships. This qualitative study probes the factors that influence these relationships. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 real estate agents working in the town of Potchefstroom in the North-West Province of South Africa, which has no centralised listing system to collect data on their perceptions of inter-agent relationships. An inductive analysis generated six themes that influenced their relationships: (1) lack of timely information, communication and feedback; (2) unethical conduct and limited transparency; (3) selfishness and unbalanced collaboration; (4) trust issues; (5) pre-established relationships; and (6) networks and communities. A conceptual framework is proposed as a first step towards developing a holistic relationship model for real estate agents to address these issues, making a practical and theoretical contribution. The study fills a gap in the stakeholder relationship management literature in the context of the real estate industry. Further research in other regions is recommended to extend the body of knowledge regarding relationships between real estate agents
Exploring the housing pathways by young graduates in attaining residential independence in Accra, Ghana
Full text linkThis study explores the housing pathways and difficulties experienced by young graduates in attaining residential independence in Accra, Ghana. Questionnaires were used to collect data on demographic characteristics and housing situation from 150 young graduates residing in Accra, and 20 young graduates who had completed the questionnaires were interviewed to explore their housing situation and challenges in more detail. Data from the questionnaires were analysed using simple descriptive statistics, and the interview data were analysed using thematic analysis.
The study revealed that young graduates in Accra faced significant challenges in their housing journeys, marked by frequent moves, unmet expectations, and limited affordable housing options. While many hoped for a quick shift to independent living, financial constraints, job relocations, and the realities of the housing market often delayed or complicated this process. The findings further indicated that despite being employed, many young graduates struggled with housing independence owing to high rental costs and the demand for substantial upfront payments. Family support enabled a few young graduates to make the required upfront payments, providing a crucial stepping stone toward independent living. The young graduates expressed dissatisfaction with current housing policies, calling for more affordable housing, rent control measures, and urban planning that prioritises their needs. This study provides some valuable insights into the housing experiences and difficulties faced by young adults in a challenging housing market, trying to achieve residential autonomy. The study’s findings highlight the need for a review of the urban planning and housing development framework within the urban space, which currently prioritises and oversupplies luxurious houses, to include approaches that mandate inclusion of housing for lower-income earners.
Financial Challenges Leading to Premature Contract Termination in Ghanaian Construction Industry: Causes and Mitigation Strategies
Full text linkThis study examines the link between financial challenges and premature construction contract termination in Ghana’s construction industry. The study is grounded in Keynesian economics, which offers insights into the broader economic impacts of these financial challenges, and cash flow management theories, which help analyze the financial viability and liquidity issues that exacerbate these risks. Additionally, financial risk management models are employed to assess the risks related to banking disputes and economic instability, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding the financial difficulties contributing to contract termination. Employing a quantitative research approach, Data from 315 industry professionals revealed three key dimensions of financial challenges: Financial Integrity Risks (FIR), Financial Mismanagement and Economic Instability Risks (FMEIR), and Financial Risk Due to Banking Disputes and Instability (FRBDI). Structural equation modelling confirmed the robustness of the proposed model, highlighting the strong correlations between these financial risks and contract termination. The findings emphasize the need for proactive risk management and comprehensive contractual strategies to prevent contract disputes and ensure project viability. For stakeholders in the construction industry, this study underscores the practical importance of implementing rigorous financial risk management strategies. By enhancing project planning, fostering stakeholder collaboration, and ensuring robust contractual arrangements, the industry can mitigate the adverse effects of financial instability and improve overall project outcomes
Socio-Political and Macro-Economic Impact of Tender Price Inflation in Zambian Public Construction Projects
Full text linkA well-managed tender price allows governments to improve sustainable construction. Currently, there is no tender price management model to regulate tender price inflation in public projects in Zambia. The paper aims to develop a model that proposes a practical solution to critical challenges related to tender price inflation in public projects in Zambia. The study utilized mixed methods, in which purposive snowball sampling was used to identify 14 participants for interviews to investigate socio-political factors, and a questionnaire survey was administered to 170 project management practitioners to investigate economic factors that influence tender price inflation in the Zambian construction industry. Equations were derived from ordinary least squares (OLS) method to determine an optimum domain-specific tender price, while the qualitative data provide the basis for socio-political strategies. Findings show that the model has unlimited prediction capabilities while accounting for various correlations between volatilities. Further, combining the quantitative and qualitative platforms of the model facilitates a low variable tender-price output that is critical to the predictability and certainty in determining the ability of the project to meet interest and fund redemption. Key practical benefits of providing a construction model with low inflation in tender price include improved cost predictability. The study concludes that a model that reduces inflation in tender prices enables more accurate budgeting, helping stakeholders plan projects with a higher degree of certainty. This reduces the risk of cost overruns and allows for better resource allocation. The value of this study lies in its originality, as it presents the first comprehensive tender price management model specifically tailored to public construction projects in Zambia, offering an innovative solution to the persistent challenge of tender price inflation, and contributing significantly to the improvement of sustainable infrastructure development.
Keywords: construction, infrastructure development, management model, public sector, tender price
Evaluating the Economic Impact of Alternative vs. Conventional Construction Materials for Residential Projects in Tanzania: Integrating Environmental and Social Criteria
Full text linkPrevious research in Tanzania has focused on comparing the mechanical and environmental properties of sustainable building materials (SBMs) with those of their conventional counterparts; however, there remain limited contributions in assessing the economic impacts associated with this trend. This significantly hinders the adoption of SBMs in residential construction, as economic viability remains a critical factor in material selection in developing countries, such as Tanzania. Using cost-benefit analysis (CBA), this study addresses this gap by evaluating the economic viability of SBMs in comparison to conventional materials for residential building projects in Tanzania, while considering environmental and social factors. To achieve this aim, a comparative analysis of two material alternatives, namely compressed stabilised earth blocks (CSEBs) and conventional concrete blocks, was conducted based on predefined criteria, including cost, local availability, and ease of use. Findings reveal that CSEB walls are approximately 18% more cost-effective than concrete blocks, offering enhanced constructability and reducing environmental impact, rendering them a highly recommended option for sustainable residential construction. The novelty of this study lies in the application of CBA, which is predicated on developing unit rates per unit scale through a cost breakdown, enabling stakeholders to adjust cost components at a granular level for informed decision-making. Practically, this study provides a cost-based decision-making framework for selecting SBMs in Tanzania while promoting awareness through suggesting an improved format of price list that integrates sustainable alternatives. However, the study is limited by its focus on a specific region and materials, as well as the qualitative treatment of environmental and social criteria. Future research should expand the analysis to include broader aspects, thereby better elucidating the overall suitability of SBMs in diverse contexts
State of Women’s Employment and Education in South Africa
Full text linkDEEP-IDEA SA Workshop provided an update on the British Commission-funded research project between the Universities of Plymouth, Reading, and Cape Town, focusing on the inclusion of women in construction and the potential positive impact of digital technology. This keynote speech commenced with a visualisation of the beautiful, rural countryside of the Eastern Cape during the late 1960s. Exclusion from mathematics and science subjects applied to all black Africans; additional limitations existed on women, for example, limitations of movement and job opportunities; and the legal status of minors, reversed only by the 1996 final Constitution. Applying cultural-historical activity theory provides insight into progress made, but also the magnitude of the challenge that faced South Africa in 1994, persisting to date. Women now fulfil a range of roles, many at management level, particularly evident in the banking sector, administrative roles, and within the police service. In the construction sector, however, fewer women are employed, although in the informal construction sector, which has grown slightly faster than the formal sector, women have established and lead construction companies. Nationally, women constitute 51% of the population. In education, females have overtaken males at the secondary school level, and now predominate in tertiary enrolment. Registration of women is limited in areas of: electrical infrastructure, engineering, architecture and built environment. Exclusion from mathematics (as opposed to mathematics literacy) and science limits entry to technical qualifications. The unemployment level remains a source of concern, with youth between 15 and 24 years of age at 62.4%, disproportionately affecting young women. The Presidential Youth Initiative, part of the Basic Education Employment Initiative, recommenced in 2025 to offer 200,000 school assistant opportunities. These statistics provide the agenda for participant discussion, including obstacles to mathematics provision