UCT Open Access Journals (Univ. of Cape Town)
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Winged laughter: First confirmed sighting of the Laughing Dove Spilopelia senegalensis in Kollam, Kerala, India
Full text linkThe Laughing Dove Spilopelia senegalensis had previously not been recorded in Kollam, Kerala, India; the sighting reported here was made on 2 December 2023. The distance to the nearest previous record is c. 80 km
Cape Rock Thrush Monticola rupestris kills and eats a snake
Full text linkCape Rock Thrush Monticola rupestris was observed to kill and eat a Spotted Skaapsteker Psammophylax rhombeatus at Rooi Els, Western Cape South Africa. This is the first record of the diet of this bird species including a snake
African Oystercatcher Haematopus moquini in the Karoo
Full text linkThe first record of an African Oystercatcher Haematopus moquini in the Karoo is reported. The bird was a juvenile, and the observation was made c. 330 km from the coast. The date of the observation, 7 July 2024, was during a period of severe storms in the breeding range of the species in the Western Cape, South Africa, and it is likely that the juvenile oystercatcher was driven inland during its migration northwards from its natal territory
Factors Affecting Investment in Purpose-Built Student Accommodation in Studentified Neighbourhoods of Tertiary Institutions
Full text linkThis paper aimed to increase the awareness of real estate investors and developers by providing a cross-country comparison of the factors affecting investment in purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA). The paper analyses both local and international published literature to extract key findings pertaining to factors affecting investment in PBSA in studentified neighbourhood of tertiary institutions. Using a systematic literature approach in searching electronic databases, past studies were evaluated and analysed thematically based on specific content criterion for the purpose of identifying main factors driving and hindering investment in purpose-built student accommodation. The paper identified demand-related, return-on-investment related, investment-related and institutional-related factors as main drivers of investment in PBSA while e-learning facilities and potential oversupply of PBSA were identified as potential limitations affecting investment made in this real estate sub-market sector. It is therefore necessary that real estate investors should consider these factors while investment in this asset class
Real Estate Research Trends and Directions in Africa: : Insights from the African Real Estate Society Conferences 2011-2022
Full text linkThis study explores the nature of research contributions to the African Real Estate Society (AfRES) conferences and establishes the emerging trends across African real estate markets. The study employed a desktop-review of 500 abstracts published in the AfRES Conference proceedings from 2011-2022. A descriptive quantitative content analysis in addition to line charts and other descriptive analyses were employed. The study finds that top research themes are Housing/Markets Analysis (19.32%), Finance/Investment (17.69%), Appraisal/Valuation (15.75%), Institutions (11.04%), and Policy issues (10.39%). The country-focused contributions showed the predominance of Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa. Furthermore, the study finds that the practice of alternating the location of the annual conferences across regions is valuable for attracting diverse contributions across regional markets while also fostering inclusivity. The results show a significant preference for quantitative (43.20%) and qualitative (26.80%) analyses by authors. The study highlights research gaps that real estate academics, the AfRES and international research groups should consider in developing their research agenda for the continent. While the study has not explored the full complement of real estate research outlets on the African continent, the study’s findings could help in understanding how the African market and her research directions compare with other continental peers
Towards real estate investment trust implementation and operationalisation: readiness of real estate investment trust connected parties in Uganda
Full text linkDespite several developing economies enacting REIT regulations, REITs are still underutilised as an alternative vehicle to address the current real estate financing challenges especially for non-traditional real estate asset classes such as agricultural real estate. The limited research on the application of REIT for financing agricultural real estate further complicates the situation. Thus, an inquiry into the readiness of REIT connected parties as stipulated by the regulation for the implementation and facilitation of REITs is vital. The study aims to explore the readiness of REIT connected parties towards the implementation and facilitation of REIT for agricultural financing in Uganda. The study employs a qualitative phenomenological study approach to describe the readiness of connected parties through their lived practice experiences. Data collection is conducted by interviewing a purposively selected sample of potential REIT connected parties based on their involvement in the finance and investment sector. Knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA) themes are analysed from the interview notes and the connected parties` readiness gaps are discussed in the discussions
Upper airway obstruction in a Nigerian girl with Diphtheria: Could blind nasotracheal intubation be the minimally invasive alternative treatment in a resource-constrained setting?
Full text linkManaging upper airway obstruction in patients with diphtheria can be challenging. In a resource-constrained setting with no Intensive Care Units, blind nasotracheal intubation could be lifesaving. We report an eight-year-old girl who presented with a sore throat, fever, neck swelling and severe pallor. Following the commencement of blood transfusion, she developed respiratory distress associated with restlessness, stridor and gasping for air. Emergency nasotracheal intubation resulted in resolution of the respiratory distress and other symptoms. While evaluating a child with diphtheria, the sudden emergence of restlessness and respiratory distress may signal upper airway obstruction. Urgent blind nasotracheal intubation may be lifesaving.
 
Value Determinants in Mixed-Income Housing Developments
Full text linkWhile some recent studies have focused on the effect of mixed-income housing on the property values in the surrounding neighbourhoods, there is gap in the knowledge on effect determinants of value have on various components of value. Understanding the relationship between value components and determinants of value is imperative to attaining sustainable housing in South Africa. The determinants and value components were established from literature. The relationship between the two variables was evaluated in this study. A questionnaire was used to collect data from 82 participants experienced in valuing property within mixed-income housing developments. Multiple regression analysis showed that neighbourhood determinants significantly influenced monetary value and non-monetary value while environmental determinants had a significant influence on social benefits accruing to other stakeholders in mixed-income housing. As mixed-income housing gains traction in South Africa, the results of this study will serve as development guidelines on critical determinants of value and the extent of their influence on property value in mixed-income housing
Enhancing Accuracy and Consistency in the Valuation of Plant and Equipment through Cubic Regression Models of Physical Deterioration
Full text linkThe valuation of plant and equipment often involves valuers deducting physical, functional and economic depreciation from replacement cost estimates. These calculations have faced accuracy and consistency problems in the aspect of determining how much physical deterioration should be deducted. This study attempted to develop cubic regression models to resolve these accuracy and consistency problems in the basic metal, iron and steel and fabricated metal product sectors in Ogun state, Nigeria (Sango Ota and Agbara). Questionnaire surveys were administered on senior operators of plant and equipment in these sectors to draw information on the degree of physical deterioration of plant and equipment over service life, using expenditure on repairs as a proxy for physical deterioration. The questionnaire sought information on the service lives of plant and equipment, the pattern of physical depreciation over the service lives, and the degree to which the pattern is influenced by various operational factors. Data were analysed using means, standard deviations, multiple linear regressions and cubic regressions, to produce what could be the first potentially accurate and consistent valuation model of physical deterioration in Africa. The service lives of various plant and equipment were found to range at various times between 8 to 60 years. Cubic regression analyses showed that the pattern of the movement of transitions of expenditure on repairs (proxy for physical deterioration) over useful life of plant and equipment were not linear but cubic, and generally followed S-shaped patterns. Multiple regression analyses showed that the S-shaped patterns were in turn influenced by operational factors (such as intensity of use and power outages). The study concluded that valuers’ interests in accuracy and consistency in plant and equipment valuation were not served by any of the accounting methods hitherto used by valuers; accuracy in physical deterioration modelling follows an S-shaped transition over time.