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TEFF production and distribution : implications for rural livelihoods in Ethiopia
Get PDFTeff (Eragrostis teff) is the most important cereal crop in terms of both production and consumption in Ethiopia. About 6.7 million smallholder farmers have been engaged in Teff production, covering more than 3 million ha of land and producing 52.8 million quintals of Teff crops. On the consumption side, Teff is a daily staple food crop for more than 50 million Ethiopians. The main aim of the study is to examine Teff production and distribution at the national levels and analyze its implications to the livelihood of the smallholder farmers in Ethiopia.
The study employed cross sectional survey design with a mixed approach. The sampling design used was multistage sampling. Literature review, household surveys, focus group discussions and key informant interviews were employed. A total of 248 survey respondents, 84 FGD participants and 25 key informants were involved in the study. The data were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively.
The research result indicates that the productivity of Teff has been iD. Litt. et Phil. (Development Studies)Development Studie
Developing a Theology of Discernment in Response to the Abuse of Religion by Some Pentecostal Churches in Postcolonial South Africa
Get PDFThe focus of this article is on the current abuse of religion by some pastors of
some Pentecostal churches in South Africa. These pastors have been involved
in controversial, criminal and fake miracles practices that point to the abuse of
religion. While these acts might be acceptable among some, in some contexts,
the generic South African religious context perceive them as taboo. Thus, the
main problem on this score is that many South Africans have become gullible
to the abuse of religion, given their poor economic circumstances, gender
injustices and, for many, their uninformed theological understandings, while,
in some cases, there are psychological reasons. In response to these forms of
gullibility, the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of
Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (the CRL Rights Commission)
has come up with a proposal that the government should regulate
churches through an umbrella organization that will oversee the administration
of churches, and the affiliation of churches to a mother church, which
prescribes a minimum qualification for pastors, and addresses doctrinal issues
and related matters. However, there are scholars and some sectors of society
that argue against the regulation of religion. What then is the solution? This
article argues that a theology of discernment, as found in the Bible in 1 John
4:1-3, can assist, 1) to deal with the abuse of religion; and 2) to deal with the
gullibility of society in respect of the abuse of religion in South Africa.Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiolog
Advancing social justice: critical reflections on the hate crime and bias monitoring form
No full textIn 2010, the South African Hate Crimes Working Group initiated a project to monitor hate incidents. This longitudinal research project was completed in 2017. The project had brought together researchers, activists and service providers. The resultant monitoring form (‘The Hate Crime and Bias Monitoring Form') was, internationally, one of the first of its kind and remains the only such tool in Africa. The Hate Crimes Working Group is a multi-sectoral network of civil society organisations serving the interests of a cross-section of marginalised groups, including those targeted based on their nationality; religion; status as a sex worker; and sexual orientation; gender identity; and/or expression. Bringing together under one umbrella such divergent, and sometimes opposing, groups and persons at risk of becoming victims of prejudice-motivated attacks is a definite strength of this unique structure. However, designing a monitoring form in a manner that enables universal usage for recording hate- and bias-motivated incidents across various vulnerable sectors, significantly added to the complexity of the endeavour. The study that informed this article critically reflected on the design and implementation phases of the original project, applying a qualitative research approach using face-to-face interviews and an online survey, both thematically analysed using the ATLAS.ti qualitative research data/text analysis tool. Findings suggest that the specific challenges that confronted the project, such as: difficulties reaching an agreement on terminologies appropriate to such broad constituencies, and that certain limitations were present. Yet, the Hate Crimes Working Group Monitoring Form Project successfully managed to provide a baseline for the nature and impact of hate incidents in South Africa. Findings furthermore serve to create a more coherent picture to inform legislative and policy responses towards minimising secondary victimisation in policing and healthcare, and the advancement of social justice for all. It is hoped the reach and impact of the project will facilitate future benefits for often neglected victims of hate incidents in South Africa and elsewhere.College of Human Science
Degendering Male Nursing Students’ Intimate Care Provision: A South African Perspective
No full textBackground: Male nursing students remain a minority group in nursing education and training programmes. They are thought to have
diverted from their prescribed roles as men, leading to professional stereotypes and fear of providing intimate care. In addition, the
lack of role models and support for male nurses adds to their frustration during clinical placement. The aim of this study was thus to
understand male nursing students’ experiences when providing intimate care to diverse patients during clinical placement. Methods: A
descriptive phenomenology design was employed. Male nursing students from two nursing education institutions in Gauteng province,
South Africa, were purposively sampled based on their experiences and their exposure to providing basic nursing care requiring physical
closeness and touch. Twelve (12) male nursing students participated in individual semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed
using phenomenological analysis of horizontalisation, creating meaning and essence of intimate care experiences. Results: Four themes
emerged from intimate care experiences, which were (1) helping others with basic physical care; (2) cultural issues related to touching
naked bodies of diverse patients; (3) adherence to basic nursing care principles; and (4) discomforting reactions during intimate care and
touch. Conclusions: Male nursing students are willing to provide quality care to diverse patients. However, some do not accept intimate
care and touch based on gender. For male nursing students to be competent in caring for patients, they must be able to provide intimate
care to diverse patients confidently and comfortably. Thus, degendering intimate care provision is essential for male nursing students—to
provide care without fear of being stereotyped and misinterpreted as sexual predators. Instead, they must be accepted as nurses who are
helping patients with their physical needs.Health Studie
Efficient heavy metals and salts rejection using a novel modified polysulfone nanofiltration membrane
Get PDFAbstract
Recent research proclivity is about supplying water for drinking, urban and industrial applications which is recognized as one of the most significant challenges that threaten humanity. Giving its simplicity and high efficient yield, membrane technology has been preferred compared to other separation technologies for water and wastewater treatment. In the present research, KIT-6 (KIT: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) was functionalized by H-acid to improve hydrophilic functional groups on KIT-6 surface. Different characterization tests were performed to prove the insertion of H-acid on KIT-6 (H-KIT-6), e.g., FT-IR, XRD, zeta potential and FESEM analysis. Also, the effects of different loading of KIT-6 and H-KIT-6 on the morphology, characteristics and performance of Polysulfone (PSf) nanofiltration (NF) membranes were investigated. The maximum pure water flux (30.2 kg/m2 h), the lowest irreversible fouling ratio (3.96%) and the highest flux recovery ratio (96.04%) were obtained for the membrane embedded with 0.1 wt.% H-KIT-6 (optimum membrane). Also, the performance of the synthesized membranes was evaluated by rejection of four different salts (K2SO4, MgSO4, KCl and NaCl) and heavy metal ions (As3+ and Hg2+). The NF membrane embedded with 0.1 wt.% H-KIT-6 also presented the highest rejection of different salts and heavy metal ions (As3+ = 99.85% and Hg2+ = 99.27%) compared to the others. Finally, the performance of the optimum membrane to treat a real case of Gachsaran brackish water was assessed. As a result, by applying the optimum membrane, 565 mg/l, 28 mg/l and 27 mg/l of Ca2+, SO42− and Mg2+ were rejected, respectively
Evaluating utilization of health information management system for HIV/AIDS monitoring in Ethiopia
No full textA well-performing Health Information System (HIS) provides timely, complete, accurate and easily retrievable data. It also reflects the impact of guidelines and policies on the functioning of the health system. However, HIS in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) is highly complex and influenced by pressures from donors, politics and the administration. Hence, these countries experience persistent challenges to produce quality data from their HIS.
Studies in Ethiopia indicate challenges in the data management processes, poor data quality, a low information culture, and difficulties in using HMIS data. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of the HMIS in generating quality health information for monitoring and evaluating the HIV and AIDS program in Ethiopia. The aim was to develop a framework for strengthening the information culture and the generation of reliable and accurate data to support HIV and AIDS monitoring and evaluation. The study adopted the PRISM framework to inform the research methods.
A qualitative evaluative case study was used to address the research questions. The research was implemented in three phases: Phase 1, a qualitative document analysis; Phase 2, focus group interviews; and Phase 3, developing a framework to strengthen data management processes for HIV/AIDS, using a modified Delphi technique.
The study setting was public hospitals and health centres in Addis Ababa. These were selected due to their involvement with HIV/AIDS and sites for HMIS implementation. The population for the first phase was government policy documents. The data sources included country-level developed HIS and HMIS/M&E documents currently in use.
The population for Phase 2 included stakeholders using the country HIS and implementing the HMIS, mainly those who produced and used data for HIV/AIDS monitoring. In the third phase, the population consisted of experts in HIS and HMIS. Non-probability sampling techniques, such as purposive criterion for Phase 1, purposive critical case sampling for Phase 2, and snowball for Phase 3, were used to select experts.
Data were collected over six months, starting with qualitative document analysis. The QDA provided a broad historical context for the study, suggesting possibility to explore further through other forms of data collection. The second phase involved data collection through focus group discussions (FGD) to describe participants' views on data generation and information used for HIV/AIDS monitoring and evaluation. This phase included the integration of both data sets. Phase 3 used a questionnaire to elicit the views of experts on the proposed framework.
Qualitative analytical techniques using Atlas.Ti version 8 were used to analyse data. Content analysis was used in Phase 1 and thematic analysis in Phase 2. Phase 3 used statistical analysis to quantify the level of consensus among experts. The trustworthiness of this study was safeguarded by applying credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability. The ethical measures in this study were followed to protect the rights of the institutions, the rights of participants, the dissemination of findings and scientific integrity.
This study showed that Ethiopia had an adequate regulatory framework for implementing HIS and HMIS to monitor and evaluate the HIV/AIDS program. However, the implementation of these policies at the facility level was not optimal. Stakeholders experienced various difficulties accessing the policies but were aware of their role and what was expected of them. Availability of resources and the design of HIS were found to be not ideal for users. Timely reporting was hampered by parallel reporting systems such as DHIS2 and Smart Care, a lack of interoperability between these systems, and a hybrid system consisting of paper documents and electronic data.
The study concluded that health facilities did not process information as expected. However, staff performed the HMIS tasks with the tools available to them as they tried to make sense of data coming out of the HMIS. Challenges of the system, such as a lack of human resources and specialized skills, and support, could be improved for the effective use of the HMIS for generating useful information for HIV monitoring.
The proposed framework will hopefully strengthen data management processes.D. Lit. et Phil. (Public Health)Health Studie
Political leadership as a quality: a critical study of John Garang in promoting peace and reconciliation in South Sudan
Get PDFAbstracts in English and SesothoThe purpose of this research is to look into John Garang's political leadership qualities and his role in promoting peace and reconciliation in South Sudan. The research argues that he used his vision and inspiration to rally his followers towards their common enemy, Khartoum. He always strived for the unity of the Sudan’s Peoples Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA/M) having examined the warring parties' perpetually failing peace treaties. Ethnic tension changed political rivalry into toxic ethnic conflict through brutal mobilisation and rhetoric. The research findings indicated that Garang was an inclusionist political leader that embodied the struggle and aspirations of all people irrespective of identity-based differences. He fought against any attempt to divide and separate the Sudan. Though he did not achieve his objective in his lifetime, Garang advocated for a united ‘New Sudan’ free from injustices of the past, where everyone had a sense of belonging and could function in a democratic and pluralistic society. His biggest achievement was the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). Thereafter, a comprehensive all-inclusive South Sudanese peace process was formulated to address the political aspects of the conflicts. South Sudan was administered by a pro-Khartoum grouping before the referendum for self-determination. This grouping used the divide and rule principle to create mistrust and hostilities among the ethnic groups. Garang’s vision for the liberation of South Sudan underpinned some of the key aspects captured within the CPA, which made unity attractive and separation the last resort. This aspect demonstrated his maturity as a political leader and served as a model for contemporary leaders to embrace all Sudanese ethnic and religious groups. Garang ensured that the CPA laid the foundation for effective governance in South Sudan, to address social, economic and political challenges. This included establishing power sharing tools that were aimed at ensuring equitable distribution of power and just representation for the different ethnic and religious groups in governance. Rotberg’s theory of transformative political leadership, specifically the Mandela model of transformative political leadership, was employed as a theoretical frame of reference because of its contextual relevance. Given the normative nature of the study, a qualitative methodology was adopted. Interviews with individuals and key role players that worked closely with the research subject constituted the primary sources of data used for the study. This contributed immensely to achieving the objective of the research which was to investigate the political leadership qualities of Garang and his role in establishing peace and advancing reconciliation in South Sudan.Sepheo sa patlisiso ena ke ho shebisisa makhabane a boetapele ba lipolotiki ba John Garang le karolo ea hae ho khothaletseng khotso le poelano naheng ea Sudan Boroa. Patlisiso e bolela hore o sebelisitse pono ea hae le ts'usumetso ho bokella balateli ba hae ho sera sa bona se tloaelehileng, Khartoum. O ne a lula a hahamalla bonngoe ba Sudan's Peoples Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA/M) kaha a hlahlobile litumellano tsa khotso tse sa feleng tsa mekha e loanang. Khohlano ea merabe e ile ea fetola tlhōlisano ea lipolotiki hore e be khohlano e kotsi ea merabe ka ho bokellana ho sehlōhō le lipuo tse ngata. Liphuputso tsa lipatlisiso li bonts'itse hore Garang e ne e le moeta-pele oa lipolotiki ea kenyelelitsoeng ea kenyelletsang ntoa le litabatabelo tsa batho bohle ho sa natsoe liphapang tse ipapisitseng le boitsebahatso. O ile a loantša boiteko leha e le bofe ba ho arola le ho arola Sudan. Le hoja a sa ka a finyella sepheo sa hae bophelong ba hae, Garang o ile a buella 'Sudan e Ncha' e kopaneng e se nang ho hloka toka nakong e fetileng, moo motho e mong le e mong a neng a e-na le boikutlo ba ho ba oa hae 'me a ka sebetsa sechabeng sa demokrasi le se nang le mekhoa e mengata. Phihlello e kgolo ya hae e bile ho tekena Tumellano e Akaretsang ya Kagiso (CPA). Kamora moo, ts'ebetso e felletseng ea khotso ea Sudan Boroa e ile ea etsoa ho rarolla likarolo tsa lipolotiki tsa likhohlano. Sudan Borwa e ne e laolwa ke sehlopha sa pro-Khartoum pele ho referendum bakeng sa ho ikemela. Sehlopha sena se sebelisitse molao-motheo oa ho arola le ho laola ho theha ho se tšepane le bora har'a lihlopha tsa merabe. Pono ea Garang bakeng sa tokoloho ea Sudan Boroa e tšehelitse tse ling tsa lintlha tsa bohlokoa tse hapiloeng ka har'a CPA, tse entseng hore bonngoe bo khahle le karohano e le khetho ea ho qetela. Taba ena e bonts'itse kholo ea hae joalo ka moetapele oa lipolotiki mme e bile mohlala bakeng sa baetapele ba mehleng ea ho amohela merabe le bolumeli ba Sudan. Garang e netefalitse hore CPA e ralile motheo oa puso e sebetsang hantle naheng ea Sudan Boroa, ho rarolla mathata a sechaba, moruo le lipolotiki. Sena se ne se kenyelletsa ho theha lisebelisoa tsa ho arolelana matla tse neng li reretsoe ho netefatsa kabo e lekanang ea matla le boemeli bo nepahetseng bakeng sa merabe e fapaneng le lihlopha tsa bolumeli pusong. Khopolo ea Rotberg ea boetapele ba lipolotiki bo feto-fetohang, haholo-holo mohlala oa Mandela oa boetapele ba lipolotiki ba phetoho, e ile ea sebelisoa e le moralo oa boithuto ka lebaka la bohlokoa ba eona. Ho latela boemo bo tloaelehileng ba thuto, ho ile ha amoheloa mokhoa oa boleng. Lipuisano le batho ka bomong le bankakarolo ba ka sehloohong ba sebelitseng haufi-ufi le taba ea lipatlisiso e bile mehloli ea mantlha ea data e sebelisitsoeng thutong. Sena se ile sa kenya letsoho haholo ho fihlelleng sepheo sa lipatlisiso e neng e le ho batlisisa makhabane a boetapele ba lipolotiki ba Garang le karolo ea hae ho theheng khotso le ho ntšetsa pele poelano Sudan Boroa.M.A. (Political Science)Political Science
The influence of carcass decomposition on soil nutrient composition and its effects on growth of Gazania rigens (L.).
Get PDFAbstract in EnglishThis research project forms part of the Department of Nature Conservation, Unisa’s: Death in the long grass: The ecological implications of carcass decomposition in a southern African grassland project. Decomposing carcasses leach nutrients into soils, forming dense nutrient rich islands in grasslands, which contribute to the recycling of nutrients and energy through the ecosystem. Large decomposing herbivore species, such as blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus), create much larger volumes of nutrient influx into soils of cadaver decomposition islands (CDI) compared to smaller decomposing animals, such as rodents (Rattus norvegicus). Plant growth is negatively affected immediately after the influx of carcass decomposing liquids in CDI soils, resulting in plant death within the CDI; however, field observations have indicated plant growth returns after several months. The aim of the project was to develop an understanding of the ecological dynamics associated with the decomposition of wild animal carcasses in a grassland ecosystem as nutrient islands. This project investigated the effect of liquid influx from decomposing blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) carcasses on soil nutrient content at various stages of decomposition, and the effect thereof on the growth of the indigenous plant Gazania rigens (L.). The findings of this research project could be applied positively in the development of organic growth media by making use of animal waste products incorporated with sustainable plant products, such as coir and bagasse, to enhance their performance, as the current source of organic growth media, peat moss, is seen as unsustainable.
Ten blue wildebeest carcasses, five caged and five pegged, were placed at suitable localities in grasslands at Telperion Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa. Soil samples were collected at each site before the placement of carcasses and at a three-week interval after placement of carcasses. Soil samples collected from each carcass site were homogenised, air-dried, some frozen (for nitrogen analyses) and analysed at Unisa’s CAES laboratories for soil texture, colour, electrical conductivity (EC), and potential hydrogen (pH), organic matter (OM), exchangeable bases; sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca) and potassium (K) and cation exchange capacity (CEC), total nitrogen (TN), total carbon (TC) and C:N ratios, available phosphorus (P), and micronutrients; copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn). To assess the influence of soil nutrient inputs on plant growth, 120 five-week-old G. rigens seedlings were planted in the soils collected from around each carcass before placement of carcasses, and at three-week intervals during the decomposition process. After 12 weeks of growth under controlled environmental conditions, plants were harvested and individual organs measured, counted, weighed and air-dried to obtain dried organ weights. Soil properties showed significant temporal changes after placement of caged and pegged carcasses, especially EC, pH, OM, exchangeable bases; Na, Mg, Ca and K, nitrogen (N), C:N ratios, and Cu, compared to before placement of carcasses. Soil colours and textures remained unchanged throughout carcass decomposition periods compared to before the placement of carcasses.
Noticeable differences were observed between plants grown in soils collected from decomposing caged and pegged carcasses, compared to those grown in soils collected before placement of carcasses, especially in the number of leaves, leaf lengths, fresh and dry leaf weights and number of dead leaves, as well as fresh buds, flowers and seed heads. Soil aspects reported to have the most significant temporal influence on G. rigens growth were EC, pH, OM, Mg, CEC, N, carbon (C), C:N ratios, P, Cu, Fe and Zn. Each of the growth parameters was affected by one or more of these soil aspects, especially plant leaves and flowering organs. This study reported significant changes in soils and plant growth parameters; however, no significant changes were reported in the two treatments, caged carcasses compared to pegged carcasses. The implication of this study is that the use of soils from around decomposing carcasses as a medium for growth of ornamental crops is not detrimental to plant growth. Recommendations are to investigate methods to use carcass waste in composting techniques for growth medium in which to grow ornamental and edible plantsM. Sc. (Ornamental Horticulture)Environmental Science
Foreign direct investment, information technology and total factor productivity dynamics in Sub-Saharan Africa
Get PDFCompared to other regions of the world, the potential for information technology penetration in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is very high. Unfortunately, productivity levels in the region are also very low. This study investigates the importance of information technology in influencing the effect of foreign direct investment (FDI) on total factor productivity (TFP) dynamics. The focus is on 25 countries in SSA. Information technology is measured with mobile phone penetration and internet penetration, while the engaged TFP productivity dynamics are TFP, real TFP, welfare TFP, and real welfare TFP. The empirical evidence is based on the Generalised Method of Moments. The findings show that, with the exception of regressions pertaining to real TFP growth for which the estimations do not pass post-estimation diagnostic tests, it is apparent that information technology (i.e. mobile phone penetration and internet penetration) modulate FDI to positively influence TFP dynamics (i.e. TFP, welfare TFP, and welfare real TFP). Policy and theoretical implications are discussed.Colleges of Economic and Management Science
Practice of participatory communication : asset based community development legacy project in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape
Get PDFThe purpose of the study was to explore the practice of participatory communication by the South African National Road Agency (SANRAL) on the Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) project in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape (EC) Province. The study was conducted in fourteen villages that form part of package four where SANRAL is busy constructing a road. Zutari, formerly known as Aurecon, was appointed with Royal Mndawe Holdings (ROMH) as a consortium in order to provide professional services for the 17,6 km Section 20 stretch of the N2 Wild Coast Toll Highway between Msikaba Bridge and Lingeni Intersection. The research used a qualitative case study research approach, and is framed within participatory communication. The findings of the study were based on consideration of in-depth participant interviews, analysed using a systematic method, where interview transcripts were arranged and coded to categorise information accordingly. The study population consisted of people that have been fairly involved in the project, mainly the Project Liaison Committee Members (PLC). This group of stakeholders were more relevant to provide insights about how the practice of participatory communication has been practiced on an ongoing community development project. Similarly, development communication uses communication processes that aim to improve the lives of the citizens (Alemnew, 2017). Consequently, the study explored the practice of participatory communication in a setting in which a sustainable development model (ABCD) is being employed to catalyse SANRAL’s post-construction legacy in the area. SANRAL adopted an ABCD model to drive its intended legacy programme. This study empowers development communication practitioners and informs development discourses alike. The findings revealed that genuine participation was practiced by SANRAL on the ABCD Project. Likewise, participatory communication is associated with a two-way flow of communication, allowing community members to become key drivers of their development, and not mere beneficiaries of development interventions in their area (Ako, 2017). Notably, the major communications practices were best described as a two-way participatory approach, aimed at facilitating socio-economic development on an ABCD community-based project. The study finds that participatory communication enables information sharing between people, as it creates a legitimate platform for the marginalised to be empowered during development devised with them in mind.M.A. (Communication Science)Communication Scienc