38981 research outputs found
Sort by
Supporting the integration of refugee and asylum-seeking health professionals into the South African Health System
Get PDFThis dissertation explores the integration challenges faced by refugee and asylum-seeking health professionals in gaining professional recognition and accessing employment in health professions in South Africa. Despite South Africa's progressive legal framework, practical pathways for qualification recognition and professional inclusion remain fragmented and exclusionary. While much of the literature focuses on low-skilled labour market integration and survival strategies, the experiences of highly skilled refugee and asylum seeker professionals are often overlooked, leading to their marginalisation and the underutilisation of their health expertise. Using a qualitative approach, the research draws on semi-structured interviews with 16 refugee and asylum-seeking health professionals in Cape Town and four institutional representatives from the South African Qualifications Authority, the Foreign Workforce Management and the Western Cape Department of Health. Vignettes are used to humanise participants' experiences and foregrounding the personal stories behind the systemic barriers to professional integration. This study is grounded in Bourdieu's theory of capital, examining how refugee and asylum seeker economic, social, cultural and symbolic capital is systematically devalued. It also incorporates critical perspectives on integration, drawing from Ager and Strang's (2008) multidimensional framework and newer research that highlight how integration can involve unequal power relationships and unfair expectations (Spencer & Charsley, 2021). In doing so, the research highlights how historical and institutional legacies; shaped by apartheid, xenophobia, and rigid bureaucracy, reproduce structural and symbolic violence that undermines refugee professionals' access to dignified work. By identifying and interrogating the structural barriers to recognition, this dissertation argues that structural barriers prevent refugee and asylum seeker health professionals from being recognised. The creation of practical and inclusive pathways to professional integration is essential for the restoration of their dignity and ability to contribute to South Africa's healthcare system. The findings offer a critical and contextually grounded contribution to debates on refugee integration, institutional power, and inclusive health workforce development
Estimating the treatment cost of colon cancer at Groote Schuur Hospital
Get PDFBackground: Due to the high mortality-to-incidence ratio of colon cancer in South Africa, urgent public health measures are needed to improve treatment outcomes. Costing studies can be leveraged to understand the treatment cost burden for colon cancer, providing crucial insights for allocating resources to finance such measures. This study aims to assess treatment options and costs for colon cancer treatment from the perspective of healthcare providers at a public healthcare facility in South Africa. Method: The study used an ingredient-based approach to assess colon cancer treatment costs by stage at the colorectal clinic and combined colorectal oncology unit at Groote Schuur Hospital. The costing process involved two steps: first, treatment options were defined according to facility guidelines and verified through expert interviews; then, these options were linked to relevant cost items for each cancer stage based on expert input. Second, a bottom-up costing method was used to estimate and aggregate per-patient costs across treatment components for each stage. One-way sensitivity analysis addressed uncertainties in post-surgical inpatient admissions and staff categories. All costs are presented in 2024 South African Rands (ZAR) and United States Dollars (USD). Results: Colon cancer treatment components include staging and risk assessment investigations, clinical consultations, surgery and chemotherapy. The estimated guideline-based per-patient costs for treatment are R60,156 (4,017) for high-risk stage II and stage III; and R171,935 ($9,193) for stage IV. Surgical treatment represents a major cost driver, with additional expenses from inpatient admissions following surgery. Sensitivity analysis indicates that reducing postoperative inpatient stay by 25% lowers the treatment cost by approximately 5% across all stages. Conclusion: Colon cancer treatment costs are significant, increasing with each colon cancer stage. To manage these escalating costs and reduce the overall healthcare burden, policies should prioritise early detection and invest in accessible, stage-appropriate interventions to improve patient outcomes
Capital markets development and economic growth in eSwatini
Get PDFCapital markets within Eswatini have continued to grow, predominantly in size, as evidenced by leaps in the capitalisation of both equity and debt available to trade over recent years. That said, they remain relatively underdeveloped, driven by inefficiencies stemming from low levels of liquidity, low volumes of listings, and a thin investor base. Considering existing efforts to develop the capital markets, this study sought to examine the impact that capital markets development has on economic growth in Eswatini. To do so, the study applied ARDL and error correction model techniques to estimate the long-run and short-run effects of capital markets development on economic growth in Eswatini between 2013 and 2023. The model estimates indicated the existence of significantly positive long-run effects of capital market liquidity, proxied by equity turnover, and capital market size, proxied by corporate and government bonds outstanding, on economic growth in Eswatini. Conversely, the model estimates also indicated that capital market size proxied by equity market capitalisation had an insignificant effect on Eswatini's economic growth. Furthermore, the study found that Eswatini's net exportation of goods and inflation, which served as control variables, had significantly positive and negative long-run effects, respectively, on economic growth. That said, the study recommends that the Government of Eswatini's policy directions include mechanisms that focus on improving capital market efficiency through broadening the investor base and instruments available for investors to participate at low cost
An analysis of the impact of chloride-induced corrosion on reinforced concrete structures in the port of Cape Town
Get PDFCorrosion of steel reinforcement is a main deterioration mechanism for reinforced concrete structures in the marine environment, where chloride ingress causes severe and widespread damage. These structures make up a substantial proportion of infrastructure globally and are costly to construct and require constant maintenance throughout their service life. For infrastructure owners such as the Transnet National Ports Authority, whose infrastructure is mostly civil in nature and is exposed to severe marine exposure conditions, an improved understanding of each port's environment can lead to the design of more durable structures, or the improved maintenance of existing structures, both leading to more effective investment decisions. The aim of this research is therefore to understand the relationship between marine exposure conditions, cover depths, age, and deterioration due to chloride-induced corrosion in the port of Cape Town through the investigation of select structures. As-built data collection, visual condition assessments, and cover measurements were performed on various components of seventeen reinforced concrete structures in the port of Cape Town. These structures varied in terms of type, age, distance from the sea and marine exposure. The condition assessments focused on deterioration related to corrosion namely rust staining and spalling, and damage ratings were ascribed based on the classification scheme provided in the RILEM technical committee 104-DDC 1994. Further, the predominant wind direction affecting the structural component (either South Easterly or North Westerly) and the marine exposure class were noted. These assessments were supplemented by cover readings on the structural components, with a focus on average and minimum cover depth per component. Findings from the visual condition assessments confirmed significant reinforcement corrosion damage on twelve of the seventeen structures. This would imply that these structures are in the propagation phase of the two-phase corrosion model, or at the end of the maintenance free period in service life models. In addition, the average cover depth was found to be above 50 mm in most of the structural components (27 out of 38), however, the minimum cover was found to be below 40 mm in 55% of the structural components and below 30mm in 26% of the components. The distance from the sea was found to significantly affect the damage ratings of structures, particularly for those further than 100 m from the sea, where ratings showed minimal damage. Further, the predominant wind direction was found to have a significant influence, damage ratings being higher for structures exposed to South Easterly winds compared to those exposed to North Westerly winds. Minimum cover, or localised low cover depth, and average cover were found to have no significant influence on the degree of deterioration as no trend could be identified. In addition, deterioration compared to the age of structures, particularly for structures in the age ranges of 40-50 and 50-60 years showed an increase in damage ratings with an increase in age. Anomalies in the data can be attributed to the limitation of performing single parameter analysis since it is likely that multiple parameters influence the deterioration ratings. The findings from this study can be used to inform the design and maintenance of structures in severe marine environments while quality controls can be put in place during construction to ensure the design cover is met and that localised low cover areas are prevented as much as possible. In addition, the findings from the visual condition assessment can be used to inform repair strategies for damaged structural components. The incorporation of cover meter readings in condition assessments, as well as other tests such as chloride concentration tests, can be used to inform preventative repair methodologies for existing structures at a high risk of corrosion damage, but with little to no visual damage
Investigating environmental quality and economic growth interdependency: an environmental kuznets curve study of South Africa
Get PDFEconomic growth at the expense of environmental quality has become an increasingly important policy concern since 2015, with the establishment of the Sustainable Development Goals at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Paris. This study investigated the interdependency between environmental quality and economic growth in South Africa, within the framework of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis, based on annual emissions and economic growth data from 1970 to 2018. The study examined the short and long run relationships of CO2, NO2, SO2 and PM2.5 emissions with economic growth, respectively, utilising a time-series Autoregressive Distributed Lag estimation method in conjunction with classical unit root and cointegration techniques. The study revealed that CO2, NO2 and PM2.5 has positive and statistically significant long run relationships with economic growth in South Africa. Additionally, CO2 was found to be the only indicator of environmental quality that depicted a negative and significant long run relationship with economic growth squared, thereby revealing a negative parabolic relationship with economic growth in accordance with the Environmental Kuznets hypothesis. Similarly, only CO2 emissions portrayed an EKC relationship with economic growth in the short run, while NO2 and PM2.5 were found to have linear relationships with economic growth. Overall, only CO2 was found to have a valid EKC relationship with economic growth in the long and short run for South Africa. The result reveals that incremental economic growth may result in diminishing CO2 emissions as the country transitions from an industrial to a service-oriented economy. This result is linked to South Africa's reliance on coal for energy, its energy-intensive industrial economy, and the foundational relationship between these factors and economic growth. The study recommends that South Africa explores policies aimed at enhanced emissions monitoring and improved regulatory threshold enforcement. Despite the results, the country should also seek to further diversify its energy sector and explore less carbon intensive alternatives without foregoing energy security
A critical evaluation of the development of the prohibition of genocide by the International Court of Justice
Get PDFThis research critically examines the International Court of Justice's jurisprudential development of the prohibition of genocide over the past seventy years. Through a mixed doctrinal and socio-legal methodology, the study offers a comprehensive analysis of how the Court's interpretations stemming from its seminal 1951 Advisory Opinion on Reservations to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide have impacted and continue to influence key doctrinal understandings. The 1951 Opinion adopted an object and purpose-driven approach toward interpreting the 1948 Genocide Convention. It demonstrated that the heinous nature of the crime of genocide demands a flexible interpretation of applicable legal texts. An evaluation of later judgments, such as Bosnia and Herzegovina versus Serbia and Montenegro; and Croatia versus Serbia, tended toward a more restrictive reading of legal provisions and constructs. An in-depth examination of these cases reveals how shifts in jurisprudence impacted core issues like state responsibility for genocide, evidence to prove genocide had been committed, and prohibition efforts. By critically engaging with the Court's rulings and associated scholarly analyses over several decades, the study interrogates whether these doctrinal evolutions have unduly constrained the original spirit and potential of the prohibition of genocide under international law. Analysis of recent cases, namely: - South Africa versus Israel; and Gambia versus Myanmar reveals that the Court is grappling with key tests such as the plausibility of asserted rights, at preliminary stages and affirmation of any state party's capacity to institute legal proceedings under principles of jus cogens and erga omnes. This research provides novel and timely insights into assessing whether the Court's overall jurisprudence has succeeded in strengthening or weakening the prohibition of genocide in practice. It proposes recommendations for reconciling legal doctrine with the Convention's original objects and purpose of preventing and punishing the crime. The research promises significant contributions for international lawyers, scholars, judges, and policymakers engaged in genocide response and advancing the international rule of law
Invisible sexual predators & their silent crimes: exploring media constructions of female teacher sex offenders
No full textThe invisibility of female sex offenders (FSOs), and the trend of denialism surrounding the phenomenon, is the social issue that foregrounds this research. Sex offending continues to be regarded as male dominated and, as a result, research has focused almost exclusively on male sex offenders (MSOs). Recent literature has, however, observed that cases of FSOs are rising, globally, and being increasingly publicised in the media. Given media influences on public perceptions, policy action, and crime and penal policies, their construction of FSOs is a good starting point to understanding the ways in which a largely invisible phenomenon is made visible. This study, approached from a social constructionist framework, uses a qualitative desktop research design and conducts a thematic analysis of forty media articles, focusing on ten FSO cases, from seven countries. The findings position the media as complicit in the continued invisibility of FSOs. This complicity is evident through their conceptualisation of the offence; their denial of female agency; their focus on constructing FSOs in terms of social normality; their conception of victimisation; their contribution to the infamy of FSOs; and their acknowledgement of the dichotomy between MSOs and FSOs. The trends of trivialisation, leniency, and denial surrounding FSOs, both in the media and academic literature, need to be addressed. Thus, the overarching aim of this research is to make the ‘invisible' FSO visible. The term used for these women across existing literature is FSO. To challenge this veiling of harmful female sexual aggressors, I comment on the ways in which media constructions of FSOs align with understandings of male rapists and male paedophiles. The related observation that the labels of rapist and paedophile are seldom used for FSOs lays the groundwork for my argument towards the degendering of sex offender typologies. As it stands, FSOs are best conceptualised as invisible sexual predators committing silent crimes
Digital transformation in South African consumer packaged goods companies
No full textTechnology-driven consumer expectations and increasing market competition are compelling Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) companies to integrate digital technologies into their processes and systems to remain competitive and thrive in the market. However, little is known about how digital technologies affects job losses, employee interactions, organizational strategies and digital transformation strategies in South African CPG companies. This study addresses these gaps by exploring three research questions using the theoretical frameworks, namely Resource Based View, Dynamic Capabilities View and Digital Business Ecosystem to understand the intricacies of digital transformation in the CPG industry in South Africa. The study employed a qualitative research approach and semi-structured interviews were used to obtain data from 20 industry professionals. The main findings showed that digital transformation changed employee roles and responsibilities over time, creating opportunities and challenges. It was also established that the adoption of digital transformation varied as some organizations employed inclusive practices that fostered cooperation and innovation, while others focused on efficiency and increasing productivity. Regardless of the approach, it was evident that excellent leadership based on communication and transparency was found as a crucial feature for successful digital transformation initiatives undertaken by these companies as it boosted employee morale and increased commitment to these initiatives
Impact of DTG Use During Pregnancy on Birth Outcomes of HIV-Infected Women in the Western Cape, South Africa
No full textBackground: The global shift to tenofovir+lamivudine+dolutegravir (TLD) has improved viral suppression in pregnant women living with HIV (WLH) but there are limited data on the combined impact of HIV and maternal body composition on birth outcomes. Methods: We enrolled WLH on TLD and a comparison group of women not living with HIV (WNLH) seeking antenatal care at primary health facilities in Cape Town. Gestational age (GA) was determined via ultrasound by research sonographer; behavioural and demographic data were collected through questionnaires; anthropometry was through clinical examination. Birth outcome data were abstracted from medical records, including pregnancy loss (miscarriage and stillbirth), prematurity (400g) and size for GA [including small-(SGA) and large-for-GA (LGA) from Intergrowth estimates. Logistic regression models assessed the association between HIV/TLD and birth outcomes adjusting for maternal age, BMI, alcohol use and education; results are reported as adjusted odds ratios (AOR). Results: We followed 1908 women (804 WLH, 1104 HIV-; mean age 28y, median GA at enrolment, 14w; median BMI at enrolment, 31kg/m2 [IQR, 25-35]. Birth outcomes were known for 1869 women (98%) including 65 miscarriages (3.4%), 35 stillbirths (1.9%) and 1769 live births (1735 singletons). Overall rates of prematurity, LBW, HBW, SGA, HBW and LGA were 9.4%, 12%, 13%, 4% and 12%, respectively, and did not differ between WLH and HIV- women. BMI did not affect the association between HIV/TLD and any birth outcome. Independent of HIV/TLD, higher BMI was associated with reductions in prematurity, LBW and SGA. Conclusion: These results suggest few meaningful differences in birth outcomes between WLH on TLD in this setting, where both HIV and obesity are prevalent. Maternal BMI appears to be a more significant driver of birth outcomes than HIV in this cohort
The importance of hydrologic refugia for the diversity of the Cape Flora
Get PDFRefugia are sites with more stable climate and hydrology than the surrounding area. There is growing recognition of the need to conserve refugia due to their role in harboring rare and endemic plants that might otherwise be prone to extinction due to global change. These sites are considered crucial for preserving species richness in the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) of South Africa, an area renowned for its exceptional plant species diversity and endemism, which is increasingly threatened by the impacts of global change. Despite the importance of refugia in the CFR, very little is known about their distribution. To fill this knowledge gap, I identify the distribution and character of refugia (mesic or xeric) by mapping total species richness (TSR), the distribution of widespread species (WS), narrow-range endemics (NREs), and wetland dependent narrow-range endemics (WD-NREs) and explore the environmental correlates of these distributions. I make use of Quarter degree square grid cells as a measuring unit, which are larger (~20 km across), than the scale at which microrefugia typically occur, however, the broad environmental heterogeneity within these units provides a meaningful basis for identifying potential refugial areas. From this study I find that the spatial distributions of TSR, WS, NREs and WD-NREs exhibited topographic and longitudinal gradients, with more species found in the southwestern CFR and in the mountains. Differences were observed in their correlates, where productivity, environmental stability explained TSR and WS, whereas environmental heterogeneity and environmental stability explained NREs and WD-NREs. Hydrological stability (such as groundwater-fed wetlands and seeps) and climatic stability (climatic stability index) have been documented to be indicators of refugia. Where hydrologic refugia provide broad-scale stable conditions for endemics and were found to play a significant role in maintaining persistence species in the CFR. These refugial sites face significant threats from groundwater abstraction, invasive species, and global change, highlighting the need for detailed fine-scale mapping and conservation of microrefugia within the broader refugial areas. Protecting these sites is essential for conserving biodiversity and ecosystem function in the CFR