Cape Province Research Articles

Revision of the endemic South African genus Moegistorhynchus Macquart (Diptera: Nemestrinidae), with a species key, description of three new species and comments on pollination biology and biogeography

The genus Moegistorhynchus Macquart is revised and its relationships are discussed. The genus is distributed across lowland and montane areas of the Western and Northern Cape provinces, extending from Cape Town (Western Cape province) in the south to Port Nolloth (Northern Cape province) in the north. Three new species are described from Western Cape specimens: Moegistorhynchus manningi sp. nov. (Stettynsberg and Hottentots Holland mountains); M. strillii sp. nov. (Groot Winterhoek mountains); and M. turneri sp. nov. (Groot Winterhoek mountains and Waboomsberg). The four known species of the genus are redescribed: M. braunsi Bequaert, 1935; M. brevirostris (Wiedemann, 1821); M. longirostris (Wiedemann, 1819); and M. perplexus Bequaert, 1935. Moegistorhynchus longirostris and M. brevirostris are the only two species which extend their distribution northwards into the Northern Cape. There is marked intraspecific variation in M. perplexus and it may represent a species complex. Moegistorhynchus braunsi and M. strillii sp. nov. are possibly extinct. All species are fully illustrated, inclusive of the male postabdomen, where possible. A comprehensive identification key to the species is presented as is a distribution map, with some commentary on pollination biology and biogeography.

Making connections: ostrich eggshell beads as indicators of precolonial societal interaction in southeastern southern Africa

ABSTRACT Ostriches are peculiar birds and their strangeness has been recognised by southern African hunter-gatherers through multiple symbolic associations. Such qualities are likely to have been enhanced where people had access to beads made from their eggshell but did not have direct knowledge of the birds themselves. Southeastern southern Africa, encompassing the Maloti-Drakensberg Mountains, the eastern half of the Eastern Cape Province and much of KwaZulu-Natal is one such area. We review the unusual attributes and associations of ostriches and their eggshell before briefly summarising previous work that has used strontium isotope analysis to investigate past bead exchange networks in this region. Because bead size can be controlled and patently varies through time and space, we then employ it as another potential indicator of the existence and spatial extent of past social networks. Having critically considered previous efforts in this field, we report on our work to build the largest sample of such data yet obtained in southern Africa and compare our preliminary results with other signals of interaction between precolonial hunter-gatherer and (where applicable) agropastoralist communities.

Factors Affecting Learners’ Decision to enrol in Commercial Subjects – A Case of the Chris Hani District, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Commercial subjects such as Accounting, Economics and Business Studies are an important stream in schools that help learners broaden their social and global knowledge. The purpose of the study was to identify the factors that influence learners’ decisions to enrol in commercial subjects. A case study served as the foundation for the study’s qualitative methodology. The study was based on Berger and Calabre’s (1983) Uncertainty Reduction Theory. The study purposely sampled ten learners from two secondary schools in the Chris Hani District, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Individual interviews were used to collect the data, which were then analysed using content analysis (CA) and categorised using thematic analysis. The findings proved that several factors, including learners’ ability in the subjects and the influence of teachers and parents, influenced their decision to enrol in commercial courses. The study recommends that learners should first be counselled, mentored, and assisted in making decisions about the choice of subjects. Lastly, schools should conduct aptitude and interest assessments. The contribution of this study is to provide insights on improving curriculum design and career guidance around commercial subjects in this region as well as to inform educational stakeholders on how to address potential barriers to enrolment in commercial subjects and lastly serve as a foundation for broader studies on commercial subject enrollment in South Africa. Keywords: Commercial Subjects; Learner’s decision; Subject Stream

Geographic based phenolic compound variations in South African Schinus molle L. peppercorns

Environmental conditions affect polyphenolic compounds in plants, and yet little is known about the response of Schinus molle peppercorns to geographical location. S molle is a folkloric pseudospice of Andean origin possessing multiple culinary and medicinal functions. This globally invasive species presents an immense multidimensional potential. Polyphenolic compounds were therefore profiled and quantified from pink peppercorns growing in 12 distinct locations in the Eastern and Western Cape provinces of South Africa using UPLC-QTOF-MS techniques. Eleven flavonoids were reported, including epigallocatechin gallate, +)-tephrorin B, astilbin, procyanidin B5, 4-benzyl-7-hydroxy-3-phenyl-2H-chromen-2-one, and isochamaejasmin which were reported for the first time in this species. Five phenolic acids, three glycosides, and tannins (theogallin (3-galloylquinic acid), digalloyl quinic acid, digalloylshikimic acid, β-glucogallin A and β-glucogallin B) were also revealed among others. PCA revealed a high composition of polyphenolic compounds in the Eastern in comparison to the Western Cape regions. Flavonoids were glaringly higher in winter rainfall receiving coastal regions. Consequently, the highest catechin content was 229% higher in the Eastern (1269.9 mg/kg) than the Western Cape (553.4 mg/kg). Furthermore, isochamaejasmin, the compound with possibly the highest concentration is reported in George (1741 mg/kg) and Gqeberha (2601.2 mg/kg) representing 149% differences between the two regions. Soil type alone did not conclusively appear to influence polyphenolic compound accumulation in this study. Elucidating the distribution of polyphenolic compounds in this species could open new insights for potential therapeutic, pharmaceutical, and agricultural applications including possibilities for new and improved organic drugs, and food product development.

The role of incivility aggression on decent work: A local government sector case

Background: The issue of workplace incivility is noted as being one of the factors that affect the work of public service employees. However, empirically, the problem needs to be sufficiently addressed in the South African local context. There are growing calls to ascertain how workplace incivility affects the experience and the outcome of work.Aim: This study investigates the effects of incivility aggression on decent work among local government employees in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.Methods: The study followed a quantitative research design. Primary data were collected with the help of 425 self-administered questionnaires among employees in the Eastern Cape local government.Results: The study found that experienced workplace incivility significantly influences decent work. Further, instigated workplace incivility was found to influence decent work among employees significantly.Conclusion: Through the findings of the study, an appeal is made to policy makers and practitioners to implement policies that promote necessary good working conditions, social support, interdependence and fairness to counteract incivility aggression.Contribution: The study advances the understanding of incivility aggression within an organisational setting.

Insights into the wound-healing properties of medicinally important South African Bulbine species – A comparative study

Ethnopharmacological relevanceSouth Africa harbours a large number of Bulbine (Xanthorrhoeaceae) species, which includes ethnobotanically important indigenous species. Traditionally, Bulbine leaves are used by several ethnic groups in South Africa to treat dermatological conditions including wounds, which led to the development of Bulbine-containing cosmetic products. However, scientific evidence is needed to support the claims in treating skin conditions and wound-healing. Aim of the studyThis comparative study was undertaken to investigate the wound-healing properties of five Bulbine species indigenous to South Africa, using in vitro and in vivo models. Materials and methodsFive Bulbine species, B. abyssinica, B. asphodeloides, B. frutescens, B. latifolia and B. narcissifolia were collected from natural populations in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The chemical profiles of the methanol leaf extracts were acquired using ultra-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection in tandem with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay and maximum tolerated concentration (MTC) assay were used to assess the in vitro and in vivo toxicity of the extracts, respectively. The in vitro scratch assay was employed to monitor cell migration and wound-closure in a HaCaT cell monolayer, following treatment with the plant extracts for 48 h. In vivo wound-healing potential was determined using the zebrafish larvae caudal fin amputation assay, assessed in three-days post fertilization larvae and various concentrations of the plant extracts were tested in both assays to determine the concentration-response effect. Data were analysed using MS Excel® enhanced with the Real Statistics add-in. Results and discussionUsing UPLC-MS, 11 major compounds were tentatively identified in the five Bulbine species. Although the compounds varied between species, all five Bulbine species contained the phenylanthraquinone, knipholone. Kaempferol glucoside was identified in four species, but not in B. abyssinica. The five Bulbine species were non-cytotoxic (cell viability > 80%) towards keratinocytes at all three tested concentrations. However, B. latifolia was toxic towards zebrafish larvae at all the tested concentrations, while the other four species were non-toxic at low concentrations. The results of the scratch assay revealed that B. abyssinica was the most active extract at 100 μg/mL. Compared to the untreated control, wound-closure notably increased by 28% (p < 0.05), 44% (p < 0.01) and 34% (p < 0.05) after 12 h, 24 h and 36 h post-treatment, respectively. Although none of the species achieved 100% caudal fin regeneration by the end of the treatment period, B. frutescens demonstrated the highest regeneration (90%) and most significant difference (p < 0.01) compared to the untreated control. ConclusionThe results revealed that the five Bulbine species have complex chemical profiles, however, they share major compound classes (i.e. phenylanthroquinones and flavonoid analogues) across the species. The study highlights the wound-healing properties of the five species, which is consistent with their traditional use.

Economic impact of extending reflexed cryptococcal antigenaemia CD4 threshold in South Africa

Background: Reflexed cryptococcal antigenaemia (CrAg) testing has been offered since 2016 in South Africa, on remnant CD4 specimens, for people with a count 100 cells/μL. Local guidelines recommended extending testing to 200 cells/μL.Objectives: This study assessed the cost per result and annual equivalent costs (AEC) for CD4 counts 100 cells/μL and 100 to 200 cells/μL, as well as determining the cost to find one CrAg-positive case.Method: An ingredients-based costing was used to determine the cost per result. The CrAg detection rate for 100 cells/μL was obtained from operational reports of 2019. For 100 cells/μL to 200 cells/μL, a CrAg detection rate of 2% was assumed. One-way sensitivity analysis determined the impact of varying CrAg detection rates on the cost to find one case. Local data from the Western Cape province, which offers testing for counts of 100 cells/μL to 200 cells/μL, from September 2022 to January 2023, were interrogated to establish detection rates.Results: There were 283 240 (AEC: $1 670 370) specimens with counts of 100 cells/μL and 300 624 (AEC: $1 772 890) with counts of 100 cells/μL to 200 cells/μL. A cost per result of $5.897 was reported. The cost to find one CrAg case ranged from $589.74 to $73.72 for a detection rate of 1% to 8%. Local data for a count of 100 cells/μL to 200 cells/μL revealed a CrAg detection rate of 1.6%.Conclusion: The study findings reveal that extending reflexed CrAg testing to 200 cells/μL would double test volumes with fewer positive cases reported for those with a count of 100 cells/μL to 200 cells/μL.

A model of community youth mental health support services in the global South: A description and use of school-based services delivered by a non-governmental organisation in South Africa

ObjectiveYoung people in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including South Africa, are disproportionately affected by multiple risk factors for developing mental health problems and there are numerous barriers to accessing mental health care. In such contexts non-governmental organisations (NGOs) play a key role in providing support. We report on the mental health care services provided by NGO Community Keepers in South Africa. MethodCommunity Keepers (CK) offers psychosocial support to young people, parents, and teachers, during regular school hours, and free of charge. At the end of 2019, CK was based at 23 schools in 12 areas in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. In this paper we describe the model of service provision and present descriptive statistics from retrospective observational service data using routinely collected quantitative data from 2019, including details about referrals received, referral sources and reasons, and feedback received from children, parents, and teachers on the psychosocial support CK delivered. ResultsDuring 2019, 34 676 individuals accessed 18169 psychosocial support sessions rendered by CK. The most common referral source of learners to CK was self-referrals (40.6%), and the main referral reasons were emotional (psychological) problems, behaviour problems, or family (community) problems. At termination of therapy 320 (79.2%) learners said they strongly agreed that they would recommend CK to someone at their school. At termination of therapy with learners, 95 (39.3%) teachers rated CK’s services as excellent, 139 (57.4%) teachers gave a rating of good, and 204 (79.7%) parents reported an improvement in their relationship with their children. ConclusionsCK is an example of how psychosocial support can be embedded in schools in a LMIC. CK’s multifaceted model of service delivery could be used by other school-based mental health care service providers in other LMICs to inform and/or refine the services that they wish to offer.

Farmers’ Perceptions and Awareness of Cattle Feedlots as a Climate-Smart Approach to Enteric Methane Emissions

The perceptions of farmers regarding communal feedlots and their role in reducing enteric methane emissions have received limited attention in research. This study aims to examine farmers’ perceptions, assess awareness, and identify barriers to adopting feedlots as a climate-smart practice to enteric methane emissions in rural communities in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. 161 structured, paper-based questionnaires were distributed among smallholder cattle farmers around three feedlot locations. Most farmers had heard about feedlots (67.7%); however, only a few (19.9%) participated. The lack of knowledge about feedlot operations was the main factor influencing farmers’ participation in feedlots. Most farmers did not perceive feedlots as a climate-smart approach to reducing enteric methane output (53.8%), with few sure (9.6%) and others unsure (36.5%). When asked about the reasons for their perceptions of feedlots as a climate-smart approach to mitigating methane, many farmers were unsure of the reasons (86.5%), with the least believing it could be related to poor feed quality (1.9%). The availability of financial resources and level of education were the key factors influencing farmers’ willingness to adopt feedlots as a climate-smart practice. These findings emphasise the importance of targeted educational workshops and support systems to enhance farmers’ awareness and promote the adoption of cattle feedlots as a climate-smart approach. The findings can also inform policy and practice to address perceived feedlot drawbacks, such as feed provision and technical assistance, and improve their successful implementation. However, further research is needed to explore farmers’ perceptions of cattle feedlots as a climate-smart practice.

Are social protection and food security accelerators for adolescents to achieve the Global AIDS targets?

Without effective, scalable interventions, we will fail to achieve the Global AIDS Targets of zero AIDS-related deaths, zero HIV transmission and zero discrimination. This study examines associations of social protection and food security among adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV), with three Global AIDS Targets aligned outcomes: antiretroviral treatment (ART) adherence and viral suppression, HIV transmission risk behaviour and enacted stigma. We conducted three study visits over 2014-2018 with 1046 ALHIV in South Africa's Eastern Cape province. Standardized surveys provided information on receipt of government-provided cash transfers and past-week food security, alongside self-reported ART adherence, sexual debut and condom use, and enacted HIV-related stigma. Viral load (VL) data was obtained through data extraction from patient files and linkage with National Health Laboratory Service test results (2014-2020). We used a multivariable random-effects regression model to estimate associations between receiving government cash transfers and food security and three outcomes: ART adherence and viral suppression, delayed sexual debut or consistent condom use and no enacted stigma. We tested moderation by sex and age and fitted disaggregated models for each outcome. Among the 933 ALHIV completing all three study visits, 55% were female, and the mean age was 13.6 years at baseline. Household receipt of a government cash transfer was associated with improvements on all outcomes: ART adherence and viral suppression (aOR 2.03, 95% CI 1.29-3.19), delayed sexual debut or consistent condom use (aOR 1.62, 95% CI 1.16-2.27) and no enacted stigma(aOR 2.33, 95% CI 1.39-3.89). Food security was associated with improvements on all outcomes: ART adherence and viral suppression (aOR 1.73, 95% CI 1.30-2.30), delayed sexual debut or consistent condom use (aOR 1.30, 95% CI 1.03-1.64) and no enacted stigma (aOR 1.91, 95% CI 1.32-2.76). Receiving both cash transfers and food security increased the probability of ART adherence and VL suppression from 36% to 60%; delayed sexual debut or consistent condom use from 67% to 81%; and no enacted stigma from 84% to 96%. Government-provided cash transfers and food security, individually and in combination, are associated with improved outcomes for ALHIV aligned with Global AIDS Targets. They may be important, and underutilized, accelerators for achieving these targets.

Determinants of the Utilization of Digital Technologies by Smallholder Farmers in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Determinants of the Utilization of Digital Technologies by Smallholder Farmers in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Four new Geosmithia species from bark beetles infesting indigenous South African trees

Over the past two decades, numerous Geosmithia fungi have been isolated from the bodies and galleries of wood–boring beetles. However, this genus of asexual Sordariomycetes remains taxonomically and ecologically understudied, especially in the Southern Hemisphere. In South Africa, two prior surveys reported Geosmithia species from bark beetles, but neither thoroughly investigated species identities. In this study, we collected bark beetles from native trees in the Western Cape Province of South Africa and isolated, identified and described their associated Geosmithia species. Geosmithia spp. previously collected in South Africa were also re-examined. The ITS sequences of Geosmithia isolates from 13 beetle taxa infesting 10 host species were considered. Additional gene regions, BT, EF1a and RPB2, were sequenced for a subset of isolates. Four previously described species, G. flava, G. langdonii, G. omnicola and G. pumila were identified by phylogenetic analyses. Additionally, four novel taxa were identified and are here described as G. capensis, G. multisociorum, G. oroboidis and G. stellenboschiana. Geosmithia multisociorum appears to be a generalist associated with multiple beetle–host combinations in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere, whereas G. oroboidis is currently known only from a single beetle and tree host in South Africa. South African isolates of G. capensis and G. stellenboschiana appeared to be restricted to Lanurgus spp. and Hypothenemus sp. beetles, respectively, but both species are also known from beetles and hosts in other countries.

Omission in Adoption: Whole of Systems Approach Applied to Case Study Analysis of Genetically Modifi ed (GM) Maize Adoption in Eastern Cape Province South Africa

This article critically explores the political economy of genetically modifi ed (GM) maize adoption in South Africa, focusing on its impact on smallholder farmers using the whole-of-systems approach. While South Africa has become a leader in GM maize production, the benefi ts have been unevenly distributed, particularly disadvantaging smallholders. Government eff orts to integrate smallholders into the GM maize value chain have faced signifi cant challenges, including structural inequalities, high input costs, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to education and resources. The article analyzes the broader political, economic, and environmental contexts, revealing how global trade policies, foreign investments, and domestic regulatory frameworks infl uence smallholder integration into the global maize value chain. A case study of the Eastern Cape province underscores the additional challenges smallholders face, such as climate change, labor shortages, and barriers to market access. Despite GM maize’s potential to improve food security and smallholder incomes, the article argues that current policies and institutional frameworks need substantial reforms to ensure equitable benefi ts. The research highlights the need for a multidimensional approach that addresses the socioeconomic, political, and environmental factors constraining smallholder participation in the GM maize sector, calling for targeted interventions to bridge the gap between large-scale commercial farms and smallholders.

Unlocking the Power of Play: Exploring Key Influences of Digital Game-Based Learning Adoption Among South African Mathematics Teachers

Integrating digital game-based learning (DGBL) into mathematics teaching has gained significant attention for its potential to improve learning outcomes. However, adopting DGBL in mathematics remains challenging, particularly in resource-constrained contexts such as South Africa. Consequently, this study used the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to investigate mathematics teachers’ adoption of DGBL in their classrooms. We interviewed twenty-four primary and secondary school mathematics teachers in the Northern Cape province about their use of DGBL. Inductive thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data. The findings revealed that external variables such as language barriers, teachers’ technophobia, parental influence, and students’ limited reading skills negatively influenced teachers’ perceived usefulness of digital games. We also found that the teachers’ attitudes toward DGBL, which were influenced by their positive perception of it, influenced their intention to use digital games for mathematics purposes. The study recommends targeted policy interventions, including the development of multilingual digital tools and comprehensive professional development programs, to enhance the adoption of DGBL among South African mathematics teachers.

Examining sustained sub-national health system development: experience from the Western Cape province, South Africa, 1994-2016.

Governance and leadership are recognised as central to health system development in low- and middle-income countries, yet few existing studies consider the influence of multi-level governance systems. South Africa is one of many (quasi-)federal states. Provincial governments have responsibility for managing health care delivery within national policy frameworks and norms. The early post-apartheid period saw country-wide efforts to address the apartheid legacy of health system inequity and inefficiency, but health system transformation subsequently stalled in many provinces. In contrast, the Western Cape provincial health department sustained service delivery reform and strengthened management processes over the period 1994-2016. This department can be considered a 'pocket of relative bureaucratic effectiveness' (POE): an organisational entity that, compared to others, is relatively effective in carrying out its functions in pursuit of the public good. This paper considers what factors enabled the development of the Western Cape health system in the period 1994-2016. Two phases of data collection entailed document review, participatory workshops, 43 in-depth interviews with purposively selected key informants from inside and outside the Western Cape, and a structured survey testing initial insights (response rate 42%). Analysis included triangulation across data sets, comparison between the Western Cape and other provincial experience and deeper reflection on these experiences drawing on POE theory and public administration literature. The analysis highlights the Western Cape experience of stable and astute sub-national governance and leadership and the deepening of administrative and technical capacity over time - within a specific provincial historical and political economy context that sustained the separation of political and administrative powers. Multi-level governance systems can create the space for sub-national POEs to emerge in their mediation of wider political economy forces, generating spaces for skilled reform leaders to act in the public interest, support the emergence of distributed leadership and develop robust management processes.

Potential threats to implementing instructional leadership in Western Cape township secondary schools

This empirical study examines the factors that pose challenges to the implementation of instructional leadership in township secondary schools in the Western Cape province of South Africa. The study adopts Critical Emancipatory Research (CER), which promotes peace, hope, freedom, and social justice, as its theoretical framework. Participatory action research (PAR), utilising focus group interviews, is employed to collect data. PAR is situated within a transformative paradigm, and a qualitative research approach is chosen to align with this paradigm. Data is collected through focus group discussions with the school management team (SMT), consisting of the principal, two deputy principals, and six heads of department. These discussions aim to gather information on threats to instructional leadership and strategies to mitigate these threats. The findings reveal that the local community and its dynamics, along with the prevalence of violence in the neighbourhood, are external factors that significantly impede the smooth operation of the school and negatively affect the implementation of effective instructional leadership. Conversely, factors such as limited interference from the local community, reduced workload, adherence to compliance guidelines and requirements set by the Department of Education, and an unimpeded leadership role for the management team may contribute to the successful implementation of instructional leadership. Therefore, the study recommends promoting effective and transparent communication as well as open engagement among all stakeholders within the school.

Data governance for ethical usage of linked routine health data in South Africa: balancing privacy and data sharing.

The ability to collate data of healthcare clients from disparate health information systems in the public health system in the Western Cape province of South Africa presents opportunities for improved healthcare outcomes, but it also necessitates the development of systems to address risks related to the potential for data breach and privacy violations. Here, we describe the data governance infrastructure for the Provincial Health Data Centre (PHDC) in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, which consolidates person-level health data from various sources to support healthcare management and research. We describe how PHDC data governance protects sensitive health data by ensuring compliance with privacy regulations and legislation, and demonstrate the adoption of key pillars of data governance in order to implement policies and procedures that safeguard patient privacy and promote responsible data use. We review downstream impacts of data collation including improved continuity of care, outbreak detection and research support, and how these may be facilitated within the data governance infrastructure. The presentation highlights the need to balance the potential benefits of routine health data collation and secondary use with managing the risks to privacy and security for healthcare clients, and describes how this is addressed by the PHDC. Future areas to be considered include adoption of Trusted Research Environments (TRE) and the use of synthetic data, as well as identifying effective ways of enforcing data governance policies and monitoring compliance levels.

Variation in soil water content and groundwater levels across three land cover types in a floodplain of the Kromme catchment, South Africa

AbstractInvasions of floodplains and riparian areas by alien woody species replacing predominantly herbaceous indigenous vegetation have altered the hydrological and ecosystem functioning in catchments. Although existing studies have examined changes in river flows following the establishment or clearing of alien woody vegetation, our understanding of impacts on soil water content and groundwater remains poor. Limited process knowledge restricts our capacity to reliably model and predict the impacts of land cover changes. As such, this work compared temporal variations in soil water content (SWC) and groundwater levels at three locations with different vegetation types: black wattle (Acacia mearnsii) trees, palmiet (Prionium serratum), and grass (dominated by Pennisetum clandestinum spp), within a floodplain site in the Kromme Catchment in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Soil water content and shallow groundwater levels (&lt; 4 m below ground) were monitored from August 2017 to December 2019 using soil moisture probes and piezometers. Rainfall, vegetation type and antecedent conditions were identified as the major factors controlling observed responses. On average, soil water content and water retention were significantly higher (p &lt; 0.05) at the palmiet site, whilst the wattle site had the lowest SWC among the three sites. Shallow groundwater levels were also higher at the palmiet and grass sites and lowest at the wattle site. Results showed the negative impacts of black wattle trees on SWC and groundwater levels. These results are crucial for improved quantitative predictive capacity which would allow for better catchment management, for example, informing water supply planning and guiding restoration programs focusing on alien plant clearing.

Kidney damage and associated risk factors in the rural Eastern Cape, South Africa: A cross-sectional study.

The colliding epidemic of infectious and non-communicable diseases in South Africa could potentially increase the prevalence of kidney disease in the country. This study determines the prevalence of kidney damage and known risk factors in a rural community of the Eastern Cape province, South Africa. This observational cross-sectional study was conducted in the outpatient department of the Mbekweni Community Health Centre in the Eastern Cape between May and July 2022. Relevant data on demography, medical history, anthropometry and blood pressure were obtained. The glomerular filtration rate was estimated using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration Creatinine (CKD-EPICreatinine) equation and the re-expressed four-variable Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation, without any adjustment for black ethnicity. Prevalence of kidney damage was defined as the proportion of individuals with low eGFR (<60mL/min per 1.73m2). The presence of proteins in the spot urine samples was determined with the use of test strips. We used the logistic regression model analysis to identify the independent risk factors for significant kidney damage. The mean (±standard deviation) age of the 389 participants was 52.3 (± 17.5) years, with 69.9% female. The prevalence of significant kidney damage was 17.2% (n = 67), as estimated by the CKD-EPICreatinine, with a slight difference by the MDRD equation (n = 69; 17.7%), while the prevalence of proteinuria was 7.2%. Older age was identified as a significant risk factor for CKD, with an odds ratio (OR) = 1.08 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06-1.1, p < 0.001). Hypertension was strongly associated with proteinuria (OR = 4.17, 95% CI 1.67-10.4, p<0.001). This study found a high prevalence of kidney damage (17.2%) and proteinuria (7.97%) in this rural community, largely attributed to advanced age and hypertension, respectively. Early detection of proteinuria and decreased renal function at community health centres should trigger a referral to a higher level of care for further management of patients.

Welfare impacts of drought adaptation strategies in John Taolo Gaetsewe district, Northern Cape Province, South Africa

Drought is a global problem that presents a negative impact on the welfare of millions of people in both industrialized and developing nations. In South Africa, poor rural households, who depend on rain-fed subsistence agriculture for their livelihoods are the most susceptible to drought, and have the least ability to absorb its impacts. The primary goal of this study was to analyse the effects of drought adaptation strategies on rural households’ welfare and to compute the welfare enhancement impacts that are associated with each adaptation method. The study was conducted in John Taolo Gaetsewe district, Northern Cape province. Multistage sampling technique was used to sample 360 rural households, who were affected by drought. The results showed that the average age of households’ heads was 52 years. Only 41% of the households’ heads had an education level between Grades 8 and 12, and about 63% were male. Average farming experience was 7.67 years and pensioners made up about 47%. Also, 65% of households’ heads depended on government assistance, while 85% lacked access to formal credit. The 2SLS results showed that household income, household size, pension, grant, and use of crop diversification significantly influenced per capita consumption expenditure. The results showed that average treatment effect (ATE) from crop diversification was R497.16 and statistically significant (p&lt;0.05). It was concluded that many drought adaptation methods are not influencing households’ welfare, and efforts to promote adaptation should focus on crop diversification with specific assistance given to social grant holders. Res. Agric. Livest. Fish. Vol. 11, No. 2, August 2024: 185-196