Cape Town Research Articles

Expanding the footprint of a CapeTown-based non-profit to the Wild Coast

Learning outcomes The case study’s primary learning objectives are to develop a number of professional competencies, such as personal ethics and citizenship, decision-making acumen and business acumen. Students deal with a novel situation, underpinned by four Sustainable Development Goals (reduced poverty, quality education, decent work and economic growth, and reduced inequalities) and are required to consider a broad range of historical and cultural nuances in a resource-constrained environment, to address the dilemma at hand. Case overview/synopsis This case study tracks the efforts of a non-profit company called Just Grace, which was established in 2012 in Cape Town. Just Grace’s mission is to uplift the Langa community, an underprivileged urban suburb in Cape Town, via educational, career development and social programmes. Just Grace’s programmes have achieved success in Langa. The dilemma now facing Just Grace is whether their existing model is transferable to a rural community in the Eastern Cape in South Africa. Complexity academic level The case study is aimed at both local and international postgraduate students studying an honours or master’s degree in a business-related field such as accounting or an MBA. Subject code CSS 1: Accounting and finance. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Common Arterial Trunk Repair at the Red Cross War Memorial Hospital, Cape Town: A 20-Year Review of Surgical Practice and Outcomes.

This study describes the 20-year experience of managing common arterial trunk (CAT) in a low-and-middle-income country and compares the early and medium-term outcomes following the transition from conduit to nonconduit repair at the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital. Single-center retrospective study of consecutive patients aged less than 18 years who underwent repair of CAT from January 1999 to December 2018 at the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital. Patients with interrupted aortic arch or previous pulmonary artery banding were excluded. Fifty-four patients had CAT repair during the study period. Thirty-four (63.0%) patients had a conduit repair, and 20 (37.0%) patients had a nonconduit repair. There were two intraoperative deaths. Thirty-day in-hospital mortality was 22.2% (12/54). Overall, in-hospital mortality was 29.6% (16/54). Eight (21.1%) late mortalities were observed. The actuarial survival for the conduit group was 77.5%, 53.4%, and 44.5% at 6, 12, and 27 months, respectively, and the nonconduit group was 58.6% at six months. The overall freedom from reoperation between the conduit group and nonconduit group was 66.2% versus 86.5%, 66.2% versus 76.9%, and 29.8% versus 64.1% at 1, 2, and 8 years, respectively. The outcomes following the transition to nonconduit repair for CAT in a low- and middle-income setting appear to be encouraging. There was no difference in mortality between conduit and nonconduit repairs, and importantly the results suggest a trend toward lower reintervention rates.

Criticality assessment and cascading effects: impacts of COVID-19 disruptions in public transport on marginalized groups in Dortmund, Germany, São Paulo, Brazil, and Cape Town, South Africa

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the interconnectedness of critical infrastructure systems and their profound impact on marginalized communities. This study investigates the cascading effects of reduced mobility and infrastructure disruptions caused by COVID-19 response strategies on marginalized households across three diverse urban settings: Dortmund, São Paulo, and Cape Town. Employing a criticality assessment, we examine disruptions in healthcare, food and nutrition, social work, education, and childcare sectors, highlighting interdependencies and their implications for marginalized communities. Our findings reveal that disruptions in one sector, such as public transportation, can trigger adverse consequences across interconnected systems, amplifying vulnerabilities and exacerbating social inequalities. Furthermore, limited digital accessibility compounds these challenges, particularly for marginalized groups who may lack access to necessary technologies or digital literacy skills. Addressing these disparities in digital access is crucial for ensuring equitable access to essential services and support networks, especially in times of crisis. The study underscores the importance of mobility and accessibility in addressing systemic vulnerabilities and advocates for comprehensive resilience strategies that prioritize the needs of marginalized communities. Recommendations for policymakers, urban planners, and community stakeholders are provided to enhance infrastructure resilience and mitigate the indirect effects of disruptions on marginalized groups. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of cascading effects within critical infrastructure networks and informs future research and policy initiatives aimed at building resilient communities in an interconnected world.

Corrigendum: Gardasil® as adjunctive therapy for respiratory papillomatosis at Red Cross Children’s Hospital, Cape Town

Corrigendum: Gardasil® as adjunctive therapy for respiratory papillomatosis at Red Cross Children’s Hospital, Cape Town

A prospective randomised controlled trial investigating household SARS-CoV-2 transmission in a densely populated community in Cape Town, South Africa – the transmission of COVID-19 in crowded environments (TRACE) study

BackgroundSouth Africa’s first SARS-CoV-2 case was identified 5th March 2020 and national lockdown followed March 26th. Households are an important location for secondary SARS-CoV-2 infection. Physical distancing and sanitation – infection mitigation recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) at the time – are difficult to implement in limited-resource settings because of overcrowded living conditions.MethodsThis study (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05119348) was conducted from August 2020 to September 2021 in two densely populated, low socioeconomic Cape Town community sub-districts. New COVID-19 index cases (ICs) identified at public clinics were randomised to an infection mitigation intervention (STOPCOV) delivered by lay community health workers (CHWs) or standard of care group. STOPCOV mitigation measures included one initial household assessment conducted by a CHW in which face masks, sanitiser, bleach and written information on managing and preventing spread were provided. This was followed by regular telephonic follow-up from CHWs. SARS-CoV-2 PCR and IgM/IgG serology was performed at baseline, weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4 of follow-up.ResultsThe study randomised 81 ICs with 245 HHCs. At baseline, no HHCs in the control and 7 (5%) in the intervention group had prevalent SARS-CoV-2. The secondary infection rate (SIR) based on SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing was 1.9% (n = 2) in control and 2.9% (n = 4) in intervention HHCs (p = 0.598). At baseline, SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were present in 15% (16/108) of control and 38% (52/137) of intervention participants. At study end incidence was 8.3% (9/108) and 8.03% (11/137) in the intervention and control groups respectively. Antibodies were present in 23% (25/108) of control HHCs over the course of the study vs. 46% (63/137) in the intervention arm. CHWs made twelve clinic and 47 food parcel referrals for individuals in intervention households in need.DiscussionParticipants had significant exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infections prior to the study. In this setting, household transmission mitigation was ineffective. However, CHWs may have facilitated other important healthcare and social referrals.

The need for structured career guidance in a resource-constrained South African school

Background: Career guidance and counselling in secondary schools are crucial for young adolescents as they embark on the initial stages of shaping their post-school studies and career goals. Initiating career guidance as early as Grade 9 is imperative to ensure alignment between chosen subjects and future career aspirations. The study was conducted with Grade 12 learners at a resource-constrained high school in Cape Town, Western Cape.Objectives: Utilising the Systems Theory Framework (STF), we sought to explore Grade 12 learners’ perceptions of the effectiveness of career guidance and counselling and its significance in shaping future career choices.Method: The study used a qualitative methodology. Semi-structured online interviews were used to gather the data, which were then analysed thematically. The study consisted of a sample size of 16 Grade 12 participants.Results: The findings indicated that learners found career guidance and counselling effective for deciding future occupations, with a preference for opportunities such as job shadowing and interactions with experts in the field of interest. However, limited access to vocational resources and a lack of structured classroom guidance led learners to conduct their own research.Conclusion: The study recommends that life orientation teachers actively engage with organisations and relevant stakeholders in providing career guidance and counselling to learners and ensure that pupils have sufficient access to career resources for effective career guidance.Contribution: These findings are a valuable resource for professionals and policymakers seeking to improve high school learners’ educational experiences, providing a framework for future scholars delving into the dynamic field of career counselling.

Provider perspectives on adolescent access to contraception in South Africa.

Poor access to contraception influences adolescent health outcomes and may lead to sexual and reproductive health challenges. Unmet sexual and reproductive health should contribute to unplanned adolescent pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and other conditions. Therefore, it is crucial to enable adolescents to access appropriate contraceptive methods easily. This study explored factors influencing adolescents' access to contraceptive methods from the perspective of primary healthcare providers in South Africa. This study was conducted in two health districts of the Western Cape province in South Africa: the City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality and the West Coast district. Using a qualitative research design, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 healthcare providers who work in primary healthcare clinics. Subsequently, the interviews were transcribed and verified for errors. Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis model guided the data analysis using ATLAS.ti software (version 22). The study adhered to the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative studies checklist for qualitative research. Four themes emerged through the data analysis: (1) personal influences, (2) community-level influences, (3) health system influences, and (4) policy-level influences. Representative quotations were used to illustrate the themes and sub-themes. Adolescence is shaped by various influences that affect adolescents' ability to access contraception. These factors include their awareness of contraception, social environment, provider biases and school policies. Understanding these influences is crucial for addressing unintended pregnancies and promoting sexual and reproductive health among this age group.Contribution:This study highlights strategies that facilitate and hinder adolescents' access to contraception.

Die St. John-Anglikaanse kerk, Victoria-Wes

Robert Gray was commissioned in 1847 to come to South Africa as the first Anglican bishop of Cape Town. His wife Sophia, a talented architect and artist, assisted him in his work and accompanied him on most of his journeys into the interior. Wherever he established congregations she designed the churches, some of which are still to be seen at George, Knysna, Claremont (Cape), Caledon, Fraserburg, Riversdale, Worcester, Clanwilliam and Victoria West. During their last trip into the interior in 1869 Bishop Gray, his wife and Harold Welby, the resident magistrate, chose the site for the St. John's Anglican church at Victoria West and Sophia Gray designed it. The foundation stone was laid on 27 December 1869 by John Adams but the church was completed only in 1874. The stained glass windows, especially the three above the altar depicting the crucifixion and the resurrection, form a striking feature of this church.

Occurrence and potential hazard posed by pharmaceutically active compounds in coastal waters in Cape Town, South Africa

The occurrence of 58 pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) in surface water at 28 coastal and five river sites, and in two stormwater flows in Cape Town, South Africa, was investigated in winter and summer. After accounting for quality assurance and control data, 33 PhACs were considered in detail. In winter, 25 PhACs were found at one or more sites and 27 in summer. Salicylic acid was the most widespread PhAC in each season. At least one PhAC was found at each site in each survey. The largest number found at a site was 22 at Lifebox23 Beach in winter and 23 at Macassar Beach and in the Black and Diep Rivers in summer. These sites are strongly directly or indirectly affected by wastewater treatment plant discharges. The range in ΣPhAC concentrations was 41 ng L−1 to 9.3 μg L−1 in winter and 109 ng L−1 to 18.9 μg L−1 in summer. The hazard posed by PhACs was estimated using Predicted No Effect Concentrations (PNEC) from several sources. Hazard Quotients (HQs) for numerous PhACs were >1, and for several even >10, including azithromycin, cimetidine, clarithromycin, erythromycin, and ibuprofen. The highest hazards were at coastal sites strongly indirectly affected by wastewater treatment plant discharges. Azithromycin, trimethoprim, and sulfamethoxazole at some sites may have promoted antibiotic resistance in bacteria, while irbesartan at some sites might have posed a hazard to fish according to the fish plasma model. The concentrations of several PhACs at some coastal sites are higher than concentrations reported in estuarine, coastal, and marine waters in other parts of the world.

Forecasting daily total pollen concentrations on a global scale.

There is evidence that global anthropogenic climate change may be impacting floral phenology and the temporal and spatial characteristics of aero-allergenic pollen. Given the extent of current and future climate uncertainty, there is a need to strengthen predictive pollen forecasts. The study aims to use CatBoost (CB) and deep learning (DL) models for predicting the daily total pollen concentration up to 14 days in advance for 23 cities, covering all five continents. The model includes the projected environmental parameters, recent concentrations (1, 2 and 4 weeks), and the past environmental explanatory variables, and their future values. The best pollen forecasts include Mexico City (R2(DL_7) ≈ .7), and Santiago (R2(DL_7) ≈ .8) for the 7th forecast day, respectively; while the weakest pollen forecasts are made for Brisbane (R2(DL_7) ≈ .4) and Seoul (R2(DL_7) ≈ .1) for the 7th forecast day. The global order of the five most important environmental variables in determining the daily total pollen concentrations is, in decreasing order: the past daily total pollen concentration, future 2 m temperature, past 2 m temperature, past soil temperature in 28-100 cm depth, and past soil temperature in 0-7 cm depth. City-related clusters of the most similar distribution of feature importance values of the environmental variables only slightly change on consecutive forecast days for Caxias do Sul, Cape Town, Brisbane, and Mexico City, while they often change for Sydney, Santiago, and Busan. This new knowledge of the ecological relationships of the most remarkable variables importance for pollen forecast models according to clusters, cities and forecast days is important for developing and improving the accuracy of airborne pollen forecasts.

Short-term mortality and morbidity of very low-birthweight infants over 9 years at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa

Short-term mortality and morbidity of very low-birthweight infants over 9 years at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa

The St Andrew's Scottish Church mission in Cape Town, 1838-1878

The St Andrew's Scottish Church mission in Cape Town, 1838-1878

Cape Town in 1829

Cape Town in 1829

Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms following exposure to acute psychological trauma in children aged 8–16 years in South Africa: protocol for the Sinethemba longitudinal study

IntroductionChildren exposed to trauma are vulnerable to developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other adverse mental health outcomes. In low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), children are at increased risk of exposure...

Studies in the history of Cape Town, volume 2&3

Studies in the history of Cape Town, volume 2&3

Temporal Characterization of Land Use Change and Land-scape Processes in Informal Settlements in the City of Cape Town, South Africa

Temporal Characterization of Land Use Change and Land-scape Processes in Informal Settlements in the City of Cape Town, South Africa

Characterising the evolution of the urban form of zones that accommodate warehousing clusters in the City of Cape Town municipality

Characterising the evolution of the urban form of zones that accommodate warehousing clusters in the City of Cape Town municipality

Studies in the history of Cape Town

Studies in the history of Cape Town

Studies in the history of Cape Town

No abstract available.

Shaping shores: An exploration of the interplay between law, spatial ontologies and the power to plan at Milnerton, Cape Town

The landscape of coastal planning is being transformed by the emergence of new scales of informal planning both alongside and between established statutory planning frameworks. As informal planning arrangements seldom operate within an institutional vacuum, they are frequently confronted by the path-dependent influence of pre-existing statutory planning institutions. However, there remains a marked dearth of knowledge surrounding the interplay between formal legal planning frameworks and informal planning arrangements at the coast. In response to this lacuna, the current paper endeavours to expand the existing comprehension of the influence of formal legal planning frameworks on informal planning processes at the coast by amalgamating legal geographical insights with the expanding discourse surrounding the function of actors' ontological understandings of space in structuring power relations and discursive interaction within planning processes. These insights are applied to a focussed case study of the operation of an informal planning process, the Milnerton Erosion Forum, at Milnerton, a coastal suburb of Cape Town, South Africa. The empirical findings presented in this article demonstrate the involvement of legal planning frameworks in constituting space and structuring power dynamics among actors at Milnerton, as well as the ways in which spatialised legal power is mobilised to influence socio-spatial decision-making within informal planning processes through actors’ ontological understandings and representations of places-to-be-planned. Through visibilisng the dialectical relationship between law, space and the power to plan at Milnerton, this article offers nuanced insights into the complex interplay between legal planning frameworks and informal planning practices at the coast.