Durban South Africa Research Articles

IMPACT OF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT ON EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE AT POWERCUBE COMPANY IN DURBAN SOUTH AFRICA

The study was about the impact of training and development on employee performance at Powercube company in Durban South Africa. The specific objectives were to examine the nature of current training and development on employee performance and to assess the effects of training and development on employee performance at Powercube company. Descriptive research design which involved quantitative research approach was used. The population consisted of 140 employees of Powercube company. The sample size was 104. Stratified sampling and simple random sampling technique adopted to select the sample size. Collection of data was done using survey method. A questionnaire was employed. Data was analyzed using frequency and percentage distribution, and regression analysis. The study found that the nature of the current training and development was effective for employee performance as it allowed for needs analysis, there were clear and defined strategy related to training and development, the training and development was designed based on the requirements of the job. The study found that training and development helped improve employee performance. The study recommended other companies in South Africa to align their training and development as that of Powercube company and continue offering more training in order to enhance employee performance.

Erratum for ‘house Biermann in Durban: A case of “regional vernacular” in the modern architectural heritage of South Africa’ by Bodei and Harber (2022).

Curator: The Museum JournalEarly View ErratumFree Access Erratum This article corrects the following: House Biermann in Durban: A Case of “Regional Vernacular” in the Modern Architectural Heritage of South Africa Silvia Bodei, Rodney Harber, Volume 65Issue 3Curator: The Museum Journal pages: 603-621 First Published online: August 11, 2022 First published: 24 January 2023 https://doi.org/10.1111/cura.12542AboutSectionsPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Erratum for ‘house Biermann in Durban: A case of “regional vernacular” in the modern architectural heritage of South Africa’ by Bodei and Harber (2022). In Bodei and Harber (2022), there was few errors in author's biography. Silvia BODEI (bodeis@ukzn.ac.za; silbocs@yahoo.com) is an architect (IUAV, Venice) and doctor in Architecture (UPC, Barcelona). She is currently Senior Lecturer at UKZN in Durban (South Africa). She has authored several research papers and publications on modern architecture, industrial heritage and Italian, Spanish and South African architecture and urban design. The correct Author bio should be: Silvia Bodei (silvia.bodei@polimi.it) is an architect (IUAV, Venice) and doctor in Architecture (UPC, Barcelona). She was Senior Lecturer at University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban-South Africa (November 2017-June 2022) and is currently Researcher at Polytechnic University of Milan (Politecnico di Milano) in Italy since July 2022. She has authored several research papers and publications on modern architecture, industrial heritage and Italian, Spanish and South African architecture and urban design. Reference Bodei, S., & Harber, R. (2022). House Biermann in Durban: A case of “regional vernacular” in the modern architectural heritage of South Africa. Curator: The Museum Journal, 65(3), 603– 621. https://doi.org/10.1111/cura.12510 Early ViewOnline Version of Record before inclusion in an issue ReferencesRelatedInformation

Whose Knowledge? Examining the Relationship between the Traditional Medicine Sector and Environmental Conservation Using a Stakeholder Analysis: Perceptions on Warwick Herb Market Durban South Africa.

The South African traditional medicine sector is estimated to accommodate millions of citizens, despite it being informal. The existence of such a healthcare system embodies the dual system of both primary and traditional healthcare, with some preferring one and others utilising both systems. The gathering, harvesting, and selling of medicinal plant and animal species have inevitable environmental effects. The paradox between biodiversity conservation and livelihood sustenance is eminent in South Africa’s contemporary environmental legislation. The purpose of the study was to highlight and examine the dynamics between prominent stakeholders involved in biodiversity conservation and the traditional medicine sector. The stakeholder analysis and political ecology approach were adopted and applied respectively to guide the study. The study was conducted in 2020 and a questionnaire was used to capture the realities and experiences of prominent stakeholders in the biodiversity sector. Common legal mandates such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD); Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES); the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act No. 10 of 2004; Threatened or Protected Species (TOPS) regulations; and the KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Ordinance 15 of 1974 are used to control and enforce legislation by biodiversity stakeholders. The main findings of the study are as follows: (a) Traditional Health Practitioners (THPs) do not have adequate training and knowledge on the environmental and legal aspects of their system; (b) Biodiversity stakeholders are treated with violence and hostility when they attempt to enforce legal mandates at the Warwick Herb Market; (c) There is a significant gap in communication and co-operation between municipal officials and biodiversity stakeholders. There is evidently, a need for environmental educational initiatives and improved methods of enforcement and communication between biodiversity stakeholders, municipal officials and THPs.

University campuses and types of crime: A case study of the university of KwaZulu-Natal/Howard campus in the city of Durban-South Africa

University campuses and types of crime: A case study of the university of KwaZulu-Natal/Howard campus in the city of Durban-South Africa

The Globalization of the Church History Department: The Plight of an Outsider Looking In (A Personal Reflection)

The Globalization of the Church History Department: The Plight of an Outsider Looking In (A Personal Reflection)

Absorbed power density approach for optimal design of heaving point absorber wave energy converter: A case study of Durban sea characteristics

This work proposes an approach for the optimal sizing of a cylindrical heaving wave energy converter (WEC). The approach is based on maximising the absorbed power density (APD) of the buoy, with the diameter being the decision variable. Furthermore, two types of buoy shapes were compared to get the best option. The two buoy shapes are the cone cylinder buoy (CCB) and the hemisphere cylinder buoy (HCB). The aim was therefore to determine the best shape and as well as the optimal size of the cylindrical point absorber. To validate the approach, the simulation was performed under Durban (South Africa) sea characteristics of 3.6 m wave significant height and 8.5 s peak period, using the openWEC simulator. The buoy diameter range considered was from 0.5 m to 10 m for both shapes. Simulation results revealed that a diameter of 1 m was the optimal solution for both buoy shapes. Furthermore, the APD method revealed that the HCB was more efficient than the CCB. The power density of the HCB was 1070 W/m2, which was almost double the power density of the CCB, while the two shapes present almost the same absorbed power.

Call for Special Issue Papers: Global Public Health - Contributions of Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine in Primary Care.

Call for Special Issue Papers: Global Public Health - Contributions of Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine in Primary Care.

An impact assessment tool to identify, quantify and select optimal social-economic, ecological and health outcomes of civic environmental management interventions, in Durban South Africa

Using an environmental impact assessment (EIA) methodology, we provide a novel approach to identify and assess social-ecological outcomes from civic ecology interventions. We quantified the impact significance of six civic (community led) interventions implemented by the Wise Wayz Water Care (WWWC) local community programme (solid waste management, water quality monitoring, invasive alien plant control, crop production, recycling and community engagement), in two communities, situated in urban to peri-urban/rural environments in Durban, South Africa. Interventions resulted in 37 outcomes, of which 36 were positive and one negative. The resulting significance scores from the impact assessment allowed for interventions and their outcomes to be compared. The socio-economic outcomes were the greatest (21), followed by ecological (11) and health outcomes (6). Outcomes included access to education and training; improved quality of life; improved terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems; increase in recreation and cultural uses of natural areas; reduced health risks and increased nutrition. The most significant ecological outcomes resulted from invasive alien plant control, followed by solid waste removal and water quality monitoring. The greatest health outcomes resulted from solid waste removal and vegetable gardens, whereas the greatest social-economic outcomes resulted from the general operation of WWWC, solid waste removal, and invasive alien plant control. We demonstrate that investments in natural areas can deliver not only on enhancements in ecosystems and their services, but also for local community socio-economic and health benefits. This study provides an intervention quantifying tool for practitioners to select optimal local management interventions, that can be aligned with desired outcomes related to specific community challenges and policy requirements. In so doing, this work shows the critical role that civic interventions play to ensure sustainability, and emphasises how social-ecological systems and ecosystem services perspectives can be used in practice towards achieving sustainable outcomes.

The invasive Melia azedarach in Durban (South Africa): impacts on tree community structure

The invasive Melia azedarach in Durban (South Africa): impacts on tree community structure

City residents, scientists and policy-makers: power in co-producing knowledge

The need to merge scientific with societal knowledge in addressing global sustainability challenges has deepened research on a methodology known as co-producing knowledge. It differs from participatory approaches by holding potential for solution-oriented research through sustained relationships with actors across disciplines and sectors. Although there is growing recognition that power shapes interactions in co-producing knowledge, few studies have empirically grounded articulations of power in the context of urban sustainability. This paper draws on case study projects in Africa to discern the forms of power that are navigated by actors when co-producing locally grounded knowledge and solutions for urban sustainability. The projects include: localizing norms on sustainable energy in Kampala city Uganda; confronting coastal vulnerability in Durban South Africa; and upgrading informal settlements in Stellenbosch South Africa. The forms of power across the projects are: expert power by academics; statutory power for policy-makers; and the power of locally-embedded knowledge by city residents. Navigating these forms of power is possible, if boundary objects are used in dialogues on scalable solutions to sustainability challenges. The boundary objects in the case studies are: briquettes from organic waste as alternative cooking energy for households in Kampala; a locally-appropriate costal vulnerability index for visioning sustainable climate action in Durban; and an improved Shack dwelling for improving living conditions in Stellenbosch. These boundary objects interrupted the reproduction of unequal power relations, while demonstrating how hierarchies in co-producing knowledge can be flattened.

Rape survivors in South Africa: analysis of the baseline socio-demographic and health characteristics of a rape cohort

ABSTRACT Background Little is known about women who have experienced a recent rape, and how they differ from women without this exposure. Identifying factors linked to rape is important for preventing rape and developing effective responses in countries like South Africa with high levels of sexual violence. Objective To describe the socio-demographic and health profile of women recently exposed to rape and to compare them with a non-rape-exposed group. Methods The Rape Impact Cohort Evaluation Study (RICE) enrolled 852 women age 16–40 years exposed to rape from post-rape care centres in Durban (South Africa) and a control group of 853 women of the same age range who have never been exposed to rape recruited from public health services. Descriptive analyses include logistic regression modelling of socio-demographic characteristics associated with recent rape exposure. Results Women with recent rape reported poorer health and more intimate partner violence than those who were not raped. They had a lower likelihood of having completed school (Odds Ratio [OR] 0.46 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.24–0.87) and dependence on a government grant as a main source of income (OR 0.61: 95%CI 0.49–0.77). They were more likely to live in informal housing (OR 1.88 95%CI: 1.43–2.46) or rural areas (OR 2.24: 95%CI 1.61–3.07) than formal housing areas – however they were also more likely to report full-time employment (OR 4.24: 95%CI 2.73–6.57). Conclusion The study shows that structural factors, such as lower levels of education, poverty, and living in areas of poor infrastructure are associated with women’s vulnerability to rape. It also shows possible protection from rape afforded by the national financial safety net. It highlights the importance of safe transportation in commuting to work. Preventing rape is critical for enabling women’s full social and economic development, and structural interventions are key for reducing women’s vulnerability.

The differential effect of maternal dietary patterns on quantiles of Birthweight

BackgroundMaternal dietary habits during pregnancy are considered essential for development and growth of the fetus as well as maternal health. It has an effect on the birthweight of infants. However, little is known about the effect of dietary patterns on birthweight in urban South Africa. This study aimed to investigate differential effect of dietary patterns of pregnant women on quantiles of birthweight.MethodsData for the study were obtained from a Mother and Child in the Environment birth cohort study in Durban South Africa. Quantile regression was used to investigate the effect of maternal dietary patterns on quantiles of birthweight. Data collection was conducted during the period of 2013 to 2017 in Durban South Africa. Using factor analysis, eight dietary groups were identified from 687 pregnant women in the cohort. Quantile regression analysis was employed to identify the differential effects of the seven dietary groups and demographic factors on the birthweight.ResultsThe quantile regression estimates at the 50th quantile and the ordinary regression estimates painted the same picture about the conditional mean effect of covariates on the birthweight. But unlike the quantile regression the ordinary regression fails to give insights about the covariates effect disparities at the low and/or upper birthweight quantiles. All the dietary groups show a significant differential effect at different birthweight quantiles. For instance, increased frequency of protein rich foods intake was associated with reduction in birthweight at lower and upper quantiles; increased frequency of junk foods intake has a slight increase in birthweight at the lower quantiles but significantly higher increase at the 95th quantile (p < 0.001); increase in consuming vegetable rich foods, reduced birthweight at 95th quantile (p < 0.001). The results further showed that employment (p = 0.006) and family size (p = 0.002) had differential effects across different birthweight quantiles.ConclusionsBoth maternal undernutrition and overnutrition of protein rich foods, junk foods, snack and energy foods and vegetable rich foods have shown a substantial varying effects on those infants with birthweights in the lower and upper birthweight quantiles.

Navigating the Informal Economy: Social Networks among Undocumented Zimbabwean Migrant Women Hairdressers in Durban, South Africa

This ethnographic study examines how undocumented Zimbabwean migrant women hairdressers in Durban (South Africa) use their social networks to navigate the informal sector. It draws on 15 in-depth interviews, participant observation, and three focus group discussions. The article focuses attention on the precarious employment situation of young migrants working in the urban informal economy and how their social networks play a two-fold supportive role. First, social networks paved the way by spreading information about the destination country, and they provide continuing assistance. Social networks determined whether migration should occur and in which form, whether temporary, circular, or permanent. Secondly, social networks are available in the opportunity structure and play a significant role in all stages of business creation by providing information and other resources. Against this backdrop, the study describes the three fundamental characteristics exhibited by these social networks: structure, content, and function. Structure refers to the types of relationships often called an architectural aspect of network ties. Content is the transfer of material or non-material resources which is significant in the business creation process. It includes attitudes, opinions, more tangible experiences and collective memory held within networks. Function refers to the satisfaction of needs including emotional support and instrumental aid. Theoretical insights of this study are drawn from Giddens’ theory of structuration.

Innovative Approach for the Management of Faecal Sludge Accumulated in Ventilated Improved Pit Latrine: A Case Study of eThekwini Municipality in Durban South Africa

The provision of sustainable sanitation service to all South Africans has become one of the government national priorities. This is because the government recognizes that all citizens of the country has the right to basic sanitation that is affordable, appropriate, socially acceptable and sustainable in the long run. Ventilated Improved Pit latrines (VIP) has been considered to be the minimum acceptable level of sanitation service. However, the provision of appropriate sanitation service in the form of VIP latrines to all goes beyond building the toilets, plans should be put in place by municipalities are for adequate operation and maintenance of the toilets before and when the toilets reaches their capacity. Major challenges faced by many of this municipalities which is also common in many developing countries is that, this on-site sanitation systems eventually becomes full to their capacity and if there is no long-term maintenance plan in place, this system becomes unusable and eventually leaves the household without an effective basic sanitation system again. This paper present innovative approaches that have been considered for the operation and maintenance of Ventilated Improved Pit latrine in and around eThekwini Municipality in Durban, South Africa.

The Credibility of Traditional and Online Media for the Promotion of Tourism in the Contemporary Tourism Marketing Environment in Durban South Africa

The main purpose of study is to analyse the credibility of traditional and online media for the promotion of tourism in the contemporary tourism marketing environment in Durban South Africa. Explanatory research design was employed and the questionnaire was used to collect the data. The study findings revealed that traditional media and online media are more or less equally competitive for the promotion of tourism. The study also revealed that international visitors have a positive attitude towards online media than traditional media while domestic tourists have a positive attitude towards traditional media than online media. Traditional media was revealed to be highly credible than the general perception of the people and it is a lot more credible than online media. The survival of traditional media is not threatened by online media and traditional media is still working well alongside online media. The study concluded and recommended that tourism marketers and authorities need to come to terms with traditional media and online media coexistence. There is no need to rely on one media to do it all. Where traditional media lacks, online media must be there to make up the difference and enhance the tourist’s experience.

Modeling of Nitrogen Oxide Exposure during Pregnancy on Birthweigt using Generalized Additive Model

TPS 742: Adverse birth outcomes 1, Exhibition Hall, Ground floor, August 27, 2019, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Background. Birthweight is strongly associated with infant mortality and is a major determinant of infant survival. Several maternal, environmental and social factors determine birthweight. Different statistical techniques provide an opportunity to further explore these relationships. . Aim. To investigate the dependence of birthweight on prenatal maternal exposure to nitrogen oxide and socio-demographic factors, using Generalized Additive Model (GAM) model. Methods. Data was obtained from the Mother and Child in the Environment (MACE) birth cohort study in Durban South Africa, with pregnant females recruited in early pregnancy from public sector antenatal clinics. Exposure characterization was performed using land use regression techniques. Generalized additive model with Gaussian distribution and identity link function has been introduced to analyze birthweight. Continuous covariates were modelled by the penalized splines were smoothed by the two dimensional p-spline. Results. A total of 685 births were analyzed. The mothers in the cohort had mean birthweight of 3106.5 grams with standard deviation of 538.2 grams and mean age of 26 years with standard deviation of 5.7 years. The mean annual prenatal nitrogen oxide exposure was found 31.5µg/m3 with standard deviation of 8.6 µg/m3. A change in slope for prenatal NOx concentrations was linearly associated with a change in birthweight (p<0.01). Female child gender (p=0.037) and current smoker (p=0.037) mother were significant linear predictors of child birthweight. The generalized additive model adjusted maternal age (p=0.02) and maternal weight gain (p<0.01) as a significant non-parametric smoothing terms. Conclusion. The study found support for the flexible modeling of some covariates that clearly have nonlinear influences. Findings from this study provide further evidence of the need for developing strategies to reduce air pollution in order to prevent risks to fetal health and development.

Everyday forms of resistance and claim making in Durban South Africa

ABSTRACT South Africa has high levels of visible protest, which occur in parallel with less visible forms of protest. This paper considers the quieter forms of resisting in Durban drawing from two cases studies: informal street traders and shack dwellers. It applies Scott’s concept of ‘everyday resistance’ and Bayat’s notion of ‘quiet encroachment’. Street traders represent an ‘invisible’ power, preferring to avoid engagements with authorities and undermining power structures through a repertoire of daily trading tactics. Shack dwellers are more of a ‘visible’ power where protest is entrenched as part of the settlement ‘culture’ reflecting an ‘offensive’. Abbreviations: NGO: non-governmental organisation; ABM: Abahlali base Mjondolo; ANC: African National Congress; SEDA: Small Enterprise Development Agency

Editorial Note: Welcome to Volume 21 and the year 2018

African Journal of Nephrology (AJN) has completed a full year of operation as a web-based journal. After addressing a few teething problems, the journal is now running smoothly. I wish to thank reviewers, readers and the members of the editorial board for having participated in this endeavour. On behalf of the editorial board, I wish to thank all colleagues who have chosen to submit their valuable work to our journal. A special welcome and thanks to contributors who have submitted their manuscript in French, with an English abstract. They ensure that AJN remains a representative vehicle for nephrology research output in Africa. Volume 20, for the year 2017, has now given way to Volume 21, which will include publications throughout the year 2018. As a tribute, I wish to summarize few highlights of Volume 20. The story of the African Association of Nephrology (AFRAN) by Prof Rashad Barsoum, the founding president of AFRAN, is a very good record of the development of nephrology in Africa. The review of renal physiology in patients with potassium disorders by Prof Mitch Halperin and the review of focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis by Prof John Feehally are excellent updates of the two topics. Original articles and case reports from contributors from various African regions are testament to the active production of nephrology knowledge in Africa. Finally, congress proceedings of the AFRAN Congress in March 2017 in Yaounde (Cameroon) and of the Southern African Transplantation Society Congress in September 2017 in Durban (South Africa) are excellent records of high quality nephrology meetings in Africa. As we are continuing to digitize and preserve our past, I wish to invite everyone to read our archive of publications. I urge everyone who may have copies of old AJN issues or manuscripts that are missing in the archive, to forward them to us to ensure that we make all our past papers available online. In the beginning, AJN started as a newsletter, published by the late Prof Salma Suleiman of Sudan. To complete the AJN archive, we hope to include the past newsletters as a tribute to the late Prof Suleiman. We urge anyone having any copies of the newsletter to forward it to AJN. As in Volume 20 in 2017, Volume 21 will consist of a single issue and include all publications for 2018. They will be added throughout the year as they are accepted for publication. We should expect exciting reviews by experts as in our previous volumes as well as special articles. For our legacy project that was started by Prof Rashad Barsoum, first AFRAN President, we will request the subsequent AFRAN presidents to each submit a review of the period of their tenure. As in the past, we expect to publish original articles as well as interesting case reports, and we encourage regional and national societies to submit the abstracts from their conference proceedings for publication. Finally, I wish to take this opportunity to express my best wishes for the year 2018 to all contributors, reviewers and readers. Alain G Assounga Editor-in-Chief

Seasonal and Annual Analysis of Slant Path Attenuation Over a 12 GHz Earth-Satellite Link in Subtropical Africa

With a view to establish a measurement-based profile and prediction model of slant path attenuation due to subtropical rain, rainfall data as well as received signal level (RSL) over a 12 GHz satellite TV Receive Only (TVRO) link were monitored simultaneously over a period of about two years in Durban South Africa (28087’S, 30098’E). The rain rate (R0.01) exceeded at 0.01% of time at the location seasonally and over the period of measurement was obtained as 69 mmh-1. The variation pattern of the received signal in clear air over the period was investigated and its relationship with fluctuations of atmospheric parameters other than rain was established by multiple regression. Event-by-event correlation of the rain rate data with that of the RSL in the time domain was carried out, resulting in a reliable subtropical rain attenuation profile which was used to develop a model for slant path rain attenuation due to subtropical precipitation. The model was validated by comparison with the generalized ITU-R model. The latter was found to slightly overestimate path attenuation at rain rates higher than 30 mm/h. The path attenuation exceedance probability over the link is also presented.

Brewery wastewater treatment using laboratory scale aerobic sequencing batch reactor

This study evaluates the performance of two laboratory scale aerobic sequencing batch reactor operated under continuous low aeration and cyclic aeration scheme for the treatment of wastewater generated from a local brewery in Durban South Africa. The continuous low aeration scheme was intended to determine its effect on the performance of the reactor in terms of organic material removal compared to a typical cyclic aeration reactor for biological organic material removal. The performance of the two laboratory scale reactor was determined in terms of removals of chemical oxygen demand and biological oxygen demand. These two parameters were selected because they are priority pollutants and organic components in brewery wastewater. The experimental results demonstrated that reductions in chemical oxygen demand and biological oxygen demand in wastewater generated from the breweries can be successfully achieved using both aeration configurations. However, the treatment efficiencies in terms of the removal of chemical oxygen demand was consistently maintained above 90% and for biological oxygen demand it was observed to be above 80% with the reactor operated under the continuous low aeration scheme performing significantly better than the reactor operated under the cyclic aeration scheme.