Implementation In South Africa Research Articles

Adapting Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up for infants and young children with intellectual disabilities and developmental delays in South Africa: Reflections and recommendations from local stakeholders.

Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC) is an intervention targeted at enhancing the socioemotional and regulatory functioning of at-risk infants. However, to use the ABC for infants/toddlers with intellectual disabilities/developmental delays (ID/DD) and in novel cultural contexts, such as South Africa, adaptations may be required. This study aimed, therefore, to explore the opinions of clinical experts and perceptions of caregivers regarding the use of ABC for children with ID/DD in South Africa. It also sought to incorporate the experiences of families of children with ID/DD who received, and intervenors who delivered, ABC in its first implementation in South Africa. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 participants. Thematic analysis explicated 12 main themes: Intervention Strengths, Points of Concern, and Recommendations (Experts); Focus on Caregiver-child Relationship, and Intervention Targets and Duration (Caregivers); Benefits of ABC, and Cultural Considerations (ABC Recipients); Focused and Targeted, Value of Feedback, Supportive Supervision, Working Alliance, and Challenges Experienced (ABC Intervenors). Practice and training recommendations include psychoeducation for parents and training for intervenors that is ID/DD-specific, expanding supervision capacity, building intervenors' cultural/linguistic sensitivity and competence, accessing referral networks, including local Community Health Workers as intervenors, and greater flexibility in how the sessions are organized.

Health facility users’ knowledge, perceptions, and practices about infant feeding in the context of option B+ in South Africa: a qualitative study

BackgroundHIV and sub-optimal infant feeding practices remain important threats to child growth, development, and survival in low- and middle-income countries. To our knowledge, few studies have explored health service users’ perspective of infant feeding in the context of WHO Option B+ policy to prevent vertical HIV transmission (PMTCT). This paper is a sub-analysis of qualitative data from a mixed-methods multi-level process evaluation of Option B+ implementation in South Africa (SA). In this study we explored health facility users’ infant feeding knowledge, perceptions, and practices one year after SA adopted the 2016 updated World Health Organization prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV Option B+ infant feeding guidelines.MethodsNineteen focus group discussions (FGDs) were held with six groups of men and women whose infants were aged < 6 months. Participants were attending randomly selected primary health care facilities within six purposively selected priority districts. The six groups included in the FGDs were: (i) adolescent girls and young women living with HIV (WHIV), (ii) adolescent girls and young women not living with HIV (WNHIV), (iii) older postnatal WHIV (iv) older postnatal WNHIV (v) pregnant women, and (vi) men. Data collection took place between April and December 2018. Data analysis involved coding and thematic framework analysis.ResultsWomen and men have suboptimal knowledge of the recommended breastfeeding duration and exclusive breastfeeding, especially for HIV-exposed infants. Most women received sub-optimal infant feeding counselling and mixed messages from health care workers. Fewer WHIV initiated breastfeeding at birth compared to WNHIV. Most parents believed that HIV-exposed infants should be breastfed for 6 months and many postnatal women on antiretroviral drugs and younger mothers lacked confidence to breastfeed beyond 6 months. Mixed feeding was predominant among all women due to individual, family, and socio-structural barriers. Many men were supportive on infant feeding; however, they lacked the appropriate information and skills to influence their partners’ infant feeding decisions.ConclusionsDifferences in breastfeeding practices between WHIV and WNHIV are highly influenced by the lack of knowledge of infant feeding policy recommendations. Multiple-level factors deter many mothers from adhering to recommended guidelines. Appropriate ongoing infant feeding counselling and breastfeeding support are required for women and their partners.

Context and Realities of Policy Implementation in South Africa: Quo Vadis

This paper intends to examine the context and realities of policy implementation in South Africa. This is important because South Africa has over the years crafted good policies but suffers from poor implementation. Scholars, policymakers, non-governmental organisation, and target beneficiaries have advanced various reasons contextualizing the root causes of policy failure in the South African context. Such reasons include but are not restricted to, lack of resources, lack of precision and policy design, incorrect policy instrument, lack of leadership, negligence of relevant actors, and lack of precision and clarity in the implementation stage. This paper discovered that in South Africa, there has been a particular emphasis on the delivery of services with the capacity and capabilities of national, provincial, and local government to advance service delivery, however, challenges have been encountered in the implementation processes. This article concludes that actors of public policy implementation must be seen as formal and have access to ‘implementation structures’ that they can use to advance their own “different interests; values; perceptions and policy preferences during the implementation process. This paper recommends, that the South African government should review the policy implementation strategies with clear contextual considerations to demonstrate the goals. Furthermore, the paper recommends that public policy implementation should be entrusted to suitable government departments that have the necessary administrative capacities.

Freshwater ecosystems and interactions with the SDG 2030 Agenda: implications for SDG implementation in South Africa

Freshwater ecosystems play a fundamental role in supporting the environment, the economy and people’s well-being. However, human development and mismanagement have degraded these ecosystems. Using network analysis, we examined the interlinkages (synergies and trade-offs) between indicator 6.6.1 (water-related ecosystems) and other Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators related to freshwater ecosystems to support coherent policies and strategies for freshwater management. Research into scientific literature and reports on freshwater ecosystems and SDG indicator interlinkages was carried out in 2019 and 2020. Sustainable Development Goal custodians were also interviewed about indicator interlinkages and challenges, and the data analysed using thematic analysis. The results showed that water-related ecosystems had the highest positive interlinkages (synergies) with environmental goals, while more trade-offs were found between water-related ecosystems and social goals. Thematic analysis showed that Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) should focus on partnerships, governance, and challenges regarding water-related ecosystems and SDG implementation. Our findings suggest that an integrated and sustainable freshwater management approach is necessary, one that is embedded within the nexus approach embodied by the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Shifting Social Norms and Adolescent Girls' Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services and Information in a South African Township.

Despite policy on adolescent sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services and education, teen pregnancies remain common in South Africa. Social norms and cultural resistance are a well-documented challenge for SRH program implementation in South Africa, and beyond. To gain insight on the complex picture of adolescents’ access to SRH information and services in a peri-urban township, we explored this topic from a diversity of perspectives, carrying out 86 interviews to capture perceptions of adolescents, their parents, community members, and health professionals. Our research shows that despite the taboo nature of the issue of adolescent SRH, individual positions on adolescent access to SRH services and information are shifting and diverse, and are influenced by factors other than cultural norms. This research serves as a reminder to avoid simplistic reference to “culture” as a way of explaining health-related behaviors and people’s responses to health challenges.

Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) Governance and its Implementation in South Africa

Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) Governance and its Implementation in South Africa

Combining cervical cancer screening for mothers with schoolgirl vaccination during human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine implementation in South Africa: results from the VACCS1 and VACCS2 trials

ObjectiveThe platform provided by human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for linked public health interventions to improve cervical cancer prevention remains incompletely explored. The Vaccine And Cervical Cancer Screen (VACCS) cross-sectional observation...

The use of tele-audiology in ototoxicity monitoring: A scoping review

Introduction Due to the growing burden of disease in South Africa, encompassing conditions such as tuberculosis, human immunodeficiency virus, and cancer, the holistic management of affected patients incorporating ototoxicity monitoring is a necessity. However, ototoxicity monitoring in developing countries may be limited due to a lack of resources and inadequate healthcare facilities. Subsequently, the use of tele-audiology may be a revolutionary technique with the potential to provide audiology services to under-served populations with limited access. Methods The study aimed to describe the use of tele-audiology services in ototoxicity monitoring through a scoping review of English peer-reviewed articles from June 2009 to June 2020. Seventeen articles were purposively selected from the following databases: PubMed, Science Direct, Taylor and Francis Online, WorldCat, and Google Scholar. Data was extracted as per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses diagram and results were analyzed using deductive thematic analysis. Results and discussion While a minority of the studies indicated that the cost of implementation and network connectivity within a South African context pose as barriers, most researchers reported that tele-audiology provides a reliable, time-efficient, cost-effective, and easily accessible alternative for ototoxicity monitoring. Hardware including the WAHTS, KUDUwave, and OtoID, along with software such as the TabSINT, Otocalc, uHear, and the hearTest, have proven to be useful for ototoxicity monitoring. A need for further investigations regarding the feasibility of tele-audiology implementation in South Africa is evident. Despite this, it provides audiologists with an opportunity to offer contact-less services during COVID-19, thus, confirming its versatility as an augmentative method for ototoxicity monitoring.

PERCEPTIONS OF LECTURERS TOWARDS THE NATIONAL CERTIFICATE VOCATIONAL CURRICULUM AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION IN SOUTH AFRICA

This study sought to establish lecturers’ perceptions towards the NCV curriculum and its implementation in South Africa. A mixed-method approach which utilised a convergent parallel research design was adopted. The data were collected through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. 25 lecturers from one TVET college were randomly sampled to respond to a questionnaire, out of which five lecturers were purposefully selected for the semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data were analysed through descriptive statistics generated from SPSS Version 24, while qualitative data were analysed through content analysis. The study adhered to all ethical considerations. The study established that lecturers had different understanding of NV(C) curriculum, as some appeared not to be well-versed with the NCV policy documents. It also emerged that the practical component of the vocational subjects in the NCV curriculum seemed not to be given the attention it deserves. Issues such as lack of resources for practical training and lack of support from management were identified as problematic and had negative impact on the implementation of NCV curriculum. The study concludes that the general perception of participants about the NCV curriculum is positive. However, there were different opinions regarding the understanding and interpretation of the NCV curriculum exacerbated by the little guidance and support given to lecturers. It was also concluded lecturers experienced lack of infrastructure and material resources to enhance the implementation of the NCV curriculum. The study recommends that DHET and College management teams should provide continuous professional development for lecturers to ensure that lecturers develop appropriate understanding of the NCV policy. Furthermore, DHET and College management should also provide support structures, monitoring and evaluation of the curriculum implementation process.

Understanding the barriers and drivers of sustainable construction adoption and implementation in South Africa: A quantitative study using the Theoretical Domains Framework and CQM-B model

The construction industry is one of the largest consumers of natural resources. Improving the sustainability of construction industry activities is therefore key to mitigating the negative impact of the industry on the environment. Given the extent of the environmental challenges faced by many countries, the transition towards the adoption of sustainable alternatives in the construction industry must include dimensions of changing human behaviour. These dimensions include influencing the capability, opportunity, and motivation to adopt the desired change in behaviour. In order to improve the adoption and implementation of sustainable practices within the construction industry, the behaviour change processes of stakeholders need to be considered. This study describes how the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation-Behaviour (COM-B) model and Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) were used to identify the barriers to and drivers of sustainable construction practices by construction industry stakeholders. The study included a structured questionnaire survey completed by 108 construction industry stakeholders and indicated a need to improve the capability, opportunity, and motivation amongst construction industry stakeholders to facilitate the adoption of sustainable construction practices. The questionnaire identified that an increase in the awareness, knowledge, interest, and demand for sustainable construction will facilitate the adoption thereof. Additionally, providing training and access to education on best practices for sustainability can positively influence the behaviour of stakeholders and improve their confidence in implementing sustainable construction practices. Economic factors such as the cost of implementing sustainable solutions and the perception of the economic and social benefits of sustainable construction were identified as the critical barriers. These barriers and drivers are mapped to five TDF domains (knowledge, skills, social influences, beliefs about capabilities, and beliefs about consequences), which can be targeted for behaviour change amongst construction industry stakeholders in future interventions.

Efforts Towards Engaging Communities to Promote the Benefits of Biological Control Research and Implementation in South Africa

In the last decade, biological control in South Africa has evolved from a classical applied science, allied to an extension service, to a more community engagement-based activity. Therefore, capacity building is important for the sustainability of biological control research and its implementation. In South Africa, a broad approach has been taken to build capacity in weed biological control, starting at grass-roots level with primary and secondary school learner programmes, through to developing research capacity at the tertiary level and enhancing technical capacity through adult education. Non-specialists are empowered through access to knowledge. The dissemination of accurate information through the most appropriate outlets has become increasingly important, including non-traditional science communication through the internet and, more importantly, social media, which has the potential to reach a far wider audience. Public understanding of biological control has the potential to contribute significantly to the green and knowledge economies of South Africa, but relies on government support for the sustainability of this discipline.

Capacity building as a strategic tool for employment equity implementation in the financial sector

Orientation: Employment equity (EE) has gradually seeped into various levels of many organisations, from private to public companies and small to large companies, in both developing and developed countries.Research purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of capacity building on EE implementation with particular reference to the financial sector.Motivation for the study: The rise in demand for EE appointees and the lack of skills and reasonable accommodation of these employees in the workplace hamper EE implementation in South Africa. For this reason, a pool of employees from the designated groups remains stuck at the unskilled and semi-skilled skills levels.Research approach or design and method: This study utilised the exploratory research approach. In addition, the study adopted a quantitative research methodology. A sample size of 172 was considered appropriate for this study and returned usable responses were n = 95.Main findings: The key findings revealed that capacity building is imperative in promoting the implementation of EE in the workplace. Based on the findings of this study, it is undeniable that improved capacity building is a strong catalyst for executing EE.Practical or managerial implications: The findings of this study serve as a guide for decision-making and provide advice related to capacity building and implementation of EE to both business leaders and line management.Contribution or value-addition: The current study contributes new insights and builds the knowledge base on how capacity building influences EE implementation.

Community-based rehabilitation implementation for people with disabilities in South Africa: a protocol for a scoping review

BackgroundPeople with disabilities (PWDs) remain among the poorest and least empowered population. They experience limited access to basic services, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). The infringement of their human rights remains at an alarming level, despite the availability of the community-based rehabilitation (CBR) strategy and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (UNCRPD). CBR, as a strategy for poverty alleviation, social inclusion and equalisation of opportunity, has broadened its scope from a mere strategy for access to health and rehabilitation services to include education, livelihood, social inclusivity and empowerment. CBR is implemented across the world in the majority of LMIC signatories to the UNCRPD. South Africa is among the countries that are implementing CBR. However, the extent and the nature of implementation is not known. This study, therefore, aims to map out the empirical evidence of the implementation of CBR in South Africa.MethodThe study is a scoping review based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extended for Scoping Review (PRISMA-ScR) methodology. The information will be extracted and captured on a data charting template that will be used through each phase of the study. The review will be guided by the following research question validated by the amended population-concept-context framework according to the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews: ‘An investigation into CBR implementation in South Africa.’ The search will be conducted in the following electronic databases Google Scholar, PubMed, Medline, and Cochrane, etc, using Boolean logic. Restrictions will be set for years (Jan. 2009–Dec. 2019), English language peer-reviewed studies based on South Africa. The search output will be screened for primary studies on Community based rehabilitation in South Africa. Two independent reviewers will conduct title and abstract screening to identify potential eligible studies. After which full-text screening on the potential eligible studies and assessed for inclusion by the two independent reviewers. The Mixed Method Appraisal Tool will be applied to assess the quality of the studies included in the review.DiscussionThe gathered evidence from the selected studies will be discussed in relation to the research questions using a narrative to identify and explore emergent themes. The review will provide a baseline of evidence on the implementation of CBR and will highlight gaps regarding the implementation of CBR in a South African Context. The gaps identified will be used to develop a framework that will guide implementation of CBR in South Africa.

IMPACT EVALUATION OF SOUTH AFRICA'S MANDATORY SALT LEGISLATION

Objective: South Africa implemented legislation in June 2016 mandating maximum sodium (Na) levels in a range of processed foods. A pre-post impact evaluation was undertaken to assess whether the legislative approach reduced salt intake and blood pressure in South Africans. Design and method: Baseline sodium intake was assessed in a nested cohort of the WHO Study on global AGEing and adult health (WHO-SAGE) Wave 2 (W2; 2014–2015). From 4030 randomly selected households, 24 h urine samples were collected in a random subsample (n = 1200) for Na potassium (K), creatinine and iodine analysis, alongside blood pressure (BP) and anthropometric measures. Follow-up in Wave 3 (W3; 2018) included replacements in the case of non-compliance or loss to follow-up. Complete urine collections were determined as volume &gt; 300 mL and creatinine excretion &gt; = 4 mmol/day (women) or &gt; = 6 mmol/day (men). Results: Median salt intake indicated a slight downward trend between W2 (median 6.6 (IQR 6.1) g salt/day; n = 408) and W3 (6.3 (5.4) g/day; n = 392); with borderline significance (P = 0.0924). Proportion meeting the salt target of &lt; 5 g/day remained similar (33.3 vs 34.7%; P = 0.685). In n = 48 paired subjects with complete urine and survey data in both waves, a non significant downward trend in salt intake was observed (median 6.7 (4.3) to 6.1 (5.4) g/day); P = 0.644). Significant predictors for increased systolic BP pressure between W2 and W3 were hypertension status (p &lt; 0.0001) and age (p = 0.002). Conclusions: Complexities of obtaining repeat measures in the same individuals over 3 years of follow-up prevents determination of the magnitude of change in salt intake. These first results of salt intake following implementation of South Africa's mandatory sodium legislation, using valid 24hr urinary Na concentrations in a national sample suggest that the phased approach whereby stricter Na levels were enforced from June 2019 is necessary to achieve predicted population salt reduction of 0.85 g salt/person.

Changes in beverage purchases following the announcement and implementation of South Africa's Health Promotion Levy: an observational study

SummaryBackgroundIn 2016, South Africa announced an intention to levy a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). In 2018, the country implemented an SSB tax of approximately 10%, known as the Health Promotion Levy (HPL). We aimed to assess changes in the purchases of beverages before and after the HPL announcement and implementation.MethodsWe used Kantar Europanel data on monthly household purchases between January, 2014, and March, 2019, among a sample of South African households (n=113 653 household-month observations) from all nine provinces to obtain per-capita sugar, calories, and volume from taxable and non-taxable beverages purchased before and after the HPL announcement and implementation. We describe survey-weighted means for each period, and regression-controlled predictions of outcomes and counterfactuals based on pre-HPL announcement trends, with bootstrapped 95% CIs, and stratify results by socioeconomic status.FindingsMean sugar from taxable beverage purchases fell from 16·25 g/capita per day (95% CI 15·80–16·70) to 14·26 (13·85–14·67) from the pre-HPL announcement to post-announcement period, and then to 10·63 g/capita per day (10·22–11·04) in the year after implementation. Mean volumes of taxable beverage purchases fell from 518·99 mL/capita per day (506·90–531·08) to 492·16 (481·28–503·04) from pre-announcement to post announcement, and then to 443·39 mL/capita per day (430·10–456·56) after implementation. Across these time periods, there was a small increase in the purchases of non-taxable beverages, from 283·45 mL/capita per day (273·34–293·56) pre-announcement to 312·94 (296·29–329·29) post implementation. When compared with pre-announcement counterfactual trends, reductions in taxable beverage purchase outcomes were significantly larger than the unadjusted survey-weighted observed reductions. Households with lower socioeconomic status purchased larger amounts of taxable beverages in the pre-announcement period than did households with higher socioeconomic status, but demonstrated bigger reductions after the tax was implemented.InterpretationThe announcement and introduction of South Africa’s HPL were followed by reductions in the sugar, calories, and volume of beverage purchases.FundingBloomberg Philanthropies, International Development Research Centre, South African Medical Research Council, and the US National Institutes of Health.

"We've Got Our Own Beliefs, Attitudes, Myths": A Mixed Methods Assessment of Rural South African Health Care Workers' Knowledge ofand Attitudes Towards PrEP Implementation.

South Africa maintains the world's largest HIV prevalence, accounting for 20.4% of people living with HIV internationally. HIV Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has demonstrated efficacy; however, there is limited data on PrEP implementation in South Africa, particularly in rural areas. Using grounded theory analysis of semi-structured interviews and exploratory factor analyses of structured surveys, this mixed methods study examines healthcare workers' (HCWs)' beliefs about their patients and the likelihood of PrEP uptake in their communities. The disproportionate burden of HIV among Black South Africans is linked to the legacy of apartheid and resulting disparities in wealth and employment. HCWs in our study emphasized the importance of addressing these structural barriers, including increased travel burden among men in the community looking for work, poor transportation infrastructure, and limited numbers of highly skilled clinical staff in their rural community. HCWs also espoused a vision of PrEP that prioritizes women due to perceived constraints on their sexual agency, and thatminimizes the impact of HIV-related stigma on PrEP implementation. However, HCWs' additional concerns for risk compensation may reflect dominant social mores around sexual behavior. In recognition of HCWs' role as both informants and community members, implementation scientists should invite local HCWs to partner as early as the priority-setting stage for PrEP interventions. Inviting leadership from local HCWs may increase the likelihood of delivery plans that account for unique local context and structural barriers researchers may otherwise struggle to uncover.

Access to HIV services and viral load suppression among children during the 90-90-90 strategy implementation in South Africa: A time series analysis.

BackgroundDuring the era of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), children were shown to have less access to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) services than their adult counterparts; hence the call to prioritise children in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, South African (SA) national data in 2019 indicated that almost 3 years into the implementation of the 90-90-90 strategy, only 59% of children living with HIV had been tested for HIV compared to 90% of adults.ObjectivesTo evaluate the access of children to HIV services and record the viral load (VL) suppression rates during the implementation of the 90-90-90 strategy in the City of Johannesburg (COJ), South Africa.MethodsThis study applied a quasi-experimental interrupted time-series (ITS) design using the monthly District Health Information System (DHIS) and National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) databases spanning the period from 2015 to 2020, that is, before and after the implementation and roll-out of the 90-90-90 strategy. Data were extracted from these databases into MS Excel 2010 spreadsheets and analysed with Stata 15 software from Stata Corp using a two-tailed t-test at a 5% level of significance.ResultsOverall, a significant increase was observed in the number of individuals tested for HIV, n = 757, p = 0.0086, and retained in care n = 2523, p = 0.001 over the whole period of analysis beginning in April 2015. Adult HIV testing, antiretroviral treatment (ART) initiation and retention in care had been decreasing in absolute numbers over a 10-month period before the intervention. An increase in these three data elements was observed following the implementation of the 90-90-90 program. On the other hand, children aged 0–15 years had demonstrated a significant increase in absolute numbers tested for HIV, n = 171, p = 0.001, but an insignificant increase in number of ART initiations, n = 14.33, p = 0.252, before implementation but a decrease after this. The overall VL suppression rates for children were lower than those of adults.ConclusionAlthough the COJ has recorded progress in adult HIV testing, ART initiation and retention, children living with HIV aged 0–15 years continue to experience less access to HIV services and lower VL suppression than youths and adults of ≥ 15 years. Therefore, to ensure that the 90-90-90 targets are achieved across different age groups, children must be prioritised so that they can equally access these services with adults.

Reliability basis for assessment of existing building structures with reference to sans 10160

The principles of structural reliability are firmly established to provide the basis for structural performance as incorporated in design standards. Reliability-based procedures provide for variabilities and uncertainties that could reasonably be expected during the design service life of the structure. However, not all possible conditions to which all structures are exposed during such an extended service period can be accounted for effectively and economically at the design stage. The assessment of the reliability performance of an existing structure therefore forms an integral part of structural management and engineering practice. Despite the lag between the development and implementation of a basis for design and assessment of structures, the extensive body of information on structural assessment progresses steadily towards standardisation. This paper provides a review of the progress to provide background information towards extending the scope of South African structural standards to include guidance on structural assessment. The focus is on such developments to include provisions for existing structures in Eurocode, together with related investigations. In addition to a general review of background investigations, interrelationships between the basis of design and assessment for Eurocode (potentially also for South Africa) are considered. The main elements of a standardised basis for assessment are defined, and alternative assessment approaches are presented and demonstrated by representative examples. In conclusion, an outline of a possible development path for implementation in South Africa is provided.

Women’s access to water for sustainable development in Nigeria: Drawing lessons from South Africa’s water-renewable techniques

Water is an indispensable natural resource, which, apart from its importance in the industrial sector, is mostly used by women at the domestic level everywhere, particularly in Africa. While industrialisation has made quality potable water accessible to women in cities and urban areas, this is unfortunately not the case in rural areas and thus poses a major challenge to the realisation of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria. In cities and urban areas, people have managed to establish reliable water sources through boreholes, for example, while rural dwellers are still dependent on government intervention, philanthropies and non-governmental organisations to be able to have access to water of adequate quality. Considering the geographic location of South Africa, its peculiar water problem could be expected to be worse than in Nigeria. On the contrary, the South African government’s involvement in water-renewable techniques and other strategies in making quality water available to all its citizens differs from the situation in Nigeria. This article illustrates that the right to water as a natural resource, to which citizens are entitled as a component of the right to development, is anchored in law. To ensure the realisation of this right, we draw inspiration from academic and industrial approaches and water-renewable techniques for development, improvement, and implementation in South Africa to suggest ways for Nigeria to improve on its water strategy.

An appraisal of bilingual language policy implementation in South African higher education

The demand for promoting bilingual and multilingual language policies in African universities can be regarded as a decolonial force for driving pedagogical changes in teaching and learning. In South Africa, there have been polemic debates particularly on the need to include African languages as alternatives to English. This article intervenes in the increasing tensions about language policy implementation in tertiary institutions. The study utilises a qualitative methodology that blends secondary and primary data collected from semi-structured interviews and questionnaires from two campuses (Howard and Pietermaritzburg) of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). Findings reveal that the UKZN academic staff and students have mixed feelings about the implementation of the bilingual language policy. The authors argue for the need to balance the use of African and non-African languages for teaching and learning. The study ends with a highlight of the challenges related to this Africanising project through language policies by emphasising key tenets for strengthening language policy implementation in South Africa.