Level In South Africa Research Articles

Two ploidy levels present in the invasive Campuloclinium macrocephalum (pompom weed) in South Africa – Implications for biocontrol

AbstractThe highly invasive Campuloclinium macrocephalum (Asteraceae; ‘pompom weed’), native to South America, was introduced to South Africa where it has flourished and now threatens the native diversity of the grasslands it has invaded. The Argentine C. macrocephalum population is known to comprise at least three ploidy levels, and exhibit aneuploidy. Ploidy levels had not yet been assessed across South African populations of pompom weed and could influence the effectiveness of a biological control (biocontrol) programme. Therefore, we used flow cytometry to estimate ploidy levels of individuals from invaded regions in South Africa and Argentina. Diploids, triploids, tetraploids and aneuploids were detected in the sampled Argentine individuals. In South Africa, only triploid and tetraploid cytotypes were identified, with possible aneuploid variation. Mapping the distribution of these ploidy levels in South Africa revealed that the tetraploids are more widespread across all five sampled provinces, whereas the triploids occur only in Gauteng (the likely origin of the invasion) and neighbouring North West provinces and one sampled area in KwaZulu‐Natal province. Distinct phenotypic variation is evident between Argentine individuals of different ploidy levels. Polyploids have now been confirmed to occur in both the native and introduced ranges. Because triploids and tetraploids are present in both native and introduced ranges, we predict that polyploidy is not likely to be a constraint in effective biocontrol in South Africa as the natural enemies have probably co‐evolved with polyploids in the native range. However, other factors may impact the effectiveness of the biocontrol agents, such as feeding, oviposition (potentially affecting their reproduction), establishment, and spread, therefore, warranting further research.

Challenges and Critical Success Factors for Rural Agrarian Reforms in Limpopo Province, South Africa

The need for rural land agrarian reforms has reached heightened levels in South Africa in recent years. Resultantly, the communal land use effectiveness is questioned due to persistent poor performance and declining agricultural output that fails to address rural poverty and food insecurity. This is one of the major causes of why South Africa's rural economies are generally characterized by stagnant economic growth. This points to deep-rooted and unique challenges that need urgent attention if meaningful support and resilience systems are to be built for rural agrarian land reforms to be realized. The present study investigated challenges and characterized factors that lead to the prosperity of rural agricultural projects in communal land ownership. An exploratory study design was followed, and the data was collected using interviews and focus group discussions from communal farmers and key informants. Data were analyzed thematically with the aid of Atlas. Ti version 8.1.4. “Information challenges” and “water scarcity” describe some of the common challenges faced by rural farmers. Six critical success factors were identified and found to be related. “Effective project management and control” and “improved support from and partnership with local community stakeholders” are success factors that, if targeted first, could address most challenges faced in rural agrarian reforms. The results suggest that partnership with the private sector can help farmers commercialize and move swiftly towards agro-processing. Identified threats and successes must be prioritized in designing and formulating region-specific rural agrarian support programs for communal farmers.

The Enactment and Critique of International Accounting Standard Two

Harmonising the International Accounting Standards/International Financial Reporting Standards (IAS/IFRS) globally has been the objective of national boards that seek to eliminate existing differences. The harmonisation project has been substantially efficient in realising the IFRS in emerging economies. However, concerning the international accounting standard two, the existence of different inventory valuation methods in literature is one of the dilemmas confronting the application of IAS 2 in many nations globally. This study through a comprehensive literature review discusses and present a critique on the international accounting standard two to afford insight that will be beneficial to both scholar and standard setters. The findings reveal a formidable contribution of the current asset inventory on companies and compliance levels in South Africa. Furthermore, these findings supplement prevailing body knowledge on IAS two and the value relevance of accounting inventories. Highlighting key critiques on the IAS 2 prescriptions and application internationally and also revealing the standards own crucial flaws and strengths and on companies.
 
 Received: 6 May 2021 / Accepted: 23 August 2021 / Published: 5 November 2021

Natural resource wealth and crime: The role of international price shocks and public policy

An extensive literature highlights the potential detrimental effects of natural resource wealth on social, economic and political outcomes. We study a largely unexplored relationship — the impact of natural resource wealth on criminal activity. Our empirical strategy exploits price fluctuations in 15 internationally traded minerals to study the impact of mineral wealth on local crime levels in South Africa — leveraging detailed data from 1084 police precincts over 10 years. In contrast to prior work, we find that increased mineral wealth leads to less crime. An exploration of mechanisms suggest that the effect is due to changes in employment opportunities created by the mining industry. Our results suggest that low international mineral prices can cause surges in crime. To investigate how resilience against such surges can be achieved, we study a government employment guarantee program and show that it was effective in reducing the crime response to international price fluctuations.

Point-of-care vaccinators’ perceptions of vaccine hesitancy drivers: A qualitative study from the cape metropolitan district, South Africa

BackgroundVaccination coverage remains suboptimal in many parts of the world, especially in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), including South Africa. Vaccine hesitancy, a recognized factor contributing to low vaccination uptake in many parts of the world, is suspect in the suboptimal vaccination coverage level in South Africa, particularly in the Western Cape Province. We aimed to investigate vaccine hesitancy and to describe point-of-care vaccinators’ perceptions of the drivers of vaccine hesitancy in the Cape Metropolitan District, South Africa (Cape Metro).We conducted in-depth interviews with 19 point-of-care vaccinators in 16 purposively selected healthcare facilities in the Cape Metro between September and November 2019. Participants were sampled purposively as ‘rich cases’ who had been delivering vaccination services for at least five years post-qualification. We organized the data thematically in ATLAS.ti and report findings thematically by the types of reasons participants reported for vaccine hesitancy amongst clients. FindingsOf the 19 interviewees, 11 (59%) reported having encountered vaccine-hesitant clients at some point in their careers. Reasons reported for vaccine hesitancy by clients included: (a) religion, (b) internet misinformation, (c) concern over causing the child pain, (d) natural immunity development, and (e) concern about possible adverse effect following immunization. Vaccine hesitancy in the Cape Metro cuts across all socio-economic classes. Also, some communities perceived to be vaccine-hesitant were mentioned by the participants in this study. ConclusionsAttitude towards vaccination are generally positive in the Cape Metro. However, vaccine hesitancy is present. The issues of vaccine hesitancy at the reported levels can still be mitigated by continuous health education in the clinics and communities, as well as stakeholder engagement as suggested by the point-of-care vaccinators in the Cape Metro.

Quality education: industry contributions to embed sustainability in a meeting and event management curriculum

PurposeWith the global adoption of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), it has become increasingly important for educators to develop a responsive curriculum where future event practitioners understand, value and implement sustainability as a core component of meeting and event management. The purpose of this paper is to explore the viewpoints of industry to embed sustainability as part of developing a Meeting and Event Management curriculum that is responsive to industry needs, and in so doing, contribute to quality education (SDG4).Design/methodology/approachQualitative data were generated from 10 key informant interviews amongst top-level meeting and event professionals. Open questions elucidated industry viewpoints to develop content for a Meeting and Event Management curriculum at Advanced Diploma level in South Africa. Content analysis and data interpretation revealed key topics that guided the embedment of SDGs in the curriculum as knowledge, skills, values and attitudes.FindingsCurriculum content was linked to six specific, corresponding SDGs, namely: good health and well-being; quality education; decent work and economic growth; industry, innovation and infrastructure; climate action and partnerships for the goals.Originality/valueThe paper contributes valuable industry insights into academic educators concerned with responsive curriculum development in the field of meeting and event management by outlining how SDGs can be integrated as competencies and learning outcomes in a tertiary qualification.

Are interpersonal communication skills adequately taught at postgraduate specialist level in South Africa? The neurology experience.

BackgroundInterpersonal communication skills by clinicians with patients, carers, fellow health professionals and legal professionals carry many unique challenges in practice. Whilst undergraduate training in communication helps with generic information receiving and information giving, uncomfortable and demanding speciality-specific issues in the various medical specialities are not covered during under- and postgraduate training.MethodsThe aim of this study was to determine the self-perceived competence of neurology registrars and neurologists in interpersonal communication and the need for such assessment in college exit exams. We undertook a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional survey by using self-administered printed questionnaires and the EvaSYS online system. Neurology registrars in training from the seven training centres in South Africa and neurologists based at the training centres and in the private sector were recruited.ResultsWe received a 62.9% response rate. One hundred and twenty-nine participants were recruited comprising 42 neurology registrars and 87 neurologists. Registrars were more commonly female, more likely to be multilingual and less likely to use translators. Undergraduate training in communication was considered insufficient, 42.9% and 39.1% for registrars and specialists respectively, and was also considered not relevant to address speciality-specific issues encountered in practice. Most training received has been by observation of others and on-the-job training. Both groups felt strongly that postgraduate training in interpersonal communication was important (registrars 95.2%, specialists 91.9%), especially when dealing with issues of death and dying, disclosing medical errors and dealing with the legal profession.ConclusionPostgraduate training of interpersonal communication as required of neurology registrars and neurologists was considered insufficient. Most training has been by observation of others or experiential by trial and error. Assessment of interpersonal communication at board exit exams will drive postgraduate training and importantly will embrace the AfriMEDS framework developed to produce the holistic doctor in South Africa.

Development and testing of a composite index to monitor the continuum of maternal health service delivery at provincial and district level in South Africa.

The continuum of care is a recommended framework for comprehensive health service delivery for maternal health, and it integrates health system and social determinants of health. There is a current lack of knowledge on a measurement approach to monitor performance on the framework. In this study we aim to develop and test a composite index for assessing the maternal health continuum in a province in South Africa with the possibility of nationwide use. The composite index was computed as a geometric mean of four dimensions of adequacy of the continuum of care. Data was sourced from the district health information system, household surveys and the census. The index formula was tested for robustness when alternative inputs for indicators and standardization methods were used. The index was used to assess performance in service delivery in the North West province of South Africa, as well as its four districts over a five-year period (2013-2017). The index was validated by assessing associations with maternal health and other outcomes. And factor analysis was used to assess the statistical dimensions of the index. The provincial level index score increased from 62.3 in 2013 to 74 in 2017, showing general improvement in service delivery over time. The district level scores also improved over time, and our analysis identified areas for performance improvement. These include social determinants of health in some districts, and access and linkages to care in others. The provincial index was correlated with institutional maternal mortality rates (rs = -0.90, 90% CI = (-1.00, -0.25)) and the Human Development Index (r = 0.97, 95% CI = (0.63, 0.99). It was robust to alternative approaches including z-score standardization of indicators. Factor analysis showed three groupings of indicators for the health system and social determinants of health. This study demonstrated the development and testing of a composite index to monitor and assess service delivery on the continuum of care for maternal health. The index was shown to be robust and valid, and identified potential areas for service improvement. A contextualised version can be tested in other settings within and outside of South Africa.

Using heavy metal pollution indices to assess water quality of surface and groundwater on catchment levels in South Africa

The Olifants River catchment has been adversely affected by anthropogenic land-use activities over the last decade. This study aims to determine the variation in surface and groundwater concerning heavy metal pollution. The collection of surface and groundwater was performed at three different land-use locations, namely, wastewater treatment works effluent (WWTW), acid mine drainage effluent (AMD), and borehole water (B·H.). These locations were located in the Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces of South Africa. A total of 15 samples, five from effluent and water samples, were collected during the summer (October 2019). Several parameters were measured to see if the effluent and water was safe for drinking and irrigation purposes. The values of pH and Turbidity were within the permissible limit of the South African guidelines, while electric conductivity exceeds the limit. The samples were analyzed for heavy metals using the inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy process. The results revealed that Cu, Ni, Zn, and Ba were all within the South African National Standards prescribed by the Department of Water and Sanitation's drinking and irrigation limits. At the same time, Fe and Mn exceeded the limit. The metals concentrations observed were non-significant (p > 0.05). The data obtained were used for statistical analysis and applying a heavy metal pollution index (HPI) and metal index (MI). Analysis of variance showed that all metals, Cu, Fe, Ni, Mn, Zn, and Ba, express statistically significant values (p < 0.05). The Heavy metal pollution index based on six selected heavy metals indicated that more than 75% of the area does not have good water quality, whereas less than 35% was suitable. However, these values at all stations were below the critical importance of 100. Furthermore, this study highlights that infants, children, and adults consuming water from the contaminated boreholes were exposed to significant amounts of metals. However, the health risk index values of less than 1 indicate a relative absence of health risks associated with the consumption of contaminated water. The health risk assessment like chronic daily intake (CDI) and hazard quotient (H.Q.) was calculated based on heavy metal concentrations. The values for CDI were found in the order of Ba > Zn > Ni > Cu and Fe for infants, children, and adults, and the values for heavy metals in water samples indicating no health risk.

DE-STIGMATISING PSYCHOSOCIAL DISABILITY IN SOUTH AFRICA

Stigma and associated discrimination against persons with psychosocial disabilities constitute a considerable barrier to the realisation of the highest attainable standard of health in South Africa, Africa, and further afield, constituting a significant human rights violation. This situation is evidenced and exacerbated by mental health as a whole remaining under-prioritised in law, policy and resource allocation. States parties to have a duty to address stigma and discrimination through awareness raising and education. Some important commitments have been made in this respect, particularly at the policy level in South Africa. Nevertheless, and as demonstrated by tragic recent events, effective implementation remains lacking. This article lays out the obligations incumbent upon the South African government to address stigma and discrimination on the basis of psychosocial disability as a public health and human rights imperative by examining positive duties incorporated into international instruments and domestic law and policy. It further considers the role of political de-prioritisation of mental health and how this constitutes stigma of a systemic nature, using case law and examples of research and best practice from South Africa, Africa generally, and beyond. We conclude that South Africa is failing to meet its obligations to persons with psychosocial disabilities, and recommend that positive duties be emphasised in potential disability-specific legislation; high-level political commitment and co-ordination issecured for mental health; the CRPD’s independent monitoring requirement is urgently fulfilled; and contextually-relevant interventions are crafted with the active participation of persons with psychosocial disabilities and their representative organisations.

Carbon emission effect of renewable energy utilization, fiscal development, and foreign direct investment in South Africa.

In recent times, the persistent global environmental challenges have paved the way for the underpinning of climate change within the perspective of financial performance. Given this motivation, the current study further examines the interaction of foreign direct investment, fiscal development, renewable energy usage, economic growth, and CO2 outrush of South Africa (1970 to 2014). The unit root test of Zivot-Andrews and augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF), vector autoregressive (VAR), and Pesaran ARDL (autoregressive distributed lag bounds) approach were employed in the data analysis. The existence of a statistically significant correlation among the series was detected by the Johansen multivariate cointegration in long term and subsequently by the long run coefficient of the vector error correction model test result. Furthermore, in the long run, significant positive correlation existed among renewable energy, GDP (economic growth), development in finance (FD), and CO2 outrush. While in the short run, GDP and development in finance have a statistically positive correlation with outrush of CO2; renewable energy consumption exerts a negative relationship on CO2 in the short run. The Granger causality results show overall causality among the series; proof of bidirectional stimulus running from renewable energy to economic growth; foreign direct investment to trade; and also one causality direction running among the other variables. The policy twist is that the implementation of energy efficiency programs currently pursued by the South African government to enhance renewable energy consumption should be facilitated with more determination. In addition, the government and policymakers should thrive to align these energy efficiency programs with other macroeconomic and financial variables such as foreign direct investment (FDI), fiscal development, and trade openness to achieve minimum CO2 outrush level in South Africa, thus yielding environmental sustainability.

Assessing the Relationship between Economic Growth and Emissions Levels in South Africa between 1994 and 2019

The objective of this study is to establish whether there is any relationship between economic growth and emission levels for pollutants (namely carbon dioxide (CO2), black carbon (BC), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and carbon monoxide (CO)) in South Africa, for the period from 1994 to 2019. Data from the world bank, namely gross domestic product (GDP) and CO2 emissions, were used. BC, SO2, and CO data were obtained from Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA-2). The linear correlation coefficient and the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis test were used to determine the relationships. The sequential Mann–Kendall (SQMK) test was further used to study the trends. A correlation coefficient of 0.84, which indicates a strong positive linear correlation, between GDP and CO2 emission was observed. However, the relationship between GDP and CO concentration showed a correlation coefficient of −0.05, indicating no linear relationship between the two variables. The EKC hypothesis showed an N-shape for SO2 and CO. Overall, the results of this study indicate that emissions levels are generally correlated with economic growth. Therefore, a stringent regulatory system is needed to curtail the high emissions levels observed in this study, given the devastating impacts of global warming already ravaging the world.

Pension funds as fuel for overall investment level and economic growth: An empirical insight from South African economy

This study explores the impact of accumulated pension funds on the investment level and economic growth in South Africa using Bayesian Linear Regression (BLR) model. Time series data on Gross Domestic Product (GDP), total official pension funds and gross fixed capital formation (as a proxy for total investment level) from 1990(Q1) to 2019(Q3) were employed. The study makes use of MCMC (Markov Chain Monte Carlo) algorithm to obtain regression model parameters. The empirical findings from Bayesian Linear Regression estimation suggest that the mean effects of pension funds on economic growth and investment level in South Africa are approximately zero. The empirical conclusion is further corroborated by FMOLS results, which show that accumulated pension funds have no significant impact on the overall investment level and economic growth in South African economy. The study recommends that policy makers and the pension funds regulators have to come up with workable means by which pension funds can be invested to significantly benefit the economy; at the same time, ensuring the safety of the invested funds so as not to jeopardize the interest of pension funds owners.

Mobile learning studies conducted in certain schools in South Africa from 2005 to 2015: a review study

Mobile learning studies have been conducted at a secondary school level in South Africa. In particular, most of these studies have been carried out as one-off trials or experiments in one or more schools, on a short-term basis. However, there have not yet been studies that harness and review mobile learning projects undertaken at a secondary school level. To this end, the current study reviewed mobile learning projects conducted at secondary schools in South Africa between 2005 and 2015 which are published in DHET-accredited academic journals. It reviewed such projects by employing eligibility criteria meant to include qualifying journal articles and by synthesising key areas such as educational context, subject domain, research design, sample groups, data sources and summary of findings. The study reveals that three areas, English L1, English L2 and mathematics constituted the primary focal areas of the reviewed studies.

Translanguaging as an act of emancipation: Rethinking assessment tools in multilingual pedagogy in South Africa

A plethora of research concerned with translanguaging pedagogy exists. The available research shows a considerable effort by researchers at the tertiary level in South Africa. However, the question about which language should be used for assessment, especially at university, has been a matter of concern among many lecturers. Using a group of first-year medical students, a study was conducted to find out if proficiency in the English language is required as a measure of success in content-related material. Statistical analysis of a control group and an intervention group showed a significant difference in the performance of the students after the assessment of a task. The intervention group, that had been given the opportunity to discuss the main ideas of a text and write a summary based on the text, performed better than their counterparts in the control group. However, it should be noted that during the assessment, the English language grammatical rules were not the priority; instead, emphasis was placed on students’ ability to identify and use the main ideas in the summary. The results prompts this researcher to conclude that students are emancipated from the bounds of proficiency in the English language through the use of a translanguaging pedagogy when assessed on their display of content knowledge instead. For this reason, the researcher urges all academics to compile assessments that focus on content knowledge and allow students to use translanguaging to understand and make meaning of content material.

Encouraging and discouraging factors to crime reporting in South Africa: a survey of residents’ crime reporting behaviour in Mthatha South Africa police service precinct

The aim of this study was to explore issues concerning dispositions of crime-reporting behaviour of both witnesses and victims and comes against a backdrop of a rise in crime levels in South Africa. The study specifically examined the discouraging and encouraging factors for crime reporting in Mthatha area in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. A quantitative methodology was adopted, wherein a closed-ended questionnaire was used to gather data from 120 respondents. The result of the analysis revealed police absence of loyalty to citizens, lack of support for victims and lack of follow-up on reported cases as the major factors which discourage citizens from reporting crimes to the police. Further regression analysis confirmed gender, race, location of respondents and socio-economic status as significant predictors that influence discouragement. As regards the encouraging factors, overall, the citizens’ collective responsibility for safe communities was viewed as the major drive for reporting crimes to the police. From the findings, it can be concluded that poor police-public relations is the main driver for non-reporting of crime. The study recommends strengthening of police-public relations in order to encourage citizens to report crime.

Assessing Customer Attitudes towards Zero Waste Shopping

Objective – Despite growing concerns for the natural environment and overall public health, waste levels in South Africa remain alarmingly high. A solution suggested to overcome this rising levels of waste is the practice of zero waste shopping. It should be acknowledged that people around the world currently lived through a global pandemic, forcing them into new working and living realities to take responsibility for the state of the planet. This study, however, was conducted before the pandemic started. The purpose of this article was to thus to assess general customer attitudes regarding zero waste shopping. Methodology/Technique – A quantitative research paradigm was followed. Primary data was collected by means of a survey, using self-administered structured questionnaires. A total of 150 questionnaires were distributed to respondents within the designated population. Responses were captured in a statistical computer programme and descriptive statistics, frequency distributions and reliability testing were conducted. Findings – The results revealed that most consumers within the designated population are aware of the negative impact of waste generation on the environment and overall public health. The results further revealed that respondents are aware of the concept of zero waste and its basic premises. Novelty - The study revealed that a significant paradigm shift in consumer attitudes and habits is still required in order for zero waste shopping to be adopted successfully in any developing country. Type of Paper: Empirical. JEL Classification: M20; M30 Keywords: Sustainability; waste; waste management; zero waste shopping; theory of planned behaviour Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Watson, S; Smith, E.E. (2020). Assessing Customer Attitudes towards Zero Waste Shopping, J. Mgt. Mkt. Review, 5(4) 244 – 250. https://doi.org/10.35609/jmmr.2020.5.4(6)

Stock Returns and Valuation Ratios at Sector Level in South Africa: The Regime-switch Modelling Approach

There is mounting evidence of stock return predictability based on valuation ratios across various stock markets. Most studies in this regard assume that the link between stock returns and valuation ratios is constant and linear. Yet, return predictability may vary according to the prevailing market regime. Accordingly, this study investigated whether the dividend and price-earnings valuation ratios predict returns on six sector indices on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and whether that predictability is dependent on the prevailing market regime. The study employed a Markov regime-switching model over a sample period spanning from 1996:01 to 2018:12. The results showed that in most sectors, predictability was present, and its significance was dependent on whether the market was in a bullish or bearish regime. These findings are useful to investors who use valuation ratios to predict returns and adjust portfolios in various sectors across different market regimes on the South African market.

Counting the cost: COVID-19 school closures in South Africa and its impact on children

Background: When the new coronavirus rapidly spread across the globe, the impact of the virus on children was still unclear, and closing schools seemed the responsible thing to do. But much has been learnt since about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the effects of lockdown and school closures, both in South Africa and internationally.Aim: It shows that the mortality risk of the virus is extremely small for children, even when assuming an extremely pessimistic scenario for total COVID-19 deaths.Setting: We review the evidence at a national level in South Africa using nationally-representative datasets.Methods: This article offers evidence drawn from nationally representative household surveys, school surveys and administrative datasets, as well as research reports.Results: International evidence predominantly shows that children are not important transmitters of this virus, which is different from the case for influenza, for example. We show that there are considerable costs to the lockdown for children. These relate to foregone leaning opportunities, mental health, nutrition and physical health.Conclusion: We show that re-opening the economy whilst keeping schools closed results in many unintended consequences, including that children are at higher risk of being left home alone. Considering all of this, we propose that all children should return to schools, crèches and early childhood development (ECD)centres without any further delay.

Women\u2019s appraisal, interpretation and help-seeking for possible symptoms of breast and cervical cancer in South Africa: a qualitative study

BackgroundIn South Africa, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and cervical cancer the leading cause of cancer mortality. Most cancers are diagnosed at a late-stage and following symptomatic presentation. The overall purpose of the study was to inform interventions aimed at improving timely diagnosis of breast and cervical cancer.MethodsIn-depth interviews were conducted with women with potential breast or cervical cancer symptoms from urban and rural South Africa. Participants were recruited from a community-based cross-sectional study on breast and cervical cancer awareness. Data were analysed using a thematic analysis approach.ResultsEighteen women were interviewed (10 urban, 8 rural): the median age was 34.5 years (range 22–58). Most were unemployed, and five were HIV positive. Themes included impact and attribution of bodily changes; influence of social networks and health messaging in help-seeking; management of symptoms and help-seeking barriers. Breast changes were often attributed to manual activities or possible cancer. Women were often unsure how to interpret vaginal symptoms, attributing them to HIV, hormonal contraceptives, or partner infidelity. Concerns about cancer were based on health information from the radio, social networks, or from primary care providers. Prompt care seeking was triggered by impact of symptoms on personal lives. Rural women, especially with possible symptoms of cervical cancer, experienced challenges during help-seeking including judgmental attitudes of clinic staff. Most participants were skeptical of traditional medicine.ConclusionsThis is the first study exploring interpretation of possible breast and cervical cancer symptoms at a community level in South Africa. The process of interpreting bodily changes, symptom attribution and help-seeking is complex and influenced by women’s everyday life experiences. Timely diagnosis interventions should not only include cancer symptom awareness but also address individual, structural and health systems related barriers to care.