Limpopo Province Of South Africa Research Articles

Notes on Phalangiidae (Arachnida: Opiliones) of southern Africa with description of new species and comments on within-species variation.

Notes are provided on a collection of Afrotropical harvestmen (Opiliones: Palpatores: Phalangiidae) from the California Academy of Sciences. A new species of Rhampsinitus, R. conjunctidens n. sp., is described from Limpopo province of South Africa. Rhampsinitus flavobrunneus Staręga 2009 and R. silvaticus Lawrence 1931 are recognised as junior synonyms of R. nubicolus Lawrence 1963 and R. vittatus Lawrence 1931, respectively. Both R. conjunctidens and R. nubicolus are recognised as exhibiting strong male dimorphism with major males exhibiting larger body size and greatly enlarged chelicerae relative to minor males; minor males cannot be readily identified to species without examination of genitalia. A discussion is also provided on generic boundaries within Afrotropical Phalangiidae, and a generic key to males of the region is presented.

Evaluation of genotype x environment interaction using GGE-biplot on dry beans(Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Limpopo province of South Africa

Dry bean is the second most important legume crop in South Africa due to its high protein content. GGE- Biplot was used to evaluate genotype x environment interaction (GEI) and stability performance of dry bean genotypes during 2011 and 2012 growing seasons. Eight dry bean genotypes were planted at different locations in the Limpopo province, South Africa with different agro-climatic characteristics. The genotypes used were OPS-RS1, Jenny, Kranskop, DBS310, OPS-RS4, DBS 360, OPS-RS2 and OPS-RS5. The ANOVA analysis results for grain yield, number of pods per plant and number of seeds per plant revealed that the environment contributed more to the total variation followed by GEI and finally genotype. According to GGE biplot for grain yield, OPS- RS1 was regarded as the more stable genotype and had the highest mean yield, DBS 360 had the highest mean number of pods per plant and DBS 310 produced the highest mean number of seeds per plant. The GGE biplot methodology clearly presented the GEI relationship among environments and genotypes.

An investigation of maternal mortality at a tertiary hospital of the Limpopo province of South Africa

Objective: To understand the elements influencing the maternal deaths in the Limpopo province, South Africa.Methods: A retrospective review of all maternal deaths which occurred at the Pietersburg Hospital, Limpopo province was done over a five-year period (January 2011 to December 2015). The hospital death register was used to collate a list of maternal deaths occurring during the study period. The medical records of maternal deaths were reviewed. The total deliveries and live births for each year were obtained from the delivery registers. The data collected included maternal age, parity, referring facility, date of admission, date and time of death, ward where death occurred, and cause of death.Results: There were 14 685 live births and 232 maternal deaths between 2011 and 2015, resulting in an institutional Maternal Mortality Ratio (iMMR) of 1579/100 000 live births. The mean age of the patients was 29 years. Forty-three per cent of deaths occurred within 24 hours of admission, 35% died in ICU and 89% ...

Productivity ofMoringa oleiferaaugmented with intercropped tropical legumes

In Limpopo Province of South Africa, a trial was conducted over four seasons (one each year, from September 2011 to May 2015) to assess the productivity of Moringa oleifera 'PKM 1' grown with tropical legumes. Season 1 was devoted to the establishment of 120-m long rows of moringa trees, with seeds spaced 1 (in-row) × 3 (between-row) m. Except for a 1-m wide weed-free band at the base of each moringa row, the alleys were kept in native grasses to minimize weeding. Arranged in a randomized complete block design with five replications, treatments consisted of a no-legume control and four legumes [cowpea (Vigna unguiculata 'ITD98'), jack bean (Canivalia ensiformis), lablab (Lablab purpureus 'Highworth') and pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan 'Kranti')] sown below the moringa trees during seasons 2 and 4. During season 3, the 1-m wide weed-free strip beneath the moringa trees was sown to okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) and kale (Brassica oleracea). The moringa trees were heavily mulched with straw over the winter dry seasons, and pruned to a height of 1 m at each of two leaf harvests per season (2-4). Total season-2 (223-279 kg ha-1) and season-3 (314-466 kg ha-1) moringa powder yields were unaffected by season-2 legumes. Season-4 moringa productivity, however, was lower (P<0.0001) with (191-340 kg ha-1) than without (473 kg ha-1) legumes, likely due to weather conditions favoring legume competition with moringa. Legumes performed better under moringa than the vegetables. Results indicated that, where short-duration freezes occur, 1 ha of this system can provide - over the course of a year - a daily supply of 5 g of moringa powder for each of 120-153 people by the second season. Additionally, legumes were shown to contribute as much as 5 (jack bean) to 6 (lablab) t ha-1 of dry, above-ground biomass and 525 kg ha-1 (lablab) of dry beans. Steps such as pruning moringa above 1 m are suggested to minimize adverse effects of legume competitiveness with moringa.

Fungi and insects associated with Euphorbia ingens die-off in South Africa

Euphorbia ingens, landmark succulent trees in savannas of South Africa, have been dying in large numbers over the last 10–15 years. Initial studies conducted in the Limpopo province of South Africa revealed a diverse group of biotic agents including fungi, beetles and moths associated with dying trees, but due to the limited geographic extent of these studies, it was not known if the same agents were associated with dying trees regionally. In this study, diseased and insect-infested trees were sampled for fungal pathogens and insects at six sites in four provinces located across South Africa. Fungi were identified based on morphology and DNA sequencing of the ITS, LSU, β-tubulin and TEF 1-α gene regions, and insects were identified based on morphology. Fungal isolates were identified as Aureovirgo volantis, Fusarium solani, Lasiodiplodia × egyptiacae, Ophiostoma thermarum and a Readeriella species. Five insects were identified, all in the family Curculionidae, including two ambrosia beetles, Cyrtogenius africus and a Stenoscelis species. All fungi and insects collected are known to be opportunistic and occur on stressed trees as secondary agents of mortality or disease. These results suggest that the die-off is not related to attack of the trees by aggressive insects or pathogens, but rather that E. ingens in this region is under stress from environmental factors that supports the ability of opportunistic insects and pathogens to establish.

Perceptions of community-based field workers on the effect of a longitudinal biomedical research project on their sustainable livelihoods

BackgroundResearchers involved in biomedical community-based projects rarely seek the perspectives of community fieldworkers, who are the ‘foot soldiers’ in such projects. Understanding the effect of biomedical research on community-based field workers could identify benefits and shortfalls that may be crucial to the success of community-based studies. The present study explored the perceptions of community-based field workers on the effect of the Etiology, Risk Factors and Interactions of Enteric Infections and Malnutrition and the Consequences for Child Health and Development Project" (MAL-ED) South Africa on their tangible and intangible capital which together comprise sustainable livelihoods.MethodsThe study was conducted in Dzimauli community in Limpopo Province of South Africa between January-February 2016. The sustainable livelihoods framework was used to query community-based field workers’ perspectives of both tangible assets such as income and physical assets and intangible assets such as social capital, confidence, and skills. Data were collected through twenty one individual in-depth interviews and one focus group discussion. Data were analysed using the Thematic Content Analysis approach supported by ATLAS.ti, version 7.5.10 software.ResultsAll the field workers indicated that they benefitted from the MAL-ED South Africa project. The benefits included intangible assets such as acquisition of knowledge and skills, stronger social capital and personal development. Additionally, all indicated that MAL-ED South Africa provided them with the tangible assets of increased income and physical assets. Observations obtained from the focus group discussion and the community-based leaders concurred with the findings from the in-depth interviews. Additionally, some field workers expressed the desire for training in public relations, communication, problem solving and confidence building.ConclusionsThe MAL-ED South Africa, biomedical research project, had positive effects on tangible and intangible assets that compose the sustainable livelihoods of community-based fieldworkers. However, the field workers expressed the need to acquire social skills to enable them carry out their duties more efficiently.

An assessment of land cover change as a source of information for conservation planning in the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve

Determining changes in land use/land cover (LULCC) can be used to assess and monitor habitat loss as one of the five global priority causes of biodiversity loss. In South Africa, two national land-cover (NLC) datasets have been developed from satellite imagery obtained in circa 1990 and 2013/2014. The Vhembe Biosphere Reserve (VBR), designated in 2009, is located in the north of the Limpopo Province in South Africa and has a surface area of 30,457 km2. The aim of biosphere reserves is to provide a landscape-scale framework for conservation and sustainable development of an area. The area within a biosphere reserve is prioritised by designating it into one of three zones 1) Core, 2) Buffer, and 3) Transitional Zones. Two national parks and six provincial reserves (PAs) are the current and form part of the proposed updated core areas (pCAs) of the VBR. Intensity analyses was used to assess LULCC in the VBR. The pCAs cover 39.7% of the surface area of the VBR. The PAs cover 39.7% and only 15.8% of the surface area of the pCAs and VBR respectively. Based on the NLC 2013/2014 a majority of the VBR, pCAs and PAs consisted of indigenous vegetation dominated by Woodland/Open bush, Grassland, and Thicket/Dense bush. The extent of transformed land in the VBR declined from 1990 to 2013 by 1697.7 km2. The total amount of change and mean annual change in the VBR was 53.1% and 2.31% respectively. The overexploitation of fuel wood by rural communities in rural areas of the VBR, was partly responsible for the targeted loss of Woodland/Open bush to Thicket/Dense bush and Grasslands. The unquantified presence of novel vegetation and alien invasive plants means that the NLC 1990 and 2013/2014 overestimates the quantity and distribution of the remaining indigenous vegetation in the VBR. In order to address this the distribution of alien and indigenous invasive plant species in the VBR needs to be determined and used to update future NLCs. Assuming a worse-case-scenario of all the coal deposits in the VBR, including the Kruger National Park, being mined it would amount to 24.7% of the surface area of the VBR. Only 6.8% of the area of all the coal deposits in the VBR was transformed with 93.2% currently remaining untransformed. It is recommended that transformation of indigenous vegetation to one of the seven transformed land cover categories and more specifically from coal mining should be restricted to the VBR's Transition Zones.

Cervical cancer screening in rural South Africa among HIV-infected migrant farm workers and sex workers

At an HIV clinic in the Limpopo province of South Africa, chart reviews revealed long delays in addressing abnormal Pap smears, difficulty in referrals, poor quality and lost results, and increasing cases of cervical cancer. To address these barriers, a “see and treat” approach to screening was proposed. The objective was to integrate this method into current HIV care offered by local providers and to obtain demographic and risk factor data for use in future educational and intervention programs in the region.A cross sectional study of HIV farm workers and at-risk sex workers attending an HIV clinic was performed with visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA). Those with positive screens were offered cryotherapy. Clinic charts were reviewed retrospectively for Pap smear results for the previous year at the time of program initiation and at 12 and 18months post-program.A total of 403 participants consented and underwent screening with VIA (306 Farm workers and 97 sex workers participated). 83.9% of participants (32.9% sex workers and 100% farm workers) were HIV+. VIA was positive in 30.5% of participants, necessitating cryotherapy. There was no significant difference in VIA positivity between HIV+ farm workers and sex workers. There was a positive correlation between Pap smears and VIAs results.We demonstrate successful integration of cervical cancer screening using VIA for HIV+ farm workers and sex workers into an existing HIV treatment and prevention clinic in rural South Africa, addressing and treating abnormal results promptly.

A Bench Mark Survey for extension officers in three districts of Limpopo Province, South Africa

Extension services is one of the policy instruments which can be used to solve the food insecurity challenges. This understanding has led to a team of extension experts in agricultural extension to organise themselves under the name of Extension Africa. The team saw a need to conduct a benchmark study with the aim of unravelling circumstances facing agricultural extension in selected African countries such as Tanzania, Malawi, Botswana and South Africa. The members of Extension Africa were drawn from these countries. This study presents the situation of three districts in Limpopo Province of South Africa in which thirty extension officers were interviewed using a questionnaire. The findings suggest that there are gaps in the critical areas such as educational levels, job satisfaction, extension methods, communication, extension goal and training needs. It was further revealed that the female extension to male ratio is skewed although they are showing a reasonable level of marital status. The following areas of extension need attention to improve extension delivery: in-service training and Information Communication Technology (ICT). As far as job satisfaction is concerned, the main challenge is linked to salary. The study concludes with a recommendation targeting both the extension managers and policy makers who are encouraged to develop strategies to address the gaps identified by the study. Keywords: Extension, Information Communication Technology, Extension methods Communication, Extension goals

Indoor Temperatures in Patient Waiting Rooms in Eight Rural Primary Health Care Centers in Northern South Africa and the Related Potential Risks to Human Health and Wellbeing.

Increased temperatures affect human health and vulnerable groups including infants, children, the elderly and people with pre-existing diseases. In the southern African region climate models predict increases in ambient temperature twice that of the global average temperature increase. Poor ventilation and lack of air conditioning in primary health care clinics, where duration of waiting time may be as long as several hours, pose a possible threat to patients seeking primary health care. Drawing on information measured by temperature loggers installed in eight clinics in Giyani, Limpopo Province of South Africa, we were able to determine indoor temperatures of waiting rooms in eight rural primary health care facilities. Mean monthly temperature measurements inside the clinics were warmer during the summer months of December, January and February, and cooler during the autumn months of March, April and May. The highest mean monthly temperature of 31.4 ± 2.7 °C was recorded in one clinic during February 2016. Maximum daily indoor clinic temperatures exceeded 38 °C in some clinics. Indoor temperatures were compared to ambient (outdoor) temperatures and the mean difference between the two showed clinic waiting room temperatures were higher by 2–4 °C on average. Apparent temperature (AT) incorporating relative humidity readings made in the clinics showed ‘realfeel’ temperatures were >4 °C higher than measured indoor temperature, suggesting a feeling of ‘stuffiness’ and discomfort may have been experienced in the waiting room areas. During typical clinic operational hours of 8h00 to 16h00, mean ATs fell into temperature ranges associated with heat–health impact warning categories of ‘caution’ and ‘extreme caution’.

Emissions testing of loose biomass in Limpopo Province of South Africa

Southern Africa depends on wood for energy. This affects deforestation and global warming. Loose biomass briquettes can replace round wood and mitigate such problems. Loose biomass derived from agricultural and forestry waste has chemicals like pesticides which can cause unsafe emissions. This paper studies emissions resulting from combustion of such loose biomass collected from Limpopo, a province of South Africa. Twelve loose biomass samples were tested for gases emitted from domestic stove combustion. Exhaust gases were sampled and tested to determine composition and quantities of emitted elements. Both element identification and particulate analysis are reported.

Ethnomedicinal uses of indigenous plant species in Mogalakwena Municipality of Waterberg District, Limpopo Province South Africa

Various indigenous cultures in the Limpopo Province of South Africa are transitioning from a traditional lifestyle to a westernised one. This leads to a loss of cultural identity and knowledge. Consequently, an ethnobotanical survey was conducted to investigate the medicinal uses of indigenous plants in the Mogalakwena Local Municipality of the Waterberg District in Limpopo Province, South Africa, an area experiencing rapid transition to a western lifestyle. The study interviewed 30 traditional healers via a semi-structured questionnaire. Thirty five indigenous plant species were documented to be used in the treatment of 37 ailments. These species are distributed among 22 families, of which Asteraceae (5 species), Fabaceae (4 species) and Hyacinthaceae (3 species) are the most prominent. The remaining families are represented by either a single or two species. Bark and roots accounted for 50% of the material used, followed by leaves (12%) and tuber (8%), amongst other. Preparation of remedies was mainly through decoctions (40%), followed by infusions (33.3%), paste (8.3%), and fumes through burning (6.7%). The high percentage of bark and roots use is an area of concern. Furthermore this study found many instances of unsustainable harvesting techniques. These issues need immediate attention for the long term conservation of a number of threatened species identified in this study.

Ethnomedicinal uses of exotic plant species in Mogalakwena Municipality of Waterberg District, Limpopo Province South Africa

Ethnomedicinal uses of exotic plant species in Mogalakwena Municipality of Waterberg District, Limpopo Province South Africa

Production of Loose Biomass Briquettes from Agricultural and Forestry Residues

Solid biomass as a source of energy has a high impact in low income communities due to its ease of availability, low cost and sustainability. Furthermore, biomass briquettes as a source of energy are carbon neutral with minimal effect on the environment. If produced from loose biomass residues produced annually from agricultural and forestry activities, deforestation can be mitigated. There is, therefore, a need to encourage off grid communities to reduce reliance on round wood as an energy source and harness the freely available loose biomass. The major challenge in the use of loose biomass for energy is to improve the energy density, handling and storage. The aim of this paper is to report on the various production methods, procedures and processes that are deployed to process loose biomass into biomass briquettes. Various methods of loose biomass briquetting are considered and applied to the production of loose biomass collected from a location in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Parameters that were monitored included energy content, moisture content and particle size. Cow dung and cactus plant were used as binders from the four selected loose biomass. Binder proportions of 86% by weight were found to be optimum. The briquettes were produced by hydraulic compaction at pressures of 6.4, 12.7 and 19MPa.

Developmental obstacles adversely affecting emerging contractors in the construction industry of Limpopo province

This study attempts to identify and quantify factors that adversely affect the growth and development of emerging contractors in the construction industry of Limpopo Province in South Africa. The study is based on a stratified random sample of 229 emerging contractors who operate in the construction industry of Limpopo Province. The degree of entrepreneurial skills in emerging contractors was assessed by using a composite index defined by Beck and Demirguc-Kunt (2012). Quantitative and qualitative research methods were used for data collection and analysis. The study found that 139 of the 229 emerging contractors selected for the study (60.70%) lacked entrepreneurial skills by the standards of Beck and Demirguc-Kunt (2012), whereas 90 of them (40.18%) had adequate entrepreneurial skills by the same standards. The study also showed that 141 of the 229 emerging contractors in the study (61.57%) lacked basic skills in construction engineering. More than half of the contractors in the study had disadvantaged backgrounds in terms of technical and entrepreneurial skills as well as capital and access to finance. The study found that 122 of the 229 emerging contractors (53.28%) were viable financially while the remaining 107 emerging contractors (46.72%) were not viable financially. Results obtained from the study showed that viability in emerging contractors was significantly influenced by barriers such as lack of construction engineering skills, lack of entrepreneurial skills, lack of access to finance, inability to network with well-established contractors, inability to draw up business plans, and delay in payment for services rendered, in a decreasing order of strength. Keywords: construction industry, emerging contractors, Limpopo Province. JEL Classification: C5, M21

Perceived barriers to the development of small, medium and microenterprises: a case study of Thulamela Municipality in the Limpopo Province

The study investigated the perceived barriers to the development of small, medium and microenterprises (SMMEs) operating in the South African small business sector. A quantitative orientation was used in carrying out the study through self-administered questionnaires and a descriptive quantitative method of analysis was applied. The research population consisted of entrepreneurs within the Thulamela Municipality in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. A purposive sample of seventy-five SMME owners and managers participated in this study (males = 73%, n = 55; females = 27%, n = 20 and, age range 18-55 years). The study seeks to add on the narrow body of literature concerning barriers faced by small, medium and microenterprises within the small business sector by revealing how SMMEs in South Africa are stalled from developing into successful enterprises as a result of some major barriers affecting the small business sector. The study revealed that, indeed, SMMEs in Thulamela Municipality in the Limpopo Province of South Africa are faced with various barriers affecting their development. Five significant barriers were identified, namely, lack of finance, access to market, out-dated equipment and technology, poor infrastructure and lack of training. The study recommends on the action plan that is required for SMMEs to increase their efficiency and sustaining themselves against possible barriers thereby helping entrepreneurs to exploit the full potential of the SMME sector. Keywords: barriers, development, SMMEs, entrepreneurs, Thulamela municipality, South Africa. JEL Classification: L26, P2

Training Challenges Faced by Smallholder Farmers: A Case of Mopani District, Limpopo Province in South Africa

Training plays a strategic role in improving the competitiveness and the productivity of the agricultural sector. This paper identified training challenges faced by smallholder farmers in the Mopan...

Investigating How Science Teachers in South Africa Engage with all Three Levels of Representation in Selected Chemistry Topics

This article aims to investigate how science teachers engaged with the macroscopic, sub-microscopic and symbolic levels of representations in their Chemistry teaching. Data were collected in Limpopo province in South Africa from 15 ‘lead’ teachers and this paper reports on five lessons presented by the teachers during professional development workshops. The ‘lead’ teachers were selected by the Department of Education based on their qualifications, years of experience and results of their learners over the years. Data were gathered from video-recorded peer teaching lessons, field notes and post-lesson interviews. The findings show that the teachers in this study mainly focused on the symbolic and sub-microscopic level and did not engage with the content at all three levels, even though they participated in a professional development programme specifically geared towards the integration of all three levels. These findings, although they cannot be generalised because of the small sample size, indicate a need for changes in the pre-service and in-service teachers’ training, and in the curriculum in South Africa. The challenge facing the teaching of Chemistry in South Africa is to evolve suitable didactic practices to preserve the unity of Chemistry at all three levels of representation.

Online appendix 1:South African National Survey of Arachnida: A checklist of the spiders (Arachnida, Araneae) of the Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve, Limpopo province, South Africa

The aim of the South African National Survey of Arachnida (SANSA) is to document the Arachnida fauna of South Africa. One of the focus areas of SANSA is to survey protected areas to obtain species-specific information, and species distribution patterns for Red Data assessments. Here, we provide the first checklist of the spider species of Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve (LNR) in the Limpopo province of South Africa collected during five surveys between 2009 and 2016 using methods targeting both the ground and field layers. Forty-five families, represented by 168 genera and 268 species, have been collected so far. The most species-rich families were the Salticidae (41 spp.) and Araneidae (38 spp.), followed by the Thomisidae (33 spp.), while 11 families were represented by one species. Information on spider guilds, endemicity value and conservation status are provided. The LNR protects approximately 12.2% of the total South African spider fauna. Two species, Hasarinella distincta Haddad &amp; Wesołowska, 2013 (Salticidae) and Ballomma legala Jocqué &amp; Henrard, 2015 (Zodariidae), are presently known to be endemic to the reserve.Conservation implications: The LNR falls within the Savanna Biome in the Limpopo province. Only five spider species were previously known from the reserve and 263 spp. are reported from the reserve for the first time. Thirteen species are possibly new to science and 2 species represent new distribution records for South Africa.

South African National Survey of Arachnida: A checklist of the spiders (Arachnida, Araneae) of the Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve, Limpopo province, South Africa

The aim of the South African National Survey of Arachnida (SANSA) is to document the Arachnida fauna of South Africa. One of the focus areas of SANSA is to survey protected areas to obtain species-specific information, and species distribution patterns for Red Data assessments. Here, we provide the first checklist of the spider species of Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve (LNR) in the Limpopo province of South Africa collected during five surveys between 2009 and 2016 using methods targeting both the ground and field layers. Forty-five families, represented by 168 genera and 268 species, have been collected so far. The most species-rich families were the Salticidae (41 spp.) and Araneidae (38 spp.), followed by the Thomisidae (33 spp.), while 11 families were represented by one species. Information on spider guilds, endemicity value and conservation status are provided. The LNR protects approximately 12.2% of the total South African spider fauna. Two species, Hasarinella distincta Haddad &amp; Wesołowska, 2013 (Salticidae) and Ballomma legala Jocqué &amp; Henrard, 2015 (Zodariidae), are presently known to be endemic to the reserve.Conservation implications: The LNR falls within the Savanna Biome in the Limpopo province. Only five spider species were previously known from the reserve and 263 spp. are reported from the reserve for the first time. Thirteen species are possibly new to science and 2 species represent new distribution records for South Africa.