Northern Cape Of South Africa Research Articles

Soil water dynamics and biomass production of young rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) plants

Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) is endemic to certain regions of the Western- and Northern Cape of South Africa, where it is also commercially grown. Being low-rainfall regions, information on the soil water balance of rooibos is essential, but such data is limited. Consequently, the effect of inorganic fertilisation and soil depth on soil water dynamics in a young rooibos plantation at Nardouwsberg, Western Cape were studied. Soil water content of plots planted to unfertilised and fertilised plants as well as that of bare soil were determined over the duration of the 2016/17 season. All treatments were replicated on shallow and deep soils sites and plant growth was determined at the end of the season. At the end of the study, the profile soil water content and evapotranspiration of the bare and planted plots were similar which prove that fallowing (water harvesting) is not an option in the sandy soils of this region. With the exception of the 20−30 cm root zone of the planted plots at the deep site, the water content decreased to levels below the permanent wilting point in the soil profile during summer. It was concluded that rooibos plants could survive through an adapted root system. A further survival method was proposed, involving moisture moved through evaporation from the deeper soil layers into the drying-front in the ~ 10−30 cm soil layer where a condensation-evaporation cycle enables rooibos to harvest small amounts of water. The highest shoot biomass with the longest taproot resulted from the unfertilised treatment on the deep soil thanks to higher soil water content, whereas the shoot and root biomass of the fertilised treatment at both sites were low due to high P soil concentration. This study revealed that unfertilised plants on deeper soils result in higher rooibos production under drought conditions.

The Impact of Upper Limb Injury or Conditions on Daily Occupations: A Qualitative Inquiry

The study aimed to explore six public service users’ perspectives on the impact their upper limb injury or condition has on their everyday lives while receiving occupational therapy intervention at a public hospital in the context of the Northern Cape of South Africa. An interpretivist phenomenological approach was employed. Data was collected using reflexive photography and semi-structured interviews. Three main themes were generated during inductive reasoning, namely the impact on role fulfillment, change in occupational task performance and the factors impacting performance in preferred occupations. Participants confirmed that to present a contextually relevant and responsive service, Occupation-Based Hand Therapy (OBHT) approaches must be considered.

Experience of the new seizure diary in the Free State and Northern Cape.

Epilepsy is a neurological disease affecting adults and children globally. A seizure diary is one of the self-management tools for tracking seizures. This study aims to ascertain the experience of a new seizure diary by persons completing the diary in the Free State and Northern Cape of South Africa. Adult patients with epilepsy attending Universitas Academic Hospital epilepsy clinic in Bloemfontein, clinics in Kimberley and the casualty department of Kimberley hospital (Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe hospital) received a new seizure diary. After using the diary for 6 months, participants (patients, relatives or caregivers) completed a questionnaire. A total of 139 epilepsy patients received a new seizure diary; 67 previously diary-unexposed participants and 33 participants who had previous exposure to a seizure diary. The majority of participants, namely 91% of previously diary-unexposed and 84.9% of participants who had previous exposure to the seizure diary, understood the new seizure diary. Participants who had previous exposure to a seizure diary were predominantly very positive about the new diary because it had more information. However, 21.2% indicated that they preferred the old one because it was easier to complete. Patients, caregivers or relatives from both groups used the new seizure diary and provided important information about their experience with the new diary. Despite a few complaints about using the new diary, most participants who had previous exposure to a seizure diary preferred the new seizure diary.Contribution:This study explored participants' opinions of the new seizure diary.

Epidemiological correlates of overweight and obesity in the Northern Cape Province, South Africa.

In the past several decades, obesity has become a major public health issue worldwide, associated with increased rates of chronic disease and death. Like many developing nations, South Africa is experiencing rapid increases in BMI, and as a result, evidence-based preventive strategies are needed to reduce the increasing burden of overweight and obesity. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of overweight and obesity among a multi-ethnic cohort from the rural Northern Cape of South Africa. These data were collected as part of a tuberculosis (TB) case-control study, with 395 healthy control participants included in the final analysis. Overweight and obesity were defined according to WHO classification. Multivariate linear models of BMI were generated using sex, age, education level, smoking, alcohol consumption, and diabetes as predictor variables. We also used multivariable logistic regression analysis to assess the relationship of these factors with overweight and obesity. The average BMI in our study cohort was 25.2. The prevalence of overweight was 18.0% and the prevalence of obesity was 25.0%. We find that female sex, being older, having more years of formal education, having diabetes, and being in a rural area are all positively associated with BMI in our dataset. Women (OR = 5.6, 95% CI [3.3-9.8]), rural individuals (OR = 3.3, 95% CI [1.9-6.0]), older individuals (OR = 1.02, 95% CI [1-1.04]), and those with more years of education (OR = 1.2, 95% CI [1.09-1.32]) were all more likely to be overweight or obese. Alternatively, being a smoker is negatively associated with BMI and decreases one's odds of being overweight or obese (OR = 0.28, 95% CI [0.16-0.46]). We observed a high prevalence of overweight and obesity in this study. The odds of being overweight and obese were higher in women, those living in rural areas, and those with more education, and increases with age. Community-based interventions to control obesity in this region should pay special attention to these groups.

Adherence and clinical outcomes of HIV patients switching to a fixed-dose combination regimen.

The efficacy of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is monitored using clinical markers such as viral load (VL) and CD4 counts. Adherence to ART has been associated with viral suppression and improved clinical outcomes. To determine the relationship between adherence status with multiple-tablet regimens (MTR) and fixed-dose combination (FDC) regimens, to weight, CD4 count and VL of patients living with HIV. An observational, descriptive study was conducted on a closed cohort of patients living with HIV and attending a primary health care clinic in Northern Cape in South Africa between 01 January 2013 and 31 December 2015. Patients were on an MTR and changed to an FDC regimen. Adherence was measured using the medicine possession ratio (MPR). Statistically significant differences exist between the mean MPR of the 30-day (p = 0.0308) and 28-day supply (p < 0.0001) of the MTR when compared to FDC regimen. No statistically significant differences could be found between adherence and clinical outcomes such as weight, CD4 count and VL for either MTR or FDC regimens. The suppressed VL values measured for MTR were n = 299 (89.25%) and n = 415 (93.05%) for FDC regimen. Adherence improved when patients were switched to FDC, but no statistically significant differences in clinical outcomes measured as weight, CD4 count and VL between adherence status and regimen type could be found. This study contributes to much-needed information about ART adherence and clinical outcomes (such as weight, CD4 count and VL) of adult HIV-positive patients in a public healthcare clinic in the Northern Cape, South Africa.

The perceptions and attitudes of patients with epilepsy to the use of a seizure diary, South Africa

Background: Epilepsy is responsible for a significant proportion of the world’s disease burden, affecting around 50 million people globally. A seizure diary is a self-management tool for epilepsy focusing on self-monitoring, tracking seizures and other symptoms. This study aimed to determine the perceptions and attitudes to the seizure diary in patients with epilepsy in the Free State and Northern Cape of South Africa. Methods: This cross-sectional survey method included adult patients with epilepsy attending Universitas Academic Hospital Specialist Epilepsy Clinic in Bloemfontein and local clinics in Kimberley (City, Beaconsfield and Betty Gatsewe), as well as the casualty department of Kimberley hospital (Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital). The Kimberley patients were diary-unexposed, while the Bloemfontein patients were patients who had previous exposure to the seizure diary. Results: A total of 182 patients with epilepsy were recruited for the study, of whom 65 were patients who had previous exposure to the seizure diary, and 117 were unexposed. In the patients who had previous exposure to the seizure diary, 64 (98.5%) found the diary useful, but 15 (23.1%) reported having various challenges with using the seizure diary. Almost all of the patients who had previous exposure to the seizure diary, 64 (98.5%), were willing to continue to use the diary, while 112 (95.7%) of the diary-unexposed patients were also willing to use the diary. Conclusion: Information from some patients using the diary confirms various challenges with its use; however, most patients support the continued usage of the diary.

The screening of emerging micropollutants in wastewater in Sol Plaatje Municipality, Northern Cape, South Africa

Although pollutants pose environmental and human health risks, the majority are not routinely monitored and regulated. Organic pollutants emanate from a variety of sources, and can be classified depending on their chemistry and environmental fate. Classification of pollutants is important because it informs fate processes and apposite removal technologies. The occurrence of emerging contaminants (ECs) in water bodies is a source of environmental and human health concern globally. Despite being widely reported, data on the occurrence of ECs in South Africa are scarce. Specifically, ECS in wastewater in the Northern Cape in South Africa are understudied. In this study, various ECs were screened in water samples collected from three wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the province. The ECs were detected using liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry following Oasis HLB solid-phase extraction. The main findings were: (1) there is a wide variety of ECs in the WWTPs, (2) physico-chemical properties such as pH, total dissolved solids, conductivity, and dissolved organic content showed reduced values in the outlet compared to the inlet which confirms the presence of less contaminants in the treated wastewater, (3) specific ultraviolet absorbance of less than 2 was observed in the WWTPs samples, suggesting the presence of natural organic matter (NOM) that is predominantly non-humic in nature, (4) most of the ECs were recalcitrant to the treatment processes, (5) pesticides, recreational drugs, and analgesics constitute a significant proportion of pollutants in wastewater, and (6) NOM removal ranged between 35 and 90%. Consequently, a comprehensive database of ECs in wastewater in Sol Plaatje Municipality was created. Since the detected ECs pose ecotoxicological risks, there is a need to monitor and quantify ECs in WWTPs. These data are useful in selecting suitable monitoring and control strategies at WWTPs.

MeerKAT correlator-beamformer: a real-time processing back-end for astronomical observations

The MeerKAT radio telescope consists of 64 Gregorian-offset antennas located in the Karoo in the Northern Cape in South Africa. The antenna system consists of multiple subsystems working collaboratively to form a cohesive instrument capable of operating in multiple modes for defined science cases. We focus on the channelizing subsystem (F-engine), the correlation subsystem (X-engine), and the beamforming subsystem (B-engine). In the wideband instrument mode, the channelizing can produce 1024, 4096, or 32,768 channels with correlation up to 64 antennas. Narrowband mode decomposes sampled bandwidth into 32,768 channels. The F-engine also performs delay compensation, equalization, quantization, and grouping and ordering. The X-engine provides both correlation and beamforming computations (independently). This document is intended to be a stand-alone entity covering the channelizing, correlation, and beamforming processes for the MeerKAT radio telescope. This includes data reception, pre- and post-processing, and data transmission.

Nectar Uptake of a Long-Proboscid Prosoeca Fly (Nemestrinidae)-Proboscis Morphology and Flower Shape.

Simple SummaryFlies with a particularly long proboscis are characteristic of flower-visiting insects in the Greater Cape Floristic Region of South Africa. We studied an endemic nemestrinid fly species in a small isolated area of semi-natural vegetation where these insects were the only flower visitors that could drink nectar from the available long-tubed flowers of one plant species. We examined the mouthpart structures that are important for nectar uptake and the length and diameter of the proboscis in comparison with the flower sizes. This local one-to-one interaction between the fly population and its nectar host flower gave the opportunity to quantify the nectar resources available for the nemestrinid flies at the study site. By comparing the offered nectar volumes before and after flower visits, the average meal size could be estimated. Assessments of the nectar levels from measured quantities and flower size allowed us to make predictions of how various proboscis lengths could reach nectar inside floral tubes.Several Prosoeca (Nemestinidae) species use a greatly elongated proboscis to drink nectar from long-tubed flowers. We studied morphological adaptations for nectar uptake of Prosoeca marinusi that were endemic to the Northern Cape of South Africa. Our study site was a small isolated area of semi-natural habitat, where the long-tubed flowers of Babiana vanzijliae (Iridaceae) were the only nectar source of P. marinusi, and these flies were the only insects with matching proboscis. On average, the proboscis measured 32.63 ± 2.93 mm in length and less than 0.5 mm in diameter. The short labella at the tip are equipped with pseudotracheae that open at the apical margin, indicating that nectar is extracted out of the floral tube with closed labella. To quantify the available nectar resources, measurements of the nectar volume were taken before the flies were active and after observed flower visits. On average, an individual fly took up approximately 1 µL of nectar per flower visit. The measured nectar quantities and the flower geometry allowed estimations of the nectar heights and predictions of necessary proboscis lengths to access nectar in a range of flower tube lengths.

The systematic position of the enigmatic rare South African endemic Carex acocksii: Its relevance on the biogeography and evolution of Carex sect. Schoenoxiphium (Cyperaceae)

Carex acocksii is a sedge species known only from two populations in the Karoo of the Northern Cape in South Africa. It was described from a single locality (Hantam Mts., Calvinia) more than twenty years ago, and tentatively ascribed to section Petraea because of its unispicate inflorescence and utricles with membranaceous-papyraceous walls. However, its systematic relationships have remained largely unexplored. We perform molecular, morphological and biogeographic studies in order to elucidate the systematic relationships and origin of this poorly known species. A phylogenetic reconstruction based on two nuclear (ITS, ETS) and two plastid (matK, rps16) markers strongly supports that C. acocksii belongs to Carex sect. Schoenoxiphium (former genus Schoenoxiphium), a lineage with its center of diversity in South Africa. However, C. acocksii displays a remarkable molecular (i.e. long phylogenetic branch), morphological (i.e. unispicate inflorescence and poorly veined, weak utricle walls), geographical (isolated populations placed more than 100 kms from any other native Carex species) and ecological (the only Carex species known exclusively from the Great Karoo) differentiation with respect to the remainder of sect. Schoenoxiphium. The section has been inferred to have originated 15 Mya in the Drakensberg, and to have speciated after dispersal to other areas at least three times (C. chermezonii was not included in this study), one of these cases being C. acocksii. These features highlight the evolutionary singularity and conservation importance of this species, especially in the context of South African flora. We reassessed the conservation status of C. acocksii at a global scale under IUCN categories and criteria, resulting in the proposal of the Critically Endangered category for the species.

An evaluation of groundwater vulnerability to pollution in Ga-segonyana municipality area, Kuruman, Northern Cape in South Africa

Ground water is an important source of water to any economy. However, ground water can be vulnerable to a series of factors and activities both on and within the surface of the earth. This study explored the vulnerability of the groundwater to pollution in the Ga-Sengonyana municipality area of the Northern Cape Province. The study adopted an exploratory research design that includes both quantitative and qualitative research approaches. The groundwater vulnerability assessment conducted using the DRASTIC index revealed a DRASTIC score of 140, implying that there is moderate to high vulnerability of aquifers in the Ga-Sengonyana district municipality. Both natural and anthropegenic factors contribute to ground water pollution in the study area. The unconsolidated material of sand, embedded dolomite and limestone that forms the vadose zone (unsaturated zone) and aquifer media contributed to high vulnerability of underground water to pollutants. The aquifer in the municipality area is highly vulnerable to both point and diffuse source of pollutants emanating from different land-use systems. It is therefore necessary for disaster management agencies and local municipality authorities to plan carefully on different land-uses and eliminate activities that provides the source of pollutants such as pit latrines and sewage leakages.

Comments on Language, Education and Culture

I am Salesti Jack from the Khwe San community of Platfontein in the Northern Cape of South Africa. I work at the South African San Development Organisation and XKfm Radio Station. Our community rel...

Language and Education: Photovoice Workshops and the !Xun and Khwe Bushmen

ABSTRACT Photovoice is a participatory research tool that facilitates the hearing of marginalised communities to instigate social change. Many Bushmen are concerned about the maintenance of their language and culture, while their educational needs are not being met. As these individuals often profess to feel unheard, photovoice workshops aim to bring such voices out into the open, with the resulting visual images often providing more powerful and emotional messages than script alone. Workshops were facilitated within the !Xun and Khwe communities at Platfontein in the Northern Cape of South Africa. The aim was to elicit the views and concerns of participants regarding indigenous language and education to facilitate seminar presentations, and publications, made more powerful through the use of visual images coupled with captions written by participants. This study is an evaluation of how these workshops were received by the participants.

Resilient modulus and microstructure of unsaturated expansive subgrade stabilized with activated fly ash

ABSTRACT South Africa is cut-across an arid and semi-arid zone, this implies that 95% of its roadbed is under unsaturated condition. In this context, resilient performance of subgrades is determined considering matric suction () and traffic loading parameters for resilient modulus (MR) analysis through the application of unsaturated soil mechanics. Expansive natural subgrade soil sample collected from Northern Cape in South Africa is selected for this study. Series of MR tests, Free swell index tests, Zero swelling tests, suction tests, X-Ray Diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy tests were conducted to investigate the unsaturated response of expansive subgrade stabilized with varying percentages 4%, 6%, 8% and 10% of activated fly ash (AFA). The suction components of the representative subgrade soils were determined through filter paper method. The soil-water retention curve (SWRC) was also analysed using Fredlund and Xing, and Seki’s models. The results showed that inclusions of 6%, 8% and 10% AFA caused some considerable increase in MR and suction values to a limiting values 6% AFA content, below which resilient modulus values were reduced. The low MR values are recorded in 4% AFA stabilized specimen, as a result of insufficient free reactive calcium oxide. This resulted to incomplete pozzolanic reaction with the clay minerals. Significant changes were observed in the soil pore structure, based on microstructure analysis of the stabilized subgrade soils. Inter-cluster cemented bonds, were noted on the surface structure of the stabilized subgrade compared to unstabilized subgrade soil, due to increase in MR.

Differences in the quality of school-based assessment: Evidence in Grade 9 mathematics achievement

This non-experimental, exploratory and descriptive study, using a qualitative case study approach, aims to investigate whether there is evidence of variance in the quality of school-based assessment (SBA) in Grade 9 mathematics. Participants were purposefully selected from five schools in a district in the Northern Cape in South Africa. After questionnaires were completed, individual face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants from the participating schools. Documents were collected and analysed to corroborate or contradict data from the questionnaires and interviews. Lack of adherence to policy, variation in classroom practice and inconsistent monitoring and moderation practices were identified as themes of possible sources of variation in SBA. An analysis of the interviews and document analysis revealed that most of the Heads of Department and principals lacked in-depth knowledge and understanding of their roles and functions in making SBA reliable, credible and valid. This was not only due to a lack of capacity to perform such functions, but was also due to a lack of effective induction and training by the district and provincial offices. Findings from the current study point to the necessary role that a periodic evaluation of SBA may play to ensure its effectiveness, credibility and reliability as part of successful assessment practices in a mostly developing context.

The Prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Its Impact on a Child's Classroom Performance: A Case Study of a Rural South African School.

Alcohol consumption is high among farm labourers in the Western and Northern Cape of South Africa. Excessive alcohol consumption during pregnancy is common, resulting in a high prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) among children. FAS causes intellectual and behavioural problems, which create considerable obstacles to a child’s education. The aim of this study is to provide a prevalence estimate of FAS in a rural school and to examine the effects of FAS on learners’ educational outcomes. The study was conducted at a farm school near Clanwilliam in the Western Cape of South Africa. The sample comprises 166 learners from Grades 1 to 4. Educational outcomes include class scores (Afrikaans home language and mathematics), reading ability, and classroom behaviour. A physician diagnosed FAS using a three-stage process. We find FAS prevalence of 127 per 1000 (12.7%). Children with FAS score significantly lower (at the 10% level) for home language and behaviour than children who do not have FAS. Large-scale interventions in rural areas of the Western and Northern Cape that specifically target females of child-bearing age, as well as children with FAS, are necessary.

Availability as a design criterion: Simulation of SKA1_MID Dish Power Infrastructure

AbstractThe first phase of the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) telescope will consist of two separate telescopes, SKA1_MID and SKA1_LOW. The former will be located in the Northern Cape in South Africa, with the latter being located in Australia. It is desirable to have high availability of the telescopes in order to maximise observation time. At the same time, availability needs to be achieved within budget. This paper describes a simulation model that was used to evaluate the inherent availability of different architectures for the SKA1_MID dish power network. We used availability as a design criterion, and showed that the required availability could be achieved at reduced cost.

Water beetles from the Bokkeveld Plateau: a semi-arid hotspot of freshwater biodiversity in the Northern Cape of South Africa.

The Bokkeveld Plateau in the Northern Cape of South Africa supports a complex transition zone between the fynbos and succulent karoo biomes on the margins of Namaqualand. A combination of regular winter rainfall, geology and strong rainfall gradients mean that the region supports a diverse and highly endemic flora. Recent sampling of aquatic beetles in the Bokkeveld demonstrates that this region also has a diverse freshwater fauna, including a number of apparent endemics. Five new species of Hydraenidae (Pterosthetops chrysomallus sp. nov., Parastetops porcellus sp. nov., Mesoceration castaneum sp. nov., M. chasmum sp. nov., and M. sabulosum sp. nov.) are described from the Bokkeveld, and new records provided for 68 other water beetle taxa recorded during recent fieldwork in the region, 28 of which are new to Northern Cape Province. Most of the newly described species are relatively common in the region, suggesting that additional taxa may remain undetected in this apparent hotspot of freshwater diversity.

A cultural-historical activity theory focus on the holders of indigenous knowledge as self-directed learners: Lessons for education in South African schools

This article demonstrates by means of four examples how the holders of indigenous knowledge were and are self-directed learners. They take the initiative to diagnose their learning needs and learning goals, identify resources for learning, choose appropriate learning strategies, and evaluate the outcomes. The construct of the ethnobotanical knowledge index is used to show how people in the Northern Cape in South Africa become self-directed learners to survive. By using third-generation cultural-historical activity theory, we show the lessons this holds for the classroom, which often is characterised by teacher-centred transmission mode teaching and learning, with very little self-directed learning.

A prospective investigation into the effect of colchicine on tuberculous pericarditis.

SummaryIntroductionTuberculous (TB) pericarditis carries significant mortality and morbidity rates, not only during the primary infection, but also as part of the granulomatous scar-forming fibrocalcific constrictive pericarditis so commonly associated with this disease. Numerous therapies have previously been investigated as adjuvant strategies in the prevention of pericardial constriction. Colchicine is well described in the treatment of various aetiologies of pericarditis. The aim of this research was to investigate the merit for the use of colchicine in the management of tuberculous pericarditis, specifically to prevent constrictive pericarditis.MethodsThis pilot study was designed as a prospective, double-blinded, randomised, control cohort study and was conducted at a secondary level hospital in the Northern Cape of South Africa between August 2013 and December 2015. Patients with a probable or definite diagnosis of TB pericarditis were included (n = 33). Study participants with pericardial effusions amenable to pericardiocentesis underwent aspiration until dryness. All patients were treated with standard TB treatment and corticosteroids in accordance with the South African Tuberculosis Treatment Guidelines. Patients were randomised to an intervention and control group using a webbased computer system that ensured assignment concealment. The intervention group received colchicine 1.0 mg per day for six weeks and the control group received a placebo for the same period. Patients were followed up with serial echocardiography for 16 weeks. The primary outcome assessed was the development of pericardial constriction. Upon completion of the research period, the blinding was unveiled and data were presented for statistical analysis.ResultsTB pericarditis was found exclusively in HIV-positive individuals. The incidence of pericardial constriction in our cohort was 23.8%. No demonstrable benefit with the use of colchicine was found in terms of prevention of pericardial constriction (p = 0.88, relative risk 1.07, 95% CI: 0.46–2.46). Interestingly, pericardiocentesis appeared to decrease the incidence of pericardial constriction.ConclusionBased on this research, the use of colchicine in TB pericarditis cannot be advised. Adjuvant therapy in the prevention of pericardial constriction is still being investigated and routine pericardiocentesis may prove to be beneficial in this regard.