Northern Province Of South Africa Research Articles

Stories of pastoral engagement with women’s vulnerable sexuality during COVID-19

The author is a pastor in the Reformed tradition, ministering in several peri-urban congregations in the northern provinces of South Africa. During coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), she had to pastorally engage in several cases where women’s sexuality was severely compromised. These comprise cases of women seeking abortions, needing medical help when giving birth or experiencing miscarriage, sexual demands, violence, abuse, and many more. These stories are told here in a way that calls for two methodological remarks. Firstly, the stories will be told unmediated, that is, without them being mediated through interpretation. These uninterpreted stories, then, will be told to speak for themselves through themes extracted from the stories. Secondly, changes have been made to guard individuals from being recognised in the stories. The stories show the increased vulnerability of women during COVID-19 who are already vulnerable because of poverty, limited access to medical and other supportive resources, and abuse.Contribution: This article intends to make a unique contribution to the field of study by telling the stories of the increased vulnerability of women’s sexuality during COVID-19 in an academic context. It aims to highlight women’s plight and to what they were exposed to during COVID-19, and brings it to the attention of academic readers and others concerned.

Spatio-temporal epidemiology of animal and human rabies in northern South Africa between 1998 and 2017

BackgroundRabies is a fatal zoonotic disease that is maintained in domestic dogs and wildlife populations in the Republic of South Africa. A retrospective study was conducted to improve understanding of the dynamics of rabies in humans, domestic dogs, and wildlife species, in relation to the ecology for three northern provinces of South Africa (Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and North-West) between 1998 and 2017.MethodsA descriptive epidemiology study was conducted for human and animal rabies. Dog rabies cases were analyzed using spatio-temporal scan statistics. The reproductive number (Rt) was estimated for the identified disease clusters. A phylogenetic tree was constructed based on the genome sequences of rabies viruses isolated from dogs, jackals, and an African civet, and Bayesian evolutionary analysis using a strict time clock model. Several ecological and socio-economic variables associated with dog rabies were modeled using univariate analyses with zero-inflated negative binomial regression and multivariable spatial analyses using the integrated nested Laplace approximation for two time periods: 1998–2002 and 2008–2012.ResultsHuman rabies cases increased in 2006 following an increase in dog rabies cases; however, the human cases declined in the next year while dog rabies cases fluctuated. Ten disease clusters of dog rabies were identified, and utilizing the phylogenetic tree, the dynamics of animal rabies over 20 years was elucidated. In 2006, a virus strain that re-emerged in eastern Limpopo Province caused the large and persistent dog rabies outbreaks in Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces. Several clusters included a rabies virus variant maintained in jackals in Limpopo Province, and the other variant in dogs widely distributed. The widely distributed variant maintained in jackal populations in North-West Province caused an outbreak in dogs in 2014. The Rt was high when the disease clusters were associated with either multiple virus strains or multiple animal species. High-risk areas included Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces characterized by woodlands and high temperatures and precipitation.ConclusionCanine rabies was maintained mainly in dog populations but was also associated with jackal species. Rural communities in Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces were at high risk of canine rabies originating from dogs.

Theory of ethnicity and its utility in understanding the basis of cultural homogeneity of African societies: the case of Sotho groups

The Basotho, Batswana and Bapedi are found in many parts of southern Africa and appear as dissimilar groups that do not have a common heritage or any shared links. The Batswana are from the North West province in South Africa and Botswana; the Bapedi from the Northern provinces of South Africa and the Basotho from Lesotho and the Free State province of South Africa. However, they are classified as belonging to one Sotho group in the literature of heritage studies. Matšela and Moletsane declare that the Sotho people are related, indicating similar cultural roots and origin. The central focus of this article is to analyse the abovementioned scholars’ view in explaining the Sotho. They allude to the extensive writings of Gellner and Smith about the similarity of a people. The purpose of the study is to place Gellner and Smith’s theories as central in African languages. Although these theories originate in international relations, their argument is that oral literature (stories, proverbs, songs) seeks to indicate a common heritage across groups of people. The study seeks to expand the potential of Matšela and Moletsane’s views in explaining similar people in African languages.

A Review of the 'Candidatus Liberibacter africanus' Citrus Pathosystem in Africa.

It has been nearly 100 years since citrus growers in two distinct regions in the northern provinces of South Africa noticed unusual symptoms in their citrus trees, causing significant crop losses. They had no idea that these symptoms would later become part of an almost global pandemic of a disease called greening or huanglongbing (HLB). The rapid spread of the disease indicated that it might be caused by a transmissible pathogen, but it took >50 years to identify the causative agent as 'Candidatus Liberibacter africanus'. Recently, the disease appeared in more African countries, spreading by both infected planting material and Trioza erytreae. To date, five 'Ca. L. africanus' subspecies have been identified in various rutaceous species, with 'Ca. L. africanus subsp. clausenae' the only subspecies for which a biovar was detected in citrus. Efforts to detect and differentiate HLB-causing Liberibacter species are ongoing, and recent developments are discussed here. This review focuses on aspects of the African form of HLB, including its specific bacterial species and subspecies, its main insect vector, its geographic distribution, and current management strategies.

The impact of COVID-19 national lockdown on orthopaedic trauma admissions in the northern part of South Africa: A multicentre review of tertiary- and secondary-level hospital admissions.

COVID-19 national lockdown measures in South Africa (SA) have been under scrutiny since they were implemented in March 2020. Currently there are no studies showing the effect of the first lockdown on hospital admissions in the northern provinces of SA. To evaluate the impact of national lockdown restrictions on musculoskeletal injury admissions in three hospitals across three provinces (Gauteng, Limpopo and North West). In a retrospective review, we compared orthopaedic trauma admissions from 1 April 2020 to 30 June 2020 (during alert level 5 of the national lockdown) with cases admitted during the same period in 2019 (non-lockdown). We reviewed the number of admissions, demographic data and mechanisms of injury in the adult and paediatric population groups. A total of 449 patients were admitted with musculoskeletal injuries during the lockdown period compared with 664 patients in 2019, equating to a 32% reduction in total admissions. While there was an 8% increase in paediatric admissions during lockdown at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital, adult admissions decreased in all centres. More young males were admitted during both lockdown (mean age 39.8 years) and non-lockdown (mean age 41.2 years) periods than females (p=0.004). There were significant reductions in the number of injuries due to motor vehicle accidents (59%) and in the number of gunshot wounds (36%) during lockdown. However, we observed an 11% rise in injuries related to suicide attempts among adult admissions during the lockdown period. Lockdown restrictions resulted in a significant reduction in orthopaedic trauma admissions, and were effective in terms of allowing institutions to direct resources to the management of COVID-19 patients. In the light of the increased suicide attempts observed during lockdown, future lockdown regulations should include comprehensive measures to relieve socioeconomic stress.

Green economy in the wastewater treatment sector: Jobs, awareness, barriers, and opportunities in selected local governments in South Africa

The green economy (GE) has increasingly gained international focus, with new strategies aimed at restructuring the economy in an environmentally friendly manner. A study was carried out to analyse existing and potential green jobs and identify green qualifications and skills necessary for the development of the GE. The study was done within the context of the role of local governments in the adoption of green economy strategies in the wastewater treatment sector, in selected local governments across the northern provinces of South Africa. A descriptive survey method with qualitative and quantitative approaches was employed for data collection from twenty-four wastewater treatment plants in eleven local municipalities. The concept of the GE was foreign to several employees, who could not identify green jobs within most sectors of the economy. Only 13.5% of the employees of the surveyed plants were involved in directly green jobs. A further 36% were in green-related jobs while the remaining 50.5% were involved in non-green jobs. Barriers to the creation of green jobs and implementation of green practices were the shortage of employees with green and conventional wastewater treatment skills, and lack of training in green skills. Several opportunities for green jobs creation exist, such as the implementation of renewable energy, re-use of treated effluent, and processing of waste sludge into compost. To spur GE growth and create green jobs, the creation of awareness, development of skills and implementation of green technologies should be intensified.

Biocontrol of Fusarium mangiferae responsible for mango malformation using bacterial isolates

Abstract Fusarium species are known to be responsible for mango malformation, a serious pre-harvest disease causing major yield and financial losses to the industry worldwide. This study confirmed the identity and pathogenicity of the species associated with the disease in the northern provinces of South Africa. Thirty-five fungal isolates were obtained from infected orchards, of which 32 were identified as the malformation pathogen Fusarium mangiferae . Seventy-seven bacterial isolates, obtained from mango orchards as well as unrelated environments, were screened for their antifungal properties and the modes of action of the best isolates against Fusarium were established. The study demonstrated that only five bacterial isolates ( Alcagenes faecalis ) were able to significantly inhibit the growth of the pathogen. The modes of action of the bacteria were a combination of competition for space and secondary metabolites produced by the bacteria, which included volatiles, phenolic compounds and siderophores. An in vivo trial was performed to determine if exposure to the pathogen and antagonist could induce resistance by increasing secondary metabolites and specifically mangiferin. Chemometric analysis of the data obtained from the in vivo trial revealed that the total soluble secondary metabolite concentrations after application of the selected biocontrol agents or pathogen inoculation, were lower when compared to the control group.

The chacma baboon (Papio ursinus) through time: a model of potential core habitat regions during a glacial–interglacial cycle

The aim of this research is to understand changes in the biogeography of the chacma baboon (Papio ursinus) through time, by modelling potential habitat changes through the last glacial–interglacial cycle (last interglacial, glacial maximum and current conditions). An environmental envelope model in a geographic information system is used to produce a range of habitat distribution models for the chacma baboon. Initially it is modelled as a single taxon, following which the data are further divided and explored to model predicted habitats for the chacma clades during different stages of the glacial–interglacial cycle. An area of approximately 1,044,000 km2 was identified as potentially having been within the environmental core habitat at some stage of the glacial–interglacial cycle. Of this, 63,700 km2 of land was predicted to have been core habitat regardless of the stage of the glacial–interglacial cycle. Additionally, rainfall appears to be the environmental variable with the most limiting effect on habitat size. This is true for the current, last glacial maximum and last interglacial environmental conditions. The largest area that remains within the core habitat throughout the last glacial–interglacial cycle is found in the northern provinces of South Africa. The chacma clades appear to interact in a cyclic pattern of expansion and contraction, each clade being more prominent under different environmental conditions. It appears that grey footed chacma habitat periodically extends northward towards the yellow baboon. These findings suggest dynamic and varied progression of the chacma baboon palaeo-distributions.

THE STRUCTURE OF THE KAROO-AGE ELLISRAS BASIN IN LIMPOPO PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA, IN THE LIGHT OF NEW AIRBORNE GEOPHYSICAL DATA

Research Article| December 01, 2014 THE STRUCTURE OF THE KAROO-AGE ELLISRAS BASIN IN LIMPOPO PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA, IN THE LIGHT OF NEW AIRBORNE GEOPHYSICAL DATA C.J.S. FOURIE; C.J.S. FOURIE Tswane University of Technology (TUT), Environmental, Water and Earth Sciences Department, Private Bag X680, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa, e-mail: fouriecjs@tut.ac.za Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar G. HENRY; G. HENRY Centre for Mining Innovation (CMI), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Pretoria, South Africa, e-mail: ghenry@csir.co.za Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar L.P. MARÉ L.P. MARÉ Council for Geoscience, Geophysics Division, Private Bag X112, Pretoria, South Africa, e-mail: leoniem@geoscience.org.za Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar South African Journal of Geology (2014) 117 (2): 193–210. https://doi.org/10.2113/gssajg.117.2.193 Article history first online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation C.J.S. FOURIE, G. HENRY, L.P. MARÉ; THE STRUCTURE OF THE KAROO-AGE ELLISRAS BASIN IN LIMPOPO PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA, IN THE LIGHT OF NEW AIRBORNE GEOPHYSICAL DATA. South African Journal of Geology 2014;; 117 (2): 193–210. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/gssajg.117.2.193 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietySouth African Journal of Geology Search Advanced Search Abstract The Coaltech Research Association funded an airborne magnetic and radiometric survey over the Karoo-age Ellisras Basin in the Northern Province of South Africa in 2008. The Waterberg Coalfield, which is destined to become the major source of energy in South Africa in the future, is situated in this sedimentary basin. Interpretation of the processed geophysical datasets has added significantly to our understanding of the structure of the Ellisras Basin, in addition to providing additional constraints on lithological and structural mapping. The filtered magnetic and ternary radiometric images have yielded abundant information that will be important in future mapping. Two-dimensional modelling of the magnetic data has provided a new confirmation of the half-graben model for the structure of the Ellisras Basin. The Zoetfontein Fault Zone (ZFZ), which forms the northern boundary of the basin against Archaean Limpopo Belt rocks, is block-faulted and generally steeply dipping. The thickest development of the Karoo Supergroup rocks is against this fault, attaining up to 550 m. The sediment thickness decreases gradually to the south, indicating an asymmetric basin fill. The present southern boundary of the basin is formed by the Eenzaamheid Fault Zone, south of which the ~2.0G a Waterberg Group rocks are developed.Despite its economic importance, the Ellisras Basin has not been well-studied, and there is a need to correct this in the near future as South Africa becomes more reliant on energy from the Waterberg Coalfield. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.

The burden of heart failure in Africa

Over the last few years, the focus of the international health community has shifted from communicable diseases as the main cause of morbidity and mortality in Africa (and indeed in the world in general) to non-communicable diseases. Relatively scant recent research suggests that in Africa cardiovascular (CV) diseases are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, where up to 25% of admissions to hospitals are for CV disease, including hypertension (HTN). 14 Heart failure (HF) is the most common CV disorder and the main driver of CV adverse morbidity and mortality. 15 In this respect, the study by Ojji et al. in this month’s issue of the journal is a welcomed addition. In this hospital-based study, the authors report on the current spectrum of (CV) diseases in Abuja—the new and modern capital of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The data from Abuja were compared with the findings in Soweto, a predominantly Black community in South Africa. The findings suggest that CV diseases in Abuja, Nigeria are mainly nonischaemic in origin and occur mainly in a younger and productive age group. Hypertension was found to be the most common cause, followed by dilated cardiomyopathies and rheumatic heart disease. The authors noted some subtle differences in the heart disease pattern in Abuja and Soweto. While there are higher rates of HTN and hypertensive HF in Abuja, ischaemic heart disease and right HF were more common in the Soweto study. As noted by the authors, this may be related to a higher burden of CAD and lung disease risk factors such as cigarette smoking, obesity, dyslipidaemia, and diabetes in Soweto compared with Abuja. Furthermore, peripartum cardiomyopathy is not as common a cause of CV disease and HF as expected. Given this relative lack of published data, putting the results of Ojji et al. into perspective is difficult. However, previous studies have found similar trends in different African countries and communities. 15 In most studies, HTN is followed by other disease entities that are less common outside of Africa, such as idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and rheumatic heart diseases. The Heart of Soweto registry from the Soweto township in South Africa, which is also described in the manuscript itself, found similar, although not identical trends (see above). In a registryof 2908 patients presenting for CV diseases to a clinic in Mzuzu central hospital in Malawi during a 5-year period, the most common causes of CV morbidity were rheumatic (34%), HTN (24%), cardiomyopathies (most commonly idiopathic dilated; 19%), and pericardial disease (14%). Atherosclerosis represented only 1–4% of cases. These trends are observed everywhere in Africa—in published and unpublished data, such as those depicted in a poster in the waiting area of a county hospital in Tzaneen; the Northern Province of South Africa (Figure 1). Indeed, similar results were published in studies from Nigeria 7 summarized in detail in the review by Ogah et al. These studies show that the prevalence of HTN in the general Nigerian population ranges from 8% to 46.4%. More importantly, it seems that the prevalence of HTN is increasing—from 8.6% reported in the only population-based study during the period from 1970 to 1979 to 22.55% during the period 2000–2011. HTN-related complications such as stroke, hypertensive heart disease (including hypertensive HF), andchronic kidneydisease is common andoften severe inhypertensive Nigerians. Late presentation is also common. Awareness, treatment, and control of HTN are low, as in many developing countries of the world. Regarding admissions for HF, in a smaller study from the Yaounde general hospital in Cameroon, the main causes of HF admissions were HTN (54%), cardiomyopathies (26%), and valvular heart diseases (24%). Ischaemic heart diseasewas the fifth most common aetiology (2.4%). In a registry of 1000 patients admitted for HF and followed prospectively by Damasceno et al., the most common causes of HF were HTN (45%) and rheumatic heart disease (14%), while ischaemic heart disease (8%) was not a common cause for HF. The study by Ojji et al., besides being one of the largest registries of CV diseases and HF in Africa, emphasizes two additional important aspects of CV diseases and HF and their treatment. First, the age of the patients affected is younger than in other world regions. Damasceno et al., Stewart et al., and Sliwa et al. have shown that CV diseases and HF occur in Africa at a younger age than outside Africa. In the series from Malawi, Soliman et al. found that the average age of patients presenting with CV diseases is as low as 40 years. Other studies describing CV admissions in Nigeria found the age of admission to be 50–55 years. 7,10 In the study of Ojji et al. the

Psychosocial Well-Being of Families in a South African Context: A Prospective Multifactorial Model

This study investigated the psychosocial well-being of a group of South African families by determining the prevalence of psychosocial well-being indicators. A cross-sectional survey design and a purposive, voluntary sampling technique were used. Data on family well-being were collected from 772 youths attending five secondary schools located in the Northern province of South Africa (females = 64%, majority ethnicity = African: 67%). Data were captured and statistically analysed utilising the PASW 18.0 program (PASW, 2010). Structural equation modelling (SEM) methods implemented in AMOS (Arbuckle, 2009), were used to test the measurement models. The results supported a two-factor model of family psychosocial well-being consisting of family functioning and family feelings. Family functioning included family relational patterns, family functioning style and family hardiness, while the second factor, family feelings, included family satisfaction and attachment.

Fabaceae

A new species of Rhynchosia from the northern provinces of South Africa.

Parenting Styles Affecting the Social Behaviour of Five-Year Olds

The main aim of the study was to explore the relationship between parenting styles as a correlate of social behaviour among five-year olds. Participants were 30 parents of 25 pre-primary students of a school in Northern Province of South Africa, and the children's teacher. The participants were mostly of the indigenous African ethnic background. The parents completed the Parental Styles Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ: Robinson, Mandleco, Olsen & Hart, 2001). The teacher rated the five-year olds' social behaviour using the Behavioural Questionnaire (BQ: Latouf, 2008). These results indicated primarily that an authoritative parenting style was most endorsed by the parents of the five-year olds. Parents self-rating on parenting style were significantly associated with teacher ratings of the student's social behaviour.

Ticks collected from birds in the northern provinces of South Africa, 2004-2006

Approximately 3000 birds, mainly passerines, caught in mist nets in the northern provinces of South Africa, were examined for ticks. A total of 178 ticks, belonging to 14 species, were recovered from 83 birds of 43 different species. Hyalomma rufipes was the most numerous tick, with 26 larvae and 109 nymphs collected, followed by Amblyomma marmoreum, with 13 larvae and two nymphs. Despite the study being conducted within the distribution range of Amblyomma hebraeum, it was not seen on any passerines, whereas three larger species were infested. The potential for small birds to spread ticks with their associated tick-borne pathogens is discussed.

Differential effects of defoliation by mopane caterpillars and pruning by African elephants on the regrowth of Colophospermum mopane foliage

Abstract:Plant responses to herbivory vary depending on herbivory type, yet the comparative effects of defoliation (e.g. by insects) and pruning (e.g. by large mammals) on a single tree species are poorly documented. We investigated this in the Northern Province of South Africa by comparing the regrowth of Colophospermum mopane trees previously defoliated by caterpillars or pruned by elephants, the two main browsers of C. mopane foliage. Shoots were up to 160% and 125% longer after natural (elephant) and simulated pruning and leaves ~25% longer in regrowth after natural pruning (n = 13–15 trees per treatment). Shoot density and chemical defences in leaves (tannin:protein ratio and total polyphenolic concentration) were, however, no different from control trees. Simulated defoliation resulted in statistically insignificant changes to regrowth in terms of leaf and shoot size (both slightly decreased) and shoot density (slightly increased). Natural (caterpillar) defoliation, however, resulted in regrowth with significantly decreased shoot and leaf size (about 50% and 20% of control lengths, respectively), as well as decreased leaf chemical defence. Shoot and leaf length were longer on trees flushing for the first time after pruning and late-season defoliation had a greater negative impact than mid-season defoliation. Despite the differences in regrowth characteristics after pruning and defoliation, mopane plants showed no apparent trade-off in investment between tolerance and resistance after either herbivory type, as neither regrowth nor chemical defence occurred at the expense of the other.

Intermediate Agricultural Processing Technologies for Cereal Crops in South Africa

ABSTRACT A comparative evaluation of the performance of a tractorpowered maize sheller and shelling with tractor wheels, electrically and diesel-operated sorghum milling machines with traditional maize shelling and sorghum milling techniques was conducted at Vergelegen rural community in the Northern Province of South Africa. Maize shellers and the traditional shelling techniques were evaluated in terms of shelling efficiency, grain output and grain damage, while the sorghum milling machines and the traditional techniques were evaluated in terms of flour output, losses and quality of output. The performance of these intermediate processing technologies for shelling and milling operations were compared with traditional processing techniques. Shelling of maize with tractor wheels incurred the highest percentage of grain damage. The difference in shelling with intermediate technologies and traditional techniques has significant effects on grain damage, grain output and shelling efficiency. A higher flour output from sorghum was obtained with new milling technologies than with traditional milling technique. The different milling methods have significant effects on the degree of fineness of flour for particle size greater than 1000 micrometer and less than 150 micrometer.

Heavy metals removal from solution by palygorskite clay

The possible use of palygorskite clay, mined in the Dwaalboom area of the Northern Province of South Africa, as an adsorbent for the removal of metal ions such as lead, nickel, chromium and copper from aqueous solution, was investigated. In this work, adsorption of these metals onto palygorskite has been studied by using a batch method at room temperature. The results of adsorption were fitted to both the Langmuir and Freundlich models. Satisfactory agreement between experimental data and the model-predicted values was expressed by the correlation coefficient ( R 2). The Langmuir model represented the sorption process better than the Freundlich one, with correlation coefficient ( R 2) values ranging from 0.953 to 0.994. The adsorption capacity ( Q 0) calculated from the Langmuir isotherm was 62.1 mg Pb(II) g −1, 33.4 mg Ni(II) g −1, 58.5 mg Cr(VI) g −1 and 30.7 mg Cu(II) g −1 at a pH of 7.0 at 25 ± 1 °C for a clay particle size of 125 μm. Kinetic investigations were performed to investigate the rate of adsorption of metal ions. The Lagergren’s first-order rate constants were calculated for different initial concentrations of metal ions. In batch mode adsorption studies, removal increased with an increase of contact time, adsorbent amount and solution pH. Adsorption of metals from the single-metal solutions was in the order: Pb > Cr > Ni > Cu. Data from this study proved that metal cations from aqueous solution can be adsorbed successfully in significant amounts by palygorskite. This opens up new possibilities and potential commercial uses in the palygorskite market.

Effects of pruning on flowering, yield and fruit quality in mango (Mangifera indica)

The effects of 7 pruning treatments were studied in 2 mango cultivars (‘Keitt’ and ‘Tommy Atkins’) in the Hoedspruit region of the Northern Province of South Africa. Trees that received panicle pruning (during full bloom) treatment at the point of attachment were observed to be induced for synchronised re-flowering, and also attained early fruit set and more fruit per panicle than the other panicle pruning treatments. Trees on which renewal pruning (early in the season when fruits were on the tree) as well as postharvest pruning treatments were applied, have been observed for development of adequate number of productive inflorescences per season in an early-maturing cultivar, Tommy Atkins. Postharvest pruning treatments also resulted in significant increase of postharvest vegetative growth in both cultivars. Promising improvement in yield could be expected after the second season from panicle pruning in Tommy Atkins. The fruit quality, especially with regard to total soluble solids (TSS), was also greatly improved due to the applications of renewal and postharvest pruning treatments. Inflorescence removal together with apical whorl of leaves subtending the inflorescence had adverse effects for the various parameters studied in both cultivars.

Exploring Educators Expectations and Experiences of In-Service Education and Training [INSET] as Continuing Professional Development Opportunities

In-Service Education and Training (INSET) is widely used to support educators to cope with ongoing changes in education. This paper examines the results of two surveys of INSET recipients’ expectations and their experiences of INSET before and after having attended a series of INSET workshops that were held with the intention of strengthening participants’ capacity to teach environmental education. The educators who participated in the survey were from three rural districts in the Limpopo Province, a far northern province in South Africa which borders on Zimbabwe. The survey outcomes were appraised against the backdrop of what is identified in the literature as constituting meaningful INSET. The analysis was undertaken to determine the capacity of INSET programmes to realise the presumed goals of INSET. The outcomes of this survey point to a measure of continuity between theory and practice, but also to trends in participants’ experiences of INSET that are not predominant in the literature.

Women's collective economic strategies and political transformation in rural South Africa

This article examines the economic processes and socio‐political institutions that shape women's involvement in community projects. Feminist materialism and postcolonial theory provide the framework to analyze these livelihood strategies as they are grounded in the material conditions of women's lives. The empirical study is based in a rural northern province of South Africa where colonialism and apartheid have contributed to extreme economic and social hardships. Fieldwork was conducted in Limpopo to analyze how community projects contribute to livelihood strategies. In an area where migrant remittances remain one of the main sources of income for rural households, women have increasingly engaged in collective economic strategies such as pottery making, sewing, and agricultural production. These strategies are embedded in a complex set of patriarchal institutions that reinforce unequal access to resources and have historically marginalized rural black women. Despite these barriers, findings from this study demonstrate that community projects provide the potential for economic and social empowerment, especially among rural women.