Sector In South Africa Research Articles

Exploring retail orientated rotating savings and credit associations: festive season ‘stokvels’ in South Africa

ABSTRACT Festive season rotating savings and credit associations (ROSCAs) or ‘stokvels’ form a large segment of the market in the lower-income bracket and informal market sector in South Africa and have a high collective purchasing power. This study explores the multi-month, multi-phase process through which these stokvels’ evaluate and purchase bulk groceries from retailers at a substantial discount during the festive season. The study followed an exploratory research design through fifteen in-depth interviews of retailers, interviews that were thematically analysed. The findings revealed four phases in festive season stokvel’s buying process, namely: Need Development, Double-Evaluation Loop, List Consolidation, and Post-purchase Behavior. Each phase encapsulated a number of salient interdependent relationships and prominent time periods in which activities occurred over a year through the lens of the participating retailers. While the actual transaction happens in December, the process usually starts before April of that year. The process is modeled to show when certain phases of the process are completed as well as the actors involved (stokvel, retailer, manufacturer/supplier). To date, there has been no research that has examined the buying process of festive season stokvels through the perspective of the retailer. By creating the first map of this commercial and social process, this exploratory research paves the way for further research into the selling and buying processes in these widely used systems of group purchase.

Financial management roles of nurse managers in selected public hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa.

BackgroundThe public health sector in South Africa has been facing severe financial cutbacks and financial constraints in recent times. The nurse manager (NM) is faced with the task of managing and reducing expenditure in the nursing sector without compromising the quality care. This requires skills and understanding of financial management.AimThis study aimed to explore the financial management roles of NMs and to identify financial management development needs necessary for NMs’ practice.SettingThe study was conducted in KwaZulu-Natal. A total of eight hospitals from the five health districts were included.MethodsThe study used the naturalistic paradigm with a constructivist grounded theory approach. Interviews were used to initially gather data from six NMs who were purposively selected. Theoretical sampling was used to further recruit financial managers, chief executive officers, assistant nurse managers and operational managers. The final sample consisted of 18 participants.ResultsFinancial management of the hospitals is the primary function of the financial managers and the chief executive officers. However, the role of NMs extends to the performance and participation in various activities relating to the financial functioning of the hospital. These include financial planning, financial monitoring, financial decision-making and financial control.ConclusionNurse managers have a financial management function in public health care organisations but lack the necessary skills, knowledge and competencies to function in this role and require additional training. Recommendations included that a competency framework be developed to improve the financial management competencies of NMs.

Building a sustainable aquaculture industry in South Africa: the role of biosecurity.

Progress towards the South African Government's social upliftment targets on food security, equity, job creation and economic development can be made by diversification of fish production in the country's aquaculture sector. The risks associated with the diseases and parasitic infections that affect aquaculture production in South Africa are poorly understood. Substantial investment is currently being made to provide evidence of freedom from OIE-listed diseases to support an aquaculture industry that is largely reliant on access to foreign markets for high-value aquacultural products. The projected rapid expansion of the aquaculture sector in South Africa accentuates the associated need to prevent the spread of aquatic animal diseases. The primary constraint is that the current regulatory framework governing aquacultural activities is not centralised due to the diversity of aquaculture activities spanning marine, brackish and freshwater environments. An aquaculture development bill was drafted in 2018 to promote aquacultural development. The effective implementation of the provisions of the bill requires resources to ensure that suitable standards for aquatic animal health management are achieved in accordance with international standards and government policies and objectives.

Assistive technology enables inclusion in higher education: The role of Higher and Further Education Disability Services Association.

BackgroundUsing assistive technology is one way to foster inclusion of students in the post-school education and training (PSET) sector.ObjectivesHigher and Further Education Disability Services Association (HEDSA) enables the sharing of new knowledge about assistive technologies through its symposia, and making information available on its website. Additionally, it facilitates dialogue and collaboration amongst institutions in the PSET network using a listserv and newsletters, given that PSET institutions are spread countrywide.MethodThis is an article based on a presentation at the 5th African Network of Evidence-to-Action in Disability (AfriNEAD) conference in Ghana in 2017 that focused on the value of assistive technology for students pursuing studies in the PSET sector and the role played by HEDSA in South Africa.ResultsThe positive gains and existing gaps in disability inclusion in the higher education sector in South Africa are highlighted, with reference to access to technology. All higher education institutions have internet access and can thereby make use of listservs to communicate information. MapAbility is a way that prospective students can gain a snapshot view of available resources at institutions of learning, using the internet.ConclusionAn association such as HEDSA plays a critical role in the PSET sector to enhance disability inclusion using online tools to disseminate information.

Prehospital providers' perspectives for clinical practice guideline implementation and dissemination: Strengthening guideline uptake in South Africa.

BackgroundIn 2016 the first African emergency care clinical practice guideline (CPG) was developed for national uptake in the prehospital sector in South Africa, with implementation starting in 2018. Comprehensive uptake of CPGs post development is not a given, as this requires effective and efficient dissemination and implementation strategies that take into account the perceptions, barriers and facilitators of the local end-users. This study aimed to identify prehospital end-users’ perceptions of the emergency care guidelines, including barriers and facilitators for national decision makers, to strengthen CPG uptake in South Africa.MethodsOur study employed a descriptive qualitative research design, including nine focus groups with 56 operational emergency care providers across four major provinces in South Africa. Data was analysed using thematic analysis in ATLAS.ti. Ethics approval was provided by Stellenbosch University.ResultsThemes related to provider perceptions, expectations and guideline uptake emerging from the data was unofficial and unclear communication, broadening versus limiting guideline expectations, conflicted personal reactions and spreading the word. Challenges to dissemination and implementation included poor communication, changes to scope of practice, and limited capacity to upskill existing providers. Facilitators included using technology for end-user documents, local champions to support change, establishing online and modular training, and implementation by independent decision makers.ConclusionThis study provides an overview of the perceptions of operational emergency care providers and how their experiences of hearing about and engaging with the guidelines, in their industry, can contribute to the dissemination, implementation and uptake of emergency care guidelines. In order to disseminate and implement an emergency care CPG, decision makers must take into account the perceptions, barriers, and facilitators of local end-users.

Consumption of methylphenidate and atomoxetine in the private healthcare sector in South Africa: a longitudinal study.

Background Globally Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been in the spotlight. Despite some controversies, treatment of ADHD remains the cornerstone of patient care. Objective To describe the consumption of methylphenidate and atomoxetine in the private healthcare sector in South Africa over a four-year period (2013-2016). Method Data were extracted from the Intercontinental Marketing Service (IMS) database for the drug utilisation study. Consumption patterns were expressed as number of Defined Daily Doses (DDDs)/1000 inhabitants/day and number of DDDs/1000 inhabitants/month. Results Methylphenidate (95.85%) was the medication of choice when compared to atomoxetine (4.15%) in 2013. The corresponding figures for 2016 were 96.40% and 3.60%. Consumption of ADHD medication showed slight changes over the 4-year period. If only the private healthcare sector population is considered, consumption of methylphenidate was 6.010 DDDs/1000 inhabitants/day in 2013, and 7.827 DDDs/1000 inhabitants/day in 2016. A previous study (1994-1996) reported 0.12 DDDs/1000 inhabitants/day for methylphenidate. Consumption of atomoxetine was 0.044 DDDs/1000 inhabitants/day in 2013 and 0.050 DDDs/1000 inhabitants/day in 2016. Conclusion Consumption showed an increase in use of methylphenidate in South Africa, with small changes observed over the study period. Further studies are required.

Exploring linkages between transport and disaster risk reduction in South Africa: A review of literature

Transport systems, network densities, design capacities and constraints (including levels of service expressed in terms of quantity and quality) are central to disaster risk logistics, mitigation and adaptation. Using a desktop literature review method, this study analysed headline disaster risk issues in the transport sector of South Africa. The analysis indicated that implementation gaps exist in terms of the operating policy, institutional and legislative framework. The gaps were located at different spheres of government and expressed themselves at different scales. The end result of the disjuncture was a compromised disaster risk reduction service delivery environment. Although existing platforms constitute a good starting point for tackling disaster risk in the transport sector, the article argues that this is not enough. A transport and disaster risk reduction atlas and implementation roadmap are advanced as one way of contributing towards a better transport and risk reduction agenda in South Africa.

Ethical dilemmas in paediatric intensive care in the South African public healthcare sector

The shortage of resources in the public healthcare sector in South Africa (SA) means that healthcare providers face difficult choices in terms of rationing of care. This is particularly challenging in paediatrics. This article reviews the ethical and legal issues that arise in this regard. Principlism is the ethical framework most commonly used by clinicians, but perhaps other approaches, such as the ethics of caring, and ubuntu , would be more appropriate for the SA situation.

The potential role of green hydrogen production in the South Africa energy mix

The energy sector in South Africa is highly driven by coal, making the country one of the highest greenhouse gas (GHG) emitters in the world. As one of the signatories to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the country is determined to reduce its carbon footprint. In this paper, the role of green hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources to the South African energy sector is presented with the objective of increasing the share of renewable energy in the country's energy mix. First, an overview of the South African energy sector is presented with the aim of pointing out the energy inputs and the usage patterns. Thereafter, the potential of renewable energy resources that could support green hydrogen production is highlighted. Some of the key findings show that 67% of total primary energy sources in South Africa is coal. Industrial and residential sectors account for the bulk of energy usage with 53% and 19%, respectively. It is also revealed that industrial and transportation sectors account for 51% and 38%, respectively, of GHG emission with the residential sector contributing only 2%. The renewable energy resources in South Africa are encouraging for green hydrogen production. Solar has an average 2500 h of sunshine per year with daily total solar irradiation between 4 and 6.5 kWh/m2 day. The annual average wind speed ranges from 5.6 to 8.7 m/s with power density between 218 and 693 W/m2 at 10 m anemometer height in the coastal region of the country. The biomass potential is estimated as 83.91 Teragram per annum with hydropotential of 4.851 GW. This paper is important as it will serve as a firsthand scientific information for optimal development and investment in green hydrogen production in South Africa.

An analysis of the demand for business aircraft among the corporate sector in South Africa

Background: Business aircraft fulfil a major need in providing access and mobility solutions not generally offered by scheduled commercial aircraft. These aircraft often make use of secondary airports in outlying areas thus encouraging economic development. Business aviation is, in general, growing throughout the world and also in some African countries, but appears to be subdued in South Africa. The purpose of this research project was to determine the demand characteristics for business aviation aircraft in South Africa.Objectives: The primary research objective was to determine the demand for business aircraft in South Africa, as well as the nature and characteristics of the users and non-users of business aircraft among the top 100 companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).Method: A pragmatic research philosophy guided an exploratory sequential mixed methods research design. Findings from face-to-face interviews with aviation experts were utilised to develop the research questionnaire distributed to the top 100 JSE-listed companies.Results: The potential future growth for the business aircraft market is most likely to come from existing users, with marginal growth from new entrants in the market. Perceived costs are major deterrents to the utilisation of business aircraft.Conclusion: The research provides market intelligence necessary to guide business aviation companies to efficiently service or expand the market for business aircraft in South Africa, contributing to the existing knowledge in air transport.

A competency framework for women empowerment: the case of the local government sector in South Africa

Gender representativity in political and managerial positions in local government in general and women empowerment in particular remain contentious issues. Although an extensive statutory and regulatory framework for gender equality was established and despite the fact that specific equity targets are set, it is evident that much more needs to be done to facilitate women empowerment in the local government sector. The purpose of this article is to reflect on findings of an empirical survey conducted amongst female politicians, managers, and experts in the local government sector with the aim to design the parameters of a competency framework for women empowerment. The results support the fact that a women empowerment competency framework should incorporate various dimensions and elements, notably sector-specific job requirements, registered gender-based formal programs in the tertiary education sector, as well as content of women empowerment initiatives taken by non-governmental organizations.

A Commercial Building Lighting Demand-Side Management through Passive Solar Design

The commercial sector that comprises of schools, libraries, public and private offices is the third largest energy-consuming sector in South Africa. Lighting is a significant contributor to the overall energy consumption in this sector. The aim of this study is to analyse the indoor daylight illuminance of a passive solar office building and the potential demand-side management. A passive solar building in SolarWatt Park, Alice South Africa was used as a case study. The indoor illuminance that includes electric and day lightings were monitored by two sets of Li-210R photometric sensors. Four cool white fluorescent fittings with each containing two 58W lamps served as the electric lights of the office inner space. The average illuminance of the office space with all electric lights on and without daylight was found to be 460 lux. The indoor average daylighting illuminance was 910 and 170 lux on a typical clear sky and overcast days, respectively. A daily cumulative energy savings of 11.14 kWh on a clear sky day and 0.47 kWh on an overcast day was achieved, assuming the office inner space illuminance was maintained at 300 lux. The monetary savings due to the energy saved was estimated at 1285.36 USD per annum. Based on the findings of the study, daylighting through passive solar design reduces energy consumption without compromising the visual comfort of the occupants. Integration of passive solar design for daylighting with indoor daylight switch controller is recommended for optimum energy savings.

Head and neck cancer in Africa

Management is a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Published guidelines are available for the developed world, but there are no official guidelines for Africa. Aim: The aim of the survey was to describe diagnosis and management of head and neck cancer in Africa. Setting: This study was undertaken by a clinical oncologist employed by the state sector in South Africa. Methods: An online, cross-sectional electronic survey was mailed to oncologists and surgeons, working in the field of head and neck cancer in Africa. The survey was open from August 2016 to January 2017. Questions were posed about diagnosis and management. Results: Thirty-nine respondents from different locations in Africa responded. All the respondents practised in urban centres in their respective countries. Sixty-three per cent identified as oncologists. The remainder identified as surgeons. A third of the respondents see more than 200 head and neck patients per year. Access to diagnostic tools as well as therapy resources was limited. Forty per cent of the patients were assessed in a multidisciplinary clinic. Surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy are important modes of therapy, in the setting of locally advanced disease. Two-dimensional radiotherapy and clinical mark-up were utilised by 47% and 34% of respondents, respectively. A substantial proportion of patients with curative disease were treated palliatively. Conclusion: Trainers from well-established centres in Africa need to develop coordinated training programmes to facilitate the establishment of multidisciplinary teams. This will aid in the development of local, relevant protocols.

A critical analysis of social innovation: A qualitative exploration of a religious organisation

New challenges are constantly emerging in the social sector in South Africa. Various social (non-profit) organisations are developing new and innovative ways to accommodate these challenges and to meet social needs. The aim of this research article is to measure the current social innovation capacity of the Dutch Reformed Church (DR Church), with reference to innovation capabilities, to determine at what level the church is meeting new social needs. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data from six different congregations and a governing body in the Pretoria area, South Africa, was included. Twelve participants were interviewed between August and October 2017. The participants, consisting of ministers and board members, each held a management position. The social innovation capacity measurement of the DR Church showed that the organisation was successfully developing new ways to serve as a social agent in society. There are obstacles that prohibit the DR Church from developing new innovative ways to meet the social needs of its society, for example, entrepreneurial, developmental and leadership change capacities. Recommendations are made to maximise social innovation capacity of the managers (ministers and board members).

Framework for the adoption of e‐commerce: A case of South African retail grocery sector

AbstractOver the years, the adoption and use of e‐commerce have expanded widely in different organisations across the world, influenced by its potential benefits. Conversely, in spite of the benefits that have been commonly and widely reported, there are minimal adoption and use of e‐commerce by South African businesses, specifically, in the retail sector. The causes to the limited adoption of e‐commerce in South Africa are not known. This empirical study therefore investigates the factors that influence and affect the adoption and use of e‐commerce in the mainstream retail grocery sector in South Africa. A retail organisation was selected and used as a case in the study. Actor‐network theory (ANT) was employed as a lens to guide the analysis of the qualitative data. Based on empirical evidence, the findings, which include business drivers, stock of knowledge, alliance of actors, training and skills, and assimilation of processes, were found important in the adoption and use of e‐commerce. The factors are intended to guide how adoption and use of e‐commerce are conducted in the mainstream retail grocery sector in South Africa.

Study shows measurement invariance of employee engagement instrument across racial groups

PurposeThe authors set out to assess the invariance of the employee engagement instrument (EEI) used to assess engagement in the financial sector in South Africa. The sector faces a recruitment crisis and is also multi-racial.Design/methodology/approachThe authors used the database of a research company that contained 285,000 business people from various backgrounds. They attracted a sample of 1,175 respondents from financial institutions. The majority were white (62.2 per cent), but 16.8 per cent were African, 8.5 per cent were colored, and 9.9 per cent were Indian. A five-point Likert EEI was used to measure employee engagement at individual, team, and organizational levels.FindingsThe authors concluded that the EEI demonstrated multi-group invariance across different race groups, as any deviation was statistically insignificant. The implication was that the instrument could be used with confidence across all four racial groups in the financial sector in South Africa to measure employee engagement.Originality/valueThe authors place their research in the context of the modern world’s “war for talent.” The increasing mobility of workforces and the retirement of baby boomers have put employers under pressure to develop strategies that prevent the best workers from quitting. Employee engagement becomes an important tool in reducing departures. But research suggests it has been decreasing for some years.

How do Lower Grades Schools in KwaZulu-Natal Develop Literacy in IsiZulu through Language Policies?

Studies have proven that the Basic Education Department in South Africa faces a numerous challenges as learners fail do well in areas of language and literacy. The aims of this paper are twofold. Firstly, it describes and discusses the basic education current situation by outlining the educational landscape, relevant policy imperatives and policy implementation challenges in post-apartheid education. Secondly, it argues that Indigenous African languages have a role to play in improving the ailing basic education sector in South Africa through its contribution as an alternative tool to learning and assessment of learners. It is further suggested that the initiatives of literacy development must be socially responsive and population-focused in order to make meaningful contributions to the literacy development in the South African education sector. The potential role of African Indigenous African languages is discussed with suggestions for further actions required for schools and the basic education department to enable a contextually relevant practice in a resource-constrained education system.

Contribution of Auditor-General South Africa to Records Management in the Public Sector in South Africa

ABSTRACTRecords management plays a significant role in ensuring accountability, transparency and good governance. Chapter nine institutions, on the other hand, are democratic institutions responsible for the promotion of accountability, transparency and good governance in the public sector through various forms such as investigation, reporting, and recommendations. While the regulatory role of records management in the public sector is the responsibility of the National Archives and Records Service of South Africa (NASA), it would seem this responsibility is cumbersome for the organization as several scholars concur that the public sector is characterized by poor records management. As a result, NARSSA is unable to support governmental bodies in managing records properly. Given the position of the Auditor-General South Africa (AGSA) in government and its mandate as set out by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, this institution is able to hold the state accountable for their actions, unlike NARSSA. This qualitative study explores the contribution of the AGSA to records management in the public sector with the view to ensure accountability, transparency and good governance. Data were collected through interviews with purposively selected participants from the AGSA’s records management unit and external auditors. Furthermore, interview data were augmented with content analysis of documents such as acts, strategic plans, operational plans, audit reports, and annual reports. The study established that there is a working relationship between the AGSA and NARSSA through the memorandum of understanding signed by the two institutions. In addition, the AGSA organizes records management seminars annually to sensitize public servants about the importance of record keeping in support of auditing process. It is concluded that successful execution of the AGSA’s mandate relies on the availability of reliable and authentic records. As a result, the AGSA can contribute towards public sector records management by reporting cases of poor records management in government institutions to NARSSA, which in turn can assist the affected institutions in setting up the proper records management programme.

An analysis of delays among women accessing second-trimester abortion in the public sector in South Africa

ObjectivesTo identify key delays and associated factors in women's pathway to second-trimester abortion that could inform strategies to increase earlier presentation. Study designWe performed a secondary analysis using data collected from May 2012 to June 2013 as part of a randomized controlled trial among women having abortion at 13.0–20.0 weeks at a public hospital in South Africa. We used ultrasound and participant interview data to calculate 3 key intervals: (1) conception to suspicion of pregnancy, (2) suspicion to first healthcare visit for abortion, and (3) first healthcare visit to abortion procedure. We compared intervals for women at 13–15.0 weeks versus 15.1–20.0 weeks gestation at abortion using Wilcoxon rank-sum tests and tested for associations between gestational age at key events using multivariable linear regression. ResultsMedian (interquartile range[IQR]) durations for the 3 intervals among women at 13–15 weeks (n=93) compared to 15.1–20 weeks (n=63) gestation were: (1) 36 days (IQR 21–53 days) versus 62 days (36–71 days), p<.001; (2) 29 days (IQR 15–46 days) versus 23 days (IQR 11–39 days), p=.64; (3) 14 days (IQR 7–21 days) versus 14 days (IQR 12–21 days), p=.32. Multivariable logistic regression showed marginal associations between gestational age at suspicion of pregnancy and no prior pregnancy (aOR=3.8, 95% CI 1.0–14.6) and living in informal housing (aOR=3.1, 95% CI 1.0–9.1). Gestational age on the day of the abortion procedure was significantly associated with living in informal housing (aOR=3.1, 95% CI 1.4–6.6). ConclusionThe only differences in delay in obtaining second trimester abortion between South African women having an earlier and later second trimester procedure is due to longer time to suspect pregnancy. ImplicationsInterventions to improve early pregnancy recognition should be explored and referral processes should be streamlined to avoid unnecessary delays accessing abortion care and possibly reduce the proportion of abortions performed later in the second trimester in South Africa.

Society 4.0 applied in Africa: Advancing the social impact of technology

Global technological advancement as aligned to the fourth industrial revolution supports various first world development needs. Within the African context, and specifically in developing countries like South Africa (SA), the benefit from technology innovation can significantly impact on socio-economic issues like unemployment and skills development. Technological development is identified as a crucial driver for new growth and a means to develop and outperform global competitors. Human capital, specifically young people, supports inclusive and sustainable economic growth. South Africa as per current classification, remains a twofold economy with among the greatest inequality rates in the world, continuing both disparity and segregation. Employment remains at more than one in three youth unemployed. A group of academics and commercial partners working across disciplines collaborate to create opportunities for local young people to participate in research and data gathering at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). The need for the enablement of technology especially among the youth of the African society has initiated a research question, which determines whether technological instruments can be developed and deployed in Africa to facilitate youth. A transformative but collaborative (researcher and community team), approach is the focus with youth employment as a key objective. Collaboration with local communities to gather household and sector specific data, UJ mobilizes cross-disciplinary research networks to drive social innovation. Joining strategies and technologies to develop appropriate, smart digital tools to support technological enablement for survey data collection in the informal sector in South Africa. The team develop a research methodology and digital tools, which enables geographic information systems (GIS) survey data collection over large geographical areas, at scale, which relies on rigorous data quality controls. Providing various opportunities to local young people in the digital, gig-economy through data collection and digital networking. The major perspective of this paper is to study the aspect of technology and the way it empowers young people on the African continent. The paper presents the design, evolution and results of the digital platform as developed for two major South African Projects.