South Africa Research Articles

Investigating the confidence business leaders have in business rescue

PurposeThe study measures business leaders’ perceptions of the likelihood of recovery, the competency of business rescue practitioners and the level of support they are expected to provide to businesses in rescue. By examining these three facets of confidence, using expectancy theory, the study seeks to reveal the perceptions of directors as decision-makers in commencing proceedings by inferring their level of confidence in the business rescue process to the likelihood of directors initiating business rescue proceedings timeously.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey targeted South African business leaders, especially directors, was developed to recognise the confidence in the business rescue process. The study combined quantitative (Likert scale) and qualitative (open-ended questions) methods. Data were analysed using the expectancy theory, linking behaviour to anticipated outcomes, to derive confidence in the rescue process. Limitations such as the sensitive nature of insolvency and its inherence negative inclinations should be noted.FindingsThe study revealed some complex sentiments surrounding the business rescue proceedings. The responses are indicative of both confidence in and scepticism of the process, offering a nuanced look at South Africa’s insolvency proceedings from outside the confines of the industry itself.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of the study are notably reflected in its reliance on qualitative insights, which may inherently skew towards negative perceptions due to the nature of the subject – business rescue proceedings. Moreover, despite the anonymity of the survey, there remains a possibility that respondents, who are directors with fiduciary duties, may not have been completely forthcoming. This reticence could stem from an unconscious bias to present themselves and the decisions they make in a more favourable light, thus potentially downplaying or overlooking their own hesitations or misgivings about the business rescue process. This may lead to an underrepresentation of both the depth of scepticism and the complexity of the challenges faced in initiating business rescue proceedings.Originality/valueThe originality of this paper lies in investigating the confidence business leaders have in the business rescue process in the context of South Africa derived from a survey instrument.

Adoption of Eco-Friendly Waste Reduction Practices in the Clothing Retail Sector in Cape Town

The fashion and textile industry significantly contributes to environmental degradation through unsustainable manufacturing and waste disposal practices, particularly in South Africa's retail sector. This study examines the retail merchandise cycles of two prominent clothing retailers based in Cape Town, South Africa to identify stages that generate substantial fashion and textile waste and proposes a model to enhance sustainability within the industry. Adopting a qualitative, interpretive research paradigm, data were collected through purposive sampling and in-depth interviews with key personnel, primarily buyers, within the selected companies. The research involved mapping and analyzing each retail cycle phase to identify excessive waste generation points. The findings revealed that retailers produce considerable amounts of waste (pre- and post-consumer) due to fast fashion practices and insufficient recycling systems. While both companies acknowledged the importance of sustainability, there was a notable lack of concrete policies and limited visibility into supplier processes concerning environmental impact. The study identified specific departments and operations within the retail cycles responsible for significant waste production, highlighting the need for systemic changes. Based on these insights, an improved retail cycle model was developed emphasizing waste reduction through sustainable sourcing, enhanced recycling initiatives, and stricter supplier compliance measures. The proposed model aims to minimize environmental harm by integrating sustainability into all aspects of the retail process.

A Case for the Right to Education for Stateless and Undocumented Children: A South African Analysis in the Light of International Law

This paper is grounded in the right to education, guaranteed to every child, whether stateless or undocumented. Being stateless means that the child is not considered to be a national by any State under the operation of its law and when a child is undocumented it means that they have no government-issued proof of identity. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 provides the right to education for all children, regardless of their nationality. However, whether stateless or undocumented, they encounter impediments when they attempt to exercise their right to education. The study questions whether the South African Government is complying with its constitutional and international legal obligations to provide the right to education to all children. The paper contends that it is not sufficient to state that every child has the right to education, and that there is a need to formulate guidelines and procedures to be followed in cases where children are undocumented or stateless. In addition, the paper analyses the relevant education laws and policies together with the immigration laws and the effects they have on one another. It further addresses how the provisions of immigration law related to education impede undocumented and stateless children from accessing the right to education. Accordingly, the study identifies the gaps in the laws regulating the right to education and their implications when stateless and undocumented children seek to exercise the right to education. This paper recommends that the South African Government adapts its education laws and procedures in ways that consider the circumstances of stateless and undocumented children.

Healthcare professionals’ knowledge and practices in managing ototoxicity in children with cancer

Background: Platinum-based chemotherapy poses a risk of ototoxic hearing loss, the effects of which can be devastating in paediatrics with cancer. Childhood hearing loss significantly impacts speech and language acquisition, and educational, psychosocial and emotional development, consequently negatively impacting quality of life. Adequate knowledge and effective management by healthcare professionals in the team managing paediatrics with cancer are, therefore, pivotal to mitigating the severity and impact on quality of life.Objectives: To describe the knowledge and practices of healthcare professionals on the management of ototoxic hearing loss in children receiving platinum-based chemotherapy drugs.Method: Using a descriptive survey design, data were collected from self-administered questionnaires completed by 74 healthcare professionals from two hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.Results: While 45 participants (60.8%) identified ototoxicity as a side effect of platinum-based chemotherapeutic drugs, 43 (58.1%) identified dose, duration and mode of administration as risk factors, and 43 participants (72.9%) did not know the duration of an ototoxicity monitoring programme post-treatment. Fifty participants (68%) accurately identified most of their roles within the ototoxicity monitoring programme. Most participants (n = 73; 99%) did not fully adhere to Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) ototoxicity monitoring guidelines. However, a positive outcome was that 70 participants (94.6%) acknowledged the importance of the ototoxicity monitoring programme for children receiving platinum-based chemotherapy.Conclusion: The current study demonstrates a clear correlation between healthcare professionals’ practices and their level of knowledge. These findings underscore the importance of improving the knowledge base of healthcare professionals involved in ototoxicity monitoring programme to enhance their practices effectively.Contribution: This study identified areas requiring improvement in managing ototoxicity in this patient group, prompting the inclusion of ototoxicity training. This study supports audiologists in effectively implementing and overseeing ototoxicity monitoring programme.

Mitigating the Impact of Intergenerational Risk Factors on Stunting: Insights From Seven of the Most Food Insecure Districts in South Africa.

A large body of research investigates the determinants of stunting in young children, but few studies have considered which factors are the most important predictors of stunting. We examined the relative importance of predictors of height-for-age z-scores (HAZ) and stunting among children under 5 years of age in seven of the most food-insecure districts in South Africa using data from the Grow Great Community Stunting Survey of 2022. We used dominance analysis and variable importance measures from conditional random forest models to assess the relative importance of predictors. We found that intergenerational and socioeconomic factors-specifically maternal height (HAZ: Coef. 0.02, 95% CI 0.01-0.03; stunting: OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.94-0.98), birth weight (HAZ: Coef. 0.3, 95% CI 0.16-0.43; stunting: OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.35-0.72) and asset-based measures of socioeconomic status (HAZ: Coef. 0.17, 95% CI 0.10-0.24; stunting: OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.67-0.89)-were the most important predictors of HAZ and stunting in these districts. We explored whether any other factors moderated (weakened) the relationship between these intergenerational factors and child height using conditional inference trees and moderation analysis. We found that being on track for vitamin A and deworming, adequate sanitation, a diverse diet and good maternal mental health moderated the effect of birth weight or mother's height. Though impacts are likely to be small relative to the impact of intergenerational risk factors, these moderating factors may provide promising avenues for helping to mitigate the intergenerational transmission of stunting risk in South Africa.

Delay Discounting and Risk Tolerance in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Results From the Global OCD Study

Although obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) features maladaptive decision-making, previous research that examined economic decision-making in OCD has yielded inconsistent results. Here, we examined whether unmedicated adults with OCD ( n = 268) differ from healthy control subjects (HCSs; n = 256) on two measures of decision-making about potential rewards: (a) delay discounting, the tendency to prefer rewards sooner rather than later, even if the delayed reward is larger, and (b) risk tolerance, the willingness to gamble for uncertain rewards when the risk is known. Data were collected in Brazil, India, the Netherlands, South Africa, and the United States as part of the Global OCD study. After controlling for age, sex, education, socioeconomic status, IQ, and site, individuals with OCD did not differ from HCSs in either delay discounting or risk tolerance. However, patients with OCD who reported more anxiety and depression showed higher delay discounting, or a relative preference for immediate rewards.

Global variations in gallbladder cancer incidence: What do recorded data and national estimates tell us?

On a global scale, gallbladder cancer is a relatively rare cancer with a striking variability in incidence across countries and world regions. We examined recent geographic variations worldwide based on national gallbladder cancer incidence estimates for the year 2022 from the GLOBOCAN database for 185 countries alongside recorded incidence data from the most recent volume of Cancer Incidence in Five Continents. In 2022, 122,491 new gallbladder cancer cases and 89,055 deaths were estimated to occur worldwide, of which 64.5% and 64.7% respectively were among females. The highest reported rates (ASR per 100,000) were in subpopulations of Northeastern regions of India and Southern Chile in both males (ASR of 6.1 and 5.3, respectively) and in females, though rates were two times higher than males (ASR of 14.9 and 15.4). The lowest incidence rates were reported in subpopulations of Uganda for males and South Africa for females (0.21 and 0.14, respectively). Recorded gallbladder cancer incidence rates among subnational populations within countries differed considerably from their respective national estimates and revealed a 100-fold variation in gallbladder cancer, highlighting the importance of subnational population-based cancer registry data in pinpointing areas of high risk, driving research and prioritizing tailored public health actions.

Tongue-tied: Language-based exclusion at a South African university

The post-apartheid government in South Africa adopted a multilingual education policy to provide education in learners' home languages as a foundation for learning while promoting proficiency in at least two additional official languages. This marked a paradigm shift from the apartheid regime, which was characterised by racial segregation and discrimination, prioritising Afrikaans and English at the expense of indigenous African languages. Although widely celebrated, achieving the multilingual promise ushered in by the democratic dispensation remains a challenge for post-apartheid South African higher education. This study explored students' experiences of language-based discrimination at a selected South African university. Using a qualitative approach, data were collected from 20 purposively sampled final-year students through an open-ended questionnaire that was distributed electronically to students in the Education faculty and analysed thematically. The findings revealed that minority language speakers grappled with feelings of invisibility, alienation, frustration, and exclusion in their academic and social lives, making it difficult for them to engage fully in university life. Various coping mechanisms were also reported, demonstrating the agency of these minority groups; however, these were found to be insufficient. The study thus recommended prioritising inclusive language policies and training that foster lingua-cultural empathy among students and staff, among other things.

Urinary Proteomics and Systems Biology Link Eight Proteins to the Higher Risk of Hypertension and Related Complications in Blacks Versus Whites.

Blacks are more prone to salt-sensitive hypertension than Whites. This cross-sectional analysis of a multi-ethnic cohort aimed to search for proteins potentially involved in the susceptibility to salt sensitivity, hypertension, and hypertension-related complications. The study included individuals enrolled in African Prospective Study on the Early Detection and Identification of Cardiovascular Disease and Hypertension (African-PREDICT), Flemish Study of the Environment, Genes and Health Outcomes (FLEMENGHO), Prospective Cohort Study in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus for Validation of Biomarkers (PROVALID)-Austria, and Urinary Proteomics Combined with Home Blood Pressure Telemonitoring for Health Care Reform Trial (UPRIGHT-HTM). Sequenced urinary peptides detectable in 70% of participants allowed the identification of parental proteins and were compared between Blacks and Whites. Of 513 urinary peptides, 300 had significantly different levels among healthy Black (n=476) and White (n=483) South Africans sharing the same environment. Analyses contrasting 582 Blacks versus 1731 Whites, and Sub-Saharan Blacks versus European Whites replicated the findings. COL4A1, COL4A2, FGA, PROC, MGP, MYOCD, FYXD2, and UMOD were identified as the most likely candidates underlying the racially different susceptibility to salt sensitivity, hypertension, and related complications. Enriched pathways included hemostasis, platelet activity, collagens, biology of the extracellular matrix, and protein digestion and absorption. Our study suggests that MGP and MYOCD being involved in cardiovascular function, FGA and PROC in coagulation, FYXD2 and UMOD in salt homeostasis, and COL4A1 and COL4A2 as major components of the glomerular basement membrane are among the many proteins potentially incriminated in the higher susceptibility of Blacks compared to Whites to salt sensitivity, hypertension, and its complication. Nevertheless, these eight proteins and their associated pathways deserve further exploration in molecular and human studies as potential targets for intervention to reduce the excess risk of hypertension and cardiovascular complications in Blacks versus Whites.

Translanguaging in the classroom: a strategy for English First Additional Language learning

: This article explores learners’ experiences of using translanguaging as a strategy for learning English as a First Additional Language by examining the opportunities and barriers associated with it. We followed a qualitative research design and conducted six focus group discussions with 44 multilingual learners who participated in after-school peer-tutoring programmes. These learners came from township schools in Gauteng province, South Africa. An inductive thematic approach was used to analyse the data. The findings of the study indicate that translanguaging acts as a tool for meaning-making and identity construction, thereby affirming learners’ linguistic fluidity. However, mismatches between teachers’ and learners’ home languages and monolingual school practices were identified as barriers to translanguaging. We argue that failure to include indigenous languages in educational systems is an act of curricular inequality that causes alienation as learners struggle to find their voice in a monolingual learning environment. The promotion of indigenous languages is a vehicle for inclusion of all learners in the school system as multilingualism facilitates greater opportunity for these learners to have their voices heard. We maintain that the valorisation and acknowledgement of all languages as legitimate sources of knowledge could have far-reaching benefits for education and could enhance nation building.

Inflation targeting and the real exchange rate trend: theoretical discussion and empirical evidence for developed and developing countries

Abstract Economic literature shows evidence that a competitive real exchange rate (RER), i.e., slightly undervalued, is key for development in developing countries. This paper discusses the connections between inflation targeting (IT) regimes and RER trends in economies highly open to capital flows. Following Rodrik’s (2008. The real exchange rate and economic growth, Brookings Papers on Economic Activity, Washington, 2008, vol. 39, no. 2 (Fall), 365–439), the RER trend is estimated for a sample of 31 out of the 38 developed and developing countries that, by the final year of the period covered in this study (2019), had already adopted IT. Covering the period 2000–2019, we showed that all developed and Latin American developing countries had an RER overvaluation trend, while the European, Asian and African (South Africa) developing countries registered an undervaluation trend in the same period. Through a dynamic panel data model, we tested and validated the following hypotheses, which, to the best of our knowledge, are a seminal contribution. We found in Latin American developing countries, whose ITs are centred on the main objective of pursuing price stability, the RER overvaluation trend (a by-product of this monetary policy regime) is driven by higher interest rate differentials to the USA and is harmful to their economic growth. In developed countries, this trend is not explained by their IT framework but by their high per capita income level, which reflects their high average labour productivity and development pattern. Yet, the trend of RER undervaluation in Asian and European developing countries and South Africa reflects their governments’ ability to combine a more flexible IT regime with a floating but managed exchange rate system aimed at preserving a competitive and stable RER in the long term.

Tracing the path to democratic governance in South Africa and Ethiopia: a comparative policy analysis

Purpose This study aims to investigate the dynamics of democratic governance in South Africa and Ethiopia within the framework of Africa Agenda 2063 (AA2063), including how political polarisation and populism shape the democratisation process. Design/methodology/approach A mixed-methods approach integrates quantitative analysis using the Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) data set with qualitative case studies from South Africa and Ethiopia. Cohort analysis, comparative analysis and descriptive statistics revealed patterns and trends in democratic transformation, how groups evolve over time and the momentum needed for both countries to achieve the goals of AA2063. Findings This study found that the political landscapes of South Africa and Ethiopia are significantly shaped by the emergence of democracy, political polarisation and populist parties. Considering the 10-year expected outcomes outlined in AA2063, the findings show that South Africa achieved 84% of its 10-year democratic governance policy goals, whereas Ethiopia reached only 25%. South Africa, despite demonstrating a strong commitment to clean elections, has experienced significant political polarisation and the rise of populist movements. In Ethiopia, the shift towards one-man governance has significantly diverted the country’s trajectory from liberal democratic aspirations to undemocratic practices. Practical implications The findings provide actionable policy recommendations aimed at building resilient democracy against political polarisation and populism. Social implications This study highlights the vital role of informed citizens in safeguarding democratic practices. Originality/value This study makes a significant contribution through a rigorous comparison of democratic practices in South Africa and Ethiopia by elucidating the critical factors that shape their differing levels of democratic maturity. The analysis uncovers the impact of political polarisation and populism on governance by employing a comprehensive array of democratic indicators to provide a nuanced understanding of these dynamics.

Silence is Also a Voice, Right? Reflections on Silence as Resistant Teacher Voice in the Context of Curriculum Change in South Africa

This article reports on findings from a qualitative case study that explored teacher voice in the context of educational change in implementing the Curriculum and Assessment Policy reform in South Africa. The study uses the meta-theoretical paradigm of social constructivism and the conceptual framework of “resistance as good sense” to explore how silence as a form of resistance can be viewed as a strategy for learner advocacy. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and classroom observations captured over a school year. The findings revealed that teacher knowledge jars in educational environments where compliance is the custom and teachers’ decisions in consideration of contextual congruence are viewed as resistance to the fidelity of the reform. Some teachers see passive resistance as the only alternative to empowerment in these environments. Thus, the scope of teacher voice lies in subservience to the policy where curriculum enforcers ignore teacher intuition which could influence the success of reform and contribute to the goals of learning. The study concludes that teacher silence as a form of resistance can be viewed as “good sense” and should not always be seen as emblematic of negative resistance.

Health System Factors Influencing the Integration of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis into Antenatal and Postnatal Clinic Services in Cape Town, South Africa.

Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective and safe option to prevent HIV acquisition and vertical HIV transmission in pregnant and breastfeeding women. Understanding health system factors influencing the integration of PrEP into care for pregnant and breastfeeding women is key to increasing access. We explored managers' and health care workers' (HCWs) experiences with integrating PrEP into antenatal care and postnatal care services in primary health care clinics in Cape Town, South Africa. This exploratory qualitative study used codebook thematic analysis, where HCWs were purposively, heterogeneously sampled from an implementation science study. Semistructured individual interviews were conducted with 9 managerial-level staff, and 3 focus group discussions were conducted with HCWs (nurses, midwives, and HIV counselors) providing PrEP (6-7 HCWs per group) between November 2022 and January 2023 (N=28). Interview guides covered health system facilitators, barriers, and recommendations. The Health Systems Dynamics framework guided data analysis and presentation of results. PrEP integration into antenatal care services was described as acceptable and feasible; however, changes to HIV testing policy and indicators in breastfeeding women are needed to integrate PrEP into postnatal clinics, together with identification of mother and baby as a dyad in visits. Results showed that supportive policies facilitated wider, simplified PrEP provision. The availability and accessibility of prescribing nurses and lay HIV counselors, PrEP (both within facilities and in communities), and information about PrEP for implementers and pregnant and breastfeeding women will be pivotal to facilitating integration. Facilitators for PrEP integration include task-shifting PrEP education and identification of women for PrEP initiation to HIV counselors, changes to national guidelines defining who can prescribe PrEP, revision and integration of PrEP training for HCWs, community-level interventions for PrEP demand creation and stigma reduction, and provision of differentiated PrEP delivery options.

Emergence of Omicron FN.1 a descendent of BQ.1.1 in Botswana

Abstract Botswana, like the rest of the world, has been significantly impacted by SARS-CoV-2. In December 2022, we detected a monophyletic cluster of genomes comprising a sublineage of the Omicron variant of concern (VOC) designated as B.1.1.529.5.3.1.1.1.1.1.1.74.1 (alias FN.1, clade 22E). These genomes were sourced from both epidemiologically linked and unlinked samples collected in three close locations within the district of Greater Gaborone. In this study, we assessed the worldwide prevalence of the FN.1 lineage, evaluated its mutational profile, and conducted a phylogeographic analysis to reveal its global dispersal dynamics. Among approximately 16 million publicly available SARS-CoV-2 sequences generated by September 30, 2023, only 87 were of the FN.1 lineage, including 22 from Botswana, 6 from South Africa, and 59 from the United Kingdom. The estimated time to the most recent common ancestor (tMRCA) of the 87 FN.1 sequences was October 22, 2022 (95% highest posterior density (HPD): September 02, 2022 - November 24, 2022), with the earliest of the 22 Botswana sequences having been sampled on December 7, 2022. Discrete trait reconstruction of FN.1 identified Botswana as the most probable place of origin. The FN.1 lineage is derived from the BQ.1.1 lineage and carries two missense variants in the Spike protein, S:K182E in NTD and S:T478R in RDB. Among the over 90 SARS-CoV-2 lineages circulating in Botswana between September 2020 and July 2023, FN.1 was most closely related to BQ.1.1.74 based on maximum likelihood phylogenetic inference, differing only by the S:K182E mutation found in FN.1. Given the early detection of numerous novel variants from Botswana and its neighboring countries, our study underscores the necessity of continuous surveillance to monitor the emergence of potential VOCs, integrating molecular and spatial data to identify dissemination patterns enhancing preparedness efforts.

Rescripting contested monuments amid shifting regionings of concern: the case of the President M.T. Steyn statue

The way monuments hold sway seem stable and predictable, yet their ‘meanings’ migrate and their traditionally accepted roles shift. In South Africa there are monuments that commemorate achievements once considered laudable, that have become symbols of oppressive systems. The challenge facing the current generation is to make sense of these monuments in a way that will dignify the lived situation of all stakeholders. One such contested monument is the statue of President M.T. Steyn that used to stand in front of the Main Building of the University of the Free State. The statue divided the campus community. It provoked some students to violent unrest, while others saw it as an important heritage marker. How could the seemingly irreconcilable conflict between these stakeholders be resolved while adhering to heritage laws and without alienating a significant portion of the student body? The complex process that followed relied on creative leaps to provoke public participation and stimulate new forms of appreciation amid shifting regions of concern. One important facet of this process was the construction of a reflective triangular prism installation which provoked new visual, experiential and spatial relationships with the monument, including the visual removal of the statue from the ‘axis of power’, the celebration of oblique views, and opportunities to face the statue in a distorted mirror. This article will critically reflect on the poetic process of strange-making that was followed in the relocation of the President M.T. Steyn statue in order to illustrate how traditional conflict resolution strategies can be reinterpreted in terms of German philosopher, Martin Heidegger’s notion of inceptual thinking. The resulting approach opens new possibilities for creatively rescripting contested monuments; a way of thinking which engages the inceptual regionings impacting the way people live as beings of emplaced care.

Challenges in early childhood care and education in impoverished rural communities in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa

Challenges in early childhood care and education in impoverished rural communities in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa

Tectonic structures of SW margin of Gondwana from gravity and magnetic anomalies of the Río de la Plata area and their correlation with the Beattie magnetic Anomaly in South Africa

The Río de la Plata cratonic area and the adjacent continental platform (South America) have been subject of geophysical and tectonic studies for several decades. However, there are still many uncertainties related with its structural configuration and tectonic evolution. To deepen the knowledge of the tectono-structural characteristics of the cratonic and surrounding areas, we carried out an analysis of magnetic and gravity anomalies, which is highly effective in accurately locating the boundaries of crustal/lithospheric domains/terrains and structures. Additionally, this tectonic characterization allows us to correlate South American geophysical features with their counterparts in southern South Africa (i.e., Beattie Magnetic Anomaly).In this study, different filters and techniques were employed to analyze magnetic and gravity anomalies. The gravity anomaly was obtained from global models, whereas the magnetic anomaly was compiled from diverse sources (aerial, terrestrial, and marine data). Particularly, the first vertical derivative, total horizontal derivative, analytic signal, tilt angle and upward continuations were calculated, and 3D Euler Deconvolution was applied.Our results confirm the existence, and accurately determine the location, of Río Negro and Colorado transfer zones, Sierra de la Ventana Shear Zone, and extensional structures in the Tandilia System area, here defined as Tandil Trough. Moreover, we propose that the Sierra de la Ventana Shear Zone was shifted northwards in the offshore sector of the study area through sinistral displacement along the Punta Mogotes Shear Zone. Considering the similar rheological contrasts exhibited by the South African margin, we suggest an analogous configuration in the case of the Cape Fold Belt. Additionally, based on our interpretations, and considering previous geophysical studies, we support the proposal that the Beattie Magnetic Anomaly in South Africa and the magnetic anomaly detected beneath the Claromecó Basin would be generated by comparable sources (i.e., Sierra de la Ventana Shear Zone).

Do Theoretical Assumptions of Geographic Profiling Hold When Scrutinising Commuter Serial Rape Offenders in South Africa?

Do Theoretical Assumptions of Geographic Profiling Hold When Scrutinising Commuter Serial Rape Offenders in South Africa?

Occurrence of Salmonella enterica in faecal sludge from Nigeria and genetic relatedness with strains associated with human infections in Africa.

This study investigated occurrence of Salmonella in faecal sludge from public toilets in Nigeria, and genetic relatedness of strains which have been reported to cause human infection across Africa. The study collected 150 human sludge from public toilets, and identified Salmonella through culture and PCR. Isolates were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility and sequenced using Illumina MiSeq. Draft sequences were compared with sequence data from Enterobase and Genbank. Twenty-four (16.0%) of sewage samples were positive for Salmonella [CI95 (10.2- 21.8)]. S. Give (sequence type (ST) 516), S. Seftenberg (ST-14), and S. Chester (ST-411) were the most prevalent serovars found in 45.8%, 16.7%, and 16.7% of samples, respectively. Most of the isolates were sensitive to the antimicrobials tested, only one isolate of S. Derby showed resistance to ampicillin and cefazolin. Notably, 91.7% of the strains had the aac (6)-Iaa gene, and point mutations in parC, gyrA and acrB. S. Chester showed genetic relatedness with strains from Benin Republic and South Africa. There is genetic relatedness of present strains and those associated with human infections in Africa.