South African Team Research Articles

Barriers and facilitators to medical care retention for pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus in South Africa: a qualitative study

BackgroundSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a life-threatening, chronic, autoimmune disease requiring long term subspecialty care due to its complex and chronic nature. Childhood-onset SLE (cSLE) is more severe than adult-onset, and the cSLE population in South Africa has been reported to have an even higher risk than patients elsewhere. Therefore, it is critical to promptly diagnose, treat, and manage cSLE. In this paper, we aim to describe and evaluate barriers and enablers of appropriate long-term care of cSLE South Africa from the perspective of caregivers (parents or family members).MethodsCaregivers (n = 22) were recruited through pediatric and adult rheumatology clinics. Individuals were eligible if they cared for youth (≤ 19 years) who were diagnosed with cSLE and satisfied at least four of the eleven ACR SLE classification criteria. Individual in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted between January 2014 and December 2014, and explored barriers to and facilitators of ongoing chronic care for cSLE. Data were analyzed using applied thematic analysis.ResultsFour barriers to chronic care engagement and retention were identified: knowledge gap, financial burdens, social stigma of SLE, and complexity of the South African medical system. Additionally, we found three facilitators: patient and caregiver education, robust support system for the caregiver, and financial support for the caregiver and patient.ConclusionThese findings highlight multiple, intersecting barriers to routine longitudinal care for cSLE in South Africa and suggest there might be a group of diagnosed children who don’t receive follow-up care and are subject to loss to follow-up. cSLE requires ongoing treatment and care; thus, the different barriers may interact and compound over time with each follow-up visit. South African cSLE patients are at high risk for poor outcomes. South African care teams should work to overcome these barriers and place attention on the facilitators to improve care retention for these patients and create a model for other less resourced settings.

Supporting the festival industry in troubled times: Higher education research and collaboration with festivals in South Africa during COVID-19

This case study presents a critical reflection on the way COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020-2022 brought the festival industry in South Africa closer to higher education (HE) via a new and innovative collaboration. The research design allowed an international team to facilitate knowledge sharing and research support during a very challenging time for the industry. The project saw the development of a collaboration with seven festivals across South Africa. During the 15 months project, the collaboration allowed participants to build a new knowledge base - and a collaborative network - to survive the challenging times. Rather than a more extractive, top-down approach that saw festivals as “research subjects”, they were involved as research partners. Cultural organisations and members of the South African team acted as intermediaries, who used their existing networks and reputations to build a collaborative, trust-based relationship between industry partners and researchers where mutually beneficial outcomes were possible. The project thus became part of the South Africa festival ecosystem, creating opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange between festivals, cultural producers and academic researchers. The outcomes of the research helped to build a stronger creative economy and support its future development.

Breaking barriers: a psychobiography of Siya Kolisi from a sociocultural perspective

Siyamthanda (Siya) Kolisi OIG (1992-) is the first black captain of the South African rugby team (Springboks) in its 128 years of existence. The Springboks have long been associated with Afrikaner people and a history of racism. Siya had to navigate a tumultuous upbringing in an environment characterised by various issues such as socioeconomic inequalities, high unemployment among Black people, and lack of resources. Siya was purposively selected for this study as he has become one of the most influential individuals in South Africa. Publicly available biographical data was gathered, analysed, and interpreted using the Phenomenological Variant of Ecological Systems Theory (PVEST; Spencer, 2006). I used the theoretical lens to understand the role of social and cultural context, meaning-making processes in human development, and the transition between different worlds. The findings indicated a need to consider the role of context as a source of consonance or dissonance in human development. The study also sheds light on the importance of viewing marginalised individuals holistically to facilitate smooth boundary transitions. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of recognising that maladaptive and adaptive coping strategies exist on a continuum. The study contributes towards non-WEIRD psychobiographical studies and understanding culture’s role on human development.

A licensing plan for coupling nuclear–renewable hybrid energy systems

South Africa committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 34% below "Business As Usual" levels by 2020 and 42% by 2025 at the Copenhagen climate change conference. However, global energy demand was projected to rise due to population and industrial growth, with energy usage expected to increase by 13% through 2040. In South Africa, a steady increase in electricity demand prompted the government to implement a new growth path (NGP), which prioritized job creation in all economic policies, including energy. To address the growing energy demand, an alternative energy source for combined heat and power was necessary, particularly for synthetic fuel production. The coupling of a high temperature reactor (HTR) with a chemical process plant could improve carbon and thermal efficiency, as seen in international organizations like the ARCHER (Advanced High-Temperature Reactors for Cogeneration of Heat and Electricity R&D) project. HTRs are still in their conceptual stages andaresuitable candidate forcouplingto an energy-intensiveindustrythat require process heat with sufficiently hightemperatures,with potential uses for NRHES (Nuclear-Renewable Hybrid Energy Systems). The South African team aimed to model the SASOL process, assess its financial viability, and develop a licensing plan.

Do South African international cricket pace bowlers have similar bowling volume and injury risk associates compared to other elite fast bowlers?

Background Although many cricket-playing nations have conducted research on bowling volume (BV) and injury risk, this relationship amongst international South African pace bowlers is yet to be investigated. Environmental, socio-economic and training strategy differences warrant similar research in a South African context. The purpose of this preliminary study was to establish whether South African pace bowlers have similar BV and injury associates compared to other elite fast bowlers. Methods This study was a prospective, observational, cohort study that monitored match and training BV and injuries amongst pace bowlers playing for the South African national team between April 2017 and April 2019. A sample of convenience that included 14 bowlers was selected. Bowling volume was quantified as the number of deliveries bowled during training and competition. Acute-, chronic- and acute:chronic BV ratios were independently modelled as association variables. Results There were 39 injuries with the most being to the lumbar spine (25.64%). Moderate-to-low and a moderate-to-high acute:chronic bowling load ratios were associated with a lower risk of injury. Chronic bowling load was associated with injury (z = 2.82, p = 0.01). A low acute workload, low chronic workload, moderate-high chronic workload and moderate-low acute:chronic ratio were also associated with an increased risk of injury. Conclusion These findings confirm that there appears to be a dose–response effect between training BV and the likelihood of an injury occurring with a moderate-to-low and a moderate-to-high BV ratio being optimal. Considering the small sample size, the findings should be interpreted with caution.

A contextualised model of the use of agile technique in South African software development team

Background: Software development teams are challenged with the adoption of the most appropriate software development methodology. Despite their acceptance of agile methodologies, still many countries use traditional software development methods.Objectives: The major objective of this study was to develop a contextualised model for the adoption of agile methodologies in software development teams in South Africa.Method: Our study identified the factors that contributed to the adoption of agile software development teams in South Africa by conducting a factor analysis. We used descriptive statistics to determine the frequencies of the participant’s demographics and situational variables. A composite research model based on technology, organisation and environment, individual characters and culture constructs was constructed and analysis was performed by applying the statistical techniques of correlation analysis, regression analysis and structural equation modelling.Results: The result of the analysis revealed that many teams do not have a specific model that they use in agile development methodology. Technology, organisation, environment and culture constructs were found to have an impact on teams in adopting agile methodologies.Conclusion: The study demonstrated that organisations lack appropriate models of agile methodologies adoption to inform their decision making. Therefore, adopt the developed model in taking informed decisions for their software development methodologies. The study makes a practical contribution to management and practice.Contribution: This study improves on software development approaches in developing countries. The developed model can be adopted as a theory in future research. It contributed literature to the body of knowledge.

Indigenous Knowledge Systems in South Africa and Australia: transforming doctoral education

While there is a great deal of support for the integration of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) into higher education, there is still a significant amount of work to be done to move beyond tokenism. Intensive dialogue and robust conceptual outlooks are required. In this paper, this international team of South African and Australian scholars engage in a transcultural and transdisciplinary dialogue in order to chart how discourses and debates about IKS are understood in the different historical and cultural contexts of South Africa and Australia. They combine the theoretical approaches of de Sousa Santos (2014; 2018a and b) about epistemic justice with the theories of Odora Hoppers (2021), Visvanathan (2009), and First Nations Australian scholars Williams, Bunda, Claxton, and McKinnon (2018) about an Indigenous knowledges global decolonisation praxis framework. This dialogue is deliberately jarring and polyvocal because of our desire to go beyond tokenism. The South African team have chosen to apply Bacchi’s (2009) approach of problem formulation and policy as change proposal to discourses about IKS in South African policy documents. The Australian First Nations team have demonstrated how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems work through the power of stories. Purposely adopting a polyvocal, multimodal approach, the Australian section includes ethnographic policy analysis and narratives that illustrate how IKS might operate in higher education.

Flashpoint: How a Little-Known Sporting Event Fueled America's Anti-Apartheid Movement

Sports, race, and politics are deeply intertwined—just ask Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Naomi Osaka, or Colin Kaepernick. Derek Charles Catsam, an accomplished historian of race, social movements, and sports in South Africa, the United States, and globally, has authored an easy-to-read, fascinating, if perhaps misnamed, book. The book's subtitle contends the 1981 U.S. tour of the legendary South African rugby team, nicknamed the Springboks, “fueled America's anti-apartheid movement.” More accurately, the book focuses on the sociopolitical roles of rugby in South Africa and the world, including how antiapartheid activists targeted the sport because of its importance to white South Africans, particularly Afrikaners. Following a preface celebrating the first Black Springboks captain, only appointed in 2018, a strong introduction outlines the Springboks' U.S. tour, U.S. foreign policy toward apartheid South Africa and how Ronald Reagan's election changed the equation, America's nascent antiapartheid movement, sports boycotts in the global struggle against apartheid, white South Africa's fierce resistance to change, and the role of race in American sports. Subsequent chapters cover planning for the Springboks' U.S. tour, an Irish rugby tour to South Africa in 1981, the Springboks' 1981 New Zealand tour—which saw massive protests that rocked the nation—and the book culminates with several chapters on the Springboks' U.S. tour, with matches in Racine, Wisconsin, Albany, and tiny Glenville, New York. The U.S.-focused chapters present a blow-by-blow account of the planning of the events as well as the protests. The “Boks” destroyed every American team and, since rugby was an incredibly obscure sport in the United States, these matches drew only a handful of fans. For those interested in a film on antiapartheid protests of the Springboks, Connie Field's documentary series, Have You Heard from Johannesburg (2010), includes a wonderful episode, “Fair Play,” on Springbok tours to Australia, England, and New Zealand.

Indices Development for Player’s Performance Evaluation through the Super-SBM Approach in Each Department for All Three Formats of Cricket

Player performance evaluations in all three formats of cricket have been a topic of great concern for sports analysts and research experts. This study proposed a comprehensive performance estimation tool that incorporates all the essential inputs–outputs and evaluates a cricketer’s overall performance. This research introduced three different estimation indices for player efficiency in all three formats of cricket for batting, bowling, and fielding. Further, this research employed the DEA Super-SBM model to evaluate the player’s efficiency in batting, bowling, and fielding departments of all three formats. The study estimates the most efficient batsman, bowler, and fielder in cricketing history by using the data of international cricketers (1877–2019). The results indicate that, compared to the traditional parameters, the proposed study indices are more accurate and comprehensive in nature. The most efficient batsman, bowler, and fielder in all three formats are given, respectively: (i) Sir Bradman, Sachin Tendulkar, and Virat Kohli; (ii) Muralitharan, Mitchell Starc, and Umar Gul; and (iii) Saleem Yousuf, Luke Ronchi, and Scott Edwards. For teams, England, Australia, and India were determined to be the most efficient in batting for all three formats; the West Indies, Australia, and Pakistan are the most efficient in bowling; and the Australian (Test & ODIs) and South African teams are efficient in the fielding department.

The pattern of non-contact injuries in a South African professional football team.

The incidence, pattern and severity of non-contact injuries in European football has been researched extensively. In South African football only two studies have been conducted to date and with disparate outcomes. Further research into injury rates in South African football is therefore warranted. To determine the incidence and pattern of non-contact injuries in a South African professional football team during the course of a single season (2016-2017) in relation to competition exposure, training load and playing position. Thirty-four male professional football players belonging to a single team competing in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) in South Africa were studied. Non-contact time-loss injuries (total training and match injuries) were recorded. Injury incidence, location, severity, type, and playing position (defender, midfielder, attackers, goalkeepers) during either match play or training were recorded. The non-contact incidence was 52 injuries with an injury rate of 3.74 per 1 000 exposures (training and competition). Competitions resulted in an incidence of 26.4 injuries per 1 000 exposure and training incidence 2.08 injuries per 1 000 exposures. Hamstring, groin and quadriceps injuries were the most frequently injured locations and muscle-tendon injuries accounted for the majority of injuries. The majority of injuries (52%) occurred during match play while 48% occurred during training. The greatest absolute number of injuries were sustained by midfielders (50%), followed by defenders (33%) and attackers (17%). However, relative to player numbers, the greatest number of injuries during match play were for defenders (44%), attackers (32%) and midfielders (24%). During training attackers sustained the most injuries (39%), followed by defenders (31%) and midfielders (30%). Goalkeepers did not sustain any non-contact injuries during the duration of the study. The non-contact injury incidence in South African professional football players is similar to European football players. Hamstrings and groin injuries are predominant and were sustained throughout the competitive season. Defenders sustained the most non-contact injuries within the team relative to exposure time compared to attackers and midfielders. To our knowledge, injuries relative to player position have not been reported previously.

Flashpoint: How a Little-Known Sporting Event Fueled America's Anti-Apartheid Movement

Flashpoint: How a Little-Known Sporting Event Fueled America's Anti-Apartheid Movement

The disposition effect and its manifestations in South African investor teams

PurposeThe study endeavours to determine (1) whether the disposition effect exists among South African investor teams, (2) whether it is causally intensified by a set of psychosocial factors and (3) whether the disposition effect causally reduces investor welfare.Design/methodology/approachFollowing a natural field experimentation design involving a sample of investor teams participating in the 2019 run of the JSE University Investment Challenge, the authors use regression adjustments as well as bootstrap tests to investigate the casual implications of a set of psychosocial factors on the intensity of the disposition effect, as well on the attenuation of market-adjusted ex post returns (i.e. investor welfare).FindingsSouth African investor teams are susceptible to the disposition effect, and their susceptibility to the bias is associated with attenuated investor welfare. Furthermore, low female representation in an investor team causally intensifies the disposition effect, subsequently leading to a causal reduction in investor welfare.Originality/valueUsing evidence from real-world observation, the authors contribute to the literature on team gender diversity and investment decision-making, and – using Hofstede's (2001) cultural dimensions – the authors offer a comprehensive account for how differences in culture may lead to differences in gender-related disposition effects across different nationalities. The authors also introduce to the literature experimental evidence from the field that clearly demonstrates that – among South African investor teams – a causal relationship exists (1) between female representation and the disposition effect, and (2) between the disposition effect and investor welfare.

Injury and Illness Incidence in 2017 Super Rugby Tournament: A Surveillance Study on a Single South African Team.

BackgroundProfessional rugby presents significant injury and illness risks to players, which need to be regularly assessed to monitor the effects of interventions and competition rules changes.Hypothesis/PurposeThe purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and nature of time-loss injuries and illness during the pre-season and competition period of the 2017 Super Rugby tournament in a single South African team.Study DesignDescriptive Epidemiology StudyMethodsForty-five adult players were recruited from one 2017 Super Rugby South African team, with 39 included in the final data set. Daily injury and illness data were routinely collected during the season by support staff over a 28-week period (January to July 2017), based on standardized injury and illness definitions. Retrospective analyses of the data were performed.ResultsThe incidence of match injuries (241.0 per 1000 player hours) was significantly higher than training injuries (3.3 per 1000 player hours). Twenty one percent of all injuries occurred during the tackle; 37.5% of all injuries were of a “moderate” severity. The proportion of players who sustained a time-loss injury was 76.9% (n=30). The overall incidence of illness was 1.8 per 1000 player days. Acute respiratory tract infection (28.6%) was the most common diagnosis, and the majority of illnesses (64.3%) did not result in time-loss.ConclusionThis study presented a longer study period than previous research by including the pre-season training, but represented only one single team. The incidence of match injuries was significantly higher than previously reported in Super Rugby tournaments, whereas illness rates were significantly lower. Support staff in professional rugby need to be trained on the standardized Orchard System of Classifications to ensure good quality data that can be compared to other teams within the same or other sporting codes.Level of evidenceLevel 3

The Black Pacific and the Shapes of Global Black Power

The Black Pacific and the Shapes of Global Black Power

Days until return-to-play differ for sub-categories of acute respiratory tract illness in Super Rugby players: A cross-sectional study over 5 seasons (102,738 player-days)

ObjectivesTo document incidence rate and severity of specific sub-categories of respiratory tract illness (RTill) in rugby players during the Super Rugby tournament. DesignCross-sectional study. MethodsTeam physicians completed daily illness logs in 537 professional male rugby players from South African teams participating in the Super Rugby Union tournaments (2013–2017) (1141 player-seasons, 102,738 player-days). The incidence rate (IR: illness episodes/1000 player-days) and severity [%RTill resulting in time-loss, illness burden (IB: days lost to illness/1000 player-days) and days until return-to-play (DRTP)/single illness (mean: 95% Confidence Intervals)] are reported for the following specific sub-categories of RTill: non-infective respiratory tract illness (RTnon-inf), respiratory tract infections (RTinf), influenza-like illness, infective sinusitis, upper respiratory tract infections (URTinf), lower respiratory tract infections (LRTinf). ResultsThe overall IR of RTill was 2.9 (2.6–3.3). IR was higher for RTinf (2.5; 2.2–2.9) vs. RTnon-inf (0.4; 0.3–0.6) (p < 0.001). For sub-categories the highest IR was in URTinf (1.9; 1.7–2.2), while the % illness causing time-loss was influenza-like illness (100%), LRTinf (91.7%), infective sinusitis (55.6%), and URTinf (49.0%). IB was highest for URTinf (2.0; 1.6–2.5), and the DRTP/single illness was highest for LRTinf (3.2; 2.3–4.4), and influenza-like illness (2.1; 1.6–2.8). ConclusionsRTinf accounted for >57% of all illness during the Super Rugby tournament, and mostly URTinf. Influenza-like illness. LRTinf caused time-loss in >90% cases. URTinf, LRTinf and influenza-like illness resulted in the highest burden of illness and LRTinf caused the highest DRTP. Prevention strategies should focus on mitigating the risk of RTinf, specifically URTinf, LRTinf and influenza-like illness.

Quotas in South African cricket – what the players say

Since 1994, quotas have been a part of the national discourse, as a means of increasing the representation of ‘Black’ players in South African sports teams. This qualitative study investigated players’ and key informants’ perceptions of the effectiveness of a quota intervention in South African cricket. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with elite players from all ethnic groups (n = 43), and with key informants (n = 16). Data were thematically analysed relative to barriers and enablers of talent development. Findings indicate that despite providing opportunities to an increasing number of Black African players at the representative levels, and inspiring young players to play cricket, the quotas have had a limited effect on other barriers and enablers to talent development. Holistic player development was identified as a more effective process of achieving sustainable transformation. Furthermore, quotas have had a negative impact on individual players of all ethnicities and exacerbated the limited inclusivity in team environments.

“Playing With Apartheid”: Irish and South African Rugby, 1964–19891

The struggle against apartheid was fought on many fronts. Internationally, the Anti-Apartheid Movement (AAM) across a number of countries engaged in a range of activities that highlighted the atrocities of the Pretoria regime and the plight of the majority in South Africa. An important site of struggle against apartheid was in the sports sphere. Ireland and the Irish AAM played a significant role in this regard. The AAMs in Australia, Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United States, among others, recorded victories against apartheid through demonstrations, boycotts, and the ban on participation of South African teams in international tours, tournaments, and events. A number of scholars have highlighted the role of the international AAM and its campaigns against apartheid sport. To date, historical studies of the anti-apartheid struggle and South African sport have primarily focused on Britain and New Zealand and, to a lesser extent, the United States. Irish sporting contacts with South Africa extend back over a century. Thus, focusing on the case study of Irish AAM activism against segregated sport further adds to the literature on the sports boycott and the struggle against apartheid. This article draws on Jacob Dlamini’s notion of “moral agents” in understanding players’, teams’, and sports associations’ decisions to continue to play with apartheid, despite international opposition. Drawing from archives in Ireland and South Africa, this article adds new details to the struggle against apartheid rugby in South African sport between 1964 and 1989.

“A partnership in the challenges facing us”- Apartheid and South African-Israeli rugby relations, c. 1948- 1989

By all accounts, South Africans played a critical role in the establishment and development of rugby in Israel from the 1950s onwards. According to the available evidence, a formal relationship between the South African Rugby Football Board and the Israel Rugby Football Union was only concluded 20 years later. Because of this friendship, various reciprocal exchange tours involving both university and provincial rugby union teams and the Israeli national team took place. In addition, between 1981- 1994, the South African Maccabean rugby team successfully participated in the Maccabean Games. Since this contact was in contravention of the international sports boycott against the apartheid state, the United Nations Committee Against Apartheid blacklisted various Israeli sports organisations and individuals at a time that Israel found itself at odds with a significant number of countries globally about the Palestinian Question. Given the international dilemmas faced by both countries as isolated and pariah states, their relations eventually extended beyond rugby. This article investigates the intersection of apartheid and Palestinian politics, rugby and the relationship between South Africa and Israel against the backdrop of increased diplomatic, military and other sanctions. It is argued that the rugby relations forged, made no direct contribution to enhance South Africa’s competitiveness within the sport arena but merely served as an additional instrument to assist in shielding both countries from total isolation.

Leadership challenges experienced by elite South African rugby coaches

Orientation: As the leaders of teams that compete at the highest level, elite South African rugby coaches face constant pressures to consistently lead their teams to successful on-field performances. An understanding of the leadership challenges they face may highlight actions that could equip them to achieve this more effectively.Research purpose: To investigate the leadership challenges experienced by the head coaches of elite South African rugby teams that compete on an international level.Motivation for the study: The leadership challenges faced by elite South African coaches could become clearly known only through investigation, and subsequently they could be properly addressed.Research approach/design and method: A qualitative approach with a phenomenological design was utilised, which collected data by means of in-depth interviews with the head coaches of elite South African rugby teams. Eleven teams were considered to be elite South African rugby teams for this study given that they competed on an international level. Ultimately, six participants were included, representing 54.5% of the total population. The general systems theory was also used as a theoretical basis to present findings.Main findings: The data revealed three main themes, namely environmental, relationships and personal leadership challenges. The data revealed that these coaches experience significant leadership challenges, some of which are unique to the South African context.Practical/managerial implications: It is believed that the implementation of suggested recommendations will assist in ensuring both the economic survival and overall leadership improvement of coaches and the teams they lead.Contribution/value add: Theoretically the study added to the limited literature on leadership in elite South African sport and practically it provided recommendations to address the findings as well as for further research.

Second Edition

The wisdom of the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) in making expert resources available to update the 2008 publication, Introduction to Blood Transfusion Technology, which ISBT distributed at the Macau congress and thereafter, is to be admired. It is very much appreciated by the original authors, and especially by the two, from the original five, who were able to participate in the current review. The decision to update the publication was prompted by the evidence that electronic versions of the various chapters of the first edition were downloaded from the ISBT Academy website more than 62 000 times since 2010, with more than 20 000 downloads in 2018 alone. Two of the original authors, Rob Wilkinson and Beryl Armstrong, worked on the review with the editor of the second edition, Mindy Goldman and a dedicated group of ISBT members who provided updates within their areas of expertise. These expert reviewers are from Asia, the Middle East, Europe, North and South America, and Australia – and as the two original authors are from Africa – this is truly an international effort. The ISBT Publications Committee are thanked for their valuable inputs. This second publication reflects the global nature of the effort while remaining true to the original ideal of producing a text suitable for students whose first language may not be English, and who may not have access to expert tuition. With the extended scope of the updated publication, it was felt that a name change should be considered. Therefore, the 2020 release is called Introduction to Blood Transfusion: from donor to recipient. Beryl Armstrong: From my perspective, this project signifies the continued fulfilment of a dream – to bring introductory knowledge to students in the field of blood transfusion, in a way that could be understood without necessarily enjoying the guidance of an instructor. When I began working in the laboratories in 1964 at the Natal Blood Transfusion Service in Durban, South Africa, there was a commemoration plaque at the entrance of the building, from which I drew inspiration. The plaque carried a message related to the opening of this new blood service and read: ‘’In the service of humanity.’’ Writing the first book, with this in mind, and with a South African team of five, and then being fortunate enough to work with a much wider group of professionals from around the world, in providing this update, means that the book is brought to you yet again, in the service of humanity. Rob Wilkinson: In the twelve years since the release of the first edition of Introduction to Blood Transfusion Technology in June 2008 I have been gratified to see the extent to which the book has been used as a learning resource in Africa. As a member of the team from the Africa Society for Blood Transfusion working to strengthen blood services in Africa I was privileged to visit many less developed blood services throughout Africa, where easy access to training materials are sorely needed, and it was humbling to see “our book” being used and discussed by laboratory and collection staff alike. This has been motivation enough to participate in the preparation of this, the second edition, which I trust will prove to be at least as useful as the first edition, and which will, in some small way, contribute to the safety of blood transfusions in the developing world. My personal thanks go to Beryl for her tireless and inspirational efforts in writing, editing and generally shepherding this work to its conclusion.