South Africa Research Articles

Towards 'Formalising' WhatsApp Teledermatology Practice in KZ-N District Hospitals: Key Informant Interviews.

District hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, do not have onsite specialist dermatology services. Doctors at these hospitals use WhatsApp instant messaging to informally seek advice from dermatologists and colleagues before possible referral. They have expressed the need to formalise WhatsApp teledermatology. To determine the views and perspectives of clinicians on the feasibility and practicality of formalising the current WhatsApp-based teledermatology activities within the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health Dermatology Service. Key informant interviews with 12 purposively selected doctors at district hospitals and all 14 dermatologists in the KwaZulu-Natal dermatology service. Their views and perspectives on formalising the current informal use of WhatsApp for teledermatology were recorded, transcribed, and thematically analysed. Five primary themes (communication, usability, utility, process, and poor understanding of legal, regulatory, and ethical issues) and 22 sub-themes were identified. Clinicians wanted WhatsApp teledermatology to continue, be formalised, and be incorporated within the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, facilitated by the provision of practical guidelines addressing legal, regulatory, and ethical issues. These findings will be used to develop a policy brief, providing recommendations and proposed guidelines for formalising the teledermatology service. The findings and methods will be relevant to similar circumstances in other countries.

Effect of a giant meteorite impact on Paleoarchean surface environments and life

Large meteorite impacts must have strongly affected the habitability of the early Earth. Rocks of the Archean Eon record at least 16 major impact events, involving bolides larger than 10 km in diameter. These impacts probably had severe, albeit temporary, consequences for surface environments. However, their effect on early life is not well understood. Here, we analyze the sedimentology, petrography, and carbon isotope geochemistry of sedimentary rocks across the S2 impact event (37 to 58 km carbonaceous chondrite) forming part of the 3.26 Ga Fig Tree Group, South Africa, to evaluate its environmental effects and biological consequences. The impact initiated 1) a giant tsunami that mixed Fe2+-rich deep waters into the Fe2+-poor shallow waters and washed debris into coastal areas, 2) heating that caused partial evaporation of surface ocean waters and likely a short-term increase in weathering and erosion on land, and 3) injection of P from vaporization of the S2 bolide. Strata immediately above the S2 impact event contain abundant siderites, which are associated with organic matter and exhibit light and variable δ13Ccarb values. This is consistent with microbial iron cycling in the wake of the impact event. Thus, the S2 impact likely had regional, if not global, positive and negative effects on life. The tsunami, atmospheric heating, and darkness would likely have decimated phototrophic microbes in the shallow water column. However, the biosphere likely recovered rapidly, and, in the medium term, the increase in nutrients and iron likely facilitated microbial blooms, especially of iron-cycling microbes.

MODIS Evapotranspiration Forecasting Using ARIMA and ANN Approach at a Water-Stressed Irrigation Scheme in South Africa

The forecasting of evapotranspiration (ET) in some water-stressed regions remains a major challenge due to the lack of reliable and sufficient historical datasets. For efficient water balance, ET remains the major component and its proper forecasting and quantifying is of the utmost importance. This study utilises the 18-year (2001 to 2018) MODIS ET obtained from a drought-affected irrigation scheme in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. This study conducts a teleconnection evaluation between the satellite-derived evapotranspiration (ET) time series and other related remotely sensed parameters such as the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalised Difference Water Index (NDWI), Normalised Difference Drought Index (NDDI), and precipitation (P). This comparative analysis was performed by adopting the Mann–Kendall (MK) test, Sequential Mann–Kendall (SQ-MK) test, and Multiple Linear Regression methods. Additionally, the ET detailed time-series analysis with the Keiskamma River streamflow (SF) and monthly volumes of the Sandile Dam, which are water supply sources close to the study area, was performed using the Wavelet Analysis, Breaks for Additive Seasonal and Trend (BFAST), Theil–Sen statistic, and Correlation statistics. The MODIS-obtained ET was then forecasted using the Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) for a period of 5 years and four modelling performance evaluations such as the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), and the Pearson Correlation Coefficient (R) were used to evaluate the model performances. The results of this study proved that ET could be forecasted using these two time-series modeling tools; however, the ARIMA modelling technique achieved lesser values according to the four statistical modelling techniques employed with the RMSE for the ARIMA = 37.58, over the ANN = 44.18; the MAE for the ARIMA = 32.37, over the ANN = 35.88; the MAPE for the ARIMA = 17.26, over the ANN = 24.26; and for the R ARIMA = 0.94 with the ANN = 0.86. These results are interesting as they give hope to water managers at the irrigation scheme and equally serve as a tool to effectively manage the irrigation scheme.

Cross-sectional associations between fruit and vegetable intake and successful ageing across 6 countries: findings from the WHO Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE).

This study develops successful ageing profiles across six low and middle-income countries (LMICs) and examines associations with fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted in mid-aged and older adults from the WHO Study of Global Ageing. Participants without chronic disease, cognitive impairment, depression or disability and with good physical, cardiovascular and respiratory function were considered to have successfully aged. Associations between F&V intake (serves/day) and successful ageing were examined using log-binomial regression adjusting for key confounders. China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia and South Africa. A total of 28785 men and women aged aged 50 years and over. Successful ageing ranged from 4% in Mexico to 15% in China. After adjustment, only Ghana showed an association between fruit intake and successful ageing, with an inverse association identified (Prevalence Ratio [PR]=0.87, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.78-0.98). An inverse association between vegetable intake and successful ageing was found in China (0.97, 0.95-0.98) but no other country. An inverse association was shown for both China (0.98, 0.96-0.99) and Ghana (0.92, 0.84-1.00) when considering fruit and vegetables combined. Associations between F&V intake and successful ageing are inconsistent. Further studies on LMIC countries are needed to meet the challenges of the ageing population.

Explaining socioeconomic inequality in food consumption patterns among households with women of childbearing age in South Africa.

The changing food environment shifts peoples' eating behaviour toward unhealthy food, including ultra-processed food (UPF), leading to detrimental health outcomes like obesity. This study examines changes in socioeconomic inequalities in food consumption spending between 2005/06 and 2010/11 in South African households with women of childbearing age (15 to 49) (WCBA). Data come from the 2005/06 and 2010/11 Income and Expenditure Surveys. The distribution of spending according to the NOVA food classification system groupings (unprocessed or minimally processed foods, processed culinary ingredients, processed and UPF products) was analysed using standard methodologies. Changes in spending inequalities between 2005/06 and 2010/11 were assessed using the concentration index (C), while the factors explaining the changes in spending inequalities were identified using the Oaxaca decomposition approach. The Kakwani index (K) was used to assess progressivity. Results show that average real spending on all food categories, including UPF, increased between 2005/06 and 2010/11. Socioeconomic inequality in UPF consumption spending decreased (C = 0.498 in 2005/06 and C = 0.432 in 2010/11), and spending on processed foods (C = 0.248 in 2005/06 and C = 0.209 in 2010/11). Socioeconomic status, race, and urban residence contributed to overall socioeconomic inequality and changes in UPF consumption inequality between 2005/06 and 2010/11. Spending on all food categories was regressive in 2005/06 (K = -0.173 for UPF and -0.425 for processed foods) and 2010/11 (K = -0.192 for UPF and -0.418 for processed foods) because such spending comprises a larger share of poorer household's income than their wealthier counterparts. The government should address these contributors to inequality to mitigate the risks associated with UPF consumption, especially among less affluent households.

Complete genome sequence of Wildflower, an O cluster mycobacteriophage.

Wildflower is a cluster O mycobacteriophage with a siphoviral morphotype that displays lytic activity in Mycobacterium smegmatis. It was isolated from soil in Johannesburg, South Africa. The double-stranded genome consists of 69,364 base pairs with a GC content of 65.5% encoding 121 predicted open reading frames.

Ostrich eggshell beads: Hole drilling technology at Little Muck Shelter, South Africa

Ostrich eggshell beads (OES) are commonly found in forager sites across sub-Saharan Africa. Although they have received a reasonable amount of investigation, the drilling technology used to perforate OES beads has received little attention. As a result, not much is known about this technology. Providing a basic tool form for these drills could be useful for future researchers to identify such tools in assemblages, or to prompt revisiting older assemblages to identify these types of tools, which might have been overlooked or misidentified. This study made use of experimentation and use-wear to determine the types and shapes of materials most effective for perforating OES. It was determined that early foragers most likely used micro-lithic drills made from small, but thick, flake blanks that were retouched along the laterals to create a near symmetrical point with a tetrahedral tip. At Little Muck Shelter the base of the flake was also shaped to resemble a tang that likely aided hafting. This tool form can act as a basis to help researchers identify similar technology which can be studied and help broaden our understanding of the complexity of forager technology.

Montane grassland recovery: lessons from 25 years of the Working for Water program on the northern Drakensberg Escarpment, South Africa

Despite their strategic importance as biodiversity hotspots and water sources, montane ecosystems are among the most neglected conservation areas. In particular, the monitoring and management of invasive alien plants in this critical biome is limited. This study presents an analysis of long‐term invasive alien plant removal within montane grassland ecosystems, drawing on insights from 25 years of the Working for Water (WfW) program on the northern Drakensberg Escarpment. We assessed the response of vegetation communities to invasive alien plant removal in this region. Using data from the WfW program on clearance activities, expenditure, and re‐visit times, we compared plant species richness, diversity, and composition in sites managed under the WfW program to adjacent patches of pristine vegetation. Results showed minimal variation in species richness between cleared sites and unmanaged sites. However, these vegetation communities remain distinctly dissimilar across sites. These findings suggest the need for active restoration of montane vegetation communities if they are to return to their natural condition and further highlight the need to conserve the remaining habitats for critically endangered species, even in their depauperate state.

Cities of Vanadium: Technological Development and Post-Industrial Transformation in Emalahleni, Nizhny Tagil, and Panzhihua

The paper investigates the trajectories of social and economic development of second-tier single-industry cities specializing in metallurgy of vanadium under the circumstances of post-industrial economy. In the middle of 20th century, a technology of processing titaniferous ore made it possible to use vast deposits of previously unexploited natural resources to produce steel and vanadium. The large integrated steel mills were erected in Witbank (Emalahleni) in South Africa, Nizhny Tagil in Russia, and Panzhihua in China. Being industrial monotowns dependent on mining and metallurgy, these cities were seeking for diversification which could provide sustainable development. Such diversification was generally following two directions: either establishment of belt of smaller technological enterprises and creating section of product with higher added value, or growing the system of industries of culture, leisure, and health. While Emalahleni failed in striving for diversification due to boom in coal industry, which ultimately led to bankruptcy of its steel industry, Nizhny Tagil and Panzhihua remained successful steel-making centers even in 21st century. However, even economic success and focused attempts to diversity city’s economy by means of creative reindustrialization were circumscribed by the cultural and environmental issues caused by the very fact of such industrial survival.

Advancements in the use of AI in the diagnosis and management of inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) causes chronic inflammation of the colon and digestive tract, and it can be classified as Crohn’s disease (CD) and Ulcerative colitis (UC). IBD is more prevalent in Europe and North America, however, since the beginning of the 21st century it has been increasing in South America, Asia, and Africa, leading to its consideration as a worldwide problem. Optical colonoscopy is one of the crucial tests in diagnosing and assessing the progression and prognosis of IBD, as it allows a real-time optical visualization of the colonic wall and ileum and allows for the collection of tissue samples. The accuracy of colonoscopy procedures depends on the expertise and ability of the endoscopists. Therefore, algorithms based on Deep Learning (DL) and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) for colonoscopy images and videos are growing in popularity, especially for the detection and classification of colorectal polyps. The performance of this system is dependent on the quality and quantity of the data used for training. There are several datasets publicly available for endoscopy images and videos, but most of them are solely specialized in polyps. The use of DL algorithms to detect IBD is still in its inception, most studies are based on assessing the severity of UC. As artificial intelligence (AI) grows in popularity there is a growing interest in the use of these algorithms for diagnosing and classifying the IBDs and managing their progression. To tackle this, more annotated colonoscopy images and videos will be required for the training of new and more reliable AI algorithms. This article discusses the current challenges in the early detection of IBD, focusing on the available AI algorithms, and databases, and the challenges ahead to improve the detection rate.

Review of Mimusops zeyheri Sond. (Milkwood): Distribution, Utilisation, Ecology and Population Genetics.

Mimusops zeyheri Sond. (Milkwood) is an indigenous fruit tree species with considerable ecological, cultural, and nutritional significance that remains underexploited. This review synthesizes current knowledge on its distribution, taxonomy, phytochemistry, ethnomedicinal applications, ecological functions, genetic diversity, and biotechnological potential. A systematic literature search, spanning 1949 to April 2024, yielded 87 relevant publications from an initial 155. Mimusops zeyheri plays a crucial role in supporting the cultural traditions and economic activities of Indigenous Southern African Communities. Its distribution encompasses South, East, and Southern Tropical Africa, with substantial populations across South African provinces. Ethnomedicinally, various plant parts treat conditions including wounds, gastrointestinal issues, and diabetes. The leaves (34%) and roots (32%) are used, with infusion (33%) and decoction (31%) as primary preparation methods. Oral administration (70%) is the most common, primarily addressing skin conditions (18%). Despite its nutritional richness, a standardized nutrient profile is lacking. Limited genetic diversity studies underscore the need for further research. This study highlights Mimusops zeyheri's multifaceted importance and research gaps, particularly in other Southern African countries. Future investigations should focus on comprehensive phytochemical analysis, ethnomedicinal validation, ecological conservation, genetic diversity assessment, and biotechnological applications. Multidisciplinary collaborations are recommended to promote sustainable utilization while preserving traditional practices.

Success Stories of Multilingual Literacy: A Case Study of Ife 1970 Nigeria’s Project and the 2002 Western Cape’s LOITASA’s Project in South Africa

In a progressively interrelated world, the advancement of strong multilingual literacy skills among learners is of great importance. This article showcases successful multilingual literacy initiatives, analyzing their implementation and impact. The study revealed a great positive influence on communities and individuals after the initiatives. The predominant aim is to give extra weight to the indispensable importance of appreciating and paying attention to linguistic diversity through effective multilingual/translanguaging literacy opening moves. Using a survey design, this study paid attention to documenting instances of multilingualism implementation in educational settings, purposefully selecting South Africa and Nigeria as central points. Using a qualitative approach, the research examined success stories by analyzing reports, publications, archival materials, and scholarly articles associated with the projects. Special attention was paid to the Ife 1970 Nigeria’s Project and the 2002 Western Cape LOITASA’s project and the findings were presented in a descriptive narrative format. The study elaborated on the objectives, strategies, and results of these projects, presenting findings in a descriptive narrative format. Moreover, the study contributes valuable insights to the debates surrounding effective literacy practices in multilingual contexts. By presenting success stories from these African nations, the study provided practical guideposts for policymakers, educators, and practitioners who want to develop or improve multilingual literacy programs. Lastly, the findings stressed the significance of culturally responsive and context-specific approaches to literacy, proposing the adoption of multilingual/translanguaging pedagogies within school systems. Through these, the study will promote inclusive and efficient educational practices that honor and celebrate linguistic diversity. Keywords: Educational Outcomes, Language Diversity, Multilingual Education, Multilingual Literacy, Repertoire Knowledge

Conflicts and competing interests in infrastructure development: A case of N2 toll road project, wild coast, South Africa

The Wild Coast region in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, is arguably the least developed area, primarily due to its historical marginalisation caused by Apartheid. To counter this underdevelopment, the current government of South Africa plans to implement a 550 km N2 Toll Road Project to link East London in the Eastern Cape with Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. The government envisions that the project will lead to spatial development through improved accessibility to resources. However, it has been criticised by many, including local communities and environmental advocacy groups, who contend that it will result in socio-ecological disasters and conflicts. Against this backdrop, this study explored the differing views and conflicts among stakeholders affected by the N2 Toll Road Project. A qualitative research approach was adopted, involving in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) with government officials, local communities, business communities, and environmental advocacy groups. The findings indicate that the N2 Toll Road Project has generated significant controversy, with public opinion sharply divided between those who believe the road will have predominantly positive impacts and those who contend that its effects will be overwhelmingly negative. Concerns regarding the disruption of livelihoods, loss of land, destruction of socio-cultural heritage, and lack of consultation emerged as key sources of conflict among stakeholders. The study recommends the use of inclusive consultation processes and mitigation strategies to minimise conflicting ideologies among stakeholders.

The Effects of Behaviorally Informed Messages on COVID-19 Vaccination Intentions and Behavior: Evidence from Randomized Survey Experiments in South Africa

With COVID-19 vaccination rates remaining below optimal levels, scalable interventions to shift vaccination intentions are needed. We embedded two randomized experiments in South Africa’s COVID-19 Vaccine Survey (CVACS) to investigate the potential to change vaccine intentions and behavior. In Experiment 1, 3510 unvaccinated South African adults were randomly assigned to a no-message control group, a social norm message, or a message highlighting that vaccines were free, available and easy to obtain. The free and easy message significantly increased vaccine intentions but did not increase other outcome measures. The social proof message was associated with an increase in self-reported vaccination status at follow-up (not significant at traditional statistical thresholds). In Experiment 2, 3608 unvaccinated South African adults were randomly assigned to a no-message control group, a message highlighting gaining greater freedoms, or a message highlighting being part of the solution to the pandemic. Neither value proposition message increased vaccination intentions. Light-touch and scalable messages informed by behavioral science and social marketing principles may increase vaccination intentions and uptake, However, more attention should be paid to understanding the behavioral barriers experienced by different population segments, and to tailoring and targeting messaging to those barriers and segments.

Machine Learning Algorithm-Aided Determination of Predictors of Mortality from Diabetic Foot Sepsis at a Regional Hospital in South Africa During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background and Objectives: Diabetic foot sepsis (DFS) accounts for approximately 60% of hospital admissions in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Individuals with DM are at risk of severe COVID-19. This study investigated factors associated with major amputation and mortality in patients admitted with DFS during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: Demographic information, COVID-19 and HIV status, clinical findings, laboratory results, treatment and outcome from records of patients with diabetic foot sepsis, were collected and analysed. Supervised machine learning algorithms were used to compare their ability to predict mortality due to diabetic foot sepsis. Results: Overall, 114 records were found and 57.9% (66/114) were of male patients. The mean age of the patients was 55.7 (14) years and 47.4% (54/114) and 36% (41/114) tested positive for COVID-19 and HIV, respectively. The median c-reactive protein was 168 mg/dl, urea 7.8 mmol/L and creatinine 92 µmol/L. The mean potassium level was 4.8 ± 0.9 mmol, and glycosylated haemoglobin 11.2 ± 3%. The main outcomes included major amputation in 69.3% (79/114) and mortality of 37.7% (43/114) died. AI. The levels of potassium, urea, creatinine and HbA1c were significantly higher in the deceased. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in the rate of major amputation and mortality in patients with DFS. The in-hospital mortality was higher in patients above 60 years of age who tested positive for COVID-19. The Random Forest algorithm of ML can be highly effective in predicting major amputation and death in patients with DFS.

Stolen Childhood and Desolate Future: On Child Marriage in the Makawanpur's Chepang Community

Child marriage remains a critical issue not only in Nepal but globally, predominantly affecting South Asia, Africa, and Latin America. In Nepal, the Terai region, rural areas, particularly among economically disadvantaged and Dalit communities, faces alarmingly high rates of child marriage. Main objective of this study is to investigate the causes and consequences of child marriage in the Chepang Community. This phenomenon is driven by poverty, social pressure to maintain ties, and the misconception that it offers protection. ADD Primary data has directly been taken from the Chepang community through interview, and Previous studies, book, articles, bulletin, journal are used as a secondary data. This paper employs qualitative research methods, including semi-structured interviews with twenty households and case studies involving two Chepang women, to explore the causes and consequences of child marriage in the study area. Its consequences are profound, directly impacting girls' health and education. Many girls drop out before completing primary education due to domestic responsibilities like cooking and household chores. Early pregnancies, despite physical immaturity, contribute to high maternal and child mortality rates. The statement effectively highlights the multifaceted issue of child marriage in the Chepang community, touching on key factors such as socio-cultural norms, purity, economic pressures, and educational limitations. It also emphasizes the negative impacts of early marriage on health, education, and economic independence, reinforcing cycles of poverty and gender inequality. The proposed solutions education, legal enforcement, awareness, and promoting gender equality are crucial for addressing this issue. However, a deeper exploration of specific interventions tailored to the Chepang community's context could further strengthen the argument.

Patterns of HIV-1 Drug Resistance Observed Through Geospatial Analysis of Routine Diagnostic Testing in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

HIV-1 drug resistance (HIVDR) impedes treatment and control of HIV-1, especially in high-prevalence settings such as KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province, South Africa. This study merged routine HIV-1 genotypic resistance test (GRT) data with Geographic Information Systems coordinates to assess patterns and geographic distribution of HIVDR in KZN, among ART-experienced adults with virological failure. We curated 3133 GRT records generated between 1 January 2018 and 30 June 2022, which includes the early phase of dolutegravir (DTG) rollout, of which 2735 (87.30%) had HIVDR. Of the 2735, major protease, nucleoside, and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor mutations were detected in 41.24%, 84.97% and 88.08% of GRTs, respectively. Additional genotyping of HIV-1 integrase for 41/3133 (1.31%) GRTs showed that 17/41 (41.46%) had integrase strand transfer inhibitor resistance. Notably, of 26 patients on DTG with integrase genotyping, 9 (34.62%) had DTG-associated resistance mutations. Dual- or triple-class resistance was observed in four of every five GRTs. The odds of HIVDR increased significantly with age, with ≥60 years having 5 times higher odds of HIVDR compared to 18-29 years (p = 0.001). We identified geospatial differences in the burden of HIVDR, providing proof of concept that this could be used for data-driven public health decision making. Ongoing real-time HIVDR surveillance is essential for evaluating the outcomes of the updated South African HIV treatment programme.

Fostering Self-efficacy: Understanding South African Grade 9 Students’ Confidence in their Mathematics Abilities

In poor-performing, resource-constrained education systems, such as South Africa, solutions to improve academic achievement have tended to focus on resources and cognitive factors. An area that requires more attention is the importance of non-cognitive, psychosocial factors and their relationship with academic performance. These factors are strongly associated with behaviour, playing a role in either facilitating or impeding the learning process. Understanding attitudes is therefore critical in interpreting achievement results with a view to improving them. This article used data from the 2019 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study administered to 20,829 South African students in Grade 9 to investigate the confidence these students have in their mathematics ability (their self-efficacy) and the relationship with achievement. Linear regression analysis was employed to determine: (1) the relationship between Grade 9 students’ self-efficacy and mathematics achievement in South Africa; and (2) the contextual factors that were associated with the mathematics self-efficacy of the students. The results indicate a positive correlation between students’ self-efficacy and their performance in mathematics. In addition, good teaching practices and parental involvement in school activities were associated with higher levels of students’ mathematics self-efficacy. Being female was associated with lower levels of self-efficacy. These findings have important implications for shaping educational policy and practice in the resource constrained context of South Africa, to enhance students’ self-efficacy and performance in mathematics.

Assessing the water metabolism of coastal urban areas based on the water mass balance framework across time periods: A case study of Cape Town, South Africa

The status of water resources in many coastal cities has become increasingly fragile. In a changing climate, the amount and intensity of rainfall have continued to decline, causing some coastal regions to experience severe drought and deteriorated water supply situation. This article presents a comprehensive study of the urban water metabolism of Cape Town, South Africa. A water mass balance framework was utilized to examine the city's water system across four distinct periods. In addition, the water-energy nexus before and after the drought crisis was evaluated. The key findings include a large amount of surface runoff in the Cape Town area that was not utilized before the drought crisis, resulting in a natural loss potential of water supply that is 2.54 times greater than water used for supply systems. During the drought, per capita water consumption dropped by a substantial 25%; at the same time, the total rate of water loss experienced a substantial decrease of approximately 21%. Since the pandemic, Cape Town's water resources policy has shifted to diversifying water sources, and the use of wastewater and natural water losses will be optimized by more than 32% in 2040 to achieve a water-sensitive city. Future research should explore the temporal and spatial dynamics of urban water flows, the impact of socioeconomic factors, and the integration of water system optimization models for enhanced urban water management.

Influence of Social Media Marketing on Customer Loyalty in Luxury Hotels in South Africa

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the influence of social media marketing on customer loyalty in luxury hotels in Kenya. Materials and Methods: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The study found that effective social media strategies, such as engaging content and personalized interactions, foster a strong emotional connection between luxury hotels and their guests. This emotional engagement, often cultivated through visually appealing posts and authentic storytelling, enhances brand perception and trust, leading to increased customer loyalty. Furthermore, user-generated content and reviews shared on social platforms contribute to a sense of community among customers, reinforcing their loyalty to the brand. Overall, luxury hotels that leverage social media marketing not only attract new customers but also cultivate a loyal clientele that feels valued and connected to the brand's identity. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: Relationship marketing theory, social exchange theory and brand loyalty theory may be used to anchor future studies on assessing influence of social media marketing on customer loyalty in luxury hotels in Kenya. Luxury hotels should prioritize developing personalized marketing strategies that leverage data analytics to understand customer preferences. As hotels utilize data for personalized marketing, clear policies regarding data privacy and security must be established.