Town South Africa Research Articles

A systematic flood risk assessment of Bloemfontein Watershed, South Africa

Understanding the elements contributing to flood risk can create effective plans and policies for decision-makers to lessen vulnerability and boost resilience. Over the years, Bloemfontein has experienced seasonal flooding, despite the low amount of rainfall it receives compared to other towns in South Africa. This study systematically assessed flood risk in the most vulnerable watershed of Bloemfontein. The analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and GIS-based multi-criteria decision-making were utilized to map and identify potential locations that are vulnerable to floods. The relative weight of each criterion taken into account for the susceptibility mapping was determined using AHP. Geospatial techniques were used to assess the vegetation cover, moisture content, surface water, and land surface temperature (LST) from 1991 to 2023, as well as ten physical environmental factors linked to the occurrence of floods. Findings from this study revealed a decrease in vegetation cover and moisture content and an increase in the LST from 1990 to 2023. The susceptibility to flood map shows that 9.63% of the watershed is low susceptible to flooding, 79.26% is moderate, 11.07% is high, and 0.03% is very high susceptible to flooding. The built areas and major farmlands fall within the high susceptibility zone of 11%.

Agricultural cooperatives as a means of promoting local economic development in a township in South Africa

ABSTRACT Cooperatives have long been recognized as a collaborative effort by a group of individuals to address their social and economic needs. In South Africa, cooperatives have been adopted to address the triple challenge of poverty, inequality, and unemployment. Drawing on 15 face-to-face interviews with members of agricultural cooperatives in a township in South Africa, this study interrogates the extent to which agricultural cooperative can enhance local economic development and sustain livelihoods. Agricultural cooperatives have been widely supported and promoted as a vehicle for smallholder farmers to directly participate in the mainstream economy of South Africa. The interviews suggest that some cooperatives were found to efficiently sustain livelihoods, and create limited job opportunities in the community. However, challenges like lack of resources, inadequate training, unregulated management, as well as other underlying internal and external shocks are hindering the contribution of the cooperatives to the local economy.

Contextual and socio-economic factors affected urban dwellers experiences of and vulnerability to ecosystem disservices

Peoples’ experiences of Ecosystem Disservices (EDS) are influenced by socio-economic and environmental characteristics, and this needs better understanding for informed planning and management of urban green infrastructure. The paper investigated the understudied area of how socio-economic and environmental factors influence people's experiences of EDS in urban green spaces, in four towns in South Africa. Employing a questionnaire survey, in 303 randomly selected households in three neighborhoods of different economic standing, alongside statistical analysis provided quantitative data on experiences and vulnerability to EDS. A list of reported EDS was compiled and the number of EDS/respondent was compared between towns, neighborhoods and places of experience, using Kruskal-Wallis test and nested ANOVAs. Respondents’ vulnerability to EDS was assessed by analyzing the magnitudes of experience and coping abilities. The influences of socio-economic and environmental characteristics on experiences of and vulnerability to EDS were assessed using PCAs. Twenty-three EDS were reported in total, with the highest numbers recorded in affluent areas and the lowest in the poorest areas. Irrespective of town and neighborhood, the reported EDS were mainly experienced in domestic gardens and surrounding streets. Consequently, only one EDS seems of high concern, while the others are of lower concern or well manageable by the respondents. Significant influences of socio-economic (education and income levels, source of income, upbringing, frequency of visits to green spaces (GS), length of residence in neighborhoods) and environmental (environmental worldview, garden ownership, membership to environmental NGO) characteristics were observed on the experiences and vulnerability to EDS. Therefore, such variations in and influences on peoples’ experiences and vulnerability to EDS should be considered for sustainable management of urban GS. Also, the creation of GS should be accompanied by actions to improve people relationships to nature as well as to ensure their maintenance and security, particularly public GS and commonages.

Teacher professional identity: agentic actions of a novice teacher in a challenging school context

ABSTRACT Teachers develop their identity during initial teacher training and continue to develop it throughout their careers. Many teachers in rural schools find themselves teaching in challenging contexts. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by exploring agency as part of the development of a female teacher’s professional identity over six years as she obtains her degree and begins working in a rural town in South Africa. We used a narrative approach to listen to the participant’s stories and present narratives related to the proactive and generative actions that the participant took. By drawing on Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), we illustrate the importance of intentionality, forethought, self-reactiveness, and self-reflectiveness for agentic actions. Bandura’s ecological model highlights the importance of personal, behavioural, and environmental determinants of agency. The findings reveal that teachers experiencing similar challenging school contexts can draw on their skills, knowledge, personal values, and teaching and learning experiences to develop into teachers with a strong sense of agency who remain actively engaged in their school and the wider community. The authors propose that initial teacher educators refer to SCT as a framework during teaching practice to support the development of student teachers’ agency as part of their professional identities.

Defining Sustainable Placemaking in Spatial Planning: Lessons from a South African Case Study

This study explores the concept of sustainable placemaking from a spatial planning perspective, focusing on Marabastad, a township in South Africa. Drawing on the New Urban Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals, this research seeks to understand how placemaking can contribute to the creation of liveable, resilient, and sustainable human settlements. Through a review of the placemaking literature and a case study, this study examines the evolution of placemaking towards sustainability and its application in diverse cultural, geographic, and socio-economic contexts. The findings reveal the importance of creating and enhancing places that are environmentally responsible, socially inclusive, economically viable, and culturally meaningful. The Marabastad case study illustrates the challenges and possibilities of sustainable placemaking in a multicultural and urbanising community. Economic interventions (e.g., tourism promotion and community markets), social interventions (e.g., education and community events), and environmental interventions (e.g., infrastructure upgrades and preservation of cultural sites) are proposed to address the complex challenges faced by Marabastad. This study emphasises the role of spatial planners in advancing theories and practises of sustainable placemaking, highlighting the need for context-specific approaches to promote inclusive and resilient urban environments.

Multilingual education: medical interns perceptions regarding the usefulness of non-mother tongue communications skills taught during the undergraduate curriculum

BackgroundThis paper investigates the perceptions of medical interns regarding the usefulness of non-mother tongue communication skills taught during the undergraduate curriculum at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. In 2003, the university decided to incorporate Afrikaans and IsiXhosa communication skills into the new MBChB curriculum in order to meet the Faculty of Health Sciences goals to promote quality and equity in healthcare, and to prepare graduating health practitioners for multilingual communities where they would be serving. Despite annual internal evaluations and reviews of the languages courses, the usefulness, if any, of the additional languages in the working clinical environment had not been determined.MethodsData were collected during the second year of medical internship across a five-year period through survey questionnaires, as well as focus group interviews conducted in the Western Cape, South Africa. Surveys were conducted from 2009 to 2013.ResultsThe study shows that the usefulness of each of the probed categories was not consistent across both languages. The interns expressed a need for an overall improvement of the isiXhosa course offering, while the outcomes for the Afrikaans language were more positive across all categories except for cultural understanding.ConclusionThe study indicates a positive trend amongst the interns towards developing usefulness in communication skills in Afrikaans and isiXhosa to communicate with their patients.

Addressing unmet social needs for improved maternal and child nutrition: Qualitative insights from community-based organisations in urban South Africa

ABSTRACT Maternal and child malnutrition persists globally, despite existing healthcare and social protection systems. Socio-economic disadvantages contribute to high malnutrition rates, particularly in poor urban communities where many disadvantaged mothers cannot fully benefit from services. To address these disparities, a novel social needs framework has been proposed, emphasising the importance of addressing individuals’ unmet needs to enhance the benefits of nutrition services. This study investigates the perceived impact of community-based organisations (CBOs) in addressing the social needs of mothers in a resource-constrained urban township in South Africa. Interviews were conducted with 18 employees from 10 CBOs working on maternal and child health, food security and social support in Soweto. Thematic analysis revealed 23 services and four pathways through which CBOs believed to address unmet social needs of beneficiaries. Services were small-scale, including food aid, learning support, and social protection assistance, available to a few in dire need. CBO services partially addressed social needs of mothers due to scale, coverage, and sustainability limitations. The South African government should reaffirm its commitment to financially supporting the non-profit sector and integrating it into government sectors to provide tailored services and resources to address diverse social needs and mitigate nutrition inequalities among mothers and children.

Urban agglomeration, glocalisation, and the governance of scalar transformation in the global south: a case study from Cape Town, South Africa

AbstractIn theorising the rapid expansion of urban agglomeration across the world, a significant body of work has examined the transformation of scale from the perspective of geographical size and the regulatory facets of devolved power. A further literature has examined what are seen as the relational dimensions in the transformation and constitution of space and the extent to which these are socially constructed. In this conceptualisation, scale is constituted and reconstituted by capitalist relations of production, social production, and consumption. The influence of capitalist relations on scale has most explicitly been illustrated by the impact of globalisation and the way it has served to weaken the regulatory powers of nation states and is simultaneously reordering the hierarchy of government power within them. Metropolitan governments have been exposed to global markets and to the influence of transnational corporations and, in a process of glocalisation, increasingly endeavour to create an entrepreneurial environment conducive to attract and retain foreign investment. Hitherto the interpenetration of the global and local has largely been studied in the context of urban agglomeration and scalar transformation in the global North. In an attempt to address this lacuna this article examines the manifestation of the process of glocalisation in metropolitan Cape Town in South Africa in the global South. It posits that the municipal government’s ambition to transform the city into a modern digitally based economy linked to global markets manifests many of the characteristics of glocalisation. Furthermore, it argues, far from promoting greater social inclusion in a highly unequal post-apartheid city, the economic model which has been adopted is exacerbating social inequality and poverty.

No Room for Modesty in Heritage Significance: The Case of Dennesig in Stellenbosch, South Africa

Significance and authenticity are two key concepts that run through the practice of urban heritage conservation. When combined, they form a powerful tool within a value-based system that ensures the preservation and continued use of historic places. Stellenbosch, being the second oldest town in South Africa, holds great importance as a historic town. However, several historic suburbs have experienced processes of redevelopment, studentification, and gentrification over the past decade, resulting in their deterioration. But what happens when the unique heritage character of a place is considered insignificant by developers, heritage practitioners, architects, and the local authority? This paper focuses on the Dennesig neighborhood in Stellenbosch, where the broader context of modest heritage significance has been neglected and erased from historical records due to poorly conceived planning, urban design, and mismanagement of heritage resources. The argument put forth in this paper is that in order to evaluate a specific case study site, one must consider the complexities of broader heritage and urban planning processes. This understanding is crucial to comprehend the factors that have shaped the current context and the eventual significance attributed to a particular place, setting, or townscape.

Low knowledge of national biodiversity symbols among urban South Africans limits their potential value as conservation flagship species

Abstract Most countries have declared one or more animal or plant species to be among their national symbols, termed here national biodiversity symbols. National biodiversity symbols are the species formally or informally recognised by societies and countries as having meaning to one or more of national identity, values and unity. It has been proposed previously that national biodiversity symbols can be used as flagship species to advance habitat conservation in their respective countries. However, this assumes that the symbols are well‐known and revered by the citizens of the country concerned. We examined this assumption via direct interviews with 382 urban residents in four towns in South Africa, which is a mega‐biodiversity country with five national biodiversity symbols (a national tree, flower, animal, bird and fish). We found that less than 3% of the urban respondents could name all five species, ranging from 6% for the national tree to 40% for both the national flower and national animal. Knowledge of other national symbols (flag and anthem) were equally low. The number of national biodiversity symbols known increased with income and education level of respondents. Despite limited knowledge of which species were the national biodiversity symbols, almost two‐thirds of respondents felt that having national biodiversity symbols was important for promoting national identity. These findings show that from a heritage perspective a great deal more awareness needs to be developed in South Africa around the national biodiversity symbols. From a conservation perspective, it indicates that the national biodiversity symbols are unlikely, at this stage at least, to be useful as flagship species for habitat conservation programmes. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Constructed educational inequality, philanthropy, and power relations in educational public–private partnerships in South Africa

There is a robust debate about innovative ways to improve educational outcomes and governance in public schools located in the poorest townships in South Africa. This article looks at one recent innovation, a new model for providing basic education called ‘collaboration schools’, based on the British academy schools. We seek to understand what these partnerships between philanthropists, government, and parents entail, the specific problems the partners seek to address, the key actors involved, and the power relations that have emerged. Based on interviews with key local actors and a close reading of partnership agreements, the authors argue that although well-intentioned, the experts taking over schools have faced considerable resistance as well as deep structural challenges related to the social and economic decline in black townships. We also point to policy weaknesses linked to unsettled issues of class inequalities and apartheid spatial legacies.

Mzansi Magic

Mzansi Magic

Economic Sustainability of Small Mining Towns: A Case Study in South Africa

Small mining towns are often single-industry towns that turn to ghost towns or face negative socio-economic impacts upon mine closure. This study qualitatively explores the roles that mining companies and other key stakeholders (should) play in the development of local economies of the small mining communities to bring about economic sustainability, employing a constant comparative analysis. A small mining town in South Africa is the case study. Legislative and policy frameworks were scrutinized for their effectiveness in promoting economic sustainability. In-depth interviews with key stakeholders were carried out. Key factors limiting the effective implementation of developmental strategies were also explored. The study finds that weak community involvement, lack of trust, poor collaboration, poor municipal capacity, and legislation and policy flaws impact economic sustainability. Sustainable local economic development efforts are reported though. However, such efforts are insufficient because of the legislation and policy frameworks that are promoting short-term growth. Also, the town’s overdependence on the mining company, local government not optimally fulfilling their roles and responsibilities, and minimal community members’ participation on local economic development are other hindrances. However, the fact that the mining company and local municipality do acknowledge the shortcomings in their efforts towards promoting economic sustainability is a promise in minimizing the socio-economic effects of mine closures.

Prevalence and severity of anxiety symptoms among family members of nyaope users in Tshwane, South Africa.

Nyaope is a strongly addictive novel psychoactive substance that is commonly used in predominantly black townships in South Africa. The undesired behaviours of the users result in family members developing mental health challenges. Nyaope users often commit petty crimes, including stealing from families and neighbours. The aim of this study was to quantify anxiety symptoms among family members of nyaope users in Tshwane, South Africa. Data were collected from nine townships within Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. The quantitative cross-sectional survey used the General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) tool to quantify anxiety symptoms, and a questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic data from a sample of 390 participants. The ages of the participants ranged from 18 years to 87 years, with a mean of 47 years. The mothers to the nyaope users were the biggest group at 35% (n = 138). The prevalence of anxiety symptoms was 73% (n = 286) of the total sample and ranged from mild (41.8, n = 163), moderate (14.62, n = 57) and severe (16.92%, n = 66). The Pearson chi-square test identified significant associations between anxiety symptoms and the gender of the participant (p = 0.001), the age of the nyaope user and the period of nyaope use (p = 0.008). Multivariate regression model indicated gender and place of residence as a significant variable in the development of anxiety symptoms (p = 0.01). Nyaope use is a risk factor for the development of anxiety for family members of nyaope users with the highest proportion reporting mild symptoms. There is a need to develop interventions for mental health support for families of nyaope users.

‘God Gave us Legs to Walk!’

Domestic work is a major source of income for many Black African women in South Africa. The experience of domestic workers is mainly shaped along racial and class lines – this is a result of the remnants of the legacy of apartheid, where many Coloured and African women were dependent on employment in the domestic work sphere. This article considers the experiences of a group of Coloured female domestic workers in a coastal town in South Africa. Drawing on ten qualitative interviews, I show how their experiences are framed around issues of mobility – this includes moving to work and moving at work and the consequences of immobility in the world of work. Most research that deals with issues of mobility in domestic work focuses on migration patterns. This novel approach to understanding the notion of mobility for domestic workers contributes to the existing literature on domestic work in South Africa but extends the conceptualisation of movement beyond migration patterns. The article also makes a much-needed contribution to understanding the experience of domestic work in rural settings in South Africa. This is done by exploring the coping strategies that the participants employ to support themselves and their families. Networks and family ties form an essential component of the financial and emotional survival of this group of women. The role of social capital is also investigated as it plays an important role in forging trust and reciprocity among participants of this study.

Renewable energy, social disruption and formalising the social licence to operate in South Africa

AbstractA social licence to operate and corporate social responsibility are often applied voluntarily to ensure a positive relationship between businesses and communities. But South Africa's Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme makes investment in local socio‐economic development a contractual obligation. To assess the implications of this legalised approach to CSR and the social licence to operate, between September 2019 and January 2020 we conducted seven focus group discussions and 24 key informant interviews in two towns in South Africa's Northern Cape province. The data were analysed thematically and triangulated with data on crime, municipal finance and house prices. Our concerns about the legalised approach are that it does not require local consent; it reduces local development to a needs analysis; it does not require local collaborative planning, despite adverse consequences such as social disruption; it bypasses local organisation and accountability; it does not provide cheaper local electricity; and it offers no guidelines for decommissioning.

“No one has a solution, madam”: Experiences of Soweto township secondary school teachers teaching human rights education

AbstractThis article reports on the experiences of secondary school teachers teaching human rights education in Soweto township in South Africa. The study was anchored in phenomenological design and adopted a qualitative research approach. Twelve participants from four urban public secondary schools in Soweto township were sampled. Data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews. Findings revealed that the participants’ experiences were negative due to a lack of teaching resources, a lack of training to teach human rights education, and a lack of support from district officials. However, more positively, participants viewed themselves as having a significant role in teaching human rights education despite their challenges. Based on the findings, the article suggests more support from different stakeholders, such as the Department of Education, the South African Police Services (SAPS), human rights organizations, and other non-governmental organizations in relation to teacher training and teaching resources for the effective teaching of human rights education.

Editorial introductions.

Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery was launched in 1993. It is one of a successful series of review journals whose unique format is designed to provide a systematic and critical assessment of the literature as presented in the many primary journals. The fields of otolaryngology and head and neck surgery are divided into 11 sections that are reviewed once a year. Each section is assigned a Section Editor, a leading authority in the area, who identifies the most important topics at that time. Here we are pleased to introduce the Journal's Section Editors for this issue. SECTION EDITORS Jo PattersonJo PattersonDr Jo Patterson is a Professor of Speech and Language Therapist and Associate Head of Research at the University of Liverpool and The Liverpool Head and Neck Centre. Her research portfolio includes proof of concept work, cohort studies, feasibility studies, multi-centre randomized control trials and the development and evaluation of complex interventions. She is committed to involving patients and keeping them central to research and service development. In 2016, she received a Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy Fellowship in recognition of her contribution towards the advancement of the profession, both as an academic and a practicing Speech and Language Therapist. As their specialist advisor, she represents the organisation on a number of committees and councils, contributing towards policy and strategic direction. She has extensively developed research capacity for Speech and Language Therapists nationally through grant and fellowship applications and provision of MSc and PhD supervision, teaching and mentorship. She continues to balance her time between clinical and academic practice. H Fiona RobinsonH Fiona RobinsonMiss Fiona Robinson qualified as a Speech Therapist from Birmingham Polytechnic, UK in 1980, and in 2004, she was awarded Master of Science (Merit) (Advanced practice – Voice) from the University of Newcastle, UK, with study into the efficacy of voice therapy for vocal fold paralysis. In 2006, in recognition of her contribution to the speech and language therapy profession in the UK, Miss Robinson was elected to the Fellowship of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT). She has completed a post-graduate certificate in Medical Education at the University of Nottingham, UK with a particular interest in the development of E-learning. Her clinical interests include the diagnosis and rehabilitation of speech and swallowing disorders related to head and neck cancer, including surgical voice restoration, and the management of dysphonia. Currently she is working within the National Health Service (NHS) and is Director of SVS Associates, a company which runs skills training for speech and language therapists. Johannes FaganJohannes FaganDr Johan Fagan is Professor and Chairman of Otorhinolaryngology at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. He has authored 200 peer reviewed articles and book chapters. A major interest has been to advance head and neck surgery in Africa and the Developing World. To this end he self-publishes two free open access textbooks, “The Open Access Atlas of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Operative Surgery” and the “Open Access Guide to Audiology and Hearing Aids”.

Food Insecurity at HIV Diagnosis Associated with Subsequent Viremia Amongst Adults Living with HIV in an Urban Township of South Africa.

We assessed the temporal impact of food insecurity on 12-month antiretroviral (ART) adherence, retention in care, hospitalization, and HIV viremia (> 1000 copies/mL) in ART naïve adults presenting for HIV testing in Umlazi, South Africa. At the time of HIV testing and prior to ART initiation, we determined each participants' food security status using the validated Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). Following HIV testing and ART initiation, we then assessed the above outcomes of each study participant at 3-month intervals for a total of 12months. Among 2,383 participants with HIV in this study, 253 (10.6%) experienced food insecurity. We found that food insecurity is associated with 20% higher adjusted prevalence odd ratios (aPOR) of having HIV viremia (> 1000 copies/mL) at 12months following initial diagnosis (aPOR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1-1.4). We found no significant differences in ART adherence, retention in care, and hospitalization occurrences between the food secure and food insecure cohorts.

Modeling the Neighborhood Wellbeing of Townships in South Africa

Townships in South Africa are characterized by underdeveloped urban neighborhoods on the periphery of cities, where their inhabitants suffer from a poor quality of life. Given the relative lack of empirical research on the wellbeing of people living in townships in South Africa, this study attempts to fill the gap by understanding and modeling the relationships between household socioeconomic characteristics, housing and neighborhood conditions, and individual and community wellbeing to develop and empirically validate a neighborhood wellbeing framework. The hypothesized associations from the wellbeing framework were tested using 389 household interviews of the three largest townships in South Africa. The findings identify the challenges associated with adequate housing and lack of infrastructure in townships and how these affect the wellbeing of individuals and communities. The conclusion demonstrates how the neighborhood wellbeing framework, as an interdisciplinary approach, can improve the quality of life of inhabitants and communities in urban neighborhoods in general.