Vhembe District Municipality Research Articles

An inventory and pharmacological evaluation of medicinal plants used as anti-diabetes and anti-arthritis sources in Vhembe District Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa

An inventory and pharmacological evaluation of medicinal plants used as anti-diabetes and anti-arthritis sources in Vhembe District Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Mycotoxin contamination of home-grown maize in rural northern South Africa (Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces)

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to assess mycotoxin contamination of crops grown by rural subsistence farmers over two seasons (2011 and 2012) in two districts, Vhembe District Municipality (VDM, Limpopo Province) and Gert Sibande District Municiality (GSDM, Mpumalanga Province), in northern South Africa and to evaluate its impact on farmers’ productivity and human and animal health. A total of 114 maize samples were collected from 39 households over the two seasons and were analysed using a validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry mycotoxins method. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) occurrence ranged from 1 to 133 µg kg−1 in VDM while AFB1 levels in GSDM were less than 1.0 µg kg−1 in all maize samples. Fumonisin B1 levels ranged from 12 to 8514 µg kg−1 (VDM) and 11–18924 µg kg−1 (GSDM) in 92% and 47% positive samples, respectively, over both seasons. Natural occurrence and contamination with both fumonisins and aflatoxins in stored home-grown maize from VDM was significantly (p < 0.0001) higher than from GSDM over both seasons.

Identification of Causes of Criminal Behaviour among Youth of Muledane Village, Vhembe District Municipality

Crime is one of the major problems in South Africa. It is popular to associate criminal behaviour with the poor physical and social conditions of the impoverished segment of the population. This st...

Documentation of alien invasive plants used in the treatment of HIV/AIDS related symptoms by traditional healers of Vhembe district municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Documentation of alien invasive plants used in the treatment of HIV/AIDS related symptoms by traditional healers of Vhembe district municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Assessment of Factors that Could Influence Preference for Alternate Redress on Restitution Land Claims in Vhembe District, South Africa

Due to slow progress of land redistribution in South Africa, and the relative success of the restitution component, the South African government passed legislation in 2014 that reopened land right claims for a five year period. This study was conducted in two villages of the Vhembe District Municipality with the aim of assessing factors that could contribute towards preference for financial compensation. A multistage sampling technique was used to select municipalities, villages and respondents. The latter were subjected to a random selection process at the village level. Quantitative data were collected by means of a pre-tested questionnaire and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. The study found that the financial compensation was put to various uses including housing construction and acquisition of moveable household assets. Inferential statistical analyses revealed positive associations between preference for financial compensation and three explanatory variables, that is, household size, use of financial compensation and challenges experienced. A negative relationship was found between preference for financial compensation and asset ownership. The paper recommended for joint rather than extended family representative submissions of land rights claims and for government to devise strategies that would discourage preference for financial compensation.

Religiously Motivated Travel and Rural Tourism in Vhembe District of South Africa

The study investigated the socio-economic impact of religious tourism (UAAC gathering) on the local tourism industry and on surrounding rural communities in Vhembe District Municipality (VDM) of South Africa. Questionnaires were used to collect data on pilgrims (visitors), businesses, and residents during, and immediately after the event. Statistical techniques were used to analyse the data to gain insight into the data as basis for answering the research questions posed in this study. The results revealed that majority of the pilgrims to the UAAC gathering were from the host province of Limpopo. Also, most pilgrims travel to the pilgrimage site solely for religious reasons. Another significant finding is that the average spending per pilgrim by pilgrims from the rest of South Africa is larger than their Limpopo and foreign pilgrim counterparts. Furthermore, the results showed that while businesses were positive about the pilgrimage’s contribution to increased sales from their businesses, they at the same time opined that the event does not generate any additional employment. This could be because out of every R100 of pilgrims spending only R2.16 remains in the local economy through leakages. Finally an important finding of the study is overall consensus among residents that the annual pilgrimage gathering promotes morality, improved socialization as well as a sense of feeling good and proud of their community.

An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used in the treatment of pneumonia in Vhembe District Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa

An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used in the treatment of pneumonia in Vhembe District Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa

The youths’ perceptions of sexuality in the Limpopo Province of South Africa

This study was a qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study, conducted in the Vhembe District Municipality of the Limpopo Province in four selected villages.&#x0D; &#x0D; Opsomming&#x0D; Hierdie studie was ‘n kwalitatiewe, verkennende en beskrywende studie, onderneem in die Vhembe Distrik Munisipaliteit van die Limpopo Provinsie, in vier uitgesoekte dorpies.&#x0D; &#x0D; *Please note: This is a reduced version of the abstract. Please refer to PDF for full text.