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South Africa participated in the electronic version of the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (ePIRLS) in 2016 but faced many challenges during implementation. Accurate databases on information and communication technologies (ICT) capacity of schools were not available for sampling in Gauteng, many schools had old and/or non-functional hardware and half of the schools had not used their computer laboratories in the last 3 years. Consequently, South Africa was excluded from the international report as the study requirements could not be met. In this paper we examine the implications of the problems experienced in the ePIRLS multiple case study, conducted in 9 schools (n = 277) in Gauteng. Multilevel models were built using data from the nationally representative Grade 4 Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) data from 2011 (n = 15,744) and 2016 (n = 12,810). In the 2016 national study, principals and teachers reported fewer computers and libraries being available for learners than were reported in 2011. Computers and paper-based libraries being available were not significant predictors of reading literacy. Instead, the medium of instruction in the Foundation Phase, school location, gender, and socioeconomic composition of the school predicted reading literacy achievement. The ePIRLS results show no significant difference between paper-based and online reading. While issues of poverty, gender inequality, and historical disadvantage persist, Grade 4 learners may lack adequate opportunities to acquire paper and digital reading skills. We conclude that the most disadvantaged learners have increasingly insufficient opportunities and resources available to attain basic reading skills and this will have negative long-term consequences for South Africa's educational sector and economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With South Africa having a history of youth activism and a predominantly youthful population, this paper investigates why the youth (18-34 years) do not participate in local development planning in Gauteng Province. The main source of data used in this study was the 2015/2016 QoL data of the Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO). Results across Gauteng show that the majority of the youth do not participate in ward committee (WC), community development forum (CDF), and integrated development planning (IDP) meetings. The geographically weighted regression (GWR) approach proved important in allowing us to investigate the spatial variation in non-attendance at WC meetings and the heterogeneity role of the predictor variables over the study area. The GWR results show that the percentage of employed youth, average household income, the percentage of youth who have never interacted with government, the percentage of youth dissatisfied with the local councillor, and the average educational level of the youth emerged as barriers to participation in WC meetings. While results for non-participation in CDF meetings had no significant localised GWR results, compared to those for WC meetings, common barriers (as in the ordinary least squares (OLS) model) to participation in CDF meetings were, for instance, the youth's educational level and the lack of interaction with local government. Even according to the OLS model, the results of IDP meetings were not robust, and could not therefore be interpreted. Overall, however, these results are useful in spurring spatially-targeted - either region-wide or localised - policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to explore the implementation of the outcome seven (7) by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, with a focus on Youth in Agriculture and Rural development. Outcome seven (7) was aimed at the vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural communities and food security for all. The following five outputs Sustainable agrarian reform, Improved access to affordable and diverse food, Rural services and sustainable livelihoods, Rural job creation linked to skills training and promoting economic livelihoods and enabling institutional environment for sustainable and inclusive growth. Youth in Agriculture and Rural Development (YARD) is a youth structure that was established nationally following a national conference and subsequently endorsed by the government to function as of 30 November 2007. This study will focus on Vaal Sedibeng District Municipality, situated in the South of Gauteng Province-because it is one of the farming hubs. The qualitative method was applied in the form of questionnaires, to selected Youth farming areas, since the agriculture sector is dominated by livestock production with Africa's largest cattle feedlot and the country's biggest producer of swine. Crops are grown throughout the province including vegetables, maize, cotton, ground nuts, and sorghum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research studies as well as anecdotal evidence suggest that there are challenges regarding the NHI plan implementation. These include problems such as an increase in illnesses and a shortage of personnel to drive the project in South African public hospitals. This is exacerbated by the existing situation of most government-funded healthcare institutions, which are characterized by bad administration, insufficient budget, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient drug supply, as highlighted in several studies. The hospital under investigation is one such facility, with a history of patients sleeping on the floor and people being turned away owing to a shortage of experts and an overburdened staff. This situation is concerning, given that the government claims to be providing appropriate funds to the institution. The hospital under research is highly regarded by the surrounding community. However, a visit by the Health MEC in 2014 revealed that the facility had insufficient sanitary standards and a high complaint rate. Based on the foregoing, as well as the difficulties that both employees and patients are confronted with at the  selected hospital, the question that emerges is whether the hospital is fit for the implementation of the NHI.Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the preparation for the launch of the national health insurance scheme at a Johannesburg hospital.Setting: The study was conducted at a hospital situated in eastern suburbs of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.Method: The study employed a qualitative method with an explorative, descriptive, qualitative study design. The population consisted of selected hospital employees, such as doctors, dispensary officers, hospital managers, human resources workers, facility managers, and administration record officials who were employed at the selected hospital. Purposive sampling was used to select participants.Sample Size: Category saturation was used to determine the sample size. The participants for the study were chosen using purposeful sampling, with the researcher aiming for those who were familiar with the NHI scheme at the institution. Semi structured interviews and a focus group discussion were used to gather data. The data from the focus group discussion and semi-structured interviews were analysed using thematic analysis.Results: The investigation found that the hospital was preparing to for the NHI implementation, but that was riddled with lack of resources, poor infrastructure, lack of training, delays in development and poor technological advances.Recommendations: The paper suggests that human resources be increased, infrastructure be upgraded, medicines and equipment be increased, and enough training on NHI implementation be provided.Contribution: The paper adds to the body of knowledge regarding the NHI in South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This paper sought to obtain a deeper understanding of the conversion strategies adopted by the selected South African university libraries and the subsequent challenges experienced thereof. This paper presents a case study for which data were collected through a qualitative-quantitative approach from the three public university libraries in the Gauteng province of South Africa, which had converted their spaces into the research commons (RC). The study sample consisted of the RC manager/librarian from each of the three libraries. The qualitative part of the study employed face-to-face interviews, non-participatory observation and information from websites. The quantitative approach used a structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using an inductive approach. Current library literature on RC does not encompass a holistic approach regarding how the conversion was planned and the challenges thereof. The study findings and recommendations include the formation of a research library consortium (RLC), ongoing user and space assessment to adjust services and resources to suit changing technologies, postgraduate needs and learning styles. Challenges included model misconception by librarians; planning and change management deficiencies; homogeneous staffing models; and budgetary constraints. The study recommends that essential conditions of the cultural commons (CC) be incorporated as the foundational RC conversion process to create a pool of collaboratively endorsed resources to enhance the mission of their parent institutions. The study also recommends that conversion should occur within a planned and collaborative framework to avoid the “tragedy of the commons” implementation and to preserve benefits derived for future sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While well-resourced schools have the advantage of better equipping their learners for online learning, which includes online reading, learners in rural and township schools are at a disadvantage, resulting in the academic exclusion of many learners. In 2020, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic served as a catalyst to promote and accelerate the online reading process, which is currently emerging as the predominant reading behavior among learners in South Africa and the rest of the world. The aim of this paper is thus to investigate and understand the online reading preferences and challenges of Grade 8 English First Additional Language (EFAL) learners from three schools in an underdeveloped and under-resourced township located in the Gauteng province of South Africa. The paper was quantitative in nature. A survey questionnaire was used to obtain data from the purposively selected research sample that consisted of 303 Grade 8 EFAL learners, and the data were analyzed quantitatively. The findings indicated that most of the learners access online texts through their mobile phones, owing to the absence of computers both at home and at school. Furthermore, the findings showed that most of the learners experienced challenges concerning online reading in English. Subsequently, almost half of the learners who participated in the study indicated that they needed assistance when they engaged in online reading in English for academic purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In recent years, South Africa has continued to experience a high rate of young people who are not in employment, education, or training (NEET). The emergence of the concept 'NEET' affords researchers an opportunity to more closely examine the life situations and experiences of this population sub-group. The purpose of this paper is thus to further explore the life situations and lived experiences of people in South Africa who are NEET. Structuration theory is adopted to better understand how social structures play a role in the lives of people who are NEET. Design/methodology/approach: Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 24 NEET people over a period of two months in South Africa. This paper presents a section of the findings from a broader study that used self-administered interviews to collect data in three metropolitan municipalities of Gauteng Province, the economic heartland of South Africa. Findings: The findings indicate that poverty remains an obstacle for many young people in furthering their studies or developing their ideas into businesses. Also evident is that there are NEETs who are taking action to disconnect from the NEET sub-group by means of seeking work, funding, or volunteering for initiatives, among other activities. Lack of financial support affects most NEETs perpetuating their vulnerability and their efforts to detach themselves from their NEET status. It is evident that most NEETs who took part in this study are still seeking opportunities to become economically active, regardless of their current financial situations. Originality/value: There remains a lack of adequate exploration and understanding of the experiences and life situations of people who are NEET. The relevance of this study is in its contribution towards extending the applicability of structuration theory to understanding the life situations of people who are NEET in South Africa. This study contributes to the literature by providing the experiences and life situations of people who are NEET in a country with already high levels of inequalities. It is hoped that this study may provide the basis for developing more specific policy solutions able to address the NEET issues in South Africa and in society more generally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the problems identified at Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, low achievement in mathematical subjects is the most prominent one. This paper documents a qualitative case study undertaken at TVET College in Gauteng with the purpose of exploring the National Certificate Vocational (NC(V)) Level 4 students' errors and associated misconceptions when answering optimisation questions in differential calculus. The participants were 60 students who were registered for a course in mathematics. Data were generated from the written student responses to two non-routine test items followed by interviews. Using the Newman error hierarchical model to analyse the data, it was discovered that students errors were conceptual and procedural as well as systematic and non-systematic. The literature also alluded to instructional approaches as some of the causes of students' misconceptions and the errors and that interventions should target students as well as the instructors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

South Africa is recognised as one of the most violent countries across the globe. School violence against teachers is a common phenomenon at most schools. This ongoing crisis has had a negative impact on the quality of teaching and learning. Schools are no longer a safe environment for teachers. Teachers are exposed to passive and active violence, causing physical and psychological harm. This paper focuses on violence against teachers and its effect on their well-being. This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of teachers who experienced violence at their schools and received no support from school leaders. This study was conducted in one district in the Gauteng Province in South Africa. The author used the Invitational Learning Theory and National School Safety Framework as theoretical lenses, since these frameworks envisaged ensuring that all schools are safe, conducive learning environments. The findings revealed that at least two in every ten teachers experienced some form of violence. The acts of violence were either active or passive; for example, learners threw books at teachers, physically attacked them, swore at teachers, displayed rude behaviour, showed arrogance, and blackmailed teachers. The study recommends that the Department of Education employ rigorous and stricter measures to ensure the safety of all teachers. School leaders should engage with community forums and police services to support them in curbing violent behaviour and protect teachers. Stricter disciplinary actions should be taken against perpetrators of violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whilst traditionally, participation in bullying was understood to refer to being a victim, a bully or a bystander, studies have shown that the prevalence of learners who are both a bully and a victim known as bully-victims is also prevalent both locally and internationally. The aim of the study was to explore and explain reasons why some learners assume the dual roles of victim and perpetrator. A cross-sectional explanatory mixed-method design was used for the study. In the first phase, the Illinois Bully Scale was used to screen for bullying behaviour on a sample of 460 learners, aged 11 to 20 years, with a mean age of 15 years, who attended high schools in a Tshwane District township, Gauteng Province. The learners were categorised as bullying perpetrators, victims, both, or not involved in bullying, based on the scores from the Illinois Bully Scale. A phenomenological hermeneutical method was then used to collect and analyse data from 25 of those with high scores in any of the three categories, namely perpetrators, victims or both as determined using the Illinois Bully Scale. NVivo 14 software was used to conduct a thematic analysis of the data. The focus of this paper is on the perpetrator-victim category, a category of learners that screened positively for being both the perpetrators and victims of bullying. The study found that bullying victims tend to bully those whom they perceive to be weaker than them. Being both a perpetrator and a victim of bullying was found to be as a result of a belief that being a victim of bullying makes one less respectable and bullying others brings back the lost respect. Victims also feel the need to make others suffer the pain of being bullied that they are going through so as not to suffer alone. Victims also bully others as a form of self-protection and defence against being bullied. Furthermore, victims bully those who are weaker than them to get some relief from ethe emotions of anger and frustration that build up as a result of being bullied by a stronger bully against whom they cannot defend themselves. Bullying creates a perpetual cycle of violence as victims view bullying others as justified as it is "paying forward the pain" that they themselves have been subjected to. Early identification and interventions to prevent and manage bullying in schools are required to break the victim-perpetrator cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Successful conservation in Africa hinges on the perceptions of communities bordering protected areas. It is therefore vital for protected area stakeholders to know the perceptions of neighbouring communities in order to determine the factors that generate or undermine community support for conservation, so that appropriate management interventions can be implemented. Numerous studies consider benefits, but less relate to perceptions regarding both losses/costs and intangible benefits. This paper demonstrates a methodology with which to determine these factors, focusing on Kekana Gardens community, bordering Dinokeng Game Reserve, in Gauteng Province, South Africa. This qualitative study with 13 residents utilised focus group interviews and adapted nominal grouping technique. Six themes emerged, four of which comprise intangible benefits. This methodology can be applied to any community bordering a conservation area, assisting in crafting solutions that benefit both people and parks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intervention programmes have a direct influence on teachers' knowledge of teaching different topics. This paper focuses on how Grade 8 natural science teachers' knowledge developed during an intervention programme. Eight schools were selected to participate, and 25 Grade 8 Natural Sciences teachers from Gauteng province participated. Data were collected during the intervention sessions, and participants completed a written TSPCK test and content representation tool. Quantitative data were analysed using the Rasch analysis model, and qualitative data were analysed using content analysis of TSPCK episodes using the TSPCK rubric. The episode was a response segment, where TSPCK components were used to transform the topic content. The findings showed that teachers' pedagogical content knowledge improved significantly in different components of TSPCK. The teachers' PCK development was revealed through extensive use of knowledge of representation including demonstrations using diagrams aimed at transforming the concept in planning. Besides, during the intervention, teachers were able to collaborate, have explicit discussions on specific topics, and provide explanations on the use of the five TSPCK components. The study implies that the development of PCK in fundamental topics in a discipline can be implemented through a TSPCK-based intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: South African public archives have not been able to transform into active documenters of society. As a result, they cannot carry out their mandate of collecting non-public records of lasting value and national significance and recording aspects of the country's experience that have previously been ignored by archives repositories. This paper aims to discuss efforts by the Gauteng Provincial Archives to transform the archival landscape in South Africa by collecting sports memories. This is because, in democratic South Africa, the archival landscape was expected to change and reflect the nation's diversity, despite the fact that it still largely reflected the Western-dominated global mainstream. Design/methodology/approach: This study is based on the authors' personal experiences with the development and operation of the Gauteng Provincial Archives. The authors are also involved in the Gauteng Provincial Archives' oral history project, which aims to build an inclusive archive by recording oral histories of sports memories across the province. Findings: The construction of the Gauteng Archives Repository has ushered in a chance to decolonise South African archives by collecting sports memories. These are windows of opportunity through which ordinary people can include their own experiences, filling in the gaps left by colonial and apartheid archives. Originality/value: This paper offers practical experience in transforming and decolonising archives through collecting sports memories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we explored how vulnerable, immunocompromised groups and caregivers of the elderly experienced and perceived the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa. Semi-structured interviews were conducted remotely between the 5th andthe 18th of April 2020 in the three South African provinces hardest hit by Covid-19, namely Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. In total, 60 qualitative key informant interviews and one focus group discussion were conducted. Study participants expressed concerns for elderly people and people with underlying health conditions because of their increased vulnerability to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). People living with HIV expressed an increased fear of infection following the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa. The sidelining of healthcare services and stock-outs of medication proved to be an added concern in particular for vulnerable and immunocompromised groups. Overall, the data suggest that the fear of infection is ubiquitous for people who live in unstable environments such as overcrowded townships and informal settlements. Given the increased fears of infection brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, the mental health of vulnerable communities and those caring for them becomes an added burden for people living in unstable environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transmission of cholera, a highly infectious disease, is closely linked to inadequate access to clean water and sanitation facilities, with resource-poor communities, including refugees, rural communities and temporary displacement camps particularly vulnerable to outbreaks. Any disruption in water and sanitation systems or a sudden surge in community size owing to displacement can spark a humanitarian and health crisis, elevating the risk of cholera transmission and possibly triggering a regional epidemic. Recently, Hammanskraal in Gauteng, South Africa, experienced such an epidemic. A multifaceted approach is essential to minimise fatalities and effectively manage healthcare services in such health emergencies. This approach includes early detection, rapid response to contain outbreaks, and the effective deployment of technical support, advocacy, resource mobilisation and partnerships at local, national, and international levels. This paper explores the responsibilities of individuals, healthcare workers, communities and governments in addressing epidemics. It also delves into the concept of collective responsibility with regard to climate change and cholera, as part of the multifaceted approach for cholera prevention and control. While economic development, equal access to safe drinking water, and adequate sanitation are necessary for cholera control, major challenges persist in achieving the fundamental right to a healthy environment in the long term. We also discuss these obstacles and conclude with practical suggestions and recommendations for future cholera prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite implementation of several government policies since the dawn of democracy in South Africa, income distribution remains skewed in the country. This paper explores income distribution in the Gauteng province by addressing two important questions: first, what is the level and pattern of income distribution, and second, do the role of correlates in explaining income distribution differ across income groups? By employing quantile regression analysis, this paper's results not only show the explanatory role of various correlates, such as race, but it also confirm that the explanatory role of these correlates is heterogeneous across income groups. The paper by drilling down into the data established that there are variations across some identifiable groups (e.g. youth, pensioners, and adults) and quantiles. These results enable policy makers to tailor policies to specific income and other identifiable groups, rather than one-size-fit-all policy focus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has developed into a pandemic. Data-driven techniques can be used to inform and guide public health decision- and policy-makers. In generalizing the spread of a virus over a large area, such as a province, it must be assumed that the transmission occurs as a stochastic process. It is therefore very difficult for policy and decision makers to understand and visualize the location specific dynamics of the virus on a more granular level. A primary concern is exposing local virus hot-spots, in order to inform and implement non-pharmaceutical interventions. A hot-spot is defined as an area experiencing exponential growth relative to the generalised growth of the pandemic. This paper uses the first and second waves of the COVID-19 epidemic in Gauteng Province, South Africa, as a case study. The study aims provide a data-driven methodology and comprehensive case study to expose location specific virus dynamics within a given area. The methodology uses an unsupervised Gaussian Mixture model to cluster cases at a desired granularity. This is combined with an epidemiological analysis to quantify each cluster's severity, progression and whether it can be defined as a hot-spot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the challenges facing by isiZulu lecturers in private institutions in Gauteng. These institutions train both foundation and intermediate student teachers who will teach in primary schools. This means that these students should be trained in all school subjects because they do not have major subjects like those who will teach in the senior and FET phase. The problem is that students who are training in these institutions are coming from all parts of South Africa and these higher institutions do not offer all African languages. They only have sePedi, seTswana and isiZulu. Xhosa, Ndebele and Swati students are forced to do isiZulu as a First Additional Language. These students have never studied isiZulu in their lives; this is their first encounter with it. They lack knowledge of isiZulu, as much as they can understand it spoken. They cannot write and read it. In this situation lecturers are expected to perform miracles in ensuring that these students learn isiZulu in a very short period of time. A qualitative approach has been used as a method of data collection in this paper. Interviews were conducted to gather data from participants. Language management theory has been used as theoretical framework for this paper. This theory looks at language planning at two levels, a macroand a micro-planning level. The analysis found that non-Zulu students did not really like the Zulu language. They learned it because they were forced by circumstances. This paper recommends that the Department of Higher Education ensures that the use of indigenous languages is carried out effectively in higher education institutions, especially in the private sector. It is noteworthy that the teaching of indigenous languages in these institutions is neglected because even the teaching resources are inadequate. It turns out that it is the lecturers' responsibility to plan what they will teach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper I discuss the difficulties I faced in getting access to respondents in a qualitative study on the opinions of Muslim religious leaders on domestic violence experienced by Muslim married women. This in turn highlighted the need for me to reflect carefully on my own assumptions about my insider status and take into account how prospective participants identify me as a researcher. For the study on which I am reflecting, I chose an interpretive research paradigm which falls under the umbrella of qualitative research. This research paradigm was necessary as it places emphasis on context and nuanced meanings and was intended to allow me to interrogate the way religious leaders dealt with domestic violence and the rationale behind their approaches. Using this approach allowed me to explore some of the structural constraints that came to the fore via anecdotal research. This paper presents the challenges I faced and how I looked to overcome them and includes a detailed discussion of why the qualitative research approach was the most appropriate for this study, how I selected the participants, and how I experienced the interview process. Importantly, it speaks to reflexivity. In May of 2017, I set out to conduct in-depth semi-structured interviews within the Gauteng region using purposive and snowball sampling. Trying to access participants proved to be difficult and it became clear that a mistrust exists between the academy and some theological organizations. Insider/outsider phenomena, which were envisaged at the proposal stage, proved to be important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Medical xenophobia of migrant (either in-migrants or immigrants) youths is an ongoing problem in contemporary South African society. Medical mistreatment by healthcare workers and social phobia from migrant youths have been attributed to major obstacles to healthcare utilization as well as health services satisfaction. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors contributing to health services satisfaction and medical exclusion among migrant youths in Gauteng province in South Africa. Methods: The Round 5 Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO) Quality of Life (QoL) survey was conducted in 2017‒2018, a nationally representative survey piloted every two years in South Africa, was utilized in this study. A 2-year cohort study of 24,889 respondents aged 18 to 29 and a baseline data consisted of 4,872 respondents, comprising non-migrants, in-migrants and immigrants, from where 2,162 in-migrants and immigrants were utilized as the sample size. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-Square analysis and logistic regression. Results: A total of 2,162 migrants, comprising 35.4% in-migrants and 9.0% of immigrants, from the 4,872 respondents, were included in the analysis. The prevalence of medical exclusion of in-migrant and immigrant youths were 5.5% and 4.2%, and the majority of them reported the use of public health facilities (in-migrants ‒ 84.3% vs. immigrants ‒ 87.1%). At the bivariate level, demographic (age, sex, and population group), economic (employed and any income) and health-related (no medical aid and household member with mental health) factors were significantly associated with medical exclusion (ρ≤0.05). The adjusted odds ratio showed that only female gender (AOR: 1.07, 95% CI: 0.678, 1.705), no medical aid cover (AOR: 1.23, 95% CI: 0.450, 3.362), and neither (AOR: 1.59, 95% CI: 0.606, 4.174) or dissatisfied (AOR: 4.29, 95% CI: 2.528, 7.270) were independent predictors of medical exclusion. Conclusion: Having no medical aid cover, being a female and dissatisfied, or neither satisfied nor dissatisfied with health services significantly increased the odds of medical exclusion among migrant youths. To increase healthcare utilization and ensuring adequate medical care of migrant youths, opting for medical aid insurance without increasing costs should be guaranteed. Therefore, there should be no consequences for lack of residence status or correct documentation papers when accessing healthcare services among migrant youths in South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper highlights the embeddedness of xenophobia in institutions through a theoretical but empirically under-researched concept of structural violence. Drawing on in-depth qualitative interview data with refugee women in Gauteng, South Africa, we explore the empirical utility of the concept of structural violence in shaping refugee women's everyday experiences of xenophobia through three analytical themes: (a) unequal access to resources (b) constrained agency and (c) dehumanization. While keeping an empirical grip on experiential narratives on xenophobia, we draw attention to three public institutions that enhance the vulnerability of those already vulnerable: The Department of Home Affairs, The South African Police Service and Public Hospitals. Our paper elucidates how refugee women experience xenophobia and how they manage their "everyday" in these circumstances- an aspect that remains underdeveloped in existing research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the usefulness of Google search patterns with Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques for timely influenza-like illness (ILI) forecasting for each of the nine South African provinces. Traditional surveillance methods are limited by delay in reporting. Existing digital disease surveillance studies that employ alternative online data have scarcely explored sub-Saharan African countries. In South Africa, Google search data has only been recently studied for ILI surveillance at the national level. Meanwhile, the differences in socio-economic and technological conditions across provinces call for finer spatial investigation. We perform correlation analysis between Google trends (GT) data for 21 ILI-related terms and real-life ILI surveillance data for each province. Next, we develop models to assess the predictive performance of these GT data for forecasting ILI rates, using time series, machine learning, and deep learning methods. We observe sufficient correlation for only two of the nine provinces: Gauteng and Western Cape. Thus, GT data could only be used to forecast ILI in these two provinces. Interestingly, these two provinces are regarded as the most economically developed. In the other seven provinces, LSTM, a deep learning technique, gives more accurate predictions than a baseline autoregressive model when only past ILI data are used for forecasting future ILI trends. The results reveal that, for provinces for which GT data is sufficiently available, it is not only free and fast, but is an effective predictor on its own as well as when added to past ILI data for forecasting future ILI infection rates. The correlation analysis suggests an association between provincial socio-economic development and the use of digital platforms for disease surveillance. Overall, the study established the need for finer scale ILI forecasting which will inform targeted planning for disease surveillance and interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Housing delivery in South Africa continues to dominate conversations on human rights and social development. Using a social development lens, this paper presents the findings of a qualitative study that aimed at exploring the housing experiences of social rental housing (SRH) beneficiaries and how this interlinked with human rights and social development in South Africa. Using the purposive sampling method, the study selected three social housing institutions (SHIs) in Gauteng and two in the Western Cape province. With each SHI, a focus group discussion was conducted with its tenants to establish if there are any linkages with human rights and social development. Participants shared positive sentiments relating to SRH. The authors of this article note that SRH is implemented from a rights-based perspective, in line with international law and the social development perspective. In concluding the article, the authors provide policy recommendations for government and civil society actors operating in the arena of SRH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This scoping review synthesises evidence on mHealth in South Africa specifically related to the use and application of mobile technology, the population groups targeted, and the health outcomes measured. Three scholarly databases were searched, data was extracted using standard scoping review methods. Of 287 peer-reviewed articles, 36 articles meeting inclusion criteria were analysed. Mobile applications and short-messaging services were the primary technologies employed by mHealth interventions which increasingly incorporates bi-directional communication. Published research has increased since 2016 with the majority of studies carried out in three provinces, the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Gauteng. This paper provides an overview of mHealth in South Africa with recommendations for mHealth integration into private and public healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quantity surveying (QS) profession has faced a lot of challenges that threaten its existence, growth, and success over the years. The most common being, the adequate compensation for quality of services rendered. The QS council in South Africa is instituted by law and has a mandate to publish a Guideline Tariff of Professional Fees to determine the professional fees to charge for the deployment of skills, expertise, and knowledge towards addressing clients' needs. However, the excessive discounting of fees to secure work for most firms is a challenge, as guidelines remain rigid leaving no room for error. The purpose of this paper is to examine how the current structure of the fee guidelines affects the quality of the service outputs of QS firms and by extension their competitiveness. The study adopted a positivist stance, and deductive reasoning that culminated in the use of the quantitative approach. To ascertain 100% response rate, self-administered questionnaires were used to a sample size of 35 firms, selected using non-probability sampling to choose firms within the Gauteng Province to participate in the survey. The findings indicated the preponderance of discounted fees among QS firms for various reasons and identified 4 themes: (1) the prevalence of discounted fee (2) the impact of discounted fees on quality of QS services (3) the factors influencing the prevalence of discounted fees and (4) the survival and eventually the growth of the firm. The themes show how the lack of enforceability on the fee tariffs has provided clients with a leverage to negotiate fee discounts that often exceed 40% and how these have affected profits for the firms. This study highlights a need for the recommended tariff of professional fees to be published to provide a basis for QS fees which is determined by the council for the profession, and which cannot be disputed by clients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The teaching profession is moving toward the use of educational technologies (ET) in the form of tablets, laptops, and reliable internet in the classroom to improve the quality of teaching and learning in schools. The use of these tools in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is believed to positively impact how teachers deliver the curriculum. Teachers' views on the application of educational technologies in the classroom are examined in this paper. The opinions of the teachers are crucial since they could influence whether or not the technologies are accepted. This study used a qualitative approach through semi-structured interviews with 12 teachers from one district in Gauteng province. A purposive sampling method was used to select these teachers on the basis that Gauteng is the leading province in ICT integration in schools. Data were analysed thematically from teachers' responses. The Activity Theory framework was used to underpin the study. According to the findings, teachers voiced their dissatisfaction with the use of these technologies and other issues they face, such as poor technical support, a lack of equipment for maintaining educational technologies, inferior educational technology infrastructure, and unreliable Internet connectivity. Additionally, teachers called on the Department of Basic Education to provide professional development in technology integration and to equip schools with infrastructure as well as Wi-Fi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper investigates the linguistic challenges faced by Setswana-speaking Grade 7 learners when writing Science examinations in English. In South African schools, non-mother tongue speakers of English learners are only introduced to English as a language of learning and teaching in Grade 4, which creates problems for these learners because English is foreign to them. The purpose of conducting this research was to help policymakers meet the linguistic needs of non-native English speakers, make curriculum development specialists aware of the linguistic challenges faced by non-native speakers of English and help readers gain a better understanding of why some teachers prefer to use indigenous languages when they teach in English. The participants comprised four purposively selected Grade 7 Natural Science teachers, two school governing bodies (SGBs) and Grade 7 learners from two primary schools in Hammanskraal, Gauteng. Data gathered indicated that Setswana-speaking learners made basic errors related to spelling, sentence construction, grammar, incomplete sentences, mixed languages, using words that do not exist, tenses and understanding instructions. As a result, SGBs should consider these linguistic challenges when they draft language policies for rural and township schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Learners have different values that could affect their learning and eventually their performance in mathematics. However, many teachers are unaware of these values. Therefore, this paper reports on a study that established the values learners consider as important in the learning of mathematics. The participants were 274 Grade 9 learners, selected purposively from one school in Gauteng, South Africa. An exploratory quantitative research method was adopted and data were collected with a standardised questionnaire developed by Seah (2011b). The results revealed that learners value 1) Hard work and effort when doing mathematics; 2) Numerous different methods to obtain the answer to a mathematics problem; 3) Authentic examples of shapes to understand their properties; 4) Demonstration and explanation of mathematics concepts and proofs; and 5) Teaching and explaining mathematical concepts. This paper highlights the values teachers should consider in the teaching and learning of mathematics in order to ensure better learner performance in mathematics. Furthermore, the paper adds to research on values in Mathematics Education within a South African context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While government housing can raise living standards for the urban poor, it has environmental impacts and contributes to urban resource consumption. In Gauteng Province, South Africa, government housing aims to improve quality of life, reduce poverty and inequality, and transform unsustainable urban forms. This paper draws on survey and interview data to explore the social justice and environmental sustainability outcomes of Gauteng's government housing programmes. The data reveal improved access to basic services and amenities. However, the developments tend to be poorly located with regard to economic opportunities, and residents are forced to explore other income generation opportunities. This paper highlights the complex interplay between justice and sustainability, where the outcomes are aligned in some instances and conflictual in others. It points to the need to move beyond linear, reductionist relationships between justice and sustainability to further the conceptual understanding of their interlinkages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most important chemicals common in Moringa oleifera Lam. leaves are polyphenols and tannins. They are synthesised during development and the amount and composition are primarily dependent on environmental conditions and factors such as leaf harvesting. Trials were conducted in the Gauteng Province at the University of Pretoria Experimental Farm on Hillcrest Campus (250 45′ 08.6″S, 280 15′ 30.S" E), with an altitude of 1372 m above sea level and an average annual rainfall of 640 mm. Five year old M. oleifera tree orchard were used for this study and treatments were laid in a randomised complete block design, where 12 plants were used in each plot within a row, with a plant spacing of 2 × 2 m2. Partial harvesting was done at 25% leaf removal, while severe leaf harvesting was done at 75% leaf removal. The control trees were not harvested, but only leaf (mature and immature) samples were harvested for analyses. Leaf samples from all plots were harvested in September, November, February and May in years 1 and 2. Leaf samples (equal quantities of immature and mature leaves) from partially, severely harvested and control plots were harvested and separated into batches, one to be analysed as fresh material and the other as dry material. The dry material was placed in paper bags and allowed to immediately air dry under normal room conditions of 26 °C. Partially harvested M. oleifera leaves produced an increased accumulation of total phenolic content (TPC) 35–44 g/kg dry weight, from spring to summer season, in comparison to severe harvesting 26–35 g/kg dry weight. With severe leaf harvesting (75%), because of probable lower photosynthetic capacity, phenols across September to May of years 1 and 2 decreased. The onset of low temperatures in May resulted mostly higher TPC and tannin build up, which means that cold stress may improve more bio-active compounds in the leaves. Dark and fully developed mature leaves mainly contained the highest amount of TPC. Moringa oleifera leaves collected and dried at each harvesting interval, instead of freshly milled, do show the same quantity of TPC and tannins across the season illustrating that air drying can be used as a post-harvest handling technique, extending shelf life without losses of vital phenols. With harvesting severity as a concern in Moringa , this study confirms that the TPC and tannins in mature and immature leaves did not rise to toxic levels for human consumption. • Partial leaf harvesting is a good harvesting practise for Gauteng province, SA. • Low temperatures may result in higher TPC and tannin build up in leaves. • Air dried Moringa leaves do not lose more TPC in comparison to freshly harvested leaves. • Air drying is recommended to extend shelf life of Moringa leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determinants of place attachment have been extensively explored in the world now characterised by increased globalisation and mobility. Apart from some studies analysing attachment to place especially in ecotourism and for specific homogenous environments like botanical gardens, there is a gap regarding the analysis of place attachment and its determinants in spatially heterogeneous and emerging societies. In this paper, we aimed at determining factors predicting place attachment for a socio-economically and demographically diverse area, namely Gauteng province, South Africa, using partial proportional odds models. Socio-demographic variables were selected from existing data, and respondents' satisfaction with the province, preference to stay and resultant sentiments on whether they would rather emigrate from the province were used as outcome variables. Results attest to the intricacy of socio-demographic factors affecting place attachment. For example, population group was a strong predictor of 'preference to stay'. Other variables like age groups, gender, electricity availability, employment status, and education level had no influence on 'preference to stay' in Gauteng. Using the same interpretation, results also indicate that population group, gender, dwelling type, electricity availability, employment status and education levels were strong predictors of 'satisfaction with area'. Only the elderly age group (65+) was a strong predictor of 'satisfaction with area'. Dwelling type, born in Gauteng or emigrated, employment status and age (40+) were all strong predictors of whether respondents could emigrate or not, if given the chance. The findings from this paper present some of the socio-economic and demographic factors such as dwelling type, socio-economic status and ethnicity that governments need to take into consideration in policy, spatial planning and service delivery issues within their localities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Popular culture (pop culture) events have the potential to promote tourist destinations and to generate tourism income. Travel motivation is a critical consideration for reaping these benefits since it serves as a stepping stone for event attendance and it initiates a desire to act. The purpose of this paper therefore is to determine the travel motivations of pop culture fans. Data was gathered from 576 pop culture fans attending a pop culture event in Gauteng, South Africa, using a structured questionnaire. The data were analysed using exploratory factor analysis. The findings revealed nine travel motivations which were labelled brand visibility, event participation, acquire pop culture knowledge, escapism, celebrity fandom, value for money, exclusive merchandise, social enjoyment and novelty. The paper highlights novelty as the most important travel motivation for attending the specific pop culture event and it is therefore argued that pop culture fans attend these events to experience something new and different. In line with the findings of this research, it is recommended that pop culture event marketers pay close attention to all nine identified travel motivations to retain their current fans and to remain competitive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite growing scholarship recognising every-day mobility and the manifestations of geographies of care of children and their caregivers, their practices are still under-researched and largely viewed as deviations from the norm. Cultural expectations, socio-economic conditions, and identities, amongst a host of other intersectional factors, influence how 'care' is understood and practised in different households and individuals. Based on significant fieldwork in 5 communities across the Gauteng city-region, South Africa, over a period of 9 months and using a mixed-method approach, this paper traces notions of 'good' parenting, the influence of gendered social norms and the specifics of urban morphology to explore the daily footprints of care. The Gauteng case, an exemplar of city-regions in the global south, offers insights into the complexities of care in a context of state absence in daily care and the consequent need for high levels of privatised responsibility. The method comprises focus groups, qualitative interviews as well as an innovative mobility tracking app on smartphones. Our analysis shows how relations of care within the domestic sphere influence mobility patterns, transport choices and spatial footprints at the urban scale, at locations of care as well as through materialities of care. The physical manifestations and spatial implications of parental geographies of care need to be understood and considered at both a theoretical and policy level to address the spatial and transport needs of parents and families in the urban environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on the findings of a study which sought to investigate the impact and efficacy of technology-based counseling offered by the University of South Africa (Unisa), an Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institution. The study focused specifically on student perceptions of the services they had received from professionals based in the Gauteng regional center, in the context of academic admissions and support, career indecision, financial and psychosocial challenges. A client satisfaction questionnaire was administered to 30 students. The theoretical framework for the study was Activity theory, which is a philosophical and cross-disciplinary framework for studying different forms of human practices as development processes, with both individual and social levels interlinked simultaneously. A mixed-method approach was adopted to explore participants' experiences and perceptions of e-counseling. Quantitative data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Open-ended responses contained in the questionnaire, were subjected to qualitative analysis using the Atlas.ti program. Accessibility, convenience, and efficiency were highlighted as significant benefits of e-counseling. Results of the study suggest that while e-counseling should not be construed as a substitute for traditional, face-to-face counseling and psychotherapy, particularly in respect of more severe emotional and psychological challenges, it can be a useful adjunct to traditional modes of practice. The study also has important quality assurance implications for student counseling practice in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institutions, particularly with respect to informing online ethical imperatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lucerne is regarded as the best legume crop for forage to be cultivated in South Africa. It is commonly used to produce good quality hay. It also plays an important role in soil conservation, regeneration, and crop rotation systems as it supplies substantial amounts of nitrogen to succeeding crops through symbiotic N2 fixation, which makes it the preferable choice for intensive forage production systems. Fertilizer in liquid inoculant formulations has demonstrated to contribute growth and yield increase for leguminous crops. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to determine the effects of Sinorhizobium meliloti liquid formulation inoculation on the growth, yield, and nitrogen content in lucerne. The strain RF14 (Sinorhizobium meliloti) was collected from the Agricultural Research Council at Roodeplaat (Plant Health and Protection located (East), Pretoria (South Africa). The liquid inoculant contained 6.5 × 109 viable cells mL−1. According to the Kooen–Gieger climatic classification, the experiments were conducted on two different climatic zones. The first site was in Bronkhorspruit (Blesbokfontein farm) in the Gauteng province and the second was in Hartbeesfontein (Rietfontein Farm) in the Northwest province. The results showed that lucerne inoculation with liquid inoculant formulation of Sinorhizobium meliloti significantly increased nodule number, size, growth, and yield in both bioclimatic zones. The significantly increased were compared to the negative control. The Sinorhizobium meliloti inoculant increased nitrogen accumulation in all inoculated treatments compared to the control. The finding of this research provides important information on the impact of rhizobium microbial inoculant application in the improvement of soil fertility through nodule formation. In addition, seed vigor improvement was translated in overall growth and yield increase in lucerne plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID -19 pandemic has highlighted various social, economic, psychological, financial, and physical challenges that learners encounter in South Africa. Learners continue to face challenges of ineffective and inaccurate career decisions when in secondary schools. This predicament makes them choose wrong careers leading to low level functioning in the later world of work. These challenges have continued to receive much attention in the media and in various policy documents. Learners continue to face challenges of ineffective and inaccurate career decisions when in secondary schools. The authors of this paper argue that one of the core functions of any education system is to prepare learners to become functional citizens who are self-sufficient in their chosen and preferred careers. We argue that one way to ensure learners' success and contribution to society is by providing them with adequate and effective career counselling. It is against this background that this study explored the school-related challenges affecting career decision-making of Grade 12 learners in township secondary schools in Gauteng, South Africa. The Krumboltz Social Learning Theory of Career Development (SLTCD) served as the theoretical framework for this study. Within the interpretivist research paradigm, a qualitative multiple case study research design was adopted. Purposive and convenience sampling methods were used to select 23 Grade 12 learners from six township secondary schools in Gauteng East District. Semi-structured online interviews were used to collect data and was analysed thematically. The findings indicate that schools lack the infrastructure required to provide learners with proper career guidance and education. The lack of access to career information services and incorrect subject combinations meant that learners were unable to choose appropriate career paths post Grade 12. We recommend that the Department of Basic Education prioritise the training and up skilling of designated educators to become specialised career counsellors in township secondary schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on a divergent approach employing isolation methods and high-resolution mass spectrometry to screen decomposition products that are a result of fungal action on biomass present in aquatic media. Fungi decompose organic matter in surface water through a process which plays a major role in nutrient cycling and maintenance of aquatic life. Moreover, the presence of pathogenic or potentially pathogenic species of fungi in drinking water distribution systems, may cause chronic diseases to consumers and these pathogenic fungi have the potential to produce a variety of secondary metabolites which play important roles in protecting the organism against competition for nutrients and survival. In this paper, the fungus Talaromyces flavus was isolated from Roodeplaat Dam in Gauteng province (South Africa) and was identified using sequence analysis of the internal transcriber spacer (ITS) region. Secondary metabolites produced by T. flavus grown in liquid culture were extracted and determined using Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and comparative analysis of the secondary metabolite profile was done using Aspergillus fumigatus as a reference (ATCC 36607). The influence of nutrients, pH and incubation period on the production of secondary metabolites was demonstrated and validated statistically by principal component analysis (PCA). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to identify the 'soft' attributes of leadership within the Market and Social Research Industries in Gauteng Province, South Africa. A two-stage sampling procedure comprising of stratified random sampling and systematic random sampling were used to select a sample of 261 fulltime employees for the quantitative phase of the study. An overall Cronbach alpha of 0.982 showed that the results are statistically reliable. The general concept of soft leadership was coined by Prof M.S. Rao who considered the 11C's characteristics. There are number of other variances of the soft skills in leadership literature and the soft skills concepts fall under the umbrella of Emotional Intelligence (EI). The data was analysed using different statistical tools in SPSS software. Stepwise regression analysis was used to identify the soft attributes of leadership that drive overall leadership style. The attributes retained in the model clearly show the importance of good leadership practices and also point to the fact that the manager related attributes directly or indirectly influence proper execution of the job by their subordinates. The researcher also used confirmatory factor analysis to test the model that was produced in the exploratory factor analysis. The combination of different statistical analyses produced rich, powerful and complementary set of results that help to understand the drivers of overall leadership. Although the attributes referred to as soft in this paper, they are the most important salient attributes that any leader should have. The paper also lists some qualitative attributes that a leader should have. This is extracted from a DBL awarded paper from School of Business Leadership; University of South Africa entitled 'A Statistical Model for Employee Satisfaction in the Market and Social Research Industries in Gauteng Province.'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of a larger Master's study, this paper focuses on the individual experiences of agency and autonomy communicated by a group of South African women who have overcome traditional notions of gender through their role as primary financial provider for their families. Using data collected from in-depth, unstructured interviews, and reading these through a phenomenological feminist perspective, I shed some light on the perceptions of ten female breadwinners (FBW) in this paper. It is the aim of this research to represent these women's voices in order to understand how they make meaning of and negotiate their spaces and roles as breadwinners. In the course of the interviews and analyses, the realities faced by these FBW stemming from the Mpumalanga and Gauteng provinces expose the hegemonic and heteronormative prescriptions of gender that still exist within our society, often concealed behind constructions of reform advocating gender equality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Reflecting global norms, South Africa is associated with high levels of cross-border and internal population mobility, yet migration-aware health system responses are lacking. Existing literature highlights three methodological challenges limiting the development of evidence-informed responses to migration and health: (1) lack of engagement with the process of migration; (2) exclusion of internal migrants; and (3) lack of methodologies that are able to capture 'real-time' data about health needs and healthcare seeking experiences over both time and place. In this paper, we reflect on a four-month pilot project which explored the use of WhatsApp Messenger - a popular mobile phone application used widely in sub-Saharan Africa - and assessed its feasibility as a research tool with migrant and mobile populations in order to inform a larger study that would address these challenges.Method: A four-month pilot was undertaken with eleven participants between October 2019 and January 2020. Using Survey Node, an online platform that allows for the automatic administration of surveys through WhatsApp, monthly surveys were administered. The GPS coordinates of participants were also obtained. Recruited through civil society partners in Gauteng, participants were over the age of 18, comfortable engaging in English, and owned WhatsApp compatible cell phones. Enrolment involved an administered survey and training participants in the study protocol. Participants received reimbursement for their travel costs and monthly cell phone data.Results: Out of a possible eighty eight survey and location responses, sixty one were received. In general, participants responded consistently to the monthly surveys and shared their location when prompted. Survey Node proved an efficient and effective way to administer surveys through WhatsApp. Location sharing via WhatsApp proved cumbersome and led to the development of a secure platform through which participants could share their location. Ethical concerns about data sharing over WhatsApp were addressed.Conclusions: The success of the pilot indicates that WhatsApp can be used as a tool for data collection with migrant and mobile populations, and has informed the finalisation of the main study. Key lessons learnt included the importance of research design and processes for participant enrolment, and ensuring that the ethical concerns associated with WhatsApp are addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is widely acknowledged that the limitations of neoliberal politics and economic globalisation have contributed to feminisation of poverty in Global South countries. The implementation of cooperatives has played a visible role in localising the economy and addressing poverty amongst women. This paper attempts to advance empirical evidence in the field of social development and feminisation of poverty. Using qualitative methodology, I present evidence from eight women who were involved in a sewing cooperative in the province of Gauteng, South Africa. Underscored by the sustainable livelihood approach, this article presents three interconnected themes: human capital development, building social capital and striving for economic capital. Ultimately this cooperative project presents a positive social development strategy that community development practitioners can embrace to assist women to work towards sustainability of their livelihood activities in the informal economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In South Africa, youth experience challenges with oral PreExposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) access and uptake. Taking services out of healthcare settings has the potential to increase reach and overcome these challenges. This paper presents young and older people’s preferences for decentralized, simplified PrEP service delivery and new long-acting HIV prevention methods, in Ga-Rankuwa, South Africa. Methods: Between May and August 2021, both PrEP user and non-user adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), pregnant AGYW, female sex workers, adolescent boys and young men (ABYM), and men who have sex with men (MSM) were recruited to participate in focus group discussions (FDGs) in Ga-Rankuwa, Gauteng. Twenty-two FGDs were conducted. Participants were asked about PrEP uptake, potential acceptability of long-acting HIV prevention products, provision of integrated, simplified, and decentralized services, and digital tools to facilitate access to PrEP and other SRH services. A qualitative approach using inductive thematic analysis was carried out to explore emerging themes on decentralized, simplified delivery and the acceptability of long-acting methods. Results: Of the 109 participants included in the study approximately 45% (n= 50) were female, the median age was 23 years ± 5.3. A third (n= 37) were current or previous PrEP users, of which, 59.5% (n= 22) collected PrEP refills from the clinic. Decentralized, simplified service delivery was appealing; health facilities, pharmacies and institutions of learning were preferred as service points for PrEP and SRH services, and recreational spaces preferred for dissemination of health information and engagement. ABYM were more open to having recreational spaces as service points. Long-acting Cabotegravir was preferred over the Dapivirine Vaginal Ring due to concerns around perceived side-effects, efficacy, and comfort. Conclusion: Providing long-acting PrEP methods through decentralized, simplified service delivery was appealing to this population. They provided practical locations for decentralized service provision to potentially increase their engagement with and uptake of HIV prevention and SRH services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

South Africa is gripped by protests which have usually taken the form of service delivery protests that have become more manifest during election periods. However, each election cycle has different types of protests with varying degrees of intensity. Thus, the aim of this paper is to analyse the link between elections and service delivery protests in South Africa with a focus on the 2016 and 2021 local government elections in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. This qualitative study relies on relative deprivation theory to tease out socio-economic issues driving these protests and rational choice theory to explore the rationale behind the timing of protests. Findings are that, in both provinces, although protests were linked to poor service provision, other factors like intra-party tension were notable. This article recommends a re-visit of cadre deployment policy, because the lack of capacitated and skilled cadres has fuelled service delivery especially in local municipality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The South African opposition political parties went to the 2021 local government elections with one agenda: to push the African National Congress (ANC) – as the majority political party since the dawn of democracy to the opposition bench. This was despite their deep-seated ideological differences that are to date, far from being reconciled. The Democratic Alliance (DA), liberal at core, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) adopting the radical left stance and the Action SA as a new kid on the opposition block, had to sacrifice their differences to ensure that they unseat the ANC from all the major metropolitan municipalities in the Gauteng province and other provinces. While the agenda was clear, the politics has not centred women as part of transformative development. Sprinkling a few women here and there, the political parties continue to consolidate patriarchal dominance through compromised coalitions. The paper draws analysis from the election manifestos of four political parties, the ANC as the majority ruling party, the DA and the EFF as the major opposition political parties and the ActionSA as a newcomer and the kingmaker of the 2021 LGE in Gauteng. I argue that in spite of women accounting for a higher number of voters than men, women continue to be poorly represented in local politics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kweneng is an extensive agglomeration of Late Iron Age stone-walled structures in the central interior of southern Africa. Its oldest structures are from the 16th century, while its main occupation dates to the 18th and the early 19th centuries. Stone towers are distinctive architectural features of Kweneng. In order to place the stone towers of Kweneng in context, a classification of the various types of Late Iron Age stone platforms is presented in this paper. The spatial distribution and different characteristics of the numerous stone towers confirmthe idea that Kweneng was built in three phases. Two questions are addressed: who built the towers and what for? As concerns their function, it had previously been suggested that the stone towers were granary bases. This remains a valid hypothesis and the evolution in the architectural complexity of granary bases may reflect increased centralised control of grain stores during the course of the Little Ice Age. On the basis of oral histories and the architectural character of the stone-walled compounds in which the towers are found, their builders can be identified as Bakwena. Interestingly, the stone towers are always paired with another type of structure, the corbelled stone hut. These latter structures seem to be a foreign architectural element at Kweneng. The pairing of the stone towers and the corbelled stone huts may have symbolised the interaction of two different cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The capacity to derive, analyse and communicate urban knowledge is increasingly essential for decision-makers managing the complex pressures of rapidly expanding cities. This paper examines the importance of transdisciplinary boundary organisations in generating and mobilising this knowledge. It introduces 'urban observatories' as an example of institutions catalysing information that can shape urban governance, considering in detail the experience of the Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO) in South Africa. Insights drawn from GCRO's recent work illustrate key operational considerations for these types of boundary institutions, highlighting opportunities and challenges in shaping the knowledge systems that underpin contemporary policymaking in and for cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With mega state housing projects needing large land parcels and that are often located in the periphery, this paper investigates what impact relocating residents to Golden Gardens housing development has had on the quality of life and their financial wellbeing. Using primary data obtained from residents living in the Golden Gardens housing development, the findings show that respondents' access to and quality of physical and social facilities, such as refuse services, water, and electricity, has improved. Respondents were also unanimous that staying in their Golden Gardens homes has significantly improved their security. However, many residents currently living in Golden Gardens used to live closer to work and social activities than they do now, which means that they used to spend less each month on transport than they do now. The high-commuting cost has increased household expenses, meaning that the respondents' financial wellbeing has been negatively impacted. These results imply yet unmet long-term objectives of human settlements as envisaged in various government policies and programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper demonstrates a simple methodological sequence for the statistical calculation of a context-sensitive quality of life index especially suitable for use in the Global South, i.e. lower and middle income countries. We draw on the large (n = 24,889), area-sampled, survey dataset of the fifth Quality of Life Survey (QoL V, 2017/18) of South Africa's Gauteng province, conducted by the Gauteng City-Region Observatory. Using overtly exploratory analysis, and a fully reflective conception of indicators, we apply exploratory factor analysis (EFA) in two stages to generate our model, while defending our approach methodologically and empirically and indicating its philosophical foundations. We contrast this approach to previous analyses using the QoL I (2010) data, which defined their dimensions and assign their indicators in advance, drawing on literature and indexes largely from the Global North. We ran series of EFAs on 60 longitudinally available variables from the QoL V data set. This allowed us to determine the optimal number of factors/dimensions, guided by established criteria and the interpretability of the grouped indicators. Each dimension score is calculated arithmetically, using the indicators' factor loadings as weights. Then the dimensions, weighted by their eigenvalues, are aggregated into the composite index, scaled to run from 0 to 100. The resulting seven-dimension, 33-indicator model was validated through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on the QoL V data; and its configural invariance, i.e. whether the pattern of indicators amongst the factors holds over time, was checked against the two previous QoL datasets and confirmed. This validates the ability of the approach outlined to generate a stable index. Analysis of the resulting quality of life index by race and municipality reveals trends consistent with the South African context. Overall, the White population group has the highest measured quality of life index, followed in turn by the Indian/Asian, Coloured and Black African population groups. Changes in the quality-of-life ranking of the nine municipalities comprising Gauteng province may be observed over time, using the validated previous models. The value of the exploratory approach in enabling context to influence the index construction is highlighted by the emergence of a distinct dimension of bottom-up political voice, which is relevant for democratic governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]