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(1) Background: The utilization of medicinal plants in the management of diabetes is of great importance to the health of the indigenous population on the African continent. The high cost of orthodox conventional medicines coupled with the perceived side effects encourages the high patronage of indigenous medicinal plants in the management of this metabolic disorder. We conducted a review on the indigenous African medicinal plants that could be useful in preclinical and clinical trials in the field of diabetes mellitus research. (2) Methods: Data were mined from research articles published and associated with the use of medicinal plants in the management of diabetes on the African continent (from January 2019 to March 2024). Literature from ethnobotanical studies on the African continent was searched from the Google Scholar, SCOPUS, Medline, Web of Science and PubMed databases. We employed the following keywords: "indigenous plants", "diabetes in Africa" and "antidiabetic effect of medicinal plants". (3) Results: A total of 52 medicinal plants belonging to 31 families were recorded in this study. Amaryllidaceae (14.28%), Fabaceae (9.52%) and Asteraceae (9.52%) were the most cited plant families. The frequently used indigenous medicinal plants on the African continent were Allium sativum L. (n = 6), Olea europaea L. (n = 6), Azadirachta indica A. Juss (n = 5), Allium cepa L. (n = 5) and Moringa oleifera Lam. (n = 5). The highly cited parts of the plant used in the management of diabetes were the leaves (45.55%), bark (14.44%) and bulbs (12.22%). The preferred methods of the preparation of herbal medicines were decoction (45.23%) and infusion (25%). Oral (52.32%) was the preferred route of the administration of herbal medicine on the African continent. (4) Conclusions: The data revealed some similarities in the way countries on the African continent manage diabetes. This interesting observation will assist in our quest towards obtaining a standardized protocol using indigenous medicinal plants to combat diseases on the African continent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clay soils are rock‐decomposed materials comprised of both clay‐ and non‐clay‐like minerals. Clays' physiochemical and mineralogical composition determines their applicability use in cosmetics. Because of their high bioburden, they must be effectively characterized before being incorporated into cosmetics. The scope of the current study was to characterize two different samples of red and white clays for their physical, chemical and biological properties; mined from Durban, South Africa. Characterization was performed using techniques like X‐ray fluorescence, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, hydrogen potential, soil colour, oil absorption, swelling capacity, texture, bulk density, plastic and apparent viscosity, sun protection factor and microbiological analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessment is a crucial component of the learning process, and with the advent of technology, innovative strategies such as e-assessment have emerged as alternatives to traditional paper-based assessments. While many countries have embraced e-assessment systems due to their numerous benefits, developing economies like South Africa have paid limited attention to the experiences and issues related to eassessments. This study aims to explore the experiences of South African students who have undergone e-assessments, focusing on the perceived benefits and drawbacks of transitioning from paper-based to online platform-based assessments. A focus group of students took part in the inquiry, with the data interpreted using literature and guided by constructivist educational theory. Findings revealed that students reported experiencing anxiety and concentration issues during e-assessments. However, there was also an appreciation for the value that e-assessments bring to higher education. This study highlights the need for further research to examine the factors that influence the implementation and effectiveness of e-assessments in the higher education sector. By understanding these factors, the educational institution can address challenges and optimize the benefits of e-assessments, enhancing the learning experience for students. Future studies should delve deeper into the specific aspects influencing e-assessments in higher education and provide insights for developing effective strategies and interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]