Biodiversity conservation of South Africa’s Wild Coast through the years: Exploring the tensions between western-style and local traditional conservation practices

The Transkei Wild Coast is a unique and diverse biophysical environment stretching some 280 kilometres between the Great Kei and Mtamvuna Rivers along South Africa’s eastern coastline. Its extensive indigenous forests were recognised for their biological and economic importance by the colonial government and granted protection from the late 1800s, with forced removal of indigenous people who resided within them. The state restricted and controlled the utilisation of the forest resources, particularly by Black people, through promulgation and enforcement of legislation. Similar conservation methods were employed for protection of the Wild Coast’s soils, grasslands and marine resources, usually without any consultation with local Black leadership or communities who relied upon these resources. Previous studies have focussed on the impacts of Western-style conservation legislation and the promulgation of protected areas on local people. These have suggested that local communities have been denied access to natural resources through a fences and fines approach, often accompanied by heavy-handed, strict law enforcement measures. Very little research has been conducted to document the actual reasons for and the history of conservation efforts along the Wild Coast. The aim of this study was to explore the history of natural resource management and conservation along the Wild Coast from a Western and African perspective, and to examine the conflicts that have arisen as a result thereof. The importance of utilisation of natural resources to sustain livelihoods and the conservation methods applied to protect these resources were examined, mainly by means of a literature review and face-to-face interviews with local traditional leaders and environmental managers. The successes, challenges and conflicts that resulted from conservation efforts were examined through detailed analysis of the conservation history of three case study areas: Dwesa-Cwebe, Hluleka and Mkambati nature reserves. The study concludes that traditional leaders, foresters and conservation managers have largely been ignored during previous research on management and conservation of the Wild Coast; however, they were very eager to express their views on this subject. The interviews revealed that traditional leaders and conservationists from each case study area want to protect the Wild Coast and its natural resources, albeit for different reasons. Conservationists recognise the importance of the region’s biodiversity and the need for protected areas, particularly where there is rich endemism such as at Mkambati and Dwesa-Cwebe. Traditional leaders recognise the potential for jobs for their people where protected areas preserve the aesthetic beauty of the coast and attract tourists. For them, employment opportunities are a priority, as is access to utilisation of natural resources to sustain livelihoods. The traditional customs and culture of the people living along the Wild Coast are also seen as being of critical importance. This has not been adequately considered by past conservation planners and managers, but traditional leaders express value in conserving the amaXhosa and amaMpondo way of life. Nowhere is this more evident than in relation to grazing land for cattle. Another significant finding is that the support shown by traditional leaders for conservation of the terrestrial environment is not necessarily mirrored when it comes to protection of marine resources. The Wild Coast has a rich variety of marine flora and fauna and a high percentage of endemic species. Local people have relied upon marine resources for sustenance, but conservationists acknowledge that access to these resources has historically been restricted without consultation with traditional leaders or local communities. It is concluded that these restrictions can be linked to many land claims on protected areas on the Wild Coast since 1994. While this study suggests that both traditional leaders and conservationists want to protect the Wild Coast and its natural resources, there is still mistrust based on a history of unjust forced removals from forests, restrictions on the use of natural resources through the manifestation of colonial and apartheid power, and broken promises relating to benefit sharing from proceeds of wildlife and tourism ventures, as well as those benefits linked to land claim settlement agreements in the post-apartheid era. The study concludes that, despite past conflicts relating to conservation management, the Wild Coast’s protected areas have widespread support amongst traditional leaders. There is agreement that co-management is the preferred option but the state has to assist in curbing lawlessness that threatens over-exploitation of natural resources. It is largely acknowledged by conservationists that local people should be permitted to sustainably use certain natural resources and that there have to be increased economic benefits from tourism. Although protected area managers cannot be expected to carry the responsibility of failed tourism models and economic ventures on nature reserves, this study found that they are often the only government officials available on the ground for traditional leaders and local communities to consult with. For co-management to be successful on the protected areas, regular communication about all matters pertaining to management is considered important. While it is accepted that traditional leaders no longer have the administrative powers that they historically possessed, the study found that they are still widely respected along the Wild Coast. It is therefore concluded that regular consultation between environmental managers and traditional leaders is essential for the future conservation of the Wild Coast.Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Geography, 202

The impacts of a global pandemic on the efficacy and stability of contemporary wildlife conservation : South Africa as a case study

DATA AVAILABILITY: The data belong to the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the various provincial conservation bodies and non-government organisations. These data are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.Conservationists speculated on potential benefits to wildlife of lockdown restrictions because of the COVID-19 pandemic but voiced concern that restrictions impeded nature conservation. We assessed the effects of lockdown restrictions on biodiversity conservation in South Africa, a biodiverse country with economic inequality and reliance on wildlife resources. We solicited expert opinion using the IUCN’s Threats Classification Scheme to structure a questionnaire and illustrated responses with individual case studies from government parastatal and non-governmental conservation organisations. The most highly reported threats were biological resource use, residential/commercial developments, invasive species, and human intrusions. The trends reported by 90 survey respondents were supported by case studies using environmental compliance data from parastatal conservation organisations. Lack of tourism revenue and funding were cited as hindrances to conservation. Mechanisms to prevent environmental degradation in the face of global emergencies must be implemented and ‘ring-fenced’ to ensure conservation is not a casualty during future global crises.National Research Foundation and Inyuvesi Yakwazulu-Natali.http://link.springer.com/journal/13280Mammal Research InstituteZoology and Entomolog

Wanbegrippe op die gebied van genetika by standerd nege-leerlinge

M.Ed. (Subject Didactics)Education in South Africa has had to face a process of unknown changes during the last few years of the past decade. One of the aspects of education which is receiving attention amid a wide spectrum of contributional factors concerning rationalisation, is the degree of success the current educational system is laying claim on. It is simply not economically viable to spend time in an unrealistic way regarding the instruction of science. There may be quite a few contributional factors which are eventually going to dictate the outcome of, among others, the teaching of Biology, but for the purpose of this thesis, the focus was on the possible existence of misconceptions among standard 9 pupils concerning genetics. The effect that misconceptions may have on the effectiveness of meaningful learning, is briefly covered in the theoretical basis of this study. During the last few years various articles of scientific nature have been published on the existence of misconceptions among pupils regarding the different sectional disciplines of Biology. Although, compared to the vast number of other scientific publications, relatively few publications concerned topics in Biology. The documentation of misconceptions regarding aspects of photosynthesis, respiration, various aspects of ecology and genetics (e.g. 1.3.1) seems to be well formulated. From the various articles it becomes clear that the existence of misconceptions concerning genetics is a definite factor which cannot be denied by the authors. The latter unanimously agree on the inhibitory effect that misconceptions have on the assimilation of new concepts of Biology which children encounter during formal education

Die inkomstebelastinggevolge van die verkryging van 'n skuldbrief teen 'n diskonto

Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2001.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this study, the income tax implications of the acquisition of a debenture at a discount is investigated. The purpose of this study is determine whether the proceeds from the redemption or disposal of the above-mentioned debenture are of a revenue or capital nature. It is customary for companies to issue debentures in order to obtain long term finance. These debentures may be issued at a discount. There exists a general uncertainty in the academic literature regarding the income tax implications of the acquisition of a debenture at a discount to the face value thereof. Section 24J of the Income Tax Act includes a discount in the definition of "interest". There is no general definition of the words "interest" and "discount" in the Income Tax Act. The lack of a statutory definition of these words contributes to the uncertainty regarding the income tax treatment of the sale or redemption of a debenture. The following aspects are discussed: (a) the revenue or capital nature of the proceeds on redemption and transfer of a debenture; (b) the provisions of section 24J of the Income Tax Act; and (c) the provisions of capital gains tax. In order to determine the revenue or capital nature of the proceeds on redemption or transfer of a debenture, the following aspects are discussed: • The attributes of a debenture from an economic and legal perspective. The factors that determine the value of the discount of a debenture are considered from an economic viewpoint. • The guidelines that apply in general to determine the revenue or capital nature of accruals are considered with specific reference to the guidelines laid down by the South African courts. A distinction is drawn between the guidelines that consider the intention of the taxpayer and those guidelines that operate independently of the intention of the taxpayer. • The general guidelines are then applied to the proceeds on redemption or transfer of a debenture. The ordinary meaning of interest and the meaning of the interest in the Income Tax Act are considered. The relation between a discount and interest is examined. Case law from England, Australia and Canada are also considered. The writer comes to the conclusion that a discount that realises on redemption of a debenture is in the nature of interest. The discount is revenue derived from capital productively employed and therefore not of a capital nature. The proceeds from the transfer of a debenture is not of a capital nature if it is a gain made by an operation of business in carrying out a scheme for profit making. The writer is of the opinion that section 24J influences the application of the general principles. The writer is of the opinion that the objective test should be applied to determine the nature of the accrual amount in terms of section 24J. The accrual amount will include a proportional amount of the discount. The objective test should be applied irrespective of whether the debenture is held until redemption or transferred before redemption. The provisions of section 24J should be applied before the capital gain or capital loss is determined in terms of the Eight Schedule to the Income Tax Act. The proceeds from disposal must be reduced by any amount of the proceeds that was included in gross income or taken into account in determining the taxable income of a person. The base cost of a debenture acquired at a premium must be reduced by the amount of the premium that was allowed as a deduction in determining the taxable income of the holder of a debenture.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie studie word die inkomstebelastinggevolge van die verkryging van 'n skuldbrief teen 'n diskonto ondersoek. Die doel van hierdie studie is am te bepaal of die opbrengs met die aflossing en verkoop van sodanige skuldbrief van 'n inkomste- of kapitale aard is. Een van die gebruiklikste metodes vir 'n maatskappy am langtermynleningsfondse te bekom, is deur die uitreiking van skuldbriewe. Skuldbriewe kan teen 'n diskonto uitgereik word. Daar bestaan "n algemene onsekerheid in die beskikbare literatuur met betrekking tot die inkomstebelastinggevolge van "n skuldbrief wat teen "n diskonto verkry is. Artikel 24J van die Inkomstebelastingwet sluit spesifiek 'n diskonto by die omskrywing van "rente" in. Die Inkomstebe/astingwet bevat egter nie 'n algemene omskrywing van die woorde "rente" en "diskonto" nie. Die gebrek aan 'n statutere omskrywing van bogenoemde woorde dra by tot die onsekerheid van die inkomstebelastinggevolge van die aflossing of verkoop van 'n skuldbrief. Die skrywer oorweeg die volgende: (a) die inkomste- of kapitale aard van die opbrengs met aflossing en verkoop van "n skuldbrief; (b) die bepalings van artikel 24J van die Inkomstebelastingwet; en (c) die bepalings van die kapitaalwinsbelasting-wetgewing. Ten einde die inkomste- of kapitale aard van die opbrengs met aflossing en verkoop van 'n skuldbrief te bepaal, word die volgende aspekte bespreek: • Die eienskappe van 'n skuldbrief vanuit "n ekonomiese- en regsoogpunt. Die faktore wat die waarde van die diskonto van "n skuldbrief be'invloed, word vanuit In ekonomiese oogpunt oorweeg. • Die riglyne wat algemeen ter sprake is by die bepaling van die inkomste- of kapitale aard van toevallings. Daar word spesifiek na die riglyne soos deur die Suid-Afrikaanse geregshowe neergele, verwys. In Onderskeid word kortliks getref tussen die riglyne wat vereis dat In belastingpligtige se doel met betrekking tot In bate vasgestel word en daardie riglyne wat onafhanklik van In belastingpligtige se doel toegepas word, • Die algemene riglyne word op die opbrengs met aflossing en verkoop van In skuldbrief toegepas. Die gewone betekenis van rente asook die betekenis van rente ingevolge die Inkomstebelastingwet word oorweeg. Die verband tussen In diskonto en rente word ondersoek. Engelse, Australiese en Kanadese regspraak word oorweeg. Die skrywer kom tot die gevolgtrekking dat In diskonto wat met die aflossing van In skuldbrief realiseer, rente van aard is. In Diskonto wat met aflossing realiseer is In bedrag voortgebring deur kapitaal produktief aan te wend en dus nie van In kapitale aard nie. In Opbrengs met die oordrag van In skuldbrief is nie van In kapitale aard nie indien dit verkry is uit die beoefening van In besigheidshandeling in die uitvoering van In skema van winsbejag. Die skrywer is van mening dat artikel 24J die toepassing van die algemene riglyne be'invloed. Die skrywer is van mening dat die objektiewe riglyn toegepas moet word am die aard van toevallingsbedrae soos ingevolge. artikel 24J bereken vas te stel. In Toevallingsbedrag sluit In proporsionele gedeelte van In diskonto in. Die objektiewe riglyn moet toegepas word ongeag of 'n skuldbrief tot op die aflosdatum gehou word of daarvoor oorgedra word. Die bepalings van artikel 24J moet toegepas word voordat die kapitaalwins of - verlies ingevolge die Agtste Bylae bereken word. Die opbrengs moet verminder word met enige bedrag wat by bruto inkomste ingesluit word of in ag geneem word by die vasstelling van belasbare inkomste. Die basiskoste van 'n skuldbrief wat teen 'n premie verkry is moet aangepas word met die bedrag van die premie wat reeds in ag geneem is am die belasbare inkomste van die houer van 'n skuldbrief te bepaal

Critical care admission following elective surgery was not associated with survival benefit: prospective analysis of data from 27 countries

This was an investigator initiated study funded by Nestle Health Sciences through an unrestricted research grant, and by a National Institute for Health Research (UK) Professorship held by RP. The study was sponsored by Queen Mary University of London

The surgical safety checklist and patient outcomes after surgery: a prospective observational cohort study, systematic review and meta-analysis

© 2017 British Journal of Anaesthesia Background: The surgical safety checklist is widely used to improve the quality of perioperative care. However, clinicians continue to debate the clinical effectiveness of this tool. Methods: Prospective analysis of data from the International Surgical Outcomes Study (ISOS), an international observational study of elective in-patient surgery, accompanied by a systematic review and meta-analysis of published literature. The exposure was surgical safety checklist use. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality and the secondary outcome was postoperative complications. In the ISOS cohort, a multivariable multi-level generalized linear model was used to test associations. To further contextualise these findings, we included the results from the ISOS cohort in a meta-analysis. Results are reported as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals. Results: We included 44 814 patients from 497 hospitals in 27 countries in the ISOS analysis. There were 40 245 (89.8%) patients exposed to the checklist, whilst 7508 (16.8%) sustained ≥1 postoperative complications and 207 (0.5%) died before hospital discharge. Checklist exposure was associated with reduced mortality [odds ratio (OR) 0.49 (0.32–0.77); P\u3c0.01], but no difference in complication rates [OR 1.02 (0.88–1.19); P=0.75]. In a systematic review, we screened 3732 records and identified 11 eligible studies of 453 292 patients including the ISOS cohort. Checklist exposure was associated with both reduced postoperative mortality [OR 0.75 (0.62–0.92); P\u3c0.01; I2=87%] and reduced complication rates [OR 0.73 (0.61–0.88); P\u3c0.01; I2=89%). Conclusions: Patients exposed to a surgical safety checklist experience better postoperative outcomes, but this could simply reflect wider quality of care in hospitals where checklist use is routine

Prospective observational cohort study on grading the severity of postoperative complications in global surgery research

Background The Clavien–Dindo classification is perhaps the most widely used approach for reporting postoperative complications in clinical trials. This system classifies complication severity by the treatment provided. However, it is unclear whether the Clavien–Dindo system can be used internationally in studies across differing healthcare systems in high- (HICs) and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods This was a secondary analysis of the International Surgical Outcomes Study (ISOS), a prospective observational cohort study of elective surgery in adults. Data collection occurred over a 7-day period. Severity of complications was graded using Clavien–Dindo and the simpler ISOS grading (mild, moderate or severe, based on guided investigator judgement). Severity grading was compared using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Data are presented as frequencies and ICC values (with 95 per cent c.i.). The analysis was stratified by income status of the country, comparing HICs with LMICs. Results A total of 44 814 patients were recruited from 474 hospitals in 27 countries (19 HICs and 8 LMICs). Some 7508 patients (16·8 per cent) experienced at least one postoperative complication, equivalent to 11 664 complications in total. Using the ISOS classification, 5504 of 11 664 complications (47·2 per cent) were graded as mild, 4244 (36·4 per cent) as moderate and 1916 (16·4 per cent) as severe. Using Clavien–Dindo, 6781 of 11 664 complications (58·1 per cent) were graded as I or II, 1740 (14·9 per cent) as III, 2408 (20·6 per cent) as IV and 735 (6·3 per cent) as V. Agreement between classification systems was poor overall (ICC 0·41, 95 per cent c.i. 0·20 to 0·55), and in LMICs (ICC 0·23, 0·05 to 0·38) and HICs (ICC 0·46, 0·25 to 0·59). Conclusion Caution is recommended when using a treatment approach to grade complications in global surgery studies, as this may introduce bias unintentionally