Implications of the environmental impact assessment regulations on the agricultural sector in the Overberg District in the Western Cape for emerging farmers

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a tool that can assist with decision making to produce food sustainably and still look at protecting or preserving natural resources. The Overberg District, the chosen study area, is located in the southern parts of the Western Cape Province in South Africa and the area is rich in agricultural activities. The EIA regulations can affect future agricultural activities for both commercial and emerging farmers. For this study, emerging farmers were chosen as many of these farmers are developing or expanding their farming enterprises and the high costs of EIAs can result in financial implications for these farmers. The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of EIA regulations on the emerging farmers in the Overberg region. Furthermore, the study aims to assess the interpretation of extension staff and farmers regarding EIA regulations and its importance for agriculture. In addition, the study seeks to propose methods to improve the knowledge and awareness of EIA regulations amongst farmers and extension staff by creating a better understanding regarding the EIA process. To successfully meet the objectives of this study, structured questionnaires were administered to 30 farmers and 29 extension officers. The study found that EIA regulations do impact farming operations and that many farmers also lack knowledge regarding EIA regulations.Keywords: Emerging farmer, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regulations, Extension office

The Fermat-Torricelli problem in normed planes and spaces

We investigate the Fermat-Torricelli problem in d-dimensional real normed spaces or Minkowski spaces, mainly for d=2. Our approach is to study the Fermat-Torricelli locus in a geometric way. We present many new results, as well as give an exposition of known results that are scattered in various sources, with proofs for some of them. Together, these results can be considered to be a minitheory of the Fermat-Torricelli problem in Minkowski spaces and especially in Minkowski planes. This demonstrates that substantial results about locational problems valid for all norms can be found using a geometric approach

Adaptive Multi-Paddock Grazing of Cover Crops in Integrated Crop-Livestock Systems in Mediterranean Regions: a Review

Small-grain farming systems in Mediterranean climatic regions are characterized by poor quality soils, high climate variability, and resulting heavy agrochemical reliance. The integration of continuously grazed monocrop pasture phases has improved soil fertility, crop productivity, and mitigated financial risk. However, emerging sustainability issues such as herbicide resistance, inputs costs rising disproportionately to product prices, and increasing climate variability and predictability, drive the need for ongoing innovation in crop-livestock integration. The option of growing multi-species cover crops as a dual-forage and service crop is evaluated within Mediterranean climate contexts. Furthermore, the option of subjecting the cover crops to adaptive multi-paddock (AMP) grazing management as an alternative to the standard set stocking approach is discusse

Mores, fault and fides: are these acceptable criteria when income tax deductions are claimed

The two “pillars” on which taxable income is based are the definition of “gross income” in section 1 of the Income Tax Act, 58 of 1962, and the “general deduction formula” comprising the preamble to section 11, section 11(a) and section 23(g) of the Act. Many of the terms used in these sections are not defined in the Income Tax Act. Case law in relation to these sections reveals that morality issues, the negligence of taxpayers and the good faith of taxpayers have from time to time been treated as relevant considerations by the courts, both abroad and in South Africa, in allowing or disallowing deductions from the gross income of taxpayers. In some instances this occurred apparently unwittingly. In other instances, earlier decisions were followed without a thorough consideration of the correctness of the underlying reasoning or of the criteria which were applied in the earlier decisions. In relation to the definition of “gross income”, however, fides, mores and fault have not been a consideration. In CIR v Delagoa Bay Cigarette Co Ltd 1918 TPD 391 Bristowe, J stated: “I do not think it is material for the purpose of this case whether the business carried on by the company is legal or illegal.” There were a number of cases heard in relation to income from illegal activities (for example, COT v G, 1981 (4) SA 167 (ZA), 43 SATC 159, and ITC 291, 7 SATC 335, which related to the misappropriation of funds, ITC 1545, 54 SATC 464, which dealt with the proceeds of the sale of stolen diamonds and ITC 1624, 59 SATC 373, which dealt with overcharging customers). In these cases, the question turned on whether or not the amounts were received by the taxpayers for their own benefit and therefore to be included in gross income, or whether the taxpayers incurred a concomitant liability to repay the amounts, and did not involve the question of fides, mores or fault. The research concludes that, providing an even-handed approach is applied to both income and expense considerations, fides and mores may continue to play a role as a useful yardstick in this context. However, that fault, particularly the causal negligence of taxpayers in the process of sustaining a loss or incurring expenditure whilst conducting their income generating operations, has effectively been jettisoned as an irrelevant consideration, is a salutary development which has contributed to legal certainty

Can an evolutionary perspective shed light on maternal abuse of children?

Although the theory of evolution lies at the heart of contemporary biology, its influence on the study of child psychology and psychiatry has been limited. In earlier work we have argued that evolutionary thinking has much of value for clinicians. Here, we explore the possible significance of evolutionary theory for understanding child abuse by mothers, particularly neglect, emotional abuse and physical abuse. We draw on the research of anthropologists, primatologists and evolutionary theorists to make predictions about the environmental circumstances under which one would expect such abuse to be more prevalent. We discuss how in modern, Western cultures there is less understanding of the circumstances that may influence, even predispose, a mother to limit her emotional and material commitment to an infant or child. We use four short vignettes of clinical cases and one longer case description to illustrate the insights offered to clinicians by an evolutionary approach. We see our work both as contributing to greater understanding of these matters and as facilitating more compassionate models of care and intervention for women in such circumstances

Movements, nesting and the effects of pollution on the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) in the Olifants River, Kruger National Park.

Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1999.A pilot study was launched in 1993 to determine the movements of crocodiles in the Olifants River in Kruger National Park (KNP). This turned into a research project in 1994 and lasted for five years until 1998. The objectives of the study were to determine movement, study nesting preferences and to investigate the possible effects of metal pollution in crocodiles. The movements of the total population were studied by doing regular foot counts, four times per annum. The basis for movement was found on the principle that a change in numbers signified movement. Foot counts were supported by spot counts at three different locations in the study area at 14 day intervals. The foot counts were done along a pre-determined route, followed with every count, and this resulted in data indicating a definite change in numbers at certain times of the year. A comparison was made between the movements of crocodiles in large bodies of open water (lakes & estuaries), a so called "closed" system and the Olifants River or "open" system. There was a movement of the population during August of every year, followed by another one in December/Jan and yet another in May. The largest movement, in August, co-coincided with the prelude to mating and ultimately nesting. The spot counts indicated that there was a smaller and probably localized movement during May and December of each year. This corresponds to nesting behaviour and the flood status of the river. All indications are that major movements took place during periods of high flow and thus during the rain season (Sept - Feb). A major flood was experienced during February 1996 which changed the geomorphology of the river. In addition to the foot and spot counts, eleven large adult crocodiles were fitted with radio transmitters to monitor their movements for a period of one year (1997 -1998). The results indicated that movements over large distances occurred. The longest distance covered was in access of 36 km. Some individuals returned to the location of origin, thus completing a round trip from their point of departure. The majority of crocodiles fitted with transmitters left the protection of KNP, spent time in neighbouring Mozambique and some returned to Kruger after an average period of three months. Indications are that there is a lack of territorial dominance amongst large individuals at certain times of the year, allowing for less restricted movement up and down the river. A difference was found between the movements of crocodiles in the Olifants River as opposed to a large body of water eg. a lake or estuary. The second objective was to collect data on nesting preference, nest content and egg dimensions. A total of seven parameters were measured including slope, distance to water, height above water, soil type, vegetation, exposure to direct sunlight and the size of the female. Besides these parameters, a comparison was made between egg size, mass and length and the correlation with female size. The results indicated that egg mass and length increased with an increase in female size. The average clutch size was 34 eggs. A difference was found between two nesting years (1997 and 1998) with the larger females nesting in 1998 (egg mass 122.7g). A higher rainfall was measured for 1998, leading to the conclusion that smaller females nested during dryer years. The larger females, because of physical abilities, dug deeper nests ,36 cm in 1998 as opposed to 25 cm in 1997. No difference was found between nesting habits elsewhere in Africa and that in the Olifants River. Twelve individuals of varying sizes ranging from 1.4 m to 4.1 m, were collected from three locations and various tissue samples were analysed for metal content. Tissue from muscle, liver, kidney and fat were analysed for Al, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Section ranger and Zn. As this was the first data of its kind to be collected, no meaningful conclusions could be reached, except to offer the data as base line data and for future comparisons. There was however a correlation between Fe concentration in muscle tissue and body size, total length (TL). An increase in TL resulted in an increase in Fe concentration. The opposite were found with Fe in fat tissue. Smaller crocodiles (TL) had higher concentrations of Fe in their fat tissues. Besides the large amount of base line data that resulted from this study, it also highlighted the shortage of knowledge on this species, particularly in Kruger, to enable us to manage and protect them successfully

Human cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin G response and pulmonary tuberculosis in adolescents: a case-control study

Background Emerging evidence suggests a link between infection with herpes viruses, particularly human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Epstein Barr Virus (EBV), and progression to tuberculosis (TB) disease. Methods An unmatched case-control study was conducted amongst adolescents aged 10-19 years enrolled in an observational study (Teen TB), between November 2020 and November 2021, in Cape Town, South Africa. Fifty individuals with pulmonary TB and 51 healthy TB-exposed individuals without TB were included. Demographics and clinical data were obtained, and serum samples collected at enrolment were tested for HCMV IgG and EBV Nuclear Antigen (EBNA) IgG using two automated enzyme immunoassays. Odds ratios (ORs) were estimated using unconditional logistic regression. Results The median age of 101 participants was 15 years (interquartile range [IQR] 13 to 17); 55 (54%) were female. All participants were HCMV IgG seropositive and 95% were EBNA IgG seropositive. Individuals with TB had higher HCMV IgG titres than healthy controls (p=0.04). Individuals with upper tertile HCMV IgG titres had a 3.7 times greater odds of pulmonary TB compared to those with IgG titres in the lower tertile (95%CI: 1.05–12.84; p=0.04). There was a trend for increasing odds of pulmonary TB with increasing titres of HCMV IgG (p=0.04). In contrast, there was no association between TB and higher EBNA IgG values. Conclusions There is a high prevalence of sensitisation to HCMV and EBV amongst adolescents in this high-TB burden setting. Higher HCMV IgG titres were associated with pulmonary TB in adolescents

Supplemented low-protein diets : are they superior in chronic renal failure?

CITATION: Herselman, M. G. et al 1995. Supplemented low-protein diets : are they superior in chronic renal failure? South African Medical Journal, 85(5):361-365.The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.zaTwenty-two patients with chronic renal failure were randomly assigned to a conventional low-protein diet containing 0,6g protein/kg/day or a very-low-protein diet containing 0,6g protein/kg/day supplemented with essential amino acids; they were followed up for 9 months. There were no significant changes in body mass index, arm muscle area, percentage body fat, serum albumin and transferrin levels in any of the groups; neither was there any difference between the groups in respect of these parameters. Renal function, as measured by the reciprocal of serum creatinine over time, stabilised in both groups during intervention, with no significant difference between the groups. There was however no correlation between changes in renal function and changes in blood pressure, or dietary intake of protein, phosphorus, cholesterol, polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids. There were also no significant changes and no significant differences between the groups in serum levels of parathyroid hormone and alkaline phosphatase, urine cyclic adenosine monophosphate, tubular reabsorption of phosphate, and the theoretical renal threshold for phosphate. The results of this study suggest that the supplemented very-low-protein diet was not superior to the conventional low-protein diet in terms of its effect on protein-energy status, renal function and biochemical parameters of renal osteodystrophy.Publisher’s versio

Supplemented low-protein diets : are they superior in chronic renal failure?

CITATION: Herselman, M. G. et al 1995. Supplemented low-protein diets : are they superior in chronic renal failure? South African Medical Journal, 85(5):361-365.The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.zaTwenty-two patients with chronic renal failure were randomly assigned to a conventional low-protein diet containing 0,6g protein/kg/day or a very-low-protein diet containing 0,6g protein/kg/day supplemented with essential amino acids; they were followed up for 9 months. There were no significant changes in body mass index, arm muscle area, percentage body fat, serum albumin and transferrin levels in any of the groups; neither was there any difference between the groups in respect of these parameters. Renal function, as measured by the reciprocal of serum creatinine over time, stabilised in both groups during intervention, with no significant difference between the groups. There was however no correlation between changes in renal function and changes in blood pressure, or dietary intake of protein, phosphorus, cholesterol, polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids. There were also no significant changes and no significant differences between the groups in serum levels of parathyroid hormone and alkaline phosphatase, urine cyclic adenosine monophosphate, tubular reabsorption of phosphate, and the theoretical renal threshold for phosphate. The results of this study suggest that the supplemented very-low-protein diet was not superior to the conventional low-protein diet in terms of its effect on protein-energy status, renal function and biochemical parameters of renal osteodystrophy.Publisher’s versio