Information Resources Importance and Format Inclination of Science and Technology Researchers

This study examined important information resources and format inclination of information resources utilized by science and technology (S&T) researchers as they acquire information in the course of their projects. The study institute was “Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO) in Nigeria”. The study employed the research design of mixed methods. Questionnaires were utilized for S&T researchers and interview engagements with professional librarians in order to collect data. One hundred and fourteen copies were received for the questionnaires distributed to S&T researchers. All the professional librarians (five) working in the institute’s library were acceptably interviewed. The S&T researchers uncovered that the journal was the information resource most important to them. The preferred format for information resources was the combination of print and non-print resources. We recommend that both print and electronic versions of information resources should be provided for the researchers by the institute’s administrators. Further studies are required on expansion and changes in S&T researchers’ information resource preferences in order to adequately tackle their contemporary and prospective need for information

Use of Information and Communication Technologies byWomen Hawkers and Vendors in South Africa

South Africa’s informal sector is growing, but the majority of the entrepreneurs in this sector earn low incomes. It is widely acknowledged that the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) by informal sector workers can help them improve their productivity and incomes. The aim of the study, therefore, was to determine the role of ICT in business communications among rural women entrepreneurs in South Africa. Forty-two women were sampled from two local municipalities, using purposive sampling, and information was gathered through observation  and interviews. The study found that the majority of women possessed mobile phones, and other ICT used included landlines, radio and television. Computer technology, however, was absent, although the sampled women displayed a keen interest in its use. All of the surveyed women used radio and TV to listen to and watch business-related programmes, and almost all of them used cell and land phones to make and receive calls to and from business partners, retail stores, product suppliers and distributors. However, none used ICT to search for businessrelated information. It is recommended that Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) classes to improve literacy rates be introduced, while skills training in a variety of ICT, including computers and access to tools for digital communication, be made more accessible to these women near their work environments.                                                                      Keywords: Information and communications technology, informal sector, women, hawkers and vendors, South Africa

Prevalence of use of indigenous social networks among women and girl children in a rural community in KwaZulu-Natal

Women and girl children regard indigenous social networks as important in their lives as they facilitate speedy awareness and announcements of urgent issues and sharing and transfer of information, knowledge and skills. In other words, they may also assist people to be conversant with what is happening around them. The article is based on the study that is informed by the feminist theory to establish the use of indigenous social networks among women and girl children in the Mfekayi community, KwaZulu-Natal. The focus of the study was on indigenous social networks’ practices, tools, effects and relevance. Face-to-face interviews and observations were used to collect qualitative data from a purposive sample of 63 participants. The findings indicate that although the modern social networks are extensively used for information and knowledge sharing and transfer, due to the advancements brought by the modern information and communication technologies, indigenous social networks remain rooted and highly regarded in some indigenous communities such as Mfekayi, especially among women and girl children. However, it is also noted that modern social networks are making aggressive inroads forcing the indigenous social networks to take a back seat. It is recommended that indigenous social networks should be extensively promoted among women and girl children as they revive the spirit of communalism and togetherness, transfer information, knowledge and skills, sharpen the minds, and support physical training and fitness, as opposed to modern social networks which promote individualism and isolation.Keywords: Indigenous social networks, indigenous communities, women, girl children, Mfekayi community, KwaZulu-Natal

Use of indigenous knowledge to determine weather patterns: A case study of women mussel harvesters at KwaNgwanase in Kwazulu-Natal

Despite the prevalence and erratic nature of changes in weather patterns, these patterns are still difficult  to determine. People in the agricultural sector, in  particular, need to understand weather pattern changes because of the effects of these changes on their social and economic lives. Many agriculturalists,   especially women harvesting mussels, do not apply correct harvesting methods and practices, and  harvest during the wrong seasons of the year. Incorrect  harvesting behaviour relates closely to a  misinterpretation of weather patterns. Improved understanding of weather conditions and patterns would greatly assist women harvesters of seafood such as mussels to harvest correctly, and so prevent a depletion of the ocean’s resources and help maintain its delicate ecosystem.  This article explores indigenous knowledge techniques for understanding and interpreting weather patterns. Focus group discussions, interviews, observations and document analyses were used to collect data. The findings reveal that weather patterns are determined by the wind, the stars, cloud formation and birds and  insects, to name but a few. Despite sophisticated 21st century methods of determining weather patterns, this article examines the importance of indigenous  knowledge in determining and understanding weather patterns, and the effect of weather patterns on people such as farmers and those involved in ocean  harvesting.Keywords: Indigenous knowledge, weather patterns, women mussel harvesters, KwaZulu-Natal

Phytochemicals, bioactivity, and ethnopharmacological potential of selected indigenous plants

The coastal regions of Africa are endowed with indigenous wild fruit plants rich in nutritional and medicinal phytochemicals and micronutrients. South African wild fruit plants complement the diet and health needs of rural poor households by providing vital dietary nutrients and remedies for various health concerns, and alleviating food insecurity. Milk plum, Natal plum, wild custard apple, and wild medlar medicinal plants are found mainly in the coastal provinces of South Africa. Studies have established that these plants are good sources of vitamins, essential elements, and bioactive phytocompounds such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, and terpenoids, which demonstrate significant antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. The plants studied possess anti-epileptic, antiplasmodial, and snake antivenom qualities. Here we highlight the views of different reports on ethnopharmacological relevance, phytochemistry, and bioactivity of the selected South African indigenous medicinal plants. We found a research gap in the phytochemical composition and phytopharmacological activity evaluation of Carissa macrocarpa and Englerophytum magalismontanum.Significance: South African indigenous medicinal plants augment the dietary and other health needs of the rural populace. The phytochemistry and phytopharmacological activities of C. macrocarpa and E. magalismontanum have been only partially studied, hence the need for further studies to examine their worth and possible use in cosmetic product enrichment