Die stelsel van ope krediet in ons handel.

In ’n vorige artikel het ons net in die verbygaan gerefereer na die groot gevaar wat vir die handel van Suid-Afrika en langs daardieweg vir die volk van Suid-Afrika, skuil in die stelsel van ope kredietwat hom algaandeweg in ons handelswese ingeiburger het sodat ditnou in ons land die stelsel is wat algemeen erken en gehandhaafword

The Economic Rationale for Agricultural Regeneration and Rural Infrastructure Investment in South Africa

This paper informs government policy insofar as it relates to the agricultural and rural de- velopment sectors and infrastructure investment within these sectors. The paper first quantfies the role of agriculture in the South African economy. This is done within the context of, inter alia, food security, agriculture's contribution to gross domestic product (GDP), economic link- ages and multipliers with respect to the agricultural sector, as well as agriculture's employment creation and external stabilisation capacity. Investment in the agricultural and rural sectors are then analysed with a view of supporting the argument that agriculture's role in the economy is su¢ ciently important to warrant regenerative strategies, including renewed emphasis on agricul- tural and rural infrastructure investment by South African policy makers. The quantification of the agricultural sector in relation to the total economy and that of agricultural and rural infrastructure investment are investigated against the backdrop of declining government sup- port, increasing production risks due to a variety of exogenous events like climate change, and increasing dynamic trade impacts. In this paper, the authors offer both supporting arguments in terms of current economic policy and recommendations for more decisive policy measures aimed at agricultural regeneration and rural infrastructure investment.

Familial and peer influences on sport participation among adolescents in rural South African secondary schools

This study was designed to investigate the influences of family and peers on sport participation amongst adolescents in secondary schools at Hlanganani rural area of Limpopo Province, South Africa. A total of 172 learners (108 females and 64 males) attending three public secondary schools in Hlanganani rural area volunteered to participate in the study. Results indicated that adolescents preferred peers to family for support in sport participation. In terms of gender, no significant differences (p>0.05) were noted between mean values for school boys and girls with regard to family influence. Boys reported more tangible support, whereas girls indicated a preference for emotional support. Sport participation among learners is likely to increase when they receive informational, tangible, emotional and appraisal support from their parents and peers

Strategies for the support of successful land reform: a case study of Qwa Qwa emerging commercial farmers

Beneficiaries of Land Reform programs and new farmers entering an intolerant agricultural environment with challenges unparalleled to previous challenges resulted in the need for audacious actions and plans to support these farmers. Liberization of the agricultural economic environment necessitates efficient management principles with no room for error from farmers to ensure sustainability. This article highlights problems and challenges encountered by emerging commercial farmers in the Qwa Qwa region. The lack of production finance and proper extension support experienced by respondents are emblematic of problems encountered by other Land Reform beneficiaries. The need for proper extension programs and structures are highlighted in this paper. The successful execution of the Land Reform program in South Africa relies heavily on integrated and coordinated efforts from all role-players to deliver efficient support programs for newly settled farmers. This can only be achieved by means of visionary actions directed by strong leadership. South African Jouran of Agricultural Extension Vol.32 2003: 1-1

The Economic Rationale for Agricultural Regeneration and Rural Infrastructure Investment in South Africa

This paper informs government policy insofar as it relates to the agricultural and rural development sectors and infrastructure investment within these sectors. The paper first quantifies the role of agriculture in the South African economy. This is done within the context of, inter alia, food security, agriculture’s contribution to gross domestic product (GDP), economic linkages and multipliers with respect to the agricultural sector, as well as agriculture’s employment creation and external stabilisation capacity. Investment in the agricultural and rural sectors are then analysed with a view of supporting the argument that agriculture’s role in the economy is sufficiently important to warrant regenerative strategies, including renewed emphasis on agricultural and rural infrastructure investment by South African policy makers. The quantification of the agricultural sector in relation to the total economy and that of agricultural and rural infrastructure investment are investigated against the backdrop of declining government support, increasing production risks due to a variety of exogenous events like climate change, and increasing dynamic trade impacts. In this paper, the authors offer both supporting arguments in terms of current economic policy and recommendations for more decisive policy measures aimed at agricultural regeneration and rural infrastructure investment.

Developing non-cognitive skills in part-time students at a South African university: Overcoming negativity and supporting behavioural change

This paper reports on the findings of an intervention aimed at assisting a group of thirty-one part-time students registered for a third year Management Accounting and Finance course to develop a range of non-cognitive skills that have been shown to positively impact academic behaviour. In addition to facilitating the teaching and learning of academic content, lecturers introduced students to academic mindsets, academic behaviours, learning strategies and social skills through role-plays and practical demonstrations. The intervention also strove to influence the context in which students learned in order to positively influence the attitudes of the students towards the course and to motivate them to acquire and practice behaviours that would support their learning. The intervention involved two action research cycles in which the researchers were able to reflect on the effectiveness of the various approaches used to encourage behaviour change and the acquisition of new skills. The findings of the study indicate that the intervention was successful in developing a range of non-cognitive attitudes, strategies and behaviours in students, with most of the cohort reporting positive changes in attitude towards their studies and the belief that academic success was indeed possible

The application of single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) technique for the analysis of molecular heterogeneity of grapevine virus A

The results of the analysis of grapevine virus A (GVA) isolates by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) confirm that this technique is very helpful in rapid and relatively low cost preliminary analysis of molecular heterogeneity of viruses. The results clearly show that the reliability of SSCP analysis of GVA depends on oligonucleotide primers for successful RT-PCR amplification of the highest possible number of molecular variants of the virus. Among 7 pairs of GVA-specific primers designed in different laboratories only two, those from Canada (117038 and C7273) and Switzerland (MP and CPdt), allowed positive RT-PCR amplification of all our isolates of the virus mechanically transmitted from various grapevines to Nicotiana benthamiana. With SSCP analysis of 238 bp DNA fragments complementary to part of ORF5 of GVA, produced by RT-PCR using the first pair of primers, we were able to detect 1-35 nt differences between GVA isolates. The DNA fragments, about 986 bp, complementary to part of ORF3 and ORF4, ORF5 and 3'UTR of GVA, produced by RT-PCR using the second pair of primers, were useful for SSCP analysis only after their digestion with the restriction enzyme DdeI. The results strongly suggest that SSCP analysis of 238 nt fragment of ORF5 of GVA along with DdeI/SSCP analysis of about 986 nt 3'terminal fragment of the virus allow rapid and reliable determination of the number of dominant nt sequence variants of GVA present in a single N. benthamiana or grapevine plant.

Single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP), cloning and sequencing reveals two major groups of divergent molecular variants of grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3)

The SSCP and RE/SSCP analysis of ORF5, ORF6 and ORF7 of 25 local and overseas isolates of GLRaV-3 showed only two kinds of distinct SSCP profiles for each of these genomic regions. It suggested low molecular variability of the virus. Fragments of the 5’UTR + ORF1a, 3’ terminal part of ORF1a, ORF4, ORF5, ORF6 and ORF7 of three isolates, representing distinct SSCP profiles, were cloned and sequenced. Results revealed that although the 3’terminal half of the genome (ORF4-7) and the sequence located in the 3’ terminal part of ORF1a were relatively similar among isolates (91.3-96.2 % nt identity), their 5’terminal parts (88 nt of 5’UTR and adjacent first 329 nt of ORF1a) were clearly divergent (81.6-81.8 % nt identity). Analysis of this divergent part of GLRaV-3 for an additional 11 isolates showed that they cluster in two distinct molecular groups, sharing 94.7-99.7 % and 80.8-85.1 % nt identity within and between groups respectively. The correlation between the molecular groups and SSCP profiles of the 209 nt fragment of ORF5 of GLRaV-3 strongly suggests that SSCP analysis of this easily RT-PCR amplified region can be used for rapid identification of divergent molecular variants of the virus in field-collected grapevine samples.

Perceptions and Experiences of Healthcare Professionals Regarding Type 2 Diabetes Patient Education in Benin City, Nigeria

Background: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is on the increase globally, characterised by severe complications which pose a burden on individuals, healthcare professionals and society. The study aimed at exploring the perceptions and experiences of healthcare professionals towards type 2 diabetes patient education. Method: The approach utilised was an explorative descriptive qualitative research approach. A multi-disciplinary group of healthcare professionals comprising of nurses, dieticians and social workers, in two health institutions participated in the focus group discussions. The discussions were recorded, transcribed and analysed manually using Tesch (1990) descriptive approach. Results: The identified themes included the composition of patient education on type 2 diabetes, challenges encountered during the practice of patient education and recommendations by the healthcare professionals. Conclusion: The healthcare professionals’ perceived that all healthcare professionals should be involved in patient education. Keywords: Experiences, Healthcare Professionals, Patients, Patient Education, Perception, Type 2 diabetes