Employee pension and provident fund rights

Ideally, every employee is required to retire at some stage in life. Some retire at a relatively early age, whilst others work for as long as is possible. The generally accepted retirement ages are 55, 60 or 65, but vary from company to company as stipulated in the specific company's provident or pension fund rules or policy. Once retired, an individual would rely on social insurance as a source of income in the form of pension or a provident fund. Social insurance, in this regard, refers to the earned benefits of employees and is often linked to formal employment. South Africa, as a middle-income developing country, has incorporated such elements into its social security system. The main aim of a pension or provident fund is to provide benefits for its members when they retire from employment, retrenched, unable to work due to illness and for family in the case a member dies while still working. These forms of social security are key to people’s survival and are referred to as safety nets. benefits. Participation on a voluntary basis by the self-employed is allowed but the take-up has been low Employees’ pension and provident rights under a pension or provident scheme do not arise only under the trusts of the scheme but also as contractual terms of the employment relationship between the employer and its employees. This often takes effect on the date of taking up employment, or on entering into an agreement with the employer. Employment law covers all rights and obligations within the employee employer relationship and covers a range of legal issues such as discrimination, wrongful termination, wages and taxation. Many of these issues are governed by the applicable law. Although the South African retirement fund system is in many respects financially sound and well regulated, several individuals still reach their retirement age with inadequate savings. This occurs for several reasons. For many people, during their working life, the build-up of savings is disrupted, or the costs associated with retirement fund provisioning are relatively high. This problem is not only grave for some workers in the formal sector, but largely for those in the rapidly increasing informal sector. Majority of people still lack effective access to an affordable retirement funding vehicle, for the most part, are completely excluded from social protection schemes, social insurance schemes. The South African retirement fund industry has been heavily influenced by a racially divided past and the parallel existence of developed and emerging components of the economy. In the past, racially discriminatory exclusion from the pension fund or provident fund membership was prevalent. In many cases it was indirect discrimination based on job categorisation, such as the distinction between weekly paid and monthly paid staff. Where the staff complement was racially stratified, people were excluded from membership on the grounds of race. Discrimination in the workplace can deny individuals opportunities and thereby deprive society of what those individuals can and could contribute. This has unfortunately been the case in South Africa’s history, the administration of pension and provident funds being one of many examples

Perspective Chapter: Stigma and Its Impact on People Living with Epilepsy in Rural Communities

Epilepsy is a neurological condition affecting millions worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This condition is poorly understood, and various misconceptions surround it, leading to stigma toward people living with epilepsy (PLWE). In rural areas, cultural beliefs and practices significantly shape attitudes toward health and illness, exacerbating the stigma associated with epilepsy. This proposed book addresses the pervasive stigma experienced by individuals living with epilepsy in rural communities. Through a review of relevant literature and case studies, this chapter examines how stigma affects the lives of people with epilepsy in rural areas. The chapter also explores strategies for reducing stigma, including community-based education and awareness programmes and the role of healthcare providers in promoting understanding and acceptance of epilepsy. In general, this chapter aims to highlight the need for increased awareness and understanding of epilepsy and its impact on those living with the condition in rural communities. It is believed that by tackling the stigma associated with epilepsy and promoting inclusivity, the quality of life of people living with epilepsy may be improved

The Love Hormone and Seizure Control: A Review of Oxytocin’s Impact on Epilepsy Management

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterised by recurrent seizures, which can significantly impact patient’s quality of life. While current management strategies for epilepsy, such as antiepileptic drugs and surgery, are effective for many patients, there is a need for novel therapies that can provide better seizure control and improve patients’ outcomes. Oxytocin, a neuropeptide known for its role in social bonding and trust, has emerged as a promising therapy for epilepsy. Preclinical studies have shown that oxytocin can reduce seizure activity and improve seizure outcomes in animal models of epilepsy. In contrast, clinical studies have suggested that oxytocin may reduce seizure frequency and severity in some epilepsy patients. This chapter reviews the current knowledge of oxytocin and epilepsy, including the potential mechanisms of oxytocin’s antiepileptic effects, the limitations and challenges of clinical studies, and future research directions and implications. The chapter also discusses the broader impact of oxytocin research on understanding social behaviour and neurological disorders. Overall, the chapter highlights the potential of oxytocin as a novel therapy for epilepsy management and underscores the need for further research

Assessment of Storage and Inventory Practices to Improve Medicine Supply Chain in Jubek State South Sudan

BackgroundIn order to deliver quality health services, safe, effective, affordable and quality medicines are needed. Inappropriate storage conditions, poor infrastructure and poor medicine management practices may lead to poor medicines quality, stock damage and expiration.ObjectiveAssess storage and inventory practices to improve the medicine supply chain in South Sudan.MethodologyThe study used a descriptive cross-sectional design. The study population comprised 12 Health Centers in Juba where inventory management was practiced. Both questionnaire‐guided interviews for staff self‐assessment, and observer assessment were used by the researcher. With regard to storage and inventory management, the researcher collected data on the condition of storerooms with regards to availability of enough storage space, availability of enough storage equipment, and temperature conditions of the medicines stores, among others.ResultsThe study found that store and inventory management practices varied widely in the different health facilities. Hospitals and central medical stores exhibited good or average inventory and storeroom management practices, respectively. The two hospitals and medical stores scored 100% in the elements in the assessment of storerooms and stock management. Some primary health care centers exhibited good inventory and store room management practice, whilst others were rated as average or poor. Most of the elements assessed scored 37% in storeroom assessment while elements assessed for inventory management scored less than 75%. There was great similarity between the observation assessment and the self-assessment.ConclusionIn conclusion, store and inventory management practices and knowledge of the respondents varied in the different health facilities. Hospitals and central medical stores exhibited good, average and poor inventory and storeroom management practices assessed through self-assessment and observation assessment by the researcher. There was a great similarity between the observation assessment and the self-assessment. Rwanda J Med Health Sci 2021;4(2): 310-32

Hydrothermal conversion of agricultural and food waste

>Magister Scientiae - MScThe global dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels to meet energy needs cannot be sustained for a long time and it is already evident in the escalation of fuel prices over the past decade. This research was performed towards renewable energy production from agricultural and food waste. The use of agricultural and food waste has benefits such as being grown in a land that is not in competition with food crops protein, all year round availability, and having high lipid content. The produced bio-crude oil can be upgraded to remove moisture and acidity level, and can be used as a substitute for heavy oils such as diesel to power static appliances or can be used as petrol distillate fuel alternative. Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) process is one of the commonly used technologies for converting agricultural and food waste into liquid biofuels

Colophospermum mopane Wood Utilisation in the Northeast of the Limpopo Province, South Africa

The use of Colophospermum mopane wood was quantified from six villages in the northeast of the Limpopo Province, South Africa. One hundred and eighty individuals were interviewed from the selected villages. Three villages were located in the depleted woodlands and the remaining three at abundant woodlands. Traditional governance structures within the selected villages and relevant conservation department officials were also interviewed. Colophospermum mopane is an essential source of fuelwood and provide poles used for construction of traditional structures. Each family uses 6.8 ± 0.1 kg of Colophospermum mopane fuelwood for cooking day-1 in the woodland depleted villages, while 8.2 ± 0.2 kg is used at the woodland abundant villages. Colophospermum mopane is preferred for construction of traditional structures because its wood is durable and is able to resists the effects of termites and wood borers

Perspective Chapter: Practical Approaches to Enhance Successful Lives among People Living with Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a neglected noncommunicable condition in this era. Therefore, it is imperative that practical approaches to enhance the management of epilepsy for the success of people living with epilepsy (PLWE) be analyzed and described. The chapter will encompass the challenges faced by people living with epilepsy, their needs, the PLWE resilience and coping strategies, epileptic seizure first-aid management, and support for people living with epilepsy. The issues aforementioned can potentially shape the future of the people living with epilepsy if attended to effectively. It is high time that epilepsy and people living with epilepsy are given the attention they require to reduce the stigma attached, misconceptions, maltreatment, mismanagement, and negative cultural and religious beliefs, as this will encourage the people living with epilepsy to accept themselves and partake in the family, community, school, and societal engagements without any fear

Epiphytic and endophytic members of the Enterobacteriaceae associated with healthy Eucalyptus trees

Studies presented in this thesis, highlights the importance of determining whether members of the Enterobacteriaceae can be associated with plants as epi- and endophytes. In particular, whether the causal agent of blight and die-back of Eucalyptus can survive both epi- and endophytically onlin its host as well as in weeds grown in close proximity to these hosts. This knowledge allows one a better understanding of the etiology and epidemiology of this disease. Appropriate management strategies can now be provided and the impact of the disease lessened in the nursery environment Chapter One presents an evaluation of the potential importance of Enterobacteriaceae as epi- and endophytes on/in plants. Some information is known about the epi- and endophytes associated with economically important agricultural crops. This information is largely lacking for tree species, especially those grown for commercial forestry purposes. Many Enterobacteriaceae occur both epi- and endophytically onlin plants including Pantoea ananatis. This pathogen is known to occur epiphytically on weeds as well as on its hosts where under ideal environmental conditions it is capable of causing disease symptoms. As an endophyte, P. ananatis occurs in dune grass where it fixes nitrogen and in sweet potato where it is believed to protect the plant against fungal pathogens. Chapter Two analyses healthy leaves, both young and mature, removed from various clones of the hydrid, E. grandis x E. nitens, for the presence of bacterial epi- and endophytes. Enterobacteriaceae were also isolated and these included Pantoea spp. and Enterobacter spp. P. ananatis was isolated both epi- and endophytically onlin healthy Eucalyptus tissue as well as from leaves removed from weeds growing in close proximity to the diseased plants. This thesis clearly indicates that P. ananatis can occur both epi- and endophytically in healthy Eucalyptus tissue. The movement of planting material into new environments where bacterial blight and die-back does not occur should be restricted. Irrigation practices in nurseries should be reviewed to prevent the accumulation of water on the plant surface which will allow for entry of the pathogen into the host through natural openings. Another management strategy that must also be recommended is that stringent weed control be implemented in the nursery environment.Dissertation (MSc (Microbiology))--University of Pretoria, 2009.Microbiology and Plant Pathologyunrestricte

The diet of fur seals ( Arctocephalus tropicalis and A. Gazella ) at Marion Island

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this documentDissertation (MSc (Zoology))--University of Pretoria, 2006.Zoology and Entomologyunrestricte

Effectiveness of mentorship programme of Mogale City Local Municipality for small, medium and micro enterprises

The study was undertaken to investigate the effectiveness of the interventions made by the Mogale City Plato mentorship programme to promote growth and sustainability of SMMEs. Though there have been interventions through the Plato mentorship programme to help develop SMMEs, there is still a high failure rate of small businesses in MCLM. The study will therefore evaluate if the Plato mentorship programme achieved its envisaged aim. A structured research instrument (questionnaire) was used to collect data through a self-administered survey. Questionnaires were distributed to the respondents by the researcher, and 100% of the questionnaires were returned for analysis. The results of the study showed that Mogale Plato mentorship programme adds value and advances small businesses and entrepreneurship. The study concluded that owners that took part in the MCLM Plato mentorship programme acknowledged that the programme was effective and increased business performance. The study showed that owners are faced with different challenges in running their businesses, which spoke volumes regarding the effectiveness of the mentorship programme. The findings also revealed that a majority of business owners benefited from the assistance received from MCLM Plato mentorship programme. The study recommends that MCLM sets up an office for mentoring individuals/groups in the municipality. This means that within MCLM, there should be a mentoring office and training twice a month that is aimed at helping business people know how to improve their businesses and manage challenges and take advantage of opportunities around them. The study also recommends that the municipality to create an incubating site for new owners/managers. The new owners/managers could share common services such as secretarial services, bookkeeping, and boardroomsBusiness ManagementM. Tech. (Business Administration