Using code-switching as an empowerment strategy in teaching mathematics to learners with limited proficiency in English in South African schools

Teaching and learning mathematics in South Africa (SA) is characterised by serious challenges because the pass rate in Mathematics is always below the expected level. The introduction of the Curriculum Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) ushered in new hope that the situation would improve. However, teachers still encounter challenges when they use English as the medium of instruction because learners fail to comprehend the challenging mathematical concepts presented to them in a language which is not their home language. This paper investigates how code-switching can be used as an empowerment strategy to help learners improve their performance in mathematics. Qualitative research methods were used to collect data and the findings reveal that code-switching can be successfully used to facilitate teaching and learning.Keywords: bilingual; code-switching; mathematical expressions; multilingual; paragon; perimete

Balancing dual roles as mothers and students like a walk on a tight rope? Reflections and experiences of student mothers at a South African higher education institution

While opportunities for women to study at institutions of higher learning have increased compared to past generations, student mothers, specifically, are confronted with the extra burden of parenting, in combination with their academic work. Using an exploratory design within exploratory research, this study aimed to explore perceptions and experiences of student mothers enrolled at University of the Western Cape. We used a purposive sampling strategy to recruit female student mothers, who had at least one child and were registered for a full-time undergraduate degree at the institution. A total of 25 female students constituted four semi-structured focus groups, with five to seven participants in each. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data, and Bronfenbrenner’s Process-Person-Context-Time model was adopted, which allowed for a nuanced understanding of the student mother within various contexts. The study received ethics approval and institutional permission from the universities registrar and also adhered to good research ethical principles. Key themes relating to the challenges experienced by student mothers that we identified, included financial difficulties and the stress of balancing their dual responsibilities of being a student and a mother. Proximity to their children complicated their attempt to fulfil dual roles; proximity to the child facilitated a closer bond with the child(ren), but impeded their academic performance. Geographical distance from the child(ren) facilitated their performance as a student, but often at huge emotional expense from participants. Familial support was highlighted as an important facilitator of academic performance. Family members often assisted with care of the child, allowing the student mother to engage in her role as student. Some student mothers perceived a lack of support from the university, while others acknowledged it as their own responsibility to manage their commitments to study. Despite these difficulties, many student mothers found that motherhood was a motivator for them to study, to secure a positive future for themselves and their child(ren)

HIV/AIDS prevalence among South African health workers

Introduction. Studies on HIV prevalence among health workers usually focus on occupational exposure to HIV. Little is known about HIV prevalence in this group. However, it is expected that HIV prevalence among health workers will reflect prevalence in their society. Objective. To determine HIV prevalence among South African health workers. Method. A stratified cluster sample was drawn of 5% of health facilities in South Africa (N = 222) representative of the public and private health sectors in South Africa. The sample was designed to obtain a nationwide representative sample of medical professionals and non-professional health workers. A subsample comprising health workers in four provinces was tested for HIV status. The Orasure HIV-1 device in combination with the Vironostika HIV UNI-Form II plus O enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits were used to collect oral fluid specimens for HIV testing. Results. Based on a sample of 721 health workers and a response rate of 82.5% (or 595 respondents), the study found that an estimated 15.7% (95% confidence interval (CI): 12.2 - 19.9%) of health workers employed in the public and private health facilities located in four South African provinces, were living with HIV/AIDS in 2002. Among younger health workers, the risk is much higher. This group (aged 18 - 35 years) had an estimated HIV prevalence of 20% (95% CI: 14.1 - 27.6%). Non-professionals had an HIV prevalence of 20.3%, while professionals had a prevalence of 13.7%. Conclusion. HIV prevalence among health workers in South Africa is high; this calls for the introduction of antiretroviral programmes targeting them. In addition, there is a need for the development of new policy regarding placement of infected health workers in tuberculosis (TB) wards, coupled with vigorous human resource planning to replace the health workers likely to die from AIDS. Infection control procedures also need to be reviewed. S Afr Med J 2004; 94: 846-850

Taking up the cudgels against gay rights? Trends and trajectories in African Christian theologies on homosexuality

Against the background of the HIV epidemic and the intense public controversy on homosexuality in African societies, this article investigates the discourses of academic African Christian theologians on homosexuality. Distinguishing some major strands in African theology, that is, inculturation, liberation, women’s and reconstruction theology, the article examines how the central concepts of culture, liberation, justice, and human rights function in these discourses. On the basis of a qualitative analysis of a large number of publications, the article shows that stances of African theologians are varying from silence and rejection to acceptance. Although many African theologians have taken up the cudgels against gay rights, some “dissident voices” break the taboo and develop more inclusive concepts of African identity and African Christianity

Strengthening primary eye care in South Africa: An assessment of services and prospective evaluation of a health systems support package

Visual impairment is a significant public health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where eye care is predominantly provided at the primary healthcare (PHC) level, known as primary eye care. This study aimed to perform an evaluation of primary eye care services in three districts of South Africa and to assess whether an ophthalmic health system strengthening (HSS) package could improve these services. Baseline surveys were conducted in Cape Winelands District, Johannesburg Health District and Mopani District at 14, 25 and 36 PHC facilities, respectively. Thereafter, the HSS package, comprising group training, individual mentoring, stakeholder engagement and resource provision, was implemented in 20 intervention sites in Mopani District, with the remaining 16 Mopani facilities serving as control sites. At baseline, less than half the facilities in Johannesburg and Mopani had dedicated eye care personnel or sufficient space to measure visual acuity. Although visual acuity charts were available in most facilities, <50% assessed patients at the correct distance. Median score for availability of nine essential drugs was <70%. Referral criteria knowledge was highest in Cape Winelands and Johannesburg, with poor clinical knowledge across all districts. Several HSS interventions produced successful outcomes: compared to control sites there was a significant increase in the proportion of intervention sites with eye care personnel and resources such as visual acuity charts (p = 0.02 and <0.01, respectively). However, engaging with district pharmacists did not improve availability of essential drugs (p = 0.47). Referral criteria knowledge improved significantly in intervention sites (p<0.01) but there was no improvement in clinical knowledge (p = 0.76). Primary eye care in South Africa faces multiple challenges with regard to organisation of care, resource availability and clinical competence. The HSS package successfully improved some aspects of this care, but further development is warranted together with debate regarding the positioning of eye services at PHC l

An experimental investigation of leachate generation predictions of waste from copper sulphide ore processing

Word processed copy.Includes bibliographical references.The greatest environmental liability in the mineal processing industry is the prolonged environmental degredation of groundwater and land, resulting from Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) formation from mine wastes due to oxidation of sulphide minerals. AMD enhances the mobilisation of trace and minor metals contained in wastes, therby generating contaminated leachate, which may pollute the ground and surface water. It is imperative to minimise post-closure environmental impacts and liability associated with the long-term generation and dispersion of contaminated leachate from solid mien deposits. Therefore, prediction of the environmental aspects associated with soild mineral waste is essential to their effective management during all phases of a project life cycle including post-closure