Identifying locations suitable for innovative urban public transport integration in Gauteng province

Abstract: Globally, integrated urban public transport has been used as a solution to improve public transport services and reduce private cars reliance which assist to reduce traffic congestion on the roads. In South Africa, Gauteng province, is challenged with traffic congestion on roads during certain peak hours daily. In Gauteng province, the government developed innovative urban public transport systems to improve the state of reliability and frequent movement of urban public transport which are the BRT system and the Gautrain system. However, there is still lack of reliability and seamless travelling. Therefore, this paper aims to explore locations where innovative urban public transport systems (BRT system and Gautrain system) can be integrated in the province. The study adopted qualitative research design that facilitated the gathering and analysis of spatial data and qualitative data from the innovative urban public transport officials, commuters and the GIS data (BRT and Gautrain shapefiles). Results revealed that there are numerous locations that can be integrated where commuters can switch from one urban public transport system to the next in order to improve travelling by public transport. The study concluded that this level of integration can create seamless travelling in the province and easy access to different modes of public transport. The study recommends that the identified locations need to receive attention as most commuters of these innovative UPT systems are located around these areas and the use of the created model in the study

Identifying policies and legislative frameworks to create integrated innovative public transport in Gauteng province

Abstract: Urban Public Transport (UPT) plays a very imperative role in a society, it allows people to access different locations easily. Good urban public transport services attract more users reducing private vehicle on the roads and creating an environment with less gas emission produced. Key instruments used globally for good public transport service are policies and legislative frameworks. In South Africa, all three spheres of government National, Provincial and Local have implemented good urban public transport systems. However, in all the three spheres of government, there seems to be lack of connectivity of different systems of innovative urban public transport (BRT system and Gautrain system). Therefore, this paper aims to identify policies and legislative frameworks put in place to integrate innovative urban public transport in Gauteng province and what strategies can be implemented from these documents. The study adopted qualitative research approach were literature of previous documented studies, urban public transport drafted policies and legislative framework documents in South Africa, and interviews conducted with urban public transport officials. The results revealed that there are policies and legislative frameworks implemented, however, it is difficult to practice the strategies and ideas documented as these systems are owned by different entities. The study concluded that the provincial government need to identify ways of strengthening the available policies and legislative frameworks to integrate the different innovative public transport systems, by doing so, a common ground could be identified for integration leading to convenient public transport creating seamless travelling in the province. The study recommends that policies and legislative frameworks used in developed countries with good integrated urban public transport should be adopted and practiced in Gauteng province

A survey of undergraduate students’ attitudes towards studying isiZulu at university

The study’s main objective was to investigate the attitudes held by undergraduate students towards studying isiZulu at university. The purposive sampling method was used to gather data from 100 students who studied the language as major subject, as well as three lecturers who taught the language at the same university. The study was a descriptive survey that used questionnaires to gather quantitative data and face-to-face interviews to gather qualitative data – mixed methods were used. The following five variables, namely: (1) sex, (2) age group, (3) years at university, (4) location of nurture and (5) linguality, were used to test the extent to which they influenced respondents’ attitudes towards the phenomenon under discussion. It was found that all five variables influenced respondents’ attitudes towards studying their L1 at university level. The findings revealed that respondents generally held positive attitudes towards studying isiZulu at university level. The study explored secondary phenomena and found that respondents believed that there were adequate job opportunities for those who studied isiZulu at university level and that they were proud to be the Zulu people

CD8 lymphocytes mitigate HIV-1 persistence in lymph node follicular helper T cells during hyperacute-treated infection

HIV persistence in tissue sites despite ART is a major barrier to HIV cure. Detailed studies of HIV-infected cells and immune responses in native lymph node tissue environment is critical for gaining insight into immune mechanisms impacting HIV persistence and clearance in tissue sanctuary sites. We compared HIV persistence and HIV-specific T cell responses in lymph node biopsies obtained from 14 individuals who initiated therapy in Fiebig stages I/II, 5 persons treated in Fiebig stages III-V and 17 late treated individuals who initiated ART in Fiebig VI and beyond. Using multicolor immunofluorescence staining and in situ hybridization, we detect HIV RNA and/or protein in 12 of 14 Fiebig I/II treated persons on suppressive therapy for 1 to 55 months, and in late treated persons with persistent antigens. CXCR3(+) T follicular helper cells harbor the greatest amounts of gag mRNA transcripts. Notably, HIV-specific CD8(+) T cells responses are associated with lower HIV antigen burden, suggesting that these responses may contribute to HIV suppression in lymph nodes during therapy. These results reveal HIV persistence despite the initiation of ART in hyperacute infection and highlight the contribution of virus-specific responses to HIV suppression in tissue sanctuaries during suppressive ART

Preparing isiXhosa home language teachers for the 21st century classroom: Student teachers' experiences, challenges and reflections

The aim of the article is to identify the gaps between theory and practice in pre-service teacher training with special reference to the teaching of isiXhosa as a home language in the Further Education and Training (FET) phase (Grades 10–12) in some Western Cape high schools. The article is based on data that was collected from Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) students taking isiXhosa (home language) as one of their teaching method subjects as part of their pre-service training. The data were collected by means of an open-ended questionnaire, semi-structured interviews and an analysis of student teachers’ reflective journals. The article provides an analysis of PGCE students’ experiences and reflections on the teaching of isiXhosa as a home language in schools. It argues that if there is a gap between theory underpinning initial pre-service training and actual practice in schools, there will be no significant improvement in the teaching of isiXhosa as a home language. It concludes by proposing ways of improving both pre-service and in-service teacher education practice to develop African languages as academic or intellectual languages at school level

Track D Social Science, Human Rights and Political Science

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/138414/1/jia218442.pd

Enablers and barriers to multilingualism in South African university classrooms

Abstract: Despite a robust national language policy, multilingual learning has yet to make headway in South African universities. In addressing the gap between the language of instruction and the languages South African university students are competent in, this article begins with a brief review of current national and institutional policy positions and recent multilingual learning theoretical discussions at university. Lines of thinking that emerge include: significance of academic literacy and how it underpins university studies; and separatist solutions where academic literacy is taught in dedicated modules. However the uncertain academic status of African language studies and negative attitudes to its speakers may compromise the potential of multilingual initiatives in universities. To solicit student impressions on the actuality and potential of multilingualism in universities, a focus group discussion was conducted with 15 students in the School of Agricultural Sciences and Agribusiness at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Students concurred that trying to process information in a language they were not competent in limited their understanding of lectures. Attempts to cope using mother tongue in study groups was limited by lack of terminology and conceptual equivalents, however, being taught in mother tongue was unacceptable to students because their aim was to acquire better English at university. In addition, foreign students expressed anxiety that multilingualism might disadvantage them. The study concludes that multilingualism could assist students in developing academic literacy and academic discourse but students seem blind to this advantage.Southern African Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 2012, 30(3): 339–34

Seasonal effects of Rhus lancea and Celtis africana on intake preference and physiological responses in South African indigenous goats

This study investigated the seasonal effects of Rhus lancea and Celtis africana leaves on preference, intake, weight, and serum metabolites in South African indigenous, mature, male goats. Twelve mature, male goats weighing 34 ± 5.9 kg (mean ± SD) were randomly allocated to two groups of six and kept in metabolic crates for periods of 21 days in October 2015 and March, May, and August of 2016. A browser diet of R. lancea and C. africana and a control diet (lucerne and concentrates) were randomly allocated to each group. Measurements taken included nutritional composition of browse per season, and browse preference, intake, weight changes, and serum metabolites in the goats. The acid detergent fibre (24–36%) and neutral detergent fibre (26.9–70.4 %) in R. lancea over the months were greater than in C. africana (50.3–53.2% and 49.4–55.4%, respectively). In the preference study, the goats preferred C. africana more in October (51.2 vs 48.8%), March (51.4 vs 48.6%), and May (54.3 vs 45.7%). Goats on the browser diet lost weight in March, May, and in August whereas those on the control diet gained weight. The serum urea concentration of goats consuming browser diets in May and August (1.8–3.3 mmol/l) was lower than the normal range, consistent with animals failing to derive their protein requirements from the diet. Goats prefer to browse C. africana more than R. lancea. The study also indicated the need for supplementation to meet maintenance requirements in animals fed R. lancea and C. africana.College of Agriculture and Environmental Science