An assessment of the hydrologic response of the Keiskamma catchment to land use/cover changes

The Keiskamma catchment has undergone significant land use/cover changes (LUCC) underpinned by land use policy reforms and climate change. However, the hydrological responses of the catchment to LUCC are not fully understood. This study sought to assess the hydrological response of the Keiskamma catchment to LUCC at catchment and hillslope scale using remote sensing, GIS, hydrological modelling and field experiments. Catchment scale assessments first involved LUCC mapping in IDRISI TerrSet software, using supervised image classification for two sets of multispectral imagery; namely Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) of 1994 and Landsat 08 Operational Land Imager (OLI) of 2016. The LUCC maps provided an indication of LUCC over time and were prerequisite land use inputs for modelling the hydrologic response of the catchment. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) hydrologic model was used to model the hydrologic response of the catchment to LUCC. The Sequential Uncertainty Fitting (SUFI-2) in SWAT-CUP was used to assess model performance and uncertainty analysis. The influence of rainfall on the hydrologic response of the catchment was also assessed using linear regression. One of the prominent forms of LUCC in the Keiskamma catchment, particularly central Keiskamma is P. incana shrub encroachment. Field experiments were set up to investigate the hydrologic impacts of P. incana shrub invasion at hillslope scale, as well as to validate the results obtained by the SWAT hydrologic model. Field experiments included an assessment of the Landscape Organisation Index (LOI) of the invasion, as well as assessing of surface conditions, surface runoff (L), volumetric soil water content (cm³/cm³) and sediment loss (grams) under P. incana, grass and bare-eroded areas. High image classification accuracy assessment values of 87.2 % and 87.4 % for 1994 and 2016 respectively were obtained, with a Kappa coefficient of 0.84 for both sets of imagery. Results of the study revealed a significant increase in woody vegetation encroachment, specifically shrub invasion, forest expansion in the upper parts of the catchment, as well as an increase in exotic and invasive vegetation species within the riparian zone. The SWAT model showed a good (NSE=0.69, R²=0.69 and RSR =0.56) and unsatisfactory (NSE=0.4, R²=0.4 and RSR 0.79) model performance for calibration and validation respectively. However, for both the calibration (p-factor =0.77; r-factor 1.03) and validation (p-factor =0.92; r-factor 1.38) periods there was acceptable uncertainty as indicated by the p- and r-factor statistics. The mean annual streamflow (-71.4 %), surface runoff (-98.8 %), soil water content (-4.5 %), evapotranspiration (-5.3 %), groundwater (-79.5 %) and sediment loss (-99.9 %) decreased from 1994 to 2016. The impoundments in the catchment viz Cata, Mnyameni, Binfield, Sandile, Debe and Dimbaza dams, also contributed significantly to the streamflow reduction. A strong correlation (r= 0.61) between the declining streamflow (m3/s) and rainfall (mm) was observed. At hillslope scale, P. incana invasion was characterised by a low LOI, owing to large inter-shrub bare patches and poor soil surface conditions characterised by soil surface crusting, conducive to high runoff generation and connectivity. High surface runoff and soil losses were evident under P. incana and bare-eroded areas. Volumetric soil water content was high under grass and P. incana tussocks, intermediate in P. incana inter-patches and low in bare-eroded areas. The findings and analysis of this study conclude that the hydrologic response of the Keiskamma catchment was influenced significantly by LUCC in the form of extensive invader shrub encroachment, expansion of forestry using exotic tree species, impoundments, as well as the infestation of riparian zones by invasive vegetation. Management of woody shrub encroachment and alien invasive plants as well as indigenous forest species utilisation should be considered as amongst the key efforts towards restoring the ecohydrological integrity of the Keiskamma catchment

Perceptions of masters students on decriminalisation of sex work in South Africa.

Master of Social Sciences in Criminology. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2016.Numerous studies (Arnott & Crago, 2008, Miller, 2009, Asijiki Fact Sheet, 2015) that have been conducted show that sex work is not only a South African or African phenomenon, but also that it is a matter of global concern (Miller, 2009; Kalwahali, 2009; Tepanon, 2006). Sex work remains a criminal offence in South Africa and is criminalised by the Sexual Offences Act No. 23 of 1957 and the Criminal Law: Sexual Offences and Related Matters Amendment Act No. 32 of 2007, Section (Sec) 20(1)(A). The consulted literature shows that sex workers have been the victims of violence perpetrated against them by police officers, purchasers of sexual services, community members, and public service providers. To this course, on the 11 March 2016, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa said, “Whatever views individuals may hold about sex work, whatever the statutes may say about the legality of sex work, we cannot deny the humanity and inalienable rights of people who engage in sex work”. A number of organisations such as the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE), the African National Congress Women’s League (ANC WL), and Sex Work Education Advocacy Taskforce (SWAET) are advocating for sex work to be decriminalised on the basis of the human rights violations perpetrated against sex workers. For this study, two Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and ten In-Depth Interviews (IDI) were conducted with 20 participants comprising 10 students from the Faculty Law and 10 students from Criminology and Forensic Studies Discipline in the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), Howard College Campus, all enrolling Master’s Degree. The data were collected from August 2016 to mid-October 2016. The study aimed at exploring the perceptions of Master’s degree students on the decriminalisation of sex work in South Africa. This study was prompted by the limited literature that exists to elicit the views of developing academics and other academics on sex work. These selected participants understood the issues regarding the legality and illegality of sex work, they were knowledgeable regarding the issues pertaining to the human rights of sex workers, and they acknowledged that they were conscious of the plight of sex workers because sex work occurs everywhere and is observably on the increase. This study investigated the genuine perceptions of these participants in an attempt to determine which legal model could best be used in South Africa to govern sex work industry. The Strain Theory and the Economic Theory were used in this study to explain the legal model that could be used in South Africa to govern sex work. Before discussing the complexities of sex work and the legal model that could be used, one needs to have an understanding of the reasons why women involve in sex work. In this context, the participants of this study disclosed their perceptions on the decriminalisation of sex work in South Africa. In essence, these participants suggested that South Africa should legalise sex work and that a legal framework for controlling sex work should be employed. Even though this study focused on non-criminalisation of sex work, it did not disregard other legal models; hence, the participants viewed the legalisation of sex work as preferable to the decriminalisation of sex work. The participants of this study further outlined the reasons for engaging in sex work as economic issues relating to love for the job, drug use, lack of education, and attempts at poverty alleviation. For the recommendations, this study envisaged will assist in designing of a suitable legal model to control sex work in South Africa without infringing on people’s human rights and without negatively affecting those engaged in the very active sex work industry

The Impact of the Private Security Industry Regulation Act and other Legislative Frameworks on Private Securities Operating in Drinking Establishments in South Africa

This paper seeks to explore the legislation and regulatory frameworks that guides the functionality and operation of private securities placed in drinking establishments in South Africa. Prior research has indicated lack of clarity regarding private security personnel regulation in drinking establishments, otherwise known as bouncers. For instance, the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) is the current regulatory structure which is mandated to monitor and regulate all the private security industries in South Africa. Private security players in South Africa are obligated to comply with the PSIR Act and related laws in general. For this reason, the duty of PSIRA to oversee and monitor private securities and to ensure that they comply with the law is paramount. However, a major concern is whether nightclub security is regulated in adherence to this Act or not. Research evidence has shown that security legislation and guidelines are either not in place or not enforced at nightclubs. The purpose of this article is to examine critical legislations that South African nightclub securities must comply with to ensure legitimacy. Furthermore, it assesses the regulatory body, PSIRA, in relation to South African nightclub securities. It further explores the training requirements needed to qualify as a nightclub security. Arguably, a limited number of studies address the skills and legal requirements nightclub securities need to meet to fully qualify to work as a nightclub security in South Africa. Thus this paper will add to the body of knowledge in the field of nightclub security regulation. Strengthening the regulatory framework and increasing the authority's enforcement capacity to regulate the industry more effectively have become inevitable obligations, especially in light of the continued growth in the private security industry. The article finds that nightclub security is not adequately regulated, leading to non-compliance of the regulatory framework from the private security industry. This paper is an extensive review of literature focusing on South African legislative frameworks that regulate private security operations in drinking establishments

Improving methods for genotypic drug resistance testing in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Thesis (MScMedSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: An important next step to Tuberculosis control relies on the translation of basic science and modern diagnostic techniques into primary health care clinics. These assays must be rapid, inexpensive, interpretation of results must be easy and they must be simple so that a healthcare worker with limited training can perform the tests under safe conditions. This study consists of four aims. The first aim was to develop a methodology to sterilize sputum specimens for rapid TB diagnosis and drug resistance testing. Candidate bactericides were identified from the literature, and tested for their bactericidal activity in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. We identified ultraseptin®aktiv as a powerful bactericidal agent which sterilizes sputum specimens for subsequent safe handling prior to light emitting diode microscopy and it also provides a DNA template for PCR-based tests. An algorithm has been proposed for the processing of specimens and rapid diagnosis of TB and drug resistant TB while patients wait for results. Recently, the World Health Organization has endorsed the MTBDRplus test for diagnosis of TB and drug resistant TB. However genotypic tests may have more problems than anticipated. With the HIV pandemic, an increase of non-tuberculous mycobacteria has been reported. The sensitivity of genotypic tests in specimens with underlying non-tuberculous mycobacterial species therefore requires further evaluation. This study therefore also aimed at determining the reliability of the MTBDRplus assay for detection of drug resistant TB where non-tuberculous bacterial load is high. Clinically relevant non-tuberculous mycobacterium DNA and DNA from a multi-drug resistant TB isolate were obtained. Ratios of the different NTM with the MDR-TB DNA were made and subjected to the MTBDRplus assay. Known mix NTM and TB infected clinical isolates and sputum sediments were also evaluated for TB and drug resistance detection on the MTBDRplus assay. Under these conditions, this study provides evidence that the MTBDRplus test cannot reliably detect TB and drug resistance TB in specimens with underlying non-tuberculous mycobacteria. Thirdly, to evaluate the sensitivity of the MTBDRplus assay for detecting drug resistance in hetero-resistant isolates, ratios were made using purified DNA from an MDR and pan-susceptible TB isolate. The MTBDRplus assay was then performed on the different ratios. We report that the MTBDRplus assay can efficiently detect wild type DNA in genes associated with resistance during the early evolution of drug resistance. However, in the later stage during treatment when both the wild type and mutants are present, the detection limit for the mutant DNA was 1:55. Due to these results, the MTBDRplus assay should still be further improved or other tests should be developed to address these limitations. And finally to combat cross amplicon contamination during the final steps of genotypic detection with the MTBDRplus assay, a proof of concept for a patentable closed tube line probe device was proposed on the 4th aim. This device can be improved to enable automated drug resistance genotyping of multiple specimens. The results of this study highlight the need for a sensitive inexpensive point of care drug resistance test that does not require intensive training.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Belangrike volgende stap om Tuberkulose te beheer is om basiese wetenskap resultate te gebruik sodat moderne diagnose tegnieke ontwikkel kan word wat in primêre gesondheidsorg klinieke toegepas kan word. Hierdie toetse moet vinnig, goedkoop, en die interpretasie van resultate moet maklik wees. Die toetse moet eenvoudig wees sodat 'n gesondheidswerker met beperkte opleiding die toetse onder veilige omstandighede kan uitvoer. Hierdie studie bestaan uit vier doelwitte, waarvan die eerste was om 'n metode te ontwikkel vir die sterilisasie van sputum monsters vir vinnige TB diagnose en die toesting van middelweerstandigheid. Kandidaat kiemdodende middels was geïdentifiseer vanaf die literatuur en die middels se kiekdodende aktiviteit was getoets op Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Ons het ultraseptin®aktiv geïdentifiseer as 'n kragtige kiemdodende middel wat bakteria in sputum monsters steriliseer vir veilige hantering voordat diagnose met 'n lig uitstralende diode mikroskopie gedoen kan word. Hierdie behandeling met ultraseptin®aktiv bied ook 'n DNA templaat vir PCR-gebaseerde toetse. 'n Algoritme is voorgestel vir die hantering van monsters en die vinnige diagnose van sensitiewe- en middel weerstandige Tuberkulose terwyl die pasiënte by die kliniek wag vir die resultate. Onlangs het die Wêreld Gesondheid Organisasie die genotipiese MTBDRplus toets vir die diagnose van Tuberkulose en middel-weerstandige Tuberkulose onderskryf. Hierdie toets word tans op groot skaal in Suid Afrika gebruik. Dit kan egter wees dat genotipiese toetse baie meer probleme kan he as wat aanvanklik verwag is. Die HIV pandemie gaan toenemend gepaard met n toename van nie-tuberkulose mycobacteria. Die sensitiwiteit van genotipiese toetse op monsters met onderliggende nie-tuberkulose mikobakteriese spesies vereis dus verdere evaluasie. Die doel van hierdie studie was ook om die betroubaarheid van die MTBDRplus-toets te bepaal vir die opsporing van middelweerstandige TB waar die nie-tuberkulose bakteriële lading hoog is. DNA van kliniese relevante nie-tuberkulose mikobakteria en multi-middelweerstige TB isolate was bekom. Verskillende verdunnigs van die spesifieke NTM DNA te same met die van MDR-TB DNA is gemaak en onderwerp aan die MTBDRplus toets. Bekende gemengde NTM- en TB geïnfekteerde kliniese isolate en sputum sedimente was ook geevalueer vir die opsporing van TB en middel weerstandigheid met die MTBDRplus toets. Hierdie studie verskaf bewyse dat die MTBDRplus toets nie betroubaar is met die diagnose van sensitiewe- en middel weerstandige Tuberkulose in monsters met onderliggende nie-tuberkulose mycobacteria nie. Verskillende verdunnings van gesuiwerde DNA van MDR en pan-sensitiewe TB isolate is gemaak om die sensitiwiteit van die MTBDRplus toets vir die opsporing van middelweerstandigheid te bepaal. Die MDRDRplus toets is gebruik met hierdie verdunnings. Resultate in hierdie studie toon dat die MTBDRplus toets effektief is met die identifisering van wilde-tipe DNA (dit beteken middel sensitief) in gene wat geassosieer word met middel weerstandigheid gedurende die vroeë ontwikkeling van weerstandigheid. Hier teenoor toon die resultate dat in die later stadium tydens behandeling, wanneer beide die wilde-tipe (sensitief) en mutante DNA (weerstandig) teenwoordig is, is die opsporingslimiet vir die mutante DNA maar 1:55. As gevolg van hierdie resultate raai ons aan dat die MTBDRplus toets nog verder verbeter moet word of dat ander toetse ontwikkel moet word om hierdie beperkinge aan te spreek. Amplikon kruiskontaminasie kan n groot impak hê op die betroubaarheid van enige genotipiese diagnostiese toets. Die finale stappe van MTBDRplus toets behels die gebruik van 'n oop sisteem sodat kontaminasie maklik kan plaasvind. In die 4de doewit 'n konsep vir 'n patenteerbare geslotebuis toestel ontwikkel en die resultate het getoon dat kontaminasie suksesvol uitgeskakel kan word. Hierdie toestel kan verbeter na 'n outomatiese apparaat verbeter word sodat die module genotipering van verskeie monsters moontlik kan maak. Die resultate van hierdie studie beklemtoon die noodsaaklikheid van 'n sensitiewe goedkoop “point of care” diagnostiese toets wat nie intensiewe opleiding benodig nie.Medical Research Council of South AfricaUniversity of Stellenbosch, Dept. of Molecular Biology and Human Genetic

Strategies for retaining adolescent foster children in school

M.A.South Africa is facing a high rate of children in need of care due to high escalation of the HIV/AIDS related illness. The children are being left without biological parents, and they are eventually placed in the foster care custody of their extended families. Sometimes there are challenges that are experienced by the foster parents and the adolescents’ foster children, as a result the adolescents’ foster children end up leaving school. Foster care learners who stay away from school or who have been entered on the register then absent themselves for substantial parts of the day, are more likely to grow up unhappy and unfulfilled, leaving school much less qualified than they might otherwise be and worst of all sometimes get drawn into a life of crime(Collins, 1998). The overall aim of this study is to explore the factors that contribute to adolescent foster children not completing their high school education and developing strategies to retain adolescents’ foster children in school. Placing the adolescents’ foster children into institutions like industrial schools and children’s homes hoping that the children’s behavior will change should be considered as the last resort that the professionals should do. The objectives of the study are: § To survey literature on foster care education, § To analyse the scope of the concept” foster care” in terms of current practice, § To investigate problems that are encountered by the foster parents and how do they deal with the teenagers’ problems, § To investigate the problems encountered by the teenagers or adolescents foster children , and also identify their unmet needs, § To investigate the problems encountered by the foster children while still at school, § To identify challenges of educators towards foster care learners. iii Qualitative research methodology was applied with the researcher selecting participatory action research to engage adolescents’ foster children, foster parents and educators in the study. The study was exploratory and qualitative in nature. Focus groups were utilized as the method of information gathering. The focus group was conducted with adolescent foster children, foster parents and educators. The focus group sessions with the children comprised of ten adolescent foster children that did not complete their high school education. The focus group session with the foster parents comprised of ten parents caring for adolescent foster children who left school. The focus group with the educators comprised of six educators who taught foster children, three educators were from each of the two high schools in Naledi, Soweto. The foster children and foster parents were recruited from the researcher’s case load in Soweto

Hydrologic response to land use/cover changes and Pteronia incana shrub invasion in Keiskamma catchment, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

The Keiskamma catchment has undergone significant land use/cover changes (LUCC) and invasion by Pteronia incana (P. incana) shrub, and the hydrological implications of the phenomena are not fully understood. This study assessed the hydrological response of the catchment using remote sensing per-pixel classification, the SWAT model between 1994 and 2016, and field experiments. Results revealed a significant increase in woody vegetation encroachment and a decrease in mean annual streamflow, runoff, soil water content, evapotranspiration and groundwater. However, high surface runoff, and sediment loss were evident under P. incana invader shrub at hillslope scale. The study concludes that the hydrological response of the catchment was influenced significantly by LUCC in the form of extensive invader shrub encroachment, expansion of exotic forest tree species, impoundments and infestation of riparian zones by invasive vegetation. Control of alien invasive plants and utilization of indigenous forest species are recommended for catchment management

Stakeholders' Experience of the Innovative Ways of Coproducing Neighborhood Security in Johannesburg, South Africa

Johannesburg is known to be the crime capital in South Africa. This hinders investment opportunities for the country and causes insecurities for citizens. This article analyzed the current neighborhood security challenges and sought to develop an innovative and inclusive model of co-producing neighborhood security in the City of Johannesburg based on the unstructured interviews with police officers in Johannesburg which were analyzed using a qualitative approach. The study found that the challenges of neighborhood security in Johannesburg include socio-economic status, crime, lack of trust, and inadequate resources. Moreover, inclusivity promoted community involvement and effective participation from the South African Police Service, civil society, and government whilst innovation utilized technological methods such as social media, radio shows, and newspapers which ensured that the insecurities were eliminated and that the crime rate in Johannesburg decreases