Prosecuting Violence against Women in South African Courts: A Reflection of the Legal Culture from an Afrocentric Perspective

Introduction: The first author participated in a course related to critical feminist schools of thought while pursuing her doctoral program. Engaging with a scholarly community of feminist researchers, she gained multi-layered understandings and deeper insights on ways of knowing through the perspectives of the critical feminist schools of thought in the feminist movement. Unlike other feminist schools of thought, Afrocentric feminism is about the pluralism that captures the dynamism and fluidity of different cultural imperatives, historical forces and localized realities in the lives of African women. This feminist methodology assisted the author’s ability to link the ‘word to the world’ and ‘text to the context’ as it related to the oppression of women through the eyes of continentally based African women. Aim: Adopting an Afrocentric feminist conceptual framework, the authors sought to explore and describe the legal culture surrounding the prosecution of violence against women in South African courts. Research Methods: The study design was an Afrocentric feminist sensory ethnography. Court-scapes (recorded video tours of the physical setting of the courtrooms and court objects), participant observation, conversations with relevant court personnel, and review of relevant site documents were used to collect data. Insights: The culture of prosecution of violence against women was analysed using an Afrocentric feminist lens from a continentally based African women’s standpoint. The study indicated how kyriarchy as a socio-political system of perpetual hierarchical social relations, characterizes all women as inferior through the intersectional distinctions of race, ethnicity, class, ability, and locality. During the prosecution processes of violence against women, kyriarchy was evidenced and demonstrated through a collage of hierarchical criteria based on ethnicity, race, age, ability, and the location in which court case matter was heard. Conclusions: From feminist scholarship, evidence-based prosecution, which is in line with the South African Constitution Act No 108 of 1996 is recommended. The insights indicate that cases of VAW were prosecuted in open courts while there are intermediary facilities. This was a counter-practice on what is recommended by feminist scholarship on evidence as well as the Constitution, regardless of the prosecutors being on the side of the survivors

COMPARATIVE QUANTITATIVE PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF THE LEAVES OF SENNA ITALICA COLLECTED FROM DIFFERENT AREAS IN LIMPOPO PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA

Objective: The current study was aimed at comparative quantitative phytochemical analysis of the leaves of S. italica collected from four districts in Limpopo province, South Africa, in order to establish whether geographical location have an effect on the accumulation of phytochemicals within the leaves of the plant species under study.Methods: The leaves of S. italica were collected from four districts in Limpopo province of South Africa namely; Capricorn, Sekhukhune, Vhembe and Waterberg districts, dried, ground to powder and extracted using different organic solvents. The extracts of the leaf samples from different locations were subjected to quantitative phytochemical analysis for total phenolic content, total tannin content, total flavonoid content and total saponin content using spectrophotometric measurements. The resultant quantities were analysed for statistical differences.Results: The leaf samples of S. italica from the four districts in Limpopo province showed significant differences (*p<0.05) in their phytochemical quantities, with main data expressed as mean±SD. Total phenolic content was in highest amounts in leaf samples from Waterberg district compared to samples from other districts. Total tannin content was in highest amounts in the Vhembe district leaf samples compared to samples from other districts. Total flavonoid content was in highest amounts in the leaf samples from Waterberg district compared to samples from other districts. Total saponin content was in highest amounts in the Vhembe district leaf samples compared to samples from other districts.Conclusion: The findings of the study thus suggest that geographical location has an effect on the accumulation of phytochemicals in the leaves of S. italica

The Paradox of Emerging Technologies in Playing Fundamental Role on Administration Employee’s Roles and Responsibilities

This article aims to put forward the imperatives of emerging technologies in playing fundamental role on administration work effectiveness and efficiency. The nature of office work has changed through time due to the emergence of new technologies that are adopted and implemented in the government departments. The emerging technologies are the heartbeat of any organisation and simultaneously they are the structure and thread holding it all together. With this study, a survey design was adopted and data collection was done through structured questionnaire. The study argues that the influx of emerging technologies increases the relationship with stakeholders and shareholders, responsiveness, transparency and accessibility of quality service delivery. This has resulted in government departments enhancing the effective communication between government and citizens, while it creates opportunities for government employees. Therefore, the study concludes that with the emergence of technologies, it is important for government departments to initiate new technologies in the departments to faster transactions, provide excellent service delivery to citizens of South Africa and as well as improving mass communication.&nbsp

IoT for Smart Building

Smart buildings promise to improve efficiency by reducing operating costs and increase the safety, productivity and quality of life of those who work and live inside their walls. Although the capital costs associated with smart buildings are higher than those for conventional ones, the life-cycle costs of smart buildings are lower and payback happens quicker. Smart buildings have been shown to save energy, streamline building management and prevent expensive equipment failures. Although they are more expensive to build, over the long run, they actually cost less than conventional buildings over time as a result of how efficiently they run. The added benefits of increased safety and a higher quality of life for those inside make smart buildings a good style of living for the future

Health and safety risks affecting part-time nursing students

Background: Professional nurses who are employed full-time can study their postgraduate programmes part-time to add to the basic qualification they obtained through relevant institutions of higher education like universities or colleges. Although there are advantages for part-time study such as improvement of qualifications, enhancement of personal development and increased chance of promotion, there are disadvantages as well, which includes keeping a job, attending to family and social responsibilities, time management to ensure that studying is done after work or in-between work and other activities, attending to assignments and complying with the requirements to acquire the qualification. Aim: This study aimed to explore health and safety risks faced by nurses who work and study part-time. Setting: The study was conducted at a university in Gauteng province, South Africa. Nurses who undertake part-time studies at this university were the focus of study. Method: The research design used in the study was an exploratory, quantitative method that was contextual in nature. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire that comprised of demographical and health and safety aspects. Data were analysed by means of descriptive statistics using the Statistics package for Social Sciences version 26. Results: Research findings indicated that students who study part-time experience health and safety risks such as fatigue (n = 86; 49%), stress (n = 95; 54%), sleep disorders (n = 60; 34%), poor eating habits (n = 123; 70%), abuse of caffeine (n = 91; 52%) and are prone to road accidents (n = 54; 31%). Conclusion: Nurses who work and study part-time need support from their employers and families. Employers should grant study leave as a way of support

Optimum INR intensity and therapeutic INR control in patients with mechanical heart valve prosthesis on warfarin oral anticoagulation at Dr George Mukhari academic hospital: a three-year retrospective study

Background: Available evidence suggest that the optimum prothrombin time-international normalised ratio (PT-INR) intensities recommended for anticoagulation of patients with mechanical heart valve prosthesis may not apply to all race groups. Optimal PT-INR target ranges and effectiveness of warfarin oral anticoagulation were determined among black South African patients fitted with St Jude bileaflet mechanical heart valve prosthesis  (SJBMHVP) at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital (DGMAH).Methods: A convenience sample of 95 medical records of patients fitted with SJBMHVP from 1994 until 2013 was reviewed. Optimum PT-INR target ranges were estimated using two different methods: the classical two PT-INR target level method and the alternative, PT-INR specific incident rate method. The quality of warfarin anticoagulation was assessed using the fraction in therapeutic range method.Results: Optimum PT-INR target ranges for all participants fitted with SJBMHVP in the aortic position was estimated to be 2.0–3.5 and 2.6–3.5, respectively, by the classical and alternative methods. That of the patients with mitral valve replacement was estimated to be in the range 2.6–3.5 by the classical method and that of patients with double heart valve  replacement was estimated to be < 3.5 by both methods. The quality of warfarin anticoagulation of participants with SJBMHVP replacement wasfound to be inadequate as indicated by percentage time in treatment range (TTR) of 49.7% for all study participants compared with the ideal TTR of 70% and above.Conclusion: Optimum Caucasian-based PT-INR intensities recommended for oral anticoagulation of patients fitted with mechanical heart valve prosthesis are applicable to black patients fitted with SJBMHVP at DGMAH.Keywords: black South African patients, heart valve prosthesis, optimal PT-INR, time in treatment range, warfarin oral anticoagulatio

Worker knowledge of occupational legislation and related health and safety benefits

Background: Environmental hazards such as fumes, gases, poor ventilation and extreme temperatures might lead to occupational illnesses and injuries. To protect workers from potential occupational health and safety risks, the government has promulgated occupational legislation that must be implemented in work settings. Objectives: The objective of this study was to explore the knowledge of workers about occupational legislation and its benefits for their health and safety. The aim was to make recommendations that would be implemented to improve the knowledge and compliance with occupational legislation as advised by the occupational health nurse. Methods: A quantitative approach was used for this study. One hundred and ten respondents were sampled from an accessible population of 1590 workers. A self-administered questionnaire was used for gathering data. Data were analysed through descriptive analysis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Results: Research findings indicated that only 18 (16.36%) respondents were knowledgeable about occupational legislation. Eighty-two (75.54%) respondents were unable to mention even one occupational act by name. Respondents mentioned five benefits of occupational legislation for the health and safety of workers. These benefits were that legislation ensured safety, gave rights to workers, ensured compensation for occupational injuries and illnesses, and provided guidance in the prevention of occupational injuries and illnesses. Conclusion: Most respondents (75.54%) were found not to be knowledgeable about occupational legislation. The positive finding was that respondents knew the benefits of occupational legislation. To improve the respondents’ knowledge about legislation, five recommendations are made by the researcher

The nature and development of the Northern Sotho detective narrative

The aim of this research is to investigate the nature and development of the detective narrative in Northern Sotho from its beginnings in the 1960s up to its present level in the 1990s. . Due to the peculiarities of each text under study, different literary approaches, viz. Marxism, Feminism and lntertextuality have been utilized in an attempt at getting the best out of each text. The basic requirements of a detective narrative as legislated by the Detective Club in Britain and Ronald Knox have been used as a scale on which to weigh this product in Northern Sotho. The study investigates also how the detective narrative in Northern Sotho reflects the social history of the society out of which it originates. The differences in the texts of the 1970s with those of the 1990s is highlighted and the accurate way in which they are mirrors of the socio-political developments is revealed. The study finally reveals the achievements and failures of writers of this genre in Northern Sotho. Different areas which need research by future scholars are suggested. By way of conclusion the most important observation made is the need of being guided by a text under discussion whenever a literary approach is to be chosen. Also, more of vmodern literary approaches need to be experimented on in relation with African literature written in indigenous African languages so as to assist in finally deciding upon the need of a home-brewed approach.African LanguagesD.Litt. et Phil. (African Languages

Anatomical variations in the origins of the lateral circumflex femoral arteries in a South African sample : a cadaver study

BACKGROUND : Clinically, the lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA) is used in a variety of procedures, these include anterolateral thigh flaps, aortopopliteal bypass, coronary artery bypass grafting and extracranialintracranial bypass surgeries. Variations in the anatomy of the LCFA, profunda femoris artery (PFA) and their branches have been noted in several studies. There are numerous clinical implications related to the inadequate anatomical knowledge of this region. METHODS : The study sample consisted of 55 cadavers of different ages, ancestry groups and varying body mass index. A total of 90 legs were dissected. The anterior thigh compartment was dissected and the common femoral artery (CFA), superficial femoral artery (SFA), PFA and LCFA further exposed. The course and variations were noted and results documented for further analysis. RESULTS : The LCFA was present in all the legs dissected. The origin of the LCFA was found to be the PFA in 75.6% of the left legs and 82.2% of the right legs dissected. In two cases, a male and female limb, the branching of the PFA from the CFA was observed directly from the external iliac artery, deep to the inguinal ligament. A variation was noted in a female cadaver, where the branches of the LCFA on the left limb had different points of origin. Another variation was noted on a male cadaver, the left limb had two different points of branching for the ascending and descending branches of the LCFA, a common trunk was absent. CONCLUSION : This study indicates that the most common site of origin for the LCFA was the PFA. The branching of the PFA from the CFA was found to be variable in 2.2% of the cases, where the PFA was a direct branch of the external iliac artery. The study also noted variations relating to the origin of the transverse branch of the LCFA, this branch was absent in 4.4% of the limbs dissected. Knowledge of the variations related to the origin of the PFA, LCFA and their branches is important in reducing the chances of intra-operative bleeding, during different surgical procedures.National Research Foundation (NRF).https://www.elsevier.com/locate/triadm2022Anatom

Sustainability implementation challenges in food supply chains: a case of UK artisan cheese producers

Food supply chains are receiving increased attention due to rapid depletion of natural resources, increasing quality standards and rising food safety and security concerns. Implementing sustainability practices in food supply chains is believed to overcome such emerging challenges. However, limited studies address sustainability implementation concerns, particularly in cold food supply chains. Thus, this study attempts to identify factors hindering sustainability implementation in cold food chain networks by considering a case of UK artisan cheese producers. Survey data is utilised to identify and prioritise barriers for implementing sustainability following fuzzy analytic hierarchy process and sensitivity analysis. The analysis identified several key barriers, including initial investment cost, firm size and unawareness of government regulations. The internal barriers significantly dominate the implementation of sustainability practices in comparison to external barriers. Lack of consensus regarding the concept of sustainability by different stakeholders is observed to be an issue negatively affecting the level of integration in SMEs. Findings will help food and dairy SME's in gaining competitive advantage through the successful implementation of sustainability practices