Quality Education And The Impact Of Public And Independent Schools Writing The National Senior Certificate

A new education curriculum for a new democratic dispensation was welcomed and unavoidable in South Africa after the first democratic election in 1994. The main reason for this radical change within education was that policymakers needed to move away from the apartheid curriculum with all its attendant political baggage and address the laudable outcomes of skills, knowledge and values for purposes of achieving social justice, equality and development. Within this curriculum, the South African Schools’ Act (Act 84 of 1996) recognises two broad categories of schools – public and independent schools. All public schools follow the National Curriculum Statement (NCS) and independent schools have the freedom to choose which curriculum and which examination body they want their learners to write, as long as the examining body is recognised by Umalusi. This article will reflect on the quality of education provided in schools by analysing the roles and impact of public and independent schools writing the National Senior Certificate in South Africa.  It is important, in this context, to provide a historical overview of the background of examination bodies that have impacted on the South African school system.  It is also deemed necessary to reflect on and discuss the public and independent school sector by focussing on factors influencing the logistical orientation of these sectors as well as reflecting on indicators influencing the Grade 12 examination. After analysing these factors and reflecting on issues that influence quality education in South Africa, recommendations will be made in an effort to contribute to the improvement of the standard of education in South Africa

The Effect Of Training Frequency On Selected Physical And Biochemical Health Parameters In The Conditioning And Reconditioning Of Sedentary Employees

Non-communicable disease evolved as a major health risk in South Africa and accounts for about 37% of all deaths. This burden also challenges human resources in the corporate environment where poor health status (high health risks) may lead to increased health care costs, lowered productivity and eventually to premature death. Some of the South African companies have tackled this challenge by providing various employee health promotion initiatives. One of the popular contributions in this endeavour is to encourage employees to become more physically active in order to prevent detrimental health risk factors or to remedy the existing factors. A major challenge in this initiative is to keep up the compliance of the employees with their physical conditioning programmes, especially when business responsibilities take them away from their health facilities which, in turn, may lead to physical deconditioning. This endorses the motivation of this research as little information is available in South Africa on the aspect of conditioning, deconditioning and reconditioning in the corporate environment. In this study, 60 healthy but sedentary employees, ages 28-49 years, from an academic institution were recruited to participate. They were randomly assigned to three groups, where Groups A and B form the experimental groups with Group C the control group. During the initial training phase (first 12 weeks) Group A and B followed a training frequency of three times per week, while retraining took place at a frequency of two and four times per week for Groups A and B, respectively. Group C was not involved in any intervention and continued with their normal daily activities and lifestyle. Results of this study indicated that after training at a program frequency of three times per week, a salutogenic response occurred in the selected physical and biochemical health parameters. With deconditioning, about 50% of the physical benefits were lost, which occurred faster than the decline in the biochemical (lipids) benefits. With reconditioning, a program frequency of two times per week seems to maintain the physiological status, while with a program frequency of four times per week, an improvement reoccurred, exceeding the benefits of the program frequency of three times per week. In conclusion, it is clear that a physical intervention regime, to the apparently healthy employees, can decrease some health risks; but with an interruption of the program, salutogenic benefits will be partially lost. With retraining, a program frequency of two times per week will not produce significant improvement, but will only maintain the physical status

Rapid epidemic expansion of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in southern Africa

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) epidemic in southern Africa has been characterised by three distinct waves. The first was associated with a mix of SARS-CoV-2 lineages, whilst the second and third waves were driven by the Beta and Delta variants, respectively1-3. In November 2021, genomic surveillance teams in South Africa and Botswana detected a new SARS-CoV-2 variant associated with a rapid resurgence of infections in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Within three days of the first genome being uploaded, it was designated a variant of concern (Omicron) by the World Health Organization and, within three weeks, had been identified in 87 countries. The Omicron variant is exceptional for carrying over 30 mutations in the spike glycoprotein, predicted to influence antibody neutralization and spike function4. Here, we describe the genomic profile and early transmission dynamics of Omicron, highlighting the rapid spread in regions with high levels of population immunity

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Biokinetics – the development of a health profession from physical education - a historical perspective

In the Government Gazette of 9 September 1983, Biokinetics was announced to have been registered with the Professional Board of Medical Science at the South African Medical and Dental Council. This registration heralded the beginning of a new profession of Biokinetics, which would position specialised exercise science as a health profession that aimed not only at contributing to the curative sciences but also to the promotion of health and wellness. This milestone in the history of Biokinetics occurred after a long process of deliberations with other role players in the health profession. In some cases serious resistance against this new discipline existed – not only from other disciplines but also among scientists in the field of exercise science. Since this historical event the profession of Biokinetics has gone from strength to strength. With 536 professionals on the register of the Health Professions Council of South Africa as on 18 November 2004 and 10 tertiary institutions providing training to approximately 130 students per year the profession can become a profession that contributes to the spreading of the message of the responsibility that individuals have for their own health and wellness. In this respect some medical aid funds supported this philosophy of health promotion, as the curative treatment of health problems are becoming increasingly expensive and are burdening health-care costs. At present qualified professionals are found all over the world practising their profession and making superb contributions, although not always under the name of Biokinetics. South African Journal for Research in Sport, Physical Education and Recreation Vol. 27(2) 2005: 113-12

Physical activity, health and well-being - a strategic objective of the National Sport and Recreation Plan (NSRP) of South Africa

In the National Sport and Recreation Plan (NSRP) of the Republic of South Africa, approved by Cabinet in 2012, the first strategic objective stated as follows: “To improve the health and well-being of the nation by providing mass participation opportunities through active recreation”. The aim of this objective is to get the South African population more physically active in order to improve their health and well-being. The purpose of this paper was to highlight the South African situation regarding physical activity, health and well-being as well as the challenge of non-communicable disease. For this purpose, scientific evidence was gathered from peer reviewed journals, books and internet sources. The health and well-being of mankind since ancient times was addressed in many documents and charters. The salutogenic association between physical activity and health was pointed out by health professionals in ancient times and later substantiated by evidence-based research by modern scientists. Notwithstanding the fact that research indicated physical inactivity as a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCD), the hypokinetic lifestyle of people around the globe remains a health concern. According to the World Economic Forum, 63% of all deaths in 2008 could be attributed to NCD, with about 50% of those that had died as a result of NCD, being in the prime of their productive years. It is also proved that the low- and middle-income countries are disproportionately affected, with 80% of all deaths due to NCD. In South Africa, the condition of hypokinesis is also alarming. Results indicated that in 2006, 74.6% of individuals over all ethnic groups do not participate in physical activity, the most inactive groups being the Coloured (84.8%), followed by the Asian (75.6%), black (75.0%) and white (74.6%) groups. When the age pyramid for the South Africa population is analysed with projections to the year 2050, the large portion of elderly people becomes evident. The fastest growing segment of the population will be the age group 80 + years, which will grow at an estimated rate of 77% and 79% for the male and female groups respectively. This significant number of elderly people may lead to major escalation in health care cost, which may cripple the health care budget. In conclusion therefore it is clear that physical inactivity poses a major health risk to the South African population, and with the projected increase in the older age category, that is more prone to various health risks, this scenario asks for timely intervention at various levels, starting from childhood to the elderlyhttp://reference.sabinet.co.za.nwulib.nwu.ac.za/document/EJC145379http://reference.sabinet.co.za.nwulib.nwu.ac.za/sa_epublication/ajpher

Fisieke aktiwiteit se verband met leefstyl en geestelike welstand by Suid-Afrikaanse dames

The physical activity profile and to a certain extent also the spiritual well-being of men is well documented in research. The same could however not be said about women. This study therefore aimed to research some part of the South African women population between the age of 30-65 years of age. The respondents comprised of 388 (43.0 + 9.6 years) Caucasian women, who were randomly selected, in an urbanised community. Data regarding demographic information, physical activity participation and spiritual well-being (SWB) were collected from the respondents. The respondents were selected in two age groups (30-49 and 50-65 years) representing predominantly the pre- and post-menopausal life stages of women. The relationship of the spiritual well-being and physical activity was evaluated by means of a one-way and two-way analysis of variance. From the descriptive data it is clear that the majority (49%) of the respondents were physical inactive. Furthermore the younger group (30-49 year) tend to be more physically active than the older group (50-65 year). The post-menopausal women tend to follow a healthier lifestyle than the pre-menopausal women do. Spiritual well-being showed a significant (p 0.8) difference existed between high active- and inactive pre- and post-menopausal women in terms of their lifestyle indexes (LSBB & LSW). Physical activity contributes significantly to the existential well-being (EW) (p < 0.01) and spiritual well-being (SWB) (p < 0.001) of women. Keywords: Physical activity, Spiritual well-being, Lifestyle, Pre-menopausal, Post-menopausal, Women South African Journal for Research in Sport, Physical Education and Recreation Vol.25(2) 2003: 105-11

Comparative review of rehabilitative professions assisting patients with lower back pain in South Africa

Biokinetics is the youngest profession to emerge among the South African rehabilitative fraternity to assist with the management of lower back pain. This discipline is borne out of the philosophy “Exercise is Medicine” and primarily focuses on final phase rehabilitation, applying inter alia cardiorespiratory endurance, range of motion and strengthening exercises. The aim of this communication is to describe some of the views of the profession of Biokinetics, how it may assist patients to manage their lower back pain and its position in the multidisciplinary South African rehabilitative fraternity including: Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Chiropractic Therapy.Keywords: Lower back pain; Biokinetics; Exercises; Rehabilitation

The influence of leisure-time physical activity and lifestyle on a coronary risk index and health status of male managers

Studies that have examined the relationship between physical fitness and mortality, indicate that moderate levels of fitness are associated with a significant reduction in the risk of adverse events including mortality (Winslow et al., 1996). Feingold (1996) estimates that ninety percent (90%) of all diseases can be prevented provided a person makes the correct lifestyle choices regarding physical activity, diet, smoking, drug use and the use of alcohol. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between leisure-time physical activity and lifestyle and coronary risk index and health status respectively. Eight hundred and twenty eight (828) Caucasian males from mid- and top management level from companies in South Africa participated in this survey. From the descriptive data it is clear that the mean age (±43.5 years) of top-level management is higher then midlevel management (±39.7 years). Top-level management tends to be more physically active (PAI=±33.3) than midlevel management (PAI=±30.3). Although midlevel management tends towards unhealthier lifestyle scores in comparison with top-level management, they seem to be better with regards to coronary risk index and health status compared to toplevel management. The result indicates that a better physical activity index (PAI) and a healthier lifestyle approach leads to a statistically significant (p&#8804;0.05) lower coronary risk index in top and midlevel management. Although not statistically significant (p&#8805;0.05), a better PAI and lifestyle score tends to improve managerial health status. Therefore it appears that physical activity and lifestyle affects the managers' coronary risk index to a large extent and their health status to a lesser extent. Key Words: Top level management, midlevel management, physical activity, lifestyle, health, coronary risk index. AJPHERD. Vol.10(1) 2004: 56-7

Fisieke aktiwiteit, lewenstyl en gesondheidstatus by swart manlike middelvlakbestuurders

Optimal health could be significantly influenced by parameters such as physical activity and a healthy lifestyle. The objective of this study was to determine whether a relationship exists between leisure-time physical activity, lifestyle and health status of black male midlevel managers. Two hundred and twenty one (221) participants were selected from black midlevel management in a company in the public sector of the North West Province. The type, intensity, frequency and duration of participation in leisure time physical activity were determined by the physical activity index (PAI) as suggested by Sharkey. The lifestyle habits and health status were determined by using the Belloc and Breslow index (BB) and the illness rating scale (IRS) of Wyler et al. respectively. Analyses of data indicated significant differences between physical activity and lifestyle as well as between lifestyle and health status. No significant differences between physical activity and health status were present. A multiple regression analyses indicated a relationship between sleep patterns and health. The health status of the employees could be improved by the implementation of physical intervention programmes, which could be beneficial for the company on the long-term. (S. African J. for Research in Sport, Physical Ed. and Recreation: 2003 25 (1): 47-58