An assessment of the Johannesburg's Human Development Strategy and its appropriateness in dealing with HIV/AIDS in informal settlements

When HIV/AIDS first emerged from the shadows decades ago, few people could visualise how the epidemic would evolve, and fewer still could describe with any certainty the best ways of combating it. Today, we know from experience that the impact of HIV/AIDS thrives in conditions of socio-economic vulnerability and inequity. We are witnessing how HIV/AIDS is devastating regions, widening the gap between the rich and the poor, pushing the already stigmatised groups further away and destroying the sustainability of communities and their development conditions. The burden lies on local governments, National as well as regional authorities to take a more proactive role in confronting the pandemic and to prioritise activities geared towards the prevention of the spread of the disease. To fight poverty is to promote human development thus broadening people’s choices. This research project assesses the current practices that Johannesburg government has taken as an appropriate strategy to fight HIV/AIDS in Informal Settlements using the Human Development Strategy. Assessing the appropriateness of Human Development Strategy, an Informal Settlement named Sol Plaatjies, which is situated in Region 5 of Johannesburg, is used as a case study. The appropriateness of this strategy is measured against its ability to reduce the effects that are brought about by the HIV/AIDS since this strategy has been implemented in Sol Plaatjies

Impact of severe preeclampsia on maternal and fetal outcomes in preterm deliveries

Dissertation for MMed (Obstetrics and Gynaecology) and FCOG Part IIHypertensive disorders in pregnancy are common and their incidence appears to be on the increase. Preeclampsia is a multi-organ, heterogeneous disorder of pregnancy associated with significant maternal, fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Because preeclampsia is a progressive disorder, invariably delivery remote from term is often necessary to halt disease progression to benefit the mother and fetus. Objectives: To determine the maternal outcomes in women with severe preeclampsia To determine fetal and neonatal outcomes of infants born preterm Methods This was a prospective, descriptive study performed in three academic hospitals affiliated to the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. Data was collected from women with severe preeclampsia, who delivered between gestational ages of 26 weeks and 33 weeks, with a minimum neonatal weight of 500g as determined by sonography. Results: In the sample of 92 patients enrolled, there were two maternal deaths as a result of severe preeclampsia. Eclampsia and HELLP syndrome were the most frequently observed maternal complications at 34% and 49% respectively. Caesarean section was the most frequent method used to expedite delivery in 84% of women. Of the 97 babies delivered, 20% were confirmed intra-uterine fetal deaths, 7% demised during the early neonatal period and a there was a 40% very low birth weight rate. Conclusion: Despite interventions to reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality in our setting, our outcomes are similar to those observed in other parts of the world

The ownership and control architecture of South Africa's state-owned companies and its impact on corporate governance

The thesis examines the ownership model and various control arrangements of state-owned companies (SOCs) to establish how the division of corporate power between the boards of directors and shareholder-representatives and the exercise of corporate power by these organs impact corporate governance. The thesis makes several claims. First, it argues that the architecture of ownership and control is not underpinned by a sound theoretical base and lacks a clear and consistent economic and political logic. Second, the motivations for state ownership are vague and contradictory, resulting in an irrationally amorphous ownership model. Third, shareholder control powers are excessive, often abused, and lead to shareholder proximity to the locus of governance, which engenders interference and erodes boards' autonomy and authority to govern effectively. Fourth, the legal and regulatory regime governing SOCs is plural, complex, fragmented, and contradictory. Collectively, these and other conceptual flaws have an adverse impact on governance. To address the flaws, the true nature and role of SOCs as entities of a special kind designed to fulfil an overarching public interest mandate need to be reimagined. To realise the public interest mandate, SOCs must be governed in the public interest. This has several aspects. The first is the truncation of excessive shareholder powers and the elimination of interference by removing SOCs from direct political control and placing them under an independent and professional shareholder entity akin to Singapore's state holding company, Temasek. The second aspect is a rethink and expansion of the duties of SOCs' directors by introducing a novel duty to act in the public interest, in addition to their traditional duties. The third aspect is that the legal and regulatory framework must be de-layered, responsive, and complementary to accommodate and give impetus to the public interest approach to corporate governance. Ultimately, these changes must culminate in a nuanced and bespoke architecture of ownership and control that is minimalist and structured and that can, arguably, address the idiosyncratic governance challenges that confront South African SOCs

Hydrometallurgical extraction of copper and cobalt from oxidised copper-cobalt ore using ammonia solution

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in part fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Engineering, 17 May 2018Traditionally, copper and cobalt are extracted from oxidised ores via hydrometallurgical processing route. The ore is leached in sulphuric acid in reducing conditions. This method co-extracts impurity metal values like iron and manganese, necessitating downstream solution purification, which causes significant valuable losses. Pregnant leach solution purification is performed through step-wise oxidation and acid neutralisation of the leach solution. Cobalt is the most affected component in this process due to high losses incurred during the precipitation stages. Moreover, because the lixiviant is not recycled, the method consumes ominously high quantities of sulphuric acid. As a result, the process must be accompanied by readily available and cost-effective acid-making plant. In the event of an increase in the price of sulphuric acid raw materials or a decline in the ore grade, a source of 50% of the world’s cobalt might be rendered impracticable. This work investigates the viability of using ammoniacal solution as an alternative lixiviant to sulphuric acid. Ammoniacal solution forms soluble complexes with copper and cobalt at pH and potential where iron, manganese and other impurities tend to form precipitates. Because of the preferential leaching, downstream solution purification can be circumvented, thereby reducing valuable losses. Furthermore, because there is no solution altering, multi-step solution purification required, the leach solution retains its initial pre-leaching properties, making it fully recyclable. The recyclable nature of the lixiviant thus reduces lixiviant costs. Furthermore, an advantage of leaching in ammonia is lower equipment costs because ammonia is less corrosive than acid. The feed material used in this study was an oxidised copper-cobalt ore sourced from Katanga Region in the DRC. A size fraction analysis was undertaken in order to determine the deportation of the copper and cobalt metals in the feed material. In the leaching tests conducted, the effect of particle size, temperature, concentration of the reducing agent and concentrations of ammonia and ammonium carbonate were investigated. The results showed that a +63-75μm size fraction had the highest grade of copper and cobalt and was thus used for all the experiments undertaken. The results also indicated that cobalt and copper extraction was highly influenced by temperature. It was found that working at ambient temperature results in poor extraction of the value metal species while raising the temperature to 80°C significantly improves the extraction of both value metals if premature depressurising of the leach vessel is avoided. The results also showed that there was no significant extraction advantage gained from milling finer than -63μm. Moreover, it was found that at 80°C, 2.0M ammonia solution, 0.4M ammonium carbonate, 300rpm, 0.4M reducing agent and 60 minutes pre-treatment and leach time, a peak extraction of 90% could be realised for copper. It was also noted that even better extraction efficiencies could be obtained for copper in the absence of a reducing agent. Optimum cobalt extraction of 85% was obtained at 80°C, 2.0M ammonia solution, 2.0M ammonium carbonate solution, 0.4M ammonium sulphite, 60 minutes pre-treatment time and 60 minutes leaching time. This compares well to about 40-60% recovery reported when leaching in acid. These findings point to the conclusion that ammoniacal solution is a viable alternative to sulphuric acid for hydrometallurgical processing of the copper-cobalt ore.MT 201

Deconstructing teacher content and pedagogical knowledge in mathematics and science curricula in teacher education in South Africa

Thesis (Doctor of Philosophy in Education) -- Central University of Technology, Free State, 2015Teacher education at university is an initial, professional preparation of a teacher where the programmes offered should prepare student teachers to be professionally ready and able to cope with the daily demands of working in schools. This means that after qualifying at university, teachers should possess knowledge that will enable them to teach the subjects in which they major during their studies. Universities therefore, have the role of providing student teachers with the types of ‘knowledges’ required to teach these subjects. Mathematics and science teachers can be trained at universities of technology or traditional/conventional universities. The purpose of this study is to examine current teacher knowledge of mathematics and science, with reference to how theoretical and propositional knowledge in these subjects is navigated to practice by teachers in South African education. Instruments such as interviews, document analysis, and a review of the literature were used to collect data. The study yielded the following in relation to the research questions: It was found that teachers generally lack an adequate understanding of the different types of teacher knowledges, which are critical to producing teachers who can teach mathematics and science. Furthermore, curriculum reform and transformation have impacted negatively on both lecturers and teachers of mathematics and science. It was also found that the theoretical knowledge in the curriculum of BEd (FET) provided in schools of teacher education does not adequately prepare students to teach mathematics and science effectively. In addition, it was found that there was no difference in the way mathematics and science teachers are trained in traditional universities and universities of technology. This study will hopefully contribute to knowledge relating to knowledge bases for mathematics and science education

Temporal interactions of microbiota in longitudinal nasopharyngeal samples and association with lower respiratory tract infection

During aetiology of respiratory illnesses, it is widely accepted that infection is preceded by nasopharyngeal (NP) colonisation with bacteria and that NP flora develop early in childhood (during the first year of life). The presence of multiple NP bacteria results in competitive and synergistic associations, however temporal organism interactions have rarely been explored due to limited availability of longitudinal data sets, and the complex statistical methods needed. This study aimed to identify, describe and quantify the temporal interactions existing between selected key bacteria colonizing the nasopharynx in young children (up to 1 year old), and to further compare these patterns in children who go on to develop pneumonia compared to those who do not. The significance of the study, as well as the objectives of the study, methods and data analysis plan are outlined in the study protocol (Part A). A summary of what is currently known about NP bacterial species interactions is presented as part of the literature review (Part B). The primary aim of the literature review was to describe the prevalence of NP carriage of four NP colonizing bacteria of interest: S. pneumoniae, S. aureus, H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis in children, as well as identify any risk factors or confounding associations. The literature review furthermore aimed to identify previously described NP bacterial species interaction patterns, as well as providing a summary of statistical approaches previously employed in the studying bacterial interactions. A manuscript presenting the subsequent analysis of these data is included as Part C. This study was a secondary data analysis of 760 infants enrolled in a birth cohort with NP swabs collected every two weeks for the first year of life and additionally at episodes of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI). Kaplan-Meier estimates were used to visualize time to first carriage. Generalised estimating equations with a logit link and adjusted for repeated measures were used to estimate the time varying association of NP bacteria carriage with development of pneumonia, while enabling adjustment by key confounders. Markov multi state models (MSMs) were used to describe NP bacterial acquisition with age and estimation of clearance probabilities, new acquisition or persistent acquisition. There were 760 individuals included in the analysis, with a total of 16,346 NP samples available and a median 364 person-days (IQR 346 – 365 person-days). S. pneumoniae was predominant, found in >55% of all samples and demonstrating carriage in >95% of individuals at least once by 12 months of age. S. aureus was both less common (25% of samples and 88% of individuals) but also had a strikingly different pattern of first acquisition compared to the other three organisms, demonstrating a rapid increase in carriage prevalence until approximately four weeks and subsequently decreasing. S. pneumoniae had the highest co-carriage prevalence overall with H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis (both 25%) but this varied by age category. In contrast, co-carriage with S. aureus was less prevalent with either S. pneumoniae (12%), H. influenzae (5%) or M. catarrhalis (6%). Co-carriage frequencies differed considerably by age category, at least partially reflecting the relative prevalence of carriage by age. Carriage and co-carriage rates were similar among those children that experienced LRTI compared to those that did not. Seasonal carriage varied, but to a small extent compared to variance by age. Models adjusting for sex, site, season of birth and age found temporally sustained positive associations between the co-carriages of S. pneumoniae with H. influenzae, and M. catarrhalis, but no association with S. aureus. Clear differences occur in the co-carriage patterns of S. pneumoniae with other organisms. The probability of acquisition of S. pneumoniae is modified by earlier carriage of H. influenzae or M. catarrhalis. Positive H. influenzae carriage increases the probability of acquisition of S. pneumoniae with transition probabilities from 0.15 (95% CI 0.14-0.17) to 0.36 (95% CI 0.17, 0.54) after 28 days of age, compared to the same period probability of acquisition of S. pneumoniae alone at 0.015 (95% CI 0.043-0.076) to 0.088 (95% CI 0.075- 0.10). There is no difference in the clearance of S. pneumoniae related to H. influenzae carriage, but clearance of H. influenzae before 6 months of age is far less likely if coming from a state of co-carriage (probability between 0.04 - 0.07) compared to sole carriage (probability 0.23 - 0.12). The only evidence of differences in clearance probability in the models investigating S. pneumoniae and M. catarrhalis are in the probability of M. catarrhalis clearance before 28d which is 0.24 (95% CI 0.15 - 0.38) if carried alone and only 0.058 (55%CI 0.01 - 0.30) if carried with S. pneumoniae, though these confidence intervals overlap.Through this modelling we found positive sustained interactions between S. pneumoniae and both H. influenzae, and M. catarrhalis, where models indicated that preceding carriage or colonisation with either H. influenzae, and M. catarrhalis may increase the risk of colonisation with S. pneumonia. Timing of carriage and overall prevalence of carriage are in line with other findings in similar populations with overall high exposure to S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, M. catarrhalis during the first year of life and rapid and early exposure to S. aureus. Carriage, co-carriage and transition frequency did not vary appreciably when comparing children who experienced LRTI in the first year of life compared to those who did not, suggesting that overall exposures are similar, but that further modelling is required to understand the specific timing of associations in relations to LRTI

Frequency of applications of systematic reviews in evidence synthesis in management research : a scoping review of South African practices

Abstract: A wide range of frequently used methodological tools exist in other disciplines, yet are often not utilized in the management sciences. Tools such as systematic reviews are useful to objectively review, summarize, and appraise the results of published studies to guide practice or identify gaps in knowledge that require further research. The aim of this scoping review is to ascertain to what extent systematic reviews are utilized in South African management research. We employed a scoping review methodology and searched a number of prominent management databases. No limits on publication dates were set. Data was analyzed by means of charting. 9880 studies were identified during an initial search. From these 204 were assessed for eligibility, which 32 articles met. It was found that systematic reviews comprise 0.09% of South African managerial studies. An increase in the utilization was observed from 2014 onwards, yet systematic reviews are severely under-utilized in South African management research.. A roadmap identifying crucial steps in systematic reviews and best practices is provided

Economic Growth and Government Spending Nexus: Empirical Evidence from Lesotho

This study examines the long-run and causal relationship between government spending and economic growth in Lesotho using the ARDL bounds testing procedure for the period 1980 to 2012. Although several studies, have investigated causality between government expenditure and economic growth, none explored differentiating short run and long run causality. The results of our study indicate a stable long-term relationship between government spending and economic growth in Lesotho. However, the Granger causality test shows the direction running from economic growth to government expenditure, confirming Wagner’s Law in Lesotho. In addition, the outcomes of this study fail to support the Keynesian theory. The results highlight the need for policy makers to shift public outlays towards investment in physical infrastructure which will stimulate growth and consequently improve fiscal sustainability as opposed to recurrent expenditure.Keywords: Economic Growth, Fiscal Policy, Cointegration, Causality, Wagner’ La

Training Cameroonian researchers on pragmatic knowledge translation trials: a workshop report

Limited health research capacity in one of the factors that prevents developing countries from attaining  optimal health outcomes and achieving the Millennium Development Goals. We report here, the details of a  workshop on pragmatic knowledge translation trials for Cameroonian researchers, the material covered and additional resources to support capacity development. At the end of this workshop, knowledge gains were noted and participants were able to initiate proposals for funding. These proposals were aimed at improving the clinical management of diabetes, hypertension and malaria.Key words: Pragmatic trials, knowledge translation, capacity building, Cameroon, worksho