An assessment of the role of the local structures in development in the Sekhukhune District Municipality of the Limpopo Province

Text in EnglishThe local structures are crucial component of development and they are intrinsically perceived as the epicentre of development. This is a qualitative social science study which embraces phenomenological observation to assess the role of the local structures in development in the Sekhukhune District Municipality. This study also wanted to establish the role of the local structures and their contribution to development in the Sekhukhune District Municipality. A phenomenological interviews and observations were conducted using scheduled interviews and interviews guides supported by, transcript interviews and a tape recorder. In addition, 160 participants were identified among the local structures. The Atlas TI software program was used for data analysis in order to achieve the aim and objectives of this study. The study postulated some recommendations which include inter alia: resource mobilisation, institutional capacity, and skills capacity in order to consolidate developmental local government. This study further recommended some policy options that include policy reform, policy formulation, and policy shift to better support local development and accelerate infrastructure roll-out to enhance service delivery for the benefit of development. It is in this context that the local structures are better placed to respond to the societal challenges bedridden service delivery. This study uniquely contributed to the new knowledge that stresses the correlation between the local structures and local development. It is in the light of this contribution that this study intended to further close the gap created between the local structures and local development. For further and future research, this study highlighted the land claims in the Sekhukhune District Municipality as the constraints towards development.Development StudiesD. Litt. et Phil.(Development Studies

An assessment of mental health care law in South Africa with specific reference to the Life Esidimeni tragedy

The history of mental illness and its treatment reveals apart from each other the mentally-ill have had few advocates and have suffered confinement and neglect. The treatment of persons with mental illness occupies a dark place in the pages of history. South Africa’s new democratic order ushered in by the 1993 Interim Constitution1 was confirmed with the signing by President Nelson Mandela of the 1996 Constitution2 at Sharpeville on 10 December 1996. These developments brought to a close a long and bitter struggle to establish democracy in South Africa. In South Africa after the introduction of a democratic constitution there was an evident awareness that mental health had been neglected and that the transition to democracy requires it be given more attention. The Mental Health Care Act of 2002 and read with the Bill of Rights are key documents to regulating mental health care in South Africa. This study investigates where accountability lies following tragedies such as the Life Esidimeni incident. It examines the findings of the Ombudsman and the evidence that came out of the arbitration process to determine what should happen next. A particular focus in the study is on legal liability and accountability, as well as on issues of negligence and the law regarding obedience to the orders of superiors. The dissertation critically examines the Mental Health Care Act and its alignment with the South African Constitution and other international, regional and national human rights law instruments.Mini Dissertation (LLM)--University of Pretoria, 2018.Public LawMPhilUnrestricte

The outcome of intracranial subdural empyema at Steve Biko Academic Hospital : retrospective study

Objectives: Intracranial subdural empyema (ICSDE) can be a devastating condition, with a sequelae ranging from epilepsy, focal deficits to death. Factors affecting the outcome in subdural empyema range from level of consciousness, the extend of subdural pus at the time of diagnosis and the type of surgical procedure performed. Previous studies have conflicting results of unfavourable prognostic factors associated with ICSDE. The outcome of this condition at Steve Biko Academic Hospital (SBAH) is reported, as well as factors influencing the outcome. Methods: A retrospective analysis of all the patients admitted at neurosurgery unit of SBAH during 2006 – 2010 period with confirmed subdural empyema on brain CT scan and at surgery. Data sheet was used to collect all clinical information from patients’ records. Glasgow Outcome Scale and Henk W. Mauser grading were used to report on the outcome. Results: A total of 34 patients (20 males and 14 females) with mean age of 16.1 years were admitted with a diagnosis of ICSDE. The common presenting features were headache (58.8%), fever and seizures (47.0% each). Over 61% of patients had hemiplegia at presentation. CT scan confirmed subdural collections with 70.6% over the convexity, 23.5% at the convexity and parafalx and only 5.9% had bilateral collections. Complicated paranasal sinusitis was the origin of infection in 82.3%, followed by meningitis with 8.8%. Burr hole washout was done in 52.9% of patients, while 38.2% had burr holes with drains in situ and 8.8% had craniotomy to evacuate the subdural pus. All the patients were given empiric triple antibiotic therapy. Streptococci species were the most cultured organisms in the 19 (56.0%) patients who had positive cultures, however 15 (44.0%) patients had negative cultures. Resistance to penicillin was noted in 5.0% of cases only. Sixty-five percent of patients had good outcome with no seizures nor neurological deficits. The overall mortality was 15.0% in this study, with none from patients who had craniotomy. Conclusion: Clinical presenting features and organisms cultured seems to be the same internationally, particularly those due to complicated sinusitis. Empiric triple antibiotic therapy of 3rd generation cephalosporin plus vancomycin plus metronidazole is still relevant at SBAH. Factors associated with favourable outcome were ages between 11 and 20 years, and craniotomy as the surgical procedure of choice.Dissertation (MMEd)--University of Pretoria, 2013.NeurologyUnrestricte

COVID-19, Norms, and Discrimination against Female Gender in Nigeria: Focus on Implications for Mental Health Counselling

The COVID-19 outbreak is inflicting different societies of the world with an untold and unprecedented hardship. However, the extent of impacts is bound to differ across groups, gender, economies, and countries. Given how the pandemic affects particular groups, this paper focuses on girls/young women and how Covid-19 may further strengthen gender norms and discriminations as risk factors of their mental health. In some societies, right from birth, the life experiences of the female child differ from the male child. At every stage of development, girls are more likely than boys to confront a host of challenges associated with discrimination and norms, which are gender-based. With the effects of the current pandemic evident in reduced access to health care, education, teenage pregnancy, and being vulnerable, young women and girls are more at the receiving end of their impacts. These stand as hindrances to the girl child's mental health because they tend to constitute anxiety, depression, self-harm, or even suicide and weakens her will power to make proper adjustment to life issues. This paper concludes that given that the impacts of COVID-19 are not gender-blind (affecting both genders), therefore the designing policy responses to the current pandemic should not be either. As we all continue to face this overwhelming Covid-19 pandemic, the study recommends that the vulnerable (especially girls and young women) should not be neglected or ignored. This is possible by not forgetting the inequalities that may worsen the conditions of girls because of the crisis

The Impact of Covid-19 on Nigerian Education System

At a time when the Nigerian schools are on a temporary closure following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, this paper looked inwards and reflected on the nature of the education system and revealed its myriads of problems. The COVID-19 pandemic indeed had a huge impact on the educational system in Nigeria. It brought about the cessation of all learning activities in Nigeria except for private universities and secondary schools that swiftly switched to virtual learning platforms. It also illuminated the digital divide between the Nigerian student and his counterparts in other climes. COVID-19 pandemic outbreak also offered an opportunity for the nation to realise the poor status of its educational system. Some of the major problems that have confronted the Nigerian education system, as revealed by this paper, include poor funding, inadequate and dilapidating infrastructure, inadequate teaching facilities, poor teachers' welfare, poor research funding, poor quality of teachers, unconducive learning environment, and the like. The study recommends for the exhibition of sufficient political will by the political leadership for the transformation of the education system as well as the sustained commitment of other stakeholders such policymakers and educational administrators for the transformation of the system to give it its rightful place in our national life

The effect of temperature and asphaltene content on the lubricating properties of fuel oils

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT: https://researchdata.up.ac.za/authors/.Trinity_Thobejane/14645735.During coal-based power generation, fuel oil is used to assist with ignition of pulverised coal. Fuel oil passes through several pieces of equipment on its way to the burner section of the boiler. In this article the focus is on the lubricity behaviour of three representative fuel oil types and on the potential blocking of filters and nozzles caused by the presence of unwanted components in these fuel oils. The high frequency reciprocating rig (HFRR) (ISO 12156-1) was used to determine the lubricity of these fuel oils at different temperatures. Results indicate that the presence of asphaltenes (components of heavy fuel oils with complex aromatic structures) changes the viscosities of fuel oils, which, in turn affect their lubricity behaviour. Medium wax-blend fuel oil (MFO) containing high molecular weight paraffins (wax), low concentrations of asphaltenes and solid particles caused less friction and wear (with coefficient of friction (COF) values below 0.1) and good high temperature performance. Crude-derived heavy fuel oil (HFO), containing high concentrations of asphaltenes and solid particles caused very high coefficients of friction (COF peaks above 0.3) and severe abrasive wear at high temperatures. Although the third fuel oil tested was a light cycle oil (LFO) and did not contain any asphaltenes, results indicated a sensitivity to oxidation, increasing with temperature, which can have an adverse effect on in situ performance.This research was partly funded via Sasol.https://www.mdpi.com/journal/lubricantsChemical EngineeringSDG-07:Affordable and clean energySDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructur

An Exploration of Polygamous Marriages: A Worldview

Polygamy remains one of the key topics in various societies. It is through cultural practices, beliefs and also on the individuals’ choices that people decide to be committed to polygamy lifestyles. Polygyny remains widespread across the world. Over seventy percent of the societies known to Anthropologists permit men to marry more than one wife. There are consequences to each type of marriage that certain individuals might adapt to. Women who have entered into polygamous marriages have different experiences that can be enriching to those who practice monogamy.This paper highlights what people in polygamous marriages face on a daily basis. It argues that there are more disadvantages for women who are in polygamous marriages than there are for their counterparts in monogamous relationships. The paper further suggests that the patriarchal power structure appears to play a powerful and effective role in polygamous marriages in our societies. However, there is also a realization that many people practsing polygamy are happier. There is also an exploration of the complexities of polygamous marriages from a worldview with the hope of understanding the nature and evolution of polygamous marriages. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n27p105

The perceived impact of a global pandemic on a provincial department’s organisational structure

Orientation: Several existing studies examine the effect organisational structures have on businesses, but there is limited research that considers the effects unforeseen crises have on organisational structures. Research purpose: The study sought to determine the effects that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and lockdown had on the organisational structure of a provincial health department, specifically relating to performance management, employee productivity and organisational citizenship behaviour. Motivation for the study: Additional pressure on health workers, who were seen as ‘essential workers’ during the pandemic, motivated the investigation of how organisational structure affects employees’ ability to perform their duties during crises. Research approach/design and method: The study employed a quantitative research approach, using surveys. A non-experimental research method and convenience sampling were employed and a sample of 207 respondents (n = 207) was achieved. Main findings: The respondents agreed that the pandemic did not cause a decline in their performance due to effective workload management. They also agreed that they still felt passionate about their work during the pandemic. They further posited that the pandemic emphasised the importance of teamwork. Practical/managerial implications: The study offers insights into some factors that produced successful outcomes when handling the pandemic, which can inform organisational strategy during any similar future crises. Contribution/value-add: The study adds to the limited literature linking human resources management and change or crisis management, which is critical when navigating a rapidly changing present and an increasingly uncertain workplace future

Women in South Africa: Striving for full equality post-apartheid

Life for South African women post-apartheid reflects both legislative advances and lingering challenges. Despite progress in the post-apartheid world, South Africa is still characterized by a high level of economic disparity, meaning that daily life for individual women can be quite different depending on one’s race, socioeconomic status, and age. Thus, the concept of intersectionality is critical to understand what it means to be a woman in South Africa today. Despite advances in girls’ access to education at both the primary and secondary levels, women still face significant challenges when they enter the workforce by way of occupational segregation and stratification. As is the case internationally, South African women are also more likely to engage in unpaid work and to be employed in the informal sector. Taken together, these make it more likely that South African women live in poverty and become victims of interpersonal violence. With respect to health, the risk of HIV infection and the transmission of HIV from mother to baby are paramount concerns for South African women’s health