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Antibiogram of environmental isolates of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus from Nkonkobe Municipality, South Africa
(PSP, 2016) Stenström, Thor-Axel; Okoh, Anthony I.; Adegoke, Anthony Ayodeji
The antibiogram of Acinetobacter isolates from freshwater and soil samples in Alice and Fort Beaufort towns in Nkonkobe Municipality, South Africa were assessed for their extended beta-lactamase (ESBL) spectrum. Eighty-six Acinetobacter isolates were obtained from the 50 samples of soil and 50 samples of water (25 in each location) analysed. The resistance of the Acinetobacter isolates ranged between 30-100% against penicillin G, ceftriazone, nitrofurantoin, erythromycin and augmentin, while 9% showed intermediate response to minocycline, and 10% were resistant to oxytetracycline. Both Tet B and Tet 39 were detected in 66.7 % of the tetracycline resistant Acinetobacter isolates and in 44.4 % of the intermediately tetracycline resistant Acinetobacter isolates. An observation of 9.3% phenotypic expression of ESBLs was made while 3.5% were carrying the blaCTX-M-1 gene; all of which were susceptible to the fluoroquinolone. The multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index of > 0.2 indicates that the isolates emerged from high-risk sources, in line with conventional standards. Commensal Acinetobacter spp in the environment have proven to be one of reservoirs for antibiotic resistance genes.
Deconstructing quality in South African higher education
(Emerald, 2018) Fomunyam, Kehdinga George
>This study aims to examine six South African universities with a particular focus on the quality of teaching and learning. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative case study approach was adopted and data were mainly generated by means of open-ended questionnaires. The questionnaire was circulated to approximately 1,800 students and 746 completed it. The data were categorized and analysed thematically, using both national and international benchmarks for quality teaching and learning. Findings The findings reveal that teaching and learning in South African universities is marred by a plethora of challenges. Lecturers lack basic skills and essential resources to effectively facilitate teaching and learning. Furthermore, quality benchmarks set by the Council on Higher Education are only met on paper and little or nothing is done to translate this into practice. Originality/value The study proposes among others that clearer policies on funding are recommended to ensure proper allocation of resources, staff development and institutional comeliness. Finally, to enhance transformation, universities should prioritize teaching and learning and take steps to ensure that those teaching in the classroom are qualified to do so.
The Development of a Language Learning Object Repository (LLOR) for second language teachers in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
(International Association of Technology, Education and Development, 2012) Reddy, Pregalathan
A Language Learning Object Repository (LLOR) was developed in an attempt to respond to the challenge of increasing costs of printed educational resources, the lack of which results in generally poor performances by second language English school goers. The overall research approach adopted was critical realism, using Archer’s morphogenetic action research cycle. The resulting LLOR is then a type of mechanism for generating and archiving educational resources, and is intended primarily for teachers although it supports students as well. The use of a user-contributed model in the design of the LLOR anticipates the challenge of providing direct support (editorial), as with new resources having to be added by the researcher only, by having users contribute resources as well; moreover consumers more easily accept user-contributed models when they are also contributors. The iterative design of the LLOR followed a series of piloting of different application stacks including MediaWiki, TikiWiki CMS and Joomla. Moodle was chosen as the most suitable product as it facilitates the sharing of content using Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) and can also easily be packaged in an offline self-contained pack for distribution to users who have limited Internet access. Three user groups comprising experts (those proficient with web and computer technologies), teachers (a representative group of second language teachers of English) and students (a mix of second and first language English learners) were asked to test-drive the LLOR and respond to questions asked about its ease of use and potential. Modifications were made based on their input. The key to facilitating access and usage of resources like this LLOR is to make it accessible through different devices, especially mobile devices (e.g. mobile phones, tablets and netbooks); future development will prioritise a mobile-ready version of the LLOR.
Integrating quality and cost of surface raw water : upper and middle Vaal water management areas South Africa
(IWA Publishing, 2010) Dzwairo, Bloodless; Otieno, Fredrick Alfred O.
The user-pays principle encourages use of a water tariff structure that incorporates pollution and/or depletion of a water resource because that water represents a capital resource base. Development of a tool that models variability of surface raw water quality in order to predict cost of treatment thus makes economic sense. This paper forms the backbone for an on-going doctoral study in South Africa's Upper and Middle Vaal Water Management Areas (U&MVWMAs) of the Vaal River (VR). Specific objectives of the overall research are; to carry out pollutant tracer hydrochemistry of specific reaches of the U&MVWMAs including producing an integrated ecological functionality for the whole study area, and to develop a tool that models the variability of surface raw water quality using surface raw water tariffs and water quality data for years 2003–2008. This paper concluded that downstream water boards (WBs) paid a higher water resources management charge (WRMC) for more polluted raw water than upstream WBs. It was recommended that a quality-cost model be incorporated at tier1 of the cost chain for water services to ensure fairness of service delivery and spread of burden to consumers.
Water security in South Africa: perceptions on public expectations and municipal obligations, governance and water re-use
(Creative Commons Attribution Licence, 2016-07-03) Sershen, S.; Rodda, N.; Stenström, Thor-Axel; Schmidt, S.; Dent, M.; Bux, Faizal; Hanke, N.; Buckley, C. A.; Fennemore, C.
South Africa is a water-scarce country with increasing pressure on its water resources. Urgent interventions are needed to protect water security within this rapidly developing country. This paper reports on an interdisciplinary Water Security Colloquium, convened by the South African Young Academy of Science in 2014. A selected group of water professionals from academia, civil society and local government was brought together to discuss water security under three focus themes: ‘public expectations and municipal obligations’, ‘water security and governance: challenges and advances’, and ‘water re-use: health and infrastructural considerations’. Participant perceptions were generated using a focus group methodology, combined with participatory data collection methods. Under each theme, inputs were categorised as ‘challenges’, ‘gaps in knowledge’, and ‘solutions/recommendations’ and these inputs were thereafter ranked in order of importance via a ‘voting’ process. Major challenges perceived included a lack of both skills and political will in government, a need to restore citizen trust in government intention and capability to deliver water-related services, and a failure to up-scale existing water re-use technology. Participants identified understanding of the process and implications of the Green and Blue Drop Programmes, knowledge transfer to the public, and the role of educators as major knowledge gaps. The top suggestions proposed included creating public awareness around and buy-in to initiatives to improve water security, accessible and user-friendly conversion of research results to implementation, and ensuring an active role for educators in creating awareness around water security. In view of the concerns identified, participants suggested as potential solutions: improving government and public understanding around water issues, incentivising water re-use and conservation, introducing rising block tariffs and improving human capacity development in the water sector. Developing the ecological infrastructure that protects both quantity and quality of water and building strong partnerships among all stakeholders were also recognised as key.