scholarly journals ‘We want the bread, not the crumbs’: Challenging traditional authority in the platinum belt

Author(s):  
Boitumelo Matlala

Members of the Bakgatla-ba-Kgafela traditional community have attempted to hold their traditional leader to account for decisions affecting the community. This article describes the interactions between some community members, traditional leaders, the state and courts, as members of the community have sought to challenge unilateral action by the traditional leader with regard to how community assets and revenue are managed and accounted for. The article examines the various actions groups and individuals have resorted to in an effort to confront traditional leadership and appeal to politicians, officials and the North West provincial government.

Oryx ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guilherme Braga Ferreira ◽  
Marcelo Juliano Rabelo Oliveira ◽  
Rogério Cunha de Paula ◽  
Flávio Henrique Guimarães Rodrigues ◽  
Érica Daniele Cunha Carmo

AbstractThe bush dog Speothos venaticus, a rare Near Threatened South American canid that lives in packs, was thought to be extinct in Minas Gerais state, south-eastern Brazil, until recently. Here, we report four recent records of the species in Minas Gerais, the first in the state since the description of the species in 1842. All records are from the Cerrado ecosystem in the north and north-west of the state; two are from animals found dead, one from footprints and another from a camera trap. Three of the records were inside or close (< 10 km) to strict protected areas, in a region recognized as the Protected Areas Mosaic Sertão Veredas–Peruaçu, where we expect any new records of the bush dog to be found. We discuss the low probability of detecting the bush dog and the main regional threats to the species, and emphasize the need to protect large and interconnected natural areas and keep them free of domestic dogs to avoid the extinction of the bush dog in Minas Gerais.


MedAlliance ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-101

Introduction. Prior to detailed review of the North- West Federal District (NWFD) pulmonology service per- formance during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is especial- ly worthwhile to evaluate its human resourcing in the prepandemic period of 2015–2019, since the perfor- mance of pulmonology service largely depends on its staffing, moreover in conditions of restructuring and decreased number of pulmonology bedspace in hospi- tals. Мethods. In the course of the study, the authors have analysed human resourcing data for pulmonology profile within the state healthcare system in NWFD for the period of 2015–2019. The results were statistically processed and data analysis carried out using Micro- soft Office Excel and SPSS software. Results . In the state healthcare system medical institutions of the NWFD throughout 2015–2019, the number of regular pulm- onologists’ positions fluctuated unrhythmically. The number of pulmonologists (MDs) in NWFD grew 0.82% during the period of 2015–2019, for comparison, in the Russian Federation the growth for the same period was 32.08%. The number of operating pulmonology depart- ments remained practically the same, but the number of occupied positions constantly changed. Practically all the pulmonologists in the NWFD have a specialist certi- ficate, but the share of doctors with qualification grade remains insufficient, and is on the decrease. Statistical analysis demonstrated significant positive Pearson cor- relation between the number of pulmonologists and general respiratory incidence (0.74 р=0.04), mortality (0.756 р=0.003), and the number of occupied pulmo- nology bedspace (0.619 р=0.024). Conclusion. Today, pulmonology service human resourcing review is to be conducted taking into account respiratory morbidity and mortality and the need for pulmonology services among the general population. Currently, there is no sci- entifically justified regulatory framework for the deve- lopment of the pulmonology service in NWFD regions, while the work of such services depends very much on the regional budgets and medical services’ tariffs. The development and fast implementation of such compre- hensive measures as salaries’ increase, adequate social support, regular residential and non-residential courses of continuous medical education, professional networ- king, etc. will allow to maintain and holistically develop the human potential of the NWFD pulmonology service.


2014 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 169-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amedeo Troiano ◽  
Eros Pasero

Abstract The monitoring of runway surfaces, for the detection of ice formation or presence of water, is an important issue for reducing maintenance costs and improving traffic safety. An innovative sensor was developed to detect the presence of ice or water on its surface, and its repeatability, stability and reliability were assessed in different simulations and experiments, performed both in laboratory and in the field. Three sensors were embedded in the runway of the Turin-Caselle airport, in the north-west of Italy, to check the state of its surface. Each sensor was connected to a GPRS modem to send the collected data to a common database. The entire system was installed about three years ago, and up to now it shows correct work and automatic reactivation after malfunctions without any external help. The state of the runway surface is virtual represented in an internet website, using the Internet of Things features and opening new scenarios.


2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 623
Author(s):  
Noleen Pisa ◽  
Riaan Rossouw ◽  
Wilma Viviers

Economic modelling techniques can assist policy makers to understand the effects of policy or external shocks and to make informed decisions about economic development programmes. Economic diversification is a priority of resource-dependent regions such as South Africas North West Province (NWP) in the wake of the 2014 platinum strike. The economy of the NWP is highly specialised and dependent on a few sectors - in particular, mining and quarrying. Both the NWP and the South African economies were adversely affected by a prolonged strike in the platinum sector.This paper sets out to illustrate the effects of industrial cluster formation as a strategy to enhance competitiveness in the NWP and diversify its economy using SAM multiplier analysis. The supported activity of eight of the ten industrial clusters was shown to be greater than the actual activity, indicating that industrial cluster formation will enhance economic activity in the NWP. Of the ten identified clusters for the NWP, four were found to be moderately integrated and to have high upstream effects. Finally, structural change in the NWP economy through industrial cluster formation was observed using economic landscaping. A key finding was that the identified industrial clusters are significant contributors to the structural change of the NWP economic landscape with the promotion of cluster-specific exports. It is recommended that the North West provincial government adopt this strategy with a view to enhancing competitiveness and economic diversification.


Author(s):  
Patience Mugah Nji ◽  
Fon Dorothy Engwali

Aims: This article seeks to evaluate the determinants or factors that contribute to the success of Farmer Organizations and their sustainability. Study Design: The research method was based on field surveys. Duration of Study:  The study was carried out between August 2018 and October 2019. Methodology: Sample: Data was collected through face-to-face interviews and 299 respondents (255 Farmer organisations members, and 44 community members) were selected using the multi-stage cluster and purposive sampling techniques. Data from the study was analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: Results revealed that the main problems witnessed by Farmer Organisations which slow down their growth include capital accumulation (86.4%), unavailability of loan (79.5%), and lack of skilled personnel (65.9%) and high illiteracy level of members (43.2%). While mismanagement of group funds by leaders (13.6%), government interference (29.5%), was of low impact. Factors that contribute to the success and sustainability of farmer organisation among others are good group leadership skills (90.2%) members, meeting the needs of the members (84.3%), assist in community development (58.8%) other factors include origin of group, assistance, communication and members involvement in decision making, membership participation, guiding principles and regulations, type of activity and profitability. Conclusion: For farmer organizations to be successful and sustainable  government agencies and NGOs in the sector should help  the farmer organizations by  providing financial assistance, farm inputs and seeds, provide post harvest infrastructures, regular extension services and the Farmer organizations should be market and advocacy oriented.


1956 ◽  
Vol 2 (20) ◽  
pp. 708-713
Author(s):  
Kermit B. Bengtson

AbstractThe Coleman Glacier on Mt. Baker in the State of Washington began to advance about 1949 after a long period of rapid retreat. Since that year the terminus has advanced continuously a total of about 300 m. and considerable thickening of the entire glacier has occurred. The continued advance of the Coleman Glacier and other evidence are interpreted as manifestations of a trend during the last decade towards a slightly cooler and moist climate in the north-west of the United States.


1993 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-49
Author(s):  
John Amadio

The Pitjantjatjara people in the north west of South Australia and the Yalata Community in the far west of the state identify as Anangu (the people) Anangu culture is very different in many ways from the mainstream culture largely associated with urban centres but some of the aspects in common include a desire to maintain their culture and lifestyle, wanting a favourable future for their children and their communities, and a desire to be self managing.


Author(s):  
Germari Kruger ◽  
Minrie Greeff ◽  
Rantoa Letšosa

HIV is a deadly reality in South African communities, where people living with HIV (PLWH) do not only face physical sickness but also severe stigmatisation. Literature shows that spiritual leaders (religious leaders/traditional healers) can have a very meaningful role in the reduction of HIV stigma. This article reports on part of a comprehensive community-based HIV stigma reduction intervention with PLWH and people living close to them, which included partners, children, family members, friends, community members and spiritual leaders. The focus of this article is on the experiences of spiritual leaders during and after the HIV stigma reduction intervention. The research took place in both an urban and rural setting in the North-West Province of South Africa and data collection was done by means of in-depth interviews with the spiritual leaders. The interaction with PLWH during the intervention activated new experiences for spiritual leaders: acceptance and empathy for PLWH, an awareness of their own ignorance, a stronger realisation of God’s presence and a realisation that they could inspire hope in PLWH. A greater awareness was created of HIV and of the associated realities regarding disclosure and stigma. The inclusion of spiritual leaders as well as PLWH brought about a positive shift in the attitudes of communities through the increase of knowledge and understanding of HIV stigma. They saw themselves playing a much greater part in facilitating such a shift and in reducing HIV stigma in their own congregations and their communities at large.


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