The development of LibGuides at Cape Peninsula University of Technology Libraries and the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on their usage

LibGuides have been used by librarians at Cape Peninsula University of Technology since 2012 as a means of providing subject-based information to students, with quick links to selected resources and information supplementing information literacy training. Lecturers use the resources for preparing lectures and identifying learning materials, while researchers and postgraduate students use research support guides when writing their papers. As the worldwide pandemic caused a major lockdown, academic institutions in South Africa were closed and students sent home. However, students still needed to complete their studies, and librarians at Cape Peninsula University of Technology had to continue providing support to these students. One of the online services available was LibGuides. This article provides insight into the historical developments of LibGuides at Cape Peninsula University of Technology, the use of LibGuides during lockdown, and the experiences of a selected group of students and librarians.

Effect of water deficits on the growth and secondary metabolites of Salvia dolomitica Codd. and Salvia namaensis Schinz

Background: Salvia dolomitica Codd. and Salvia namaensis Schinz. are indigenous to southern Africa and are used as medicinal plants in folk medicine.Aim: This study aimed to assess the effects of different levels of water deficit treatments on the growth, concentration of secondary metabolites, and anti-Fusarium oxysporum activity of S. dolomitica and S. namaensis.Setting: Experiments were carried out on the Bellville campus of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town.Methods: Four weeks old seedlings of the two species were subjected to 3-, 6-, 9- and 12-day water deficit regimes. Secondary metabolites such as polyphenols, alkaloids, and flavanols were assessed using spectroscopic methods. The anti-fungal activities of crude extracts obtained from plants were evaluated in a micro-dilution bioassay.Results: In all treatments, the plant height, crown width, number of stems and leaves, and fresh and dry weights reduced with increased water deficits. Acetone extracts from all treatments showed anti-fungal activity. However, extracts from the treatment with moderate water deficit (6-day watering interval) recorded significantly (P 0.01) better inhibition of F. oxysporum at the 18 h post incubation than the commercial fungicide, Mancozeb.Conclusion: This research has revealed that mild to moderate water deficit level favours the accumulation of alkaloids in S. dolomitica. Meanwhile, mild to severe water deficit significantly lowered flavanol content in S. namaensis. There was a correlation between the increase in total alkaloid contents and the enhanced anti-fungal activity of extracts of S. dolomitica. The present findings pave the way for optimised cultivation of medicinal plants and development of bioactive natural products.

Transdisciplinary service-learning for construction management and quantity surveying students

The transformation of higher education in South Africa has seen higher education institutions become more responsive to community matters by providing institutional support for service-learning projects. Despite service-learning being practised in many departments at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), there is a significant difference in the way service-learning is perceived by academics and the way in which it should be supported within the curriculum. This article reflects on a collaborative transdisciplinary service-learning project at CPUT that included the Department of Construction Management and Quantity Surveying and the Department of Urban and Regional Planning. The aim of the transdisciplinary service-learning project was for students to participate in an asset-mapping exercise in a rural communal settlement in the Bergrivier municipality in the Western Cape province of South Africa. In so doing students from the two departments were gradually inducted into the community. Once inducted, students were able to identify the community’s most urgent needs. During community engagement students from each department were paired together. This allowed transdisciplinary learning to happen with the exploration of ideas from the perspectives of both engineering and urban planning students. Students were able to construct meaning beyond their discipline. Cooperation and synergy between the departments allowed mutual, interchangeable, cooperative interaction with community members. Outcomes for the transdisciplinary service-learning project and the required commitment from students are discussed.

Simulating the Coastal Ocean Circulation Near the Cape Peninsula Using a Coupled Numerical Model

A coupled numerical hydrodynamic model is presented for the Cape Peninsula region of South Africa. The model is intended to support a range of interdisciplinary coastal management and research applications, given the multifaceted socio-economic and ecological value of the study area. Calibration and validation are presented, with the model reproducing the mean circulation well. Maximum differences between modelled and measured mean surface current speeds and directions of 3.9 × 10−2 m s−1 and 20.7°, respectively, were produced near Cape Town, where current velocities are moderate. At other measurement sites, the model closely reproduces mean surface and near-bed current speeds and directions and outperforms a global model. In simulating sub-daily velocity variability, the model’s skill is moderate, and similar to that of a global model, where comparison is possible. It offers the distinct advantage of producing information where the global model cannot, however. Validation for temperature and salinity is provided, indicating promising performance. The model produces a range of expected dynamical features for the domain including upwelling and vertical current shear. Nuances in circulation patterns are revealed; specifically, the development of rotational flow patterns within False Bay is qualified and an eddy in Table Bay is identified.

A translanguage pedagogy to promote Biotechnology concept engagement and academic literacy in a linguistically-diverse university context

Following the call for transformation, higher education institutions in South Africa were required to promote and implement indigenous languages in teaching and learning. This has led to various strategies and resources being explored and implemented, multilingual glossaries among them. In science, where English remains the global means of communication, our experience has been that such interventions are often underutilized. A more inclusive, holistic pedagogy is required to adequately prepare students, especially non-English speakers, for international scientific engagement. One such pedagogy is presently proposed and tested. Its purpose is to harness the dominant language - that which is most active in the learners’ minds - to first promote epistemological access to difficult scientific concepts, and after concept acquisition, develop the required English, scientific, and academic literacy. Biotechnology undergraduate students at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) - many of whom are international - reported enhancing their learning experience and recognised the significance of their dominant language in deep learning as a result of this translanguage pedagogy. Such a pedagogy demonstrates that multilingualism, far from being viewed as an impediment to teaching and learning, should be seen as a rich resource that needs to be harnessed to facilitate epistemic access, cognitive development, transformation, social cohesion, and respect for all languages.

The Wynberg Cave System, the most important site for cave fauna in South Africa at risk

The Wynberg Cave System, located on the Cape Peninsula, represents one of the most significant sites of cave fauna in southern Africa. However, the continuous increase in cave visitation is severely impacting the system as evidenced by graffiti, the trampling and destruction of cave habitats and even a reduction in the sizes of bat colonies. In October 2019, the Wynberg Cave System was visited by a group of scientist, who discovered unregistered troglomorphic species. This, subsequently increased the number of troglobites occurring in the system to 19, which likely means that this system has the potential to become the first hotspot of subterranean biodiversity in Africa. Protecting the Wynberg Cave System is therefore of great importance. Here, we propose short and long-term strategies that include educating local communities on the importance of conserving caves and installing gated entrances.

The setting and style of manganese mineralization in the Constantiaberg Massif, Cape Peninsula, South Africa

Manganese oxyhydroxide mineralization is widespread in the Constantiaberg Massif. It is largely hosted by west-northwest – east-southeast trending brittle structures in the competent Ordovician arenites of the Peninsula Formation of the Cape Supergroup. Manganese is also found impregnating more porous Peninsula Formation arenites and Quaternary scree. This study proposes that the more significant deposits at Hout Bay and Constantiaberg differ from most of the mineralization in that they are spatially associated with saprolithic dolerite dykes belonging to the 132 Ma False Bay dolerite dyke swarm. It is suggested that this deep weathering may be related to a Miocene palaeo-landsurface, yielding a maximum age for these more important Mn deposits. However, there is evidence for mineralization of different ages through the Quaternary Period. Apart from Mn-mineralization hosted by rare breccias containing hydrothermal quartz, most of the mineralization is supergene, having been leached and transported in reduced acidic groundwater and precipitated at or near a redox front in a near-surface environment.