The University of Limpopo is a university in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. It was formed on 1 January 2005, by the merger of the University of the North and the Medical University of South Africa (MEDUNSA). These previous institutions formed the Turfloop and MEDUNSA campuses of the university, respectively. In 2015 the MEDUNSA campus split and became the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University.
Little is known about the vertical and spatial dynamics of microplastics in relation to hydrology and land use, particularly in African context. This study aimed to assess the abundance, type, colour and vertical distribution of microplastics in sediment from two Ramsar-designated wetlands, the Makuleke and Nylsvley. Sediment core samples were collected from five depth intervals (Depth: 0-20, 20-40, 40-60, 60-80 and 80-100 cm) for microplastic quantification. Microplastics were detected across all depths, with slight variations. Fibres and beads had high abundance in relation to other types. Makuleke exhibited significantly high concentrations of fragments and films than Nylsvley, driven largely by hydrological connectivity and anthropogenic inputs. These findings suggest that wetland protection status alone does not shield against microplastic contamination, which can persist in deep substrate layers for extended periods. Furthermore, the findings highlight the importance of integrated wetland management, enhanced plastic waste policies and ongoing research on the fate of microplastics in freshwater sediment systems.
Wetlands are vital ecosystems that regulate water, store carbon and support biodiversity, but they are highly vulnerable to climate variability and human pressures. In semi-arid South Africa, montane wetlands remain understudied despite their ecological and socioeconomic importance. The study analyzed 1996-2023 climate variability and vegetation response across the Waterberg Mountain Complex (WMC) using station temperature/precipitation, Rainfall Anomaly Index (RAI), 6-month wet-season Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and site-level Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) for 11 wetlands. Maximum temperatures increased at all stations, led by Warmbath (0.009 degrees C/month). No statistically significant changes in minimum temperature were detected. Precipitation trajectories diverged, Mokopane exhibited a statistically significant wetting trend whereas Lephalale and Marken experienced progressive drying. ENSO-driven droughts (2002/2003, 2015/2016 and 2019/2020) intensified hydroclimatic stress and shortened wetland hydroperiods. NDVI trends revealed strong coupling with rainfall variability, with high-altitude wetlands demonstrating greater resilience, while lowland systems declined in greenness. These findings highlight topography as a determinant of wetland vulnerability, positioning upland wetlands as potential climate refugia. Site-specific adaptation and conservation strategies are essential to safeguard ecosystem services and biodiversity, contributing to global sustainability goals (SDGs 6, 13 and 15).
The study examined the predictors of postpartum depressive symptoms among young mothers in rural Limpopo province in South Africa. Cross-sectional data of adolescents and young mothers aged 16 to 24 years from the DIMAMO Population Health Research Centre were used. The centre operates as a rural site of the South African Population Research Infrastructure Network's Health and Demographic Surveillance System. A multivariate analysis using binary logistic regression was used to identify the predictors of postpartum depressive symptoms among young mothers in rural Limpopo. Postpartum depressive symptoms were experienced by 39.83% of the young mothers. Mothers from food-insecure households were more likely to experience postpartum depressive symptoms (adjusted odds ratio = 2.59; confidence interval = 1.33-5.07; p = .005) compared to those from food-secure households. HIV-positive mothers were more likely to experience postpartum depressive symptoms (adjusted odds ratio = 9.34; confidence interval = 1.56-55.72; p = .014) compared to those who are HIV-negative. Meanwhile, receiving financial support from the partner (adjusted odds ratio = 0.37; confidence interval = 0.20-0.70; p = .002) and a planned pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio = 0.19; confidence interval = 0.08-0.51; p = .001) reduced the likelihood of experiencing postpartum depressive symptoms. These findings highlighted the need for policies that address food security, integrate mental health care into HIV services, strengthen family planning education, and promote partner support among young mothers in rural South Africa.
Background: The role of the church in addressing healthcare disparities, particularly human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and/or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and how pastors' attitudes influence the development and effectiveness of HIV and/or AIDS interventions remains underexplored. Aim: This study aimed to examine pastors' attitudes towards people living with HIV (PLWH) and to explore the lived experiences of PLWH in relation to these attitudes. Setting: Participants included pastors and congregational members living with HIV who resided in Thulamela Municipality and were affiliated with various Christian denominations. Methods: A qualitative phenomenological design was employed using semi-structured interviews. Purposive sampling was used to recruit nine pastors, while six PLWH were recruited through snowball sampling. All participants resided in Thulamela Municipality. Results: Findings indicated that pastors generally expressed sympathetic, non-judgemental and normalising attitudes towards PLWH. However, discussions around sexuality and HIV and/or AIDS were often considered taboo within the church context. People living with HIV reported experiencing stigma, and a prevailing belief among congregants attributed HIV transmission to individuals outside the church. Some participants also associated HIV infection with demonic possession. Conclusion: While pastors demonstrated compassion towards PLWH, inadequate knowledge contributed to persistent negative attitudes and stigma. Enhanced collaboration among pastors, interdenominational forums, healthcare professionals and communities is essential to promote accurate information sharing, reduce stigma and improve HIV and/or AIDS responses within faith-based settings. Contribution: This study highlights how pastor-led biblical discourse, influenced by limited theological training, shapes attitudes towards HIV and/or AIDS and underscores the need for stronger collaboration between churches and public health.
This article aims to investigate how university infrastructure management perceives the difficulties in implementing infrastructure as a service in South African universities. Understanding the benefits that infrastructure as a service can provide in comparison to the on-premises model now used by most South African Universities is a particular focus. The identified criteria were validated using theme analysis and interviews. Trust, security, and attitude were found to be three new, crucial issues for implementing infrastructure as a service (IaaS). The results of this article reveal that IaaS provides a competitive advantage in terms of scalability, pay-as-you-go flexibility, accessibility, and immediate service provision on demand. To better understand how the contextual aspects of emerge themes, and how they relate to the ideas required for the adoption of infrastructure as a service on the surrounding South African universities, this article presents a comprehensive infrastructure as a service adoption model (IaaSF).
