UWCScholar
This repository serves as a digital archive for the preservation of research outputs from the University of the Western Cape.
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Recent Submissions
An analysis of the legal framework which ought to give effect to remand detainees’ right to dignity
(University of the Western Cape, 2024) Mhlanga, Grag Kulani
The right to be detained in conditions that are consistent with human dignity, including at least exercise and the provision, at state expense, of adequate accommodation, nutrition, reading material and medical treatment,1 in terms of section 35 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (Constitution), is in jeopardy. Now retired Constitutional Court Justice, Edwin Cameron, on his visit to Pollsmoor Correctional Centre in 2015, stated that ‘the extent of overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, sickness, emaciated physical appearance of the detainees, and overall deplorable living conditions were profoundly disturbing’.2 He made these remarks in relation to remand detainees.3 Though this was the condition of one detention centre, the problem is endemic in South African correctional centres.4 In Sonke Gender Justice NPC, Theron J held that ‘Any person who has stepped into one of this country’s correctional centres will know that, in many respects, the treatment of inmates and conditions of detention fall far short of [the constitutional standards].’ 5 Justice Cameron’s visit to Pollsmoor led to Sonke Gender Justice and Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR), approaching the Western Cape High Court (WCHC).
An exploration of how general practitioners, working in seven black townships in Cape Town, South Africa, perceive their role in strengthening the district health system
(University of the Western Cape, 2025) Mdlekeza, Nozuko Arizona
Despite the recognition of general practitioners’ (GPs) role within the health system, and more recently their role in implementing the National Health Insurance (NHI) in South Africa, very little is known about township GPs’ role, motivation and experiences and their contribution to strengthening the district health system (DHS). The aim of this study was to better understand private GP’s perceived roles in primary healthcare provision within the DHS, investigate their reasons for choosing the medical profession and explore their experiences of being a private GP in Cape Town’s black townships. A qualitative exploratory study was conducted amongst 12 township GPs who provided consent. The exploratory study examined their experiences, to better understand their histories, motivations and socio-cultural work contexts. In-depth interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide consisting of open-ended questions, with interviews conducted face-to-face for approximately an hour per participant. Interviews were recorded with consent and collected data was analysed using thematic coding analysis (TCA). The participants, who had rural and township upbringing obtained positive role modelling from their local GPs, hospital doctors and peers who were medical students. Parental guidance also influenced their choice of profession. These influencers changed their trajectory towards medicine during their secondary schooling. The GPs perceived their role in the DHS as providers of quality primary healthcare in low socioeconomic areas burdened by high morbidity and mortality. They emphasized offering quality medication which the public sector cannot offer, thereby preventing mortality in vulnerable communities. Additionally, they viewed themselves as facilitators and advocates, who support patients and connect them to appropriate public or private clinics and hospitals, or to other sectors like police or social services. Ensuring continuity of care for optimal results was also highlighted as a significant feature in their practices as they established good relationships with their clients, referring them accordingly while working in co-ordination with other actors for their wellbeing. The GPs noted that the absence of language barriers (enabled by their fluency in vernacular) enhanced quality service delivery and clinical outcomes in the townships. They also emphasized cultural understanding as key to strengthening doctor-patient relationships and were supportive of traditional healing as it was embedded in the community. Health promotion in the form of health education on disease management and prevention, was cited as central to their work to enable patients to take control of their health, improve it and that of their families plus the broader community.
Coalition governance in South Africa’s local government: law and practice
(University of the Western Cape, 2025) Beukes, Jennica
Coalition governments have the potential to promote inclusive, responsive and innovative governance and service delivery. However, they are inherently more complex than single-party governments due to the involvement of multiple coalition partners, whose diverse interests often poses a risk to political stability and effective governance. In municipalities, political stability is essential to ensure that municipal councils govern effectively and deliver essential services. Periods of political volatility in coalition governments can result in governance failures that adversely impact the functioning of municipalities. Where these failures affect municipalities’ ability to meet its executive obligations, municipalities become vulnerable to section 139 interventions, which include the dissolution of municipal councils. This qualitative study analyses international coalition traditions, court judgments and the institutional framework of South Africa’s local government to identify key barriers to political stability and service delivery in municipalities where coalition governance is the norm. The findings reveal that coalition-led municipalities often experience political instability caused by intra- and inter-party conflicts, rent-seeking motives or opportunistic behaviour, frequent termination of councillors’ party membership, removal of political office-bearers, biased enforcement of rules and orders, and increasing fragmentation. These constitute serious governance risks, as they undermine the ability of municipal councils to exercise their legislative and executive functions effectively and efficiently.
Persistent pharmaceuticals in a South African urban estuary and bioaccumulation in endobenthic sandprawns (Kraussillichirus kraussi)
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2025) Petrik, Leslie; Murgatroyd, Olivia; Ojemaye, Cecilia
Pharmaceuticals are increasingly being detected in coastal ecosystems globally, but contamination and bioaccumulation levels are understudied in temporarily closed estuaries. In these systems, limited freshwater inputs and periodic closure may predispose them to pharmaceutical accumulation. We quantified in situ water column pharmaceutical levels at five sites in a temporarily closed model urban estuary (Zandvlei Estuary) in Cape Town, South Africa, that has been heavily anthropogenically modified. The results indicate an almost 100-fold greater concentration of pharmaceuticals in the estuary relative to False Bay, into which the estuary discharges, with acetaminophen (max: 2.531 µg/L) and sulfamethoxazole (max: 0.138 µg/L) being the primary pollutants. Acetaminophen was potentially bioaccumulative, while nevirapine, carbamazepine and sulfamethoxazole were bioaccumulated (BAF > 5000 L/kg) by sandprawns (Kraussillichirus kraussi), which are key coastal endobenthic ecosystem engineers in southern Africa. The assimilative capacity of temporarily closed estuarine environments may be adversely impacted by wastewater discharges that contain diverse pharmaceuticals, based upon the high bioaccumulation detected in key benthic engineers.
Perceived accuracy and utilisation of DHIS2 data for health decision making and advocacy in Kenya: a qualitative study
(Public Library of Science, 2025) Oware, Phoene Mesa; Omondi, Gregory; Adipo, Celestine
Reliable health information systems (HIS) are critical for effective decision-making in the delivery of Primary Health Care and Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition (PHC/RMNCAH+N) services. In Kenya, the District Health Information Software 2 (DHIS2) platform serves as the primary HIS for tracking health indicators. This qualitative study explored perceptions of DHIS2 data accuracy and use for decision-making among PHC/RMNCAH+N stakeholders across 15 counties in Kenya. 89 Key Informant Interviews were conducted with PHC/ RMNCAH+N stakeholders, to explore experiences, barriers, and facilitators of DHIS2 data use. Thematic network analysis was employed to identify recurrent themes and generate insights into the utility of DHIS2-generated information. Sociotechnical challenges included limited technical capacity among health staff, inadequate analytical skills, and reliance on a small pool of Health Records Information Officers (HRIOs). However, positive practices emerged, such as the use of DHIS2 dashboards and user-friendly outputs, which were valued for supporting evidence-based decision-making and advocacy, particularly at higher levels of health management. In some counties, visual displays of data, including scorecards and performance trends, facilitated budget advocacy and community engagement. Contextual challenges and constraints, such as use of inconsistent data collection tools across counties post-devolution, human resource shortages, and limited integration of private sector data, contributed to incomplete reporting. These challenges underpinned perceived inaccuracy of DHIS2 data, arguably, hindering the complete reliance on DHIS2 data for planning and decision making. The study highlights the need for targeted investments to improve DHIS2 data accuracy and use through stronger stakeholder coordination, enhanced data synthesis skills, and fostering a culture of data ownership among a wide range of stakeholders in health, including political actors.. Addressing these gaps will contribute to improvement in DHIS2 data quality, enhanced ownership and reliance on DHIS2 data by PHC/RMNCAH+N stakeholders for decision making in Kenya.