scholarly journals Development of a Comprehensive Conceptual Framework for Biogas Technology Adoption in South Africa

Resources ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 76
Author(s):  
Solomon E. Uhunamure ◽  
Nthaduleni S. Nethengwe ◽  
David Tinarwo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Technology Adoption ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Critical Evaluation ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Household Level ◽  
Fit For Purpose ◽  
Biogas Technology

This article focuses on the development of a conceptual framework guiding the adoption of biogas technology in selected rural areas of the Limpopo province. The theoretical framing of the study emanated from the critical evaluation of models and work that privileged the technical design and optimisation of a biogas system over the adoption of the technology at the household level. Based on the empirical evidence, and using logistic regression analysis, the study highlighted that determinants of biogas technology adoption in communities are complex, context-dependent and spatially varied. Hence, the policy of biogas adoption should be tailored based on the principle of fit-for-purpose, instead of using existing unimodal approaches for all settings. Based on the findings, the study developed a robust conceptual framework that harnesses the relationships between the influencing variables that can enhance the adoption of biogas technology.

scholarly journals Characterisation of smectite-rich clay soil: Implication for groundwater defluoridation

2016 ◽  
Vol Volume 112 (Number 11/12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rabelani Mudzielwana ◽  
Mugera W. Gitari ◽  
Titus A.M. Msagati ◽  
◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Contact Time ◽  
Clay Soil ◽  
Dental Fluorosis ◽  
Fluoride Concentration ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
World Health ◽  
Fluoride Removal ◽  
X Ray

Abstract Groundwater is a widely used and affordable source of drinking water in most of the rural areas of South Africa. Several studies have indicated that groundwater in some boreholes in South Africa has a fluoride concentration above the level recommended by the World Health Organization (1.5 mg/L). Fluoride concentrations above the permissible limit (>1.5 mg/L) lead to dental fluorosis, with even higher concentrations leading to skeletal fluorosis. In the present work, we evaluate the application of smectite-rich clay soil from Mukondeni (Limpopo Province, South Africa) in defluoridation of groundwater. The clay soil was characterised by mineralogy using X-ray diffraction, by elemental composition using X-ray fluorescence and by morphology using scanning electron microscopy. Surface area and pore volume was determined by the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface analysis method. Cation exchange capacity and pHpzc of the soil were also evaluated using standard laboratory methods. Batch experiments were conducted to evaluate and optimise various operational parameters such as contact time, adsorbent dose, pH and initial adsorbate concentration. It was observed that 0.8 g/100 mL of smectite-rich clay soil removed up to 92% of fluoride from the initial concentration of 3 mg/L at a pH of 2 with a contact time of 30 min. The experimental data fitted well to a Langmuir adsorption isotherm and followed pseudo second order reaction kinetics. Smectite-rich clay soil showed 52% fluoride removal from field groundwater with an initial fluoride concentration of 5.4 mg/L at an initial pH of 2 and 44% removal at a natural pH of 7.8. Therefore smectite-rich clay soil from Mukondeni has potential for application in defluoridation of groundwater. Chemical modification is recommended to improve the defluoridation capacity.

scholarly journals Determinants of Biogas Technology Adoption in Pakistan

2019 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-123
Author(s):  
Saleem Ashraf ◽  
Muhammad Luqman ◽  
Zakaria Yousaf Hassan ◽  
Asif Yaqoob
Keyword(s):  
Technology Adoption ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Energy Crisis ◽  
Alternative Source ◽  
Government Organizations ◽  
Biogas Technology

This survey research based study sought determinants of biogas technology adoption in rural areas of Pakistan. Stratified random sampling technique was employed to select respondents because the population was unknown and heterogeneous in nature. Total 240 respondents (150 biogas users and 120 potential users) were selected and face to face interviewed using a structured, validated and pre-tested questionnaire. Along with descriptive analysis of data logistics regression model was applied to investigate the determinants of biogas adoption. Findings affirmed significant role of socio-economic characteristics  of respondents in the adoption of biogas technology. Empirical findings reported a significant impact of education, the income of households and the number of animals on the adoption of biogas technology. This implies that unit increase in education, income and number of animals will escalate the adoption of biogas technology. Tackling energy crisis, economic benefits, and production of slurry for soil fertility, health gains and environment-friendly nature of biogas were perceived reasons of biogas adoption among the biogas users. Non-government organizations and neighbours were leading motivational factors behind adoption as revealed by users. However, role of electronic media, print media and government institutionsin promoting biogas was reported dismal. This study urge that biogas is valuable alternative source of energy to combat energy crisis. In this way, provision of subsidies, interest free loans and technical backstopping could invoke potential users to adopt biogas technology.  

The Paradox of (De)politicisation in a Selected South African Municipality: An Afrocentric Ethical Reflection

Politeia ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kgothatso B. Shai
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Local Governance ◽  
African National Congress ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
African Culture ◽  
Government Administration ◽  
Traditional Leadership

South Africa’s local government administration is complex in that both traditional leadership and elected municipal councils play a role in it. Traditional leadership occupies an essential position and status in local government administration, in particular in rural South Africa. However, the contemporary administrative jurisdiction of municipalities cuts across both rural and urban areas. In the rural areas, the conflict over the division of roles between traditional leaders and elected councillors is evident. Due to the influence and dominance of the neo-liberal global order, modernists often accuse traditional leadership of being undemocratic and authoritarian. However, the reality is that elected councils’ administration also leaves much to be desired, and the consequences of their poor administration are not uniformly understood. Since South Africa is a democratic state, it is expected that there should be a clear separation in government institutions between party (i.e., the ruling African National Congress) politics and public administration; a phenomenon that some describe as depoliticisation. Nevertheless, the realities on the ground suggest otherwise. This article, which is based on the theory of Afrocentricity, examines a selected rural municipality (Maruleng) in South Africa’s Limpopo province to critically reflect on the ethics and the value system of African culture in the context of local governance vis-à-vis Westernised governance principles. The aim of this research is achieved through interdisciplinary critical discourse and thematic analysis in its broadest form.

scholarly journals Food security in rural areas of Limpopo province, South Africa

Food Security ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 269-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. De Cock ◽  
M. D’Haese ◽  
N. Vink ◽  
C. J. van Rooyen ◽  
L. Staelens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Limpopo Province

scholarly journals The experiences of parents of children living with disabilities at Lehlaba Protective Workshop in Sekhukhune district of Limpopo province

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Tigere ◽  
Jabulani C. Makhubele
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Children With Disabilities ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Absent Fathers ◽  
Disabled Children ◽  
Interview Guide ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Life Circumstances

Background: Parents of children with disabilities have faced difficulties in looking after their children, be it socially, economically and financially. Parents in rural areas are mainly left with a huge burden, as there is a lack of services and support from both the state and non-governmental organisations. Parents in Sekhukhune district, a rural area in Limpopo province of South Africa, face challenges in raising their disabled children related to lack of resources and lack of services at their disposal.Objectives: This study focuses on the experiences and life circumstances faced by parents of children living with different types of disabilities at Lehlaba Protective Workshop in Sekhukhune district of Limpopo province, South Africa.Method: The study consisted of 14 participants who are parents of children living with disabilities. An interview guide with a set of questions was utilised to gather data. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data and themes that emerged were grouped together.Results: Themes that emerged from the data showed that most of the participants had varying understandings on the causes of disabilities to their children. The participants also were of the view that a ‘cure’ for disability was available medically, spiritually or through traditional African medicine. The study also brought the notion of absent fathers, as most men do not want to be associated with children who are disabled. Stigmatisation of the parents was also a theme that the study revealed. The parents are subjected to name labelling as they are viewed to be practising witchcraft or to be paying for their sins they committed.Conclusion: Parents of children with disabilities are in their own battle in raising their children. There is a lack of support structures available for parents of children living with disabilities. There is a lack of legislation available for protecting and promoting the rights of children with disabilities. The researchers concluded that raising a child with a disability is expensive, time-consuming and straining.

Empirical study on influencing factors of biogas technology adoption in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 308-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Syed M Amir ◽  
Yonggong Liu ◽  
Ashfaq A Shah ◽  
Umer Khayyam ◽  
Zafar Mahmood
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Technology Adoption ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Consumption Pattern ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Adoption Rate ◽  
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ◽  
Rural Pakistan ◽  
Biogas Technology

Climate change caused by global warming, and the growing scarcity of nonrenewable energy sources, have driven Pakistan to shift from a traditional energy consumption pattern to a renewable-energy-use pattern. The per capita energy consumption in rural Pakistan is very low, especially in rural areas heavily relying on traditional energy sources. This paper presents the extent of biogas technology adoption by Pakistani rural households and the factors affecting their decision to adopt the technology in three selected districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The data were collected by interviewing 480 respondents by using a pretested and designed questionnaire. The results show that the household adoption rate of biogas technologies is low. The factors affecting the adoption decision of households included household income, access to credit, cultivated land area, the number of cattle in the household, education, and family size. The study also found fundamental barriers to the household adoption of biogas technologies, such as a lack of proper technical services by implementing organizations and insufficient governmental support. The authors make recommendations based on the findings to increase the adoption rate of biogas technologies in rural Pakistan.

scholarly journals Disability-inclusive community development: A case of a community garden in Limpopo province in South Africa

2022 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Tigere ◽  
Theresa Moyo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Community Gardens ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
Development Face

Background: Persons with disabilities living in rural areas are marginalised and excluded in most developmental initiatives in South Africa. They face many economic, political and social problems; hence, improving their quality of life is a daunting and challenging task which needs interventions from both the state and non-governmental stakeholders.Objectives: This study aimed to examine the role played by community gardens in rural Limpopo province in uplifting the lives of persons living with disabilities as well as their communities as a whole. Its main objectives were to assess the social and economic benefits they have provided to this group of people.Method: A qualitative research design was used for this study. Twenty-one participants were identified through purposive sampling. They were made up of people with disabilities, officials from Departments of Agriculture and Social Development. Face-to-face interviews were used to collect data which was analysed thematically.Results: Key results were that community gardens have contributed to the economic and social well-being of persons with disabilities. They have assisted them with income to supplement their social grants. They also created jobs for their members and contributed to improved livelihoods of their families.Conclusion: The study demonstrated that people with disabilities are capable people who, if given the necessary support, can transform their livelihoods both socially and economically. The study recommends that a disability access audit be conducted to resolve the accessibility challenges of the garden.

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