https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/2727 2026-05-12T18:29:20Z 2026-05-12T18:29:20Z Motau, Mmatau Carol https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32402 2026-04-29T11:54:35Z 2025-11-01T00:00:00Z

Prevalence, characterization and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli from chicken carcasses in Gauteng Province, South Africa Motau, Mmatau Carol Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) strains are adaptable bacteria often associated with urinary tract, kidney, bloodstream and other extraintestinal infections. Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli infections pose a global public health threat due to their economic impact and management challenges, with poultry meat and other meat products implicated in the spread of the disease. However, in South Africa, there is scarcity of published data on the contamination level and role that poultry meat plays in transmitting ExPEC. The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence, genetic characteristics and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of ExPEC from chicken carcasses sampled from the Gauteng Province. The study utilized a stratified proportional sampling method to analyse 404 chicken carcasses collected from four abattoirs across five municipalities in Gauteng Province. An additional 63 historically persevered freeze-dried isolates from poultry were included to strengthen this study. Most Probable Number method was used for detection of Escherichia coli. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted using the minimum inhibition concentration method against 12 antibiotics. Selected classes of antibiotics include cephalosporin, macrolide, phenicol, tetracycline, penicillin, fluoroquinolone, aminoglycoside, and sulphonamide. This selection is motivated by the necessity to comprehend, monitor, and address the emergence of resistance in a common Gram-negative bacteria including ExPEC. Conventional polymerase chain reaction was used to confirm ExPEC presence, alongside gene characterization through virulence genotyping, phylogenetic grouping, phenotypic resistance, and pathotyping. The overall prevalence of E. coli was 93% with 4% confirmed as ExPEC. The ExPEC isolates predominantly carried multiple virulence genes: ompA (100%), mat (83%), kpsm (65%), both csg and sitA with (57%), sat and traT (52%) virulent genes. The highest antibiotic-resistant rates were observed in tetracycline-32-4mg/L (57%), ciprofloxacin- 32-4mg/L (43%), and gentamicin-16-0.25mg/L (39%). However, ceftriaxone, ceftiofur, and cefoxitin (9%) exhibited the lowest antibiotic resistance. The genes associated with the highest phenotypic resistance were sul3 (43%) and tetA (39%). The phylogenetic groups indicated that majority of the ExPEC isolates belonged to group A (39%), group B2 (35%) lastly both groups B1 and D (13%). Class 3 integron was detected in 74% isolates followed by Class 1 integron (35%) and Class 2 (9%). The NMEC pathotype was rare among these isolates, while 13% and 26% distribution were observed in APEC, UPEC, and SEPEC pathotypes. In conclusion, it is evident that while ExPEC occurrence is rare, E. coli is consistently isolated from chicken meat. Despite its low frequency, ExPEC demonstrated a high prevalence of Class 3 integron and virulence-encoding genes that are crucial for colonization and survival. These factors contribute to the spread of resistance genes and emergence of multidrug resistance. Future research should utilize whole genome sequencing for comprehensive molecular characterization, focusing on plasmids and serotyping to differentiate strains from formal and informal abattoirs, which may reveal sources of contamination.

2025-11-01T00:00:00Z Hlatshwayo, Mavis https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32088 2025-02-10T09:47:22Z 2023-11-28T00:00:00Z

Assessment of the food security status of Zimbabwean immigrants living in Pietermaritzburg, Kwazulu-Natal Hlatshwayo, Mavis Food insecurity is a global concern on upward trajectory and common amongst economic and political immigrants. The food security status of Zimbabwean immigrants in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa was investigated from 379 randomly selected immigrants. Food security was measured using Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), Household Dietary Diversity Index (HDDS) and Coping Strategy Index (CSI). The socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents showed that most immigrants were males 66%, 52.2% were younger (18-38 years) and 91.4% were employed. Most respondents 51% had tertiary education and 35.9%, earned between R3001-R4500. Based on the HFIAS, food insecurity assessment showed that that majority (75%) were food insecure, with 14% mildly food insecure, 33% moderately food secure and 28% severely food insecure. HDDS showed that 99.4% (n=378) of the respondents had a high dietary score. Dietary changes were the most adopted CSI strategy followed by rationing strategies. Food insecurity was perceived to be due to reduced /loss of employment, socio-political factors of theft, insecurity /violence, political crisis, lack of land ownership and high food prices. Age, immigration status and employment type were significantly correlated with food insecurity. Food insecurity was high in this study. However, in terms of the severity, results from HFIAS and CSI showed that most respondents were moderately food insecure. Household food insecurity was mainly due to food prices, reduced /loss of employment, and socio-political factors. Based on the findings of this study, efficient immigration processes, food aid and policies to monitor and stabilise the informal job sector are recommended.; Voedselonsekerheid is 'n groeiende wêreldwye kommer wat algemeen voorkom onder ekonomiese en politieke immigrante. Die voedselsekerheidstatus van Zimbabwiese immigrante in Pietermaritzburg, Suid-Afrika, is ondersoek aan die hand van 379 immigrante wat lukraak gekies is. Voedselsekerheid is met behulp van die Huishoudelike Voedselonsekerheidstoegangskaal (HVOTS), Huishoudelike Dieetdiversiteitstelling (HDDT) en Hanteringstrategie-indeks (HSI) gemeet. Die vi sosiodemografiese kenmerke van die respondente het aangedui dat die meerderheid manlik was (66%), 52.2% was in die ouderdomsgroep 18–38 jaar en 91.4% het gewerk. Die meeste van die respondente (51%) het tersiêre onderrig gehad en 35.9% het tussen R3 001 en R4 500 verdien. Volgens die HVOTS, het die voedselonsekerheidsassessering aangedui dat die meerderheid (75%) van die respondente voedselonseker was, met 14% effens voedselonseker, 33% matig voedselonseker en 28% erg voedselonseker. Die HDDT het aangedui dat 99.4% (n=378) van die respondente 'n hoë dieettelling gehad het. Dieetveranderinge was die HIS-strategie wat die meeste gebruik is, gevolg deur rantsoeneringstrategieë. Voedselonsekerheid is toegeskryf aan minder werksgeleenthede/werksverlies en sosiopolitieke faktore soos diefstal, onveiligheid/geweld, politieke krisis, gebrek aan grondeienaarskap en hoë kospryse. Ouderdom, immigrasiestatus en tipe indiensneming is aansienlik gekorreleer met voedselonsekerheid. Voedselonsekerheid was hoog in hierdie studie. Ten opsigte van ernstigheid het die HFIAS en HSI egter aangedui dat die meerderheid van die respondente matig voedselonseker was. Huishoudelike voedselonsekerheid is hoofsaaklik toegeskryf aan kospryse, minder werksgeleenthede/werksverlies en sosiopolitieke faktore. Op grond van die resultate van hierdie studie, word doeltreffende immigrasieprosesse, voedselbystand, en beleide om werk in die informele sektor te monitor en te stabiliseer aanbeveel. Abstract in English with Afrikaans translations.

2023-11-28T00:00:00Z Kgomongwe, Mmakhuduga Neriath https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32023 2025-01-20T11:05:00Z 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z

Determinants of challenges of smallholder and emerging sheep and goat farmers in Thabo Mofutsanyana district municipality, Free State Province Kgomongwe, Mmakhuduga Neriath Developing countries rely heavily on smallholder and emerging farmers to ensure food security but despite this, farmers face many challenges that hinder them from producing efficiently, forcing them to focus on home consumption over market-driven farming, to ensure a sustainable and self-reliant farming practice. Smallholder farmers remain with challenges in securing capital to purchase agricultural inputs, pay for transport to sell agricultural outputs, and to invest in agricultural machinery. Sometimes farmers find themselves in difficult situations where they are forced to get credit from illegal moneylenders, at high interest rates or sell their produce at a reduced price to receive cash, and they still need to cover their expenditure for survival. Amongst others, farming resources, land as well as comprehensive agricultural support restrict smallholder and emerging farmers' access to valuable markets. The aim of this study was to identify and analyse the determinants of challenges of smallholder and emerging sheep and goat farmers in the study area by highlighting key factors in order to create an enabling environment for the farmers to improve livestock management, production, income and valuable markets. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select 145 participants from a pool sampling frame of 251 participants. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the data by interviewing 145 selected smallholder farmers. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS), version 28.0, was used to analyse the data. Descriptive statistics and the probit regression model were used to analyse the determinants of the managerial, production, marketing and financial challenges for smallholder and emerging sheep and goat farmers. The results of the study show that only 19% of the participants had business plans and the absence of business plans impacted on farm and livestock management negatively. The probit results indicated that the age of the respondents, off-farm activities and access to market information had a positive and significant association with managerial challenges. This implies that the older a farm owner gets the more they will likely experience managerial challenges. It is recommended that youth and women must be encouraged to engage in sheep and goat farming for better management and that farmers must focus their attention on livestock farming instead of off-farm income-generating activities. The Department of Agriculture and municipalities should initiate extension programme that focus on farm and livestock management as well as access to market information. Furthermore, the results indicate that 89% of farmers aspire to increase production, however challenges such as size of land (29%), distance to the market (21%) and no access to the market (17%) are some of the factors that hinder farmers from achieving their goal of increasing scale of production. The results also indicate that 42% of farmers do not receive veterinary services while about 63.4% do not access feed in times of drought. Additionally, the results indicate that age, size of household, level of education, role of respondent, farm management records, cost per trip to the market, total number of sheep sold in 2019 have a positive and significant association with production challenges, with all other factors held constant. This implies that the older a farm owner gets the more likely they will experience production challenges. To manage production challenges, farmers need the support of younger people i.e., youth in the farm and must hire farm managers and utilise farm management records effectively. The more a farmer spends on trips to the market, they are more likely they will experience marketing challenges. An increasing size of household negatively impacts on farmers’ finances and time as a farmer will dedicate the two to the family instead of on farm production. Farmer must not sell sheep in high numbers so that they do not compromise the breeding herd. The study’s results indicate that only 28% of participants have received financial support from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), while 17.12% of participants applied for loans and about 8% of loan applications were rejected. The results revealed that access to financial support impacts negatively on the farm and livestock business. Furthermore, the probit results indicated that gender, age, level of education, engage in off-farm income generating activity, have farm business plan, access to agricultural information, size of land, cost per single trip to the market, total number of sheep sold have a positive and significant association with financial challenges. It is therefore recommended that farmers be encouraged to have business plan, sell more sheep, and focus on the farm instead of off-farm income generating activities for better financial management. DARD and municipalities should initiate funding programmes that focus on farm, sheep, and goat livestock as well as production. The results also show that 59% of respondents indicated that there are other markets closer to the farm than where they are currently selling livestock and 63% of farmers have access to market information. Distance to the market, being unable to supply required quantities and not having contracts with markets are amongst the reasons for farmers not being able to supply other markets closer to their farm. The results indicate that from the challenges experienced, of respondents have a challenge with the size of land (15%), lack of transport (12%) and lack of finance (3%). Therefore, the results suggests that amongst others, farmers who are involved in day-to-day operations of the farm and have access to market information have a negative and significant association with marketing challenges, with all other factors held constant. The results indicate that the respondents have identified markets that are closer to their farms than where they are currently selling; however, majority of the respondents are selling their produce at the local market and around the community to avoid spending a lot of money per trip to the market. The findings also show that access to market information can improve farmers’ marketing challenge if used effectively. Text in English

2024-01-01T00:00:00Z Nevhutalu, Vhugala Charity https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32017 2025-01-18T21:16:51Z 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z

Assessment of the impact of renewable energy supply, carbon dioxide emissions, trade, and economic growth nexus on maize production from 1979-2021 Nevhutalu, Vhugala Charity The economy most susceptible to climate change is the agriculture sector. Agricultural production is negatively affected by weather patterns and temperature which ultimately impacts the sector’s economy. Food insecurity and a disturbance in the food supply chain are the aftereffects of climate change. A study by Wu et al. (2021). It is foretold that renewable energy utilization will reduce emissions responsible for climate change. The United Nations (UN) has also laid out a global mandate of “a clean and inexpensive energy for all” as part of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study specifically focuses on SDG 7 (affordable clean energy) and 13 (climate change). Many industrialized and emerging nations use maize as an energy crop; South Africa has rarely made use of this potential owing to valid food security concerns. Maize production trends in this study showed growth throughout the years despite a few declines which were mostly as a result of climate change. Trade trends also pointed out that there is minimal maize regional trade between South Africa and the rest of the African countries. At the aggregate level, maize production for human, and animal consumption and for biofuel feedstock depends on several macroeconomic factors, some of which were explored in this study. This study was backed by several macroeconomic theories namely: the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC), the Mercantilist Theory of Trade, the Export-Led Growth Theory, and the Endogenous Growth Theory. The main objective of this study was to assess the impact of Carbon Dioxide Emissions (CO2), Renewable Energy Supply, Trade, and Economic Growth on maize production in South Africa from 1979 to 2021. The nexus offered vital insights on initiatives that could be prioritised to advance renewable energy in the South African agriculture industry. An Auto Regressive-Distributed Lag (ARDL) model using Bounds test econometric approach was employed to estimate the short and long-run nexus between renewable energy supply, carbon dioxide emissions, trade, economic growth, and the production of maize. The existence of unit root in the time-series data was examined using the Augment Dickey-Fuller and Phillips-Perron tests; the robustness of the long-run estimate was assessed using the Fully Modified Least Squares (FMOLS) and Canonical Cointegration Regression (CCR) models. The Pair-wise Granger Causality test was used to test for causality between carbon dioxide emissions, renewable energy supply, trade, economic growth, and maize production. The short-run results indicated that Carbon Dioxide Emissions reduce maize production and renewable energy supply increases maize production both in the short-run and long-run. Granger causality results indicated a unidirectional causality between carbon dioxide emissions, economic growth, and maize production. A bidirectional causality was observed between renewable energy supply and maize production. This study contributes to economic policy regarding the energy-climate nexus in South Africa's agricultural industry. The agricultural industry is not only an energy consumer but also has the potential to contribute to renewable energy, specifically bioenergy through the supply of biomass. Considering that maize is a major global energy crop, its demand globally trickles down to maize-producing countries, and this has implications for supply and demand locally and globally. The study’s emerging insights may be used to guide the use of renewable energy biomass supply and the impact of climate change on the agricultural economy (maize production). Text in English

2024-01-01T00:00:00Z