Browsing by Subject "Challenges"

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    “A very humiliating illness”: a qualitative study of patient-centered Care for Rifampicin-Resistant Tuberculosis in South Africa
    (2020-01-17) Furin, Jennifer; Loveday, Marian; Hlangu, Sindisiwe; Dickson-Hall, Lindy; le Roux, Sacha; Nicol, Mark; Cox, Helen
    Abstract Background Patient-centered care is pillar 1 of the “End TB” strategy, but little has been documented in the literature about what this means for people living with rifampicin-resistant (RR-TB). Optimizing care for such individuals requires a better understanding of the challenges they face and the support they need. Methods A qualitative study was done among persons living with RR-TB and members of their support network. A purposive sample was selected from a larger study population and open-ended interviews were conducted using a semi-standard interview guide. Interviews were recorded and transcribed and the content analyzed using an iterative thematic analysis based in grounded theory. Results 16 participants were interviewed from three different provinces. Four distinct periods in which support was needed were identified: 1) pre-diagnosis; 2) pre-treatment; 3) treatment; and 4) post-treatment. Challenges common in all four periods included: socioeconomic issues, centralized care, and the need for better counseling at multiple levels. Conclusions Beyond being a “very humiliating illness”, RR-TB robs people of their physical, social, economic, psychological, and emotional well-being far beyond the period when treatment is being administered. Efforts to tackle these issues are as important as new drugs and diagnostics in the fight against TB.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Open Access
    B Corp certification in Africa: motivations, opportunities and challenges in promoting socially and environmentally responsible management practices
    (2025) Grand, Savannah; Surmeier, Annika; Zolfaghari, Badri
    African businesses are increasingly recognising the importance of balancing profit with social and environmental responsibility, aligning with the global trend toward sustainable practices. B Corp certification, a globally recognised standard and associated certification system, offers businesses a formal pathway to commit to these values. However, despite its international prominence, the adoption of B Corp certification in Africa remains limited. African businesses face unique challenges such as limited resources, complex regulatory environments, and varying levels of awareness about sustainability. There is limited insight into the specific motivations, challenges, and contextual factors that shape how African businesses navigate and implement the certification process. This suggests a significant gap in understanding the unique motivations, challenges, and contextual factors that influence how African businesses navigate and implement the certification process. This study contributes to addressing this gap by using purposive sampling of 12 participants and employed thematic coding to analyse qualitative data. The interviews were conducted with key stakeholders such as representatives from certified B Corps in Africa, sustainability experts and members of B Lab. The findings show that African businesses pursue B Corp certification to tackle specific social and environmental challenges while boosting their brand reputation locally and globally. The certification provides external validation that builds trust with stakeholders, including consumers, partners, and investors. It is also seen as a strategic asset for attracting socially conscious audiences and aligning business operations with international sustainability standards. The study identifies several challenges that hinder the adoption of B Corp certification in Africa. Smaller companies, in particular, find the financial burden of certification challenging. Moreover, a lack of awareness and understanding of B Corp standards, which are often not fully adapted to local contexts, further complicates the process. The study contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable business practices in Africa by offering valuable insights into how B Corp certification can drive social and environmental change on the continent
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Challenges facing SMEs in the Western Cape townships with a focus on gender issues
    (2022) Nyathi, Lomakhosi; Alhassan, Abdul Latif
    The state of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) is a key determinant of economic development globally. These enterprises account for almost 90% of firms in both developed and emerging markets. They are the engines of the economy that drives employment creation, poverty alleviation, tax provision, export income and better the lives of citizens. Despite the hype and investment in SME development, the world's vulnerable locations have not benefited from such development, amongst them are South African township SMEs who continue to face a multitude of challenges that hinder them from developing into sustainable business enterprises with a meaningful contribution to the economy. Amongst them, women owned SMEs face supplementary challenges, which are mostly gender based in nature. The study explored the challenges facing township SMEs in the Western Cape province and how the gender dynamics have played out in the face of SME stagnation. After identifying the challenges and gender dynamics, policy gaps were explored, and bridging strategies implored. To this end, the study employed a qualitative research approach covering a sample of 14 participants from three townships of Khayelitsha, Nyanga and Langa using a semi-structured questionnaire for in-depth interviews. The primary interviews were analysed using the six-step thematic approach. The study found lack of funding to be the most prominent challenge, resulting in inadequate operational resources such as equipment, SME owner upskilling and product marketing. The study also found crime and corruption, limited opportunities and market access, human resources as well as lack of financial and business administration skills to be the cause of stagnation of township SMEs. Apart from the umbrella challenges facing SMEs, the study found women SME owners to be facing additional challenges of gender-based discrimination, family responsibility, sexual harassment and crime. Government initiatives were found to be ineffective in addressing township SME challenges, SME owners have limited knowledge about the workings of these initiatives. They were found to be lacking fairness and transparency due to corruption.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Open Access
    National development banks' investments in climate resilient infrastructure: challenges and prospects
    (2025) Ramathuba, Vivian; Alhassan, Abdul Latif
    This thesis explores the challenges faced by National Development Banks (NDBs) in facilitating investments toward low-carbon and climate-resilient sustainable infrastructure in South Africa. It emphasises their critical role in addressing substantial financing gaps essential for meeting the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) commitments under the Paris Agreement. As global priorities increasingly shift toward sustainable development goals, NDBs are undergoing significant transformation, transitioning from their traditional roles as financiers to becoming proactive mobilisers of investment. This pivotal shift is examined in this study within the broader context of a renewed interest in these banks, recognising them as essential policy tools for spearheading rapid and sustainable development initiatives. Through qualitative interviews with 12 experts in climate finance and related fields, the study illustrates how NDBs utilise financial instruments such as concessional loans, blended finance, and long-term financing to mitigate perceived high risks and attract private capital, particularly in sectors prone to high risks like water management and climate-resilient transport. Additionally, NDBs can be mandated by the government to channel substantial international funds into national sustainable infrastructure projects effectively. This mission-oriented approach underscores the unique position of NDBs as critical intermediaries and implementers in the national climate strategy. Despite their potential to bridge vast funding gaps and align their focus with the Paris Agreement, NDBs encounter significant challenges, including policy inadequacies, coordination difficulties, financial constraints, and external economic pressures. This study proposes innovative strategies for NDBs, such as expanding blended finance models, implementing risk mitigation mechanisms, and enhancing institutional capacities to support mobilising funding for sustainable and low-carbon infrastructure. The findings highlight NDBs' ability to adapt to market conditions and regulatory environments, highlighting their pivotal role in transforming South Africa's infrastructure financing landscape to achieve its NDC objectives. Furthermore, this research underscores the importance of strategic policy alignment and innovative financing approaches, including using guarantees and partnerships with international climate funds to enhance project bankability and enable significant private sector participation. Ultimately, this study demonstrates that NDBs are crucial in driving the investment towards a climate-resilient infrastructure in South Africa.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Omics-based molecular techniques in oral pathology centred cancer: prospect and challenges in Africa
    (2017) Adeola, Henry A; Soyele, Olujide O; Adefuye, Anthonio O; Jimoh, Sikiru A; Butali, Azeez
    BACKGROUND: The completion of the human genome project and the accomplished milestones in the human proteome project; as well as the progress made so far in computational bioinformatics and "big data" processing have contributed immensely to individualized/personalized medicine in the developed world. MAIN BODY: At the dawn of precision medicine, various omics-based therapies and bioengineering can now be applied accurately for the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and risk stratification of cancer in a manner that was hitherto not thought possible. The widespread introduction of genomics and other omics-based approaches into the postgraduate training curriculum of diverse medical and dental specialties, including pathology has improved the proficiency of practitioners in the use of novel molecular signatures in patient management. In addition, intricate details about disease disparity among different human populations are beginning to emerge. This would facilitate the use of tailor-made novel theranostic methods based on emerging molecular evidences. CONCLUSION: In this review, we examined the challenges and prospects of using currently available omics-based technologies vis-à-vis oral pathology as well as prompt cancer diagnosis and treatment in a resource limited setting.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Omics-based molecular techniques in oral pathology centred cancer: prospect and challenges in Africa
    (BioMed Central, 2017-06-05) Adeola, Henry A; Soyele, Olujide O; Adefuye, Anthonio O; Jimoh, Sikiru A; Butali, Azeez
    Background: The completion of the human genome project and the accomplished milestones in the human proteome project; as well as the progress made so far in computational bioinformatics and “big data” processing have contributed immensely to individualized/personalized medicine in the developed world. Main body: At the dawn of precision medicine, various omics-based therapies and bioengineering can now be applied accurately for the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and risk stratifcation of cancer in a manner that was hitherto not thought possible. The widespread introduction of genomics and other omics-based approaches into the postgraduate training curriculum of diverse medical and dental specialties, including pathology has improved the profciency of practitioners in the use of novel molecular signatures in patient management. In addition, intricate details about disease disparity among diferent human populations are beginning to emerge. This would facilitate the use of tailor-made novel theranostic methods based on emerging molecular evidences. Conclusion: In this review, we examined the challenges and prospects of using currently available omics-based technologies vis-à-vis oral pathology as well as prompt cancer diagnosis and treatment in a resource limited setting.