Browsing by Subject "effects"

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    Causes and effects of delays in road construction projects in South Africa
    (2022) Vahed, Faheem; Windapo, Abimbola
    Delays in road construction projects in South Africa are a common phenomenon. This study aimed at identifying the causes and effects of such delays that are pertinent to South African conditions. The study used a deductive quantitative research approach that used a structured questionnaire developed through a comprehensive literature review on the subject under study and through a pilot evaluation by experts. The structured questionnaire was sent to clients, consultants, contractors, and other external stakeholders involved in SANRAL projects. A total of 64 responses to the questionnaire was received. The data received was analysed using the Relative Importance Index (RII), Kruskal-Wallis Test and Chi-square test. The Cronbach's Alpha was used to measure reliability with the lowest alpha value of 0.827 indicating a high degree of reliability. The RII indicated the top five overall causes of delays in South Africa road construction are: unrest by local communities, stoppages of work by construction mafia/ neighbouring communities/ wards, delays due to regulatory approval processes, poor engagement with local community, and lack of acceptance of project by community. The top five effects of delays that emerged from the survey are: time overruns, cost overruns, disputes and claims between contract parties, stress, and negative social impact/ bad reputation. The study further found that the top five delay minimising measures included: early engagement with the community, improved communication with community, improved management of subcontractors, effective strategic planning by contractor, and timeous payments to contractor and consultant. The Kruskal-Wallis Test revealed that there was no statistically significant difference in the views of all project stakeholders on the five main causes of road construction project delays. There was no statistically significant difference in the views of all project stakeholders on the major effects of road construction project delays. The results of the Kruskal-Wallis test revealed that there is a statistically significant difference in the views of all project stakeholders on the delay minimising measures. The study concludes that project delays occur on road construction projects in South Africa with the major contributor being external-related causes. The study proposed the following recommendations: early involvement of the community in the project through the establishment of community liaison meetings and the establishment of a Public Liaison Committee (PLC), improved management and supervision by the contractor on site, improvement of decision making and approval by client, timeous payment to consultant and contractors by the client, and the contractor should employ improved strategic planning techniques.
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    Open Access
    Perceptions and experiences of skin lighteners in Cape Town
    (2026) Jacobs-Alfred, Meagan; Colvin, Christopher; Cooper, Sara
    There are significant public health concerns related to the use and effects of skin lightening beauty products, the growth of which has been called a global epidemic. Research has demonstrated the sometimes-severe consequences associated with the use of skin lightening products, including poor self-esteem, permanent skin damage and even skin cancer. Many countries have regulations over skin lightening products, but it is challenging to properly manage the illicit market that nonetheless emerges. While most research has focused on the dermatological effects of skin lightening creams, little focus has been placed on the actual experiences of using skin lightening creams and the implications these have on public health. The goal of this study is to provide an account of the perspectives and experiences of service providers and skin lightening cream consumers in Cape Town. To gain insight into the daily consumption of skin lightening cosmetics, this study focused on beauty salons, African hairdressers, and stores belonging to the so-called "ethnic" trade associated with immigrants and descendants of African populations as its main sites of investigation. By means of snowball sampling, 20 female participants, between the ages of 24- and 68-years old, were recruited. In order to understand how expectations that are placed on the body, by the marketing of skin lightening products reflect and perpetuate racial, class, and gender-based social forces, observations in public spaces, followed by semi-structured interviews were conducted to address the following research questions: What are the motivations behind the use of skin lightening products, the effects and characteristics of using skin lightening products, and finally, the characteristics and influence the regulation of products have on the marketing and usage of products. Thematic analysis findings revealed the usage of skin lightening products, is mostly driven by colourism, dermatological issues, and celebrity and media marketing. Findings also indicate that using skin lightening products can have both beneficial and harmful effects, with the latter predominating and the former having severe health consequences. Lastly, the implementation of policies gave rise to covert marketing techniques and the expansion of an illicit market. While the study questions the implications of policies implemented to address the problem of skin lightening, it also raises questions about the effectiveness of policy implementation due to new concerns brought on by the illegal skin lightening marketing and covert marketing strategies.