SECTION E: Focused Research At The UWC

from 2020/2021 Annual Research & Innovation Report

by University of the Western Cape

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

SECTION E: FOCUSED RESEARCH AT UWC

1. SDG RESEARCH AT UWC

INTRODUCTION: THE IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH ON THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

The 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) were adopted by the United Nations (UN) member states in 2015 with the intention to move towards Prosperity, People, Planet, Peace and Partnership. The interconnected nature of the SDGs presents an opportunity for creative and innovative approaches. The social, economic and environmental aspects are profoundly linked by the SDGs, and in turn imply a link across time. Through the development of the SDGs the UN is trying to make the world a better place for all. The objectives set by the SDGs agenda are bold and robust; they seek to address social ills and environmental issues that affect and impact our day- to-day lives. As a university that is rooted in the community it is imperative for the UWC researchers to engage with the issues raised by SDGs, not only to give a South African perspective, but to make contributions that will directly impact on the unique situations we face as a country and the continent at large. The 2019 records indicate that UWC researchers published the most on SDG 1 (no poverty), SDG 2 (zero hunger), SDG 3 (good health and well-being), SDG 13 (climate action), SDG 14 (life below water), SGD 15 (life on land) and SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions). Below we highlight some of the research from these SDGs of interest.

# 88 # 42 # 87

Sustainable Development Goals research at UWC # no. of articles

# 62 # 82 # 75 # 78

88 SDG 1: NO POVERTY

Sustainable development goal 1 seeks to end poverty in all forms everywhere. The study explores the connections between the path of agricultural development and the ability of the rural economy to explore non-farm jobs. This is done through conducting an analytical synthesis, exploring contrasts and similarities between three case studies in order to draw conclusions and also to develop hypotheses for follow-up research about the spatial characteristics of agro-food networks—and their implications for employment. The vitality of the rural non-farm sector to create jobs is of essential importance to SDG number 8 (sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth), and thus also directly impacts on the ability of governments to ensure food security (SDG 2) and the eradication of poverty (SDG 1).

Prof. Andries du Toit

ABSTRACT

The ability of agriculture to support the development of the rural non-farm economy (RNFE) is essential to its ability to drive inclusive growth. This paper presents the synthesis of the findings of a threecountry qualitative investigation into the connections between agricultural development and rural non-farm employment in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Malawi. It argues that the employment effects of agricultural development depend greatly on the spatial configuration of agricultural value chains and the social organisation of agro-food institutions. An empirical investigation of the socioeconomic networks created by the forward and backward linkages of agriculture in the three country case studies identifies high level emergent ‘system characteristics’ of such networks that play a crucial role: density, local embeddedness, external connectedness and power differentials. The ability of ‘external connectedness’ to support employment depends on precisely how spatially extensive value chains ‘touch down’ in rural economies. Key meso-level factors that impact on job creation include the scale of agricultural enterprises and the nature of local market organisation. These findings highlight the risks of large-scale agricultural investments and the need for land reform that increases the tenure security of small farmers.

Du Toit, A. (2019). Agriculture, Value Chains and the Rural NonFarm Economy in Malawi, South Africa and Zimbabwe. In Value Chains in Sub-Saharan Africa (pp. 185-201). Springer, Cham.

42 SDG 2: ZERO HUNGER

Sustainable development goal 2 seeks to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture. This paper places fish at the centre of food and nutritional security of over 200 million Africans and provides livelihoods for over 10 million fishers, yet globally fish stocks are severely over-utilised. It is for this reason the UN’s special Rapporteur on Food, voices the need for a shift to a strong human rights-based approach to, in particular, small-scale fisheries management in the light of the inadequacy of the traditional neo-liberal ‘trickle-down’ approach to adequately promote basic human rights, such as food security and sustainable livelihoods, and effectively contribute towards poverty-alleviation. Additionally, this paper seeks to address the protection of basic human rights that lies at the heart of the global convention on transnational organised crime and domestic criminal law whilst, correspondingly, the fisheries crime approach aims to redress the adverse impacts of illegal fishing that extend beyond natural resource implications to preventing the realisation of human rights such as food security, dignity and equality. Small-scale fisheries are not only key actors in ending hunger, achieving food security and improving nutrition and sustainable agriculture, but also plays a significant role in the governance of ocean sustainability (SDG 14), reducing poverty (SDG 1), community well-being (SDG 3), and economic growth (SDG 8).

Prof. Moenieba Isaacs

ABSTRACT

Marine fisheries play an important role in ensuring food security and providing livelihoods in South Africa, as in many other developing coastal States. Transnational fisheries crime seriously undermines these goals. Drawing on empirical research, this contribution highlights the complexity of law enforcement at the interface between low-level poaching and organised crime in the small-scale fisheries sector with reference to a South African case study. Specifically, this article examines the relationship between a fisheries-crime law enforcement approach and the envisaged management approach of the South African SmallScale Fisheries Policy.

Isaacs, M., & Witbooi, E. (2019). Fisheries crime, human rights and small-scale fisheries in South Africa: A case of bigger fish to fry. Marine Policy, 105, 158-168.

87 SDG 3: GOOD HEALTH AND WELLBEING

This paper shows that food insecurity remains a challenge in South Africa, with rural areas being more affected than urban areas. These disparities between the urban and rural areas of South Africa show that efforts to minimise the gap between these areas have not yielded the desired effects. The inadequate intake of fruit and vegetables in both areas is an indication of how the quality of diets in South Africa continues to be deficient in disadvantaged communities. This leads to poor health outcomes, resulting in reduced life expectancy as well as the ability to live productive lives. The poor availability of fruit and vegetables also reflects the environment’s ability to dictate people’s spending, and in this case, people were purchasing sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB). The purchasing of SSB also illustrates how the environment can limit people’s choices to healthier options. Food insecurity, as highlighted by inadequate fruit and vegetable intake in this paper, is a challenge in reaching or attaining Sustainable Development Goal 3.

Dr Lungiswa Tsolekile

ABSTRACT

Consumption of fruits and vegetables reduces the risk of obesity, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular mortality and allcause mortality. The study assessed the pattern of intake and the factors that influence daily intake of commonly available fruits and vegetables in economically disadvantaged South African communities. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study nested on an ongoing longitudinal study in South Africa. Two communities (a rural and urban) of low socio-economic status were purposely selected from two of the nine provinces. A sample of 535 participants aged 30-75 years was randomly selected from the longitudinal cohort of 1220; 411 (78%) women. Data were collected using validated food frequency and structured interviewer-administered questionnaires. Descriptive and multivariate regression analyses were undertaken. Results: A higher proportion of participants in the urban township compared to their rural community counterparts had purchased fruit (93% vs. 51%) and vegetables (62% vs. 56%) either daily or weekly. Only 37,8% of the participants consumed at least two portions of commonly available fruits and vegetables daily, with no differences in the two communities. Daily/weekly purchases

of sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) was associated with daily intake of fruit and vegetables (p = 0,014). Controlling for age and gender, analysis showed that those who spent R1000 (USD71,4) and more on groceries monthly compared to those who spent less, and those who travelled with a personal vehicle to purchase groceries (compared to those who took public transport) were respectively 1,6 times (AOR, 95% CI: 1,05-2,44; p = 0,030) and 2.1 times (AOR, 95% CI: 1,06-4,09; p = 0,003) more likely to consume at least two or more portions of fruit and vegetables daily. Those who purchased SSBs daily or weekly were less likely (AOR, 95% CI: 0,54, 0,36-0,81, p = 0,007) to consume two or more portions of fruit and vegetables daily. The average household monthly income was very low (only 2,6% of households earned R5000 (US357,1); and education level, attitude towards fruit and vegetables and owning a refrigerator had no significant association with fruit and vegetable daily intake. Conclusion: These findings indicate that affordability and frequency of purchase of sugary drinks can influence daily intake of fruits and vegetables in resource-limited communities.

Okop, K. J., Ndayi, K., Tsolekile, L., Sanders, D. & Puoane, T. (2019). Low intake of commonly available fruit and vegetables in socio-economically disadvantaged communities of South Africa: influence of affordability and sugary drinks intake.

62 SDG 13: CLIMATE ACTION

Sustainable development goal 13 urges people to take action to combat climate change and its impacts. This paper highlights that grasslands are an important carbon sink and source of forage for wildlife/livestock. In South Africa, rangelands occupy more than 70% of the land supporting the livelihoods of most communities and contribute approx. ZAR b2,88 to the country’s annual GDP. Their functional types influence their productivity, quality over space and time. However, climate change is anticipated to alter plants’ functional types. Therefore, spatial explicit information on the distribution of C3/C4 plants becomes critical. A number of international and national programmes have developed an interest in their monitoring. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13: Climate Action, of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) uses the extent of C3/C4 plants to report on the protection, restoration, strengthening, resilience and adaptive capacity of plants on climate-related impacts. Understanding the spatial and temporal responses of C3/C4 grasses to seasonal climate and topography assist in characterizing their role in the provision of services. On the other hand, monitoring inter- and intra-annual variation of C3/C4 grasses distribution and productivity improves our understanding of their morphological, physiological, and phenological deviations resulting from climate change. This work therefore contributes in developing innovative methodologies for C3/C4 monitoring and management under climate change and mitigation to safeguard biodiversity and livelihoods.

Prof. Timothy Dube

ABSTRACT

Seasonal climate and topography influence C3 and C4 grass species aboveground biomass (AGB). Climate change further threatens these grasses AGB, thereby compromising their ability to provide ecosystem goods and services. This emphasises the need to monitor their AGB for well-informed management. New-generation sensors, with improved resolution capabilities present an opportunity to explore C3 and C4 AGB. This study

therefore investigated the response of remotely sensed C3 and C4 grasses AGB to seasonal climate and topography. Overall, the spatial and temporal responses of AGB due to seasonal climate and topography were observed across the study area. For example, in March, a marked increase in C4 AGB was associated with an increase in rainfall, with the highest significant positive relationship (R2 = 0,82, p < 0,005). Elevation had a very significant positive relationship (R2 = 0,84; p < 0,005) with C3 and a highest negative (R2 = -0,77; p < 0.005) with C4 AGB. During the winter fall, AGB significantly decreased from averages of 2,592 and 1,101 kg/m2 in winter (May), to 0,718 and 0,469 kg/m2 in August, for C3 and C4 grasses, respectively. These findings provide a key step in monitoring rangelands and assessing management practices to boost productivity.

Shoko, C., Mutanga, O. & Dube, T. (2019). Remotely sensed C3 and C4 grass species aboveground biomass variability in response to seasonal climate and topography.

82 SDG 14 LIFE BELOW WATER

Sustainable development goal 14 and its targets aim to sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems from pollution; address the impacts of ocean acidification; and enhance conservation and the sustainable use of ocean-based resources through international law. This article looks at analysing 15 chemical compounds to determine their concentrations in selected commercially exploited, wild caught small and medium sized pelagic fish species and their organs obtained from Kalk Bay Harbour, Cape Town. Sewage effluents are a significant pathway for pollution of the marine environment due to containing a high number of emerging contaminants (ECs) and their metabolites. These synthetic and persistent organic compounds readily pass through conventional wastewater treatment systems and escape into the receiving environment, ending up in the marine environment. The chemical content of sewage plumes from various parts of the city is directly linked to lifestyle choices with respect to household cleaning chemicals, personal care products, industrial chemicals, perfluorinated compounds and medications. All these indicator compounds were shown to bioaccumulate in sessile organisms near Green Point, Camps Bay and all-around False Bay, as well as in pelagic and reef fish samples purchased from Kalk Bay Harbour. Furthermore, five indicator herbicides were quantified in the same organisms. The compounds were present in organisms’ tissues in concentrations much higher than the background level in the ocean and their potential for bioaccumulation up to the trophic level was demonstrated. The measurable presence of selected EC chemicals in many different marine species indicates the probable presence of many other EC chemicals. Our study showed that disposal of poorly treated sewage is significantly contaminating marine organisms and wild caught fish stock in the local marine environment. The combined effects of such contaminants upon marine organisms are mostly unknown but their presence

poses a significant chronic risk to marine organisms and fish.

Prof. Leslie Petrik

ABSTRACT

A comprehensive analysis of 15 target chemical compounds (pharmaceuticals and personal care products, perfluoroalkyl compounds and industrial chemicals) were carried out to determine their concentrations in selected commercially exploited, wild caught small and medium sized pelagic fish species and their organs (Thyrsites atun (snoek), Sarda orientalis (bonito), Pachymetopon blochii (panga) and Pterogymnus laniarius (hottentot)) obtained from Kalk Bay harbour, Cape Town. The solid phase extraction (SPE) method based on Oasis HLB cartridges were used to concentrate and clean-up the samples. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of these chemical compounds revealed the simultaneous presence of at least 12 compounds in different parts of the selected fish species in nanogram-per-gram dry weight (ng/g dw) concentrations. The results revealed that perfluorodecanoic acid, perfluorononanoic acid and perfluoroheptanoic acid were the most predominant among the perfluorinated compounds and ranged between: (20,13–179,2 ng/g), (21,22–114,0 ng/g) and (40,06–138,3 ng/g). Also, diclofenac had the highest concentration in these edible fish species out of all the pharmaceuticals detected (range: 551,8–1812 ng/g). The risk assessment values were above 0,5 and 1,0 for acute and chronic risk respectively which shows that these chemicals have a high health risk to the pelagic fish, aquatic organisms and to humans who consume them. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a precautionary approach and the adequate regulation of the use and disposal of synthetic chemicals that persist in aquatic/marine environments in this province and other parts of South Africa, to prevent impacts on the sustainability of our marine environment, livelihood and lives. Fifteen compounds from Kalk Bay harbour were detected in different fish species in Cape Town oceanic environs. Diclofenac levels were highest and most frequently detected.

Ojemaye, C. Y. & Petrik, L. (2019). Occurrences, levels and risk assessment studies of emerging pollutants (pharmaceuticals, perfluoroalkyl and endocrine disrupting compounds) in fish samples from Kalk Bay harbour, South Africa.

SDG 15: LIFE ON LAND

Sustainable Development Goal 15 seeks to protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss. This article looks at the competing narratives about the future of food and farming in Africa and globally. It explores how scarcity is represented in policy debates, by whom and to what end. Through qualitative explorations this paper interrogates the knowledge politics of the global ‘land rush’ when both international concern and investment activity were at their peak. This paper highlighted four themes. The beginning highlights the problems of limits and urgency; a middle which represents a context of relative abundant and idle land (abundance, emptiness and under-use and; a technical and investment solution); and an end centred on solutions around investment and capturing advantage (capturing global opportunities). This analysis showed that absolute and relative scarcity dominated representation of Africa’s land rush, while there is an absence of nuanced political interpretations. Even though we recognise that scarcities narratives are constructed, this does not mean that scarcities are not real, rather what it does indicate is that policy narratives are subject to the process of construction. What has emerged from this study is the importance of a political scarcity framing on the global land rush, and resource questions more broadly for African settings.

Prof. Ruth Hall

75 ABSTRACT

Global resource scarcity has become a central policy concern, with predictions of rising populations, natural resource depletion and hunger. The narratives of scarcity that arise as a result justify actions to harness resources considered ‘underutilised’, leading to contestations over rights and entitlements and producing new scarcities. Yet scarcity is contingent, contextual, relational and above all political. We present an analysis of three framings: – absolute, relative and political scarcity – associated with the intellectual traditions of Malthus, Ricardo and Marx, respectively. A review of 134 global and Africa-specific policy and related

sources demonstrates how diverse framings of scarcity – what it is, its causes and what is to be done – are evident in competing narratives that animate debates about the future of food and farming in Africa and globally. We argue that current mainstream narratives emphasise absolute and relative scarcity, while ignoring political scarcity. Opening up this debate, with a more explicit focus on political scarcities is, we argue, important; emphasising how resources are distributed between different needs and uses, and so different people and social classes. For African settings, seen as both a source of abundant resources and a site where global scarcities may be resolved, as well as where local scarcities are being experienced most acutely, a political scarcity framing on the global land rush, and resource questions more broadly, is, we suggest, essential.

Scoones I.; Smalley R.; Hall R.; Tsikata D (2019). Narratives of scarcity: Framing the global land rush.

78 SDG 16: PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS

Sustainable Development Goal 16 refers to the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provision of access to justice for all and the building of effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. Target 16.3 calls for the promotion of the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensures equal access to justice for all. Prof. Mujuzi’s article illustrates approaches taken at various national, regional and international levels to compensate an individual for a wrongful conviction. It may be linked to Goal 16.3.2 that requires State accountability on unsentenced detainees as a proportion of the overall prison population. By implication, three points are evident. First, while this goal mitigates the possible detention of an accused, Mujuzi takes the conversation further to evaluate approaches for compensation following a miscarriage of justice. Secondly, this article introspects the extension of SDG 16.3.2 from a victimcentred to a human rights approach in dealing with a miscarriage of justice on the accused. Thirdly, Mujuzi recommends that an acquittal should be sufficient for an order of compensation. This embraces the SDG Agenda’s developmental approach that avoids wastage of time and resources. In addition, the provision of compensation mitigates possible financial burdens that one may have suffered following his or her incarceration.

Dr Robert Nanima on behalf of Prof. Jamil Mujuzi

ABSTRACT

Human rights treaties (including Article 14(6) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR); Article 3 of the Protocol No. 7 to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms; and Article 10 of the American Convention on Human Rights) explicitly protect the right to compensation for wrongful conviction or miscarriage of justice. The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights is silent on this right. The Human Rights Committee, the European Court of Human Rights, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights have developed rich jurisprudence on the ambit of the

right to compensation for wrongful conviction or miscarriage of justice. States have adopted different approaches to give effect to their obligation under Article 14(6) of the ICCPR. Relying on the practice and/or jurisprudence from States in Africa, Europe, North America, Asia, and Latin America and on the jurisprudence of the Human Rights Committee, the European Court of Human Rights, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the article illustrates the approaches taken by some States to give effect to Article 14(6) of the ICCPR and the relevant regional human rights instruments.

Mujuzi, J.D. The Right to Compensation for Wrongful Conviction/ Miscarriage of Justice in International Law