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Reconceptualising social (in)justice for research in rural South African schools : the roles of space, place and collective response
Higham, Rupert; Mills, Martin; Ebersohn, L. (Liesel) (Routledge, 2026)
Many theories of social justice overlook the importance of space and place. In analysing education in the rural Global South, they do not capture the complexity and situatedness of issues such as cultural and linguistic hierarchies in the language of instruction, and rural flight and individual life trajectories. We propose a new theoretical framework for understanding (in)justice, developed through a project to improve children’s literacy and wellbeing through community engagement in primary schools in rural South Africa. We argue that combining structural, agential and spatial perspectives and incorporating the indigenous theory of ‘flocking’, will help us better hear and understand the distinctive experiences of rural children and adults, and support their agency in addressing the injustices and opportunities they face.
Reasons for hesitancy and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination among the Congolese population : a scoping review
Lobukulu Lolimo, Genese; Khonde, Rodrigue; Matondo, Herve; Kabele, Junias; Yannick, K. Musawu; Beshah, Senait Alemayehu; Achala, Daniel Malik; Njeri Muriithi, Grace; Adote, Elizabeth Naa Adukwei; Zegeye, Elias Asfaw; Mbachu, Chinyere Ojiugo;; Ataguba, John Ele-Ojo; Yaya Bocoum, Fadima Inna Kamina; Manitu, Serge Mayaka (Frontiers Media, 2026-02-17)
INTRODUCTION : Despite over 9.6 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses administered globally, vaccination access remains highly unequal. North America and Western Europe have over 50% vaccination coverage, contrasting sharply with African nations, like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which has under 10%. This scoping review explores the key factors contributing to the low COVID-19 vaccination rate in the Congolese population. METHODS : We conducted a scoping review using the Arksey and O'Malley framework, searching PubMed, ProQuest, and Scopus databases for peer-reviewed manuscripts published between 2019 and 2023. Six studies met the inclusion criteria, and focused on the factors of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, hesitancy, and access in the DRC. RESULTS : Although surveys indicated a high willingness on the part of the people to get vaccinated, only 2.7% of the population were fully vaccinated. The primary barrier to vaccination was safety concerns, specifically, perceptions of the vaccine as new and experimental (84.4%) and fear of side effects (83.3%). Additional hesitancy factors included mistrust in vaccine effectiveness (60.4%) and a general lack of confidence (60.0%). Facilitators of acceptance included prior family vaccination, perceived risk of infection, belief in the existence of the virus, and awareness of vaccination strategies. Sociodemographic factors such as being a healthcare professional or male also positively influenced uptake. DISCUSSION : These findings highlight the gap between vaccine willingness and actual coverage in the DRC. Addressing safety concerns and building trust through targeted outreach, especially among key professional groups, may improve vaccine acceptance and equity.
Recent advances in multimodal imaging of infections : research highlights using nuclear-optical imaging
Welling, Mick M.; Driver, Cathryn Helena Stanford; Koatale, Palesa Caroline; Naicker, Tricia; Ebenhan, Thomas (Springer, 2026-04)
Multimodal imaging using hybrid imaging agents is a promising strategy for diagnosing and evaluating pathologies after image-guided surgical interventions. Combining optical and radioactive imaging techniques provides a comprehensive approach to monitoring and diagnosing infections, which would be more effective than routine nuclear clinical tracers for SPECT or PET imaging, thereby enabling more effective treatment as in image-guided surgery. This review summarizes the latest developments in hybrid imaging agents and vectors for radioactive and optical imaging of bacterial, fungal, and viral infections. We pinpoint the pitfalls in the current preclinical landscape for developing infection imaging tracers. Besides diagnosing and tracking pathogens, the role of optical imaging in diagnosing and aiding antimicrobial interventions, including image-guided surgery, is discussed. Finally, practical considerations are addressed for multimodal workflow challenges in preclinical infection imaging with hybrid tracers.
Evaluating fungicides for the management of rust (Uromycladium acaciae) on black wattle nursery seedlings in Awi zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia
Regasa , Kumela; Beze, Weldesenbet; Anjulo, Agena; Wondafrash, Mesfin; Hurley, Brett Phillip; Lawson, Simon; Healey, Madaline; Germishuizen, Ilaria (Wiley, 2025-11)
Black wattle (Acacia mearnsii De Wild) provides numerous benefits for Ethiopian smallholder farmers due to its fast growth and wide adaptability. It is used for soil improvement and provides economic benefits through charcoal production and the use of wood as biomass fuel. However, in recent years, nursery stocks and young plantations have become susceptible to the wattle rust disease. No fungicides are currently registered in Ethiopia for control of wattle rust. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of fungicides at varying rates for control of black wattle rust at Endewuha and Surta nursery sites, in Awi Zone, northern Ethiopia. Two systemic fungicides, namely, Amistar Top and Amistar Xtra, were evaluated at rates of 1 L·ha−1 and 0.5 L·ha−1 along with an unsprayed control in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Both fungicides at all rates significantly reduced rust infection at both sites. The lowest disease severity, along with increased plant height and collar diameter, was observed in the fungicide-treated plots compared to the untreated control. There was no significant difference in diseases intensity reduction and seedling height and root collar diameter among fungicide rates. The shortest height and the smallest root collar diameter were recorded on the untreated plots at both sites. The percentage reductions in disease damage compared to the control ranged from 94.6% to 96.72% at the Surta site and 94.6%–96.25% at the Endewuha site. Amistar Top or Amistar Xtra fungicide can effectively control acacia rust damage during the seedling stage, ensuring healthy and vigorous planting stock. The choice of the fungicide and application rate will depend on availability and cost, rather than on fungicide group. Further investigation is needed to assess the performance of both treated and untreated seedlings, as well as the progression of the disease in plantation sites.
Remembering the patients on the sesquicentennial anniversary of the Fort England Psychiatric Hospital
Du Plessis, Rory (Taylor and Francis, 2025-08-18)
In 2025, the Fort England Psychiatric Hospital celebrates its 150th anniversary and this marks it as the oldest South African psychiatric facility that is still in use today. Over its many years of existence, the hospital’s history and heritage has been synonymous with the careers of the appointed medical superintendents. Thus, the dominant heritage discourse of the hospital commemorates the achievements of the medical superintendents, but what is missing from the heritage of the hospital is the patients’ experiences and stories. In this article, I seek to include the experiences and stories of the patients as central narratives in the memorialisation and heritage of the hospital. To retrieve aspects of the patients’ lives and experiences, I investigate 20 case files from a set of 200 that was recently discovered at the hospital. The entire set of case files is composed solely of white male patients, who were suffering from chronic mental illness and who remained institutionalised until their passing. A mad studies framework, which aims to humanise the patients, guides the investigation of the case files. Accordingly, the article contributes a humanised narrative of the lives and experiences of the chronic patients to the heritage of the hospital.