Thesis (M.Dev.(Planning and Development)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / Mpumalanga Province has witnessed service delivery unrest and protests that destroyed the public infrastructure. There is thus an immediate need to conduct the study - to contribute to the body of knowledge, and to assist the concerned city under review. The service delivery challenges in the municipality are just a drop in the ocean, among the major problems in the sphere of the local government. Communities expect service delivery from their municipalities. Mpumalanga Province has witnessed unrest and protests, due to poor service delivery. The City of Mbombela is no exception. This study aims to examine the lack of service delivery to develop the communities in the Mbombela municipality due to shortage of capacity. The study assesses the strategies used in capacity building to improve service delivery. A qualitative research method is used to collect data. A sample of 15 respondents were interviewed using semi-structured interviews. The finding shows that the Mbombela Municipality has been playing a vital role in the provision of basic services to the local communities. However, the municipality faces several challenges related to service delivery, especially insufficient funds, corruption and political interference. The finding also highlights that the municipality lacks proper capacity building strategies for enhancing service delivery. The study recommends that mitigation measures could address these capacity-building challenges. These include enhancing recruitment, spending money wisely, avoiding politics and implementing strategies. Key words: Capacity building, service delivery, Mbombela Local Municipality

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<p>Unsafe food is responsible for causing more than 600 million cases of foodborne illnesses and 420,000 deaths each year. These foodborne illnesses have direct impact on growth and development in children, food and nutrition security, national economies, and sustainable development. Food manufactures, research institutions, governments, and consumers, together, play a pivotal role in establishing and implementing effective food safety systems. <em>Salmonella</em> spp. and <em>Listeria monocytogenes</em> are recognized as major threats to global food safety and security among other 31 known and unknown pathogens associated with foodborne illnesses and deaths. Since these pathogens can be transmitted through contaminated food and water, contaminated environmental surfaces, and subsequently from environment to food via cross-contamination, there is an urgent need for data-driven approaches to identify key points of contamination along the food systems to suggest interventions. While it is important to enhance food safety research in developed economies, developing capacity to enable conditions for food safety research translation and practice in developing economies is crucial for global food safety. In this dissertation, we presented three different research projects as summarized below-</p> <p>In Chapter 2 “Evaluating the efficacy of celery powder in ready-to-eat deli style turkey breast against <em>L. monocytogenes</em> under ideal and temperature abuse conditions”. In this study, we artificially inoculated “clean label” deli style turkey breast formulated with celery powder to evaluate the efficacy of this natural antimicrobial in inhibiting the growth of this pathogen. We stored the inoculated samples at ideal (4 °C) and abuse temperature conditions (7 °C, 10 °C, and 15 °C) for 21 d mimicking the possible temperature abuse along the cold chain, transportation, and at consumer refrigerator. Our findings indicated that although deli meat samples stored at 4 °C and 7 °C did not achieve significant growth of <em>L. monocytogenes;</em> increasing temperatures to 10 °C and 15 °C led to significant increase in the growth rate of this pathogen. This study evaluates the use and effectiveness of celery powder as an antimicrobial used by deli meat processors against <em>L. monocytogenes</em> in deli products. These data underscore the importance of maintaining refrigeration temperatures to complement the efficacy of antimicrobials. </p> <p>Chapter 3 “Investigating sanitary solutions to <em>L. monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica</em> ser. Typhimurium, and <em>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</em> dry surface biofilms”. In this study, we developed <em>in vitro</em> mono- and mix-culture dry surface biofilm (DSB) models of <em>L. monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica</em> ser. Typhimurium, and <em>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</em> leveraging the EPA MLB SOP MB-19 standard protocol using the CDC Biofilm Reactor and evaluated sanitation control strategies currently adopted by low-moisture food (LMF) food processors to determine their ability to inactive DSB, a decidedly difficult reservoir to eliminate. This study targets multiple biological hazards in a research area with very limited publicly available data and is the first of its kind to refine mono- and multi-species <em>in vitro</em> DSB models that mimic LMF facility conditions and combinations of relevant microorganisms for use cases (e.g., EPA adoption). The findings from this study indicated that these foodborne pathogens could form DSBs and serve as a source of pathogen reservoir and cross-contamination. Results from the efficacy testing of sanitizer and microfiber swabbing suggested that current sanitation practices may not be sufficient to remove or inactivate DSBs. This study will define future needs and new strategies to improve confidence in sanitation efficacy with private sector practitioners.</p> <p>Chapter 4 “Enhancing research for development opportunities for Minority Serving Institutions: a case study in food safety”. Most developing economies have limited viable food safety systems due to underdeveloped research capabilities, competing resource demands, and insufficient enabling conditions, which undermines food security. United States Minority Serving Institution (MSIs) researchers and outreach specialists are familiar with and arguably best positioned to address global food safety and security challenges and needs, but MSIs implement limited research for development programs (e.g., U.S. university-led Feed the Future (FTF) Innovation Labs (ILs) funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)) aimed to solve these challenges. Recognizing this opportunity, the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Safety (FSIL) led by Purdue University in partnership with Cornell University, created and implemented an MSI-led research partnerships for global food safety research programs. In this chapter, we put together the process of a three-stage Request for Applications (RFA) process, which included non-competitive and competitive stages to encourage partnership and to refine ideas.  At the end of this process, seven individuals were invited to submit full proposals; two were funded. Intentional research opportunities and partnerships are essential to strengthen MSI competitiveness for research for development programs that develop and scale technologies to address urgent global agriculture, food security, and safety challenges.</p>

This thesis explores the role of open online educational resources as a tool for building longterm capacity for Sustainable Development planning. The focus is on energy and climate mitigation related to SDG 7 and 13. In particular the thesis explores medium to long term energy systems analysis and modelling - a critical activity for energy infrastructure development. An open teaching kit and online course for the Open Source energy Modelling System (OSeMOSYS) is presented. The OSeMOSYS teaching kit is derived from training and teaching experience on the use of the tool by the OpTIMUS community of practice and its partners. Several international organisations and consortium have long experience in carrying out capacity building initiatives and programmes in energy systems analysis and modelling across the globe. Yet, knowledge transfer, dissemination and application of newly learned tools are not as effective as they might be. Enabling conditions for sustained, effective and contentflexible long-term capacity building and teaching in energy systems analysis is necessary. Yet few accessible resources exist. Availability and access to open educational materials can contribute to the development of solid and long-term capacity, particularly in developing country contexts, which often rely on international support for such activities. The OSeMOSYS open educational resources, including the online course presented in this thesis, provide a ready-made example of an energy systems analysis course that can be directly deployed at higher education levels and in-house capacity building initiatives. Its open nature promotes and facilitates the development of a network of practitioners who can contribute back to the community. Users have the option of contributing to, using and reconfiguring materials and course examples of varying levels and specifics. These can then be shared and taken up by the community of practice. / Detta examensarbete utforskar rollen av öppet tillgängliga onlinebaserade material för inlärning och utlärning som ett verktyg för långvarande kunskap för hållbar utveckling och energiplanering. Fokuserande på energi och minskad klimatpåverkan i relation till hållbarhetsmålen 7 och 13. Mer specifikt utforskar examensarbetet medium till långvarig energisystemsanalys och energimodellering – en nyckelaktivitet för energiinfrastrukturutveckling. Ett öppet utlärnings-kit och onlinekurs för det öppna energimodelleringssystemet OSeMOSYS presenteras. OSeMOSYS utlärnings-kit är framtaget med hjälp av tidigare erfarenheter i utlärning av verktyget utfört av OpTIMUS Community of practice och partners. Flera internationella organisationer och konsortium har lång erfarenhet av att utföra kapacitetsuppbyggnads initiativ och program i energisystemsanalys och energimodellering världen över. Trots detta är kunskapsöverföring, spridning och applicering av nyligen inlärda verktyg inte lika effektiva som de kunnat vara. Att möjliggöra varaktig, effektiv och kontentflexibel långvarig kapacitetsuppbyggnad och utlärning av energisystemsanalys är nödvändigt. Tillgång och tillgänglighet till öppna pedagogiska material kan bidra till utvecklingen av hållbar långvarig kunskap, speciellt i ett utvecklingsland-perspektiv, vilka ofta är beroende av stöd från internationella organisationer för liknande aktiviteter. OSeMOSYS öppna pedagogiska resurser, inkluderande en onlinekurs presenterad i detta examensarbete, bidrar med ett färdigt exempel av en kurs i energisystemsanalys som är direkt applicerbar i högre utbildningsnivåer och landspecifika kapacitetsuppbyggnadsinitiativ. Dess öppna natur främjar och underlättar utvecklingen av ett nätverk av utövare vilka kan bidra tillbaka till samhället. Användare har möjlighet att bidra till, använda och ändra material och kursexempel i varierande svårighetsnivå och specifikt ämne. Dessa kan sedan spridas och tas upp av nätverket av användare för ytterligare samhällsnytta.

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As in many European countries, the Public Health Service (PHS) in Germany has had considerable difficulties in attracting well-qualified personnel for decades. Despite ongoing political and societal debate, limited empirical research on possible causes and explanations is available. To identify areas of action, we explored reasons for the (lack of) interest in working in the PHS by conducting two cross-sectional surveys among 3019 medical students (MS), public health students, and students from other PHS-relevant fields (PH&ONM) in Germany right before (wave 1, 2019/2020) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (wave 2, 2021). While interest in working in the PHS among MS was low, it was considerably higher among PH&ONM. The prevalent underestimation of the importance of public health and low levels of knowledge about the PHS were identified as potential barriers. Although core activities of the PHS were often considered attractive, they were repeatedly not attributed to the PHS. A negative perception of the PHS (e.g., it being too bureaucratic) was prevalent among students with and without PHS interest, indicating that both a negative image and potentially structural deficits need to be overcome to increase attractiveness. Based on the findings, we propose approaches on how to sustainably attract and retain qualified personnel.

The Public Health Service (PHS) in Germany has had difficulties in recruiting enough qualified staff for years, but there is limited research on what factors drive decisions to (not) join the PHS workforce. We explored reasons for this perceived (lack of) attractiveness. We conducted two cross-sectional surveys among medical students (MS), public health students and students from other PHS-relevant fields (PH&ONM) in Germany before (2019/2020) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (2021). Both waves surveyed self-reported reasons for why students did (not) consider working in the PHS as attractive and how this could be improved, using open-question items. Qual- itative and quantitative content analyses were conducted according to Mayring. In total, 948 MS and 445 PH&ONM provided valid written responses. Reasons for considering the PHS as attractive were, among others, the perception of a good work-life balance, high impact, population health focus, and generally interesting occupations. Suggestions to increase attractiveness included reducing bureaucracy, modernization/digitalization, and more acknowledgement of non-medical profession- als. Among MS, reasons against were too little clinical/patient-related activities, low salary, and occupations regarded as boring. Our findings indicate areas for improvement for image, working conditions in, and institutional structures of the PHS in Germany to increase its attractiveness as an employer among young professionals.

The focused of this study is the role of capacity building in Community Home Based Care (CHBC) for HIV/AIDS patients. The study forms part of my Master's in Development Administration programme, undertaken through UNISA. The dissertation was accomplished by studying the TASO community initiative in Sseeta-Nazigo, Mukono District, Uganda. It explores the concept of capacity building and its applicability to CHBC. The primacy data was gathered by conducting Key Infonnant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGD). The secondary data was gathered by reviewing literature to augment the primary data. In addition, data was gathered through observations within the community. The fmdings have identified seven critical components of capacity building: community mobilisation, skills development, Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT), networking and collaboration, support and supervision, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E). The study observed that capacity built in the above areas resulted in three outcomes: skills development, improvement in procedures, and institutional development. Informed recommendations were subsequently made related to the seven componentsof capacity building in CHBC / Development Studies / M. A. (Development Studies)

The focused of this study is the role of capacity building in Community Home Based Care (CHBC) for HIV/AIDS patients. The study forms part of my Master's in Development Administration programme, undertaken through UNISA. The dissertation was accomplished by studying the TASO community initiative in Sseeta-Nazigo, Mukono District, Uganda. It explores the concept of capacity building and its applicability to CHBC. The primacy data was gathered by conducting Key Infonnant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGD). The secondary data was gathered by reviewing literature to augment the primary data. In addition, data was gathered through observations within the community. The fmdings have identified seven critical components of capacity building: community mobilisation, skills development, Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT), networking and collaboration, support and supervision, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E). The study observed that capacity built in the above areas resulted in three outcomes: skills development, improvement in procedures, and institutional development. Informed recommendations were subsequently made related to the seven componentsof capacity building in CHBC / Development Studies / M. A. (Development Studies)