BackgroundDe-sludging operators play a critical role in ensuring access to safe sanitation services. De-sludging activities, however, increase the operators’ risk of exposure to physical, chemical, ergonomic, psychological, and biological hazards, which eventually affect their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Despite immense exposure to occupational hazards, only a few evidence-based interventions have been implemented to improve the occupational health and safety (OHS) of de-sludging operators.ObjectiveThe proposed study intends to utilise the sanitation safety planning (SSP) tool to improve the OHS of de-sludging operators in Uganda. The study aims to generate evidence of the prevalence of exposure to occupational hazards and the associated health outcomes, knowledge, attitude and uptake of OHS measures, as well as the HRQoL of de-sludging operators. The facilitators and barriers to the promotion of OHS shall also be explored.MethodsA mixed-methods study will be conducted among 356 desludging operators in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area. A structured questionnaire pre-loaded on the KoboCollect mobile data collection application will be used to obtain information on socio-demographic characteristics, history of work-related accidents and diseases, uptake of safety measures, and health-related quality of life. A total of 10 focus group discussions (FGDs) will be conducted among desludging operators, to understand how they cope with associated occupational hazards. In addition, 25 in-depth interviews (IDIs) will be conducted among purposively selected employers to understand the barriers and facilitators of provision and implementation of safety measures among desludging operators. Quantitative data will be analyzed using STATA version 15 while qualitative data will be transcribed verbatim and the analysis aided by the NVIVO software.Expected outcomesThe study will generate evidence of the occupational health and safety of desludging operators and the effectiveness of the SSP tool. These findings will be critical in informing the design and implementation of occupational health and safety programmes among desludging operators.

This article follows the study of the anti-politics machine that explains why and how developmental projects fail, in the context of a little drought-stricken Karoo town called Vanwyksvlei, Northern Cape. The five (corporate) social responsibility programmes, under the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) in South Africa, can be considered a failure and this reveals ‘mismatches’ and contradictions in what is considered ‘development’ between Vanwyksvlei’s residents and SKA. With ethnographic methods, semi-structured interviews and textual analysis, the ‘anti-politics machine’ is useful in deconstructing and depoliticising the relationship among developmental actors involved in the five programmes. Firstly, deconstructing and depoliticising the five programmes attempts to explain the success–failure binary of development that points to critiquing the development discourse from problem-orientated to a problem-solving orientation. Secondly, Habermas’ theory of communicative action aids in the quest of consensus through deliberative and negotiation strategies between local people, national governments and global organisations. Lastly, the significance of the anti-politics machine goes beyond accounting for the five failed corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes and extends to the recognition of local sphere, not only to depoliticise the politics of astronomy knowledge with indigenous insight, but also assist in the urgency of water supply.

for contributing so generously to some of the publication costs.Wikus van Zyl and Emily Vosloo at AFRICAN SUN MeDIA have, furthermore, been superb in their support, encouragement and advice. It really does make a huge difference to have responsive and encouraging publishers.And finally, thanks so much, Crain Soudien, for agreeing to write the foreword in spite of your busy schedule. This work is built on an important and significant inquiry into Higher Education which you led a decade ago. A special note from RobI would like to give special thanks to the following: Ronelle. With your knowledge, critical and empathetic insights, social conscience, and down to earth sense of humour, working with you has not only been a very enriching intellectual experience but great fun too. Genay Dhelminie, Nwabisa Madikane and Marinice Walters-Kemp (the three administration officers in the Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology). Your friendly, thoughtful and helpful manner plays a key part in making the department open and accessible to everyone.The students I teach for teaching me. Thanks for the animated conversations, in the lecture theatre and in smaller groups, about gender, sexuality, race and class and for laughing at some of my jokes.The Critical Academic Practitioners (CRAP) postgraduate support for turning research into a social activity and sharing research insights, innovative methods, anxieties and pleasures in a friendly pedagogic space. Thanks to