Obstetrics - Branch of medicine dealing with antenatal care, child birth and postnatal care.

Occupational diseases - Illnesses caused by substances or conditions that the worker was brought into contact with at the workplace.

Occupational health - Health and safety in the workplace.

Occupational therapist - Someone who helps patients to recover physically or emotionally through creative and/or productive activities.

Oenology - Study of wine and wine-making.

• Viticulture (Glossary)

Official Opposition - The party that has the second most seats in parliament.The DA is the official opposition party in the national government.

Old age grant - State financial assistance for elderly poor people. It is available to men over the age of 65 and women over the age of 60 and is subject to a means test.

Opportunistic infections - Diseases which HIV positive people contract more easily because their immune systems are weakened by the HI Virus.Opportunistic infections include TB and Pneumonia.

Oral health - Keeping your mouth, gums and teeth in good condition to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

Oral thrush - Mouth infection that results in open sores or lesions in the mouth.

Ordinance - Law made by the Provincial Government.

Organic farming - Crop or stock farming where only natural fertilisers, pesticides and nutritional supplements are used.Hormones and synthetics checmicals are not used at all.

Orphan - A child whose parents are both dead

Orthotics - Medical science dealing with specialized mechanical devices to support or assist weakened or abnormal joints or limbs.

Out-patient - Someone who is treated at a hospital but does not stay overnight.

Outcomes Based Education (OBE) - A system of education where everything that is taught has a specific purpose. The curriculum and all assessment is developed around these desired outcomes.