E-skills training on communal, fixed infrastructure as an activator of personal use of mobile internet
- Authors: Gumbo, Sibukelo , Terzoli, Alfredo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/430716 , vital:72710 , https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/6701781
- Description: In the second semester of 2012, training in computer literacy was of-fered in the Dwesa area, in deep rural South Africa, within the footprint of the Siyakhula Living Lab. Training of this nature is essential to make ICT access meaningful in such areas, and avoid wasteful `box drop-ping', unfortunately not uncommon. The training was done using com-munal fixed infrastructure located in schools but, interestingly, activated or deepened the use of mobile intemet among the people that attended the training. This paper contributes on the ongoing debate on whether mobile devices are the one and only solution to ICT access in rural (and peri-urban) poor settings in Africa.
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Ecological niche modeling of the invasive potential of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus in African river systems: concerns and implications for the conservation of indigenous congenerics
- Authors: Zengeya, Tsungai A , Robertson, Mark P , Booth, Anthony J , Chimimba, Christian T
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124341 , vital:35596 , https://doi.10.1007/s10530-012-0386-7
- Description: This study applied ecological niche models to determine the potential invasive range of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, with a particular focus on river systems in southern Africa where it is now established and spreading. Computational tools such as niche models are useful in predicting the potential range of invasive species, but there are limitations to their application. In particular, models trained on native records may fail to predict the full extent of an invasion. This failure is often attributed to changes in either the niche of the invading species or the variables used to develop the models. In this study, we therefore evaluated the differences in the predictive power of models trained with different environmental variables, the effect of species range (native vs. introduced) on model performance and assessed whether or not there is evidence suggestive of a niche shift in Nile tilapia following its introduction. Niche models were constructed using Maxent and the degree of niche similarity was assessed using Schoener‘s index. Null models were used to test for significance. Model performance and niche conservatism varied significantly with variable selection and species range. This indicates that the environmental conditions available to Nile tilapia in its native and introduced ranges are not congruent. Nile tilapia exhibited broad invasive potential over most of southern Africa that overlaps the natural range of endemic congenerics. Of particular concern are areas which are free of exotic species but are now vulnerable due to the promotion of fish introductions mainly for aquaculture and sport fishing.
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ECOMAG Model: an evaluation for use in South Africa
- Authors: Mokoena, M P , Kapangaziwiri, E , Kahinda, J M , Hughes, Denis A
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , report
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/438268 , vital:73447 , ISBN 978-1-4312-0408-3 , https://wrcwebsite.azurewebsites.net/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/TT%20555-13.pdf
- Description: The complexity of current approaches to water resource management poses many challenges. Water managers need to solve a range of interrelated water dilemmas, such as balancing water quantity and quality, flooding, drought, maintaining biodi-versity and ecological functions and the supply of water services to people. It is a sad fact in southern Africa that water availability is highly variable both spatially and temporally with low runoff coefficients of less than 9% conversion of mean annual precipitation (MAP) to mean annual runoff (MAR) known to be prevalent across large parts of the region (FAO, 2003). With predictions of water scarcity conditions, caused by rapid population growth, expanding urbanisation, increased economic development and climate change, (Rosegrant and Perez, 1997), water looks set to become a limiting resource in Southern Africa. The dynamics of demand and supply will have a large impact on the future socio-economic development of the region (Basson et al., 1997).
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Editorial. Methodology, Context and Quality
- Authors: Lotz-Sisitka, Heila
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/387220 , vital:68216 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/122254"
- Description: This edition of the Southern African Journal of Environmental Education (SAJEE) is a ‘double volume’ and contains papers submitted in 2012 and 2013. The production of a double volume has been necessitated by administrative problems experienced by the journal production team in 2012, which affected the successful publication of a 2012 edition. However, the Council of the Environmental Education Association of Southern Africa (EEASA) agreed to respond by producing a double-volume edition for 2012/2013. Journal readers are reminded that the production of this journal is voluntary and depends heavily on voluntary administration and other systems. The patience of authors and readers in the 2012/2013 years of production is much appreciated.
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Editorial:
- Authors: Garman, Anthea
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/158840 , vital:40233 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC141608
- Description: If you've been a Rhodes Journalism Review reader for a while, you'll be surprised by the smaller magazine you are holding in your hands right now. RJR started off life as an A4 but has been big since no 9, December 1994, and the size I inherited when I started as editor in 1997. It's a format I've always loved; it stands (er, stood) out among the wash of pamphlets at international conferences, it gave designers and photographers a fantastic sweep of canvas, and it was distinctive in the world of magazines, a true original.
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Editorial:
- Authors: Garman, Anthea
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/158851 , vital:40234 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC141608
- Description: If you've been a Rhodes Journalism Review reader for a while, you'll be surprised by the smaller magazine you are holding in your hands right now. RJR started off life as an A4 but has been big since no 9, December 1994, and the size I inherited when I started as editor in 1997. It's a format I've always loved; it stands (er, stood) out among the wash of pamphlets at international conferences, it gave designers and photographers a fantastic sweep of canvas, and it was distinctive in the world of magazines, a true original.
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Effect of the relative humidity on the fibre morphology of polyamide 4.6 and polyamide 6.9 nanofibres
- Authors: De Schoenmaker, Bert , Van de Schueren, Lien , Zugle, Ruphino , Goethals, Annelies , Westbroek, Philippe , Kiekens, Paul , Nyokong, Tebello , De Clerck, Karen
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/242131 , vital:51004 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-012-6934-9"
- Description: To obtain uniform and reproducible nanofibres, it is important to understand the effect of the different electrospinning parameters on the nanofibre morphology. Even though a lot of literature is available on the electrospinning of nanofibres, only minor research has been performed on the effect of the relative humidity (RH). This paper investigates the influence of this parameter on the electrospinning process and fibre morphology of the hydrophilic polyamide 4.6 and the less hydrophilic polyamide 6.9. First, the electrospinning process and deposition area of the nanofibres is examined at 10, 50 and 70 % RH. Subsequently, the effect of the polyamide concentration and solvent ratio on the fibre morphology is investigated using scanning electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. It was found that the nanofibre diameter decreased with increasing RH. This resulted in less stable crystals for polyamide 4.6 while electrospinning of polyamide 6.9 at higher RH led to slightly more stable crystals. In conclusion, the water affinity of a polymer is an important factor in predicting the nanofibre morphology at different humidities.
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Effects of gold nanoparticle shape on the aggregation and fluorescence behaviour of water soluble zinc phthalocyanines
- Authors: D'Souza, Sarah , Moeno, Sharon , Antunes, Edith M , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/232500 , vital:49997 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1039/C3NJ00146F"
- Description: The absorption and fluorescence response as well as the fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes of sulfonated phthalocyanines and alkyl carboxylic acid substituted zinc phthalocyanines in the presence of differently shaped water soluble gold nanoparticles were studied. The respective phthalocyanines are known to be highly aggregated in water, which is reported to markedly reduce the excited state lifetimes. This paper shows that in the presence of star shaped gold nanoparticles, the degree of phthalocyanine aggregation in water is greatly reduced, but the aggregation status of the phthalocyanines does not change for spherical Au nanoparticles. Since gold nanoparticles have already proven to be useful in numerous nanomedicinal and nanomedical applications, the disaggregation of phthalocyanines is an added advantage.
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Electrochemical impedimetric immunosensor for the detection of measles-specific IgG antibodies after measles infections
- Authors: Mashazi, Philani N , Tetyana, Phumlani , Vilakazi, Sibulelo , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/241677 , vital:50960 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2013.04.028"
- Description: The detection of measles-specific primary antibodies (IgG) using electrochemical impedimetric immunosensors is reported. The optimum conditions for electrode saturation were reached after 40 min for 1 μg ml−1 antibody concentrations. Surface roughness using AFM increased with each immobilization or antigen-antibody reaction step clearly confirming the surface modification and recognition between antigen and antibody. The human serum (HS) and new-born calf serum (NCS) spiked with antigen-specific antibody were studied to mimic the real sample analysis. The HS and NCS sera containing antibodies due to measles exhibited correlation between the increasing antibody serum concentrations and the charge-transfer resistance (electrochemically measured). This work clearly showed the potential use of impedance as the preferred electrochemical method for detecting measles-antibodies in label-free manner.
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Electrospun fibers functionalized with phthalocyanine-gold nanoparticle conjugates for photocatalytic applications
- Authors: Tombe, Sekai , Antunes, Edith M , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193769 , vital:45394 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcata.2013.01.033"
- Description: The heterogeneous photocatalytic activity of Zn(II) phthalocyanine-gold nanoparticle conjugates immobilized on electrospun polystyrene fibers was investigated using 4-chlorophenol and Orange G as model pollutants. The phthalocyanine-gold nanoparticle conjugates were synthesized via a ligand exchange reaction and characterized using spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The interaction between the gold nanoparticles and phthalocyanines did not restrict the formation of excited singlet states, triplet states and hence the formation of singlet oxygen required for photocatalysis. The conjugates showed significantly higher singlet oxygen quantum yields and enhanced photocatalytic activity compared to the phthalocyanines. It was concluded that hybrid electrospun fibers provide great potential as active photocatalysts for oxidizing organic pollutants using singlet oxygen as an oxidant.
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Engineering Education Research for educational change: the possibilities of critical realism for conceptualising causal mechanicsms in education
- Authors: Case, Jennifer , Blackie, Margaret A
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/426637 , vital:72374 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2013.07.023"
- Description: Engineering Education Research (EER) grew in prominence from the late 1990s as purposes for this field were espoused in relation to the necessity of change for engineering education in the newly globalising world. Arguments centred on overall challenges with recruitment to engineering, specifically in relation to historically underrepresented populations, as well as with the forms of education (both in terms of quality of teaching and relevance of curricula) offered to students, and the needs of employers as reflected in newly-emerged global accreditation systems. In a field that is at least partly directed towards educational change, there is a need to understand how change typically happens in education systems. This article first draws on findings from the sociology of education to show that causality in relation to educational change is complex. It then turns to the philosophy of critical realism for a way of thinking about change that can inform EER, and concludes by outlining how this might change the research questions that drive the field, and how these might be approached.
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Environmental ethics as processes of open-ended, pluralistic, deliberative enquiry
- Authors: Olvitt, Lausanne L
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/437309 , vital:73368 , ISBN 9780203813331 , https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780203813331-15/environmental-ethics-processes-open-ended-pluralistic-deliberative-enquiry-lausanne-olvitt
- Description: By the very nature of their work, environmental education re-searchers must engage with environmental philosophy and questions of values and ethics. But this terrain, despite being resourced with an apparently endless supply of typologies, an-thologies, and handbooks, can remain a vast and daunting philosophical sea—at least in my experience as a newcomer to the field, and possibly for many other scholars and re-searchers. This essay makes no claim to altering that and in-stead optimistically pursues Ball’s (2001, p. 89) suggestion that “there is much to be learned about, and from, the philosophical life-forms inhabiting these thickets and swamps.” My intention here is to review a relatively small but growing cluster of work in environmental ethics that proposes that:“Ethical positions are always open for discussion, re-examination, and revi-sion”(Jickling, 2004, p. 16) and are thus, by their very nature, open-ended, relational processes. My starting point in writing this essay is as an educator-researcher-environmentalist trying to explore what the field of environmental ethics has to offer in response to the question:“As educators, how can we learn and do more with others in the face of an unprecedented socioeco-logical crisis?”
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Epidemic transmission of intestinal schistosomiasis in the seasonal part of the Okavango Delta, Botswana:
- Authors: Appleton, C C , Ellery, William F N , Byskov, Jens , Mogkweetsinyana, S S
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/144364 , vital:38339 , DOI: 10.1179/136485908X311867
- Description: A well documented epidemic of human intestinal schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma mansoni occurred at Maun in the seasonal part of the Okavango Delta, Botswana, building from very few cases in the 1950s and early 1960s to a peak prevalence of greater than80% in the 1980s. A retrospective analysis was performed on all available records of the prevalence of S. mansoni in the Maun area and the corresponding flow records of the Thamalakane River. These revealed a statistically significant correlation between prevalence and flow, but only when a lag period was introduced. The correlation was greatest with a lag period of 5–6 years between the rise and fall of discharge and the rise and fall of transmission. Since the hydrological events in the delta follow a cyclical pattern, another epidemic around 2020 appears likely.
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Explaining the endurance of poverty and inequality : social policy and the social division of welfare in the South African health system
- Authors: Du Plessis, Ulandi
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Health system , Private health , Public health , Poor , Subsidies , Profit motive , Quality , Efficiency , Public health -- Finance -- Research -- South Africa , Medical care -- Research -- South Africa , Poverty -- Research -- South Africa , Equality -- Research -- South Africa , South Africa -- Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2755 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002002
- Description: This thesis examines the structure and flow of public funding between the public and private sectors in the South African health system and the consequences thereof for the achievement of equity. The conceptual framework used to undertake the analysis derives from Richard Titmuss’ core theoretical framework, the Social Division of Welfare. The application of the Social Division of Welfare applied to the South African health care context demonstrates how state resources end up benefitting the non-poor and, as a result, reproduce inequality. Those who access public institutions such as public health care are assumed to be ‘dependent’ on the state, whilst those who access private health facilities claim to be ‘independent’ of the state. However, this thesis shows that these assumptions are flawed. Access to the formal labour market, and subsequently the paying of taxes, authorises one to access state subsidies not available to those who do not. The application of the Social Division of Welfare shows that tax-paying private health care patients benefit considerably from state resources. This thesis argues that due to cost escalation in the private health sector, a consequence of the commodification of health care, these private health care ‘consumers’ as well as the private health industry in general are dependent upon state resources. This thesis analyses the role played by the profit motive present in the private health industry and the consequences for equity, quality, access and efficiency in health care provision
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Exploring a systems approach to mainstreaming sustainability in universities: A case study of Rhodes University in South Africa
- Authors: Togo, Muchaiteyi , Lotz-Sisitka, Heila
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182857 , vital:43886 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2012.749974"
- Description: This paper explores the use of systems theory to inform the mainstreaming of sustainability in a university’s functions as it responds to sustainable development challenges in its local context. Offering a case study of Rhodes University, the paper shows how the use of systems models and concepts, underpinned by a critical realist ontology and an understanding of morphogenetic change processes, have the potential to enable universities to mobilise their operations to respond to local sustainability challenges. In this instance, the success of such an approach is shown to depend on commitments from the university community and the availability of enabling inputs, such as financial and human resources. The paper concludes with reflections and recommendations to inform further development of a newly emerging systems approach in sustainability mainstreaming at Rhodes University, and other institutions pursuing similar approaches and goals.
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Exploring options in reforming South African land ownership: opportunities for sharing land, labour and expertise
- Authors: Dlamini, Thula S , Verschoor, Aart-Jan , Fraser, Gavin C G
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/69331 , vital:29500 , https://doi.org/10.1080/03031853.2013.770951
- Description: In many developing countries, land ownership remains a subject of contention. In South Africa, notwithstanding the strides that have been made to foster equitable land ownership, land reform policies have been unsuccessful in delivering land to the poor majority. Due to the nature of agriculture as a source of food production and national security, and the lack of farming skills and related competencies’ equilibrium, programmes intended to deliver land to black people have been inadequate in their reach. Whereas policy has emphasised the urgency of solving equity issues in land ownership, equally challenging has been finding the right set of programmes to achieve this without triggering a perennial land ownership squabble. After 18 years of democracy, a need remains to find a balance between continuity in food production and equitable redistribution of land in South African agriculture. In this paper, we argue that it is possible to achieve equitable and fair redistribution of land without inhibiting agricultural production, through land sharing. We show that sharing land could help fast-track the development of a farming skills and related competencies’ equilibrium between black and white farmers. The paper further demonstrates that the gains in land sharing far outweigh other programmes of land reform that have been used and suggested thus far.
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Exploring the correlation between language medium and academic achievement: a comparative study of the language of learning and teaching (LoLT) and mathematics results in the 2010 Grade 12 National Senior Certificate examinations in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Mbude-Shale, Beryl Ntombizanele
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Academic achievement -- Research -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Language and education -- Research -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Language policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Matric Learners Language planning Mathematics Policies Academic performance Mother-tongue
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3559 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001863
- Description: In 2009, of the 68,129 learners who wrote Matric, only 34,731 learners passed. In 2010, there was an increase in the provincial pass rate causing much excitement across the board. The reality was that of the 64,090 learners who wrote, only 37,345 learners passed. In 2010, a result below 50% was recorded for Mathematics and Physical Science nationally (DBE; 2011). Despite efforts by the Education Department to support MSTE; establishing Mathematics and Science schools, NGOs and HEIs giving extra Mathematics and Science support to students and teachers, the offering of Saturday classes and incubation camps, we still get minimal return on investment. This thesis analyses these results against the backdrop of language planning theory, particularly language-in-education policies, pre and post-apartheid. The correlation between language medium and academic performance in language (LoLT) and Mathematics of Grade 12 learners is explored. Worldwide the issue of low achievement in Mathematics by ESL students is of great concern (Cuevas, 1984). The 2004 Systemic Evaluation sample of learners was in Grade 6 then; in 2010 they wrote Grade 12. The purpose of the systemic evaluation was to provide an insight into the levels of learner performance in Maths, Natural Science and LoLT in Grade 6 (IPSER, 2006). A major finding of the IPSER was that language was an important factor related to learner achievement. A major disparity was observed in this research, that although the Eastern Cape performed below the national average in the three subjects evaluated, the learners for whom LoLT was the same as their home language obtained scores that were significantly higher than those whose home language was different from the LoLT. The provincial average for Mathematics was 23.40% compared to the national average of 27.80%. For LoLT the province scored 30.16 against the national score of 38.03%. Of interest in this study is a juxtaposition of the Matric results of this same group of learners in 2010 and see whether issues that came up then are still significant in mitigating achievement in Mathematics and Language (LoLT). Some research studies have been conducted in South Africa (Adler, 1998; Setati, 1996-2002; Moloi, 2006) identifying the vital role language plays in learning Mathematics, especially for English L2 learners. Building on research and findings of academics such as the late Alexander, Ramani, Joseph, Hendricks, Heugh, Dalvit, Webb and Murray, this thesis suggests that a mother-tongue-based-bilingual approach to education should be adopted as a matter of urgency
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Exploring the influence of spirituality on students' well-being
- Authors: Magula, Nokuzola Princess
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Sprituality , Well-being , Students , Christians , Rhodes University , College students -- Religious life -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Christian college students -- Religious life -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Universities and colleges -- Religion -- Research , Well-being -- Religious aspects , Spirituality -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2918 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002083
- Description: This study was aimed at exploring the impact of spirituality on the well-being of students at Rhodes University in South Africa. The study was conducted within a qualitative research paradigm deploying an interpretive phenomenological analysis strategy for data analysis. The study involved a sample of four female Honours students who were all active Christians. The selected students were interviewed to elicit their experiences of spirituality and how this related to their everyday lives. The study used semi-structured interviews in order to get as much information as possible from the small sample of research participants. Data generated in this study was processed, presented and interpreted inductively and hermeneutically in order to identify emerging superordinate themes. This study found that spirituality was experienced as having a positive impact on well-being by all the four students. The study revealed that belief and faith in God amongst the students resulted in enhanced and positive experiences of hope, optimism and compassion which provided the students with a deeper sense of meaning of life and a source of direction in difficult times. The study further showed that participants experienced spirituality as a regulatory mechanism shaping their lifestyles and behaviours. Participants viewed their spirituality and religiosity as a source of social support helping them to cope with distressful situations. The findings of this study are consistent with the findings of previous studies done in the field of psychology and spirituality. The fact that this study has shown that spirituality and religion has a positive impact on student’s well-being may mean that University administrators and psychologists may find the study interesting and valuable
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Exploring the possibility of an Ubuntu-based political philosophy
- Authors: Furman, Katherine Elizabeth
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Ubuntu , Political philosophy , Ethical theories , Law , South Africa , Ubuntu (Philosophy) -- Research -- South Africa , Political science -- Philosophy -- Research , Philosophy, African -- Research , Social values -- Research South Africa , Ethics -- Research -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2756 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002003
- Description: It is typically said that there are two questions that political philosophy seeks to address: ‘who gets what?’ and ‘who decides on who gets what?’ South Africa, along with much of the rest of the world, has answered the second question badly and currently ranks as one of the world’s most unequal societies. Counter-intuitively, South Africa maintains a social-political order that (re)produces this inequality along with great enthusiasm for ubuntu, an African ethic that at a minimum requires that we treat each other humanely. However, due to the view that ubuntu has been co-opted in support of South Africa’s unjust system, ubuntu has largely been ignored by radical thinkers. The aim of this thesis is therefore to explore the possibility of an ubuntu-based political philosophy, with the core assumption that political philosophy is rooted in ethical theory. Three tasks are therefore undertaken in this thesis. Firstly, ubuntu is articulated as an ethic. Secondly, it is compared to similar Western ethical theories in order to determine if there are distinguishing characteristics that make ubuntu a more appropriate founding ethic for South African political philosophy. Finally, whether ubuntu can find real-world applicability will be assessed by looking at the way ubuntu has been used in the law
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Farewell to Lawrence Schlemmer: initiator of quality-of-life studies in South Africa
- Authors: Moller, Valerie
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67175 , vital:29055 , https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-011-9965-8
- Description: publisher version , Professor Lawrence Schlemmer, affectionately known as Lawrie, was the father of South Africa’s quality-of-life studies and social indicators movement. He died on 26 October 2011 at the age of 75 after a short illness. In 1978, Lawrence marched into my office at the Centre for Applied Social Sciences, University of Natal, brandishing two books. We need to do some work on quality of life in South Africa, he announced, before handing me the volumes. At the time, South Africa’s leaders assumed that smiling black faces meant that South Africans were happy with their lot in life under apartheid. Our surveys were to prove otherwise. That weekend was spent reading cover to cover the classic works by Frank Andrews, Angus Campbell and their colleagues. The next week we pored over lists of concerns voiced by South Africans which we later put to test in the field. In 1982, we submitted our findings by ‘slug’ post to the editor of Social Indicators Research. We received a letter by return mail from Alex Michalos to say he would publish our paper and we should not be too disappointed with our regression results!
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