Unisa Press Journals (University of South Africa)
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προαίρεσις πνεύματος im LXX-Ekklesiastes: LXX
No full textThis article examines all evidence of the word combination προαίρεσις πνεύματος, which represents a linguistic and intellectual peculiarity of the LXX Ecclesiastes. It explains in which way the choice of words and the stylistic devices of the LXX translator, who is also a poet, puts into context the relation of προαίρεσις πνεύματος in LXX Ecclesiastes to Genesis 2–3 (serpent) and Job 1–2 (Satan), as well as to 1Sam 16:14 etc. (evil spirit), 1Kgt 22:19–23 par. 2Chr 18:18–22 (lying spirit) and Zach 13:2 (unclean spirit) and traces the vanity and nothingness in this world back to the purpose of the spirit
Job 7:20: A Burden to God or to Himself? William Blake’s Monistic Exegesis of Job’s Nightmares as a Resolution of Theodicy
No full textIn the introduction to the book of Job, God allows Satan to inflict terrible devastation and suffering on his prominently righteous, pious, and prosperous God-fearing servant, Job. In response to his suffering, Job’s three well-meaning friends assert various Deuteronomistically oriented “sin and retribution” theological answers. The result is not comfort for Job, but ongoing nightmares. At Job 7:20 Job addresses God in response to his nightmares, but here a text-critical problem arises: There is a crucial difference between the Hebrew Masoretic Text (MT) and the Septuagint (LXX) versions. The MT states “I have sinned … (why am I) a burden against myself?” (KJV). The Greek (LXX) version has: “If I did sin … (why am I) a burden on you?” (my italics). Modern English Bible translators have responded to text-critical research by rejecting the majority MT version of Job7:20, and chosen to render the LXX version instead. The hypothesis of this article is that the difference in these two versions of Job7:20 makes a significant difference in terms of the understanding of theodicy in the book of Job; the MT version of Job 7:20 allows for an exegesis which goes a long way towards resolving the underlying problem of theodicy. Furthermore, the rejection of the MT version by text-critical scholars as reflected in modern English translations may point to significant implications in terms of the “parting of the ways” between Christianity and its Jewish origins. This article uses an interdisciplinary and intertextual methodology to explain the hypothesis. The main source is the monistic exegesis of the book of Job in the set of engravings by the artist/poet William Blake (1757–1827). Two apocryphal books, Tobit and 4 Ezra, are used to explain Blake’s exegesis because they confirm certain important aspects of Blake’s exegesis
The Russia-Ukraine War: An Exploratory Study into the Potential Impact of Cyber Warfare on Asymmetric War Efforts
No full textPurpose: The war in Ukraine brought attention to “new” tactics on the battlefield—namely cyber warfare. It is attracting increased attention from media and civilians, enabling civilians from countries outside of Ukraine to help fight for Ukraine. The impact of cyber warfare on kinetic war efforts is not well understood.
Methodology: Secondary data were collected, which included verified reports of cyber interventions in support of either party to the Russian-Ukraine war. Various cyber interventions are discussed in terms of the type of intervention, modus operandi, and potential effect. All data have been published in English by credible sources. The effect of cyber interventions will be analysed to determine their potential impact on states that are party to an asymmetrical war.
Findings: Cyber warfare can potentially act as a force multiplier in kinetic efforts through actionable intelligence collected. Currently, the effect of cyber warfare seems to be negligible, as neither party to the Russian-Ukraine war effort has achieved its political ideologies. In fact, the use of drones has brought about an escalation in violence.
Implications: A better understanding of cyber interventions and more effective application of these in a kinetic war could potentially aid a nation-state in achieving its ideological objectives faster, thereby reducing the intensity of the negative socioeconomic impact on nation-states not party to the conflict. Current scholarly debates about cyber warfare view the impact of cyber interventions in a kinetic effort as negligible. This article will point to a linchpin that could change the current opinion of scholars
Applying the OECD/DAC Evaluation Criteria to Human Settlement Programmes in Mpumalanga Province
No full textThe South African government (post-1994) prioritised the creation of low-cost housing to redress previous racial disparities in housing allocations. The Department of Human Settlements provides human settlement programmes through the public and private sectors. The public sector offers human accommodation in metropolitan centres and rural locations. However, human settlement delivery has not been evaluated to establish the value of these programmes, even though there is proof of and respect for housing delivery efforts. This article evaluates the implementation of human settlement projects in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa to determine the efficacy of housing delivery. The study underlying this article adopted the qualitative methodology. A series of prepared questionnaires were emailed to provincial and local housing officials. The questionnaires included open-ended and closed-structured questions. The study used primary and secondary data analysis to complement each other in fulfilling the research objectives. The human settlement programmes are being implemented to meet the demands of the recipients. However, rising housing demand makes dealing with backlogs difficult; as a result, human settlement programmes fail to meet their objectives. Furthermore, human settlements are delivered together with other bulk services that provide better settlements than existing informal settlements. Management needs to provide adequate oversight mechanisms, resulting in an improved quality of human settlement delivery. The evidence of this study demonstrates that stakeholder engagement processes have been undertaken, which are crucial in human settlement delivery. Lastly, human settlement delivery has had a minimal impact on improving the quality of life for beneficiaries within these communities
Guided Transformation of Customary Marriage Practices in South Africa
No full textThis article discusses the complementary roles of the South African state and community institutions in transforming customary marriage practices to reflect changing socio-economic circumstances and to meet constitutional values contained in the Bill of Rights. It also reflects on the interaction between customary law, legislation dealing specifically with customary law, and the Constitution. Customary laws of marriage are living laws and may be interpreted, applied and, when necessary, amended or developed by the legislature and courts or by the impacted communities. Before the enactment of the 1996 Constitution, customary marriage practices were only recognised by the courts if they were not repugnant to public policy or natural justice and common law principles. This repugnancy test did not allow South African courts to develop African customary laws. Since 1996, the test for recognition of customary marriage laws has been the Constitution. Legislative reforms of customary marriage practices have occurred through the enactment of the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act 120 of 1998, the Reform of Customary Law of Succession and Regulation of Related Matters Act 11 of 2009 and more are anticipated in ongoing efforts of the South African Law Reform Commission. Section 211(2) of the Constitution also allows traditional leaders to reform their own customs and to bring them into line with the norms and values of the Constitution. In this article, I assess the complementary efforts of the legislature, courts, and traditional leaders in amending the communities’ customary marriage practices to reflect modernity and to meet constitutional values
“Breaking Bread, Breaking Barriers”: An Ecological systems theoretical analysis of Food Insecurity in South African Higher Education Institutions
No full textFood insecurity is an increasingly pressing issue in South Africa, affecting higher education institutions. The country’s prevalent poverty and unemployment rates, exacerbated by the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, have led to reduced funding for higher education institutions. As a result, students’ well-being is compromised, with many experiencing hunger and difficulties in their academic progress. While existing literature addresses food insecurity in South African higher education institutions, a comprehensive understanding from a systems theoretical perspective is lacking. This study applies Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, a multi-level analysis framework, to examine the complexities of food insecurity in South African higher education institutions. The analysis explores the microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, and chronosystem dimensions of food insecurity as a multidimensional challenge requiring holistic response strategies. Drawing on scholarly literature, news articles, and reports from governmental and non-governmental organisations, this qualitative research sheds light on the multifaceted nature of food insecurity challenges in higher education institutions, with a specific focus on student development. Insights from Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory enhance the understanding of the barriers to student well-being and academic success and underscore the need for targeted interventions. The findings contribute to the literature on food insecurity as a complex problem and guide policy decisions, interventions, and initiatives
Gender and the Housing Production Process: A Bibliographic Survey of Women’s Engagement and Challenges
No full textHousing remains a global challenge, with access and involvement in the housing production process shaped by gender, varying across national contexts. This article reviews women’s engagement, comparing women’s participation in housing production between developed and developing countries. It discusses the activities women engage in, their rate of participation, the challenges they face and ways to improve their engagement. Research indicates that women’s engagement in housing creation is low and varies between developed and developing countries. Women participate and are involved in decision-making; planning; supervision; physical construction and maintenance, in both the self-build and construction industry. However, patriarchy, along with societal and cultural beliefs, economic, legal and educational barriers limit their participation in house construction. Ensuring women’s access to land, promoting gender-sensitive education and training, improving legal literacy, implementing gender-friendly policies and establishing supportive frameworks are essential for creating an environment where women can thrive in housing production
Guided Transformation of African Customary Law in the 30 years of South African Democracy and Looking Beyond
No full textGender Orthogonality as a Queer-feminist Framework for Understanding Male-male Rape and Carceral Sexual Violence
No full textMuch contemporary feminist theorising about sexual violence relies on heteronormative, gender-dichotomised thinking. One outcome of heteronormative framings of sexual violence is the sidelining of certain people (including transgender, nonbinary, and genderqueer people, and cisgender men) from sexual victimisation frameworks. After identifying limitations of heteronormative, gender-dichotomised, feminist approaches to sexual violence, we propose a queer-feminist, gender-orthogonal framework that provides a more robust understanding of male-male rape and carceral sexual violence. We draw on examples from southern African prisons, including from Malawi, Namibia, and South Africa, to substantiate this perspective
Assessing the Role of Information Science Leaders in Promoting Security and Privacy Practises in the South African Entrepreneurial Sector
No full textIn an era when digital information is becoming increasingly vulnerable to cybersecurity attacks and privacy breaches, the role of information science experts in promoting information security and privacy standards is becoming increasingly important. This article explored the unique duties and strategies that leaders in information science must employ to improve security and privacy practices in small and emerging businesses. A systematic literature review was conducted to analyse existing research, revealing key patterns and best practices for the leaders’ roles in effectively improving cybersecurity measures. The literature review found that information science leaders have a substantial impact on security and privacy practices in the entrepreneurial sector. These leaders play an important role in educating entrepreneurs about cybersecurity threats, putting in place secure systems and processes, guaranteeing data protection compliance, and establishing a culture of security and privacy in South Africa’s entrepreneurial sector. This article recommends that entrepreneurial information science leaders prioritise ongoing cybersecurity best practices training and education, collaborate with industry experts to stay up to date on emerging threats, and implement robust security measures tailored to the specific needs of small businesses