Unisa Press Journals (University of South Africa)
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Indigenous Knowledge and Indigenous Participation Within South Africa’s Marine Spatial Planning Regulatory Framework
No full textIn this article the legislative environment within which South African Marine Spatial Planning legislation (MSP) was developed, will be examined. It aims to establish and support the relevance of indigenous knowledge and the role of indigenous knowledge practitioners in the marine spatial planning process from a legal point of view. It reiterates the state’s positive obligation regarding the development of environmental legislation and considers whether the state has met its obligation within the context of MSP legislation, thereby contributing to the correction of injustices of the past. It finds that South Africa’s MSP legislation falls short of the requirement of reasonableness in environmental legislation to the extent that it does not yet incorporate a requirement for the consideration of indigenous knowledge nor the participation of indigenous knowledge practitioners in MSP decision-making processes. This gap in the legislative framework is regrettable as these practitioners primarily belong to indigenous communities that were subject to marginalisation and exclusion in decision-making in the pre-democratic South African era. The author concludes by recommending amendments that may be made with regard to the MSP instruments to ensure that indigenous knowledge is considered and that indigenous knowledge practitioners participate in the MSP decision-making processes for establishing marine area plans
The Price They Pay for Their Independence: Understanding the Persecution of Judges in Africa as Retribution for Their Impartiality
No full textVarious recent research studies suggest that most judiciaries in Africa are captured by the ruling elites and they are being weaponised to persecute political opponents through judicial prosecution. However, not much has been researched and written about the victimisation of courageous judicial officers in Africa who insist on performing their judicial functions impartially and in the process are persecuted as a form of retribution for their impartiality. Much of the existing literature analyses and frames the victimisation of judicial officers as ‘attacks against the independence of the judiciary’ in Africa. While the victimisation of judicial officers as punishment for their impartiality constitutes violation of the principle of the independence of the judiciary, this paper argues that certain forms of victimisation must be understood as persecution of judicial officers. The paper discusses case studies which demonstrate a pattern of persecutory measures undertaken against impartial judges, not just to undermine their independence but to punish them by inflicting upon them and their families as much harm and pain as is possible. Characterising these forms of victimisation as ‘attacks against the independence of judges’ does not adequately capture and depict the seriousness of this problem. It is mischaracterisation of the problem, which may affect the way in which solutions for this problem are designed. The paper identifies and discusses trends of this problem of persecution of judges in Africa. It presents these trends in three categories namely: (a) political persecution; (b) selective application of judicial ethics to persecute certain judges; and (c) the targeting of women judges for their impartiality
Social Inclusivity, Integration and the Fourth Industrial Revolution in South African Universities: Evidence from Vaal University of Technology
No full textIntroduction: The swift strides of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) and its entrenched emerging technologies are expected to increase significantly, leading to significant technological transformation and socio-economic change. The emerging 4IR technologies could bring substantial economic growth and welfare benefits in sub-Saharan Africa and social and economic disruption. There are emerging concerns that the rising pace of 4IR could widen inequality if counterbalancing policies are not adopted. This implies that coping with the 4IR transformation may require a holistic approach encompassing sustainable social solutions and not just technological ones. To meet and extend their understanding of the curriculum\u27s objectives and improve their overall comprehension, students need to be able to use various digital tools. This study examines the role of the adoption of 4IR technologies in fostering social inclusivity and integration in the South African context.
Methodology: Drawing from the technological integration models, the current study argues that 4IR plays a crucial role in transforming the inclusivity and integration of learners, such as those living with disabilities and those from previously disadvantaged backgrounds. Technology integration models are theoretically constructed models that are meant to assist educators in planning technology integration more profoundly. Research was conducted on 203 students from different faculties selected using simple random sampling. Data was collected using an online questionnaire powered by Google Forms and analysed through structural equation modelling in SmartPLS 4.
Results: An evaluation of the results obtained in this study reveals a positive contribution of 4IR towards the general concept of inclusion as defined by the extent of accommodating different disabilities and backgrounds in social activities. The analysis also demonstrated the importance of 4IR in integrating learners in mainstream classrooms and significant strides in eliminating special needs classes.
Conclusion/- and Recommendations: The paper concludes with recommendations for developing 4IR adoption strategies by universities in South Africa to bring about attitudinal change and formulate genuinely inclusive and integrated practices
On the Precipice of a Nuclear-Armed Iran and Bombing in the Name of Survival: Whither the Rule of Law?
No full textThe inherent right of individual anticipatory self-defence as a response to nuclear proliferation remains unresolved in international law. Following Israel’s attack on Osiraq in 1981, the world community of states deliberated whether the use of force to prevent a state from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability could ever be justified under the purview of the law prohibiting war (jus contra bellum). Without the concept of anticipatory self-defence being clearly defined, threatened states might invoke their inherent right of individual self-defence to ensure, as they see it, their national survival—something contrary to the principles of the UN Charter. As a non-nuclear weapon state prima facie in breach of its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the Islamic Republic of Iran is alleged to be in pursuit of a nuclear weapons capability. As a response thereto, threatened states are now preparing for a last resort forceful option aimed at curbing Iran’s highly advanced nuclear weapons programme. Yet, the jus contra bellum encompasses good law. As such, the anticipatory use of force against what is believed to be covert Iranian nuclear reactors is illegal. Not only does the United Nations Charter forbid such recourse, so too does the customary right of anticipatory self-defence, justifiably so
Cyber Threats and Safeguarding Strategies in Metaverse Libraries: A Systematic Review
No full textThe study explores cyber threats in metaverse libraries, focusing on the challenges these institutions face as they integrate immersive technologies into their services. The rationale for this study stems from the increasing popularity of the metaverse across various sectors, including libraries, where it enhances user engagement through immersive experiences. However, the integration of these technologies introduces new vulnerabilities that necessitate robust cybersecurity measures. The study employed a systematic review methodology, sourcing relevant literature from Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar published between 2020 and 2024. The findings were categorised into three main themes: the conceptual framework of cybersecurity in the metaverse, cyber threats specific to metaverse libraries, and potential cybersecurity strategies. The findings reveal significant risks for metaverse libraries, particularly concerning data privacy, avatar impersonation, intellectual property theft, and the security of virtual interactions. The study also underscores the need for compliance with global data protection regulations and for libraries to establish transparent privacy policies
Motherhood and Memory in Najwa Bin Shatwan’s The Slave Yards
No full textThis study argues that female slaves’ experiences of motherhood are negatively impacted by the control exerted by social and discursive patriarchy. Focusing on the mother‒daughter relationship as a vessel of memory transmission, this paper addresses how this control complicates maternal memory narration. Utilizing a contextual approach, this study investigates the influence of patriarchal social and discursive manipulation on the system of umm al-walad or the ‘mother of the children’ in Najwa Bin Shatwan’s novel The Slave Yards (2020). Bin Shatwan’s portrayal of the deficiency of the system of umm al-walad in potentially safeguarding a mothering space for the female slaves showcases the manner in which the mother‒daughter dyad bears the brunt of both the slave owners’ and legal figures’ control. This investigation reveals that this deficiency results in complicating maternal memory narration. Owing to the fact that the author is a historian who has lamented the historical marginalization of the slave community in nineteenth-century Libya, the mother’s story is tackled in this paper as emblematic of a whole community. In short, the loss of the history of the enslaved community is deeply related to complications of the maternal transmission of memories
Challenging Heteropatriarchy: The Contribution of Visual Activism to a South African Lesbian Standpoint
No full textMuch of how sexual violence against Black lesbian women in South Africa comes to be understood is through narratives that position them as perpetual victims, as women without agency, and as disembodied beings. Their lived experiences and voices become lost in this narrative of violence. However, a counter-narrative has emerged in South Africa, particularly through visual activism. Such activism plays an important role in recognising the lived experiences of queer South African individuals, creating awareness of issues affecting queer communities, and giving voice to those who are often silenced by hegemonic narratives and discourses. Although research has and continues to be done related to visual activism, this article aims to explore the ways in which visual activism contributes to a feminist standpoint that is specifically South African and begins from the voices of those who are most marginalised. Such a standpoint has the possibility of illuminating heteropatriarchal systems of power that contribute to the oppression of and violence towards Black lesbian women, queer individuals, and women more generally. In this article, I argue that a standpoint that incorporates the voices of Black lesbian women, particularly as they emerge through visual activism, is useful for understanding knowledge of violence in South Africa and for challenging dominant ideologies and systems of power
Mediation in Sudan and Ethiopia: Lessons Learnt from The Gambia Track III Mediation Process
No full textIn October 2000, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) passed a landmark Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (WPS). Many African countries have developed the NAPs with few that seem to be implementing the NAP, including South Africa. The Gambia developed its first NAP in 2012. The Gambia has successfully prevented armed conflict by engaging women at the grassroots level to address the root causes of conflict. Women in Gambia have contributed to resolving conflicts using different strategies. Sudan developed its first NAP on implementing UNSC Resolution 1325 in March 2020 after decades of armed conflicts. With the ongoing armed conflict and the limited active participation of women in mediation leadership, it is difficult to notice the implementation of the NAP. Ethiopia does not have a NAP on implementing UNSC Resolution 1325 despite the ongoing armed conflict. Like in Sudan, women in Ethiopia remain underrepresented in efforts to resolve the conflict. The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) does not seem convincing that it has the capacity, resources and political will to ensure meaningful inclusion of women in resolving conflicts in Ethiopia and Sudan. The IGAD seems to be overwhelmed with armed conflict and civil unrest in different countries in the region. This paper uses qualitative research and desktop literature to analyse the role of women in mediation leadership in both Ethiopia and Sudan and to interrogate lessons that could be learnt from Gambia
Exploring Research Trends and Hotspots: A Bibliometric Analysis of Men who Have Sex with Men in Africa (2010–2021)
No full textMen who have sex with men (MSM) in Africa are more prone to social stigma and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) than their counterparts in developed nations. The exposure of MSM to STD threatens the ability of Africa to meet the Agenda 2063 goals of ensuring equitable healthcare for all Africans. Therefore, this study focused on examining research trends and hotspots of MSM in Africa. Countries in Africa with the highest interest in MSM, an aspect of MSM that attracts more research funding and practice, were also examined. This study adopted the bibliometric approach, and articles were extracted from the Scopus database. A total of 184 articles were extracted and subjected to a citation, total link strength, and co-occurrence keyword analysis using VOSviewer software. The findings from the study revealed that the research of MSM in Africa had grown steadily. The highest growth was recorded in 2020, with the interest and hotspots centred on healthcare workers’ psychology, drug abuse, sexual abuse, transmitted disease, and risky sexual behaviour. Based on the research trend and the practice, this research into MSM will be focused on the acceptance and legalisation of MSM sexual behaviours in other countries. The study recommends that African countries enable policies supporting same-sex relationships and equal access to healthcare for MSM. Such policies will also ensure that Africa meets the goals of the Agenda 2063 framework
