Unisa Press Journals (University of South Africa)
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Laughing when the Lights Go Out: Humour and the Electricity Crisis in South Africa
No full textAs a dire consequence of complex problems, the centralised, state-owned power utility in South Africa, Eskom, has implemented so-called “loadshedding.” This is the name for a regime of scheduled power-cuts that has persisted since 2007, causing significant economic and psychological damage among South Africans. Nevertheless, despite the severity of the Eskom debacle, South Africans have produced an unending stream of social media humour in response to it. In this article, we ask what such humour might tell us about the nature of the collective South African psycho-social mindset. We collected 380 humorous items relating to the portrayal of Eskom in South African popular culture. These took the form of comic strips, comical memes, and satirical reels from various social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, Twitter, and YouTube. The humorous responses, primarily in English as South Africa’s lingua franca, were produced by a range of content creators—from celebrities like Trevor Noah and other regular content creators to unknown beneficiaries of virality—representing a diversity of cultures, humour styles, contexts and audiences. We created a comprehensive list of all the humorous items that readily lent themselves to interpretive analysis in terms of an anthropomorphic portrayal of Eskom as the abuser in an ongoing abusive relationship with the South African citizenry suffering from a victim mentality. The main aim of the article is to demonstrate the pervasiveness of this portrayal, the significance of which lies in its capacity to open up avenues for further philosophical reflection and sociological research
Student Entrepreneurship Support at South African Public Universities: An Ecosystem Perspective
No full textPurpose: It is widely agreed that student entrepreneurship can play a vital role in changing the economic landscape of developing countries. However, the effectiveness of university-based student entrepreneurship support (SES) has been questioned. Our study aimed to gain greater insights into SES in a developing country context by taking an ecosystem perspective on SES offered at South African public universities.
Methodology: A multiple case study strategy was adopted, and data was collected through online semi-structured interviews. Fourteen key informants, holding various positions at eight South African universities, were carefully selected to participate in the study.
Findings: Several types of SES are commonly aimed at developing entrepreneurs, promoting entrepreneurship as a career, and establishing job-creating businesses. To increase the effectiveness of this support, creative spaces, business advice from experts, top management buy-in and funding were regarded as very essential to enhance the interaction and collaboration between different elements in the ecosystem.
Practical implications: As creating a conducive environment for student entrepreneurs cannot occur in isolation, universities’ top management buy-in and financial backing are recommended to establish and offer a broad range of support internally and through external collaborations.
Originality/value: This study contributes to the limited research on SES and responds to several calls to research elements within university-based entrepreneurial ecosystems in a developing country context
Usefulness of Artificial Intelligence to Safeguard Records in Libraries: A New Trend
No full textThis study investigated the usefulness of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in record-keeping in libraries. The objectives of the study were to analyse current trends in AI applications for record-keeping in libraries, evaluate the effectiveness of AI in protecting library records from physical and digital threats, explore the impact of AI on the efficiency and accuracy of record management in libraries, and identify potential factors that may limit the implementation of AI in library systems. Using a qualitative research approach, the study reviewed existing literature and case studies to assess AI’s contributions and limitations in library settings. The literature search was conducted using three major academic databases: Google Scholar, ResearchGate, and Emerald. These databases were selected based on their comprehensive coverage of scholarly articles, ease of access, and relevance to the fields of information science, library science, and technology. The findings revealed that AI significantly improves the automation of cataloguing and metadata management, thus reducing human error and increasing operational efficiency. AI also enhances the preservation of both digital and physical records through real-time monitoring and automated repair solutions. Additionally, AI-powered search engines provide more relevant and accurate search results by leveraging natural language processing and semantic search capabilities. However, the study also highlights challenges such as data quality issues, data privacy, biases in AI algorithms, and staff and user resistance. The policy implications include the necessity for funding and regulatory support, while practical implications involve the adoption of AI tools and staff training. For librarianship, adapting to new AI technologies and advocating for ethical AI use are essential
Amnesia and Nostalgia in Post-Apartheid South Africa
No full textFollowing Ali Mazrui’s notion of political nostalgia and political amnesia, the prevalence, manifestation, political utility and effect of political amnesia and political nostalgia in post-apartheid South Africa are analysed in this contribution. It contends that both political amnesia and political nostalgia are complicated and contested but that both are heteroglossic, indexical, allochronic and symptomatic always political and always about both the past and the future. The purpose of this contribution therefore is to determine whether they contribute to and/or undermine nation-building and reconciliation in South Africa
The Protection and Enforcement of Disability Rights in South Africa: Challenges and Prospects
No full textDisability rights without effective enforcement strategies and protections are essentially meaningless. While the protection of rights and their enforcement are interconnected, they represent distinct challenges. South Africa has made notable strides in fulfilling the rights of disabled citizens in accordance with its constitutional and international commitments. Nevertheless, significant obstacles remain, particularly regarding access to healthcare services. This article delves into two critical issues: the language barrier and the physical accessibility of healthcare services. Despite the South African government’s recognition of sign language as an official language, a plethora of health professionals in South Africa are not well equipped with sign language. Furthermore, a significant number of healthcare facilities are ill-equipped for access by patients with mobility challenges. This article critically examines the implications of these challenges on the South African government’s implementation objectives regarding inclusivity and equal treatment for all citizens. It first scrutinises the existing legal framework and the obligations for realising disability rights. It then delves into the significant barriers posed by language and accessibility, highlighting their profound implications for effective service delivery. The article offers recommendations for the government to develop and implement comprehensive policy reforms to foster true inclusivity. This includes essential staff training and the enhancement of infrastructure to facilitate the realisation of disability rights
Barriers and Challenges Faced by Women Shop Stewards in Two Major South African Trade Unions
No full textThere are fewer women shop stewards than men shop stewards in South Africa, which can be attributed to existing barriers and challenges. A need arose to investigate these obstacles. The study was qualitative and exploratory. Two themes emerged from the interviews we conducted, each with various sub-themes. The findings revealed barriers such as existing relationships, lack of nomination and not being elected if nominated as well as challenges such as the negative perception of women’s emotionality and a desire to become mothers, a general lack of support and victimisation. These barriers and challenges make it difficult for women to become shop stewards and, if they do, to be effective. According to South African labour legislation, equality should be encouraged in all roles. Women should be motivated to become shop stewards and offered support, not only by the trade unions through policies such as reserved seats for women in union leadership, women-only conferences and workshops and the funding of women’s initiatives, but also by employers, fellow women members and society. This study provides valuable information for industrial relations in South Africa and worldwide
Digitally Mediated Research: WhatsApp Diaries in Times of Crisis and Beyond?
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown regulations implemented to curb its spread disrupted all facets of life. For many social scientists, it meant an inability to easily access research sites, creating a need for adaptation and resilience in data collection processes. One approach to answering these challenges has been the use of digital technologies for data collection. This paper critically reflects on the feasibility of digital research methods through the experiences of two research projects using digital diaries to understand community-based organisations. Together, the projects offer a longitudinal perspective on the use of digital diaries at the height of pandemic regulation and following from them. We conclude that, in the context of crises and an increasingly hybridised world, digital tools are an important alternative to traditional research methods; not necessarily replacing them but enhancing knowledge of social phenomena. However, the prevailing popularity of digital technologies for data collection, in the context of what we call a “convenience narrative,” has left thorough scholarly research compromised. As such, we outline best practices within a relatively new yet currently unstable methodological paradigm and argue for more research on the relationship between digital and traditional research methods
A Scoping Review on Heteronormativity in African Workplaces
No full textThe increasing globalisation of the corporate world has intensified interactions among individuals from diverse backgrounds. One significant change in the workplace is the increased participation of LGBTQ+ employees in contemporary organisations. Despite the progress made in recognising the rights of sexual minorities in some African countries, there remains a prevalent issue of sexual orientation discrimination, grounded in the belief that heterosexuality is the societal norm, a concept known as heteronormativity. Existing literature underscores the pervasive discrimination based on sexual orientation, which negatively affects the well-being and work performance of LGBTQ+ employees. While some individuals find happiness and meaning despite these challenges, research in the African context remains limited. This article conducts a scoping review to synthesise Afrocentric evidence on heteronormativity in the workplace. The review explores how heteronormativity manifests, is reinforced, and impacts on individuals and organisations within the African context. The article further examines how LGBTQ+ employees navigate this heteronormative work environment. This scoping review identifies and analyses 13 studies focusing primarily on African countries, revealing discrimination, gender inequality, sexism, and workplace heteronormativity as common themes. These themes emphasise the need for comprehensive approaches to promote equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplaces in Africa, recognising the unique challenges within this context. The findings underscore the urgency of addressing heteronormative norms to construct more inclusive and equitable workplaces for all.
Equal Representation: Challenges and Opportunities
No full textThis article explores the contours of the highly politicised and gendered spaces in Kenya that female aspirant leaders still struggle to overcome in order to participate fully as citizens. It aims to highlight the exclusionary nature of the political and democratic space in Kenya, notwithstanding constitutional and legal provisions for gender equity. We argue that enjoying a simple majority in terms of overall population figures (50.1%) has not necessarily translated into political capital for Kenyan women, who are perpetually locked out of meaningful political participation due to entrenched patriarchy and sexism. The introduction of political affirmative action through the two-thirds gender rule augmented female representation in parliamentary and other public and legislative offices. This was also meant to regulate the monopoly of any one gender in the occupation of political and public positions. The article utilises secondary data and related theories in supporting the argument that the insignificant number of female parliamentarians is, inter alia, a result of entrenched and skewed power relations. Outdated cultural practices, gender stereotypes, negative rhetoric and ethnicity, patriarchy, and a lack of economic and social capital have indeed adversely affected women’s trajectory in politics. Results of the past two elections (2013 and 2017) have indicated that gender skewing in parliament and other competitive positions in the public service is still an issue to reckon with. This, we observe, is tantamount to non-compliance with constitutional and legal provisions that were geared toward achieving an equal society. We suggest the implementation of the gender rule as envisaged in the 2010 Constitution. A conducive legal framework, coupled with collaborative efforts of relevant state and non-state actors, is paramount. A significant and current discussion should encompass new realignments aimed at disrupting and deconstructing the pervasive gendered relationships
“Show us how much it Hurts”: A Relational-processual Approach to Redistributing Shame after Rape Towards Nuanced, Effective Activism
No full textThis article systematically criticises two still prominent but deeply problematic discourses about rape. We call them the “Damaged Goods” discourse related to victims/survivors of rape, and the “Monstrous Perpetrators” discourse associated with perpetrators of rape, respectively. Our lens for doing so is characterised by a relational-processual understanding of both people and events. While both these pervasive discursive thematics have their roots in understandable considerations, we show that when the meanings of events become fixed in such terms, and moreover the involved parties are permanently identified with such fixed meanings, then neither the relational nor the processual dimension of the human condition is respected. Without becoming prescriptive about how victim-survivors or perpetrators should feel and act, our focus is upon the discursive and thus imaginative spaces that societies either open up or close down around the topic of rape. We take our cue from the controversy that surrounded the book South of Forgiveness: A True Story of Rape and Responsibility, by Thordis Elva and Tom Stranger (2017)