Unisa Press Journals (University of South Africa)
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The Pertinence of Library and Information Science in Promoting Sustainable Development
No full textLibrary and Information Science (LIS) plays a vital role in promoting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This paper examines the research gap on the challenges of LIS concerning the need to promote SDGs. We examine challenges, such as inadequate research on the specific impact of libraries on sustainable development, particularly in varying socioeconomic settings, and limited research on the obstacles that impede libraries from effectively carrying out sustainable initiatives, such as inadequate funding and institutional obstacles. The methodology adopted in the study is the Systematic Literature Review (SLR), which entails the inclusion and exclusion research design. The Information Behaviour Theory was adopted to seek an understanding of how people seek, use and share information. The role of libraries is critical for sustainable development. The article also examines the barriers facing LIS in promoting sustainable development. The findings reveal that libraries are unique in providing access to information and resources, offering educational programmes and events, implementing sustainable practices, and collaborating with other organisations to promote sustainability and contribute to the SDGs. The article recommends that libraries, as public and private sector entities, must collaborate to deliver greater dividends of the SDGs. The study also advocates for further studies regarding the long-term impact of library programmes on SDGs’ achievement
The Future of the Past: The Preservation of and Access to Oral History Records at Pietermaritzburg Archives Repository, South Africa
No full textAbstract
Preserving and providing access to oral history records poses several challenges, including the need for significant resources, fragility, a lack of standardisation in the quality of carriers, legal and ethical considerations, access barriers because of factors such as language, limited resources for transcription and translation, and restrictions on access to protect privacy or confidentiality. Technology obsolescence is a further significant challenge to preserving and accessing oral history records. This study investigates the preservation of and access to oral history records at the Pietermaritzburg Archives Repository. A qualitative approach was used, and data were collected using semi-structured interviews from purposively selected staff members of the Oral History Unit (OHU). Content and thematic analysis were used to analyse the data. The findings revealed that the key challenges include the outdated provincial archives legislation, an absence of policies and strategies in place, an adapted building, lack of relevant qualifications, lack of training, scarcity of equipment and resources, and inadequate funding. Based on the issues identified, various strategies and recommendations are provided
A Scoping Review of Nurse-Led Medical-Surgical Knowledge Translation Interventions to Improve In-Hospital Clinical Practice in the WHO Afro Region
No full textThe process of placing research knowledge into action and thereby ensuring its dissemination is very important in healthcare currently. Although nurse-led knowledge translation interventions have become an important focus in the high-income countries, the extent of such interventions in the World Health Organization (WHO) Afro Region is not well established. This scoping review aimed to map the evidence of nurse-led knowledge translation interventions in the countries in the WHO Afro Region using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Scoping Review Methodology. A systematic electronic search of articles was carried out in selected electronic data bases using various search engines. All 688 eligible identified articles were imported into the Systematic Reviews Web App (Beta) Rayyan. The selection process included title and abstract screening, and full text article screening. A Prisma flow diagram detailing the procedure was developed. The review process resulted in 21 selected articles. The results showed minimal publications between 2013 and 2019 with a sudden increase in 2020 (n = 5) and 2021 (n = 4). The Eastern WHO Afro Region contributed 48% of the studies, followed by the Western WHO Afro Region with 43%. Ten countries were selected through the process of screening according to where nurse-led medical-surgical knowledge translation interventions were found. Nigeria contributed 33%, followed by Uganda with 19%. The scoping review concluded that studies be appraised for their ability to promote evidence-based knowledge, skills and behaviour in both rural and urban clinical settings. More of these studies need to be conducted in the WHO Afro Region. More focused systematic reviews should be conducted to sum up the best available research on these specific questions, supported by findings by clinical setting, type of intervention, and outcomes
Investigating the Effect of Bromelain Capsules on Stress, Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers
No full textDepression and stress are common among individuals with diabetic foot ulcers. The purpose of this study was to find whether bromelain can alleviate these symptoms. This single blind, two-group clinical trial study was conducted in 2023. Eighty people with diabetic foot ulcers in specialised wound clinics of Tehran University of Medical Sciences were selected and randomly assigned to the test and control groups. The test group received capsules containing 500mg of bromelain twice a day for four weeks, and the control group received the same amount and number of placebos. After the intervention, the DASS-21 was completed again by the participants. The mean scores of depression, anxiety and stress of people with diabetic foot ulcers in the test group before taking bromelain were 16.02 ± 1.44, 11.62 ± 1.25 and 13.65 ± 1.81 respectively. After the intervention, they were 10.45 ± 1.44, 7.25 ± 1.17 and 10.80 ±1.72 respectively. The mean of this index in the control group before the intervention was 15.50 ± 3.25, 11.55 ± 3.43 and 13.22 ± 3.33. After the intervention, it reached 15.15 ± 1.87, 12.22 ± 2.15 and 13.17 ± 2.34. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean indices of depression (p=0.00), anxiety (p=-0.02) and stress (p˂0.001) in the test group before and after the intervention. However, this difference in the control group was not significant (p ≥ 0.05). The core of caring for patients with chronic diseases involves using safe and low-complication treatment methods. The study findings show that bromelain capsules can effectively alleviate depression, anxiety and stress. Therefore, it is recommended that healthcare providers, especially nurses, consider using bromelain for patients with diabetes and other acute and chronic diseases
The Silence of Lukewarm Churches in South Africa Today: A Theo-ethical Analysis of the Implications of the Zondo Commission for the Church
No full textThis article attempts to engage theologically with the implications of the findings of the State Capture Commission (commonly known as the Zondo Commission) for the church in South Africa today. The article is the product of a presentation by the author at the contact session of the Northern Theological Seminary (NTS) of the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa. Initially, the author was in a conundrum because, legally, the church as an institution was not involved in so-called “state capture.” However, after careful consideration, it became clear that the church in South Africa had failed in its task as “the maker of conscience” (Batten 1902) or moral compass. Hence, this article is guided by the notion of “lukewarm” that is found in the Bible to refer to the conduct of the church in relation to so-called state capture in South Africa. The article explores the history of state capture and the politics thereof, as well as the role of the church in relation to state capture
Church Unity or Ecumenism: The Perspective of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa 1967–2022
No full textRight-wing politics is re-emerging all over the world, challenging the church to defy this trend and be true to her nature of oneness and Catholicism. This brings to the fore the question of unity and the ecumenical spirit. It is from this understanding that this article, which is an exercise in contemporary church history, seeks to contribute to the Reformed Church scholarship in the face of the current context of mission. The United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA), as part of Reformed Churches, has a rich history of union. This discussion stems from the hermeneutical considerations of the reformed understanding of church unity, and particular focus is given to the UCCSA’s understanding of unity and ecumenism. After articulating what ought to be happening, the article delves into the historical considerations of the UCCSA and Church unity.
Extravagance amidst Extreme Poverty? A Focus on ‘New Religious Movements’ within the Development Discourse in Zimbabwe.
No full textDuring the early 80s, Zimbabwe witnessed a rapid growth of the Third Wave Religious Right Movement (TWRRM), commonly known as New Religious Movements (NRMs). These movements pride themselves on the premise that the gospel of prosperity is its central maxim. The article investigates the theological and developmental contribution of the gospel of prosperity towards its adherents\u27 existential necessities and needs. It is on this premise that these churches have registered considerable success and popularity. This article thus seeks to provide empirical evidence on the contribution of three Charismatic churches and specifically highlight the benefits produced by this type of ‘gospel’ to the basic existential needs of Zimbabweans. The article will further explore whether or not this type of ‘gospel’ contributes to community development. In exploring the contributions of the gospel of prosperity and community development, the study will use a phenomenological approach by E. Husserl as a framework. The term means fundamentalist independent groups which often consider themselves as ‘Bible Christians, born again and charismatic, not as Pentecostals (Kalu 2008, 8). The third wave implies there was the first wave, which was the missionary evangelicalism of the 19th century. The second wave of response was in the 1920s with a “pneumatic challenge with white theology” (Kalu 2008: 8, Mpofu 2014). This African initiative in Christianity thrived on communality and incorporation of facets of primal religion and culture (Ethiopianism and Zionism). The third wave of response gave birth to charismatic Christianity, a movement of revival and renewal, a third response to white cultural domination and power (Anderson 2001). This third wave differs from Pentecostals, deriving from Pentecost with a focus on the gift of the holy spirit. Founders or pastors of this third response are central to lifestyle choices based on religious discourse. The founder leader is understood as the voice and message of God
Can History Bring Reconciliation in Divided Christian Communities?
No full textAs Elazar Barkan, the founding president of the Institute for Historical Justice and Reconciliation, pointed out, the recounting of history has been exploited to provoke conflict, incite war, and inflame genocides. Can it also be drawn upon to facilitate reconciliation? Indeed, many conflicts have an ideological component which is based on contested views of history. This applies to the Christian churches, starting with the Reformation. Using four case studies, the article argues that “good” history, based on reliable archival and oral evidence, can lay the foundation for a more serene view of the past and lead to reconciliation. It is essential to consider all points of view. The historian must navigate between diverse opinions and emotions, deepening the analysis when there are conflicts of interpretation. The article examines four recent memory debates in the Christian churches: the painful closure of the Federal Theological Seminary in 1993; the silence of the Rwandan churches during the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda in 1994; the brutal transfer of a group of black sisters from Newcastle to Montebello in 1939; and race relations and the search for unity in the history of the Lutheran churches of Southern Africa
Understanding the Perceptions of IsiXhosa-Speaking Caregivers on Disclosing Child Sexual Abuse in the Western Cape, South Africa
No full textThe disclosure of child sexual abuse (CSA) is a major concern in South Africa. Previous research has emphasised the need to consider cultural norms, beliefs, religion, race and gender-specific characteristics when researching CSA disclosure. This study sought to explore the perceptions of isiXhosa-speaking caregivers in Kayamandi, Western Cape, South Africa, about the disclosure of CSA. A qualitative exploratory approach was used to select 10 caregivers using purposive and snowball sampling strategies. The data was collected by conducting individual face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured interview guide. The data collected was carefully recorded and categorised. Four key themes emerged, namely: IsiXhosa-speaking caregivers’ understanding of CSA; contributing factors for CSA; contrasting expectations and behaviour in caregiver disclosure of CSA; and actions and interventions to encourage disclosure of CSA to authorities. Data analysis demonstrated a complex interplay of personal, contextual and behavioural elements that influence the perceptions of isiXhosa-speaking caregivers. It is recommended that inclusive interventions be implemented to improve caregivers’ responses to the disclosure of CSA while prioritising cultural sensitivities, thus creating a supportive environment conducive to intervention and prevention