Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf): Open Journal Systems
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The The Effect of Psychological Capital and Self-Leadership on Work Engagement among Agricultural Extension Advisors
No full textWork engagement is considered a significant construct within organisations and the field of industrial psychology. Focus within organisations has shifted to recognise more positive psychological constructs such as self-leadership and psychological capital to promote employees’ work engagement. The present study investigated the effect of psychological capital and self-leadership on the work engagement levels of agricultural extension advisors within South Africa. The study was motivated by the lack of research within agricultural extension on positive psychological constructs such as work engagement, self-leadership, and psychological capital, which could impact the agricultural sector. A quantitative research method was used to gather data using three scales. A total of 103 viable questionnaires were obtained. A Pearson product-moment correlation analysis and stepwise multiple regression analysis were used to address the objective. Both psychological capital and self-leadership were found to have a significant positive correlation to work engagement. In addition, hope, optimism, and behaviour-focused strategies were found to have the, most significant contribution toward the work engagement levels of agricultural extension advisors. Within agricultural extension, the above study provided information on how to foster and improve the work engagement levels of their employees using strategies of psychological capital and work engagement
Rising Tides: The Acquisition of Ownership by Alluvio in the Context of Sea Level Rise
No full textOne of the most significant consequences of the global climate crisis is that the rate at which sea levels are rising has accelerated over the past 100 years and will continue to do so for the next century. The accelerated rise in the global mean sea level will inevitably affect the rights and interests of the owners and occupiers of coastal land, especially of coastal land that is bounded by the high-water mark (agri non limitati). This is because changes in the location of the high-water mark brought about by rising sea levels will result either in the acquisition of coastal property where the high-water mark moves seaward or in the loss of coastal property where the high-water mark moves landward. The law relating to the loss or acquisition of coastal property as a result of changes in the location of the high-water mark may be traced back to the common law principles governing the acquisition of ownership by alluvion (alluvio) and the loss of ownership by erosion. As part of an attempt to address the consequences of sea level rise, section 14(5) of the National Environmental: Integrated Coastal Management Act 24 of 2008 has amended some of these common law principles. The purpose of this article is to set out and critically analyse the provisions of section 14(5)
Un futur qui manque: sur quelques pièces de théâtre togolaises
No full textThe observations presented in this article are about six, strictly contemporary, Togolese theatre plays. Four drama miniatures are examined: Sous le grand kapokier … (Under the big kapok tree…) by Roger Atikpo, Jumel’âge (Twinning) by Jean Kantchébé, Tobbie, frères et sœurs ont la douleur (Tobbie, brothers and sisters are in pain) by Rodrigue Norman, Tac-tic à la rue des Pinguins (Tac-tic on Penguin street) by Gustave Akakpo, and two texts of regular dimensions: Atterrissage (Landing) by Kangni Alem and Transe-maître(s) (Trans-master(s)) by Elemawusi Agbedjidji. On the aesthetic plan, the analysis aims to describe the attitudes undertaken by characters towards a lack of future perspectives, that characterizes the world in which they grow. These considerations are organized in two sections: in the first one, we focus on the traumatizing events from the past, that make difficult, even impossible, the overcoming of the past/present towards the future. In the second section, we analyse the elements related to the vision of the future (or the lack there of), that emerges from the texts, as well as the attempts to overcome the apathy and inertia undertaken by characters. From the theoretical standpoint, we support the thesis that the studied plays represent the proof of a certain failure of big, political, and ideological operations (postcolonial system, obsession of development), whose objectives were to improve the situation on the African continent, and which are currently questioned throughout the most recent debates.Les observations contenues dans le présent article concernent six pièces de théâtre togolaises strictement contemporaines (quatre miniatures dramatiques—Sous le grand kapokier… de Roger Atikpo, Jumel’âge de Jean Kantchébé, Tobbie, frères et sœurs ont la douleur de Rodrigue Norman, Tac-tic à la rue des Pinguins de Gustave Akakpo—et deux textes de dimensions normales : Atterrissage de Kangni Alem et Tanse-maître(s) d’Elemawusi Agbedjidji). Sur le plan esthétique, les analyses visent à décrire les attitudes assumées par les personnages envers le manque d’avenir qui caractérise l’univers dans lequel ils évoluent. Ces considérations s’organisent en deux sections : dans la première, nous nous focalisons sur les éléments traumatisants du passé qui rendent difficile, voire impossible, le dépassement du passé/présent vers un avenir ; dans la seconde nous analysons les éléments relatifs à l’image de l’avenir (ou de son absence) qui se dégage des textes, ainsi que les tentatives faites par les personnages pour surmonter l’apathie et l’inertie. Sur le plan théorique, nous soutenons la thèse selon laquelle, les textes étudiés constituent la preuve d’un certain échec des grandes opérations sociopolitiques et idéologiques (le système du postcolonialisme et le fétiche du développement) qui avaient pour l’objectif l’amélioration de la situation sur le continent africain, et qui sont actuellement remises en cause à travers les débats les plus récents
The state of Hausa children’s folktales and play-songs in Gombe, Nigeria
No full textIn this paper I investigate the state of Hausa children’s folktales and play-songs in Gombe, Nigeria to ascertain whether they (folktales and play-songs of children) are still alive and active in this culturally important town in northern Nigeria. My specific objectives are to examine how much parents and their children know of Hausa children’s folktales and play-songs and argue that folktales and play-songs are to some extent infused with modern technologies because of globalisation and that mass media has taken over the dissemination of such cultures. To achieve this aim, I employ questionnaires as the instrument of data collection. The subjects for the research are 150 parents and their school-going and out-of-school children aged 20-above and 0–10 respectively. Arguing that globalisation impacts the oral transmission of cultural knowledge more than ever, I adopt technauriture and cultauriture as the theoretical models. Analysis of the data reveals a more than 90% awareness of folktales and play-songs from all respondents. However, some school-going children prefer to watch such oral traditions via satellite rather than listening to a narration as it enhances their language development and nurtures and preserves culture using the paradigm of technology with audio-visual media. The out-of-school children, on the other hand, listen to the narration but are not captivated by it because it only uses the oral means of dissemination. They prefer to watch television and play video games as this educates and entertains using technology, orality, and visuals
Les traductions des œuvres littéraires de langue française en Afrique du Sud
No full textTaking up the subjects of study of the Nouveaux Cahiers de l’IFAS devoted to “ten years (1994-2004) of literary exchanges between South Africa and France”, the article analyses the strategy and role of translators of French-language literatures in South Africa. Using the tools of the sociology of translation, I show how the works of French-speaking authors fit into the South African literary circuit while establishing a form of continuity of the literary Francophonie. By means of a survey, I establish a bibliography of seventeen translated works and, by exchanges with the translators and the consultation of various types of documentary sources, I specify the role of the various literary, cultural, and political agents in the production of these translations. I note that the translations, mainly carried out by academics, are published with the support of French institutions. Works translated into English are generally related to challenging the global hegemony of this language; those translated mainly into Afrikaans are also explained by the identity and linguistic affirmation of the translators. The latter, often members of the academic body, sought to testify to the French presence in the history of South Africa and confirmed, through the choice of works, the domination of a European literary canon. Retranslation is one of the factors that explains the continuity of an Occidental historical canon, while the limited number of translations of works by African writers also highlights the absence of translations into continental languages, Bantu, etc.En reprenant le sujet d’étude des Nouveaux Cahiers de l’IFAS consacré au “dix ans (1994-2004) d’échanges littéraires entre l’Afrique du Sud et la France”, l’article analyse la stratégie et le rôle des traducteurs des littératures francophones en Afrique du Sud. En utilisant les outils de la sociologie de la traduction, je montre comment les œuvres d’auteurs francophones s’insèrent dans le circuit littéraire sud-africain tout en établissant une forme de continuité de la francophonie littéraire. Par le biais d’une enquête, j’établis une bibliographie de dix-sept œuvres traduites et, par des échanges avec les traducteurs et la consultation de divers types de sources documentaires, je précise le rôle des différents acteurs littéraires, culturels et politiques dans la production de ces traductions. Je constate que les traductions, réalisées principalement par des universitaires, sont publiées avec le soutien d’institutions françaises. Les œuvres traduites en anglais sont généralement liées à la contestation de l’hégémonie mondiale de cette langue; celles traduites principalement en afrikaans s’expliquent aussi par l’affirmation identitaire et linguistique des traducteurs. Ces derniers, souvent membres du corps académique, cherchent à témoigner de la présence française dans l’histoire de l’Afrique du Sud et confirment, par le choix des œuvres, la domination d’un canon littéraire européen. La retraduction est l’un des facteurs qui expliquent la continuité d’un canon historique occidental, tandis que le nombre limité de traductions des œuvres d’écrivains africains souligne également l’absence de traductions dans les langues continentales, bantoues, etc
NACA conference 2023 – Collaborating for clean air: Confronting climate change and air quality together
No full textEssential non-clinical skills and training required by dentists in South Africa
Get PDFDentists possess clinical experience garnered within supervised clinical settings, primarily aimed at diagnosing, treating and preventing oral cavity related diseases.1 Undergraduate dentistry training mostly focuses on the scientific underpinnings of this discipline and building clinical experience, not allowing adequate time for additional coursework.1 According to Haslach et al.2, dentists choose dental careers because they want to help and work with people, as well as desire job and financial security. The current economic downturn has led to a revenue plunge for many independent dental practices, attributed partially to less per capita patient expenditure.3 In response, patients have increasingly embraced preventative measures over more costly procedures, seeking to minimise expenses.4 The global financial crisis further underscores the value of leadership development, given its potential impact on the efficacy of clinic leaders
Coexistence of Ammoxenus (Gnaphosidae) spider species on and between termitaria of Microhodotermes viator (Hodotermitidae) at a Karoo site
No full textPrevious studies of some species of Ammoxenus spiders demonstrated them to be monophagous predators of certain termites. Upon observing Ammoxenus spiders preying on the hodotermitid, Microhodotermes viator, we examined the distribution of spiders on or off termitaria (termed heuweltjies) at the Tierberg-LTER study site in the Karoo using pitfall traps deployed monthly over two years. Four species of Ammoxenus were found, but only one, Ammoxenus pentheri, has been described, the other three being new to science. Their coexistence prompts questions concerning niche partitioning among several specialist predators. Our initial study revealed that Ammoxenus and other ground spiders were more abundant on heuweltjies than in the matrix between heuweltjies. The different Ammoxenus species appeared to be disparately associated or disassociated with heuweltjies and had different phenologies. This case of niche partitioning among specialist predators warrants further study