Koers (E-Journal)
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Etiese grondslae van die grondwetlike reg – ’n Reformatoriese perspektief
Get PDFEthical foundations of constitutional jurisprudence – a Reformational perspective South African constitutional jurisprudence is delivered on a value-driven basis. The implication of this approach is that the Constitution is interpreted by courts in terms of the fundamental values of the Constitution of 1996, that is, human dignity, equality and freedom. The value-driven basis of constitutional jurisprudence was emphasised by the Constitutional Court in State v Makwanyane. Abstract ideals, however, always suppose certain ethical presuppositions. It is therefore important that a common framework of values should be created to help courts interpret the Constitution. The aim of this article is to focus on the ethical content that the Constitutional Court currently gives to the fundamental values of the Constitution, and to provide a brief Reformational perspective on the values of dignity, equality and freedom. The central theoretical argument of this article is that courts found rights, in accordance with constitutionalism which is a product of the Enlightenment, anthropocentrically in the inherent qualities that man possesses. The Reformational tradition, in contrast, founds the rights of man theocentrically in man’s relation with God
Om ’n leier te wees – vanuit ’n Christelike perspektief
Get PDFTo be a leader – from a Christian perspective The focus of this article is not in the first place (as in the case with many popular books on leadership) on how to be an efficient leader, but on what leadership entails. As an introduction it asks attention for the fact that worldwide leadership, but especially in Africa, is not what it should be. In order to pinpoint the possible reasons for this failure, the dominant leadership traditions or styles of Africa and the West are described and compared. From this exposition the urgent need for an alternative for both the African and Western view and way of leading is evident. The next main section, therefore, reviews some general Biblical perspectives on leaders and leadership. This is followed by a detailed explanation of the meaning of a number of basic concepts (office, authority, power, community, organization, societal norms and responsibility) without which leadership can neither be correctly understood nor effectively practised. The article is concluded with a brief definition of what is implied by being a real leader
A tribute to a man who served his country and humanity
Get PDFThe last time – as far as I could establish – that Archbishop Tutu visited the PUK was when I was SRC president and the “Politiese Raad” invited him to speak to the students – in 1977 or 1978. This was at a time when the PUK’s students (including myself) were on the forefront of very critical thinking by the Afrikaans universities about issues such as the Mixed Marriages Act and section 16 of the Immorality Act. We were, to put it mildly, a bit controversial. When I met Bishop Tutu (as he was then) on the steps of the Studentesentrum and introduced myself, he looked at me intensively and said in his characteristic voice: “Young man, you have been saying some strange things lately.
Die Christelike lewensvisie van aartsbiskop Desmond M. Tutu: Sy mens- en samelewingsbeskouing
Get PDFThe Christian worldview of Archbishop Desmond M. Tutu: His view on being human and on society The previous article discussed the following components of the Christian worldview of Archbishop D.M. Tutu: (1) his view of God, (2) of God’s laws for creation, (3) of time and history and (4) of our natural environment. This article completes the exposition about his worldview by paying attention to the last two – very important and relevant – components: (5) his view of being human (anthropology) and (6) of society. In the exposition of his anthropology the following aspects are highlighted: (1) religion as integral, total surrender to God and service to our fellow human beings; (2) the need for humaneness and being human; (3) the idea of ubuntu or human interdependence and (4) human freedom and responsibility. Regarding his perspective on society the following aspects receive attention: (1) his rejection of three unsound views of societal life (apartheid, communism and capitalism); (2) his proposals for a better society in future and (3) his inability to visualize a post-apartheid society in the light of the possible solution offered by a Reformational, pluralist model. The two articles are concluded by a brief evaluation of Tutu’s contribution to a genuine Christian worldview. In spite of some deficiencies, we would have beeng much poorer without it. As dwarfs we will have to stand on the shoulders of this giant to be able to see further, deeper and sharper
Die medium van onderrig aan Suid-Afrikaanse universiteite: die geval van Afrikaans
Get PDFThe medium of instruction at South African universities: The case of Afrikaans In this article the focus is on the diminished role of Afrikaans as medium of instruction at South African universities. The tendency world-wide is that governments regard universities as national assets and therefore continuously encroach on what is idealistically termed “academic freedom”. In South Africa the ideologically-driven government has targeted education as a strategic terrain and has published several white papers and promulgated as many labour laws with the stress on “redress”, “access”, “equal opportunities”, “recognition of prior learning” and a “uniform qualification system”. All these measures are aimed to create one uniform education system and the use of Afrikaans as medium of instruction is clearly seen as detrimental to this august ideal
Die proses van waardeverheldering in die Suid-Afrikaanse onderwysopset beoordeel vanuit reformatoriese perspektief
Get PDFThe process of values clarification in South African education from a reformational perspective Values clarification has been playing a key role in education in South African schools since 1996. In this article a discussion of this approach in education leads to a search for answers to questions such as “Whose values are clarified?” and “When/Where does the process of clarification end?” Answers to questions such as these and an outline of guidelines sprouting from a reformational foundational framework lead the author to conclude that values-clarification education has only limited value: it merely clarifies the public moral code endorsed by the (education) authorities. Other value systems, including a reformational one, should also be involved in the process for it to become more educationally relevant
Learner discipline in South African public schools – a qualitative study
Get PDFRecent research has shown that the involvement of youth in the liberation struggle which ended in 1994 caused them to develop arrogance towards adults, that is, both educators and parents. Another reason for the decline in the level of discipline in recent years might be the overemphasis on human rights, especially children’s rights, in reaction to the increase in child abuse or the lack of a human-rights culture in the apartheid era. A lack of learner discipline may seriously hamper the teaching and learning process, and, if disruptive behaviour prevails, education cannot be successful. This article focuses on educators’ positive and negative reactions to learner misconduct in South African public schools, as revealed by qualitative data gathered by means of interviews, as part of a national research project on learner discipline. Fourteen schools were visited by a group of researchers and field workers, during which principals, other educators and learners were interviewed. Special reference is made to forms of learner misconduct that have the most prominent influence on discipline, possible causes of these, and preventative or proactive measures taken by educators to restore or maintain learner discipline. Value-driven approaches to discipline and to approaches that might be educationally unsound, are also incorporated. All the mentioned approaches are evaluated from within a reformational framework
Die wetenskap \u27in u lig\u27 – wat sê dit vir die PUK self?
Get PDFScience \u27in Thy light\u27 – what does it say to the PUK itself? At the moment of the name change of the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education (PU for CHE) it may be opportune to take not only an outward look but also an inward look at the implications of this step, and to ask ourselves what these issues look like to the inside. With reference to the past it is important to ask to what extent the PU for CHE, i.e. its body of staff, wants to live and work according to its motto. This contribution attempts to investigate this matter by subjecting to scrutiny a variety of issues – in particular on the academic terrain
’n Beginselgrondslag vir gesag, vryheid, orde en dissipline in die onderwysopset van die vroeg-21ste eeu
Get PDFA principial foundation for authority, freedom, order and discipline in the educational context of the early 21st century This volume of Koers contains a number of articles dealing with various aspects of authority, freedom, order and discipline in the educational context. The discussion in this, the introductory article, is based on the question whether postmodern conditions have brought about any changes to our views and ideas about these phenomena, especially since these conditions seem to favour relativism and to be averse to generalising “grand narrative”-views. In the discussion of each of these phenomena, the ramifications of extremely static and rigorous as well as of extremely fluid and dynamic approaches are considered. It is concluded that although cognisance has indeed to be taken of the needs and demands of postmodern man (in the shape of learners, for instance), persons in authority in educational context should strive to apply principles based on a Biblically-based/reformational view of man, society, authority, freedom, responsibility, accountability, order and discipline
The need for more Christian counsellors
Get PDFMore and more people become victims of or are affected by crime that is seemingly running rampant in the world. The existing support services cannot cope with the number of people in need of help. Christian counsellors can and should assist in this regard because they have much to offer, such as compassion and love. Christian counselling has a place and role to play in society with its ultimate goal being the facilitation of spiritual growth. The perceived problem is the fact that there are few trained Christian counsellors and a lack of acceptance of such counsellors by authorities and the community. The suggested solution is that the church (as the body of Christ) should assume a more prominent role in rectifying the situation, by helping to change the perceptions about the role Christian counsellors can play, and by improving their training