KovsieJournals - University of the Free State (UFS)
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The simultaneous atomisation and massification of neoliberal reason
Get PDFNeoliberal reason is often defended for its supposed radical individualism. While critics of neoliberalism are right to problematise the atomising effects of this sort of individualism, an immanent critique of neoliberalism helps us to see that this atomisation does not necessarily lead to the development of individuality. That is, I will suggest that neoliberal individualism does not make room for individuality at all. I will focus on the neoliberal tendency to constrain human activity to the ends of the firm and argue that because of this, neoliberal reason cannot create the conditions for subjects to act on their potentiality. Rather than allowing for individuality, I will suggest that the neoliberal proliferation of the logic of the firm has an effect that is instead massifying. Horkheimer and Adorno’s critique of capitalism in their chapter on the culture industry helps us to understand and critique capitalist massification by offering the notion of pseudoindividuation. I will argue that the massification of people occurs when they are subjected to some end outside themselves, such as participation in the maximisation of capital. When we turn to a discussion on neoliberal reason, drawing on Foucault and Brown, we are interested in how a kind of capitalist logic comes to dominate every aspect of our lives. While the concepts seem to be at odds with one another, I will read Foucault and Brown to suggest that neoliberalism is both atomising and massifying. That is, the neoliberal goal of maximising capital puts subjects in competition with one another while simultaneously subjecting them all to the same end outside of themselves. Yet, capital maximisation is not a substantive end in itself, since capital is, by definition, only a means to some other end. Neoliberal reason thus leaves subjects in a state of discontent that is brought about by the constant striving toward a goal which can never be met – more capital can always be had. Capital, by definition, cannot be understood as an end, but can only be understood as a means. That is, the neoliberal subject is not only socially alienated (atomised) but is also constrained in the potentiality for participating its own ends, and thus has no real opportunities for individuality
Teachers’ experiences of violence in South African: A Gauteng case study
No full textSouth Africa is recognised as one of the most violent countries across the globe. School violence against teachers is a common phenomenon at most schools. This ongoing crisis has had a negative impact on the quality of teaching and learning. Schools are no longer a safe environment for teachers. Teachers are exposed to passive and active violence, causing physical and psychological harm. This paper focuses on violence against teachers and its effect on their well-being. This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of teachers who experienced violence at their schools and received no support from school leaders. This study was conducted in one district in the Gauteng Province in South Africa. The author used the Invitational Learning Theory and National School Safety Framework as theoretical lenses, since these frameworks envisaged ensuring that all schools are safe, conducive learning environments. The findings revealed that at least two in every ten teachers experienced some form of violence. The acts of violence were either active or passive; for example, learners threw books at teachers, physically attacked them, swore at teachers, displayed rude behaviour, showed arrogance, and blackmailed teachers. The study recommends that the Department of Education employ rigorous and stricter measures to ensure the safety of all teachers. School leaders should engage with community forums and police services to support them in curbing violent behaviour and protect teachers. Stricter disciplinary actions should be taken against perpetrators of violence
Finding a rhythm within: A polyphonic (auto)biographical pastoral reflection
Get PDFIntimate, a-rhythm autobiographical experiences, originating from my own life text, serve as initial rhetorical spaces in which possible melodies of persuasion can be heard. In this regard, polyphony serves as the central metaphor in this article. Initially, this musical metaphor acquired theological meaning in the Christological reflection of the well-known German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Four idiomatic soundtracks, namely tonedeaf, rhythm, polyphonic narratives, and dance determine the structure of the article. Although each of these soundtracks represents a unique story, together theycreate a harmonious melody, as in the central metaphor of polyphony. In this newly composed polyphonous melody,my own voice is audibly and rhetorically integrated with the resonant tone of development within practical theologyand pastoral care. The new contribution offered by this article is found in the autobiographical pastoral reflectionsof persuasion on the newly composed polyphonic melody, creating a harmonious rhythm within identity and praxis
Corrigendum: Jeremiah 29:5-7 reread through the lens of posttraumatic growth
Get PDFJeremiah 29:5-7 is well known for exhorting the exiles to settle down and pray for the welfare of Babylon. The idea of settling down conflicts with the prophecy of returning home in the book of Jeremiah, and it sounds odd to encourage prayer for the enemy. Typical solutions focus on the strategy of survival. However, these solutions are not convincing enough because the language used in Jeremiah 29:5-7 indicates that the exhortation involves not survival but restoration. Given the background of national trauma behind the book of Jeremiah, this article proposes rereading Jeremiah 29:5-7 from the perspective of posttraumatic growth (PTG). Accordingly, the exhortation to settle down reflects the domain of appreciation of life in PTG, and the exhortation to pray for Babylon indicates the belief in a just world for self (BJW-self), which is closely related to PTG and entails forgiving others
Research on the Letter to the Galatians 2000-2020
Get PDFResearch on the Letter to the Galatians 2000-202
Challenges in implementing corporate social responsibility: A study of SMES in South Africa’s construction industry
Get PDFTo date, very little research has been done on the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR), particularly the practice of CSR within the global and local construction industry. This extends to studies identifying CSR implementation challenges affecting construction organisations. This work attempts to specifically identify CSR implementation challenges affecting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the South African construction industry (SACI). Existing literature was used to provide an overview of the current CSR implementation challenges from both the global construction industry as well as generic business sectors guided by the St. Gallen Management Model. An empirical quantitative research approach study using an online questionnaire survey, with the data analysed using both descriptive (mean, standard deviation, etc.) and inferential (Analysis of Variance ANOVA) statistics was conducted. The findings revealed that SMEs in the SACI are affected by CSR implementation challenges related to a lack of integration in the SME culture and business objectives; Limited financial resources to undertake CSR initiatives; Lack of CSR skills and knowledge, and unstable economic conditions. In addition, novelty in the findings were importantly linked to the fact that although SEs and MEs are categorised differently in terms of their cidb grade and their upper limit of tender value range, the two groups of contractors’ experience similar CSR implementation challenges across four management levels as guided by the St. Gallen Management Model, carefully guiding future research into investigating mitigating factors pertaining to SEs and MEs
An An Ideological Land Reform Policy Shift of State Custodianship and ‘Transforming the Rural Land Economy’
No full textIn customary landholding practices land is regarded as more than an asset of economic value to be owned. African people’s rights in land and other natural resources exceed the idea of mere possession. To African rural land holders, land is not only a material resource for agricultural production, nor is the commercialisation and commoditisation of land the primary driving force for most customary landholding communities’ even though the land is productively used. This broader conceptualisation of the social function of land beyond the economic, aligns with modern property law on the proprietary function of property. However, excessive state limitations imposed on customary land tenure can hinder economically valuable property rights, but also other rights to social, cultural, and ontological resources embodied in the spirituality of African communities.
Security of tenure for land reform beneficiaries cannot be secondary to commercialisation and commoditisation of the rural land economy in the national interest. Commercialisation and commoditisation are the by-products of recognised, protected, and enforceable property rights and not the “pre-requisites” or “qualifiers” for secure land tenure. Thus, the state custodial approach reflected in land reform law and policy that places an overemphasis on private property capitalism, above the constitutional mandate of security of land tenure is critically discussed. It is argued that if not carefully formulated transformative land reform law and policy can be conduits for a state custodianship approach that inadvertently reproduces apartheid-like ideology and preoccupations.
Key words: Secure tenure, state custodianship, National Development Plan 2030, transformative land reform law and policy
The extent to which South Africa’s legal and policy frameworks empower traditional leadership to contribute to achieving SDG 11
Get PDFSustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11) focuses on making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Although the goal primarily addresses urban development, its principles also extend to rural areas, but the extent to which South Africa’s legal and policy frameworks empower traditional authorities to contribute to the development of their communities, particularly towards achieving SDG11, remains insufficiently explored. This study investigates how South Africa’s national legislative frameworks on traditional leadership have been applied to support the advancement of SDG 11. It examines the legal provisions within the 1996 Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, and relevant legislation to determine whether these frameworks provide a strong legal basis for promoting SDG 11 through the empowerment of traditional leadership. This study employs a desktop research methodology involving a comprehensive review of relevant laws, policies, and case law. Secondary data were gathered from case studies, journal articles, books, case laws, and credible internet sources. The findings suggest that the traditional authority system is deeply embedded within the South African Constitution, as well as legislative and policy frameworks, and has been effectively leveraged to advance SDG 11. Key insights emphasise the constitutional and legal recognition of traditional authorities and highlight the enforcement of traditional leadership roles and functions through various legal cases, and SDG 11-aligned programmes in South Africa. The areas where the role and functions of traditional leadership intersect with SDG 11 and rural development include security and safety, community participation, land management and sustainable settlements, cultural heritage and community identity, disaster management, and environmental stewardship. The empowerment of traditional leadership in South Africa has significant implications for achieving SDG 11 and rural development. These implications include enhanced local governance and service delivery, increased accountability and transparency, balanced rural-urban linkages, promotion of environmental stewardship, and the fostering of inclusive development. It also strengthens rural resilience, preserves cultural heritage, promotes sustainable resource management, and improves community engagement. However, challenges related to power dynamics, equity, and the need for policy integration and cohesion must be addressed to ensure that traditional leadership empowerment contributes effectively to sustainable development in South Africa
In the home stretch: the legalisation of African traditional healing in South Africa
Get PDFThe overall aim of this article is to describe the current status of indigenous health care policy and to determine what progress has been made in translating policy principles into action. The article deals with the models for incorporating traditional health care into the official health care system; the present status of traditional health care and the rationale for legitimising it; the many complex issues involved in developing a policy on ethnomedicine, and an assessment of the progress made in respect of the legalisation of this kind of health care five years into the new order. The main conclusion is that, although great strides have been made, there are still some very serious constraints which are likely to inhibit the indigenous health care sector for some time to come
Verifying the NPS-WASHMO urban runoff component of the ACRU model
Get PDFThe collection and analysis of rainfall, stream flow and water quality data are described for an urban catchment used in model development. The data illustrates the existing hydrological conditions in the Palmier River Catchment, and forms the basis of simulations for model verification. Grab water quality samples were collected once a week at ten points for two years and flow-related grab samples collected flood water quality samples at a weir. The results show an increase in water quality constituents in the flow from the Pinetown CBD and a decrease from the residential areas. The data is then used to verify the models, which are found to perform satisfactorily