KovsieJournals - University of the Free State (UFS)
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“Like sand through an hourglass, so are the days of our lives”: Youth, religion, and social capital in South Africa
Get PDFSouth Africa has experienced significant transformations, including the dismantling of the apartheid system and the transition to a democratic regime. Despite progress, South Africa still struggles with inequality and fostering social cohesion. Social capital refers to networks, relationships, and customs that enable collaboration. Young people’s networks and connections shape their social and economic success. Social capital helps young people establish friendships and access to resources. Religion improves social capital in many places. This article analyses the concept of social capital imposed by religious institutions and their practices in various communities, larger societies, and younger generations.It aims to investigate the distinctive role of religion in enhancing social capital in an effort to demarginalise youth. The article examines the correlation between youth, religion, and social capital in South Africa, focusing on how religious practices and beliefs can affect young people’s sense of social connectedness and community
Interview with Prof. Kobus Schoeman on the occasion of his retirement at the end of 2024
Get PDFProf. Jan-Albert van den Berg interviewed Prof. Kobus Schoeman
BOOK REVIEW Digital homiletics: The theology and practice of online preaching
Get PDFA book review of "Digital homiletics: The theology and practice of online preaching " by Yang, Sanggu A. (2024) Fortress Press: Minneapolis. 173 pages
The mediating effect of early literacy activities on the relationship between parents’ reading attitudes and reading comprehension among primary school students
No full textReading comprehension is a foundational skill that underpins many aspects of learning, communication, problem solving, and personal development. This study investigates the relationship between parents’ reading attitudes, early literacy activities and students’ reading comprehension as well as examines the influence of early literacy activities as a mediator. It is a quantitative study using a cross-sectional survey approach. The study sample consisted of 393 year five students and their respective parents from fifteen primary schools in Kelantan. The participants were selected using a multi-level random sampling method. The analysis of the study involves descriptive tests and inferential analysis involving structural equation modelling. The finding shows that there is a moderate direct effect of parents’ reading attitudes on early literacy activities and moderate direct effect of early literacy activities on students’ reading comprehension. There is no direct influence of parents’ reading attitudes on students’ reading comprehension. The indirect effects of parents’ reading attitudes on students’ reading comprehension exist significantly through early literacy activities which act as a full mediator to the relationship between parents’ reading attitudes and students’ reading comprehension. The results of this study provide practical implications in empowering parents to provide a learning environment at home
A transformative theory-based framework for intermediate phase pre-service language teachers’ application of transformative assessment practices
No full textLimited studies illustrate the significance of a transformative perspective on pre-service teachers’ assessment practices during their study in higher education institutions (HEIs). As such, the need to prepare pre-service teachers for the transformative realities of the workplace has been widely acknowledged as a crucial element of contemporary teacher education. Therefore, this conceptual article aims to provide a transformative theory-based elucidation on assessment practices and their application by intermediate-phase pre-service language teachers (IPPLTs). Having applied transformative learning theory (TLT) and a narrative literature review (NLR), this article proposes a transformative theory-based framework (TTbF) that HEIs can apply to equip IPPLTs with transformative assessment practices (TAPs) during their training and teaching practice sessions. The findings reveal that transformability, transformative-targeted interventions, and adaptive capacity can be valuable takeaways for IPPLTs’ professional development in applying TAPs. The study recommends that IPPLTs consider applying the TTbF to strengthen their ability to implement TAPs in schools.
Editorial
Get PDFSchool violence may be defined as any incident in an education institution aimed at interrupting the normal educational project and includes viciousness between learners as well as attacks by learners on school staff and attacks by school staff on learners. It encompasses physical violence, including student-on-student fighting, psychological violence such as verbal abuse, and sexual violence, including rape and sexual harassment. School violence also include various forms of bullying (such as cyberbullying), corporal punishment and carrying weapons to school. School violence has become a widely accepted serious societal problem in recent decades in many countries, especially where weapons such as guns or knives are involved (UNESCO, 2017)
The efficacy of roof-based adaptations to reduce heat stress exposure in informal dwellings
Get PDFWhile climate change represents a universal threat to the sustainable growth efforts globally, its impacts are not experienced equally with marginalised population groups, especially informal settlement residents, being highly exposed to its negative effects. Despite being widely acknowledged that the built environment is a major driver of inhabitants’ exposure to climate change-related hazards, limited research has been undertaken on developing heat stress adaptation measures for informal settlements in Southern Africa. Furthermore, Africa’s projected rapid urbanisation and limited adequate housing provision point to a significant growth of informal settlements, particularly within the Southern African context. The dearth of available information on household level climate change adaptation in informal settlements prompted this study to investigate the efficacy of roof-based adaptation strategies to lower heat stress exposure in informal dwellings in Tshwane, South Africa. As an explorative study with a quantitative focus, the study uses a digital simulation research design to assess the efficacy of four climate change adaptation strategies to lower heat stress exposure in two typical informal dwellings as case studies. While informal settlements have diverse building typologies, informal dwellings – frame structures cladded with steel sheeting without any thermal insulation – are widely used and highly vulnerable. In contrast to typical adaptation measures proposed for informal dwellings, the main findings highlight the benefit of high thermal mass coupled with shading strategies to lower thermal amplitudes and lower excessive heat stress exposure. Consequently, the article contributes to the current climate change adaptation discourse, in particular its application in informal settlements
Urban green infrastructure and social cohesion in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria
Get PDFUrbanisation has increasingly resulted in social fragmentation, insecurity, and health challenges in cities worldwide. Urban green infrastructure (UGI) presents a viable solution, by promoting social interaction and enhancing safety and well-being. While an increasing body of scholarly literature has examined the interaction between UGI and its social impacts in the built environment, empirical studies specifically addressing the connection between UGI quality and social cohesion in densely populated urban areas of developing countries remain limited. This article investigates the relationship between UGI and social cohesion in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria. It aims to explore how the presence, accessibility, and quality of green spaces affect social interactions, community trust, and residents’ sense of belonging. Using a multi-stage sampling approach, the study surveyed 1,560 residents through questionnaires administered in their neighbourhoods. Findings from descriptive statistical analyses and categorical regression reveal that, despite residents perceiving the current green infrastructure as substandard, there is a strong belief that it positively influences social cohesion. The study identifies three critical dimensions of UGI, which include the deterioration of green spaces, accessibility for recreation, and proximity to residences, as factors that significantly impact on social cohesion. These insights can inform urban planning policies aimed at creating inclusive and sustainable green spaces, ultimately improving social cohesion and enhancing the overall well-being of urban communities in Lagos and similar contexts throughout the Global South. By prioritising these dimensions in urban planning, cities can support stronger community ties and improve residents’ quality of life
Die verbouing van tafeldruiwe en sultanas in die Benede-Oranjeriviergebied
No full textDie rafeldruif- en sulranabedryf is die ekonomiese anker van die BenedeOranjeriviergebied, maar as gevolg van die droee klimaat is besproeiing noodsaaklik. Dit is egter nie nee die beskikbaarheid van water wat deur die klimaat belnvloed word nie, maar die produksie van tafeldruiwe en sultanas word ook deur klimaatsfaktore soos temperacuur en reenval, sowel as grondtipe en grondvog belnvloed. \u27n Blink toekoCls word vir die tafeldruifbedryf in die Benede-Oranjeriviergebied voorsien en die uirstekende groeipotensiaal behoort boere cot grocer produksie aan re moedig. Dir word voorsien dat die gebied uiteindelik sowat 30% van die uitvoertafeldruiwe sal produseer. Dit word ook voorsien dat die area onder tafeldruiwe sal vermeerder van ongeveer 1 600 ha tot sowat 4 100 ha vir die tydperk 1996 cot 2000
Social disruption in South Africa: strategies towards conflict resolution
Get PDFIn most countries where different racial and ethnic groups live together, society is characterised by conflict. One of the most important reasons for this is the fact that ethnic groups are usually minority groups. The crux of the matter concerns minority group membership and the attitude of the dominant group towards minority rights. This article attempts to analyse the South African situation in terms of factors contributing to the current climate of social disruption. Its focus, however, is on the search for effective means of combatting inter-group antagonism and creating a harmonious and prosperous future for the inhabitants of the country