KovsieJournals - University of the Free State (UFS)
Not a member yet
5214 research outputs found
Sort by
Whistleblowing, Incentives, and Design Considerations for a Tax Whistleblowing Programme in South Africa
Get PDFThe significance of whistleblowing extends beyond its role in promoting public sector accountability; whistleblowers also play a crucial role in safeguarding tax compliance. Evidence suggests that a tax whistleblowing program with a financial incentive leads to less aggressive tax filing and improves the quantity and/or quality of information compared to a program without an incentive. This article explores arguments for and against whistleblowers, as well as incentivising disclosure. Additionally, it discusses design considerations for a tax whistleblowing, aiming to initiate a discussion on the ideal structure for such an incentive programme in South Africa
A golf course or grazing land: Using participatory communication as a conflict management tool in community development
Get PDFThe question underpinning this study is why the Tyusha (Evelyn Valley) Development Project, a tourism project in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, championed by developers, failed to materialise. The starting point of the research was whether, as the classic view suggests, the failure of the project was due to lack of community involvement. The interviews conducted indicated that participation was not the issue. The community had been consulted and were part of the wider formative discussions. What held the project back was conflict amongst the community (or project) leadership group. Given the economic potential of the project for a poor village like Tyusha, one would have expected greater cooperation between community members. This is especially the case when there is willingness and support from private capital and local government. Through a close reading of participatory development critiques, the article finds that conflict is part and parcel of community development work. With communication breakdowns in mind, which can impede project success, the article concludes that participatory development communication is a good vehicle to carry the dual mandate of community empowerment and mediation of conflict
Jesus talks to the Samaritan woman: A dialogic analysis
Get PDFThe contemporary world is characterised by the dehumanisation of “the other” on multiple grounds. Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman (John 4:1-42) sheds light on his attitude towards, and his engagement with her as a conventional “other” for Jews. This article aims to explain their dialogic encounter as an informal teaching and learning event against the backdrop of Jew-Samaritan relations and the status and roles of women in New Testament times. It uses the conceptual framework of diacognition, drawing on the notions of dialogue, position, and cognition to conduct an analysis of the episode as a learning event. It finds that the encounter enables the Samaritan woman to recognise Jesus asprophet and Messiah and transforms her conventional female positions to those of partner in dialogue, agent,and apostle. It thus challenges the “othering” of outsiders in contemporary church and society and affirms the leadership and agency of women
Foreword
Get PDFThe eye is the window or light to the soul. A window lets light in. In many churches worldwide, the sunlight is bright and colourful as it brings to life awe-inspiring images through stained-glass windows. The front page of the Festchrift for colleague Kobus Schoeman depicts one of the stained-glass windows of the DRC mother church in Stellenbosch. As this work of art is rich in symbolism and begs to be unlocked for a deeper meaning, so are these contributions in the Festchrift, dedicated to colleague Kobus Schoeman on the occasion of his retirement. As the windows in a church convey the gospel, so do the different contributions
The Trinity and an ecclesiology from below
Get PDFThe article investigates themes found in Kobus Schoeman’s practical theological work. The specific problem addressed focuses on the interaction between an ecclesiology from below and contemporary trinitarian scholarship, and the possible mutual enriching conversation. The article describes the views of Haight on the shift from an ecclesiology from above to one from below. This is followed by an examination of existing attempts at developing trinitarian ecclesiologies. The final part of the argument explores the dynamics of the dialectical interaction and proposes, as elements of a “trinitarian ecclesiology from below”, 12 coordinates that express a vison for thinking about the church. Weaknesses in the Haight approach are addressed and the existing trinitarian ecclesiologies are expanded with a focus on the work of each one of the triune persons. The vision of the church that transpires, highlights features suchas intellectual vibrancy, hospitality, publicality, vulnerability, and transgression, among some of the 12 coordinates. One crucial insight that emerges from the research is that the incarnation enables theology to think non-competitively about the theological and empirical dimensions of the church. The article demonstrates that a dialogue between specific contemporary discourses on the church and the Trinity could result in a fruitful theological outcome
Barriers to collaboration in implementing Early Childhood Care and Education policies in Gauteng province, South Africa
Get PDFThe Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989. The UNCRC sets out specific rights of children. Countries that are signatories to the UNCRC commit themselves to ensuring that the best interests of the child must be a primary consideration in all actions concerning children (Article 3); and that every child has the right to life, survival and development (Article 6).
South Africa, a UNCRC signatory, has developed Early Childhood Development (ECD) policies. ECD policies require collaboration among stakeholders for quality services.The study aimed to explore strategies for strengthening the implementation of ECD policies to improve children’s development. To compare the results of various contexts, two ECD centres in rural and semi-urban areas were purposefully sampled. Data was also collected through semi-structured interviews, writing notes and observation to understand the ECD participants’ experiences.
This study has used Britto, Yoshikawa and Boller’s (2011) conceptual framework on quality to understand the collaborative support required to ensure the holistic development of young children. The findings revealed a lack of synergy in the roles and responsibilities of ECD stakeholders in implementing policies. The planned ECD policy intentions of key stakeholders - to provide care and education services - have thus far fallen short of its intended goals. It is recommended that continuous dialogue and interaction among ECD stakeholders at the national, provincial, district, and ECD centre levels must be strengthened through the implementation of ECD policies
Modelling and using a pattern language to inform land-use change decisions in rural Mooiplaas, Great Kei Municipality, South Africa
Get PDFThis article uses a case study research design to explore the possibility of using a pattern language as part of a spatial planning and land-use management process. In this process, municipalities and communities make decisions to change land use, taking into account the extent to which these decisions respond to the ever-changing context and aid the vision for the area to emerge. Using a qualitative research methodology, 67 semi-structured individual and key informant interviews as well as three focus group discussions were conducted in two villages within the Mooiplaas communal land area in South Africa. Thematic data analysis shows the specific socio-spatial needs (themes) that were used to modify initial predetermined broad pattern language themes to form the basis of the pattern language and spatial planning model that was developed for Mooiplaas. The study, using visioning and needs analysis techniques, demonstrates that a community can develop a pattern language that reflects a comprehensive vision for its area. This pattern language can then be expressed as local spatial development principles in the municipality’s Spatial Development Framework. In addition, as part of its land-use scheme regulations, the municipality can establish natural, intensive agricultural and settlement overlay zones, overlaid on an underlining extensive agricultural base zone. Anyone wanting to use land for any purpose not provided for in these zones must submit a land-use change application and the authorising structures are required to use the local spatial development principles to help inform their decision-making. Further, the study advances a new understanding of the pattern language as an expression of a community’s vision for a particular area and demonstrates how a pattern language planning approach could work in a communal land area in South Africa within the context of existing spatial planning legislation
Polycentric governance: Evaluating the relevance of traditional authorities in good governance in South Africa
Get PDFThis article explores the role of traditional authorities within the complex governance structures of South Africa, specifically in the North-West and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. Polycentric governance, which involves multiple, interconnected decision-making centres that operate independently yet are interdependent, forms the theoretical foundation for this study. In South Africa, municipal governance faces challenges, due to the ambiguous role of traditional authorities, which has hindered the development of rural areas. There is currently no clear framework in the North-West and KwaZulu-Natal provinces outlining how traditional authorities can function effectively within the broader governance system. This research aims to develop a framework that enhances the governance relevance of traditional authorities, drawing on the concept of polycentricity and governance theory. Through qualitative methods, including stakeholder interviews and document analysis, the study examines the contemporary roles of traditional authorities and their interactions with municipal governance structures. It critically assesses the policy framework guiding traditional governance in South Africa and explores how these authorities can be better integrated into governance processes. The study argues that good governance is defined by its ability to meet the needs of the broader populace, not simply select groups. It proposes a formalised polycentric governance framework that elevates traditional authorities as key actors in local government, with a focus on areas such as administrative hierarchy, development planning, land governance, and natural resource management. This framework is expected to support socio-economic development and improve service delivery, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas of the North-West and KwaZulu-Natal provinces
Images of European youth at the turn of the century as reflected in the autobiographies of three Jewish writers: Arthur Schnitzler, Stefan Zweig and Ernst Toller
Get PDFIn dem folgenden Aufsatz wird anhand der Autobiographien von drei deutschsprachigen Schriftstellern das Bild der Jugend in Europa var rund einem Jahrhundert nachgezeichnet. Drei Themenbereiche werden unrersucht: Elcernhaus und Schule, Liebe und Sexualirac sowie Policik und Gesellschaft. Dabei zeigc sich, da13 die Jugendlichen damals kaum gliicklicher waren als die Jugendlichen heute. In der Erziehung seczte man mehr auf Strenge als auf Zuneigung, in dee Schule mehr auf stures Pauken als auf FOrderung des Inrellekrs. Die ersren Llebesabenteuer batten zwar noch eher den Reiz ,des Geheimnisvollen, litten aber unrer einer verlogenen Sexualmoral und der Angst vor Syphilis. Zumindest wuchsen die meisten Jugendlichen noch in einer Welt der Sicherheic auf, aber auch die wurde gegen Ende des neunzehnten Jahrhunderts bereits iiberschattet von dem erstarkenden Nationalismus und Antisemicismus
Die postmodernistiese diskoers en die Suid-Afrikaanse ekonomiese oorgang
Get PDFHierdie artikel beskryf die postmodernistiese reaksie op die verwerping van modernisme in die wetenskap en poog om die implikasies daarvan vir die ekonomiese wetenskap re identifiseer. Die beskouinge van die hermeneuriese skoal van die postmodernisme mag moontlik nuttig vertolk word gegewe die noodsaaklikheid van \u27n algemeen aanvaarde ekonomiese ontwikkelingstrategie vir postapartheid Suid-Afrika. \u27n Implikasie vir die beoefening van die ekonomiese wetenskap aan hoer onderwysinstellings in Suid-Afrika is dat debar, diskoers en retoriek ononrbeerlik mag wees vir die bevordering van ekonomiese besluitneming en bestuur