KovsieJournals - University of the Free State (UFS)
Not a member yet
5214 research outputs found
Sort by
Uncovering missing environmental narratives in the planning of Nusantara, Indonesia
Full text linkUrban planning in postcolonial contexts is increasingly shaped by environmental rhetoric that promises sustainability, resilience, and progress. However, beneath these promises lie discursive practices that overlook ecological considerations and marginalise indigenous and rural knowledge. This study examines the environmental ideology and its construction and legitimation in the planning discourse on Indonesia’s new capital, Nusantara. While existing research has examined the design and planning of Nusantara, few studies have interrogated the discursive strategies used by the government to legitimise development. Using critical discourse analysis and ecolinguistics, the research examines government documents, media articles, and indigenous testimonies to trace how language operates as a tool of power, as well as narrative structures that erase ecological concerns, marginalise indigenous knowledge, and promote technocratic urban ideals to justify the capital relocation. The findings show that sustainability discourse in Nusantara’s planning is performative and contradictory, simultaneously invoking ecological concern, while enabling extractive practices and epistemic erasure. These findings suggest that the planning of Indonesia’s new capital (Nusantara) tends to sideline rural areas, rural ways of knowing land, forest, development, and local communities. Furthermore, the discourse also reveals epistemic and ecological exclusions embedded in state-led development. Conceptually, this research contributes to debates on urban-rural planning dynamics in the Global South, by bringing southern urbanism into dialogue with critical discourse analysis and showing how language is used to legitimise exclusion in development projects. It challenges planners and policymakers to recognise the political work of language and the need for epistemic justice in shaping urban futures. Beyond the discipline, the study speaks to broader debates on environmental governance, indigenous rights, and the ethics of development. It calls for planning practices that are not only ecologically sound, but also culturally and epistemologically inclusive, where sustainability begins with listening, not erasure
CONCEPTUALISING CUSTOMARY LAW ADOPTIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA: THE MOTIVE(S) OR REASON(S) BEHIND, AND REQUIREMENTS OF, A VALID CUSTOMARY LAW ADOPTION
Full text linkAn adoption can be legally effected under customary law. The motive(s) or reason(s)1 behind customary law adoption are multifaceted. Social anthropologists have identified several reasons for the adoption of children in Africa, including childlessness and providing for orphans and abandoned children. Customary law adoption should not be dismissed for being conducted only to save a family from the termination of its lineage and not having regard for a child’s best interests (one should of course remain cognisant of the fact that the matter of a child’s best interests involves a wholly distinct matter in own right). Still, though African children “belong” to an extended family and are cared for within such a family, the reality is that many children need a home. It is, therefore, unfortunate that, for various reasons, the specifics pertaining to the validity requirements for customary law adoptions are uncertain. The Children’s Act also does not mention customary law adoptions at all. The continued existence of uncertainties in this respect has led to the piecemeal recognition of customary law adoptions and interpreting, viewing and, in some instances, branding them as de facto, leading to the overall devaluing of the status of customary law. However, the latter is not the focus of the discussion here. Instead, this paper conceptualises customary law adoptions by critically discussing the reasons behind them and unravelling their validity requirements as a step towards considering future law reform in the interest of legal certainty. An analysis of case law sheds light on the requirements, with some reference to the Children’s Act. The generic requirements of a valid customary law adoption are confirmed as an adoption agreement between the families and the publication of the adoption, whilst reporting the adoption to a traditional leader is established as a relative requirement (as opposed to being obligatory). Yet, many practical reasons exist (such as keeping children safe) for reporting and keeping a record of customary law adoptions as a validity requirement. Consequently, the specifics pertaining to customary law adoption agreements, publication, reporting, and record-keeping must not be uncertain
Tadek dance as a decolonial theo-cosmology
Full text linkThis article explores the decolonial possibilities of Tadek as a dance of cosmic interconnectedness and solidarity, by unveiling its underlying ontological, epistemological, and axiological principles. Tadek is a traditional dance of the Itneg people in the Philippine Cordillera region that embodies their indigenous world views on eco-spirituality and theo-cosmology. By offering and constructing a theoepistemic otherwise through Tadek, this article hopes to surface a decolonial theo-cosmology that brings about planetary justice and creation solidarity. Like other traditional dances in indigenous areas, Tadek offers a creative epistemic horizon for a theo-decolonial future.
One size does not fit all – changing congregational culture
Full text linkCongregational culture is a complex phenomenon that evolves in response to shifts in its context. The focus is on the interaction between congregational culture and size to unlock the congregational imagination. Congregational size, as a typology, is used as a theoretical framework. Congregations are described as either family, pastoral, programme or macro congregations. Congregational surveys (CS), as an empirical lens, are used to analyse the relationship between congregational culture and size. Four CSs of the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) congregations from 2010 to 2022 are used as a case study to provide a quantitative empirical lens to explain the relationship between congregational size and congregational culture. A missional orientation and strategic leadership play a significant role as variables in relation to changes in congregational size. One size does not fit all, and a single approach or model is not advisable for transforming congregational culture or unlocking the congregational imagination
Book review: Translating in the local community by Peter Flynn. London: Routledge, 2023. US$ 43.99
Full text linkIn translation studies, research based on ethnography is relatively scarce. Where it does appear, the ethnography is usually relatively thin. Peter Flynn’s work on translation in local communities is an exception to this trend. His considered use of ethnography as a method and his detailed observations based on considerable time spent observing are important contributions to the field of translation studies. In particular, I think that his work is highly relevant to African contexts where translation practices as practised in local communities have received limited attention despite significant attention to communities in fields such as development studies, economic studies, governance studies, and political studies
THE ADMISSIBILITY OF EVIDENCE ARISING DURING A DISCIPLINARY HEARING AT A CRIMINAL TRIAL: LIEBENBERG V THE STATE [2023] ZACC 33
Full text linkOn 10 October 2023, the Constitutional Court passed judgement on the interesting question relating to the admissibility of evidence at a criminal trial. An employee testified during her disciplinary hearing called by her employer. The issue to be decided was whether evidence stemming from her testimony was subsequently admissible at her criminal hearing. The pressing question to be decided by the court was whether the admissibility of her testimony would impact her section 35 constitutional rights. In this contribution, we present a detailed analysis of the Liebenberg decision
Stakeholders’ concerns regarding the standard of Sign Language interpretation in Zimbabwe’s Justice System: Implications for access to justice
No full textThis qualitative study explored three issues regarding courtinterpreting in the justice system of Zimbabwe. First, the articleexamines various stakeholders’ concerns about the quality ofinterpreting in Zimbabwe’s justice system and how it affectsthe rights of Deaf litigants in legal disputes. Second, the articleassesses the application of Zimbabwe’s 2013 Constitution andrelevant laws applied in courtrooms, as well as the relationshipbetween language and the legal system in Deaf communities.Finally, the article examines the linguistic techniques employed byother participants in the legal system to communicate with Deafpersons and the consequences of inadequate interpreting duringlegal proceedings. The data used methodological and theoreticaltriangulation for data collection and analysis; participants for thestudy were selected using purposeful sampling. First, selectedcritical personnel representing organisations for people who aredeaf, judicial officials and Zimbabwean Sign Language interpretersparticipated in semistructured interviews. Furthermore, focus groupdiscussions were held with individuals with hearing impairmentsto establish their perceptions of the standard of court interpretingin Zimbabwe’s courts. Finally, the standard of Sign Languageinterpreting in courtrooms was evaluated by observing open courtsessions. The collected data were analysed using critical theory inlanguage policy and ethnography of language policy, to understandthe linguistic practices and communication challenges faced byDeaf individuals in Zimbabwe’s justice system. The analysis revealsa shortage of proficient Zimbabwean Sign Language interpreters inZimbabwean courts. Additionally, people who occasionally providedSign Language interpreting services were unqualified to offer suchservices, which caused communication challenges during trialsand confirmed ordinary citizens’ perceptions of the government’scommitment to protecting the language rights of people withhearing disabilities. The researchers suggest that the Zimbabweangovernment and other stakeholders should establish a pool ofinterpreters and allocate funds to train proficient Zimbabwean SignLanguage court interpreters
Doctoral student attrition in Namibian higher education institutions: An analysis of implications and coping strategies
Full text linkDoctoral student attrition poses a significant challenge in higher education, particularly in Namibia, where non-completion rates undermine academic progress, institutional goals and national development agendas. Through the lens of Tinto’s theory of student integration, this article examines the implications of doctoral attrition for individual students and the broader Namibian society, while exploring coping strategies employed by students to navigate academic challenges. Globally, research highlights a concerning trend, with nearly half of doctoral candidates across higher education systems failing to attain their degrees. This article adopts a qualitative approach grounded in an interpretivist framework to explore this phenomenon. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews with 23 doctoral candidates registered at two Namibian universities between 2013 and 2019. Thematic analysis revealed multiple consequences linked to prolonged doctoral study timelines or premature withdrawal, alongside resilience strategies participants utilised to mitigate academic and institutional barriers. Findings reveal that attrition detrimentally affects students’ career prospects, financial stability and psychological wellbeing, hindering national human capital development, innovation, and economic growth. Conversely, adaptive coping strategies such as peer support networks, mentorship, institutional resources and personal resilience emerged as critical enablers of persistence. The article contributes to global discourse on doctoral education while offering actionable recommendations to policymakers and universities aiming to foster student success and national advancement
Towards a conceptual framework for equality in higher education partnerships
Full text linkThe quest for equality and equity in higher education partnerships is intensifying. Stakeholders, including donor organisations, higher education leaders, and academics, seek a suitable theoretical framework for entrenching equality and equity in externally funded consortia, partnerships and networks. Using legal and social sciences methods and drawing on an online survey of senior international officers and interviews conducted at four institutions as select case studies, we propose a four-dimensional understanding of substantive equality rooted in partnership values as a theoretical framework for equality in higher education partnerships. We demonstrate that it has the potential to transform the discourse and practice of higher education partnerships by ensuring fair resource allocation, affirming the equal worth and dignity, enhancing stakeholder decision-making and transparent communication between institutions and promoting diversity as a driver of transformation. We draw from the legal concept of substantive equality and empirical data collected within a broader study to develop a framework for equality in higher education partnerships based on Fredman’s four-dimensional conception of substantive equality, which we adjust by adapting the dimensions of equality for the higher education partnership context and amplifying them with the notion that equal partnerships require a value foundation. We conclude with an argument explaining why the infusion of a substantive conception of equality in the partnership discourse can contribute to achieving fair partnerships
Mentor and supervisor score differences in evaluating pre-service mathematics teachers
Full text linkThis research investigated the reason for a difference in the evaluation scores assigned by university supervisors and mentor teachers where the mentor teachers scored a pre-service student eight to ten percent higher than the supervisor did for the same mathematics evaluation lesson. The research question investigated: Which factors contribute to a difference between the evaluation scores assigned to mathematics student teachers by school-based mentor teachers and those assigned by university supervisors during the same lesson, using the same assessment rubric? Moreover, how might the difference in scoring between the school-based mentor teacher and university supervisor be narrowed? The participants were purposively selected from cases where a final-year mathematics student teacher received a score difference of eight percent or more from their mentor and supervisor, respectively. Hence, their supervisors and available mentor teachers were selected thereafter. Semi-structured interviews and score comparisons were used to collect the data. Assessment theory, role theory and professional vision were combined as a conceptual framework, as these theories provide a coherent framework for understanding mentor–supervisor score differences. It was found that factors contributing to the differences between the evaluation scores of supervisors and mentors included: a lack of joint feedback sessions between the mentor, supervisor and preservice teacher; a failure to give post-lesson observation feedback timeously to pre-service teacher; variance in professional vision of mentors and supervisors; the subjective nature of evaluation; and the differences in role that mentors and supervisors fulfil