Research Output Repository (HSRC)
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Thomas Sankara
No full textThis book presents a comprehensive timeline along a unique perspective on his life, his voice and his legacy. The book offers a view on Shankara in the context of major events in the history of the continent and region, a selection of Shakara's speeches, broadcasts, interviews and an almost poetic tribute to the flawed through heroic period of Sharkara's revolution. The latter is done through the story of the recent uprising against Compaore - with haunting lessons for the world
A new history of formal schooling in South Africa: 1658 to 1910
Get PDFThe book is the first history of schooling gathered as a single and continuous text since the 1980s. It is also the first attempt to put together a history of South African schooling from the perspective of the subjugated people. It attempts to show, as South Africa moves from a landscape essentially marked by encounters of people at different frontiers – physical, geographical, economic, cultural and psychological (where only the first two have previously received real attention) – how education is conceptualised, mobilised and used by all the players in the emerging country from the colonial Dutch and British periods into apartheid.N/
The democratic frontier: progress and challenges in the Eastern Cape
No full textThe Eastern Cape is known as the heartland of the ANC. It is the birthplace of many iconic liberation leaders, including Nelson Mandela, Steve Biko, Oliver Tambo and Albertina Sisulu. It is the second-largest province in South Africa by land area and held the hope of freedom, opportunity and prosperity as South Africans cast their first votes in the historic 1994 elections. Thirty years later, however, disillusionment, hopelessness, and
disappointment dominate the political narratives of the people of the Eastern Cape. A province once regarded as the heartbeat of the liberation struggle is now characterised by limited opportunities and poor governance. The 1994 promise of a better life remains unfulfilled for the communities of Gqeberha, Makhanda and the rural villages of Mxekazi and Cwebe.N/
Factors that influence anemia prevalence: a comparative study of datasets from Russia and South Africa
Get PDFThe prevalence of anemia is heterogeneous: different countries and population groups face varying risks of the disease. By identifying social, demographic, and economic factors, policymakers can define risk groups based on lifestyle and tailor measures to address the disease. This study examines and compares socioeconomic factors associated with anemia using data from two national surveys. The Russian survey relied solely on questionnaires, while the South African survey included medical examinations to confirm anemia cases. Multinomial regression was employed to estimate the risks of anemia using a combination of socioeconomic factors. An inverse relationship was observed between bad habits and the risk of anemia in both samples. Education, income, and regular food consumption were found to be insignificant variables in both samples. However, household property ownership emerged as a significant factor. In South Africa, an inverse relationship with anemia risk was identified for households owning electric/gas ovens (OR=0.769, 95% CI: 0.613–0.967, p≤0.05) and washing machine (OR=0.699, 95% CI: 0.564–0.866, p≤0.01. Increased efforts for housekeeping also manifest themselves as increased risk to be anemic if an individual grows vegetables and fruits (OR=1.333, 95% CI: 1.063–1.671, p≤0.05). In Russia, factors associated with a higher socioeconomic status—such as owning a computer (OR=0.754, 95% CI: 0.629–0.905, p≤0.01), car (OR=0.757, 95% CI: 0.610–0.938, p≤0.05), or DVD player (OR=0.819, 95% CI: 0.684–0.981, p≤0.05) —were linked to a lower risk of anemia. Additionally, the habit of seeking medical help rather than self-medicating was negatively associated with anemia in the Russian sample (OR=0.774, 95% CI: 0.704–0.850, p≤0.01). The comparison of socio-economic factors influencing the prevalence of anemia between Russian and South African samples has validated self-assessments as a reliable proxy for health status in the context of Russia. This methodological advancement underpins current and future research based on the extensive database of the Russia Longitudinal Monitoring Survey, encompassing approximately 2,500 indicators, to investigate disease prevalence.
South African national survey of research and experimental development: green R&D and cleaner energy 2021/22. Fact sheet 60
No full textGreen R&D focuses on new or significantly improved products and services resulting in reduced environmental impact and the optimization of resources, contributing to sustainable development. Burning fossil fuels is the greatest source of electricity generation worldwide, releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide and toxic missions that cause multiple health issues and environmental degradation. Augmenting energy supplies from sources other than fossil fuels - like green energy (renewables) and nuclear energy - can significantly alleviate the burden on traditional power systems and improve efficiency and energy security, while reducing costs and damage to the environment. State-owned enterprises (SOEs) are the largest contributors to R&D in green and nuclear energy in South Africa. Yet, SOE spending on green and nuclear energy R&D has been on a downward trajectory since 2018/19, while other enterprises in the business sector increased R&D spending on green energy from 2019/20.N/
Wentworth views on the promise and experience of democracy
No full textMost residents of Wentworth, a historically ‘coloured’ suburb 10 kilometres south of the Durban Central Business District, believe there is little or nothing to celebrate 30 years into democracy. This emerged from research conducted as part of the HSRC’s Democracy@30 Project.N/
Life in the platinum belt: socioeconomic struggles in the village of Luka
No full textThe village of Luka is located in the mineral-rich platinum mining belt near Rustenburg in the North West province. Despite decades of mining-related economic stimulus, its inhabitants continue to struggle with unemployment, insufficient access to healthcare, housing and other services. Modimowabarwa Kanyane reports on community experiences collected as part of the HSRC’s Democracy@30 Project.N/
Innovation trends in the transport, storage and communication sector, 2019-2021
No full textThis brief is one of eight sector-specific analyses drawn from the South African Business Innovation Survey 2019-2021. It provides deeper insight into innovation trends in the transport, storage and communication sector, so that businesses can compare and benchmark their innovation activities. Industry associations and policymakers can use the data in their efforts to mobilise and support innovation activities across the sector
Thirty years into democracy: achieving substantive equality in the South African legal profession through addressing the social reproduction of inequality
No full textIt is globally recognized that diversity and cultural competence in the legal profession is imperative to eliminating inequality and ensuring the representation of disadvantaged groups. The last three decades have seen a significant increase in the representation of women and ‘Blacks’ entering the legal profession. However, despite legislative and policy change to drive transformation, the hierarchy of the South African legal profession remains dominated by ‘Whites’ and men. The inequality in demographic representation intensifies as one considers the more prestigious disciplines and particularly at the partnership level, where women and ‘Blacks’ remain remarkably marginalized. This paper critically presents the complex and nuanced ways in which systemic inequality and marginalization maintains itself in the legal profession. The study conducted qualitative interviews with 27 women attorneys across three commercial law firms in Cape Town and Johannesburg. The research was informed by Bourdieu’s theory of habitus, field and cultural capital to illuminate the informal, invisible and hidden ways in which inequality and marginalization persist within the profession. The analysis illustrates the materiality of historical ‘White’ middle-class ideals and how the social reproduction of disadvantage for ‘Black’ women in the profession manifests, thus negating the ideals of democracy and transformation. Continued efforts to improve diversity, inclusion and equity in the profession are vital to ensure that fairness, unbiasedness and transparency, the hallmarks of the law as a discipline, are truly reflected within the organizational culture and structure of the South African legal profession.
Determinants of gender disparities in psychological distress in the South African population aged 15 years and older: findings from the 2017 national HIV prevalence, incidence, behaviour, and communication survey
Get PDFPsychological distress, characterized by symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and emotional suffering, is a major public health issue with well-documented gender disparities. This study examined the determinants of gender differences in psychological distress among South Africans aged 15 years and older using data from the 2017 South African National HIV Prevalence, Incidence, Behaviour, and Communication Survey. The cross-sectional survey employed a multi-stage stratified random cluster sampling design. Psychological distress was measured using the Kessler 10-item Psychological Distress Scale (K10), where a score of ≥20 indicated some level of distress. Of the 8,148 participants, the weighted prevalence of psychological distress was 19.3% (95% CI: 17.8–20.9), with a significantly higher prevalence among females (22.2%, 95% CI: 20.2–24.4) than males (16.4%, 95% CI: 14.4–18.6). Multivariable backward stepwise logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with psychological distress for each gender, and adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported. Among males, higher odds of distress were associated with fair/poor self-rated health (AOR=1.7, 95% CI: 1.2–2.4) and excessive alcohol use (AOR=1.6, 95% CI: 1.1–2.3). Protective factors included tertiary education (AOR=0.5, 95% CI: 0.3–0.9), residence in rural formal/farm areas (AOR=0.6, 95% CI: 0.4–1.0), and being HIV negative (AOR=0.7, 95% CI: 0.4–1.0). For females, distress was significantly associated with fair/poor self-rated health (AOR=2.6, 95% CI: 2.0–3.4) and excessive alcohol use (AOR=2.0, 95% CI: 1.3–3.1). Lower odds were found among the employed (AOR=0.7, 95% CI: 0.5–0.9), residents of rural informal/tribal (AOR=0.6, 95% CI: 0.5–0.8) and rural formal/farm areas (AOR=0.6, 95% CI: 0.4–0.9), and those with accurate HIV knowledge and myth rejection (AOR=0.6, 95% CI: 0.4–0.7). The findings emphasize the need for gender-specific mental health interventions targeting modifiable risk factors to reduce psychological distress in South Africa.