UJ Press Journals
Not a member yet
2155 research outputs found
Sort by
Queer Spaces, Africanness, and Bildung: The Quiet Violence of Dreams and Inxeba (The Wound) in Conversation
No full textThe Quiet Violence of Dreams (2001) and Inxeba (The Wound) (2017) are post-apartheid texts that reveal the violence inflicted on queer Black bodies within a patriarchal and homophobic society, while also challenging heteronormative conceptions of Africanness and exploring potential spaces where Black queerness might exist. Each work also functions as a narrative of personal growth: The Quiet Violence of Dreams is a Bildungsroman, while Inxeba focuses on the coming-of-age process into manhood through an initiation ritual. As stories of development and initiation, both texts explore whether queer Black bodies can find a place within post-apartheid South African communities—or whether they remain excluded. Although both works have been widely discussed in academic circles, no prior study has examined them together. We contend that these two post-apartheid works can be compared in terms of heteronormative disciplinary violence, as well as in relation to themes of queerness and Africanness. This comparison raises additional questions about potential spaces for Black queerness in the aftermath of apartheid
Flood Disaster and Family Disorganization in the Niger Delta
Get PDFFlood disasters are natural calamities that exert devastating impact on communities and families. These events often result in the loss of lives, destruction of property, and displacement of individuals and families. The perennial nature of this menace in many countries around the globe, including Nigeria has attracted attention from scholars and other concerned institutions. However, its propensity to disorganize the proper functioning of the family which is of the basic unit of society has not been fully examined. Thus, this work examined the relationship between flood disaster and family disorganization in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Based on the Family Stress theory, the study relied on secondary sources of data. The Study finds that flood disasters have wide-ranging effects on families, often resulting in family disorganization in the region. The loss of homes, disruption of social networks, financial strain, psychological trauma, and the disruption of education and healthcare services all contribute to this disorganization. In view of the above, support from government and community resources, counselling services, and disaster relief organizations can play a crucial role in helping families navigate the difficulties associated with flood disasters and facilitate the process of restoring stability and organization within the family unit.
Money Politics and the Not Too Young to Run Act in Nigeria
Get PDFThe paper interrogates the impact of money politics on youth inclusion as candidates for elective positions through the instrumentality of the ‘Not Too Young to Run Act.’ It argues that while the signing of the Act removed a basic hindrance to youth candidacy by lowering the age eligibility for contesting for public offices. It, however, observed that undue use of monetisation of the electoral process undercuts youth capacity to compete. To that end, it suggests that the provision on the limitation of election expenses for various elective offices must be strictly enforced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Political parties are also admonished to lower the cost of their expression of interest and nomination forms to prevent the unwholesome system of highest bidder. Lastly, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and sister agencies must see to it that those that involve in vote buying and selling are arrested and prosecuted.
The Impact of Leadership and Rewards on Project Management Success, Mediated by Employee Perception and Team Cohesion
No full textThe increasing competition in companies necessitates an emphasis on project management to accomplish success. Leaders must possess both technical and social skills, as their management and perception significantly influence decision-making and team cohesion. The usage of diverse leadership rewards, and styles, both non-financial and financial, by project management leaders, nurtures team cohesion, promotes team essence, and motivates necessary project decisions. This study investigates the impacts of directive and supportive leadership, mediated by work team cohesion and non-financial, and financial rewards, on project success. A research model was established based on a literature review, analyzing the relationship between the causes and effects of the research variables. A questionnaire was collected from 237 individuals in project management teams over the last 6 months from the Munich Bavaria region of Germany. From the results obtained, it appears that directive leadership and supportive leadership positively influence the cohesion of work teams. In this work, it was also found that directive leadership has a positive impact on the success of project management for the client and that financial rewards have an opposite effect. It is concluded that organizations must value the importance that adjusted leadership, on the part of the manager, has in team cohesion and that the financial rewards system used by companies is something to take into account when they set out to achieve success. The importance of this research lies in the fact that with its empirical findings, it provides information on how the various types of leadership and reward systems impact team cohesion and project success, which has been a substantial gap in project management literature and is of great symbolic help to the developing organization with the effective leadership and motivational strategies, which can impact the project outcome results
Recent Developments in the Grand Ethiopian RenaissanceDam (GERD) and Its Effects on Ethiopia-Egypt Relations: Somalia as the Epicenter of Conflict
No full textThis paper examines the recent developments surrounding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and its implications for Ethiopia-Egypt relations, with Somalia emerging as a central point of the conflict zone. Egypt’s historical involvement in Middle East conflicts, particularly regarding the Gaza conflict, highlights its significant role in regional diplomacy. However, Egypt’s stance on the GERD reveals a contradictory position: while it remains relatively passive in supporting Palestinians nearby, it emphasizes its historical rights over the Nile and simultaneously supports Somalia which is both geographically distant yet strategically relevant. This dynamic raises questions about Egypt’s motivations and priorities
How Mockery Silences Voices: A Diagnostic Exploration of a Selected IsiXhosa Short Story “Inxeba Lendoda Alihlekwa” (“There Is No Pride in Another Person’s Wound”) (2011)
No full textIn this article, I diagnostically explore the influence of mockery and ridicule on personal and communal relationships, using “Inxeba Lendoda Alihlekwa” (“There Is No Pride in Another Person’s Wound”) (Magqashela, Ntwana and Nyuka 2011) as a literary piece of textual evidence through reader-response theory. The aim is to unearth the socio-cultural and psychological implications of celebrating another person’s vulnerability. By definition, reader-response theory underlines that the meaning of a literary text emerges from the interaction between the text and the reader’s experiences. Two key findings emerge. Firstly, I underscore that readers’ socio-cultural backgrounds may significantly influence their understanding of mockery, unmasking its ability to fracture community bonds and corrode individual self-worth. Secondly, I underline readers’ emotional resonance towards characters subjected to ridicule, intensifying their consciousness of the overarching social implications of such behaviour. These findings bring to the fore the participatory nature of reading modern isiXhosa literature and the imperative of cultural and psychological factors in literary interpretation. I then conclude by advocating for literary interpretation that embraces diverse philosophies, which not only solidify the discernment of literary texts but also cement empathy and solidarity in addressing the destructive impact of mockery in isiXhosa literature and beyond
A Critical Appraisal of Zolani Mkiva’s Biographical Details that Colour His Post-apartheid Poetry
No full textThe debate on the significance of an artist’s biographical details on his or her aesthetic work continues to grow. Some scholars argue that the upbringing and life of an artist have little or no influence on the work they produce, while others warn against the danger of bias as a result of basing analysis on author’s biographical details. In contrast, other scholars view biographical details as influencing authorial ideology, as art is not produced in a vacuum. Therefore, it was the aim of this article to examine the influence of Zolani Mkiva’s biographical details on his aesthetic work in the post-apartheid era. In answering the question, does Mkiva’s biographical details have an influence in his aesthetic works, the article analyses his post-apartheid poems. The results support the view that the artist’s upbringing and life contributes to his authorial ideology on his other aesthetic work, and thus should be considered in the analysis of artist’s work as they offer insights in understanding artist’s work
Techno-Economic Assessment of Smart Photovoltaic-Water Infrastructure Development for a Residential Community in Peri-Urban Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria
No full textPotable water demand in peri-urban Lagos State has necessitated the development of strategic combined power and water infrastructure. The techno-economic viability assessment of a smart photovoltaic-water treatment system in peri-urban Ikorodu, Lagos State was effected as an extenuation approach to pervasive insufficient potable water provision under the State’s integrated clean water initiatives. An energy technology foresight analysis methodology was used. The study determined an appropriate infrastructural option – a combined 180 kW smart PV, 400 m3/day smart water treatment system requiring 0.65 acres of land, and generating annually 146,000 litres of potable water. The smart PV-water plant initiative was considered to have acceptable risk (Payback period between 16.29 to 18.41 years; Return on Investment = 5.43%) and viability at the minimum water price of 73,000/year relative to the water vendor supply option. The study recommended a reduction in plant operating costs to improve the viability of the smart PV-water treatment system. The study concluded that the smart PV-water treatment system project was technologically attainable, economically viable and eco-friendly, and consequently recommended its establishment in the study area.
The Impact of Social Media Marketing on the Indian Skincare Industry with Special Reference to the Ahmedabad (Gujarat) Region
No full textSocial media has become a key transformative marketing tool in the Indian skincare industry, directly influencing consumer behavior and shaping beauty routines. With the sector rapidly growing along with an increasing demand for sustainable skincare, skincare brands are adapting to the preferences of younger and tech-savvy audiences. This study further explores the impact of social media platforms on the skincare product purchasing decisions in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, while also focusing on different demographic groups. The research methodology is based on an empirical quantitative approach. The data gathered is done through electronic surveys to examine how platforms like YouTube and Instagram influence consumer interactions and purchasing behaviors. This study aims to explore the influence of various social media platforms on consumer behavior towards skincare brands and products in the Ahmedabad region of Gujarat, India. The study further seeks to understand how different demographic segments engage with skincare brands on online platforms. This study addresses the void in understanding how social media affects skincare purchases across demographic segments in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The study concludes that diverse social media platforms, especially through influencers and user-generated content, significantly impact consumer behavior. Younger consumers are more influenced by YouTube. It is seen that brands that engage through the means of personalized content hold stronger loyalty in the market
Feminist Jurisprudence, Women Ulama and Iftā in Indonesia: Dutiful Daughters or ‘alMuftiyāt alMujadilāt’?
No full textEight years ago a group of Indonesian women scholars who constituted themselves as ‘women ulama’ claimed the epistemic authority to pronounce on matters of Islamic law, and enacted it by issuing three collective fatwas. Six years later they repeated this process and issued four more fatwas. How should we read this development, in terms of the Muslim women’s movement, and the growth and development of Islamic law? Recognising the fatwa as the fundamental element of Islamic legal thought, the work of KUPI continues and expands modern processes of collective fatwa making. Significantly KUPI also add a framework derived from women’s experiences of the law; namely attention to maʿrūf (goodness), mubādalah (hermeneutics of reciprocity), and hakiki (substantive or true) justice. Even as Muslim women advance innovative readings of classical Islamic law and its legal processes, feminism remains entwined in a colonial history that is difficult to lose. And so the feminist associations of the work of the KUPI remain muted for now. Their achievements, however, must be announced and celebrated