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On/Unstained White dress(es): Afro-Caribbean Female Purity in Sacred Spaces in Three Caribbean Women Poets
Get PDFThere is a white dress – baptismal, communion or confirmation – that appears in select poems of three Caribbean women poets, Jennifer Rahim (Trinidad), M. NourbeSe Philip (Trinidad/Canada) and Barbara Ferland (Jamaica). The dress is intended to be worn by Afro-Caribbean girls in a church, sacred, or sacramental context and speak to matters of purity in the female/girl child who is so clad. At the same time, the dress - spotless or yellowed - exposes the impurity, danger, and impiety of the Afro-Caribbean female body that is laid bare in the sacramental and sacred space of Church. This article will explore the experience of “sacred misogynoir” as expressed in Rahim, Philip, and Ferland via the symbolism of the (unstained) white dress. Drawing on the work of C. M. Webster, which unveils how Christian practices exiled Afro-Caribbean women from human and feminine value systems, I draw attention to how these women counter such disvaluing with bodily practices that promoted, (re)valued, and affirmed their body-selves, especially in sacred spaces. Webster’s research, in conversation with these poets, illustrates the need for a reframing and revaluing of the Afro-Caribbean female body in sacred spaces such that white dresses no longer function to oppress and devalue
Doing Church Differently: Crafting a Church Using the Circle’s Theologizing Methodologies in a Xenophobic and Gendered Context
Get PDFThe Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians, alternatively known as the Circle, are a group known for their circle of knowledge sharing, whereby they sit together and share stories with participants actively listening and engaging with what is offered. The Circle is also known as a young forum for theological dialogue and mentorship. Launched in 1989 under the leadership of Mercy Amba Oduyoye, the concept of the Circle has been prominent in African women’s (practical) theologies. However, it has yet to be explicitly applied to xenophobic contexts. Using the stories of selected African migrant women congregants at St. Aidan Anglican Church (SAAC), this article argues that employing the Circle’s methodologies of theologizing offers an alternative way of creating a relevant church in a xenophobic and gendered context. This argument is premised on three sub-arguments: First, employing such methodologies requires voicing migrant women’s experiences of gender-based marginalization and violence to inform the church’s support to victims. Second, their experiences of inclusion in the church would shape how cultural diversity is handled. Third, migrant women’s “individualized” experiences of God would inform the church’s communal approach to living together and promote sisterhood among migrant women and between migrant and host community women. This article focuses on the sensory aspects of the Eucharist including the sharing of food, smells/incense, and narratives to explore and examine the experiences of African women migrating within Africa. It also examines the potential of the Circle in nurturing a more vibrant and inclusive church
The Spiralling of Corporate Corruption and the Plummeting of Corporate Governance and Ethical Leadership in African Institutions
Get PDFGenerally, several factors around the corporate world influence different nations technologically, socially, economically, and politically. Specifically, this paper focuses on the African continent’s politics concerning corporate corruption, corporate governance, and ethical leadership. This study aims to critically reflect on and evaluate the significance of curbing and combating corruption, promoting governance and ethics in Africa, and furthering and practising those principles. It employed a theoretical, qualitative content analysis approach in which a critical evaluation of relevant in-depth literature review was used and conducted to achieve the study objective. The results of this study revealed that: Incompetent and unethical leaders succumb to corruption, causing Africa\u27s corruption to spiral out of control. Competent and ethical leaders, on the other hand, resist corruption; African leaders and authorities should take steps to fight corruption through ethics and governance; African corporations have become increasingly corrupt; corporate governance and ethical leadership have declined in Africa; African politicians have uncurbed power to advance their private gains, and finally, African leaders need to change their mindsets and cultures to achieve economic growth. This study emphasizes and reiterates the importance of dealing effectively with corporate corruption and advancing governance and ethics to benefit the African population and the continent. It further provides a broad and deeper understanding of corruption, ethics, and governance. The conceptual, strategic model provided by this study may be selected and used by African leaders, authorities, boards of directors, shareholders, and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), as a tool to address corruption in African organizations and institutions.
 
The Influence of Artificial Intelligence on the Strategic Communication Industry
Get PDFArtificial intelligence (AI) and the continuous advancements in technology have changed how individuals live and how organisations function. The move to automation questions the need for and value of manual labour, particularly in the field of strategic communication. It has raised concerns about the future of jobs in the communication field and the role of humans in these advancements. The principles of the theory of disruptive innovation are applicable to the study. This study aims to explore the role of AI in the strategic communication industry. Semi-structured interviews with communication professionals in the South African strategic communication industry were conducted to explore their knowledge of AI and its role in the industry. Participants indicated a basic knowledge of the role of AI in the industry, agreeing that AI offers the benefits of convenience and efficiency. However, human input should remain valuable and training in AI technologies should be prioritised. This study contributes to the limited research on the role of AI in the strategic communication industry in South Africa
The Life and Contribution of Reverend Doctor Obed Ndeya Obadiah Kealotswe
Get PDFThe article presents the life, accomplishments and contributions of Dr Obed Ndeya Obadiah Kealotswe to the community, profession, governance, teaching and learning as well as to research and publication. Dr Kealotswe’s contribution and accomplishment in various spheres of life are outstanding.
Editorial and Reflections on the Conference for SAJAT: Objectives of the Training Art Therapists for Social Justice Conference
No full textOne of the key aspects of arts for social justice is the central recognition of its collaborative nature that foregrounds interconnectedness and empathy. The forum of a conference in the early stages of the development of the Art Therapy qualification at the University of Johannesburg enabled both evaluation and reflection by situating student participants as dynamic partners. We engaged the first cohort of Art therapy Masters students to collaborate in designing the conference and website for the field to share and exchange their practice with leaders in global change initiatives. The conference theme focused on training and practice of art therapy in social justice in the Global South and the key note address by Dr Lireko Qhobela cautions us to be intentional about attending to the historical wounds. Panel presentations included Art therapy in the Global South: Now and next (Moon et al), Research as Storytelling (Potash and Kapitan), Using the arts to work with refugees and displaced persons in times of crisis and war (Speizers et al) as well Art therapy and social activism in community-based projects (Myburgh et al). A social dreaming workshop was a practical visualisation that included approximately 70 participants entitled Deep diving towards a vison for social justice: a visual dream matrix, (H Berman and N Pule). The Art Therapy Masters students published their research projects in the newly established Journal of Arts Therapies (SAJAT) which was launched as highlight to conclude the conference. They participated in critical evaluation through the peer review process and were encouraged to invite and engage with a range of leaders in the field. The students were asked to critically reflect on how they understood their own agency in the field of transformative art therapy practice and social justice using group and individual art practice and writing. Their comments and experiences can be integrated and shared with future cohorts in enriching the field as situated and textured to a local context
“Itai Amen Satani Abhoikane”: Killjoy Feminism In The Church
Get PDFOn a typical Sunday afternoon, while roaming around the streets of TikTok, a social media application, my eyes landed on a video in which a female preacher was dancing vigorously on the pulpit. The comment section was abuzz with both words of admiration and notes of displeasure. It was clear in that moment that her theological pedagogy was unsettling for most. Yet, I found it intriguing. It is also on TikTok that I encountered the tagline, “itai amen satani abhoekane” [say amen and make satan bored]. I was sold on her disruptive use of language, the singing of secular music in church, and dancing with abandon on the pulpit. Her name is Chaplain Christabel Phiri, a woman who in my view is reshaping theological discourse in Zimbabwe. Beyond that, she redefines what it means to be Christian and troubles the dichotomy that exists around Christianity and feminisms. Drawing on Chaplain Christine Phiri as my case study, I reveal, in this paper, the possibilities of feminist praxis within the church space. I offer an analysis of five of her sermons, referred to here as theological performances, as well as other performance elements such as costume, gestures, conduct, and props, including language.
Building resilience: quantity surveyors in the face of future pandemics
Get PDFThis paper investigates the transformative impact of the global pandemic in the field of quantity surveying, specifically focusing on the challenges encountered by quantity surveyors and the resultant modifications in their professional activities. The study aims to equip quantity surveyors with valuable insights, fostering resilience to enable them to adapt and thrive amidst adversities. Employing a qualitative research approach, this study utilises interviews to delve into the challenges faced by quantity surveyors and identifies the essential traits necessary for future resilience. Six experienced quantity surveyors were purposively selected for in-depth interviews, and the collected data were subjected to thematic analysis to uncover prevailing trends and themes. The study reveals a spectrum of direct and indirect effects induced by the pandemic within the quantity surveying profession. Noteworthy impacts include alterations in work dynamics, modifications in site evaluations, increased instances of cost overruns, shifts in contract interpretation, and changes in the preparation of monthly payment certificates. As uncovered by the findings, resilience is not synonymous with avoiding challenges; instead, it involves the ability to adapt, learn, and grow stronger through adversity. Adopting resilient practices and mindset is crucial for quantity surveyors to navigate uncertainties and challenges effectively. This research not only enhances the resilience of quantity surveying as a profession but also imparts valuable lessons for mitigating the impact of future pandemics. By understanding the challenges and adaptations brought about by the pandemic, quantity surveyors can proactively shape their practices, ensuring a robust and resilient future for the profession
Whither Individuality? A Re-reading of Segun Ogungbemi’s Scholarship on Individuality-Community Debate in African Philosophy
Get PDFHuman nature in Africa, especially among the Yoruba, is a subject of contention in contemporary age. It is, however, important to mention that existing literature abound that suggests the Yoruba as a communalistic society. Thus, the is perceived as a corporateentity where communal living is placed above individual existence. Against this background, Segun Ogungbemi contends in his article “An Existential Study of Individuality in Yoruba Culture” that this age-long belief about Africans being communalistic in nature seems to have reduced the possibility of individuality in Africa because it is western-directed. Using the analytical method of philosophy, this study attempts a further interrogation of Segun Ogungbemi’s perspective on the place of individuality in understanding human nature within the Yoruba cultural context. This is because, the challenge of this possibility has opened a new vista in the narrative of scholars of African studies. The idea of holistic communal nature of the Africa and Africans has been redirected such that we now have two camps on the belief system, namely radical and moderate communalism. In spite of the dichotomy and the contention of these two camps, each of them still recognises the place of community or sense of collectivity in Africa. While the radical school of thought places the community far above the individuals, the moderate school of thought is of the view that the individual makes up the society/community. Therefore, the claim is we are because I am, and since I am, therefore we are. This is against Mbiti’s view that “I am, because we are; and since we are, therefore I am.” While the latter represents the view of the radical camp, the formeris a representation of the moderate camp. It is the contention of this discourse that Ogungbemi’s postulation tends towards radicalising the individuality far above the communal nature of the essence of the individual in Africa society. Hence, a re-reading of his argument within the prism of the moderate communalism in which Ogungbemi’s contention is considered western-centric