African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies
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Dreams as a Diagnostic and Treatment Tool in Mental Health Care Practice by Traditional Healthcare Practitioners: An Afrocentric Perspective
Get PDFIn sub-Saharan Africa dreams are often used to forecast future events and believed to be a conduit between the natural and supernatural dimensions of the social world. However, the role of dreams in the area of traditional healthcare practice in an African setting is mostly under-researched. This article presents an embryonic conceptual model of dreams within the diagnostic and treatment process in mental healthcare practice from an Afrocentric perspective. Evidence from semi-structured interviews with traditional healthcare practitioners (THPs) were analysed using a qualitative cultural lens is provided which reveals the role of dreams within traditional diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. Specifically, THPs often rely on God and their ancestors to convey messages to the practitioner which, in turn, influence the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. The mediating factor for the use of dreams by THPs in the diagnostic and treatment process is conceptualized as a form of symbolic interpretation. These findings are relevant within the sub-Saharan African context because as many as 80% of Africans consult with THPs and so an indigenous mental healthcare diagnostic and treatment model may serve to complement the current armamentarium of treatment regimens
Discarded to Art-Maximised: Mitigating Dangers of Environmental Degradation
Get PDFThe danger of the illicit disposal of automotive oil filter waste to the environment, as is the case with most countries in Africa, is of utmost concern. This waste product, among other things, makes the land barren and the practice of disposing of this waste poorly is on the rise. Multiple efforts towards the management of said waste has been made, however, it needs to be directed to turn oil filter waste alternative means of artistic expression in form of upcycling. This article contributes to the mitigation strategies focused on decreasing environmental pollution through the upcycling of old automotive-based engine oil filters by transforming it into something of artistic relevance to the society. A studio-based approach of artistic research has been adopted for this article. This involved placing dedicated containers at mechanic’s workshops for the proper collection of the materials for studio use, banking on the physical appearance of the waste material, in terms of morphology and texture, to be able to be used in the installation of the artwork. Analyses in terms of physical appearance and meaning were carried out. By implication, the oil filter artwork in this study is a critique of humans’ attitude towards the illicit disposal of waste and government’s irresponsibility towards the environment
Considering Ethical Issues Affecting Patients’ Records Stored on the Cloud in South Africa
Get PDFThe study sought to investigate the ethical implications of patients’ medical and health records being stored on the cloud in South Africa. A literature review was conducted in this qualitative study to examine ethical implications of patients’ medical and health records being stored on the cloud in South Africa. It was found that healthcare facilities use private cloud storage, hosted by a third party, across national borders without consideration of any ethical matters. In most instances, healthcare facilities do not request consent from patients before their records are transferred to the cloud in the hands of a third party. A framework is proposed for consideration of ethical issues regarding patients’ records that may be stored on the cloud in South Africa. It is envisaged that the framework would minimise violation of ethics principles while avoiding possible litigations to health service providers or information getting misused in the hands of the third party. There are a number of ethical issues surrounding patients’ information or records produced during healthcare services rendered to patients and kept in healthcare facilities which need to be considered before seeking service for information keeping from any third party. For different reasons, including insufficient filing space and difficulty in retrieving patients’ records during healthcare services, most healthcare facilities apply the latest technologies such as cloud computing to which the decision eventually affect patients’ personal information. Patients’ information kept on the cloud contain personal information that may eventually affect patients’ personal life. One of the issues to be addressed by the study is obtaining patient consent before disclosing their personal information to a third party
Enduring Abuse in Matrimony: An In-Depth Analysis of Women's Experiences in Underprivileged Communities of Mankweng in Limpopo Province
Get PDFDomestic violence is a pervasive global problem that affects individuals, particularly women, regardless of their status, class, or ethnicity. It is especially prevalent in marginalised communities across the African continent, where the abuse poses severe physical and mental health risks for survivors. This research examines the widespread problem of enduring domestic violence within the institution of marriage, with a specific focus on the experiences of women living in the marginalised communities of Mankweng, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Utilising a qualitative research design, the study conducted in-depth interviews with women who experienced various forms of abuse in their matrimonial homes. Through thematic analysis, the researchers uncovered these women’s complex narratives, shedding light on their encounters with different types of abuse, the coping strategies they employ, and the challenges they face when seeking intervention. The findings highlight the urgent need for community-based support systems, legal reforms, and awareness campaigns to empower women and safeguard their rights within marriage. The insights gained from this research are intended to catalyse change, and your role as academics, policymakers, and advocates is crucial in the development of strategies that can help women in underprivileged communities break free from the cycle of enduring abuse in matrimonial homes
Editorial: Business and Information Management Realities in a World of Global Disruption and 4IR
Get PDFIn today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving digital landscape, the crossroad of business management and information technology have become more critical than ever. This Special Issue of the African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies (AJIMS) features research papers presented at the 1st Biennial Interdisciplinary Conference of Business and Information Management contributing to the strategic fusion of traditional business principles with cutting-edge information management processes, systems and technologies, creating unprecedented opportunities for organisational transformation, opportunities presented by entrepreneurial ventures while creating a competitive edge, as well as dynamics presented to Higher Education globally. Under the theme Business and Information Management in Realities in a World of Global Disruption and 4IR” the selected articles examine the green Information Communications Technology amongst the South African SMEs; digitised workspaces post Covid-19 pandemic and risks associated with organisational digitalisation in the 4IR. The theme also cast a lens on both social and organisational implications within the business by examining leadership styles and job satisfaction in the public sector, while high impact practices responding to global disruption glances into the realm of Higher Education entrepreneurship initiatives aligning to the curriculum, and the adoption of project-based learning as well as learning management systems in the South African context
Communication through Shifting Lingua Franca: Surveying Followers' Perceptions of Influencers' Code-Switching in Social Media
Get PDFThe explosive growth of social media-enabled sharing and engagement has resulted in the emergence of content providers known as social media influencers (SMIs) who use different languages during engagements. This study investigated why SMIs feel the need to switch between languages and how their followers respond to this underreported and interesting phenomenon. The study explored social media followers’ perceptions of influencers’ code-switching behaviour (n=163). It used SPSS version 28 to conduct descriptive data analysis and to calculate the mean and standard deviation to gain insight into respondents’ perceptions. The findings revealed that a significant proportion of the participants reported that the influencers whom they followed frequently employed code-switching during conversations. While English is assumed to be the de facto lingua franca of social media, the findings of this study contribute to the communication field by suggesting that influencers code-switch when conversing in English for many reasons. The results of this study provide insights into how influencers' code-switching is perceived by their followers during social media interactions. Factor analysis was performed, and it revealed that the underlying followers’ perceptions of social media influencers who code switch are related to lexical clarity, lexical deficiencies, and language meaning. This study also revealed that the most dominant perception was lexical clarity. Individuals or organisations interested in engaging influencers may find these results useful, particularly marketers who frequently use influencers for advertising purposes, as they can provide insight into influencer behaviour. Furthermore, social media influencers interested in knowing how followers perceive them when they code-switch may find these results useful
Submission in the Context of Gender Equality: An Obstacle to Curbing Violence against Women in Intimate Relationships
Get PDFDespite the South African Bill of Rights, which envisages equality and protection of women against violence, discrimination and harmful practices, women in South Africa still experience a violation of their rights. Most women in intimate relationships are deprived of the right to equality with their male counterparts by virtue of their gender and the subordinate positions ascribed to them by, among others, tradition, religion, and socialisation. A critical analysis of women’s subordinate positions confirms that there is an impediment in the pursuit of gender equality and transformation. This article critically analyses how these subordinate positions hinder gender equality and frustrates the transformation agenda somewhat. The article highlights the consequences of women’s subordination in intimate relationships and suggests practical and ideological interventions to address the gender imbalances that perpetuate the oppression of women in South Africa
Critical Factors for Growth and Sustainability of Small and Medium Enterprises: A Systematic Literature Review and Propositions for a Successful Transition into Large Corporate Organizations
Get PDFIn today’s contemporary business environment, small, and medium, enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role in driving a country’s economic growth. However, despite their undeniable significance, SMEs often struggle to evolve into large corporate organisations (LCOs) in Africa. The factors and requirements involved in this transition have been a subject of much debate and contention within the research community. This analysis aims to understand factors influencing SMEs' transition into sustainable LCOs, contributing to achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs), the Africa Agenda 2063, and fostering sustainable growth. The study adopts a systematic literature review (SLR) approach. A comprehensive assessment of 647 scholarly scientific research articles published from 2012 to 2022 was conducted, followed by a meticulous statistical analysis of 108 selected studies. The RStudio application, an integrated development environment (IDE) programming tool was used for the analysis of the graphical representation. The findings of this study revealed that leadership, business models, and human capital were crucial factors in SMEs evolving into LCOs. This research endeavoured to bridge the gap in understanding the factors driving the growth of SMEs into LCOs, thereby enabling more informed decision-making and policy development aimed at fostering sustainable economic development in Africa and beyond
“I Hear the Cry, but I Do Not See the Tears”: Indirectness in Bribery Negotiations
Get PDFThere is a relationship between crime and language, particularly crimes such as bribery, which are perpetuated through the use of language. These language-based crimes are often articulated indirectly to afford the interlocutor’s denial should such a need arise. This paper aims to comprehend the role played by language in bribery negotiations by exploring the actual utterances used by interlocutors involved in bribery negotiations and the linguistic features portrayed in these utterances. Informed by interview data (obtained from motorists) interpreted through the pragmatic act and speech act theories, the study reveals several indirect utterances such as ‘I hear you cry but I do not see your tears’, ‘Put down,’ ‘Do a drink,’ ‘Ostrich feathers are the ones that can work in this situation,’ ‘make a strong tea…’ which are characterised by declarative and imperative statements, semantic shift and informal expressions. Indirect speech acts play a significant role as a resource used to veil unethical practices from being revealed in the courts of law. Therefore, it is recommended that the expertise of language specialists should be used in the courts of law to interpret language-related crimes such as bribery
Cultivating Student Entrepreneurship through Community Engagement Initiatives: A Comprehensive Review in A South African Context
Get PDFPresent-day high unemployment rates make cultivating student entrepreneurship skills increasingly vital. As the job market landscape evolves towards innovation, creativity, and adaptability, traditional educational systems are being re-evaluated to better prepare students to adapt and thrive in potential career challenges. Community engagement initiatives are one promising avenue for fostering student entrepreneurship, providing students unique opportunities to apply theoretical class-taught content and their skills to real-world settings, contributing significantly to their communities. However, higher learning institutions grapple to properly develop entrepreneurship culture among students and adopt relevant pedagogies, typically depending on traditional teaching approaches, with some ignoring potential benefits of community engagement initiatives in fostering entrepreneurship culture. A comprehensive literature review established the key factors influencing student entrepreneurship efficacy through community engagement initiatives and understand the extent to which these initiatives contribute to cultivating students’ entrepreneurial skills and mindsets. Community engagement initiatives were found to enhance these skills, including creativity, problem-solving, and leadership, while access to resources and a supportive ecosystem influenced student entrepreneurship efficacy. These initiatives transcend individual student development, with far-reaching, positive community impact and improvement of the institution’s image. Further empirical research could devise targeted strategies, incorporating community engagement initiatives to cultivate student entrepreneurship into the university curriculum