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A landscape view of emerging sustainability responses within VET
Get PDFWith evidence of global climate change and ongoing ecological degradation, there is an urgent need to give more attention to sustainability within VET to ensure that VET does not remain complicit in reproducing the unjust and unsustainable trajectories of current economic and development pathways. At present, the VET literature does not adequately address these issues, hence the need for this special issue. In response, this paper offers a meta-reflective ‘landscape view’ of the sustainability within the VET ‘field of knowledge’ as it is emerging. Here, we use landscape review as a multi-dimensional, ‘outside-in’ view that provides a basis for understanding the broad context and helps to inform actionable next steps. This analysis we believe helps to highlight the key emerging priorities as well as what paths VET is taking on the journey to sustainability. The analysis shows that while some progress has been made in policy and practice related to the ‘greening’ of VET, much of the current response within VET to the environmental challenge reflects a minimalist reformist approach, characterised by ‘bolt-ons’ to existing institutional structures and curricula whilst leaving the fundamental beliefs in productivism, industrialisation and growth in place. Yet, as argued by researchers working on green economy, these beliefs are often complicit in co-creation of the environmental crisis
South Africa-Africa trade: Continental Free Trade Area
Get PDFSouth Africa-Africa trade was examined for 2001-2021 and results show that Africa is an important market for South Africa's manufactured products and there is ease of market access for these products; its trade with Africa is highly complementary; and it has strong trade linkages with Africa's regional groups. Current South Africa-Africa trade is a foundation South Africa could utilise to consolidate, broaden and strengthen its role in intra-Africa trade with the AfCFTA in place as more complementary trade opportunities emerge; markets open more and current trade linkages with regional groups strengthen as trade barriers are reduced further; and regional value chains and production clusters initiatives emerge as market access improves with new and dynamic comparative advantages emerging
Social Protection, the COVID-19 Crisis, and the Informal Economy: Lessons from Relief for Comprehensive Social Protection
No full textOne of the overarching lessons from the COVID-19 crisis has been the need for universal social protection; social protection which covers everyone, including the so-called ‘missing majority’ of workers in the informal economy. What was clear from the hard lockdowns of 2020 wasthat the lack of adequate social protection coverage exacerbated the economic fallout of the crisis, with many informal workers—over 60 per cent of those sampled in the first round of Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing’s (WIEGO’s) COVID-19 and the Informal Economy Impact Study—unable to access even the most basic relief measures extended by governments whilst earning little to no income
Stakeholder contestations of water quality use and management in the Vaal Barrage catchment
Get PDFThe water resources within the lower section of the Upper Vaal catchment, where the Vaal Barrage is situated, are highly utilised and developed, and water quality regulation has become a contested space between resource users and the regulators. The credibility and scientific defensibility of discharge standards in water-use licences (WULs), the relationship between upstream and downstream waste loads, the relationship between flows and water quality standards in WUL, and the water quality components of the resource quality objectives (RQOs) are being contested. This study explores the perceptions and motivations underlying these contestations as a contribution to scientific understanding of water quality management in a highly developed system. Perceived unrealistic RQOs, perceived lack of scientific credibility of the methods for deriving water quality standards in WUL, data inadequacy, as well as poor institutional capacity were identified as the top motivations for contesting applicable regulatory instruments in the catchment. Punitive measures, incentives, and education and awareness-raising were identified as key to accelerating compliance. Overall, this paper contributes to our general understanding of the intricacies of water quality management within a contested space
What have we been thinking about? Higher education as a knowledge field in the SAJS
Get PDFThis article reviews work published in the South African Journal of Science (SAJS) over the past 10 years. The aim is to explore the interests of contributors who mostly are not experts in higher education but whose disciplinary backgrounds and experiences of universities lead them to research, think and write about higher education. The article begins with an outline of changes in higher education globally and in South Africa before moving on to a review of work published by the SAJS, identified as the result of a content analysis
Navigating the ‘Anthropocene’: Trends and opportunities in modern organismal biology
Get PDFIn this Perspective, we reflect on the rich history of organismal biology in South Africa, particularly focusing on the manuscripts submitted to the South African Journal of Science (SAJS). Some of our discussions highlight the evolution of organismal research in South Africa and its significance within the South African scientific community. A key contribution of this piece is its exploration of submission trends in SAJS and the identification of pressing research needs for the Journal. We also emphasise areas that warrant further investigation that could enhance the field of organismal biology
Indigenous knowledge systems and science education
Get PDFThe inclusion of indigenous knowledge into the curricula of natural science courses remains contentious. In this paper I use critical realism to show the relationship between these two forms of knowledge. An engagement with both knowledge structures could afford better pedagogy and assessment. In addition, the engagement with indigenous knowledge allows for the development of 'knower awareness' in the practice of science. Meaningful engagement with indigenous knowledge could therefore enhance science education, whilst making visible the socio-cultural relevance to students
Engaged sustainability science and place-based transgressive learning in higher education
Get PDFThis article is located within current debates on engaged science and learning in higher education, with emphasis on types of learning emerging from engaged sustainability science, and associated contributions to debates on decoloniality in higher education. In par ticular, the ar ticle deliberates how a focus on sustainability science practised as place-based transgressive learning can add to debates on decoloniality in higher education. Through analysis of two case studies, we propose that co-engaged place-based research and learning emerges as a form of multi-loop, transgressive learning that offers possibilities for advancing understanding of decolonising learning processes, at least in those par ts of the higher education system where the learning and sustainability sciences meet. This is offered as an approach to deepen science engagement in contemporary African contexts
Macro-locational determinants of Chinese foreign direct investment in Cameroon
No full textMacro-locational determinants of foreign direct investment (FDI) constitute a country’s comparative advantage in attracting FDI. Although literature identifies potential determinants of Chinese FDI, empirical studies reveal significant variation across countries, necessitating investigation of specific macro-locational factors in each context. Despite its abundant resources and reliance on FDI for development, Cameroon has experienced slow FDI growth. Efforts to enhance trade and investment relations between Cameroon and China make an understanding of Chinese FDI drivers crucial for policymakers. This study aims to ascertain the significance of macro-locational determinants in attracting Chinese FDI to Cameroon
The mediating role of generational difference on the relationship between psychological capital, psychological empowerment, organisational support and the wellbeing of South African National Defence Force members
Get PDFThere is a growing concern in understanding the contribution of generational difference (as a mediating variable) and factors that increase soldiers' well-being. This study aimed to determine the relationship between Psychological Capital, Psychological Empowerment and Organisational Support, and well-being. Additionally, it proposes the generational differences as a potential mediating factor among these variables. The study was guided by a positivist philosophy and quantitative research method was employed. The sample for this research consisted of 777 members from both Internal deployed within borders of Free state and those going for external deployment at De-Brug. The results show most respondents were male (78.3%) and 21.7% female. Most respondents were categorised as Gen Y (between 1981 - 1996, 67.0%), followed by Gen X (1965 - 1980, 24.8%) and Gen Z (1997 - 2012, 8.2%). Most respondents were in the SA Army, followed by SAAF and SAMHS and the SA Navy. Spearman’s Correlation and ANOVA analyses were conducted to test the relationship between the variables. The results revealed significant relationships between the variables included in the empirical model. However, Well-being does not have a statistically significant correlation with the mediation variable, generation cohort. Similarly, generation cohorts (X, Y, Z) do not significantly correlate with the predictor variables, Perceived Organisational Support, Psychological Empowerment. However, there is a statistically significant small negative correlation between generation cohort (Age) and Psychological Capital. The multiple regression analysis exhibited a significant overall model fit, indicating that 30% of the variance in employee well-being was accounted for by the predictors. Thus, this research implicates that the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) would benefit from developing a culture and adopting policies as well as programmes that prioritises psychological well-being above physical prowess. For this reason, the present study is regarded as offering a potentially valuable contribution to the existing body of research in the positive psychology and reveals practical implications and applications within the military context. The study recommends that combat readiness requires prioritising mental health above physical strength. Policymakers should consider psychological factors like psychological capital and psychological 6 empowerment. Training programmes should include Psychological Capital and cognitive resilience. There should also be further research on positive psychology and troops' well-being. These factors can help improve peacekeeping and combat force readiness. Understanding generational variations' mediating effect can inform resilience and training programmes. Military organisations should cultivate confident, capable, and educated leaders to improve military proficiency.Thesis (PhD) -- Humanities, Psychology, 202