31 research outputs found
Lifelong Learning in the Age of Data: Opportunities and Policy Impact
No full textThis article entitled "Lifelong Learning in the Age of Data: Opportunities and Policy Impact", Author, Mpho M. Dichaba, published in Volume 9, Issue 1, pp 64-70 retracted by the publisher due to containing THE data without authorisation for use
Livestock identification and tracking system for controlling livestock theft: case study of South Africa.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.This thesis explores livestock theft problem within the South Africa context, focusing on cattle, sheep, and goats, and evaluates the potential of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) to address this critical problem. Conventional identification and tracking methods are currently ineffective, prompting the need for ICT based solutions. Despite calls for ICT intervention, no comprehensive conceptual model exists for South Africa. This study aims to fill this gap by proposing an ICT-based national livestock identification and tracking system to control livestock theft in South Africa. Utilizing Actor-Network Theory and a qualitative approach, the research includes interviews and questionnaires with stakeholders such as farmers, police, and stock theft forums. The study also integrates secondary data and literature, supported by a Scoping Review, snowball strategy, PRISMA method, and CASP framework. Data analysis employed thematic and content analysis techniques. Findings reveal that livestock theft networks are well-organized, highlighting the need of a unified national ICT based solution to combat livestock theft. The study identifies several potential ICT tools such as mobile phones, biometric technology, radio and TV broadcasting, camera traps, cloud computing, and drones as viable solutions. The proposed conceptual model of a national livestock identification and tracking system features two modules: retinal pattern-based biometric identification and three tracking methods. A Design Science Research Methodology (DSRM) framework was used to present the conceptual model for the proposed system. Recommendations emphasize the need for collaboration among stakeholders, including the Department of Agriculture, South African Police Service, and State Information Technology Agency. Limitations include a focus on the top ten livestock theft-hotspots and reliance on secondary data, with suggestions for future research to involve direct data collection from additional informants and explore how perpetrators use ICTs. The study contributes empirical insights and presents a practical model for controlling livestock theft through ICTs, along with a business case for its implementation. Future research should address the political implications and technical details of the ICT solution, as the current study does not cover the implementation process
The Spicy Anthology
No full textThis collection is selected amongst a body of work by Mpho Buntse who deems this work as having been written or published ahead of its time. This informative supplementary seeks to take the reader through a journey of how a pen and paper helped the author echo the many struggles he advocates for, but also takes him on his own journey of reflecting on the status quo for his platforms: Human rights protection, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer/Questioning (LGBTIQ) political representation and visibility, advocacy, and communication for social change
South African research on livestock theft: a systematic review
No full textLivestock theft is a critical issue in South Africa. The existing research on livestock theft in South Africa remains fragmented and lacks a comprehensive synthesis. This study is a systematic review, and aims to fill this gap by compiling, analysing and synthesizing the existing research on livestock theft in South Africa. The study addresses four key research questions: (1) Theories and models applied to livestock theft research; (2) Methods used in studying livestock theft; (3) Primary dimensions influencing livestock theft; and (4) Gaps in the literature and future research directions. Findings reveal a range of theoretical perspectives applied to the study of livestock theft, including criminological theories like Routine Activity Theory, Crime Pattern Theory, and Rational Choice Theory. These theories offer frameworks for understanding various aspects of livestock theft, such as motives, patterns, and prevention strategies. Methodological diversity is evident, with interviews being the most common approach, alongside literature reviews, secondary data analysis, and focus groups. Gaps in the literature suggest areas for future research, including the integration of theoretical frameworks, adoption of mixed-methods, Design Science Research Methodology (DSRM), and enhanced triangulation of data. There is a call for practical use case studies demonstrating successful implementation of prevention strategies and technologies. Furthermore, understanding the roles of various structures and institutions, including community forums and traditional leaders is crucial for developing effective interventions. In conclusion, the research contributes by consolidating fragmented knowledge on livestock theft and identifying areas for further investigations
Township Politics: Civic Struggles for a New South Africa
No full textThis book review explores "Township Politics: Civic Struggle for a New South Africa," offering a comprehensive assessment of its content and significance. Delving into the intricate dynamics of grassroots movements during the post-apartheid era, the review highlights the author\u27s adept storytelling and sociopolitical analysis. By humanizing the historical narrative through the voices of ordinary citizens and community leaders, the book succeeds in providing a nuanced understanding of the challenges and triumphs inherent in civic engagement within South African townships. The critique acknowledges the strength of the book\u27s dual approach, combining historical documentation with insightful analysis, while also considering the potential challenge posed by its level of detail. Overall, the review positions "Township Politics" as a compelling and essential read for those seeking a profound exploration of post-apartheid South Africa and the transformative power of grassroots activism
Autoethnography and cognitive adaptation: two powerful buffers against the negative consequences of workplace bullying and academic mobbing
No full textWork is undoubtedly fundamental to human life, social development and the economic development of individuals, organizations and nations. However, the experience of working is not always pleasant as there are many instances where relationships between workers could deteriorate, leading to practices and behaviours that could be characterized as workplace bullying and/or mobbing. The current study is an exploratory study which used autoethnography to investigate experiences of academic bullying and mobbing, and relates the practices to power structures in academic institutions. Specifically, the author shares personal experiences and explores the physical and emotional pain of being bullied and mobbed. The author also outlines how both autoethnography and meaning in life strategies were used to cope with the physical and emotional distresses associated with the negative experiences. By outlining the success of the meaning in life strategies, the author hopes to inspire other “victims” to move from victims to being survivors of bullying and mobbing
At Language\u27s Edge
No full textPanel: At Language\u27s Edge. The author discusses what it means to translate, and to have their work translated into other languages
A comparative analysis of the doctrine of originality in the copyright law of South Africa and the United States of America
No full textAbstract: Copyright law concerns itself with the protection of expressions of ideas. This includes literary and artistic works, which refer to books, lectures, dramatic works, musical compositions, drawings, photographic works, and illustrations, among other examples. Copyright law is not concerned with protecting ideas themselves, but with protecting the manifestations of those ideas. Copyright affords the author, or owner of the work, economic and moral rights. Economic rights ensure that the author or owner has the ability to derive financial rewards from the work, while moral rights offer the author or owner the ability to preserve and protect their connection to the work.1 According to the Berne Convention2 (“the Convention”) for a work to subsist in copyright, the work needs to be original and must be in a material form3 . The Convention, however, does not define or outline the criteria for “originality”. The Convention is an international copyright agreement first signed in 1886 in Switzerland. It mandates equal treatment of copyrighted work by signatory countries (signatories) of the Convention, known as the Berne Union. It requires signatory-member countries to recognise copyrighted literary or artistic works as they recognise their national copyrights. The signatories of the Convention have been consistent in applying the requirement that a work must be in a material form for it to gain copyright protection. However, because of the lack of guidance and predetermined criteria regarding what is deemed as original, there is no consistency or uniformity in the approach used to determine what is original. The characteristic of originality is a vital component for copyright to subsist in a work. In this dissertation, the researcher will inquire into American (United States of America) and South African courts, and how they have decided on matters dealing with originality. This dissertation will examine the standards that each...LL.M. (Intellectual Property Law
"Mzabalazo on the Move" : organising Workers on a Commuter Train in Tshwane -An Ethnographic Study of Mamelodi Train Sector
No full textThesis (DPhil)--University of Pretoria, 2018.In this thesis, I examine the centrality of travel geographies – with a specific focus on
urban commuter railway lines between Mamelodi and central Tshwane – and their
influence upon political identities of South African workers. By adopting a historical
approach to our understanding of the South African working class, the thesis brings
into sharper focus the relationship between the social dynamics of apartheid and how
workers perceived the concept of a train. These have permeated into the new era with
the formation of the Mamelodi Train Sector (MTS), as an organisation dedicated to
organising workers on the trains since 2001. The emergence of MTS in the era of the
neoliberal labour regime and its associated assault upon labour movements present
opportunities for labour revival strategies. Drawing on the data collected, I show that
the train can be used as a strategic site of mobilising, particularly for those workers
without workplace representation. By portraying the train as a site of worker power
and political consciousness, I accord primacy to the train as a space of potential union
revival. This is informed by educational sessions on labour rights and labour law that
take place on the train en-route to and from work. Because during these educational
sessions; workers ask workplace or problem specific questions, I suggest, such
questions are informed by the need to seek out useful information that can be utilised
to address specific workplace problems.
The theme ‘labour movement revival’ has gained global traction as labour scholars
from both the north and south grapple with the aftermath of globalisation on organised
labour. This has seen an increase in poverty, unemployment and inequalities in
countries such as South Africa. Labour revitalisation theme came about because, as
Beverly Silver correctly observes:
During the last two decades of the twentieth century, there was an
almost complete consensus in the social sciences literature that
labo[u]r movements were in a general and severe crisis. Declining
strike activity and other overt expressions of labo[u]r militancy, failing
union density and shrinking real wages and job insecurity were among
the trends documented (Silver, 2003: 1).
Reacting to the reality as described by Silver (2003), labour scholars, activists and
likeminded individuals set about to rescue the once militant labour movement from its
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perpetual decline. Drawing on case studies from various countries, author after author
sought to offer new ways in which the erstwhile flourishing trade unionism can be
restored to its former glory. This ethnographic study hopes to make a contribution to
this growing body of knowledge. By exploring the activities of the Mamelodi Train
Sector (MTS), the study attempts to show that the train can become a strategic locus
of worker social power.
By historicising the role of the train, it is possible to trace various phases of the ‘making
of the South Africa working class’ starting in 1652 (colonialism era). This was followed
by the period of mineral discovery, segregation and lastly, apartheid. These historical
epochs were characterised by an oppressive and racist capitalist industrialisation
process, which sough, as a point of departure to turn into cheap migrants the
indigenous populations of South Africa. This saw the advent of an elaborate
proletarianisation process backed up a battery of oppressive legislative measures.
Due to these conditions, a particular kind of trade unionism – social movement
unionism (SMU) – emerged in this context as response to the abuse, exploitation and
lack of industrial citizenship of the African majority both as workers and citizens of this
country. As an expression of black anger, SMU was primarily concerned with
liberating South African from the abuses of both the apartheid state and the racist
capitalist system operational in South Africa at the time. This saw black Africans being
accorded labour rights for the first time in 1979 and finally achieving democratic
majority rule in 1994. A social partnership was put in place with the militant labour
movement under COSATU entering into an alliance with the ruling ANC and SACP.
Post-1994, the SMU of the 80s faced new challenges with the advent of the neoliberal
labour regime as the ANC government adopted market friendly macro-economic
policies. The corollary presented the weakening of the labour movements as capital
put in place measure to counter labours organisational power.
This led to a crisis of representation as South Africa’s largely industrial unionism
struggled under the new work paradigm. Under the new work conditions,
casualisation, externalisation and outsourcing were adopted by capital with a view to
weaken labour’s traditional forms of power – associational and structural power. It is
this shifting terrain that required innovative ways to theorise and understand labour’s
attempts to ameliorate the juggernaut that became neoliberalism. Fracturing the
workplace as traditionally understood severely raptured worker solidarities. It is within
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this context that this thesis seeks to understand MTS and its locus of operation – the
train. The data collected shows that MTS plays a critical role in filling some of the gaps
left by the weakened SMU. By organising on the train, MTS provides a space of
articulation for the vulnerable sections of the workforce – those without workplace
representation. Drawing from the power resource approach (PRA), the thesis makes
a case for a need to expand our understading of workers’ assciational power. The
case of MTS demonstrate that workers’ associational power need not be limited to the
workplace.
Based on this, the thesis suggests that at the conceptual level, the train, due to its
strategic importance to workers’ daily travel, can substitute the meaning laden
workplace. Drawing on Havery’s concept of spatial fix, the findings demonstrate that
just like capital, labour is also capable of fixes. These are demonstrated by MTS’s
ablity to: (a) provide workers with a space for friendships and political influence, (b)
provide workers with a space of solidarity and belonging and, (c) act as a knowledge
hub. Herod argues that, much like capital, workers also have vested interests in how
the geographies of production are produced and configured. Therefore, workers can
arguably draw strength from this coach and radiate such strength outwards in order to
challenge capital’s spatial fixes. This, Anderson (2015) refers to as a resonant place.
Observations clearly show that workers actively seek out information that can be
useful in their lives. This is a form of agency that can be located at the level of the
individual – scaled at the body. This form of agency, however, needs to be understood
in its context – what Soja refers to as socio-spatial dialctic.National Institute for the Humanities and Social SciencesSociologyDPhilUnrestricte
