28 research outputs found
William Gumede: Towering intellectual figure
No full textWilliam Mervin Gumede is one of South Africa's finest minds. Born on 11 July 1973, he attended Webner Street Primary School, a township school on the Cape Flats, and matriculated from Ravensmead Senior Secondary School in 1988. Gumede's multidimensional roles as academic, activist and advocate of democracy have been in full display for the better part of 30 years. As a student, he was heavily involved in student politics, occupying leadership positions in the student-led anti-apartheid movement. Gumede has obtained qualifications from the
University of Witwatersrand, University of Utrecht, Wolfson College, and the London School of Economics where he obtained his PhD in political studies. He has taken on leadership roles in trade union and civic organisations, including being appointed communications officer for Cosatu in 1995. During the negotiation period between 1990 and 1994, he carried out the essential function of political violence coordinator and occupied a similar position in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). He has variously been an editor, author, lecturer, research fellow and executive director. By publishing several influential books and articles that have initiated conversations on various subjects that continue to engage South Africans, Gumede has contributed significantly to the South African academy and to South African society.
The application of the single economic entity doctrine to combat cartels in South Africa: lessons from Germany
No full textA research report submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Laws by Coursework and Research Report at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023The relationship between holding companies and their subsidiary companies is determined principally by the degree to which holding companies can exercise control over their subsidiary companies. The Companies Act regulates this relationship by assessing the control that holding companies exercise over subsidiary companies. The way these companies conduct their business can attract issues relating to competition which may attract the application of the Competition Act 89 of 1998. The anticompetitive behaviour of subsidiary companies has sparked controversy relating to whether holding companies should be held liable for their conduct. This research report discusses the Single Economic Entity Doctrine which deals with the attribution of liability of the conduct of a subsidiary company to a holding company. In particular, it assesses whether given the control that holding companies exercise over their subsidiary companies, they can be held liable for cartel infringements under section 4(1) of the Competition Act using the Single Economic Entity Doctrine. Drawing on the experiences of the European Union and Bundeskartellamt in Germany, this report argues that there is a need to expressly introduce and apply the Single Economic Entity Doctrine in South Africa with a view to allow the Competition Commission to hold holding companies liable for the cartel conduct of their subsidiaries which often cease to operate when cartel related charges are brought against themMM202
Determining stillbirth data reporting systems in Africa
No full textBackground Stillbirths are an important public health concern, with an estimated 1.9 million stillbirths occurring globally each year, more between 2020-2021 data. However, the recording, investigation, and classification of stillbirths vary across countries, leading to inconsistencies in data collection and analysis. This study aimed to assess the current data systems and practices regarding stillbirth recording, data collection, analysis, and utilization in African countries. Study design The study used a descriptive research design with a quantitative approach, involving the surveillance of national data systems and other existing systems in African countries. Method The study was undertaken in African countries by University of Cape Town in collaboration with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and UNICEF. The study involved a survey of the national data systems recording stillbirths in the African countries and other reporting systems that countries use. Results A survey of 55 African countries (34 respondents) revealed critical insights into stillbirth reporting and data management. Among responding countries, 76% defined stillbirth using a gestational age threshold of ≥28 weeks, while 48% used a birth weight criterion of ≥1000 grams. Significant policy gaps were identified: 47% lacked mandates for stillbirth classification, and only 57% integrated stillbirth targets into national health strategies. Despite 88% of countries routinely collecting stillbirth data, methods varied (paper-based vs. digital), and 54% reported no data quality assessments in the past decade. Classification systems for causes of death varied, with ICD-PM and ICD-10 each used by 35% of countries. Nurses/midwives were primarily responsible for data entry (73%), yet challenges persisted, including inadequate health worker capacity (53%) and poor infrastructure (42%). Only 42% of countries disseminated stillbirth reports publicly, often relying on aggregated tables rather than interactive formats. Regional disparities underscored systemic issues in healthcare access, data standardization, and governance, emphasizing the urgent need for policy harmonization and strengthened health information systems. Conclusion The persistent inconsistencies in the recording, investigation, and classification of stillbirths and perinatal deaths across African countries-evident in different gestational age (20-28 weeks) and birth weight thresholds (<500g to <1000g), ambiguous civil registration laws (82% of countries), and fragmented national policies (only 27% with stillbirth-specific targets) highlight an urgent need for standardised definitions and consistent legal frameworks. These gaps perpetuate unreliable data, obstructing targeted interventions and accountability mechanisms. To address this, governments must adopt WHO-aligned criteria, integrate stillbirth reduction into national health strategies, and strengthen cross-sector collaboration for robust civil registration systems. Prioritizing these steps, alongside research into context-specific barriers (e.g., stigma, resource limitations), will not only improve data accuracy but also catalyse actionable insights to reduce preventable stillbirths and advance maternal and newborn health outcomes globally
Exploring curriculum responsiveness for public administration graduate employability: a case of the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.This study sought to gain an in-depth understanding of the public administration curriculum
and how it is responding to the needs of both the students and employers. The study further
establishes the extent to which graduates produced at the University of KwaZulu-Natal
(UKZN) in the Discipline of Public Governance, are skilled enough and meet the requirements
of the employer. Data from several studies reveal that a university that fails to produce qualified
graduates does not offer its graduates the opportunity to compete with the outside world which
then leads to a high unemployment rate. The literature review revealed that graduates need to
possess qualities that assist them to take adaptive, proactive approaches to their careers, which
involves managing their employability. Developing graduates’ attributes through effective
communication between UKZN, School of Public Governance, and the employer requires
commitment and support from management for the process to become successful.
A mixed-method approach was employed to collect, analyse, and interpret the qualitative and
quantitative data, which included the administration of questionnaires to UKZN academic
staff, and to students/graduates at all study levels at the UKZN particularly those who are
enrolled in the Public Administration course at the School of Management, Information
Technology and Governance. The study conducted seven online in-depth interviews, and one
online focus group discussion involving first-year students and undertook an online survey
involving fifty-seven students from the Public Administration discipline. Parametric
inferential analysis was used to provide a detailed understanding of the study population
through the study sample, it helped generalise the results. The findings reveal that the
discipline of Public Administration curriculum is in line with the Employability Model. It
further reveals that there are challenges that compromise the skills development of
students/graduates. Findings also revealed that there is space for improvement in all
challenges that were posed during the study. The study further recommends that the input of
public sector employers will make the Public Administration curriculum more effective. The
study also recommends that the allocation of sufficient resources is necessary to achieve the
skills development of students/graduates in the Public Administration discipline
Competition regulation for digital markets: The South African experience
No full textThe study examines the recent experiences of South Africa’s competition authorities in engaging with competition matters in the country’s digital markets. Specifically, the authors examine engagements by the Competition Commission South Africa (CCSA), the Competition Tribunal of South Africa, and the Competition Appeal Court (CAC) with three regulatory elements: (1) mergers, examined through the MIH and WeBuyCars and Google and Fitbit cases; (2) abuse of dominance, examined through the GovChat v Facebook case; and (3) cartel conduct, examined through the Competition Commission v Bank of America Merrill Lynch International Limited & Others case. In reviewing the decisions made in these cases, the authors highlight regulatory considerations that are coming to the fore in response to competition matters in digital markets
Book Review: Inclusive Development in Africa: Transformation of Global Relations
No full textBook Title: Inclusive Development in Africa: Transformation of Global RelationsBook Author: Vusi Gumede (Ed.)2018. AISA & CODESRIA, 321 pp. AISA ISBN: 978-0-7983-0520-4. CODESRIA ISBN: 978-2-86978-756-8
Book Review: Reflections On Goldberg’s Variations on Africanist Themes
No full textBook Title: Reflections On Goldberg’s Variations on Africanist ThemesBook Author: Kwesi Kwaa Prah2017. Cape Town: Centre for Advanced Studies of African Society. ISBN: 978-1-920294-20-5
UBUNTU AND THE CINEMATIC DRAMATURGY OF ELELWANI
No full textIn this article the author shows how the dramaturgy of Elelwani (wa-Luruli 2012) challenges theories around narration and audience interaction as articulated in the analysis of North American and European films, instead presenting a cinematic dramaturgy uniquely African. This is done by drawing upon two distinct, and often juxtaposed, modes of narration ‒ the classical linear cause and effect narration as exemplified by many Hollywood productions, and art-cinema narration based on symbolism and artistic expression (Bordwell 1985; 2005). In particular, the article draws on Israel’s (1991) philosophical distinctions between the Anglo-Saxon narrative with links to a Cartesian dualism between body and mind, and the epic-lyrical narrative linked to Hegel. It is argued that the dramaturgy of Elelwani not only overcomes the Cartesian dualism by giving the individual an active role in the knowledge creating process in the Hegelian tradition, but also draws on, as well as moves away from, a multi-layered epic-lyricism steeped in a European worldview of the self, and instead presents a novel, and uniquely African, dramaturgy steeped in a relational ethic and conceptualisation of self, linked to the Southern African philosophy of ubuntu.Publisher's versio
Publisher Correction: Computer-aided interpretation of chest radiography reveals the spectrum of tuberculosis in rural South Africa.
No full textThe original version of this Article contained errors in the affiliations of members of the Vukuzazi Team. Anand Ramnanan, Anele Mkhwanazi, Antony Rapulana, Anupa Singh, Ashentha Govender, Ayanda Zungu, Bongani Magwaza, Bongumenzi Ndlovu, Clive Mavimbela, Costa Criticos, Day Munatsi, Dilip Kalyan, Doctar Mlambo, Fezeka Mfeka, Freddy Mabetlela, Gregory Ording-Jespersen, Hannah Keal, Hlengiwe Dlamini, Hlengiwe Khathi, Hlobisile Chonco, Hlobisile Gumede, Hlolisile Khumalo, Hloniphile Ngubane, Hollis Shen, Innocentia Mpofana, Jaco Dreyer, Jade Cousins, Kandaseelan Chetty, Kayleen Brien, Khadija Khan, Khanyisani Buthelezi, Kimeshree Perumal, Kobus Herbst, Lindani Mthembu, Logan Pillay, Mandisi Dlamini, Mandlakayise Zikhali, Mbali Mbuyisa, Mbuti Mofokeng, Melusi Sibiya, Mlungisi Dube, Mpumelelo Steto, Mzamo Buthelezi, Nagavelli Padayachi, Nceba Gqaleni, Ngcebo Mhlongo, Nokukhanya Ntshakala, Nomathamsanqa Majozi, Nombuyiselo Zondi, Nomfundo Luthuli, Nomfundo Ngema, Nompilo Buthelezi, Nonceba Mfeka, Nondumiso Khuluse, Nondumiso Mabaso, Nondumiso Zitha, Nonhlanhla Mfekayi, Nonhlanhla Mzimela, Nozipho Mbonambi, Ntombiyenhlanhla Mkhwanazi, Ntombiyenkosi Ntombela, Pamela Ramkalawon, Phakamani Mkhwanazi, Philippa Mathews, Phumelele Mthethwa, Phumla Ngcobo, Raynold Zondo, Rochelle Singh, Rose Myeni, Sanah Bucibo, Sandile Mthembu, Sashin Harilall, Senamile Makhari, Seneme Mchunu, Senzeni Mkhwanazi, Sibahle Gumbi, Siboniso Nene, Sibusiso Mhlongo, Sibusiso Mkhwanazi, Sibusiso Nsibande, Simphiwe Ntshangase, Siphephelo Dlamini, Sithembile Ngcobo, Siyabonga Nsibande, Siyabonga Nxumalo, Sizwe Ndlela, Skhumbuzo Mthombeni, Smangaliso Zulu, Sphiwe Clement Mthembu, Sphiwe Ntuli, Talente Ntimbane, Thabile Zondi, Thandeka Khoza, Thengokwakhe Nkosi, Thokozani Bhengu, Thokozani Simelane, Tshwaraganang Modise, Tumi Madolo, Welcome Petros Mthembu, Xolani Mkhize, Zamashandu Mbatha, Zinhle Buthelezi, Zinhle Mthembu and Zizile Sikhosana were incorrectly associated with “Digital Health & Machine Learning, Hasso Plattner Institute for Digital Engineering, Berlin, Germany” and the affiliation “Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa” was inadvertently omitted. This has now been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article
Political Economy of Post-apartheid South Africa
No full textThe book, made up of three parts, covers a wide spectrum of political economy issues on post-apartheid South Africa. Although the text is mainly descriptive, to explain various areas of the political economy of post-apartheid South Africa, the first and the last parts provide illuminating insights on the kind of society that is emerging during the twenty-one years of democracy in the country. The book discusses important aspects of the political history of apartheid South Africa and the evolution of post-apartheid society, including an important recap of the history of southern Africa before colonialism. The text is a comprehensive description of numerous political economy phenomena since South Africa gained its political independence and covers some important themes that have not been discussed in detail in other publications on post-apartheid South Africa. The book also updates earlier work of the author on policy and law making, land and agriculture, education and training as well as on poverty and inequality in post-apartheid South Africa thereby providing a wide-ranging overview of the socio-economic development approaches followed by the successive post-apartheid administrations. Interestingly, three chapters focus on various aspects of the post-apartheid South African economy: economic policies, economic empowerment and industrial development. Through the lens of the notion of democratic developmental state and taking apartheid colonialism as a point of departure, the book suggests that, so far, post-apartheid South Africa has mixed socio-economic progress. The authors extensive experience in the South African government ensures that the book has policy relevance while it is also theoretically sound. The text is useful for anyone who wants to understand the totality of the policies and legislation as well as the political economy interventions pursued since 1994 by the South African Government
