Basic Education or School Going Education for South Africa : Privatization versus the Public Good

Public theology takes on many forms, generally seeking some public good by interpreting Scripture, trying to reveal the social relevance of the theological truth concerned. In this framework the Belhar Confession can arguably be deemed a public theological tour de force as it spoke out against, amongst others, social injustices based on wrongful Biblical exegesis. Speaking to different “publics” over the last three decades, the good resulting from this confession, ironically, seems extremely limited – especially in the Reformed Church family (public) of its native land, South Africa. It would even be safe to allege that this confession has had a polarizing effect, rather than a unifying one. As public theology is regarded as an intra-disciplinary venture, this article will reflect critically on the limited good of this confession and will ponder the notion of enhancing its good as a form of public theology by means of a public-theological reflection. It is suspected that several possibilities reside within a public-theological reading whereby the good this confession is capable of can be enhanced.

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Dimensions of higher education and the public good in South Africa

Higher Education ◽

10.1007/s10734-017-0225-y ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 76 (3) ◽

pp. 555-569 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Melanie Walker

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

South Africa ◽

Public Good ◽

The Public

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Living with non-state policing in South Africa: the issues and dilemmas

The Journal of Modern African Studies ◽

10.1017/s0022278x01003809 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 40 (1) ◽

pp. 29-53 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

Bruce Baker

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Public Good ◽

Private Security ◽

Police Force ◽

The Public ◽

Political Implications ◽

The Social

Though policing is widely regarded as an inherently public good, in reality non-state policing is widespread in South Africa, doing everything that the public police force does. The paper examines the extent, nature and attitudes towards non-state policing in South Africa in its different forms, that is, autonomous citizen responses, ‘responsible’ citizen responses and commercial private security. The paper concludes by assessing the social and political implications of non-state policing.

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Challenging the "Apartheids" of Knowledge in Higher Education through Social Innovation

10.52779/9781991201058 ◽

2021 ◽

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

South Africa ◽

Public Good ◽

Research Methods ◽

Knowledge Economy ◽

Social Innovation ◽

Community Partners ◽

The Public ◽

The Relationship ◽

Critical Reflections

In order to understand the relationship between social innovation and the reimagining of the knowledge economy necessary to reorient higher education most fully towards the public good, we must draw from the experiences of those working on the front lines of change. This collection represents diverse voices and disciplines, drawing together the critical reflections of academics, students and community partners from across South Africa. The book seeks to bring together theoretical and practical lessons about how research methods can be used in socially innovative ways to challenge the ‘apartheids’ of knowledge in higher education and to promote the democratisation of the knowledge economy.

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