We Are the Future: Youth Narratives on Prospects in a Democratic South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elirea Bornman ◽  
Alison Odendaal
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Political Situation ◽  
Black South African ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Government

The study reports on an investigation into the perceptions of white and black South African youths regarding the future of the country as well as their own prospects. The qualitative research design consisted of five focus group discussions conducted between 2014 and 2016, and the number of participants involved was 48. White and black participants alike expressed their love for and dedication to the country. Black participants in particular indicated an appreciation of the opportunities and freedom that democracy afforded them and they believed they could bring about change through voting. However, both groups voiced their dissatisfaction and even despair and feelings of fatalism about the country’s political situation and the general stagnation and/or deterioration of conditions. Whereas some white participants felt they had no future in South Africa and intended to emigrate, participants of both the black and white groups expressed the hope that they could make a difference. The conclusion reached was that the optimism and dedication of the youth were vital resources for building a prosperous South Africa, provided that the government heeded the concerns of the young people of the country.

Diverse Perceptions of Cross-Racial Adoption in South Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-238
Author(s):  
Pius T. Tanga ◽  
Kausi Nyasha
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Black Children ◽  
Racial Groups ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
Custody Of Children

Purpose: This study explored the perceptions of stakeholders regarding the practice of cross-racial adoption (CRA) in East London, South Africa. Method: A qualitative research design was used. Data were collected through individual interviews and focus group discussions from 23 participants. The data were analyzed qualitatively, using thematic analysis. Results: The results show that there are mixed perceptions among the participants, with White participants more likely than participants of other racial groups to support the practice of the CRA. The findings also revealed that the practice of CRA is a controversial, yet an increasing phenomenon in which most Black children are being adopted by White parents. Conclusion: It is concluded that although the practice of CRA is an acceptable form of custody of children in need of care and protection, it is still an area that requires more attention from scholars and researchers. Pertinent recommendations have been made to various stakeholders.

scholarly journals Black and White in Ink: Discourses of Resistance in South African Cartooning

2002 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 385-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANDY MASON
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Public Discourse ◽  
The Political ◽  
Political Struggle ◽  
Comic Strips ◽  
Black Newspapers ◽  
Black South African ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Vexing Question

ABSTRACT This author contends that cartooning in its various forms in South Africa played an important role in crystallising issues of allegiance and identity, introducing revolutionary concepts into public discourse, undermining the ideological hegemony of the apartheid state and legitimating the political struggle against apartheid. However, in spite of the fact that numerous black newspapers have subsisted to this day, there remains a dearth of black cartoonists in South Africa. The vexing question of why so few black cartoonists have emerged demands an answer. The villains of the piece appear to be the editors of the socalled 'liberal' newspapers who did nothing (and continue to do very little) to identify indigenous cartooning talent or promote the development of black South African cartooning, choosing rather to share the services of a few white cartoonists and to buy syndicated comic strips. Mason analyses this situation and offers a remedy for solving the problem.

scholarly journals The future of the Basic Education Assistance Module, a poverty alleviation strategy in Zimbabwe

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 155
Author(s):  
Florence Mutasa
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Poverty Alleviation ◽  
Basic Education ◽  
Fundamental Aspect ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Government ◽  
Insight Into

The aim of this article is to give an insight into the future of the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) by highlighting the problems faced in its implementation and mapping the way forward for the programme to be a success. Through a review of scholarly literature, an overview of the concept of 'beneficiary participation' which is the fundamental aspect of BEAM is given, and through interviews and focus group discussions, an assessment of the effectiveness of the BEAM programme is made. This article has shown that the implementation of BEAM is plagued with a plethora of problems. For BEAM to be effective, all stakeholders, that is the school authorities, teachers, parents and guardians, community members as well as the government have a significant role to play.

scholarly journals The future of private veterinary practice in South Africa : animal health management in the 21st

2009 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Marwick
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Private Practice ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Veterinary Practice ◽  
The Future ◽  
Limited Scale ◽  
The Government

Private practice became the major vocation of local veterinarians from about 1945. Soga was probably the first qualified South African veterinarian to practice privately on a limited scale in the 1800s. Jack Boswell was the first locally qualified (in 1934) veterinarian to go directly into practice without first working for the government and is regarded as the father of private practice in South Africa. Boet Bekker worked for the government before setting up a successful practice in 1935.

scholarly journals We Have Come to Stay and We Shall Find All Means to Live and Work in this Country: Nigerian Migrants and Life Challenges in South Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adediran Daniel Ikuomola ◽  
Johan Zaaiman
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
South African ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Cultural Challenges ◽  
Economic Disparity ◽  
Life Challenges ◽  
The Social ◽  
Depth Interviews

In recent times many Nigerians have been singled out when it comes to criminal activities and xenophobic attacks in South Africa, which leads to disruption of the hitherto cordial relationship between South African host communities and Nigerian migrants. Nevertheless, the rate of Nigerians migrating to South Africa keeps soaring. Studies of migration between Nigeria and South Africa, have been scanty, often limited to the study of traditional economic disparity between the two countries with less emphasis on the social-cultural challenges facing Nigerian migrants in the host communities.This paper thus examined the socio-economic and cultural challenges facing Nigerian migrants in selected communities in Johannesburg, South Africa. Data for the study were collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with Nigerian migrants in Hillbrow, Braamfontein and Alexandra suburbs in Johannesburg, South Africa.

scholarly journals The Management of Parental Involvement in Multicultural Schools in South Africa: A Case Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-82
Author(s):  
Sathiapama Michael ◽  
Charl C. Wolhuter ◽  
Noleen Van Wyk
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Parental Involvement ◽  
Intercultural Sensitivity ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
Low Expectations ◽  
Multicultural Schools ◽  
Parental Involvement In Schools

The aim of this study was to investigate the management of parental involvement in three multicultural schools in the Umlazi District in Durban, South Africa. A literature survey resulting in a theoretical framework on parental involvement in schools, multicultural schools, and themanaging of parental involvement in schools has been done. The contextual background of schools in contemporary South Africa is depicted. A qualitative research design has been used. Focus group discussions have been conducted, with a total of thirty-three principals, teachersand parents. It has found that there is a low level of meaningful contact between school and parents. Apathy exists on the side of parents, low expectations on the side of principals and teachers, and an organisational structure facilitating parent-school interaction is lacking. In managing parental involvement in multicultural schools, school managers displaya lack of intercultural sensitivity. 

scholarly journals A Cross-cultural Assessment of the Competency Needs of Women Operating in the Context of SMMEs in South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
B.N.O. Irene
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Business Success ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Female Entrepreneurs ◽  
Competency Training ◽  
Technical Competency ◽  
Technical Competencies

Abstract Previous reports identified two types of entrepreneurs: opportunity entrepreneurs and necessity entrepreneurs. Opportunity entrepreneurs are those who discover or identify an opportunity or gap in the marketplace and embark on the entrepreneurial journey to fill that gap. By contrast, the necessity entrepreneurs embark on the journey out of a need to survive due to a lack of employment, have reached the peak of their careers (glass ceiling), or lack the necessary qualifications to work for other firms. Given that “necessity”, rather than “opportunity”, has been identified as the main reason why women venture into business ownership in South Africa, it can, therefore, be deduced that many women embark on the entrepreneurial journey ill-prepared, with little understanding of the intricacies of business operation and management and possessing few or no skills and competencies. Researchers in the past have suggested that focusing on the internal factors, especially the “people issues” facing the entrepreneurs (in this case females), may give the business a better chance of success. A “mixed-method” approach, conducted in two parts, was adopted for this study. The qualitative aspect utilised semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. The qualitative study was exploratory and the method of data collection was mostly based on communication by means of face-to-face interaction with participants. Personal interviews were conducted with female entrepreneurs over a period of five months, following which focus group discussions were conducted (with female entrepreneurs). It focused on exploring the link between entrepreneurial competencies and the business success of female owner and managed SMMEs in South Africa. Cross-cultural differences were explored and the arguments were examined inductively and deductively using thematic content analysis. Samples comprise 128 female entrepreneurs drawn from the four government identified races (Black Africans, White, Indian and Coloured). The qualitative findings from the current research revealed that female SMMEs entrepreneurs from the previously most disadvantaged groups in society under apartheid, (Black Africans and Coloured), made no comments indicative of possessing technical competencies. Nevertheless, in the quantitative findings, the technical competency had relatively high correlations with measures of business success, such as the black women entrepreneurs′ satisfaction with financial performance, where α = .34. Further, the regression analysis confirmed that the competencies studied in this current research do influence business success. This suggests that technical competencies are not only important for all SME’s but that in particular, the previously disadvantaged groups in South Africa may especially benefit from increased training (and if necessary from concomitant levels of physical technical resource allocation) in this area.” This study offers an insight into the factors that influence the business success of South African female SMMEs operators and their decision for new venture creation and its possible link to the strategies they adopt to grow and sustain their businesses. A practical contribution of this research was to specifically highlight some of the individual competency needs of the different groups in the South African society, and in particular to delineate some of the specific competency training needs (e.g. in technical competency training) of women that were most disadvantaged under apartheid.

The Socio-Economic Challenges of South African Indigenous Musicians: A Case Study of Venda-Based Vho-Ntshengedzeni Mamphodo

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
N G Mugovhani ◽  
Lebogang Lance Nawa
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Empirical Data ◽  
Cultural Policy ◽  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
Arts Management ◽  
Black South African ◽  
Indigenous Music ◽  
Entire Country

This article discusses and raises awareness about the socio-economic plight of indigenous musicians in South Africa. Through a qualitative case study of the Venda musician, Vho-Talelani Andries Ntshengedzeni Mamphodo, dubbed the “Father of mbila music,” the article highlights the fact that the welfare of Black South African artists, particularly indigenous musicians in South Africa, is generally a precarious affair. Their popularity, at the height of their careers, sometimes masks shocking details of exploitation, neglect, and the poverty they are subjected to, which are exposed only after they have died. Empirical data identifies this as a symptom of, among other things, cultural policy and arts management deficiencies in the promotion of indigenous music. The article aims to find ways to redress this unfortunate situation, which is partially a product of general apathy and scant regard that these artists have perennially been subjected to, even by their own governments, as well as some members of their societies. All these factors mentioned are compounded by ignorance on the part of South African artists. Part of the objective of this study was to establish whether the exposition of the Vhavenda musicians is a typical example of all Black South African indigenous musicians and, if this is the case, whether the suggested ways to redress this unfortunate situation could contribute to or play a role in alleviating the plight of such artists in the entire country.

scholarly journals Setting the global research agenda for community-based HIV service delivery through the faith sector

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martha T. Ndlovu-Teijema ◽  
Maarten O. Kok ◽  
Sabine L. van Elsland ◽  
Hilleen Smeets ◽  
David Barstow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Primary Research ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Faith Leaders ◽  
Global Research

Abstract Background While leading AIDS organizations expect faith and health collaborations to play a crucial role in organizing and scaling up community-based HIV services, it is unclear how this can be realized. Little primary research has been conducted into which strategies for collaboration and service provision are most effective, efficient, scalable and sustainable. Seeking to align research with urgent needs, enhance coordination and increase the likelihood that results are used, this study aimed to set an inclusive global research agenda that reflects priority research questions from key stakeholders at the intersection of HIV healthcare and faith. Methods In order to develop this global research agenda, we drew from document analyses, focus group discussions, interviews with purposively selected key informants from all continents (policy-makers, healthcare providers, faith leaders, academics and HIV activists), an online questionnaire, and expert meetings at several global conferences. We carried out focus group discussions and interviews with faith leaders in South Africa. Other stakeholder focus groups and interviews were carried out online or in person in France, Switzerland, the Netherlands and South Africa, and virtual questionnaires were distributed to stakeholders worldwide. Respondents were purposively sampled. Results We interviewed 53 participants, and 110 stakeholders responded to the online questionnaire. The participants worked in 54 countries, with the majority having research experience (84%), experience with policy processes (73%) and/or experience as a healthcare provider (60%) and identifying as religious (79%). From interviews (N = 53) and questionnaires (N = 110), we identified 10 research themes: addressing sexuality, stigma, supporting specific populations, counselling and disclosure, agenda-setting, mobilizing and organizing funding, evaluating faith-health collaborations, advantage of faith initiatives, gender roles, and education. Respondents emphasized the need for more primary research and prioritized two themes: improving the engagement of faith communities in addressing sexuality and tackling stigma. Conclusions A wide range of respondents participated in developing the research agenda. To align research to the prioritized themes and ensure that results are used, it is essential to further engage key users, funders, researchers and other stakeholders, strengthen the capacity for locally embedded research and research uptake and contextualize priorities to diverse religious traditions, key populations and local circumstances.

Effective Planning for Rural Development in A Democratic South Africa: The Prospects of Rural Cooperatives

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
France Khutso Lavhelani Kgobe
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Rural Development ◽  
South African ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Social Capital Theory ◽  
Capital Theory ◽  
Rural Cooperatives ◽  
The Government ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Effective Planning

This paper explores the potency of rural cooperatives for the effective planning and implementation of rural strategies to address poverty. Rural cooperatives function as a participatory approach that provides the potential to equip and empower people in rural areas with various skills. Hence, rural cooperatives represent the means and strategies to unshackle rural people from the vicious circle of poverty. The contestation about a deadlock of rural development has become pertinent in the recent and ongoing political transformation in South Africa. This paper is grounded on the social capital theory and its ideals. As such, it depends on a literature review for its premise, argument, crux and purpose, as well as drawing up results and conclusions. The paper gathers information in respect of various scholars’ notions on rural cooperatives and rural development from related articles, journals and books. The paper reveals that where the South African government is confronted and characterised by some form of upheaval and service delivery challenges, so rural cooperatives are fit to capacitate citizens to avoid depending on the government for scarce resources. The paper further reveals that rural cooperatives are deemed to ameliorate the long-standing patterns of developmental backlogs in almost all South African municipalities. The conclusion that can be made from this paper is that the authentic promotion of rural development in the formulation of a well-informed legislative framework, that is clear and unambiguous, can deal effectively with the challenges of rural cooperatives.

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