scholarly journals Mission in the new South Africa. Need for a renewed enquiry

2000 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-114
Author(s):  
J. J. Kritzinger

Mission includes all that the church is called by its Lord to do in continuation of His mission in the world. The church in her mission is interested in the whole of people’s lives and needs. The church is also called to mission in the South African context. Do we know this context? Do we understand the challenges of this context? A project of two decades ago on the unfinished task of mission in South Africa brought many relevant insights to the force, but since then the context has changed dramatically. This article touches on some aspects of the new situation, and provides outlines for the launch of a new enquiry.

1993 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-202
Author(s):  
J. W. Hofmeyr

Some recent developments in the field of Church History elsewhere in the worldThe academic subject of church history in South Africa is facing various challenges on its way into the twenty first century. In many ways it can also be regarded as a science in transition with realities like paradigm-switches, processes of reinterpretation and a new dialogue between church historians and secular historians. In this process the knowledge and understanding of recent developments in the field of church history elsewhere in the world can be of great value and relevance for the church historian in the South African context.


Author(s):  
Karen Cerff

The study on which this chapter is based investigated whether there is a connection between hope, self-efficacy, and motivation to lead (MTL) in the development of leaders in South Africa. The data collected for the MTL component were gathered using a revised two-factor model of Chan's MTL instrument, comprising the leading for self-benefit factor (MTL-S) and the group-centered leading factor (MTL-G). The revised two-factor model of Chan's MTL instrument is a meaningful redevelopment of Chan's MTL instrument for the South African context and potentially elsewhere in the world. The MTL-G, which comprises seven items, is of particular interest as a scale for measuring altruism. This research makes a contribution to servant leadership by establishing the connection between MTL-G and altruism, and adds a valuable dimension to the research of Patterson. More recent research has emerged, indicating MTL instrument adaptions and revisions in different contexts.


2020 ◽  
pp. 239965442094151
Author(s):  
Brandon M Finn

Partha Chatterjee’s work on postcolonial politics articulates the limits of participation and governance in contexts of stark inequality. Chatterjee’s argument can be stretched within the South African context of protest and political contestation as it demonstrates that civil and political societies are fluid, political categories. From student to shack dweller movements, political society in South Africa disrupts top-down, dichotomous notions of ‘administration’ or ‘governance’. I outline that the interactions between Chatterjee’s political and civil society overlap with one another, but importantly, that this overlap determines the broader, shifting continuum of popular sovereignty that these two fields act within. Ordinary ‘populations’ of political society are able to infiltrate the ‘sanitized walls’ of civil society, contexts in which ‘political society’ sometimes draws on the language of rights and institutions such as the courts as well as practices of mobilization and disruption. South African mobilization illustrates the usefulness of engaging with the inequalities of governance via categories of civil and political society, but also shows that these are complicated and contested fields within the country’s political and democratic framework. We cannot understand the notions of either political or civil society without contextualizing these processes within a framework that allows for the shifting continuum, and acknowledgement of the possibility of the existence of popular sovereignty. It is this broader, structural categorization, within which the forces of political and civil society fluidly interact that we need to conceptualize popular sovereignty in Chatterjee’s description of ‘most of the world.’


Sexualities ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 136346072110374
Author(s):  
Letitia Smuts

This article explores sexual agency and pleasure among heterosexual women in South Africa. By focussing on Tupperware-style sex-toy parties, this article offers a glimpse into a ‘hidden’ world of white, middle-class women living in Johannesburg. What is revealed in this ethnographic account is that these gatherings promise women new ways of enjoying sex, while remaining within the boundaries of heteronormative notions of (hetero)sex. I use the term ‘decently transgressing’ to capture the ways in which the women in this study make sense of their (hetero)sexual selves and how they negotiate their (hetero)sexual agencies, particularly in relation to past and present heteronormative discourses within the South African context. The findings show that there are tensions between women wanting to embrace their own sexual agency and desires, yet at the same time being limited by certain heteronormative norms.


1999 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Abrahams ◽  
K. F. Mauer

The primary aims of the study were to determine whether the scores of the 16PF (SA92) are comparable in a crosscultural setting in South Africa, and also to investigate the influence of the gender of the research participants on the scores of the 16PF (SA92). The sample consisted of 983 students who were enrolled at different universities at the time of the field work. The statistical methods involved the application of descriptive statistics as well as methods to determine the comparability of the constructs. The results showed that although race exercised a considerable influence on the findings, this was not necessarily the case as far as gender was concerned. The presence of problems relating to the construct comparability of the test were also identified, as significant differences in means were found between the different race groups. Some of the implications of persisting with the use of the 16PF (SA92) in the South African context are outlined against the background of recently promulgated labour legislation. Opsomming Die primere doelstellings met die onderhawige studie was om die toepaslikheid van die 16PF (SA92) in Suid Afrikaanse konteks met sy diversiteit van kultuurgroepe te evalueer. Die invloed van die geslag van die navorsingsdeelnembers op die resultate is ook nagevors. Die deelnemergroep het bestaan uit 983 studente wat ten tye van die veldwerk aan verskillende universiteite gestudeer het. Benewens normale beskrywende statistiek, is daar ook gebruik gemaak van metodes om konstrukvergelykbaarheid te evalueer. Die bevindings het daarop gedui dat alhoewel ras 'n belangrike invloede op die toetsfaktore uitoefen, dit nie die geval is in soverre dit geslag betref nie. Die teenwoordigheid van probleme het ook ten opsigte van konstrukvergelykbaarheid na vore getree, aangesien betekenis voile verskille tussen gemiddeldes gevind is. Sommige van die implikasies van die volgehoue gebruik van die 16PF (SA92) in Suid Afrika word ook in die lig van die resente arbeidswetgewing bespreek.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 141-160
Author(s):  
Anna Wilshire Jones Bornman ◽  
Carol Jean Mitchell

Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore children’s pathways through homelessness within the South African context, with particular attention paid to pathways out of homelessness. This study focusses on factors influencing children’s successful transitions out of homelessness. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative exploratory design was used, using interviews with nine children who had exited or were in the process of exiting homelessness. Interviews were conducted at a children’s shelter in Pietermaritzburg or in the children’s home environments. Interviews were analysed thematically. Findings An ecological framework was used to frame the factors influencing children’s pathways in, through and out of homelessness in the children’s narratives. These included institutions, relationships and intrapersonal strengths and resources. The study suggested that constructive relationships with shelter staff and parental figures, as well as intrapersonal strengths, were the most prominent factors in children successfully negotiating their way through their homelessness. The importance of a relationship with the paternal family within some African cultures was also a point of leverage. Research limitations/implications Implications for policy and practise include the need for systemic change, as well as greater support for shelters and shelter staff. The issue of rivalry in the shelter context and the role of the paternal family in the reintegration process require more research attention. The research is limited to homeless children in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Practical implications This study provided feedback to the shelter regarding their strategies for assisting homeless children off the streets. It further provided evidence for the importance of the work of the shelter, to strengthen advocacy efforts. This may be useful to others in similar circumstances. Social implications This study highlights the importance of macrosystemic interventions in the efforts to assist homeless children, while at the same time not ignoring the inter and intra, personal elements to enhancing their well-being. Originality/value This paper is singular in its exploration of factors influencing children’s successful transitions out of homelessness within the South African context.


Author(s):  
Jerry Pillay

This article looks at theological education and missional formation in the South African context. It examines the understanding of theology and mission and connects it with theological education. It then proceeds to explore some of the essential elements that should constitute theological education in the South African context. The aim is to show that theological education in South Africa is in need of transformation.


Author(s):  
Jerry Pillay

This article traces the historical impact of the church in transforming, developing and changing society. It looks at how the church in selected periods in history, mainly in the reformation era, worked towards the transformation of society and communities. Extracting from these the author attempts to show how this can be applied to the church in the South African context. Further, the author explores the changing dynamics and characteristics of being church today and establishes that it is not so much about what the church believes, but in what it does that matters most in this day and age. The author, with the latter thought in mind, expresses that community transformation has to be an integral part of the ministry of the church today.


2010 ◽  
Vol 12 (04) ◽  
pp. 375-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
FRANCOIS RETIEF

This paper explores the evolution of environmental assessment (EA) debates over the last decade within the South African context as reflected in the proceedings of the annual International Association for Impact Assessment, South African chapter (IAIAsa) conferences between 1997 and 2008. Retrospective analysis is important to ensure that the profession avoids unlearning key lessons, keeps and gains perspective, builds the knowledge base and plans for the future. The analysis involved a review of 472 papers presented at these conferences. The results suggest that debates have shifted away from concerns with quality and application of environmental assessment towards serious questions about effectiveness and the value that environmental assessment is adding. It is clear that the profession is currently going through a period of intense introspection, questioning the need for and contribution of EA.


2016 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivia Smidt ◽  
Leon T. De Beer ◽  
Lizelle Brink ◽  
Michael P. Leiter

Orientation: Workplace incivility holds consequences for both individuals and organisations. Managers are becoming increasingly aware of this phenomenon. Currently, there is no workplace incivility scale validated for use within the South African context. Research purpose: To investigate the reliability and validity of the adapted workplace incivility scale by Leiter and colleagues for use within South Africa. Motivation for the study: As it is currently difficult to measure workplace incivility within the South African context because of the lack of a valid and reliable scale, it is necessary to validate such a scale.Research design, approach and method: A cross-sectional research approach was used for the study. Convenience sampling (N = 345) was used within the South African banking industry. Specifically, the factor structure, convergent validity, discriminant validity and predictive validity were investigated in order to establish the overall validity of the scale. Main findings: The results confirmed that the scale showed a three-factor structure as bestfitting with acceptable reliability coefficients. Furthermore, discriminant validity could be shown between workplace incivility and workplace bullying, that is, supporting that these two constructs are not the same phenomenon. In terms of relationships, colleague incivility did not significantly predict any of the outcome variables and instigated incivility only being a negative predictor of job satisfaction and a borderline statistically significant negative predictor of work engagement. However, supervisor incivility predicted all the outcomes negatively. Practical/Managerial implications: Based on the results, workplace incivility should be addressed because of the harmful effects it can have, not only on employees but also on organisations. It is therefore necessary for managers to create awareness of workplace incivility in order to ensure that it does not integrate within the organisational culture and affect individual and organisational performance. Contribution/Value-add: The study contributes to the limited research available in South Africa regarding workplace incivility by providing a scale that is valid and reliable.


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