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EDITORIAL: Economic Opportunity and Global Safety
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Abstract - Obstacles Faced by African Copreneurs in Black Townships of the Western Cape, South Africa
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Abstract: The primary objective of this study is to examine the experiences of copreneurs specifically those who operate in the black townships of the Western Cape. Specifically, this study targets African1 copreneurs. Copreneurship is the term used when a husband and wife come together to own and manage a business as part of their daily engagement. As copreneurs, they confront specific obstacles. In South Africa, copreneurs exist within the framework of two fields, namely small, medium, micro business and family business. This study adopts a mixed research methodology, involving both quantitative and qualitative techniques. Thus the data collection instruments included a questionnaire and an interview schedule involving 150 subjects. The findings reveal, among other things, that major obstacles include the lack of finance for business expansion, as well as the lack of relevant information about government support, crime and absence of infrastructure. This study provides an opportunity to understand the specific challenges that c face, as well as information about the state of African copreneurship in black townships in the Western Cape. It is hoped that the findings and recommendations will shine a light on the specific challenges, as well as provide the necessary remedial opportunities so that these entrepreneurs are able to meaningfully add value to their respective communities. Keywords: Small medium and micro businesses, Copreneurs, South Africa, Entrepreneurship, Copreneurship. |
Abstract - Voices of Teachers on School Violence and Gender in South African Urban Public Schools
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Abstract: This article discusses the findings of a study conducted in Gauteng, South Africa. The main aim of the study was to examine how principals and educators experience and address violence in schools. This included investigating the gendered nature of school violence. The study used a qualitative research method, which drew upon individual and focus group interviews to collect data from the School Management Teams (SMTs), educators and the School Governing Bodies (SGBs parent component). Using a post-structural feminist view to understand the gendered nature of violence in the schools, the research findings show that school violence is a male and female phenomenon, although boys (young males) were seen as the main protagonists of school violence. Findings also revealed that, although female educators are sometimes victims of school violence, they use violence reduction strategies in their professional capacity as educators that any other professional could apply regardless of their gender. The strategies for eliminating violence in schools should not be gendered but should rather be all-encompassing and should take all factors into account that may play a role in causing violence. Keywords: Social identities, gender violence, sexual harassment, essentialism, educators. |
Abstract - Globalization and Knowledge Production in the World: A Critical Analysis of the Place of Africa
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Abstract: Globalization has impacted unprecedentedly on global knowledge production. The politics of knowledge production has taken a new dimension since the end of the Cold War era in which Euro-American ideals has continued to sweep around the world. The import of this is that there has been universalization of what constitutes knowledge and how it is produced. Development generally is patterned after the with the West as the ideal. Africa, a colonial construct has also been affected by the globalization of knowledge production. This paper adopts the qualitative research methodology with the analysis of extant academic works and other materials to make sense of the situation of Africa in the global politics of knowledge production. The paper notes that while Africa was just wriggling out of throes of colonialism politically and efforts at decolonizing knowledge at infancy, the onset of globalization has confined the continent to the backseat among other continents. It notes further that as a result of this, what constitutes knowledge, how it is produced and accessed in Africa remains Western. As a result of this African development is vainly patterned after her ‘erstwhile’ colonial masters. The whole idea of post-colonialism in Africa is misleading and knowledge production with which to forge ahead is perpetually colonial, hence Africa’s unhealthy backwardness. The paper recommends that Africa needs not only to decolonise knowledge production but also assert its position in global politics of knowledge production in order to be in charge of its development. Keywords: Globalization, Knowledge, Knowledge Production, Africa. |
Abstract - Leveraging Technology-Mediated Adult and Distance Learning for Economic Growth in Africa
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Abstract: Following the rudiments of contextual analysis, and based on theoretical and philosophical analyses, this paper explores how technology mediated adult and distance learning might contribute to the economic growth of Africa, all things remaining equal. It proceeds from the perspective of analysing the related contextual situations of selected countries in Africa through the brief review of Africa’s technology readiness, and posited that the possible gains that could be made from the application of adult and distance learning are tacitly located in somewhat perfect management of systems and sub-systems in education and the economy. Based on this analysis, it was proposed that whatever might be the state of Internet and technology readiness Africa has achieved, the successful creation of the nexus for economic growth is circumscribed unless the continent’s political stability is assured now and in the future. Keywords: Adult learning, distance learning, economic growth, Internet readiness, leveraging, systems, technology. |