African Scene Research Articles

Interrogating the Approaches of Christian-Muslim Encounters in West Africa

Both Christianity and Islam have become African religions with significant followings, living together in various communities of West Africa. The obvious Christian and Muslim encounter that ensues also calls for critical study. This essay examines the multi-faceted approaches (traditional, modern, and postmodern) that feature prominently in discussions of Christian-Muslim relations in the sub-region, offering a critique of them with regard to the planting, spread, and encounters of the two great religious traditions in West Africa. None of the approaches discussed here is confined to or limited to a particular period in history or to particular people. Thus, in West Africa, the approaches have been used at different times by different people and often concurrently. The essay recommends a holistic, communal approach to rather complex encounters between Christians and Muslims on the West African scene for peaceful coexistence.

Ministerial Formation and Practical Theology in South Africa

The time of theological training is crucial for ministers to encourage a mature development of occupational and personal identity and foster a coherent understanding of their role and function in ministry. Ministerial formation must involve training and equipping of pastoral leaders to do theology by involvement on a grassroots level and developing responsiveness to historical, biblical and pastoral dimensions within its context in order to have relevance. The article will map the South African scene in terms of ministerial formation, highlighting recent higher education changes with a discussion on ministerial formation within academic Practical theology in universities and conclude with wider contextual and research needs.

The Merged African Court of Justice and Human Rights (ACJ&HR) as a Better Criminal Justice System than the ICC: Are We Finding African Solution to African Problems or Creating African Problems without Solutions?

Africa is witnessing the emergence of a new institutional creature unprecedented in international law. The Merged African Court of Justice and Human Rights (ACJH international crimes. The article seeks to answer three interrelated research questions: First, what effect will the extension of the jurisdiction of the Merged Court have on international criminal justice in Africa?, second, will the Merged Court with jurisdiction on international crimes offer an alternative to the already discredited International Criminal Court (ICC) in Africa? And lastly is the African Union capable of financing a court with a three pronged mandate that includes international crimes.This article makes a general contribution to the debate on whether Africa can offer African solutions to African problems. It specifically focuses on the international crimes mandate that has been introduced under the African Court of Justice and Human Rights. The first part of this article focuses on the origins of the idea on the African system having an international crimes court. The second part focuses on the international crimes chamber of the African court, its jurisdiction, composition and structure. The third part of this article focuses on the Draft Merged court and its amendments and whether the protocol will be adopted ad ratified. The article makes recommendations on how the African Court of Justice and Human Rights can be improved to enhance the advancements of human rights in Africa. The article then concludes that Africa might not be ready for this extension of jurisdiction of the Merged court to try international crimes as this stance will take away the gains already made in the African Human rights scene.

Guitar Playing and Representation in the Changing Locations of New York City’s African Music Scene

Abstract For the past decade, a handful of African guitarists and their groups have formed the basis of the African music scene in New York City. They have performed in diasporic African contexts and cosmopolitan, mostly non- African, settings drawing upon notions of difference that have greatly characterized various representations of African music. For these guitarists and their collaborators, difference and musical diversity have helped to comprise a shared aggregate of tendencies and resources that have informed their playing, performance practice, and compositional habits. As a participant-observer and researcher since 2005, I have discovered the extent to which these guitarists have appropriated different musical ideas and practices-African and non- African-making them their own. In this article, I examine the differences of aesthetics and musical conception that have informed guitar playing and representation in contrasting diasporic and cosmopolitan contexts. I aim to provide the reader with some insights concerning the varied forms of verbal and musical discourse that African guitarists have employed to represent African music in New York City. Lastly, I consider recent occurrences that might raise questions regarding the future of African jazz.

Shifting conditions, frameworks and approaches: The work of KPDV in postcolonial Africa

This paper discusses the trajectory and production of the French architecture firm Kalt—Pouradier-Duteil—Vignal. This firm was very prolific in Africa from the late colonial period right up to the 1980s, the author argues, because of its flexibility towards the constantly changing political, economic and socio-cultural context in which it operated. It was first active in the colonial context of mise-en-valeur du territoire, refashioned itself in the post-independence era to become a major consultant to the European Union’s development aid agency and ultimately realised various types of projects throughout West Africa for a wide range of clients, both African and foreign. While throughout this period, commissions for foreign architects in Africa were generally tied to a particular company, international (aid) organisation or (colonial) state agency—which meant that work opportunities ceased if the institutional framework disintegrated—KPDV managed to stay on the African scene for almost thirty years. By discussing a select number of projects designed by KPDV, the author will show that the office accomplished this by constantly reformulating its modes of design, research, building practices and project management in response to the quickly changing context in which it operated.

Shifting conditions, frameworks and approaches: The work of KPDV in postcolonial Africa

This paper discusses the trajectory and production of the French architecture firm Kalt—Pouradier-Duteil—Vignal. This firm was very prolific in Africa from the late colonial period right up to the 1980s, the author argues, because of its flexibility towards the constantly changing political, economic and socio-cultural context in which it operated. It was first active in the colonial context of mise-en-valeur du territoire, refashioned itself in the post-independence era to become a major consultant to the European Union’s development aid agency and ultimately realised various types of projects throughout West Africa for a wide range of clients, both African and foreign. While throughout this period, commissions for foreign architects in Africa were generally tied to a particular company, international (aid) organisation or (colonial) state agency—which meant that work opportunities ceased if the institutional framework disintegrated—KPDV managed to stay on the African scene for almost thirty years. By discussing a select number of projects designed by KPDV, the author will show that the office accomplished this by constantly reformulating its modes of design, research, building practices and project management in response to the quickly changing context in which it operated.

Shifting conditions, frameworks and approaches: The work of KPDV in postcolonial Africa

This paper discusses the trajectory and production of the French architecture firm Kalt—Pouradier-Duteil—Vignal. This firm was very prolific in Africa from the late colonial period right up to the 1980s, the author argues, because of its flexibility towards the constantly changing political, economic and socio-cultural context in which it operated. It was first active in the colonial context of mise-en-valeur du territoire, refashioned itself in the post-independence era to become a major consultant to the European Union’s development aid agency and ultimately realised various types of projects throughout West Africa for a wide range of clients, both African and foreign. While throughout this period, commissions for foreign architects in Africa were generally tied to a particular company, international (aid) organisation or (colonial) state agency—which meant that work opportunities ceased if the institutional framework disintegrated—KPDV managed to stay on the African scene for almost thirty years. By discussing a select number of projects designed by KPDV, the author will show that the office accomplished this by constantly reformulating its modes of design, research, building practices and project management in response to the quickly changing context in which it operated.

Air transport in Africa: toward sustainable business models for African airlines

Although there is a vast amount of literature on airline business models and their evolution in changing global landscapes, there is a general lack of research into the applicability of those models, traditionally defined in European and North American contexts, to the African scene. Implicit in this study is the hypothesis that the African environment is unique enough to warrant its own host of strategies, which may be distinctive enough to form part of a new strategic template, or business model. Initially, a review of existing literature is undertaken to profile the African aviation environment and evaluate existing airline business models and their evolution, both globally and in Africa. The methodology consists firstly of a cluster exercise, whereby 57 African airlines are analysed in terms of their network and size, to yield a number of heterogeneous groups which serve to identify the current business models of airlines on the continent. Following this, eight airlines (representative of the groups outlined in the cluster analysis) were subsequently selected for analysis in terms of the Product and Organisational Architecture framework. While it was evident that the traditional models are followed in Africa, in some instances variations were apparent. Full-service network carriers and regional carriers were concluded as being the most prominent and stable in the African market. The applicability of the low-cost carrier model in Africa was also examined at length, with mixed results. The analysis also raised network density and connectivity as essential components of business models for delivering profits in an African context.

Dominante teologiese sleutels in die Ned Geref Kerk na 1974

This article [follows upon a] forms a sequel to a previous contribution in which the points of divergence between apartheid theology and the critical voices of Ben Marais and Beyers Naude within the Dutch Reformed Church were analysed, especially with reference to the different “theological keys” employed up to the publication of Human Relations and the South African scene in the light of Scripture (1974). This contribution offers hypo theses for further research on subsequent developments within the Dutch Reformed Church. Three questions are addressed: 1) What happened to the dominant theological keys employed in apartheid theologyafter 1974? 2) Which theological keys became dominant in the Dutch Reformed Church after 1974 and again after 1994? 3) How can the theological points of divergence within the Dutch Reformed Church be understood after 1974 and especially after 1994? Some concluding comments are offered on the significance of such hypotheses for ecumenical relations, especially within the family of Dutch Reformed churches.

Shifting conditions, frameworks and approaches: The work of KPDV in postcolonial Africa

This paper discusses the trajectory and production of the French architecture firm Kalt—Pouradier-Duteil—Vignal. This firm was very prolific in Africa from the late colonial period right up to the 1980s, the author argues, because of its flexibility towards the constantly changing political, economic and socio-cultural context in which it operated. It was first active in the colonial context of mise-en-valeur du territoire, refashioned itself in the post-independence era to become a major consultant to the European Union’s development aid agency and ultimately realised various types of projects throughout West Africa for a wide range of clients, both African and foreign. While throughout this period, commissions for foreign architects in Africa were generally tied to a particular company, international (aid) organisation or (colonial) state agency—which meant that work opportunities ceased if the institutional framework disintegrated—KPDV managed to stay on the African scene for almost thirty years. By discussing a select number of projects designed by KPDV, the author will show that the office accomplished this by constantly reformulating its modes of design, research, building practices and project management in response to the quickly changing context in which it operated.

Seemingly ‘impossible’ art forms: Strijdom van der Merwe’s land art in the context of the South African art market

This article explored the work of Strijdom van der Merwe, the concept of land art and the notion of the artist’s book in the context of the historical and contemporary art market. The premise of the article is the view that if something can be called art, it can also be sold, even if it is an art form that seems ‘impossible’ to sell, such as land art. This article considers the position of Van der Merwe, the pre-eminent South African land artist, in the somewhat unlikely context, of the South African art market. Van der Merwe is a successful full-time land artist, which is a rare phenomenon in the South African art scene. Indeed in the 1960s, land art was deemed impossible to sell anywhere, and this article explored the extent to which this is still the case today. The research method of the article comprised semi-structured interviews and a literature review. It was argued, in view of Van der Merwe’s work, that whilst it may be true that if something can be called art, it can be sold, then the proviso ‘somehow’ must be added when referring to seemingly ‘impossible art’.

Cruelty and Empathy, Animals and Race, in Colonial Kenya

Colonial Kenya was, by anyone's standards, suffused with violence and cruelty. Africans suffered conquest, the cane, and counterinsurgency. Indians endured their share of bloodied noses at the hands of whites. While the European immigrant community gave better than they received—without admitting cruelty no matter the barbarity of their actions—they too believed themselves living amidst unconscionable cruelty. Mother nature, in her heartless way, oversaw a cruel realm. Leopards seemed to have a particular taste for domestic dogs, often snatching them from front porches or even leaping through open windows for their innocent prey. Settler attempts to raise fowl often failed due to pitiless hawks or other predators. Whites were most repulsed by siafu or army ants. Siafu appeared, seemingly from nowhere, marching in a line a foot wide and yards long, consuming any living thing in their path. Europeans recounted gruesome scenes of animals and even human infants killed and bodies picked clean by marauding siafu. Nothing could be done to civilize nature. Dogs could be kept out of harm's way, and ashes could be spread at the perimeter of a house to divert siafu, but leopards could not change their spots, nor ants their ravenous marches. Other parts of the African scene were potentially more amenable to change. Most whites sincerely felt a responsibility to civilize Africans. But slowly. It had taken Britons two thousand years since the Roman invasions to reach the pinnacle of civilization. Under white tutelage Africans would advance more quickly, although it would still be a centuries-long process. Moreover, too much change too quickly was ineffective, even dangerous. Africans would lose their old morality and social structure without truly imbibing modernity. They would slide

Effects of Ethnically Diverse Photographic Stimuli on Preference and Discourse Tasks in African American and Caucasian American Adults

This study determined whether using photographic stimuli displaying different ethnicity (African American vs. Caucasian American) influenced preference, word count, and number of content units produced by African American or Caucasian American participants. Six photograph pairs depicting common scenes were developed, differing only by model ethnicity. Participants sorted photographs by preference and described each photograph from which word count and content unit were determined. Each group showed significant preference for photographs of their own ethnicity. Caucasian Americans produced significantly more words than African Americans. Caucasian Americans also produced significantly more content units. Caucasian Americans produced more content units for African American scenes (nonsignificant). Results suggest that ethnic groups prefer photographic stimuli representing their own ethnicity. Other factors may influence the amount and content of speech produced. If African Americans typically produce less speech with less content than Caucasian American counterparts, separate normative data may be needed for each ethnic group.

COTTESLOE 50 YEARS LATER: DID THE DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH ANSWER TO THE CALL?

The Cottesloe consultation took place fifty years ago. The declaration after the consultation made a call to the church in South Africa to get involved in the struggle against the unjust system of Apartheid. Although the declaration was met by negative reaction from the Dutch Reformed Church, the church struggled since 1961 through various synods to answer to the call of Cottesloe. After the first answer, Human relations and the South African scene in light of scripture, was rejected, it was back to the drawing board. The final answer was eventually given at the Rustenburg conference in 1990 after several important impulses influenced the theological thinking in the church. Although the Dutch Reformed Church officially answered to the call in 1990 the challenge of Cottesloe still remains, fifty years later.

Rhyming with “knowledge of self”: the South African hip-hop scene's discourses on race and knowledge

Rhyming with “knowledge of self”: the South African hip-hop scene's discourses on race and knowledge

The Other Side of the Mountain: An Assessment Visit by a Team Organised Under the Auspices of the Danish Centre for Human Rights to the Overberg Justice Project 9th to 15th December 2001

In the proud, new South Africa, quietly shedding its past, transformation of access to justice is taking place. Efficient allocation of resources through newly emerging “Justice Centres” is opening up legal access to more people in the rainbow nation. Early concentration on criminal defence is broadening to other issues of social welfare (labour law, eviction, family and consumer) justice. Links between Advice Offices out in the community in rural areas and the new Justice Centres provide essential avenues to legal access for the rural poor; farm workers and their families. This report on the Overberg Justice Centre (“OJC”) is based on the findings of a team visit taking place between 9th and 15th December 2001. The methodology of the review, the composition of the team and the objectives of the assessment are set out within. A review of the academic literature then places this assessment in the context of developments internationally and the South African scene. Earlier phases of the project are explained in order to recount the progression leading to the present stage. The Overberg Justice centre is then reviewed some four months after opening and suggestions are made for the future success of this project and the integration of advice ethos and paralegal services into access to justice.

Andries van Aarde – A sideways glance: His theological and hermeneutical contribution to the South African scene

This article pays tribute to Andries van Aarde’s theological and hermeneutical contribution. His research unfolds in three phases: a narrative reading of the text, a social scientific investigation of the context and an ‘ideal construct’ of the historical Jesus. Despite the theoretical nature of these inquiries, Van Aarde indicates convincingly their practical value for the church and society on the whole.

From humble beginnings to a modern-day academic institution: 100 years of Chemistry at the University of Natal in Pietermaritzburg

The article traces the history of the Department of Chemistry from 1910 to 2010. Emphasis is on the people involved and the influence they had in shaping the history of the Department. In the final pages the impact of the Chemistry Department, and its staff and students, have had on the wider South African scene, is discussed.

Coordinating International Support for African Peace and Security Efforts: From the G8 to the EU

The many regional and intrastate wars and conflicts have contributed significantly to Africa's overall economic, political and strategic marginalisation in world affairs. The AU's new African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) is designed to provide conflict prevention, peace-keeping and peace-building on the continent, but lacks autonomy. The UN, EU, G8 countries, China and, to some extent, NATO and India are active players on the African peace and security scene and are engaged in assisting APSA's operationalisation. But the multiplicity of actors, the magnitude of resources involved and the enormity of the challenges point to the need to enhance coordination by setting up a single entry point for channeling international assistance. Having provided the most funding to date, and with its strong strategic ties with Africa and its extensive participation in other regional and global fora, the EU is best equipped to coordinate support to minimise wasteful duplication, ensure synergy in developing the APSA and implementing its mandate.

The Quest for Ubuntu in a Coming-of-Age South Africa – Questions Arising from Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Latter Ideas

AbstractBonhoeffer's latter prison letters contained radical questions about his church's theology in its approach to the secularization (or coming-of-age) of post-Enlightenment Western society. These led him to a burst of remarkable theological exploration in his desire to 'go right back to the beginnings' and try to produce a christologically-based 'non-religious interpretation of biblical concepts'. Here we attempt to follow his exploratory ideas, unworked out as they are, and look for links with the present South African scene: first, the theological scene with its question whether this is the moment for a new Kairos Document and, second, the more general scene in which black intellectuals in particular have been challenged to help awaken the vision and practice of ubuntu (the concept of fullness of being-in-relatedness) – which is too important an objective to be treated in merely socio-political terms. Can Bonhoeffer's legacy, then, encourage fruitful discussion between Christian theology and the proposed intellectual discourse?