South African Perceptions Research Articles

Exploring the Intersection of Social Class and Technological Change: A Study of South African Perceptions of Industry 4.0

Exploring the Intersection of Social Class and Technological Change: A Study of South African Perceptions of Industry 4.0

How did South Africans with disabilities experience COVID-19? Results of an online survey.

People with disabilities are a large, disadvantaged minority, comprising approximately 12% of the population. The South African government has ratified international and regional disability treaties but deals with disability rights within general anti-discrimination legislation. There are no specific frameworks to monitor justice for people with disabilities. The study aims to inform further development of disability inclusive mechanisms relating to crises including pandemics. This study explored the perceptions of South Africans with disabilities, to understand their experiences during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), focussing on socioeconomic, well-being and human rights aspects. An online survey tool generated quantitative and qualitative data. Widespread publicity and broad recruitment were achieved through project partners networks. Participants responded via mobile phone and/or online platforms. Nearly 2000 people responded, representing different genders, impairments, races, socio-economic status, education and ages. Findings include: (1) negative economic and emotional impacts, (2) a lack of inclusive and accessible information, (3) reduced access to services, (4) uncertainty about government and non-government agencies' support and (5)exacerbation of pre-existing disadvantages. These findings echo international predictions of COVID-19 disproportionally impacting people with disabilities. The evidence reveals that people with disabilities in South Africa experienced many negative impacts of the pandemic. Strategies to control the virus largely ignored attending to human rights and socioeconomic well-being of this marginalised group. The evidence will inform the development of the national monitoring framework, recognised by the South African Government and emphasised by the United Nations as necessary to ensure the realisation of the rights of people with disabilities during future crises including pandemics.

Analysing linguistic stereotypes in Cell C and King Price’s multilingual South African television advertisements

This article highlights the role of television advertisements in raising awareness of the importance of being multilingual in the current transformational and technological age in South Africa, where social cohesion is the end goal. This article focuses on Cell C and King Price advertisements, where parallels are drawn, highlighting the important role of language in multilingual settings and how through speaking another language, cultural barriers can be avoided. This article illustrates the stereotypical perceptions of South Africans and how through language these stereotypes are removed. The authors engage in a contemporary analysis of linguistic, racial, cultural and gender stereotypes, considering South Africa’s discriminatory past. The advertisements highlight the important role of African languages (including Afrikaans) in the transformational agenda and debunks the myth that English creates unity in diversity. The key focus of this article is the media’s role in implementing the constitutional imperative of language equality for all, where the nine African languages are developed, used and promoted in high-status domains. These advertisements are pivotal, where English is being adopted across society as evidenced most recently by the English-only language of record policy for courts. The article concludes with recommendations for future advertisements that can be used as tools to promote the use of African languages.

Reminisces of Participants in the Struggle against Apartheid about Studying in the USSR (1960s–1980s)

This article is a review of South African cadets’ and students’ memoirs that received political or/and military education in the Soviet Union as a part of Soviet assistance in solidarity against the apartheid. Most of them were fighters of the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC) “Umkhonto we Sizwe”. This paper examines and cites the curious aspects of Soviet life noted by the arriving students, among whom was the ex-President of South Africa Thabo Mbeki, as well as many former and current high-ranking authorities of this country. It is worth saying that the authors of the published recollections highlighted not only the positive aspects of their stay in the Soviet Union, but also did mentioned some negative sides, thus providing a more “complete” picture. However, one should not forget that in many ways the description of certain events was directly related to the student’s outlook and could differ from the real state of affairs. The authors of this article were especially interested in what trainees expected to see in the USSR, how their relations with Soviet citizens were built, and what experience they kept in mind at the end of their studies. The authors tried, partially quoting the memoirs of some freedom fighters, to answer these questions. It is worth pointing out that as one of the main results of cooperation Soviet officers and other instructors, by their own example, were able to change the racial perceptions of South Africans by showing how “white” people could be.

Perceptions of South Africans on traditional leadership: a case of Limpopo Province

ABSTRACT The institution of traditional leadership was recognized by the constitution of the Republic of South Africa. The debate about its relevance has been going on even before South Africa gained independence. The study investigated the perceptions of South Africans on the institution of traditional leadership. This study adopted qualitative and quantitative designs using literature review and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) to obtain secondary and primary data respectively. The study has shown that even at the time when others opposed its existence, it enjoys support from the rural people. It has also shown that this institution should co-exist formally with the elected government to complement the latter in policy implementation to speed up service delivery. It finally showed that this institution is still relevant in the African politics. Therefore, the constitution should be amended to allow this institution to operate side by side with the elected government. This will enable them to take their needs to the municipal council for tabling and decisions as they are popular to existing councillors. This mechanism of decentralisation has to be implemented if the elected government is to survive.

Dating persons with physical disabilities: the perceptions of South Africans without disabilities

There is good reason to believe that the attitudes of persons without disability towards dating a person with a physical disability might be unfavourable. However, in general, and in the Global South in particular, there is a dearth of research in this area. This study sought to take the first step in addressing this lack of enquiry, by surveying the attitudes of a general population sample in South Africa towards dating people with physical disabilities, using a vignette. Data from 1723 survey respondents were analysed thematically. Findings reveal largely negative attitudes towards people with physical disabilities. Respondents without disability perceived numerous barriers to dating a person with a physical disability, including social stigma, anxiety and concerns about the burden of care they believed such a relationship would place upon them. However, there was some evidence to suggest that some positive attitudes do exist, and a few respondents were open to dating a person with physical disabilities. Findings contribute to a nuancing and expanding of the ‘myth of asexuality’ among physically disabled people by showing that people with physical disabilities are actively desexualised by persons without disability. Future research is needed to explore how the inclusive attitudes, of which we did find evidence here, can be further cultivated.

Kinship, collegiality and witchcraft: South African perceptions of sorcery and the occult aspects of contemporary academia

Certain South African perceptions of sorcery acquire new resonance when considered in the context of present-day corporatised, managerially governed higher education. Concepts of witchcraft from elsewhere in Africa further illuminate this. Indeed, there are certain striking metaphorical parallels between distinctive trends in the contemporary market-driven academic environment and various perceptions of witchcraft. These include the connections between kinship and witchcraft; also the belief that greed, jealousy and the selfish accumulation of material resources can be associated with sorcery. This conviction has certain points of comparison with the damaging effects of the impetus towards “individualism, competition and consumption” (Salim Vally) in higher education, stemming from broader trends in globalised corporate capitalism. Thus there are areas of commonality between certain African perceptions of sorcery and the corporatised academic environment.

ENCOUNTERING RECENT AFRICAN MIGRANTS AND IMMIGRANTS TO SOUTH AFRICA: TOWARDS UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF RELIGION AND CULTURE IN THE RECEPTION OF RECENT AFRICAN MIGRANTS AND IMMIGRANTS TO SOUTH AFRICA

A very public debate and some street confrontations show that many South Africans find it difficult to come to terms with the idea that Africans from outside South Africa live and work in South Africa. Contrary to a dominant discourse using religion and culture as resources for the positing of unity, recognition and reconciliation, xenophobia seems to have become part of the South African landscape. However, the reasons for the xenophobia are more complex than expected. Most of the negative perceptions of South Africans about foreign Africans in South Africa have proved to be false. The possibility of religious and cultural constructions mediating the xenophobia is explored. It is argued that an entry into the problem through religion and culture should contribute to a better understanding of the problem, but hat too little empirical work has been done in this respect to date.

Appreciative inquiry evaluation of child and adolescent community interventions in South Africa and United Kingdom

This international, qualitative study comparatively evaluated South African and United Kingdom child and adolescent community interventions. Appreciative inquiry information was gathered from five staff members in community centres in each country. South African practitioners represented various psychology categories, student, educational, counselling and clinical. United Kingdom multi-disciplinary practitioners comprised correctional officers and educational specialists. Data on practitioners’ perceptions about their respective community interventions were thematically content analysed. Both countries practitioners perceived individual, family and group community interventions transcended traditional professional activities. South African perceptions were more concerned with rural, grass roots issues involving provision of basic services, as well as community liberation, development and empowerment. United Kingdom perceptions were more structured, concerned with individual monitoring and placement of persons into established systems. Both countries utilised recognised community psychology models. South African interventions were relatively more liberatory and social action orientated and United Kingdom interventions were more mental health and organisationally structured.

The concept of sustainable sugarcane production: Global, African and South African perceptions

This paper provides the general information on sugarcane production in relation to its sustainability. The paper starts by discussing sugarcane production at global, continental and national level. Challenges in the sugarcane production arena in South Africa are discussed; these bounce on the poor standard of farming by local commercial farmers and the competitiveness of the industry at the global perspective. Then, it outlines and describes in details the five pillars of suitable agriculture as they apply in sugarcane production. It then ends by highlighting the corporate social responsibility and social acceptance of the sugarcane industry in South Africa which include training and capacity building of locals in elementary and professional skills in sugarcane production. Key words: Sustainability, production, industry, economic viability, social acceptance.

From a Deficit-based to an Appreciative Inquiry Approach in Extension Programs: Constructing a Case for a Positive Shift in the Current Extension Intervention Paradigm

This paper presents a philosophical argument for the institutionalization of appreciative approaches in extension programs. Such institutionalization would influence the negative discourse often directed toward the extension discipline. An Appreciative Inquiry approach offers an alternative, constructionist method to guide extension practitioners to envision a robust, positive future. Specific references are made to the perceptions of South Africans toward extension to anchor the pessimistic view. Public extension has been overly criticized in the agricultural development discipline for being irrelevant, nonfocused, and least beneficial to clients. Many blamed actors in extension for being complacent and incompetent. Yet, others perceived the challenging demands on extension as opportune for innovative reforms in strategy and approach. The paper argues that top-down approaches used in extension locate immense responsibility on practitioners to resolve development problems, thus limiting its chances for success. The resultant failure in approaches used is publicly perceived as failure of Extension.Three possible factors drive the pessimistic view. First, institutions of Extension tend to be narrowly perceived as useful to rural farm households. They overlook the heterogeneous character of communities, and their diverse survival strategies. Second, Extension approaches locate agenda-setting powers in the hands of the intervener, not the client. Last, extension interventions tend to be problem focused, often advancing problem modes of thinking. A shift in paradigm toward appreciative modes of probing, planning, and intervention for sustainable development is called for. This paper concludes with a pro-appreciative inquiry rationale for consideration by extension practitioners as they heed the call for Extension renewal.

Does the church deliver? Perceptions amongst South Africans about the role of the church in the HIV/AIDS field

The aim of this study was to investigate the perceptions of South Africans regarding the church and their attitudes towards HIV-positive people and condom usage. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to investigate participants’ perceptions and attitudes towards the church, HIV-positive people and condom usage. The questionnaire was completed by 1352 participants from diverse religious and other backgrounds. Results showed that 67.2% of participants (mostly active church goers) were prepared to go to their minister for support (if they were HIV-positive). Views that HIV/AIDS is God’ s punishment, that HIV-infection is the result of a ‘sinful lifestyle’ and the condemnation of condom usage were more prevalent among certain categories of people (eg. those who had not been tested for HIV before, men, persons from rural areas, people of lower education level, the unemployed and in some cases the more active members of the church). A third (33.5%) of the participants believed that religious people would be less prone to HIV-infection than non-religious people. 59.1% participants (mostly women and active church goers) believed that the church is doing its best to support HIV-positive people.

Public perceptions on national health insurance: moving towards universal health coverage in South Africa.

Since 1994, considerable progress has been made in transforming the South African health care system, implementing programmes that improve the health of the population, and improving access to health care services. However, amid escalating health care costs disparities continue to exist between the public and private health sectors. The implementation of a national or social health insurance remains elusive despite three government-appointed committees on the matter. This paper reports on the findings of a national probability household sample of the South African population, drawn as part of the 2005 HIV/AIDS national survey, to gauge public opinion on universal health care coverage. The perceptions of South Africans were assessed on selected health care affordability and financing issues. The majority support efforts to contain medicine costs and one-third are of the opinion that the country can provide everyone with all the needed health care and medical services. A large percentage of participants thought it more important to provide improved health care coverage even if it meant raising taxes, while a small percentage said it is better to hold down taxes despite lack of access to health care for some South Africans. Almost a quarter of participants were unable to comment on questions posed to them, indicating the need for improved public education and communication. The study provides important insights into public opinion on key policy issues. However, greater public awareness is needed to ensure an informed debate, while the design of a universal national health insurance scheme must take into account both the current context and public opinion.

South African Perceptions of Russians: A Personified Portrait

This paper discusses the results of original research on reconstructing a personified ‘portrait’ of Russians according to South African perceptions. The data was collected from various social and mother-tongue groups in the RSA. Students from three South African universities were asked for their opinions on Russian heroes/symbols as a recognized resource for studying the ways in which foreigners perceive the Russian national identity. A personified portrait is understood to be a set of specific personalities, famous people from any country, in this case Russia. These people represent both the present and the past. They can also be characters from works of art' or fiction who could represent the Russian people in the perceptions of foreigners. The author underlines the scientific and general educational importance as well as the methodological and practical value of ethno-psycholinguistic modeling of the Russian national identity. The article also indicates some possibilities for utilization of the research results in teaching the Russian language, culture and literature to foreigners.