scholarly journals Funksionele meertaligheid in Suid-Afrika: 'n onbereikbare ideaal?

Literator ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Verhoef
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
Final Report ◽  
North West ◽  
African Languages ◽  
The North ◽  
Mother Tongue Instruction ◽  
Education Act ◽  
Regional Languages

Functional multilingualism in South Africa: an unattainable ideal? Although much has been done on an official level to establish true multilingualism in South Africa, a tendency towards English monolingualism seems to exist in the country. The aim of this article is to describe the official stipulations in pursuit of multilingualism, as they appear in the Constitution (Act 108 of 1996), the School Act (Act 84 of 1996) and the final report of Langtag. In addition to the present demands, the article also responds to previous demands for multilingualism in the South African context, particularly as stated in the Bantu Education Act of 1953. It is argued that, because of the negative connotations associated with mother-tongue instruction in the past, contemporary mother-tongue instruction will also be contaminated. Apart from the theoretical investigation into multilingualism, the article reports on empirical research that has been done in this regard in the North West Province where the attitudes and perceptions of the school population towards the regional languages were measured. Although the subjects reacted positively to the official status granted to several South African languages, they expressed a preference for English as working language because of the access it gives to personal, economic and social development and empowerment. The article concludes with brief recommendations regarding language planning opportunities that derive from this situation.

scholarly journals Switch from Mother Tongue to English: A Double Jeopardy

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. p22
Author(s):  
Berrington Ntombela
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
Medium Of Instruction ◽  
Critical Approach ◽  
African Languages ◽  
The Status ◽  
Mother Tongue Instruction ◽  
Intellectual Capacity ◽  
The Moment ◽  
English Medium Of Instruction

This paper interrogates the sorry state of switching from mother tongue instruction to English medium of instruction in South Africa. Adopting a critical approach to literature review, it critiques the resistance mounted on the utility of African languages as viable media of instruction. It argues that the status quo is perpetuated by the dominance of English as a medium of instruction both in South Africa and abroad, and that this state of affairs can be traced back to a colonial system which presently works itself out as globalisation and internationalisation. The paper ends by demonstrating how switching from mother tongue instruction to English medium of instruction robs learners and teachers of their intellectual capacity, where they appear incompetent due to a language barrier. The paper concludes that the situation could only be rescued by promoting mother tongue instruction for the majority of South Africans which at the moment is enjoyed by a minority.

scholarly journals Erythristic leopards Panthera pardus in South Africa

Bothalia ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tara J. Pirie ◽  
Rebecca L. Thomas ◽  
Mark D.E. Fellowes
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Colour Morph ◽  
Panthera Pardus ◽  
North West ◽  
North East ◽  
The North ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Genetically Determined

Background: Leopards (Panthera pardus) show genetically determined colour variation. Erythristic (strawberry) morphs, where individuals are paler and black pigment in the coat is replaced by a red-brown colour, are exceptionally rare in the wild. Historically, few records exist, with only five putative records known from India.Objectives: To record the presence of erythristic leopards in our study site (Thaba Tholo Wilderness Reserve, Mpumalanga) and to collate records from across South Africa. Method: A network of camera traps was used to record individual leopards at Thaba Tholo. We also surveyed local experts, searched the popular South African press, and used social media to request observations.Results: Two out of 28 individual leopards (7.1%) recorded in our study site over 3 years were of this colour morph. We obtained records of five other erythristic leopards in the North West and Mpumalanga regions, with no reports outside of this population.Conclusions: Erythristic leopards are widely dispersed across north-east South Africa, predominantly in the Lydenburg region, Mpumalanga. The presence of this rare colour morph may reflect the consequences of population fragmentation.

scholarly journals Design And Development of a Narrative Based Tabletop Game for Promoting Soft Skills Acuisition in Technical Students in The South African

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 41-47
Author(s):  
Lance R Bunt ◽  
Jacob J. Greeff
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
South African ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Development Process ◽  
Soft Skills ◽  
Serious Game ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Technical Students

A serious tabletop game called “Gr8 Success!” has been developed for an undergraduate Communication skills module at the North-West University (NWU) in South Africa. This paper presents the details of the development process and discusses the first play tested prototype of the serious game in question. The game is described in the context of a conceptual framework being developed by researchers at the Serious Game Institute of South Africa (SGI-SA).

scholarly journals Review of Parasuicide Cases in a South African District Hospital from 2013-20181

2020 ◽  
Vol 72 (1-3) ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Bongongo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
District Hospital ◽  
Secondary Level ◽  
Common Method ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Relationship Problem ◽  
Study Results

ABSTRACT Parasuicide is referred to as an apparent attempt at suicide without the actual intention of killing oneself. Its prevalence continues to increase at Brits District Hospital. The current study aimed to review the parasuicide cases presented at this hospital from 2013 to 2018. The hospital is located in Madibeng district, in the North-West Province of South Africa. The study results have painted a clear picture of parasuicide cases at Brits district hospital where the phenomenon was more often observed among young African females, who were single, unemployed, and with a secondary level of education. For most of them, it was the first attempt and mainly occurred in the months of January and February. Overdose of medication was the most common method used and a relationship problem remained the main reason that motivated the attempt.

scholarly journals Die invloed van taalhoudings op onderrigmediumkeuse in Suid-Afrika

Literator ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 37-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. De Wet
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Language Attitudes ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
Human Right ◽  
Political Empowerment ◽  
African Languages ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Masses

The influence of language attitudes on the choice of the medium of instruction in South Africa The South African Constitution (Act 108 of 1996) recognises language as a basic human right and emphasises the right of choice of every individual with regard to the language of learning and teaching (LOLT). In exercising their democratic language choice, the majority of South African learners and their parents reject their right to mother-tongue education and disregard research findings that emphasise the benefits of mother-tongue instruction. From a study of subject-related literature it has become clear that the masses in South Africa believe that a knowledge of English is the key to economic and political empowerment. Against the background of these findings, the article reports on an empirical study on the language attitudes of undergraduate Education and B.Ed. students at the Bloemfontein and Queenstown campuses of the University of the Free State. The study confirms the findings of the subject-related study to a large extent, namely that English is seen as the key to economic and political empowerment. The opposite is, however, proven by literacy and poverty figures, as well as by studies on blacks’ proficiency in English. Proceeding from the economic, political and educational realities, the article offers a few suggestions for the development of African languages as LOLT.

The first records of Polygala westii (Polygalaceae) for South Africa (North-West Province) and a key to the southern African Polygala species in the Section Tetrasepalae

Phytotaxa ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 202 (3) ◽  
pp. 198
Author(s):  
Stoffel Petrus Bester ◽  
Jorge Paiva
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
First Record ◽  
The South ◽  
Preliminary Assessment ◽  
African Species ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
North West Province

The first record of Polygala westii (Polygalaceae) from the North-West Province (South Africa) is reported on here. The species is very rare and has previously only been collected in two separate gatherings. This species is characterised by having bracts and bracteoles caducous, the anterior sepals connate at least as much as half of their length and seeds pubescent and carunculate. It grows in a habitat that are severely impacted by agriculture and mining. A preliminary assessment of its conservation status is given. A key to the South African species in the subsection (Tetrasepalae) to which P. westii belong is provided. The aim of this paper is to highlight the species in order to stimulate the lookout for more material of this species.

scholarly journals A study of descriptive data for orphans and non-orphans on key criteria of economic vulnerability in two municipalities in South Africa

Curationis ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald Skinner ◽  
Carla Sharp ◽  
Sean Jooste ◽  
Sakhumzi Mfecane ◽  
Leickness Simbayi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
General Situation ◽  
Descriptive Data ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
North West ◽  
Aids Epidemic ◽  
The North ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Access To Food

Background: It is generally assumed that orphan status increases the risk to children of a range of negative outcomes. In South Africa, death of parents due to HIV-related illness is contributing to a rapid increase in the prevalence of orphans. This paper presents descriptive data from two South African communities, namely Kopanong, in the Free State and Kanana in the North West province, characterising the differences between orphans (double, maternal and paternal) and non-orphans on key criteria of social vulnerability.Objectives: The objective was to obtain a better understanding of how different types of orphans and non-orphans may differ in these key areas as a crucial starting point for addressing the devastating consequences the AIDS epidemic has on these children’s lives. While the study focuses on two specific areas these will provide insight into the general situation of orphans in South Africa.Methods: A cross-sectional census survey was conducted in the two communities of Kopanong, comprising n = 5254 households and Kanana, comprising n = 12 984 households.Results: In Kopanong, 8.2% of children had lost both parents, 19.1% had lost their father and 6.5% their mother only, whilst in Kanana the results were 6.5%, 28.1% and 3.7% respectively. Loss of both parents appeared to have a consistent impact on material need, including access to food, clothing and essential services, whilst loss of a single parent seems to have a more variable impact. At present, there are very few child headed households, but this constitutes a risk in the longer term.Conclusions: Orphans appear to be more vulnerable in terms of material need. Children assessed in this study as being most in need were not accessing adequately many services directed at them. There is a need to extend understanding and measurement of emotional need and abuse. 

scholarly journals Nutrition security, livelihoods and HIV/AIDS: implications for research among farm worker households in South Africa

2005 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 844-852 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Lemke
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Population Group ◽  
Farm Workers ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Farm Worker ◽  
North West ◽  
Nutrition Security ◽  
The North ◽  
Hiv Aids

AbstractObjectivePrevious research on the health transition and nutrition security in black South African households revealed the need for further research among farm workers who belong to the poorest population categories. This article gives an overview of the link between nutrition security, livelihoods and HIV/AIDS in South Africa, drawing conclusions for research among farm worker households.Design and setting: A literature review, observations on farms and interviews with farmers and key informants were carried out in 2003 and 2004. Peer examination was done with South African and German researchers from the natural and social sciences.ResultsFarm workers face poverty and nutrition insecurity and continue to be a tragically underserved population group, also in terms of research. There is furthermore a lack of in-depth research on underlying causes for nutrition security in South Africa and on the link with livelihoods, poverty and HIV/AIDS. Micro-social qualitative research from the household and gender perspective is required, as valid data on households, their internal dynamics and therefore the reflection of social realities are missing. A multidisciplinary research approach based on a new conceptual framework was developed to address the situation of farm worker households.ConclusionThe outlined research contributes to existing programmes on farms in the North West Province, with the findings being valid also for other parts of southern Africa facing poverty, nutrition insecurity and HIV/AIDS.

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