Journal of Law, Society and Development

“Breaking Bread, Breaking Barriers”: An Ecological systems theoretical analysis of Food Insecurity in South African Higher Education Institutions

James Ojochenemi David — 2024-03-14

Food insecurity is an increasingly pressing issue in South Africa, affecting higher education institutions. The country’s prevalent poverty and unemployment rates, exacerbated by the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, have led to reduced funding for higher education institutions. As a result, students’ well-being is compromised, with many experiencing hunger and difficulties in their academic progress. While existing literature addresses food insecurity in South African higher education institutions, a comprehensive understanding from a systems theoretical perspective is lacking. This study applies Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, a multi-level analysis framework, to examine the complexities of food insecurity in South African higher education institutions. The analysis explores the microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, and chronosystem dimensions of food insecurity as a multidimensional challenge requiring holistic response strategies. Drawing on scholarly literature, news articles, and reports from governmental and non-governmental organisations, this qualitative research sheds light on the multifaceted nature of food insecurity challenges in higher education institutions, with a specific focus on student development. Insights from Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory enhance the understanding of the barriers to student well-being and academic success and underscore the need for targeted interventions. The findings contribute to the literature on food insecurity as a complex problem and guide policy decisions, interventions, and initiatives.

Political Financing around the World: A Historical Overview and Financing Models; Which Model for Uganda?

Daniel Masumba Walyemera — 2024-02-21

This paper provides an overview of political financing in the world. This enables the proposal to select a suitable political financing model for Uganda. In this regard, an effort has been made to trace the origins of political financing from North America to Africa. The justification for its existence has also been illustrated. Political financing can facilitate the protection and promotion of international human rights standards. This is especially so, regarding citizens’ rights to participate in their public affairs. The paper also shows that money has justifiable and legitimate purposes in electoral campaigns. Its unregulated use, however, may lead to corruption. Finally, the paper suggests a political financing model appropriate to Uganda’s environment. Doctrinal methods of research were used to carry out the study. This method of research involves a library-based analysis of legal sources. There are two steps to the doctrinal research methods. The first step is finding the primary sources of law. The second step is the examination of these primary sources.

Barriers and Strategies to Improve Men’s Uptake of HIV Care Services in Rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: A Qualitative Approach

Oluwafemi Adeagbo — 2024-02-21

The 2017 Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS Blind Spot report echoes the challenges as well as the benefits of men’s effective utilisation of HIV services. However, men have been consistently missing from the HIV care cascade, leading to poor health outcomes in men and ongoing transmission of HIV in young women in South Africa. This study sought to understand key barriers to effective uptake of HIV services among men and potential strategies to address these challenges. Ten semi-structured telephone interviews and three workshops were conducted (from July to November 2020) with a purposive sample of men aged 21–65 years (N = 26) from rural KwaZulu-Natal. Broad themes were identified from the interview transcripts and analysed inductively. Masculine norms, stigma, and fear of an HIV identity were major barriers to the uptake of HIV testing among men as well as hesitancy due to perceived risks. Participants living with HIV identified various sociopsychological, structural, and COVID-related factors inhibiting the uptake of and adherence to HIV treatment. Besides condoms and circumcision, no participants had prior knowledge of pre-exposure prophylaxis. Participants suggested that men need tailored HIV/AIDS messaging and education (led by men living with HIV) about the benefits of HIV testing, treatment, and prevention. Importantly, they believed that community delivery of HIV services would encourage more men to engage in care. To achieve zero new infections and zero AIDS-related deaths of men in South Africa, efforts should be directed to developing tailored emotive educational and community-based interventions that address identified barriers to improve men’s utilisation of HIV care services.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Female School Leadership in the Tshwane South District in South Africa

Penelope Mgiba — 2024-02-21

Female school leaders in South Africa experienced challenges during the pandemic because of gender stereotypes. This study aimed to explore the impact of COVID-19 on female school leadership. Qualitative methods were used to interpret female leaders’ attitudes, experiences, and understanding of specific circumstances. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews supported by analysis of school documents. Findings revealed that female school leaders relied on their self-confidence, networking, and use of COVID-19 policy to overcome challenges. This study presented that the use of different leadership styles also made a positive impact on female school leaders. They experienced challenges such as failure to execute their leadership positions due to gender stereotypes and lack of community and district support. There is a need for the government to develop approaches that would address the impact of COVID-19 across sectors. Future studies should examine support for school leaders.

Rethinking the (Un)just Transition: A Review of the Impact of Neoliberal Approaches to Energy Governance in South Africa

Angwe Rachel Lekunze — 2024-03-14

South Africa has demonstrated a firm commitment to a just transition from coal to renewable energy sources by outlining a roadmap for the decommissioning of its coal-fired power stations and procuring clean energy. Ideally, this is a laudable response to climate change and a pathway to a sustainable future. However, the just transition is not inherently just because of the underlying neoliberal policies that underpin it, and which are, to a large degree, not in South Africa’s best interests. The purported just transition has unintended results, such as undermining South Africa’s energy sovereignty, perpetuating existing global power imbalances, aggravating energy poverty, and leading to many economic and social injustices. This paper uses doctrinal legal research to explore the influence of neoliberal policies in South Africa’s just transition towards renewable energy. It argues that a truly Just Energy Transition must be grounded in South Africa’s best interests and should not sacrifice the country’s energy sovereignty for a perceived greater good at a time when giant economies in the West, which are responsible for the bulk of activities which contribute to climate change, are revamping their coal-fired power stations and buying South Africa’s coal for their own heating, lighting, and industry. To achieve this, the paper examines the duplicity arising from what may be perceived as an embrace of neoliberal policies in fighting climate change by phasing out existing energy sources at a time when economic activity in the country is retreating due to the lack of a consistent and reliable energy supply. As such, the paper makes a case for an energy-sovereign South Africa that prioritises domestic control over energy resources, promotes renewable energy deployment that is socially just and equitable, and empowers communities to shape their energy futures. It argues that for South Africa to attain energy sovereignty, it must look into its own resources and revisit the neoliberal aspects of its law and policy that compromise its ability to fight energy poverty.