Research Articles (Centre for the Advancement of Scholarship)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/32251

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Introduction : Ubuntu and personhood
Ogude, James (Africa World Press, 2018-06)
BOOK ABSTRACT : This book examines the relationship between Ubuntu and the idea of personhood. Ubuntu in its broadest sense is rooted in the belief that the full development of personhood comes with shared identity and the idea that an individual’s humanity is fostered in a network of relationships: I am because you are; we are because you are. The chapters in this book seek to interrogate this relational quality of personhood embodied in Ubuntu. The book further seeks to examine whether we can talk about relational personhood without running the risk of essentialism. It argues that no human society is possible without a network of relations, which involves, among other elements, communication and interaction between individuals. It is a critical engagement with how Ubuntu shapes those ethical values of connectedness and interdependence within society. The book also asks whether we can find relevance in Ubuntu as an ethical value system, which is likely to mediate our daily activities and the social institutions, which serve communities in post-colonial societies. Further, the book grapples with many questions: Can Ubuntu’s idea of human inter-dependence complement the “European” idea of freedom of the individual, thus lead to a hybridised ethical foundation for a future society? Does Ubuntu share any similarities with other intellectual and philosophical streams from the African continent such as Nyerere’s Ujamaa? If our own idioms and concepts of personhood come with moral entitlements, as they must, how are we to evaluate the conduct of persons whose identity is constructed differently? Finally, how are we to understand agency in a context in which relational quality of personhood is granted alongside individual autonomy?
Epilogue : reflections on personhood through the eyes of A.C. Jordan's The Wrath of Ancestors
Ogude, James (Africa World Press, 2018-06)
BOOK ABSTRACT : This book examines the relationship between Ubuntu and the idea of personhood. Ubuntu in its broadest sense is rooted in the belief that the full development of personhood comes with shared identity and the idea that an individual’s humanity is fostered in a network of relationships: I am because you are; we are because you are. The chapters in this book seek to interrogate this relational quality of personhood embodied in Ubuntu. The book further seeks to examine whether we can talk about relational personhood without running the risk of essentialism. It argues that no human society is possible without a network of relations, which involves, among other elements, communication and interaction between individuals. It is a critical engagement with how Ubuntu shapes those ethical values of connectedness and interdependence within society. The book also asks whether we can find relevance in Ubuntu as an ethical value system, which is likely to mediate our daily activities and the social institutions, which serve communities in post-colonial societies. Further, the book grapples with many questions: Can Ubuntu’s idea of human inter-dependence complement the “European” idea of freedom of the individual, thus lead to a hybridised ethical foundation for a future society? Does Ubuntu share any similarities with other intellectual and philosophical streams from the African continent such as Nyerere’s Ujamaa? If our own idioms and concepts of personhood come with moral entitlements, as they must, how are we to evaluate the conduct of persons whose identity is constructed differently? Finally, how are we to understand agency in a context in which relational quality of personhood is granted alongside individual autonomy?
Understanding amapiano and the South African city through the music videos of Big Flexa and Bhebha
Oloruntoba, Albert Olatunde (Routledge, 2024)
This article explores the impact of the new South African music and dance sub-genre, amapiano, on contemporary South African youth culture, and how this contributes to the ways in which youth practice (re)define the understandings of youth and urbanities in parts of South Africa over the past decade. I analyse two selected amapiano music videos, Big Flexa (2021) by Costa Titch and Bhebha (2023) by Myztro, Mellow & Sleazy, QuayR Musiq, Matuteboy, ShaunMusiQ & Ftears and Xduppy posted on YouTube, exploring their representations of urbanities, South African youth and amapiano culture, and what I conceptualise as cyber-hinterlands in this article. By analysing these themes, the article addresses a range of key cultural and socio-political concerns that represent predominant interests of amapiano makers, consumers, fans and remixers. Recent scholarship on African urbanities has highlighted the porousness of neat rural-urban divides and brought the study of the rural “hinterland” more closely into considerations of African citiness. This article argues for recognising the digital media landscape, largely non-existent during the eras of earlier genres like jazz, kwaito and others, as a cyber-hinterland, akin to the supposed rural “other,” where amapiano youth culture flourishes and profoundly shapes youths’ understanding and experience of urban spaces in South Africa.
Circular mobilities and health care seeking practices for perceived malaria illness among Nairobi residents in Kenya
Nyabundi, Agnetta Adiedo (Routledge, 2024)
The flow of individuals between rural and urban spaces and vice versa has impacted the health of individuals. Nairobi, for instance, is a malaria low-risk area, yet studies report high malaria incidence rates in the city. Could this phenomenon be as a result of circular migration? Studies show that Nairobi’s health facility utilisation rates are relatively high. Yet, observations indicate a high malaria incidence rate and that individuals seek other appropriate treatments, prompting this paper to show how experiences of perceived malaria shape individuals’ healthcare-seeking practices in malaria low-risk areas of Nairobi. This article employs the concept of medical diversity that Krause, Alex & Parkin put forth. Medical diversity implies the mutual borrowing of ideas, practices and styles among the different therapeutic practices adopted by patients in search of a cure. Through narratives and secondary data from blogs, experiences and healthcare-seeking behaviour for perceived malaria in Nairobi were captured. This study found that perceived malaria experiences were based on the wealth of knowledge individuals had received orally through time. The medical knowledge received produced and established diversity in health care seeking. Individuals thus sought appropriate care, not alternative forms of care.
Design thinking as a pedagogical approach for the Jam, a fast-paced cross-institutional programme with a focus on social justice
Nerantzi, Chrissi; Kioupi, Vasiliki; Malone, Cathy; McDonald, Damian; Mushonga, Tafadzwa; Vallance, Simon; Borde, Radhika; Rofe, J. Simon; Parsons, Megan; Roxby Wardle, Naomi; Michel-Villarreal, Rosario; Mack, Annalisa; Bezbaruah, Rishabh; Nyabundi, Agnetta Adiedo; Pullman, Charles (Taylor and Francis, 2025)
This contribution reports on the design phase of the Jam, a short, fast-paced, cross-institutional online programme over three days. Its focus is on social justice and specifically access, use and management of community space, as integral part of sustainability. This novel programme aims to enable learning, generate ideas to address complex issues, build connections and support diverse community members engage in cultural exchanges. Developed by the University of Leeds in collaboration with the University of Pretoria, ls14trust in Seacroft, and Mothong African heritage in Mamelodi, it brings together educators, professional services staff and students and the public in non-hierarchical ways to inspire new and different ways to interact and learn. We present an account of the design phase of the Jam, including an account of our institutional design context, an overview of literature on Jams and Jamming that informed our design of the Social Justice Jam: Spaces for Change 2024.
African political ecologies
Ramutsindela, Maano F.; Mba, Chika C.; Mushonga, Tafadzwa; Aremu, Adeyemi Oladapo; Mutune, Jane Mutheu; Matose, Frank; Dzingirai, Vupenyu; Muthama Muasya, A.; Dorvlo, Selorm Yaotse; Odhiambo, E.G. (Annual Reviews, 2025-10)
This review locates African political ecologies at the intersection of the broader fields of political ecology and African studies. It focuses on African ecological thought and practices in relation to environmental challenges in Africa. Methodologically, it eschews the sectoral approach to the study of African environments by drawing together three interrelated themes of African epistemologies, African agency, and socioecological debt. It treats these themes as the bedrock of African political ecologies that are crucial for engaging and resolving socioecological challenges on the continent and for governing the African commons. These foundational themes offer avenues for appreciating African epistemologies, experiences, and actions as well as the possibilities for context-specific environmental justice within the broader frame of reparation. The review concludes by delineating the scope and agenda for the African political ecologies crucial for broadening political ecological research and African studies.
Editorial : Transforming African food systems
Dougill, Andrew John; Quinn, Claire Helen; May, Julian Douglas; Swanepoel, Frans (Frontiers Media, 2025-09)
It is now widely recognized that food systems in Africa need to urgently transform with the goal of delivering universal access to sustainable, healthy diets for all. Despite political will and agreements via the UN Food Systems Summit (2021) and the 4th CAADP Biennial Review (2024), progress in transforming African food systems remains far too slow and nutritious diets remain inaccessible to more than 1 billion people in Africa.
Africa's cultural unconscious in the making of modern culture : revisiting the trope of return in African literature
Ogude, James (Indiana University Press, 2025-09)
The article argues that the uneasiness with Africa’s place in the narrative of modernity should be taken seriously because it is tied to the discourses of Western modernity, which has always worked to project the African subject as its other. It makes the argument that in spite of all these prejudices, Africa remains securely embedded in the discourses as a repressed ulterior and a point of return for Africans on the continent as well as those in the diaspora. It concludes that the lingering presence of cultural unconscious found in a number of literary texts examined in the article, is a measure of those popular cultural processes that have resisted capitalist rationalization and indeed, a pointer to the incompleteness of modernity in Africa.
How law can contribute to a more holistic assessment of debt sustainability
Bradlow, Daniel David; Lastra, Rosa M.; Park, Stephen Kim (Palgrave Macmillan, 2024-12)
The IMF has acknowledged that climate change and other environmental and social factors issues should be incorporated into its analytical work and the surveillance, financial, and advisory services that it provides member countries. However, the IMF’s current approach to these issues hinders its ability to accurately and equitably assess the nature, diversity, scope, and magnitude of these issues. In this article, we argue that the IMF can draw on existing international and transnational law to develop operational policies and procedures that more effectively address financial, economic, environmental, and social (FEES) factors.
Epidemics : towards understanding undulation and decay
Sauer, Niko (Springer, 2025-05)
Undulation (usually called waves) of infection levels in epidemics, is not well understood. In this paper we propose a mathematical model that exhibits undulation (oscillation) and decay towards a stable state. The model is a re-interpretation of the original SIR-model obtained by postulating different constitutive relations whereby classical logistic growth with recovery is obtained. The recovery relation is based on the premise that it is only achieved after some time. This leads to a differential–difference (delay) equation which intrinsically exhibits periodicity in its solutions but not necessarily decay to asymptotic equilibrium. Limit cycles can indeed occur. An appropriate linearization of the governing equation provides a firm basis for heuristic reasoning as well as confidence in numerical calculations.
Navigating passports and borders : the complex realities of Zimbabwean migrants in South Africa
Chekero, Tamuka; Bhanye, Johannes; Mushonga, Rufaro Hamish; Nyamwanza, Owen (University of the Western Cape, 2025-04)
The acquisition and maintenance of valid passports present complex challenges for many migrants. The complexity arises from many factors including political, economic, and administrative. Employing a multi-sited ethnographic approach, this study scrutinizes the hurdles encountered by Zimbabwean migrants in South Africa when obtaining and renewing passports, visas, and permits. Moreover, the study investigates the far-reaching repercussions of passport-related complexities on the daily existence and welfare of these migrants. The socio-political dynamics shaping the passport experiences of Zimbabwean migrants offer valuable insights into fostering more inclusive migration policies and procedures. Consequently, these challenges significantly impact migrants’ daily lives and overall well-being, impeding their pursuit of a better life in South Africa. In response, migrants resort to “nimble-footed strategies,” such as using ephemeral stamps, to navigate their circumstances. However, these strategies also leave migrants vulnerable to exploitation and a lack of state protection. In essence, this study contributes to understanding the contemporary challenges faced by migrants amidst evolving global crises, particularly in the post-COVID-19 era marked by increased regulation and restriction of migrants. This study traverses diverse geographical and political contexts, by shedding light on the ongoing militarization and contraction of borders and the rights of migrants.
Editorial : Why is the world at war
Vale, Peter Christopher Julius; Maré, Gerhard (University of the Free State, 2024-12)
We, the editors of this Platform, were born while a strain of ‘world order’ was being birthed. It lasted for over seventy years but is said to be collapsing in the face of war and the talk of war. It took form in the years following World War II. Although it has shaped our lives, we were too young to understand the establishment of institutions and ideas.
Utrecht University; exploration, colonial knowledge : a ‘civilizing mission’. Interview with Henk van Rinsum
Botha, Jan; Vale, Peter Christopher Julius; Van Rinsum, Henk (Academy of Science of South Africa, 2025-03)
SIGNIFICANCE : This piece relays an interview with Henk van Rinsum (retired from Utrecht University). In the interview, the idea of the university as a detached space connected with the notion of the alleged objectivity of science is challenged by an “older white Dutchman attempting to offer insights on colonialism”. The interview explores the colonial historical development of a university in Western Europe as it finds its place within the entanglements of Christianity, capitalism, commerce, colonialism, and civilisation. The interview calls for a sensitive dialogue on issues of decolonisation. Are we prepared to address the ills of colonialism, given that we still seem to live under the influence of coloniality, including in higher education?
A new conceptual framework for African sovereign debt : finding an optimal outcome that addresses five challenges
Bradlow, Daniel (Oxford University Press, 2024-12)
The current arrangements through which African sovereigns raise and manage the external finance for sustainable and inclusive development in their countries are functioning sub-optimally. This troubling situation suggests that Africa needs a new approach to managing its sovereign debt and to restructuring the debt when servicing it becomes too burdensome. This paper argues that Africa is currently facing five challenges in regard to its sovereign debt and that addressing them requires a new conceptual framework that facilitates reaching an Optimal Outcome. This is defined as an outcome that, taking into account the circumstances in which the sovereign debtor and its creditors are negotiating their transaction and their respective rights, obligations and responsibilities, offers each of them the best possible mix of economic, financial, environmental, social, human rights and governance benefits.To make this case, the paper will focus on the case of sovereign debt restructurings. These transactions most clearly demonstrate the complexities and the challenges involved in reaching an Optimal Outcome in sovereign debt transactions. The paper is divided into 3 sections. The first section focuses on the five challenges that African countries are facing in managing and, when necessary, restructuring their sovereign debts. The second proposes eight principles, the DOVE (Debts of Vulnerable Economies) Fund Principles, that together offer a new conceptual framework for negotiating and drafting both new and restructured sovereign debt agreements. This new framework will help the sovereign and its creditors reach an Optimal Outcome. The third section draws some conclusions.
Contextual challenges experienced by CHVs in the informal use of mobile phones within integrated community case management (ICCM) in Nyaguda sub-location, Western Kenya
Nyabundi, Agnetta Adiedo; Nyambedha, Erick Otieno; Merten, Sonja; Ombere, Stephen O. (Springer nature, 2024-12)
Since the 1990s, Kenya has made substantial progress towards reducing child mortality. However, Kenya still lags behind regional and global averages in child mortality rates. Developing countries like Kenya face constraints in health system performance and access to services, especially in hard-to-reach areas such as Nyaguda sub-location calling for integrated care. Yet, it faces challenges that the everyday use of mobile phones could potentially address. In Nyaguda sub-location, mobile phones were used informally since they were not part of the integrated Community Case Management feasibility study. Several contextual challenges existed despite the benefits of using mobile phones within iCCM. This paper explores the contextual challenges to the informal use of mobile phones within iCCM in Nyaguda sub-location. The study employed an ethnographic research design. The data collection methods included informal conversations, Focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews. This paper found several challenges to the informal use of mobile phones within iCCM, including physical challenges, high expectations on the Community Health Volunteers, cultural obligations, trust issues, and work/family conflict. The article concludes that physical follow-ups providing deeper connections among the various health stakeholders are still vital despite using mobile phones to avert child morbidity and mortality in hard-to-reach areas.
2023 ASR distinguished lecture : decoloniality and its fissures. Whose decolonial turn?
Ogude, James (Cambridge University Press, 2024-12)
This paper examines the fissures within recent decolonial debates, arguing for the privileging of alternative narratives from formerly colonized groups and a shift away from centring colonialism. It calls for the recognition of decolonial struggles whose histories run deep and the need to link the struggles with indigeneity, its poetics of relations, and connectedness. Therefore, decoloniality requires thinking and doing and paying attention to social and economic well-being of hitherto marginalized indigenous communities, while giving due recognition to their poetics of relationality, reciprocity, and conviviality. Drawing on the example of #RhodesMust Fall movement in South Africa, it raises difficult questions around ownership, agency, while pointing to cracks that this contemporary movement surfaced, in spite of its claim to decoloniality.
The New Development Bank in Africa : mid-term evaluation and lessons learned
Bradlow, Daniel David; Masamba, Magalie L. (Wiley, 2024-05)
The New Development Bank (NDB) launched its first project in Africa on April 13, 2016, and on August 17, 2017, the Bank opened its Africa Regional Centre (ARC) in Johannesburg, South Africa. This article assesses the NDB's presence in Africa. It addresses the following questions: what role is the NDB playing in Africa? What is the ARC and why was its created? How well have the NDB and the ARC been performing? Have they delivered on their intended purpose? If the NDB or the ARC have not performed as well as hoped, or expected, what has stood in their way? We assess the NDB and the ARC within the context of the general experience of some of the projects that the NDB has been financing in Africa and determine whether there are lessons that can help the NDB as it expands further into the continent. The main policy recommendation is that the ARC be strengthened in ways that enhance the NDB's transparency and make it a truly new type of multilateral development bank.
Disclosure, outing and family reactions : experiences of gender and sexuality diverse individuals in Harare, Zimbabwe
Muparamoto, Nelson (Taylor and Francis, 2025)
Extensive research on the process of ‘coming out’ underscores the significance of disclosing one’s sexual orientation and gender identity for personal development and self-expression. However, sharing this information with family members can be difficult, particularly in Zimbabwe where broader social and cultural forces pose significant challenges to ‘coming out’, and gender and/or sexuality diversity is strongly reacted against. This paper explores the experiences of gender and sexuality diverse persons in Harare as they came out to their families, or were ‘outed’ by others. The study involved semi-structured interviews, informal conversations, and focus group discussions with 31 gender and sexuality diverse individuals aged between 18-31 years. The participants revealed the different ways in which their families became aware of their sexual orientation. These pathways included planned disclosure, outing through extortion, blackmail, and other incidents. The narratives shared by participants varied significantly, encompassing a spectrum from overtly negative or positive responses to more complex reactions from families regarding their child or siblings’ gender and sexuality diversity.
Noblesse Oblige : the enduring legacy of Boutros Boutros-Ghal
Adebajo, Adekeye (Brill Academic Publishers, 2024-12)
No abstract available.
Psychosocial support systems for adolescents on antiretroviral therapy in rural western Kenya
Owoko, Lilian Adhiambo (University of Gondar, 2024)
Initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) was a major milestone in the care and management of HIV; however, adolescents who are living with HIV (ALHIV), and who are on ART still show a 50% increase in deaths due to sub-optimal adherence. Despite reduced therapeutic options and higher risk of repeated treatment failure, there was a dearth of information which was focusing on adherence support. This paper was conducted to explore how existing psychosocial support systems promoted adherence among 15-19years old ALHIV on 2nd-line ART. Using focused ethnographic design, data was collected from 37 ALHIV enrolled in the sampled patient support centers. Data was collected by using semi-structured interviews, direct observation, 10 in-depth and 13 key informant interviews and 3 focus group discussions. Social ecological theory was used to explore the interplay between available resources, health habits and life-styles of the respondents. Data from semi-structured interviews were cross-tabulated to identify appropriate relationships. Qualitative data were exposed to thematic analysis, and they were presented using descriptions and verbatim quotations. According to the findings of the study, psychosocial support systems were essential in promoting adherence among ALHIV. The researchers recommended that treatment guidelines and intervention strategies should recognize the central role of psychosocial support from families, and from the healthcare setting, and it promotes their participation in care and management of HIV among ALHIV.

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