Ubuntu. The missing link in the rights discourse in post-apartheid transformation in South Africa

ABSTRACT

A human rights discourse has been central to both the anti-apartheid struggle of South Africa and the country's post-apartheid transformation. But in the drive to extend constitutionally mandated social and economic rights to all South Africans, the approach has had shortcomings. The current neo-liberal economic policy framework constrains policy choices and, in some instances, restricts fair adjudication of rights by the courts. The revival of notions of African Renaissance and indigenous ethnophilosophies, notably ubuntu, which shares the primacy of human dignity of a rights discourse, offers new perspectives. This article looks at the limitations of the human rights discourse and at how ubuntu, as a principled basis for judicial decision making, can contribute to the evolution of the rights discourse in South Africa and lead towards greater realisation of constitutional rights for all.     

Towards understanding the contextual role of traditional leadership in the establishment of cyber communities amongst rural people in South Africa: The case of Dr J.S. Moroka Municipality

Abstract

ICT policies instituted over a number of years by the South African government have failed manifestly in establishing cyber communities amongst rural people in South Africa. The authors of this article argue that for rural South African communities to reap the benefits of ‘cyber citizenship’ and Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D) initiatives, it will be necessary for communities to enable themselves and to take ownership of initiatives to participate in the anticipated South African information society. The authors argue that the success of ICT4D initiatives depends very strongly on an understanding of the interaction of such initiatives with the social context at the local community level. One of the significant aspects of the social context at community level is the role of traditional leaders in these communities. This article examines the role of traditional leadership, with specific reference to the literature on traditional leadership in South Africa and the literature on the role of traditional leadership in ICT4D initiatives, as well as empirical findings from a case study that serves as an example of a ‘typical’ rural community in Mpumalanga, South Africa.     

中国与东南亚交往的民间桥梁:东南亚国家对华友好协会中的华人角色分析

在今天中国与东南亚国家间越来越频繁和多样化的交流活动中,东南亚各国的对华友好协会是这个地区发展对华关系的重要民间桥梁,而华人精英则不同程度地在各自的协会中扮演着重要角色。他们有的在前台起主导作用,有的在幕后起主导作用,有的担任辅佐角色,也有协会华人尚处于缺位状态。在中国与东南亚国家的公共外交中,各国的对华友好协会可以作为公共外交的平台发挥积极作用。     

英国取缔马共的决策过程

1948年6月16日,三名欧籍种植园经理在马来亚北霹雳地区被杀,马来亚殖民当局宣布马来亚部分地区进入"紧急状态".两天后,"紧急状态"覆盖马来亚全境.马来亚殖民当局在宣布"紧急状态"时并没有同时宣布应由哪个政治组织对事态负责.直到7月19日,英国内阁才批准英国驻东南亚首席专员宣布马来亚共产党为非法组织.英国内阁在做出取缔马共的决策时并未掌握马共涉及谋杀事件的确凿证据,对马来亚事态的性质也缺乏把握.     

1960-1962年老挝危机与美泰关系

老挝政局在1954年日内瓦会议后深受东亚冷战形势的影响.1960-1962年危机使老挝成为国际社会关注的焦点,东南亚条约组织的作用受到严峻考验.美国和泰国对东南亚战略及老挝局势的判断和考虑不同.为解决由此引起的矛盾,两国通过<腊斯克一他纳声明>结为双边安全同盟.美泰关系的加强对东南亚冷战具有重要影响.     

中国和平崛起与新时期对外关系--访哈佛大学中国基金会主席柯伟林教授?

美国著名的中国历史学家柯伟林教授对当前中国经济发展、中国梦、中国的地缘政治及新时期对外关系提出了一些很重要的见解。柯伟林认为,中国经济一直是在全球化和国际化的背景下向前发展,中国的地理位置可以让它经济上和平崛起,未来中国经济能够引领全球经济发展。实现中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦必须立足于20世纪中国发展的基础之上。就地缘政治而言,当前中国正处于现代史上最有利的战略地位,中美关系是世界上最重要的双边关系,双方在一些重要领域要坚持合作。