JCH 2010 Volume 35 Issue 1

Permanent URI for this collection

http://hdl.handle.net/11660/2541

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 33

Open Access
The 23rd African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) conference in Bloemfontein: a Polokwane political hangover?
(Faculty of Humanities, University of the Free State, 2010) Twala, Chitja
The ANCYL played a significant role in the history of the ANC, therefore the actions of its members at their 23rd conference in Bloemfontein were disturbing for the ANC. Already in the build-up it was clear that rivalries between factions were rife and before the conference started there had been disruptions. The article highlights the reasons behind the rivalry and the ANC’s leadership’s handling of the situation. The rivalry was not due to ideological differences but to support for personalities. The ANC leaders and ex-ANCYL leaders aired their dissatisfaction with the unruly conduct and the pursuit of political self-advancement. Many members rejected the outcome of the leadership election and the congress was adjourned. The ANC intervened and at a closed session later that month the election of the five officials and the National Executive Commission was maintained. A number of organizational, policy and leadership issues were discussed. The divisions were, however, still apparent. The conference in Bloemfontein was obviously a political hangover of the ANC’s conference at Polokwane.
Open Access
The 23rd African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) conference in Bloemfontein: a Polokwane political hangover?
(Faculty of the Humanities, University of the Free State, 2010-06) Twala, Chitja
The ANCYL played a significant role in the history of the ANC, therefore the actions of its members at their 23rd conference in Bloemfontein were disturbing for the ANC. Already in the build-up it was clear that rivalries between factions were rife and before the conference started there had been disruptions. The article highlights the reasons behind the rivalry and the ANC’s leadership’s handling of the situation. The rivalry was not due to ideological differences but to support for personalities. The ANC leaders and ex-ANCYL leaders aired their dissatisfaction with the unruly conduct and the pursuit of political self-advancement. Many members rejected the outcome of the leadership election and the congress was adjourned. The ANC intervened and at a closed session later that month the election of the five officials and the National Executive Commission was maintained. A number of organizational, policy and leadership issues were discussed. The divisions were, however, still apparent. The conference in Bloemfontein was obviously a political hangover of the ANC’s conference at Polokwane.
Open Access
Book review
(Faculty of Humanities, University of the Free State, 2008) Wessels, André
Open Access
Co-operative governance and good governance: reality or myth?
(Faculty of Humanities, University of the Free State, 2010) Coetzee, Tania
Serious questions are being asked concerning the manifestation of instability in society. The phenomena of maladministration, corruption, unrest, protests, failure in leadership, and the results of protest marches and poor service delivery, make one believe that the value, functioning and contribution of co-operative governance and intergovernmental relations is a myth. When public protests and instability are analysed, the main issue found at the heart of the problem concerns co-operation, implementation and co-ordination between the various spheres of government. Co-operation is needed to ensure satisfactory service delivery. The question can be asked if there is a direct relationship between poor service delivery, public protests and co-operative governance and good governance. Firstly the conceptual and constitutional framework of co-operative governance and intergovernmental relations will be discussed. In the following section the problems and challenges facing good governance will be analysed. Aspects pertaining to structural tension, policy choices, responsibility, accountability and implications of problems with good governance will be assessed. The manifestation of practical situations will be viewed against the background of co-operative governance.
Open Access
Continuity and change: an evaluation of the democracy-foreign policy nexus in post-apartheid South Africa
(Faculty of Humanities, University of the Free State, 2010) Hudson, Heidi
If foreign policy is viewed as an “intermestic” arena where the external meets the internal, then it becomes possible to see how internal domestic factors drive foreign policy making. In this context the democracy-foreign policy nexus and the role of governmental and non-governmental foreign policy actors help to reconcile ideals and interests and put foreign policy contradictions into perspective. The desirability of democratic participation in foreign policy is taken as a given, but agency has to go beyond representation to include issues of participation and political dialogue. The focus of this article is the democratic deficit of the Mbeki foreign policy (1999-2008), with some reference to the Zuma administration. The way in which foreign policy was personalised under the presidency of Mbeki was instrumental in closing the space for meaningful participation in the foreign policy processes. The article concludes that democratic foreign policy making is impeded by an overall deterioration in the quality of democracy in post-apartheid South Africa. It further contends that there is more continuity than change across the Mbeki and Zuma administrations’ policy orientations (both domestic and foreign) and warns that the challenges which Mbeki faced in terms of democratic consolidation may be exacerbated in the Zuma period if certain demons are not tackled head on.
Open Access
The controversy surrounding Private Military Companies (PMCs): looking back on executive outcomes
(Faculty of the Humanities, University of the Free State, 2010-06) Senekal, Burgert
Amidst arguments that the nature of war has changed, notably by Kaldor (2006), Keegan (2004), Münkler (2005), and Van Creveld (2008), Private Military Companies (PMCs) have received increasing media and scholarly attention over the past decade. South Africa is no stranger to the media storm evoked by Blackwater USA during the recent conflict in Iraq Executive Outcomes (hereafter referred to as EO) caused a comparable controversy during the 1990s, first through their involvement in Angola after the withdrawal of the SADF, and later through their contract in Sierra Leone. At the time, PMCs were still a relatively new phenomenon, and thus research was scarce and it was difficult to discuss EO properly in the context of PMCs rather than as mercenaries. In the wake of the war in Iraq, the rapid growth of research into the PMC phenomenon has however provided a wealth of information that facilitates a better understanding of EO’s role in the post-Cold War conflict environment. This article aims to discuss EO in this global debate by using recent research into the phenomenon, arguing that Executive Outcomes was part of a global trend in warfare.
Open Access
The controversy surrounding Private Military Companies (PMCs): looking back on executive outcomes
(Faculty of Humanities, University of the Free State, 2010) Senekal, Burgert
Amidst arguments that the nature of war has changed, notably by Kaldor (2006), Keegan (2004), Münkler (2005), and Van Creveld (2008), Private Military Companies (PMCs) have received increasing media and scholarly attention over the past decade. South Africa is no stranger to the media storm evoked by Blackwater USA during the recent conflict in Iraq Executive Outcomes (hereafter referred to as EO) caused a comparable controversy during the 1990s, first through their involvement in Angola after the withdrawal of the SADF, and later through their contract in Sierra Leone. At the time, PMCs were still a relatively new phenomenon, and thus research was scarce and it was difficult to discuss EO properly in the context of PMCs rather than as mercenaries. In the wake of the war in Iraq, the rapid growth of research into the PMC phenomenon has however provided a wealth of information that facilitates a better understanding of EO’s role in the post-Cold War conflict environment. This article aims to discuss EO in this global debate by using recent research into the phenomenon, arguing that Executive Outcomes was part of a global trend in warfare.
Open Access
Die omstandighede en aanleidende faktore in die “herontplooiing” van die eerste Vrystaatse premier, Mosioua Lekota (1994-1996)
(Faculty of Humanities, University of the Free State, 2010) Moll, Johan C
The ANC’s National Policy Conference resolved on 29 June 2007 that the premiers of the provinces would in future no longer be appointed by the President but by the Provincial Executive Committees, the National Executive Committee thereafter approving or rejecting the recommendation. One of the inducements that has led the ANC to change its policy in this regard was the grim experience in the Free State when the offices of ANC provincial leader and Premier did not coincide, causing so much strife and dissension, that the national leadership was forced to intervene repeatedly, which in the end resulted in the drastic decision of “redeploying” the Premier and various other Free State ANC leaders. This is an analysis of the conflicting views of the Free State Premier and provincial party leaders regarding the nature and underlying rationale of their respective positions of authority which also bring into central focus the terms of the constitution versus the authority of the party. The framework within which these issues are analysed is the dictatorial views within the ANC regarding the relationship of constitutional and party political interests versus white views on the inviolability of the constitution.
Open Access
In search of Africa's democratic theory: exploring liberty, equality and democratic construction in the Cold War
(Faculty of Humanities, University of the Free State, 2010) Steyn-Kotze, Joleen
Since the early 1990s, the world has been caught in democratic fever and Africa has not escaped the spread of liberal democracy. Yet, Africa remains in a state of perpetual democratic unconsolidation and faces many difficulties in achieving the coveted state of democratic consolidation. Democratic assessment of African political systems is at times very pessimistic about its democratic future, but fails to consider Africa’s process of democratic development in constructing its interpretation of liberty and equality. The international construction of the meaning of liberty and equality and its relationship to democracy is closely tied to the discourse and debates that prevailed during the Cold War period, when many African states received their independence. Using a discourse analysis one can trace the philosophical and ideological construction of democratic liberty and equality for Africa. This article highlights the debate between liberty and equality that characterised the Cold War period, and its impact on the philosophical construction of democracy in Africa.
Open Access
In search of Africa’s democratic theory: exploring liberty, equality and democratic construction in the cold war
(Faculty of the Humanities, University of the Free State, 2010-06) Steyn-Kotze, Joleen
Since the early 1990s, the world has been caught in democratic fever and Africa has not escaped the spread of liberal democracy. Yet, Africa remains in a state of perpetual democratic unconsolidation and faces many difficulties in achieving the coveted state of democratic consolidation. Democratic assessment of African political systems is at times very pessimistic about its democratic future, but fails to consider Africa’s process of democratic development in constructing its interpretation of liberty and equality. The international construction of the meaning of liberty and equality and its relationship to democracy is closely tied to the discourse and debates that prevailed during the Cold War period, when many African states received their independence. Using a discourse analysis one can trace the philosophical and ideological construction of democratic liberty and equality for Africa. This article highlights the debate between liberty and equality that characterised the Cold War period, and its impact on the philosophical construction of democracy in Africa.
Open Access
Jacob Zuma's "Zuluness" appeal during the April 2009 elections in South Africa: an attempt to break the IFP's grip on Zulu social and political structures?
(Faculty of Humanities, University of the Free State, 2010) Twala, Chitja
The article reflects on the role played by Jacob Zuma as President of the African National Congress (ANC) using his Zuluness to break the Inkatha Freedom Party’s (IFP’s) political control of the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province. The rationale for this venture by Zuma elicited an outcry from the IFP, which for long had used the Zuluness appeal in the province to garner votes during the elections. It is therefore argued that the use of the Zuluness appeal by Zuma and the ANC helped the organization in winning the April 2009 elections in the province. The author negates the widely held simplistic viewpoint that in the KZN province, the ANC was mostly voted into power because its President was a Zulu. Therefore, the article scrutinises arguments for and against the usage of Zuluness as an appeal to galvanize support on behalf of the ANC.
Open Access
Mooki Leepa's rebellion of February to March 1970: a preliminary examination of motives
(Faculty of Humanities, University of the Free State, 2010) Pule, Neville W.; Thabane, Motlatsi
This article deals with a well-known but largely under-researched event that occurred in Lesotho during the first three months of 1970, an incident in which members of opposition parties under the leadership of a former Deputy Commissioner of Police, Clement Mooki Leepa, occupied a cave, Lehaha-la-Likhomo, and organised themselves into a force determined to resist police arrest. Using the oral testimony of one key participant, court cases, official reports and secondary sources, the article firstly attempts to situate the incident, and Leepa’s involvement in it, in the context of political divisions that characterised the country’s road to independence and, secondly, to reconstruct the events that took place at the cave. The article mainly argues that, accepting without question the assertion that many of the acts of members of opposition parties in 1970 were attempts to topple government, prevents a deeper understanding of the complex and contradictory political and at times personal reasons and motivations of equally complex individuals and groups who participated in these activities. We have used the terms “rebel” or “rebellion” to describe the incident discussed in this paper, but have done so reluctantly because the men and their backers’ plans were nipped in the bud, and never came to anything.
Open Access
Mooki Leepa’s rebellion of February to March 1970: a preliminary examination of motives
(Faculty of the Humanities, University of the Free State, 2010-06) Pule, Neville W.; Thabane, Motlatsi
This article deals with a well-known but largely under-researched event that occurred in Lesotho during the first three months of 1970, an incident in which members of opposition parties under the leadership of a former Deputy Commissioner of Police, Clement Mooki Leepa, occupied a cave, Lehaha-la-Likhomo, and organised themselves into a force determined to resist police arrest. Using the oral testimony of one key participant, court cases, official reports and secondary sources, the article firstly attempts to situate the incident, and Leepa’s involvement in it, in the context of political divisions that characterised the country’s road to independence and, secondly, to reconstruct the events that took place at the cave. The article mainly argues that, accepting without question the assertion that many of the acts of members of opposition parties in 1970 were attempts to topple government, prevents a deeper understanding of the complex and contradictory political and at times personal reasons and motivations of equally complex individuals and groups who participated in these activities. We have used the terms “rebel” or “rebellion” to describe the incident discussed in this paper, but have done so reluctantly because the men and their backers’ plans were nipped in the bud, and never came to anything.
Open Access
Mourning becomes... post/memory, commemoration and the concentration camps of the South African War, Liz Stanley: book review
(Faculty of the Humanities, University of the Free State, 2010-06) Wessels, Andre
Abstract not available
Open Access
Die omstandighede en aanleidende faktore in die “herontplooiing” van die eerste Vrystaatse premier, Mosioua Lekota (1994-1996)
(Faculty of the Humanities, University of the Free State, 2010-06) Moll, Johan C.
The ANC’s National Policy Conference resolved on 29 June 2007 that the premiers of the provinces would in future no longer be appointed by the President but by the Provincial Executive Committees, the National Executive Committee thereafter approving or rejecting the recommendation. One of the inducements that has led the ANC to change its policy in this regard was the grim experience in the Free State when the offices of ANC provincial leader and Premier did not coincide, causing so much strife and dissension, that the national leadership was forced to intervene repeatedly, which in the end resulted in the drastic decision of “redeploying” the Premier and various other Free State ANC leaders. This is an analysis of the conflicting views of the Free State Premier and provincial party leaders regarding the nature and underlying rationale of their respective positions of authority which also bring into central focus the terms of the constitution versus the authority of the party. The framework within which these issues are analysed is the dictatorial views within the ANC regarding the relationship of constitutional and party political interests versus white views on the inviolability of the constitution.
Open Access
The reformational legacy within political theory
(Faculty of Humanities, University of the Free State, 2010) Strauss, Danie
Political theory in the West continued to suffer from the disturbing one-sidedness of atomistic (individualistic) and holistic (universalistic) orientations precluding a proper understanding of the nature of a differentiated society and the place of the state as a public legal institution within it. In this contribution attention is asked for the theoretical legacy within which Prof. Daan Wessels pursued his teaching, research and public performances. Traditional theories of the state never succeeded in delimiting the competency of the state because they did not proceed from an understanding of the sphere-sovereignty of the jural aspect of reality that serves as the guiding or qualifying function of the state as a public legal institution, having its foundation within the cultural-historical aspect of reality.
Open Access
Regime transition in South Africa - liberation oligarchical tendencies?
(Faculty of Humanities, University of the Free State, 2010) Duvenhage, André; Venter, Jan
The important question now is Where is the second transition (in other words the post-Polokwane epoch) taking South Africa? Is the country moving away from polyarchy and approaching “a type of hegemony” as part of a larger regime transition to a possible oligarchy? The terra incognita of 2010 and further has to be explored urgently. With this in view a deductive theoretical model will indicate the direction of the second regime transition. Central concepts and structures to be included in this part of the article are complex systems, parties and party systems, as well as neopatrimonialism. The theoretical model will secondly be applied to the post-Polokwane South Africa.
Open Access
Sestig jaar se mynteenmaatreëlswerk in die Suid-Afrikaanse vloot, 1947-2007 (3): op weg na en in die nuwe Suid-Afrika, 1990-2007
(Faculty of Humanities, University of the Free State, 2010) Wessels, Andre
The year 1990 set in motion a train of political events that led to the Republic of South Africa’s first-ever truly democratic elections in 1994, which, in turn, led to the country’s readmittance to the international community, and the opening up of new diplomatic and other opportunities. In the meantime, the then South African Defence Force underwent a process of rationalisation in the wake of the end of its involvement in the Namibian War of Independence and in the civil war in Angola, and in due course was amalgamated with other military forces to form the new South African National Defence Force. In this, the third and last article of a three-part study of mine-countermeasures (MCM) in the South African Navy during the years 1947 to 2007, a review is given of the work done by the Navy’s MCM vessels from 1990 to 2007; i.e. by the four “River” class minehunters and the last four remaining “Ton” class minesweepers, as well as by the Type 351 minesweepers that replaced the “Tons” in 2001. Special emphasis will be placed on local as well as overseas flag-showing visits, and the importance of MCM for the South African Navy will also be evaluated.
Open Access
Sestig jaar se mynteenmaatreëlswerk in die Suid-Afrikaanse vloot, 1947-2007 (3): op weg na en in die nuwe Suid-Afrika, 1990-2007
(Faculty of Humanities, University of the Free State, 2010) Wessels, André
The year 1990 set in motion a train of political events that led to the Republic of South Africa’s first-ever truly democratic elections in 1994, which, in turn, led to the country’s readmittance to the international community, and the opening up of new diplomatic and other opportunities. In the meantime, the then South African Defence Force underwent a process of rationalisation in the wake of the end of its involvement in the Namibian War of Independence and in the civil war in Angola, and in due course was amalgamated with other military forces to form the new South African National Defence Force. In this, the third and last article of a three-part study of mine-countermeasures (MCM) in the South African Navy during the years 1947 to 2007, a review is given of the work done by the Navy’s MCM vessels from 1990 to 2007; i.e. by the four “River” class minehunters and the last four remaining “Ton” class minesweepers, as well as by the Type 351 minesweepers that replaced the “Tons” in 2001. Special emphasis will be placed on local as well as overseas flag-showing visits, and the importance of MCM for the South African Navy will also be evaluated.
Open Access
South Africa's constitutional development: a matter of Machiavelli's Prince and Hobbes' Leviathan rather than Montesquieu's Spirit of the laws?
(Faculty of Humanities, University of the Free State, 2010) Labuschagne, Pieter
The democratisation and constitutional development of South Africa from a dominant parliament to a new constitutional order with a supreme constitution, was a significant development in the country’s constitutional development. However, the adoption of a supreme constitution is not necessarily an indication that a country has been fully democratised. In this article it is suggested that the level of a country’s democracy could also be measured by identifying the source or object of authority that enjoys the broadest legitimacy in society. This source or object of legitimacy will give an indication of the level of a state’s political and democratic maturity and consolidation. In an effort to measure South Africa’s level of democratic maturity and consolidation a theoretical framework was developed in the article that was based on the assumptions of Ken Wilber and Max Weber. The article points out that it is very important for further political development and democratic maturity in a state that the source or object of authority should be located on the second tier that consists of legal-rational rules. However, it seems that the majority of support in South Africa is based on the first tier, which predominately exists of a pre-rational level that focuses on traditional and charismatic authorities.