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Item Open Access An anthropological perspective on popular culture(University of the Free State, 2004) Esterhuyse, PetroEnglish: In contrast with the view of culture as an autonomous, integrated unit, culture is presented in this paper as a fluid, complex and frequently fragmented process located in social interaction between individuals, acts, thoughts and objects which convey meaning. This concept of culture accommodates a description of popular culture as those cultural practices in which social actors interpret, negotiate, articulate and transform meaning. However, in addition to being a set of subjects belonging to a certain field of study, popular culture is also an arena which practitioners of the interdisciplinary movement of cultural studies view as extremely suitable for the hegemonic struggle between social actors over meaning. The viewpoint is taken that anthropologists have naturally and successfully entered this relatively unexplored field and, specifically with regard to media studies, contributed fine-grained ethnographies which have also taken cognisance of the broader historical and cultural universe.Item Open Access Gilligan and complexity: reinterpreting the “ethic of care”(University of the Free State, 2004) Malan, Yvonne; Cilliers, PaulEnglish: In In a different voice (1982) Carol Gilligan argues for an “ethic of care”, which she links to a “moral voice” of women. This stance has been criticised as being essentialist and reinforcing gender stereotypes. This article, however, argues that the concept of an ethic of care could be a creative way of approaching ethics in a complex social system. Its position is supported by arguments from deconstruction discourses.Item Open Access Ideology and culture: reflections on posthumanism, multiculturalism and Africa(University of the Free State, 2004) Visagie, JohannEnglish: This article introduces a structural model for ideology critique. The model is contextualised within the broader framework of a “discourse archaeology” and interpreted within the context of posthumanism which is compared with so-called postmodernism. Finally, the article explores the implications of the model for certain forms of multiculturalism, the concept of “Africa”, and Afrikaner protest politics.Item Open Access Ethnic humour, identity, and the loss of Afrikaner hegemony(University of the Free State, 2004) Erasmus, PietEnglish: Humour is multi-faceted, and this article demonstrates that one of these facets relates to the notion of ethnic identity. The ethnic humour of the Afrikaner is analysed and the conclusion is drawn that the Afrikaner has used ethnic humour as a hegemonic instrument for categorising “others” in predominantly negative ways. At present Afrikaners constitute a minority group in the country, no longer possessing constitutional power, and their cultural values and opinions are no longer dominant. The article maintains that, if Afrikaners find it possible to discard the idea of “identity-as-negative-otherness”, they should be able to carve out a positive and empowering identity within the South African discourse by using humour. Furthermore, this same sense of humour may be employed as a literature of protest or as a “minority literature” to oppose the “new” hegemonic order in the country.Item Open Access Psychosocial factors affecting the adoption of technology in an institution of higher education(University of the Free State, 2004) Van Niekerk, Kirstin; Maree, DavidEnglish: This study investigated the psychological and social factors pertinent to the adoption of information and communication technology within a tertiary education institution. A conceptual model grouped the independent variables as individual characteristics, the individual’s perception of group characteristics and the individual’s perception of organisation characteristics. The dependent variable, the adoption of new technology, was indicated by the actual usage of telematic educational technologies by postgraduate teaching staff. In this study the results showed that attitudes towards new technology and management support were among the most important determinants of technology adoption. Certain implications for tertiary institutions were pointed outItem Open Access The management of urban rivers.(University of the Free State, 2004) De Villiers, Gawie du TEnglish: This article addresses the problems involved in the management of urban rivers. These problems are identified as channel adjustments resulting from urbanisation, changes in water quality, solid waste disposal, and floods. Suggestions are made for alleviating these problems and establishing rivers which are assets to their urban environmentsItem Open Access Management problems at underachieving township secondary schools in the Free State(University of the Free State, 2004) Masitsa, Gilbert; Van Staden, Johann; De Wet, Corene; Niemann, Rita; Heyns, Michau; Brazelle, Robbie; Niemann, SteveEnglish: Principals of secondary schools in townships are experiencing increasing management problems. The situation is exacerbated by the rapid changes taking place in education and the promotion of inexperienced teachers to the position of principal. This article attempts to identify the management problems experienced by principals of township secondary schools which obtained a pass rate of 40% or less for more than three years prior to 2002. The study found that these principals experience innumerable problems which have a negative influence on academic achievement and which must be resolved.Item Open Access The social needs and problems of higher education students with impairments(University of the Free State, 2004) Crous, FaanEnglish: There has been a huge influx of students with impairments into higher education, mainly as a result of legislation in this regard. In the light of this development, research was undertaken to determine the social needs and problems experienced by a group of higher education students with impairments in South Africa. A survey of 751 students at three universities showed that students with impairments comprised less than 0.5% of the student population. It appears from this survey that the general perception of students with impairments is that people without impairments have little or no understanding of them and/or their circumstances. The majority of students with impairments felt that they were not easily accepted by other students and that they themselves did not find it easy to make friends with other students.Item Open Access Backpacker tourism in South Africa: its role in an uneven tourism space economy(University of the Free State, 2004) Visser, Gustav; Barker, charlesEnglish: This paper focuses on the recent proliferation of backpacker establishments in South Africa and their potential contribution to development. Despite the rapid expansion of backpacker hostels, little is known about this industry in South Africa. The research reported in the paper seeks to address the absence of academic reflection on backpacker tourism, particularly in terms of its impact on development. It is suggested that, on the whole, backpacker tourists and backpacker hostels can make a valuable contribution towards the development of the South African tourism system in general and towards economic development in particularItem Open Access Die verband tussen konserwatisme en kognitiewe buigsaamheid by Suid-Afrikaanse adolessente(University of the Free State, 2004) Greeff, Sandri; Beukes, Roelf; Esterhuyse, KarelEnglish: The recent democratisation of South Africa has led to many changes in the political, economic and social systems. Consequently adolescents, as members of society, find themselves in a context of change and adjustment. As individuals’ levels of conservatism and cognitive flexibility may influence their ability to cope with changing circumstances, the goal of this study was to determine the relationship between conservatism and cognitive flexibility in adolescents. The influence of gender and culture on that relationship was also to be determined. The relevant variables were cognitive flexibility and conservatism. Six attitude groupings of conservatism were identified, namely: religious fundamentalism, anti-hedonism, a conformist attitude towards authority, teenage behaviour, ethnocentrism and an insistence on strict rules and punishment. The results of the study indicated that adolescents with high levels of cognitive flexibility exhibit higher levels of conservatism in terms of religious fundamentalism, ethnocentrism, teenage behaviour and an insistence on strict rules and punishment.Item Open Access A critique of monuments(University of the Free State, 2004) Maré, EstelleEnglish: This article deals with the purpose of monuments, both sculptural and architectural. At issue is the assessment of the congruence between the aesthetic design and material expression, and the ethical or ideological meaning of monuments. Historical examples have been selected from the category of architectural structures and statues representing defunct ideologies. Such structures are often neglected, vandalised, destroyed, toppled, appropriated or recycled by rival groups. The discussion also focuses on two proposed monuments, both of which are intended to honour the victims of past events inspired by ideological bias. An attempt is made to solve the problem of remembering the past in ways other than the erection of monumental constructions intended to celebrate past or present political ideologies or heroes