Sex Gender Becoming: Post-Apartheid Reflections

About the publication All the chapters in this volume in one way or another reflect on change and transformation and how these changes/ transformations affect our sexed and gendered lives. The continuance of binaries, and objectifications and the maintenance of patriarchy notwithstanding these changes are teased out in various themes by the different authors. The contributions expose also how new approaches to how we live sex and gender do not necessarily manage to break or even radically challenge the old. From new technologies that can 'transform' gender, to new forms of pornography, freedom of sexual orientation, the creation of shopping malls, attempts to understand reproductive choices, restorative justice as response to sexual violence, women's testimonies, and women's mobility - all attempts are still hindered by conventional frameworks, structures and thought. A central call that emerges from all the contributions is one for more theory and more gender sensitive research and more listening to previously silenced voices. Comments from the reviewers: From the discussion of 'gentleman's pornography' to the consideration of women's travel needs in a development context, and Stephen Cohen's performance art, the contributions are firmly anchored in our own context and frame of reference. - Louise du Toit, University of Johannesburg I would like in conclusion to remark that the standard and academic merit of the contributions to this book bodes well for gender research in South Africa in future. - Irma Kroeze, Unisa About the editor: Karin van Marle is Professor at the Department of Legal History, Comparitive Law and Jurisprudence, at the Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria.Publishe

Gewete, transformasie en herinnering op die Rooiplein

In this article, I rely on a number of theoretical approaches to reflect on the possibility of the transformation of universities, in particular the University of the Free State (UFS). A starting point is the role of public space in a transforming society with emphasis on universities as public spaces. A ‘site of conscience’ approach, namely an approach to public space that endorses a critical and active engagement with the past to reflect on enduring injustice, is followed to reflect on the Red Square (the nickname derived from the red brick with which the ‘President’s Square’ was built), a prominent space on the campus of the UFS. Suggestions on how the space can be re-interpreted are considered. “Reconciliation” as featured in the work of Hannah Arendt and “Reflective nostalgia” (Boym) are relied on to contemplate the potential of the Red Square as a space of transformation and as a space of conscience. The potential of reconciliation to create a shared world that makes a plural cohabitance possible is considered. I am not arguing that reconciliation could or should take place but that conversations on what reconciliation may entail could be of value. Reflectivenostalgia embraces the ambivalence of belonging and provides for multiple homes. I suggest the idea of reflective nostalgia as a possible way by which the past and figures from the past can be remembered in a critical way as it discloses multiple narratives and embraces conflicting perspectives

Hold onto critical jurisprudence

The main aim of this article is to reflect tentatively on the importance of a continuing critical jurisprudence. By thinking about the lives and legacies of the late Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela and his second wife, Winnie Madikizela Mandela, I want to reconsider a specific kind of critical jurisprudence, with particular attention to the issue of constitutionalism. I argue for a critical jurisprudence that responds to the many complexities that South African society faces , with nuance - not broad strokes and generalizations ; with care, neither aggressive nor defensive; and with thought, not strategic or calculated. I am of the view that this third position also has an important, albeit minor, place in legal scholarship and legal education and most pertinently in the LLB curriculum

Thought as condition for a healthy society

The aim of my contribution is to reflect tentatively on a few values or ideals that I think could contribute to a healthy society in conjunction with a post-1994 jurisprudence. I focus on three ideals, or values, namely transformation, equality and interdependence. Each of these concepts could be interpreted in many ways and enfolds a multiplicity of meanings. I attempt to be faithful to the indeterminacy of these concepts and the impossibility to capture anyone of them in a reification of meaning that excludes other meaning. Temporary and tentative meanings, however, are considered. My starting point for the reflection of these concepts comes from events and narratives that played out in Pretoria/Tshwane from 2010 to 2012 around the eviction of 700 families from an apartment building complex named Schubart Park. The main inspiration to reflect on a healthy society against the background of Schubart Park is a series of photos taken by photographer Herman Verwey, entitled "Post-apocalyptic Schubart Park". The Schubart Park apartment complex stands in the tradition of modernity, and in particular modern instrumental rationality that brought about, as argued by Henri Lefebvre, a shift from inhabitance to habitat. This shift, that brought about an alienation between the state and its citizens, is well demonstrated by the events that occurred and illustrated by the Verwey photos. Following Hannah Arendt, thinking - the ability to think in each situation what the best possible reaction might be - is the only condition that I support. Arendt, each and every time when she was approached to provide a general solution or to formulate general standards, refused to give an answer. She was of the view that each situation, each problem should be thought through anew and that specific answers could be given only to specific questions. I start with stories of Schubart Park as background, after which I consider transformation, equality and interdependence. I conclude by turning to Arendt, thinking and the Schubart Park photos. My main argument concerning transformation is that no easy solutions can be offered. I subscribe to the Deleuzian notion of becoming minor and argue that this notion should be coupled with transformation. A complex and ethical engagement with equality is similar to transformation in the sense that both of these approaches show an awareness of the complexities that we are confronted with, and are tentative and reflective. I recall notions of "gnostic time", the "haunting presence of ruined time" and of "a justice to come" and relate them to Arendt's insistence on thinking. The photos of Schubart Park, although they portray a ruined society and the absence of transformation, equality and an openness towards interdependence, also beckon reflection and thought and the possibility of a justice to come.Die oogmerk van my bydrae is om voorlopig enkele waardes of ideale wat myns insiens kan bydra tot 'n gesonde samelewing tesame met die wording van 'n post-1994 regsleer in Suid-Afrika te bedink. Ek fokus op drie ideale, oftewel waardes, naamlik transformasie, gelykheid en interafhanklikheid. Elkeen van hierdie begrippe kan op vele maniere geïnterpreteer word en hou dus 'n veelvoud van moontlike betekenisse in. Ek gaan poog om getrou te wees aan die onbepaalbaarheid van hierdie begrippe en die onmoontlikheid om enigeen vas te vang in 'n reïfikasie van betekenis tot uitsluiting van ander. Tydelike en voorlopige betekenisse word wel oorweeg. My uitgangspunt vir die besinning van hierdie begrippe kom van gebeure en stories wat afgespeel het in die stad Pretoria/Tshwane in die jare 2010-2012, rondom die uitsettings van 700 families uit 'n woonstelgeboukompleks genaamd Schubartpark. Ek besin oor die gebeure tydens die afloop van die uitsettings. Die hoofinspirasie om 'n gesonde samelewing te bedink teen die agtergrond van Schubartpark is 'n fotoreeks van fotograaf Herman Verwey, genaamd "Post-apokaliptiese Schubartpark". Ek fokus slegs op enkele van die foto's uit die reeks ten einde my siening aangaande transformasie, gelykheid en interafhanklikheid te bedink. In navolging van Hannah Arendt is denke, die vermoë om in elke situasie te dink wat die beste moontlike reaksie sou kon wees, die enigste voorwaarde wat ek wil onderskryf.http://reference.sabinet.co.za/sa_epublication/akgeeshttp://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_serial&pid=0041-4751&lng=enam201

Mandela in/and Pretoria

This article is a reflection on how Pretoria as a political, social and cultural space could be re-envisioned post-apartheid. The angle of approach is critical, general jurisprudence as advocated by Douzinas and Gearey (2005), with an emphasis on law’s consciousness, its conscience, and its justice. The reflection takes place against the framework of spatiality, spatial justice and the notion of genius loci, spirit or sense of place. Using John Hyslop’s discussion on the Afro-modern Mandela in Johannesburg as point of departure, a discussion on Mandela in/and Pretoria follows, with specific reference to the Treason Trial staged in the Old Synagogue between 1958 and 1961 and the Rivonia Trial played out in the Palace of Justice on Church Square in 1964. The question is asked how the influence of Johannesburg as metropolis differs from the influence of Pretoria as centre of nationalism, bureaucracy and governmentality. Another, more recent, Pretoria trial, on the Schubart Park evictions, is invoked. Linking up with Sarah Nuttall’s musing on the 'Johannesburg text', it is stated that, in the same vein, the Pretoria text, as a certain instantiation of the lawscape, is still finding its form.This article was first presented as a paper at the Pretoria Imprint Workshop held on 8 May 2014.The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation as part of the University of Pretoria Capital Cities Institutional Research Theme.http://www.imageandtext.up.ac.zaam2016Jurisprudenc

Reflections on legacy, complicity, and legal education

I reflect on the relation between complicity and the legacy of South African jurisprudence and law, and tentatively consider continuances between the civil law tradition (Roman- Dutch common law) as well as present human rights and constitutional law. I also raise notions on reconfiliation, frailty and complex writing as possible alternatives. My aim is to think with students and colleagues and to re-imagine a legal culture and legal education that could be different from the present one.http://www.ufs.ac.za/ActaAcademicatm201

Herbeskouing van ruimte, geregtigheid en tuiste in Pretoria/Tshwane as hoofstad

n Herbeskouing van Ruimte, Geregtigheid en Tuiste in Pretoria/Tshwane as Hoofstad Die hoofoogmerk van hierdie artikel is om tentatief te besin oor die moontlikhede van ’n herbeskouiïng van ruimte, geregtigheid en tuiste in Pretoria/Tshwane as hoofstad. Ten einde hierdie oogmerk aan te spreek fokus ek op drie kwessies: eerstens die nodigheid vir ’n teoretiese omgaan en intervensie in die proses van herskouiïng. Die opvatting soos geformuleer deur Henri Lefebvre, naamlik die ‘reg op die stad’ is sentraal tot meeste werk aangande die stad en onderlê al vier artikels wat volg op hierdie een. Tweedens beskou ek die benaderings van Hannah Arendt en Jacques Ranciere ten einde die reg op die stad te herbedink en derdens betrek ek idees aangaande herbeskouiïng, herbetowering en die verbeelding. Hierdie artikel asook die vier artikels wat hierop volg is navorsing voortvloeiend uit die “Capital Cities” Institusionele Navorsings Tema van die Universiteit van Pretoria.The main aim of my contribution is to reflect tentatively on the possibilities of a re-visioning of space, justice and belonging in the capital city of Pretoria/Tshwane as set out by the other four papers. In order to address the main aim as stated above I address three different issues: firstly the need for theoretical engagements and interventions in the process of revisioning space, justice and belonging. For the purposes of research on spatial justice in the capital city of Pretoria/Tshwane I highlight the notion of the “right to the city” that stands central to most engagements with spatiality and that in a sense underpins all four other contributions. Secondly, flowing from the first I address two theoretical approaches in order to rethink the right to the city; and thirdly I engage briefly with ideas on re-visioning, re-enchantment and the imagination. I start off by focussing on certain dichotomies and themes that are central to some of the interventions in the city of Pretoria/Tshwane as presented in this volume as background. I then turn Henri Lefebvre’s notion of “the right to the city”. I want to tentatively consider the notion of “the right to the city” through two other theoretical interventions, Hannah Arendt’s posing of the most important right as the “right to have rights” and then Jacques Ranciere’s response to Arendt’s notion and his insistence on “staging dissensus”. I conclude by drawing on work done on the legal imagination and particularly the (im)possibility of the imagination to respond to the state of disenchantment by re-visioning and re-enchantment.http://www.dejure.up.ac.za/hb201

Towards an ethical interpretation of equality

Summaries in English and AfrikaansThe aim of this thesis is to search for an "ethical" interpretation of equality. Although the current South African approach of "substantive" equality is better than mere "formal" equality, I fear that even substantive equality will again deny or reduce difference. An "ethical" interpretation of equality is a way of interpretation that radically acknowledges difference and otherness. I argue for an ethical interpretation of equality as an alternative to substantive and formal equality. The intersection between public space, equality and justice is essential to such an ethical interpretation. An ethical interpretation of equality requires that present South African visions of public space must be reconstructed and transformed continuously. This means that an ethical interpretation of equality rejects finality and closure in respect of public space. The visions of public space and perspectives of equality that I support are alert to difference and otherness. My understanding of justice is that it is never fully achieved in the present. Justice functions as a future orientated ideal. The "ethical" in an ethical interpretation of equality reflects an awareness of the limits of any present system to encompass equality and justice completely. Visions of public space, perspectives on equality and landscapes of justice (the features of the ethical intersection) form the main sections of the thesis. I discuss the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) as a manifestation of the ethical intersection between public space, equality and justice. The TRC was an outstanding example of reconstruction and transformation of public space. It was a public space where each and every individual was treated equally while concrete contexts, specific circumstances and difference were taken into account. The TRC as event was inspired by the ideal of justice. The value of the TRC as a manifestation of the ethical intersection is the profound effect it may have on our interpretation of equality by demonstrating the limits of the substantive approach.Die doel van hierdie proefskrif is om ondersoek in te stel na 'n "etiese" interpretasie van gelykheid. Alhoewel die huidige Suid-Afrikaanse benadering van "substantiewe" gelykheid beter is as blote formele gelykheid, vrees ek dat selfs substantiewe gelykheid weereens verskil sal ontken of gering skat. 'n "Etiese" interpretasie van gelykheid is 'n manier van interpretasie wat radikaal kennis neem van verskil en andersheid. Ek argumenteer vir 'n etiese interpretasie van gelykheid as 'n alternatief tot substantiewe en formele gelykheid. Die interseksie tuseen publieke spasie, gelykheid en geregtigheid is noodsaaklik vir so 'n etiese interpretasie. 'n Etiese interpretasie van gelykheid vereis dat huidige Suid-Afrikaanse visies van publieke spasie aanhoudend gerekonstrueer en getransformeer moet word. Dit beteken dat 'n etiese interpretasie van gelykheid finaliteit en geslotenheid met betrekking tot publieke spasie verwerp. Die visies van publieke spasie en perspektiewe op gelykheid wat ek ondersteun is gevoelig vir verskil en andersheid. Ek verstaan geregtigheid as nooit volkome bereikbaar in die teenswoordige nie. Geregtigheid tree op as 'n toekomsgerigte ideaal. Die "etiese" in 'n etiese interpretasie van gelykheid weerspieel 'n bewustheid van die onvermoe van enige teenswoordige sisteem om gelykheid en geregtigheid volledig te omvat. Visies van publieke spasie, perspektiewe op gelykheid en landskappe van geregtigheid (die eienskappe van die etiese interseksie) vorm die hoofafdelings van die proefskrif. Ek bespreek die Suid-Afrikaanse Waarheids-en Versoeningskommissie (WVK) as 'n manifestasie van die etiese interseksie tussen publieke spasie, gelykheid en geregtigheid. Die WVK was 'n uitstaande voorbeeld van die rekonstruksie en transformasie van publieke spasie. Dit was 'n publieke spasie waar elke individu gelyk behandel is terwyl konkrete kontekste, spesifieke omstandighede en verskil in ag geneem is. Die WVK as 'n gebeurtenis is ge'lnspireer deur die ideaal van geregtigheid. Die waarde van die WVK as 'n manifestasie van die etiese interseksie is die diepgaande effek wat dit op ons interpretasie van gelykheid kan he deur die beperkings van die teenswoordige substantiewe benadering uit te wys.Constitutional, International and Indigenous LawLL.D