From Oral Literature to Technauriture: What’s in a Name?

Russell H. Kaschula is Professor of African Language Studies and Head of the School of Languages at Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa. His doctoral research focussed on African literature, and his works of creative writing have received a number of prestigious literature and short story prizes. Professor Kaschula is an author of both English and isiXhosa academic and literary works, with novels including The Tsitsa River and Beyond and Mama, I Sing to You. In 2011, his short story Six Teaspoons of Sweetness was included in the International PEN-Studzinski award. Andre M. Mostert is a research associate at the School of Languages at Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa, where he recently completed a master’s thesis on the literary work of the poet Bongani Sitole. Mostert’s interests focus on entrepreneurship and enterprise in schools, the use of ICT in education and training, and the role of ICT in promoting the capture and dissemination of oral poetry. Mostert is the gaming scientist for the EU Player project to support young entrepreneurs and, together with Professor Kaschula, co-developed the ‘publish and thrive’ model of supporting the research records of emerging academics.Oral traditions and oral literature have long contributed to human communication, yet the advent of arguably the most influential technology—the written word—altered the course of creative ability. Despite its potential and scope, the development of the written word resulted in an insidious dichotomy. As the written word evolved, the oral word became devalued and pushed to the fringes of society. One of the unfortunate consequences of this transition to writing has been a focus on the systems and conventions of orality and oral tradition. Although of importance, a more appropriate focus would be on ways of supporting and maintaining the oral word, and its innate value to human society, in the face of rampant technological development. Yet it is ironic that technology is also helping to create a fecund environment for the rebirth of orality. This paper offers an overview of the debate about the relationship between oral literature, the written word and technology, and suggests that the term technauriture may offer a suitable encompassing paradigm for further engagement with the oral word and its application to modern society. We discuss the late Bongani Sitole, a poet whose oral works were transformed into public and educational resources through the application of technology, and we consider the utility of the term technauriture for describing the relationship between orality, literature and technology

On Spin(7) holonomy metric based on SU(3)/U(1)

We investigate the $Spin(7)$ holonomy metric of cohomogeneity one with the principal orbit $SU(3)/U(1)$. A choice of U(1) in the two dimensional Cartan subalgebra is left as free and this allows manifest $\Sigma_3=W(SU(3))$ (= the Weyl group) symmetric formulation. We find asymptotically locally conical (ALC) metrics as octonionic gravitational instantons. These ALC metrics have orbifold singularities in general, but a particular choice of the U(1) subgroup gives a new regular metric of $Spin(7)$ holonomy. Complex projective space ${\bf CP}(2)$ that is a supersymmetric four-cycle appears as a singular orbit. A perturbative analysis of the solution near the singular orbit shows an evidence of a more general family of ALC solutions. The global topology of the manifold depends on a choice of the U(1) subgroup. We also obtain an $L^2$-normalisable harmonic 4-form in the background of the ALC metric.Comment: 21 pages, Latex, Introduction slightly expanded, an error in section 6 corrected and references added, (v3) minor correction

Cohomogeneity-one G2-structures

G2-manifolds with a cohomogeneity-one action of a compact Lie group G are studied. For G simple, all solutions with holonomy G2 and weak holonomy G2 are classified. The holonomy G2 solutions are necessarily Ricci-flat and there is a one-parameter family with SU(3)-symmetry. The weak holonomy G2 solutions are Einstein of positive scalar curvature and are uniquely determined by the simple symmetry group. During the proof the equations for G2-symplectic and G2-cosymplectic structures are studied and the topological types of the manifolds admitting such structures are determined. New examples of compact G2-cosymplectic manifolds and complete G2-symplectic structures are found.Comment: 23 page

A quantitative method for selecting renewable energy projects in the mining industry based on sustainability

Mining companies sponsor a range of non-core, corporate social responsibility projects to adhere to social and labour plans and environmental management prerequisites that form part of a mining licence application. Some companies go above and beyond such projects, sponsoring initiatives that generate renewable energy through solar power, wind energy, natural gas, etc. The challenge for the company is to choose between a variety of projects to ensure maximum value for the company, especially in times when the economic climate might be less favourable for such projects. The focus of this research was to analyse the concept of sustainability as it exists today, and to apply that to the triple bottom line accounting method in an attempt to quantify the sustainability of a project and compare it with another project. A case study was done on the methane burn-off project at Sibanye Gold’s (previously Gold Fields’) Beatrix Mine to establish how such projects are planned and financed in the industry, and what impact they have on the triple bottom line of a company. The financial bottom line is by definition one that executives understand. A quantitative method of also defining the social and environmental bottom lines is now proposed. By considering the financial, social and environmental values obtained, a monetary value is established for a sustainable renewable energy project. This monetary value can be compared to similar values obtained for other sustainable renewable energy projects under consideration. Monetary value alone is not enough to base a sustainable decision on and qualitative measures are suggested for use in conjunction with quantitative methods. The proposed method will permit the board of a mining company to choose the most sustainable option and the project that will add the greatest value to the company across all three bottom lines. It will also provide increased justification for such renewable energy projects, even in periods of harsh or uncertain economic climates

Compliance with childhood leukemia treatment in Indonesia : Influence of socio-economic status on treatment refusal or abandonment

Veerman, A.J.P. [Promotor]Sutaryo, A. [Promotor

Transboundary River Basin Management in Europe

human development, water, sanitation

Ambit of mineral rights : paving the way for new order disputes?

CITATION: Badenhorst, P. J. & Mostert, H. 2007. Ambit of mineral rights : paving the way for new order disputes?. Journal of South African Law / Tydskrif vir die Suid-Afrikaanse Reg, 2007(2):409-422.The original publication is available at https://journals.co.za/content/journal/ju_tsarThe ambit of a real right, such as a mineral right, is determined by ascertaining the content thereof by identifying and listing its entitlements as well as identifying the limitations placed upon the exercise of such right. Once the ambit of a right (and/or competing rights) is determined, the relationship or possible conflict between parties holding different rights to the same legal object may be ascertained. This contribution is a discussion of the recent decision in Anglo Operations Ltd v Sandhurst Estates (Pty) Ltd 2006 1 SA 350 (T) in which the content of mineral rights in the context of the doctrine of lateral support was considered. A brief exposition of the relevant facts follows, whereafter the arguments entertained by the court is discussed. The court's decision on the ambit of mineral rights and the applicability of the property clause to the present case will then receive attention, before the general impact of the decision is discussed in more detail.According to SHERPA, it has a 6 month embargo on the publishers version, thereafter you may place it on an IR

The seven rules for hydrologists and other researchers wanting to contribute to the water management practice

International audienceThis paper addresses the question how hydrologists and other researchers can best contribute to the water management practice. It reviews the literature in the field of science and technology studies and research utilization and presents the results in the form of seven "rules" for researchers. These are (1) Reflect on the nature and possible roles of research; (2) Analyse the stakeholders and issues at stake; (3) Choose whom and what to serve; (4) Decide on your strategy; (5) Design the process to implement your strategy; (6) Communicate!; and (7) Consider your possibilities and limitations. Key notions in this paper are that research always involves selection and interpretation and that the selection and interpretations made in a specific case always reflect the values and preferences of those involved. Collaboration between the researchers and the other stakeholders can increase the legitimacy and utilization of the research and can prevent that the specific expertise of the researchers is lost