Copulatory behaviour of the vlei rat Otomys irroratus

Laboratory experiments were undertaken to describe and quantify the copulatory behaviour in 10 pairs of the vlei rat Otomys irroratus. Mean mount latency from the beginning of testing was 39.9 s (SE = ± 10.2), and males achieved first intromission at a mean time of 181.1 s (± 30.3). Mean duration of tests was 64.8 min (± 2.4), and males ejaculated a mean of 6.8 (± 0.4) times during tests. The copulatory pattern was characterized by no lock, intra-vaginal thrusting, multiple intromissions and multiple ejaculations. All females had sperm in the vaginal tract at the end of testing, and some developed a copulatory plug. Analysis of the pre-copulatory behaviour indicated that females were significantly more aggressive than males, and were less inclined to participate in sexual activity. In contrast to females, males displayed more amicable behaviour towards females, and readily partiCipated in tactile and olfactory investigations of their mates. The copulatory behaviour of O. irroratus appears to be related to the ecological circumstances and the social organization of the taxon.S. Afr. J. Zool. 1997,32(3

Women’s Rights in Human Rights Systems: Past, Present and Future

In the 2009 Dullah Omar Memorial Lecture, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay contextualises many of the issues facing women that were raised in earlier articles

The Anglican Church and Feminism: Challenging the patriarchy of our faith

Gender-based violence is a problem in most Southern African countries and yet it has generally received little attention from governments and civil society—including Christian churches. In recent years, some churches have been responding by making public pronouncements when, for example, gender-based violence resulted in acts of brutal murder. This was the case in February 2013, when the seventeen-year-old Anene Booysen was gang-raped and left for dead. For example, the Anglican Church issued public statements and called on its members to act against gender-based violence. Arguments made in this essay are underpinned by the view that gender-based violence has its roots in patriarchy and, that patriarchal privilege (embedded in male headship) gives men power over women. The essay describes how prominent leaders of the Anglican Church make public statements when and where it matters. The call “to repent of the historic patriarchy of our faith” was one such statement made by the then archbishop during the church’s synod in 2005. Other Anglican archbishops have also made public that feminist insights have raised awareness about the injustices of sexism maintained by culture and the church. Thus, based on the observation that Christianity and feminism share certain concerns for just relationships, the argument made here is that the (Anglican) church could be more intentional about employing feminist insights in challenging “the historic patriarchy of our faith.” The essay identifies the reasons usually given for dismissing feminist insights and suggests that such reasons could serve as entry-points in the church’s response to gender power-relations in general and gender-based violence in particular

Good news for all? A feminist perspective on the gospel of Matthew

In the Gospel of Matthew the Kingdom of Heaven which Jesus preaches about is in conflict with the dominant culture which creates tension between what is and ought. Those whom society despises are pronounced 'blessed' (5:1-12); the inclusiveness of the kingdom is made manifest when outsiders (the despised) such as lepers, Gentiles, 'unclean' women, and the demon possessed are pronounced 'clean' (Chaps 8-9). Jesus' vision of the basileia as symbolically presented in parables entails hearing, understanding and embodying inclusivity. Based on this premise, this article explores the question of Good news for all in Matthew. While Matthew cannot be reduced to a feminist treasure chamber for gender justice it is possible to spot certain gynocentric interruptions of the dominant androcentricity of Scripture. Based on the observation that the Gospel of Matthew exhibits a tension that both excludes and includes others, this article argues for the possibility that Matthew may be a resource to proclaim 'good news for all' - including women.DHE

Women, priests and the Anglican Church in Southern Africa: reformation of holy hierarchies

The Anglican Church in Southern Africa (ACSA) is celebrating the twenty-fifth anniversary of the ordination of women to the priesthood in 2017. The quotation above is a statement made by the South African Council of Churches following the announcement that the Anglican Church in Southern Africa voted in favour of the ordination of women at the church’s September, 1992 Provincial Synod. This was a newsworthy event given the currents of change and rhetoric of freedom in apartheid South Africa. Under the heading “Women priests for SA” the Cape Times (August 15, 1992:2) reports that seventy-nine percent voted in favour of the ordination of women. This result complied with the two-thirds majority required on an issue declared “controversial.

Integrating critical cross-field outcomes in an anatomy course at a university of technology: A reflective perspective

Background. Recent trends in higher education have become particularly directed towards incorporating elements of general education in professionspecific training. Consequently, the inclusion of critical cross-field outcomes (CCFOs) – a set of generic outcomes gazetted by the South African Qualification Authority – in curricula, is directed towards stimulating a critical social conscience among students. This embraces the concept of education, more than simply certification, in embedding underlying principles that foster lifelong learning, critical thinking and social responsibility, and provides an opportune platform to examine our teaching strategies in the context of reflective practice.Objectives. This article demonstrates an application of the theory of reflective practice in the modification of teaching strategies and the integration of the CCFOs in a human anatomy course at a university of technology.Methods. We present the different teaching strategies that were applied, and highlight the CCFOs embodied in each approach.Results. In so doing, we demonstrate how the integration of underpinning general education principles and discipline-specific core competencies can be easily attained through simple modifications of conventional teaching practices.Conclusion. The teaching methods highlighted attempt to encourage and ensure that students evaluate, understand and apply their knowledge in an integrated and shared manner, as embraced by the CCFOs