South Africa under apartheid

Being a victim of prejudice can make people feel unequal to others like in the story “Everyday Use.” Mama imagines herself on a show like Johnny Carson, and asks herself “Who can even imagine me looking a strange white man in the eye?” (Walker 149). Feeling like she is unequal to white people, Mama cannot imagine herself doing this because she feels that they are better than her since she presumably has had unpleasant experiences in her past. When this story was written, racism was common, so it…

The former, however, derives from the fact that their ancestors were forced into learning Anglo-Americans’ beliefs and ideals. One of these things, this author believes, happens to be “beauty” standards, as in the United States – especially in the South – White women were depicted as the purest and most innocent person, and thus made laws in order to protect them. While the “White gaze” focuses on the expectations that White people have on African-Americans, it seems that the African-Americans…

are said to be social beings designed to increase in our capabilities through interacting with our environment and the people present in in it (Vygotsky, 1978). Hence this essay aims to explain why Vygotsky’s theory is relevant in culture- rich South Africa. Lev Vygotsky’s Social Development theory extensively emphasises the need for social interaction in order for mental functions to develop (Duncan, de la Ray, Swartz &Townsend., 2011). His theory further shifts attention to how the concept…

Is there a better quality of life in Johannesburg or Cape Town? Aim: My aim is to determine which city, Johannesburg or Cape Town, has the best quality of life using income in both cities, life expectancies in South Africa as a whole, literacy levels, crime and leisure’s in both Johannesburg and Cape Town. Review of literature What is the quality of life? Quality of Life is the well being of individuals and societies. It has a wide range of contexts, including the fields of international…

Processes of democratisation and decentralisation in the early 1990s in Africa have transformed the practices of power and authority on a local level. A closer look at the African political landscape reveals the existence of other forms of institutions that operate at the same level as the state and are contemporaries of its institutions, but can be “either rivals, watchdogs, parasites or servants” of state institutions (Ferguson 2014, p. 59). Lund (2006) terms these “twilight institutions”;…

In many fora where issues of governance in Africa are discussed, the chief identified problem bedevilling the African continent is poor leadership (Adejumobi, 2004). Though corruption among African leaders has been generally identified as the root causes of Africa’s socio-economic and political conundrum…

A CASE OF THE SIBLING FAMILIES IN ZAMBIA: TRAGEDY OR HOPE? Introduction According to the context depicted in the documentary “Their Bother’s Keepers”, the young sibling families that are orphaned by HIV/AIDS are left vulnerable at a young age. The documentary is shot in Chazanga compound in Lusaka Zambia and it shows the harsh realities of how Doris,Paul and their siblings, Benny and his siblings and Lizzie are victims of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The oldest siblings are left to take care of the…

Written by Taiaiake Alfred, “Wasase: Indigenous Pathways of Action and Freedom” expresses his perspective on the “warrior’s dance” of a non-violent spiritual revolution to free his people from colonial oppression. The author explores a history of war and corruption, reasons for rebellion, and approaches that will lead to a successful battle in favor of the indigenous people. Based on his presentation of both facts and opinions throughout his book, I believe he was able to capture and present the…

Nelson Mandela said, “...that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear” (Greenberg). This perfectly describes one of the themes from Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. Most of the characters sometime in the book have to find inner courage to face fear or opposition. However, one figure stands out from all the rest of the characters. Arthur ‘Boo’ Radley is the most courageous of all…

Set in the 1940’s, Toni Morrison’s novel “The Bluest Eye” is a tale of Pecola, a young Negro girl shunned by society for being ugly due to her skin colour and appearance. Morrison explores life in America during the late 60s and early 70s in which American culture was influenced predominantly by the white race. Using a creative approach, Toni Morrison explores the white ideal that the Negro population strives to attain to shed light on an arguably different kind of racism. Through the use of…