UWCScholar

This repository serves as a digital archive for the preservation of research / scholarly output / publications from the University of the western Cape.

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Recent Submissions

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Artifacts of judging: Justice Johan Froneman
(North-West Unversity, 2024) van Marle, Karin; du Plessis, Elmien
Early in the Constitutional era, in Qozeleni v Minister of Law and Order 1994 3 SA 625 (E) Justice Johan Froneman called for the "rubicon … to be crossed out not only intellectually, but also emotionally before the interpretation and application of the … Constitution is fully to come into its own right". He further argued for the Constitution "to become … a living document". In his many judgements in a judicial career spanning 25 years, Justice Froneman suggested some of what such a crossing of the Rubicon could entail. He also gave meaning to the idea of the Constitution as a living document. The contributions in this special edition unpack, reflect on, evaluate and further the work of and themes tackled by Justice Froneman. Justice Johan Froneman retired from the Constitutional Court in 2020. He was appointed to the Constitutional Court in 2009 after serving as Judge of the Eastern Cape High Court, Grahamstown (1994-2009); Deputy Judge President of the Labour Court and Labour Appeal Court (1996-1999) and two terms in 2002 acting on the Supreme Court of Appeal. In 1999 he was a visitor at Harvard University by invitation of Professor Frank Michelman. He was also Extraordinary Professor in Public Law at Stellenbosch University (2003-2008) and a Visitor at the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies, University of Oxford, in 2008. He is currently an extraordinary professor in the Department of Public Law, University of the Free State. He has delivered judgements in a wide range of cases.
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Agent in urgent need of clinical practice: corilagin
(Bentham Science Publishers, 2023) Wang, Xuejia; Fisher, David; Pronyuk, Khrystyna
Corilagin is a naturally occurring water-soluble retrogallic acid tannin, which can be ex-tracted from many kinds of plants. Known at present, it is the main effective ingredient of Phyllanthus urinaria L., Geranium wilfordii Maxim., Phyllanthus matsumurae Hayata, and Trifolium repens L. It also exists in Phyllanthus emblica L., Dimocarpus longan Lour., Canarium album (Lour.) Raeusch., and Terminalia chebula Retz. It can participate in a variety of signaling pathways in vivo and has multiple biological activities, including antitumor, anti-microbial, anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, hepa-toprotective, anti-allergy, anti-proliferation and so on. Given the limited efficacy of first-line treatments for many diseases such as oncology, chronic liver disease, and rheumatic immune system dis-eases, and the potential for adverse effects to outweigh the therapeutic effects, attention is being fo-cused on alternative treatments, and natural plant extracts are a natural target for alternative treat-ments, as natural substances tend to have low toxicity to normal tissues. Some proprietary Chinese medicines containing corilagin have been used in clinical applications, being clinically applied to treat chronic liver disease, viral hepatitis B, rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases. This paper reviews the extraction, determination, distribution and harvesting, pharmacokinetics, biological activity, safety assessment of corilagin and its application in clinical practice.
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Some methodological issues in language research: Dealing with transcribed interpreted courtroom data
(Academic Publishing Pte. Ltd., 2023) Svongoro, Paul; Kufakunesu, Patson
Transcription is a crucial tool in language research, particularly in discourse analysis, as it provides a distillation of real-time interactions. In the 21st century, researchers are increasingly interested in studying authentic data samples, such as audio-recorded court hearings, to turn evanescent speech into readable and analysable formats. However, transcription involves a complex process of theoretical or methodological issues about language, making it a rich source of examinable data. Researchers need to develop adequate methodologies to make such data available for their research endeavours. This exploratory research presents transcription as a methodology for researchers interested in language and ethnographic methods, addressing critical considerations such as the data to be transcribed, the transcriber responsible, and how to represent it. The paper explores innovations in transcription and presents the benefits and challenges of transcription as a methodology, particularly in language research.
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Equality and non-discrimination: Comparing the impact of South Africa and Nigeria’s same-sex legislation
(University of the Western Cape, 2024) Scott, Amy Mikayla; Africa, Cherrel
This mini-thesis examines the impact of same-sex legalisation on the LGBTQIA+ populations in South Africa and Nigeria. The study seeks to investigate how the convergence of legislation, culture, and societal norms influences the actual experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals in these two distinct contexts. The primary research question is, "What is the effect of same-sex legislation on the equality and non-discrimination of LGBTQIA+ individuals in Africa?" South Africa is known for its progressive stance on LGBTQIA+ rights, which is in stark contrast to Nigeria, where both legislation and popular views are notably negative. This comparative research illustrates that, although South Africa possesses a sophisticated legal system, societal biases persist, leading to ongoing instances of discrimination and violence. In Nigeria, the presence of restrictive laws exacerbates these issues, resulting in an inhospitable environment for LGBTQIA+ individuals. The study employs queer theory and the five faces of oppression to examine the complexities of identity development, societal norms, and the various manifestations of prejudice encountered by LGBTQIA+ individuals. The study employs a methodological approach that integrates qualitative and sociological approaches. It analyses data on legislative frameworks, societal perspectives, and instances of violence and harassment. Additionally, it explores activism, resistance, and the notion of intersectionality to enhance our understanding of how LGBTQIA+ individuals are empowered in different situations
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Exploring parents’ experiences of living with a young person between the ages of 18–35 who is a substance abuser
(University of the Western Cape, 2023) Fourie-Van Tonder, Dorothea; Rich, Edna
Substance abuse is increasingly recognised as a serious global public health concern, affecting societies and families in South Africa and around the world. This study delves into the experiences of parents living with a young person, aged 18-35, who is a substance abuser in the rural Kannaland region of Western Cape, South Africa. Parents play a pivotal role in their children's lives and are expected to exert a significant influence over them. However, existing research in the field of substance abuse often focuses solely on the individual struggling with addiction. This narrow focus is problematic because it overlooks the profound impact substance abuse has on the family.