An educational perspective on marginalisation and discrimination in the integration process of the health services of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF)
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Date
2000
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of the Western Cape
Abstract
The Constitution provides that the primary object of the SANDF is to defend and protect the
Republic, its territorial integrity and its people, in accordance with the Constitution and the
principles of international law regulating the use of force.
In this thesis I argue that an action research theory that finds its home in educational
institutions like the schools of the industrialised countries of the North, cannot simplistically
be applied to the set-up of the educational institutions of the developing countries of the
Southern hemisphere, more so in a military context like that of the SANDF which is different
from schools. Secondly, an action research theory that developed in the German-speaking
countries and in some post-World War American institutions, cannot simply be applied to
post-apartheid South African institutions like the SANDF, without first evaluating the nature
of the transformation process of South African institutions from the yoke of an apartheid
ethos and orientation into the institutions that are suited for meeting the needs of all South
Africans. Thirdly, I argue for a need to share knowledge, skills, experience and expertise on
the basis of equality between the institutions in the North and the South. On the one hand,
this includes military and non-military institutions, and between and within the different
sectors of the rapidly changing public service in South Africa, on the other.
The main question at stake is: How to help soldiers in the new dispensation in South Africa
develop a critical awareness of why they do certain things and why they view themselves and
the world around them the way they do? In other words, When will the ways of thinking and
acting in the SANDF contribute not only to the improvement of soldiers' interaction with
each other, but also to the betterment of a quality of service that the Defence Force is
responsible for delivering to the rest of the Country's citizens and to South Africa's
neighbouring countries?
Description
Magister Educationis - MEd
Keywords
Health Services, South African National Defence Force (SANDF), Marginalisation, Education, Military