UP Inaugural Addresses

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This collection consists of the inaugural addresses of heads of departments appointed at the University of Pretoria. Some are born digital, some are digitizations of published works.

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1. The complete inaugural address (pdf format)

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The role of Universities in Africa’s futures in the 21st Century
(University of Pretoria, 2019) Kupe, Tawana
“Mr Chancellor, it is my honour to introduce to you and the congregation Prof Tawana Kupe. Professor Tawana Kupe was appointed Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Pretoria in 2018 with his duties commencing on 14 January 2019. Prior to his appointment as Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Kupe served as the Vice-Principal of the University of the Witwatersrand, responsible for the daily running of the University and the coordination of operations across all executive portfolios. Prior to this appointment, he held the rotating Vice-Principal post for one year and also served as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Advancement, Human Resources and Transformation. Between 2013 and 2014 he was Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations. Professor Kupe served as the Executive Dean of the Wits Faculty of Humanities for six years, between January 2007 and December 2012, after serving as the Head of the then Wits School of Literature and Language Studies, and the founding Head of the Media Studies Department. Prior to joining Wits, Professor Kupe lectured at Rhodes University between 1999 and 2001, and briefly acted as the Head of the Department of Journalism and Media Studies. He joined Rhodes from the University of Zimbabwe, where he acted in various academic capacities from 1988, including as Chairperson of the Department of English, Media and Communication Studies. Professor Kupe holds a BA Honours degree and Masters in English from the University of Zimbabwe, as well as a DPhil in Media Studies from the University of Oslo in Norway. Prof Kupe has a notable publication record, having authored several journal articles, books and book chapters in his main discipline, Media Studies and Journalism. He edited a seminal book “Broadcasting Policy and Regulation in Africa” and with two other Wits University academics Eric Worby and Shireen Hassim, edited “Go Home or Die Here”. Over the years, Prof Kupe has played a key role in the establishment of select new innovative initiatives at Wits, most recently he was the founding Director of the Africa Centre for the Study of the United States – a multidisciplinary Centre focusing on critically analysing the US as a nation and society. The Centre has attracted major academic and funding interests from leading US universities, foundations and private corporations and from Wits and across the African continent. The other two new initiatives of note are the Wits Arts and Literature Experience (WALE) and the introduction of a fully-fledged Media Studies Programme. WALE was an interesting platform that showcased Wits' unique achievements primarily in the creative arts and literature across a range of disciplines in the humanities. He took a leading role in developing Media Studies as a major in the BA degree at Wits and is also the founding member of the Media Studies Department at Wits University, now one of the largest departments in the Faculty of Humanities. Prof Kupe is an active member of several Civil Society Organisations, including the AmaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism and is Chairman of the Board of Media Monitoring Africa from 2005 to date, and he is the inaugural convener of Judges for the Discovery Health Journalism Awards. He also serves on the board of a major private company and is a member of the International Association of Media and Communication Research (IAMCR). Professor Kupe is a popular invited speaker, academic expert and regular commentator on issues of media performance on radio, television and the print media in South Africa for local and international media.
Physiology as a mature science – old challenges and new opportunities in teaching and research
(University of Pretoria, 2018) Joubert, Annie M.
Revisiting the poetry of Benedict Wallet Vilakazi : the utility and meaning of African Languages and Literatures in Higher Education
(University of Pretoria, 2018) Zondi, Nompumelelo Bernadette
Although viewed (and dismissed) by many as primarily a tool for communication, language and literature cannot be understood only in relation towhat it communicates. A study of how it is shaped uncovers the social forces that provide its broad and complex template in the acts of reading and writing. Singling out the importance of the humanities and of African languages, the DHET, in the White Paper for Post-School Education and Training (2013:37-41), advances an understanding of the seminal relationship between language, literature, context and society. The National Development Plan (2011), another founding document shaping the developmental agenda for South Africa, acknowledges that ‘major humanist projects which link our heritage and our future as a society’ are encompassed by the humanities in general and African languages in particular, and advises that our education from basic to tertiary and through the science and innovation system should invest and build capacity and high level expertise in these (in White Paper 2013: 37). The ‘demise’ of African languages in the academic sphere poses a serious threat to linguistic diversity in South Africa’ (White Paper 2013:38) and must be reversed. The DHET White Paper commits itself to a set of key ideas and strategies to ensure the rejuvenation of African languages through a ‘cross-disciplinary approach’ (White Paper 2013: 38). In this context, this lecture argues for the utility and meaning of the poetry of Benedict Wallet Vilakazi (1906–1947), offering perspectives on the saliency of his work for inter alia the meanings and location of African languages and literatures with regard to epistemic diversity, the ‘transformation’ of curricula, tradition versus modernity, gender, the meaning of identity, and the broader humanist project.
Reflecting critically on the conceptualization of diversity in sociolinguistics
(University of Pretoria, 2018-02-22) Tirvassen, Rada; rada.tirvassen@up.ac.za; University of Pretoria. Dept. of; Department of Modern European Languages
While it can legitimately be claimed that research in social sciences has made significant contributions to the welfare of mankind, it is also important to acknowledge that some preconceived beliefs about people and cultural practices are rooted in certain trends in academic work. This is why it is the duty of researchers to reflect critically not only on the type of knowledge that they construct from their scholarship but also on the theoretical tools with which it is undertaken. The conceptualisation of diversity in mainstream sociolinguistics can serve to illustrate this argument. A meta-analysis of studies undertaken in some of the islands of the Indian Ocean demonstrates that this discipline has, for a long time, highlighted social divisions along the lines of race and ethnicity and has, at the same time, ignored the role of fusion and creolisation in shaping identity. This reflection could serve to question whether sociolinguistics is equipped to contribute to fundamental issues like languages and nation building.
Developing a multilingual mindset : promoting the development and use of students' strongest languages and empowering them in English as the academic lingua franca
(University of Pretoria, 2015-09-29) Adelia.Carstens@up.ac.za; University of Pretoria, Unit for Academic Literacy; Carstens, Adelia
Although multilingualism is the norm in most countries of the world, monolingualism has become the hegemonic mindset. In higher education in South African it has become imperative to give preference to a mindset that recognises our multilingual reality by drawing on students’ strongest languages while supporting them to study through medium of a second language. An overview is given of a number of theories and models of bilingualism and bilingual education that have attempted to underpin linguistically flexible approaches to the acquisition of academic literacy in a ‘weaker’ language (L2), while drawing on cognitive abilities acquired in the ‘stronger’ language (L1). I then zoom in on the process by which bi- and multilingual students draw on all their linguistic resources to create meaning during learning opportunities – a process that has become known as ‘translanguaging’. Although a number of empirical studies on translanguaging were conducted in South Africa during the past 15 years, none of them focused on determining students' opinions about translanguaging as a pedagogical strategy and a vehicle for the development of terminology, particularly in African languages. Consequently, a study of restricted scope was conducted in the first semester of 2015; it included speakers of African languages and Afrikaans. The opinions of the speakers of African languages were elicited on both translanguaging and terminologisation, while Afrikaans L1 speakers’ opinions were only elicited on the strategy of translanguaging. The majority of respondents reported experiencing cognitive and affective benefits. Despite reservations among some African language speakers about complexity and dialectical variation as barriers, the majority was positive about using translanguaging as a platform for creating technical terms in African languages. A logical next step is to investigate translanguaging strategies – both from a lecturer and a student perspective – in a systematic way. My vision for the Unit for Academic Literacy (UAL) is to collaborate with other departments in devising strategies that may enhance both acquisition planning and corpus planning by drawing on students' full linguistic repertoires, and simultaneously contribute towards the intellectualisation of African languages.
Constructively engaging in post-dogmatic Dogmatics
(University of Pretoria, 2014-10-14) danie.veldsman@up.ac.za; University fo Pretoria, Dept. of Dogmatics and Christian Ethics; Veldsman, D.P. (Daniel Petrus), 1959-
To answer the question on what a Post-dogmatic Dogmatics entail, Veldsman sketched a Typology – consisting of five types - of what Systematic Theologians and Ethicists do. It is a typology – presented as a spectrum - that ranges from Unreflective Repeaters to Radical Contemporizers. He added to the Typology model a further five Reflective Trends to give content to what these various types of scholars may actually be involved with. From his description of the Reflective Trends on the international scene he turned to the South African systematic-ethical academic scene, highlighting the most important research themes of the various Departments / Schools where Systematic Theology / Ethics are taught. He subsequently turned to the Department of Dogmatics and Christian Ethics at the Faculty of Theology at the University of Pretoria – highlighting the specific research contribution of each of the five members of the Department against the background of the Departmental Vision, Values and Objectives. Hy het uitgebrei op sy betrokke navorsingsbydrae wat hy omskrywe het as die her-konseptualisering van religieuse ervaring vanuit evolusionêre perspektiewe met sy besondere toespitsing op die affektief-kognitiewe dimensie van persoonwees. Interessant daarby is veral sy beklemtoning van die saamlees van: Geen Evolusie, Geen Ervaring, Geen Godsdiens. In sy konklusie waarin hy ‘n post-dogmatiese Dogmatiek hermeneuties meer uitgebreid as ‘n spesifieke houding omskrywe, veral in beklemtoning van ervaring as vertrekpunt en die onvermydelik rol van die affektiewe, wys hy ook op enkele belangrike tekortkominge en uitdaginge wat beslis aangespreek sal moet word in die nabye toekoms deur Sistematiese Teoloë en Etici in die Suid-Afrikaanse samelewing.
A reflection on accounting within Sout Africa's higher education landscape
(University of Pretoria, 2014-06-25) karin.barac@up.ac.za; University of Pretoria, Dept. of Auditing; Barac, Karin
The purpose of this inaugural address is to consider the state of accounting as an academic discipline within South Africa’s higher education landscape, and the responsibility that brings to deliver graduates who are able to function effectively from the moment they enter the business world. Drawing on legitimacy theory, activities of the universities of today are focussed on and by society’s demands. Academic accounting in South Africa, and elsewhere, is furthermore influenced by the nationally recognised professional accounting bodies, an influence manifesting as tension between the need for “training” (for immediate and efficient absorption into the workforce) and “educating” (for a more contemplative life). This tension, plus the additional business-world attributes new accounting graduates are now expected to possess, and national objectives of transformation within academia and business, together have resulted in accounting departments in South Africa becoming teaching-intensive institutions (with a “designed-for-business” product), as opposed to places where knowledge is created, which is/was the core aspect of a research-focused university. Should South African universities offering professional accounting programmes meet their constituents’ transformation expectations to redress imbalances of the past by developing competent graduates from disadvantaged communities, closure within the South African accounting profession will be reversed. Simultaneously, our society’s demands that universities develop human and institutional capacity (an imperative for a developing economy), so as to alleviate pressures of scarce and critical skills, will then also be met. But the question still remains: are the needs that society has currently identified and voiced for itself in its longer-term best interests? Put another way: is the development of essentially vocational skills, and the effecting of social and economic transformation, being achieved at the expense of knowledge creation and the stimulation of critical, independent thought?
Landbouvoorligting by die kruispad - uitdagings vir agrariese voorligting as Univeristeitsdepartement
(University of Pretoria, 1977-10-27) Duvel, G.H. (Gustav Heinrich); katrien.malan@up.ac.za; University of Pretoria, Dept. van Agrariese Voorligting
The training and research challenges confronting the Department in the light of problems and tendencies encountered in the present agricultural developent situation are outlined. Evidene indicates that extension is the bottle-neck in agricultural development in South Africa. However, in spite of this, it is neglected when compared to research. The unmanageable number of clients per extension worker and diverse regulatory duties are some of the factors responsible for a passive information service benefiting only those farmers who have already realised their need for it. The end result is an ever increasing gap between the small percentage of progressive farmers and the majority of less progressive farmers, with correspondingly detrimental social and economic results. Apart from organizational adjustments, more purposeful co-ordination and involvement with co-operative and private advisory services, a more scientific approach should be adopted in order to meet future challenges. With this object in mind, an organizational model and a "two-front" strategy is proposed and the training and research challenges are outlined.
Suiwelbereiding as studieveld
(University of Pretoria, 1959-10-30) Lombard, S.H.; katrien.malan@up.ac.za; University of Pretoria, Dept. of Diarying
This lecture oulines dairying as a subject taught at university level. Its technological bias does not disqualify it as a subject in academic education which has to include many subjects other than the pure sciences owing to the importance of technology in modern society. The fucntion of the dairy technologist as the person who processes milk, a primary product of anmial husbandry., into a large number of secondary products is sketched. The relationship of the technologist to the produce of the milk, is explained and it is shown why the dairy technologist needs a background of chemistry, bacteriology, economics and engineering. Examples are cited of the type of research conducted in the field of dairying, particularly at the University of Pretoria. Attention is also drawn to the fact that the dairy technologist has to contend with factors which tend to reduce the per capita consumption of dairy products, such as substitute dairy products, the threat of radio-active fall-out and the alleged relationship between animal fats and heart ailments. Contrary to popular ideas the dairy technologist cannot employ standard techniques without having the right background in order to deal with unexpected difficulties. The speaker stresses the fact that in his training of diary tecnology students, his purpose will be to equip them with this background and to serve the interests of dairying to the best of his ability.
Op die spoor van die onsigbare lig
(University of Pretoria, 1980-09-18) Prinsloo, S.F.; katrien.malan@up.ac.za; University of Pretora. Faculty of Medicine
Through the ages mankind had the desire to look into its own body. The development of diagnostic radiology since the discovery of C-rays is briefly reviewed, with certain highlights being discussed in mre detail. a Forecast is given of future technical developments in the exciting field of diagnostic radiology, without which modern medicine is unthinkable.
Becoming Zimbabwe or becoming Zimbabwean : identity, nationalism and state building in the historical context of Southern Africa.
(University of Pretoria, 2012-11-26) alois.mlambo@up.ac.za; University of Pretoria. Dept. of Historical and Heritage Studies; Mlambo, Alois S.
The lecture explores the processes of identity making and state building in a multi-ethnic and multi-racial society recently emerging from a protracted armed struggle against a racially-ordered settler colonial domination. It explores the extent to which historical factors, such as the nature of the state, the prevailing national political economy and regional and international forces and developments have shaped notions of belonging and citizenship over time and affected state building efforts. The role of the post-colonial state and economy, political developments and the land question in shaping the post-colonial dispensation is also examined. The lecture investigates how Zimbabwe’s lived experience has produced various and competing historical narratives about its past; what factors have contributed to the political economy of historical knowledge production in a colonial and post-colonial setting and how this has further complicated the process of the development of a common identity. It contends that many factors have militated against the development of a common national identity, including, among others, the country’s ethnic diversity, the colonial legacy of racism, autocratic intolerance of political dissent, and a racialised unequal socio-economic regime, the armed conflict that tore the fabric of Zimbabwe’s society for almost two decades and left the races divided, the policy of reconciliation after independence, notwithstanding, the vexatious question of land ownership that remained dangerously unresolved for twenty years, and the problematic role of intellectuals, especially historians, in shaping competing perceptions about the country’s past and present and fuelling difference rather than a sense of common and shared interests.
Food microbiology and safety management - opportunities and constraints
(University of Pretoria, 2012-10-15) elna.buys@up.ac.za; University of Pretoria. Dept. of Food Science; Buys, E.M. (Elna Maria)
Due to increased food borne outbreaks world-wide food safety management systems have been implemented to facilitate safe food production and processing. The implementation of food safety management systems has changed food safety assurance from a reactive to a proactive system. These systems also have the goal to facilitate international trade. This increases our reliance on food processors for safe food. However it is impossible to eliminate all risks. The food microbiology principles of these food safety management systems should be based on sound science, which is not always the case. Considering this, it brings about the need for advanced education of food scientists in food microbiology and safety. Essential is the understanding of research trends and findings in the occurrence and incidence, growth and survival of foodborne pathogens at different environments or in foods, toxin production and the pathogenicity of well-known and emerging pathogens, and also the effect of environmental stresses. Discussions on the microflora of food should include traditional foods, spoilage of new food systems, e.g. low-calorie foods, extended shelf life foods and fortified products. Since the identification of pathogenic or toxigenic strains employs sophisticated techniques, principles of immunology and molecular biology are essential.
Transvaluation of values in practical theology - a circular movement.
(University of Pretoria, 2012-09-10) yolanda.dreyer@up.ac.za; University of Pretoria. Dept. of Practical Theology, Faculty of Theology; Dreyer, Yolanda
In practical theology the experiences of outsiders should be taken seriously. Heteronormativity should be uprooted and replaced by a kind of thinking that does not regard the pairs acceptable/unacceptable, sacred/secular, orthodox/heterodox, inside/outside the church as mutually exclusive. Breaking the hegemony of heteronormativity calls for the transformation of the institutional church with its tradition and theology in order that the church can become part of the lives of marginalised and excluded people in a liberating way. Trends in practical theology illustrate how exclucivism is being overcome. First there was a shift from an emphasis on clergy to include laity and later to also embrace outsiders in such a way that they can also enrich the faith community. This “transvaluation of values” constitutes the perspective from which practical theology can look to the future. The objective is that this holistic spirituality will become the focal point of the practical formation of theological students.
Paul's interpretation of Yehoshua ben Yoseph through the Scriptures of Israel as "retrodiction"
(University of Pretoria, 2012-09-07) gert.steyn@up.ac.za; University of Pretoria. Dept. of New Testament Studies; Steyn, Gert Jacobus
In his lecture on Paul’s Interpretation of Yehoshua ben Yoseph through the Scriptures of Israel as “retrodiction”, Gert Steyn addressed a sensitive and hotly debated contemporary issue – particularly amongst South African Christians – namely the assumed prediction of the Jesusevents in the Old Testament. This contribution connects with several areas in biblical scholarship, such as the canonicity of the Bible (particularly the relation between the Old and New Testaments), biblical hermeneutics and Bible translation. Steyn has, in this manner, chosen a relevant topic – not only for scholarly research in the biblical disciplines, but also for the church’s doctrine on Christology. From a methodological point of view, Steyn’s utilization of a narrative approach in the first part of his lecture, and an exegetical approach in the second part, turns out to be not only a strategically effective structure of communication, but also lends itself effectively to an introduction and analysis of the research problem. Moving from the macro-context of the New Testament to the micro-context of Pauline hermeneutics, he briefly introduced his audience to both the width and the depth of his research the last 26 years on the use of the Old Testament in its Greek form (the Septuagint) by the New Testament writers. But the contribution of Steyn’s inaugural lecture goes beyond the relevance of the topic, his communicative strategy and his methodological approach. He convincingly argued, on the one hand, and as he has shown with his two examples, on the other hand, that the Old Testament did not predict the Jesus-event. Although there were expectations about different messianic figures during the course of pre-Christian times, and although the New Testament connects with these messianic expectations when interpreting the Jesus-events, the early Christian writers also identified and made their own selection of passages which they could relate particularly to the passion, the crucifiction, empty tomb and post mortem appearances of Jesus of Nazareth. This became particularly clear from the examples that Steyn discussed in his exposition. Paul, as the earliest documented Christian writer, uses passages from his Scriptures that had no connection to the Jesus-event, but Paul interprets these passages in the light of the crucifiction and the conquering of death by Jesus. The direction in this hermeneutical stream does not flow from the Old Testament to the New Testament when dealing with the particular events surrounding Yehoshua ben Yoseph, Jesus of Nazareth, but it flows rather from the New Testament back to the Old Testament. By illustrating this, Steyn positioned himself to be on a par with mainstream biblical scholarship on this issue. The relation between the Old and New Testament should thus not be reduced to the perception that the Christian canon is a single a-historical book, but the diversity, chronology and ancient historical context of the different Old Testament books ought to be acknowledged when dealing with the Old Testament literature from a New Testament perspective. Finally, by coining “retrodiction” as a new term in biblical hermeneutics, Gert J Steyn takes especially the New Testament scholarly community one step further towards responsible interaction with the Old Testament. It is hoped that this term will establish itself well in biblical scholarship and that future generations of biblical scholars will continue to connect the term with Steyn’s research.
"Mass spectrometry, chromatography, chemistry .... what is the purpose?''
(University of Pretoria, 2012-08-27) egmont.rohwer@up.ac.za; University of Pretoria. Dept. of Chemistry; Rohwer, Egmont Richard
This multifaceted question will be addressed through details of the speaker’s own career, drawing conclusions as to the role of Chemistry at the University of Pretoria and in our country. The use of expensive instruments and highly sophisticated infrastructure is justifiably under scrutiny when a university considers state-of-the-art education and research in the experimental sciences. Doubly so in a country with an emerging economy where the priority lies with primary education, crime prevention, health care, service delivery, housing and job creation. The apparent contradiction of high-tech science in a developing country can only be resolved when facilities are correctly managed, world class research leaders can be recruited, critical mass can be maintained over years, applied projects of obvious local relevance are tackled and research money can be leveraged from industry and international agencies with the common goal of sustainable development.Where these conditions cannot be guaranteed, responsible action requires such facilities to rather be closed down towards consolidation of those with a better chance of serving the needs of society. Analytical chemical technology provides the means to perform reality checks on theoretical models in the natural sciences and is thus fundamental to the advance of diverse disciplines that increasingly require understanding at the atomic and molecular level. The techniques of Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (MS) are both about one hundred years old but commercial equipment only became available much later, largely through the need of the petrochemical industry that, even today, grapples with quality control of products such as petrol or diesel that can contain more than 30,000 compounds. The two techniques couple synergistically and today all well-equipped government and industrial laboratories have GC-MS and LC-MS equipment to perform routine tasks. More sophisticated research is performed on multi-dimensional and high resolution instruments as found in the laboratories at UP. These non-routine techniques are required to train future analytical chemists and to support research in matters of health, water, energy, food, forensic science, biology, environmental pollution, archaeology and engineering - examples of such interdisciplinary projects are ongoing at UP.
"Missional leadership - entering the trialogue"
(University of Pretoria, 2012-05-18) nelus niemandt@up.ac.za; University of Pretoria, Dept of Science of Religion and Missionary.; Niemandt, Cornelius Johannes Petrus (Nelus)
Studies in missional ecclesiology emerged as one of the significant trends in mission studies in recent years. The role of leadership in missional ecclesiology is investigated from the perspective of an organic leadership paradigm (Avery). A novel understanding of leadership as the Spirit-led transformation of people and institutions by means of meaningful relations to participate in God’s mission is seen as best suited to the adaptive leadership challenges that face the missional church, and it allows the church to stop fretting over the church by entering into the trialogue. The trialogue is the discerning interaction between church, culture and biblical narrative – to seek, discover, understand and share in what the Holy Spirit is up to in the close-to-the-ground particulars of the church’s engagement in, with, against and for the world. The trialogue, shaped by a hermeneutic of love, can be informed by the twin movements of dwelling in the Word and dwelling in the world. It is a kind of orthoparadoxy – the dialectic between theory and praxis, text and context, dwelling in the Word and dwelling in the world. Entering the trialogue raises the leadership challenge of creating new social imaginaries (Taylor)through biblical imagination and storytelling, simultaneously cultivating a culture of transformation.
Oily start towards a medical biotechnology institute.
(University of Pretoria, 2012-03-09) jan.verschoor@up.ac.za; University of Pretoria, Dept. of Biochemistry.; Verschoor, J.A. (Jan Adrianus), 1953-
It is all about bringing scientific discovery in the medical biotechnology field to the bedside of patients who need it, for which an institute is required to transfer the technology from the academic environment into products for the market place to serve the community. The oil refers to a first (early) example of a product from our laboratories for such a purpose. It is a medical device for the fast diagnosis of tuberculosis, which uses the oily substance surrounding the mycobacterial pathogen as indicator of disease. Biotechnology relates to the environment wherein the Department of Biochemistry engages with other departments and networks to create products for the modern market. Medical describes the research focus of the Biochemistry Department and includes veterinary applications. And start alludes to the history of the department since 1956 to explain its current research focus.
"Betrokke kritiek" : literatuurkritiek wat die wêreld verander? Literatuurkritiek na teorie!
(University of Pretoria, 2011-09-19) willie.burger@up.ac.za; University of Pretoria. Dept. of Afrikaans; Burger, Willie
“Critique Engagée” – Literary Criticism that can change the world? Literary Criticism After Theory. Over the last few decades postmodernist literature and criticism have rejected the idea of a white, western, male monoculture. Elements of Derridean and Faucauldian thought have penetrated to every level of literary criticism, resulting in a characteristic incredulity towards universal truth claims and evaluative judgement. The humanist concepts of universal timeless qualities of the good, the truth and the beautiful inherent in good literature have been undermined. Every discourse is a historically situated narrative amongst other narratives – each with its own characteristics and effects. In these circumstances the task of literary criticism was often reduced to merely showing how each text is merely a narrative and that each word gets its meaning as a result of its place in the structure. Critics are “deconstructing” in order to show how a specific discourse excludes (and thus wields power). The deconstruction of presuppositions and certainties eventually leads to a cynical relativism, an ironic way of living where nothing is real and where “anything goes”. The author and critic underwriting these ideas indeed rid us from an obsolete cultural ideal but in the process render itself irrelevant. In these circumstances, it is argued that there is a need for “engaged criticism”: a kind of criticism (deduced from the idea of “littérature engagée”) that appeals to the reader to take full responsibility for his/her own being in the world, an evaluative criticism that does not return to superseded humanistic beliefs but that values literature that enable us to share our most important questions and our deepest emotions.
Opleiding in elektroniese ingenieurswese - deurbraak of dwaling?
(University of Pretoria, 1976-05-06) Van Biljon, J.; katrien.malan@up.ac.za; University of Pretoria. Dept. of Electronic Engineering
After briefly tracing the evolution of engineering activity in South Africa, the author turns his attention to the scope of electronic engineering activity in the world in general, and in South Africa in particular, showing that there is a surprisingly high annual investment in new electronic equipment locally, practically all of which is imported from overseas. Comparing the electronics industry to the basic steel and liquid fuel industries, it is shown that the rapid growth of this industry is essential for South Africa's survival. The reasons why the introduction of television in South Africa has failed to stimulate a local manufacturing industry, are discussed. The need for properly trained man-power and the determining role of electronics engineering in the industrial and military spheres in South Africa, are highlighted.
Farmaka en farmakologie : verlede, hede en toekoms
(University of Pretoria, 1976-09-30) Sommers, De K.; katrien.malan@up.ac.za; University of Pretoria. Faculty of Medicine. Departement van Farmakologie
Currently marketed drugs are largely the products of accidental discoveries. During the period 1935-1965, systematic chemical modifications of known drugs and alkaloids lead to the synthesis of optomally bio-active derivatives. This period constituted the three golden decades of drug development. Presently it appears as if all available drug molecules have been fully exploited. The discovery of completely new compounds has become a necessity if major therapeutic advances are to be made. Empirical research including, re-examination of folk remedies, has become essential. The pathogenesis of certain conditions, e.g. hypertension, must be clarified before proper causal drug treatment can be instituted. Improved analytical methods applied during the last decade has tremendously advanced our insight into the pharmacokinetics of drugs. This has created an increasing gap between the clinician and the pharmaceutical industry. It is up to the pharmacologist to bridge this chasm. He has to teach the pharmacological basis of drug therapy so that the clinician can gain a better understanding of the principles governing the correct use of drugs in modern medicine.

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