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This paper engages with the recent discourse on decolonization of knowledge in South Africa from a sociological perspective. It interrogates the position and relevance of both sociology and sociologists to the development aspirations of South Africa. Its basic assumption is that sociology as a discipline is invaluable to the current needs for social reformation and reconstruction in South Africa. While the relevance of sociology as a discipline consistent with unravelling the complex and complicated dynamics of social formations remains unquestioned, its value as the embodiment of social aspirations and development has been undermined by the unquestioning assumption of the superiority of knowledge systems from outside and the glaring failure to promote sociology that is both contextualized and responsive. There is no arguing the prominent role of sociology in the liberation struggles and initial encounter with imperialism; there is also no doubt that sociologists nowadays have found comfort in an uninvolving study of society and the generation of knowledge that hardly functions as an adequate anchor for the existential needs of society. This paper therefore argues for the emergence of "frontier" sociologists and sociology of relevance which interrogates knowledge from outside and critically builds conviviality between outsider and African ontologies and epistemologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research, with a capital 'R', is a subject of considerable concern within South African ruling circles. There's not enough of it, and it's not the right kind, or so the argument runs. Recognising the importance of the material conditions of the researchers and the need for a bottom-up approach to developing research priorities, this paper focuses on the state of sociology research in South Africa today. It demonstrates that, over the past twelve years, a marked increase in the output of masters and doctoral graduates has been accompanied by a decline in the level of completed research by qualified sociologists. In terms of publications, there has been a significant increase in the proportion produced by women, but a negligible change in the number by black scholars. The paper rejects pessimistic assessments of the state of South African sociology. It concludes by arguing that the discipline should place itself at the centre of an integrated and engaged social science by drawing diverse strands together at a local level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article the author discusses the role of the sociologist after half-a-century of studying science. He explores the problem with misconceptions about human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment in South Africa. He provides an overview of the paper "Third Wave of Science Studies," which he and fellow sociologist Rob Evans wrote. He also discusses the new programme called Studies of Expertise and Experience.

Research and pedagogy in the field of morality and moral education has long been dominated by philosophical and psychological disciplines. Although sociological studies and theorising in the field have not been absent, it has been limited and non-systematic. Drawing on a study that investigated the lived morality of a group of young South Africans growing up in the aftermath of Apartheid and in the townships of Cape Town, this paper surveys the historical contribution made by sociologists to the study of morality and introduces two sociological notions of importance to moral education research and practice: 'moral ecology' and 'moral capital'. Employing Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory it describes the moral life as an ecology of interconnecting systems, complex antinomies, diverse codes, multiple positionings, discordant processes and competing influences, over time and on multiple levels. Moral capital, draws on Bourdieu's work on capitals and is described in two ways. First, as a dialectic, such that young people living in poverty identify how being 'good' can be translated into economic capital, which in turn enables them to remain 'good'. Second, it asks, what are the necessary elements of moral capital that young people need in order to be good and so attain the economic future to which they aspire? The paper concludes by noting how a sociology of moral education contributes to understanding the relationship between poverty and morality, including the social reproduction of morality; and its relevance for moral education research and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

South African sociologists of education are living through a momentous and highly particular transition at the same time as they participate in global trends and debates This paper reviews changes in their framing concerns as they move from an oppositional positionality to a far more ambiguous space that seems to require of them to choose between critique and reconstruction The resultant re-positioning and the changes forms of appropriation of international themes as local priorities shift is the central concerns of this review [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept canon is increasingly used to refer to the core concepts, texts, theories and authors in scientific and artistic disciplines. This article examines the appropriateness of this term when used in the social sciences generally and in sociology specifically. It argues that in terms of a strict definition of 'canon' sociology does not have a canon and cannot be regarded as a canonical discipline. The concept of a 'compilatory' discipline is introduced and discussed via references to the sociological catalogue and the knowledge/power relations that account for the form and structure of the catalogue. Arguments for regarding sociology as a compilatory rather than a canonic discipline are advanced and some consequences of this are explored through a discussion of the debates and struggles that were waged over the sociology curriculum during the apartheid years and more recently. The paper concludes with a call to South African sociologists to recognise the compilatory nature of the discipline and to meet the challenges this implies in the contemporary context and for the renewal of sociology and social transformation in South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the practical implications of Wallerstein's call for the substitution of an existing culture of sociology by a culture of social science for the future of the sociological project in South Africa. South African sociology is examined in terms of Therborn's three spaces of identity in which sociology is located: a space of discipline, a space of everyday practice and a space of imagination and investigation. The paper argues that sociology in South Africa is responding creatively to the challenges of our society. In order to maintain this response we need to strengthen our discipline through institutional and intellectual engagement. In conclusion it is argued that sociology is distinctive through its sociological imagination, its emphasis on unmasking deceptions and illusions and its commitment to improving the world we live in. Analytical knowledge, technical know-how and the well-being of human beings are the heart and soul of sociology. Our contribution is best made not as social scientists but first and foremost as sociologists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the research programme that emerged among sociologists in response to the rise of the labour movement. It argues that by taking the rise of this movement seriously, sociologists in South Africa were forced to rethink and reconceptualise their research programme in a manner fruitful for the social sciences as a whole. Three propositions are advanced. Firstly, in response to the rise of labour, as well as the emergence of class theory in sociology, a research programme emerged in the 1970s that began to take labour seriously. Secondly, by taking labour seriously, sociologists were drawn beyond a study of the workplace and trade unionism to the social relationships which surround and shape the conditions under which labour lives and works. However, in my third proposition, the worldwide restructuring of work has drawn sociologists back to an examination of work and economic life. In the current economic crisis, a divide is emerging within the black working class that undermines labour's vision of working class unity. A new stratum of African workers is emerging, whose interests are in potential conflict with a growing underclass. But, the paper concludes, the emergence of a new labour elite is not inevitable; it depends on the goals unions adopt and the role unions play in the new democratic order emerging in South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a speech by sociologist Michael Burawoy delivered at the 14th Annual Congress of the South African Sociological Association held at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa on June 30, 2009. Burawoy focused on the international dimension of sociology. He highlighted the inequalities between countries at international level, ways to address these inequalities, geopolitical differences among countries, and problems that are shared by all countries.

Tradition, ambition and imagination are core concepts in the identity of the sociologist. This paper focuses on these three aspects in evaluating the choices and challenges facing post-apartheid sociology. The achievement of the sociological ambition and the expression of the sociological imagination are considered in terms of Michael Burawoy's (2004) distinction between professional, critical, policy and public sociology. Through this analysis the constraints and challenges facing South African sociology are exposed. It is concluded that South African sociology can best be bolstered through an active engagement with national issues and publics within a global context. In this way we can harness the sociological tradition, ambition and imagination in the creation of a better life for all in South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article criticizes on the work of Rupert Taylor about an assessment of sociology in South Africa. The author believed that his article provides misleading overview of the history and present character of the Association for Sociology in South Africa (ASSA). He also stressed that Taylor seeks to reestablish ties with sociologists in the international arena. Furthermore, the author averred that the assessment of sociology remained an essential tool of the apartheid ideologists because sociologists have inadequate records of research and publications. He inferred that professional associations, such as ASSA, have helped to unify sociologists from different campuses to discuss and research working papers on various subjects.

Information about several topics discussed during the 2011 XVIIth South African Sociological Association (SASA) which was held at the University of Pretoria in South Africa is presented. Topics include the treatment towards women, constitutional rights of South African LGBT people, and the works of sociologists for the development of industrial sociology and political economy. The conference was attended by Cheryl de la Rey and Raewyn Connell.

An overview of the careers of a selected group of sociologists who left academia is presented. Qualitative interviews with 11 female and five male former academic sociologists were conducted. It was found that research participants entered sociology as postgraduate students by chance, being influenced by sociology lecturers and/or because of an interest in the subject. After being appointed in academic positions, some experienced a lack of support from senior academics, and even discrimination and unfair treatment. The main reasons given for exiting an academic career include experiences of discrimination, repeatedly being offered contract academic positions, wanting to pursue a related career outside of academia, or the belief that a new career would enhance personal development. Insights from the expectancy theory and the anchor theory illuminate their reasons for leaving an academic career. After leaving academia, research and writing skills as well as an understanding of interpersonal dynamics (as taught in sociology) were specifically valued. If sociologists leave academia, a closer relationship between the sociology practised in academic circles and the application of sociology in other sectors of society is suggested. Yet, negative aspects highlighted in the article, such as discrimination against certain participants, are stumbling blocks for fostering such closer relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a speech by sociology professor Edward Webster, delivered at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa on July 21, 2007, in which he discussed the academic work of sociologist and professor Jacklyn Cock, the factors that have formed Cock's distinctive contribution to sociology and the three important features of her view of sociology.

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At the core of the crisis of social relations in contemporary South Africa is a privatisation of the public sphere which is forcing individuals to seek private remedies to socially produced problems. The way access to clean and adequate water is threatened by both privatisation and pollution illustrates this process. The article argues that resistance to these processes has the potential to 'resocialise' the crisis, and could be strengthened by the involvement of sociologists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on Jane Watt's analysis of Black protest literature in South Africa. Watts correctly argues that in South Africa there is no longer a clear-cut demarcation between literature and politics, and she provides extracts to illustrate the politicization of Black literary writing. But Watts does not directly address the more difficult issues: namely, what processes lie behind the politicization. On the whole she is content to demonstrate the fact of politicization and only indirectly confronts the problem of explaining the emergence and popularity of this kind of literature. South Africa presents a paradox, for there is an abundance of conflicts that give rise to protest literature, but an absence of those minimum conditions of freedom which permit the full expression of it. Contained within his paradox is the kernel of apartheid. Black art is concerned with struggle; struggle for Blacks to be free, to be able to express themselves as they wish. the denial of this freedom in art is only one manifestation of its denial throughout black life. The power of literature in representing social reality for Blacks is instrumental in conscientizing them to self-awareness and eventual liberation.