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Personal tribute to Charl Hugo by Jopie Pretorius.

In the New Nation case, the Constitutional Court declared the provisions of the Electoral Act that prevent independent candidates from competing in provincial and national elections unconstitutional. It ruled that the impugned provisions violated independent candidates' constitutional rights to stand for public office, to freedom of association and to dignity. In a minority judgment, Froneman J disagreed and held that the Constitution contemplates a right to contest elections as a party-nominee only. The differences between the majority and minority judgments are largely the result of distinct interpretive approaches. The majority conducted an analysis of the right to stand for public office within a restricted textual framework that has the potential to disturb the harmonious inter-relationship between the right and the electoral and parliamentary framework for its realisation. This result flows from the fact that the Constitution still reflects the exclusively party-based electoral and parliamentary systems of its predecessor in several important respects. At best, this situation may result in independents being largely at the mercy of political parties for meaningful execution of their legislative and oversight obligations. At worst, they may be excluded from exercising core parliamentary functions altogether. Therefore, to avoid disturbing the normative coherence between the right to stand for public office, the foundational democratic values, and the electoral and parliamentary arrangements, constitutional amendments appear to be necessary for the implementation of the court's order. In any event, expectations about the contribution to electoral reform of allowing independents to contest elections must be tempered by the low political impact of independent representatives on governance, as well as the ambivalence surrounding the democratic functionality of independent candidacy, when measured against the values of transparency and accountability.

This is a reply to a critique by Botha and Govindjee (2017 PELJ 1-32) of our interpretation of the hate speech provisions of the Equality Act (Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 4 of 2000) in Marais and Pretorius (2015 PELJ 901-942), in which we considered the constitutionality of section 10(1) of the Act, amongst other things. We address Botha and Govindjees' rejection of our view that hate speech is a form of unfair discrimination and that the most appropriate constitutional framework within which section 10(1) should be interpreted and assessed is sections 9 and 10 of the Constitution. We consider Botha and Govindjees' rejection of this point of departure, their opposing different interpretation of the role of the proviso in section 12 of the Act and, generally, their reasons for concluding that section 10(1) is unconstitutional. We maintain that Botha and Govindjee's proposals for reform unduly restrict the hate speech prohibition to cover exclusively expression that warrants criminalisation. In doing so, they fail to fully acknowledge the transformative obligation in terms of international law, the Constitution and the Equality Act, to prohibit and prevent unfair discrimination.

Breed’s understanding of a biblical pastoral model: An exploratory, descriptive perspective. This article was aimed at providing a perspective on Professor Gert Breed’s theoretical contribution to pastoral studies by exploring and describing his understanding of a biblical pastoral model. Breed’s model is the product of decades of research, practical experience as a minister in the Reformed Churches in South Africa and over a decade of theoretical knowledge and experience in training and tertiary academic education. Breed’s model currently forms the foundation of and framework for Reformed Churches in South Africa (RCSA) (Gereformeerde Kerke in Suid-Afrika [GKSA]) candidate students’ training in pastoral studies at the Theological School in Potchefstroom, as well as for equipping other prospective practitioners for pastoral ministry. Although Breed has been using this model with great success in his own ministry, as well as in tertiary training, a comprehensive perspective on his model had not yet been published. Contribution: The aim of this article was therefore to provide an explorative and descriptive perspective on the content of Breed’s understanding of a biblical pastoral model.

The central research question that is addressed in this article is: How can ZulMorph, a finite state morphological analyser for Zulu, be employed to add value to Zulu lexical semantics with specific reference to Zulu verbs? The verb is the most complex word category in Zulu. Due to the agglutinative nature of Zulu morphology, limited information can be computationally extracted from running Zulu text without the support of sufficiently reliable computational morphological analysis by means of which the essential meanings of, amongst others, verbs can be exposed. In this article we describe a corpus-based approach to adding the English meaning to Zulu extended verb roots, thereby enhancing ZulMorph as a lexical knowledge base.

The celebration of the Passover of the Enoochite Quatradecimans during the first three centuries of Christianity. Development concerning the determination of Passover or Pascha’s annual date took place during the first three centuries of Christianity. This led to a controversy in the mid-second century AD which became known as the Quartadecima Controversy. The date and duration of the Passover were the main issues. During the controversy two main streams emerged, namely the Quartadecimans and Anti-Quartadecimans. The Quartadecimans celebrated the 14th of the first month annually as the commencement date of the Passover. The Anti-Quartadecimans set the first or second weekend after the 14th of the first month annually as the Passover celebration date. In spite of the two main streams, commonly accepted by modern-day researchers, various variations developed within these two main streams. These variations have not been discerned and analysed in modern-day research. One of these variations, namely the Enochite Quatradecimans is the subject of this article. They are being portrayed as a unique and discernable variation within the Quartadeciman main stream. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article connects the research fields of New Testament and Church History in trying to understand how and when the Passover was celebrated during the first three centuries of Christianity.

Spiritual formation to bring about a missional character in congregations in practice. This study applied literature review to focus on missional ecclesiology and, more specifically, on the important role and impact of spirituality in supporting a missional church. Although the research originated in reformed churches in South Africa, the reflection on the relation between the concept of missional church and a Christian spirituality, and the practical examples that illustrate such a missional spirituality, transcend the context and is applicable to most contexts. The conclusion of the research affirmed a Trinitarian approach to spirituality and the indispensable place of a missional spirituality for Christian congregations. A life in the Trinity forms and informs everyday life. It encourages disciples of Christ to participate in God’s mission. There is no difference between Christian spirituality and missional spirituality. One of the key findings was the important role of habits: believers should change their habits in their everyday life in order to change their thoughts, and not the other way around. Practical examples of habits are as follows: systematic reading of God’s Word; to see what God sees; kenosis shown through hospitality; faith discernment with other believers; associating the everyday normalities as spiritual; finding rest in God; and eating together. Intradisciplinary and/or Interdisciplinary implications: This article was written from the perspective of mission studies. The contextual challenge was to emphasise the importance of habits in Christian spirituality, and the reciprocal relationship between spirituality and being a missional church. This article has challenged the culture of church-organised mission projects.

The article presents a detailed contextual analysis of the categorical prohibition of hate speech in terms of section 10(1) of the Equality Act. It is argued that this provision is not primarily intended to describe and effectively regulate the extreme expression that falls within the narrow ambit of "hate speech" as defined in section 16(2)(c) of the Constitution. Rather, it is concerned with the promotion of equality in the broad societal context. It acknowledges the hurt and harm that discriminatory expression may entail and it condemns the reinforcement of systemic discrimination by means of expression. Therefore, the principal interpretive frame of reference for the analysis of section 10(1) of the Equality Act is the explicit constitutional obligation in terms of sections 9(3) and (4) of the Constitution to enact legislation to prevent and prohibit unfair discrimination, and not section 16(2)(c) of the Constitution. The fact that section 10(1) categorically prohibits hate speech, instead of premising its prohibition on the unfairness analysis generally applicable to discrimination in other contexts, however, implies that only expression with no reasonable prospect of meeting the constitutional fairness standard ought to be covered by section 10. Put differently, the prohibited expression may in no way promote rather than jeopardise the achievement of equality. The interpretation takes into account that section 10(1) applies only to engagement in expression that, in terms of an objective reasonableness assessment, is clearly primarily aimed at hurting or harming others, or at inciting others to hurt or harm, or at promoting hatred based on group identity. Furthermore, bona fide expression in accordance with the essential characteristics of the freedoms of expression mentioned in section 16(1) of the Constitution is explicitly excluded from its ambit. An analysis of the expression covered by section 10(1) leads to a conclusion that it prohibits only low-value discriminatory expression that obstructs the constitutional quest for the healing of our injured society. It manages to achieve this without jeopardising the constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression, construed in the light of the foundational values of the Constitution.

SUMMARYA full sixteen years after the coming into force of the 1996 Constitution, Parliament responded to the constitutional obligation to regulate and monitor, by legislative and other means, the use of official languages by adopting the Use of Official Languages Act 12 of 2012. The Act represents a very limited normative appreciation of this constitutional instruction. The official language clause of the Constitution expresses a normative commitment regarding the positive affirmation of linguistic diversity, which is directly informed by and closely aligned to the core normative values of the Constitution. The Constitution’s positive evaluation of difference, including linguistic difference, inter alia, flows from the values of substantive equality, equal citizenship, dignity and proportionality. However, the way in which the Act institutionalises the promotion of inclusive linguistic diversity does not reflect an unambiguous recognition of this obligation being normatively embedded in the foundational value structure of the Constitution. The real responsibility for decisions regarding official language use is located in the policy-making competence of non-independent administrative bodies. The Act itself is devoid of instructive standards of its own to guide administrative decision-making regarding official language use. This results in the responsibility for making the most important normative choices regarding the use of official languages not being reserved for the legislative process, but entrusted to non-independent advisory administrative bodies. The nature of the Act confirms that it never was the intention of the government to be bound by legislation in this respect. This modus operandi is democratically deficient and compromises both the separation of powers and the principle of legal certainty as fundamental tenets of the rule of law.

Long COVID, die lang anhaltende Krankheit und Erschöpfung, die bei einem kleinen Teil der SARS-CoV-2-Infizierten auftritt, stellt eine zunehmende Belastung für die Betroffenen und die Gesellschaft dar. Eine virtuelle Tagung der Physiological Society im Februar 2022 brachte Kliniker und Forscher zusammen, um das aktuelle Verständnis der Mechanismen, Risikofaktoren und Genesung nach Long COVID zu erörtern. In dieser Übersichtsarbeit werden die Themen behandelt, die sich aus dieser Tagung ergeben haben. Die Übersichtsarbeit befasst sich mit der Natur von Long COVID, untersucht den Zusammenhang mit anderen postviralen Erkrankungen wie der myalgischen Enzephalomyelitis/dem chronischen Erschöpfungssyndrom und zeigt auf, wie die Forschung zu Long COVID helfen kann, Patienten mit allen möglichen postviralen Syndromen besser zu unterstützen. Die Forschung zu Long COVID hat besonders rasche Fortschritte bei Bevölkerungsgruppen gemacht, die ihre körperliche Leistungsfähigkeit routinemäßig überwachen, insbesondere beim Militär und bei Leistungssportlern. In der Übersichtsarbeit wird hervorgehoben, inwiefern das hohe Niveau von Diagnose, Intervention und Erfolgskontrolle in diesen aktiven Bevölkerungsgruppen Informationen über Managementstrategien für die Allgemeinbevölkerung liefern kann. Anschließend wird untersucht, wie eine Schlüsselkomponente der Leistungsüberwachung bei diesen aktiven Bevölkerungsgruppen, das kardiopulmonale Training, Long-COVID-bedingte Veränderungen in der Physiologie aufdeckt – einschließlich Veränderungen der peripheren Muskelfunktion, der ventilatorischen Ineffizienz und der autonomen Dysfunktion. Das Wesen und die Auswirkungen der Dysautonomie werden im Zusammenhang mit dem posturalen orthostatischen Tachykardiesyndrom, der Fatigue und den Behandlungsstrategien, die darauf abzielen, der Überaktivierung des Sympathikus durch Stimulation des Vagusnervs entgegenzuwirken, erörtert. Anschließend untersuchen wir die Mechanismen, die den Symptomen von Long COVID zugrunde liegen. Dabei konzentrieren wir uns auf die gestörte Sauerstoffversorgung durch Mikrokoagulation und die Störung des zellulären Energiestoffwechsels, bevor wir Behandlungsstrategien betrachten, die direkt oder indirekt auf diese Mechanismen abzielen. Dazu gehören ein fernbetreutes Atemmuskeltraining und integrierte Versorgungspfade, die Rehabilitation und medikamentöse Interventionen mit der Erforschung des Zugangs zur Long-COVID-Versorgung in verschiedenen Bevölkerungsgruppen kombinieren. Insgesamt zeigt diese Übersichtsarbeit, wie im Rahmen der physiologischen Forschung die bei Long COVID auftretenden Veränderungen aufgedeckt werden und wie verschiedene therapeutische Strategien zur Bekämpfung dieser Erkrankung entwickelt und getestet werden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been empirically established through many controlled studies that one of the most rewarding experiences known to humanity is listening to music, especially because it affects various parts of the brain and causes emotional arousal. The aim of this article is to do a succinct study on music and its effect on, especially, the nervous system, by referring to various empirical studies undertaken on the subject. The article, therefore, has a twofold purpose: (1) to show that throughout history, music has played a special role in various cultures and religions, especially as a healing tool and (2) to demonstrate that sound frequencies and vibrations found in music have the potential to realign the emotions of the nervous system and bring the body back into harmony by reducing stress.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The article�s challenge and purpose are to show that science and religion are not in conflict, but rather that together they can benefit both disciplines and make better sense of complicated topics, especially those related to how natural science and religion deal with the human body and health, and its relationship to the mind.

Since the new Constitution came into force, there has been an increase in the number of high-demand religious groups. The more accommodating and tolerant approach towards religions brought about by the Constitution has created a fertile environment for the development of alternative religious groups. In certain cases, unfortunately, this has resulted in the violation of other basic human rights within the confines of these groups. There is very little monitoring of the various religions in South Africa and these violations seem to be on the increase. A need arose to oppose the infringement of human rights in high-demand religious groups. The organisation RIGH (Rights of Individuals Grant Honour To) was established to address this need. This article aims, first, to point out how the exercising of one basic human right, in this particular case the right to freedom of religion as exercised in Hertzogville, led to the violation of other basic human rights. Secondly, it suggests ways of opposing the infringements on other basic human rights by high-demand religious groups.

The paper has a twofold purpose. The first is to explore: if God has settled His plans and He will do what He is going to do, then does it matter whether one prays or not? This section will also deal with the aspect of healing and prayer, specifically from a scientific perspective. The important question is: How should one treat reports of miraculous healings, and the� belief that prayer can affect healing? Secondly, if prayer has any effect on what happens, then it would seem that God� s plans are not fixed in the first place, and then the idea of an open-future would seem to be valid. As a result, one could no longer see the world as a mechanistic Newtonian picture. Rather , the picture portrayed would be of a world of flexibility and openness to change. The question would then be: What is the manner and scope of divine action and wherein lies the causal joint? Regarding this, areas related to determinism will be explored as determinism states that all events in the world are the result of some previous event, or events. Bringing� clarity to these questions is important, as is it has a direct bearing on how one will view miracles recorded in the Scriptures, and how far one will go in trusting God to meet one� s needs through prayer.

Traditionally, questions about� the reign of God, death and resurrection, God� s judgment and eternal life, have belonged to eschatology, specifically as presented by Biblical scholars. At times, when eschatology has become a topic of debate, it has unfortunately, resulted in accusations and acrimony among scholars. Yet, the Bible is clear about what the end entails; whether that is towards the believer or non-believer. Furthermore, the relationship of theology and science on eschatology has hardly been a topic of discussion. However, in recent times, there have been serious attempts by modern scholars to find common ground between these two seemingly diverse disciplines when it comes to eschatology.

In 2000, the South African Constitutional Court ruled that religious freedom, including the exercise of religious rituals, may not contradict the laws of the country. This ruling came as a result of the Western Cape Law Society�s refusal to admit a Rastafarian as lawyer because of his habit of smoking marijuana. He appealed to the Constitutional Court and claimed that the ruling infringed upon his right to religious freedom. The Constitutional Court upheld the decision that no exception may be made for one religion.�

Prophets and their prophecies seem to form an integral part of the spirituality of some believers.� A small group of believers in Hertzogville are clinging wholeheartedly to the prediction uttered by their �prophet�, a certain David Francis. According to Francis, God gave him a message on 1 July 2004 that the deceased, Paul Meintjies, should not be buried because he would rise from the dead. Francis gave no specific date for the resurrection � God will speak to him when the time is right.� Although Francis could give no specific date, rumours amongst the people in Hertzogville had it that the resurrection would take place on 29 July 2004. This date was later changed to 5 and then to 8 August 2004. Nothing happened on any of these dates. In spite of everything, the followers of Francis still believe that Meintjies will rise from the dead. � In this article the claim of modern day �prophet�� and their so-called godly messages are evaluated.� This is done in light of the Biblical prophets. Judging by the actions of his followers, it seems that Francis has gained some sort of control over them, affecting their whole lives.� The prophecy appears to be instrumental in the control he has over his followers. How this �control�� over his followers affect their whole lives and in particular their rights is also investigated � The conclusion is that modern �prophets�� of the like of Francis gain an unethical control over their followers�� lives through so-called �prophecy�. Prophecy interpreted by his followers as �God� s Word�� acts as a powerful instrument in achieving this control. In the process the followers are also denied certain rights according to the country� s Constitution under the banner of freedom of religion.

The implications of a closer Scriptural definition of disciple and discipling for church development In the field of Practical Theology the term “discipling” is often used as a synonym for both spiritual growth and for teaching. To define the term as such can contribute to a dilution of the term “disciple” and to an inaccurate understanding of the process of discipling. In this article the concept of “disciple” is critically analysed. The following conclusion is arrived at: “Discipling” entails the lifelong process by which people are guided and encouraged to progressively become followers and pupils (disciples) of Jesus. The purpose of such a process implies that a person will become more and more like Jesus and will live according to the spirit of Jesus. A correct understanding of the concept of discipleship as a process has far-reaching implications for strategising congregational development.

Abstract In the case of the mixed linear model the random effects are usually assumed to be normally distributed in both the Bayesian and classical frameworks. In this paper, the Dirichlet process prior was used to provide nonparametric Bayesian estimates for correlated random effects. This goal was achieved by providing a Gibbs sampler algorithm that allows these correlated random effects to have a nonparametric prior distribution. A sampling based method is illustrated. This method which is employed by transforming the genetic covariance matrix to an identity matrix so that the random effects are uncorrelated, is an extension of the theory and the results of previous researchers. Also by using Gibbs sampling and data augmentation a simulation procedure was derived for estimating the precision parameter M associated with the Dirichlet process prior. All needed conditional posterior distributions are given. To illustrate the application, data from the Elsenburg Dormer sheep stud were analysed. A total of 3325 weaning weight records from the progeny of 101 sires were used.

Abundant love and conflict management: Basis-theoretical perspectives from Philippians The management of conflict in the process of building the Lord’s church remains an issue in need of basis-theoretical guidelines based upon Scripture. The rhetorical analyses of Philippians during the past decade have brought about a better understanding of the structure and theme of the letter, but have failed to point out the performative effect of the paradigm “behind” the compilation of the letter. This paradigm (here referred to as “the abundant love of Christ”) is not only mentioned in the letter itself, but the method of discourse analysis used in this article also reveals the impact of this love illustrated by the way that Pauls deals with various kinds of conflict. A more detailed analysis of the introduction of the letter (1:3- 11, esp. v. 9-11) clearly underscores the existence and importance of Christ’s love in Paul’s writings and for the Philippians. Although the members of the Philippian congregation were partners in the furthering of the gospel, they missed Paul’s mindset of love to a great extent. Through excellent rhetorical techniques this letter inspires the reader of today to use Paul’s mindset in contemporary conflict management. The existence of such a mindset can be evaluated by means of empirical questions for the purposes of practical theology.

Hierdie artikel is gebaseer op empiriese navorsing om die persepsies en houdings van gelowige, jonggetroude egpare oor seksuele intimiteit in die huwelik na te vors. Daar is gefokus op hoe die egpare die verhouding sien waarbinne seksuele intimiteit geniet en beleef mag word; wat na hulle mening die man en vrou se plig is rakende die seksuele; wat hulle persepsies is oor die vryheid wat seksuele intimiteit binne die huwelik bied, en wat eksklusiwiteit ten opsigte van seksuele intimiteit binne die huwelik vir elkeen van hulle beteken. ’n Kwalitatiewe navorsingsontwerp is gebruik en sewe gelowige egpare wat minder as twee jaar getroud was (N = 11), het aan die navorsing deelgeneem. Die navorsingsdata is uit ’n kort vraelys verkry en deur semigestruktureerde onderhoude wat met sommige van die deelnemers gevoer is. ’n Ryke oes van data is verkry en ’n hele aantal temas is identifiseer. Hierdie temas sluit goed aan by die basisteoretiese en metateoretiese perspektiewe wat as onderbou vir hierdie navorsing gedien het. The perceptions and attitudes of religious newlywedded couples regarding sexual intimacy in the marriage. This article is based on empirical research done to explore the perceptions and attitudes of religious newlywedded couples regarding sexual intimacy in the marriage. The research focused on how the couples regard a relationship in which sexual intimacy can be enjoyed and experienced; what, in their opinion, the husband and the wife’s responsibilities are towards each other regarding sex; what their perceptions are about the freedom that sexual intimacy offers in marriage, and what marital exclusivity regarding sexual intimacy means to each of the participants. A qualitative research design was used and seven religious couples that were married less than two years (N = 11) participated in this research. The research data was obtained by using a short questionnaire and semi-structured interviews which were conducted with some of the participants. Rich data was obtained and many themes were identified. These themes correspond well with the basic-theoretical and meta-theoretical perspectives that served as underpinning for the research.

The objective of this article was to deal with the challenging theme of the Origin of Life. Science has been arguing the when and how of the beginning of life for centuries. It is a subject which remains perplexing despite all the technological advances made in science. The first part of the article dealt with the idea of a universe and earth divinely created to sustain life. The second part dealt with the premise that the first life forms were the miraculous work of an intelligent designer, which is revealed by the sophisticated and intricate design of these first life forms. The article concluded with an explanation that these life forms are in stark contrast to the idea of a random Darwinian type evolution for life�s origin, frequently referred to as abiogenesis or spontaneous generation.

The right to religious freedom is generally believed to be the solution to religious intolerance and discrimination and to ensure world peace amongst world citizens. On an international level, the United Nations, through the appointment of a special rapporteur for freedom of religion and belief, has introduced a tool to monitor violations of this right. This tool is known as �the framework of communications� and is focused mainly on the relationship between governments and religions. Unfortunately, religion is not excluded from the violation of human rights within its own ranks. This article pointed out that however pure the intention of freedom of religion, no real measures are in place to address violations of human rights in minority religions. Therefore, a tool is needed to investigate and address alleged violations within minority religions.

This paper revolved around the idea that sound within light is the primary medium God used to bring all of creation into existence (creatio). The theory is that the harmonic tones embedded within the initial spoken light of Genesis 1:3 are still reverberating within creation today (concursus) and can be used for the benefit of all (providentia). This simply means thatnature is providentially geared to move in a specific direction, according to God�s overall plan for everyone�s benefit.

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Dit is nie 'n teologiese uitspraak nie, maar die erkentenis � met droefheid � van 'n taalentoesias.