John C. Mubangizi

Bio: John C. Mubangizi is an academic researcher from University of KwaZulu-Natal. The author has contributed to research in topics: Human rights & International human rights law. The author has an hindex of 9, co-authored 35 publications receiving 299 citations. Previous affiliations of John C. Mubangizi include University of Durban-Westville.

The Constitutional Protection of Socio-Economic Rights in Selected African Countries: A Comparative Evaluation

Abstract: This article evaluates the extent to which a few selected African countries have incorporated socio-economic rights in their constitutions, the mechanisms through which such rights are realised, the challenges such realisation entails and the approach taken by the courts and other human rights institutions in those countries towards the realisation and enforcement of those rights. The survey examines South Africa, Namibia, Uganda and Ghana. Apart from the logical geographical spread, all these countries enacted their present constitutions around the same time (1990 to 1996) in an attempt to transform themselves into democratic societies. In a sense, these countries can be seen as transitional societies, emerging as they have done, from long periods of apartheid and foreign domination or autocratic dictatorships. The latter is true for Uganda and Ghana while the former refers to South Africa and Namibia. The article concludes that South Africa has not only made the most advanced constitutional provision for socio-economic rights, it has also taken the lead in the judicial enforcement of such rights, an experience from which the other countries in the survey can learn.

Poverty, human rights law and socio-economic realities in South Africa†

Abstract: South Africa is a nation of immense variety. It has rich cultural diversity, an enviable climate and an abundance of natural resources. However, it is also a nation with vast economic disparities and a highly unequal distribution of income. Hence, in spite of abundant resources and a seemingly vibrant economy, South Africa still faces an enormous poverty problem that is fundamentally no different from that of other African countries. As in many other African countries this problem of poverty is compounded by the HIV/AIDS pandemic; by high levels of unemployment; by low levels of education; and by a number of other factors. Today, South Africa has one of the best constitutions in the world and a Bill of Rights that contains an array of justiciable socio-economic rights. The South African government has also attempted to alleviate poverty and mitigate its effects through progressively developing and expanding a social welfare system and other programmes such as the Reconstruction and Development Programme (...

African Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Human Rights: Implications for Higher Education, Based on the South African Experience

Abstract: Africa has rich traditions and knowledge systems founded on the principles of caring for one another and the spirit of mutual support embedded in the African philosophy of Ubuntu. These collective values tend to be marginalised in international human rights standards built on western values. The standards were developed without broad-based consultation of the different value systems in Africa. Therefore, in order to inspire sustainable implementation among diverse cultures, dialogue to develop universal human rights and obligations based on the diversity of cultures and ways of knowing is needed. Using South Africa's experience at two universities, the extent to which these institutions have attempted to incorporate African indigenous knowledge systems (AIKS) and human rights into the higher education curriculum is investigated. The implications for higher education and the human rights and development paradigms built on western knowledge systems are investigated. North-West University has been th...

Know your rights : exploring the connections between human rights and poverty reduction with specific reference to South Africa

Abstract: The purpose of this article is to explore and analyse the link between human rights and poverty on the one hand and the role human rights can and do play in poverty reduction on the other. Drawing on research conducted by the author, the article shows how levels of public awareness of human rights are directly linked to levels of poverty in South Africa. Lack of knowledge and public awareness of human rights is mainly prevalent among the poor. Any programme aimed at reducing poverty in South Africa should adopt a holistic strategy that not only incorporates a human rights approach but also addresses the question of the low levels of human rights education.

评《Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English》第五版

Abstract: 《Ｏｘｆｏｒｄ Ａｄｖａｎｃｅｄ Ｌｅａｒｎｅｒ’ｓ Ｄｉｃｔｉｏｎａｒｙ ｏｆ Ｃｕｒｒｅｎｔ Ｅｎｇｌｉｓｈ》（ 以下简称ＯＡＬＤ） 是英语学习词典的先驱。它是第一部既重视词语释义，又重视词法、句法，配有大量例证的词典。我国英语学习者对其第二、三、四版（ 英汉双解版） 都十分熟悉。１９９５ 年，ＯＡＬＤ 第五次修订再版，又有了新的特色，但仍有不足