Empowering rural women crafters in KwaZulu-Natal: The dynamics of intellectual property, traditional cultural expressions, innovation and social entrepreneurship

by | Mar 12, 2020 | SALJ, SALJ V137 I1 2020

Empowering rural women crafters in KwaZulu-Natal: The dynamics of intellectual property, traditional cultural expressions, innovation and
social entrepreneurship

Author D O Oriakhogba

ISSN: 1996-2177
Affiliations: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Cape Town;
Lecturer, University of Benin, Nigeria
Source: South African Law Journal, Volume 137 Issue 1, p. 145-172

Abstract

This article, based on qualitative and desk research, explores the intellectual property, traditional cultural expression, empowerment, innovation, and entrepreneurship dynamics at play in the work of a group of women crafters (bead-makers) participating in the Woza Moya project of the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The study found that, in this particular case, collaborative and inclusive innovation practices and social entrepreneurship modalities appear to generate significant empowerment for the craftspeople, regardless of the fact that the intellectual property system does not offer easily accessible opportunities. Inclusive innovation and social entrepreneurship would thus, in this case, appear to be some effective mechanisms for empowering rural women crafters.

Bricks in the wall or the spice of ‘good life’? Independent schools in South African law

by | Mar 3, 2020 | SALJ, SALJ V136 I4 2019

Bricks in the wall or the spice of ‘good life’? Independent schools in South African law

Author D M Pretorius

ISSN: 1996-2177
Affiliations: Attorney and Partner, Bowmans
Source: South African Law Journal, Volume 136 Issue 4, p. 605-649

Abstract

South African education laws have historically distinguished between public schools (also known as ‘state schools’ or ‘government schools’) and private schools. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, maintains this distinction by providing for a right to establish and maintain ‘independent’ schools, provided they (a) do not discriminate on the basis of race, (b) are registered with the state, and (c) maintain standards not inferior to those of comparable public schools. Case law since the mid-1990s has begun to establish a body of jurisprudence on the position of independent schools in the South African education and legal systems. Although still in its infancy, this body of case law indicates that the law applicable to independent schools is different in material respects from that applicable to public schools. Independent schools are subject to a lower degree of state regulation than public schools are, and have a degree of freedom to implement educational philosophies designed to promote particular linguistic, cultural and religious objectives. However, the exact nature of the relationship between the state and independent schools, and the extent to which the state has power to regulate independent schools, remains to be settled.

The challenging relationship between contemporary art and copyright

by | Mar 3, 2020 | SALJ, SALJ V136 I4 2019

The challenging relationship between contemporary art and copyright

Authors Matthew Sawyer & Sadulla Karjiker

ISSN: 1996-2177
Affiliations: LLM student, Stellenbosch University; Anton Mostert Chair of Intellectual Property Law, Stellenbosch University
Source: South African Law Journal, Volume 136 Issue 4, p. 650-675

Abstract

This article seeks to address the current wording of the definition of ‘artistic work’ in the Copyright Act 98 of 1978. It is argued that such wording has failed to aid courts in interpreting it in a way that allows for a broadening of its scope so as to include new art forms — most importantly, for this article, multimedia installations. Analysis of the Copyright Act’s definition of ‘artistic work’ is applied to four contemporary and prominent multimedia installation artworks to determine whether such creations would fall within this definition. The outcome of this analysis shows that, although certain multimedia installation creations are provided protection under the current definition, there are artworks that do not satisfy the requirements under this definition. It is thus proposed in this article that certain amendments should be made to the Copyright Act that will afford such excluded artistic works copyright protection. Finally, this article conducts an analysis of the possible adverse effects that could arise should such amendments be effected to the wording of the Copyright Act in terms of the requirements of materiality and originality. Through the application of these two requirements to further examples of multimedia installation artworks, the conclusion is reached that these requirements would not render the proposed amendments superfluous or problematic.

Fischer v Unlawful Occupiers & others (WCC): Difficulties in seeking damages for a failure by the police to prevent unlawful occupation

by | Mar 3, 2020 | SALJ, SALJ V136 I4 2019

Fischer v Unlawful Occupiers & others (WCC): Difficulties in seeking damages for a failure by the police to prevent unlawful occupation

Author Sarah Fick

ISSN: 1996-2177
Affiliations: Senior Lecturer, University of the Western Cape
Source: South African Law Journal, Volume 136 Issue 4, p. 676-716

Abstract

The decision in Fischer v Unlawful Occupiers & others 2018 (2) SA 228 (WCC) has been labelled a ‘landmark judgment’ in the context of evictions, because it highlighted several issues that are prevalent in eviction matters. This article focuses on one of these issues — the difficulties faced by landowners who want to claim damages from the state for the police’s failure to protect their properties against unlawful occupation. In Fischer, one landowner’s claim against the Minister of Police for the failure by the police to protect the properties against unlawful occupation was dismissed, without any explanation of the law relating to how the Minister of Police might be accountable in such situations. This article explores in detail the potential difficulties faced by landowners when trying to hold the state accountable for the police’s failure to prevent unlawful occupation. More specifically, it first examines the question whether the police have a legal duty to protect private property in eviction cases. Thereafter, the article considers the requirements and potential difficulties with three potential causes of action: claims for damages arising out of administrative law, the general principles of delict, and a direct claim for constitutional damages.