Global Capital's 21st Century Repositioning: Between COVID-19 and the Fourth Industrial Revolution on Africa

Cover
Title page
Copyright page
About the Authors
Contents
Preface

Chapter One - “Nature’s” Role in 21st Century Revolutions? COVID-19, the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the Repositioning of Global Capital
	Introduction
	Global capital is squeezing and destroying its opponents: The metaphysical dance of global capital
	Which humanity will benefit after humans have been turned into transhumans and posthumans?
	Chapter outlines
	References

Chapter Two - The Preparedness of Africans for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and for COVID-19
	Introduction
	Theoretical framework
	The relationship between revolutions and pandemics
	The 4th Industrial Revolution
	Africa’s preparedness for the 4th Industrial Revolution
	Effects of the Atlantic Slave trade and colonialism and the development of the capitalist nations
	The neo-colonial era
	Africa in the 4th Industrial Revolution
	Africa and its preparedness for disease control and management
	Africa’s preparedness for COVID-19
	The politics of medical approval
	What is the way forward for the Africans?
	Education to support Africa amid the 4th Industrial Revolution
	Conclusion
	References

Chapter Three - Vaccinations in Africa: The Paradox of Human Rights and Human Experiments
	Introduction
	Obligation to international instruments
	The law and protection of human rights
	Knowledge gathering and the African quagmire in health
	WHO agenda and funding
	Vaccination programmes and coverage
	Vaccinology and COVID-19 vaccine fast-tracking
	Indigenous Knowledge Systems
	Final thoughts
	Conclusion
	References

Chapter Four - COVID-19 and Southern Africa Development Community (SADC): A Litmus Test for Regional Solidarity
	Introduction
	SADC regional response to COVID-19 pandemic
	Socio-political and Economic Regional Security under COVID-19
	The efficacy of sanctions in the COVID-19 era: the case of Zimbabwe
	Covid(ized) political rivalries and democratic space in the pandemic era
	Conclusion
	References

Chapter Five - Inclusive Contextual Approach in the Fight Against the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case for Ubuntu and the Zimbabwe Constitution
	Introduction
	Putting the pandemic into perspective
	Constitutional inclusivity and the unhu/ubuntu model of nonsegregation
	The elderly and the inclusive contextual cultural paradigm
	The Karanga well-being in light of COVID-19
	Conclusion
	References

Chapter Six - Implications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and COVID-19 on African Education Systems: A Case Study of Namibia
	Introduction
	Development of world industrial revolutions
	overview of the impact of 4IR in Africa
	The outbreak of COVID -19
	The mystery behind the origin of COVID-19
	The Impact of COVID-19 on the African education systems
	The Namibian education system response to COVID-19 pandemic
	Effects of 4IR and COVID-19 on African education system
	Implications of 41R on the Namibian education system
	Lessons to learn from the 4IR and COVID -19 pandemic in Namibian education system
	Conclusion
	References

Chapter Seven - Shona Culture and a New World Order: Fissures, Strategies and Mitigation in COVID 19 Era
	Introduction
	Contextualising COVID-19 in Zimbabwe
	Statement of the problem
	Methodology
	Theoretical framework
	Current strategies used to combat COVID-19 in Zimbabwe and the resultant fissures in Shona culture
	Possible mitigation strategies in tandem with Shona culture
	Conclusion
	References

Chapter Eight - Dark Humour and its Implications: A Semiotic Reading of Comic Clips on the COVID-19 Pandemic on Shona Culture
	Introduction
	Background to the study
	Theories of humour
	Contextualising the COVID-19 lockdown in Zimbabwe
	Redefining social media messages and the paradox of COVID-19
	Presentation of media messages
	Analysis of the social media messages
	Lack of adequate information
	Socio-economic effects of the coronavirus: Lack and want during the pandemic
	Effects of lockdowns: Isolation and loss of social routine
	Beyond the laughter: Implications of comic media messages
	Conclusion
	References

Chapter Nine - Fourth Industrial Revolution and COVID-19: An Agenda for African Languages
	Introduction
	Contextualising the nexus between Fourth Industrial Revolution and the COVID-19 pandemic
	Methodology
	Insights from related literature
	African languages as the lifeblood of Africans
	The efficacy of African languages-informed responses
	Research-Dictionaries
	Conclusion
	Recommendation
	References

Chapter Ten - The Healing Practitioner has Retreated Back to the Trenches: Healing and Spirituality During COVID-19
	Introduction
	Definition of key terms
	Methodological considerations
	The background of faith healing
	The practitioner and modes of healing
	A theological consideration to the pandemic
	Major findings and conclusion
	References

Chapter Eleven - Exploring African Women and Girls’ Experiences During the Coronavirus Pandemic: A Gendered Framework Perspective
	Introduction
	Women as frontline workers in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic
	Women as economic providers
	Poor access to basic hygienic amenities, antenatal care and reproductive health service
	Increased responsibilities
	Increased violence against women and girls
	Arguing for a Gender Lens to protect and empower women during the COVID-19 pandemic
	Addressing the issue of GBV during the Covid-19 pandemic
	Conclusion
	References

Chapter Twelve - Fourth Industrial Revolution and the Emergent Electronic Commerce – Convergence of ICT and Financial Sectors in Africa and Lessons from other Continents: The Question of Jurisdiction
	Introduction
	Jurisdiction, the internet, and e-commerce
	Divergent schools of thought on jurisdiction in a virtual world
	International law on jurisdiction and e-commerce
	European jurisdictional approaches on e-commerce
	US jurisdictional approaches on e-commerce
	Regulatory frameworks on e-commerce in Africa
	The role of regional organisations on e-commerce in Africa
	The digital divide and some constraints on e-commerce in Africa
	The 4th Industrial Revolution and its ramifications for Africans
	Conclusion
	References

Chapter Thirteen - Theorising vulnerabilities in a context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and COVID-19
	Introduction
	An overview of country experiences: United States, Germany and France
	African experiences
	Finding solutions to the unemployment crisis caused by the 4IR and Covid-19
	Discussion
	Theorisation on vulnerability
	Conclusion
	Acknowledgement
	References

Chapter Fourteen - Re-imagining Teaching and Learning in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons for African Higher Education Institutions
	Introduction
	Conceptualising e-learning in the context of the Covid-19
	HEIs’ readiness for remote online teaching and learning
	Students’ perceptions of remote and online teaching
	Challenges faced by African HEIs
	Limited access to internet and electricity
	Inappropriateness of the e-learning mode to some practical courses
	Compromised remote examination process
	Lessons learnt and implications for the HEIs
	Need for investment in technological innovation
	The need for public-private partnerships and collaboration
	Aggravation of already existing inequalities
	Quality assurance is imperative
	Disaster capitalism
	Concluding remarks
	References

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