Research
What can Dcc do?
- Conduct research according to client needs
- Engage with stakeholders
- Develop policy
- Develop strategy for policy change
- Disseminate research findings
Who could use dcc expertise?
- Government Departments (Local, Provincial, National)
- Parastatals
- The Business Community
- Community Based Organisations and other Social Movements
How is capacity building addressed?
- Training through courses, conferences and seminars
- Staffing programme activities with junior and senior researchers from associated institutions and organisations
International presentations
91. An Uninvited Space for Public Participation. International Sociological Association’s XX World Congress of Sociology, Convention Centre, Melbourne, Australia. 25 June 2023 – 1 July 2023.
90. Global Economic Challenges and Opportunities: The Emergence of the Precariat, Global Economic Summit and 9th World Tamils Economic Conference, Marriott Al Jadah, Dubai, 18 – 20 March 2023.
89. Decolonisation of Higher Education: South African Experiences, School of Gandhian Thought and Development Studies, MGU Campus, Kottayam, 24 February 2023.
88. Public Participation and the Quest for Social Justice, School of Social Sciences, MGU Pullarikunnu Campus, Kottayam, 21 February 2023.
87. An Overview of the South African Political and Economic Trajectory since 1994, History Department, Loyola College, Chennai, India, 30 August 2022.
86. Education and Employability in South Africa, University of Madras, Department of Adult and Continuing Education, Tamil Nadu, India, 30 August 2022.
85. Intergroup Relations in South Africa with reference to the events of July 2021, Public Open Day Lecture, Department of International Relations and Politics, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India, 26 August 2022.
84. ONLINE: Customers or Citizens? Grassroots Participation and Local Government in Durban, International Webinar on Grassroots Participation and Local Development, 25 May 2022.
83. The Condition of the Working Class(es) in South Africa: Continuity and Change, The International Congress Friedrich Engels 2021, Bergische Universitat Wuppertal, Germany, 29 September – 1 October 2021.
82. ONLINE: Social Anomie: Contextualisation of the events of July 2021 in KZN and Gauteng Provinces of South Africa, International Webinar, India Empire, 7 August 2021.
81. ONLINE The Quest for Food Security in the EThekwini Municipality in: Rethinking the Role of Local Governments in a Post Covid World, Central University of Kerala, India, 10 – 12 December 2020.
80. ONLINE Physical Distancing and Social Solidarity, Gandhi King Global Initiative, Martin Luther King Jr Institute, Stanford University, 24 April 2020.
79. Indian South Africans and the Quest for Social Cohesion, 13th GOPIO International Convention, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 13-15 September 2019
78. Participatory Evaluation of Government Projects and Programmes in South Africa: Context and Challenges, XXII AIV Congress (Italian Association for Evaluation), Universita IUAV di Venezia, Venice, Italy, 1 – 3 April 2019.
77. Opportunities in Education and Skilling, GOPIO International and PIO Chamber of Commerce International Conference, Connecting with the Indian Diaspora, Clarks Hotel, Varanasi, India, 20 January 2019.
76. Public Participation and The Quest for Social Justice in South Africa, International Sociological Association’s XIX World Congress of Sociology, Toronto, Canada, 15-21 July 2018.
75. Public Participation and the Politics of Humiliation, International Conference on Democracy and Participation in the 21st Century, International Sociological Association, Lisbon School of Economics and Management, Portugal, 12-15 July 2017.
74. Slavery, Indenture and the Politics of Humiliation: Challenges Facing the Indian Diaspora in the 21st Century, Indentured Labour Route Conference, Mauritius,1-5 November 2014.
73. Indian South Africans: A Systematic Overview of a Minority Community, St Denis Reunion, 1-3 December 2012.
72. Expectations and Aspirations of the Indian Diaspora from India, PBD Mauritius, 27-28 October 2012
71. From Mahatma to Mandela to Marikana, International Day of Non Violence Conference, Ahimsa Institute, St Denis, Reunion,1-4 October 2012
70. Doing Business in South Africa, Global Indian Business Meet, New York, USA, 21-23 September 2012
69. The Impact of Globalisation on the Youth, World Young People of Indian Origin Congress, Guadeloupe, 9 -13 August 2012
68. Partners in Nation Building, An Overview of the PIO Diaspora, 11th International GOPIO Convention, University of Malaya Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 20 – 23 April 2012
67. Challenges Facing Indian South Africans Post 1994, Organisation for Diaspora Initiatives International Conference, University of La Reunion – Campus of the Moufia, St. Denis, Reunion 5 – 7 April 2012
66. Reflections on the UN Panel Report on Accountability in Sri Lanka, Global Tamil Forum Rally, New York, 18 May 2011
65. Towards the Unification of GOPIO International, GOPIO International Executive Meeting, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 30 April 2011
64. Commemorating 150 years of Indians in South Africa, PIO’s 9th Dialogue with India, Le Meridian Hotel, New Delhi, India, 10 January 2011
63. An Invitation to Durban, Marketing the 10th International GOPIO Convention, PIO’s 8th Dialogue with India, Le Meridian Hotel, New Delhi, India, 10 Jan 2010
62. Leveraging Knowledge Networks, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Conference, New Delhi, India, 7 – 9 January 2010.
61. Studying at UKZN, Ministry in the Presidency, Harare, Zimbabwe, December 2009
60. Significant Developments at UKZN, South Africa House, London, 14-18 September 2009.
59. Bid to Host the 10th GOPIO Convention in Durban, Mauritius, 3 -7 September 2009.
58. The Socio-economic Impact of Wireless Communications in a Developing Society, Wireless Vitae World Conference, Aalborg, Denmark, 19 May 2009
57. Addressing Historical Injustices in South Africa, St. Georges University, Grenada,15 May 2009
56. Diaspora Philanthropy, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Conference, Chennai, India, 7-9 January 2009.
55. What is African Scholarship, Technical University of Lisbon, Portugal, 15-18 May 2008
54. Developments at UKZN, Alumni Meeting, South Africa House, London, 17 September 2008
53. Towards Peace in Sri Lanka, British Tamils Forum Mass Rally, Roehampton Vale, London, 12 July 2008
52. Engaging the Diaspora: The Way Forward, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Conference, New Delhi, 7-9 January 2008
51. Marketing UKZN, New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, India, 15-25 September 2007 (with Professor MW Makgoba).
50. Presentation to bid for the 40th International Conference of the Council for Traditional Music in 2009, 39th International Council for Traditional Music World Congress, Vienna, 9 Austria, 4-11 July 2007
49. The Premier University of African Scholarship, Fatih University, Istanbul, Turkey, 2-7 July 2007
48. Address at the launch of the Rick Turner Memorial Bursary Fund, SA House, London, 14 -18 April 2007.
47. Identity After Merger: Re-Establishing Corporate Identity in Newly Merged Institutions of Higher Education – Lessons from the South African Experience, Council for the Advancement of Science and Education (CASE) Europe Annual Conference, Nottingham, UK, 5-8 September 2006
46. University of Osnabruck Lecture, Department of Sociology, Osnabruck, Germany, 13-22 January 2006
45. Marketing the 16th World Congress of Sociology, American Sociological Association Annual Congress, Philadelphia, USA, 10-17 August 2005
44. Presentation on UNITECH, Executive Committee of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, Miami, USA, 14-18 July 2005
43. Preparing to Host the World Congress of Sociology, International Sociological Association Conference and Executive Meeting, Zaragosa, Spain, 7-10 March 2005
42. Launch of the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Australian Alumni Association, Sydney, Australia, 2-3 November 2004, (with Professor MW Makgoba)
41. Progress Report on the 2006 World Congress of Sociology, International Sociological Association Conference and Research Committee Meeting, Ottawa, Canada, 28 May – 2 June 2004
40. Marketing of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Washington and New York, USA, 21-28 March 2004, (17 Meetings/Presentations with Professor MW Makgoba)
39. Progress Report on the International Work and Labour Network Conference, International Industrial Relations Association World Congress, Berlin, Germany, 8-12 September 2003
38. Budget Presentation and Progress Report on 2006 World Congress of Sociology, International Sociological Association Executive Meeting, Mexico City, Mexico, 7-13 April 2003
37. Demobilisation and Remobilisation of the Citizenry in Durban, International Sociological Association XV World Congress of Sociology, Brisbane, Australia, 7- 13 July 2002
36. Challenges Facing the Trade Union Movement in South Africa, Regional & Local Development of Work and Labour Network, Osnabruck, Germany, 22-25 May 2002
35. Social Transformation in South Africa, Schuylkill Campus, Penn State University, USA, 14 September 2001
34. Child Welfare in South Africa, Schuylkill Campus, Penn State University, USA, 14 September 2001
33. From Racial Capitalism to Unrestrained Market in South Africa, State College, Penn State University, USA, 13 September 2001
32. Social Transformation and the Reality of Participation in South Africa, Wuppertal University, Germany, 22 June 2001
31. Reconstructing Democratic South Africa, Konstanz University, Germany, 24 January 2001
30. South Africa Today: Between Neo-Liberalism and the Empowerment of the People, Wuppertal University, Germany, 16 January 2001
29. Bid to Host the World Congress of Sociology in Durban, International Sociological Association, Courmayeur, Italy, May 2000
28. UDW: A Socio-Historical Overview, Ministry of Education in Baden- Wurttemberg Seminar, Blaubeuren, Germany, March 2000
27. Social Work in South Africa: Current Trends and Perspectives, Faculty of Education, Bielefeld University, Germany, 23 November 1999
26. A Critical Appraisal of Reconstruction and Development in S.A., Public Lecture, Osnabruck University, Germany, 22 November 1999
25. South Africa Since Democracy, AIESEC International Students Lecture, Osnabruck University, Germany, 12 November 1999
24. Reflections on the Discipline: Sociology in South Africa, Public Lecture, Wuppertal University, Germany, 10 November 1999
23. Developmental Welfare in South Africa, Faculty of Social Science and Education, Wuppertal University, Germany, 9 November 1999
22. Combating AIDS/HIV: A Participatory Perspective, 34th World Congress of the International Institute of Sociology, Tel Aviv, Israel, 11-15 July 1999
21. Participation and Community Development: The Interface between Community Organisations and Local Government in Durban, South Africa, XIV World Congress of Sociology, International Sociological Association, Montreal, Canada, 27 July 1998
20. Education and Training for Participation in the Non-Profit Welfare Sector, International Sociological Association International Conference, Las Palmas, Canary Islands, June 1997
19. Funding Higher Education in South Africa: Challenging the Culture of Entitlement ACPA/ NASPA, Convention and International Symposium, Chicago, USA, 18-23 March 1997 (Paper written by TD Chetty and N Jappie – Presented by N Jappie)
18. Bid to Host the World Congress of Sociology in Durban, International Sociological Association, Colima, Mexico, 25-28 November 1996.
17. Meeting the Challenge of Non-Racialism: The Amalgamation of Child Welfare Societies, Global Organization of People of Indian Origin, Third International Convention, Quatre Bornes, Mauritius, 23-25 August 1996
16. Workers Participation in the Voluntary Sector: A Case Study and Some General Conclusions, International Sociological Association and Copenhagen Business School Conference, Copenhagen, Denmark, 11-14 June 1996
15. Participation and Culture: The Case of South African Indian Owned Family Businesses, International Conference on Participation and Culture in Organisations, International Sociological Association, Braga, Portugal, 27-30 June 1995
14. South African Union Responses to New Forms of Management, XIII World Congress of Sociology, International Sociological Association, Bielefeld, Germany, 18-23 July 1994
13. AIESEC South Africa and the Reconstruction and Development Programme, University of Frankfurt AIESEC, Germany,13 July 1994
12. Industrial and Economic Democracy and Its Relation to the Concept of Social Justice in South Africa, International Workshop on the Market Economy and Social Justice, Tokyo, Japan, 11 – 13 May 1993
11. From Repression to Social Contract: Trade Unions and Labour Relations Control, Russian Academy of Sciences and Trade Unions of Russia, International Conference, Moscow, USSR, 7-11 September 1992
10. Apartheid in Crisis, Trans Africa Support Group, Kennedy-King College, Chicago, USA, 13 April 1991
9. Current Political Events in South Africa, Sociology Department, North-Western University, Evanston, USA, 12 April 1991
8. Trade Unions and National Liberation in South Africa, Department of History, North-Western University, Evanston, USA, 10 March 1991
7. Political Change in South Africa, SMU Faculty Federation, South-eastern Massachusetts University, Dartmouth, USA, 4 March 1991
6. The Democratisation of Universities in South Africa, Faculty of Arts and Science, South-Eastern Massachusetts University, Dartmouth, USA, 4 March 1991
5. The Trade Unions and the Political Process, SMU Labour Education Centre, North Dartmouth, USA, 4 March 1991
4. The End of Apartheid?, South African Resource Centre, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA, 26 February 1991
3. The State of Reform in South Africa, Black Students Organisation for Communication, University of Illinois, Chicago, USA, 14 February 1991.
2. Workers Responses to Strategic Initiatives of the State and Capital in the late 80’s in South Africa, International Sociological Association, XII World Congress of Sociology, Madrid, Spain, 9-13 July 1990
1. Trade Union Democracy: A Comparative Social Survey, International Sociological Association Workshop on Social Needs, Ownership and Trade Unions, Sofia, Bulgaria, 1-6 October 1989
publication summary
- 6 Commissioned Reports – Unpublished for client confidence
- 4 Published Research Reports
- 4 Books
- 1 Book to be launched in July 2020
- 10 Booklets/Commemorative Publications
- 16 Chapters in Books
- 2 Refereed Conference Proceedings
- 8 Peer Reviewed Journal Articles
- Over 100 Official UKZN Publications edited
Why do research?
DCC aims to undertake research and develop policy, for both private and public sectors, that promotes and supports economic growth, job creation, social equity, and skills development with a view to addressing historical imbalances and social justice in South Africa.
Background
The onset of democracy in South African society in 1994 ushered in a period of rapid social change. The racially based institutions of apartheid South Africa, with its underlying authoritarian values, had to be rapidly dismantled. In its place non-racial, democratic institutions aimed at addressing historical imbalances and the conditions conducive for economic growth and development had to be created. This challenging process requires the support of science and academia but with a pragmatic, problem solving, inclusive, historically and politically sensitive approach- one that is taken by DCC. National priorities such as deepening democracy, health and food security, economic development, social security, child welfare, human rights, water and conservation, criminality, safety and security are issues that fall within the ambit of DCC’s research work.
Communication
DCC offers the following communication services
Strategies
Media Relations
Writing / Editing
Branding
Marketing Material
Training
Leadership & Management of South African Higher Education Institutions
Two Day Workshop. The course is designed to build trust and teamwork by introducing participants, in a pratical way, to the precepts of Transformational Leadership.It also involves critical conversations on Models of University Governance , the Role of Trade Unions and Student Formations and how to deal with the challenges facing Higher Education more generally.
Transformatory Leadership & Management Development
Two Day Workshop. The course engages participants in the fundamentals of Transformational Leadership in a developmental context. The course is designed for leaders and managers in both the public and private sectors.
Essentials of Business Communication & Email Etiquette
One Day Workshop. The course is aimed at enhancing participants skills to communicate effectively in the workplace.Written ,oral and non-verbal communications are discussed along with work place etiquette in the quest for professionalism and efficiency.
Building Trust in an Organisation
One Day Workshop.The course analyses the foundations of trust, trust as the basis for professional and personal relationships and relationships as the prerequisite for meeting personal and organisational objectives.
Public Participation
Five Day Workshop. The course is designed for City Councilors, Ward Committee Members,Municipal Employees and Members of Civil Society Organisations who liaise with and represent the public interest, to introduce participants to theoretical and practical approaches to public participation, planning public participation programmes and understanding the critical role that public participation plays in community development.
Essentials of Effective Report Writing
One Day Workshop. The course covers an overview of the different types of reports, guidelines for effective report writing and the criteria used for assessing the effectiveness of a report.
Student Centeredness
One Day Workshop. The course is designed for participants to gain an understanding of what student centredness means and to create a learning environment that helps students to grow intellectually, socially and emotionally. The historical and philosophical roots of student centredness are explored in relation to Constitutional imperatives in our democracy.
Events
DCC has organised the following events