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African Journal of Gender, Society and Development Vol.9, Issue 3, September 2020

About This Edition

ISBN : ISSN: 2050-4276 E-ISSN: 2050-4284

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African Journal of Gender, Society and Development (AJGSD), is proud to release the current issue of the quarterly publication. Over the past eight year, the journal has strived to contribute to the intellectual discourse surrounding various topical issues on gender, information, and development in Africa, by publishing and disseminating knowledge in articles by students, practitioners, and academics and established scholars based within and outside the African continent. By any measurable standard, the journal has been successful: it has seen a constant increase in the number of manuscript submissions and diversity of published articles as well as a steady rise in readership, and citations of the published papers. By providing an outlet for scholars, especially young and upcoming African scholars, the journal is helping to build the stock of knowledge about emerging gender, information, and developmental issues in Africa. The visibility and reputation of the journal within the academic community continues to soar and the editorial team is continuously bringing on board experts from a diversity of disciplines to ensure an efficient, fair, and satisfying review process for the authors.

It is also worth noting here that outbreak of coronavirus (Covid-19) which was first reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and has hit the world like a tornado will go down in history as one of the events with the greatest impact in 2020, and perhaps this century. The rapid spread of Covid-19 has forced governments across the world to impose an array of stringent prevention and containment measures including the largest-ever lockdowns, unilateral air travel and entry restrictions, and closure of businesses, services, and public spaces to reduce transmission. These have impacted the traditional ways of working and forced many people to adjust to the ‘new normal’ which includes working from remote locations sometimes with inadequate infrastructure and equipment. Such as the difficult conditions under which this quarter’s issue of our journal has been produced. remotely. Despite working under exceedingly difficult circumstances, we are grateful to our team of dedicated reviewers, staff, and he editorial team for not only ensuring that this issue was published on time but also that for ensuring that AJGSD remains a journal in-touch with and responsive to the contemporary world beset by major challenges.

This is the first issue our journal to be produced under my leadership as the guest editor. As usual, the work of the journal was supported by many reviewers who contributed their time and expertise in evaluating the quality of the papers submitted but also in providing timely and constructive feedback to the authors. Many of the papers received are currently at different levels of review and all the submissions made there was no rejection. All the published papers involved on average one round of revision based on reviewers’ feedback, and this is where is where the work of reviewers, guest editor and members of the editorial board are valuable. Without their expertise, dedication and time production of this issue would not have been possible. Indeed, reviewers (and editors) play a pivotal role in in detecting ‘false facts’, inaccurate research findings, poor reporting of research and generally bad science. I also acknowledge the authors who worked tirelessly under difficult circumstances to produce high quality papers that are published in this edition of Journal of Gender, Information and Development in Africa. I also wish to recognize the dedicated staff who have worked hard to ensure that the current issue was published on time.

Many of the contributions in this issue of the African Journal of Gender, Society and Development (as with previous issues) address issues of concern to African development – education, politics and democracy, sexual assault, etc. In the current issue, a range of papers present research findings in fields relevant to African development – child health (Ezebunwa et al.), electoral democracy (Chauke), language (Aina), sexual assault (Mkhize et al), ICT adoption Makiwe and Steyn), transport service (Manyaka and Mathebula), ODL learning (Kurebwa and Wadesango), commodification of education (Vurayai and Ndofirepi), women’s water rights (Dube) and gender and teacher training (Olaniran and Perumal). In addition, this issue contains papers that particularly present theoretical in nature - cultural diplomacy (Enaifoghe and Makhutla), critique of homosexuality (Ntshangase), and changing scholarship (Shai). In the main, articles interrogate and problematize various aspects of socio-economic and development theory and practice, challenging traditionally held assumptions and adding new situated dimensions to our understanding of these issues. This is a particularly important part of the ongoing struggle to overcome the hegemonic Eurocentric thinking and worldview fostered by a deeply rooted belief that western scholars and ideas are superior and worthy of emulation. The fact that all the articles in this issue are based on empirical researched undertaken by locally scholars not only opens new frontiers of knowledge but also provides meaningful responses to the developmental needs and challenges of the African people.

On a concluding note, I feel greatly honored to have been invited to serve this great journal as a guest editor. I know that a significant challenge many journals are face in modern times is the increasing need and demand from authors and readers for greater transparency and accountability regarding editorial decisions. In this regard, I want to assure the authors and reviewers of my commitment to a fair and transparent editorial decision-making process.

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