A psycho-philosophical exploration to facilitate a better understanding of offending-related factors within a traditional Southern African context

This article reflects upon notions of an African paradigm, as well as the ideals on which social and normative interaction and principles can be based in contemporary society. It is argued that Western and African perspectives have different epistemological and ontological points of departure. However, contemporary African society has developed into its current form through the advent of Western thought and should therefore be understood within a framework and awareness of the conflicting nature of the two ideas of Western and African knowledge systems. This provides a basis for African perspectives to be examined and extrapolated in co-existence with existing theories. Due to limited criminological theories from a predominantly African perspective, known psychological theories and premises are reflected upon to arrive at a better understanding of the factors that are relative to offending behaviour within an African context.