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A multimodal analysis of the representations of gender in contemporary South African children’s picture books produced by Book Dash

- Heydenrych, Ellen Frances

  • Authors: Heydenrych, Ellen Frances
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Book Dash (South Africa) , Picture books for children -- South Africa , Sex role in literature , Patriarchy in literature , Children's literature, South African (English) -- 21st century -- History and criticism
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/164284 , vital:41106
  • Description: In response to a demand for quality children’s picture books written and published by South Africans for local children, Book Dash – a South African non-profit organisation – has devised a publishing model in which they produce high quality children’s picture books in a twelve-hour period. Their aim is to publish books that represent a diverse range of South African children. However, while their objective is to create books that are representative of many races, this representation happens through gendered characters. In this thesis, I explore the representation of gender in Book Dash’s picture books. I use a combination of visual social semiotics, narrative theory, and critical discourse analysis, specifically focusing on the gendered ways in which the characters are represented. My analysis of these books shows how complex it can be to contest regimes of representation that work to fix patriarchal discourses and gender inequality. My findings reveal a paradox in the representation of gender norms in female characters, as some girl child characters are represented in roles that challenge gender norms, while female adult characters are consistently represented as conforming to the patriarchal feminine ideal. There is also a notable lack of father figures in these books. Such portrayals may contribute to the perpetuation of patriarchal discourses and gender inequality, particularly if these books are held up as examples of equality.
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  • Date Issued: 2020

The impact of minimum wages on human resource management practices in the hospitality industry: a case study of selected firms in Polokwane, Limpopo Province

- Nkoana, Lekgoa Julia

Bringing us back

- Dhliwayo, Mercy

  • Authors: Dhliwayo, Mercy
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: South African fiction (English) -- 21st century , Short stories, South African (English) -- 21st century
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63077 , vital:28361
  • Description: My thesis takes the form of a collection of short stories set mostly in Zimbabwe and South Africa under the current political, social and economic climate. The themes I explore include forced migrations, identity, family disintegration and destitution. I use non-linear narration inspired by my reading of Dambudzo Marechera and Lidia Yuknavitch’s use of photographic imagery, in Black Sunlight and The Small Backs of Children respectively, to heighten my thematic concerns. The poetry in their language also serves as a source of inspiration, as does the graphic imagery used by Ayi Kwei Armah. In addition, I draw on the fragmented form used by Deepak Unnikrishnan to explore migration in his collection, Temporary People and Miljenko Jergovic’s investigation of violence and displacement in Sarajevo Marlboro.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

Exploring the adaptability and applicability of military mental skills training for South African paramedics

- Minnie, Chantel

  • Authors: Minnie, Chantel
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Allied health personnel -- South Africa , Allied health personnel -- Mental health -- South Africa , Post-traumatic stress disorder -- South Africa , Emergency medical services -- Psychological aspects
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/61580 , vital:28039
  • Description: Paramedics in South Africa are among the best in the world (MacFarlane, van Loggerenberg, & Kloeck, 2005). However, the domain of pre-hospital emergency care is fraught with challenges and paramedics face numerous personal and professional difficulties. South Africa, with its diverse patient population and challenges, cannot afford to undermine the importance of supportive interventions for emergency medical technicians. Whilst there is a growing body of literature examining the effectiveness of mental skills training in the sporting domain (Gould, Dieffenbach, & Moffett, 2002; Landers & Boutcher, 1998), there is a lack of research on mental skills training as it pertains to paramedics. It is argued here, that the use of mental skills training derived from sporting science and adapted for the military, provides the most comparable context in relation to the paramedic industry. This study thus aims to explore the adaptability and applicability of military mental skills training techniques in the context of South African paramedics. This study made use of an exploratory, qualitative case study design, focusing on participatory research strategies. The analysis revealed that various aspects of existing military mental skills models can be adapted to be of relevance in the emergency medical services field as it related to three paramedic participants. A prominent emerging theme was that of PTSD among paramedics, and it was an area that the participants felt should receive much more attention, research and intervention.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

Molecular cloning and expression of equine CYP1A2 in Escherichia coli

- Mkabayi, Lithalethu

  • Authors: Mkabayi, Lithalethu
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Escherichia coli , Escherichia coli infections in animals , Cytochrome P-450 , Cytochromes , Horses -- Effect of drugs on
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4830 , vital:20734
  • Description: Information regarding drug metabolism in veterinary species, especially horses, remains fragmented and incomplete. This information is essential for detection of metabolites of potential performance-enhancing substances in horseracing and for veterinary drug development. Equine liver microsomes have been used to study metabolism of a limited number of drugs, but these provide little information about individual drug metabolizing enzymes. Recombinant CYP enzyme systems are commonly used to determine contribution of individual CYP to metabolism of specific drugs. A limited number of recombinant equine CYPs have been expressed in insect cells and mammalian cell lines. However, there are no reports of recombinant equine CYP1A2 enzyme. In this study, equine CYP1A2 was identified, codon-optimized, cloned and expressed in E. coli BL21 cells. Multiple sequence alignments of equine CYP1A2 revealed an amino acid sequence identity of 83.69% to its human homolog which has previously been expressed in E. coli. The enzyme was expressed using both auto-induction and IPTG induction. Expressed equine CYP1A2 had a size of about 55 kDa, and was insoluble after cell lysis. Sarkosyl- solubilized CYP1A2 was purified using nickel affinity chromatography and gel filtration. For activity reconstitution, yeast NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase was first expressed in E. coli BL21 cells and exhibited activity of 0.13 U/ml. Activity assay with Glo-P450 CYP1A2 assay kit indicated that CYP1A2 was inactive. Despite numerous attempts to obtain the activity, the CYP1A2 remained inactive. Although expression of equine CYP1A2 in E. coli produced non- catalytically active enzyme, this study could be used as the first step in an effort to fully develop a recombinant equine CYP1A2 system.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

The decline of agriculture in rural Transkei: ʺthe case of Mission Location in Butterworthʺ

- Ngcaba, Siyanda Vincent

  • Authors: Ngcaba, Siyanda Vincent
  • Date: 2003
  • Subjects: Agriculture -- South Africa -- Transkei , Land use -- South Africa -- Transkei , Land tenure -- South Africa -- Transkei
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:3296 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003084 , Agriculture -- South Africa -- Transkei , Land use -- South Africa -- Transkei , Land tenure -- South Africa -- Transkei
  • Description: The following dissertation sets out to investigate the decline of agriculture in Mission location at Butterworth, Transkei, using the Rehabilitation Scheme as a benchmark. The scheme was introduced in 1945 to combat soil erosion and improve agriculture in the African reserve areas, as the South African government claimed. The dissertation argues that this claim by the government served to mask the real intentions behind the scheme namely, to regiment the migrant labour system by depriving as many Africans as possible of productive land so that they were unable to fully subsist by means of agriculture. This is further shown by analysing the impact of the Rehabilitation scheme in Mission location in which a substantial number of people lost arable land as a result of the implementation of the scheme in 1945. These people were consequently denied the wherewithal to subsist by agriculture. Moreover, the efforts of the government resulted to a modernisation of agriculture by making it more cash-based- for example through the introduction of fencing, the need for tractors as a result of a decline in stock numbers (in part as a result of stock culling). Most people could hardly afford this type of agriculture and were consequently forced off the land. The dissertation concludes that indeed the decline of agriculture in Mission location can be linked to the changing agricultural and land-holding practices brought about by the government- especially the introduction of the Rehabilitation scheme.
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  • Date Issued: 2003

The impact of diversity training on employee attitudes and behaviour with regard to diversity in work organisations: an analysis of a diversity-training programme in a Namibian work organisation

- Amuenje, Florentia

  • Authors: Amuenje, Florentia
  • Date: 2003
  • Subjects: Employees -- Training of -- Namibia , Diversity in the workplace , Employees -- Attitudes
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:2924 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002433 , Employees -- Training of -- Namibia , Diversity in the workplace , Employees -- Attitudes
  • Description: Diversity training programmes are formal efforts to prepare the workforce to work with individuals from different cultural backgrounds and to improve organisational effectiveness. Although many studies have described diversity training programmes in the workplace, only a few have been evaluated to assess their effectiveness and impact on job outcomes. This thesis describes a study that assessed the impact of a diversity management-training programme on employee attitudes and behaviour towards diversity in a manufacturing company in Namibia. Kirkpatrick’s (1959) four-level model, which examines the trainees’ reactions to the training, the learning acquired, the behaviour change and improvement in organisational results, was used to measure the impact of the training programme. Data was collected through pre-and post-assessment semi-structured individual interviews and a focus group was conducted two months after the training. Data analysis indicates that the first two levels of the evaluation model showed an impact. The participants had positive reactions towards the course and said that they had learnt from the course. The data also showed that the training did not have any impact on the behaviour of the participants and on organisational outcomes. The research also revealed that lack of improved productivity and organisational results might have been influenced by unrealistic expectations, past political conditions, job insecurity and unemployment and the training context. Some recommendations for both the diversity training programme administrators as well as the management of the company are made.
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  • Date Issued: 2003

The political significance of Winnie-Madikazela Mandela's position in the African National Congress

- Motseta, Sello

  • Authors: Motseta, Sello
  • Date: 2000
  • Subjects: African National Congress , Mandela, Winnie , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994-
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:2810 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003020 , African National Congress , Mandela, Winnie , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994-
  • Description: Winnie Mandela has endured so many scandals over the last ten years that she has acquired a reputation for being untouchable. It is therefore ironic that there are those who feel that "the ANC want to act against Winnie not because of her human rights record, but for her outspoken criticism of the government's inability to deliver houses, thwart crime and testing our feelings on the death penalty." This assessment is instructive because in the "... turbulent years of the 1980s, she was a hero, a living martyr to the black liberation cause and despite the discomforts inflicted on her by her perpetrators, she revelled in the role" (Sparks, 1994:15). But Winnie Madikazela-Mandela, who was a Deputy Minister before being dismissed and who has had to appear before the TRC because of allegations that she was responsible for the death of teenage activist Stompie Seipei, has nevertheless been able to make a political comeback. The thesis therefore sets out to examine the rationale behind the State President's (he did not hold this title then) decision to take a considerable risk in standing by Winnie Madikazela-Mandela (they were at the time married) during her trial on charges of kidnapping in 1991. Even after her conviction, Mandela wrote that "as far as I was concerned, verdict or no verdict, her innocence was not in doubt." This unstinting loyalty was replicated elsewhere. Commenting on her acquittal on the assault charges, ANC Youth League President, Peter Mokaba, said: "What was taken away from her as a result of these false allegations must now be given back". He described the Appellate Division decision as "a political sentence" saying: "It has nothing to do with whether she was guilty or not."3 The ANC has established a practice of accommodating dissidents within its structures and has survived complex challenges during its years in exile by doing so. But political commentators are now asking whether the political cost will prove to be too great.
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  • Date Issued: 2000

Poverty in Duncan Village, East London: a qualitiative perspective

- Bank, Leslie John

  • Authors: Bank, Leslie John
  • Date: 1996
  • Subjects: Eastern Cape (South Africa) -- Economic conditions Urban poor -- South Africa Rural-urban migration -- South Africa -- East London East London (South Africa) -- Social conditions -- Case studies
  • Language: English
  • Type: Book , Text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/2003 , vital:20246 , ISBN 0868103209
  • Description: East London is a minor coastal city with a fragile economy based largely on the food, motor and textile manufacturing sectors. Between 1945 and 1960 the economy of the city grew rapidly registering annual growth rates in excess of 10%. This growth was based on secondary industrialization in the manufacturing sector. However, since the inauguration of the homeland policy which wedged East London between two impoverished, self- governing homeland states, Transkei and Ciskei, the economy of the city has fared less well. Low annual growth rates were recorded throughout the 1970s and 1980s despite efforts by the Apartheid government to shore up the local economy by offering attractive industrial decentralization incentives in the region. The fragility of the city is not only based on its regional location, but on the absence of mineral and power sources and its distance from major metropolitan markets. Being situated in one of the poorest provinces in the country, East London's growth has always been limited by a weak local consumer market (Swilling 1987: 140). While the economic prospects for the city have recently improved with the dismantling of the homeland system and the centralization of the Eastern Cape's regional government in nearby capital of Bisho (30 minutes’ drive from East London), the city is still badly in need of major economic investment to cater for its rapidly growing population. During the past decade, there has been a massive transfer of population from rural to urban areas in the Eastern Cape generally. This occurred as a result of a softening of homeland borders in the mid-1980s, the removal of the influx control laws in 1986, as well as the deterioration of agricultural prospects in a region gripped by a crippling drought throughout the 1980s. These factors have ensured that East London became the tar-get of a sustained wave of rural-urban immigration. Dozens of new informal settlements have sprung up all over the city during the past five years, while the established townships within the city limits have become hopelessly overcrowded. The research for this project was conducted in East London's most congested township, Duncan Village. In 1995, it had a population of approximately 100 000 people. Between 1964 and 1979, Duncan Village was the target of massive forced removals. , Digitised by Rhodes University Library on behalf of the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER)
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  • Date Issued: 1996

Work in Progress Issue no.4 - The Swaziland connection

- Work in progress (WIP)

  • Authors: Work in progress (WIP)
  • Date: April 1978
  • Subjects: WIP
  • Language: English
  • Type: text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/111282 , vital:33428
  • Description: This is the 4th issue of Work in Progress, and the editors would like to bring a few matters to the attention of readers and contributors. Language: We have received a number of critical comments, suggesting that some of the language used in WIP articles is unnecessarily complex and specialised. Unfortunately, these criticisms do not always refer to the same articles, and this suggests that what may be comprehensible and useful to one group, appears as academic jargon to another. This does not, however, absolve the editors or contributors from the responsibility of writing clearly and concisely, and avoiding unnecessarily technical terms. It should also be noted, however, that some of the issues WIP deals with are complex, and oversimplification would not allow one to do justice to that complexity. Contributors have a duty to explain the concepts and ideas they use, and to write lucidly; readers have a reciprocal duty to make the efforts to situate the language used within the debates and analysis offered. If readers who are worried about language used in WIP articles could contribute specific criticisms, this would assist greatly in the production of a more readable publication. Finances: WIP has no source of income, other than money returned from the distribution of issues. Thus far, the 4 issues produced have been paid for by individuals, and the amount recouped has been considerably less than the initial outlay. We do ask that, when you receive your copy, you contribute an amount of 50 cents to the person distributing, which would then be passed on to the editors. We also appeal to those individuals who are salary earners to consider becoming donor members of WIP. This entails contributing a minimum of R3 per month to the publication. In return the donor will receive a copy of every WIP produced. This will allow us to build up a secure financial footing for the production of future issues. Contributions can be sent to the editorial address below. Contributions: In this issue we carry an article on Swaziland. This is a small contribution to what we hope will become a growing debate on the nature and consequences of intensified conflict in southern Africa. We appeal for contributions, especially on issues like southern Africa, the state, security trials and other regular features in WIP. The nature of the publication, its sub-divisions and format, make it very easy to contribute, and we insist that there are many people with ideas and information worth sharing who are not doing so. Contributions and correspondence should be sent to the address which appears below. Distribution: We want WIP to reach a large range of groups involved in divergent forms of activity. If you have access to a group of people - who may be your close friends, or an organisation - and feel willing to distribute a certain number of each issue of WIP, please contact the editors, and this can be arranged. We do ask, however, that if this is done, you attempt to recover 50 cents an issue from those who can afford it.
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  • Date Issued: April 1978
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