Normative self-perceptions of journalists in Nigeria : the case of the Guardian newspaper
- Authors: Tiri, Judith
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Guardian (Nigeria) , Nigeria -- In mass media , Nigeria -- Politics and government -- In mass media , Newspapers -- Nigeria , Journalism -- Political aspects -- Nigeria , Journalists -- Nigeria -- Psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3523
- Description: The study aims at interrogating the self - perceptions of journalists in Nigeria. The study is an attempt to answer some questions as: what contributions have journalists made to the democratization of Nigeria from 1960 to date? What role(s) did the media play during and after the transition to democracy? To what extent have the activities of politicians and the business class affected t he media’s social responsibility? What are the self-perceptions of journalists working in Nigeria’s The Guardian newspaper? The studies on normative theories of the press, Journalism Culture, and the perceived influences on journalism practice in a democra cy were adapted to answer the afore-listed questions. The works on how elite continuity and transitology models affect the perceptions of journalists in new democracies were also used to answer the questions posed. Since the field of research of the preced ing works is the West, the Nigerian experience points to issues that were not addressed in the prior studies because of the latter’s unique socio-political, historical, economic and ethno-religious structures . The data were collected and analyzed according to the QualitaQualitative paradigm, using in-depth semi-structured individual interviews with journalists working at The Guardian newspaper. The findings suggest that the journalists have made positive contributions to Nigeria’s democratization. The journalists that support this thesis claim that the self-perceptions of their role have changed from an adversarial position to a democratically-defined social responsibility role. This is because journalists ensure that government policies are implemented and the iss ues that affect the masses are reported. The findings show that in spite of the shift to democratization some challenges have remained, for example the journalists’ lives are not safe ; they collect bribes which are popularly called brown envelopes in Nigeria, write biased stories, and hold partisan relationships with the politicians and entrepreneurial elites and so on. The study acknowledges that democratization is in a continuum and that (the stakeholders or) civil society, journalists, the state and the entrepreneurial elites must contribute to deepen Nigeria’s democracy. The study suggests a self-perception theory that uses individual structures and institutions of a country to guide the stakeholders to play roles that will deepen democracy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Tiri, Judith
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Guardian (Nigeria) , Nigeria -- In mass media , Nigeria -- Politics and government -- In mass media , Newspapers -- Nigeria , Journalism -- Political aspects -- Nigeria , Journalists -- Nigeria -- Psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3523
- Description: The study aims at interrogating the self - perceptions of journalists in Nigeria. The study is an attempt to answer some questions as: what contributions have journalists made to the democratization of Nigeria from 1960 to date? What role(s) did the media play during and after the transition to democracy? To what extent have the activities of politicians and the business class affected t he media’s social responsibility? What are the self-perceptions of journalists working in Nigeria’s The Guardian newspaper? The studies on normative theories of the press, Journalism Culture, and the perceived influences on journalism practice in a democra cy were adapted to answer the afore-listed questions. The works on how elite continuity and transitology models affect the perceptions of journalists in new democracies were also used to answer the questions posed. Since the field of research of the preced ing works is the West, the Nigerian experience points to issues that were not addressed in the prior studies because of the latter’s unique socio-political, historical, economic and ethno-religious structures . The data were collected and analyzed according to the QualitaQualitative paradigm, using in-depth semi-structured individual interviews with journalists working at The Guardian newspaper. The findings suggest that the journalists have made positive contributions to Nigeria’s democratization. The journalists that support this thesis claim that the self-perceptions of their role have changed from an adversarial position to a democratically-defined social responsibility role. This is because journalists ensure that government policies are implemented and the iss ues that affect the masses are reported. The findings show that in spite of the shift to democratization some challenges have remained, for example the journalists’ lives are not safe ; they collect bribes which are popularly called brown envelopes in Nigeria, write biased stories, and hold partisan relationships with the politicians and entrepreneurial elites and so on. The study acknowledges that democratization is in a continuum and that (the stakeholders or) civil society, journalists, the state and the entrepreneurial elites must contribute to deepen Nigeria’s democracy. The study suggests a self-perception theory that uses individual structures and institutions of a country to guide the stakeholders to play roles that will deepen democracy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
One leg at a time
- Authors: Vivier, Lincky Elmé
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Creative writing (Higher education) -- Research -- South Africa , Creative writing -- Poetry , South African poetry (English) -- Study and teaching (Higher) , South African poetry (English) -- 21st century , English language -- Writing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:5974 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012945
- Description: This collection of poems explores the boundaries between certainty and uncertainty, between the desire for meaning and the destabilisation of meaning. The content encompasses everyday life, love and loss, and the ambiguities are reflected in the forms used, so that, for instance, the linear continuity of narrative and the musicality of the lyric may be juxtaposed with the fragmented and imagistic leaps of the associative poem.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Vivier, Lincky Elmé
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Creative writing (Higher education) -- Research -- South Africa , Creative writing -- Poetry , South African poetry (English) -- Study and teaching (Higher) , South African poetry (English) -- 21st century , English language -- Writing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:5974 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012945
- Description: This collection of poems explores the boundaries between certainty and uncertainty, between the desire for meaning and the destabilisation of meaning. The content encompasses everyday life, love and loss, and the ambiguities are reflected in the forms used, so that, for instance, the linear continuity of narrative and the musicality of the lyric may be juxtaposed with the fragmented and imagistic leaps of the associative poem.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Prolegomena to ubuntu and any other future South African philosophy
- Authors: Prinsloo, Aidan Vivian
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Ubuntu (Philosophy) , Political science -- Philosophy , Philosophy, African , Social values -- South Africa , Social values -- South Africa -- Philosophy , Place (Philosophy)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2747 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013092
- Description: In this thesis I consider ubuntu as a metonym for the particularly African features of South African philosophy. Given that Mbembe critiques African philosophy in general as having failed because it has been subsumed under two unreflective political movements in African thought, I consider whether or not the concept of ubuntu escapes his critique. After developing criteria for measuring the success of any philosophical concept, I conclude that ubuntu is unsuccessful. I then identify the political constraints placed on ubuntu that lead to its failure. These constraints arise from having to validate Africa as a place of intellectual worth. Considering the role of place in these constraints, I argue that a far more productive approach to ubuntu (and South African philosophy in general) is to explicitly incorporate this place into our philosophical project. I use the conceptual framework developed by Bruce Janz to provide a systematic account of place that can be used in formulating South African philosophy. I add to Janz, arguing that philosophy is a response to a particular feature of place: the mystery. By incorporating place into ubuntu, I am able to start developing a philosophical concept which can fulfil the political constraints placed on ubuntu without sacrificing its philosophical integrity. I suggest that ubuntu remains an interesting concept primarily because it promises to respond to the fragmentation of the South African place. I conclude by arguing that ubuntu should be used as the basis for a civic religion which responds to the fragmentation of the South African place. This civic religion will give rise to a significantly distinct philosophical tradition which should not succumb to Mbembe’s critique.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Prinsloo, Aidan Vivian
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Ubuntu (Philosophy) , Political science -- Philosophy , Philosophy, African , Social values -- South Africa , Social values -- South Africa -- Philosophy , Place (Philosophy)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2747 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013092
- Description: In this thesis I consider ubuntu as a metonym for the particularly African features of South African philosophy. Given that Mbembe critiques African philosophy in general as having failed because it has been subsumed under two unreflective political movements in African thought, I consider whether or not the concept of ubuntu escapes his critique. After developing criteria for measuring the success of any philosophical concept, I conclude that ubuntu is unsuccessful. I then identify the political constraints placed on ubuntu that lead to its failure. These constraints arise from having to validate Africa as a place of intellectual worth. Considering the role of place in these constraints, I argue that a far more productive approach to ubuntu (and South African philosophy in general) is to explicitly incorporate this place into our philosophical project. I use the conceptual framework developed by Bruce Janz to provide a systematic account of place that can be used in formulating South African philosophy. I add to Janz, arguing that philosophy is a response to a particular feature of place: the mystery. By incorporating place into ubuntu, I am able to start developing a philosophical concept which can fulfil the political constraints placed on ubuntu without sacrificing its philosophical integrity. I suggest that ubuntu remains an interesting concept primarily because it promises to respond to the fragmentation of the South African place. I conclude by arguing that ubuntu should be used as the basis for a civic religion which responds to the fragmentation of the South African place. This civic religion will give rise to a significantly distinct philosophical tradition which should not succumb to Mbembe’s critique.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Psychiatric in-patients’ experiences of an art group : with a focus on the self
- Authors: Holtzhausen, Minnon
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Art therapy -- Case studies , Group psychotherapy -- Case studies , Cognitive therapy -- Case studies , Self-actualization (Psychology) , Self-perception , Mental illness -- Treatment , Psychotherapy patients -- Treatment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3232 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013146
- Description: Aims: It is argued that one’s sense of self is threatened and eroded by mental illness. According to the narrative perspective, one’s personal life narrative is displaced and maintained by a story of illness. However, dialogical self theorists argue that mental illness limits the number of ‘I’ positions available within an individual, resulting in the positions/voices becoming rigid and being dominated by a singular, monological position. The aims of this qualitative study are to attempt to understand and examine psychiatric inpatients’ personal lived experiences of an art group. The goal of the study is to focus on the impact of the art-making process on these patients with regards to the construction of their sense of self. Design: A qualitative research design was used in the study. Method: Four psychiatric in-patient art group members – three male and one female, between the ages of 27 and 40 – were interviewed. A semi-structured interview schedule consisting of sixteen questions focusing on the interviewees’ experiences of the art group was used. The interviews were analysed using an interpretive phenomenological analysis. Results: Three superordinate themes emerged: What the Participants Gained From the Art Group, Sense of Community and Leaving a Mark, and The Experience of Self in the Art group. All three Superordinate themes fall within the participants’ experience of the art group. Conclusion: All four of the participants expressed positive feelings and enjoyment towards the art group. Participation in the art group provided the participants with a sense of pride, achievement and hope within their lives. As a result of participation on the art group, one of the four participants was able to construct a thin alternative experience and sense of self.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Holtzhausen, Minnon
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Art therapy -- Case studies , Group psychotherapy -- Case studies , Cognitive therapy -- Case studies , Self-actualization (Psychology) , Self-perception , Mental illness -- Treatment , Psychotherapy patients -- Treatment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3232 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013146
- Description: Aims: It is argued that one’s sense of self is threatened and eroded by mental illness. According to the narrative perspective, one’s personal life narrative is displaced and maintained by a story of illness. However, dialogical self theorists argue that mental illness limits the number of ‘I’ positions available within an individual, resulting in the positions/voices becoming rigid and being dominated by a singular, monological position. The aims of this qualitative study are to attempt to understand and examine psychiatric inpatients’ personal lived experiences of an art group. The goal of the study is to focus on the impact of the art-making process on these patients with regards to the construction of their sense of self. Design: A qualitative research design was used in the study. Method: Four psychiatric in-patient art group members – three male and one female, between the ages of 27 and 40 – were interviewed. A semi-structured interview schedule consisting of sixteen questions focusing on the interviewees’ experiences of the art group was used. The interviews were analysed using an interpretive phenomenological analysis. Results: Three superordinate themes emerged: What the Participants Gained From the Art Group, Sense of Community and Leaving a Mark, and The Experience of Self in the Art group. All three Superordinate themes fall within the participants’ experience of the art group. Conclusion: All four of the participants expressed positive feelings and enjoyment towards the art group. Participation in the art group provided the participants with a sense of pride, achievement and hope within their lives. As a result of participation on the art group, one of the four participants was able to construct a thin alternative experience and sense of self.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Redefining success : social justice and the ends of business
- Authors: Zorn, Gwendolyn Philippa
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Success Social justice Success in business Social responsibility of business Business ethics Corporate profits
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2745 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012061
- Description: Success in business is for the most part defined in financial terms and, because of this, business operations are almost entirely, if not entirely, directed to this end. The principle behind this rationale has been informed by the thought that the best contribution businesses can make to social justice is to focus on the bottom line. By appealing to enlightened self-interest and the high premium people place on freedom, neoliberal economists like Milton Friedman and Friedrich Hayek argue that maximising profits is necessarily socially responsible. And, moreover, that not to pursue this end is socially irresponsible. Social responsibility is the ultimate justification that thinkers such as Friedman and Hayek appeal to when claiming that the business of business is to maximise profit. Yet this position is internally inconsistent. The position is ultimately justified by what is socially just but this means that in fact social justice, and not profit-making, ought to be the end of business. I shall argue that taking this commitment seriously involves rejecting the idea that the aim of business is to maximise profits. This is not to say that businesses should not make profits, rather it implies that this feature is not what ultimately makes them successful. The central contribution of this project is to resolve the contradictions embedded in the traditional approach to business by arguing that the primary aim of business is the promotion of social justice. To this end success in business needs to be redefined so that it reflects the achievement of its ultimate ends and not simply its instrumental means (profit) to the realisation of these aims. We ought then to revise our fundamental assumptions about the structures and policies that are necessary for business to achieve its real end of social justice.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Zorn, Gwendolyn Philippa
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Success Social justice Success in business Social responsibility of business Business ethics Corporate profits
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2745 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012061
- Description: Success in business is for the most part defined in financial terms and, because of this, business operations are almost entirely, if not entirely, directed to this end. The principle behind this rationale has been informed by the thought that the best contribution businesses can make to social justice is to focus on the bottom line. By appealing to enlightened self-interest and the high premium people place on freedom, neoliberal economists like Milton Friedman and Friedrich Hayek argue that maximising profits is necessarily socially responsible. And, moreover, that not to pursue this end is socially irresponsible. Social responsibility is the ultimate justification that thinkers such as Friedman and Hayek appeal to when claiming that the business of business is to maximise profit. Yet this position is internally inconsistent. The position is ultimately justified by what is socially just but this means that in fact social justice, and not profit-making, ought to be the end of business. I shall argue that taking this commitment seriously involves rejecting the idea that the aim of business is to maximise profits. This is not to say that businesses should not make profits, rather it implies that this feature is not what ultimately makes them successful. The central contribution of this project is to resolve the contradictions embedded in the traditional approach to business by arguing that the primary aim of business is the promotion of social justice. To this end success in business needs to be redefined so that it reflects the achievement of its ultimate ends and not simply its instrumental means (profit) to the realisation of these aims. We ought then to revise our fundamental assumptions about the structures and policies that are necessary for business to achieve its real end of social justice.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Refusal and rupture as a postdramatic revolt : an analysis of selected South African contemporary devised performances with particular focus on works by First Physical Theatre Company and the Rhodes University Drama Department
- Authors: Haxton, Robert Peter
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Lehmann, Hans-Thies -- Postdramatisches Theater -- English , Rhodes University -- Department of Drama , First Physical Theatre Company , Experimental theater -- South Africa , Experimental theater -- History and criticism , Performance art -- South Africa , Performance art -- History and criticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2163 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015671
- Description: This mini-thesis investigates the concepts of refusal and rupture as a postdramatic revolt and how these terms can be applied and read within the context of analysing contemporary devised performance in South Africa. The argument focuses on the efficacy of Hans-Thies Lehmann’s postdramatic terminology and the potential of its use in an appreciation of contemporary performance analysis. I investigate the potential in South African contemporary devised performance practice to challenge prevailing modes of traditional dramatic expectation in order to restore the experience of discovery and questioning in the spectator. This research is approached through a qualitative process which entails a reading and application of selected critical texts to the analysis with an application of Lehmann’s terminology. This reading/application is engaged in a dialogue with the interpretative and experiential aspects of selected South African devised performances with particular focus on four cross-disciplinary works selected for analysis. Chapter One functions as an introduction to the concept of postdramatic theatre and the application of the terms refusal and rupture as deconstructive keywords in the process of a devised performance. Chapter Two is an analysis of several South African contemporary performances with particular focus on Body of Evidence (2009) by Siwela Sonke Dance Company, Wreckage (2011) a collaboration by Ubom! Eastern Cape Drama Company and First Physical Theatre Company, Discharge (2012) by First Physical Theatre Company, and Drifting (2013) by The Rhodes University Drama Department. This mini-thesis concludes with the idea that with an understanding of refusal and rupture in a postdramatic revolt, contemporary devised performance achieves an awakening in its spectators by deconstructing the expectation of understanding and the need for resolve; the assumption and need for traditional dramatic structures and rules are challenged. Instead, it awakes an experience of discovery and questioning.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Haxton, Robert Peter
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Lehmann, Hans-Thies -- Postdramatisches Theater -- English , Rhodes University -- Department of Drama , First Physical Theatre Company , Experimental theater -- South Africa , Experimental theater -- History and criticism , Performance art -- South Africa , Performance art -- History and criticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2163 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015671
- Description: This mini-thesis investigates the concepts of refusal and rupture as a postdramatic revolt and how these terms can be applied and read within the context of analysing contemporary devised performance in South Africa. The argument focuses on the efficacy of Hans-Thies Lehmann’s postdramatic terminology and the potential of its use in an appreciation of contemporary performance analysis. I investigate the potential in South African contemporary devised performance practice to challenge prevailing modes of traditional dramatic expectation in order to restore the experience of discovery and questioning in the spectator. This research is approached through a qualitative process which entails a reading and application of selected critical texts to the analysis with an application of Lehmann’s terminology. This reading/application is engaged in a dialogue with the interpretative and experiential aspects of selected South African devised performances with particular focus on four cross-disciplinary works selected for analysis. Chapter One functions as an introduction to the concept of postdramatic theatre and the application of the terms refusal and rupture as deconstructive keywords in the process of a devised performance. Chapter Two is an analysis of several South African contemporary performances with particular focus on Body of Evidence (2009) by Siwela Sonke Dance Company, Wreckage (2011) a collaboration by Ubom! Eastern Cape Drama Company and First Physical Theatre Company, Discharge (2012) by First Physical Theatre Company, and Drifting (2013) by The Rhodes University Drama Department. This mini-thesis concludes with the idea that with an understanding of refusal and rupture in a postdramatic revolt, contemporary devised performance achieves an awakening in its spectators by deconstructing the expectation of understanding and the need for resolve; the assumption and need for traditional dramatic structures and rules are challenged. Instead, it awakes an experience of discovery and questioning.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Rehab is for quitters
- Authors: Maharaj, Keshav
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Creative writing (Higher education) Short stories, South African (English) -- 21st century South African fiction (English) -- 21st century English language -- Writing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:5972 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011901
- Description: My collection has the common theme of addiction: addictive personalities strung across the pages. Not only the usual addictions such as the daily-ritualized beer or joint, but also the pain of addiction to anti-social habits, pathologies, forbidden love, etc. I try to capture the behavior and life that surrounds addictions too: relationships, rehab, criminal behavior, all sorts of abuse, etc. Some of the stories are heavy-handed, slapping the reader in the face, some are subtler. Some are told with lightness and humor, some with gravity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Maharaj, Keshav
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Creative writing (Higher education) Short stories, South African (English) -- 21st century South African fiction (English) -- 21st century English language -- Writing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:5972 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011901
- Description: My collection has the common theme of addiction: addictive personalities strung across the pages. Not only the usual addictions such as the daily-ritualized beer or joint, but also the pain of addiction to anti-social habits, pathologies, forbidden love, etc. I try to capture the behavior and life that surrounds addictions too: relationships, rehab, criminal behavior, all sorts of abuse, etc. Some of the stories are heavy-handed, slapping the reader in the face, some are subtler. Some are told with lightness and humor, some with gravity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Resisting responsibilisation : a narrative-discursive analysis of young peoples' talk about high school sexualities and school sexuality education
- Authors: Graham, Nicola Susan Jearey
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Responsibility in adolescence , Language and sex -- South Africa , Teenagers -- Sexual behavior -- South Africa , Sex instruction -- South Africa , Sexual health -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Sexual ethics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3230 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013078
- Description: The most widespread intervention in South Africa into the sexualities of young people is school based sexuality education. However there is a dearth of research in this area, and studies that have been conducted highlight major weaknesses with implementation. Research from Western countries indicates that the messages conveyed in sexuality education are resisted if they conflict with the desired sexual subjectivities of young people. This indicates a need for further research into desired youth sexualities, and school based sexuality education. While South African studies of young people‘s talk about sexualities have been conducted, there is a paucity of literature in this area from a discursive perspective. This study is situated within a feminist post-structuralist paradigm, utilising a performative-performance analytical approach which synthesises Butlerian theory with a narrative-discursive methodology. This approach enables an analysis of both the macro-discursive power webs within which sexualities are situated, and the micro-discursive activity through which sexual subject positions are constructed. I used this approach to analyse the talk of groups of students from a Further Education and Training College about the sexualities of High School learners and their own past sexuality education. Findings showed that that the most dominant discursive resources which were utilised to construct sexualities were societal sexual norms discourses. These foundational discourses constructed gendered sexualities of compulsory hyper-heterosex for men, and compulsory compliant girlfriendhood for women. Such gendered sexualities reinforced patriarchal and abusive gendered and sexual practices. Ways in which participants troubled the dominant gendered sexualities through the performance of alternative sexual positions were analysed, as these 'troubling' performances indicate mutable aspects of the normative gendered field. Participants drew on a discourse of disconnect when talking about their school sexuality education, and their parents‘ (lack of) communication with them about sex. This suggests that adultist attempts to construct a 'responsible' sexual subject position for young people are resisted when such a position is constructed in a non-relational manner. Collusion between the constructed gendered sexualities and the discourse of disconnect results in the un-performability of a 'responsible' sexual subject position. These findings were used to provide suggestions for enhancing school based sexuality interventions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Graham, Nicola Susan Jearey
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Responsibility in adolescence , Language and sex -- South Africa , Teenagers -- Sexual behavior -- South Africa , Sex instruction -- South Africa , Sexual health -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Sexual ethics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3230 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013078
- Description: The most widespread intervention in South Africa into the sexualities of young people is school based sexuality education. However there is a dearth of research in this area, and studies that have been conducted highlight major weaknesses with implementation. Research from Western countries indicates that the messages conveyed in sexuality education are resisted if they conflict with the desired sexual subjectivities of young people. This indicates a need for further research into desired youth sexualities, and school based sexuality education. While South African studies of young people‘s talk about sexualities have been conducted, there is a paucity of literature in this area from a discursive perspective. This study is situated within a feminist post-structuralist paradigm, utilising a performative-performance analytical approach which synthesises Butlerian theory with a narrative-discursive methodology. This approach enables an analysis of both the macro-discursive power webs within which sexualities are situated, and the micro-discursive activity through which sexual subject positions are constructed. I used this approach to analyse the talk of groups of students from a Further Education and Training College about the sexualities of High School learners and their own past sexuality education. Findings showed that that the most dominant discursive resources which were utilised to construct sexualities were societal sexual norms discourses. These foundational discourses constructed gendered sexualities of compulsory hyper-heterosex for men, and compulsory compliant girlfriendhood for women. Such gendered sexualities reinforced patriarchal and abusive gendered and sexual practices. Ways in which participants troubled the dominant gendered sexualities through the performance of alternative sexual positions were analysed, as these 'troubling' performances indicate mutable aspects of the normative gendered field. Participants drew on a discourse of disconnect when talking about their school sexuality education, and their parents‘ (lack of) communication with them about sex. This suggests that adultist attempts to construct a 'responsible' sexual subject position for young people are resisted when such a position is constructed in a non-relational manner. Collusion between the constructed gendered sexualities and the discourse of disconnect results in the un-performability of a 'responsible' sexual subject position. These findings were used to provide suggestions for enhancing school based sexuality interventions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Road to redemption
- Authors: Singh, Anirood
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Creative writing (Higher education) -- Research -- South Africa , Creative writing -- Fiction , South African fiction (English) -- Study and teaching (Higher) , South African fiction (English) -- 21st century , Detective and mystery stories, South African (English)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:5977 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013035
- Description: Lurching from day-today in the months before South Africa becomes a republic, booze-befuddled Indian private investigator Rohit Biswas does not ponder how he can secure his daughter's future after he became a widower and lost his job as police detective when he killed a man who fatally stabbed his wife. Salvation appears when a rich client hires the PI to find evidence proving his son did not rape and murder a white socialite. Fighting against seeming impossible odds in colonial-apartheid Durban and a sanctions-busting conspiracy, Biswas secures his client's acquittal. In the process he defies karma and redeems himself.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Singh, Anirood
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Creative writing (Higher education) -- Research -- South Africa , Creative writing -- Fiction , South African fiction (English) -- Study and teaching (Higher) , South African fiction (English) -- 21st century , Detective and mystery stories, South African (English)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:5977 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013035
- Description: Lurching from day-today in the months before South Africa becomes a republic, booze-befuddled Indian private investigator Rohit Biswas does not ponder how he can secure his daughter's future after he became a widower and lost his job as police detective when he killed a man who fatally stabbed his wife. Salvation appears when a rich client hires the PI to find evidence proving his son did not rape and murder a white socialite. Fighting against seeming impossible odds in colonial-apartheid Durban and a sanctions-busting conspiracy, Biswas secures his client's acquittal. In the process he defies karma and redeems himself.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Sarkaiym
- Authors: Sutherns, Michael Courtney
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Creative writing (Higher education) -- Research -- South Africa , Creative writing -- Fiction , South African fiction (English) -- Study and teaching (Higher) , South African fiction (English) -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:5976 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012998
- Description: The kingdom of Sansland situated on the Azanian Peninsula has been ruled by Sorricians, the sky people, ever since they landed on terra firma centuries ago. The indigenous population are forced to engage directly in the social and economic perpetuation of their own domination beneath the Sorrician heel. Until revolution flares in the antipodes, and soon, even the gods themselves seem to take an interest in the inevitable course of events. But all is not what it seems. The revolution appears to proceed too rapidly. The kingdom’s trade infrastructure collapses too easily. The Sorrician rulers are inexplicably and unrealistically confident in their ability to repel an attack on the capital. It will take a man of conscience, a regular soldier and a boy priest to restore appearances back to reality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Sutherns, Michael Courtney
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Creative writing (Higher education) -- Research -- South Africa , Creative writing -- Fiction , South African fiction (English) -- Study and teaching (Higher) , South African fiction (English) -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:5976 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012998
- Description: The kingdom of Sansland situated on the Azanian Peninsula has been ruled by Sorricians, the sky people, ever since they landed on terra firma centuries ago. The indigenous population are forced to engage directly in the social and economic perpetuation of their own domination beneath the Sorrician heel. Until revolution flares in the antipodes, and soon, even the gods themselves seem to take an interest in the inevitable course of events. But all is not what it seems. The revolution appears to proceed too rapidly. The kingdom’s trade infrastructure collapses too easily. The Sorrician rulers are inexplicably and unrealistically confident in their ability to repel an attack on the capital. It will take a man of conscience, a regular soldier and a boy priest to restore appearances back to reality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Secrets I keep
- Authors: Thurgood, Mikaila Rae
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: South African fiction (English) -- 21st century , Creative writing (Higher education) -- Research -- South Africa , Creative writing -- Fiction , South African fiction (English) -- Study and teaching (Higher)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:5981 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015638
- Description: My mother had many failings. Her inability to cook. Her inability to work. Her inability to love. But her two biggest failings...those were the ones that had the potential to ruin my entire life, to ruin my brother’s life, to tear a family apart. More than anything, it was her inability to act. Claire is a young woman working in Johannesburg as a PA. She has few friends barring her au pair flatmate Beth and work colleague Marge. Her nights are spent trying to overcome the trauma of her past to find sexual fulfilment in a shallow world of one night stands. Whether she can set herself on a path towards a more normal life comes down to one crucial thing – forgiveness.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Thurgood, Mikaila Rae
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: South African fiction (English) -- 21st century , Creative writing (Higher education) -- Research -- South Africa , Creative writing -- Fiction , South African fiction (English) -- Study and teaching (Higher)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:5981 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015638
- Description: My mother had many failings. Her inability to cook. Her inability to work. Her inability to love. But her two biggest failings...those were the ones that had the potential to ruin my entire life, to ruin my brother’s life, to tear a family apart. More than anything, it was her inability to act. Claire is a young woman working in Johannesburg as a PA. She has few friends barring her au pair flatmate Beth and work colleague Marge. Her nights are spent trying to overcome the trauma of her past to find sexual fulfilment in a shallow world of one night stands. Whether she can set herself on a path towards a more normal life comes down to one crucial thing – forgiveness.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Shembe religion's integration of African traditional religion and Christianity : a sociological case study
- Shange, Nombulelo Tholithemba
- Authors: Shange, Nombulelo Tholithemba
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Shembe Church Christianity and other religions -- South Africa -- Inanda Christianity and culture -- South Africa -- Inanda Independent churches -- South Africa -- Inanda Religious tolerance -- South Africa -- Inanda South Africa -- Religious life and customs
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3365 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011819
- Description: The Shembe Church's integration of African Traditional Religion and Christianity has been met by many challenges. This merger has been rejected by both African traditionalists and Christians. The Shembe Church has been met by intolerance even though the movement in some ways creates multiculturalism between different people and cultures. This thesis documents the Shembe Church's ideas and practices; it discusses how the Shembe Church combines two ideologies that appear to be at odds with each other. In looking at Shembe ideas and practices, the thesis discusses African religion-inspired rituals like ukusina, ancestral honouring, animal sacrificing and virgin testing. The thesis also discusses the heavy Christian influence within the Shembe Church; this is done by looking at the Shembe Church's use of The Bible and Moses' Laws which play a crucial role in the Church. The challenges the Shembe Church faces are another main theme of the thesis. The thesis looks at cases of intolerance and human rights violations experienced by Shembe members. This is done in part by looking at the living conditions at eBuhleni, located at Inanda, KZN. The thesis also analyses individual Shembe member's experiences and discusses how some members of the Shembe church experience the acceptance of the Shembe religion in South African society. This thesis concludes by trying to make a distinction between intolerance and controversy. I try to highlight the idea that what many Shembe followers see as discrimination and intolerance towards them is sometimes a difference in opinion from other cultural groups. Sometimes these differences are not geared towards criticising other religious groups or perpetuating intolerance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Shange, Nombulelo Tholithemba
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Shembe Church Christianity and other religions -- South Africa -- Inanda Christianity and culture -- South Africa -- Inanda Independent churches -- South Africa -- Inanda Religious tolerance -- South Africa -- Inanda South Africa -- Religious life and customs
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3365 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011819
- Description: The Shembe Church's integration of African Traditional Religion and Christianity has been met by many challenges. This merger has been rejected by both African traditionalists and Christians. The Shembe Church has been met by intolerance even though the movement in some ways creates multiculturalism between different people and cultures. This thesis documents the Shembe Church's ideas and practices; it discusses how the Shembe Church combines two ideologies that appear to be at odds with each other. In looking at Shembe ideas and practices, the thesis discusses African religion-inspired rituals like ukusina, ancestral honouring, animal sacrificing and virgin testing. The thesis also discusses the heavy Christian influence within the Shembe Church; this is done by looking at the Shembe Church's use of The Bible and Moses' Laws which play a crucial role in the Church. The challenges the Shembe Church faces are another main theme of the thesis. The thesis looks at cases of intolerance and human rights violations experienced by Shembe members. This is done in part by looking at the living conditions at eBuhleni, located at Inanda, KZN. The thesis also analyses individual Shembe member's experiences and discusses how some members of the Shembe church experience the acceptance of the Shembe religion in South African society. This thesis concludes by trying to make a distinction between intolerance and controversy. I try to highlight the idea that what many Shembe followers see as discrimination and intolerance towards them is sometimes a difference in opinion from other cultural groups. Sometimes these differences are not geared towards criticising other religious groups or perpetuating intolerance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
South African International Relations (Ir) and the China-Africa relationship: a critical reflection
- Authors: Walker, Timothy Charles
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: South Africa -- Relations -- China , China -- Relations -- South Africa , International relations -- Philosophy , Critical theory
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2885 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015518
- Description: South African International Relations (IR) is a prominent source of China-Africa research and analysis, producing reports, journal articles and books that seek to illuminate the emerging relationship between China and Africa. It plays an important role in the framing of the relationship, as well as how it is perceived outside of the discipline. However, critical concerns have been raised about the context within which South African IR operates. It is therefore important that IR research, including its assumptions, dominant concepts, professed values and aspirations to studying the China-Africa relationship, be critically examined. The aim of this thesis is to contribute to critical thinking in South African IR by opening up for future discussion the new directions and possibilities for China-Africa IR. Utilising a critique located in Critical International Relations Theory (CIRT), this thesis critically reflects upon both the context of South African IR’s China-Africa research and the perspectives it has produced. The thesis argues that in spite of many descriptive and empirical studies, China- Africa research is theoretically underdeveloped in South African IR. Further, it argues that theoretical work is marginalised despite the fact that both historical and contemporary research relies on concepts drawn from IR theory. South African IR’s focus on policy relevance is advanced as a reason for the prevalence of theoretical underdevelopment. This thesis concludes by reviewing arguments for the improved use of IR theory in China-Africa IR, which will lead to a better understanding of this important relationship.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Walker, Timothy Charles
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: South Africa -- Relations -- China , China -- Relations -- South Africa , International relations -- Philosophy , Critical theory
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2885 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015518
- Description: South African International Relations (IR) is a prominent source of China-Africa research and analysis, producing reports, journal articles and books that seek to illuminate the emerging relationship between China and Africa. It plays an important role in the framing of the relationship, as well as how it is perceived outside of the discipline. However, critical concerns have been raised about the context within which South African IR operates. It is therefore important that IR research, including its assumptions, dominant concepts, professed values and aspirations to studying the China-Africa relationship, be critically examined. The aim of this thesis is to contribute to critical thinking in South African IR by opening up for future discussion the new directions and possibilities for China-Africa IR. Utilising a critique located in Critical International Relations Theory (CIRT), this thesis critically reflects upon both the context of South African IR’s China-Africa research and the perspectives it has produced. The thesis argues that in spite of many descriptive and empirical studies, China- Africa research is theoretically underdeveloped in South African IR. Further, it argues that theoretical work is marginalised despite the fact that both historical and contemporary research relies on concepts drawn from IR theory. South African IR’s focus on policy relevance is advanced as a reason for the prevalence of theoretical underdevelopment. This thesis concludes by reviewing arguments for the improved use of IR theory in China-Africa IR, which will lead to a better understanding of this important relationship.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Taxonomy and life history of the zebra seabream, Diplodus cervinus (Perciformes: Sparidae), in southern Angola
- Authors: Winkler, Alexander Claus
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Diplodus -- Classification Fish populations -- Angola Diplodus -- Angola Diplodus -- South Africa Diplodus -- Morphology Fisheries -- Angola Sparidae
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:5361 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012062
- Description: The zebra sea bream, Diplodus cervinus (Sparidae) is an inshore fish comprised of two boreal subspecies from the Gulf of Oman and the Mediterranean / north eastern Atlantic and one austral subspecies from South Africa and southern Angola. The assumption of a single austral subspecies has, however, been questioned due to mounting molecular and morphological evidence suggesting that the cool Benguela current is a vicariant barrier that has separated many synonymous inshore fish species between South Africa and southern Angola. The aims of this thesis are to conduct a comparative morphological analysis of Diplodus cervinus in southern Angola and South Africa in order to classify the southern Angolan population and then to conduct a life history assessment to assess the life history impact of allopatry on this species between the two regions. Results of the morphological findings of the present study (ANOSIM, p < 0.05, Rmeristic = 0.42) and (Rmorphometric = 0.30) along with a concurrent molecular study (FST = 0.4 – 0.6), identified significant divergence between specimens from South Africa (n = 25) and southern Angola (n = 37) and supported stock separation and possibly sub-speciation, depending on the classification criteria utilised. While samples from the two boreal subspecies were not available for the comparative morphological or molecular analysis, comparisons of the colouration patterns between the three subspecies, suggested similarity between the southern Angola and the northern Atlantic / Mediterranean populations. In contrast, the colouration patterns between the southern Angolan and South African specimens differed substantially, further supporting the morphological and molecular results. The distinct morphological divergence between the southern Angolan and South African populations was not reflected within the life history traits of both populations. A combination of methods, including length/age frequency analyses, adult sex ratios and histological analysis was used to determine that this species is a rudimentary hermaphrodite in southern Angola. Peak spawning season was observed between June and July. The overall sex ratio (M: F) was 1:1.52 with females dominating smaller younger size classes and 50% maturity was attained at 210 mm FL and 4.6 years. Females [L(t) = 287.5(1-e⁻°·¹⁸⁽t⁻²·⁸⁴⁾)] grew significantly faster (LRT, p < 0.05) than males [L(t) = 380.19(1-e⁻°·°⁶⁽t⁻⁷·¹²⁾)]. The higher maximum age of the southern Angolan population of D. cervinus (43 years) was older than that of South African individuals sampled in the tsitsikamma national park. The similarities in the life history of the two austral populations are probably a consequence of similar selective pressures in the similar warmtemperate habitats. Evidence to support the above comments was found in the feeding study which showed that the South African and Angolan populations were almost identical, with both populations feeding primarily on amphipods and polychaete worms throughout ontogeny. In contrast, the diet of their boreal conspecifics from the Mediterranean was different, where larger individuals tended to select larger, and more robust, prey items. The life history differences observed between the boreal and austral populations can be attributed to either sampling bias or environmental factors. Sampling biases included the use of different age and growth estimation techniques, while the environmental factors would include differential selective pressures most likely driven by different resource availability and exploitation. The present study provides crucial baseline life history information of a potentially exploitable species off southern Angola as well as information on the life history plasticity of the species. Unfortunately, the current lack of uniformity in the methods used to estimate life history parameters between studies conducted on the boreal and austral populations have complicated our understanding of the evolution of various life history trends in sparid fish. From a management perspective however, the results from the present study can be used to propose management strategies for an emerging trap fishery in southern Angola. Using a balanced exploitation fishery approach (harvesting up to the size-at-100% maturity), the size of the fish traps entrance was calculated based the morphological information from this and other small sparid species that are targeted and was estimated to be 62 mm.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Winkler, Alexander Claus
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Diplodus -- Classification Fish populations -- Angola Diplodus -- Angola Diplodus -- South Africa Diplodus -- Morphology Fisheries -- Angola Sparidae
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:5361 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012062
- Description: The zebra sea bream, Diplodus cervinus (Sparidae) is an inshore fish comprised of two boreal subspecies from the Gulf of Oman and the Mediterranean / north eastern Atlantic and one austral subspecies from South Africa and southern Angola. The assumption of a single austral subspecies has, however, been questioned due to mounting molecular and morphological evidence suggesting that the cool Benguela current is a vicariant barrier that has separated many synonymous inshore fish species between South Africa and southern Angola. The aims of this thesis are to conduct a comparative morphological analysis of Diplodus cervinus in southern Angola and South Africa in order to classify the southern Angolan population and then to conduct a life history assessment to assess the life history impact of allopatry on this species between the two regions. Results of the morphological findings of the present study (ANOSIM, p < 0.05, Rmeristic = 0.42) and (Rmorphometric = 0.30) along with a concurrent molecular study (FST = 0.4 – 0.6), identified significant divergence between specimens from South Africa (n = 25) and southern Angola (n = 37) and supported stock separation and possibly sub-speciation, depending on the classification criteria utilised. While samples from the two boreal subspecies were not available for the comparative morphological or molecular analysis, comparisons of the colouration patterns between the three subspecies, suggested similarity between the southern Angola and the northern Atlantic / Mediterranean populations. In contrast, the colouration patterns between the southern Angolan and South African specimens differed substantially, further supporting the morphological and molecular results. The distinct morphological divergence between the southern Angolan and South African populations was not reflected within the life history traits of both populations. A combination of methods, including length/age frequency analyses, adult sex ratios and histological analysis was used to determine that this species is a rudimentary hermaphrodite in southern Angola. Peak spawning season was observed between June and July. The overall sex ratio (M: F) was 1:1.52 with females dominating smaller younger size classes and 50% maturity was attained at 210 mm FL and 4.6 years. Females [L(t) = 287.5(1-e⁻°·¹⁸⁽t⁻²·⁸⁴⁾)] grew significantly faster (LRT, p < 0.05) than males [L(t) = 380.19(1-e⁻°·°⁶⁽t⁻⁷·¹²⁾)]. The higher maximum age of the southern Angolan population of D. cervinus (43 years) was older than that of South African individuals sampled in the tsitsikamma national park. The similarities in the life history of the two austral populations are probably a consequence of similar selective pressures in the similar warmtemperate habitats. Evidence to support the above comments was found in the feeding study which showed that the South African and Angolan populations were almost identical, with both populations feeding primarily on amphipods and polychaete worms throughout ontogeny. In contrast, the diet of their boreal conspecifics from the Mediterranean was different, where larger individuals tended to select larger, and more robust, prey items. The life history differences observed between the boreal and austral populations can be attributed to either sampling bias or environmental factors. Sampling biases included the use of different age and growth estimation techniques, while the environmental factors would include differential selective pressures most likely driven by different resource availability and exploitation. The present study provides crucial baseline life history information of a potentially exploitable species off southern Angola as well as information on the life history plasticity of the species. Unfortunately, the current lack of uniformity in the methods used to estimate life history parameters between studies conducted on the boreal and austral populations have complicated our understanding of the evolution of various life history trends in sparid fish. From a management perspective however, the results from the present study can be used to propose management strategies for an emerging trap fishery in southern Angola. Using a balanced exploitation fishery approach (harvesting up to the size-at-100% maturity), the size of the fish traps entrance was calculated based the morphological information from this and other small sparid species that are targeted and was estimated to be 62 mm.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The best a man can get? : an analysis of the representation of men within group situations in the advertising copy of Men’s Health and FHM from December 2006 through May 2007
- Authors: Scott, Robert James
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Men's health (Magazine) , For Him Magazine (South Africa) , Men in advertising , Sex role in advertising , Discrimination in the advertising industry , Men in mass media , Mass media criticism , Men in popular culture , Sex role in mass media , Discourse analysis -- Social aspects , Masculinity -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3535 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013576
- Description: This study examines the production of masculinity in the advertisements of South Africa’s two most popular men’s lifestyle magazines, FHM and Men’s Health. I specifically focus on advertisements, as I argue that they play a crucial role in the re‐production of prominent discursive formations. Informed by a poststructuralist framework this study adopts Foucault’s notions of discourse, power and the constitution of the subject. Gender is conceived of within power relations, with a hierarchical relationship between masculinities and femininities. The gendered subject is also viewed as being constantly in process and being constructed performatively through material forms of practice. Focusing on group representations to establish gender hierarchies, I argue that these representations of people are performative acts, hailing the subjects who view them and producing reality through discourse. Hegemonic masculinity, which is argued to be prominent in advertising, is located at the highest point in the gender hierarchy. However, there is not one universal hegemonic masculinity, for it can vary across three discrete political contexts: the local, which is constructed in the immediate face‐to‐face interactions of families, organisations and social structures; the regional, which is constructed at the level of culture or the nation state; and the global, which is constructed in supra‐national locations. In the advertisements of FHM and Men’s Health there is interplay between the latter two as global and regional brands both advertise in these magazines. To investigate the portrayal of masculinities in these publications, this study first undertakes a content analysis to survey the “general landscape” of representation in the advertisements and then performs a critical discourse analysis to uncover “thick description” of the production of masculinity. The content analysis, finds that the advertisements in the sample validate both white and heterosexual forms of masculinity. The sample is comprised mostly of white males, white females and black males, generally proposing forms of hegemonic masculinity, emphasised femininity and complicit masculinity respectively. The representation of white males and black males is different both in terms of the frequency of representations and in the types of representations. I argued that a certain tension inhabits the resulting representations, which try to be inclusive of a multi‐racial South Africa, yet do so within a clearly hierarchical structure. An in‐depth analysis of eight texts, informed by Fairclough’s model of critical discourse analysis and Kress & van Leeuwen’s framework for visual analysis, finds similar results to the content analysis while providing insight into how various discourses produced the representations, particularly within non‐narrative advertisements.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Scott, Robert James
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Men's health (Magazine) , For Him Magazine (South Africa) , Men in advertising , Sex role in advertising , Discrimination in the advertising industry , Men in mass media , Mass media criticism , Men in popular culture , Sex role in mass media , Discourse analysis -- Social aspects , Masculinity -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3535 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013576
- Description: This study examines the production of masculinity in the advertisements of South Africa’s two most popular men’s lifestyle magazines, FHM and Men’s Health. I specifically focus on advertisements, as I argue that they play a crucial role in the re‐production of prominent discursive formations. Informed by a poststructuralist framework this study adopts Foucault’s notions of discourse, power and the constitution of the subject. Gender is conceived of within power relations, with a hierarchical relationship between masculinities and femininities. The gendered subject is also viewed as being constantly in process and being constructed performatively through material forms of practice. Focusing on group representations to establish gender hierarchies, I argue that these representations of people are performative acts, hailing the subjects who view them and producing reality through discourse. Hegemonic masculinity, which is argued to be prominent in advertising, is located at the highest point in the gender hierarchy. However, there is not one universal hegemonic masculinity, for it can vary across three discrete political contexts: the local, which is constructed in the immediate face‐to‐face interactions of families, organisations and social structures; the regional, which is constructed at the level of culture or the nation state; and the global, which is constructed in supra‐national locations. In the advertisements of FHM and Men’s Health there is interplay between the latter two as global and regional brands both advertise in these magazines. To investigate the portrayal of masculinities in these publications, this study first undertakes a content analysis to survey the “general landscape” of representation in the advertisements and then performs a critical discourse analysis to uncover “thick description” of the production of masculinity. The content analysis, finds that the advertisements in the sample validate both white and heterosexual forms of masculinity. The sample is comprised mostly of white males, white females and black males, generally proposing forms of hegemonic masculinity, emphasised femininity and complicit masculinity respectively. The representation of white males and black males is different both in terms of the frequency of representations and in the types of representations. I argued that a certain tension inhabits the resulting representations, which try to be inclusive of a multi‐racial South Africa, yet do so within a clearly hierarchical structure. An in‐depth analysis of eight texts, informed by Fairclough’s model of critical discourse analysis and Kress & van Leeuwen’s framework for visual analysis, finds similar results to the content analysis while providing insight into how various discourses produced the representations, particularly within non‐narrative advertisements.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The critical implications of Ubuntu for contemporary management theory
- Mashasha, Tamsanqa Munyaradzi
- Authors: Mashasha, Tamsanqa Munyaradzi
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Management -- Africa -- Philosophy , Ubuntu (Philsophy) , Corporate governance -- South Africa , Management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2879 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013116
- Description: Since the dissolution of apartheid, corporate governance in South Africa has evolved from being a soft mainly ethical issue to a hard knowledge-based technological issue, recognised as pivotal to the success and revitalisation of the country’s capital markets and, ultimately, the prospects of the corporate economy. These high stakes have produced a succession of measures aimed at transforming corporate governance in the economy. As such, South Africa’s corporate managers are consistently faced with the seemingly unassailable obstacle of discerning and implementing technologically progressive and culturally/racially unbiased management strategies/systems. The focus of this thesis is the latter of these two obstacles. Ubuntu acts as the scope via which the issues embedded within the incumbent management strategies/systems are viewed. Ubuntu philosophy embodies a socio-cultural framework that applies to all individuals and institutions throughout the continent. It embodies collectivism and teamwork, creation of synergies and competitive advantages, humanist leadership styles and maturity, consensus in decision-making systems, effective communication, and community-based corporate social responsibility. Ubuntu is pervasive in almost all parts of Southern African continent – it is integrated into all aspects of day-to-day life throughout the region. This thesis reviews and analyses some of the lessons that can be learned through the inception of African management, more specifically Ubuntu management, within South Africa’s corporate sphere. This thesis aims to prove that there exists a need for a new South African corporate management system, one which is able to harmoniously integrate the incumbent, western-orientated management strategies and systems with one of African origins.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Mashasha, Tamsanqa Munyaradzi
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Management -- Africa -- Philosophy , Ubuntu (Philsophy) , Corporate governance -- South Africa , Management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2879 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013116
- Description: Since the dissolution of apartheid, corporate governance in South Africa has evolved from being a soft mainly ethical issue to a hard knowledge-based technological issue, recognised as pivotal to the success and revitalisation of the country’s capital markets and, ultimately, the prospects of the corporate economy. These high stakes have produced a succession of measures aimed at transforming corporate governance in the economy. As such, South Africa’s corporate managers are consistently faced with the seemingly unassailable obstacle of discerning and implementing technologically progressive and culturally/racially unbiased management strategies/systems. The focus of this thesis is the latter of these two obstacles. Ubuntu acts as the scope via which the issues embedded within the incumbent management strategies/systems are viewed. Ubuntu philosophy embodies a socio-cultural framework that applies to all individuals and institutions throughout the continent. It embodies collectivism and teamwork, creation of synergies and competitive advantages, humanist leadership styles and maturity, consensus in decision-making systems, effective communication, and community-based corporate social responsibility. Ubuntu is pervasive in almost all parts of Southern African continent – it is integrated into all aspects of day-to-day life throughout the region. This thesis reviews and analyses some of the lessons that can be learned through the inception of African management, more specifically Ubuntu management, within South Africa’s corporate sphere. This thesis aims to prove that there exists a need for a new South African corporate management system, one which is able to harmoniously integrate the incumbent, western-orientated management strategies and systems with one of African origins.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The development and implementation of a mental toughness training programme for cricketers
- Authors: McInerney, Michael
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Sports -- Psychological aspects , Athletes -- Conduct of life , Mental discipline , Achievement motivation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3234 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013155
- Description: The professional turn in sports has prompted the search for explanations beyond the physical when discussing quality of performance. Mental Toughness has been recognised as one of the most important psychological attributes in achieving performance excellence across multiple sport settings. Yet, despite this, little research has been conducted into mental toughness development. This research seeks to answer the question: What insights can the development and implementation of a mental toughness programme for a semi-professional South African cricket team provide regarding Mental Toughness development? Based on a theoretical framework of mental toughness in cricket, a programme was developed in collaboration with the Border Cricket Team and Coaches. Incorporating elements that focussed on education, environment, awareness and mental skills, the programme was implemented in both individual and group settings during the off- and pre-seasons. An analysis of the participants’ experiences identified the need for a theoretical understanding of mental toughness within teams, facilitating the design of interventions that integrate the team and the individual. Future programmes should include measures of mastery, and individually customised approaches to mental toughness enhancement that acknowledge the potential contextual and individual variation in mental toughness.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: McInerney, Michael
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Sports -- Psychological aspects , Athletes -- Conduct of life , Mental discipline , Achievement motivation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3234 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013155
- Description: The professional turn in sports has prompted the search for explanations beyond the physical when discussing quality of performance. Mental Toughness has been recognised as one of the most important psychological attributes in achieving performance excellence across multiple sport settings. Yet, despite this, little research has been conducted into mental toughness development. This research seeks to answer the question: What insights can the development and implementation of a mental toughness programme for a semi-professional South African cricket team provide regarding Mental Toughness development? Based on a theoretical framework of mental toughness in cricket, a programme was developed in collaboration with the Border Cricket Team and Coaches. Incorporating elements that focussed on education, environment, awareness and mental skills, the programme was implemented in both individual and group settings during the off- and pre-seasons. An analysis of the participants’ experiences identified the need for a theoretical understanding of mental toughness within teams, facilitating the design of interventions that integrate the team and the individual. Future programmes should include measures of mastery, and individually customised approaches to mental toughness enhancement that acknowledge the potential contextual and individual variation in mental toughness.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The experiences, challenges, motivations and coping strategies of informal caregivers in a Grahamstown township
- Ntshobane, Zephania Zingqi Zongamele
- Authors: Ntshobane, Zephania Zingqi Zongamele
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Caregivers -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Caregivers -- Psychology , Volunteers -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Voluntarism -- Psychological aspects , Adjustment (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3236 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013171
- Description: The health care system in South Africa is currently under strain and it does not cater for everyone's needs. This has left a gap in society whereby you will find that the poor citizens of the country are not being catered for in terms of getting access to adequate healthcare. With this existing gap, there are Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in some of the poor communities in the country. These NGOs have volunteer caregivers who go around the community and taking care of the sick people. Research has often ignored these volunteer caregivers, this current research study investigated the experiences of these volunteer caregivers. The goals of the research study were to investigate the experiences of the caregiver, the motivations of the caregivers and the challenges that they encounter and how they cope with the challenges that arise while performing their caregiving duties. The study was based on the phenomenological paradigm. This paradigm believes that the subjective experience of the individual is an essential source of information. In-depth interviews were conducted with the four participants who took part in the study. An interview guide was utilised to help guide the interview process. Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used in analysing the data. IPA is a way of analysing data, which investigates how a person, in a given setting understands an experience. The findings showed that the caregivers had both negative and positive experiences. They experienced the care recipients as being appreciative of them. However, they experienced the family members of the care recipients as being uncaring; financial constraints were also a negative experience. Several challenges were stated by the participants, including a lack of government support, alcohol abuse by the care recipients and challenging working conditions. The participants were motivated to volunteer as caregivers by a number of things. Altruistic motivation was the first, which included the love for the community and the poverty in the community. Reciprocity was another motivating factor, as well as religious duty and career advancement. In this research study there was one coping strategy that came out; the participants stated that they seek advice and consult with someone or go for supervision within the organization when they are faced with a difficult situation. The findings in the research study were similar to those found in previous research. One notably different finding was that in previous research, the caregivers have been found to abuse alcohol in order to cope with stress. However, in this research study, the care recipients are the ones who are abusing alcohol. The research recommends that the government assists the informal caregivers, either financially or with infrastructure.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Ntshobane, Zephania Zingqi Zongamele
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Caregivers -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Caregivers -- Psychology , Volunteers -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Voluntarism -- Psychological aspects , Adjustment (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3236 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013171
- Description: The health care system in South Africa is currently under strain and it does not cater for everyone's needs. This has left a gap in society whereby you will find that the poor citizens of the country are not being catered for in terms of getting access to adequate healthcare. With this existing gap, there are Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in some of the poor communities in the country. These NGOs have volunteer caregivers who go around the community and taking care of the sick people. Research has often ignored these volunteer caregivers, this current research study investigated the experiences of these volunteer caregivers. The goals of the research study were to investigate the experiences of the caregiver, the motivations of the caregivers and the challenges that they encounter and how they cope with the challenges that arise while performing their caregiving duties. The study was based on the phenomenological paradigm. This paradigm believes that the subjective experience of the individual is an essential source of information. In-depth interviews were conducted with the four participants who took part in the study. An interview guide was utilised to help guide the interview process. Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used in analysing the data. IPA is a way of analysing data, which investigates how a person, in a given setting understands an experience. The findings showed that the caregivers had both negative and positive experiences. They experienced the care recipients as being appreciative of them. However, they experienced the family members of the care recipients as being uncaring; financial constraints were also a negative experience. Several challenges were stated by the participants, including a lack of government support, alcohol abuse by the care recipients and challenging working conditions. The participants were motivated to volunteer as caregivers by a number of things. Altruistic motivation was the first, which included the love for the community and the poverty in the community. Reciprocity was another motivating factor, as well as religious duty and career advancement. In this research study there was one coping strategy that came out; the participants stated that they seek advice and consult with someone or go for supervision within the organization when they are faced with a difficult situation. The findings in the research study were similar to those found in previous research. One notably different finding was that in previous research, the caregivers have been found to abuse alcohol in order to cope with stress. However, in this research study, the care recipients are the ones who are abusing alcohol. The research recommends that the government assists the informal caregivers, either financially or with infrastructure.
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- Date Issued: 2014
The framing of China in Nigeria : an analysis of the coverage of China's involvement in Nigeria by Thisday newspaper
- Authors: Umejei, Emeka Lucky
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Thisday (Nigeria) , Nigeria -- Foreign economic relations -- China , China -- Foreign economic relations -- Nigeria , Journalism -- Nigeria , Journalism -- Political aspects -- Nigeria , Nigerian newspapers -- Objectivity , Social responsibility of business -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3525 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012974
- Description: This study identified the media frames that dominate Thisday newspaper's coverage of China's engagement with Nigeria and relate these frames to frame sponsors, who articulate and contest these framings. Frame analysis is applied to a sample of 40 news, feature and opinion articles between the sample period of 1 November 2011 and 31 December 2012. The study analysed media content from Thisday newspapers, drawing on the four dimensions of frames identified by Entman: define problems, diagnose causes, evaluate causal agents and their effects, and recommend treatment (Entman 1993). Using an inductive approach to frame analysis, the study identified two overarching mega frames, contested among the ruling elites who sponsor their views on China in the media, which define China's engagement with Nigeria; partner/role model and predator. The two mega frames mirror the broad characterisation prevalent in the academic literature on China in Africa. The primary partner/role model mega frame constructs China's engagement with Nigeria as a mutually beneficial economic partnership while on the other hand the predator mega frame constructs it as unequal and exploitative. The study identified the activities of frame sponsors who are articulating and promoting their views on China's engagement with Nigeria in the media as primarily responsible for these framings. The study also identified the activities of frame sponsors (ruling and economic elites) was key to the exclusion of ordinary peoples' voices, civic organisations, trade unions and human rights organisation in the text. However, the study also attributes the exclusion of ordinary voices, human rights, democracy and civic engagements in the text to the weakness of Thisday journalism in mediating the framings of China being promoted and articulated by elite frame sponsors. This is, however, symptomatic of the fault lines of journalism practice in Nigeria.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Umejei, Emeka Lucky
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Thisday (Nigeria) , Nigeria -- Foreign economic relations -- China , China -- Foreign economic relations -- Nigeria , Journalism -- Nigeria , Journalism -- Political aspects -- Nigeria , Nigerian newspapers -- Objectivity , Social responsibility of business -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3525 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012974
- Description: This study identified the media frames that dominate Thisday newspaper's coverage of China's engagement with Nigeria and relate these frames to frame sponsors, who articulate and contest these framings. Frame analysis is applied to a sample of 40 news, feature and opinion articles between the sample period of 1 November 2011 and 31 December 2012. The study analysed media content from Thisday newspapers, drawing on the four dimensions of frames identified by Entman: define problems, diagnose causes, evaluate causal agents and their effects, and recommend treatment (Entman 1993). Using an inductive approach to frame analysis, the study identified two overarching mega frames, contested among the ruling elites who sponsor their views on China in the media, which define China's engagement with Nigeria; partner/role model and predator. The two mega frames mirror the broad characterisation prevalent in the academic literature on China in Africa. The primary partner/role model mega frame constructs China's engagement with Nigeria as a mutually beneficial economic partnership while on the other hand the predator mega frame constructs it as unequal and exploitative. The study identified the activities of frame sponsors who are articulating and promoting their views on China's engagement with Nigeria in the media as primarily responsible for these framings. The study also identified the activities of frame sponsors (ruling and economic elites) was key to the exclusion of ordinary peoples' voices, civic organisations, trade unions and human rights organisation in the text. However, the study also attributes the exclusion of ordinary voices, human rights, democracy and civic engagements in the text to the weakness of Thisday journalism in mediating the framings of China being promoted and articulated by elite frame sponsors. This is, however, symptomatic of the fault lines of journalism practice in Nigeria.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The hoof-printed rock
- Authors: Maahlamela, David wa
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: South African poetry (English) -- 21st century.
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:5978 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013076
- Description: Many of these poems, although written in English, are inspired by Sepedi idioms and proverbs. Some invoke township and village life, others the observations and questions that come from writing poetry and experiences of travelling to different countries to read my poems. Others dwell on the political transformation in South Africa, or its absence, and on my own spiritual transformation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Maahlamela, David wa
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: South African poetry (English) -- 21st century.
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:5978 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013076
- Description: Many of these poems, although written in English, are inspired by Sepedi idioms and proverbs. Some invoke township and village life, others the observations and questions that come from writing poetry and experiences of travelling to different countries to read my poems. Others dwell on the political transformation in South Africa, or its absence, and on my own spiritual transformation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014