The design, synthesis and antiplasmodial activity of a series of halogenated fosmidomycin analogues and hybrid drugs
- Authors: Afolayan, Anthonia Folake
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/64370 , vital:28538
- Description: Malaria continues to be a devastating disease and a major cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa. With resistance against most of the available antimalarial drugs, there is a need for ongoing research and development of antimalarial agents. Fosmidomycin and its acetyl analogue FR900098 have been identified as potent inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of the most deadly form of malaria. Clinical trials of these agents have revealed poor absorption due to their high hydrophilicity. In the present studies the effect of halogenation of the acyl chain as well as the biological effect of extending the acyl sidechain was explored. This provided the basis on which fosmidomycin hybrids were designed to investigate the feasibility of hybrid extending into NADPH binding pocket. Synthesis of a series of halogenated FR900098 analogues was carried out in three stages. This included i) The introduction of the phosphonate group by reaction with 1,3dibromopropane in an Arbuzov reaction, ii) The introduction of a hydroxamate group by reaction of the propyl phosphonate by means of a nucleophilic substitution reaction with BocNHOBn and iii) The introduction of a halogenated acyl side chain on a protected fosmidomycin backbone. The synthesis of fosmidomycin-hybrids for which chloroquinefosmidomycin hybrids were used as the prototype, involved convergence of the two separately constructed moieties i.e. fosmidomycin and the quinoline moieties in a covalent linkage. The quinoline moiety was easily synthesized from the reaction of 4,7dichloroquinoline with 1,2-diamino ethane. The aminoquinoline so formed resulted in chloroquine-fosmidomycin hybrids 3.8 and 3.9 when reacted with halogenated FR900098 analogues. Antiplasmodial assays were conducted on the chloroquine-fosmidomycin hybrids and the halogenated fosmidomycin derivatives against the chloroquine resistant Gambian FCR-3 strain of P. falciparum. The most potent iodoacetyl fosmidomycin analogues 2.21 gave an IC50 value of 5.54 µM which is eight times more potent than the known antiplasmodial FR900098 which gave an IC50 value of 41.67 µM. All the halogenated FR900098 analogues showed better antiplasmodial activity than their non-halogenated derivatives. This indicated that the presence of halogens in the FR900098 analogues contributes to their biological Chapter 1 Literature review activity. The acetyl and propyl linked hybrids 3.8 and 3.9 showed potent antiplasmodial activity with IC50 values of 0.18 and 0.82 µM respectively. These were by far the most potent hybrids synthesized and provided leads for a new class of promising antimalarial agents. Preliminary E. coli DXR enzyme inhibition assays were carried out on the halogenated fosmidomycin analogues. The results showed good inhibition of the enzyme by the phosphonic acids of the chloroacetyl and chloropropyl analogues 2.1 and 2.2 respectively. Molecular modelling of the compounds on E. coli (PDB code: 2EGH) and P. falciparum (PDB code: 3AUA) DXR showed strong binding of the halogenated fosmidomycin analogues while the hybrids in the absence of docked NADPH showed minimum binding to the enzymes.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Afolayan, Anthonia Folake
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/64370 , vital:28538
- Description: Malaria continues to be a devastating disease and a major cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa. With resistance against most of the available antimalarial drugs, there is a need for ongoing research and development of antimalarial agents. Fosmidomycin and its acetyl analogue FR900098 have been identified as potent inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of the most deadly form of malaria. Clinical trials of these agents have revealed poor absorption due to their high hydrophilicity. In the present studies the effect of halogenation of the acyl chain as well as the biological effect of extending the acyl sidechain was explored. This provided the basis on which fosmidomycin hybrids were designed to investigate the feasibility of hybrid extending into NADPH binding pocket. Synthesis of a series of halogenated FR900098 analogues was carried out in three stages. This included i) The introduction of the phosphonate group by reaction with 1,3dibromopropane in an Arbuzov reaction, ii) The introduction of a hydroxamate group by reaction of the propyl phosphonate by means of a nucleophilic substitution reaction with BocNHOBn and iii) The introduction of a halogenated acyl side chain on a protected fosmidomycin backbone. The synthesis of fosmidomycin-hybrids for which chloroquinefosmidomycin hybrids were used as the prototype, involved convergence of the two separately constructed moieties i.e. fosmidomycin and the quinoline moieties in a covalent linkage. The quinoline moiety was easily synthesized from the reaction of 4,7dichloroquinoline with 1,2-diamino ethane. The aminoquinoline so formed resulted in chloroquine-fosmidomycin hybrids 3.8 and 3.9 when reacted with halogenated FR900098 analogues. Antiplasmodial assays were conducted on the chloroquine-fosmidomycin hybrids and the halogenated fosmidomycin derivatives against the chloroquine resistant Gambian FCR-3 strain of P. falciparum. The most potent iodoacetyl fosmidomycin analogues 2.21 gave an IC50 value of 5.54 µM which is eight times more potent than the known antiplasmodial FR900098 which gave an IC50 value of 41.67 µM. All the halogenated FR900098 analogues showed better antiplasmodial activity than their non-halogenated derivatives. This indicated that the presence of halogens in the FR900098 analogues contributes to their biological Chapter 1 Literature review activity. The acetyl and propyl linked hybrids 3.8 and 3.9 showed potent antiplasmodial activity with IC50 values of 0.18 and 0.82 µM respectively. These were by far the most potent hybrids synthesized and provided leads for a new class of promising antimalarial agents. Preliminary E. coli DXR enzyme inhibition assays were carried out on the halogenated fosmidomycin analogues. The results showed good inhibition of the enzyme by the phosphonic acids of the chloroacetyl and chloropropyl analogues 2.1 and 2.2 respectively. Molecular modelling of the compounds on E. coli (PDB code: 2EGH) and P. falciparum (PDB code: 3AUA) DXR showed strong binding of the halogenated fosmidomycin analogues while the hybrids in the absence of docked NADPH showed minimum binding to the enzymes.
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The economics of converting a sheep farm into a springbuck (Antidorcas marsupialis) ranch in Graaff-Reinet: a simulation analysis
- Authors: Dlamini, Thula Sizwe
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Livestock projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Livestock productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Livestock -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Sheep -- Breeding -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Springbok -- Breeding -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1003 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002738
- Description: In Graaff-Reinet, domestic livestock farming and springbuck ranching are similar in that they both rely on the rangeland for their sustainability. However, as a consequence of repeated monotonous domestic livestock farming, resulting in compromised biological productivity and diversity, the rangelands have disintegrated. This, unfortunately, has placed the future sustainability of these rangelands and the livelihoods of the local people in an indeterminate state. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in springbuck ranching for meat production as an alternative to domestic livestock farming in the area following (a) fears of worsening environmental challenges; (b) declining profitability in commercial domestic livestock farming and; (c) growing calls for the sustainable use of these rangelands for the benefit of future generations. The springbuck has emerged as a credible alternative to utilising the rangelands - as opposed to sheep - because of its promise to addressing the above challenges. This is in an attempt to tap into the multitude of benefits that the springbuck possesses (by virtue of being part of the natural capital of the area) that have a potential towards restoring ecological integrity by extenuating some of the detrimental effects of sheep farming on the rangelands and presenting opportunities for diversifying incomes. Yet, despite the general increase in interest, a resistance towards the uptake of springbuck ranching for meat production exists. The main contention is that springbuck meat production cannot out-perform the economic returns of wool sheep farming. This study attempts to address these concerns by investigating the profitability and economic sustainability of converting a sheep farm into a springbuck ranch in Graaff-Reinet. The study uses stochastic simulation to estimate the probability distribution of some key output variables, namely: net cash income, ending cash balance, real net worth and the net present value (NPV) in evaluating the profitability of converting a 5 000ha sheep-dominated farm into a springbuck-dominated ranch under three alternative scenarios. The use of stochastic simulation allows for the incorporation of downside risk associated with the production and marketing of wool, mutton and springbuck meat. The study uses stochastic prices and yields to calculate net returns variability. Incorporating scenario analysis helped to evaluate how alternative wool sheep-dominated and springbuck-dominated combinations would perform based on the probable outcomes of different assumptions in the various scenarios. By applying stochastic efficiency with respect to a function (SERF) criterion to the simulated NPVs, this study compares the profitability of alternative scenarios based on various risk aversion coefficients. The study finds that converting a 5 000ha wool sheep dominated farm into a springbuck dominated ranch could potentially be a more profitable investment than wool sheep farming over a 15 year planning horizon, in Graaff-Reinet. The SERF results indicate that for all scenarios tested, the best strategy of converting a wool sheep dominated farm into a springbuck ranch would be one which comprise a combination of 70% springbuck, 20% mutton and 10% wool production as the likely profitable enterprise mix. Using economic sustainability analysis, the study reveals that because of low costs in springbuck ranching, springbuck meat production enterprises are most likely to be more financially sustainable than wool sheep-dominated enterprises. This suggests that rangeland owners may be better off converting their wool sheep-dominated farms into springbuck-dominated ranches. Thus, as the call for more environmentally benign rangeland utilising economic-ecological systems intensifies, rangeland owners in the Eastern Cape Karoo have a practicable option. At the very least, there exists an option to broaden their incomes whilst promoting ecological restoration with springbuck meat production.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Dlamini, Thula Sizwe
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Livestock projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Livestock productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Livestock -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Sheep -- Breeding -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Springbok -- Breeding -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1003 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002738
- Description: In Graaff-Reinet, domestic livestock farming and springbuck ranching are similar in that they both rely on the rangeland for their sustainability. However, as a consequence of repeated monotonous domestic livestock farming, resulting in compromised biological productivity and diversity, the rangelands have disintegrated. This, unfortunately, has placed the future sustainability of these rangelands and the livelihoods of the local people in an indeterminate state. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in springbuck ranching for meat production as an alternative to domestic livestock farming in the area following (a) fears of worsening environmental challenges; (b) declining profitability in commercial domestic livestock farming and; (c) growing calls for the sustainable use of these rangelands for the benefit of future generations. The springbuck has emerged as a credible alternative to utilising the rangelands - as opposed to sheep - because of its promise to addressing the above challenges. This is in an attempt to tap into the multitude of benefits that the springbuck possesses (by virtue of being part of the natural capital of the area) that have a potential towards restoring ecological integrity by extenuating some of the detrimental effects of sheep farming on the rangelands and presenting opportunities for diversifying incomes. Yet, despite the general increase in interest, a resistance towards the uptake of springbuck ranching for meat production exists. The main contention is that springbuck meat production cannot out-perform the economic returns of wool sheep farming. This study attempts to address these concerns by investigating the profitability and economic sustainability of converting a sheep farm into a springbuck ranch in Graaff-Reinet. The study uses stochastic simulation to estimate the probability distribution of some key output variables, namely: net cash income, ending cash balance, real net worth and the net present value (NPV) in evaluating the profitability of converting a 5 000ha sheep-dominated farm into a springbuck-dominated ranch under three alternative scenarios. The use of stochastic simulation allows for the incorporation of downside risk associated with the production and marketing of wool, mutton and springbuck meat. The study uses stochastic prices and yields to calculate net returns variability. Incorporating scenario analysis helped to evaluate how alternative wool sheep-dominated and springbuck-dominated combinations would perform based on the probable outcomes of different assumptions in the various scenarios. By applying stochastic efficiency with respect to a function (SERF) criterion to the simulated NPVs, this study compares the profitability of alternative scenarios based on various risk aversion coefficients. The study finds that converting a 5 000ha wool sheep dominated farm into a springbuck dominated ranch could potentially be a more profitable investment than wool sheep farming over a 15 year planning horizon, in Graaff-Reinet. The SERF results indicate that for all scenarios tested, the best strategy of converting a wool sheep dominated farm into a springbuck ranch would be one which comprise a combination of 70% springbuck, 20% mutton and 10% wool production as the likely profitable enterprise mix. Using economic sustainability analysis, the study reveals that because of low costs in springbuck ranching, springbuck meat production enterprises are most likely to be more financially sustainable than wool sheep-dominated enterprises. This suggests that rangeland owners may be better off converting their wool sheep-dominated farms into springbuck-dominated ranches. Thus, as the call for more environmentally benign rangeland utilising economic-ecological systems intensifies, rangeland owners in the Eastern Cape Karoo have a practicable option. At the very least, there exists an option to broaden their incomes whilst promoting ecological restoration with springbuck meat production.
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The feasibility of monetary integration within the SADC region
- Authors: Nindi, Angelique Gugulethu
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Southern African Development Community Monetary policy -- Africa, Southern Macroeconomics Africa, Southern -- Economic policy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1021 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002756
- Description: The Southern African Development Community (SADC) aims to have a regional central bank by 2016 and a common currency by 2018. The member states are at the early stages of the process of regional economic integration, having launched a free trade area in 2008. Monetary integration is an advanced stage of regional economic integration that requires progressive changes in the participating countries. The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility of monetary integration within the SADC countries and hence, provide policy recommendations to guide the integration process. To accomplish this, the study analyses the extent to which the member states meet the criteria for an optimum currency area (OCA) as well as the degree to which their economies are converging. The study finds that the main macroeconomic objectives of SADC countries differ due to a difference in the relative importance of monetary policy instruments in member states, which influences each country’s commitment towards achieving the macroeconomic convergence targets and harmonising policies. A more appropriate approach to macroeconomic convergence would be to allow for variable speed, geometry and depth in each country as premature adherence to convergence targets could prevent a harmonisation of the economies in the future and possibly destabilise the union. In addition, the study investigates the importance and similarities of the monetary aggregate channel, the interest rate channel, the exchange rate channel and the credit channel in the transmission of monetary policy using VAR analysis. This is important when considering monetary integration because differences in transmission mechanisms can result in asymmetric behaviour between member states, which in turn will prevent harmonisation of their economies. The results of the analysis suggest that SADC member states display asymmetries in their responses to monetary policy shocks as well as the relative importance of transmission mechanisms. In addition, the results suggest that national monetary policy is generally inefficient in determining economic performance in the member states. Furthermore, the study finds that the failure to meet the OCA criteria implies that the SADC member states will respond asymmetrically to shocks within a monetary union. With no effective alternative adjustment mechanisms in place, the effects of the shocks will endure in union members and possibly widen existing cyclical variation. Hence, monetary integration would not result in harmonisation of the economies of member states. It is therefore, concluded that the SADC countries were not suitable for monetary integration at present.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nindi, Angelique Gugulethu
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Southern African Development Community Monetary policy -- Africa, Southern Macroeconomics Africa, Southern -- Economic policy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1021 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002756
- Description: The Southern African Development Community (SADC) aims to have a regional central bank by 2016 and a common currency by 2018. The member states are at the early stages of the process of regional economic integration, having launched a free trade area in 2008. Monetary integration is an advanced stage of regional economic integration that requires progressive changes in the participating countries. The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility of monetary integration within the SADC countries and hence, provide policy recommendations to guide the integration process. To accomplish this, the study analyses the extent to which the member states meet the criteria for an optimum currency area (OCA) as well as the degree to which their economies are converging. The study finds that the main macroeconomic objectives of SADC countries differ due to a difference in the relative importance of monetary policy instruments in member states, which influences each country’s commitment towards achieving the macroeconomic convergence targets and harmonising policies. A more appropriate approach to macroeconomic convergence would be to allow for variable speed, geometry and depth in each country as premature adherence to convergence targets could prevent a harmonisation of the economies in the future and possibly destabilise the union. In addition, the study investigates the importance and similarities of the monetary aggregate channel, the interest rate channel, the exchange rate channel and the credit channel in the transmission of monetary policy using VAR analysis. This is important when considering monetary integration because differences in transmission mechanisms can result in asymmetric behaviour between member states, which in turn will prevent harmonisation of their economies. The results of the analysis suggest that SADC member states display asymmetries in their responses to monetary policy shocks as well as the relative importance of transmission mechanisms. In addition, the results suggest that national monetary policy is generally inefficient in determining economic performance in the member states. Furthermore, the study finds that the failure to meet the OCA criteria implies that the SADC member states will respond asymmetrically to shocks within a monetary union. With no effective alternative adjustment mechanisms in place, the effects of the shocks will endure in union members and possibly widen existing cyclical variation. Hence, monetary integration would not result in harmonisation of the economies of member states. It is therefore, concluded that the SADC countries were not suitable for monetary integration at present.
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The heuristic significance of enacted visualisation
- Authors: Samson, Duncan Alistair
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Heuristic Visualization Problem solving Pattern perception Problem solving -- Ability testing Mathematics -- Study and teaching Education -- Research Interdisciplinary approach to knowledge
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1552 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003434
- Description: This study is centred on an analysis of pupils' lived experience while engaged in the generalisation of linear sequences/progressions presented in a pictorial context. The study is oriented within the conceptual framework of qualitative research, and is anchored within an interpretive paradigm. A case study methodological strategy was adopted, the research participants being the members of a mixed gender, high ability Grade 9 class of 23 pupils at an independent school in South Africa. The analytical framework is structured around a combination of complementary multiple perspectives provided by three theoretical ideas, enactivism, figural apprehension, and knowledge objectification. An important aspect of this analytical framework is the sensitivity it shows to the visual, phenomenological and semiotic aspects of figural pattern generalisation. It is the central thesis of this study that the combined complementary multiple perspectives of enactivism, figural apprehension and knowledge objectification provide a powerful depth of analysis to the exploration of the inter-relationship between the embodied processes of pattern generalisation and the visualisation of pictorial cues. The richly textured tapestry of activity captured through a multi-systemic semiotic analysis of participants' generalisation activity stands testament to this central thesis. Insights gleaned from this study are presented as practical strategies which support and encourage a multiple representational approach to pattern generalisation in the pedagogical context of the classroom.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Samson, Duncan Alistair
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Heuristic Visualization Problem solving Pattern perception Problem solving -- Ability testing Mathematics -- Study and teaching Education -- Research Interdisciplinary approach to knowledge
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1552 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003434
- Description: This study is centred on an analysis of pupils' lived experience while engaged in the generalisation of linear sequences/progressions presented in a pictorial context. The study is oriented within the conceptual framework of qualitative research, and is anchored within an interpretive paradigm. A case study methodological strategy was adopted, the research participants being the members of a mixed gender, high ability Grade 9 class of 23 pupils at an independent school in South Africa. The analytical framework is structured around a combination of complementary multiple perspectives provided by three theoretical ideas, enactivism, figural apprehension, and knowledge objectification. An important aspect of this analytical framework is the sensitivity it shows to the visual, phenomenological and semiotic aspects of figural pattern generalisation. It is the central thesis of this study that the combined complementary multiple perspectives of enactivism, figural apprehension and knowledge objectification provide a powerful depth of analysis to the exploration of the inter-relationship between the embodied processes of pattern generalisation and the visualisation of pictorial cues. The richly textured tapestry of activity captured through a multi-systemic semiotic analysis of participants' generalisation activity stands testament to this central thesis. Insights gleaned from this study are presented as practical strategies which support and encourage a multiple representational approach to pattern generalisation in the pedagogical context of the classroom.
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Transgressive Christian iconography in post-apartheid South African art
- Authors: Von Veh, Karen Elaine
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Art -- South Africa -- 20th century Art -- South Africa -- 21st century Christian art and symbolism Apartheid in art Art and society -- South Africa -- History -- 20th century Art and society -- South Africa -- History -- 21st century Parody in art
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2424 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002220
- Description: In this study I propose that transgressive interpretations of Christian iconography provide a valuable strategy for contemporary artists to engage with perceived social inequalities in postapartheid South Africa. Working in light of Michel Foucault’s idea of an “ontology of the present”, I investigate the ways in which religious iconography has been implicated in the regulation of society. Parodic reworking of Christian imagery in the selected examples is investigated as a strategy to expose these controls and offer a critique of mechanisms which produce normative ‘truths’. I also consider how such imagery has been received and the factors accounting for that reception. The study is contextualized by a brief, literary based, historical overview of Christian religious imagery to explain the strength of feeling evinced by religious images. This includes a review of the conflation of religion and state control of the masses, an analysis of the sovereign controls and disciplinary powers that they wield, and an explication of their illustration in religious iconography. I also identify reasons why such imagery may have seemed compelling to artists working in a post-apartheid context. By locating recent works in terms of those made elsewhere or South African examples prior to the period that is my focus, the works discussed are explored in terms of broader orientations in post-apartheid South African art. Artworks that respond to specific Christian iconography are discussed, including Adam and Eve, The Virgin Mary, Christ, and various saints and sinners. The selected artists whose works form the focus of this study are Diane Victor, Christine Dixie, Majak Bredell, Tracey Rose, Wim Botha, Conrad Botes, Johannes Phokela and Lawrence Lemaoana. Through transgressive depictions of Christian icons these artists address current inequalities in society. The content of their works analysed here includes (among others): the construction of both female and male identities; sexual roles, social roles, and racial identity; the social expectations of contemporary motherhood; repressive role models; Afrikaner heritage; political and social change and its effects; colonial power; sacrifice; murder, rape, and violence in South Africa; abuses of power by role models and politicians; rugby; heroism; and patricide. Christian iconography is a useful communicative tool because it has permeated many cultures over centuries, and the meanings it carries are thus accessible to large numbers of people. Religious imagery is often held sacred or is regarded with a degree of reverence, thus ensuring an emotive response when iconoclasm or transgression of any sort is identified. This study argues that by parodying sacred imagery these artists are able to disturb complacent viewing and encourage viewers to engage critically with some of its underlying implications.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Von Veh, Karen Elaine
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Art -- South Africa -- 20th century Art -- South Africa -- 21st century Christian art and symbolism Apartheid in art Art and society -- South Africa -- History -- 20th century Art and society -- South Africa -- History -- 21st century Parody in art
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2424 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002220
- Description: In this study I propose that transgressive interpretations of Christian iconography provide a valuable strategy for contemporary artists to engage with perceived social inequalities in postapartheid South Africa. Working in light of Michel Foucault’s idea of an “ontology of the present”, I investigate the ways in which religious iconography has been implicated in the regulation of society. Parodic reworking of Christian imagery in the selected examples is investigated as a strategy to expose these controls and offer a critique of mechanisms which produce normative ‘truths’. I also consider how such imagery has been received and the factors accounting for that reception. The study is contextualized by a brief, literary based, historical overview of Christian religious imagery to explain the strength of feeling evinced by religious images. This includes a review of the conflation of religion and state control of the masses, an analysis of the sovereign controls and disciplinary powers that they wield, and an explication of their illustration in religious iconography. I also identify reasons why such imagery may have seemed compelling to artists working in a post-apartheid context. By locating recent works in terms of those made elsewhere or South African examples prior to the period that is my focus, the works discussed are explored in terms of broader orientations in post-apartheid South African art. Artworks that respond to specific Christian iconography are discussed, including Adam and Eve, The Virgin Mary, Christ, and various saints and sinners. The selected artists whose works form the focus of this study are Diane Victor, Christine Dixie, Majak Bredell, Tracey Rose, Wim Botha, Conrad Botes, Johannes Phokela and Lawrence Lemaoana. Through transgressive depictions of Christian icons these artists address current inequalities in society. The content of their works analysed here includes (among others): the construction of both female and male identities; sexual roles, social roles, and racial identity; the social expectations of contemporary motherhood; repressive role models; Afrikaner heritage; political and social change and its effects; colonial power; sacrifice; murder, rape, and violence in South Africa; abuses of power by role models and politicians; rugby; heroism; and patricide. Christian iconography is a useful communicative tool because it has permeated many cultures over centuries, and the meanings it carries are thus accessible to large numbers of people. Religious imagery is often held sacred or is regarded with a degree of reverence, thus ensuring an emotive response when iconoclasm or transgression of any sort is identified. This study argues that by parodying sacred imagery these artists are able to disturb complacent viewing and encourage viewers to engage critically with some of its underlying implications.
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Young veterans, not always social misfits: a sociological discourse of Liberian transmogrification experiences
- Authors: Agbedahin, Komlan
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Child soldiers -- Liberia Children and war -- Liberia Liberia. Armed Forces -- Demobilization -- Social aspects Liberia -- History -- Civil War, 1989-1996 Liberia -- History -- Civil War, 1999-2003
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3316 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003104
- Description: This thesis examines the phenomenon of child-soldiering from a different perspective. It seeks to challenge, using a novel approach, earlier studies on the roles of former child-soldiers in post-war societies. It focuses on the subjectivity of young veterans, that is war veterans formerly associated with armed forces and groups as children during the 14-year gruesome civil war which bedevilled Liberia between 1989 and 2003. This civil war claimed roughly 250,000 lives, and saw the active participation of approximately 21,000 child-soldiers. This thesis departs from previous works which mostly painted an apocalyptic picture of young veterans, and explores the nexus between their self-agency, Foucauldian technologies of the self and their transformation in the post-war society. The majority of previous scholarly works which have dominated the field of child-soldiering dwelt on the impact of armed conflict on the child-soldiers, the negative consequences, the causes of child-soldiering, and the rehabilitation and reintegration of the young veterans after their disarmament and demobilization. What this thesis seeks to do however, is to establish that, rather than considering the young veterans simply as social misfits, distraught and dispirited human beings, it should be noted that young veterans through their agency, are capable of ensuring their reintegration into their war-ravaged societies. Sadly, these young former fighters’ self-agency and technologies of the self in defining their civilian trajectories have often been overshadowed by vaunted humanitarian aid and multilayered war-profiteering. This study is underpinned by interpretive constructivism, symbolic interactionism, social identity theory, sociometer theory and expectancy theory, and sheds light on how young veterans’ self-agency, instrumental coalitions, and decision-making processes, synergistically shifted the negative identities foisted on them as a result of their participation in the war.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Agbedahin, Komlan
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Child soldiers -- Liberia Children and war -- Liberia Liberia. Armed Forces -- Demobilization -- Social aspects Liberia -- History -- Civil War, 1989-1996 Liberia -- History -- Civil War, 1999-2003
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3316 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003104
- Description: This thesis examines the phenomenon of child-soldiering from a different perspective. It seeks to challenge, using a novel approach, earlier studies on the roles of former child-soldiers in post-war societies. It focuses on the subjectivity of young veterans, that is war veterans formerly associated with armed forces and groups as children during the 14-year gruesome civil war which bedevilled Liberia between 1989 and 2003. This civil war claimed roughly 250,000 lives, and saw the active participation of approximately 21,000 child-soldiers. This thesis departs from previous works which mostly painted an apocalyptic picture of young veterans, and explores the nexus between their self-agency, Foucauldian technologies of the self and their transformation in the post-war society. The majority of previous scholarly works which have dominated the field of child-soldiering dwelt on the impact of armed conflict on the child-soldiers, the negative consequences, the causes of child-soldiering, and the rehabilitation and reintegration of the young veterans after their disarmament and demobilization. What this thesis seeks to do however, is to establish that, rather than considering the young veterans simply as social misfits, distraught and dispirited human beings, it should be noted that young veterans through their agency, are capable of ensuring their reintegration into their war-ravaged societies. Sadly, these young former fighters’ self-agency and technologies of the self in defining their civilian trajectories have often been overshadowed by vaunted humanitarian aid and multilayered war-profiteering. This study is underpinned by interpretive constructivism, symbolic interactionism, social identity theory, sociometer theory and expectancy theory, and sheds light on how young veterans’ self-agency, instrumental coalitions, and decision-making processes, synergistically shifted the negative identities foisted on them as a result of their participation in the war.
- Full Text: