Using a spatial resilience lens to understand alignments and misalignments in South Africa’s marine governance system
- Authors: Hardisty, Shannon
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Marine parks and reserves -- South Africa , Marine parks and reserves -- South Africa -- Management , Marine parks and reserves -- Government policy -- South Africa , Table Mountain National Park (South Africa) , Spatial ecology -- South Africa , Coastal zone management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/164649 , vital:41152
- Description: In marine protected areas (MPAs), the radically open nature of marine ecosystems, the seemingly contradictory short-term goals of fisheries management (resource use) and conservation efforts (biodiversity protection), the variety of stakeholders, and the inherently political nature of space ha ve contributed to a disconnect between policy and practice. Many groups operate in an MPA at various spatial and socio-political scales, from national government bodies to local community groups, as such an MPA can be viewed as a complex, multi-scale and multi-level social-ecological system (SES). A greater understanding of the multi-scale processes driving the spatial resilience of SES can help address scale mismatches between continuous ecological change and the long-term governance of a seascape. South Africa has a long history of spaces and natural resources being politicised and faces high levels of unemployment and political frustration. Marine governance has been characterised as being siloed, lacking transparency regarding government processes and even between departments, and not properly addressing the needs of local communities; resulting in scale and level mismatches throughout the multi-scale processes (from national policies to local regulations)therefore, it is pertinent to understand the interactions between various national policies, their implementation, and their impacts. Using a spatial resilience lens, I set out to understand scale alignment in South Africa’s marine governance systems as it relates to MPAs. A spatial resilience lens emphasises analysis of both spatial and temporal scales, thus highlighting the multi-scale variables and interactions that occur within a system. I first sought to understand the policy and management across national and regional scales by conducting a series of semi-structured interviews with experts which were analysed using thematic analysis. I then approached the question of alignment from a local to national scale by using the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area as a case study, here I carried out a series of workshops and interviews with line fishers, women’s groups, and eco-tourism operators from three different communities. Experts identified six themes when describing the structure of gove rnance in South African MPAs; they consisted of: government departments and marine legislation, management level factors, communication and information sharing, local level factors, biophysical factors, and scale. Communication and information sharing was the most mentioned referenced theme (40.26 %). The relationships between the communities and other actors (i.e. how communities are impacted, or impact on, the Department of Environmental Affairs , the Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries, and Park Authorities) contributed 67.27 % to the total number of mentions, 91 % of which were from the following themes: communication and information sharing, local level factors, biophysical factors, and scale. My results indicate that weak, top-down relationships dominate the governance system in South Africa. During the Cape Town workshops I applied the spatial resilience lens in three ways. Firstly, the participants collaborated on a mapping exercise discussing the existing zone types within the MPA, as well as developing their own. There was an 87.87 % overlap of community designed zones on the existing MPA zones, however the types of zones designed by the community were different. Secondly, I carried out a document analysis and used information from the workshops to analyse the status and rights designation of important species for different user groups. The results show that the various stakeholder groups, while all active in the marine environment, interact with the ecosystem at different scales and with differing species. The differing interactions between groups result in challenges such as representation and complicated power dynamics between user groups. Finally, I asked participants to discuss factors that affect their ability to gain a livelihood from the sea. The external elements and their effects differed between the user groups, identifying important socio-political interactions. Whilst the external elements were all geographically distinct and localised, the spatial resilience lens allowed for a cross-scale, and to a certain extent cross-sector, understanding of these elements thus producing a more holistic understanding. My thesis shows that user groups operate on different spatial scales within the marine environment as a result of social, economic, and political influences leading to several scale-based challenges. The identified scale-based challenges have contributed to misalignments in marine governance in South Africa. My study shows that scale mismatches have important implications for understanding how marine policy influences user groups and identified pathways that affected policy implementation , and identifies future research application of a spatial resilience lens within social-ecological systems, for example it’s potential use in understanding the gendered nature of MPAs
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Hardisty, Shannon
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Marine parks and reserves -- South Africa , Marine parks and reserves -- South Africa -- Management , Marine parks and reserves -- Government policy -- South Africa , Table Mountain National Park (South Africa) , Spatial ecology -- South Africa , Coastal zone management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/164649 , vital:41152
- Description: In marine protected areas (MPAs), the radically open nature of marine ecosystems, the seemingly contradictory short-term goals of fisheries management (resource use) and conservation efforts (biodiversity protection), the variety of stakeholders, and the inherently political nature of space ha ve contributed to a disconnect between policy and practice. Many groups operate in an MPA at various spatial and socio-political scales, from national government bodies to local community groups, as such an MPA can be viewed as a complex, multi-scale and multi-level social-ecological system (SES). A greater understanding of the multi-scale processes driving the spatial resilience of SES can help address scale mismatches between continuous ecological change and the long-term governance of a seascape. South Africa has a long history of spaces and natural resources being politicised and faces high levels of unemployment and political frustration. Marine governance has been characterised as being siloed, lacking transparency regarding government processes and even between departments, and not properly addressing the needs of local communities; resulting in scale and level mismatches throughout the multi-scale processes (from national policies to local regulations)therefore, it is pertinent to understand the interactions between various national policies, their implementation, and their impacts. Using a spatial resilience lens, I set out to understand scale alignment in South Africa’s marine governance systems as it relates to MPAs. A spatial resilience lens emphasises analysis of both spatial and temporal scales, thus highlighting the multi-scale variables and interactions that occur within a system. I first sought to understand the policy and management across national and regional scales by conducting a series of semi-structured interviews with experts which were analysed using thematic analysis. I then approached the question of alignment from a local to national scale by using the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area as a case study, here I carried out a series of workshops and interviews with line fishers, women’s groups, and eco-tourism operators from three different communities. Experts identified six themes when describing the structure of gove rnance in South African MPAs; they consisted of: government departments and marine legislation, management level factors, communication and information sharing, local level factors, biophysical factors, and scale. Communication and information sharing was the most mentioned referenced theme (40.26 %). The relationships between the communities and other actors (i.e. how communities are impacted, or impact on, the Department of Environmental Affairs , the Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries, and Park Authorities) contributed 67.27 % to the total number of mentions, 91 % of which were from the following themes: communication and information sharing, local level factors, biophysical factors, and scale. My results indicate that weak, top-down relationships dominate the governance system in South Africa. During the Cape Town workshops I applied the spatial resilience lens in three ways. Firstly, the participants collaborated on a mapping exercise discussing the existing zone types within the MPA, as well as developing their own. There was an 87.87 % overlap of community designed zones on the existing MPA zones, however the types of zones designed by the community were different. Secondly, I carried out a document analysis and used information from the workshops to analyse the status and rights designation of important species for different user groups. The results show that the various stakeholder groups, while all active in the marine environment, interact with the ecosystem at different scales and with differing species. The differing interactions between groups result in challenges such as representation and complicated power dynamics between user groups. Finally, I asked participants to discuss factors that affect their ability to gain a livelihood from the sea. The external elements and their effects differed between the user groups, identifying important socio-political interactions. Whilst the external elements were all geographically distinct and localised, the spatial resilience lens allowed for a cross-scale, and to a certain extent cross-sector, understanding of these elements thus producing a more holistic understanding. My thesis shows that user groups operate on different spatial scales within the marine environment as a result of social, economic, and political influences leading to several scale-based challenges. The identified scale-based challenges have contributed to misalignments in marine governance in South Africa. My study shows that scale mismatches have important implications for understanding how marine policy influences user groups and identified pathways that affected policy implementation , and identifies future research application of a spatial resilience lens within social-ecological systems, for example it’s potential use in understanding the gendered nature of MPAs
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Using action cameras to estimate the abundance and habitat use of threatened fish in clear headwater streams:
- Hannweg, B, Marr, S M, Bloy, Lesley E, Weyl, Olaf L F
- Authors: Hannweg, B , Marr, S M , Bloy, Lesley E , Weyl, Olaf L F
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/148911 , vital:38785 , DOI: 10.2989/16085914.2019.1701404
- Description: Snorkel and electrofishing surveys are the traditional baseline methods for fish surveys in clear headwater streams. However, action cameras provide a non-harmful alternative to monitor freshwater fish populations to develop informed conservation management initiatives. In this paper, estimates from photographs and videos from action cameras are compared with snorkel survey estimates of the density of a threatened endemic minnow species in a headwater stream, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Photograph-based relative abundances of fish summed over five microhabitats in each pool returned equivalent results to snorkel surveys, whereas the equivalent video-based abundance estimates were approximately 50% greater than the snorkel estimates. Therefore, photograph-derived estimates could be used as an alternative to snorkel surveys for fish population monitoring and habitat use studies in clear headwater streams.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Hannweg, B , Marr, S M , Bloy, Lesley E , Weyl, Olaf L F
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/148911 , vital:38785 , DOI: 10.2989/16085914.2019.1701404
- Description: Snorkel and electrofishing surveys are the traditional baseline methods for fish surveys in clear headwater streams. However, action cameras provide a non-harmful alternative to monitor freshwater fish populations to develop informed conservation management initiatives. In this paper, estimates from photographs and videos from action cameras are compared with snorkel survey estimates of the density of a threatened endemic minnow species in a headwater stream, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Photograph-based relative abundances of fish summed over five microhabitats in each pool returned equivalent results to snorkel surveys, whereas the equivalent video-based abundance estimates were approximately 50% greater than the snorkel estimates. Therefore, photograph-derived estimates could be used as an alternative to snorkel surveys for fish population monitoring and habitat use studies in clear headwater streams.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Using HIV/AIDS interventionist research in a university context to improve women’s sexual and reproductive health awareness
- Authors: Kidia, Nitasha
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: HIV infections -- Prevention -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) -- Prevention -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Health education (Higher) -- South Africa , Sex instruction -- South Africa , College students -- Sexual behavior -- South Africa , Sex instruction for women -- South Africa , Women college students -- Psychology -- South Africa , Women -- Health and hygiene -- South Africa , Women -- Diseases -- Prevention -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/165743 , vital:41277
- Description: Background: Young women in South Africa are a vulnerable group, with HIV prevalence almost twice that of men, limited preventive behaviour, and many challenges in negotiating sex. However, there is a paucity of in-depth research to understand how these challenges play out and what can be done to promote positive sexual and reproductive health in this population. Methods: To understand the effects of the Auntie Stella Activity card intervention (developed and used in Zimbabwe), this study used a mixed methods participatory action research design. Five focus group discussions among female Rhodes University students between the ages of 18- 23 were conducted with the activity cards as a basis for engagement. Additionally, pre-and postintervention sexual and reproductive health awareness levels were also measured by a customized questionnaire. Based on participants’ responses to the cards and post-exposure reflections on their learning, possible impacts on behaviour change were explored. Thematic analysis of transcripts was used to draw out major themes in the qualitative data. Results and conclusions: Themes that emerged were: 1) women’s self-esteem; 2) lack of knowledge; 3) peer pressure and male dominance; and 4) alcohol and substance use. Results of the pre- and post- intervention questionnaire found a positive change in knowledge and behaviour amongst the participants. However, the intervention in its current format focused too much on teenage rather than adult scenarios. To make it more useful for this population, further modifications that account for the target age group are needed. Overall, the challenges in sexual and reproductive health faced by university-aged women in South Africa are deeply concerning, but this study’s findings show that an intervention like the ASAC has the potential to be used widely in Southern Africa, if appropriately tailored.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Kidia, Nitasha
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: HIV infections -- Prevention -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) -- Prevention -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Health education (Higher) -- South Africa , Sex instruction -- South Africa , College students -- Sexual behavior -- South Africa , Sex instruction for women -- South Africa , Women college students -- Psychology -- South Africa , Women -- Health and hygiene -- South Africa , Women -- Diseases -- Prevention -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/165743 , vital:41277
- Description: Background: Young women in South Africa are a vulnerable group, with HIV prevalence almost twice that of men, limited preventive behaviour, and many challenges in negotiating sex. However, there is a paucity of in-depth research to understand how these challenges play out and what can be done to promote positive sexual and reproductive health in this population. Methods: To understand the effects of the Auntie Stella Activity card intervention (developed and used in Zimbabwe), this study used a mixed methods participatory action research design. Five focus group discussions among female Rhodes University students between the ages of 18- 23 were conducted with the activity cards as a basis for engagement. Additionally, pre-and postintervention sexual and reproductive health awareness levels were also measured by a customized questionnaire. Based on participants’ responses to the cards and post-exposure reflections on their learning, possible impacts on behaviour change were explored. Thematic analysis of transcripts was used to draw out major themes in the qualitative data. Results and conclusions: Themes that emerged were: 1) women’s self-esteem; 2) lack of knowledge; 3) peer pressure and male dominance; and 4) alcohol and substance use. Results of the pre- and post- intervention questionnaire found a positive change in knowledge and behaviour amongst the participants. However, the intervention in its current format focused too much on teenage rather than adult scenarios. To make it more useful for this population, further modifications that account for the target age group are needed. Overall, the challenges in sexual and reproductive health faced by university-aged women in South Africa are deeply concerning, but this study’s findings show that an intervention like the ASAC has the potential to be used widely in Southern Africa, if appropriately tailored.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Using sound localization to gain depth perception for the visually impaired through sensory substitution
- Authors: De Klerk, James Carmichael
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: People with visual disabilities Directional hearing--Physiological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50779 , vital:42674
- Description: The visually impaired do not have the visual ability to localize objects in three-dimensional space, rather, they rely on their other senses to gain depth perception. Sensory substitution is the concept of substituting one sense for another, normally substituting an impaired sense with a functioning sense. Visual-to-auditory sensory substitution substitutes an impaired visual sense with a functioning auditory sense. This research aimed to investigate and develop techniques for visualto-auditory sensory substitution – using sound localization as a sensory substitution for depth perception. The research started by investigating the characteristics of human audition with a particular focus on how humans localize sounds. It then looked at existing visual-to-auditory sensory substitution systems and the techniques they used. From the existing systems, a system known as MeloSee was chosen as a baseline for developing and evaluating further sensory substitution prototypes. The baseline prototype (𝑃0) was then implemented and a preliminary study performed. Based on the knowledge gained from the preliminary study, baseline implementation and the background research, a set of improvement recommendations were generated. The next iteration – Prototype 1 (𝑃1) – was then developed based on the recommendations. A comparative study between 𝑃0 and 𝑃1 was then performed. Based on the study, another set of improvement recommendations were generated. From the recommendations, a final prototype was developed – Prototype 2 (𝑃2). The last comparative study was then performed between 𝑃0 and 𝑃2, with a third set of recommendations being generated as a result. From the studies it was found that participants using 𝑃0 were able to identify when they were approaching large objects such as walls. 𝑃1 built on that, improving the ability to identify the quadrant of a nearby isolated object. 𝑃2 built on 𝑃0 and 𝑃1, achieving similar results to 𝑃1 for identifying the quadrant of nearby isolated objects, and improving on 𝑃0 and 𝑃1 with regard to depth discrimination – especially for navigation tasks where there were no obstacles. Based on the three sets of recommendations and what was learnt over the course of the research, a set of visual-to-auditory sensory substitution techniques were presented. The techniques aim to be useful for implementing visual-to-auditory sensory substitution systems, which would provide the visually impaired with the visual ability to localize objects in three-dimensional space through sound.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: De Klerk, James Carmichael
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: People with visual disabilities Directional hearing--Physiological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50779 , vital:42674
- Description: The visually impaired do not have the visual ability to localize objects in three-dimensional space, rather, they rely on their other senses to gain depth perception. Sensory substitution is the concept of substituting one sense for another, normally substituting an impaired sense with a functioning sense. Visual-to-auditory sensory substitution substitutes an impaired visual sense with a functioning auditory sense. This research aimed to investigate and develop techniques for visualto-auditory sensory substitution – using sound localization as a sensory substitution for depth perception. The research started by investigating the characteristics of human audition with a particular focus on how humans localize sounds. It then looked at existing visual-to-auditory sensory substitution systems and the techniques they used. From the existing systems, a system known as MeloSee was chosen as a baseline for developing and evaluating further sensory substitution prototypes. The baseline prototype (𝑃0) was then implemented and a preliminary study performed. Based on the knowledge gained from the preliminary study, baseline implementation and the background research, a set of improvement recommendations were generated. The next iteration – Prototype 1 (𝑃1) – was then developed based on the recommendations. A comparative study between 𝑃0 and 𝑃1 was then performed. Based on the study, another set of improvement recommendations were generated. From the recommendations, a final prototype was developed – Prototype 2 (𝑃2). The last comparative study was then performed between 𝑃0 and 𝑃2, with a third set of recommendations being generated as a result. From the studies it was found that participants using 𝑃0 were able to identify when they were approaching large objects such as walls. 𝑃1 built on that, improving the ability to identify the quadrant of a nearby isolated object. 𝑃2 built on 𝑃0 and 𝑃1, achieving similar results to 𝑃1 for identifying the quadrant of nearby isolated objects, and improving on 𝑃0 and 𝑃1 with regard to depth discrimination – especially for navigation tasks where there were no obstacles. Based on the three sets of recommendations and what was learnt over the course of the research, a set of visual-to-auditory sensory substitution techniques were presented. The techniques aim to be useful for implementing visual-to-auditory sensory substitution systems, which would provide the visually impaired with the visual ability to localize objects in three-dimensional space through sound.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Using Translanguaging in Higher Education to Empower Students' Voices and Enable Epistemological Becoming
- Asfour, Fouad, Ndabula, Yanela, Chakona, Gamuchirai, Mason, Paul, Oluwole, David O
- Authors: Asfour, Fouad , Ndabula, Yanela , Chakona, Gamuchirai , Mason, Paul , Oluwole, David O
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/453268 , vital:75235 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.29086/2519-5476/2020/sp31a4"
- Description: This article is based on research conducted by a group of plurilingual postgraduate students from different disciplines who facilitated writing groups at the Centre for Postgraduate Studies at Rhodes University over the past two years. It is based on self-reflective writing of language biographies and aims to raise attention about, and to open up a discussion on, the impact of social and personal language practices. We approach the role of language not only as complex interrogation of academic identity, but also as sense of embodied self, an active element in the formation of geo- and body-politics of knowledge which has been highlighted in recent literature focussing on translanguaging in education and decolonising the curricula of Higher Education. Following selfguided research, we engaged in a critical reflection on the use of home languages in education and consulted relevant literature that argues for the inclusion of translanguaging practices in Higher Education. Our research, therefore, focuses on new epistemologies afforded by a shift away from the monolingual habitus and from the concept of multilingualism towards plurilingualism and translanguaging. Our data suggests that a plurilingual approach towards teaching and learning in Higher Education can afford epistemological access to learners across faculties and disciplines in Higher Education, and we argue that the role of languages of tuition in curricula need to be strategically re-evaluated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Asfour, Fouad , Ndabula, Yanela , Chakona, Gamuchirai , Mason, Paul , Oluwole, David O
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/453268 , vital:75235 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.29086/2519-5476/2020/sp31a4"
- Description: This article is based on research conducted by a group of plurilingual postgraduate students from different disciplines who facilitated writing groups at the Centre for Postgraduate Studies at Rhodes University over the past two years. It is based on self-reflective writing of language biographies and aims to raise attention about, and to open up a discussion on, the impact of social and personal language practices. We approach the role of language not only as complex interrogation of academic identity, but also as sense of embodied self, an active element in the formation of geo- and body-politics of knowledge which has been highlighted in recent literature focussing on translanguaging in education and decolonising the curricula of Higher Education. Following selfguided research, we engaged in a critical reflection on the use of home languages in education and consulted relevant literature that argues for the inclusion of translanguaging practices in Higher Education. Our research, therefore, focuses on new epistemologies afforded by a shift away from the monolingual habitus and from the concept of multilingualism towards plurilingualism and translanguaging. Our data suggests that a plurilingual approach towards teaching and learning in Higher Education can afford epistemological access to learners across faculties and disciplines in Higher Education, and we argue that the role of languages of tuition in curricula need to be strategically re-evaluated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Using Translanguaging in Higher Education to Empower Students' Voices and Enable Epistemological Becoming
- Asfour, Fouad-Martin, Ndabula, Yanela, Chakona, Gamuchirai, Mason, Paul, Oluwole, David O
- Authors: Asfour, Fouad-Martin , Ndabula, Yanela , Chakona, Gamuchirai , Mason, Paul , Oluwole, David O
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/425506 , vital:72251 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.29086/2519-5476/2020/sp31a4"
- Description: This article is based on research conducted by a group of plurilingual postgraduate students from different disciplines who facilitated writing groups at the Centre for Postgraduate Studies at Rhodes University over the past two years. It is based on self-reflective writing of language biographies and aims to raise attention about, and to open up a discussion on, the impact of social and personal language practices. We approach the role of language not only as complex interrogation of academic identity, but also as sense of embodied self, an active element in the formation of geo- and body-politics of knowledge which has been highlighted in recent literature focussing on translanguaging in education and decolonising the curricula of Higher Education. Following selfguided research, we engaged in a critical reflection on the use of home languages in education and consulted relevant literature that argues for the inclusion of translanguaging practices in Higher Education. Our research, therefore, focuses on new epistemologies afforded by a shift away from the monolingual habitus and from the concept of multilingualism towards plurilingualism and translanguaging. Our data suggests that a plurilingual approach towards teaching and learning in Higher Education can afford epistemological access to learners across faculties and disciplines in Higher Education, and we argue that the role of languages of tuition in curricula need to be strategically re-evaluated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Asfour, Fouad-Martin , Ndabula, Yanela , Chakona, Gamuchirai , Mason, Paul , Oluwole, David O
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/425506 , vital:72251 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.29086/2519-5476/2020/sp31a4"
- Description: This article is based on research conducted by a group of plurilingual postgraduate students from different disciplines who facilitated writing groups at the Centre for Postgraduate Studies at Rhodes University over the past two years. It is based on self-reflective writing of language biographies and aims to raise attention about, and to open up a discussion on, the impact of social and personal language practices. We approach the role of language not only as complex interrogation of academic identity, but also as sense of embodied self, an active element in the formation of geo- and body-politics of knowledge which has been highlighted in recent literature focussing on translanguaging in education and decolonising the curricula of Higher Education. Following selfguided research, we engaged in a critical reflection on the use of home languages in education and consulted relevant literature that argues for the inclusion of translanguaging practices in Higher Education. Our research, therefore, focuses on new epistemologies afforded by a shift away from the monolingual habitus and from the concept of multilingualism towards plurilingualism and translanguaging. Our data suggests that a plurilingual approach towards teaching and learning in Higher Education can afford epistemological access to learners across faculties and disciplines in Higher Education, and we argue that the role of languages of tuition in curricula need to be strategically re-evaluated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Uthelekiso Lwelizwi leMbongi KwisiHobe sikaZolani Mkiva noMzwakhe Mbuli
- Authors: Makhenyane, Lukhanyo
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: African languages , Language and languages , South African poetry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters/Doctoral , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18020 , vital:42004
- Description: Despite the vast research on African poetry by scholars like Qangule (1979), Ntuli (1984), Sirayi (1985), Bokoda (1994), Mtumane (2000), Bobelo (2008) and Jadezweni (2013), there is a paucity of extended research on the aesthetic works of African poets in South Africa in the post-apartheid era. In a quest to redress this imbalance, I undertook a comparative study of two prominent African poets in the post-apartheid era in South Africa. This study adds nuance to our understanding of African poetry as it would define African poetry further from an African perspective. Swanepoel (1990) challenges scholars of African literature to have a critical look on the developments of neighbouring literatures as comparing these literatures produces new and useful ideas about African literature. In addition, scholars such as Gerard (1981) and Perera (1991) advocate for the creation and adoption of a comparative methodology for the study of African literature. This led scholars such as Mdaka (2002) to test comparative methodology in assessing ideology and aesthetics in South African isiXhosa novels and Kenyan novels written in English. Likewise, Cutalele (2007) uses comparative methodology in investigating similar themes in the aesthetics works of S.E.K. Mqhayi and Zolani Mkiva. In responding to Swanepoel’s challenge, this study aims to investigate and evaluate the importance of the voice of imbongi in articulating current and burning issues in the post-apartheid South Africa as well as the solutions they propose to some of the problems facing the country. In this study, the methodology swings on the hinges of Ngara’s Marxist theory. The choice of Ngara’s Marxist theory is based largely on its theoretical insights on ideology, form and communication in analysing poetry. Ngara divides ideology into three sub-themes: dominant ideology, which refers to the beliefs, set of values, thoughts and actions of a people in a particular era, authorial ideology that refers to the set of values espoused by the poet and aesthetics ideology, which is the literary convention and stylistic of the poet. Using the comparative method, the voice of imbongi in Mbuli and Mkiva’s poetry is compared over three ideologies – protest, patriotism and revolution. Under the theme of protest, I compare Mkiva and Mbuli’s poetry under two sub-themes, socio-political protest and socio-cultural protest. Mbuli and Mkiva’s protest agitates for change in the political and cultural spheres of the post-apartheid South Africa. Page viii of 290 They comment on issues like leadership and social welfare of South Africans, burning issues of this era. In the theme of patriotism, I examined poetry that displays love and loyalty for one’s country. In displaying their love and loyalty for their country, it is clear that to Mbuli and Mkiva, country refers to Africa, not just South Africa. Furthermore, under the theme of revolution I examined poetry that praises struggle heroes as well as the one that introduces the new struggles of the people of South Africa. In praising revolutionary leaders, Mbuli and Mkiva parade good leadership skills for the new breed of leaders to learn. In discussing the revolutionary theme, they speak of economic freedom as one of the struggles of the new South Africa. In investigating and evaluating their poetry in post-aparthied South Africa, I discovered that in their protest and their revolutionary ideology they express the theme of disillusionment. They speak against corruption in leadership while they question those who violate children and women’s right to life. Such issues were thought to be buried with the death of apartheid. Furthermore, they introduce us to neo-revolution by showing how the struggle for freedom still continues as freedom without economic freedom falls short of freedom.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Makhenyane, Lukhanyo
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: African languages , Language and languages , South African poetry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters/Doctoral , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18020 , vital:42004
- Description: Despite the vast research on African poetry by scholars like Qangule (1979), Ntuli (1984), Sirayi (1985), Bokoda (1994), Mtumane (2000), Bobelo (2008) and Jadezweni (2013), there is a paucity of extended research on the aesthetic works of African poets in South Africa in the post-apartheid era. In a quest to redress this imbalance, I undertook a comparative study of two prominent African poets in the post-apartheid era in South Africa. This study adds nuance to our understanding of African poetry as it would define African poetry further from an African perspective. Swanepoel (1990) challenges scholars of African literature to have a critical look on the developments of neighbouring literatures as comparing these literatures produces new and useful ideas about African literature. In addition, scholars such as Gerard (1981) and Perera (1991) advocate for the creation and adoption of a comparative methodology for the study of African literature. This led scholars such as Mdaka (2002) to test comparative methodology in assessing ideology and aesthetics in South African isiXhosa novels and Kenyan novels written in English. Likewise, Cutalele (2007) uses comparative methodology in investigating similar themes in the aesthetics works of S.E.K. Mqhayi and Zolani Mkiva. In responding to Swanepoel’s challenge, this study aims to investigate and evaluate the importance of the voice of imbongi in articulating current and burning issues in the post-apartheid South Africa as well as the solutions they propose to some of the problems facing the country. In this study, the methodology swings on the hinges of Ngara’s Marxist theory. The choice of Ngara’s Marxist theory is based largely on its theoretical insights on ideology, form and communication in analysing poetry. Ngara divides ideology into three sub-themes: dominant ideology, which refers to the beliefs, set of values, thoughts and actions of a people in a particular era, authorial ideology that refers to the set of values espoused by the poet and aesthetics ideology, which is the literary convention and stylistic of the poet. Using the comparative method, the voice of imbongi in Mbuli and Mkiva’s poetry is compared over three ideologies – protest, patriotism and revolution. Under the theme of protest, I compare Mkiva and Mbuli’s poetry under two sub-themes, socio-political protest and socio-cultural protest. Mbuli and Mkiva’s protest agitates for change in the political and cultural spheres of the post-apartheid South Africa. Page viii of 290 They comment on issues like leadership and social welfare of South Africans, burning issues of this era. In the theme of patriotism, I examined poetry that displays love and loyalty for one’s country. In displaying their love and loyalty for their country, it is clear that to Mbuli and Mkiva, country refers to Africa, not just South Africa. Furthermore, under the theme of revolution I examined poetry that praises struggle heroes as well as the one that introduces the new struggles of the people of South Africa. In praising revolutionary leaders, Mbuli and Mkiva parade good leadership skills for the new breed of leaders to learn. In discussing the revolutionary theme, they speak of economic freedom as one of the struggles of the new South Africa. In investigating and evaluating their poetry in post-aparthied South Africa, I discovered that in their protest and their revolutionary ideology they express the theme of disillusionment. They speak against corruption in leadership while they question those who violate children and women’s right to life. Such issues were thought to be buried with the death of apartheid. Furthermore, they introduce us to neo-revolution by showing how the struggle for freedom still continues as freedom without economic freedom falls short of freedom.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Utility of construction automation and robotics in South Africa
- Mkunqwana, Khungelwa Sandisiwe
- Authors: Mkunqwana, Khungelwa Sandisiwe
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Construction industry -- Automation , Construction industry -- South Africa -- Automation Robotics -- South Africa Robotics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46174 , vital:39511
- Description: The construction industry demands active construction organisation, efficient construction processes and innovative construction techniques to effectively compete under increasing market competition and technological advancements in the twenty first century. The problems associated with construction, such as poor quality and slow productivity, labour shortages, occupational health and safety, and inferior working conditions, have opened the possibility of more revolutionary solutions within the industry. One such solution espoused as having tremendous potential to improve construction productivity whilst alleviating the problems associated with construction is Construction Automation and Robotics. Automation and robotics technologies encompass a wide range of innovative technologies using technologically advanced machinery to improve the speed and efficiency of a given process. The aim of this study is to analyse the extent of utility of construction automation and robotics in the South African construction industry. The research adopted the quantitative methodology and online survey to collect data. A detailed quantitative (statistical) data analysis was performed, using web-based software “QuestionPro,” including data analysis for investigating possible relationships between variables. Through this study it has been established that one of the prospective solutions to the problems associated with construction is in the implementation and utility of innovative technologies in construction such as automation and robotics. Moreover, the research found that automation and robotics in South Africa is at an interesting point whereby organisations are taking strides in accepting and implementing the technologies. It is envisaged that the utility of construction automation and robotics would improve the industry in terms of productivity, health and safety and quality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Mkunqwana, Khungelwa Sandisiwe
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Construction industry -- Automation , Construction industry -- South Africa -- Automation Robotics -- South Africa Robotics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46174 , vital:39511
- Description: The construction industry demands active construction organisation, efficient construction processes and innovative construction techniques to effectively compete under increasing market competition and technological advancements in the twenty first century. The problems associated with construction, such as poor quality and slow productivity, labour shortages, occupational health and safety, and inferior working conditions, have opened the possibility of more revolutionary solutions within the industry. One such solution espoused as having tremendous potential to improve construction productivity whilst alleviating the problems associated with construction is Construction Automation and Robotics. Automation and robotics technologies encompass a wide range of innovative technologies using technologically advanced machinery to improve the speed and efficiency of a given process. The aim of this study is to analyse the extent of utility of construction automation and robotics in the South African construction industry. The research adopted the quantitative methodology and online survey to collect data. A detailed quantitative (statistical) data analysis was performed, using web-based software “QuestionPro,” including data analysis for investigating possible relationships between variables. Through this study it has been established that one of the prospective solutions to the problems associated with construction is in the implementation and utility of innovative technologies in construction such as automation and robotics. Moreover, the research found that automation and robotics in South Africa is at an interesting point whereby organisations are taking strides in accepting and implementing the technologies. It is envisaged that the utility of construction automation and robotics would improve the industry in terms of productivity, health and safety and quality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Visualising Chinese presence: an analysis of the contemporary arts of Zambia and Zimbabwe
- Authors: Zhang, Lifang
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Art, Modern -- 21st century , Art, Modern -- 21st century -- Chinese influences , China -- Relations -- Zambia , China -- Relations -- Zimbabwe , Art and society -- Zambia , Social practice (Art) -- Zambia , Art and globalization -- Zambia , Art and society -- Zimbabwe , Social practice (Art) -- Zimbabwe , Art and globalization -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/146618 , vital:38542
- Description: With the revival and rapid growth of relations between China and African countries in the present century, the “China-Africa relationship” has become a topic of close attention globally and the media and politicians have been dominating the mainstream discourses with dichotomised narratives. China-Africa engagement has also spurred academic research, most of which is oriented toward large-scale economic, political, and strategic concerns. In this context, it is significant to conduct in-depth research exploring specific engagement between Chinese and African people on the ground. Contemporary artists based in Africa have started to represent, through artworks and performances, their experiences and expressions of relations between China and various African countries. However, an examination of twenty-first century connections between Africa and China in relation to the contemporary visual arts is a new area of study and only a limited number of scholarly works exist. To contribute to the research in this area, this thesis explores the ways in which artists engage with specific realities and lived-experiences of Chinese presence through their artistic practices, with a focus on a selection of artists from Zambia and Zimbabwe. Through visual analysis, interviews and field work, this thesis provides a systematic investigation of contemporary arts of Zambia and Zimbabwe in relation to Africa- China encounters, engaging with four aspects: the discursive field, the material presence, individual experiences of encounters, and the broader relational connections within the arts. This thesis argues that, motivated by the histories and realities of African societies, artists from Zambia and Zimbabwe, through their artistic practices, form part of the Africa-China engagement and insert their agencies in the south-south relations between Africans and Chinese. Therefore, this thesis demonstrates the value in approaching the broader discussion on Africa-China engagements from the perspective of contemporary art, arguing that, with the social concerns of the artists and the expressive capacity of creative forms, visual arts are able to embrace diversity, dynamics, complexities and contradictions, and, therefore, can develop the topic beyond the stereotypical narratives about Africa-China relations to a more nuanced understanding of African-Chinese encounters in specific contexts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Zhang, Lifang
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Art, Modern -- 21st century , Art, Modern -- 21st century -- Chinese influences , China -- Relations -- Zambia , China -- Relations -- Zimbabwe , Art and society -- Zambia , Social practice (Art) -- Zambia , Art and globalization -- Zambia , Art and society -- Zimbabwe , Social practice (Art) -- Zimbabwe , Art and globalization -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/146618 , vital:38542
- Description: With the revival and rapid growth of relations between China and African countries in the present century, the “China-Africa relationship” has become a topic of close attention globally and the media and politicians have been dominating the mainstream discourses with dichotomised narratives. China-Africa engagement has also spurred academic research, most of which is oriented toward large-scale economic, political, and strategic concerns. In this context, it is significant to conduct in-depth research exploring specific engagement between Chinese and African people on the ground. Contemporary artists based in Africa have started to represent, through artworks and performances, their experiences and expressions of relations between China and various African countries. However, an examination of twenty-first century connections between Africa and China in relation to the contemporary visual arts is a new area of study and only a limited number of scholarly works exist. To contribute to the research in this area, this thesis explores the ways in which artists engage with specific realities and lived-experiences of Chinese presence through their artistic practices, with a focus on a selection of artists from Zambia and Zimbabwe. Through visual analysis, interviews and field work, this thesis provides a systematic investigation of contemporary arts of Zambia and Zimbabwe in relation to Africa- China encounters, engaging with four aspects: the discursive field, the material presence, individual experiences of encounters, and the broader relational connections within the arts. This thesis argues that, motivated by the histories and realities of African societies, artists from Zambia and Zimbabwe, through their artistic practices, form part of the Africa-China engagement and insert their agencies in the south-south relations between Africans and Chinese. Therefore, this thesis demonstrates the value in approaching the broader discussion on Africa-China engagements from the perspective of contemporary art, arguing that, with the social concerns of the artists and the expressive capacity of creative forms, visual arts are able to embrace diversity, dynamics, complexities and contradictions, and, therefore, can develop the topic beyond the stereotypical narratives about Africa-China relations to a more nuanced understanding of African-Chinese encounters in specific contexts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Visualising the Psyche: Perspectives on mental health in the medium of comics
- Authors: Solomon, Tayla Shan
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Spiegelman, Art -- Maus , Kelly, Joe, 1971- -- I kill giants , Niimura, J M Ken -- I kill giants , Brosh, Allie -- Hyperbole and a half , Comic books, strips, etc. -- Psychological aspects , Comic books, stripa, etc. -- Therapeutic use
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MFA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/148413 , vital:38737
- Description: The field of Psychology is constantly shifting in its understanding of mental health. Scholars have been critiquing Psychology’s narrow perspective of what constitutes ‘normal’. Many dealing with mental health issues fear that they will be misunderstood and are confronted with systems and institutions that they find unempathetic. This mini-thesis conceptualises creative empathy as a solution to these problems. It is based on the idea that every experience is unique and therefore cannot be wholly understood without engaging in an imaginative process. The appropriateness of the comics medium as a tool for promoting this strategy is explored with a focus on the use of visual imagery to tell stories of distressing experiences. It looks at Tayla Shan Solomon’s The Adventures of Apparently-Anyone-Can-Do-It-If-TheyJust-Try Bug! (2019), Art Spiegelman’s Maus (I & II) (1986), Joe Kelly and JM Ken Niimura’s I Kill Giants (2011), and Allie Brosh’s Hyperbole and a Half: unfortunate situations, flawed coping mechanisms, mayhem, and other things that happened (2013). This mini-thesis analyses various techniques employed by comics artists to create compelling stories of idiosyncratic experiences, including the use of symbolic imagery and framing.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Solomon, Tayla Shan
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Spiegelman, Art -- Maus , Kelly, Joe, 1971- -- I kill giants , Niimura, J M Ken -- I kill giants , Brosh, Allie -- Hyperbole and a half , Comic books, strips, etc. -- Psychological aspects , Comic books, stripa, etc. -- Therapeutic use
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MFA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/148413 , vital:38737
- Description: The field of Psychology is constantly shifting in its understanding of mental health. Scholars have been critiquing Psychology’s narrow perspective of what constitutes ‘normal’. Many dealing with mental health issues fear that they will be misunderstood and are confronted with systems and institutions that they find unempathetic. This mini-thesis conceptualises creative empathy as a solution to these problems. It is based on the idea that every experience is unique and therefore cannot be wholly understood without engaging in an imaginative process. The appropriateness of the comics medium as a tool for promoting this strategy is explored with a focus on the use of visual imagery to tell stories of distressing experiences. It looks at Tayla Shan Solomon’s The Adventures of Apparently-Anyone-Can-Do-It-If-TheyJust-Try Bug! (2019), Art Spiegelman’s Maus (I & II) (1986), Joe Kelly and JM Ken Niimura’s I Kill Giants (2011), and Allie Brosh’s Hyperbole and a Half: unfortunate situations, flawed coping mechanisms, mayhem, and other things that happened (2013). This mini-thesis analyses various techniques employed by comics artists to create compelling stories of idiosyncratic experiences, including the use of symbolic imagery and framing.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Vocational education and training for African development: A literature review
- McGrath, Simon, Ramsarup, Presha, Zeelen, Jacques, Wedekind, Volker, Allais, Stephanie, Lotz-Sisitka, Heila, Monk, David, Openjuru, George, Russon, Jo-Anna
- Authors: McGrath, Simon , Ramsarup, Presha , Zeelen, Jacques , Wedekind, Volker , Allais, Stephanie , Lotz-Sisitka, Heila , Monk, David , Openjuru, George , Russon, Jo-Anna
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182418 , vital:43828 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/13636820.2019.1679969"
- Description: The SDGs mark the clearest global acceptance yet that the previous approach to development was unsustainable. In VET, UNESCO has responded by developing a clear account of how a transformed VET must be part of a transformative approach to development. It argues that credible, comprehensive skills systems can be built that can support individuals, communities, and organisations to generate and maintain enhanced and just livelihood opportunities. However, the major current theoretical approaches to VET are not up to this challenge. In the context of Africa, we seek to address this problem through a presentation of literatures that contribute to the theorisation of this new vision. They agree that the world is not made up of atomised individuals guided by a “hidden hand”. Rather, reality is heavily structured within political economies that have emerged out of contestations and compromises in specific historical and geographical spaces. Thus, labour markets and education and training systems have arisen, characterised by inequalities and exclusions. These specific forms profoundly influence individuals’ and communities’ views about the value of different forms of learning and working. However, they do not fully define what individuals dream, think and do. Rather, a transformed and transformative VET for Africa is possible.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: McGrath, Simon , Ramsarup, Presha , Zeelen, Jacques , Wedekind, Volker , Allais, Stephanie , Lotz-Sisitka, Heila , Monk, David , Openjuru, George , Russon, Jo-Anna
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182418 , vital:43828 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/13636820.2019.1679969"
- Description: The SDGs mark the clearest global acceptance yet that the previous approach to development was unsustainable. In VET, UNESCO has responded by developing a clear account of how a transformed VET must be part of a transformative approach to development. It argues that credible, comprehensive skills systems can be built that can support individuals, communities, and organisations to generate and maintain enhanced and just livelihood opportunities. However, the major current theoretical approaches to VET are not up to this challenge. In the context of Africa, we seek to address this problem through a presentation of literatures that contribute to the theorisation of this new vision. They agree that the world is not made up of atomised individuals guided by a “hidden hand”. Rather, reality is heavily structured within political economies that have emerged out of contestations and compromises in specific historical and geographical spaces. Thus, labour markets and education and training systems have arisen, characterised by inequalities and exclusions. These specific forms profoundly influence individuals’ and communities’ views about the value of different forms of learning and working. However, they do not fully define what individuals dream, think and do. Rather, a transformed and transformative VET for Africa is possible.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Volatility spillovers and determinants of contagion: a case of BRICS equity and foreign exchange markets
- Authors: Nyopa, Tšepiso
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MCOM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/164590 , vital:41146
- Description: Thesis (MSc)--Rhodes University, Faculty of Commerce, Economics and Economic History, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Nyopa, Tšepiso
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MCOM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/164590 , vital:41146
- Description: Thesis (MSc)--Rhodes University, Faculty of Commerce, Economics and Economic History, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Walking at the intersection of Seamon’s place ballet and Relph’s insideness: understanding how students experience the university as a place through their everyday habitual walking
- Mtolo, Siyathokoza Monwabisi
- Authors: Mtolo, Siyathokoza Monwabisi
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Seamon, David , Relph, EC , College students -- South Africa -- Makhanda -- Attitudes , Walking -- Sociological aspects , College students -- South Africa -- Makhanda -- Political activity , Rhodes University -- Students -- Attitudes , Student movements -- South Africa -- Makhanda
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/162901 , vital:40995
- Description: Walking as a way to experience a place is a relatively understudied area of phenomenological study. Furthermore, globally (the world) and locally (South Africa) the study of the experience of tertiary education institutions as walked environments is minimal (see Puig-Ribera et al., 2008; Speck et al., 2010; Mtolo, 2017). However, the events of the South African #MustFall moment – especially the #RhodesMustFall part of the moment and how it began with the desecration of a statue that was walked past and found to be a misplaced artefact in a society that is in postcolonial/post-Apartheid times and space – highlighted the pressing need to study the experience of the university as a place through which habitual walking takes the student through moments of movement, rest, and encounter that are a highly consequential way in which placeness is experienced. This study is a way to document how students at Rhodes University experience the university’s placeness quality, through habitual walking, in an example of the way in which a place is experienced through moments of movement, rest, and encounter. For this study in-depth mobile interviews were conducted with 12 student participants from Rhodes University. The interviews were video-recorded as the participants talked while traversing through habitually walked areas of the campus that are the meaning-infused spaces which make up the Rhodes University that they traverse through on a daily basis. The dissertation found that in the experience of Rhodes University, through habitually walking its placeness, people experience moments of movement, rest, and encounter that are highly targeted and personalised. The experience of the Rhodes University campus is an experience of people and the built-up and decorated environment along similar lines. People bring to the experience of their walked space past experiences which inform consequentially how any space that is walked is experienced. People further employ strategies to ensure that the experience of walking a space is more to their desired quality as an experience, which ends up being meaningful and most likely to affect future instances of walking through meaning-infusing and meaning-infused space. Ultimately, the habitual walking of Rhodes University consequentially informs the relationship between students and Rhodes University’s placeness, as the walking is a way of learning how to be within a placeness that is engaged through alternating moments of movement, rest, and encounter that incrementally ‘open’ for experience Rhodes University in such a targeted manner that every student eventually has their personal and customised Rhodes University by virtue of it being just those sites and situations which have been engaged through habitual walking.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Mtolo, Siyathokoza Monwabisi
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Seamon, David , Relph, EC , College students -- South Africa -- Makhanda -- Attitudes , Walking -- Sociological aspects , College students -- South Africa -- Makhanda -- Political activity , Rhodes University -- Students -- Attitudes , Student movements -- South Africa -- Makhanda
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/162901 , vital:40995
- Description: Walking as a way to experience a place is a relatively understudied area of phenomenological study. Furthermore, globally (the world) and locally (South Africa) the study of the experience of tertiary education institutions as walked environments is minimal (see Puig-Ribera et al., 2008; Speck et al., 2010; Mtolo, 2017). However, the events of the South African #MustFall moment – especially the #RhodesMustFall part of the moment and how it began with the desecration of a statue that was walked past and found to be a misplaced artefact in a society that is in postcolonial/post-Apartheid times and space – highlighted the pressing need to study the experience of the university as a place through which habitual walking takes the student through moments of movement, rest, and encounter that are a highly consequential way in which placeness is experienced. This study is a way to document how students at Rhodes University experience the university’s placeness quality, through habitual walking, in an example of the way in which a place is experienced through moments of movement, rest, and encounter. For this study in-depth mobile interviews were conducted with 12 student participants from Rhodes University. The interviews were video-recorded as the participants talked while traversing through habitually walked areas of the campus that are the meaning-infused spaces which make up the Rhodes University that they traverse through on a daily basis. The dissertation found that in the experience of Rhodes University, through habitually walking its placeness, people experience moments of movement, rest, and encounter that are highly targeted and personalised. The experience of the Rhodes University campus is an experience of people and the built-up and decorated environment along similar lines. People bring to the experience of their walked space past experiences which inform consequentially how any space that is walked is experienced. People further employ strategies to ensure that the experience of walking a space is more to their desired quality as an experience, which ends up being meaningful and most likely to affect future instances of walking through meaning-infusing and meaning-infused space. Ultimately, the habitual walking of Rhodes University consequentially informs the relationship between students and Rhodes University’s placeness, as the walking is a way of learning how to be within a placeness that is engaged through alternating moments of movement, rest, and encounter that incrementally ‘open’ for experience Rhodes University in such a targeted manner that every student eventually has their personal and customised Rhodes University by virtue of it being just those sites and situations which have been engaged through habitual walking.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Waste management in the informal settlements of Msukaligwa Municipality
- Authors: Ngema, , Noxolo Nondumiso
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Waste disposal in the ground -- South Africa -- Ermelo , Refuse and refuse disposal -- South Africa -- Ermelo Squatters -- South Africa -- Ermelo
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46827 , vital:39665
- Description: This study focused on waste management, and, sought to evaluate the level of awareness on environmental impact of littering in vulnerable communities in the informal settlements of Msukaligwa municipality, in particular at Ward 16 which is Nyibe newly named as New Ermelo. This study was, thus, concerned with how solid waste is managed within the informal settlements. The study arose with the concern that the environment is mostly affected when informal settlements are developed. If informal settlements are less aware of the damage caused by littering and improper waste disposal, the waste management plan of a local municipality becomes ineffective where local communities do not assume their responsibilities for ensuring healthy and safe living environments. A quantitative research design was applied in this study. Population for this research comprised of Msukaligwa Local Municipality, with a study sample drawn from Ward 16 Nyibe households, church leaders, local business owners, and ward councillor. A nonprobability sampling technique for selection of study participants was used, and this technique applied in both households and stakeholders. Data was collected through self-administered survey questionnaires that were statistically analysed, weaving in filed observations, where deemed necessary. The researcher discovered that Nyibe (New Ermelo) community’s level of awareness of the environmental impact of littering is impressively above average. Majority of households’ respondents identified all the negative environmental impact caused by littering in vulnerable communities and the impact is considered a major challenge within Nyibe. Necessary waste disposal infrastructures are not provided at Nyibe leading to people littering on any open land, burning, or throwing solid waste in their family pit.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Ngema, , Noxolo Nondumiso
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Waste disposal in the ground -- South Africa -- Ermelo , Refuse and refuse disposal -- South Africa -- Ermelo Squatters -- South Africa -- Ermelo
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46827 , vital:39665
- Description: This study focused on waste management, and, sought to evaluate the level of awareness on environmental impact of littering in vulnerable communities in the informal settlements of Msukaligwa municipality, in particular at Ward 16 which is Nyibe newly named as New Ermelo. This study was, thus, concerned with how solid waste is managed within the informal settlements. The study arose with the concern that the environment is mostly affected when informal settlements are developed. If informal settlements are less aware of the damage caused by littering and improper waste disposal, the waste management plan of a local municipality becomes ineffective where local communities do not assume their responsibilities for ensuring healthy and safe living environments. A quantitative research design was applied in this study. Population for this research comprised of Msukaligwa Local Municipality, with a study sample drawn from Ward 16 Nyibe households, church leaders, local business owners, and ward councillor. A nonprobability sampling technique for selection of study participants was used, and this technique applied in both households and stakeholders. Data was collected through self-administered survey questionnaires that were statistically analysed, weaving in filed observations, where deemed necessary. The researcher discovered that Nyibe (New Ermelo) community’s level of awareness of the environmental impact of littering is impressively above average. Majority of households’ respondents identified all the negative environmental impact caused by littering in vulnerable communities and the impact is considered a major challenge within Nyibe. Necessary waste disposal infrastructures are not provided at Nyibe leading to people littering on any open land, burning, or throwing solid waste in their family pit.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Water balance processes in indigenous and introduced spaces three production system in the Southern Cape region of South Africa
- Authors: Mapeto, Tatenda
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Hydrology -- Research -- South Africa , Groundwater -- Research -- South Africa Trees -- Breeding Sustainable forestry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49325 , vital:41621
- Description: Forests and trees are important modulators of water flow and their position in the landscape impacts the spatial and temporal availability of ground water and surface water resources. As such, the global extent of natural forests is linked to the availability of water. In the circumstances where tree production systems have been introduced and are managed in landscapes previously populated with other forms of vegetation, it is necessary to understand their hydrological impact so as to ensure that the benefits derived from these tree systems do not outweigh the costs of water availability for sustaining human and environmental water requirements.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Mapeto, Tatenda
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Hydrology -- Research -- South Africa , Groundwater -- Research -- South Africa Trees -- Breeding Sustainable forestry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49325 , vital:41621
- Description: Forests and trees are important modulators of water flow and their position in the landscape impacts the spatial and temporal availability of ground water and surface water resources. As such, the global extent of natural forests is linked to the availability of water. In the circumstances where tree production systems have been introduced and are managed in landscapes previously populated with other forms of vegetation, it is necessary to understand their hydrological impact so as to ensure that the benefits derived from these tree systems do not outweigh the costs of water availability for sustaining human and environmental water requirements.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2020
Water footprint and economic water productivity of citrus production: a comparison across three river valleys in the Eastern Cape Milands
- Authors: Danckwerts, Lindsay
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Water in agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water consumption -- South Africa -- Economic aspects , Water supply, Agricultural -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Citrus fruit industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/141064 , vital:37941
- Description: South Africa is a semi-arid, water scarce country. The nation has suffered a spate of severe droughts in several regions in recent years, which have significantly impacted the country’s economy. Global warming, population growth, and rising demand for water intensive products are only expected to intensify water supply problems in the future. The agricultural industry is the largest consumer of water in South Africa, accounting for the majority of total surface water withdrawals. As such, the agricultural sector is faced with complex and difficult management decisions in the face of a potential water supply crisis. The water footprint (WF) and economic water productivity (EWP) of citrus production across three river catchments located in the Eastern Cape Midlands (situated in the vicinity of the settlements of Adelaide, Cookhouse and Fort Beaufort respectively) were calculated and compared. In the long-term average (LTA), blue WF weighted across all three regions accounted for the greatest proportion of total WF (53%), followed in turn by green and grey WF (30% and 17% respectively). LTA blue and grey WF was lowest in the Adelaide region, while green WF was smallest in the Fort Beaufort region. Blue, green and grey WF were found to be greatest in the Cookhouse region. LTA EWP was greatest in the Fort Beaufort region and smallest in the Adelaide region. Of all variety groups assessed, lemons were found to have the lowest LTA crop water use and blue, green and grey WF when considering citrus production averaged across all three study regions. Satsumas has the second smallest LTA blue, green and grey WF, followed by navels, mid-season mandarins, and finally, late mandarins. Lemons had the greatest LTA EWP of all varieties, followed in turn by satsumas, late mandarins, mid-season mandarins and navels. Blue crop water use was consistently lowest in the designated wet year and highest in the dry year. However, this same trend was not necessarily true for WF findings. WF and EWP are useful indicators of water use which can be used to help guide complex water management decisions. However, these indicators are single-factor productivity measures applied in a multi-factor environment. It is therefore important that factors outside of water use are considered when making water management decisions. Moreover, it is important to examine the impact that the various components making up WF and EWP have on the resultant figures, rather than merely considering the superficial results themselves. Factors such as CWU, orchard maturity, crop choice, potential yield, climate, irrigation system, economic return, water allocation and water availability should all be taken into account.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Danckwerts, Lindsay
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Water in agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water consumption -- South Africa -- Economic aspects , Water supply, Agricultural -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Citrus fruit industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/141064 , vital:37941
- Description: South Africa is a semi-arid, water scarce country. The nation has suffered a spate of severe droughts in several regions in recent years, which have significantly impacted the country’s economy. Global warming, population growth, and rising demand for water intensive products are only expected to intensify water supply problems in the future. The agricultural industry is the largest consumer of water in South Africa, accounting for the majority of total surface water withdrawals. As such, the agricultural sector is faced with complex and difficult management decisions in the face of a potential water supply crisis. The water footprint (WF) and economic water productivity (EWP) of citrus production across three river catchments located in the Eastern Cape Midlands (situated in the vicinity of the settlements of Adelaide, Cookhouse and Fort Beaufort respectively) were calculated and compared. In the long-term average (LTA), blue WF weighted across all three regions accounted for the greatest proportion of total WF (53%), followed in turn by green and grey WF (30% and 17% respectively). LTA blue and grey WF was lowest in the Adelaide region, while green WF was smallest in the Fort Beaufort region. Blue, green and grey WF were found to be greatest in the Cookhouse region. LTA EWP was greatest in the Fort Beaufort region and smallest in the Adelaide region. Of all variety groups assessed, lemons were found to have the lowest LTA crop water use and blue, green and grey WF when considering citrus production averaged across all three study regions. Satsumas has the second smallest LTA blue, green and grey WF, followed by navels, mid-season mandarins, and finally, late mandarins. Lemons had the greatest LTA EWP of all varieties, followed in turn by satsumas, late mandarins, mid-season mandarins and navels. Blue crop water use was consistently lowest in the designated wet year and highest in the dry year. However, this same trend was not necessarily true for WF findings. WF and EWP are useful indicators of water use which can be used to help guide complex water management decisions. However, these indicators are single-factor productivity measures applied in a multi-factor environment. It is therefore important that factors outside of water use are considered when making water management decisions. Moreover, it is important to examine the impact that the various components making up WF and EWP have on the resultant figures, rather than merely considering the superficial results themselves. Factors such as CWU, orchard maturity, crop choice, potential yield, climate, irrigation system, economic return, water allocation and water availability should all be taken into account.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Whatever you say
- Authors: Campbell, Laura
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: South African fiction (English) -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/140993 , vital:37935
- Description: This document consists of two (2) parts : Part A: Thesis (Creative Work) ; Part B: Portfolio
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Campbell, Laura
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: South African fiction (English) -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/140993 , vital:37935
- Description: This document consists of two (2) parts : Part A: Thesis (Creative Work) ; Part B: Portfolio
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Whiteness under threat: Farmlands and the construction of whiteness in its YouTube comment space
- Authors: Kelly, Megan
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Farmlands (Documentary) , YouTube (Firm) , Mass media and propaganda -- South Africa , Afrikaners -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Propaganda, South African , Farmers -- Violence against -- South Africa , Racism in mass media , Whites -- Race identity -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/165722 , vital:41275
- Description: This study examines how whiteness, particularly South African whiteness, is constructed in a propagandistic YouTube documentary entitled Farmlands and how these constructions are taken up and negotiated by its viewers in its associated comment section. I suggest that these constructions are not only racialised, but resuscitate and popularise old colonial discourses that perpetuate the fear of a ‘white genocide’ and the perceived extermination of a ‘pure white civilisation’. A thematic analysis informed by theories of representation, the establishment of difference through meaning, discourse and critical whiteness studies show that there are several narratives constructed through binary oppositions informed by colonial understandings of race, juxtaposing whiteness and blackness. In analysing these constructions, I aim to demonstrate that whiteness often becomes violent and defensive when its power is perceived to be under threat, reproducing itself through binary constructions that aim to protect it. In doing so, I demonstrate how whiteness is globalising from previous narrow nationalist framings to embracing a globalised notion of ‘white civilisation under threat’. This study supports research that is sceptical of the democratizing ability of the internet and social media, focusing specifically on YouTube’s comment forum and how it is utilized to mobilize attitudes based on hatred, racism and profound social exclusion.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Kelly, Megan
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Farmlands (Documentary) , YouTube (Firm) , Mass media and propaganda -- South Africa , Afrikaners -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Propaganda, South African , Farmers -- Violence against -- South Africa , Racism in mass media , Whites -- Race identity -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/165722 , vital:41275
- Description: This study examines how whiteness, particularly South African whiteness, is constructed in a propagandistic YouTube documentary entitled Farmlands and how these constructions are taken up and negotiated by its viewers in its associated comment section. I suggest that these constructions are not only racialised, but resuscitate and popularise old colonial discourses that perpetuate the fear of a ‘white genocide’ and the perceived extermination of a ‘pure white civilisation’. A thematic analysis informed by theories of representation, the establishment of difference through meaning, discourse and critical whiteness studies show that there are several narratives constructed through binary oppositions informed by colonial understandings of race, juxtaposing whiteness and blackness. In analysing these constructions, I aim to demonstrate that whiteness often becomes violent and defensive when its power is perceived to be under threat, reproducing itself through binary constructions that aim to protect it. In doing so, I demonstrate how whiteness is globalising from previous narrow nationalist framings to embracing a globalised notion of ‘white civilisation under threat’. This study supports research that is sceptical of the democratizing ability of the internet and social media, focusing specifically on YouTube’s comment forum and how it is utilized to mobilize attitudes based on hatred, racism and profound social exclusion.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Whose Wakanda is it anyway? A reception analysis of Black Panther among young black urban Africans
- Authors: Muzenda, Makomborero
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Motion picture audiences , Youth, Black -- Africa -- Attitudes , Popular culture – Africa , Motion pictures -- Social aspects , Youth, Black -- Race identity -- Africa , Identity politics in motion pictures , Identity (Psychology) and mass media , Mass media and youth -- Africa , Mass media and culture -- Africa , Mass media -- Social aspects -- Africa , Postcolonialism and the arts , Representation (Philosophy) , Black Panther (Motion picture : 2018) -- History and criticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/144311 , vital:38330
- Description: As a writer and as an academic, I have long been interested in young black Africans. As a demographic group, we are heralded as the future of Africa and a vital resource, but not much is known about us, what we think, and how we make sense of things. As an African youth myself, I know that we are a diverse group with different backgrounds, perspectives and beliefs. I am interested in exploring our identities, how we express ourselves and how we make sense of ourselves, each other, the continent and the world. I want to learn more about how we see the world, and what we think of how media narratives and messages represent us. This research project is an extension of this personal curiosity. It focuses on Black Panther, a film that received particularly strong responses from young black Africans. I want to explore why this film in particular prompted such a strong reaction, and what the imagining of an uncolonised, technologically advanced African nation that Black Panther offers means for the young black Africans born after the official end of apartheid and colonisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Muzenda, Makomborero
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Motion picture audiences , Youth, Black -- Africa -- Attitudes , Popular culture – Africa , Motion pictures -- Social aspects , Youth, Black -- Race identity -- Africa , Identity politics in motion pictures , Identity (Psychology) and mass media , Mass media and youth -- Africa , Mass media and culture -- Africa , Mass media -- Social aspects -- Africa , Postcolonialism and the arts , Representation (Philosophy) , Black Panther (Motion picture : 2018) -- History and criticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/144311 , vital:38330
- Description: As a writer and as an academic, I have long been interested in young black Africans. As a demographic group, we are heralded as the future of Africa and a vital resource, but not much is known about us, what we think, and how we make sense of things. As an African youth myself, I know that we are a diverse group with different backgrounds, perspectives and beliefs. I am interested in exploring our identities, how we express ourselves and how we make sense of ourselves, each other, the continent and the world. I want to learn more about how we see the world, and what we think of how media narratives and messages represent us. This research project is an extension of this personal curiosity. It focuses on Black Panther, a film that received particularly strong responses from young black Africans. I want to explore why this film in particular prompted such a strong reaction, and what the imagining of an uncolonised, technologically advanced African nation that Black Panther offers means for the young black Africans born after the official end of apartheid and colonisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Wind damage impacts on Eucalyptus species performance in South Africa
- Authors: Hechter, Heinrich
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Commercial forests -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48368 , vital:40853
- Description: Commercial forestry plantations in South Africa play an important role in the economy of the country, contributing 1.2% towards the gross domestic product, as well as with job creation in rural communities. Currently plantation forests cover 1% (1.2 million hectares) of the South African land surface, of which ±75 000 hectares (±43 000 hectares to Eucalyptus species) are re-established each year. Different timber companies afforest areas with different species to satisfy specific management objectives, with the two main objectives being for either the production of saw-timber or pulpwood. Species of the Eucalyptus genera are preferred as they are fast growing and have desirable wood and pulping properties. However, their productive potential can be negatively impacted by numerous abiotic and biotic risk factors. Of the various risk factors that forest stands are exposed to, wind and wind-related tree damage has received very little attention, both nationally and internationally. Wind-related tree damage may result in wind-throw (uprooting or stem breakage), or trees that tilt (lean off vertical). Trees that are tilting can recover to an upright position, but are likely to retain some level of stem sinuosity or butt-sweep. Although strong winds increase the risk of tree damage, a number of other factors can also act to predispose trees to wind-related damage. These include choice of planting stock (genotype and type of plant stock), planting practices (including soil cultivation), site factors (wind exposure, rainfall, soil texture and soil fertility) or excessive weed competition. Most of the literature dealing with wind-related tree damage has focused on trees growing in natural forests, whereas trees in natural forests differ from forest grown plantation trees in terms of above- and below-ground morphological differences, as well as the stability factors of the trees. There is a need to not only understand the impacts of severe (catastrophic) wind events on mature trees, but also to test management strategies that prevent, or minimize damage prior to any severe wind events. Two existing eucalypt trials were used to provide information on the influence of selected re-establishment silvicultural practices on short-term pulpwood and long-term saw-timber survival, growth and uniformity when influenced by catastrophic wind events, within South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Hechter, Heinrich
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Commercial forests -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48368 , vital:40853
- Description: Commercial forestry plantations in South Africa play an important role in the economy of the country, contributing 1.2% towards the gross domestic product, as well as with job creation in rural communities. Currently plantation forests cover 1% (1.2 million hectares) of the South African land surface, of which ±75 000 hectares (±43 000 hectares to Eucalyptus species) are re-established each year. Different timber companies afforest areas with different species to satisfy specific management objectives, with the two main objectives being for either the production of saw-timber or pulpwood. Species of the Eucalyptus genera are preferred as they are fast growing and have desirable wood and pulping properties. However, their productive potential can be negatively impacted by numerous abiotic and biotic risk factors. Of the various risk factors that forest stands are exposed to, wind and wind-related tree damage has received very little attention, both nationally and internationally. Wind-related tree damage may result in wind-throw (uprooting or stem breakage), or trees that tilt (lean off vertical). Trees that are tilting can recover to an upright position, but are likely to retain some level of stem sinuosity or butt-sweep. Although strong winds increase the risk of tree damage, a number of other factors can also act to predispose trees to wind-related damage. These include choice of planting stock (genotype and type of plant stock), planting practices (including soil cultivation), site factors (wind exposure, rainfall, soil texture and soil fertility) or excessive weed competition. Most of the literature dealing with wind-related tree damage has focused on trees growing in natural forests, whereas trees in natural forests differ from forest grown plantation trees in terms of above- and below-ground morphological differences, as well as the stability factors of the trees. There is a need to not only understand the impacts of severe (catastrophic) wind events on mature trees, but also to test management strategies that prevent, or minimize damage prior to any severe wind events. Two existing eucalypt trials were used to provide information on the influence of selected re-establishment silvicultural practices on short-term pulpwood and long-term saw-timber survival, growth and uniformity when influenced by catastrophic wind events, within South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020