Representing the unrepresentable: an exploration of gendered experiences of mental disorder
- Authors: Futcher, Charis Catheryn
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Mental illness in art , Women -- Mental health , Art, South African -- 21st century -- Exhibitions , Sculpture, South African -- 21st century -- Exhibitions , Women in art
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MFA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/42957 , vital:25252
- Description: Inspired by personal lived experiences of mental disorder; this thesis attempts to explore the representation of these complex conditions as they are deeply embedded in trauma, guilt, and stigma. The accompanying exhibition, The Inheritance, figures my own tendencies to contain and conceal my disorder, through the assembling of sculptural containers and their disordered contents. The work, presented as something surreal, comments on the complexities of being a woman with a disorder, as well as on the disease I experience in relation to a history of patriarchal ideologies and psychiatric containment that has informed understandings of ‘female madness’. Grounded in my interests in abjection and containment, the artistic processes of trying to express deeply personal experiences of distress allow for the resurfacing of underlying trauma, in regards to the memory of my mother’s struggle with Bipolar disorder and her subsequent estrangement. Instead of catharsis, the exhibition represents an inevitable failure to represent the unrepresentable, an experience inextricably bound to the history of gendered oppression and the repression of subjectivity by dominant powers of belief and control. Through my practice as research, I have ultimately grappled with my reluctance to represent my experience, precisely because the topic of mental disorder, though pervasive, is lived and felt by varying groups of people in different ways. As such, my intention is to avoid a reductive and narrow framing of what mental disorder entails. Similarly, I aim to avoid restrictive and presumptuous definitions of gender – recognizing that, historically, femininity is a contested category that has silenced many individuals who are not white, heterosexual or gender conforming. My literary research has been limited by these norms and silences, in that most texts detailing the historical visual treatment of disordered subjects fail to recognise the possibility of gender categories that transcend the binary masculinity and femininity. With these limitations in mind, my practice has allowed me to reflect upon the distress of generations of people who have been pathologised based on gender.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Futcher, Charis Catheryn
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Mental illness in art , Women -- Mental health , Art, South African -- 21st century -- Exhibitions , Sculpture, South African -- 21st century -- Exhibitions , Women in art
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MFA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/42957 , vital:25252
- Description: Inspired by personal lived experiences of mental disorder; this thesis attempts to explore the representation of these complex conditions as they are deeply embedded in trauma, guilt, and stigma. The accompanying exhibition, The Inheritance, figures my own tendencies to contain and conceal my disorder, through the assembling of sculptural containers and their disordered contents. The work, presented as something surreal, comments on the complexities of being a woman with a disorder, as well as on the disease I experience in relation to a history of patriarchal ideologies and psychiatric containment that has informed understandings of ‘female madness’. Grounded in my interests in abjection and containment, the artistic processes of trying to express deeply personal experiences of distress allow for the resurfacing of underlying trauma, in regards to the memory of my mother’s struggle with Bipolar disorder and her subsequent estrangement. Instead of catharsis, the exhibition represents an inevitable failure to represent the unrepresentable, an experience inextricably bound to the history of gendered oppression and the repression of subjectivity by dominant powers of belief and control. Through my practice as research, I have ultimately grappled with my reluctance to represent my experience, precisely because the topic of mental disorder, though pervasive, is lived and felt by varying groups of people in different ways. As such, my intention is to avoid a reductive and narrow framing of what mental disorder entails. Similarly, I aim to avoid restrictive and presumptuous definitions of gender – recognizing that, historically, femininity is a contested category that has silenced many individuals who are not white, heterosexual or gender conforming. My literary research has been limited by these norms and silences, in that most texts detailing the historical visual treatment of disordered subjects fail to recognise the possibility of gender categories that transcend the binary masculinity and femininity. With these limitations in mind, my practice has allowed me to reflect upon the distress of generations of people who have been pathologised based on gender.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Researching research culture: a case study of Rhodes University Humanities Faculty research culture
- Authors: Hwami, Rudo Fortunate
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Rhodes University. Humanities Faculty , Rhodes University -- Graduate work , Rhodes University. Humanities Faculty -- Research , Research -- South Africa -- Makhanda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7522 , vital:21269
- Description: This thesis explores the idea of research having organisational characteristics which are affected by the institutional culture but can not be defined as a subculture of the institutional culture. In particular, it examines how research culture(s) can be exclusionary and reproduce discriminatory practices. Using quantitative data in the form of Rhodes University Annual Reports and interviews conducted with 11 participants, the thesis documents the current research practices of the Faculty of Humanities at Rhodes University. Such practices incorporate multiple dimensions, including how research is done, who does research, what research is done and research funding rituals. The purpose of this study is to reveal how research cultures are constructed through the seemingly mundane and everyday research practices within a research community. Through the analysis of these everyday practices, participants’ experiences and theoretical arguments, this thesis found that research culture and institutional culture are separate entities, and that research culture plays a vital role in the formation of research practices.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Hwami, Rudo Fortunate
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Rhodes University. Humanities Faculty , Rhodes University -- Graduate work , Rhodes University. Humanities Faculty -- Research , Research -- South Africa -- Makhanda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7522 , vital:21269
- Description: This thesis explores the idea of research having organisational characteristics which are affected by the institutional culture but can not be defined as a subculture of the institutional culture. In particular, it examines how research culture(s) can be exclusionary and reproduce discriminatory practices. Using quantitative data in the form of Rhodes University Annual Reports and interviews conducted with 11 participants, the thesis documents the current research practices of the Faculty of Humanities at Rhodes University. Such practices incorporate multiple dimensions, including how research is done, who does research, what research is done and research funding rituals. The purpose of this study is to reveal how research cultures are constructed through the seemingly mundane and everyday research practices within a research community. Through the analysis of these everyday practices, participants’ experiences and theoretical arguments, this thesis found that research culture and institutional culture are separate entities, and that research culture plays a vital role in the formation of research practices.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Chinese aid and African agency since 2000: examining the cases of Zimbabwe, Angola and Ghana
- Authors: Chipaike, Ronald
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59151 , vital:27442
- Description: Restricted access-thesis embargoed for 2 years
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Chipaike, Ronald
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59151 , vital:27442
- Description: Restricted access-thesis embargoed for 2 years
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Interactions between two biological control agents released on Pereskia aculeata Miller (Cactaceae), in South Africa
- Authors: Mnqeta, Zezethu
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Pereskia aculeata -- Biological control , Cactus -- Biological control -- South Africa , Alien plants -- Biological control -- South Africa , Flea beetles -- South Africa , Coreidae -- South Africa , Insects as biological pest control agents -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7949 , vital:21327
- Description: Pereskia aculeata Miller (Cactaceae) is an alien invasive plant introduced into South Africa from Brazil, which has negative impacts on native biodiversity in South Africa. Phenrica guerini Bechyne (Chrysomelidae) and Catorhintha schaffneri Brailovsky & Garcia (Coreidae) are two biological control agents released against P. aculeata in South Africa. Phenrica guerini was first released against P. aculeata, in 1991, followed by C. schaffneri in 2014. The overall aim of this study was to improve the biological control programme against P. aculeata in order to decrease its density to a level where it does not threaten the native biodiversity of South Africa. The first part of this study evaluated the efficacy of P. guerini on P. aculeata at Port Alfred (Eastern Cape) to better understand the role of P. guerini in the biological control of P. aculeata. An insecticide exclusion experiment was conducted over 100 days. Plots with P. guerini had a mean of 187 (SE ± 62) fewer leaves/m2 than plots without P. guerini. The agent reduced percentage cover in plots with P. guerini, with a mean of 19.42% (SE ± 3.15) lower cover than plots without P. guerini. Although P. guerini had an impact on P. aculeata at Port Alfred previous studies have indicated that a reduction to below 50% cover is required for native biodiversity to recover and the agent only reduced cover to 62% at Port Alfred. Phenrica guerini has therefore not reduced percentage cover sufficiently to completely control the weed. The data collected from Port Alfred was compared to the performance of the agent nationwide. Although P. guerini was found at far more sites than previously recorded, there were very few sites with comparable levels of damage to Port Alfred. This evidence suggests that P. guerini is not sufficiently damaging to reduce P. aculeata to acceptable levels and other biological control agents should be considered.Interactions between two biological control agents can have complex and unexpected impacts for a biological control programme. The second part of this study was to investigate interactions between C. schaffneri and P. guerini under laboratory conditions to test whether the two agents, individually or jointly, enhanced or reduced their impact on P. aculeata. Potted P. aculeata plants were exposed to one of four treatments: control (no agents), P. guerini only, C. schaffneri only and both species in combination. Four stocking densities, ranging from 2 to 12 insects per plant were used. Catorhintha schaffneri alone at high densities was more damaging than all other treatments with a significantly greater reduction in the mean number of leaves, 11.7 (SE ± 1.29), and shoot lengths, 2.17cm (SE ± O. 75). Even at lower density treatments, the combination of the two agents was not significantly more damaging than C. schaffneri alone and C. schaffneri was always more damaging than P. guerini alone. Mortality of P. guerini was significantly higher than C. schaffneri at the highest stocking density when in combination. Phenrica guerini contributes towards the biological control of P. aculeata at some sites in South Africa but not enough to completely control the weed. The antagonistic interaction between P. guerini and C. schaffneri suggests that these agents should not be released together because this would impact negatively on the overall biocontrol programme against P. aculeata. Catorhintha schaffneri should be released at sites were P. guerini is not present and evaluations of the success of this agent in the field should be conducted. Extrapolation of laboratory-based studies into the field is often challenging so mass-rearing of P. guerini should continue until there is convincing proof that C. schaffneri alone is more effective than P. guerini in the field.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mnqeta, Zezethu
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Pereskia aculeata -- Biological control , Cactus -- Biological control -- South Africa , Alien plants -- Biological control -- South Africa , Flea beetles -- South Africa , Coreidae -- South Africa , Insects as biological pest control agents -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7949 , vital:21327
- Description: Pereskia aculeata Miller (Cactaceae) is an alien invasive plant introduced into South Africa from Brazil, which has negative impacts on native biodiversity in South Africa. Phenrica guerini Bechyne (Chrysomelidae) and Catorhintha schaffneri Brailovsky & Garcia (Coreidae) are two biological control agents released against P. aculeata in South Africa. Phenrica guerini was first released against P. aculeata, in 1991, followed by C. schaffneri in 2014. The overall aim of this study was to improve the biological control programme against P. aculeata in order to decrease its density to a level where it does not threaten the native biodiversity of South Africa. The first part of this study evaluated the efficacy of P. guerini on P. aculeata at Port Alfred (Eastern Cape) to better understand the role of P. guerini in the biological control of P. aculeata. An insecticide exclusion experiment was conducted over 100 days. Plots with P. guerini had a mean of 187 (SE ± 62) fewer leaves/m2 than plots without P. guerini. The agent reduced percentage cover in plots with P. guerini, with a mean of 19.42% (SE ± 3.15) lower cover than plots without P. guerini. Although P. guerini had an impact on P. aculeata at Port Alfred previous studies have indicated that a reduction to below 50% cover is required for native biodiversity to recover and the agent only reduced cover to 62% at Port Alfred. Phenrica guerini has therefore not reduced percentage cover sufficiently to completely control the weed. The data collected from Port Alfred was compared to the performance of the agent nationwide. Although P. guerini was found at far more sites than previously recorded, there were very few sites with comparable levels of damage to Port Alfred. This evidence suggests that P. guerini is not sufficiently damaging to reduce P. aculeata to acceptable levels and other biological control agents should be considered.Interactions between two biological control agents can have complex and unexpected impacts for a biological control programme. The second part of this study was to investigate interactions between C. schaffneri and P. guerini under laboratory conditions to test whether the two agents, individually or jointly, enhanced or reduced their impact on P. aculeata. Potted P. aculeata plants were exposed to one of four treatments: control (no agents), P. guerini only, C. schaffneri only and both species in combination. Four stocking densities, ranging from 2 to 12 insects per plant were used. Catorhintha schaffneri alone at high densities was more damaging than all other treatments with a significantly greater reduction in the mean number of leaves, 11.7 (SE ± 1.29), and shoot lengths, 2.17cm (SE ± O. 75). Even at lower density treatments, the combination of the two agents was not significantly more damaging than C. schaffneri alone and C. schaffneri was always more damaging than P. guerini alone. Mortality of P. guerini was significantly higher than C. schaffneri at the highest stocking density when in combination. Phenrica guerini contributes towards the biological control of P. aculeata at some sites in South Africa but not enough to completely control the weed. The antagonistic interaction between P. guerini and C. schaffneri suggests that these agents should not be released together because this would impact negatively on the overall biocontrol programme against P. aculeata. Catorhintha schaffneri should be released at sites were P. guerini is not present and evaluations of the success of this agent in the field should be conducted. Extrapolation of laboratory-based studies into the field is often challenging so mass-rearing of P. guerini should continue until there is convincing proof that C. schaffneri alone is more effective than P. guerini in the field.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
A community partner’s perceptions of a service-learning partnership
- Authors: Queripel, Kathryn
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6978 , vital:21206
- Description: Literature has highlighted the importance of university-community partnerships in servicelearning (SL) as a vehicle for conducting a mutually beneficial service-learning programme (Dorado & Giles, 2004). This research aimed to investigate factors influencing a SL partnership through the insights of a particular community partner. Based on a case study of a rural school in the Eastern Cape, three community partners perceptions were obtained through in-depth semi-structured interviews. Thereafter, thematic analysis was used to analyse the data using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six phase guide. Three main theme’s emerged from the data that shed light to the key issues shaping community partners perceptions. These were centred on the effects of apartheid including resources, geographic location, and level of commitment from the university. The findings of this research brought forward the importance of awareness of context, responding to the context and commitment displayed in the partnership. This research further highlights the need for community partner’s perspective in literature.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Queripel, Kathryn
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6978 , vital:21206
- Description: Literature has highlighted the importance of university-community partnerships in servicelearning (SL) as a vehicle for conducting a mutually beneficial service-learning programme (Dorado & Giles, 2004). This research aimed to investigate factors influencing a SL partnership through the insights of a particular community partner. Based on a case study of a rural school in the Eastern Cape, three community partners perceptions were obtained through in-depth semi-structured interviews. Thereafter, thematic analysis was used to analyse the data using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six phase guide. Three main theme’s emerged from the data that shed light to the key issues shaping community partners perceptions. These were centred on the effects of apartheid including resources, geographic location, and level of commitment from the university. The findings of this research brought forward the importance of awareness of context, responding to the context and commitment displayed in the partnership. This research further highlights the need for community partner’s perspective in literature.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Son of a dog
- Authors: Kolawole, Samuel
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Creative writing (Higher education) South Africa , South African fiction (English) 21st century , African fiction (English) 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7195 , vital:21228
- Description: Son of a Dog is inspired by a real-life figure whose exploits captured the Nigerian public imagination in the 1980s. Famously known as Ovbigbo (“The Law”), Lawrence Anini unleashed a nationwide reign of terror against law and order. Set against the backdrop of the political turmoil following the Nigerian civil war, the novel traces Anini’s formative years in menial jobs to his rise to the leadership of a notorious criminal gang. It fuses the established facts of his short meteoric career with my imagined version of his inner life and the contemporary myths that sprung up around his legend. It finally crosses the boundary between the real and the mythic as Lawrence Anini becomes truly invincible and elusive after a lust-struck encounter with a fantastical character. I draw inspiration from the dark visceral fiction of Michael Cisco and Brian Evenson, AyiKwei Armah’s unflinchingly descriptive prose and E.C. Osondu’s sharp contemporary humour.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Kolawole, Samuel
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Creative writing (Higher education) South Africa , South African fiction (English) 21st century , African fiction (English) 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7195 , vital:21228
- Description: Son of a Dog is inspired by a real-life figure whose exploits captured the Nigerian public imagination in the 1980s. Famously known as Ovbigbo (“The Law”), Lawrence Anini unleashed a nationwide reign of terror against law and order. Set against the backdrop of the political turmoil following the Nigerian civil war, the novel traces Anini’s formative years in menial jobs to his rise to the leadership of a notorious criminal gang. It fuses the established facts of his short meteoric career with my imagined version of his inner life and the contemporary myths that sprung up around his legend. It finally crosses the boundary between the real and the mythic as Lawrence Anini becomes truly invincible and elusive after a lust-struck encounter with a fantastical character. I draw inspiration from the dark visceral fiction of Michael Cisco and Brian Evenson, AyiKwei Armah’s unflinchingly descriptive prose and E.C. Osondu’s sharp contemporary humour.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Ecosystem services in a biosphere reserve context: identification, mapping and valuation
- Authors: Ntshane, Basane Claire
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4536 , vital:20686
- Description: Despite their contribution to human well-being, ecosystem services (ES) are being destroyed by anthropogenic activities, taken for granted and often compromised during land use decision making. The question that often arises is, what value do ES have compared to other undertakings that are economically robust, such as mining? The vision of the Millenium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) was a world in which natural assets (including ES) are appreciated and integrated into decision-making. The biodiversity strategy of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) also concerns the integration of natural assets into decision making. Responding to challenges facing ES and their mainstreaming into decision-making has been constrained by lack of data and requires new tools and approaches. Integrating natural assets into decision-making is very important for South Africa (SA), where ES have been a crucial part of human systems for decades, and also because of the country’s commitment to the implementation of the CBD's biodiversity strategy. With the aim of incorporating ES into decision-making in an integrated way, this study was conducted in two biosphere reserves (BRs), Vhembe and Waterberg, in Limpopo Province, SA. The aims of the study were the identification, mapping and valuation of ES following an integrated approach. In order to achieve these aims, the study attempted to address four key objectives: (1) to assess and evaluate the status of mapping and valuation of ES in SA, (2) to identify and quantify ES and their indicators, (3) to investigate and analyse the impact of land use/cover (LU/LC) change to ES and (4) to conduct valuation of selected ES. Two separate literature reviews were undertaken to assess and evaluate the status of mapping and valuation of ES in SA, thus addressing study objective 1. Both reviews detected a significant research gap with regard to mapping and valuation of supporting services in SA. To identify ES and indicators provided by the two BRs and to assess the impact of LU/LC change and its effect on ES, a participatory scenario planning process was conducted under three different scenarios, namely ecological development, social development and economic development. It became clear that LU issues were diverse in nature and affected ES in a number of ways and that there were always trade-offs in the choice of LU. For example, yields of ES were best in the ecological development scenario and were affected negatively, together with agricultural commodity production, in the social development and economic development scenarios. A mapping exercise was undertaken to illustrate the spatial distribution of ES supply and demand, involving five ES and 15 indicators using existing datasets and the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs (InVEST) mapping tool, again addressing objective 2 of the study. Carbon storage and habitat quality were assessed, modelled and quantified and their values provided in biophysical terms using InVEST modelling tools, thus addressing objective 4 of the study. High quantities of carbon storage and high habitat quality were recorded in natural areas and low quantities were recorded in managed systems (cultivated, urban and plantation areas). InVEST was again applied to conduct an economic valuation of two provisioning ES, timber and firewood, by determining their net present values, attempting to address objective 4 of the study. Results revealed that, at 12% discount rate, the net present value (NPV) for timber production accounted for R23 317/ha in VBR and R57 304/ha in WBR. However, at lower discount rates (4 and 7%), the NPVs for timber were negative in VBR and positive in WBR. With regard to firewood production, the NPVs were negative against all three discount rates in both study areas. I conclude by proposing a four-step integrated approach that can aid the successful incorporation of ES into decision-making: (1) maintain a balance between the social, economic and ecological aspects when making decisions on ES, (2) strive for an evidence- based approach to decision-making (use quantities and values), (3) apply integrated approaches (methods and techniques) to quantification and valuation, and (4) communicate all steps along the way. The results of this study will serve as a baseline for integration of ES into decision-making in SA.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Ntshane, Basane Claire
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4536 , vital:20686
- Description: Despite their contribution to human well-being, ecosystem services (ES) are being destroyed by anthropogenic activities, taken for granted and often compromised during land use decision making. The question that often arises is, what value do ES have compared to other undertakings that are economically robust, such as mining? The vision of the Millenium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) was a world in which natural assets (including ES) are appreciated and integrated into decision-making. The biodiversity strategy of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) also concerns the integration of natural assets into decision making. Responding to challenges facing ES and their mainstreaming into decision-making has been constrained by lack of data and requires new tools and approaches. Integrating natural assets into decision-making is very important for South Africa (SA), where ES have been a crucial part of human systems for decades, and also because of the country’s commitment to the implementation of the CBD's biodiversity strategy. With the aim of incorporating ES into decision-making in an integrated way, this study was conducted in two biosphere reserves (BRs), Vhembe and Waterberg, in Limpopo Province, SA. The aims of the study were the identification, mapping and valuation of ES following an integrated approach. In order to achieve these aims, the study attempted to address four key objectives: (1) to assess and evaluate the status of mapping and valuation of ES in SA, (2) to identify and quantify ES and their indicators, (3) to investigate and analyse the impact of land use/cover (LU/LC) change to ES and (4) to conduct valuation of selected ES. Two separate literature reviews were undertaken to assess and evaluate the status of mapping and valuation of ES in SA, thus addressing study objective 1. Both reviews detected a significant research gap with regard to mapping and valuation of supporting services in SA. To identify ES and indicators provided by the two BRs and to assess the impact of LU/LC change and its effect on ES, a participatory scenario planning process was conducted under three different scenarios, namely ecological development, social development and economic development. It became clear that LU issues were diverse in nature and affected ES in a number of ways and that there were always trade-offs in the choice of LU. For example, yields of ES were best in the ecological development scenario and were affected negatively, together with agricultural commodity production, in the social development and economic development scenarios. A mapping exercise was undertaken to illustrate the spatial distribution of ES supply and demand, involving five ES and 15 indicators using existing datasets and the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs (InVEST) mapping tool, again addressing objective 2 of the study. Carbon storage and habitat quality were assessed, modelled and quantified and their values provided in biophysical terms using InVEST modelling tools, thus addressing objective 4 of the study. High quantities of carbon storage and high habitat quality were recorded in natural areas and low quantities were recorded in managed systems (cultivated, urban and plantation areas). InVEST was again applied to conduct an economic valuation of two provisioning ES, timber and firewood, by determining their net present values, attempting to address objective 4 of the study. Results revealed that, at 12% discount rate, the net present value (NPV) for timber production accounted for R23 317/ha in VBR and R57 304/ha in WBR. However, at lower discount rates (4 and 7%), the NPVs for timber were negative in VBR and positive in WBR. With regard to firewood production, the NPVs were negative against all three discount rates in both study areas. I conclude by proposing a four-step integrated approach that can aid the successful incorporation of ES into decision-making: (1) maintain a balance between the social, economic and ecological aspects when making decisions on ES, (2) strive for an evidence- based approach to decision-making (use quantities and values), (3) apply integrated approaches (methods and techniques) to quantification and valuation, and (4) communicate all steps along the way. The results of this study will serve as a baseline for integration of ES into decision-making in SA.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The epidemiology of African horse sickness in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Riddin, Megan Amy
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/64460 , vital:28546
- Description: Expected release date-May 2019
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Riddin, Megan Amy
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/64460 , vital:28546
- Description: Expected release date-May 2019
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Calibration and imaging with variable radio sources
- Authors: Mbou Sob, Ulrich Armel
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/37977 , vital:24721
- Description: Calibration of radio interferometric data is one of the most important steps that are required to produce high dynamic range radio maps with high fidelity. However, naive calibration (inaccurate knowledge of the sky and instruments) leads to the formation of calibration artefacts: the generation of spurious sources and the deformations in the structure of extended sources. A particular class of calibration artefacts, called ghost sources, which results from calibration with incomplete sky models has been extensively studied by Grobler et al. (2014, 2016) and Wijnholds et al. (2016). They developed a framework which can be used to predict the fluxes and positions of ghost sources. This work uses the approach initiated by these authors to study the calibration artefacts and ghost sources that are produced when variable sources are not considered in sky models during calibration. This work investigates both long-term and short-term variability and uses the root mean square (rms) and power spectrum as metrics to evaluate the “quality” of the residual visibilities obtained through calibration. We show that the overestimation and underestimation of source flux density during calibration produces similar but symmetrically opposite results. We show that calibration artefacts from sky model errors are not normally distributed. This prevents them from being removed by employing advanced techniques, such as stacking. The power spectrums measured from the residuals with a variable source was significantly higher than those from residuals without a variable source. This implies advanced calibration techniques and sky model completeness will be required for studies such as probing the Epoch of Reoinization, where we seek to detect faint signals below thermal noise.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mbou Sob, Ulrich Armel
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/37977 , vital:24721
- Description: Calibration of radio interferometric data is one of the most important steps that are required to produce high dynamic range radio maps with high fidelity. However, naive calibration (inaccurate knowledge of the sky and instruments) leads to the formation of calibration artefacts: the generation of spurious sources and the deformations in the structure of extended sources. A particular class of calibration artefacts, called ghost sources, which results from calibration with incomplete sky models has been extensively studied by Grobler et al. (2014, 2016) and Wijnholds et al. (2016). They developed a framework which can be used to predict the fluxes and positions of ghost sources. This work uses the approach initiated by these authors to study the calibration artefacts and ghost sources that are produced when variable sources are not considered in sky models during calibration. This work investigates both long-term and short-term variability and uses the root mean square (rms) and power spectrum as metrics to evaluate the “quality” of the residual visibilities obtained through calibration. We show that the overestimation and underestimation of source flux density during calibration produces similar but symmetrically opposite results. We show that calibration artefacts from sky model errors are not normally distributed. This prevents them from being removed by employing advanced techniques, such as stacking. The power spectrums measured from the residuals with a variable source was significantly higher than those from residuals without a variable source. This implies advanced calibration techniques and sky model completeness will be required for studies such as probing the Epoch of Reoinization, where we seek to detect faint signals below thermal noise.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
An intervention on how using easily accessible resources to carry out hands-on practical activities in science influences science teachers’ conceptual development and dispositions
- Authors: Asheela, Eva Ndagwedha
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Science teachers -- In-service training -- Namibia , Science teachers -- Namibia -- Case studies , Science -- Study and teaching -- Activity programs -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/8330 , vital:21385
- Description: The reform and transformation of education systems in terms of enhancing Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in the schooling systems is gaining momentum in different parts of the world. It is argued that there is a need to enhance science education, particularly in Africa, because science education is considered to be the main vehicle through which the greater objectives such as national development and improvement in the quality of life can be realised. Namibia as a country is no exception. A key way through which science education can be enhanced is through carrying out practical activities during teaching and learning. Despite the crucial role that practical activities play in science subjects, it appears that they are not carried out in most of the Namibian science classrooms. It is against this background that this study explored an intervention on how easily accessible resources to carry out hands-on practical activities in science, influenced science teachers’ conceptual development and dispositions towards the use of practical activities in science. In this study, a mixed methods case study approach underpinned by an interpretive paradigm was adopted. The research was conducted with 21 in-service science teachers from schools in Namibia who were all on a two year part-time BEd (Honours) program delivered in Namibia by a South African university from the Eastern Cape. To generate data, document analysis, questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, an intervention in the form of workshops on practical activities, lesson observations, which were videotaped, as well as teacher reflections were used. Conceptual development, disposition and professional development served as the conceptual lenses. Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory in conjunction with Shulman’s pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) were the theoretical frameworks adopted in the study.The findings showed that there was a general perception among the participants before the intervention that in order to carry out practical activities, well-equipped laboratories, conventional chemicals and equipment are needed. Some teachers had never used practical activities in their science classes with a range of constraints or hindrances provided as reasons. The findings additionally showed that for teachers to use easily accessible resources to carry out practical activities in their science classrooms, they need the knowledge and exposure on how to use these resources. The findings thus showed that this professional development approach raised motivation, knowledge and the skills of the science teacher participants to include practical activities in their science lessons using easily accessible resources. A recommendation is that if teachers are given opportunities, through professional development platforms to engage in hands- on practical activities using easily accessible resources, they can be enabled and motivated to implement these in their science classrooms.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Asheela, Eva Ndagwedha
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Science teachers -- In-service training -- Namibia , Science teachers -- Namibia -- Case studies , Science -- Study and teaching -- Activity programs -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/8330 , vital:21385
- Description: The reform and transformation of education systems in terms of enhancing Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in the schooling systems is gaining momentum in different parts of the world. It is argued that there is a need to enhance science education, particularly in Africa, because science education is considered to be the main vehicle through which the greater objectives such as national development and improvement in the quality of life can be realised. Namibia as a country is no exception. A key way through which science education can be enhanced is through carrying out practical activities during teaching and learning. Despite the crucial role that practical activities play in science subjects, it appears that they are not carried out in most of the Namibian science classrooms. It is against this background that this study explored an intervention on how easily accessible resources to carry out hands-on practical activities in science, influenced science teachers’ conceptual development and dispositions towards the use of practical activities in science. In this study, a mixed methods case study approach underpinned by an interpretive paradigm was adopted. The research was conducted with 21 in-service science teachers from schools in Namibia who were all on a two year part-time BEd (Honours) program delivered in Namibia by a South African university from the Eastern Cape. To generate data, document analysis, questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, an intervention in the form of workshops on practical activities, lesson observations, which were videotaped, as well as teacher reflections were used. Conceptual development, disposition and professional development served as the conceptual lenses. Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory in conjunction with Shulman’s pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) were the theoretical frameworks adopted in the study.The findings showed that there was a general perception among the participants before the intervention that in order to carry out practical activities, well-equipped laboratories, conventional chemicals and equipment are needed. Some teachers had never used practical activities in their science classes with a range of constraints or hindrances provided as reasons. The findings additionally showed that for teachers to use easily accessible resources to carry out practical activities in their science classrooms, they need the knowledge and exposure on how to use these resources. The findings thus showed that this professional development approach raised motivation, knowledge and the skills of the science teacher participants to include practical activities in their science lessons using easily accessible resources. A recommendation is that if teachers are given opportunities, through professional development platforms to engage in hands- on practical activities using easily accessible resources, they can be enabled and motivated to implement these in their science classrooms.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Antimalarial secondary metabolites from Morinda lucida
- Authors: Chithambo, Bertha
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Botanical chemistry , Anthraquinones , Antimalarials , Rubiaceae -- Therapeutic use , Malaria -- Treatment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/45730 , vital:25535
- Description: Antimalarial activities of secondary metabolites from Morinda lucida (Rubiaceae), were investigated. Even though M. lucida is traditionally used to treat malaria, diabetes, jaundice, hypertension, dysentery and many other diseases, the compounds in this plant have not yet been fully investigated and characterised. Most of the studies that have been done on this plant focused on the medicinal properties of the crude extracts but have not gone further to isolate and characterise the compounds. In this study, the methanol - dichloromethane crude extract from the bark of M. lucida was fractionated into fractions 1-8. Fractions 2-5 were purified in order to isolate active secondary metabolites. The isolated pure compounds were characterised and identified. An in vitro antimalarial assay was carried out on the crude extract, fractions, pure compounds and solutions made from different combinations of pure compounds using the parasite lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) assay. An IC50 done on the methanolic crude extract gave a value of 25 µg/mL. The % cell viability for the crude extract in cell toxicity assay remained at 100%. Each of the pure compounds tested had very little activity. Their activities were increased when samples from the different compounds were mixed. One of these mixtures reduced malaria viability to about 22 % at 20 µM and gave an IC50 value of 17 µM. Antibacterial assays were also carried out on the crude extract and fractions. Fractions 2 and 3 were relatively active (MIC values ranging between 125-1000 µg/mL) against M. cattarhalis and E. faecalis. Fraction 2 was also the most active on S. typhimurium and S. aureus (MIC value of 1000 µg/mL) compared with the other fractions. This same fraction also showed some activity against M. tuberculosis with MIC90 and MIC99 values of 40.9 and 46.3 µg/mL respectively in an anti-tuberculosis assay.The following compounds, comprising of iridoids (asperuloside and asperulosidic acid), terpenoids (stigmasterol, P-sitosterol, campesterol, lanosterol and cycloartenol) and anthraquinones [5,15-O-dimethylmorindol, 1,7-dihydroxy-2-methoxy-5-(methoxymethyl) anthraquinone and 1,6-dihydroxy-2-methoxy-5-(methoxymethyl)anthraquinone], were isolated. All these compounds have been isolated from different plants before with the exception of 1,7-dihydroxy-2-methoxy-5-(methoxymethyl)anthraquinone and 1,6-dihydroxy-2-methoxy-5-(methoxymethyl)anthraquinone which were tentatively assigned the structures due to insufficient data. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the identification of all of the mentioned compounds, with the exception of ß-sitosterol and stigmasterol, from M. lucida. Molecular docking was performed on one of the isolated anthraquinones (5,15-O- dimethylmorindol) to check if it can bind to cytochrome bci, a known target for atovaquone. This compound interacted with the same amino acids that atovaquone, a well known antimalarial agent, interacted with on cytochrome bc1 indicating a possible similar mode of action.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Chithambo, Bertha
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Botanical chemistry , Anthraquinones , Antimalarials , Rubiaceae -- Therapeutic use , Malaria -- Treatment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/45730 , vital:25535
- Description: Antimalarial activities of secondary metabolites from Morinda lucida (Rubiaceae), were investigated. Even though M. lucida is traditionally used to treat malaria, diabetes, jaundice, hypertension, dysentery and many other diseases, the compounds in this plant have not yet been fully investigated and characterised. Most of the studies that have been done on this plant focused on the medicinal properties of the crude extracts but have not gone further to isolate and characterise the compounds. In this study, the methanol - dichloromethane crude extract from the bark of M. lucida was fractionated into fractions 1-8. Fractions 2-5 were purified in order to isolate active secondary metabolites. The isolated pure compounds were characterised and identified. An in vitro antimalarial assay was carried out on the crude extract, fractions, pure compounds and solutions made from different combinations of pure compounds using the parasite lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) assay. An IC50 done on the methanolic crude extract gave a value of 25 µg/mL. The % cell viability for the crude extract in cell toxicity assay remained at 100%. Each of the pure compounds tested had very little activity. Their activities were increased when samples from the different compounds were mixed. One of these mixtures reduced malaria viability to about 22 % at 20 µM and gave an IC50 value of 17 µM. Antibacterial assays were also carried out on the crude extract and fractions. Fractions 2 and 3 were relatively active (MIC values ranging between 125-1000 µg/mL) against M. cattarhalis and E. faecalis. Fraction 2 was also the most active on S. typhimurium and S. aureus (MIC value of 1000 µg/mL) compared with the other fractions. This same fraction also showed some activity against M. tuberculosis with MIC90 and MIC99 values of 40.9 and 46.3 µg/mL respectively in an anti-tuberculosis assay.The following compounds, comprising of iridoids (asperuloside and asperulosidic acid), terpenoids (stigmasterol, P-sitosterol, campesterol, lanosterol and cycloartenol) and anthraquinones [5,15-O-dimethylmorindol, 1,7-dihydroxy-2-methoxy-5-(methoxymethyl) anthraquinone and 1,6-dihydroxy-2-methoxy-5-(methoxymethyl)anthraquinone], were isolated. All these compounds have been isolated from different plants before with the exception of 1,7-dihydroxy-2-methoxy-5-(methoxymethyl)anthraquinone and 1,6-dihydroxy-2-methoxy-5-(methoxymethyl)anthraquinone which were tentatively assigned the structures due to insufficient data. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the identification of all of the mentioned compounds, with the exception of ß-sitosterol and stigmasterol, from M. lucida. Molecular docking was performed on one of the isolated anthraquinones (5,15-O- dimethylmorindol) to check if it can bind to cytochrome bci, a known target for atovaquone. This compound interacted with the same amino acids that atovaquone, a well known antimalarial agent, interacted with on cytochrome bc1 indicating a possible similar mode of action.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Genetic diversity, evolutionary relationships and conservation of southern African Labeo fishes in relation to water management
- Authors: Ramoejane, Mpho
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5209 , vital:20786
- Description: Labeo spp. are large, herbivorous fishes that are important components of aquatic ecosystems and are a high conservation priority in South Africa. This thesis contributes to determination of conservation priorities for Labeo umbratus (Smith 1841) by resolving the taxonomic status of this species in the evolutionary context of southern African Labeo spp., assessing the presence of unique lineages in historically isolated river basins, and assessing the threat of intra- and interspecific hybridisation associated with introductions. Phylogenetic analyses of five DNA sequence data sets (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene [COI], cytochrome b gene [Cyt b], Recombination activating gene 1 [Rag1], COI+Rag1 and COI+Cyt b+Rag1) showed that the Labeo umbratus group (sensu Reid, 1985), which comprises the species Labeo umbratus, Labeo capensis (Smith 1841), Labeo seeberi Gilchrist and Thompson 1911 and Labeo rubromaculatus Gilchrist and Thompson 1913, is monophyletic, morphologically distinct and geographically disjunct from other African Labeo spp. groups except in the Tugela River system were L. rubromaculatus co-occurs with Labeo molybdinus Du Plessis 1963. Phylogeographic analysis of mitochondrial DNA (Cyt b) sequence data demonstrated that the populations of the L. umbratus from the Orange and the southward-flowing river systems are reciprocally monophyletic and were identified as evolutionary significant units. The populations in the southward-flowing river systems were further divided into southwestern (Gourits and Gamtoos) and southeastern (Sundays, Bushmans, Great Fish, Keiskamma, Buffalo and Nahoon) polyp hyletic sublineages. Four management units (Gourits Basin; Gamtoos Basin; Sundays+Bushmans+Great Fish River Basins; and Keiskamma+Buffalo+Nahoon River Basin) were not reciprocally monophyletic but were proposed on the basis of containing unique haplotype frequencies for conservation purposes. To evaluate the threat of hybridisation to the genetic integrity of L. umbratus, the occurrence of Labeo umbratus x L. capensis hybrids was investigated using mtDNA Cyt b and nDNA S7 intron sequence data and morphological data. Genetic evidence for interspecific hybridisation was detected for populations in two impoundments, Hardap Dam (Orange River Basin) and Darlington Dam (Sundays River Basin, Eastern Cape, South Africa). Some putative hybrids were identifiable morphologically on account of intermediacy between the parental species in meristic and morphometric characters. Translocation via direct stocking (Hardap Dam) or via an inter-basin water transfer scheme (Darlington Dam) was identified as a driver for hybridisation. Introductions associated with an inter-basin water transfer scheme has resulted in introgression between the previously isolated Orange River and southern lineages of L. umbratus. Further translocation of fish from these affected areas to non-contaminated river systems and impoundments such as Kat River (Great Fish River) and Slagboom (Sundays River) should be avoided.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Ramoejane, Mpho
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5209 , vital:20786
- Description: Labeo spp. are large, herbivorous fishes that are important components of aquatic ecosystems and are a high conservation priority in South Africa. This thesis contributes to determination of conservation priorities for Labeo umbratus (Smith 1841) by resolving the taxonomic status of this species in the evolutionary context of southern African Labeo spp., assessing the presence of unique lineages in historically isolated river basins, and assessing the threat of intra- and interspecific hybridisation associated with introductions. Phylogenetic analyses of five DNA sequence data sets (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene [COI], cytochrome b gene [Cyt b], Recombination activating gene 1 [Rag1], COI+Rag1 and COI+Cyt b+Rag1) showed that the Labeo umbratus group (sensu Reid, 1985), which comprises the species Labeo umbratus, Labeo capensis (Smith 1841), Labeo seeberi Gilchrist and Thompson 1911 and Labeo rubromaculatus Gilchrist and Thompson 1913, is monophyletic, morphologically distinct and geographically disjunct from other African Labeo spp. groups except in the Tugela River system were L. rubromaculatus co-occurs with Labeo molybdinus Du Plessis 1963. Phylogeographic analysis of mitochondrial DNA (Cyt b) sequence data demonstrated that the populations of the L. umbratus from the Orange and the southward-flowing river systems are reciprocally monophyletic and were identified as evolutionary significant units. The populations in the southward-flowing river systems were further divided into southwestern (Gourits and Gamtoos) and southeastern (Sundays, Bushmans, Great Fish, Keiskamma, Buffalo and Nahoon) polyp hyletic sublineages. Four management units (Gourits Basin; Gamtoos Basin; Sundays+Bushmans+Great Fish River Basins; and Keiskamma+Buffalo+Nahoon River Basin) were not reciprocally monophyletic but were proposed on the basis of containing unique haplotype frequencies for conservation purposes. To evaluate the threat of hybridisation to the genetic integrity of L. umbratus, the occurrence of Labeo umbratus x L. capensis hybrids was investigated using mtDNA Cyt b and nDNA S7 intron sequence data and morphological data. Genetic evidence for interspecific hybridisation was detected for populations in two impoundments, Hardap Dam (Orange River Basin) and Darlington Dam (Sundays River Basin, Eastern Cape, South Africa). Some putative hybrids were identifiable morphologically on account of intermediacy between the parental species in meristic and morphometric characters. Translocation via direct stocking (Hardap Dam) or via an inter-basin water transfer scheme (Darlington Dam) was identified as a driver for hybridisation. Introductions associated with an inter-basin water transfer scheme has resulted in introgression between the previously isolated Orange River and southern lineages of L. umbratus. Further translocation of fish from these affected areas to non-contaminated river systems and impoundments such as Kat River (Great Fish River) and Slagboom (Sundays River) should be avoided.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
From dialect to ‘official’ language: towards the intellectualisation of Ndau in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Sithole, Emmanuel
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6086 , vital:21030
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Sithole, Emmanuel
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6086 , vital:21030
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Workplace health promotion: a case of Rhodes University support staff
- Chigumete, Tinatsei Gabriella
- Authors: Chigumete, Tinatsei Gabriella
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Rhodes University -- Employees -- Health and hygiene , Employee health promotion -- South Africa -- Makhanda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/44509 , vital:25414
- Description: Background: Non-communicable diseases are rapidly advancing as leading causes of morbidity and mortality across social classes, exerting pressure on existing financial, organizational, and human resources. Health promotion is a common practice in the prevention of noncommunicable diseases, but workplace health promotion has not yet been well established in many workplaces. Identification of past workplace initiatives and exploring their facilitating and limiting factors is thus important to take into consideration when planning future initiatives. Well-informed and guided workplace health promotion initiatives are essential to improve the general health of staff, and these also need to take the broader cultural, socioeconomic, and environmental factors influencing non-communicable diseases in the target population into account. This two-phase study was conducted at Rhodes University. A needs assessment was conducted to identify current policies and practices of workplace health promotion and to identify any shortcomings of the initiatives that have previously been attempted to raise awareness of non-communicable diseases at Rhodes University. The second phase of this project aimed to address concerns raised in the first phase through a health promotion initiative for support staff that focuses on the prevention of noncommunicable diseases through heart healthy diets and physical activity. Method: The first phase of the current study involved working with the support staff and key stakeholders. Using the participatory action research approach and the PRECEDE-PROCEED model to guide the research, 11 semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders and 10 focus group discussions were conducted with support staff members to identify factors affecting workplace health promotion. Participant opinions on how to improve these initiatives were sought. The participants were asked to identify areas on which the intended intervention should focus, as well as to identify their preferred means of communicating health messages. During this phase, a group of support staff members who volunteered their involvement in the design and delivery of the educational intervention was also identified. They chose to go by the name, the Health Awareness Group.In an interim phase of the study, three health information leaflets informed by the results from the above activities were designed. These leaflets underwent a series of qualitative evaluations by other health professionals, a culture and African languages expert, and the Health Awareness Group, to assess content validity, context specificity, and cultural appropriateness for the target group. A series of quantitative tests for readability, suitability, and actionability was also conducted. The health information leaflets were then used as written materials in the educational intervention of the project. Members of the Health Awareness Group were also trained as peer educators through a series of workshops. This enabled them to promote and raise awareness of heart healthy diets and physical activity to others in the workplace. Workshops were participatory in nature and were guided by the Social Cognitive Theory. They were also equipped with the completed health information leaflets to distribute to their peers and to use as reference sources of information when needed. Results: Participants in the semi-structured interviews reported that some health promotion initiatives have previously been attempted and advertised to support staff, but the turnout was poor and most staff did not seem to understand the health benefits of these initiatives. The support staff, in turn, stated that most health talks were conducted in English, contained medical jargon, and that they would have preferred these initiatives either to be simplified or presented in their home language, and to display cultural sensitivity. Support staff have also reported that advertisements were too cliche to elicit their interest. They also suggested incentivising initiatives for better participation. Another key suggestion was to facilitate these initiatives in the university departments they work or other convenient venues, rather than at central venues. It was also suggested that these initiatives be part of the work calendar, as they are often 'impromptu' and, as a result, staff members did not have enough notice to take time off work. Several staff members requested 're-runs of these initiatives because one-time show cases are often inadequate'. Colourful visual representations on posters or leaflets, short plays or films were also proposed as modes of delivering health information. During the design of the material to be used for this project's intended intervention, the health information leaflets were deemed readable, suitable, actionable, context-specific, and culturally appropriate. Workshops conducted during Phase 2 of the study proved to be valuable in training peer educators. Members of the Health Awareness Group also deemed the workshops useful, and reported their readiness to be agents of change in the workplace. Conclusions: Based on the input of key stakeholders and support staff, health promotion policies and protocols for non-communicable diseases have not yet been developed. Health promotion initiatives, especially for support staff, that address non-communicable diseases have previously been attempted at the university but were not well-received. Factors affecting workplace health promotion were identified. Knowledge of these factors was useful in designing and tailoring the written educational materials and the educational intervention to the needs of the support staff and to redress the deficiencies of previous initiatives. The health leaflets were deemed appropriate for use by the target population. They addressed pertinent information needs. The health information leaflets and workshops were useful in equipping the Health Awareness Group with knowledge on heart healthy diets and promotion of physical activity. Continued the involvement of representatives from the Human Resources and Wellness offices will assist in ensuring the sustainability of this workplace health initiative.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Chigumete, Tinatsei Gabriella
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Rhodes University -- Employees -- Health and hygiene , Employee health promotion -- South Africa -- Makhanda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/44509 , vital:25414
- Description: Background: Non-communicable diseases are rapidly advancing as leading causes of morbidity and mortality across social classes, exerting pressure on existing financial, organizational, and human resources. Health promotion is a common practice in the prevention of noncommunicable diseases, but workplace health promotion has not yet been well established in many workplaces. Identification of past workplace initiatives and exploring their facilitating and limiting factors is thus important to take into consideration when planning future initiatives. Well-informed and guided workplace health promotion initiatives are essential to improve the general health of staff, and these also need to take the broader cultural, socioeconomic, and environmental factors influencing non-communicable diseases in the target population into account. This two-phase study was conducted at Rhodes University. A needs assessment was conducted to identify current policies and practices of workplace health promotion and to identify any shortcomings of the initiatives that have previously been attempted to raise awareness of non-communicable diseases at Rhodes University. The second phase of this project aimed to address concerns raised in the first phase through a health promotion initiative for support staff that focuses on the prevention of noncommunicable diseases through heart healthy diets and physical activity. Method: The first phase of the current study involved working with the support staff and key stakeholders. Using the participatory action research approach and the PRECEDE-PROCEED model to guide the research, 11 semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders and 10 focus group discussions were conducted with support staff members to identify factors affecting workplace health promotion. Participant opinions on how to improve these initiatives were sought. The participants were asked to identify areas on which the intended intervention should focus, as well as to identify their preferred means of communicating health messages. During this phase, a group of support staff members who volunteered their involvement in the design and delivery of the educational intervention was also identified. They chose to go by the name, the Health Awareness Group.In an interim phase of the study, three health information leaflets informed by the results from the above activities were designed. These leaflets underwent a series of qualitative evaluations by other health professionals, a culture and African languages expert, and the Health Awareness Group, to assess content validity, context specificity, and cultural appropriateness for the target group. A series of quantitative tests for readability, suitability, and actionability was also conducted. The health information leaflets were then used as written materials in the educational intervention of the project. Members of the Health Awareness Group were also trained as peer educators through a series of workshops. This enabled them to promote and raise awareness of heart healthy diets and physical activity to others in the workplace. Workshops were participatory in nature and were guided by the Social Cognitive Theory. They were also equipped with the completed health information leaflets to distribute to their peers and to use as reference sources of information when needed. Results: Participants in the semi-structured interviews reported that some health promotion initiatives have previously been attempted and advertised to support staff, but the turnout was poor and most staff did not seem to understand the health benefits of these initiatives. The support staff, in turn, stated that most health talks were conducted in English, contained medical jargon, and that they would have preferred these initiatives either to be simplified or presented in their home language, and to display cultural sensitivity. Support staff have also reported that advertisements were too cliche to elicit their interest. They also suggested incentivising initiatives for better participation. Another key suggestion was to facilitate these initiatives in the university departments they work or other convenient venues, rather than at central venues. It was also suggested that these initiatives be part of the work calendar, as they are often 'impromptu' and, as a result, staff members did not have enough notice to take time off work. Several staff members requested 're-runs of these initiatives because one-time show cases are often inadequate'. Colourful visual representations on posters or leaflets, short plays or films were also proposed as modes of delivering health information. During the design of the material to be used for this project's intended intervention, the health information leaflets were deemed readable, suitable, actionable, context-specific, and culturally appropriate. Workshops conducted during Phase 2 of the study proved to be valuable in training peer educators. Members of the Health Awareness Group also deemed the workshops useful, and reported their readiness to be agents of change in the workplace. Conclusions: Based on the input of key stakeholders and support staff, health promotion policies and protocols for non-communicable diseases have not yet been developed. Health promotion initiatives, especially for support staff, that address non-communicable diseases have previously been attempted at the university but were not well-received. Factors affecting workplace health promotion were identified. Knowledge of these factors was useful in designing and tailoring the written educational materials and the educational intervention to the needs of the support staff and to redress the deficiencies of previous initiatives. The health leaflets were deemed appropriate for use by the target population. They addressed pertinent information needs. The health information leaflets and workshops were useful in equipping the Health Awareness Group with knowledge on heart healthy diets and promotion of physical activity. Continued the involvement of representatives from the Human Resources and Wellness offices will assist in ensuring the sustainability of this workplace health initiative.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The symbolic consumption and identity construction through luxury branded clothing among Rhodes University students
- Authors: Chinomona, Perpetua
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Group identity , Peer pressure , Brand choice -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Consumer behavior -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Consumer behavior -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Luxuries -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Rhodes University -- Students -- Attitudes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6853 , vital:21193
- Description: The purpose of this study is to explore how Rhodes University (RU) students construct identity through the symbolic consumption of luxury branded clothing and the role played by reference groups in the consumption behaviour. The study employed the Social Identity Theory (SIT) as a theoretical framework which explains the underpinnings of the cognitions and behaviour with the use of group processes (Trepte, 2006). The central principle of SIT lies in individuals classifying themselves and others into in-group (reference groups) and out-group social categories respectively. There has been a gap in the literature pertaining to a full understanding of the identity construction process through symbolic consumption of luxury brands in South Africa (Reed, 2002). The significance of the study is to provide a foundation for an enhanced theory of consumer behaviour in this context. This study employed a qualitative research approach. A non-probability convenience sampling technique was used, and a total of 12 undergraduate and postgraduate students were interviewed. The chosen data collection method was semi-structured in-depth interviews and data were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings of the study revealed that participants consume luxury branded clothing for both functional and symbolic purposes. Various factors emerged that influence the choice of the symbolic consumption behaviour such as income, buying frequency, spending patterns, perceptions and habits around retail shopping and the shopping experience. In addition, results indicated that reference groups (celebrities, family and peers) play a significant role in the symbolic consumption and construction of identity among the participants. In addition, the results also indicated that the RU participants engaged in a ‘save to spend’ technique whereby they save their pocket money so that they spend it on their favourite luxury branded clothing when they leave for the holidays. There was a common reference group that emerged from the study, namely the peer in-group. The influence of reference groups on youth consumers in South Africa may assist with marketing strategies that can be employed when targeting the Generation Y. Additionally, results indicate that luxury branded clothing have an impact on identity construction within the South African context. The respondents tie their identity to their luxury branded clothing as an indication of ‘who they are’ and as an extension of the ‘self’.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Chinomona, Perpetua
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Group identity , Peer pressure , Brand choice -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Consumer behavior -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Consumer behavior -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Luxuries -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Rhodes University -- Students -- Attitudes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6853 , vital:21193
- Description: The purpose of this study is to explore how Rhodes University (RU) students construct identity through the symbolic consumption of luxury branded clothing and the role played by reference groups in the consumption behaviour. The study employed the Social Identity Theory (SIT) as a theoretical framework which explains the underpinnings of the cognitions and behaviour with the use of group processes (Trepte, 2006). The central principle of SIT lies in individuals classifying themselves and others into in-group (reference groups) and out-group social categories respectively. There has been a gap in the literature pertaining to a full understanding of the identity construction process through symbolic consumption of luxury brands in South Africa (Reed, 2002). The significance of the study is to provide a foundation for an enhanced theory of consumer behaviour in this context. This study employed a qualitative research approach. A non-probability convenience sampling technique was used, and a total of 12 undergraduate and postgraduate students were interviewed. The chosen data collection method was semi-structured in-depth interviews and data were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings of the study revealed that participants consume luxury branded clothing for both functional and symbolic purposes. Various factors emerged that influence the choice of the symbolic consumption behaviour such as income, buying frequency, spending patterns, perceptions and habits around retail shopping and the shopping experience. In addition, results indicated that reference groups (celebrities, family and peers) play a significant role in the symbolic consumption and construction of identity among the participants. In addition, the results also indicated that the RU participants engaged in a ‘save to spend’ technique whereby they save their pocket money so that they spend it on their favourite luxury branded clothing when they leave for the holidays. There was a common reference group that emerged from the study, namely the peer in-group. The influence of reference groups on youth consumers in South Africa may assist with marketing strategies that can be employed when targeting the Generation Y. Additionally, results indicate that luxury branded clothing have an impact on identity construction within the South African context. The respondents tie their identity to their luxury branded clothing as an indication of ‘who they are’ and as an extension of the ‘self’.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
What are the discursive resources surrounding “beer goggles” and their implications within the South African university context?
- Authors: Stuart, Michael Jason
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4602 , vital:20697
- Description: Exploring student drinking, this research provides an in-depth investigation into how “beer goggles” is constructed discursively and what implications that has within the South African university context. In doing so, research attempted to: 1) map out the discursive resources operating in the empirical research literature, public domain texts and individual talk; 2) identify the subject positions and action orientation of these constructions, and 3) to establish what gendered subjectivities are reproduced within that framework. With a qualitative and social constructionist background, this study utilised a Foucauldian discourse analytic method that included ideas from discursive research. Data collection involved five mainstream videos, three focus groups and three interviews. Along with the research literature, the videos represented the wider social constructions around “beer goggles” that are played out in the micro contexts displayed by the latter participant material. Based on their popularity on YouTube, consideration was given to videos that were the most relevant and theoretically interesting to the research project. The focus groups and interviews involved current, full time, male and female, Rhodes University students over the age of 18. Analysis revealed a common sense construction of the phenomenon that has various discursive implications. While embarrassing and sometimes out of control; “beer goggles” is constructed as a socially profitable altered state of mind that is deemed a normal and heterosexual experience in the university drinking culture. Highlighting the importance of a discursive investigation, this study provided new and alternative information that can assist further research and shed light on the debates surrounding the phenomenon. Additional research is recommended.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Stuart, Michael Jason
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4602 , vital:20697
- Description: Exploring student drinking, this research provides an in-depth investigation into how “beer goggles” is constructed discursively and what implications that has within the South African university context. In doing so, research attempted to: 1) map out the discursive resources operating in the empirical research literature, public domain texts and individual talk; 2) identify the subject positions and action orientation of these constructions, and 3) to establish what gendered subjectivities are reproduced within that framework. With a qualitative and social constructionist background, this study utilised a Foucauldian discourse analytic method that included ideas from discursive research. Data collection involved five mainstream videos, three focus groups and three interviews. Along with the research literature, the videos represented the wider social constructions around “beer goggles” that are played out in the micro contexts displayed by the latter participant material. Based on their popularity on YouTube, consideration was given to videos that were the most relevant and theoretically interesting to the research project. The focus groups and interviews involved current, full time, male and female, Rhodes University students over the age of 18. Analysis revealed a common sense construction of the phenomenon that has various discursive implications. While embarrassing and sometimes out of control; “beer goggles” is constructed as a socially profitable altered state of mind that is deemed a normal and heterosexual experience in the university drinking culture. Highlighting the importance of a discursive investigation, this study provided new and alternative information that can assist further research and shed light on the debates surrounding the phenomenon. Additional research is recommended.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Evaluating the share performance of socially responsible investment on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange
- Authors: Cormack, Bradley Alexander
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Investments -- Moral and ethical aspects -- South Africa , Johannesburg Stock Exchange , Social responsibility of business -- Standards , Social responsiblity of business -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/36251 , vital:24532
- Description: Socially responsible investing (SRI) integrates environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues into the investment decision-making process. Growing ESG concerns and the uncovering of corporate scandals have catalysed the substantial growth in SRI portfolios worldwide. Notwithstanding its increasing popularity, barriers to further SRI growth have been identified. Traditional investing practices suggest that theoretically, SRI may underperform conventional investment strategies. However, despite the vast amount of literature on SRI, empirical studies have yielded a mixture of results regarding fund performance. The JSE SRI Index was launched in 2004 to promote transparent business practices. It was discontinued at the end of 2015 succeeded by a new Responsible Investment Index established by the JSE in association with FTSE Russell. The aim of the research was to evaluate the share performance of the JSE SRI Index from 2004-2015. Additionally, the indices were categorised by environmental impact to further analyse disparity among share returns. The study was also divided into two sub-periods, 2004-2009 and 2010-2015, with the latter following the endorsement of integrated reporting by the King III Code as a listing requirement in 2010. A single-factor Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) was used to assess differences in risk-adjusted returns. Engle-Granger and Johansen tests were employed to explore the possibility of a cointegrating relationship between the indices. No significant difference between returns was observed for 2004-2009, with the SRI Index exhibiting statistically significant inferior risk-adjusted returns for the latter half of the study. Overall, a significant difference between share returns was found, with CAPM results suggesting that the JSE SRI Index underperformed the All Share Index by -2.33% per annum throughout the time span of the study. Engle-Granger and Johansen test results indicated the existence of a cointegrating relationship over the first half of the study. However, there was no cointegration between the two indices for 2004-2015, which may be attributed to no significant relationship found for the latter years. Results support the notion that investors pay the price to invest ethically on the JSE. Inferior risk-adjusted returns associated with SRI may be a major barrier to its development in South African markets.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Cormack, Bradley Alexander
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Investments -- Moral and ethical aspects -- South Africa , Johannesburg Stock Exchange , Social responsibility of business -- Standards , Social responsiblity of business -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/36251 , vital:24532
- Description: Socially responsible investing (SRI) integrates environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues into the investment decision-making process. Growing ESG concerns and the uncovering of corporate scandals have catalysed the substantial growth in SRI portfolios worldwide. Notwithstanding its increasing popularity, barriers to further SRI growth have been identified. Traditional investing practices suggest that theoretically, SRI may underperform conventional investment strategies. However, despite the vast amount of literature on SRI, empirical studies have yielded a mixture of results regarding fund performance. The JSE SRI Index was launched in 2004 to promote transparent business practices. It was discontinued at the end of 2015 succeeded by a new Responsible Investment Index established by the JSE in association with FTSE Russell. The aim of the research was to evaluate the share performance of the JSE SRI Index from 2004-2015. Additionally, the indices were categorised by environmental impact to further analyse disparity among share returns. The study was also divided into two sub-periods, 2004-2009 and 2010-2015, with the latter following the endorsement of integrated reporting by the King III Code as a listing requirement in 2010. A single-factor Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) was used to assess differences in risk-adjusted returns. Engle-Granger and Johansen tests were employed to explore the possibility of a cointegrating relationship between the indices. No significant difference between returns was observed for 2004-2009, with the SRI Index exhibiting statistically significant inferior risk-adjusted returns for the latter half of the study. Overall, a significant difference between share returns was found, with CAPM results suggesting that the JSE SRI Index underperformed the All Share Index by -2.33% per annum throughout the time span of the study. Engle-Granger and Johansen test results indicated the existence of a cointegrating relationship over the first half of the study. However, there was no cointegration between the two indices for 2004-2015, which may be attributed to no significant relationship found for the latter years. Results support the notion that investors pay the price to invest ethically on the JSE. Inferior risk-adjusted returns associated with SRI may be a major barrier to its development in South African markets.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
New rules or no rules? a critical corpus analysis of gender in South African English televised-sport commentary
- Authors: Foster, Gordon
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Critical discourse analysis , Sportscasters -- Language , Masculinity in sports , Masculinity in mass media , Mass media and sports , Competition (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/36116 , vital:24480
- Description: This research project makes use of multiple linguistic and sociological theories. Using Critical Discourse Analysis (as developed by Fairclough 2001, 2013, Wodak 1995, 1997, and van Dijk 2001), and corpus linguistics (following Baker 2012, Baker et al., 2008 and Xiao & McEnery, 2005 - see Website Reference 4), it attempts to critically discuss the language evident in a corpus constructed from transcribed sport broadcasts televised in South Africa, interrogated with the use of AntConc software, maintaining a particular focus on gender representation. It does this with the help of CMT (Contemporary Metaphor Theory) as developed by Lakoff and Johnson (1980) and Lakoff (1993), which allows for the deconstruction and categorisation of metaphorical mappings in the data. With the help of CMT I describe the cognitive mapping of competition through war terminology and uncover a diligent committal to discourses which support hegemonic masculinity, as well as an underlying ideology that purports that rules are breakable and rule infringement will not be significantly penalised (particularly for men). Special attention is paid to collocating language and the ability of these terms to infuse a subject with an evaluative aura. This involves, in particular: using wordlists to identify pertinent content words in the corpus, addressing collocates to reveal semantic prosodies in the text, and analysing concordance data to see how particular discursive strategies were used in context. Particular interest is paid to the depictions of masculinity seen in sport as a potential reflection of the views held in competitive sport playing societies at large, and to this end it focuses on language and imagery which is used in the discursive construction of the terms: men, women, champion, and physicality. The ideology of male hegemony is found to be dominant in the corpus data, seen in, among other things: the positioning of women, the inclusion of traditional discourses relating to the performance of masculinity and the construction of the 'new man'. White, heterosexual men are shown to be represented as exemplars of hegemonic masculinity, subordinating both black and homosexual men. Laughter is also seen as affirmation of the naturalised cheekiness of men and boys and their tendency to break rules in order to succeed, and betting is identified as a potentially destructive influence in sport.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Foster, Gordon
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Critical discourse analysis , Sportscasters -- Language , Masculinity in sports , Masculinity in mass media , Mass media and sports , Competition (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/36116 , vital:24480
- Description: This research project makes use of multiple linguistic and sociological theories. Using Critical Discourse Analysis (as developed by Fairclough 2001, 2013, Wodak 1995, 1997, and van Dijk 2001), and corpus linguistics (following Baker 2012, Baker et al., 2008 and Xiao & McEnery, 2005 - see Website Reference 4), it attempts to critically discuss the language evident in a corpus constructed from transcribed sport broadcasts televised in South Africa, interrogated with the use of AntConc software, maintaining a particular focus on gender representation. It does this with the help of CMT (Contemporary Metaphor Theory) as developed by Lakoff and Johnson (1980) and Lakoff (1993), which allows for the deconstruction and categorisation of metaphorical mappings in the data. With the help of CMT I describe the cognitive mapping of competition through war terminology and uncover a diligent committal to discourses which support hegemonic masculinity, as well as an underlying ideology that purports that rules are breakable and rule infringement will not be significantly penalised (particularly for men). Special attention is paid to collocating language and the ability of these terms to infuse a subject with an evaluative aura. This involves, in particular: using wordlists to identify pertinent content words in the corpus, addressing collocates to reveal semantic prosodies in the text, and analysing concordance data to see how particular discursive strategies were used in context. Particular interest is paid to the depictions of masculinity seen in sport as a potential reflection of the views held in competitive sport playing societies at large, and to this end it focuses on language and imagery which is used in the discursive construction of the terms: men, women, champion, and physicality. The ideology of male hegemony is found to be dominant in the corpus data, seen in, among other things: the positioning of women, the inclusion of traditional discourses relating to the performance of masculinity and the construction of the 'new man'. White, heterosexual men are shown to be represented as exemplars of hegemonic masculinity, subordinating both black and homosexual men. Laughter is also seen as affirmation of the naturalised cheekiness of men and boys and their tendency to break rules in order to succeed, and betting is identified as a potentially destructive influence in sport.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
“I am 22 Million”: reading Winnie Madikizela as the intellectual face of anti-apartheid popular struggle
- Authors: Valela, Ntombizikhona
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/40802 , vital:25029
- Description: The purpose of this research is to read Winnie Madikizela Mandela as an intellectual. Through this research I want to examine whether Madikizela Mandela emerges from an intellectual tradition influenced by the political and intellectual discourse that existed at the time within the country such as the ideology of the African National Congress (not to say that this was without external influence but I would argue that the ideology of the ANC evolved to fit the domestic politics of the day), the Civil Rights Movement, the Black Panther Party and Black Consciousness. Through trying to understand Madikizela Mandela’s intellectual journey this thesis will explore the larger question of intellectual production. Lewis Gordon argues that it is often presumed that theory is north and experience is south.1 As a result black people are often excluded from being possible intellectuals and shapers of intellectual discourse but are rather relegated to the categories of ‘actors’ rather than thinkers. The point of departure of my research will be through Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s image as it provides a clue into the type of intellectual influences and ideologies that she subscribed to. This flows from Charles R. Garoian and Yvonne M. Gaudelius’ “The Spectacle of Visual Culture” where they argue for images teaching us what to see and think.2 Winnie Madikizela Mandela was a frequently photographed person and it is through these images that we witness an evolution in the way she presented herself which, as this research argues, is influenced by certain intellectual traditions that guide the black liberation struggle. In What’s My Name: Black Vernacular Intellectuals, Grant Farred explores the role of clothing in the conveying of intellectualism influenced by a certain ideology. Therefore I argue that Winnie Madikizela’s iconicity is more than conventional standards of beauty, or her link to her husband Nelson Mandela. It is rather a tool that she uses to convey an ideology and this complements that which she says when she chooses to speak.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Valela, Ntombizikhona
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/40802 , vital:25029
- Description: The purpose of this research is to read Winnie Madikizela Mandela as an intellectual. Through this research I want to examine whether Madikizela Mandela emerges from an intellectual tradition influenced by the political and intellectual discourse that existed at the time within the country such as the ideology of the African National Congress (not to say that this was without external influence but I would argue that the ideology of the ANC evolved to fit the domestic politics of the day), the Civil Rights Movement, the Black Panther Party and Black Consciousness. Through trying to understand Madikizela Mandela’s intellectual journey this thesis will explore the larger question of intellectual production. Lewis Gordon argues that it is often presumed that theory is north and experience is south.1 As a result black people are often excluded from being possible intellectuals and shapers of intellectual discourse but are rather relegated to the categories of ‘actors’ rather than thinkers. The point of departure of my research will be through Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s image as it provides a clue into the type of intellectual influences and ideologies that she subscribed to. This flows from Charles R. Garoian and Yvonne M. Gaudelius’ “The Spectacle of Visual Culture” where they argue for images teaching us what to see and think.2 Winnie Madikizela Mandela was a frequently photographed person and it is through these images that we witness an evolution in the way she presented herself which, as this research argues, is influenced by certain intellectual traditions that guide the black liberation struggle. In What’s My Name: Black Vernacular Intellectuals, Grant Farred explores the role of clothing in the conveying of intellectualism influenced by a certain ideology. Therefore I argue that Winnie Madikizela’s iconicity is more than conventional standards of beauty, or her link to her husband Nelson Mandela. It is rather a tool that she uses to convey an ideology and this complements that which she says when she chooses to speak.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The development of biodegradable aerogel scaffolds for the generation of vascularised 3D adipose tissue models
- Authors: Makhene, Lebohang
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59245 , vital:27492
- Description: Expected release date-April 2019
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Makhene, Lebohang
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59245 , vital:27492
- Description: Expected release date-April 2019
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017