Unisa Press Journals (University of South Africa)
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Iconographical Study and Semiotic Analysis of Princess Khnumet’s Diadem from the 12th Dynasty, Middle Kingdom
No full textThis study identifies unique aspects present in Princess Khnumet’s diadem through a hybrid approach incorporating Van Straten’s four-phase iconographic methodology and semiotics. Van Straten’s first phase identifies the materials, colours, and techniques that are present in Khnumet’s diadem. The second phase deals with the iconographic significance of the colours and motifs on the jewellery piece. The third phase discusses the use of iconographical themes to identify a theme that represented Khnumet’s diadem in its entirety. The fourth phase makes use of the historical, cultural, and social background of the Twelfth Dynasty, Middle Kingdom, to determine the influences that may have affected the design of the jewellery piece. Lastly, the discussion identifies how certain aspects were repeatedly present in Khnumet’s diadem, from which one can deduce how certain themes were predominantly selected. This study thus illustrates that the individual motifs are interconnected to the broader iconographical theme within a jewellery piece
Future Managerial Competencies Required for the Manufacturing Sector in South Africa
No full textThe impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and resulting technological advancements on the manufacturing environment requires new competencies from managers. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of managers concerning essential managerial competencies for future success in the manufacturing sector in South Africa. Studies on future managerial competencies are currently under-represented and served as motivation for this study. An exploratory qualitative research approach was followed and an interpretivist paradigm was employed. A qualitative descriptive empirical research design was used. The research sample comprised 20 managers from a variety of manufacturing organisations. Purposive sampling was used, and online semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect the data. Conventional qualitative content analysis was employed to analyse the data. The participants indicated that cognitive, general managerial, intrapersonal, macroeconomic, mesi-economic, organisational-focused and social skills will be critical managerial competencies for future success in the manufacturing sector. Limitations of the current study were reported and recommendations for future research were made. The findings of this study can inform talent acquisition, development and retention in the manufacturing sector of South Africa. In this study, we highlight the importance of social skills for managers such as people management, employee empowerment and interpersonal skills. Our study adds to the body of literature by highlighting the essential managerial competency of adaptability in the manufacturing sector. Managers should have the ability to adapt to change if they wish to be successful in the South African manufacturing sector. Another significant contribution was to qualitatively explore critical managerial competencies for the 4IR in this sector, from the perspective of those managers who already function in these roles
Central Bank Independence, Inflation and Money Growth: Evidence from South Africa
No full textPurpose: This article evaluates the impact of the de jure independence of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) on the credibility and discipline of domestic monetary policy. Credibility captures the extent to which economic agents trust the SARB to pursue its price stability mandate and is measured by the relationship between the SARB’s independence and domestic inflation. Discipline relates to the effect of independence on money growth rates, while independence is associated with a more disciplined central bank and moderate money growth rates.
Methodology: A simple autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) econometric specification and Granger causality tests are employed. Following the extant empirical literature, existing indexes of central bank independence (CBI) are regressed on annual rates of inflation and M2 money growth.
Findings: A statistically significant negative relationship is established between both i) CBI and inflation and ii) CBI and money growth for the South African economy. This suggests that the SARB’s legal independence plays an important role in containing inflation (credibility) and limiting excessive money growth (discipline).
Contribution: This article fills a gap in the extant literature by being the first attempt at formalising the empirical link between de jure CBI, inflation, and the rate of money growth in the South African economy
Enhancing National Security and Combating Insurgency in Nigeria: The Role of the Library
No full textThis study underscores the integral role of libraries in promoting transparency, resilience, and collective efforts towards a more secure and stable nation. Libraries are positioned as dynamic information repositories, housing a diverse array of materials that range from academic research to intelligence analyses providing valuable insights into the complexities of insurgency. Through systematic literature reviews, articles were harvested from databases including Google Scholar, Research Gate, Academia, and ProQuest. The study examines the pivotal role of libraries in enhancing national security and combating insurgency in Nigeria. Findings reveal that libraries play a crucial role in public education and awareness, promoting literacy and critical thinking skills essential for citizens to resist extremist ideologies. Findings further indicate that the collaborative nature of libraries as neutral grounds facilitates cooperation among diverse stakeholders, fostering the exchange of insights and experiences that contribute to the development of innovative strategies. Findings recognise the contributions that libraries have made in generating new knowledge and cultivating an informed citizenry to address the root causes of insurgency and foster sustainable peace in Nigeria. The study highlights that libraries in Nigeria can play a vital role in enhancing national security and combating insurgency by serving as hubs for disseminating accurate information, fostering critical thinking skills, countering extremist propaganda, building community resilience, providing professional development opportunities, advocating for effective policies, and preserving national identity. The study recommends leveraging resource and community networks that can contribute significantly to peacebuilding efforts in the country. The study recommends the need not to overlook the role of libraries in national security and counterinsurgency efforts, offering insights into innovative approaches and strategies for addressing these challenges
Assessment of Modern Preservation Practices at the Federal University Otuoke Library, Bayelsa State
No full textThe study titled Assessment of Modern Preservation Practices at the Federal University Otuoke Library, Bayelsa State, Nigeria\u27 was conducted to evaluate the contemporary preservation practices at the library, identify challenges in implementing modern preservation methods, and propose recommendations for improvement. The assessment aims to ensure the protection of collections and fulfil the library\u27s role as a custodian of knowledge. Qualitative research methodology was employed, and data were collected through interviews with five librarians from the electronic library, focusing on the study\u27s relevant questions. The study included the entire population due to its small size, eliminating the need for sampling. Content analysis was utilised to analyse the collected data, and the results were summarised in a comprehensive research report. The findings revealed that the library\u27s current preservation method is its website, with efforts underway to establish an institutional repository. However, the library faces challenges in adopting the institutional repository and other advanced preservation techniques due to limited financial resources and lack of administrative support. In conclusion, the study highlights the importance of effectively addressing financial constraints and gaining administrative support to adopt modern preservation methods. Through advocacy efforts, seeking external funds, and establishing partnerships, the Federal University Otuoke Library can enhance the preservation of its digital holdings and ensure their long-term accessibility. Based on the findings, the researchers recommended that the library establish strategic advocacy approaches to underscore the significance of digital preservation and institutional repositories and take practical measures to garner support from the university administration. Additionally, budgetary constraints should be addressed by securing financing from external sources and collaborating with institutions dedicated to digital preservation practices
Unveiling Jane Eyre: Space Escape and the Construction of Subjectivity through a Foucauldian Lens
No full textThis paper reexamines Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre through a Foucauldian lens, focusing on how traditional societal structures and the rise of capitalism impact women in 19th-century Britain, as observed by literary critic Sandra M. Gilbert and Gayatri C. Spivak. It analyses Jane’s journey through oppressive environments such as Gateshead Hall, Lowood School, Thornfield Hall, and Marsh End, culminating in her retreat to Ferndean Manor. These settings are interpreted as sites of power that impose disciplinary measures on Jane, both physically and mentally, with windows symbolising possible escape routes. The study argues that Jane represents a female rebel challenging patriarchal constraints and seeking personal freedom and equality. Despite her attempts to transcend societal and economic confines, her ultimate settlement at Ferndean Manor highlights the persistent influence of the old societal order, illustrating the novel’s realism and the complex, inescapable nature of reality. This interpretation enriches the ongoing scholarly discussion about Jane Eyre in light of its relevance to discussions of gender, power dynamics, and societal change
Dystopian Futures and Posthuman Realities: Biopolitics in Lauren Beukes’s Moxyland
No full textLauren Beukes’s Moxyland is a dystopian science fiction novel set in a near-future Cape Town, South Africa, which delves into the complex interplay between posthuman biopolitics, technology, authority, and the human body. This article examined the posthuman dimension through the lens of biopolitics. The article depicts the oppressive nature of pervasive surveillance and corporate control informed by the apartheid past, wherein four characters become entrapped in a society governed by these forces. Moreover, it demonstrates how the bodily integration of the regulatory technology derives from the racial idea of Western personhood, which intensifies the subjugation by altering subjects into posthuman entities. By adopting the Foucauldian theory of biopolitics as an analytical framework, this study traces the pivotal role played by biopolitics in the transformation of individuals into posthumans. The amalgamation of surveillance technologies and bioengineered enhancements leads to the commodification and perpetual manipulation of the subject, serving to uphold social order and preserve capitalist systems. The findings of this study shed light on the intensification of the control exerted by posthuman biopolitics, thereby contributing to the reconfiguration of the place of humans in academic discourse surrounding the intersection of power, technology, and the human body. By critically analysing the novel through the lens of Foucauldian theory, this article offers insights into the consequences of biopolitical control, underscoring the need for critical examination and discourse on the ethical implications of emergent posthuman societies in the Global South
Colonial Conflict and Cultural Symbolism in Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s The River Between
No full textThe River Between by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o stands as a pivotal piece in African literature, probing into the intricacies of colonialism, cultural identity, and resistance in colonial Kenya. This article aims to offer a thorough literary-symbolic analysis of Ngũgĩ’s novel, particularly its portrayal of these themes. It focuses on the central symbols and characters, especially the river dividing the Gikuyu community, which represents the conflict between tradition and modernity. The river is used as a significant metaphor for the ideological and cultural rifts within the community. It symbolises both the physical and metaphorical separation between Kameno and Makuyu ridges, encapsulating the struggle to balance indigenous beliefs with colonial influences. The characters Waiyaki and Nyambura are analysed as representations of this tension, highlighting the personal and societal conflicts encountered while navigating between tradition and progress. Additionally, the circumcision ritual is discussed as a vital symbol of Gikuyu cultural identity and its role in the broader conflict between traditionalists and advocates of Westernisation. Through meticulous textual analysis and historical context, the article elucidates Ngũgĩ’s strategic use of language and symbolism to critique colonialism and celebrate the resilience of indigenous cultures. Thus, by integrating literary analysis with historical insights, the paper achieves a nuanced understanding of the novel’s themes, demonstrating how The River Between invites reflection on the complexities of cultural identity and resistance in the face of colonial oppression.
Mental Health Considerations in HIV Research Published in the South African Journal of Psychology, 2008–2018
No full textIn this study, we explore the themes related to mental health considerations in HIV/AIDS research published in the South African Journal of Psychology (SAJP) from January 2008 to December 2018. Utilising an exploratory research design, we purposively sampled 35 empirical articles from the SAJP to represent general trends. We conducted a thematic content analysis to identify recurring constructs and themes, following established guidelines. Key themes identified include the intersection between stigma, mental health and access to healthcare; the impact of HIV on cognitive functioning and performance; behavioural vulnerabilities and power dynamics; and challenges in healthcare service utilisation. The cumulative evidence from the SAJP highlights the need for targeted, culturally sensitive interventions that deal with systemic inefficiencies and stigma in the healthcare system. Interventions should also consider broader socio-economic factors and promote equitable relationships. In addition, it is vital to ensure that healthcare providers receive ongoing education on legal and ethical matters to aid in sound ethical decision-making. An all-encompassing, coordinated strategy is key to improving the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS in South Africa
Barriers to and Facilitators of Treatment Adherence Among Caregivers of Children with Atopic Dermatitis: Exploring the Role of Attachment
No full textAtopic dermatitis (AD) or eczema is an inflammatory skin disease, usually with an onset in early childhood. The primary symptoms and signs of AD are itchy, dry, flaky skin and lichenification (thickening of the skin), which can cause severe discomfort, pain and irritation. Treatment consists of medication and specialised therapies. As children usually do not have the capacity to manage the condition themselves, the onus falls on the caregiver to provide the appropriate treatment. Caregivers are required to carefully monitor skin triggers, administer creams, and maintain diligent observation of the child. The attachment relationship between a child and caregiver may be an influential factor in treatment. In this qualitative study, we explored the barriers to and facilitators of treatment adherence for caregivers with children under the age of 12 years with AD. Twenty AD caregivers were purposively recruited at a specialist dermatology clinic at a tertiary hospital in the Western Cape, South Africa. Interviews were conducted, recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. The participants reported that inadequate primary healthcare, the costs associated with treatment and the lack of resources at schools were barriers to treatment adherence. They also stated that specialised healthcare, their use of innovative treatment methods, responsive care and social support facilitated treatment adherence. We add that attachment may play an important role in the provision of treatment from caregivers and that innovative treatment and responsive care by caregivers specifically demonstrate how secure attachments enable caregivers to be responsive to the needs of the child patient