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Seeing diplomatic constellations through diplomatic relations: an analysis of the positioning of Zimbabwe and the UK in Zimbabwean news articles
Get PDFThis study examines the positioning of Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom (UK) in the language of news articles about diplomatic relations between the two countries published in two prominent Zimbabwean newspapers, The Herald and The Standard, between 2016 and 2020, using Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) and Legitimation Code Theory (LCT). Zimbabwe's present diplomatic discourses are a product of its colonial and post-independence history. This thesis places The Herald and The Standard within the larger context of the Zimbabwean media landscape as a state-owned and a privately owned newspaper, respectively. It contends that the two newspapers influence the positioning of Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom in public spheres where readers engage with the news concerning diplomatic ties. The research begins with a corpus-based examination of 42 news articles published between 2016 and 2020 in The Herald and The Standard. The investigation identified several angles through which Zimbabwe and the UK are positioned in the coverage. Zimbabwe is positioned through reference to its reform agenda, intentions for free and fair elections, and its diplomatic re-engagement drive. The UK is positioned as a source of development funding and new trade agreements, while improved diplomatic relations and the removal of restrictive measures against Zimbabwe are anticipated. Fine-grained analysis was conducted on four articles, two from each newspaper, selected to reflect the trends found in the corpus analysis. The fine-grained analyses showed how linguistic resources contributed to the positioning of the UK and Zimbabwe. Complementary analyses of these articles were conducted using LCT and SFL to describe how readers' knowledge of diplomatic relations is built using language in The Herald and The Standard. The study used the concepts of constellations and cosmologies from LCT to demonstrate how diplomatic knowledge is built in these news articles. In the articles, the constellations are related to policies such as Zimbabwe's reform agenda, people (diplomats and government officials) and moral judgments. Both newspapers contain both positive and negative positioning of Zimbabwe and the UK. However, The Standard is generally critical of removing the UK's sanctions on Zimbabwe and of the Zimbabwean government's reform agenda. Meanwhile, The Herald justifies Zimbabwe's Fast-track Land Reform Programme as resulting from Britain's refusal to fund a land redistribution programme as per the 1979 Lancaster House Agreement. The use of SFL's Appraisal framework helps to examine the linguistic resources used by The Herald and The Standard to describe the positioning of the two countries in relation to each other. Lexical strings help to establish diplomatic positioning in the news articles. These couple with Appraisal to accomplish individuation and affiliation. Affect and Judgement resources revealed the decisions taken by the UK to solve the conflict by encouraging the implementation of a reform agenda by Zimbabwe. Negative evaluation is consistently used to disalign with sanctions. The emerging patterns in the data show that diplomats representing the UK affiliate with Zimbabwe's stated economic and political reforms, and the government of Zimbabwe affiliates with the new trade agreement between Zimbabwe and the UK. At the same time, the UK diplomats individuate away from human rights abuses and the Fast-track Land Reform Programme. Affiliation strengthens confidence in diplomatic ties between Zimbabwe and the UK because the emphasis is placed on restoring them despite the conditions attached. The Herald and The Standard position Zimbabwe as a reformed country ready to implement policies to improve citizens' lives and as a country violating human rights and the rule of law. They position the UK as asserting power over Zimbabwe, willing to resolve the crisis through its foreign policy, and credited for assisting Zimbabwe. This strengthens re-engagement in diplomatic relations and commercial trade between the UK and Zimbabwe. In light of these findings, Zimbabweans are encouraged to cultivate an awareness that enables them to reflect on the challenges associated with diplomatic discourses and the implications for critically analysing the re-engagement initiative. They can promote re-engagement by being cognisant of specific values portrayed in The Herald and The Standard and challenging these values in the light of policy transformation to revive the relations between the two countries. The re-engagement process requires a transformation in Zimbabwe's modus operandi to improve the country's positioning in the diplomatic relations between it and the UK.Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Linguistics and Applied Language Studies, 202
New mythologies: violence and colonialism in Hollywood blockbusters
No full textCountries create mythologies about themselves in their self-representations in film. This is nothing new. The United States of Amer-ica has done so with great success for over a hundred years through the Hollywood “machine.” 1 On the one hand, this mythology can serve as a form of propaganda that is accepted uncritically by many as “reali-ty.” On the other, it takes the form of wishful thinking which may in cer-tain ways be even more revealing than realism of the motivations be-hind a nation’s mythologizing. Here, Marvel comics present an apt ex-ample of how the United States’ selfimage takes shape in the public imagination: exceptional powers, huge muscles, dominion over man and nature through science. One of these heroes is even called Cap-tain America. In short, a fantasy of potential total control. We take for granted that this mythologizing concerns the country’s own powers, a form of public self-regard. This much is to be expected
Oxpecker host-selection in the Salambala conservancy, northeastern Namibia
Get PDFBy studying the host-selection patterns of oxpecker species, researchers can gain valuable insights into their ecological roles and interactions with different host species. This information is crucial for developing effective conservation strategies that prioritise the protection of oxpeckers and their host populations. The study conducted field observations and recorded data on the number of oxpeckers and their respective host species. Additionally, this study investigated the relationship between host species and host parameters (body mass and hair length) in the Salambala conservancy in northeastern Namibia. Selection and density indices were used to calculate the number of host animals supporting one oxpecker as well as the oxpecker density on a host's body surface. Pentad-based counts of oxpeckers and ungulates were conducted
An appraisal of RDP housing quality in sustaining the needs of the inhabitants: a case of Mount Ayliff, Chithwa Village in Umzimvubu Local Municipality
Get PDFWhen the South African democratic government gained power in 1994, its focus was on improving the lives of all the citizens, especially the ones who were the victims of apartheid laws. Providing adequate housing and proper access to government goods and services to poor citizens were perceived as an excellent initiative to better the quality of life of the previously disadvantaged people. This initiative gave birth to essential programmes such as the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP). The South African government embarked on an RDP housing programme to address the imbalances of apartheid spatial planning and unequal access to government goods and services. However, many studies have criticised this housing programme, stating that the government prioritised quantity over quality when constructing the subsidy houses. The purpose of the study was to appraise the quality of the RDP housing programme in sustaining the needs of the inhabitants in Mount Ayliff, Chithwa village, in Umzimvubu Local Municipality. The study employed a qualitative research method and used an interview guide to collect data from ten study participants. The findings show that the RDP housing programme has assisted many individuals in the community of Chithwa village in Mount Ayliff to get out of shacks and own proper houses. However, due to the cheap materials used and poor workmanship, the RDP houses in Mount Ayliff, Chithwa village are defective. Corruption and inconsistencies in the municipality's allocation of RDP houses have left people furious and disappointed in the RDP housing programme, as they believe their municipality is cheating them out of RDP houses. The RDP beneficiaries of Chithwa village in Mount Ayliff do not have title deeds even though they have occupied their houses for more than two decades. Lastly, the RDP beneficiaries had huge expectations about their RDP houses. However, they were disappointed when the houses they received did not meet their expectations. The study concludes by suggesting the actions the Department of Human Settlements and Umzimvubu Local Municipality could take in resolving challenges relating to the quality of RDP houses in Mount Ayliff, Chithwa village.Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology, School of Built Environment/Construction Management, 202
Origin and metallogenic significance of alkali metasomatism in the Paleoproterozoic Mapedi Formation, Kalahari Manganese Field, South Africa
Get PDFThe occurrence of alkali-rich metasomatic assemblages has been widely reported in various regions of the Kalahari Manganese Field (KMF). This alkali metasomatism has been characterized by the secondary introduction of elements such as K, Na, Li, Ba, P, V, Zn, As, amongst others. This study further explores the possibility of widespread alkali metasomatism in the KMF by reporting on and examining the occurrence of sugilite and other alkali-rich minerals at the contact between the Transvaal and Olifantshoek Supergroups in the Hotazel Mine area of the north-eastern KMF. The lithologies observed at the contact show macroscopic (such as cross cutting veins) and microscopic evidence of hydrothermal alteration. Using analytical methods such as X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, and scanning electron microscopy, results showed that in the north-eastern region of the KMF, the metasomatism observed at the Transvaal-Olifantshoek contact is mainly characterized by enrichment in sodium, and the occurrence of sodium minerals, predominantly in the form of aegirine. The aegirine forms exclusively in the quartzites of the Mapedi Formation along with minerals such as sugilite, baryte, banalsite, amongst others. Albite also occurs within the quartzites, but also within the Mapedi red shales. The secondary nature of these minerals is established by geochemical comparisons with pristine, as well as alkali-metasomatized samples of the same formation which were obtained from other parts of the KMF and Postmasburg. These comparisons showed that the Mapedi quartzites in the north-eastern KMF have undergone extensive oxidation compared to samples of the same formation which were obtained from Postmasburg. The north-eastern quartzites have an average hematite abundance of 17 wt.% compared to Postmasburg quartzite which have an average of 7 wt.% hematite. Furthermore, some quartzite samples contained up to 40 wt.% in hematite content. The comparisons also showed that Mapedi quartzites from the north-eastern KMF are substantially more sodium enriched compared to Mapedi quartzites from the Postmasburg region, which on average have sodium oxide content below detection limits. Geochemical comparisons were made between pristine Hotazel Formation samples from north-western KMF (Gloria Mine) and samples obtained from the north-eastern KMF (Hotazel Mine). Results showed that the samples obtained from the top of the Hotazel Formation (in the Hotazel mine area) are likely altered hematite lutite and not Banded Iron Formation, evident by their substantially high manganese oxide content (over 30 wt.% in some cases). When compared to pristine samples, the lutite also showed evidence of hydrothermal alteration, predominantly in the form of phosphate and barium enrichment, evident by the occurrence of baryte and apatite. The alkali metasomatism occurring at the contact between the Transvaal and Olifantshoek Supergroups was shown to be predominantly characterized by enrichment in Na, K, Li, Al, Ba, Sr, and P. The metasomatism characterized in this study was also proposed to possibly post-date an earlier metasomatic event which was characterized by leaching of silica and extensive oxidation of the rocks observed at the Transvaal-Olifantshoek contact in the north-eastern KMF. The occurrence of the alkali-rich minerals outlined above geochemically parallels other alkali-rich metasomatic assemblages reported in other parts of the KMF, as well as in the Postmasburg Manganese Field. Thus, based on the consistent occurrence of secondary, alkali-rich mineral assemblages across the KMF, characterized by the common occurrence of aegirine along with minerals such as sugilite and albite, there is evidence of a large-scale alkali metasomatism in the KMF. This study also explores the possible role that the Transvaal-Olifantshoek unconformity might have played in acting as a major conduit for fluid propagation because the observed mineral assemblages occur right at the contact between the Hotazel and Mapedi Formations. The occurrence of the alkali-rich minerals predominantly around the unconformity, as well as the relative depletion of phosphates in stratigraphically deeper parts of the Hotazel suggest that the fluid metasomatism was aided by the Olifantshoek-Transvaal unconformity surface. This study concludes that there is evidence for a strong link between the metasomatism occurring at the contact between the Hotazel and Mapedi formations (in the north-eastern KMF) and what is observed in the broader KMF region.Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Geology, 202
A formative evaluation and critical analysis of an alcohol and pregnancy intervention in the Eastern Cape of South Africa
Get PDFSome communities in South Africa have the highest documented rates of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) in the world. Interventions to reduce alcohol consumption during pregnancy are crucial, but evaluations of such interventions are sparse. Formative evaluations are indicated to assist in the development of interventions. Harmful alcohol consumption during pregnancy is undergirded by a range of social injustices, including those imposed by colonisation and patriarchy; a feminist, decolonial approach to evaluations is, therefore, important. A research project, consisting of three arms, examined alcohol use during pregnancy in an under-resourced urban area of the Eastern Cape, and this research was one of those arms. An intervention was being rolled out in this area and I gathered a range of data from it. I engaged in a formative evaluation of it, and I reflect on the difficulties that I encountered in this endeavour. In the bulk of this thesis, I examine the power apparatuses and technologies that were used during the intervention to discursively position pregnant women. My analysis was guided by Foucauldian and post-Foucauldian theories, using Foucauldian Discourse Analysis and simplified Conversation Analysis (CA). Power apparatuses of coloniality, patriarchy, and pastoral power were used in the intervention to construct positions for pregnant women who drink alcohol as ignorant children, sinners, criminals, or “Mommies”. The foetus was constructed as a precious, vulnerable baby, while the person with FASD was constructed as the defiled Other, responsible for societal dissolution. The intervention used various disciplinary techniques to exhort women to follow their dictates. Women were generally compliant with being positioned as ignorant children, which absolved them from any blame for pre-natal drinking. However, some resistance was evident. I then introduce an ethics of care and justice, and I argue that pregnant/newly parenting women need to be positioned within such an ethics, which acknowledges both the universal resources that they require for reproductive freedoms, as well as their particular care needs. I highlight the few times when women were positioned in this way in the data, and I look at how the common positions could be altered or expanded to promote such an ethics. I conclude by arguing that alcohol use during pregnancy cannot be separated from the larger context of the cultural hegemony of alcohol use in some communities, and the social injustices that potentiate this use. I provide suggestions for country-wide policies and interventions, as well as specific FASD prevention programmes, and I argue that a feminist decolonising approach, within an ethics of care and justice, should guide interventions at all levels.Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Psychology, 202
Rationalising the retro-Diels-Alder fragmentation pattern of viscutins using electrospray interface-tandem mass spectrometry coupled to theoretical modelling
Get PDFAlthough mass spectrometry (MS) is a powerful tool in structural elucidation of unknown flavonoids based on their unique fragmentation patterns, proposing the correct fragmentation mechanism is still a challenge from tandem mass spectrometry data only. In recent years, computational tools such as molecular networking and MS2LDA have played a major role in the identification of structurally related compounds through an in-depth survey of their fragmentation patterns
The nexus between capital inflows, financial sector development and domestic investment in selected southern African development community countries
Get PDFThe study seeks to examine the nexus between foreign capital inflows as proxied by foreign direct investment and overseas development assistance, financial sector development as measured by domestic credit to private sector and broad money supply (M3) and domestic investment [gross fixed capital formation] in selected Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries. Panel data model, specifically the panel Autoregressive Distributed Lag technique given the order of integration of the variables utilised in the study was employed from 1980 to 2019. The results revealed that there is cointegration among the variables utilised. After confirming cointegration, the long-run and short run models were estimated to establish the relationship between the variables. The long-run results revealed that about 67% of domestic investment in the SADC region is generated through foreign direct investment. These results suggest that domestic investment is boosted by foreign direct investment in the SADC region. However, financial sector development was found to have a negative effect on domestic investment in the SADC region. The findings from this study suggest that countries should pursue policies aimed at attracting FDI into the SADC region given the positive effect it has on investment. On the part of financial sector development, this could be attributed to the sector not supporting most of the domestic investment given that most of them are small and do not access bank finance.Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 202
Implementation of grade progression policy and its implications for progressed grade 12 learners’ identities
Get PDFThe aim of progressing learners is to allow them to move with their age cohort, thereby boosting their motivation levels. It is believed that this would encourage these learners to study hard and produce good academic results. The Grade Progression Policy also assumes that the dropout rate caused by learners’ academic underperformance would be reduced. Despite the existence of the Grade Progression Policy, it seems that there is still high failure and dropout rates among progressed Grade 12 learners in the Eastern Cape Province. This qualitative case study was premised on the interpretivist paradigm and explored the implementation of the Grade Progression Policy and its implications on progressed Grade 12 learners’ identities. Twelve teachers (four principals, four Departmental Heads, four Post Level One teachers), and four learners were purposively selected in four secondary schools in the Amathole East Education District. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and documentary analysis. The data was analysed by means of thematic approach. The data showed that the implementation of Grade Progression Policy brought about learner-teacher adversarial relations. Findings also showed that teachers had a negative attitude to the Grade Progression Policy and were unwilling to adapt to change. They had low morale and blamed the Department of Education for not giving them support. With regards to the implications of grade progression on Grade 12 learners’ identities, it emerged from the data that these learners were negatively affected by the implementation of this policy as their self-esteem was reportedly low. They felt stigmatized and regarded themselves as learners who could not achieve academically. Although most of the selected learners reported that it enhanced their motivation levels, it also transpired from the data that progressed Grade 12 learners were not achieving academically and were inadequately given support by the teachers. The study concluded therefore that the policy did not sufficiently address the intention of the DoE in terms of improving learners’ academic performance and enhancement of learners’ psychosocial identities.Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, 202
Immigration and human development outcomes in post-apartheid South Africa
Get PDFImmigration remains an issue of constant and recuring debate which in many instances has reached extreme limits of violent confrontation. South Africa has been at the forefront of this debate given the history of migration that has led to the creation of the modern state. In this context, the current era has presented contestations on the implications of immigration to the country and how that relates to human development. With this backdrop, this thesis sought to investigate international immigration and its relation to human development outcomes within context of the democratic era in South Africa. Thus, the study focused on evaluating the differences between immigrants and non-immigrants in terms of physical and mental health, subjective wellbeing, and education. Furthermore, the study evaluated the relationship between immigration concentration across provinces and human development outcomes in aggregate. The comprehensive results focusing on both the full and racial specific sample identified that there are no significant differences between immigrants and non-immigrants in terms of health pinned to self-reported health. This finding supports small scale studies in South Africa and other countries which divert from the immigrant-paradox paradigm although this could be accounted for by convergence adjustments to the healthy immigrant effect. In terms of mental health and subjective wellbeing, the results showed that immigrants are significantly less likely to report depressive level scores on the CEDS-10 scale. Thus, the study demonstrated that the healthy immigrant effect holds in relation to depression. Contrarily, in terms of satisfaction with life, no significant differences are found between immigrants and non-immigrants, thus pointing to possible sudden convergence upwards in satisfaction with life, particularly considering most immigrants are from countries with lower levels of satisfaction with life. In relation to education findings, it was demonstrated that there are no significant differences between immigrant and non-immigrant students in terms of progression. Thus, neither the straight-line nor immigrant-paradox argument prevails as found mostly in the Global North. Lastly, regional analysis which accounted for human development across provinces showed that a significant positive relationship exists between immigration concentration and human development overall coupled with the component accounting for education diverting from panel studies. Furthermore, insignificant relationship is found in terms of health and income supporting findings by the study of no differences between immigrants and non-immigrants. Thus, this thesis proved that the pessimistic view on immigrants significantly diverting from the overall health and education levels coupled with negative relationship with human development are not supported empirically within the context of post-apartheid South Africa. Results of this study provide evidence that is critical to formulate policy, both in terms of immigration and further factors identified as important markers, on issues of education and physical and mental health such as race, gender, and wealth. In this regard, the differences in findings from those in countries especially in Global North challenge policies based on theoretical and empirical formulations that lack account for countries especially in the Global South which have increased levels of both inequality and poverty. Thus, it is critical that policies reflect the socioeconomic issues a country faces and informed by research that takes regional factors within a country to account. The study prescribes policies which aim to reduce discrimination due to unproved assumptions and those that aim to ensure that racial and income inequality are tackled within the country. In terms of immigration, rollout of awareness projects and campaigns, coupled with regional policies and projects rooted in communities to ensure participation of both sending and receiving countries will create platforms for better structuring of policies to tackle immigration especially given the integration goals of the African Union. Moreover, critical revaluation of policies and implementation thereof is critical given results identify inequality with those that are African, Coloured, and from poorer households facing lower levels of health, education and high levels of depression scores coupled with life dissatisfaction. Policies should thus, focus on ensuring that redistributive investments are enabled and implemented efficiently for better outcomes in terms of access to education, health, and economic opportunities for the disadvantaged. In enabling such projects with considerations of societal needs and immigration policies, strides could be made given that most contestations arise out of increased inequalities and socioeconomic destitution.Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 202