14 research outputs found
A feminist study into the field experiences of female SABC reporters
No full textSubmitted in fulfilment of the requirement of the degree Master of Journalism at the Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2023.This study aimed to explore and describe the field experiences of female radio reporters at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) from a feminist perspective; to ascertain if sexism and harassment is experienced, and if so, in what ways. The study also aimed to determine whether or not patriarchy underpins interactions with newsmakers while reporting, and if so, to what degree.
Numerous studies have been undertaken turning the lens into newsrooms and media organisations with regards to gender transformation. While more women have become part of the new machinery post democracy, studies have shown that these women still face staggering incidents of sexism and patriarchy, creating for them glass ceilings that prevent their upward progression towards news management. Studies further indicate that sexism and patriarchy are often nuances and embedded into daily newsroom interactions. Significantly, researchers argue that the problem is a societal issue manifesting within the news industry. The study therefore explores the field experiences of female reporters in relation to patriarchy and sexism.
This research was a feminist study, which employed a qualitative approach with a critical theory paradigm. The sample consisted of eleven (11) female reporters employed within the South African Broadcasting Corporation, given the extensive reach of the public broadcaster and the multiple beats covered by the radio employees.
The findings of this study detail multiple layers of discrimination and harassment experienced by female radio reporters within the SABC when engaging with newsmakers. Evidenced in the research is the manner in which entrenched societal and cultural values limit and influence the productivity of the reporters and in some instances, impede their freedom to effectively tell the story. Aside from the documented glass ceilings that stunt the upward progression of female reporters, the study posits the existence of invisible walls that stymie their transversal advancement within their designated scope of reporting.
Challenges and Survival Strategies of Vulnerable Groups Under covid-19 Induced Lockdown: The Case of Durban Waste Pickers
No full textDespite the notion that waste pickers are amongst the economically excluded groups in urban South Africa, little is known about their lockdown experience. This study explores the survival strategies of waste pickers in Durban during the COVID-19 induced level 5 lockdown. It employs a case study to illuminate the challenges and various survival strategies adopted by the waste pickers in response to harsh living conditions imposed by the lockdown measures. Two empirical questions are asked in this study- what are the challenges faced by the waste pickers? and what were the surviving strategies employed by waste pickers? Data for this study were collected using semi-structured interviews with pickers. Using a convenience sampling technique, n=15 waste pickers from the South Beach area were interviewed. The study revealed that the pickers lost income and their assets. As a means of survival, the pickers resorted to drugs, crime, and moved to shelters
News covering in the online press media during the ANC elective conference of December 2017.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Online press plays an imperative role in the legitimation of ideas, individuals, events and interpretations. Evidence suggests that news media play a significant role in legitimising and de-legitimising political candidates, particularly in the period leading to and after elections. There is increased interest in recent studies in the field of media framing, legitimation and de-legitimising of political candidates. While scholars provide useful insights on prospective media use of frames to de-popularise political leaders, up to now, studies have not gone beyond explaining the frames used by the news media. Little effort has been made to understand the relationship between media frames and the different discursive practices that affect the construction of such frames. Drawing on Van Gorp's (2007) framing theory and Foucault's (1980) concept of discourse power/knowledge to investigate news coverage in the South African online press, this thesis examined the frames used by News24 and IOL to legitimise and de-legitimise election candidates during their reporting of the 54th National Congress of the African National Congress. Using the national congress as a case study in point, qualitative archival data consisting of 100 news articles were retrieved from online archives of New24 and IOL. The information was analysed to assess how the content reported was framed to legitimise or de-legitimise Cyril Ramaphosa and Nkosazana Dhlamini-Zuma's political leadership qualities both at the national and political party level. Through a critical discourse analysis approach, six broad frames were thematically organised and presented as evidence on how news frames were constructed through culturally constituted communication artefacts. The study found that the reports by both, News24 and IOL were heavily influenced by the prevailing societal discourses that shaped politics and economy in the period of their construction. Notably, this thesis reveals how both presses used similar frames in their reporting. Even though they used similar frames, there were significant differences in approaches that were used by IOL and News24 in reporting on Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and Cyril Ramaphosa. As a result, this study contributes to the body of knowledge, by confirming how the press evokes cultural discourses when reporting on political candidates, to remind readers and allow them to interpret issues and topics using the culturally constructed reality as a frame of reference
‘It’s all talk but no action’ – navigating political and administrative will in transforming local government
No full textPolitical and administrative will are crucial in transforming local government. However, a gap exist in how to mobilise political and administrative will effectivley.. This study investigates the dynamics of navigating political and administrative will in transforming local government. Using a qualitative case it examines how these interactions impact governance reforms in South Africa. Data were collected through focus group interviews with 121 participants from eight municipalities, each group comprising ten participants. Analysis revealed a disconnect between political statements and administrative actions despite rhetorical support for transformation. Participants noted various barriers, with widespread concerns about the lack of consistent follow-through on policy initiatives. Findings suggest that while political and administrative will are necessary, their practical application remains inconsistent. This study suggests that a more integrated approach is necessary to align political directives with administrative processes, thereby achieving meaningful transformation in local government. These insights can help other municipalities facing similar challenges by providing a framework for more cohesive and effective governance reforms
An assessment of the Zimbabwean print media adherence to the principles of partiality and objectivity in election reporting : the case of the 2013 Zimbabwean presidential elections.
No full textMaster of Arts in Media and Cultural Studies. University of KwaZulu-Natal. Durban, 2017.This study takes an exploratory approach in order to ascertain the extent to which the Herald and Newsday adhered to the journalistic principles of impartiality, fairness, and objectivity in the period leading to the July 31st 2013 presidential elections in Zimbabwe. The study used a qualitative methodology. It utilised a purposive sampling technique to collect news stories, headlines and extracts from the editorial section of the Herald and Newsday. The data was collected and gathered from the online archives of the two newspapers and then analysed using two content analysis techniques (content summative analysis and content latent analysis). The study argues that with the use of frames and agenda setting techniques (whether consciously or unconsciously) the news media when covering elections stories compromise the journalistic principles of objectivity, fairness, impartiality and truth-telling (that should ensure that they carry out their role in a professional manner). As such, the Herald and Newsday when reporting news in the period leading to the July 31st 2013 presidential elections, reported the election in a biased manner. Reports in the two newspapers were replete with editorial intrusions, reports of unconfirmed sources and clear attacks on other political candidates. Consequently, the two newspapers failed to a great extent to adhere to the principles of fairness, objectivity, impartiality and truth-telling. In this study, it materialised that the 2013 presidential elections exposed the polarisation that shaped the Zimbabwe media landscape even before the country attained its independence. It further revealed that this polarisation led to a manifestation of ideological warfare that was characterised by an array of partisan dichotomies, generating rough division and multifaceted biases. The credibility of print media (Herald and Newsday) in Zimbabwe is highly questionable as the press seeks to promote certain interests and ideologies while forfeiting its fundamental role as the fourth estate
Exploring ethical dilemmas and institutional challenges in AI adoption: a study of South African universities
No full textIntroductionArtificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT and DeepSeek are increasingly shaping higher education. However, their integration into student learning remains underexplored. This study investigates how university students in South Africa use AI-based tools in their academic practices and the specific tasks these tools support. It also examines the ethical challenges and considerations arising from their use, highlighting the need for structured institutional guidelines.MethodsA qualitative approach was employed, involving in-depth semi-structured interviews with 50 students from four South African universities.ResultsFindings reveal that students widely but informally use AI tools for tasks such as essay writing and assignment preparation. The absence of formal institutional guidance has led to ethical ambiguities and inconsistent usage practices.DiscussionThe study accentuates the urgency for universities to develop institutional AI frameworks. These frameworks should promote the responsible and effective use of AI tools while addressing academic support needs and ethical considerations in higher education
‘Learning and Unlearning’: Core Leadership Competencies for Driving Success in Special Economic Zones in South Africa
No full textSpecial Economic Zones (SEZs) are instrumental in promoting industrialisation and economic growth in many countries, especially within the developing world. While various SEZs established in South Africa are expected to drive local economic development processes, their performance has been erratic due to various governance, regulatory, and infrastructure issues. This study explores the core leadership competencies required to enhance the success of SEZs. It emphasises the importance of continuous learning and unlearning outdated practices. The paper draws on Peter Senge’s Continuous Learning Theory to explain how SEZ leaders could adapt to dynamic environments and provide sustainable growth. The study addresses two key research questions: (1) What leadership competencies are necessary to efficiently govern SEZs? (2) How do continuous learning and unlearning by SEZ leaders make a difference in inducing sustainable growth? This systematic review applied the PRISMA methodology to source the data from databases like Google Scholar and Scopus, among others, for sources published between 2010 and 2024. Findings revealed that the core leadership competencies required for effective SEZs include innovation, adaptability, and strategic thinking. This paper argues that continuous learning is imperative for leaders to keep pace with the complexity of shifting global economic circuits while unlearning is critical to avoid common pitfalls. This study contributes to the literature by recommending that leadership development inside SEZs be more contributory toward economic outcomes and encourages further research into what part leadership will play in regional economic development
No to Third Term! Pastoral Statement by the Church in Zimbabwe as an Indictment on President Mnangagwa’s Bid to Amend the Constitution
No full textThe Second Republic of Zimbabwe has witnessed continued political and socio-economic crises. Despite the worsening crisis under the new dispensation, there have been calls for extending the current administration’s term limit beyond 2028. The impending crisis has attracted several responses and criticisms across various sectors. The church collective in Zimbabwe has raised concerns over the crisis and issued several statements commenting on the developments in the national landscape. However, the church has been criticised for failing to speak with one voice, especially on political matters. The purpose of this article is to analyse the ecumenical statement that was released by the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD) on 21 January 2025, titled ‘Statement on Presidential Constitutional Term Limit’. The letter is the church leader’s response to the ongoing pronouncements for extending the presidential term limits to allow the incumbent President Emmerson Mnangagwa to rule beyond his constitutionally mandated two terms, into 2030. The paper seeks to establish the role of the prophetic voice of the church in defending the constitution and the implications of such actions on the nature of the church–state relations in the Second Republic of Zimbabwe. The paper draws data from the issued ecumenical statement, the official government response to it, and general responses to it available online
“Women Will Never Be Equal to Men”: Examining Women Journalists’ Experiences of Patriarchy and Sexism in South Africa
No full textResearch shows that gender transformation policies and programmes within the media industry have done little to curtail sexism and patriarchal values in news reporting. This study’s term ‘patriarchy’ refers to the systemic structures of masculine dominance entrenched in societal, cultural, and institutional norms. This systemic understanding is complemented by exploring individual acts that perpetuate sexism, understood as both explicit and implicit forms of discrimination based on gender. Within newsrooms, where considerable studies have been conducted, data show alarming evidence of extensive sexism and patriarchal values, which are often nuanced and embedded into daily operations. Significantly, the current body of research argues that the problems experienced within the newsroom manifest a societal issue. However, there is a need for more research that turns the spotlight specifically on how newsmakers interact with women reporters in the field. This paper investigates how sexism and gender-based power imbalances affect female journalists’ professional experiences and roles in South Africa. The paper uses qualitative methods to explore how gender inequality and male dominance influence female journalists’ roles, opportunities, and treatment within the profession. This paper contributes to the current discourse by arguing that deeply ingrained societal and cultural patriarchal norms significantly shape and restrict the professional lives of women reporters. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews with eleven (n = 11) reporters drawn from various SABC radio reporters across the nine provinces in South Africa. The study’s findings detailed multiple layers of discrimination and harassment experienced by reporters when engaging with newsmakers. Evidenced in the research is how entrenched societal and cultural values limit and influence the productivity of the reporters and impede their freedom to tell stories effectively. Besides the documented glass ceilings that stunt the upward progression of female reporters, the study posits the existence of invisible walls that hinder their transversal advancement within their designated scope of reporting
Assessing the responsiveness of journalism curricula to the labor market needs in South Africa : a systematic review
No full textThrough the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, this study evaluates the responsiveness of journalism curricula in South Africa to the evolving needs of the industry. Forty-six reviewed studies literature were retrieved for analysis. Findings indicate that while some institutions have incorporated digital media skills, critical thinking and ethics into their curricula, significant gaps remain in multimedia storytelling, data journalism, media entrepreneurship and AI tools in newsrooms. Furthermore, there is limited emphasis on practical work-integrated learning (WIL), leaving graduates underprepared for the fast-paced and highly competitive journalism labor market. The study recommends curriculum reforms that emphasize practical skills, industry partnerships and adaptabilit
