Electronic Theses and Dissertations (Masters)
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10539/37997
Browse
64 results
Search Results
Item An Evaluation of Democratization Processes in West Africa: A Comparative Analysis of Nigeria’s and Ghana’s Democratic Governance(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Nevobasi, Aletta AdaakuSince 2022, the robustness and endurance of democracy in Africa have been subject to debate due to the rise in military coup d'états in sub-Saharan Africa. The rise of military takeover highlights the possible democratic regression on the continent. Therefore, it is imperative to examine the level of consolidation of democracy on the continent. This research study aims to evaluate the strength and quality of democratic governance in Africa by comparing Nigeria and Ghana. By utilizing the Democracy Index devised by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), this analysis evaluated the internal dynamics of both nations to determine their operationality or non- operationality. The five categories are used to assess the state of democracy in each country. To achieve this, the analysis relied on the five categories utilized by the EIU index to evaluate the state of democracy. The categories are 1. Electoral processes and pluralism 2. Functioning of government 3. Political participation 4. Civil liberties and 5. Political culture. The EIU Index offers a comprehensive evaluation of democracy through the inclusion of objective and subjective indicators. These variables were selected for this research as they best provide a comprehensive framework of the key components of a democratic system. In the category of electoral processes and pluralism, this report will compare the 2019 presidential elections in Nigeria to the 2020 presidential elections in Ghana. Regarding civil liberties, this report compared the perception of civil liberties in relation to ethnicity. Additionally, the report compared the pervasiveness of corruption in both Nigeria and Ghana, in the years 2019 and 2022 in the category functioning of government. In terms of political participation, the report will assess the involvement of women in parliament and politics since both nations formally restored democracy (Nigeria in 1999 and Ghana in 1992). Lastly, the report examined militarism in Nigeria and neo-patrimonialism in Ghana within the category of political culture. In conjunction with the presented case studies, this research report incorporated public opinions to further analyze the quality of democracy. It specifically compared social variations in the practice and perception of democracy. The report concludes by emphasizing the significance of leadership in advancing democracy, asserting that leadership challenges in Nigeria and Ghana contribute to hindered consolidation. Consequently, the report advocates for a reimagining of leadership, with a particular focus on the concept of thought leadership, thought liberation, and critical consciousness as three pivotal elements for advancing democracy.Item The Relationship Between Sensory Disability Status and Contraceptive Use Among Women Aged 15- 49 Years Old In South Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Sifora, Kutlwano Katlego Kimberly; De Wet-Billings, NicoleBackground: Studies suggest that disability significantly hinders access to reproductive health services, particularly family planning, in low- and middle-income countries. Women with disabilities have a low contraceptive use rate, leading to increased risks of unintended pregnancies and health complications. This study examined the relationship between sensory disability status and contraceptive use in South Africa. A sensory disability is a condition that affects one or more of the body's sensory functions like sight, hearing, touch, taste, or smell. In this study, sensory disabilities focused on hearing and visual impairments. Methods: The study employed a cross-sectional design using the 2016 South Africa Demographic and Health Survey. The study focused on women of reproductive age (15–49 years old) in South Africa, who were sexually active and provided information on both their contraceptive use and sensory disability status. The outcome variable of this study was contraceptive use, and the main independent variable was sensory disability status. The control variables included demographic characteristics namely age, race, marital status, province, and place of residence, as well as socioeconomic characteristics such as employment status, wealth status, education, family planning messages, and contraceptive knowledge. The analysis was conducted using Stata 17.0 on a weighted sample of 6 683 sexually active women aged 15–49 years old who answered questions on contraceptive use. The data analysis was done in three phases. For the first phase, cross-tabulations and chi-square analysis were used to demonstrate the levels of contraceptive use as well as all characteristics of women. For the second phase, bivariate binary logistic regression models were used to determine the relationship between each of the independent variables and the outcome variable of contraceptive use. Lastly, for the third phase, a stepwise multivariate binary logistic regression was utilised to determine the relationship between sensory disability status and contraceptive use among women aged 15– 49 years old in South Africa. Results: Among South African women of reproductive age, 55.4% were using contraceptives. Women with sensory disabilities were shown to have lower odds of using contraceptives than those without sensory disabilities, even after adjusting for all other variables [OR: 0.78, CI: 0.63873 - 0.95227]. Significant associations with contraceptive use were observed for factors xi including age, race, marital status, education and province. Compared to women aged 15–24, women aged 35–39 had a much lower likelihood of using contraceptives. [OR: 0.46, CI: 0.38150 - 0.55364]. Women from races other than black were also observed to have lower odds for contraceptive use compared to black women [OR: 0.75, CI: 0.61098 - 0.92237]. Conversely, married women were significantly more likely to use contraceptives than women who were never married [OR: 1.23, CI: 1.05328 - 1.42899]. Additionally, women with secondary [OR: 1.98, CI: 1.28089 - 3.07512] or higher education [OR: 2.40, CI: 1.49931 - 3.83750] exhibited a significantly higher likelihood of contraceptive usage compared to those lacking formal education. Women residing in Western Cape [OR: 1.83, CI: 1.29743 - 2.57637], Eastern Cape [OR: 1.66, CI: 1.27747 - 2.15886], Northern Cape [OR: 1.61, CI: 1.18574 - 2.19087], KwaZulu Natal [OR: 1.51, CI: 1.17797 - 1.92456], North West [OR: 1.43, CI: 1.01266 - 2.01228], and Mpumalanga [OR: 1.50, CI: .15808 - 1.93439] were found to have a higher likelihood of using contraceptives compared to women residing in Limpopo. Conclusions: Low contraceptive use among women with sensory disabilities in South Africa highlights the need for inclusive reproductive health services, addressing communication, information access, and societal attitudes to ensure informed decisions.Item Unpacking the Wardrobe: Discourses around Sustainability in the Local South African Fashion Industry(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Chocho, Lesedi M.S.; White,HyltonThe fashion business is a major economic force with far-reaching consequences for individuals, societies, and the environment. Traditional fashion techniques, on the other hand, have been linked to worker exploitation, waste generation, and environmental deterioration, among other issues. This study is interested in understanding how sustainability and sustainable fashion is practised and discussed within the local, South African fashion industry. The findings resulted in the proposal of sustainable fashion as a new field within the larger field of fashion. A new field that is able to challenge the standards, norms, and values of the traditional fashion industry, while creating new opportunities for agents to establish themselves as legitimate players in the fashion industry and gain access to new forms of capital that emerge from environmentally and socially responsible practices. The research data was collected through in-depth phenomenological interviews with eight participants all employed by VIVIERS Studio. In addition, participant-observation was applied to provide rich ethnographic detail and data on the inner workings and practice of sustainability within the sustainable luxury studio. This resulted in the identification of numerous sustainability-centred garment production practices. These include practices such as sourcing deadstock fabrics, instilling a circular approach to waste sorting and disposal during garment production by recycling waste and reusing fabric cut-offs in new collections. In addition, the research identifies individuals such as the influential eco-kin who form part of the new field as established and newcomer agents and practices such as lifestyle change that display the relations and values within the field of sustainable fashion. Ultimately, the research’s suggestion of a new field of sustainable fashion provides future researchers with the opportunity to investigate the implications of migration, class, and gender exploitation in areas such as pay, sustainable garment affordability and career advancement within the field.Item Association between perinatal behaviors and hypertensive disorders among pregnant and postpartum women in Southern Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mhlanga, Lesley; Wet-Billings, Nicole DeBackground: Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy (HDP) are among the primary causes of maternal and newborn infant deaths and morbidity globally. It affects between 5 to 10% of pregnancies, and 14% of pregnant women worldwide die due to HDP related complications. There are several known HDP risk factors, both those that can be changed and those that cannot. However, there are conflicting reports on the impacts of dietary and behavioral habits on HDP. As a result, the role of perinatal behaviors on HDP outcomes remains unclear. Objective: This study aims to determine the prevalence of HDP and examine the association between perinatal behaviors and HDP among pregnant and postpartum women in three Southern African countries (South Africa, Namibia, and Lesotho). Methodology: This investigation employed a cross-sectional study design utilizing secondary data from the most recent population-based DHS programs for South Africa (2016), Lesotho (2014), and Namibia (2013). The study population comprised 1273 pregnant and postpartum women with complete blood pressure measurements. Chi-square statistical tests were conducted to describe the prevalence of HDP. Adjusted and unadjusted binary logistic regression analyses assessed the relationship between perinatal behaviors and HDP. Stata statistical software (v.14) was used for data management and analysis. Results: Of the 1273 participants enrolled in the study, about 221 (17.36%) HDP cases were identified, while the majority, 1052 (82.6%), had no HDP in all three Southern African countries. The prevalence of HDP was higher in Namibia (23.78%) and South Africa (23.75%) than Lesotho (11.54%). After accounting for confounders, only iron supplement intake, was confirmed to be a significant predictor of HDP. Iron supplement intake increased the odds of HDP by three fold among study participants (AOR: 2.99; CI: 2.00 to 3.72; p < 0.05). Conclusion This study concluded that of the five main predictor variables analyzed in this study, routine iron supplementation was the only significant predictor of HDP among pregnant and postpartum women in these three Southern African countries. HDP prevalence was notably higher in these three countries compared to global and regional estimates, with Namibia and South Africa showing higher rates than Lesotho, despite their upper middle-income statusItem Understanding Quiet Diplomacy: A critical analysis of South Africa’s intervention in Zimbabwe, 2000-2009(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Livay, Mametja Mafutha; Moshoeshoe, M.This report analyses South Africa’s quiet diplomacy intervention in Zimbabwe to address the political instability and violence in the 2000-2009 period. There is great uncertainty and insufficient information on the reason for South Africa’s quiet diplomacy objectives in Zimbabwe in this period. The report uses a qualitative methodology to collect and analyze data using Joseph Nye’s Co-optive power theory to interpret South Africa’s conduct in its intervention. The study has found that the choice of quiet diplomacy from South Africa is influenced mainly by its foreign policy regarding conflict resolution which centers greatly on negotiations and mediation instead of military intervention. Equally, it has found that the main objective of the intervention has not been to address the socio-economic issues but to mediate and resolve only the political conflict between the Zimbabwe African National Union -Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leadership; from which the Global Political Agreement (GPA) and Government of National Unity (GNU) emergedItem The aesthetic politics of skin tone and hair texture amongst black women in Diepkloof, Johannesburg(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Kwinika, Makhawukana Akani; Katsaura, ObviousBeautification practices for Black women in South Africa reveal a complex interplay of cultural influences and individual affirmative choices. This research explores the societal factors that inspire Black women to beautify the surface-body, focusing on hair and skin, both locally and from an intra-racial perspective. The theories that the research borrows from are the Self- objectification theory, which explains the issues associated with bodily modifications and insecurities, and African Feminism, which examines the intersectionality of race, gender, and beauty standards, emphasizing the importance of examining the history of African women. Employing a qualitative methodology, data were collected through questionnaires and in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted in Diepkloof Zone 2, a Township situated in Soweto, Johannesburg, with a sample size of seven women. Thematic analysis was utilized for data analysis. The findings demonstrate that Black women’s beautification practices remain politicized globally, yet the Black beauty experience is multifaceted, ranging from personal to trivial. The study highlights the agency of Black women in redefining beauty standards globally and within the African continent, rather than merely adhering to Western norms. Recommendations include further exploration of Black women’s hair aesthetics to accommodate bald-headedness or short hair as a preference. Furthermore, to explore skin bleaching practices among Black women and understand the psychological implications of colourism and the yellow bone phenomenon beyond the internalization of whiteness.Item Racial-based Impression Management, Sense of Belonging and Work Engagement among Black Professionals in South African Organisations(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2020) Ledwaba, Khensane Amanda; Kock, Ruwayne; Donald, FionaDespite the increasing prevalence of diversity in many organisations in South Africa, the lack of inclusivity is an issue that most of these organisations are still challenged with. This is evidenced by the racial-based impression management (RIM) strategies that are still used by Black professionals to manage aspects of their racial identities and to navigate multiracial dynamics in workplaces in South Africa. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore how RIM strategies (avoidance, affiliation, racial humour, enhancement) relates to work engagement (vigour, dedication, absorption) of Black professionals in organisations in South Africa and, whether this proposed relationship is mediated by the sense of belonging at work. A cross-sectional, correlational design with purposive sampling and snowballing was used. 206 Black professionals in a sample of various organisations in South Africa completed a self- developed demographic questionnaire, Schaufeli et al.’s (2002) Utrecht work engagement scale, Roberts et al.’s (2014) adapted RIM scale and Hagerty and Patusky’s (1995) sense of belonging instrument. The results indicated that racial humour was used least and affiliation most amongst the RIM strategies. There were weak to moderate correlations between the RIM strategies of affiliation, racial humour and enhancement with work engagement, none for avoidance. Similarly, there were weak and moderate correlations between sense of belonging at work and work engagement and RIM strategies of affiliation, racial humour, none for avoidance and enhancement. Sense of belonging acted as a mediator only between RIM (affiliation, racial humour) and work engagement, with an exception of avoidance and enhancement. The results suggest that the use of RIM strategies seems to be successful in so far as they might ‘free’ Black professionals up in organisations in South Africa to engage in their work. The mediating role of sense of belonging at work indicates the importance of allowing employees to feel like valued ‘insiders’ and the need for organisations to prioritise and strive to create working environments that are inclusive for all versus expecting assimilation.Item The Cratylus Testimony: Moving Toward Plato’s Ontology of the Human Body(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024-03-15) Crowder, Jason Dale; Futter, DylanSocrates’ etymologies for the term σῶμα (human body) in the Cratylus 400b11-c9 excerpt raise a question that is often ignored or under-addressed in Platonic scholarship. That question is the focus of this dissertation. I aim to work out Plato’s definition and ontology of the human body as it unfolds and manifests within the Cratylus dialogue. My goal is to grasp what precisely Socrates’ σῶμα etymologies disclose about Plato’s ontological views toward the human body. Only a careful exegetical analysis of those etymologies can unveil such information. In other words, I want to know what the Cratylus 400b11-c9 testimony reveals about Plato’s ontological views concerning the human body. Hence, my research interest lies in three specific veins: (1) Socrates’ σῶμα etymologies in the Cratylus, (2) the relationship between a given etymology and a proper definition, and (3) the philosophical significance of these precise etymologies on Plato’s ontology regarding the human body. Much more entails each aspect than what appears initially. As the dissertation unfolds, other factors that need attention and require addressing will naturally arise. I propose that a careful and thorough exegetical analysis of the given σῶμα etymologies would reveal not only essential details for moving toward a proper understanding of Plato’s ontology of the human body but also proves that the Cratylus is a good entry point into this discussion itself. For such reasons, I shall argue that these etymologies are, in fact, instrumental in establishing the foundation of Plato’s overall ontological disposition of the σῶμα and, perhaps, Plato’s teleology of the human body too. Socrates’ σῶμα etymologies are not straightforward semantic connections but rather heavily influenced by a philosophical-religious perspective. As such, each seems relatively intelligible, and the statements are prima facie unproblematic at a precursory glance. While Plato’s character Socrates’ three σῶμα etymologies appear intelligible and prima facie unproblematic upon closer examination, that does not appear to be the case.Item Nationalism Without a State: A Comparative Analysis of Revolutionary Nationalism Among Stateless Nations(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Mayet, Humairaa; Zähringer, NatalieA political philosophy employed by nationalist groups and parties, revolutionary nationalism, is used to resist the established order and achieve political goals. It is especially prevalent when power is held by a group or party which attempts to oppress and stifle certain identities and nationalities while enabling others. Revolutionary nationalism has been practiced by the people of Palestine and Western Sahara, both when they resisted against their European colonisers, Britain and Spain, and today, as they resist against their occupiers, Israel and Morocco. Forms of resistance practices include popular and organised resistance, as well as violent and nonviolent resistance. Similarities and differences emerge when analysing how each of these occupied populations attempted to resist through means of revolutionary nationalism and these can be examined and compared. Revolutionary nationalism often goes hand-in-hand with the expression of the right to self-determination, the highest form of which is statehood. The aim of this research report is to discern whether or not the practices of revolutionary nationalism give rise to self-determination, even though it has been proven that, in the post-Cold War era, they do not give rise to statehood.Item From Persons of Indian Origin to Overseas Citizen of India: The South African Indian diaspora and India’s economic diplomacy(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Moosa, Fatima; Menon, Dilip MThe India diaspora is one of the largest in the world with around 17.9 million people from India and/or of Indian descent living around the world (Challagalla 2018, 3). A large percentage of the diaspora is situated in the Global North and the Middle East. However, South Africa has been noted as having one of the largest Indian diasporic populations (Hofmeyer and Williams 2001,14). The migration of Indian people to South Africa has taken place over different periods. The relationship that exists between the diaspora and the country of origin in the spheres of economic and development diplomacy presents an interesting research topic. This dissertation will seek to understand what role, if any, the South African Indian diaspora plays in the international political economy of India. In order to understand the relationship between the diaspora and the Indian government, this dissertation will examine the bilateral relationship between South Africa and India from 1994 until 2022. There will be a specific focus on the years 2014 until 2022 with an analysis of the relationship between the South African Indian diaspora and India. This dissertation will seek to understand whether the diasporic policies and economic diplomacy enacted by the Modi government were directed at the South African Indian diaspora, how they were received by the South African Indian mercantile community and what were the reasons for the foreign policy.