Electronic Theses and Dissertations (Masters)
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Item Cultural Diplomacy and Soft Power: The Impact of South Korea’s Pop Culture on China and the World(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Jiang, ZhiqiThis research paper, titled "Cultural Diplomacy and Soft Power: The Impact of South Korea’s Pop Culture on China and the World" is submitted by Zhiqi Jiang on August 16, 2024, as a Master’s Research Report in International Relations. It examines the extent to which South Korea’s pop cultural diplomacy has challenged China’s cultural dominance in East Asia and contributed to South Korea’s rise in global soft power since the 1990s. By contrasting the cultural diplomacy strategies of China and South Korea and investigating the achievements of South Korea’s pop cultural diplomacy in economics, international organizations, and foreign policies, the study argues that South Korea’s strategic promotion of its pop culture, including K-pop, K-dramas, and films, has significantly enhanced its soft power. This influence manifests in South Korea’s ability to shape public opinion and influence economic and foreign policies in and with China. Additionally, South Korea has leveraged global economic gains and diplomatic influence through celebrity youth diplomacy to further strengthen its international soft power. The findings highlight the critical role of pop cultural diplomacy in international relations, providing insights for nations seeking to improve their global standing.Item Understanding the requirements and barriers to providing Post-Trial Access (PTA): A review of continued access to effective medicine(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mthembu, XoliswaClinical trials are essential in establishing the safety and efficacy of investigational products and are a mandatory requirement for the registration of a new medicine. Additionally, clinical studies offer access to new therapies, innovative treatments or more effective treatments which may not be readily accessible to the general population. Clinical trial participants receive investigational medicine during the study conduct phase as a study benefit and as compensation for their voluntary participation. In resource-limited countries, this may be the only option available to access new and effective medicine. Therefore, continued treatment access becomes of greater value. However, providing PTA presents ethical considerations which need to be addressed. The provision of PTA to effective medicine can be viewed as an inducement to join a study and creates inequalities between diseased patients, as it excludes other diseased patients who did not participate in the study or patients who were excluded from participation in the study. However, prior to addressing these controversies, it is necessary to establish first whether clinical trial participants have a moral claim to PTA provision. This report seeks to establish the moral requirement for PTA provision to address the ethical issues around providing continued access to effective medicines outside clinical trial settings. The first two chapters will focus on discussing the evolution of clinical trials, highlighting the ethical issues surrounding continued access to effective investigational products. The principles of bioethics will be discussed in detail in Chapter 2 to draw out the moral claims which mandate the requirement to provide PTA to efficacious medical therapy offered during the study. In Chapter 3, I will argue for the moral requirement for providing PTA using the principles of bioethics as a framework. In Chapter 4, I will discuss the challenges and PTA solutions. In my conclusion, I will reiterate my support for the mandatory requirement and implementation of PTA until the Investigational Product is commercially available and accessible to all trial participants, emphasising the importance of this stance.Item Contesting Heritage: A Political Analysis of Freedom Park and Voortrekker Monument in South Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Ndlovu, Xolane; Veriava, AhmedThis study critically examines the political and social dimensions of heritage preservation in South Africa, with a specific focus on the contested sites of Freedom Park and Voortrekker Monument. The study is underpinned by a social constructionist framework, which acknowledges the multiplicity of realities and narratives in relation to public memory and heritage politics in South Africa. The research methodology encompasses a qualitative approach, including site visits, archival work, and qualitative content analysis. The theoretical framework draws on Anderson's concept of ‘imagined communities’ to understand the emergence of national identities championed by various political actors in relation to heritage sites. The dissertation explores the role of public monuments in post-apartheid South Africa, the controversies surrounding the Voortrekker Monument, and the creation of counter-structures such as Freedom Park to challenge dominant colonial narratives. It also examines the political symbolism of Freedom Park in nation-building and its influence on visitor perceptions. Ethical considerations were paramount throughout the research process, particularly in conducting site visits and ensuring the integrity and reliability of the data collected. The findings of the study offer recommendations for further exploration of the articulation of heritage sites and the debate by other political actors, such as the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), to potentially illuminate the emergence of an imagined community. Overall, this dissertation provides a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of the political, social, and cultural dimensions of heritage preservation in South Africa, shedding light on the complex interplay of historical narratives, political ideologies, and social values within the country’s heritage landscape.Item Access to the Township Economy A comparative study of the spaza shop sector in the City of Ekurhuleni Townships Tsakane and Duduza(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mongwe, Veli; Quirk, Joel2024 marks 11 years since the Duduza community forced out Somali spaza shop traders from Duduza and it is exactly 11 years of continued gatekeeping from a collaborative informal relationship between the business community, township associations and some state actors. While the state actors and non-state actors may not take the credit for chasing Somalis out of Duduza they take pride in their informal governance systems and agreements they have kept Somalis out of Duduza. This research questions the role and power of state and non-state actors in Township informal governance. The concepts of “informal governance systems” and “gatekeeping” were used to guide this research to respond to the question of access. The study employed a qualitative approach as it is interested in understanding the cause for the variations in on the two townships. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews and participant observation. In the initial stages of the research, the snowball sampling was used to identify participants with leads. These two participants were able to refer the researcher to key state and non-state actors in Duduza and Tsakane. The findings of the study reveal the existence of two cartels, a cartel that facilitates gatekeeping in Duduza and a cartel that runs Somali spaza shops in Tsakane. The Duduza business community, associations and some state actors have created informal rules of trade that prohibit Somali spaza shop traders from trading in Duduza, on this other side, Tsakane appears to have a more relaxed approach to trading rules. Access into the Duduza township economy is controlled and protected through informal systems of governance. Through the informal systems of governance, the business community, associations and some state actors in Duduza exercise the power to agree on trading rules and other rules to govern the township. While the trading rules are said to be binding to all who wish to trade in Duduza, they also appear to be stricter on limiting access to Somali and Bangladesh spaza shop traders because of their history in the township. Lastly, the Somali spaza shop cartel that runs the Somali spaza shops in Tsakane is sustained by various pillars i.e. strategic placing of spaza shops which enables its expansion and prevalence in Tsakane.Item Factors associated with HIV knowledge among younger adolescents aged 12-14 years old in South Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Makgale. Tswelopele1.Background In 2019, there were 1.7 million adolescents aged 10-19 living with HIV globally, with 1.5 million in sub-Saharan Africa and 360,000 in South Africa. Early sexual debut, defined as having first intercourse at or before age 14, has significant consequences for adolescents worldwide. While sexual activity during adolescence is normal, early sexual debut is linked to risky behaviours. While efforts have been made to understand HIV/AIDS knowledge among older adolescents and young adults, research often neglects younger adolescents aged 12-14 years old. Poor HIV knowledge among this age group may increase transmission risk, delay diagnosis and treatment, and fuel stigma. It's crucial to focus on this age group to eradicate the disease, although research is limited due to the sensitive nature of discussing HIV/AIDS with younger adolescents. 2.Objective The two set objectives of this study were firstly, to examine levels of HIV knowledge among younger adolescents aged 12-14 years old in South Africa. Secondly, to identify the demographic, socioeconomic and subjective norm characteristics associated with HIV knowledge among younger adolescents aged 12-14 years old in South Africa. 3.Methodology This study utilised secondary data acquired from the fifth South African National HIV, Behaviour and Health Survey of 2017 – this was the latest survey available data was analysed using STATA version 14. The South Africa National HIV Prevalence, Incidence, Behaviour and Communication Survey (SABSSM) is a national population-based survey conducted for surveillance of the HIV epidemic in South Africa. The sample for the study was younger adolescents aged 12-14 years old. The weighted sample of 927 861 was selected and used for analyses. The dependent variable in this study was HIV knowledge, defined as having accurate knowledge of all HIV-related questions from the survey. Eight questions assessing HIV and AIDS knowledge, perceptions, and stigma were used. Adolescents were asked about the curability of AIDS, reducing HIV risk by having fewer sexual partners, whether a healthy- looking person can have HIV, mother-to-child transmission, risk reduction by monogamy with an uninfected partner, HIV transmission through shared food, condom use, and male circumcision reducing HIV risk. The original response options were 'yes', 'no', and 'don't know', with 'don't know' responses excluded to ensure that the data accurately reflected the participants knowledge on HIV and AIDS. The dependent variable had three categories: low HIV knowledge (1-3 out of the eight questions answered correctly), average HIV knowledge (4-5 out of the eight questions answered correctly), and comprehensive HIV knowledge (6-8 questions answered correctly). A Multinomial Logistic Regression model was employed to analyse HIV knowledge. The data analysis was done in three phases. The first phase included descriptive analyses of utilised in the study through a ranked frequency and percentage distribution table and sex ratio which was used to explore the HIV knowledge levels based on sex. The second stage included Pearson’s chi-square test which were to measure the associations between the demographic, socioeconomic and subjective norms. The third stage included an unadjusted (bivariate) and adjusted (multivariate) Multinomial Logistic Regression which was employed to examine the demographic, socioeconomic and subjective norms associated with HIV knowledge among younger adolescents aged 12-14 years old in South Africa. 4.Results Less than half of younger adolescents (47.0%) had comprehensive HIV knowledge. The relative risk ratio shown in the multivariate Multinomial Logistic Regression model showed that the respondent’s age, sex, race, place of residence, province, grade, orphanhood status and subjective norms are significant predictors of HIV knowledge among younger adolescents aged 12-14 years old in South Africa. These associations indicated that non-African female adolescents are less likely to possess HIV knowledge compared to Black male adolescents, but generally, female adolescents have a slightly higher relative risk of possessing comprehensive HIV knowledge compared to their male counterparts (1.01, P<0.05; CI=0.99-1.03). Adolescents residing in rural areas have higher relative risks of possessing average and comprehensive HIV knowledge compared to those in urban areas, with relative risks increasing by 1.52 (P<0.05; CI=1.48-1.52) and 2.18 (P<0.05; CI=2.13-2.24), respectively. Additionally, willingness to share food with someone who has HIV/AIDS shows no significant difference in the relative risk of having average or comprehensive HIV knowledge (RRR:0.641; P<0.05; CI=0.62-0.65), while willingness to play with someone who has HIV/AIDS decreases the relative risks of having average and comprehensive HIV knowledge by factors of 0.32 (P<0.05; CI=0.32-0.33) and 0.13 (P<0.05; CI=0.12-0.13), respectively. Furthermore, adolescents uncomfortable discussing HIV/AIDS with at least one family member have decreased relative risks of possessing average and comprehensive HIV knowledge by factors of 0.27 (P<0.05; CI=0.27-0.28) and 0.30 (P<0.05; CI=0.29-0.30), respectively. These results highlight the importance of demographic and social factors in understanding HIV knowledge among young adolescents in South Africa. 5.Conclusion Despite significant efforts by the South African government to integrate HIV education into the national school curriculum and collaborate with NGOs and civil society groups, adolescents aged 12-14 still lack comprehensive HIV knowledge. Understanding HIV early plays a vital role in reducing stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS, fostering a supportive and inclusive atmosphere. It also promotes critical thinking among adolescents, empowering them to question myths and misunderstandings about the disease, thereby encouraging healthier behaviours and attitudes. The hypothesis for this research was that there is no association between demographic, socioeconomic and subjective norm characteristics and HIV knowledge among younger adolescents in South Africa. The multinomial logistic regression showed significant results. Therefore, the null hypothesis was rejected. Post the completion of the National Youth HIV Prevention Strategy (2022-205), it will become mandatory for the government to evaluate and refine the policy framework to include those under 15 years. Including those aged 12-14 years old will be crucial for fostering a generation equipped to safeguard their sexual health and make informed choices, thereby perpetuating the efficacy and relevance of HIV prevention efforts within the broader national agendaItem Determinants of Adaptation and Insurance Uptake among Small-Scale Farmers in Kenya(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Segone, Tshepiso; Alence, RodDespite the costs associated with climate-related damage and loss, WII uptake remains low among small-scale, Kenyan farmers. Many of these farmers continue to opt for traditional adaptive and mitigative strategies in the wake of climate-related challenges, despite the many known benefits insurance has for climate resilience. Thus, the study seeks to understand the determinants of insurance uptake, and to measure the relationship between these determinants and agricultural output, using a binary regression model. Overall, the study underscores the complex interplay of socio-economic, cultural, and environmental factors shaping farmers’ adaptation decisions in Kenya and highlights the need for targeted interventions to enhance insurance uptake and promote effective climate strategiesItem The economic and geopolitical implications of China’s BRI in Nigeria and Ethiopia: A comparative analysis(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mojela, Tshenolo; Freer, GordonThe BRI, launched by China in 2013, has significantly reshaped global economic and geopolitical landscapes through extensive infrastructure projects to enhance global connectivity. This dissertation examines the economic and geopolitical implications of the BRI in Nigeria and Ethiopia, two pivotal African partners of the initiative. Despite a global decline in FDI to developing countries, Africa's FDI remained stable, with notable increases in BRI-related engagements. Nigeria and Ethiopia have received substantial investments, boosting their infrastructure and economic capacities while raising concerns about increased debt dependency and potential geopolitical shifts favouring China. Employing dependency theory, this research explores how the BRI influences Nigeria and Ethiopia's agency, economic dependencies, and sovereignty. This dissertation contributes to the broader understanding of the BRI's role in shaping Africa's geopolitical landscape and offers insights into the responses of African nations to this transformative global initiative. The findings are valuable for policymakers, scholars, and stakeholders interested in China's engagement strategy in Africa, informing the development of policies that leverage the benefits of the BRI while mitigating potential risks to ensure sustainable and equitable growth for African nations.Item The Influence of Perceived Opportunities and Perceived Capabilities on Entrepreneurial Activity in Sub-Saharan Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Kgomo, Tshegofatso; O’Donovan, Michael; Alence, RodThis research examines the impact of perceived opportunities and capabilities on entrepreneurial activities in Sub-Saharan Africa. It uses logistic regression to analyse available data on the region from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, which consists of survey data from South Africa. The analysis reveals that perceived opportunities do not significantly influence entrepreneurial activities within both the formal and informal sectors. However, perceived capabilities are pivotal in driving entrepreneurial activities. Further analysis incorporating control variables such as gender, age, educational levels, and employment status indicated that educational attainment does not have a relationship with entrepreneurial activity and age and employment status are negatively associated with entrepreneurial activity. Thus, this study challenges the prevailing notion that opportunity recognition predominantly fosters entrepreneurship in Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting instead the critical role of perceived personal capabilities in entrepreneurial ventures.Item Male Circumcision and Multiple Sexual partners in South Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mahlangu, Theophelus Sphesihle; Frade, S.Introduction: The high prevalence of Multiple Sexual Partners (MSP) and increasing rates of HIV infection in South Africa highlight the urgent need to delve into the factors influencing risky sexual behaviour. Despite efforts to promote safe sex practices, MSP remains a significant driver of the HIV epidemic in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in South Africa. This study focuses to investigate the association between MC and MSP among males aged 15 years and above in South Africa, elucidating a potential relationship between MC, risky sexual behavior (RSB), and HIV prevalence. Method: This quantitative study employed a cross-sectional design using data from the 2017 South African National HIV Prevalence, Incidence, Behaviour and Communication Survey. (SABSSM), with a weighted sample of 27,620,422 men in the male recode. Data analysis involved three phases: frequency and percentage distributions, Pearson’s chi-square test, and binary logistic regression. Results: The study revealed that 94.04 % of circumcised South African men reported having MSP, with higher rates in Mpumalanga (97.29%) and among white males (97.33%). MSP was associated with demographic factors like type of residence, educational background, race, paying for sex, and geographical location. Men not using condoms were also more likely to engage in MSP. However, the study did not find any significant association between male circumcision and multiple sexual partners. The study found that males who were circumcised were less likely to have multiple sexual partners compared to uncircumcised males. Specifically, the odds ratio for MSP was (AOR 0.82; p<;0.05; CI: 0.81–0.82) among circumcised males. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the importance of considering sociodemographic and behavioural factors in designing effective prevention programs targeting risky sexual behaviour in South Africa. Understanding the underlying factors driving men's engagement in multiple sexual partnerships is crucial for developing targeted interventions to address this behaviour. This study provides evidence that male circumcision does not adversely affect sexual function or lead to increased risky sexual behaviours, such as having multiple sexual partners. These findings have important implications for public health policies and individual decision-making regarding circumcision. Further research is needed to confirm these results and explore other potential factors that may influence sexual outcomes. Additionally, it is crucial to consider the individual's overall sexual health and behaviour to ensure that the benefits of circumcision are not outweighed by risky sexual practices. This is an important consideration in the context of HIV prevention and sexual health, as some studies have suggested that circumcision may lead to increased risky sexual behaviours. However, our findings suggest that circumcision alone does not necessarily influence the number of sexual partners a man has.Item Azibuye Emasisweni: Exploring Everyday Notions of Zulu Nationalism Through the Women in the Hostels of Alexandra Township(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Makhathini, Sinqobile; Mngomezulu, NosiphoThis thesis explores the lives of four women who ethnically identify as Zulu within the hostels of Alexandra. Hostels, which refer to the housing compounds that were established as ethnically segregated and gender-distinguished spheres for the colonial migrant labour system, have become an essential axis for Zulu nationalist revival away from Kwa-Zulu Natal. Through participant observation and semi-structured interviews, I examine how Mam’Dlamini (57 years), the Nduna of Madala hostel and three hostel residents: Nokukhanya (23years), Mam’Nzama (55 years), Nokwazi (21 years), engage and shape forms of Zulu nationalism within their everyday life. I further engaged in autoethnography, whereby I positioned myself as the fifth participant, undertaking self-reflexivity about my identification as a Zulu woman. My work is invested in ukuzwa ngenkaba, listening with the umbilical cord, which is to say, centring African epistemologies in the ways we research (Mkhize 2023). In this way, I think through Fox and Miller-Idriss’ (2008) four modalities of everyday nationhood (talking, choosing, consuming and performing the nation) within Zulu conceptual frames. In my research, I found that in “talking the nation'' women used ulimi and ukuncelisa both literally and figuratively to signal membership and centre the role of mothers in shaping Zulu subjectivity. The framing of choices as national is understood by participants as more than individual articulations of personal agency but importantly incorporates inherited traditions. Ordinary people are not simply uncritical consumers of the nation; they are simultaneously its creative producers through everyday acts of consumption (Fox et al 2008, 505). My research shows how rituals become fertile sites for enacting Zulu personhood through specific forms of consumption and production. Performing the nation was evidenced through the women’s embodied expressions of inhlonipho. These themes have allowed for the understanding of how women do not remain hidden within notions of co-constituting but rather preserve this order from and beyond their matriarchal hold of the hostel.