Electronic Theses and Dissertations (Masters)
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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.Item Women in Union Leadership: A case study of the Ghana Public Service Workers’ Union (PSWU.(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Eva, Oteng; Sefalafa, ThabangThis research examines the extent to which affirmative policies (gender mainstreaming, gender equality) lead to substantive improvements in the position of women within the Public Services Workers Union (PSWU) in Ghana. The research data for this study was collected using two methods: An online survey that focused on the experience and perceptions of 46 women leaders in the National Executive Council (NEC). The research is a mixed method in the sense that it generated both qualitative and quantitative data. Semi-structured interviews online with 7 key stakeholders, including women and men, in the national office. Data was triangulated to deal with issues of validity and reliability. Analysis is framed under how the equality plan has been implemented in PSWU and the challenges in terms of women’s leadership efforts in decision-making. It was observed that improvement in women participation in the union is because of gender mainstreaming policy and interventions. This proves an argument in a similar study by Britwun et al (2014) that when women are significantly represented in leadership especially in the mainstream there is a possibility of achieving negotiations for women related issues that is perceived as cost to the organisation. This cost includes childcare facilities and additional maternal/paternal leave (Britwum et al 2014). The survey also projects that there are women leaders who play double roles in the union and at home which affects performances and contributions to union affairs as stated by Kirton and Healy (2008,4) in their research stated that “paid work and work in the home constitute a ‘double burden’ and trade union participation (and other such voluntary activities) adds another ‘burden’ for many women''. The trend of domestic or household responsibilities should be carefully studied and used as a tool to address the issue of women’s lack of interest and commitment to union activities and other leadership roles. iii In this regard, increase in women's representation increases women’ consciousness about their demands and strives to realize them.Item Exploring factors of food production in Mozambique and Zimbabwe (2001-2019)(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Ramos, Dominic Carlos; Small, MichelleClimate change has emerged as a severe security threat which has worsened poverty, inequality and more importantly sustainable development throughout the global south. Southern African countries have been especially susceptible to climate change with severe weather patterns such as drought, land degradation, flooding and severe tropical cyclones that disproportionately affect poor communities. The effects of the impact of climate change on development and poor communities is observed with stubbornly high levels of food insecurity throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and by extension Southern Africa. Changing climates have forced farmers to undertake drastic measures to produce food for themselves and their communities with limited external support. In Mozambique and Zimbabwe alone around 3.5 million and 1.5 million subsistence and smallholder farmers respectively, are responsible for more than 70% of total food production (FAO 2011, World Bank 2019, INE 2014). This study explores the impact of climate variation and climate change on food production and food accessibility throughout Mozambique and Zimbabwe through a person-centred human security approach . The study further complements the challenges of food security by assessing the response of small-holder farmers in adapting and reacting to climate change. This study relied substantially on secondary sources such as regional reports, bulletins and journal articles alongside publications from NGOs, government departments and international organisations. The data was analysed through thematic and content analysis. The findings suggest that Mozambique and Zimbabwe remain highly vulnerable to climate change negatively affecting food insecure communities. Furthermore, while small-holder farmers have desperately undertaken various methods of adaptation they are unable to cope with extreme weather patterns. The findings underscore the necessity for interventions aimed at enabling farmers and vulnerable communities to adapt to climate change or, at the very least, mitigate its effects. This is crucial for preventing recurrent food and humanitarian crises.Item The inability of peacekeeping to address Rwandan Congolese security dilemma(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022-06-11) Kabwe, Muzinga Divine; Brosig, MalteRwanda’s involvement in the DRC is more intricate than that of the other actors. The Rwandan army has been battling the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a political-military movement which is active in the North and South Kivu provinces of the DRC. The presence of the FDLR in those provinces is problematic as it gives Rwanda a reason to continuously intervene in the DRC. . The reality is that historical issues will take a long time to resolve and that the peacebuilding process in the DRC cannot be tied to a timeline. The failings of the UN via MONUC and its successor MONUSCO have only served to reinforce this scepticism and sense of self-reliance in Kigali. Another consideration to add here is that Rwanda has become one of the top 10 providers of troops to UN peacekeeping missions, primarily operating in Darfur. Censuring Rwanda for its involvement in DR Congo could put this at risk, making UN and donor engagement with Rwanda politically more complex than just a case of whether to cut or maintain aid. The current interest by regional and international actors in the crisis provides an opportunity for laying a framework for the resolution of the underlying structural issues that have plagued the DRC for a long time.Item Phenomena in the therapeutic setting when treating clients with gender-related Body dysphoria(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Coleman, David; Bain, KatherineThis study explored psychotherapists’ experiences of somatic phenomena, in relation to their own bodies, when treating clients with significant gender-related body dysphoria within the treatment setting. It also examined their experiences and deeper understandings of somatic transference and countertransference within the analytic frame when working with this particular client profile. The various resistance mechanisms deployed by such clients were also explored as well as the ways in which psychotherapists may be resistant to working more closely with their own somatic countertransference. A qualitative approach to research was in order to generate meaning and understanding through rich material. An interpretivist paradigm was employed whose ontology examines the perceptions and experiences of therapists who have treated clients with significant gender-related body dysphoria. Therapists’ experiences of somatic countertransference phenomena were varied and inconsistent. More than half of the therapists reported the experiencing of sensations including nausea, headaches, restriction of the chest and experiences of drowsiness. Some therapists could not recall any experiences of somatic countertransference and demonstrated a tendency to minimize, deny or disavow somatic phenomena.Item A study of the psychometric properties of the Personality and Values Questionnaire in a sample of the South African Population(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024-03) Clack, Crystal; Laher, SumayaPersonality assessment plays a crucial role in various domains in South Africa. Both personality traits and values dimensions have been shown to be reliable predictors of performance and behaviour. Research on personality in South Africa is lacking, as is research on values. Assessment use in South Africa is governed by legislation, requiring evidence of reliability, validity, fairness, and a lack of bias. Most objective, self-report personality assessments are based on the Five Factor Model (FFM), which is widely accepted in personality as being universal. However, evidence on personality in South Africa suggests that there are additional elements to these factors. This study explored the applicability of the Personality and Values Questionnaire (PVQ) for use in the South African context. This was done by investigating internal consistency reliability, construct validity, and aspects of construct bias as they pertain to the potential for adverse impact. A non probability convenience sample of 288 participants completed the PVQ. The study took the form of a non-experimental, cross-sectional design. From the results, it was evident that the scales of the PVQ demonstrated adequate internal consistency reliability. In assessing construct validity, the five factor structure replicated similarly with regards to the Extraversion and Neuroticism domains, but the domains of Agreeableness, Openness, and Conscientiousness loaded differently to that proposed by the FFM and the test developers and more in line with other research on personality in South Africa. Evidence for construct bias was found. Women were likely to be more considerate of others, and concerned with how they appear to others. Black participants appeared more inclined towards harmony in interpersonal relationships and traditionalism. The differences for the language subgroups were small. The results suggest that the PVQ would have some suitability for use in South Africa depending on the context and sample. More research with larger and more diverse samples is needed.Item The Role of Natural Disasters in Shaping Individual Perceptions of Climate Change in Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023-11-13) Van Niekerk, Courtney; Alence, RodThis paper explores the relationship between individual perceptions of climate change and natural disasters in African states. This paper uses both qualitative and quantitative research methodology to explore 33 African states by observing the climate change perceptions as well as climate risk experienced by individuals through natural disasters. By using subnational Afrobarometer survey data and corresponding subnational natural disaster data, this paper finds individuals who have experienced natural disasters are less likely to express concerns for climate change.Item Understanding the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa’s Evolving Policies on the Role of Renewable Energy in South Africa’s Mineral Energy Complex(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024-01-31) Monaisa, Chere; Pillay, DevanThe concept of the just transition is widely regarded as organised labour’s response to the negative impact of climate change. It is used as a mechanism to reconcile the movement’s mandate to provide workers with decent jobs and the need to protect the environment. NUMSA is an example of a union that, during 2011-12, responded to the impact of climate change by developing its own policies and directly challenging government’s renewable energy policies. The union’s vision for South Africa is a socially owned renewable energy sector made up of a mix of energy parastatals, cooperatives, municipal-owned entities, and other forms of community energy enterprises. South Africa is heavily reliant on coal for its electricity generation. The government, the private sector, civil society, and organised labour mostly agree that there is a need to transition away from coal to renewable energy. Initially, the transition to renewable energy was framed as a choice between ‘jobs and environment’ and ‘jobs versus environment’. NUMSA’s vision of socially owned renewable energy displayed characteristics of active labour environmentalism that called for the transformative ‘jobs and environment with just transition’ despite its location in the fossil fuel sector. However, a series of events and decisions by a top leadership that is viewed as authoritarian and unenthusiastic about eco-socialism, has resulted in NUMSA adopting strategies in recent years that are, at best, seen as reactive and narrowly protecting workers – even though they purport to support a just transition to renewable energy. At worst, the union has been accused of anti-environmentalism and protecting coal and electricity workers regardless of the impact on the environment. It was this apparent shift and criticism of NUMSA that necessitated an analysis of its opposition to the closure of coal fired power stations to make way for renewable energy independent power producers. The findings point to a union that relies on its pioneering decarbonization policies to shield itself from legitimate criticism from labour climate activists and progressive environmental groups of its actual practice.