3. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - All submissions
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Item An investigation into nationalism and national allegory within South African post-apartheid film(2009-01-21T11:48:47Z) Oberholzer, Christoffel JohannesAbstract The aim of this research paper is to investigate the allegorical and national qualities present within South African post-apartheid cinema. Through the production of a satirical short film, an analysis of key texts by Frederic Jameson and Aijaz Ahmad, as well as a comparative breakdown of French and Australian national cinema, these topics will be explored and unpacked. The South African film environment establishes itself as one dominated by internationally produced films and one that utilises indigenous cultural aspects in order to compete against this dominance. This study identifies the specific techniques employed by South African filmmakers and highlights the successes and pitfalls of doing so. By examining the film careers of Darrell Roodt and producer Anant Singh, this paper identifies South African cinema as one with a focus on international goals, aspirations and audiences, while it neglects its own local audience and development. This research then proposes ways in which to resolve this problem by drawing on examples from other national cinemas.Item The functions of public art in post-apartheid South Africa(2007-03-01T11:33:19Z) Pretorius, Annette SophiaThe aim of this research report is to explore the extent to which public art in postapartheid, democratic South Africa may contribute both to urban regeneration and nation building as well as the extent to which contemporary African monumental public art could reflect African heritage and traditions (Nettleton 2003:3). Another issue that is explored is the role of patronage in determining the function of public art in post-apartheid South Africa. Case studies in the form of two examples of post-apartheid public, namely the Freedom Park and the Constitution Hill projects art are used to explore the functions of public art in South Africa. In summary this research report therefore analyses: • The nature and function of public art-historical issues; • The practical issues affecting the production of public art in post-apartheid South Africa; • The socio-political factors that mitigate for or against the ability of public art to function effectively in the post-apartheid South African context; and • How these functions feed into the broader issues of making a contribution in a demographically complex, post-apartheid South Africa.Item A CONTRADICTORY CLASS LOCATION? AN EXPLORATION OF THE POSITION AND ROLES OF THE AFRICAN CORPORATE MIDDLE CLASS IN SOUTH AFRICAN WORKPLACES AND COMMUNITIES(2007-02-21T13:11:34Z) Modisha, GeoffreyThe corporate middle class, or managers, occupies a contradictory class location in capitalist relations of production. While they do not own the means of production, this class stratum is not exploited like the working class. This class position, however, is bound to be different for a black manager whose advancement in the workplace may be due to government attempts to economically empower black people to redress the injustices imposed by the racially dominated social structure of the past. Through a Weberian understanding of social stratification as based on class, social status and power, this research aims to unearth how members of the African corporate middle class understand their position and roles in South African workplaces and communities. It also goes deeper to scrutinise the impact of this structural position on their agency. It is shown that their contradictory class location is exacerbated by their race. African managers constantly negotiate their positions and roles in their workplaces and communities. Indeed, while their managerial position affords them spaces that they could not have occupied during the apartheid era, their racial character lessens their ability to manoeuvre within these spaces. This can be identified both in workplaces and communities. It is shown that their middle-class status cannot be consolidated because of their perceived lower social status and less power to influence decision making in their organisations. Furthermore, it is shown that, although not all of the interviewees moved to middle-class areas, there is an indication of alienation in previously white-only residential areas. This is further exacerbated by expectations from their former communities and members of their extended families. As a result of high levels of unemployment in African communities, members of this group are actively contributing to uplift members of their extended families.Item Violence,fantasy,memory and testimony in MDA's ways of dying and she plays with the darkness(2007-02-15T13:18:40Z) Foster, Sue-Ann AnitaThis research report analyzes the representation of violence in Zakes Mda’s Ways of Dying and She Plays with the Darkness. Ways of Dying questions whether social stability and democracy would be fully realized in post-apartheid South Africa as is predicted in Black South African literature written between 1970 and 1994. Mda’s disillusionment is shown in his examination of undemocratic and violent practices committed within the liberation movement against the oppressed and of “black-on-black” violence in South Africa. She Plays with Darkness posits that political corruption and repression in Lesotho occurred as a result of the erosion of African values and traditions, which caused political leaders and the middleclass to dismiss the well-being of their society for personal gains. For Mda, however, societies and individuals can be redeemed from violence through memory, testimony, fantasy and art. Both novels reveal his endeavor to creatively narrate the experience of violence.Item Community Participation in the Upgrading of Informal Settlements with reference to Thembelihle and Kanana informal settlements, Johannesburg(2006-11-14T11:13:34Z) Nemaonzeni, Ephraim RaphalalaniThis study engages with community participation in post-apartheid South Africa, in an attempt to discern participation approaches that might enhance development in the upgrading of informal settlements within the Metropolitan Cities. The research attempts to come up with an intervention strategy that incorporates participation of Community- Based Organisations, Community leaders and society into informal settlement interventions in South Africa. It reviews the South African framework and structures for informal settlement community participation (including civic organisations, other community-based organisatios, and elected statutory representation). It then examines to what extent lessons from the International literature review 2003 study conducted by Thabelo Nethenzheni may be relevant to the South African situation.