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"A stick to beat other women with?" Margaret Atwood's Penelopiad as a response to Homer's Odyssey

  • Authors: Neethling, Gabrielle Catherine
  • Date: 2012-02-28
  • Subjects: Atwood, Margaret, 1939- , Penelopiad , Homer , Odyssey
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:2106 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4450
  • Description: M.A. , In this dissertation I have explored the ways in which Margaret Atwood, in her novella The Penelopiad, reflect and re-interprets the Penelope of Homer’s Odyssey. The method I am using to explore and form character profiles is in accordance with modern literary theories on character. I have studied how Penelope’s speech, actions, interactions with others, thoughts and other elements of contrast and archetype aid in forming her character profile in Homer and Atwood. The character of Penelope in the Odyssey has been treated differently over the years by scholars and my aim is to discuss how Atwood enters into this critique. She enters into this critique with her fictional re-representation of Penelope in The Penelopiad. I have concluded that The Penelopiad is a feminist response to Homer’s Odyssey. In Homer Penelope emerges as a virtuous, yet complex and powerful character who is regarded by later Greek tradition as the epitome of a respectable and faithful wife. The purpose of Atwood’s Penelope is to counter the Homeric tradition that portrays her as loyal and obedient. Atwood keeps close to Homeric events and story-line in her re-reading, however she subverts the archetype of the ‘Good Wife’. She portrays Penelope’s familiar Homeric behaviour as motivated from a self-serving perspective and a manner in which to gain power and preserve her reputation in the patriarchal society. In this way Atwood exposes the female suppression that is inherent in patriarchal society, as well as the duplicitous behaviour that is necessary to survive the system.
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"A typical labour - the role, function and effect of labour broking as an employment practice"

  • Authors: Cowley, Kevin Alexander
  • Date: 2012-02-13
  • Subjects: Labor contractors , Contract system (Labor) , Labor laws and legislation
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:2043 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4393
  • Description: M.A. , For many years national legislation has made little to no effort to control the conditions of employment for atypical labour. In fact, such labour has mostly operated withm the twilight zone of the law. Generally ill-defined, with conditions of employment remain relatively vague. This has not only been the case within South Africa, for internationally the struggle headed by the International labour Organization has indicated a similar lack of regulation of such conditions of employment. For the sake of clarity, it must be repeated that this study has no intention of elaborating in any further detail, on the subject of atypical labour, other than in as far as such labour affects labour braking activities Therefore. some description and discussion of the various forms of atypical labour will follow, however only in as much as this will encourage a better understanding of labour braking, as an employment practice.
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"Barriers-to-change" in a governmental service delivery type organisation

  • Authors: Coetzee, Coenraad Johannes Hendrik
  • Date: 2011-11-21
  • Subjects: Organizational change , Organizational change management
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:1714 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4057
  • Description: D.Phil. , One of the principal reasons people form organisations is to focus attention and energy on a selected goal - this goal being the provisioning of products and/or services to clients. Due to forces demanding change, organisations are required to change to be able to continue their existence, making change unavoidable and part of the organisation's life cycle. The premise is that if change is unavoidable, it needs to be managed to serve the best interests of the organisation, thus the need for change management. Research indicates that 50 to 75% of all major corporate change efforts fail and that resistance is the "little-recognised but critically important contributor'' to the failure of change efforts, and central to the change problem. Also, central to the change problem and successful change management lie the following factors: • The reality that people tend to resist change. • The issue of measurement for change management intervention purposes. Research Objectives The objectives of this study are divided into literature and empirical research objectives, each posing primary and secondary objectives. The primary literature review objective is to create a theoretical frame of reference for the interrelated concepts of change, change management and barriers-to-change. The primary empirical research objective is to apply Barriers-to-Change Questionnaire (BCQ), developed in meeting the literature review objectives, to a Governmental service delivery type organisation with the purpose of determining which barriers-to-change is evident in such an environment. Literature Research A review of the literature revealed that there is no integrated view on change and barriers-to-change, but it also revealed that the concept of barriers-to-change has been prominent in organisational and management literature for quite some time. However, no evidence could be found of a measuring instrument focused on measuring barriers-to-change as a whole. During the literature research the concepts of organisational development, organisational change, change management, resistance to change and barriers-tochange were investigated, clarified and reported upon. The above-mentioned concepts were integrated into a theoretical frame of reference called the SCM, which served the purposes of providing a framework from where barriers-to-change can be understood, explained and managed as well as providing a firm base from where the BCQ was developed to measure barriers-to-change in a specific environment. It was concluded, for the purposes of this study, that barriers-to-change can be grouped into two types of barriers, being hard and soft. It was also concluded that there are four causes (or groupings) of barriers-to-change, being barriers inherent to the change project, people barriers, organisational barriers and barriers from the environment, each with specific sub-dimensions. Each sub dimension is supported by an appropriate number of questionnaire items, contained in the BCQ, which were administered to the target organisation.
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"Being an adolescent suicide survivor": a collage-facilitated phenomenological approach.

  • Authors: Hoffmann, Willem Abraham
  • Date: 2008-08-21T12:50:01Z
  • Subjects: suicide , adolescent psychotherapy , bereavement , loss (psychology) in adolescence
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:3645 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/902
  • Description: Suicide is an irreversible and tragic act that often leaves people confused and stigmatised. Immediately after a completed suicide, people’s thoughts usually turn to the suicide victim. Yet, the real victims of this tragedy are those individuals who are left behind to cope with the emotional trauma to loose a significant other. They often struggle with unanswerable questions, self-blaming and an inability to move on with their lives. This thesis aims to address two pertinent issues. The first is that little is known regarding the qualitative aspects of adolescent suicide survivors’ emotional experiences, meaning-making and coping behaviour. The second is that formal and informal caregivers have a need for psychoeducational resource material to effectively support adolescent suicide survivors during postvention. A psychological-phenomenological approach has been chosen as the fundamental ideological stance within the psycho-educational programme development structure of the study. Furthermore, the methodological assumptions of the phenomenological interview were enriched with some narrative principles and an arts-based component. The situation analysis’ research participants comprised of female late adolescents (17-22 years old) whom were recruited by means of criterion sampling. The most important specific inclusion criterion was that they had direct experience of being a suicide survivor; the suicide victim could be any significant person with whom the participant had had a meaningful relationship, such as a close friend, relative or direct family member. Data collection during the situation analysis primarily consisted of face-to-face phenomenological interviews. A pre-interview task to create a personalised collage was given to the research participants. These self-created collages served as narrative-facilitators during the interviews. Some of the participants provided additional documentary material in the form of personal diaries, letters and poems. ABSTRACT vi The data analysis basically followed Giorgi’s phenomenological method, especially due to its strong psychological sensitivity. Some supplementary analysis principles from the phenomenological approaches of Kruger and Wertz were integrated into Giorgi’s method to strengthen and support its psychological and educational inclinations. The principles of Guba’s model were employed in the verification of the research process. The themes that emerged from the phenomenological analysis were categorised into peri-suicide experiences (those experiences in the days around the suicide events that ended with the funeral) and post-suicide experiences (those experiences in the weeks, months and years following the direct suicide events). Each of these two parts consists of three experience clusters. The experience clusters for the peri-suicide experiences are the following: “Awareness of victim’s suicide-associated behaviour directly prior to the suicide”; “Immediate reactions on becoming aware of the suicide” and “Reactions in the days following the suicide”. The experience clusters for the post-suicide experiences are the following: “Falling apart”; “Being shattered” and “Putting the pieces back together”. The research participants’ experiences of the collage-making process per se, as well as the actual process of collage-making that they engaged in are also addressed. A web-based psycho-educational programme was developed from the rich research results obtained during the situation analysis. This programme can be used as a postvention resource instrument by adolescent survivors and caregivers of suicide survivors alike. , Prof. C.P.H. Myburgh
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"Bestuur deur rond te beweeg" in 'n Suid-Afrikaanse milieu

  • Authors: Botha, P.J.N.
  • Date: 2014-02-11
  • Subjects: Management , Executives - South Africa.
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:3790 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/9164
  • Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , Management by Walking Around is a relatively new management philosophy, which was probably first mentioned in the literature by Peters & Waterman (1982) in their book In Search of Excellence. This II... blinding flash of the obvious...11 (Peters & Austin, 1985:3) is a management philosophy which advises the manager to spend at least 25 percent of his time outside the office. The manager must not wait for the customers and subordinates to visit him, nor must the manager summon them to his office. The manager must go out and visit the workers at the workplace, be interested in what the workers are doing and listen to what the workers have to say. The manager must also visit the customers on a regular basis and pay attention to what they have to say. The customer is king and the customer's wishes and desires should be taken seriously. After all, the customer is the reason why the company exists. Management by Walking Around (MBWA) can not be fully understood without paying attention to surrounding management factors. Such factors include organisation culture, motivation theories and other management theories, including Management by Objectives, particitive management and visionary management. Several articles have been written about MBWA in the U.S.A. and some other countries, but very little has been written about MBWA in South-Africa as yet. MBWA however, is very much applicable in the current South-African environment. With all the major changes following the political transformation in South-Africa in 1994, opportunities are available to implement MBWA in the culture of South-African companies. Correctly applied,Management by Walking Around is a relatively new management philosophy, which was probably first mentioned in the literature by Peters & Waterman (1982) in their book In Search of Excellence. This II... blinding flash of the obvious...11 (Peters & Austin, 1985:3) is a management philosophy which advises the manager to spend at least 25 percent of his time outside the office. The manager must not wait for the customers and subordinates to visit him, nor must the manager summon them to his office. The manager must go out and visit the workers at the workplace, be interested in what the workers are doing and listen to what the workers have to say. The manager must also visit the customers on a regular basis and pay attention to what they have to say. The customer is king and the customer's wishes and desires should be taken seriously. After all, the customer is the reason why the company exists. Management by Walking Around (MBWA) can not be fully understood without paying attention to surrounding management factors. Such factors include organisation culture, motivation theories and other management theories, including Management by Objectives, particitive management and visionary management. Several articles have been written about MBWA in the U.S.A. and some other countries, but very little has been written about MBWA in South-Africa as yet. MBWA however, is very much applicable in the current South-African environment. With all the major changes following the political transformation in South-Africa in 1994, opportunities are available to implement MBWA in the culture of South-African companies. Correctly applied,MBWA can be a great asset to each leader, manager and company in South-Africa
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"Communication English" aan tegniese kolleges : 'n evaluering in die lig van lees- en spelvaardighede

  • Authors: Wohler, Susanna Catharina
  • Date: 2015-02-11
  • Subjects: Reading (Higher education) , Reading - Ability testing , Spelling ability - Testing , English language - Ability testing , English language - Study and teaching (Higher)
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:13290 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13309
  • Description: M.Ed. , The purpose of this study is primarily to evaluate the curriculum of the subject Communication English with specific reference to the component of reading and spelling. The rationale is to determine whether or not the reading and spelling skills of college students comply with the requirements of the private sector and, if found to be inadequate, appropriate recommendations would be made. The detrimental effect of reading and spelling problems on a person's entire being and self-actualization is attested by the literature. A needs analysis was done by means of questionnaires to establish how the course makes provision for various aspects of a communicative language curriculum. The questionnaires were completed by three groups, these being the N2 and N3 students, the lecturers of Communication English and various members of the private sector. For purposes of this study only the relevant questions concerning reading and spelling from the questionnaires were highlighted. The results of the reading and spelling tests showed that there is a significant discrepancy between the students' reading and spelling ages and their chronological ages, it would appear as if they are below the required norm by approximately four years. From the responses of the questionnaires it was apparent that a high premium was attached to competence in reading and spelling skills.
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"Communication English" at technical colleges : an evaluation in the light of employer needs

"Deemed dismissal" as a form of termination of employment in South Africa : a comparative analysis

"Experiences of relapsed psychiatric patients in Mafikeng in the North-West Province"

  • Authors: Lobelo, Motlhagodi Ivy
  • Date: 2008-11-18T08:32:08Z
  • Subjects: Psychotherapy patients' relapse , Psychotherapy patients' treatment , North-West (South Africa)
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:14715 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1720
  • Description: M.Cur. , The problem of relapsed psychiatric patients is global, it is high in rural areas where services are not readily available. Lack of knowledge of psychiatric conditions and the management by family of patients play a part in psychiatric patients relapsing. Families reject their family members (patients) when they are in hospital, for what they did when their illness started. Some patients assaulted people, stripped naked in the street. The family then disassociate themselves from the patient because of that behaviour. Studies have indicated that the following reduce the rate of relapse of psychiatric patients: • psycho-education for families regarding the causes of mental illness and its management; and • active involvement of families of patients in the treatment plan of these patients. The researcher’s interest was triggered by the high rate of psychiatric patient relapses in the institution where she works. The researcher decided to investigate the experiences of patients who have relapsed. An investigation was done whereby an explorative, descriptive, contextual and qualitative design was used to find out what the experiences of patients are who have relapsed. Phenomenological interviews were done with seven participants who were purposively selected. Permission was first obtained from the gatekeepers and participants. Thereafter, a pilot study was done with one patient who met the selection criteria for the study. This was done to help the researcher to discover the strong and weak points of the research and to make corrections where necessary. Following Guba’s model (Krefting, 1991:214-222) strategies ensured trustworthiness. Data analysis was done following Tesch’s method of data analysis (Creswell, 1994:154-156). The results showed that patients’ basic needs are neglected in some areas. Emotional dimensions of participants were not catered for by health workers, which resulted in participants getting frustrated and angry. After the data analysis guidelines for psychiatric nurses were described to assist psychiatric patients to mobilise their resources. Recommendations were made regarding the application of the results of the study in psychiatric education, nursing practice and research and for family members. It was concluded that the questions of the study were answered and the objectives were achieved.
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"Genadedood" in die strafreg : 'n regsfilosofiese en regsvergelykende perspektief

"I was afraid--so I hid your talent in the ground.": the formation of an ethos of responsibility in a secular environment, according to Matthew 25:14-30

  • Authors: De Beer, Frederick Jacobus
  • Date: 2010-04-12T07:46:11Z
  • Subjects: Bible. N.T. Matthew XXV, 14-30 , Self-actualization (Psychology) , Responsibility
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:6767 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3178
  • Description: M.A. , Matthew 25:14-30 is often used by Christian speakers to motivate people and challenge them to personal growth and development in a secular environment. Jesus uses economics to articulate the parable but although the Parable of the Talents involves money, and might profoundly have an impact upon how people see and do economics, it is about far more than just money (Dipboye, 1995:507). Traditionally, Matthew 25:14-30 is interpreted from an eschatological perspective and the subsequent responsibility towards the gifts received and the Kingdom of God. The parable is understood to converse living in an active and responsible manner, while awaiting the end of time. This implies doing good by using the gifts and opportunities that God gives, as also indicated in the parable of the wicked and faithful slaves found in Matthew 24:45-5 (Senior, 1998:279). The unfaithful servant and his subsequent punishment are mostly interpreted as a warning to Christians who neglects their talents. Interpretations of the Parable of the Talents are traditionally more inclined towards a spiritual exercise with a subsequent eschatological accountability. Senior (1998:279) for instance says: “Matthew’s story is not simply an exhortation to develop one’s talents in the manner of a self-development program - an interpretation often attached to this story (even the English word “talent” derives from this parable). However, there is an inclination to interpret the parable allegorically as well in its present form (Harrington, 1991:353). These allegorical alternatives includes physical and natural gifts and abilities, faculties of mind, and of body, position, influence, money, education, and every earthly advantage and blessing (Lenski, 1049:973). Christians are part of a secular environment, where natural and physical abilities are requirements for being productive and competitive. Christians cannot exclude and barricade themselves from a secular environment or be treated differently or exclusively. While Christians concentrate on their spiritual growth and development, physical abilities and talents are also to be multiplied and can be constituted as personal growth and development. However, this is not just a spiritual process, but also implies human efforts and self-responsibilities, as illustrated by Bruner’s (1990:557) observation: “Shouldn’t the servant have been more modest or Christ-centered and have said something like, “Look what you did through me,” instead of “Look I made…?” Southgate et al. (1999:53) underlines the fact that Christians have a tendency to pray and expect Divine intervention centred upon the action of God, hence any genuine hope of transformation must be grounded in something more than human resources alone.
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"Interpersoonlike verhoudinge" - 'n essensiële kennisterrein vir die skoolhoof

  • Authors: Van der Merwe, Marthinus Christoffel
  • Date: 2012-08-20
  • Subjects: School principals - Training of - South Africa , Interpersonal relations - Research - South Africa
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:2829 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/6265
  • Description: D.Ed. , Previously it was assumed that a person with adequate qualifications, and promoted to principal, would have the necessary knowledge and management experience. The modern principal, however, works under great pressure, and is regarded as a business manager. The extent of a principal's effectiveness is largely determined by the ability to have things done by other people. The problems that school principals may experience are discussed under the following aspects, namely: staff - the principal is dependent on his/her staff, and it is therefore important to develop and maintain healthy relationships with them. The effectiveness of the principal is limited without happy, supportive and efficient staff members; principal - the establishment of interpersonal relations is not traditionally regarded as a management task. Formal on the job training in this field only exists to a small extent or in most cases it is not present at all; communication - it is clear that the school principal should be well equipped with good communication skills. The importance lies in the fact that communication forms the foundation of healthy interpersonal relationships and consequently a healthy school climate and effective school organization; and school climate - it is alleged that the principal is largely responsible for the type of school climate prevailing in his/her school. The communication and relation-building skills of the principal determines, to a large extent, the school climate and consequently also the effectiveness of the school. In an effort to explain these aspects, the following objectives or aims were formulated, namely an investigation into: the role of interpersonal relationships between the principal and staff members; iv the personal qualities needed by the principal for the realisation of good interpersonal relationships; the role of communication skills in the establishment of good interpersonal relationships; and the contribution that a healthy school climate can play in healthy interpersonal relationships. The foundation of interpersonal relationships rests on mutual respect, goodwill and trust in the dignity and worthiness of the human as an individual personality. Interpersonal relationships is discussed further under the following aspects: character - relationships are continually being created. They are the result of a definite action, they are always being formed and they influence the participants as well as being qualitative; the importance of interpersonal relationships; types of relationships - these include person to, person relationships and professional relationships; aspects of relationships - under which the satisfaction of human needs, understanding of behaviour, acknowledgment of merit, problem solving and coordination of tasks are discussed; characteristics of an effective school principal - the drive, energy, selfconfidence, cooperation and visionary skills that the school principal should take note of; skills - needed by the school principal if he\she is to be successful; dimensions - a discussion of the relationship dimensions as described by Fisher (1987:216); development stages; and methods of determining relationship skills.The most important part of relationships is undoubtedly communication. Because of its importance, communication is thoroughly discussed. Communication is undeniably one of the most important management tasks of the school principal, and he\she is required to make constant use of the available communication media. Communication is the instrument through which goals, policies, division of tasks, responsibilities and authority in the school is conveyed to the staff. The aim of this chapter is to provide the newly appointed principal with guidelines and proposals for the improvement of his/her communication skills. The aspects of communication to be discussed are as follows: objectives and definition of communication; communication as a management task; communication channels; communication process; the communication cycle; barriers to effective communication; principals of effective communication; and school climate. The aim of the discussion is to provide the newly appointed principal with guidelines and proposals with the objective of improving their communication skills.
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"Nnete fela" : Northern Sotho detective story : a critical evaluation

  • Authors: Machiu, Jacob Zacharias Oupa
  • Date: 2014-09-23
  • Subjects: Kekana, M. A. Nnete fela
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:12346 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12132
  • Description: M.A. (African Languages) , The purpose of this study is to make a critical evaluation of M.A. Kekana's Nnete fela applying the basic elements of a detective novel. Use will be made of the views of different scholars and authorities on the detective novel. Northern Sotho has very few books that can be said to be true detective novels. Attempts in this regard were made by, amongst others, D.N. Moloto with his work Tshipu e rile ke lebelo (1962), H.N.D. Bopape with his novel Lenong la gauta (1982) and V.M. Moloto with the book Letlapa la bophelo (1983). We also have very few works in Northern Sotho evaluating and criticising the detective novel, hence this humble attempt. The traditional approach will be used by which the features of a detective novel will be applied to the chosen text.
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"Opvoeding tot menseregte : die regte van die persoon voor die regbank"

"Performativity" in the lives of Julian of Norwich (1343-1413) and Margery Kempe (1373-1438).

  • Authors: Gaul, Louisa
  • Date: 2008-01-09T07:07:09Z
  • Subjects: performative ( philosophy ) , church history in the middle ages , patriarchy , Margery Kempe , Julian of Norwich
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:14801 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/188
  • Description: Performativity” is employed in this study as a methodological approach to an understanding of patriarchy and its effects. As the materialized effect of the use of language and symbolization (speech acts, larger discourses, rituals) it fits within the broad frame of rhetorics, where the last highlights the creational or shaping force of language. Specifically the study focuses on an adapted version of Judith Butler’s notion of “performativity” in an analysis of the lives of various women. The term “performativity” is used in two fundamentally different senses. In the first, it refers to the prescriptions and expectations of patriarchy in regard to the identity and behaviour of its subjects, presented to them through master narratives. This sense of the word is pejorative in that “performativity” is a means of oppression and control. In the other sense of the word, “performatives” are those alternative ways of behaving and responding, chosen by women in their attempts to free themselves from the stifling effects of patriarchy and the master-narrative that it dictates. In this sense, the term actually refers to contra-performatives. Any study focusing on patriarchy necessarily requires an understanding of the origins and workings, as well as the effects, of that phenomenon. The study traces the development of the patriarchal system from pre-history, through Antiquity, into the Middle Ages and the Modern Era. This examination reveals the universality of patriarchy around the world and throughout history. The phenomenon is defined as an oppressive system of male domination within the family and society. As the study focuses particularly on the lives of two fourteenth century English women, Margery Kempe and Julian of Norwich, an examination of English society of that period as a strongly gendered culture, is undertaken. The very limited options available to women are delineated: the choice confronting them was either marriage and procreation, or church and chastity. Margery Kempe initially chose the former, while Julian of Norwich chose the latter. How did these choices impact on their lives, and in what ways may they be regarded as “performative”? Through various speech acts and rituals, as well as their writing, these women confronted patriarchy, sometimes directly and overtly, and at other times subtly and covertly, in their endeavours to create for themselves an alternative to patriarchal oppression. Alternative discourses informed alternative “performances”. In order to demonstrate the universality over time and place of patriarchy and the universal, “performative” response of women to it, the focus then shifts to nineteenth and twentieth century South Africa, where the life-worlds of a diverse group of women are studied. Again, “performativity” as a tool of liberation in the hands of women such as James Barry, Olive Schreiner, Johanna Brandt and Ellen Kuzwayo, is examined. The value of “performativity” is then, emphasised in this study, particularly as a means for those who have for whatever reason – gender, sexual orientation, race, etcetera – been “othered”, to overcome the regime under which they suffer. Regimes which have existed throughout history. This study in a sense serves as a springboard for further research into the why and how of liberation from patriarchal and other oppression. , Prof. H. Viviers
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"Professionally inviting culture as an aspect of leadership : implication for the management of teacher competence".

  • Authors: O'Meara, William
  • Date: 2012-08-08
  • Subjects: Teaching-Evaluation. , Competency based education-South Africa. , Teachers-Training of-South Africa-Evaluation. , Educational leadership.
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:8943 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/5416
  • Description: M.Ed. , The general aim of this research project was to investigate the components of teacher competence and how these aspects can enhance teacher effectiveness. The group aim of this research project was to investigate the teacher's leadership and how this can enhance the management of teaching competence. It was the specific aim of this research paper to: determine the contribution of a professionally inviting classroom culture towards a teacher's leadership style; obtain teacher opinion as to the extent that teachers use a professionally inviting culture as an aspect of their leadership style; and devise a possible strategy whereby a professionally inviting classroom culture can support the teacher's leadership style and enhance teacher competence. South Africa is undergoing huge changes particularly in the educational sphere. One of the most urgent problems that needs to be addressed is that of teacher competency.
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"The Macedonian question” - a historical overview and evaluation with special attention to traditional Greek ideology

  • Authors: Coconas, Evangelos
  • Date: 2015-07-16
  • Subjects: Macedonian question , Greece - Foreign relations - Macedonia (Republic)
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:13799 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/14063
  • Description: M.A. (Greek) , When I was in Primary School I recall hearing and reading about the exploits and conquests of Alexander the Great. To me, Alexander the Great or Μεγαλέξανδρος was more than a great warrior who tamed Bucephalus at a young age and then proceeded to conquer the known world before the age of thirty. Personally, he was a champion for Greece and for Hellenism. Alexander the Great ensured that Greece and Hellenism would become known and respected throughout the ages. Films have been made and books have been written about him. References have even made about him and his empire in Holy Scriptures like the Bible (in Daniel 7:6, 8:5-7, 11:3-4) as the Four-Horned Goat, the Four-Winged Leopard and the metal statue and the Quran (as Dhul-Qarnayn the Two-Horned One). When I was in High School I recall how passionately the global Hellenic community reacted when a small republic on Greece’s northern frontier proclaimed its independence with the official name “Republic of Macedonia”. This event struck a deeply emotional chord within me. I viewed this occurrence as a theft of my heritage. A proud heritage that was being appropriated by a young republic that was desperate to clutch onto anything in order to assign legitimacy to its newly-found independent status. For this reason, I did not hesitate to select this research topic when I decided to proceed with my postgraduate studies. This topic may not be the most unique one, especially within European and specifically Balkan academic circles, but it is a topic that has been deeply embedded in my conscience as a patriotic Greek who was determined to tackle this issue with the simple objective of proving that “Macedonia is Greek”. But one cannot be subjective in academic and scientific research and provide a discourse that is based on evidence that has been fuelled by passion. An academic researcher has a moral obligation to be objective and to inform on the basis of factual evidence and reason. There is a fine line between subjective emotion and objective truth when it comes to matters of patriotism and nationalism. Patriotism and nationalism can lead to fanaticism which I believe can ultimately defeat logic. A person can love his or her country and heritage and at the same 4 time refrain from feeling a sense of entitlement and demanding exclusivity to national symbolic factors. The most critical element is to be free from prejudice when attempting to uncover the truth...
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"Thieving Blacks": gangs and crime in Soweto as reported in white English newspapers during the 1940's and 1950's.

  • Authors: Radebe, Nomshado Maria
  • Date: 2007-12-06T07:57:35Z
  • Subjects: Soweto (South Africa) , gangs , crime , crime and the press
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:14656 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/161
  • Description: This study is an investigation of how the white English Language Press reported on black gangs in Soweto and their crimes during the 1940s and 1950s. The aim of this investigation is to increase our understanding of white English-speaking racial attitudes during the 1940s and the 1950s by investigating white perceptions of criminal gangs in Soweto during this time. To provide a yardstick, the study includes a discussion of our present state of knowledge on the topic as reflected in the secondary literature about gangsters and their crimes. During the 1940s black gangsters and their crimes were very seriously underreported compared to what we now know to have been the situation at that time. This suggests that English-speaking whites were not particularly interested in black gangsters and their crimes at this time. The reports that did appear reflected the attitude that unemployed blacks, whether they were part of gangs or not, had to be expelled from urban areas as they were all perceived to be gangsters. The headlines, reports and letters on black gang crime worked together to imply that blacks were criminals by nature. In the 1950s the level of reporting improved, as compared to the 1940s and reflected a much more serious concern about “Tsotsis”. The detailed descriptions of Tsotsis, their fashion and the language that they spoke reflect this concern. But the newspapers failed to indicate that not all young men who fitted their descriptions were Tsotsis. This omission strengthened white readers’ negative perception about young black men in general instead of distinguishing between criminals and other elements. Today, we know far more about black migrant and urban gangs and their crimes during this period from modern secondary sources than was reported in the white English Press at the time. This underreporting must have helped whites to remain ignorant of the real state of affairs in the black communities of the area. Both in the 1940s and 1950s the press concentrated on the harmful influence and criminal activities of gangs, which further strengthened the prevailing negative perceptions about young black men, who would all be perceived as “Thieving Blacks”. , Mr. GR Allen
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"Two souls" leadership: dynamic interplay of Ubuntu, Western and New Testament leadership values

  • Authors: Mzondi, Abraham Modisa Mkhondo
  • Date: 2010-05-20T06:35:43Z
  • Subjects: Ubuntu (Philosophy) , Social values , Christian leadership , Training of religious leaders
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:6806 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3240
  • Description: D.Litt. et Phil. , The post-1994 South African society has become humanistic, pluralistic and tolerant. The era is characterised by a call and commitment to build a non–racial, non–sexist, and non–discriminatory society enshrined in the constitution of the Republic of South Africa. These conditions challenge African evangelical leaders to minister the gospel without losing their faith and cultural identity. They also provide such leaders with an opportunity to effectively minister the gospel to others within their cultures and value systems. In an earlier study, which described how leaders of this type have developed and which values influenced them, the researcher discovered that: (a) these leaders follow the same developmental phases mentioned in Clinton‘s leadership emergence pattern and (b) the family played an important role in influencing, shaping and passing certain values to these leaders. In addition to these observations, the results of the completed questionnaires in the earlier study reflect that the leaders who participated in the previous study were significantly influenced by African and Western values. The influence of theses sets of values was referred to as operating with ―two souls‖, a condition which indicates that a person is simultaneously embracing both African and Western values without creating a dichotomy. The implication is that these leaders have embraced both kinds of values in their ministry and daily lives, without realising it. The researcher based the current study upon the recommendation that a qualitative study on African evangelical leadership development be conducted to determine areas that the researcher did not cover earlier. Based upon this recommendation he engaged in three tasks which constitute the purpose of this study: to (a) compare Ubuntu with Western values among African evangelical leaders in the same district and relate these values to New Testament leadership values, (b) argue that the ministry context of African evangelical leaders in the district dictates that they operate with ―two souls‖, and (c) develop a leadership training module for evangelical leaders in the district who participated in the study to enable them to minister in the culturally diverse, humanistic and pluralistic society of South Africa.
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"Wat die hart van vol is", uit Steenbok tot Poolsee van Peter Blum : gedigsiklus of gedigreeks?

  • Authors: Van den Bergh, Anna Eleonora Debora
  • Date: 2014-08-27
  • Subjects: Blum, Peter, 1925-1990. Wat die hart van vol is
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:12149 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/11893
  • Description: M.A. (Afrikaans) , In literature it is a common occurrence that certain poems are presented as a group, because certain joining forces indicate that these poems should not be treated as isolated entities. Two such classifications for the indexing of collective groups of poems are the cycle and the series. This study examines "Wat die hart van vol is", a collection of poems by Peter Blum in Steenbok tot Poolsee, to determine whether it is a cycle of poems or a series of poems. In a cycle the poems are constructed in such a way that the constituting elements (symbols, imagery, motifs and themes) form a structure which is simultaneously "horizontal" and "vertical", presented by a parabole whereby a spiral is incorporated in a chronology which is utilizing time and space in a rigid rranner by which the epic elements culminate in an all-encompassing theme. In this way the cycle progresses to a stage where it proves itself to be (back) at a (new) beginning at the point of its conclusion. The series is a group of poems which is constructed along a "horizontal" line. Unlike the cycle, it does not have the same underlying time-space chronology and interaction between the constituting elements because of its loose construction and the interchangeability of its poems. In the case of the series there cannot be an extention of the central theme or a deepening of the various layers of interpretation. At its utmost it can claim a "general incorporating" theme. In the analysis of the poems of "Wat die hart van vol is" it is proved that this group of poems is a cycle of poems and not of poems, and in the process the fact is established that a series of poems in its turn is an entity on its own with its own individual characteristics.
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