Reading the Swazi reed dance (umhlanga) as a literary traditional performance art

ABSTRACT This study examines the Swazi Reed Dance (Umhlanga) as a literary traditional art form actuated through performance/ or dramatic elements that involve song, dance, symbols as well as audiences. A literary reading of some of the event’s specific texts elucidates meanings of its diverse themes such as: rituals of performing the monarch’s power; circulation of traditional hegemonic and patriarchal ideologies; virginity and HIV/AIDS; gender and human rights; democracy as well as modernity and globalization. All these issues are pertinent to Swazi society. The thesis key focus is to interrogate the literary role of Umhlanga in mediating perceptions about the Swazi people in contemporary Swaziland. In this regard, Umhlanga is examined as an art form that reflects the Swazi people’s socio-cultural, economic and political way of life. In order to achieve this goal it was important to closely examine the mechanisms involved in the event’s orchestration and reception/ or consumption by the Swazi people in their diversity as well as tourists. Throughout, the study highlights ambiguities, contradictions and conflicting views that challenge the beliefs, myths surrounding the ritual’s precepts and guidelines and by extension the ruling monarch. These are attributed to the influence of modernity and globalization. A major finding is that Umhlanga generates multiple texts proving the dynamic nature of tradition and culture. The study primarily employs an ethnographic approach focusing on the period between 2004 and 2007

Public lending right: prospects in South Africa's public libraries?

This paper examines the origin of the Public Lending Right and the UK Public Lending Right Act 1979. It analyses whether the public lending right (PLR) that exists in some European countries, Canada and Australia may form the basis of establishing a PLR in South Africa's public libraries following a debate by the Academic and Non-Fiction Authors' Association of South Africa (ANFASA) as to whether South African libraries needs to lobby for a PLR. The paper discusses possible obstacles that may inhibit the implementation of a PLR in South Africa's public libraries

The experience of newly qualified professionial nurses allocated to critical care units in their first year post graduation

Session presented on Monday, November 9, 2015 and Tuesday, November 10, 2015: The purpose: The study was to explore and describe the lived experiences of newly qualified professional nurses allocated in ICUs during their first year post-graduation. Further it was to interpret the meaning that these newly qualified professional nurses attach to these experiences during their first year in the critical care unit. Method and design: An explorative, descriptive, interpretative and qualitative design was conducted to explore the nurses\u27 experiences. Purposive sampling was used which is based on belief that the researcher\u27s knowledge about the population can be used to hand pick sample elements. Data was collected through in-depth unstructured interviews and written narratives which were transcribed into verbatim transcripts. A Collaizi\u27s method of data analysis was used. Results: The study findings revealed that newly qualified professional nurses experienced difficulties and challenges in adjusting to the unit due to lack of mentors caused the shortage of staff and by the fact that the ICU environment different from the wards that they are used to. Positive and negative feelings regarding their relationship with colleagues in terms of support received were alluded upon. Recommendations: The study recommended that nurses be exposed to intensive care units during their training. Even after completion they should be introduced to ICU after they have gained confidence in themselves as registered nurses. The study further recommended that mentoring of newly qualified professional nurses should be mandatory in ICU. Key Concepts: Critical care unit, critical care nurse, experience newly qualified professional nurse

ICT innovation and economic development: lessons from a tech start-up in Soweto

Research report presented for a Masters Degree in Development Planning in the Faculty of Engineering, School of Architecture and Planning, University of the Witwatersrand, December, 2017Twenty three years into democratic South Africa, the country’s largest and most famous township, Soweto, is still the unfortunate epitome of economic marginalisation and poverty; a reflection of the unrelenting effects of apartheid spatial planning and the exclusion of black people from mainstream economy. Contemporary development discourse centres on sustainability, innovation and smart city concepts, as some of the key influencers. Specifically ICTs are viewed as enablers of economic development, capable of disrupting entrenched systems and economies. This research explores the opportunities presented by ICT innovation for economic development amongst small businesses operating in Soweto, Johannesburg. The research hones in on ICT4D, a concept of development centred on ICTs to uncover development planning interventions and principles, applicable to the South African context. Using the experiences of a Soweto based Start-up Company, iTea; the research explores the diffusion of their Township Economy App, its rate of adoption by these businesses and its economic impact. Key lessons for local authorities such as Johannesburg is the need to harness local content and innovations, derived from tech start-ups and innovators who live in those communities in order to achieve local economic development.XL201

Nation branding strategy: a case study of brand Zimbabwe.

Doctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.This study focused on nation branding strategy for Zimbabwe. The main objective of the study was to develop strategic insights and knowledge for the development of an effective and sustainable nation brand for Zimbabwe. This study deployed a combination of phenomenological and positivist approaches; hence benefited from methodological and concurrent triangulation. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected concurrently which allowed corroboration and validation of findings. The study adopted a non-probability sampling method, using both purposive and quota sampling techniques to allow for conscious selection of respondents based on competence, perspective, experience, and convenience. The sample comprised respondents involved with Brand Zimbabwe whose opinions and insights influence their behaviour towards Zimbabwe. Respondents came from Zimbabweans in the Diaspora, NGOs, academics, business, government and foreign visitors. Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) was used to analyse quantitative data while thematic analysis was applied on qualitative data. The study established that there are multiple key actors who should influence nation branding in Zimbabwe. Coordinated involvement among these key actors is crucial. The study also found that nation branding and management was not consciously practiced in Zimbabwe. It was also established that Zimbabwe ranked poorly on the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI), largely owing to policy instability, restrictive foreign currency regulations, and poor governance. The study proposed a seven-step process for branding Zimbabwe. Successful implementation of nation branding strategy requires wholesome participation and systematic coordination. Accordingly, a strategic framework for the implementation of Brand Zimbabwe strategy was also proposed. The study recommended the establishment of a formally recognised institution to steer the nation brand construction efforts. Nation brands cannot be strong and competitive if the underlying product is poor. No amount of astute marketing and brand communication can address what are perceived to be inherent and apparent ‘bad country brands. Positive nation brand equity does not just happen; there is need for a concerted effort to manage the development of an attractive nation brand and grow its equity. Key words: nation branding, brand strategy, nation brand equity, nation brand competitiveness, Brand Zimbabwe

The Anti atlas : new cartographies of Mnazi Moja open space

Abstract: Please refer to full text to view abstractM.Tech. (Architecture

Digital licence agreements and their effects on acquisitions and academic library users

The article examines the origin of print media copyright law and the fair dealing exemptions. It analyses whether the globally accepted assumptions that the print media fair dealing exemption is appropriate in the digital environment notwithstanding that corporate rights holders of online databases have introduced licences to govern the use of digital content. The article discusses the effects on acquisitions and academic library users of incorporating the print media fair dealing exemption in the digital licensing agreements

The future of the first sale doctrine with the advent of licences to govern access to digital content

The article examines the origin of copyright and the first sale doctrine. It exposes the advantages that the doctrine confers to the purchasers of copyright works and how it is possible for purchasers to use the doctrine to advance scholarship. The article also examines whether the advantages that the doctrine confers to the purchasers of printed copyright works has been permanently swept away by the introduction of licences by authors to govern access to digital content. Finally, the article looks at content access models being used in the digital environment that may ultimately serve the same function as that played by the first sale doctrine in the previous offline-only, hard-copy environment

The role of regional organization in building up African socio-economic development: The case of CEMAC

The Economic Community of Central African states (CEMAC) is a regional organization working on the context of socio-economic development trends in the African continent. Pursuing these objectives of achieving the region development in real break in time, CEMAC works within the framework of the Regional Economic Program (PER) and the vision 2025. This dissertation aims at discussing the role of CEMAC as a socio-economic development driver or lever, through the regional economic program and the vision 2025 which are considered development strategies toward the creation of an emerging bloc. This work analyses the role that CEMAC is playing in socio-economic development and the 2025 vision of the CEMAC region as a targeted market, the dynamism of the private sector, the level of food security and the influence of the present generation in influencing public policies. It was observed that CEMAC is contributing to the socioeconomic development of Africa and is levering the development of various economies in the region. Another finding is that the youth are using music to influence political powers, as an expression of agency and identity politics to create societal awareness.As tendências do desenvolvimento socio-económico no continente africano exigem da Comunidade Económica dos Estados da África Central (CEEAC) um papel preponderante como organização regional que fortalece África no que concerne o desenvolvimento. Existem estratégias para alcançar este desenvolvimento a médio prazo, como o Programa Económico Regional e a Visão 2025. Esta dissertação é baseada na temática do desenvolvimento socio-económico para perceber se a CEEAC representa um motor ou uma alavanca neste sentido, considerando o Programa Económico Regional e a Visão 2025 como estratégias de desenvolvimento na formação um bloco emergente. Analisaram-se as estratégias da CEEAC que têm como alvo o mercado, o dinamismo no sector privado, o nível de segurança alimentar e a influência da atual geração de jovens. Observamos que a CEEAC contribui no desenvolvimento socio-económico da África e que tem influenciado o percurso de emergência de várias economias na região. Por outro, iv percebeu-se que a juventude utiliza a música para influenciar os poderes políticos, expressando a sua capacidade de agência e as políticas identitárias que contribuem para criar uma consciência social