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An analysis of four representations of South African Indian women’s identities in Jayan Moodley’s Kandasamy films (2017 – 2023).
(2025) Govender, Zoë Ursula.; Laltha, Samiksha
South African Indian literature features a variety of texts that both focus on South African Indian women and are created by South African Indian women. These texts, however, are not representative of present day South African Indian women’s identities and experiences. South African Indian film fares little better and the existent literature reflects this. The aim of this dissertation is to provide a starting point for filling the research gap on contemporary South African Indian women’s identities as represented in literature and film and the research gap regarding South African Indian film. It also seeks to contribute to the research that reads film as text as filmic representations are often accessible to larger audiences and play an important role in (re)presenting identities both locally and internationally. This aim is achieved through an analysis of four South African Indian women characters, Aya, Jennifer, Shanti, and Jodi, in Jayan Moodley’s Kandasamy films – Keeping Up With the Kandasamys (2017), Kandasamys: The Wedding (2019), Trippin’ With the Kandasamys (2021), and Kandasamys: The Baby (2023). An intersectional feminist cultural studies framework is employed in analysing Aya, Jennifer Kandasamy, Shanti Naidoo, and Jodi Kandasamy’s representations and re-presentations of South African Indian women’s identities in order to account for the influence of ethnicity, age (generation), and faith on the creation, expression, and expectations of “woman”. Aya is shown to re-present older woman as complex individuals who are active agents in their lives and as challenging the narrative of passive acceptance and longsuffering that is associated with South African Indian women, especially of her generation. Jennifer and Shanti are shown are representing two often conflicting identities – the modernised Superwoman and the traditional Sita. They reveal that no matter the individual identity of the woman, she is still expected to be a good mother and quietly accept double burdens and marginalisation. Shanti is also shown to challenge women’s invisibility, amongst other expectations, as her husband learns to value and actively appreciate her for who she is as a person. Jodi is shown to represent women, daughters especially, as sites of negotiation for identity and culture, facilitating Jennifer’s realisation of her own identity and bridging the gap between tradition and western cultural demands to create a hybrid identity for herself. Through Jodi, South African Indian women are represented as agents within their culture rather than passive participants and South African Indian culture is presented as fluid and alive as opposed to static and stagnant.
Tailoring competitive strategies to retail banking in South Africa: A managerial perspective.
(2024) Ganesh, Retesh.; Naidoo, Vannie.
Competitive forces require businesses to modify existing strategies to remain relevant. Retail banking is no exception. While many well-researched strategic tools lead businesses to strategic development, Porter’s five generic strategies remain relevant today. The modern retail banking market has seen a great shift in consumer demands over the last few years, creating gaps in the competitive market.
Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of implementing Porter’s generic strategies within the retail banking space of South Africa. The research also identified factors that influence the use of generic strategies in retail banking. It was envisaged that the research produced useful information for retail bank managers on the benefits of implementing Porter’s generic strategies to improve the competitiveness of the bank and satisfy the needs of consumers.
Design/methodology: The research employs a quantitative study using questionnaires distributed to a sample of 56 people at the MD Singh Heights building to gather the necessary data to satisfy the research questions. Descriptive statistical tools such as frequency distribution, mean, median, and standard deviation have been employed to identify the relationship between these variables and how they react to one another. The Fisher-Freeman- Halton exact test and Kolmogorov-Smirnov test (K-S test) were used to test the study hypothesis.
Findings: The research has uncovered grounds that satisfy the requirements of strategy implementation to secure a competitive advantage. It was found that the implementation of Porter’s generic strategies provides results that lead to a competitive advantage, however, the choice of strategy or combination of strategies is highly dependent on the goals of the institution. The current retail banking market suggests that broad differentiation and focused strategies produce the highest correlation of +0.22 vis-à-vis consumer selection of a bank.
Originality/value: The study has uncovered valuable information surrounding the implementation of Porter’s generic strategies within the retail banking market of South Africa. The study highlighted the changing needs of banking consumers within the market and established factors that directly impact how consumers select a bank. The selection of a bank is critical as it exposes current gaps in strategies as well as highlights areas of Porter’s generic strategies that can be implemented to close current gaps and improve the competitive position of the bank.
Ukulondolozwa nokuvuselelwa kwesiko lendabuko njengendlela yokugcinwa kwefagugu lesiko: kubhekwa imidlalo kamabonakude ethi ‘Umkhokha: The Curse’ nothi ‘My Brother’s Keeper’.
(2025) Mnkwanyana, Nhlanhla Minenhle.; Ngcobo, Tholakele Ruth.
This study examines the preservation and maintenance of indigenous culture as a strategy to sustain cultural heritage, cases of telenovelas titled ‘Umkhokha: The Curse’ and ‘My Brother’s Keeper’. The study is conducted under the Department of African Languages at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. It examines cultures and indigenous celebrations in selected telenovelas, exploring the opportunities and challenges for preserving and maintaining indigenous cultures within these telenovelas. This study strived to answer the following research questions: (A) What cultures and indigenous celebrations are reflected in the selected telenovelas? (B) What opportunities and challenges may exist in the preservation and maintenance of indigenous cultures in selected telenovelas? Methodologically, the study is situated within the interpretive research paradigm, and qualitative research is employed. Data has been gathered through video clips and analysis of the documents. The data were collected using purposive sampling. The study used purposive sampling to select the two telenovelas used in the study. The researcher chose these two telenovelas because they appear to contain the necessary information for the study. Data were analysed using content analysis. It is located within the Social Expectations Theory.
The finding indicated that both telenovelas emphasize the representation of indigenous cultures. This is demonstrated by the fact that both telenovelas accurately portray indigenous cultures, thereby emphasizing the importance of preserving these cultures in a direct and respectful manner. The study also found that among the Nguni people, the most conservative tribe is the Zulu tribe. This is evidenced by the fact that all seven cultures analyzed in this study were practiced by the Zulu people. Out of the seven cultures analyzed in the study, only one culture was identified as being practiced by another tribe, the culture of ukuyalwa komlobolokazi, identified as being practiced by the Sotho people. The study found that telenovelas can help preserve indigenous cultures and keep them visible in society. By presenting these cultures, telenovelas raise public awareness and introduce their origins to wider audiences. They also serve as educational tools for those unfamiliar with indigenous practices. However, some portrayals are incomplete, which may undermine curiosity and respect toward these cultures. Research further notes conflicts between traditional culture and religion within telenovelas, sometimes causing cultural practices to appear opposed to religious beliefs. Additionally, globalization and urban migration present major challenges to preserving indigenous culture in telenovelas, as such shifts often lead people to view traditional practices as outdated. IQOQA
LOCWANINGO: Lolu cwaningo luhlola ukulondolozwa nokuvuselelwa kwesiko lendabuko njengendlela yokugcinwa kwefagugu lesiko, kubhekwa imidlalo kamabonakude ethi ‘Umkhokha: The Curse’ nothi ‘My Brother’s Keeper’. Lolu cwaningo luqhutshwa ngaphansi komkhakha wezilimi zase-Afrika eNyuvesi yaKwaZulu-Natali, luhlola amasiko nemigubho yendabuko emidlalweni ekhethiwe, luphinde licubungule amathuba nezinselele ekugcinweni nasekuvuselelweni kwamasiko endabuko emidlalweni ekhethiwe. Lolu cwaningo luhlose ukuphendula le mibuzo elandelayo: (A) Imaphi amasiko nemigubho yendabuko avezwa emidlalweni ekhethiwe? (B) Kungabe imaphi amathuba nezinselele ezikhona ekugcinweni nasekuvuselelweni kwamasiko endabuko emidlalweni ekhethiwe? Ngokwendlelakwenza, ucwaningo luqhutshwe ngomqondombono ohumushayo, kusetshenziswa indlelakwenza yocwaningo bunjalonto. Imininingo iqoqwe ngokusebenzisa iziqeshana zamavidiyo nokuhlaziywa kosomqulu. Imininingo iqoqwe ngokusebenzisa isampula eqoka ngenhloso. Lolu cwaningo lusebenzise le sampula ukuqoka imidlalo emibili kamabonakude esetshenziswe kulolu cwaningo. Umcwaningi uqoke le midlalo emibili ngoba ebona ukuthi imininingo uzoyithola kuyo futhi izokwenela ocwaningweni. Imininingo ihlaziywe kusetshenziswa uhlaziyongqikithi. Ucwaningo lwesekwe Yinsizakuhlaziya Yokulindelwe Umphakathi. Okutholakele kukhombisa ukuthi yomibili imidlalo kamabonakude iyakugcizelela ukumelwa kwamasiko endabuko. Lokhu ikubonisa ngokuthi yomibili le midlalo yethula amasiko endabuko ngokuyikho, ngokwenza njalo igcizelela ubumqoka bokugcinwa kwamasiko ngendlela eqondile nehloniphekile. ucwaningo luphinde lwathola ukuthi phakathi kwabantu abangamaNguni, isizwe esigcina kakhulu isiko lendabuko isizwe samaZulu. Lokhu kufakazelwa ukuthi phakathi kwamasiko ayisikhombisa ahlaziywe kulolu cwaningo, kuwo wonke la masiko abegcinwa ngabantu abangamaZulu. Phakathi kwamasiko ayisikhombisa ahlaziywe ocwaningweni, linye kuphela isiko elivezwe ligcinwa ngesinye isizwe, isiko lokuyalwa komlobolokazi elivezwe ligcinwa ngabantu okungabeSuthu Ucwaningo luphinde lwathola ukuthi le midlalo inethuba lokugcina amasiko endabuko ephila futhi esemehlweni abantu. Ngesikhathi le midlalo itshengisa amasiko endabuko, lokho kwandisa amathuba okuthi abantu bazijwayeze ukuxhumana nemvelaphi yabo. Le midlalo inethuba lokufundisa ngesiko lendabuko kulabo abasuke beswele ulwazi. Ngaphansi kwezinselele ezikhona ekugcinweni nasekuvuselelweni kwamasiko emidlalweni ekhethiwe, ucwaningo luthole ukuthi amanye amasiko ethulwa ngokungaphelele, lokho okungadala ukuthi abantu balahlekelwe ilukuluku nokuhlonipha ukugcinwa kwalelo siko. Ezinye zezinselele ezitholwe ucwaningo kule midlalo ngokugcinwa nokuvuselelwa kwesiko ukuthi kukhona ukushayisana phakathi kwesiko lendabuko nenkolo, lokho kushayisana kwenza isiko libukeleke phansi kunenkolo. Ucwaningo luphinde lwathola ukuthi ukuguquka kwesikhathi nokushintsha izindawo zokuhlala kuyinselele ekugcinweni nasekuvuselelweni kwesiko le ndabuko emidlalweni, lokho kudalwa ukuthi iningi labantu selifudukela ezindaweni ezingamadolobha. Lokhu kufuduka kwenza abantu bashintshe indlela abaphila ngayo, okuholela ekutheni bagcine sebebona isiko njengento eyisidala.
The supermarket employees preferences on leadership styles required during the COVID-19 crisis in KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.
(2024) Bux, Naadirah.; Mkhize, Msizi Vitalis.
The coronavirus pandemic was an unprecedented crisis that severely impacted the globe. The COVID-19 pandemic caught leaders within the food retail industry off-guard. Supermarkets within the food retail industry were severely impacted by the changes of COVID-19. Leaders needed to quickly identify challenges and evaluate what their organisations needed in order to survive. Hence, effective leadership was required to overcome this crisis situation. Leadership styles play an important role in dealing with crises, as they assist leaders in choosing which type of leadership style to adopt to ensure their employees remain motivated and continue to work towards the goals of the organisation so that it survives and remains successful during a crisis. The aim of the study was to explore supermarket employees’ preferences for leadership styles during the COVID-19 crisis in KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.
The study followed a qualitative interpretivism approach to gain an in-depth understanding of which leadership style was most preferred by supermarket employees while working during the COVID-19 crisis. This research study involved conducting interviews with ten participants who were employed in various supermarkets in Pietermaritzburg throughout the COVID-19 crisis. It explored what aspects of a leadership style supermarket employees prefer now compared to those used prior to COVID-19 and to determine which leadership style motivates supermarket employees to work towards their supermarket’s goals. It was found that prior to the pandemic, supermarket leaders used transformational, transactional, democratic and autocratic leadership styles. However, after the COVID-19 crisis, leaders had to change their leadership style to adapt to the changes brought about by the pandemic and include an adaptive leadership style in their approach. It was deduced from the findings of the study that there is no one specific leadership style that can be used to directly address the coronavirus pandemic. That is, each leadership style presents its own unique set of strengths and weaknesses. Leaders had to engage with their employees to determine which type of leadership style they preferred to motivate them to work towards the goals of their supermarket. The reality is that COVID-19 is not the first crisis that the world has faced, and it will not be the last. If leaders continue to ignore the effects of the pandemic, it could lead to the demise of certain supermarkets within the food retail industry. Therefore, the greater the understanding gained about pandemics, the better equipped leaders will be to confront the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic and any other crises that may arise in the future.
Managing remote employees during the coronavirus pandemic : a global review of management practices and policies.
(2025) Baai, Thembile Thobile.; Kubheka, Zamanguni Fortunate.
The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the global business landscape, forcing organizations to rapidly adapt their management practices and policies. This dissertation investigates the transformative impact of the pandemic on organizations, focusing on the shift towards remote work, the emphasis on employee wellbeing, and the emergence of adaptable leadership styles. This systematic review aims to explore how management practices and organizational policies evolved to manage remote employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, comparing approaches before and after the pandemic. It also examines adaptations of organizational policies to effectively manage virtual employees during the pandemic. This qualitative study draws upon secondary data, including academic literature, industry reports, and expert analyses published between 2020 and 2023, to provide a comprehensive overview of the pandemic's impact on management practices across global organizational contexts.
The findings reveal a significant shift towards more flexible, employee-centric, and technology-driven approaches to management. Organizations that successfully adapted demonstrated agility and a deep commitment to supporting their employees through unprecedented disruption. The shift to remote work necessitated a re-evaluation of traditional management practices, leading to the adoption of new communication protocols, collaboration tools, and performance management systems. Furthermore, the pandemic highlighted the importance of employee well-being, prompting organizations to invest in mental health resources, flexible work arrangements, and enhanced communication strategies. Due to its reliance on secondary data, this study may not fully capture the nuanced experiences of individual organizations.
The study's findings underscore the need for organizations to cultivate adaptability, invest in employee wellbeing, enhance virtual collaboration, empower remote managers, and consider hybrid work models. These findings have important implications for organizational leadership, human resource policies, and digital transformation strategies. They suggest that sustainable post-pandemic management requires not only investment in remote work infrastructure, but also a shift in leadership culture to support employee wellbeing and resilience.