Browsing by Author "Rama, Sharmla."

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Child mobility, time use and social exclusion : reframing the discourses and debates.
(2013) Rama, Sharmla.; Burton, Simon Ingram Robshaw.
This study asserts that the everyday life, daily activities and mobility interaction remains peripheral within the Sociology of Childhood and Mobilities in particular and sociology in general. This is not to say that there are no sociological studies on child mobility. Instead, existing studies usually focus on the impact of child mobility on adult mobility, their daily lives and schedules with children’s voices, experiences and needs remaining obscure. This generates a passive, univocal, skewed and constrained portrayal and (re)presentation of the child. These unreflected habituations have particular implications for children’s inclusion, participation, and well-being in society; and are in conflict with contemporary and global shifts in childhood and mobility studies. This dissertation, then examines the conceptualisation and problematisation of child mobility in current studies, statistics, policies and interventions, with a particular focus on South Africa. This encompasses questions about the epistemological worldview and evidence-base supporting the various policies and practices. In terms of the reification and privileging of some paradigms, Max Weber’s analysis of ‘social action’, ‘social closure’ ‘domination’ and ‘monopolization’ is appropriated and redirected. Closure (exclusion) rests on the process of subordination, whereby dominant groups close opportunities to groups it categorises as inferior, or ineligible. Children’s subordinate roles in hierarchical structures in societies are derived based on, amongst other factors, culture, age, gender and generation. These codes are used to exclude or include individuals or groups. The utility of closure theory is in the theorising of adult roles; rationalisation of adult dominance; and the limiting of children’s agency and autonomy in institutions in societies. This includes adult roles in research and policy-making communities. This suggests that we need to reflect on, re-evaluate and reframe our approach to listening, talking, thinking and writing on, and about, children. The study asserts the relevancy of the pragmatic and critical constructivist lens in mediating the paradigmatic and epistemic shifts necessary for sociological (re)engagement and reframing of the discourses and debates on child mobility. The approaches are compatible with current developments in field (s) and are important to producing sociologically relevant knowledge on and about children.
The experiences and challenges of adapting to an inclusive education learning environment: a study of students with disabilities at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus.
(2017) Mthethwa, Lungani Justice.; Rama, Sharmla.
Available research suggests that in South Africa, the lived experiences, realities and challenges faced by students living with disabilities are inadequately addressed and prioritised. In addition, most of the studies on the experiences and challenges of students with disabilities are conducted by able-bodied researchers on persons with disabilities. This study bridges this gap in research as it is undertaken by a student with disability and with students with disabilities. This study, therefore, adopts an emancipatory disability research framework and the Social Model of Disability to produce a comprehensive understanding and examination of the lived experiences of students with disabilities. The main aim of this study is to understand the everyday life experiences and challenges faced by students with disabilities at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Howard College Campus. The study adopted a qualitative design using in-depth face-to-face semi-structured interviews to collect data from twenty purposively selected participants. The study explored the challenges faced by male and female students with different types of disabilities. The findings demonstrate that certain infrastructure and services at the University remain disability unfriendly, and thus the notion of an enabling inclusive environment is problematic. These deficits inhibit students with disability from adapting to the inclusive education environment and context. These include, for example, accessing study material in appropriate formats and lack of awareness and knowledge by lectures, support staff and non-disabled students on how to assist or socialise with students living with different types of disabilities. This study found that the quality and type of interaction that students with disabilities have with the Disability Unit (DU) plays a crucial role in their academic life. The study also focused on a brief discussion of students‘ thoughts and experiences of the gaps in both the national and UKZN‘s policy frameworks and how the policies, services and environment can be improved to better address the needs of students with disabilities.
Focusing on caregivers: the experiences of women caregivers caring for orphans and vulnerable children at Crossroads Child and Youth Care Center, Matatiele.
(2019) Moalosi, Lerato Constance.; Rama, Sharmla.
The concept of caregiving is at the centre of current political, social, cultural and economic debates globally. Under capitalism, care and caregiving are socially necessary and integral to reproduction and production but is increasingly devalued. There is lack or absence of adequate labour protection for caregivers, whether in relation to their voluntary or in non-wage labour activities. This study focuses on women caregivers’ experiences and challenges in caring for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) and at the same time providing care to their own families and households. The study probes about the types of support available and the support caregivers deem necessary and important in their roles. The study draws on ethics of care theory that reflects the caregivers’ experience, why women end up in the caregiving field and why caregiving is considered as a public good, a labour of love, and how care is provided ethically. The theory also shows the relationship between patriarchy, socio-economic status and gender roles in South Africa influences understandings and valuing of paid versus unpaid care work. Use of the case study approach assisted to allow for an in-depth understanding of the caregiving in a specific context. A sample of ten caregivers working both day and night shift at Crossroads Child and Youth Care Centre (CYCC) participated in face to face in-depth interviews. Thematic content analysis technique was used to report key findings. The study shows that caregivers require support in terms of policy reframing. The participants explained, for example, that in the NPO sector, the policies did not adequately support their labour demands and the time required to provide OVCs with comprehensive care. Stipends and pension benefits are not comparable and fair. Capacity building to enhance their job, life skills, and interventions to address social problems are needed. It is recommended that caregivers should be part of policy forums to establish their needs. It is also recommended that since legislation and contracts are usually in English translations are required and perhaps workshops on how to understand the contracts. Caring for the caregivers is equally important and beneficial.
Implementation of rural development policies and public participation in the Mkhambathini local municipality in the province of KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa)=Ukwenza kwenqubomgomo yokuthuthukiswa kwezindawo zasemakhaya nokubamba iqhaza komphakathi kumasipala wase Mkhambathini esifundazweni saKwazulu-Natal (Ningizimu Afrikha).
(2022) Sibanda, Gideon.; Rama, Sharmla.
This study aims to investigate why the phenomenon of rural poverty and underdevelopment persist despite the various policies, interventions, and programmes to redress problems of the past in South Africa post-1994. The study shows that, amongst others, the vagaries in policy implementation, the adoption of a top-down approach to implementation and inconsistent public participation contribute to the persistence of rural poverty and underdevelopment. The study also raises questions about the extent to which local governments facilitate and encourage public participation in their policymaking, prioritisation, and implementation processes. Public participation is foundational to the process of democratization of society, and sustainable rural development in South Africa cannot happen without the meaningful public participation of people living in rural areas. In addition, there is inadequate and limited analysis and critical review of the rural policy implementation processes and mechanisms of public participation, particularly at local government level. In this qualitative case study (located in Mkhambathini Local Municipality which is rural), in-depth face-to-face interviews were undertaken with seven ward councillors; and focus group discussions with seven-ward committees which consist of ten members each. The verbatim qualitative responses are analysed according to the themes. The findings highlight that the absence of developmentally oriented civil society organisations in rural areas contributes to poor service delivery. Other problems such as the issue of security of tenure, particularly in areas that fall under traditional authorities remain under-addressed. The study recommends that the Ingonyama Trust Act (Act No. 3KZ of 1994) be reviewed to incorporate the issue of land rights of rural people and security of ownership of land in rural KwaZulu-Natal. While this study cannot be conclusive on the issues of implementation of rural development policies and public participation at the local government level, it identifies issues of concern that need to be addressed. These include weak public participation structures, lack of monitoring and evaluation systems, poor coordination of the implementation of rural development programmes at the local government level. The study recommends the establishment of policy coordinating structures in the local rural municipalities to spearhead the rural development agenda. Iqoqa: Lolu cwaningo beluhlose ukucubungula ukuthi kungani inkinga yobubha nokungathuthuki ezindaweni zasemaphandleni iqhubeka ngisho emva kuka-1994 lapha eNingizimu-Afrikha nakuba kukhona izinqubomgomo eziningi nokungenelela okunhlobonhlobo kanye nezinhlelo ezahlukene zokulwa nale nkinga eyadalwa yisimo sombuso wobandlululo. Lolu cwaningo luveza, phakathi kwezinye izinto, izinguquko ezithize ekufezeni izinhloso zezinqubomgomo, ukuthatha izinqumo zisuka phezulu ziya phansi ekufezeni izinhloso zezinqubomgomo kanye nokungazibandakanyi ngokugcwele kwamalungu omphakathi, konke okuba nomthelela ebukhoneni bobubha nokuntuleka kwentuthuko ezindaweni zasemaphandleni. Lolu cwaningo luphinde luvuse imibuzo ebalulekile mayelana nebanga elihanjwa ngohulumeni basekhaya ukulawula nokugqugquzela ukuzibandakanya komphakathi ekwakhiweni kwezinqubomgomo, ukuqhakambisa nokufeza izinhloso zayo. Ukuzibandakanya komphakathi kuwumgogodla wentuthuko yomphakathi obuswa yintando yeningi kanti futhi ukuzimela nokuthuthuka kwezindawo zasemaphandleni aseNingizimu-Afrikha ngeke kwenzeke uma umphakathi ungalibambi iqhaza ngokwanele ezinhlelweni zentuthuko ezindaweni ohlala kuzona. Ukwengeza kulokhu, kukhona ukuhlaziya okungagculisi nokuntengayo mayelana nokufezwa kwezinhloso zezinqubomqomo nokuzibandakanya komphakathi, ikakhulukazi ezingeni likahulumeni wasekhaya. Kulolu cwaningo oluyikhwalithethivu (olugxile kuMasipala wasemaphandleni aseMkhambathini), kwabanjwa izingxoxo ezisakuhleleka zobuso nobuso namakhansela ayisikhombisa nezingxoxo zamaqembu namakomiti amawadi ayisikhombisa ayenamalungu ayishumi iwadi ngayinye. Izimpendulo ezanikezwa ngabahlanganyeli zacashunwa zinjalo zase zihlaziywa ngokwezindikimba. Imiphumela iveze ukuthi ukuntuleka kwezinhlaka zomphakathi ezibhekelene nentuthuko kuletha ukugqoza kwezidingo zomphakathi ezindaweni zasemaphandleni. Ezinye izinkinga ukungabi negunya labahlali lokuba ngabanikazi bomhlaba, okuyinto ebukeka ingasukunyelwa phezulu ezindaweni ezisalawulwa ngamakhosi. Lolu cwaningo luphakamisa ukuba umthetho obhekelele ukubuswa kwezindawo zasemakhaya, i-Ingonyama Trust Act (Umthetho we-3KZ ka-1994) uke ucutshungulwe kabusha ukuze ufake ilungelo labantu lokuba nomhlaba othi bona nokuzobanikeza igunya eliphelele lobunikazi bomhlaba ezindaweni zasemaphandleni, KwaZulu-Natali. Nakuba lolu cwaningo lungeke lukuqinisekise ngokuphelele ukufezwa kwezinhloso zezinqubomgomo kanye nokuzibandakanya komphakathi emazingeni ohulumeni basekhaya, lukwazile ukuveza izinto okusamele zisukunyelwe. Lezi zinto zibala ukugqoza kokuzibandakanya komphakathi ezinhlakeni zentuthuko, ukuntuleka kwezindlela zokuqapha isimo nokusihlaziya nokungaqhutshwa ngokufanele izinhlelo zentuthuko ezingeni likahulumeni wasekhaya. Lolu cwaningo luphakamisa ukuba kusungulwe izinhlaka ezizobhekelela ukufezwa kwezinhloso zezinqubomgomo komasipala ezindaweni zasemaphandleni ukuze kube khona intuthuko kulezi zindawo.
The implementation of the refugee act 130 of 1998 in South Africa and the question of the social exclusion of forced migrants : a case study of DRC forced migrants in Pietermaritzburg.
(2018) Masuku, Sikanyiso.; Rama, Sharmla.
The 1951 Geneva Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees refers to the concept ‘forced migrants’ as victims of coerced movement. In South Africa, the Refugee Act 130 of 1998 entitles all forced migrants the right to access education, employment and other social and economic services. However, forced migrants in the country remain socially excluded and continuously fall outside networks of controlled association. This study examines the underlying barriers in the enactment of the Refugee Act 130 of 1998. The central focus is the interplay between social exclusion and forced migrants failure to access their legal rights. The study offers an exploratory examination of social exclusion (a predominantly Eurocentric concept), within the context of the developing world while paying particular attention to the effects of social exclusion against forced migrants. A case study approach was adopted in the research along with an interpretive research paradigm. A non-probability sampling technique (expert sampling and homogeneous sampling) was then used to select the study participants; Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) forced migrants and civil society members. Participants were grouped to participate in the focus-group discussion (One FGD – eight participants), two participated in the life history and three in the in-depth interviews. The data was then analysed using thematic content analysis. Murphy’s theory of Social Closure (monopolization and exclusion) underpinned the analysis of the study. The multidimensionality of social exclusion, namely; the primary cultural as well as structural agentive processes of exclusion were examined in the study. The findings from the study show that a range of multidimensional factors influence the degree of social closure, prejudice, opportunity hoarding and institutional biases confronting forced migrants. As a result, Congolese forced migrants have been inhibited from accessing a host of legal entitlements in the country. Poor collaboration between the state and civil society, inadequate refugee rights education initiatives as well as bureaucratic challenges within the South African refugee appeal system were identified in the study as contributing to these challenges. The findings suggested how a capability based approach may facilitate forced migrants social inclusion, cohesion and their access to a spectrum of commodity bundles, civil rights and other necessaries enshrined by law. This study therefore makes a significant contribution to the body of knowledge by establishing the link between social exclusion and the deprivations confronting forced migrant populations.
The influence of transport on the life experiences and life chances of school goers : a case study of the Pietermaritzburg district.
(1999) Rama, Sharmla.; Marcus, Tessa.
Literature and case studies on transport and school goers lacks analysis of the influence of transport on school goer's experiences and opportunities. The research presented in this case study examines the extent to which transport - either private or public - determines school goers access to places, experiences and opportunities. The research was based on a study sample of about 1 474 school goers within a 45-kilometer radius of Pietermaritzburg. The study was sited at ten schools. School goers in grades one, four, seven and nine formed the study sample. Their ages ranged between 6 to 27 years. Drawing on qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection this case study focused on the activities within the school and home environments. Data collect focused on analysing the modes of travel to and from school as well as recreational and sport activities that school goers engage in. Findings and the review of literature in this case study show that the role of transport in the lives of school goers is linked to the daily activities they engage in. Accessing schooling, sporting, recreational and educational facilities increases school goer's experiences and opportunities. In rural and some remote urban settlements problems of accessibility and mobility limit and localise the experiences and opportunities for school goers. The challenge for transport development is to improve accessibility and affordability through the use of appropriate modes of travel.
Post-graduate students' conceptions and perceptions of mathematics : a study of social science students at the Pietermaritzburg Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal.
(2015) Gama, Vuyo Nomzamo.; Rama, Sharmla.
The study asserts that conceptions and perceptions as meanings that students attach to mathematics either align them or misalign them with the competencies, skills and know-how that qualify one as competent or incompetent in mathematics. The way students perform in mathematics on the other hand also prefigures students’ conceptions and perceptions towards mathematics. The way students perform in mathematics, particularly the poor mathematics performance under investigation and differentiated mathematics outcomes are expressions of the success or failure of the collision between the human habitus and habitus that is valued in mathematics learning. Conceptions and perceptions therefore reflect the socio-cultural dynamics, social relations and processes that inform these habituses. This is crucial for understanding the underlying causes of poor mathematics performance by students as a starting point in improving how they perform in mathematics. The objective of the study is to understand how students’ conceptions and perceptions of mathematics influence how they perform in mathematics and in courses with mathematics as the underlying method as expressed in mathematics outcomes. Twelve University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) post graduate (Masters and PhD) students in the social sciences were interviewed for the study. The study also seeks to establish how students’ conceptions and perceptions prefigure students’ choice of research method for their current research (narratives vs figures) much against this choice being made on the basis of the kind of data. These are investigated within Bourdieu’s theory of social practice and social constructivism. It is salient from the study that all of reality filters through the embodiment of the perceiver or conceiver and that individual students realities are mediated by their social class. Poor mathematics performance is thus an expression of the socio-cultural epistemologies and discourses that characterise various societies, of what mathematics is and how it should be learned. It is the social environment that informs the students’ perceptions and conceptions of mathematics and how they come to know and understand themselves as mathematics learners. Active participation in their own learning however challenges some of the socially constructed meanings around mathematics, thus increasing their agential capacity to acquire the valued habitus in mathematics. The study also concludes that findings on conceptions and perceptions are better off not generalised to wider populations as they tend to be the specific groups being investigated.
The proliferation of child marriages in Rushinga District, Mashonaland Central Province, Zimbabwe=Ukukhula ngobuningi kokushada kwezingane esifundeni saseRushinga, ezifundazweni ezimaphakathi eMashonaland, eZimbabwe.
(2022) Mrewa, Jonathan.; Rama, Sharmla.
The study aims to explore the proliferation of child marriage in Rushinga District which stands at 50 per cent in Zimbabwe. A clear understanding of the problem of marriage of children is essential to bridge the knowledge gap on the proliferation of the practice of marrying off children in Rushinga District. The study is unique as it explores the social and cultural context of communities in dealing with the problem of child marriage. The theory used to explore the perceptions and attitudes of the people in Rushinga District on the phenomenon of marrying off children is the Social Norms Theory by Parsons (1937) and Berkowitz (1986). The theory looks at the problem of child marriage through the lens of social and cultural context that frames the practice. This perspective points out that incidences of betrothal of girls in marriage are embedded in the social structures and attitudes that supports the practice within a social group. Customs and traditions surrounding marriage, including the desirable age for this, depends on views of community and society. In addition, social norms influence individual choices and they determine the criteria that an individual makes when deciding on the course of action to take. In making choices, individuals are sometimes influenced by community values in conforming to social expectations. The study adopts a qualitative case study approach, which is a scientific inquiry of a phenomenon within its real background. This is especially important to determine the impact of a phenomenon when its practice is not clearly defined. Social interpretive research entails that knowledge is tied in the social views of the people under study, and revelation of the meaning can be established through exploration and appreciative inquiry of the social world of the people. Purposively, 5 wards out of 29 wards in the District were sampled, where community members were asked to express their views about child marriage. All participants in this study were 18 years and older. In total, 25 participants participated in semi- structured interviews during the study. The research participants were chosen based on their knowledge and experiences of the phenomenon in the district. A number of themes emerged on the proliferation of child marriage during data collection and interpretation. The study revealed that betrothal of girl into marriage is embedded in the social interactions and how communities deal with issues such as poverty. For instance, marriage will entails bride price payment which becomes a livelihood option for a family in dire straits. Consequently, child brides are lives are entangled in abusive relationships imbedded in the norms surrounding masculinity in families. One of the panaceas identified in the study to the practice of child marriage, is community engagement and advocacy to deal with the social cultural impetus that triggers the practice of child marriage. Advocacy and dialoguing with opinion leaders is central to curb the practice of child marriage. Engagement will yield positive results as traditional leaders like chiefs can effectively monitor and implement the laws against child marriage, instead of sweeping them under the carpet. IQOQA Ukuqonda ukukhula ngobuningi kwemishado yezingane esiFundeni saseRushinga kubalulekile njengoba kuhleli kumaphesenti angama-50 eZimbabwe. Lolu cwaningo luphenya isimo sesikompilo emkhubeni wokushada kwezingane emiphakathini. INjulalwazi Yenjwayelo Yomphakathi kaParsons (1937) kanye noBerkowitz (1986) yiwo amehlo okubuka isimo sesikompilo kanye nokukhula ngobuningi kwemishado yezingane. Lokhu kuqonda kuveza ukuthi izigameko zokuzibophezela kanye nemishado yamantombazane kweyamene nezinhlalo zemiphakathi, imikhuba, kanye nezimomqondo. Injwayelo kanye namasiko amayelana nomshado, okubalwa kukho ubudala obudingekayo kulokhu, kuncike emibonweni yezakhamizi kanye nomphakathi. Injwayelo yomphakathi kanye namagugu emphakathini kunomthelela ekuzikhetheleni kwabantu ngabodwana kanye nezenzo zomphakathi. Ucwaningo lusebenzisa indlela yokucwaninga yekhwalithethivu. Lokhu kubalulekile ukubona umthelela wesimo lapho ukwenzeka kwaso kungacacile kahle. Ucwaningo lokuhumusha umphakathi lusho ukuthi ulwazi lusondelene nemibono yomphakathi wabantu abacwaningwayo, kanti ukwambuleka kwencazelo kungatholakala ngokuphenya kanye nokuphenya okuncomayo komhlaba womphakathi wabantu. Ngenhloso, izigceme ezi-5 ezigcemeni ezingama-29 esifundeni zasampulwa, lapho amalunga omphakathi aphonswa imibuzo ukuze abeke imibono yawo mayelana nokushada kwezingane. Bonke ababambiqhaza kulolu cwaningo babeneminyaka eyi-18 kanye nangaphezulu ubudala. Sebebonke, ababambiqhaza amangama-25 bahlanganyela ezingxoxweni ezisakuhleleka ngesikhathi socwaningo. Ababambiqhaza bocwaningo bakhethwa ngenxa yolwazi lwabo kanye nohambo lwabo kulokho okucwaningwayo esifundeni. Imiphumela iveza ukuthi ukukhula ngobuningi kanye nomshado wamantombazane kwencike ekuxhumaneni komphakathi kanye nokuthi izakhamizi zibhekana kanjani nezimo ezifana nobubha kanye nozinzo lwezomnotho. Njengokuthi nje, inkokhelo yelobolo, iba isu lempilo yomndeni nosewuphoqwe isimo. Nokuholela ekutheni, izimpilo zomakoti abayizingane zitholakala zihungeke ebudlelwaneni obunodlame futhi kwencike ekugqamiseni ubulisa kanye nobudoda. Ukuzibophezela komphakathi kanye nokulwela amalungelo kuba semqoka ekutheni ukuxoxisana nabaholi bomphakathi abafana nabaholi bendabuko njengamakhosi bangavumela ukulawuleka kanye nokusetshenziswa kwemithetho yemishado okubalwa kukho ubudala kanye nezimo zokubhekana nemvume yokushada.
The rise of environmental social movement organization’s mobilization against the proposed hydraulic fracturing in the Midlands, KwaZulu-Natal.
(2018) Lele, Dominic Dummene.; Rama, Sharmla.
This research aims to understand social movement organizations, specifically the environmental social movement organizations and their mobilization against the proposed hydraulic fracturing in the Midlands. The proposed fracking has spurred mobilization activities among environmental social movement organizations in the Midlands. This research employs qualitative research methods. To answer the research questions and to achieve the objectives of this study, face-to-face interviews were conducted with participants from fifteen environmental social movement organizations who participated in the anti-fracking mobilization. This research draws attention to the roles of environmental social movement organizations and highlights other key findings to understanding social movement organizations, such as, the sources and challenges in getting funds for social movement mobilizations and other activities. It also captures the use of local languages as a strategy by social movement organizations. This study underscores the importance of using legal means as a strategy for social movements and the collaboration and networking among social movement organizations in advancing their goals. This study highlights how social movements recruit members for mobilizations. It captures the different positions and views held by some organizations on the issue of fracking. This study also highlights some theoretical and conceptual approaches in analyzing and understanding social movement organizations. Theoretically, this study links the concepts of environmental justice, social justice and Karl Marx’s view on justice (economic justice) in his critique of capitalism, in order to understand why (factors and concerns) environmental organizations emerge and mobilize. In linking these three concepts, this study shows that environmental social movement organizations can employ the insights and richness of these concepts in their struggles towards achieving environmental justice in the society. This study highlights the economic, environmental and health impacts of hydraulic fracturing for shale gas. The findings in this research add to the broader knowledge of understanding social movement organizations in the society.
Students’ insight and understanding of the notion ‘decolonisation of the curriculum in higher education’ at the University of Kwazulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.
(2018) Ndamane, Sindiswa Nobuntu Psyche.; Rama, Sharmla.
The #FeesMustFall protest in South African Universities in 2015 and 2016 saw students raise, amongst their concerns regarding the nature of the higher education curriculum and the inability of some students to afford higher education. In terms of the former, students called for a decolonised higher education curriculum. In spite of the growing calls for decolonisation, there are contestations about what decolonisation is and how it can best be implemented in the country’s higher education institutions. In addition, cumulative evidence affirms that some students have little or no knowledge of what decolonisation means and are rather absorbing populace or rhetorical stances (Oelofsen, 2015). This study investigates students’ understanding of the meaning of a ‘decolonised curriculum’. This qualitative study employed in-depth face-to-face interviews with fifteen students across different Colleges at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg campus. The sample of participants included two student organisations leaders and thirteen student members of these organisations. Thematic analysis was used to report key findings. Paulo Freire’s concept of critical consciousness and Steve Biko’s black consciousness has been used to understand the factors that shape students’ ideas and notions of the decolonised curriculum. The study shows that students acknowledge the challenges in the implementation of the decolonised curriculum in universities. Using more African based authors rather than western authors in the curriculum is one of the ways it can be transformed. The language was also identified as critical to debate on the curriculum. Students believe that if the curriculum is taught in South African indigenous languages, academic performance would improve. Renaming the university infrastructures and facilities also becomes the main proposal from students who claim that they do not identify with individuals whose names are used to label university buildings. Students recommended that the renaming of the buildings be taken into consideration because it is highly associated with decolonisation of the curriculum and university. Participants recommended that more formal dialogues should be conducted between academics and students. Students also need to do more research on decolonising the curriculum so that they can avoid rhetorical arguments and stances.
Students’ understanding, perceptions and experience of plagiarism : a case study of the University of KwaZulu-Natal Pietermaritzburg campus.
(2017) Lamula, Sihle Pretty.; Rama, Sharmla.
Plagiarism is a complex and multi-dimensional concept sometimes lacking a universal definition. Universities are socially situated and as such should ensure that they construct their policies in a way that is representative of their students’ history and biography. The institutional policies must therefore be aligned with the country’s copyright laws and accommodate societal and students’ milieus. This study aims to examine students’ pre-university experiences, their socio-cultural and socio-economic background and how these impact on their understanding, perception and experiences of plagiarism. Qualitative research methods underpinned by interpretivist paradigms were utilised to provide insight into the social phenomena under study. In-depth semi-structured face-to-face interviews were employed as they are compatible with an explorative and descriptive research purpose. Data was collected from 23 students from the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Pietermaritzburg Campus in the College of the Humanities particularly in the School of Social Sciences. A key selection criterion was level/ year of study, and 12 first year and 11 postgraduate honours students participated. This enabled for comparisons in terms of academic practices and perception, understanding and experiences of plagiarism. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to locate the sample, and as such the findings are not generalisable. The findings show the ways in which students experience, perceive and understand plagiarism are dependent on their academic, social and economic background, peer and adult (teacher/ lecturer) interactions and global, institutional or technological contexts. These produce diverse and varied understandings, perceptions, and attitudes towards plagiarism. While, some students heard about plagiarism at school, there were no in-depth discussions. It was only in their first year at university that most participants were introduced to this and grappled to understand referencing norms for written assignments. Postgraduate students showed a better understanding of what plagiarism is, how to address this and why is it an important academic norm. The findings suggest that academic institutions need to implement a range of cohesive and complimentary strategies to address plagiarism that may entail greater institutional visibility and persistent guidance and interaction between academic staff and students, particularly at undergraduate levels.
Transport, gender and agricultural development : a case study of the Capricorn District Limpopo Province South Africa.
(2013) Mmakola, Lulu Knightingale.; Rama, Sharmla.
Agricultural development, in Africa is seen as a vital tool for combating poverty in many households. In this thesis, agricultural development is thus seen as one of the ways in which the Millennium Development Goals 1 & 3 can be achieved. Moreover, the researcher hopes to show the link between transport and the possibilities of socio-economic development in the agricultural sector if and when transportation is facilitated. Furthermore, the need for gender equality and women’s empowerment will be emphasized in agricultural activities, particularly labour. The study draws from two women-led projects namely, the Lahlapapadi Goat Project and Kwadikwaneng Nursery in the Capricorn District of Limpopo, South Africa. To achieve the objects of this enterprise, the following tasks are undertaken. Firstly, the role of transport in women-led projects is investigated and described, particularly as regards to its possible impact on women lives. Secondly, reasons as to why women despite playing a large role in agricultural production receive very limited recognition. And thirdly, an assessment as to whether women receive adequate support from both the agricultural and transport departments for their agricultural activities is conducted. The broader context of historical ideologies around which gender roles in society are shaped will also be examined with a particular emphasis on transportation so as to show the extent to which such ideologies pose a threat to the development of women-led agricultural projects. To realize the broader objective and its underlying tasks, the researcher adopted qualitative feminist methodologies. These employ in-depth interviews, focus group discussions in conjunction with visual techniques involving photography and videography. The study’s findings revealed that women are largely not recognized for their labour due to socio-cultural factors, such as patriarchy and subsequent gender stereotyping, that force women to continue in their traditional household roles. Furthermore, transport was found to be an important tool for the improvement of food security and economic status in the lives of women particularly when it complemented the agricultural activities of rural women.
Unemployed youths’ awareness of the National Youth Policy and the National Youth Development Agency and strategies used to find employment in Mpophomeni Township, KwaZulu-Natal.
(2020) Mthalane, Mandisa Brightness.; Rama, Sharmla.
The increasing rate of youth unemployment has been of great concern in South Africa. The South African government’s efforts to enhance the employability of youth, is in the form of the National Youth Policy and the establishing of the National Youth Development Agency. However, very little research exists on the level of awareness and exposure the unemployed youth have on the national development agency and its workings. The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of awareness the unemployed youth at Mpophomeni Township has about the National Youth Policy and the National Youth Development Agency and the strategies used to find employment. The theoretical framework informing the study was the Public Policy Implementation Models using the top-down, bottom-up and the hybrid implementation model. The qualitative research methods applied in-depth semi-structured interviews from sixteen unemployed youth at Mpophomeni Township. Participant selection consisted of purposive and snowballing sampling. Thematic analysis was utilised to analyse collected data through coding and creating themes. The analysis of responses showed that the strategies used to find employment consists of; applying for jobs, volunteering and starting their own business. Furthermore, most participants knew about the agency. However, participants had different encounters and attitudes towards the organization such as, having no interest or discouraged from approaching the agency for assistance. This study sought to provide possible effective ways to communicate youth development initiatives and suggest strategies to reduce youth unemployment in their township. These initiatives consist of; community visits from the organisation, the use of social media, skills development programmes, promotion of youth entrepreneurship and mentorship. Recommendations offered by this study intends to improve the level of awareness of the unemployed youth about the NYDA in their community including ways to find or create self-employment to alleviate youth unemployment.