School of Applied Human Sciences

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://hdl.handle.net/10413/6451

The School of Applied Human Sciences (SAHS) consists of Criminology and Forensic Studies, Psychology, The Centre for Communication, Media and Society (CCMS), and Social Work.

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A criminological inquiry into life insurance fraud in KwaZulu-Natal: an exploratory study.
(2023) Mthethwa, Nomathamsanqa.; Mkhize, Sazelo Michael.
Abstract available in PDF.
A discursive analysis of the construction of Afrophobia in TimesLive, News24 and Independent Online in South Africa, 2019 - 2022.
(2024) Jani, Clifford.; Dyll, Lauren Eva.
Immigration has become a global phenomenon where nearly half of the world‘s populations are refugees, migrants or asylum seekers. However, the representation of black African migrants has not been fair and balanced leading to studies outlining the negative representation of migrants in the media. Previous scholarship has explored how such reporting could be deemed xenophobic. This study is specifically interested in the phenomenon of Afrophobia, defined as fear of black people or systematic discrimination against people with African ancestry (Dube, 2019). This study explores the representation of black African migrants in Timeslive, News24 and IOL news sites and how the reporting language may be used in the construction of Afrophobic sentiments. The study utilises content analysis to gather data. A total of 66 news articles were purposively selected from the three news sites. The data is grouped according to emerging themes: illegality, undocumented migrants, job takers, criminals and drug dealers. Critical discourse analysis is used to analyse the discursive portrayal of black African migrants. The focus of the analysis is on how Afrophobia is problematised and transformed into a discursive crisis through the construction of anti-immigrant themes. Representation theory and post-colonial theory conceptually guide this study. Although the findings of this study generally support earlier studies which argue that the media representation of black Africans is negative, the critical discourse analysis also revealed sympathetic representations available in the news. The study‘s unique contributions are that it explores the Afrophobic sentiments manifested as prejudices and stereotypes, and systemic discrimination faced by foreign nationals in South Africa, through the online news as they are depicted as criminals, drug dealers and illegal or undocumented people, blamed for social ills in South Africa. It also reveals positive reporting where black African migrants are portrayed as entrepreneurs, employing the local population and adding value to the economy. However, the negative homogenous reporting of black African migrants is still prevalent.
A formative evaluation of a child abuse prevention programme in KwaZulu-Natal.
(2022) Makhathini, Sinothile Andile Sinegugu.; Frizelle, Kerry Lyn.
Background Abuse against children has been a concerning social phenomena in South Africa for many years, yet there are only a few child abuse prevention programmes that have been developed and designed to try and address this issue. Such prevention programmes aim to create awareness, educate children and families, assist with reporting cases, and provide trauma counselling and safe houses. Formative evaluations are important an important part of tracking the success in offering and managing prevention interventions. Aim: The aim of the study was to conduct a formative evaluation of a child abuse prevention programme at the Open Door Crisis Care Centre (ODCCC). To do so this study explored, from the perspective of social workers responsible for running the programme, the roles the social workers play in the organisation, the design of the child abuse prevention programme, the facilitators’ experiences in facilitating the child abuse prevention programme, the challenges faced in the implementation of the child abuse prevention programme, how those challenges can be overcome, and the areas that the child abuse prevention programme can be improved on. high workload, (3) political interference, (4) lack of funding, and (5) the lack of volunteers. These challenges are further exacerbated by the COVID 19 pandemic. Conclusion: The ODCCC child abuse prevention programme has been instrumental in helping the victims of child abuse by offering a range of services including counselling, shelter, support groups and awareness campaigns in the surrounding communities and schools. Recommendation: The social workers in the current study recommend the Department of Social Development to prioritise child abuse prevention programmes in South Africa and avail funding to these programmes across the country. As demonstrated in the current study, the child abuse prevention programme faces huge challenges, and a lack of funding is a major obstacle in the implementation of this programme. Methodology: The study adopted a qualitative design. The researcher conducted semi -structured interviews with four social workers to collect data and used thematic analysis to interpret and analyse the data collected. Findings: The findings show the ODCCC child abuse preventive programme, from the social workers perspective, provides essential services such as counselling, safe shelter, support groups and awareness campaigns for those affected by child abuse in the surrounding community. The social workers employed at ODCCC view their roles as improving the general well-being of abused children and their families by assisting them in meeting their fundamental needs which include reporting of abuse to the police, referral to a doctor to gather evidence, and preparation for court. The creating awareness has been a powerful tool because children are more cautious and aware of grooming. The findings further highlight that the ODCCC child abuse prevention programme is facing many challenges, these challenges are; (1) shortage of social workers, (2)
A qualitative exploration of lecturers’ experiences in teaching and assessment of students with disabilities at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
(2023) Leahy, Kelly Louise.; Makhaba, Vukani Luvuyo.
Since the advent of democracy in South Africa, an inclusive education policy was implemented in the education system to address barriers to learning. Although this has increased the enrolment percentage of students with disabilities in higher education institutions (HEIs), a disjunction between policy and practice remains in HEIs in South Africa. Challenges in implementing inclusive education may stem from teaching practices and assessment methods which have not been adjusted appropriately in response to the inclusion of a diverse student body. While the experiences of students with disabilities in HEIs have received considerable research interest, the experiences of lecturers appear to be an understudied research area, particularly within the South African context. This research study drew on the theoretical framework of Differentiated Instruction and qualitatively explored the lived experiences of lecturers in teaching and assessing students with physical disabilities within a South African HEI. Data for the study was collected through individual semi-structured interviews with eight lecturers within the College of Humanities at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), Howard College campus, and analysed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis. The findings suggested an emphasis on deficit thinking among lecturers in higher education. In addition, the study revealed that both challenging and positive experiences with these students emerged during teaching and assessment which may hinder or promote the inclusion of students with physical disabilities, respectively. Conclusively, the findings suggested that further progress is required in the institution to support lecturers and their students. Recommendations to enhance inclusivity in the institution may include the incorporation of, and access to inclusive pedagogy, greater awareness and sensitisation, a reduction in attitudinal and physical accessibility barriers, and the promotion of shared responsibility and collaborative effort among relevant stakeholders.
A scoping review of gender-based violence interventions and programmes targeted at South African men.
(2022) Mavasa, Themba Fotrick.; Mntambo, Ntokozo.
Background: The phenomenon of gender-based violence is a global concern (Tappis, Freeman, Glass & Doocy, 2016). Neither women nor men are immune to gender-based violence (GBV); however, the findings from different studies have found that women are more susceptible to GBV perpetrated against them by men (Peate, 2019; Radzilani-Makatu & Chauke, 2019). South African men play a vital role in perpetuating gender-based violence. Therefore, due to their role as perpetrators or potential perpetrators of gender-based violence, intervention measures targeting them should be prioritized (Navindhra & Nadvi, 2013). Aim: The focus of this study review was on interventions and programmes targeting South African men as a key means for addressing gender-based violence (GBV) against women in South Africa. The aim was to address the following question: “What was the available evidence of interventions and programmes targeting men as a key strategy for the prevention of gender-based violence against women in the South African context?” South Africa has been grappling with GBV for many years. New laws and programmes have been developed since 1994 – yet the scourge seems to worsen (Department of Higher Education and Training, 2019). Despite multiple interventions and research papers conducted on gender-based violence, it was unclear or at least unknown how men were included in these interventions (Tappis et al., 2016). Methods: To 'unlock' these interventions and programmes targeting men, the researcher utilised a scoping review approach. This study looked at 25 studies that included a total of 7 084 participants. Results: Men's participation in gender-based violence interventions had been reviewed extensively and it appeared to have significantly reduced gender-based violence (Gibbs, Dunkle,Mhlongo, Chirwa, Hatcher, Christofides & Jewkes, 2020). The findings indicate that interventions had many positive impacts on participants (Graaff & Heinecken, 2017). Conclusion: Even though the interventions produced positive impact, however, the impact of interventions appeared to be more behavioural than attitudinal, affecting specific 'problematic' behaviours rather than changing men's attitudes regarding gender inequality in general (Graaff & Heinecken, 2017). Some studies argued that this was because men had not rejected their patriarchal power, had difficulty adopting gender-equitable behaviour, as well as sustaining positive change, especially when their emotions were high (Treves-Kagan, Maman, Khoza, MacPhail, Peacock, Twine, Kahn, Lippman & Pettifor, 2020; Graaff & Heinecken, 2017).
A social science perspective on literature relating to medically prescribed stimulants: a systematic review.
(2022) Rode, Bo Staci.; Collings, Steven John.
Introduction: Ritalin, Concerta and Adderall are well-known medical drugs used to treat and manage attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Over the past couple of decades, there has been an increase in the medical prescriptions, consumption, and research of medically prescribed stimulants (MPS). A review of the literature indicated that common areas of enquiry were the use and wrongful use of MPS and suggested a great emphasis on academics and educational settings. The research indicated an ever increasing presence of MPS and reinforced the need for a consolidated overview of the available literature so that there is a deeper understanding and a guide for future research. Method: A systematic review was conducted; this was guided by the Cochrane Framework. A predetermined inclusion and exclusion were utilised, and various journal databases were searched using the JBI Reviewers Manual three-phase search strategy. The articles were analysed for eligibility for the study and then underwent coding. SPSS was used to analyse the data and measures of frequency and measures of central tendency were used. Results: This review included 167 research articles. Of that, 67.1% of them were from the USA and 89.8% of them emerged from first-world countries. Questionnaires and surveys were the most common data collection method, with 59.9% of the reviewed articles using them, and statistical analysis was the most common data analysis method, recording 46.1% of articles with this analysis method. Adults (over 18s) were the most common sample group, recording 67.1% of articles and 66.5% of the articles focused and investigated student populations. The top emerging themes associated with MPS use were academics (46.1%), prescriptions (13.8%), socioeconomic/demographic factors (12%) and attitudes and perceptions (7.2%). The top emerging themes associated with MPS wrongful use were academics (46.7%), attitudes and perceptions (12%), socioeconomic/demographic factors (8.4%) and prescriptions (6%). The majority of the data collection took place in a tertiary education setting (57.5%). Conclusion: This review recorded an abundance of MPS literature focusing on academics or an academic setting, suggesting these are frequently linked in the literature. There is an uneven representation in the literature, with minimal amounts of research emerging from developing/third-world countries. It also indicated the high concern over the wrongful use of MPS and the need for further investigations into different settings to form a comprehensive understanding of MPS.
A socio-ecological analysis of postgraduate students lived experiences while at university.
(2022) Khoza, Sisanda Natalie.; Hlengwa, Wellington Mthokozisi.
The study explored the experiences of postgraduate students at a South African tertiary institution. The intention was to understand the challenges that entwined postgraduate studies and the coping mechanisms employed by students during their postgraduate studies. In this qualitative study, the participants were interviewed utilizing a semi-structured interview schedule: with the consent of the participants the interviews were recorded using an audio-recorder. The data obtained was thematically analyzed, which gave rise to various themes. The following themes emerged: students’ motivation to enroll in postgraduate studies: the graduate unemployment problem, implications of lack of funding at postgraduate level, non-monetary challenges at postgraduate level: mental health issues, postgraduate workload, online learning challenges, coping mechanisms, social relationships, and support during postgraduate studies. The findings of this research study indicated that financial, academic, and psycho-social support positively impact postgraduate students’ experiences at university. Nonetheless, that lack of financial aid, mental health issues, postgraduate workload and online learning challenges negatively impact postgraduate student experiences.
An evaluation of ethical concerns raised by a South African research ethics committee using the principles and benchmarks proposed by Emanuel et al. (2004, 2008)
(2022) Magolela, Melda.; Wassenaar, Douglas Richard.
"Mission creep”, “closed doors”, “bureaucracy”, “time delays”, “incompetence” are terms used in some of the arguments advanced by researchers who are not in favour of or are critical of the system of independent ethics review of research by Research Ethics Committees (RECs). “Human subjects’ projection”, “public accountability”, “good research governance” are some of the terms used by researchers who embrace the system of independent ethics review of research. Also known and referred to as institutional review boards (IRBs), ethics review boards (ERBs), ethical review committees (ERCs), human research ethics committees (HRECs) evaluate all human research to ensure that proposed studies comply with international and national ethics principles and guidelines for conducting human research. These committees may either approve, reject, or require modifications to submitted protocols and their decision is binding. A key feature of such committees and their members is their independence. Despite being for or against ethics review, there is a growing body of work attempting to describe and understand the functioning and outcomes of RECs in protecting research participants and promoting ethical research. In this area, there is relatively little work describing the actual issues that RECs look for and subsequently raise when reviewing research protocols. The current study therefore assessed minutes of a South African biomedical REC and identified ethical concerns raised during review of protocols submitted between 2015 - 2016. Ten sets of minutes were retrospectively analysed using Emanuel et al.’s (2004, 2008) framework to code, rank and classify the issues raised by the REC. There were 813 queries raised in the two-year period; 86% (697) of the queries were consistent with the framework. Top four most frequently queries were identified with scientific validity (38%) being the most frequently raised concern, followed by informed consent (33%), ongoing respect for participants (11%) and independent ethics review (9%). Of the 813 queries raised, 14% (116) of queries could not be accommodated by the framework and these pertained to administrative issues. The results of this study support the findings of the primary study by Tsoka-Gwegweni and Wassenaar who were the first to propose and establish that the Emanuel et al. framework is a useful tool to categorize concerns raised by one South African REC. In this study, it was found that 99,7% of 1,043 queries raised for the years 2008 to 2012 were compatible with the Emanuel et al. framework with informed consent emerging as the most frequently raised concern. Equally comparable are the results of a subsequent study by Silaigwana and Wassenaar who also reported that 97,7% of the 1,272 queries raised for the years 2009 to 2014 could be categorised using the Emanuel et al. framework. The Emanuel et al. framework of eight principles and benchmarks proves to be a useful and important tool in evaluating ethical queries raised during EC protocol review meetings. Both the current study and these previous studies support use of this framework.
An examination of how Sowetan Live and Daily Sun reported on Operation Dudula and foreign nationals: January to June 2022.
(2023) Xulu, Luyanda Randy.; Dyll, Lauren Eva.
Abstract available in PDF.
An examination of the social context of sexual victimisation of female students in institutions of higher learning in KwaZulu-Natal (Durban)
(2022) Makhaye, Mandisa Samukelisiwe.; Mkhize, Sazelo Michael.
Sexual victimisation is a serious violation of human rights, as well as a safety and public health concern. It does not only occur in one dimension or among a specific race group, but it affects all classes, races, settings, and circumstances. The aim of the study is to uncover the social context of the phenomenon of sexual victimisation in three selected institutions of higher learning in KwaZulu-Natal (Durban). The study's objectives are to investigate the nature of sexual victimisation against female students in Durban's selected universities; to determine the contributing factors to sexual victimisation against female students; to investigate the effects of sexual victimisation on female students; to investigate the lack of reporting of sexual victimisation by female students; and to evaluate the usefulness of current strategies for policing sexual offences in the selected universities. The Routines Activities Theory and the Integrated Theory of Sexual Offending guide the research. Both theories explain sexual victimisation in terms of the victim and the perpetrator, highlighting the explicit factors that contribute to the prevalence of sexual victimisation. A total of 46 participants were purposively sampled from three universities in Durban, and data was collected through interviews and thematically analysed. According to this study, incapacitated sexual victimisation is more common on campus than forcible rape, in which perpetrators use threats or physical force. This could be attributed to both the victim's and the perpetrator's excessive alcohol consumption and drug use. Victimisation can lead to social withdrawal, trauma, depression, and poor academic performance. Furthermore, some victims are infected with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), while others become pregnant. Furthermore, the study discovers that Student Representative Council (SRC) and lecturers abuse their power by requesting sexual favours from female students in exchange for securing a residence or grades. Statistics on sexual victimisation are unreliable because young female students are reluctant to report sexual victimisation to authorities. Some of the reasons for non-reporting include a fear of secondary victimisation and a lack of trust in institutions. According to the study's recommendations, the curriculum should include sex education to instil an understanding of consent and to foster dialogue and consistent awareness of sexual victimisation within the institution. Additionally, policies should be efficiently implemented according to the stipulated objectives. Furthermore, the study recommends upgrading security measures, establishing a gender-based violence (GBV) centre, capacitating security personnel to deal with cases of sexual victimisation, and forming a partnership with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to encourage a transparent and efficient investigation process. Finally, institutions should implement an online reporting portal to create a safe space for victims to report.
An exploration of graduate trainee’s perceptions of their psychological contract in a South African organisation.
(2022) Makhoba, Celukuthula.
While research on the Psychological Contract has received much attention in aiding a better understanding of employment arrangements, few empirical studies have sought to understand how Graduate employees in their first year of employment create their psychological contract using Schema Theory as the Theoretical Framework particularly in the context of South Africa. To address this, the aim of the present study sought to understand the pre-entry expectations that Graduate Trainees held about employer-employee obligations and the extent to which these expectations informed how they experienced their psychological contract within the first year of joining the Nestlé Future Talent (NFT) Graduate Development Programme in a South African-based organisation (Nestlé South Africa). In doing so, the study adopted a qualitative research approach, rooted within an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) paradigm. Six Graduate Trainees were purposively sampled from the company’s Graduate Development Programme and in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with each participant. These interviews were individually audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using the six stages of IPA. From the research findings the following five themes emerged: (1) Graduate Trainee’s pre-entry expectation of employers, (2) Graduate Trainees’ perceptions of anticipated Employer’s expectations of them, (3) Graduate Trainees’ post-entry experiences in Nestlé South Africa, (4) Graduate Trainees’ socialisation processes and sources of information and (5) Graduate Trainee’s perceptions of unmet expectations. Findings revealed that Graduates Trainees held a rudimentary anticipatory psychological contract shaped by social and professional norms before being hired into the company’s graduate development programme. The findings also suggest that pre-entry encounters with the organisation in the form of campus recruitment initiatives seem to shape organisation-specific expectations in which some graduates note how information gleaned from these initiatives seemed to be inconsistent when compared with their experiences of employment since joining the organisation. Another finding, spoke to Graduate Trainees early encounters with Senior Graduates in the business and revealed the complex cognitive process of sense-making in which they sought information to better understand themselves as novice employees hired in the same graduate development programme.
An exploration of mental health in post-colonial times: perspectives from a selected sample of community members within iLembe District in KwaZulu-Natal.
(2023) Basdeo, Abhishta.; Bomoyi, Zininzi Anele.
No abstract available.
An exploration of the experiences of social workers and nurses treating HIV/TB patients during the COVID-19 pandemic at King Dinuzulu Hospital in Durban.
(2023) Thabethe, Thandiwe Bonisiwe.; Seepamore, Boitumelo Khothatso.
The outbreak of COVID-19, a global health pandemic, created a tsunami of problems resulting in lockdowns as the world grappled to understand and contain its spread and save lives. For King Dinuzulu Hospital, a specialised healthcare centre for the treatment of TB, its designation as a COVID-19 health facility in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, turned it into a facility managing three epidemics, COVID-19, TB and HIV. The main aim of this study was to explore the experiences of public social workers and nurses caring for and treating TB/HIV patients during the COVID-19 pandemic at King Dinuzulu Hospital. This study utilised a qualitative research methodology. Data were collected from 15 HCWs (seven public social workers and eight nurses) selected using a purposive sampling methodology. One-on-one in-depth interviews were conducted. These were guided by an interview guide with open-ended questions, and the collected data were analysed using thematic content analysis. The study revealed that COVID-19 negatively affected the delivery of social work and nursing services at King Dinuzulu Hospital, and HCWs experienced psychological distress due to fear of being infected, infecting their family members and seeing some of their colleagues and patients at KDH die from COVID-19 pandemic. The mitigation measures that were put in place to blunt the full impact of COVID-19 on HCWs providing services to TB/HIV patients, went some way in preventing a total disaster from happening. KDH needs to resolve the shortage of HCWs, provide sufficient PPEs, repair and provide access to telephones/ mobile phones, and provide adequate and conducive offices.
An exploratory study of vaccinations amongst staff at a South African research institution: personal choice or mandatory?
(2024) Couch, Marilyn Angel.; Toohey, Jacintha Deleane.; Groenewald, Candice Rule.
Controversies related to immunisation have existed since 1840. The focus of much discussion has been on the efficacy of vaccination in protecting public health and safety, as well as the question of vaccine mandates infringing upon individual freedoms. The COVID-19 pandemic, declared by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020, reignited these debates. In South Africa, under Section 27(2) of the Disaster Management Act No 57 of 2002, the Minister of Employment and Labour is authorised to issue directives linked to the country’s state of disaster. As a result, the COVID-19 Occupational Health and Safety Measures in Workplaces directive (C19 OHS) (Department of Employment and Labour, 2020) was issued by the Minister of Employment and Labour in terms of regulation 10(8) issued by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in terms of Section 27(2) of the Disaster Management Act No 57 of 2002 (Republic of South Africa, 2002). The objective of the directive was to implement occupational health and safety measures in the workplace to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus and to provide guidance to employers on how to deal with COVID-19 in the workplace. Consequently, this brought to light the need to tackle the dilemma of individual versus collective rights in the context of vaccine mandates in the workplace. The study aimed to explore participants' knowledge and understanding of ethical, human rights, and legal aspects of vaccination. It also sought to understand whether participants believe vaccines should be a personal choice or mandatory, as well as their experiences with COVID-19 vaccination in the workplace. This study used a qualitative methodology approach, conducting 20 semi-structured, in-depth, open-ended individual interviews that took place either face-to-face or virtually. The study sample comprised of staff members from a South African research institution, across three provinces. The interview data were transcribed and then loaded onto Atlas. ti software for coding, using the thematic analysis approach. This social science study employs an interdisciplinary approach that considers the human rights, ethics, and legal aspects in the workplace setting concerning mandatory vaccination policies. The research aimed to provide valuable insights from participants in this study concerning the multifaceted interactions between human rights law, bioethics, and the social dynamics of mandatory vaccination policies. The research also utilises the social constructionist framework as a conceptual model to examine and understand how individuals have shaped their perceptions regarding personal freedoms, the mandatory nature of vaccination, trust in vaccine role players, experiences with COVID-19 in the workplace, and the factors influencing their beliefs. This conceptual approach is used to analyse and interpret participants' viewpoints but does not dictate the entire study. The study indicates that most participants are in favour of personal choice. These findings imply that, for these participants, individual choice in medical freedoms is paramount in healthcare decision-making, including vaccination. Recommendations are made for the South African government, vaccination policymakers, employers, and for future research.
An exploratory study of violent behaviours perpetrated against homeless people: a case study of Durban Central Business District.
(2023) Mthembu, Nosipho Nombulelo.; Sibisi, Nomakhosi Nomathemba.
Abstract available in PDF.
An exploratory study on the partnership between private security industry and the South African Police Services to combat crime in South Africa, Durban.
(2022) Phakathi, Sinethemba.; Mbhele, Nkosingiphile Modeccai.; Mkhize, Sazelo Michael.
Abstract available in PDF.
Analysis of policy for protection of HIV positive adolescent girls against vulnerabilities faced in using contraception in Malawi.
(2022) Bulage, Patience.; Govender, Kaymarlin.
There are challenges faced in accessing and using contraception by adolescent girls, but the reality is worse for adolescent girls living with HIV. Thus, it is important to investigate the extent to which current policies in Malawi put into account the vulnerabilities faced by this sub-population. This study therefore sought to answer the following research questions: 1. What are the structural and socio-cultural issues affecting the use of contraception among AGLHIV in Malawi? 2. What policy provisions are in place in Malawi to address the issues/risks faced by AGLHIV during reach and use of contraception? 3. What implementation challenges affect the effectiveness of the available policy provisions? This study was guided by the healthy policy triangle (HPT) framework and it was qualitative in nature, using both secondary and primary data collection methods. The findings include; • Access to contraception by adolescent girls living with HIV is hampered by several structural and socio-cultural issues, mainly; the mode of service provision, supply chain and infrastructural challenges, age restrictions, conditioned access, as well as integration challenges. The socio-cultural issues include; the high momentum for children, male dominance, social labelling, non-disclosure of HIV serostatus to sexual partners, social sensitivity, perpetuation of harmful content, and a general lack of social support, and poor risk perception. • The available provisions include those addressing gender-based violence, discrimination and stigma, community engagement, confidentiality, and emphasis on adolescent girls and young women. However, most of the provisions are broadly stated and gaps exist too. • Effective implementation is affected largely by cascading challenges, lack of sufficient funding, limited political will, low comprehension of policy directives, limited participation of target population, coordination challenges, social resistance, effects of decentralization, low capacity of implementing partners and the slow pace of behaviour change among the targeted population and communities. While the policy environment in Malawi is seemingly favourable, undertones exist around harmonization, and representation of interest groups, mainly PLHIV groups. Policy makers ought not to continue ignoring the importance of formulating HIV-sensitive policies which can give way to social protection programs for the most vulnerable within the society, given the benefits of a healthy youthful population.
‘Beauty is in the eye of the Instagrammer’: a walk-through approach exploring narratives of female beauty on Instagram among Durban higher education students.
(2023) Webster, Kayley Jade.; Gibson, Sarah Elizabeth.
In the twenty-first century female beauty is increasingly perceived as a social construct that intersects identity and femininity. Social media platforms have evolved into participatory spaces for women to negotiate and perform their identities, share information about their daily lives, engage with user-generated content, and explore modes of self-expression. South Africa's media landscape has witnessed a shift towards social media platforms, with millions of active users in the country. The literature revealed the need for research on African perspectives in the context of media, and revealed gaps in the intricate connection between feminism, femininity, and social media's influence on women's self-presentation and identity. This study aimed to address the gap in research in focusing on the unique narratives of young female higher education students in actively engaging in the construction of feminine beauty on Instagram. It sought to explore how this construction of feminine beauty on Instagram shaped the articulation of a feminine gendered identity through gender performances. This study also explored how young female students negotiated concepts of feminism and femininity through their engagement in the construction and negotiation of female beauty on Instagram. To ensure that the goals of this study would be achieved, a qualitative phenomenological approach was adopted. The main data collection method employed in this study was a form of walk-through known as the media go-along method that were conducted with 13 young female higher education students. The participants were selected by means of purposive sampling and a reflexive thematic data analysis was performed. The themes ‘Digital Craftsmanship’, ‘Instagram Performativity’, and ‘Dialectics of Empowerment’ ultimately generated insightful findings pertaining to young South African women's contributions to constructing female beauty on Instagram, the platform's role in shaping gender performativity, and the intricate interplay of feminism and femininity in this digital space. This study's findings revealed that young female students on Instagram engage in diverse modes of active curation to shape their beauty ideals in alignment with personal preferences and values. Instagram played a role in constructing future career aspirations by interplaying beauty, professionalism, and identity. Instagram’s unique features further encouraged participants to become content co-creators, fostering creative expression and digital discourse. An insightful finding was that young women’s self-representation balanced beauty norms with playfulness and authenticity. Cultural and social influences were evident in beauty practices, and these young women navigated a complex negotiation between conforming to and challenging beauty norms while engaging in feminist discussions on Instagram.
Changes and continuities? Investigating the representations and readings of female characters in South African soap operas Uzalo and Scandal!
(2024) Onuh, Janet Atinuke.; Dyll, Lauren Eva.
This study explores the construction and readings of female characters concerning their gender roles within localised South African soap operas Uzalo and Scandal! Concerning the issue of female representation, it is not just crucial to have a significant presence of women in television, it is equally important that these characters represent women fairly. This is particularly important within a country like South Africa, where gender inequality is a problem and gender-based violence is declared a second pandemic as femicide remains is prevalent. Since characterisation is one of the most important elements in any soap opera, this study investigates how female characters are represented. It explores the changes and continuities in how female characters are intentionally constructed in South African soap operas and if these representations support or subvert previous representations and dominant discourses in society. It is theoretically framed within feminist media theory, with a particular emphasis on intersectionality and the active audience theory guided by the circuit of culture model. Located within the interpretive paradigm, its qualitative methodology ascertains the perceptions of individual viewers (University of KwaZulu-Natal students) and Uzalo and Scandal! production staff. The data, gathered via interviews and focus group discussions, were organised through reflexive thematic analysis. The study found that the representation of mistress, mother, and matriarch are some of the roles still prominent in soap opera depictions. However, a shift exists in that conventional characters such as the villainess and matriarch are still central but are represented differently, based on the South African context, particularly that of the township locale. Female characters are also included in the storylines, such as CEOs, businesswomen, and other prominent roles often associated with male characters and public domains. Contemporary and traditional-styled characters are aspirational depending on the preference of lifestyle values held by the viewer of the soap operas. Soap opera has the potential to educate audience members about socio-economic, socio-political, and other developmental issues that will enhance social change. The study contributed new knowledge to understanding the construction of female representations and the possible subversions these texts offer to normative societal representations. It is unique in that it considers both a production and viewer perspective, which is a gap within South African scholarship that typically includes one of these perspectives. Through this study, an analytical matrix combining the circuit of culture and intersectionality has been developed that could be used for further research.
Counterfeit pharmaceutical products in South Africa: a criminological examination.
(2023) Nihal, Trevonia.; Jagganath, Gerelene.
This study focused on the criminological examination of counterfeit pharmaceutical products in South Africa. The researcher proposed six objectives for this study, and they are as follows: to determine the extent of counterfeit pharmaceutical products being produced in South Africa; to examine how South African police officers are trained to detect counterfeit pharmaceutical products; to examine and investigate the legislature that South Africa has in place to deal with counterfeit crime; to investigate how the internet facilitates criminal organizations that deal in counterfeit pharmaceutical products; to determine the factors that contribute to the influx of counterfeit pharmaceutical products in South Africa; and to investigate the public health interventions that South Africa has in place to protect citizens against counterfeit pharmaceutical products. The researcher utilized the rational choice theory and the general strain theory as the theoretical underpinning of this study to explain the phenomenon of counterfeit pharmaceutical products in South Africa. These theories proved to be relevant as they allowed the researcher to understand and explore the research phenomenon in the context of South Africa, where the study is based. The study employed an exploratory research design and utilized the qualitative research method. The sample size for this study comprised of twenty-five (25) police officers, of whom fourteen were from the Commercial Crime Branch in Prospecton, and eleven (11) were from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) in Durban Central. The researcher used the purposive and snowball sampling technique to select the respondents for the study. The researcher chose these techniques as they proved helpful in selecting those respondents that were most relevant and knowledgeable regarding the topic under study. To gather data, the researcher employed one-on-one semi-structured interviews and utilised an interview schedule of predetermined questions emanating from the existing literature on the phenomenon. The collected data was transcribed and then thematically analyzed to produce an interpretable report. In conducting this study, the researcher adhered to all the ethical considerations as stipulated by the Ethics Committee within the University of Kwa-Zula Natal and obtained permission from the relevant gatekeepers. The researcher informed the respondents that their participation was voluntary and ensured confidentiality and anonymity to each respondent through the informed consent form. Findings: the study finds that counterfeit pharmaceutical products are not necessarily produced in South Africa but are brought into the country as a result of porous borders, scarcity of law enforcement at the borders to prevent counterfeit pharmaceutical products from entering the country, high demand for more affordable pharmaceutical products and the opportunity to financially benefit from the fear, panic and desperation surrounding sickness as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. The study finds that 60% of the respondents indicated that they received either formal or informal training, with some stating that they received both. The study finds that the legislature surrounding counterfeit crime is limited in that it permits much leniency towards counterfeiters by imposing a fine rather than a term of incarceration for the accused counterfeiter. The study finds that the internet facilitates criminal organisations by allowing counterfeiters to operate anonymously and behind layers of encryption, thus making it challenging for law enforcement to trace and identify them. The study finds that while various factors cause an influx of counterfeit pharmaceutical products in the country, the most contributing factors are unemployment that leads to poverty, demand for affordable pharmaceutical products, profitability, and lenient legislation and its poor enforcement. The study finds that 84% of the respondents were unaware that South Africa has any public health interventions currently to protect citizens against counterfeit pharmaceutical products. Recommendations: The researcher recommends that future researchers research the effects of counterfeit pharmaceuticals on chronic medicine users and the dangers that ingesting it might have on an individual who requires the legitimate version. The researcher recommends to law enforcement that all police officers receive some induction on counterfeit products but with greater focus on products that could result in a fatality, such as counterfeit pharmaceutical products. The researcher recommends that the South African government, together with the relevant role players (such as the Department of Health), implement functioning and effective approaches to create awareness of counterfeit products and pharmaceutical products specifically. The researcher strongly recommends that the community continuously educate themselves on the harms of counterfeit pharmaceuticals and the effects of ingesting substandard medicines on the human body. Under the assumption of providing relief to a medical condition, the consumption of counterfeit pharmaceuticals can result in more illness instead of relief from it. The researcher recommends that individuals visit registered healthcare providers or hospitals to ensure that they receive treatment with medication that is authentic and safe for human usage.

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