Research Publications (Arts and Design)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/214

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‘Where else can they go?’: violence, resistance and the socio‐cultural trajectories of Kashmiri women in Freny Manecksha's Behold I shine : narratives of Kashmir's Women and children
(Wiley, 2024-10-09) Pal, Payel; Karmakar, Goutam
Abstract In the armed conflict between Kashmiri militancy and the Indian state forces, Kashmiri women have been relentless victims of abduction, rape, molestation, and cruel objectification by the militaristic patriarchs of both sides. In the context of the state's unaccountability, the rebuttal of justice is horrific in Kashmir. Consequently, due to predominant masculine, state‐centric, absolutist, and neo‐realist perceptions, the majority of atrocities against Kashmiri women have gone unregistered and unreported, failing to reach the pan‐Indian masses through the dominant media and literary narratives. This article explicates Freny Manecksha's book Behold I Shine: Narratives of Kashmir's Women and Children (2017) as a unique retelling of Kashmiri women's physical violence, fears, trauma, and, most importantly, their fortitude and recuperation. Drawing on feminist views on rape and repression, it exposes how rape in Kashmir incessantly functions as a weapon of suppression, relegating women to the most precarious position. Simultaneously, the discussion demonstrates how rape and oppression render Kashmiri women docile and vulnerable to cultural and collective trauma by employing the Foucauldian notion of docility. The article further addresses how Kashmiri women repudiate the traditional divides of private and public, overturn the social expectations of womanhood, contest the patriarchal excesses of militaristic Kashmir vis‐à‐vis their resilience, and protest against state‐sponsored violence. Thus, the article posits Manecksha's writing as a counter‐historiographic narrative for the marginalized voices of Kashmiri women, whose ways of redressing their grievances constitute subversive modes of resistance.
The use of technology in African language pedagogy : a sociological approach
(OpenED Network, 2024-10-31) Adedokun, Theophilus; Awung, Felix; Usadolo, Sam Erevbenagie
Technology has brought about new knowledge forms in all aspects of human life. The new knowledge forms have transformed not only human lives but also human ways of doing things. Education has also benefited from technological transformation which is witnessed through the delivery of teaching and reception of learning with technology. The use of technology in teaching has been a fundamental theme in the 21st century as the world tends towards the fourth industrial revolution. Using Bourdieu’s social theory, this paper seeks to gain an understanding of how the use of technology is impacted by the social context of language lecturers. This study aimed to investigate how language lecturers’ social context influences their use of technology in teaching African languages. To pursue the above aim, an in-depth interview was conducted with 8 language lecturers across 3 universities in KwaZulu-Natal using stratified and snowball sampling methods. This study analyses lecturers' social context regarding technology use in teaching. It also examines the value lecturers place on technology for teaching African languages. Finally, it provides recommendations for lecturers and stakeholders to effectively implement technology for teaching African languages within the social context of language lecturers.
The influence of participative leadership on agricultural extension officers' engagement
(SAGE Publications, 2020-07) Usadolo, Sam Erevbenagie
Employee engagement has garnered a great deal of interest because of its positive effect on employee performance, but the interest has not resulted in in-depth studies on how variables such as participative leadership determine employee engagement. In this study, the role of participative leadership on the three dimensions of engagement experienced by agricultural extension officers is examined. Data from a cross-sectional survey of 189 agricultural extension officers from four provinces in South Africa are analyzed using regression analysis. As hypothesized, results show that participative leadership influences the three dimensions of engagement. The implications of the results are discussed, emphasizing possible ways participative leadership practices could be used to facilitate the engagement of agricultural extension officers.
How far is the east from the west? : the role of social media and crisis communication approach in unifying the Igbo and Yoruba ethnic groups in the political landscape in Southern Nigeria : a review of issues around pre-1960, 1967-1970; 2014 and 2023 elections
(2024-12-03) Akpan, Udoh James; Mkhize, Sazelo Michael; Usadolo, Sam Erevbenagie
The political climate of southern Nigeria is examined in this concept paper along with the ongoing conflicts between the Igbo and Yoruba ethnic groups. The question "How far is the east from the west?" serves as a metaphor to highlight the historical and current obstacles to Igbo-Yoruba unification, reviewing the issues around pre-1960, 1967-1970; 2014 and 2023 elections. The paper explored the complicated history of these groups, including the effects of colonialism, their unique pre-colonial beginnings, and their common battles throughout the liberation fight, employing a methodical literature review. It subsequently looked at particular tense times, such as the Nigerian Civil War, and how these old differences still affect politics now, as shown by the results of recent elections. Beyond historical interpretation, the study suggested a fresh strategy for promoting Igbo-Yoruba unity. Based on the Situational Crisis Communication Theory (SCCT), it made the case that social media may be a potent instrument for fostering cooperation and understanding when used wisely. Instead of focusing on the political elite, which is seen as a source of conflict, the study highlighted the vital role that dependable community leaders play. It suggested that apolitical stakeholders from both regions collaborate to plan and carry out intentional programmes that support socio-economic integration between the Igbo and Yoruba and encourage public discourse on common issues to cultivate a narrative of cooperation through social media. These stakeholders include traditional/cultural leaders, religious figures, women's groups, and academics. Using the SCCT paradigm and empowering these esteemed leaders, this study suggested a way to close the historical and current gaps between the Igbo and the Yoruba. Within the political environment of southern Nigeria, the "East" and "West" can get closer to a future of mutual respect and prosperity by using social media to shift narratives and promote cooperation.
Navigating COVID-19 : non-government actors’ communication interventions in South Africa
(Taylor and Francis Group, 2024) Adjin-Tettey, Theodora Dame; Garman, Anthea
During the COVID-19 outbreak, diverse groups and organisations in South Africa played an important communicative role which, alongside the government, collectively mitigated the spread of the disease. A previous study that we undertook to assess government communication revealed that there were organisations, groups, and actors that addressed gaps in official messaging. In this article, we explore the ways in which these actors recognised gaps in government communication and stepped in both to draw attention to these gaps and to devise timely solutions. Seven representatives of four groupings were interviewed. The groups and actors were identified because the researchers became aware of their non-governmental communications efforts. Their insights were transcribed and thematically analysed. The findings showed that although the government, through its agencies and presidential addresses to the nation, made concerted efforts to provide relevant information to the entire population, these actors were quick to identify the communications lacunae and stepped in where there was lack of reach. They identified inadequacies such as: non-optimal use of communication channels, neglected languages, a lack of scientifically based information, and a lack of context-driven information. The findings highlight the complexity of the challenge of talking to a nation when the country’s communications landscape is complex, multilingual, and multi faceted.1
Organizational factors influencing foreign African court interpreting in South Africa
(Universitas Djuanda, 2024-11-11) Usadolo, Sam Erevbenagie
Employee performance is influenced by organizational factors that require careful management by the human resource divisions of organizations. The involvement of human resources divisions is essential for managing court interpreters who require specific skills, such as understanding court hierarchies, proceedings, and discourse, remaining neutral concerning their language choices, and coping with hearing about sometimes horrific events without succumbing to secondary trauma. The organizational factors in the South African courtrooms were examined by interviewing foreign African court interpreters, magistrates, prosecutors, and attorneys. Observations of courtroom proceedings complement data collected through interview methods. The data analyzed show that the majority of foreign African court interpreters have employment on a casual rather than permanent basis, and organizational issues such as standardized employment procedures, in-service training, monitoring, induction, and orientation, amongst other factors, still require significant improvement to ensure quality foreign African court interpreting in South African courtrooms. The research contributes to the literature on human resources management of court interpreting. The implications of the findings and the limitations of the study are discussed.
The influence factor : a study of advertising and use of mobile phones by students of two universities in Ghana
(2013) Adjin-Tettey, Theodora Dame; Bolfrey, Andy; Bugase, Carl Awetoga; Adotey, Theresa; Dodoo, Stephen. Jnr
This study examined whether advertising influences the usage of telecommunication networks, using the students of the University Of Professional Studies Accra and Wisconsin University College in the Greater Accra Region as a point of reference. It was also to ascertain the media through which tertiary students received most advertising messages. The study found that, advertising was not the only variable that influenced respondents to use a particular network and that when matched up against other variables, ‘service quality’ comes on top as the number one influencing agent ahead of advertising. The traditional media was identified as the media through which most advertising messages are received. Finally, the study identified that advertising is a necessary but not sufficient condition that influences switching between telecommunication networks.
African broadcast media participation in conflict resolution and peacebuilding : an examination of practices across nine countries
(Informa UK Limited, 2024) Danso, Samuel; Adjin-Tettey, Theodora Dame; Serwornoo, Michael Yao Wodui; Azanu, Benedine
This paper draws on interview data from nine African countries and explores how the broadcast media participate in conflict resolution and peacebuilding in Africa. The study found that the media’s news and current affairs programs largely contributed to the resolution of various forms of conflict, including domestic and marital disputes, community conflicts rooted in history, and political conflicts. However, political influence manifested through ownership, control, and censorship; resource limitation and the lack of expertise to provide depth and accuracy to conflict reporting – conceptualized as the PER framework – influenced how media organizations mitigated conflicts. The study further identified public education as a key strategy employed in de-escalating conflicts
The perception and usage of weather forecast information by residents of ACP estates and farmers in the Pokuase community of the Ga West municipality of Ghana
(2013) Adjin-Tettey, Theodora Dame
The study was undertaken with the purpose of finding out if people paid attention to weather forecast segment of television news and whether those who did so could interpret the information including temperature, rainfall, humidity and cloud cover figures provided in it. It was also to find out what other information people wanted in weather forecasts. Questionnaires were administered to 240 people including 120 farmers in the Pokuase area of the Ga West district of the Greater Accra Region and 120 residents of Africa Concrete Products (ACP) estates in Pokuase. Results showed that except for less than one-in-ten (6.7%), all respondents had watched TV weather forecast. Out of the number less than half (43.8%) paid attention to it while a similar proportion (42.5%) paid attention to it sometimes. For interpretation of forecast figures, temperature was those respondents understood the most. In all, 70.1% of the people who said they understood the temperature figures also had tertiary education, only seven people (8.0%) of those that had the first cycle education understood confirming the hypothesis that the level of education of the viewer was likely to influence viewers’ understanding of temperature figure
Adoption and utilisation of learning/course management systems : the study of University of Professional Studies, Accra.
(2014) Adjin-Tettey, Theodora Dame
Technological changes are having a great impact on teaching and learning all over the world. Students in Ghana at the various levels, especially, the tertiary level are also becoming more technologically inclined with most of them owning computers and having access to the world wide web. Access to smart phones is even making this easier. Oblinger and Oblinger, (2005) describe net generation students as highly literate, preferring to learn by doing experiential and also at ease with image-rich environments than text. For these and many other reasons, many universities (and even some senior secondary schools) around the world have course materials, lectures and discussions online in addition to classroom-based learning. Once online, students can access the latest information at any time and make copies of materials or download course materials and even partake in discussion forums, quizzes and turn in assignments online. Students can also communicate with instructors and other students whenever their schedules permit. This study sought to find out of the level of acceptance of the system and whether it is helping students get more from their courses. It also tested the some of the assumptions of the technology acceptance model (TAM) on which the study was based.
Dysfunctional social systems, experiential traits and sheer wickedness : interrogating the vicissitudes of criminal violence in South Africa
(Durban University of Technology, 2024) Fagbadebo, Omololu; Kabange, Martin; Zwane, Zwelithini; Joseph, Judell; Mabizela, Hlengiwe
The daily incidents of violent crimes are rampant in South Africa. This incident of violent attacks has placed the country in a bad light in the global ranking of violent countries. Not only has this fact not changed, but it has worsened with recent incidents occasioned by the COVID-19 lockdown. From its description as the world’s ‘murder capital’ and rape capital due to the prevalence of criminal activities, criminal violence in South Africa has grown in intensity. This paper argued that the scourge of criminal violence in South Africa is, partly, a manifestation of a dysfunctional social system that has entrenched the culture of violence as an instrument of interaction in a society characterised by individualistic instinct and consciousness. Exacerbated by the lived experiential traits imbued with wickedness, violent criminal activities have created a society living in fear of instant death and degradation. The research used an interpretivism method from several South African studies, including the culture of violence, criminal violence, and the justice system, to discuss the criminal justice system. This paper submits that a deliberate and conscientious approach, through a reformed criminal justice system as well as societal re-orientation, would be necessary to recalibrate the subconsciousness of citizens to be attuned to the appropriate social order stimulated by responsive and responsible governance structures.
Financial viability of Ghanaian media
(University of Ghana Press., 2023) Yeboah-Banin, Abena Animwaa; Adjin-Tettey, Theodora Dame
This chapter examines the dynamics of financing in the Ghanaian media, focusing on revenue inflows, revenue strategies, and the factors impacting the f inancial health of the media. Ultimately, it makes a pronouncement on the financial health of the Ghanaian media. It is premised on the idea that the capacity of the media to deliver on their democratic and developmental mandates is directly linked to their finances and how that positions them to work independently. It used a mixed methods design combining content analysis and key informant interviews to gather evidence. The chapter reports that the overall financial health of the media is unstable and, at best, operating at break-even levels. The financial viability of the media is threatened by the poor Ghanaian economy, technology-driven pressures, industry saturation and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The chapter also reports on the strategies by the media to expand their revenue sources and inflows. It concludes by recommending regulatory interest in sustainability planning by media organisations.
Safety of journalists in Ghana
(University of Ghana Press., 2023) Adjin-Tettey, Theodora Dame
The continual threats against the lives of journalists have been blamed for Ghana’s decline in the World Press Freedom Index ranking for the past two years. Even though much of the evidence for this has primarily been anecdotal, various efforts have been undertaken to compile reports of abuses through media monitoring projects to give a realistic picture of the status of safety of journalists in Ghana. While these have proven to be critical reference points, they fall short of giving a comprehensive picture of the scope and depth of issues relating to safety of journalists. This study used a survey and key informant interviews to elicit the views and reflections of key stakeholders on the matter. Among other findings, it was established that police, political fanatics, politicians, security operatives, government officials, and other journalists were among the top perpetrators of safety violations against journalists. Verbal abuse was predominant among violations suffered. Males tend to suffer physical abuse more than females while females, on the other hand, are subjected to more online trolling. Many of the respondents were dissatisfied with the posture of law enforcement agencies and the Ghana Journalists Association concerning journalists’ safety. The study also found that safety provisions by media organisations (e.g., counselling support, legal aid, medical support) need to be improved. The study recommends, among others, that the state must ensure the safety and protection of journalists and that media organisations must make proactive investments to secure the safety of their employees.
Bridging gaps in STEM education : the case for dedicated learning centres in South African townships and rural areas
(Lectito Publications, 2024-10-16) Ntsanwisi, Samuel
This article explores the critical need for improved Mathematics, Science, Engineering and Technology (STEM) education in South African townships and rural areas, where persistent challenges in teaching methods and resource accessibility have hindered the development of these crucial subjects. The perception of Mathematics and Science as complex subjects, coupled with societal pressures to prioritise less ‘challenging’ subjects, has resulted in a quantity-over-quality approach to education. This article argues for establishing dedicated Mathematics, Science, Engineering, and technology centres in these underserved regions, drawing upon global research findings that underscore the importance of continuous improvement in STEM subjects for individual and national advancement. The proposed centres aim to address educational disparities by providing innovative teaching methods, resource access, and mentorship programs. These proposed centres intend to rectify educational disparities by offering innovative teaching methods, improved resource access, and mentorship programs. Through examining successful case studies and potential challenges, this article calls for a comprehensive approach to reshape the STEM education landscape in South African townships and rural areas, contributing to a more equitable and robust educational system.
Safety and security challenges in public secondary schools in South Africa
(2024) Fagbadebo, Omololu; Kweyama, Nkululeko Prince; Mbandlwa, Zamokuhle
The challenge of safety and security in schools across the globe is very important to both teachers and learners as it creates an environment which promotes the physical, emotional, and social wellbeing of the stakeholders and has a bearing on the teaching and learning process. Schools in South Africa have been influenced by the macro-environmental variables, undesirable events, and behaviours such as drug addiction, violence, gangsterism, child abuse, bullying and the like. Public secondary schools in South Africa are witnessing high cases of incidents that disturb and threaten the safety and security in schools which is negatively impacting effective teaching and learning. To ensure safety and security in schools, it is very important to determine the security problems and challenges and find the solutions for tackling them. Therefore, this study investigated the safety and security challenges faced by selected public secondary schools within the Pinetown District in South Africa.
A study exploring the influence of media consumption on body image and beauty among young corporate Ghanaian women in the Greater Accra Region
(2015) Adjin-Tettey, Theodora Dame; Bempah, K.
The ubiquitous nature of the media in modern times makes it quite easy for one to be unhappy with one‟s body as media portray all forms of “ideal” images through platforms such as movies, social media, advertisements, music videos, celebrity/gossip magazines, fashion programmes on TV. Contemporary trends in fashion, such as hairstyles, clothing, makeup and accessories have been popularized through both new and traditional media. It has been estimated that young women now see more images of exceptionally beautiful women in one day than their mothers saw throughout their entire adolescence. Through survey, this study seeks to find out if, among young Ghanaian corporate women, the media had influence on their beauty perceptions, beauty choices and their self-body image. The study gathers that the majority of respondents (88.4%) believed that beauty portrayals in the media are attainable with a lot of them comparing themselves with media ideals and more than half (54%) having attempted to create looks of media icons. Peer comparison was another influential factor, which 46 % of respondents engaged in. It was recommended that media influence should not be overlooked when deciding on media content so as not to project idealised images which may be typical of “foreign” culture
The role of artificial intelligence in contemporary journalism practice in two African countries
(MDPI AG, 2024-09-01) Adjin-Tettey, Theodora Dame; Muringa, Tigere; Danso, Samuel; Zondi, Siphumelele
Contemporary discussions about the application of artificial intelligence in newsrooms are commonplace because of the unique opportunities it presents for news media. This study investigated the intricate relationship between journalism and AI with the broad research question: How are journalists adopting AI technologies and what challenges and opportunities do such technologies present to them? Eighteen journalists practising in Ghana and South Africa were interviewed through qualitative research techniques. Transcribed interview data were analysed thematically using the data analysis method proposed by Charmaz. The findings were that most newsrooms in the two countries have not formally incorporated AI tools into newsroom practices. However, journalists use AI tools at their discretion in a non-complex manner, such as transcription, research, generating story ideas, and fact-checking. Practical limitations to the formal integration of AI technology into newsroom operations include cost, language barrier, and aversion to change. Although participants recognised the advantages of employing AI for newsroom tasks, they were also concerned about the ethical quandaries of misinformation, improper attribution, and intellectual property. Participants also thought that fact-checking and mindfulness regarding ethical usage might increase ethical AI usage in newsrooms. This study adds an important perspective on AI’s role in African journalism, addressing the obstacles and ethics concerns.
The use of technology in African language pedagogy : a sociological approach
(OpenED Network, 2024-10-31) Adedokun, Theophilus Adedayo; Awung, Felix Nkwatta; Usadolo, Sam Erevbenagie
Technology has brought about new knowledge forms in all aspects of human life. The new knowledge forms have transformed not only human lives but also human ways of doing things. Education has also benefited from technological transformation which is witnessed through the delivery of teaching and reception of learning with technology. The use of technology in teaching has been a fundamental theme in the 21st century as the world tends towards the fourth industrial revolution. Using Bourdieu’s social theory, this paper seeks to gain an understanding of how the use of technology is impacted by the social context of language lecturers. This study aimed to investigate how language lecturers’ social context influences their use of technology in teaching African languages. To pursue the above aim, an in-depth interview was conducted with 8 language lecturers across 3 universities in KwaZulu-Natal using stratified and snowball sampling methods. This study analyses lecturers' social context regarding technology use in teaching. It also examines the value lecturers place on technology for teaching African languages. Finally, it provides recommendations for lecturers and stakeholders to effectively implement technology for teaching African languages within the social context of language lecturers.
Revitalising rural and township youth ministry in South Africa through digital innovation
(2024) Ntsanwisi, Samuel
This article explores the potential of digital innovation in revitalising rural and township youth ministry in South Africa, acknowledging the challenges churches face in engaging their youth in the evolving digital landscape. The study advocates for integrating digital platforms to complement physical interactions, emphasising the need for strategies resonating with digitally connected youth. Public theology is intro duced as a paradigm encouraging the intertwining of faith with societal needs. While recognising the promise of digital engagement, the article addresses unique challenges in rural areas, proposing solutions such as community access points and partnerships for inclusivity. The collaborative model envisions a hybrid approach, blending physi cal and virtual interactions through a game-like platform. The methodology involves a comprehensive literature review and cross-sectional analysis of successful digital en gagement initiatives, informing a dynamic model. In conclusion, the article argues that embracing digital innovation and public theology can bridge traditional and tech--savvy preferences, fostering a vibrant youth community with spiritual growth and meaningful societal impact.
Media literacy’s role in democratic engagement and societal transformation among university students
(2024) Muringa, Tigere; Adjin-Tettey, Theodora Dame
By providing citizens with the knowledge they need to meaningfully participate in the democratic process, the media plays a vital role in the growth and consolidation of the democratic project. Also essential is citizens’ aptitude to critically examine, assess, produce and understand media and its social role in a democracy. The current study explores the role of media literacy in democratic engagement and social change among South African university students. The paper attempts to contextualise how students’ levels of media literacy led them to political participation, critical thinking and overall contribution to social change in a post-apartheid era. The paper draws on the cognitive mobilisation theory to argue that better media literacy helps students think critically about media, and improve their political knowledge, involvement and contribution to social change. Data for this study were collected by conducting in- depth interviews with n = 30 university students who were selected through a convenience sampling strategy. Results revealed that media literacy significantly influences university students’ engagement in democratic processes and societal transformation in post-apartheid South Africa. Media literacy also enhances their political knowledge, participation and critical analysis of media messages. These findings have implications for policy and practice in media literacy education.

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