KwaZulu-Natal Doctoral School | National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS)

An investigation into the cultural and commercial significance of geophagy across generations of Basotho women: the case of Basotho women in Mafeteng, Lesotho

This study examines the cultural and commercial significance of geophagy (linyonyobetsane/earth eating/soil eating) across different generations of the Basotho women using the case study of women in Mafeteng area in Lesotho. Thus, I deploy the theoretical framework of indigenous knowledge systems and an exploratory case study design to make sense of the meaning(s) of geophagy from the standpoint and experience of the Basotho women who participate in this practice on daily basis.

Picturing Orphans’ Vulnerability, Resilience and Agency: Using participatory visual methods as transformative pedagogies to address sexual violence among orphans attending a township secondary school in KwaZulu-Natal.

The study reported in this thesis examined the vulnerability and agency of a group of adolescent orphans in the context of sexual violence in and around a township secondary school. This qualitative study was located within a transformative paradigm and employed a participatory visual methodology in its objective to pursue the notion of research as an intervention.

Masculinity and care: Narratives of male foundation phase teachers in Mpumalanga province

Teaching in the foundation phase (Grade R to 3), particularly of children who are at the ages of 5 to 9 years, is still dominated by female teachers. Male teachers both globally and in South Africa are still under-represented in the early years of teaching.

Capturing New Forms of Video Footage in Remote Locations through the Design, Development and Deployment of an Autonomous, Open Source, Unmanned Aerial System: A Case Study of South African Enduro Motorcycle Racers

This study explores the use of an autonomous Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), in the capturing of video footage of sporting events, specifically enduro motorcycle racing, in remote areas of southern Africa. Remote areas are defined as those that are far removed from urban centres, are inaccessible by motor vehicle and that have no internet or cell phone coverage.

A study of selected risk factors for hypertension and other non-communicable diseases among older adults in rural contexts in South Africa

Non-communicable diseases have emerged among the prominent causes of preventable mortality and morbidity across the world. South Africa is currently dealing with a considerable burden of non-communicable diseases in addition to the burden of existing communicable diseases.

Career Development Narratives and Experiences of post-matriculants in a disadvantaged community: A study of Douglas in the Northern Cape

Post-matriculants in disadvantaged communities such as Douglas encounter a number of career challenges. The transition to the democratic dispensation in 1994, coupled with the rapid changes in the information domain that are characteristic of post-industrial life, complicate the career development trajectories of black youth in the rural areas in particular.

The role of the South African Communist Party (SACP) in the struggle for liberation in South Africa, 1921-2015

This research study addresses the role of the South African Communist Party (SACP) in the liberation struggle from its inception, through the apartheid era to post-apartheid epoch. The South African Communist Party (SACP) had a strong grip on the African National Congress (ANC) on questions of theory, strategy and tactics of the national liberation struggle.

The nature and extent of state formation process under emperor Shaka Zulu and its impact in southeast Africa

This study delves deep into and examines the nature and extent of state formation process under Emperor Shaka Zulu and its impact in Southeast Africa. State formation is the initial act of physically endowing a given territory with sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Consensual Democracy and Education: The role of National Unity and Reconciliation Commission of Rwanda.

The National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC) is the institution set up by the post genocide government of Rwanda, responsible for national unity and reconciliation. The aim of this research is to assess the educational role of NURC in Rwanda’s peace building efforts.

Examining the causes and effects of early girl child Dropout in KwaZulu-Natal: a case study of Zwelibomvu district secondary schools

This study examines the causes and effects of early girl-child dropouts in secondary schools in the Zwelibomvu area in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The area has a significantly high record of dropouts among girls compared to their boy counterparts, resulting in an unbalanced gender ratio at schools.

KwaZulu-Natal Doctoral School