Composition portfolio
- Authors: Jera, Tinashe Donaldson
- Date: 2025-04-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479548 , vital:78323
- Description: Completing this portfolio has been an incredibly enlightening musical journey for me. From the beginning of my composition studies as an undergraduate student, I found myself captivated by a multitude of musical styles, which fostered a desire to compose in various genres and for a range of voices. However, upon embarking on postgraduate studies, it became apparent to me that I yearned to cultivate a distinctly personal compositional voice that resonated with my own artistic sensibilities, one that I, as a composer, could wholeheartedly embrace and call my own. Upon delving into the depths of my culture and embracing my identity as a Zimbabwean classical musician, I came to the realisation of just how profoundly rich and culturally diverse my background and musical heritage truly is. Kofi Agawu (2023) comments that African composers possess “multiple and eclectic heritages.” He explains that these heritages stem from “community-based traditional music (music with the strongest claims to being of pre-European origin […]), modifications of this tradition into neo-traditional forms; the ubiquitous, popular music of Cuban, American and British origins; and […] selected European repertories”. So, along with other African composers who compose in the African art music tradition, my multiple heritages are reflected in my creativity, and this is evident in this portfolio. This portfolio has provided me with a remarkable opportunity to immerse myself in the intricacies of Zimbabwean music, exploring the nuances of its rhythms and dances as practised by our elders. Gerhard Kubik (1994) stated that in an expansive sense, "African music" encompasses "dance" as well, given that the two are inextricably connected facets of the same cultural complex. Studying the dances shown in this portfolio enabled me to develop a deep admiration for my own culture and the aesthetic appeal of our indigenous musical rhythms and dances. The process has also allowed me to embark on a comprehensive study of these elements, meticulously translating them into original musical compositions. Moreover, I have been fortunate enough to engage in meaningful conversations with some of the most noted musicians of Zimbabwean traditional music, something that has afforded me a profound understanding of the intricacies and subtleties that permeate our musical culture. A fundamental aesthetic element of this portfolio is its deep connection to Zimbabwean dance cultures. For example, the rhythmic ideas located in the Zimbabwean Dance Suite are intimately tied to the original dances of Zimbabwe, reflecting a genuine engagement with my cultural heritage, delineated further through the creation of original melodies and harmonies that replicate those located in Indigenous music-making. My music is, thus, imbued with traditional Zimbabwean artistic practices, though they are placed in a different cultural milieu, one where traditional roots are respected while new creative territories are explored, as Zimbabwean cultural elements are synthesised with Western music techniques. The Western aspects of my musical heritage are explored in-depth in the Clarinet Trio, Ndangariro, where the broad ideas of the twentieth century’s modernist tendencies largely located in post-tonalism are featured in my harmonic stance. Here, dissonant constructions with sometimes merciless, rasping dissonances colour the harmonic landscape. This follows the general trend of that era, which is frequently referred to as “the emancipation of dissonance” (Hinton 2010), where chord construction and treatment of dissonances is antithetical to the norms followed through the common-practice period with the boundaries between consonance and dissonance being blurred (Kostka and Santa 2018). Here, my primary influence is that of Arnold Schoenberg (1874-1951), especially his development of twelve-tone serialism, and my reflexive commentary will outline this impact on my music. Further, the piquant sound world frequently associated with Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) is also apparent in Ndangariro. While the piano part frequently shows the influence of post-tonalism the melodic lines played by the violin and clarinet often (though not always) display the influence of Romanticism, especially Romantic-styled gestures. It is the merging of these two expressive domains that goes towards the emergence of this piece’s uniquely hued sound world. These composers' approaches to modernism and their departure from traditional harmony and chord progressions inspired my approach to exploring new musical soundscapes and conveying deep, meaningful ideas. This engagement with twentieth-century Western music opens up new avenues for expressing complex emotional landscapes and philosophical concepts. In this work, I continued to create my own range of ideas to develop unique chord structures and personalised sonic spaces. This portfolio is a deep, introspective look into my personal journey, mirroring significant life events and the evolution of my musical identity; it not only offers a glimpse into my own soul but also showcases the evolving nature of my own creative expression. At its core, this portfolio expresses life in all its manifestations from joy and happiness to the pain of loss and mourning as experienced through my African heritage. It speaks to the universal experiences of hardship and overcoming such hardship through resilience; therefore, the overarching message is one of hope, which, in this case, is expressed through musical and artistic innovation as African and Western elements are merged in musical composition. It is this blending which lies at the core of Tenzi Tinzwireyi Tsitsi, a setting of the Kyrie Eleison using Zimbabwean musical and linguistic features merged with Western choralism. , Thesis (MMus) -- Faculty of Humanities, Music and Musicology, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-04
- Authors: Jera, Tinashe Donaldson
- Date: 2025-04-04
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479548 , vital:78323
- Description: Completing this portfolio has been an incredibly enlightening musical journey for me. From the beginning of my composition studies as an undergraduate student, I found myself captivated by a multitude of musical styles, which fostered a desire to compose in various genres and for a range of voices. However, upon embarking on postgraduate studies, it became apparent to me that I yearned to cultivate a distinctly personal compositional voice that resonated with my own artistic sensibilities, one that I, as a composer, could wholeheartedly embrace and call my own. Upon delving into the depths of my culture and embracing my identity as a Zimbabwean classical musician, I came to the realisation of just how profoundly rich and culturally diverse my background and musical heritage truly is. Kofi Agawu (2023) comments that African composers possess “multiple and eclectic heritages.” He explains that these heritages stem from “community-based traditional music (music with the strongest claims to being of pre-European origin […]), modifications of this tradition into neo-traditional forms; the ubiquitous, popular music of Cuban, American and British origins; and […] selected European repertories”. So, along with other African composers who compose in the African art music tradition, my multiple heritages are reflected in my creativity, and this is evident in this portfolio. This portfolio has provided me with a remarkable opportunity to immerse myself in the intricacies of Zimbabwean music, exploring the nuances of its rhythms and dances as practised by our elders. Gerhard Kubik (1994) stated that in an expansive sense, "African music" encompasses "dance" as well, given that the two are inextricably connected facets of the same cultural complex. Studying the dances shown in this portfolio enabled me to develop a deep admiration for my own culture and the aesthetic appeal of our indigenous musical rhythms and dances. The process has also allowed me to embark on a comprehensive study of these elements, meticulously translating them into original musical compositions. Moreover, I have been fortunate enough to engage in meaningful conversations with some of the most noted musicians of Zimbabwean traditional music, something that has afforded me a profound understanding of the intricacies and subtleties that permeate our musical culture. A fundamental aesthetic element of this portfolio is its deep connection to Zimbabwean dance cultures. For example, the rhythmic ideas located in the Zimbabwean Dance Suite are intimately tied to the original dances of Zimbabwe, reflecting a genuine engagement with my cultural heritage, delineated further through the creation of original melodies and harmonies that replicate those located in Indigenous music-making. My music is, thus, imbued with traditional Zimbabwean artistic practices, though they are placed in a different cultural milieu, one where traditional roots are respected while new creative territories are explored, as Zimbabwean cultural elements are synthesised with Western music techniques. The Western aspects of my musical heritage are explored in-depth in the Clarinet Trio, Ndangariro, where the broad ideas of the twentieth century’s modernist tendencies largely located in post-tonalism are featured in my harmonic stance. Here, dissonant constructions with sometimes merciless, rasping dissonances colour the harmonic landscape. This follows the general trend of that era, which is frequently referred to as “the emancipation of dissonance” (Hinton 2010), where chord construction and treatment of dissonances is antithetical to the norms followed through the common-practice period with the boundaries between consonance and dissonance being blurred (Kostka and Santa 2018). Here, my primary influence is that of Arnold Schoenberg (1874-1951), especially his development of twelve-tone serialism, and my reflexive commentary will outline this impact on my music. Further, the piquant sound world frequently associated with Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) is also apparent in Ndangariro. While the piano part frequently shows the influence of post-tonalism the melodic lines played by the violin and clarinet often (though not always) display the influence of Romanticism, especially Romantic-styled gestures. It is the merging of these two expressive domains that goes towards the emergence of this piece’s uniquely hued sound world. These composers' approaches to modernism and their departure from traditional harmony and chord progressions inspired my approach to exploring new musical soundscapes and conveying deep, meaningful ideas. This engagement with twentieth-century Western music opens up new avenues for expressing complex emotional landscapes and philosophical concepts. In this work, I continued to create my own range of ideas to develop unique chord structures and personalised sonic spaces. This portfolio is a deep, introspective look into my personal journey, mirroring significant life events and the evolution of my musical identity; it not only offers a glimpse into my own soul but also showcases the evolving nature of my own creative expression. At its core, this portfolio expresses life in all its manifestations from joy and happiness to the pain of loss and mourning as experienced through my African heritage. It speaks to the universal experiences of hardship and overcoming such hardship through resilience; therefore, the overarching message is one of hope, which, in this case, is expressed through musical and artistic innovation as African and Western elements are merged in musical composition. It is this blending which lies at the core of Tenzi Tinzwireyi Tsitsi, a setting of the Kyrie Eleison using Zimbabwean musical and linguistic features merged with Western choralism. , Thesis (MMus) -- Faculty of Humanities, Music and Musicology, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-04
Enhancing Grade 12 physical sciences teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge to teach work, energy, and power bilingually in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Mapfumo, Alfred Khumbulani
- Date: 2025-04-03
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/480073 , vital:78394 , DOI 10.21504/10962/480073
- Description: South Africa has been performing very poorly in consecutive Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) in Science and Mathematics, where it has been ranked last among all participating countries. Similarly, in the recent National Senior Certificate examinations (2017–2023), the percentage of candidates who scored at least 40% in Physical Sciences ranged from 39% to 51%. This points to a possible problem in the teaching and learning of Physical Sciences in schools. On close analysis, the question on the topic of Work, Energy, and Power, in particular, is usually one of the most poorly answered in the Physics paper of the Physical Sciences examination. Some South African studies have concluded that there is poor mastery of the energy concept in the Further Education and Training Phase by both learners and teachers. Against this backdrop, this formative interventionist study sought to support Grade 12 Physical Sciences teachers in co-developing and enacting exemplar lessons on Work, Energy and Power that incorporate everyday and home language through pedagogical translanguaging and transknowledging. The five teachers from township and rural schools and I formed a Professional Learning Community (PLC) to co-develop lessons later enacted by the teachers. The study was underpinned by an interpretivist paradigm and complemented by the critical theory paradigm. A qualitative case study research design was employed. Data were gathered using semi-structured interviews, document analysis, workshops, lesson observations and participant-teacher reflections. Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory was my theoretical framework, while Mavhunga and Rollnick’s five components of Topic-Specific Pedagogical Content Knowledge were used as an analytical lens. An inductive-deductive approach to data analysis was used. This study demonstrated how teachers in a PLC can work together to develop their individual pedagogical content knowledge in particular practice areas. The PLC created lesson plans that guided their use of pedagogical translanguaging techniques, such as code-switching, code-mixing, translation, and versioning of scientific terminology, to facilitate learning. In addition, the PLC created an IsiXhosa glossary for concepts related to Work, Energy, and Power. The study’s main contribution is that teachers involved in this study displayed transformative agency through co-constructing their pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) for pedagogical translanguaging. The study thus recommends that if the goal of improving epistemological access for learners who are learning Physical Sciences in a second language is to be realised, in-service teachers should be capacitated to apply pedagogical translanguaging, which brings about transknowledging using PLCs such as the one-formed for this study. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, Secondary and Post School Education, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-03
- Authors: Mapfumo, Alfred Khumbulani
- Date: 2025-04-03
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/480073 , vital:78394 , DOI 10.21504/10962/480073
- Description: South Africa has been performing very poorly in consecutive Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) in Science and Mathematics, where it has been ranked last among all participating countries. Similarly, in the recent National Senior Certificate examinations (2017–2023), the percentage of candidates who scored at least 40% in Physical Sciences ranged from 39% to 51%. This points to a possible problem in the teaching and learning of Physical Sciences in schools. On close analysis, the question on the topic of Work, Energy, and Power, in particular, is usually one of the most poorly answered in the Physics paper of the Physical Sciences examination. Some South African studies have concluded that there is poor mastery of the energy concept in the Further Education and Training Phase by both learners and teachers. Against this backdrop, this formative interventionist study sought to support Grade 12 Physical Sciences teachers in co-developing and enacting exemplar lessons on Work, Energy and Power that incorporate everyday and home language through pedagogical translanguaging and transknowledging. The five teachers from township and rural schools and I formed a Professional Learning Community (PLC) to co-develop lessons later enacted by the teachers. The study was underpinned by an interpretivist paradigm and complemented by the critical theory paradigm. A qualitative case study research design was employed. Data were gathered using semi-structured interviews, document analysis, workshops, lesson observations and participant-teacher reflections. Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory was my theoretical framework, while Mavhunga and Rollnick’s five components of Topic-Specific Pedagogical Content Knowledge were used as an analytical lens. An inductive-deductive approach to data analysis was used. This study demonstrated how teachers in a PLC can work together to develop their individual pedagogical content knowledge in particular practice areas. The PLC created lesson plans that guided their use of pedagogical translanguaging techniques, such as code-switching, code-mixing, translation, and versioning of scientific terminology, to facilitate learning. In addition, the PLC created an IsiXhosa glossary for concepts related to Work, Energy, and Power. The study’s main contribution is that teachers involved in this study displayed transformative agency through co-constructing their pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) for pedagogical translanguaging. The study thus recommends that if the goal of improving epistemological access for learners who are learning Physical Sciences in a second language is to be realised, in-service teachers should be capacitated to apply pedagogical translanguaging, which brings about transknowledging using PLCs such as the one-formed for this study. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, Secondary and Post School Education, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-03
Scholar-activist transdisciplinary research praxis for blue justice in South Africa: perspectives from the South African Coastal Justice Network scholar-activist archive
- Authors: Pereira-Kaplan, Taryn Leigh
- Date: 2025-04-03
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/480095 , vital:78396 , DOI 10.21504/10962/480095
- Description: This PhD thesis is an applied study on the research praxis of transdisciplinary (TD) scholar-activists contributing to social movements for environmental justice on the coasts and in the oceans (‘blue justice’). I wrote this thesis from my position as the coordinator of the Coastal Justice Network (CJN), which is a component of the Global Challenge Research Fund One Ocean Hub’s TD ocean governance programme. The CJN is a grouping of South African TD scholar-activists working collaboratively in processes of knowledge co-production with small-scale fishers (SSFs) and other coastal communities. These SSFs are leading resistances to blue injustice from the margins of ocean governance. Within a solidarity and environmental justice orientation to TD ocean research, CJN researchers and SSFs have responded together to a wide range of blue justice issues between 2020 and 2024 and, in doing so, have co-generated an activist archive. This thesis draws on the activist archive to surface core practices and priorities for research that contribute to movements for blue justice. The study was developed as a PhD portfolio through five papers, with an introduction and conclusion. The main aim of this study was to explore dimensions of scholar-activist TD research praxis and associated contributions to advancing blue justice in transformative ocean governance. In doing this, it sought to address some of the gaps in blue justice TD research, most notably the need for a deeper understanding of how to centre the voices and contributions of those most affected by environmental justice concerns. It also addresses the role of scholar-activist researchers practised as a form of political solidarity and reflexive co-engagement. The main research question is: How can scholar-activist transdisciplinary research praxis contribute to advancing blue justice in transformative ocean governance in South Africa? Methodologically, the study uses a form of activist ethnography, which is a scholar-activist methodology that includes an explicit political commitment to engagement and to generating knowledge for activism purposes. Methods within activist ethnographic research include participant and self-observation, critically reflexive “thick” descriptions of context and practice, interviews and conversations, direct political actions with activist partners and facilitation of mutual learning. At the centre of this work is the co-constructed scholar-activist archive, which offers a record of four years of such TD scholar-activist praxis. This thesis and the papers presented as part of the thesis all draw on the co-produced scholar-activist archive constructed out of the social movement work of the SSFs in collaboration with CJN researcher’s TD scholar-activist research praxis over four years, representing the type of activist ethnography referred to above. Compiling and organising the archive was one important level of analytical/synthesis work I undertook. I also drew on the archive to make visible key facets of blue justice work and reflected on this, making up three different levels of analytical work with the archive: 1) Constructing and organising the archive, 2) Selection of key foci in the archive, and 3) Meta-reflections. Through this approach, I address the main research question via four sub-questions, each the focus of a paper in this PhD by publication. Why is there a need to advance scholar-activist TD practice in transformative ocean governance research? This question is addressed in Paper 1 (Chapter 2 of this thesis). How can scholar-activists in blue justice support just and inclusive views of ocean governance? This question is addressed in Paper 2 (Chapter 3 of the thesis). What methods in blue justice research enable plural knowledges and perspectives for co-engagement? This question is addressed in Paper 3 (Chapter 4 of the thesis). How is blue justice resistance expressed and acknowledged as a key feature of inclusive ocean governance? This question is addressed in Paper 4 (Chapter 5 of the thesis). What emerges as key lessons for scholar-activist TD researchers in blue justice? This question is addressed in Paper 5 (Chapter 6 of the thesis) and in the meta-reflection in Chapter 7. The thesis as a whole offers: 1. Identification of a core practice, centred on “transformative space making” for care- ful, responsive and reflexive solidarity networks – ‘net-work’ – that allows community-based activists and social movements to leverage the kinds of research support they need when they need it. 2. Insight into participatory ocean governance and socially just ocean protection, practised through an ‘agonistic’ and counter-hegemonic knowledge co-production emergent from this form of TD scholar-activism. 3. Methods and guidance for these practices, with specific emphasis on agonistically plural and inclusive methods of blue resistance. 4. Insights into the positionality and ethical tensions of TD scholar-activist researchers. The study offers an empirical case of how a CJN, through TD scholar-activist praxis, can contribute to blue resistance and blue justice. The reflective chapter (Chapter 7) shows that this type of TD scholar-activist praxis is not without challenges and limitations; through a reflexive review of these, the study offers direction for further research. It also points to the roles of scholar-activists working in solidarity with SSFs in pursuit of blue justice. Overall, the thesis offers an orientation for TD researchers interested in aligning their research praxis with social movements working in counter-hegemonic ways for environmental justice. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, Secondary and Post School Education, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-03
- Authors: Pereira-Kaplan, Taryn Leigh
- Date: 2025-04-03
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/480095 , vital:78396 , DOI 10.21504/10962/480095
- Description: This PhD thesis is an applied study on the research praxis of transdisciplinary (TD) scholar-activists contributing to social movements for environmental justice on the coasts and in the oceans (‘blue justice’). I wrote this thesis from my position as the coordinator of the Coastal Justice Network (CJN), which is a component of the Global Challenge Research Fund One Ocean Hub’s TD ocean governance programme. The CJN is a grouping of South African TD scholar-activists working collaboratively in processes of knowledge co-production with small-scale fishers (SSFs) and other coastal communities. These SSFs are leading resistances to blue injustice from the margins of ocean governance. Within a solidarity and environmental justice orientation to TD ocean research, CJN researchers and SSFs have responded together to a wide range of blue justice issues between 2020 and 2024 and, in doing so, have co-generated an activist archive. This thesis draws on the activist archive to surface core practices and priorities for research that contribute to movements for blue justice. The study was developed as a PhD portfolio through five papers, with an introduction and conclusion. The main aim of this study was to explore dimensions of scholar-activist TD research praxis and associated contributions to advancing blue justice in transformative ocean governance. In doing this, it sought to address some of the gaps in blue justice TD research, most notably the need for a deeper understanding of how to centre the voices and contributions of those most affected by environmental justice concerns. It also addresses the role of scholar-activist researchers practised as a form of political solidarity and reflexive co-engagement. The main research question is: How can scholar-activist transdisciplinary research praxis contribute to advancing blue justice in transformative ocean governance in South Africa? Methodologically, the study uses a form of activist ethnography, which is a scholar-activist methodology that includes an explicit political commitment to engagement and to generating knowledge for activism purposes. Methods within activist ethnographic research include participant and self-observation, critically reflexive “thick” descriptions of context and practice, interviews and conversations, direct political actions with activist partners and facilitation of mutual learning. At the centre of this work is the co-constructed scholar-activist archive, which offers a record of four years of such TD scholar-activist praxis. This thesis and the papers presented as part of the thesis all draw on the co-produced scholar-activist archive constructed out of the social movement work of the SSFs in collaboration with CJN researcher’s TD scholar-activist research praxis over four years, representing the type of activist ethnography referred to above. Compiling and organising the archive was one important level of analytical/synthesis work I undertook. I also drew on the archive to make visible key facets of blue justice work and reflected on this, making up three different levels of analytical work with the archive: 1) Constructing and organising the archive, 2) Selection of key foci in the archive, and 3) Meta-reflections. Through this approach, I address the main research question via four sub-questions, each the focus of a paper in this PhD by publication. Why is there a need to advance scholar-activist TD practice in transformative ocean governance research? This question is addressed in Paper 1 (Chapter 2 of this thesis). How can scholar-activists in blue justice support just and inclusive views of ocean governance? This question is addressed in Paper 2 (Chapter 3 of the thesis). What methods in blue justice research enable plural knowledges and perspectives for co-engagement? This question is addressed in Paper 3 (Chapter 4 of the thesis). How is blue justice resistance expressed and acknowledged as a key feature of inclusive ocean governance? This question is addressed in Paper 4 (Chapter 5 of the thesis). What emerges as key lessons for scholar-activist TD researchers in blue justice? This question is addressed in Paper 5 (Chapter 6 of the thesis) and in the meta-reflection in Chapter 7. The thesis as a whole offers: 1. Identification of a core practice, centred on “transformative space making” for care- ful, responsive and reflexive solidarity networks – ‘net-work’ – that allows community-based activists and social movements to leverage the kinds of research support they need when they need it. 2. Insight into participatory ocean governance and socially just ocean protection, practised through an ‘agonistic’ and counter-hegemonic knowledge co-production emergent from this form of TD scholar-activism. 3. Methods and guidance for these practices, with specific emphasis on agonistically plural and inclusive methods of blue resistance. 4. Insights into the positionality and ethical tensions of TD scholar-activist researchers. The study offers an empirical case of how a CJN, through TD scholar-activist praxis, can contribute to blue resistance and blue justice. The reflective chapter (Chapter 7) shows that this type of TD scholar-activist praxis is not without challenges and limitations; through a reflexive review of these, the study offers direction for further research. It also points to the roles of scholar-activists working in solidarity with SSFs in pursuit of blue justice. Overall, the thesis offers an orientation for TD researchers interested in aligning their research praxis with social movements working in counter-hegemonic ways for environmental justice. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, Secondary and Post School Education, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-03
Statistical analysis of travelling ionospheric disturbances during geomagnetic storms
- Authors: Mothibi, Matsobane Alex
- Date: 2025-04-02
- Subjects: Sudden ionospheric disturbances , Geomagnetic storm , Solar flares , Global Positioning System , Gravity waves
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479138 , vital:78264
- Description: This thesis presents observations of medium to large-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs) originating from high latitudes, and propagating towards the equator and TIDs originating from the equator with a poleward propagation in the African-European sector during geomagnetically disturbed conditions between 2006 and 2022. 196 TID activities propagating over the African-European sector were observed, of these TID activities, 161 and 33 were observed during geomagnetic storms, and simultaneous occurrence of geomagnetic storms and solar flares, respectively. Total electron content perturbations derived from Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) observations within a latitude range of 40°S–60°N and longitude ranges of 20°-40°E representing the African-European sector were analysed based on the storm criteria of Dst ≤ -30 nT. The GNSS total electron content (TEC) data were used to obtain the two dimensional (2d) TEC perturbations. The northern hemispheric part of the African sector has limited data coverage which is visualized by a gap around 20°, where there were no data coverage can be observed in the 2d TEC maps. An important result is that large-scale TIDs (LSTIDs) and medium-scale TIDs (MSTIDs) were found to occur predominantly during the main and recovery phases of geomagnetic storms respectively, at least over the African-European sector. During the main phase of storms equatorward LSTID activity was relatively consistent across both hemispheres, with years of solar maximum, between 2013 and 2015, showing higher frequencies of events. Equatorward MSTID activity appeared less frequent overall, particularly in the southern hemisphere (SH), suggesting that equatorward LSTID activity are more prominent during the main phase of geomagnetic storms. Poleward TID activity were more predominant in the recovery phase than the main phase of geomagnetic storms. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Physics and Electronics, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-02
- Authors: Mothibi, Matsobane Alex
- Date: 2025-04-02
- Subjects: Sudden ionospheric disturbances , Geomagnetic storm , Solar flares , Global Positioning System , Gravity waves
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479138 , vital:78264
- Description: This thesis presents observations of medium to large-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs) originating from high latitudes, and propagating towards the equator and TIDs originating from the equator with a poleward propagation in the African-European sector during geomagnetically disturbed conditions between 2006 and 2022. 196 TID activities propagating over the African-European sector were observed, of these TID activities, 161 and 33 were observed during geomagnetic storms, and simultaneous occurrence of geomagnetic storms and solar flares, respectively. Total electron content perturbations derived from Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) observations within a latitude range of 40°S–60°N and longitude ranges of 20°-40°E representing the African-European sector were analysed based on the storm criteria of Dst ≤ -30 nT. The GNSS total electron content (TEC) data were used to obtain the two dimensional (2d) TEC perturbations. The northern hemispheric part of the African sector has limited data coverage which is visualized by a gap around 20°, where there were no data coverage can be observed in the 2d TEC maps. An important result is that large-scale TIDs (LSTIDs) and medium-scale TIDs (MSTIDs) were found to occur predominantly during the main and recovery phases of geomagnetic storms respectively, at least over the African-European sector. During the main phase of storms equatorward LSTID activity was relatively consistent across both hemispheres, with years of solar maximum, between 2013 and 2015, showing higher frequencies of events. Equatorward MSTID activity appeared less frequent overall, particularly in the southern hemisphere (SH), suggesting that equatorward LSTID activity are more prominent during the main phase of geomagnetic storms. Poleward TID activity were more predominant in the recovery phase than the main phase of geomagnetic storms. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Physics and Electronics, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-02
An annotated catalogue and pedagogical approach to clarinet music by Southern African composers: 1995–2022
- Authors: Snyman, Grant
- Date: 2024-12
- Subjects: Clarinet music , Clarinet and piano music , Composition (Music)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/70405 , vital:78347
- Description: Documenting and cataloguing Southern African clarinet music for performing, teaching, and learning is one of the best ways to preserve the region’s heritage and rich musical identity. Globally, several publications contain annotated bibliographies for the clarinet repertoire, but only a limited number include works by Southern African composers. Continued research and cataloguing of clarinet-related literature is crucial for future developments of the clarinet within a Southern African context and ensuring that the music is not “lost” or that the composers remain unknown. In the past, clarinettists (students, performers, and educators) have experienced several issues when seeking reliable sources pertaining to works by Southern African composers. This newly formed database, archive, and catalogue will assist clarinettists in sourcing “unfamiliar” works and serve as a helpful multi-purpose tool. Recent research has shown an increased interest in creating catalogues for specific musical instruments. This catalogue will not only create an awareness of Southern African composers and their compositions but is presented in a user-friendly and easily accessible format. Although several Southern African compositions exist, they are not often performed or programmed. Besides not being included in concert performances, there is (1) a lack of interest and exposure to “new” repertoire for the clarinet in Southern Africa, (2) a general lack of commercially available recordings, (3) a lack of an extensive or inclusive resource, (4) a lack of information about these composers and access to their music, and (5) an unfamiliarity with contemporary works for the clarinet written by Southern African composers. Thus, an annotated catalogue of A and B♭ clarinet music composed by Southern African composers between 1995 and 2022 has been compiled and includes extended methods for the instrument and suggested teaching methods (facilitating preparation, interpretation, and informed approaches to the performance of Southern African compositions). Composers’ biographical details, an overview of the history of the clarinet and clarinet performance practices in each one of the selected countries, and a glossary of ‘new’ and extended techniques found in these ‘Southern African’ compositions have been included. , Thesis (MMus) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Visual and Performing Arts, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-12
- Authors: Snyman, Grant
- Date: 2024-12
- Subjects: Clarinet music , Clarinet and piano music , Composition (Music)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/70405 , vital:78347
- Description: Documenting and cataloguing Southern African clarinet music for performing, teaching, and learning is one of the best ways to preserve the region’s heritage and rich musical identity. Globally, several publications contain annotated bibliographies for the clarinet repertoire, but only a limited number include works by Southern African composers. Continued research and cataloguing of clarinet-related literature is crucial for future developments of the clarinet within a Southern African context and ensuring that the music is not “lost” or that the composers remain unknown. In the past, clarinettists (students, performers, and educators) have experienced several issues when seeking reliable sources pertaining to works by Southern African composers. This newly formed database, archive, and catalogue will assist clarinettists in sourcing “unfamiliar” works and serve as a helpful multi-purpose tool. Recent research has shown an increased interest in creating catalogues for specific musical instruments. This catalogue will not only create an awareness of Southern African composers and their compositions but is presented in a user-friendly and easily accessible format. Although several Southern African compositions exist, they are not often performed or programmed. Besides not being included in concert performances, there is (1) a lack of interest and exposure to “new” repertoire for the clarinet in Southern Africa, (2) a general lack of commercially available recordings, (3) a lack of an extensive or inclusive resource, (4) a lack of information about these composers and access to their music, and (5) an unfamiliarity with contemporary works for the clarinet written by Southern African composers. Thus, an annotated catalogue of A and B♭ clarinet music composed by Southern African composers between 1995 and 2022 has been compiled and includes extended methods for the instrument and suggested teaching methods (facilitating preparation, interpretation, and informed approaches to the performance of Southern African compositions). Composers’ biographical details, an overview of the history of the clarinet and clarinet performance practices in each one of the selected countries, and a glossary of ‘new’ and extended techniques found in these ‘Southern African’ compositions have been included. , Thesis (MMus) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Visual and Performing Arts, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-12
Song lyrics and protest discourse in communally composed music in South Africa
- Pungu-Pungu, Phakamani Patrick
- Authors: Pungu-Pungu, Phakamani Patrick
- Date: 2024-12
- Subjects: Songs -- Texts -- South Africa , Lyric writing (Popular music) , Music
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/70393 , vital:78346
- Description: The study examines the function of communally composed protest song lyrics in South Africa. To explore the aims of the study, the songs composed by community members in South Africa are used as data for the content analysis. This is because the data(songs) will be analysed using content analysis. This serves as a tool to understand the messages in the song lyrics by identifying themes that emerge in the songs and their relevance to human and social injustices faced by marginalised people in the past and present. From this point, the study is approached from a decolonial perspective. The study argues that communally composed protest songs by Black people in South Africa are a historical reference for the people. Furthermore, they (communally composed protest songs) serve as a vital mode that has preserved Black languages under the colonial system of apartheid and maintained the Black oral archival system. This is an integral part of Black culture and tradition. Communally composed protest songs in South Africa are valuable in the fight against social injustice and they authenticate the oral traditions of the Black population. Moreover, context in understanding the lyrics of communally composed protest lyrics is crucial because it adds value to the interpretation of the songs. , Thesis (MMus) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Visual and Performing Arts, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-12
- Authors: Pungu-Pungu, Phakamani Patrick
- Date: 2024-12
- Subjects: Songs -- Texts -- South Africa , Lyric writing (Popular music) , Music
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/70393 , vital:78346
- Description: The study examines the function of communally composed protest song lyrics in South Africa. To explore the aims of the study, the songs composed by community members in South Africa are used as data for the content analysis. This is because the data(songs) will be analysed using content analysis. This serves as a tool to understand the messages in the song lyrics by identifying themes that emerge in the songs and their relevance to human and social injustices faced by marginalised people in the past and present. From this point, the study is approached from a decolonial perspective. The study argues that communally composed protest songs by Black people in South Africa are a historical reference for the people. Furthermore, they (communally composed protest songs) serve as a vital mode that has preserved Black languages under the colonial system of apartheid and maintained the Black oral archival system. This is an integral part of Black culture and tradition. Communally composed protest songs in South Africa are valuable in the fight against social injustice and they authenticate the oral traditions of the Black population. Moreover, context in understanding the lyrics of communally composed protest lyrics is crucial because it adds value to the interpretation of the songs. , Thesis (MMus) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Visual and Performing Arts, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-12
The adoption of developmental local government functions in municipalities of the Eastern Cape: a case of Alfred Nzo District Municipality
- Authors: Kate, Siyanda
- Date: 2024-12
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , South Africa -- Politics and government
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/70307 , vital:78338
- Description: The core objective of this study is to provide an analysis of the adoption of Developmental Local Government (DLG) functions in municipalities of the Eastern Cape, with a particular focus on Alfred Nzo District Municipality. More precisely, this study focuses on the changing focus of Integrated Development Plan (IDP) on Local Economic Development (LED) over time. This study argues that the post-1994 entrance of neoliberalism in the South African economic policy discourse has been a stumbling block for rural development. As a consequence, the study also argues that the post-1994 spatial planning (theory), which determines, on the basis of geographical positionality of a particular region, where, why, and how investments should be directed, and produces a continuity of uneven development for the rural municipality which modern capitalism thrives. This study further proclaims that the burgeoning of black leadership (the so-called ‘African National Congress (ANC) elites’) into the mainstream economy through the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policy paved the way for the free-market compromise of post-1994, which has maintained the status quo of marginalisation of the Black South African indigenous majority. This study further offers an argument that neoliberalism (neoliberal governmentality) has transmuted the relationship between municipalities and citizens from a people needs-centered approach (espoused in Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) to one that is more focused on who can pay for municipal services, which resulted in the pressure for municipalities to charge for service for them to be self-sustainable. The study equally addresses the role of international pressure, which dictated the post-1994 economic policy through the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) (World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and World Trade Organization). The study argues that the re-entry of the (WB) and (IMF) in South Africa’s economic policy debate was fashioned through the so-called ‘secret meetings’ with the likes of Mandela in the early 80s and 90s. This pressure from international actors is evident even in the evolution of the (IDP) via the international trends in planning discourse, including the New Public Management (NPM) theory closely associated with British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, the United Kingdom (UK) New Labour administration, the integrated planning and performance monitoring idea promoted in New Zealand (NZ) the combined regional policy in Switzerland, the integrated area planning in Europe, and the multi-sectoral investment planning advocated by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The researcher achieves this by employing decoloniality as the theoretical framework of the study. Based on this critical lens, the study argues that Eurocentric and Western hegemony in the developmental and planning discourse pose as universal, and because of this universality the development of the people in the global South is viewed with its parameters and impends the successful implementation of (DLG) functions in rural municipalities of South Africa. Central to the decolonial tradition, the study makes use of the Grosfoguel's model of coloniality, which draws a correlation between coloniality of being, power, and knowledge. This analysis is a qualitative descriptive case study design, employing documentary analysis methodology which relies on documentary sources, including (official documents, policy reports, newspapers, journal publications, and available research articles) to achieve the above-stated analysis. Thematic analysis (with the assistance of NVivo software) is adopted to ascertain how (IDP) presents a changing focus on (LED) over time. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-12
- Authors: Kate, Siyanda
- Date: 2024-12
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , South Africa -- Politics and government
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/70307 , vital:78338
- Description: The core objective of this study is to provide an analysis of the adoption of Developmental Local Government (DLG) functions in municipalities of the Eastern Cape, with a particular focus on Alfred Nzo District Municipality. More precisely, this study focuses on the changing focus of Integrated Development Plan (IDP) on Local Economic Development (LED) over time. This study argues that the post-1994 entrance of neoliberalism in the South African economic policy discourse has been a stumbling block for rural development. As a consequence, the study also argues that the post-1994 spatial planning (theory), which determines, on the basis of geographical positionality of a particular region, where, why, and how investments should be directed, and produces a continuity of uneven development for the rural municipality which modern capitalism thrives. This study further proclaims that the burgeoning of black leadership (the so-called ‘African National Congress (ANC) elites’) into the mainstream economy through the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policy paved the way for the free-market compromise of post-1994, which has maintained the status quo of marginalisation of the Black South African indigenous majority. This study further offers an argument that neoliberalism (neoliberal governmentality) has transmuted the relationship between municipalities and citizens from a people needs-centered approach (espoused in Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) to one that is more focused on who can pay for municipal services, which resulted in the pressure for municipalities to charge for service for them to be self-sustainable. The study equally addresses the role of international pressure, which dictated the post-1994 economic policy through the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) (World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and World Trade Organization). The study argues that the re-entry of the (WB) and (IMF) in South Africa’s economic policy debate was fashioned through the so-called ‘secret meetings’ with the likes of Mandela in the early 80s and 90s. This pressure from international actors is evident even in the evolution of the (IDP) via the international trends in planning discourse, including the New Public Management (NPM) theory closely associated with British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, the United Kingdom (UK) New Labour administration, the integrated planning and performance monitoring idea promoted in New Zealand (NZ) the combined regional policy in Switzerland, the integrated area planning in Europe, and the multi-sectoral investment planning advocated by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The researcher achieves this by employing decoloniality as the theoretical framework of the study. Based on this critical lens, the study argues that Eurocentric and Western hegemony in the developmental and planning discourse pose as universal, and because of this universality the development of the people in the global South is viewed with its parameters and impends the successful implementation of (DLG) functions in rural municipalities of South Africa. Central to the decolonial tradition, the study makes use of the Grosfoguel's model of coloniality, which draws a correlation between coloniality of being, power, and knowledge. This analysis is a qualitative descriptive case study design, employing documentary analysis methodology which relies on documentary sources, including (official documents, policy reports, newspapers, journal publications, and available research articles) to achieve the above-stated analysis. Thematic analysis (with the assistance of NVivo software) is adopted to ascertain how (IDP) presents a changing focus on (LED) over time. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-12
A conspiracy of silence: the authorial potential of full masks in performer training, dramaturgy and audience perception in South African visual theatre
- Authors: Murray, Robert Ian
- Date: 2024-10-11
- Subjects: Liezl de Kock , People with disabilities and the performing arts , Experimental theater South Africa , Actors Training of , Theater for deaf people South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/467083 , vital:76813 , DOI https://doi.org/10.21504/10962/467083
- Description: Silent Mask Theatre in South Africa has the potential to cut across linguistic divides and deliver a product that offers an intimate, unique experience for the audience as well as the actor. South Africa not only has a complicated history, but also 11 languages (12 if one counts South African Sign Language – SASL -, which still holds a curious position of being counted official or not), and the one that theatre-makers choose to present in gives a certain “authority” to the production. Silent masks remove the need for linguistic understanding, something necessary for more abstract thought, and focusses instead on the emotional relevance and interplay between characters. In doing so, it proves an important way to create relevance for an audience, creating a delicate dance between the Mask (character and thereby text), how the actor plays it, and then the closing of meaning through the audience experience. Thus, is created a trialogue between these elements that gives the production the opportunity to speak to the hearts and minds of the audience. Globally, the study of silent character masks is still relatively new, with proponents of it only coming to the fore in the past few years (Wilsher, 2007). Mask Theatre has grown exponentially in the UK and Europe with companies like Vamos Theatre, exploring PTSD in works like A Brave Face (2018) or death in Dead Good (2021), and Familie Flöz either on the more whimsical side like Hotel Paradiso (2011) or the more hard-hitting Infinito (2006), gaining popularity and exposure. In South Africa, there is strangely not an indigenous tradition of masks, as opposed to other parts of Africa. This is fascinating, and probably points towards a more “oral tradition” of South Africa/Africa. However, the author aims to point out the ways that the silent mask entered South African consciousness at a time where more attention was being paid to “performing objects” (Proschan, 1985), and particularly in Cape Town with the advent of the Out the Box Festival. This thesis aims to contextualise Visual Theatre and Mask Theatre in a South African context, seeing within it a movement towards a more global perspective of puppetry, material performances, and performing objects. Although “ghettoised” for a long time (Taylor, 2004), performing objects emerged and became a leading case for the primal “text” of a performance. Handspring Puppet Company, Janni Younge, and the author’s company, FTH:K, became primary grounds of contestation against more conventional, text-based theatre. Starting with a reflective account of the author’s journey towards masks, the thesis branches out into a reflection on its author’s pedagogical praxis, and how silent masks work, before critically reflecting on and analysing his key works, such as Pictures of You (2008-2013), which deals with home invasions and grief, and Benchmarks (2011), which deals with the wave of xenophobia that hit South Africa around that time. . This were built from the ground up, working with current issues both in the author’s, and the country’s, mileau. In the last two decades, performing object work in South Africa has begun to flourish. This is the first thesis to investigate mask work in the country during this period. Its possibilities for Screen and Stage Acting are still being explored. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Drama, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-10-11
- Authors: Murray, Robert Ian
- Date: 2024-10-11
- Subjects: Liezl de Kock , People with disabilities and the performing arts , Experimental theater South Africa , Actors Training of , Theater for deaf people South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/467083 , vital:76813 , DOI https://doi.org/10.21504/10962/467083
- Description: Silent Mask Theatre in South Africa has the potential to cut across linguistic divides and deliver a product that offers an intimate, unique experience for the audience as well as the actor. South Africa not only has a complicated history, but also 11 languages (12 if one counts South African Sign Language – SASL -, which still holds a curious position of being counted official or not), and the one that theatre-makers choose to present in gives a certain “authority” to the production. Silent masks remove the need for linguistic understanding, something necessary for more abstract thought, and focusses instead on the emotional relevance and interplay between characters. In doing so, it proves an important way to create relevance for an audience, creating a delicate dance between the Mask (character and thereby text), how the actor plays it, and then the closing of meaning through the audience experience. Thus, is created a trialogue between these elements that gives the production the opportunity to speak to the hearts and minds of the audience. Globally, the study of silent character masks is still relatively new, with proponents of it only coming to the fore in the past few years (Wilsher, 2007). Mask Theatre has grown exponentially in the UK and Europe with companies like Vamos Theatre, exploring PTSD in works like A Brave Face (2018) or death in Dead Good (2021), and Familie Flöz either on the more whimsical side like Hotel Paradiso (2011) or the more hard-hitting Infinito (2006), gaining popularity and exposure. In South Africa, there is strangely not an indigenous tradition of masks, as opposed to other parts of Africa. This is fascinating, and probably points towards a more “oral tradition” of South Africa/Africa. However, the author aims to point out the ways that the silent mask entered South African consciousness at a time where more attention was being paid to “performing objects” (Proschan, 1985), and particularly in Cape Town with the advent of the Out the Box Festival. This thesis aims to contextualise Visual Theatre and Mask Theatre in a South African context, seeing within it a movement towards a more global perspective of puppetry, material performances, and performing objects. Although “ghettoised” for a long time (Taylor, 2004), performing objects emerged and became a leading case for the primal “text” of a performance. Handspring Puppet Company, Janni Younge, and the author’s company, FTH:K, became primary grounds of contestation against more conventional, text-based theatre. Starting with a reflective account of the author’s journey towards masks, the thesis branches out into a reflection on its author’s pedagogical praxis, and how silent masks work, before critically reflecting on and analysing his key works, such as Pictures of You (2008-2013), which deals with home invasions and grief, and Benchmarks (2011), which deals with the wave of xenophobia that hit South Africa around that time. . This were built from the ground up, working with current issues both in the author’s, and the country’s, mileau. In the last two decades, performing object work in South Africa has begun to flourish. This is the first thesis to investigate mask work in the country during this period. Its possibilities for Screen and Stage Acting are still being explored. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, Drama, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-10-11
A house accursed: reconsidering Sophocles’ sisters, Antigone & Ismene
- Authors: Fox, Peta Ann , Sophocles
- Date: 2024-10-11
- Subjects: Ismene (Greek mythology) , Antigone (Greek mythological figure) , Electra (Greek mythological figure) , Chrysothemis , Greek tragedy , Sisters in literature
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/467028 , vital:76808 , DOI https://doi.org/10.21504/10962/467028
- Description: Traditionally, Ismene’s refusal to help Antigone bury their brother in Sophocles’ Antigone tends to be regarded only in relation to Antigone’s own remarkable bravery. Antigone exists on the heroic level, Ismene on the ordinary; Antigone is courageous, Ismene is timid and submissive; Antigone is an idealist and an individualist, Ismene is convention and herd-bound. Ismene is, in many ways, presented as the antithesis of Antigone and Sophocles does indeed make use of her character as a foil to Antigone, but this thesis will argue that the relation between the two sisters is far more complicated than a dichotomous contrast between ‘extraordinary heroine’ and ‘average woman’. Like Antigone, Ismene is very much a character in her own right, and her emotions, motivations and impulses are every bit as realised and compelling as Antigone’s own. Both sisters have been deeply affected by the tragic misfortunes of their family, but their sad history affects each sister quite differently. Whereas Antigone’s instinctive reaction to Creon’s edict is a furious determination not to tolerate any further dishonour, Ismene’s equally instinctive reaction is to avoid the pattern of self-destructive inwardness that has plagued their family for generations. By offering a comprehensive re-examination of the key passages that have informed our critical reception of Ismene and the nature of her relationship with Antigone, this study aims to disrupt the established, and largely prejudiced, reading of Ismene as a model of feminine timidity and submission. Although Ismene is certainly no grand tragic heroine, titling the theoretical focus away from the death-oriented extremism of Antigone towards a more balanced consideration of the so-called ‘weaker sister’ not only allows for new insights into the nature of Sophoclean tragedy, but also challenges the very basis on which Ismene has so often been dismissed in favour of her more intrepid sister: the pervasive assumption that Sophocles has only given us one sister who is willing to risk her life for a principle. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Languages and Literatures, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-10-11
- Authors: Fox, Peta Ann , Sophocles
- Date: 2024-10-11
- Subjects: Ismene (Greek mythology) , Antigone (Greek mythological figure) , Electra (Greek mythological figure) , Chrysothemis , Greek tragedy , Sisters in literature
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/467028 , vital:76808 , DOI https://doi.org/10.21504/10962/467028
- Description: Traditionally, Ismene’s refusal to help Antigone bury their brother in Sophocles’ Antigone tends to be regarded only in relation to Antigone’s own remarkable bravery. Antigone exists on the heroic level, Ismene on the ordinary; Antigone is courageous, Ismene is timid and submissive; Antigone is an idealist and an individualist, Ismene is convention and herd-bound. Ismene is, in many ways, presented as the antithesis of Antigone and Sophocles does indeed make use of her character as a foil to Antigone, but this thesis will argue that the relation between the two sisters is far more complicated than a dichotomous contrast between ‘extraordinary heroine’ and ‘average woman’. Like Antigone, Ismene is very much a character in her own right, and her emotions, motivations and impulses are every bit as realised and compelling as Antigone’s own. Both sisters have been deeply affected by the tragic misfortunes of their family, but their sad history affects each sister quite differently. Whereas Antigone’s instinctive reaction to Creon’s edict is a furious determination not to tolerate any further dishonour, Ismene’s equally instinctive reaction is to avoid the pattern of self-destructive inwardness that has plagued their family for generations. By offering a comprehensive re-examination of the key passages that have informed our critical reception of Ismene and the nature of her relationship with Antigone, this study aims to disrupt the established, and largely prejudiced, reading of Ismene as a model of feminine timidity and submission. Although Ismene is certainly no grand tragic heroine, titling the theoretical focus away from the death-oriented extremism of Antigone towards a more balanced consideration of the so-called ‘weaker sister’ not only allows for new insights into the nature of Sophoclean tragedy, but also challenges the very basis on which Ismene has so often been dismissed in favour of her more intrepid sister: the pervasive assumption that Sophocles has only given us one sister who is willing to risk her life for a principle. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Languages and Literatures, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-10-11
Care as dissent in the art of Georgina Maxim, Gladys Kalichini, Kresiah Mukwazhi, Masimba Hwati and Léonard Pongo
- Authors: Muchemwa, Fadzai Veronica
- Date: 2024-10-11
- Subjects: Dissenting opinions , Ethics of care , Disruption , Art Political aspects Africa , Recognition , Art and society
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/466049 , vital:76680
- Description: The concept of care is proposed as an ethical and practical framework for the reading of the artistic and writing practices of Georgina Maxim, Kresiah Mukwazhi, Gladys Kalichini, Léonard Pongo and Masimba Hwati. In their practices, dissent is both an existential crisis and a constitutive practice. Through small actions, they offer up new narratives. The notion of seeing care as a form of dissent is to simply reflect on the artistic practices that are integrated with or responsive to forms of political protest and dissent based on ethical care practices and what it means to align with those things that matter to us and distancing ourselves from those things that do not. The thesis explores the ethic of care, its possibilities as a dissenting approach, and provides a narrative description of five case studies that exhibit different expressions of care in contemporary art. By prioritising care, there is an educational interest in creating resources and themes for a politically engaged approach to artistic practice and the creation of art. This study also aims to shed light on the power of art as a tool for social and political commentary, and the role of artists as agents of change in society. The study focuses on how these artists use their art to challenge societal norms and political structures, embodying the concept of care as a form of resistance. It underscores the importance of understanding the context in which art is created and the messages it conveys, particularly in societies where freedom of expression may be constrained. The study further investigates how these elements are presented in different ways to show the different manifestations of care and dissent. Through semi-structured interviews, analysis of relevant texts, and a detailed visual analysis of selected works from the five artists, the situational approach was used to explore how meanings are negotiated. The outcome is an expanded proposal for care as dissent and a listening guide as a tool or approach in helping us to listen to marginalised voices, validate experiences, identify barriers and building empathy. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Fine Art, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-10-11
- Authors: Muchemwa, Fadzai Veronica
- Date: 2024-10-11
- Subjects: Dissenting opinions , Ethics of care , Disruption , Art Political aspects Africa , Recognition , Art and society
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/466049 , vital:76680
- Description: The concept of care is proposed as an ethical and practical framework for the reading of the artistic and writing practices of Georgina Maxim, Kresiah Mukwazhi, Gladys Kalichini, Léonard Pongo and Masimba Hwati. In their practices, dissent is both an existential crisis and a constitutive practice. Through small actions, they offer up new narratives. The notion of seeing care as a form of dissent is to simply reflect on the artistic practices that are integrated with or responsive to forms of political protest and dissent based on ethical care practices and what it means to align with those things that matter to us and distancing ourselves from those things that do not. The thesis explores the ethic of care, its possibilities as a dissenting approach, and provides a narrative description of five case studies that exhibit different expressions of care in contemporary art. By prioritising care, there is an educational interest in creating resources and themes for a politically engaged approach to artistic practice and the creation of art. This study also aims to shed light on the power of art as a tool for social and political commentary, and the role of artists as agents of change in society. The study focuses on how these artists use their art to challenge societal norms and political structures, embodying the concept of care as a form of resistance. It underscores the importance of understanding the context in which art is created and the messages it conveys, particularly in societies where freedom of expression may be constrained. The study further investigates how these elements are presented in different ways to show the different manifestations of care and dissent. Through semi-structured interviews, analysis of relevant texts, and a detailed visual analysis of selected works from the five artists, the situational approach was used to explore how meanings are negotiated. The outcome is an expanded proposal for care as dissent and a listening guide as a tool or approach in helping us to listen to marginalised voices, validate experiences, identify barriers and building empathy. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Fine Art, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-10-11
Eastern Cape jazz heritage: the jazz tradition and veteran musicians of East London and Zwelitsha
- Giyose, Thandikile Qhawekazi
- Authors: Giyose, Thandikile Qhawekazi
- Date: 2024-10-11
- Subjects: Jazz musicians South Africa Eastern Cape , Jazz South Africa Eastern Cape , International Library of African Music , Popular-music archives , Collective memory in music , South African jazz
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/465964 , vital:76672
- Description: This thesis explores the memories of musicians and music collectors as evident in the performance of traditional jazz songs in East London and Zwelitsha. I ask, how may research on musicians and their songs develop new knowledge about the aesthetics of jazz in the Eastern Cape and contribute to transforming notions of memories and archives? I argue that these songs are repositories of collective memory about the musical pasts of Eastern Cape modernity. We commemorate cities such as Johannesburg and Cape Town for nurturing South African jazz but what is known of the jazz musicians who remained in the country, and those musicians whose musicality was nurtured in the Eastern Cape? Where are the stories of their musical journeys and compositions located? How did these musicians contribute to the development of a form of South African jazz, which now represents and forms a large part of our heritage and our various identities as musicians, fans and performers in South Africa? In-depth and semi-structured interviews were conducted with veteran jazz musicians, jazz music collectors and members of the younger generation of jazz musicians who are originally from or reside in East London and Zwelitsha, Eastern Cape. The research follows a qualitative methodology, using an exploratory case study with a focused ethnographic approach, to understand how these musicians’ songs have retained memories of their lived experiences. The research is derived from oral histories of musicians to understand how the songs survive in the collective memory of musicians and their fans, contributing to the preservation of Eastern Cape’s jazz heritage. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Music and Musicology, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-10-11
- Authors: Giyose, Thandikile Qhawekazi
- Date: 2024-10-11
- Subjects: Jazz musicians South Africa Eastern Cape , Jazz South Africa Eastern Cape , International Library of African Music , Popular-music archives , Collective memory in music , South African jazz
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/465964 , vital:76672
- Description: This thesis explores the memories of musicians and music collectors as evident in the performance of traditional jazz songs in East London and Zwelitsha. I ask, how may research on musicians and their songs develop new knowledge about the aesthetics of jazz in the Eastern Cape and contribute to transforming notions of memories and archives? I argue that these songs are repositories of collective memory about the musical pasts of Eastern Cape modernity. We commemorate cities such as Johannesburg and Cape Town for nurturing South African jazz but what is known of the jazz musicians who remained in the country, and those musicians whose musicality was nurtured in the Eastern Cape? Where are the stories of their musical journeys and compositions located? How did these musicians contribute to the development of a form of South African jazz, which now represents and forms a large part of our heritage and our various identities as musicians, fans and performers in South Africa? In-depth and semi-structured interviews were conducted with veteran jazz musicians, jazz music collectors and members of the younger generation of jazz musicians who are originally from or reside in East London and Zwelitsha, Eastern Cape. The research follows a qualitative methodology, using an exploratory case study with a focused ethnographic approach, to understand how these musicians’ songs have retained memories of their lived experiences. The research is derived from oral histories of musicians to understand how the songs survive in the collective memory of musicians and their fans, contributing to the preservation of Eastern Cape’s jazz heritage. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Music and Musicology, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-10-11
Exploring Pedagogies that teachers draw on to teach reading in Grade 10 English First Additional Language inclusive classes
- Authors: Ndlovu, Sheillah
- Date: 2024-10-11
- Subjects: English language Study and teaching Foreign speakers , Inclusive education South Africa Northern Cape , Capabilities approach (Social sciences) , Reading (Secondary) , Reading comprehension , Learning disabilities
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/463746 , vital:76437
- Description: This qualitative, interpretive study explored the pedagogies teachers drew on to teach reading in Grade 10 English First Additional Language inclusive classes. Over the years, children with learning difficulties have been excluded from formal learning and placed in special schools. However, the transformation through inclusive education allows learners with learning difficulties to be enrolled in mainstream schools. Unfortunately, mainstream teachers were not trained to address learning difficulties. It is for this reason that this study explored the pedagogies that teachers drew on to teach reading through an exploratory case study of five teachers and grade 10 learners, noting responses of learners with learning difficulties at one school in John Taolo Gaetsewe (JTG) district in Northern Cape. This study was guided by Sen’s capability approach. Semi-structured interviews, focus group interviews, and non-participant observations were used to collect data on the pedagogies teachers draw on to teach reading in inclusive classes and learners' views on how they want to be taught reading. The collected data was analysed through a thematic data analysis approach with the hope that the findings will help to develop and enrich teachers in teaching reading in inclusive classes to engage all learners. Findings revealed that the participating teachers drew from various pedagogies such as Reading to Learn, Establishing, Maintaining, and Consolidating, and Question-Answer- Relationship. The similarities among these pedagogies are their repetitive nature and that they provide maximum opportunities for learners with various needs, abilities, and challenges to succeed. The teachers’ self-developed strategies were influenced by the need to promote Ubuntu and collaborative learning. Knowing learners and their weaknesses was key to developing strategies. Teachers can draw from various pedagogies to teach reading in an inclusive class. This study recommends using multimodal texts, compulsory inclusive education during initial teacher education, and combined use of pedagogies. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Institute for the Study of Englishes of Africa, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-10-11
- Authors: Ndlovu, Sheillah
- Date: 2024-10-11
- Subjects: English language Study and teaching Foreign speakers , Inclusive education South Africa Northern Cape , Capabilities approach (Social sciences) , Reading (Secondary) , Reading comprehension , Learning disabilities
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/463746 , vital:76437
- Description: This qualitative, interpretive study explored the pedagogies teachers drew on to teach reading in Grade 10 English First Additional Language inclusive classes. Over the years, children with learning difficulties have been excluded from formal learning and placed in special schools. However, the transformation through inclusive education allows learners with learning difficulties to be enrolled in mainstream schools. Unfortunately, mainstream teachers were not trained to address learning difficulties. It is for this reason that this study explored the pedagogies that teachers drew on to teach reading through an exploratory case study of five teachers and grade 10 learners, noting responses of learners with learning difficulties at one school in John Taolo Gaetsewe (JTG) district in Northern Cape. This study was guided by Sen’s capability approach. Semi-structured interviews, focus group interviews, and non-participant observations were used to collect data on the pedagogies teachers draw on to teach reading in inclusive classes and learners' views on how they want to be taught reading. The collected data was analysed through a thematic data analysis approach with the hope that the findings will help to develop and enrich teachers in teaching reading in inclusive classes to engage all learners. Findings revealed that the participating teachers drew from various pedagogies such as Reading to Learn, Establishing, Maintaining, and Consolidating, and Question-Answer- Relationship. The similarities among these pedagogies are their repetitive nature and that they provide maximum opportunities for learners with various needs, abilities, and challenges to succeed. The teachers’ self-developed strategies were influenced by the need to promote Ubuntu and collaborative learning. Knowing learners and their weaknesses was key to developing strategies. Teachers can draw from various pedagogies to teach reading in an inclusive class. This study recommends using multimodal texts, compulsory inclusive education during initial teacher education, and combined use of pedagogies. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Institute for the Study of Englishes of Africa, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-10-11
Figuring the black femme fatale: analysing black womanhood in U-Carmen eKhayelitsha
- Waters-Maine, Leigh Nomfundo Fortunate
- Authors: Waters-Maine, Leigh Nomfundo Fortunate
- Date: 2024-10-11
- Subjects: U-Carmen eKhayelitsha , Opera , Black people in opera , Women, Black , Motherhood and the arts , Music South Africa 1994-
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/466117 , vital:76687
- Description: In this thesis, I investigate black womanhood in U-Carmen eKhayelitsha, a post-apartheid film opera. The aim of this research is to examine the representation of black women in this film opera, focusing largely on the lead character, U-Carmen. This thesis is driven by a form of intersectional feminism which is characterised by overlapping categories such as race, gender, class and sexual orientation (Crenshaw 1989). A growing number of scholars have written about the rise of South African operas (Roos 2012; André 2016; Gerber 2021) but have seldom focused on the multi-layered representation of black women, which is what this thesis aims to do. In reading this work, I argue that U-Carmen eKhayelitsa foregrounds U-Carmen as a black woman with a storyline that rejects essentialists portrayals of black women on opera stages. The film opera, I argue, figures a complex womanhood represented in voice, labour, motherhood, and death. It not only recognizes the marginalised, but it also offers a change to the perception of the gendering of the black female body. In this thesis, I employ textual analysis to consider the historical contexts of U-Carmen alongside its contemporary resonances and analyse the main female character in the opera and how she can enforce or change the narrative of the role of women in opera. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Music and Musicology, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-10-11
- Authors: Waters-Maine, Leigh Nomfundo Fortunate
- Date: 2024-10-11
- Subjects: U-Carmen eKhayelitsha , Opera , Black people in opera , Women, Black , Motherhood and the arts , Music South Africa 1994-
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/466117 , vital:76687
- Description: In this thesis, I investigate black womanhood in U-Carmen eKhayelitsha, a post-apartheid film opera. The aim of this research is to examine the representation of black women in this film opera, focusing largely on the lead character, U-Carmen. This thesis is driven by a form of intersectional feminism which is characterised by overlapping categories such as race, gender, class and sexual orientation (Crenshaw 1989). A growing number of scholars have written about the rise of South African operas (Roos 2012; André 2016; Gerber 2021) but have seldom focused on the multi-layered representation of black women, which is what this thesis aims to do. In reading this work, I argue that U-Carmen eKhayelitsa foregrounds U-Carmen as a black woman with a storyline that rejects essentialists portrayals of black women on opera stages. The film opera, I argue, figures a complex womanhood represented in voice, labour, motherhood, and death. It not only recognizes the marginalised, but it also offers a change to the perception of the gendering of the black female body. In this thesis, I employ textual analysis to consider the historical contexts of U-Carmen alongside its contemporary resonances and analyse the main female character in the opera and how she can enforce or change the narrative of the role of women in opera. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Music and Musicology, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-10-11
Metallophthalocyanines: versatile probes for microbial photoinactivation and for pollutant degradation as photocatalysts, both molecular or supported form
- Authors: Sindelo, Azole
- Date: 2024-10-11
- Subjects: Phthalocyanines , Active oxygen , Nanoparticles , Nanofibers , Glass wool , Photocatalysis
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/466614 , vital:76760 , DOI https://doi.org/10.21504/10962/466614
- Description: This thesis investigates the synthesie of metallophthalocyanines for potential use as photosensitizers in two applications: photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy and the photodegradation of organic pollutants. To achieve this, phthalocyanines with morpholine (substituted at alpha and beta position, to imine), ethyl and propyl pyrrolidine Schiff bases, asymmetrical mercaptobenzothiazole and morpholine substituents were synthesized for the first time. All nitrogen containing phthalocyanines were methylated to form cationic derivatives. Asymmetrical mercaptobenzothiazole were covalently linked to spherical and pyramidal zinc oxide nanoparticles, while the asymmetrical morpholine were conjugated to polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers, chitosan modified PAN and glass wool, while carboxylic acid containing phthalocyanines were also linked to glass wool. Various characterization techniques, including electronic spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), elemental analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and time-resolved fluorescence measurements were employed to characterize all the phthalocyanine composites. The research aimed to establish general trends in fluorescence quantum yields, triplet and singlet oxygen generation, photodegradation rates, and fluorescence and triplet state lifetimes of the complexes. Notably, the presence of zinc oxide nanoparticles increased the triplet quantum yield of phthalocyanines, however, the singlet oxygen quantum yield decreased. The study also examined the photodynamic inactivation of various planktonic cells and biofilms using all photosensitizers. The photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy activities were dose-dependent, and all cationic photosensitizers were highly effective in completely inactivating the microbes in both forms, as opposed to non-charged photosensitizers. For the supports, the chitosan modified PAN showed high efficacy due to improved hydrophilicity. Furthermore, the research was conducted on the photodegradation of 4-chlorophenol, methyl orange and methylene blue using Pc-anchored PAN and glass wool supports. The immobilized photosensitizers demonstrated a strong capacity for generating singlet oxygen in aqueous media, with the cationic Pc-PAN removing methylene blue more efficiently due to its adsorption and photodegradation abilities. All supports were recoverable, showing potential application for future use in the removal of microbes and organic pollutants. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-10-11
- Authors: Sindelo, Azole
- Date: 2024-10-11
- Subjects: Phthalocyanines , Active oxygen , Nanoparticles , Nanofibers , Glass wool , Photocatalysis
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/466614 , vital:76760 , DOI https://doi.org/10.21504/10962/466614
- Description: This thesis investigates the synthesie of metallophthalocyanines for potential use as photosensitizers in two applications: photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy and the photodegradation of organic pollutants. To achieve this, phthalocyanines with morpholine (substituted at alpha and beta position, to imine), ethyl and propyl pyrrolidine Schiff bases, asymmetrical mercaptobenzothiazole and morpholine substituents were synthesized for the first time. All nitrogen containing phthalocyanines were methylated to form cationic derivatives. Asymmetrical mercaptobenzothiazole were covalently linked to spherical and pyramidal zinc oxide nanoparticles, while the asymmetrical morpholine were conjugated to polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers, chitosan modified PAN and glass wool, while carboxylic acid containing phthalocyanines were also linked to glass wool. Various characterization techniques, including electronic spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), elemental analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and time-resolved fluorescence measurements were employed to characterize all the phthalocyanine composites. The research aimed to establish general trends in fluorescence quantum yields, triplet and singlet oxygen generation, photodegradation rates, and fluorescence and triplet state lifetimes of the complexes. Notably, the presence of zinc oxide nanoparticles increased the triplet quantum yield of phthalocyanines, however, the singlet oxygen quantum yield decreased. The study also examined the photodynamic inactivation of various planktonic cells and biofilms using all photosensitizers. The photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy activities were dose-dependent, and all cationic photosensitizers were highly effective in completely inactivating the microbes in both forms, as opposed to non-charged photosensitizers. For the supports, the chitosan modified PAN showed high efficacy due to improved hydrophilicity. Furthermore, the research was conducted on the photodegradation of 4-chlorophenol, methyl orange and methylene blue using Pc-anchored PAN and glass wool supports. The immobilized photosensitizers demonstrated a strong capacity for generating singlet oxygen in aqueous media, with the cationic Pc-PAN removing methylene blue more efficiently due to its adsorption and photodegradation abilities. All supports were recoverable, showing potential application for future use in the removal of microbes and organic pollutants. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-10-11
Moral disgust in Klaus Mann’s Mephisto and Goethe’s Faust
- Authors: Neilson, Christopher John
- Date: 2024-10-11
- Subjects: Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von, 1749-1832 Criticism and interpretation , Mann, Klaus, 1906-1949 Criticism and interpretation , Mann, Klaus, 1906-1949. Mephisto , Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von, 1749-1832. Faust , Moral emotion , Monomyth , Heroes in literature
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/465934 , vital:76669
- Description: This thesis investigates the presence and effects of moral emotions within Klaus Mann’s Mephisto (1936) and Goethe’s Faust (1808) with a focus on moral disgust as understood through the theories of P. Rozin and J. Haidt. The thesis also investigates the intertextual links between Goethe’s Faust and Klaus Mann’s Mephisto, namely the presence of the katabasis and anabasis motifs found in classical literature. This is undertaken with the aim to highlight the use of moral emotions as a novel approach to the study of literature. The Faust legend features an important moment when the Faust figure enters into a deal with the devil in hopes of gaining some transitory reward in exchange for his soul, with Goethe’s Faust being the most popular rendition of the German Faust legend. It is a play that depicts the life of a restless scholar who enters into a pact with a demon named Mephistopheles in the promise that Faust will receive pleasure without satisfaction. Shortly after the National Socialists came into power in Germany in 1933, Klaus Mann would write his own interpretation of the Faust motif in response to the Nazi reign. Klaus Mann’s Mephisto details the meteoric rise of the stage-actor Hendrik Höfgen who makes a ‘deal with the devil’ by collaborating with the Nazi elite in order to further his own acting career. Mephisto is devoid of any supernatural elements; this thus removes any supernatural influence on the actions of the Nazis and the protagonist Höfgen. The moral emotion of disgust, and thus also self-directed disgust and self-knowledge, eventually saves Faust, but there is no divine force to redeem Höfgen, nor is there an actual devil or demon to blame. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Languages and Literatures, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-10-11
- Authors: Neilson, Christopher John
- Date: 2024-10-11
- Subjects: Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von, 1749-1832 Criticism and interpretation , Mann, Klaus, 1906-1949 Criticism and interpretation , Mann, Klaus, 1906-1949. Mephisto , Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von, 1749-1832. Faust , Moral emotion , Monomyth , Heroes in literature
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/465934 , vital:76669
- Description: This thesis investigates the presence and effects of moral emotions within Klaus Mann’s Mephisto (1936) and Goethe’s Faust (1808) with a focus on moral disgust as understood through the theories of P. Rozin and J. Haidt. The thesis also investigates the intertextual links between Goethe’s Faust and Klaus Mann’s Mephisto, namely the presence of the katabasis and anabasis motifs found in classical literature. This is undertaken with the aim to highlight the use of moral emotions as a novel approach to the study of literature. The Faust legend features an important moment when the Faust figure enters into a deal with the devil in hopes of gaining some transitory reward in exchange for his soul, with Goethe’s Faust being the most popular rendition of the German Faust legend. It is a play that depicts the life of a restless scholar who enters into a pact with a demon named Mephistopheles in the promise that Faust will receive pleasure without satisfaction. Shortly after the National Socialists came into power in Germany in 1933, Klaus Mann would write his own interpretation of the Faust motif in response to the Nazi reign. Klaus Mann’s Mephisto details the meteoric rise of the stage-actor Hendrik Höfgen who makes a ‘deal with the devil’ by collaborating with the Nazi elite in order to further his own acting career. Mephisto is devoid of any supernatural elements; this thus removes any supernatural influence on the actions of the Nazis and the protagonist Höfgen. The moral emotion of disgust, and thus also self-directed disgust and self-knowledge, eventually saves Faust, but there is no divine force to redeem Höfgen, nor is there an actual devil or demon to blame. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Languages and Literatures, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-10-11
Navigating change: a critical analysis of social media’s role in shaping gender activists’ perspectives
- Authors: Dias, Sasha Elliot
- Date: 2024-10-11
- Subjects: Social media and society , Sexual minority activists South Africa , Political activism , Gender digital divide , Harassment , Cyberfeminism
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/466128 , vital:76699
- Description: This research explores the unique challenges and opportunities that social media offers gender activists fighting for equality and social justice. It examines the negative and positive elements of social media, highlighting the ways it can be adopted to build communities, amplify voices, and advance social change in unique ways, but also the ways in which it can adversely contribute to existing power imbalances and inequalities. This research does not concentrate on any specific gender-based movement, but rather aims to understand how gender activists in South Africa have embraced social media in their local activism. The study followed a qualitative approach and collected the data through in-depth semi-structured interviews. It also followed a thematic framework in its analysis of the data collected from the interviews. The study found that, while online gender activism in South Africa faces challenges such as harassment and the digital gender divide, there is still progress in terms of community building and political engagement on social media. The findings suggest that, in spite of the challenges, social media can still be an important tool for advancing gender-based social justice in South Africa. This research made use of Counter-publics and Cyberfeminism as guiding theoretical frameworks. The theory of Counter-publics provides a valuable way of understanding how virtual groups emerge and challenge dominant societal norms and values. Cyberfeminism provides insight into how women have challenged contemporary inequalities through the adoption of technologies such as social media. As sub-components to Cyber-feminism, Intersectionality and Standpoint perspectives were used to understand how activists’ diverse identities and social positions influence their individual forms of activism. , Thesis (MSocSci) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-10-11
- Authors: Dias, Sasha Elliot
- Date: 2024-10-11
- Subjects: Social media and society , Sexual minority activists South Africa , Political activism , Gender digital divide , Harassment , Cyberfeminism
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/466128 , vital:76699
- Description: This research explores the unique challenges and opportunities that social media offers gender activists fighting for equality and social justice. It examines the negative and positive elements of social media, highlighting the ways it can be adopted to build communities, amplify voices, and advance social change in unique ways, but also the ways in which it can adversely contribute to existing power imbalances and inequalities. This research does not concentrate on any specific gender-based movement, but rather aims to understand how gender activists in South Africa have embraced social media in their local activism. The study followed a qualitative approach and collected the data through in-depth semi-structured interviews. It also followed a thematic framework in its analysis of the data collected from the interviews. The study found that, while online gender activism in South Africa faces challenges such as harassment and the digital gender divide, there is still progress in terms of community building and political engagement on social media. The findings suggest that, in spite of the challenges, social media can still be an important tool for advancing gender-based social justice in South Africa. This research made use of Counter-publics and Cyberfeminism as guiding theoretical frameworks. The theory of Counter-publics provides a valuable way of understanding how virtual groups emerge and challenge dominant societal norms and values. Cyberfeminism provides insight into how women have challenged contemporary inequalities through the adoption of technologies such as social media. As sub-components to Cyber-feminism, Intersectionality and Standpoint perspectives were used to understand how activists’ diverse identities and social positions influence their individual forms of activism. , Thesis (MSocSci) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-10-11
No way to escape: a crime fiction
- Authors: Dzanibe, Nkosivumile
- Date: 2024-10-11
- Subjects: Creative writing (Higher education) South Africa , South African fiction (English) 21st century , Short stories, South African (English) 21st century , Crime fiction , Crime in literature
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/465923 , vital:76668
- Description: This study presents a model for science engagement that incorporates journalistic approaches. This model emerges from a project that aimed to create engagement and communication around a genetically modified sugar cane variety, developed by the South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI). In this project, we engaged with small scale growers in the North and South Coast region of KwaZulu-Natal. This study’s methodology is based in action research and an iterative approach to science communication and engagement. It draws and reflects on an action research cycle captured through video documentary as a way to effectively and thoroughly collect, analyse and interpret data and produce through the case study. Based on this action research process a model for science engagement is proposed and reflected on and interrogated by scientists and science communicators through a focus group engagement (see model here as part of this thesis): https://drive.google.com/file/d/14UD1qd4fPcqIZrkESq5v2wgJ1Y2Q7hON/view?usp=sharing. I reflect, using video, on this model and how it incorporates principles and techniques for public engagement drawn from different approaches to journalism and communication studies, I argue that science engagement can benefit from drawing from journalistic approaches to public engagement such as those emerging from development communication, public journalism and development journalism. The submission of this thesis includes various other videos as part of the overall thesis. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Languages and Literatures, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-10-11
- Authors: Dzanibe, Nkosivumile
- Date: 2024-10-11
- Subjects: Creative writing (Higher education) South Africa , South African fiction (English) 21st century , Short stories, South African (English) 21st century , Crime fiction , Crime in literature
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/465923 , vital:76668
- Description: This study presents a model for science engagement that incorporates journalistic approaches. This model emerges from a project that aimed to create engagement and communication around a genetically modified sugar cane variety, developed by the South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI). In this project, we engaged with small scale growers in the North and South Coast region of KwaZulu-Natal. This study’s methodology is based in action research and an iterative approach to science communication and engagement. It draws and reflects on an action research cycle captured through video documentary as a way to effectively and thoroughly collect, analyse and interpret data and produce through the case study. Based on this action research process a model for science engagement is proposed and reflected on and interrogated by scientists and science communicators through a focus group engagement (see model here as part of this thesis): https://drive.google.com/file/d/14UD1qd4fPcqIZrkESq5v2wgJ1Y2Q7hON/view?usp=sharing. I reflect, using video, on this model and how it incorporates principles and techniques for public engagement drawn from different approaches to journalism and communication studies, I argue that science engagement can benefit from drawing from journalistic approaches to public engagement such as those emerging from development communication, public journalism and development journalism. The submission of this thesis includes various other videos as part of the overall thesis. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Languages and Literatures, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-10-11
Photodynamic anticancer and antimicrobial activities of novel bacteriochlorins
- Tauyakhale, Kaisano Goodness
- Authors: Tauyakhale, Kaisano Goodness
- Date: 2024-10-11
- Subjects: Bacteriochlorin , Porphyrins , Photochemotherapy , Photophysics , Molecules Models , Active oxygen
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/464587 , vital:76524
- Description: The World Health Organization cautioned that the major contributing factors of cancer amongst people are the excessive usage of alcohol, smoking, lack of exercise and low intake of fruits, vegetables, and high-fibre foods. Furthermore, cancer by far is reported to be the most common and leading cause of death worldwide (1 in 6 deaths is due to cancer). Moreover, it is reported that cancer kills more people than tuberculosis, malaria and AIDS combined every year. Chemotherapy has been utilised as a mode of rehabilitation for complete being used in conjunction with surgery or to improve the state of well-being of patients until their point of death. However, it is well known for its adverse effects, such as loss of hair, altered gastric metabolism, vomiting and nausea, dehydration, weight loss, and loss of appetite. For this reason, photodynamic therapy (PDT) was developed as an alternative. A molecular dye (photosensitiser/PS) and light of a specific wavelength produce cytotoxic singlet oxygen species, which induce cell death. The aim of this project is to prepare novel structurally modified porphyrin-type dyes that absorb far into the near-infrared region. Identifying suitable dyes that absorb significantly in the 700−800 nm region is particularly important from an African perspective, since melanin significantly limits the penetration of laser light into human tissue in the 600−700 nm region, where first- and second-generation photosensitiser dyes usually absorb. The porphyrin analogues that will be investigated in this regard are bacteriochlorins (BChls), which are known to have suitable optical properties that are potentially suitable in this regard. The first step of the study would be to synthesise tetraarylporphyrins with electron- withdrawing meso-aryl rings because their reduction to BChls is more readily attainable than is the case with electron-donating rings. However, these contrasting properties can be combined to tailor the BChls for effective photodynamic therapy, so the type of porphyrins synthesised will be tetraarylBChls with different meso-aryl groups to first analyze the induction of different chemical properties in this case, the impact of introducing electron donating (4- and 3-quinoline substituents) or electron-withdrawing (pentafluorophenyl substituents) groups on the meso-positions of the dyes and more specifically whether the position of the quinoline nitrogen atom relative to the core of the BChl has any significant impact on the reactivity of the dye (the 4- or 3-position of the quinoline). The next factor to be considered is the induction of the heavy atom effect by introducing a metal in the centre of the dye in order to try to increase the singlet oxygen quantum yields for high production of reactive oxygen species and singlet oxygen and further red shift the lowest energy absorption band of the BChls in the therapeutic window for deep tissue penetration for effective. Lastly, the goal will be to explore whether the delivery of bacteriochlorin photosensitisers to cancer cells can be enhanced by introducing quaternised nitrogen atoms to the meso-aryl ligands. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-10-11
- Authors: Tauyakhale, Kaisano Goodness
- Date: 2024-10-11
- Subjects: Bacteriochlorin , Porphyrins , Photochemotherapy , Photophysics , Molecules Models , Active oxygen
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/464587 , vital:76524
- Description: The World Health Organization cautioned that the major contributing factors of cancer amongst people are the excessive usage of alcohol, smoking, lack of exercise and low intake of fruits, vegetables, and high-fibre foods. Furthermore, cancer by far is reported to be the most common and leading cause of death worldwide (1 in 6 deaths is due to cancer). Moreover, it is reported that cancer kills more people than tuberculosis, malaria and AIDS combined every year. Chemotherapy has been utilised as a mode of rehabilitation for complete being used in conjunction with surgery or to improve the state of well-being of patients until their point of death. However, it is well known for its adverse effects, such as loss of hair, altered gastric metabolism, vomiting and nausea, dehydration, weight loss, and loss of appetite. For this reason, photodynamic therapy (PDT) was developed as an alternative. A molecular dye (photosensitiser/PS) and light of a specific wavelength produce cytotoxic singlet oxygen species, which induce cell death. The aim of this project is to prepare novel structurally modified porphyrin-type dyes that absorb far into the near-infrared region. Identifying suitable dyes that absorb significantly in the 700−800 nm region is particularly important from an African perspective, since melanin significantly limits the penetration of laser light into human tissue in the 600−700 nm region, where first- and second-generation photosensitiser dyes usually absorb. The porphyrin analogues that will be investigated in this regard are bacteriochlorins (BChls), which are known to have suitable optical properties that are potentially suitable in this regard. The first step of the study would be to synthesise tetraarylporphyrins with electron- withdrawing meso-aryl rings because their reduction to BChls is more readily attainable than is the case with electron-donating rings. However, these contrasting properties can be combined to tailor the BChls for effective photodynamic therapy, so the type of porphyrins synthesised will be tetraarylBChls with different meso-aryl groups to first analyze the induction of different chemical properties in this case, the impact of introducing electron donating (4- and 3-quinoline substituents) or electron-withdrawing (pentafluorophenyl substituents) groups on the meso-positions of the dyes and more specifically whether the position of the quinoline nitrogen atom relative to the core of the BChl has any significant impact on the reactivity of the dye (the 4- or 3-position of the quinoline). The next factor to be considered is the induction of the heavy atom effect by introducing a metal in the centre of the dye in order to try to increase the singlet oxygen quantum yields for high production of reactive oxygen species and singlet oxygen and further red shift the lowest energy absorption band of the BChls in the therapeutic window for deep tissue penetration for effective. Lastly, the goal will be to explore whether the delivery of bacteriochlorin photosensitisers to cancer cells can be enhanced by introducing quaternised nitrogen atoms to the meso-aryl ligands. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-10-11
Realist evaluation cases of the uptake and use of citizen science tools for water quality management: Vaal-Triangle public primary schools teachers and Mpophomeni enviro-champs
- Authors: Madiba, Morakane Stephinah
- Date: 2024-10-11
- Subjects: Realist evaluation , Citizen science , Water quality management South Africa Vaal Triangle , Social learning , Voluntarism , Ubuntu (Philosophy)
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/466406 , vital:76725 , DOI https://doi.org/10.21504/10962/466406
- Description: This study employs a theory-based approach to evaluate citizen science (CS) interventions in two distinct cases: the Mpophomeni enviro-champs and the Vaal-Triangle primary school teachers. These interventions were designed to foster social learning, enhance education or participants' understanding of water quality impacts, and promote community or public participation for improved water management. GroundTruth, a multidisciplinary consulting company with expertise in water resources and environmental engineering, collaborated as partners in these CS projects. Utilizing qualitative realist evaluation theory, the study delves into the intricate context-mechanismoutcome (CMO) configurations for each case, seeking depth insight into the outcomes of these citizen science initiatives. Data collection involved interviews, document analysis, and participant observations to construct a comprehensive understanding of the interventions' impact. In the case of the Vaal-Triangle primary school teachers, the CS intervention yielded positive results, significantly influencing teaching practices and instilling shared values for sustainable water quality management in both classrooms and the surrounding communities. However, the study revealed the need for continued evaluation and comprehensive dialogue among stakeholders, including teachers, school governing bodies, local municipalities, the Department of Basic Education, and the broader community to ensure the effectiveness, sustainability, and transformative potential of these interventions. In contrast, the Mpophomeni enviro-champs experienced a different set of outcomes. The CS intervention catalyzed numerous opportunities for the volunteers, forging a collaborative relationship between citizens and the government. Despite their socio-ecological vulnerability, these volunteers exhibited remarkable resilience and willingness to contribute, calling for formalization mechanisms such as remuneration and skill recognition to sustain and enhance their participation. This study provides insights into citizen science interventions, foregrounding volunteerism as a means of fostering fair and inclusive participation. It emphasizes the significance of combining social and classroom learning in achieving sustainable water quality management objectives. Furthermore, the research highlights the pivotal role of informed citizenship, which necessitates an understanding not only of environmental activism but also of effective political engagement to influence decision-making processes effectively. By challenging historical barriers and revealing new perspectives, this study offers a reflective thinking tool to advance transformative policy development in South Africa and beyond, promoting informed and responsible public participation in water quality management and fostering the sustainability of precious water resources. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, Secondary and Post-School Education, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-10-11
- Authors: Madiba, Morakane Stephinah
- Date: 2024-10-11
- Subjects: Realist evaluation , Citizen science , Water quality management South Africa Vaal Triangle , Social learning , Voluntarism , Ubuntu (Philosophy)
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/466406 , vital:76725 , DOI https://doi.org/10.21504/10962/466406
- Description: This study employs a theory-based approach to evaluate citizen science (CS) interventions in two distinct cases: the Mpophomeni enviro-champs and the Vaal-Triangle primary school teachers. These interventions were designed to foster social learning, enhance education or participants' understanding of water quality impacts, and promote community or public participation for improved water management. GroundTruth, a multidisciplinary consulting company with expertise in water resources and environmental engineering, collaborated as partners in these CS projects. Utilizing qualitative realist evaluation theory, the study delves into the intricate context-mechanismoutcome (CMO) configurations for each case, seeking depth insight into the outcomes of these citizen science initiatives. Data collection involved interviews, document analysis, and participant observations to construct a comprehensive understanding of the interventions' impact. In the case of the Vaal-Triangle primary school teachers, the CS intervention yielded positive results, significantly influencing teaching practices and instilling shared values for sustainable water quality management in both classrooms and the surrounding communities. However, the study revealed the need for continued evaluation and comprehensive dialogue among stakeholders, including teachers, school governing bodies, local municipalities, the Department of Basic Education, and the broader community to ensure the effectiveness, sustainability, and transformative potential of these interventions. In contrast, the Mpophomeni enviro-champs experienced a different set of outcomes. The CS intervention catalyzed numerous opportunities for the volunteers, forging a collaborative relationship between citizens and the government. Despite their socio-ecological vulnerability, these volunteers exhibited remarkable resilience and willingness to contribute, calling for formalization mechanisms such as remuneration and skill recognition to sustain and enhance their participation. This study provides insights into citizen science interventions, foregrounding volunteerism as a means of fostering fair and inclusive participation. It emphasizes the significance of combining social and classroom learning in achieving sustainable water quality management objectives. Furthermore, the research highlights the pivotal role of informed citizenship, which necessitates an understanding not only of environmental activism but also of effective political engagement to influence decision-making processes effectively. By challenging historical barriers and revealing new perspectives, this study offers a reflective thinking tool to advance transformative policy development in South Africa and beyond, promoting informed and responsible public participation in water quality management and fostering the sustainability of precious water resources. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, Secondary and Post-School Education, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-10-11
Selective and sensitive electrochemical detection of the Human Epidermal Growth Receptor 2 breast cancer biomarker, using Co (II) phthalocyanine-nanoparticle based platforms
- Centane, Sixolile Sibongiseni
- Authors: Centane, Sixolile Sibongiseni
- Date: 2024-10-11
- Subjects: Electrochemical sensors , HER-2 protein , Breast Cancer , Biochemical markers , Phthalocyanines , Nanoparticles
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/466569 , vital:76753 , DOI https://doi.org/10.21504/10962/466570
- Description: Breast cancer is the world’s leading cause of cancer related deaths in women worldwide. The main reason lies in its late detection, mostly in the metastatic stage resulting in poor after-therapy prognosis, despite advances in methods of diagnosis and therapy. The reason for late-stage detection, is because breast cancer like any other cancers is asymptomatic in its early stages. Significant and characterizable features present in the later stages. Furthermore, conventional methods for breast cancer detection are more useful in the identification of the phenotypic features of cancer cells that arise at a later stage of the disease. Another issue with conventional methods where cancer diagnosis is concerned is that they tend to be specialist-dependent, time consuming and costly. Thus, easy, fast and inexpensive detection methods need to be developed urgently. Biomarker-based cancer diagnosis has emerged as one of the most promising strategies for early diagnosis, monitoring disease progression, and subsequent cancer treatment. This thesis focuses on the design and development of novel electrochemical biosensor platforms towards the low cost, efficient, sensitive and simple detection of early-stage breast cancer biomarker, human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2). The electrochemical method is preferred because of its moderate cost, rapid response, ease of operation, readily quantifiable signal as well as high sensitivity and selectivity with lower detection limits. This thesis reports on two strategies towards signal amplification and sensitive detection of HER2, namely signal based amplification and target-based amplification. The former focuses on electrode or transducer modification techniques for improved signal to noise ratio. In which case; novel nanocomposites of phthalocyanines, graphene quantum dots, gold nanoparticles and cerium oxide nanoparticles are used for electrode modification for signal amplification and biorecognition element immobilization. The biorecognition elements of choice, are an aptamer and antibody known to be specific to the HER2 antigen for an enhanced sensor sensitivity and specificity. The second strategy focuses on increasing the number of detectable targets on the electrode surface towards enhanced sensitivity, precision and sensor accuracy. In which case; the performance of the aptamer and the antibody as recognition elements was explored. Furthermore, the effect of arrangement of these recognition elements on the electrode surface is investigated and reported upon. The strategies covered in this thesis are expected to result in novel biosensor platforms that can detect the HER2 biomarker with high precision, reproducibility, sensitivity and stability; towards low cost and effective early-stage breast cancer diagnostic tools. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-10-11
- Authors: Centane, Sixolile Sibongiseni
- Date: 2024-10-11
- Subjects: Electrochemical sensors , HER-2 protein , Breast Cancer , Biochemical markers , Phthalocyanines , Nanoparticles
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/466569 , vital:76753 , DOI https://doi.org/10.21504/10962/466570
- Description: Breast cancer is the world’s leading cause of cancer related deaths in women worldwide. The main reason lies in its late detection, mostly in the metastatic stage resulting in poor after-therapy prognosis, despite advances in methods of diagnosis and therapy. The reason for late-stage detection, is because breast cancer like any other cancers is asymptomatic in its early stages. Significant and characterizable features present in the later stages. Furthermore, conventional methods for breast cancer detection are more useful in the identification of the phenotypic features of cancer cells that arise at a later stage of the disease. Another issue with conventional methods where cancer diagnosis is concerned is that they tend to be specialist-dependent, time consuming and costly. Thus, easy, fast and inexpensive detection methods need to be developed urgently. Biomarker-based cancer diagnosis has emerged as one of the most promising strategies for early diagnosis, monitoring disease progression, and subsequent cancer treatment. This thesis focuses on the design and development of novel electrochemical biosensor platforms towards the low cost, efficient, sensitive and simple detection of early-stage breast cancer biomarker, human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2). The electrochemical method is preferred because of its moderate cost, rapid response, ease of operation, readily quantifiable signal as well as high sensitivity and selectivity with lower detection limits. This thesis reports on two strategies towards signal amplification and sensitive detection of HER2, namely signal based amplification and target-based amplification. The former focuses on electrode or transducer modification techniques for improved signal to noise ratio. In which case; novel nanocomposites of phthalocyanines, graphene quantum dots, gold nanoparticles and cerium oxide nanoparticles are used for electrode modification for signal amplification and biorecognition element immobilization. The biorecognition elements of choice, are an aptamer and antibody known to be specific to the HER2 antigen for an enhanced sensor sensitivity and specificity. The second strategy focuses on increasing the number of detectable targets on the electrode surface towards enhanced sensitivity, precision and sensor accuracy. In which case; the performance of the aptamer and the antibody as recognition elements was explored. Furthermore, the effect of arrangement of these recognition elements on the electrode surface is investigated and reported upon. The strategies covered in this thesis are expected to result in novel biosensor platforms that can detect the HER2 biomarker with high precision, reproducibility, sensitivity and stability; towards low cost and effective early-stage breast cancer diagnostic tools. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-10-11