Modus Operandi of Rhino Poachers in KZN Examined in Master’s Research
Social Sciences graduate, Ms Catherine Jakins. Ms Catherine Jakins received her Master's degree in Social Sciences for research on the motivations of rhino poachers in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). Funded by the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority, the study investigated the personal experiences of convicted rhino poachers in the province.
The primary motive for rhino poaching was found to be financial as individuals living in extreme poverty in Kwa Zulu-Natal are often recruited by organised criminal syndicates operating outside the province and paid to poach rhinos for their horns. The modus operandi was found to be simple and consistent with that of rhino poachers operating elsewhere in South Africa.
‘A desire for rehabilitation programmes in prison was expressed by offenders and is considered to be extremely valuable. Increased economic incentives and adequate conservation education programmes need to be urgently implemented in communities surrounding protected areas,’ said Jakins. ‘It is hoped this will be considered by conservation authorities when making decisions about poaching prevention in KwaZulu-Natal as their decisions impact greatly on the lives of many.’
One of the biggest obstacles Jakins had to overcome was locating convicted rhino poachers within the Correctional Services system, as they do not fall into one definitive crime category under current South African law.
‘They are often convicted of a range of crimes from unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition to trespassing and hunting of a protected animal. They do not fall under a specific “rhino poaching” category and tend to fall between the cracks of the Correctional system,’ explained Jakins. A handful of rhino poaching offenders was eventually identified and interviewed.
The second challenge, said Jakins, was that, ‘Many of those interviewed denied any involvement in rhino poaching and claimed to have been falsely arrested and accused, despite ample court evidence to the contrary. Although I found this very frustrating, I had to respect their wishes to deny the opportunity to answer the questions.’
She thanked her family, friends and supervisor for their support. Her mother, Lee said, ‘We are beyond proud of her achievement! Many years of hard work has resulted in her reward of a great mark.’ Sister Kirsten added, ‘We are super proud! We all knew she could do it with her determination, work ethic and ambition.’
Jakins advises other students to ‘Be realistic about your passion and your abilities, especially at a masters level. I am grateful for my passion for this topic because without it, I don’t think I would have pushed through the difficult times. Listen to your supervisor! If they tell you it’s going to be a slog; believe them.’
Jakins plans to pursue a PhD in the near future. She is currently working for a non-profit organisation, using her skills as a Conservation Criminologist to assist in their awareness campaigns. ‘I enjoy this work and hope to grow in the organisation to become a leading professional in my field,’ she said.
Words: Melissa Mungroo
Photograph: Abhi Indrarajan
author : .author email : .Honours Degree for Singing Sensation
Singer and UKZN staff member, Ms Thulile Zama, graduated with her Honours degree in Social Sciences. Lead singer of the highly acclaimed Heels over Head band and UKZN staff member Ms Thulile Zama was awarded her honours degree in Social Sciences.
Her research study examined how the soap opera Uzalo, has highlighted the victimisation of people living with albinism in Season Four.
‘People living with albinism face harm and even death at the hands of the community. The research critically explored how Uzalo - Blood is Forever uses entertainment-education interventions to address social ills,’ explained Zama.
The bubbly Zama believes time management and hard work enabled her to obtain her degree. ‘My band Heels Over Head was celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2018, but I did not let gigs and touring let me drop the ball when it came down to doing my best in my studies,’ she said.
She is thankful for the support of her family and friends and is keen to further her studies.
Words: Melissa Mungroo
Photograph: Abhi Indrarajan
author : .author email : .Unpacking Criminologists’ Role in Compiling Pre-Sentence Reports
Ms Bongolethu Diko who graduated with a Masters in Criminology and Forensic Studies.Ms Bongolethu Diko graduated with her Masters in Criminology and Forensic Studies for her research on the role of the Criminologist in Compiling Pre-sentence Reports in the Durban High Court.
Pre-sentence reports are generally compiled by social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists without any contribution by criminologists. According to Diko, the courts are not always aware that criminologists can clarify criminal conduct and identify both mitigating and aggravating factors that need to be considered in the sentencing process.
‘People in general, but members of the Criminal Justice System in particular, have limited knowledge of the value of criminologists’ ability to compile holistic pre-sentence reports. Lack of knowledge of this vital role has influenced many individuals to lose interest in contemplating Criminology and Forensic Studies as fields of academic pursuit. Little information about criminology exists in the public domain,’ explained Diko.
Despite facing financial difficulties, one of the highlights of Diko’s research was the opportunity to interview one of the people that were involved in the criminal case of Oscar Pistorius. This learning experience made her appreciate the valuable role played by criminologists.
Diko hopes her study will assist in highlighting new roles for South African criminologists in the country’s justice system. The key findings were the inability to perform psychological assessments, meaning that criminologists are unable to conduct mental assessments and the lack of professional recognition and information.
She thanked her family, friends and supervisor for their support. Diko now plans to pursue her PhD.
Words: Melissa Mungroo
Photograph: Abhi Indrarajan
author : .author email : .CCMS Graduates Celebrate Cum Laude Pass
CCMS students graduate cum laude with their Honours degrees. From left: Mr Clifford Jani, Mr Jean-Luc Hardy, Ms Holly Wasserfall, Ms Nonjabulo Ndwandwe, Ms Tamanda Masambuka, Ms Lungelo Ndlovu and Mr Johannes Pretorius.UKZN’s Centre for Communication, Media and Society (CCMS) graduates Ms Lungelo Ndlovu, Mr Jean-Luc Hardy, Ms Holly Wasserfall, Ms Tamanda Masambuka, Ms Nonjabulo Ndwandwe, Mr Johannes Pretorius and Ms Nothando Ntake, were thrilled to receive their Honours Degrees in Media and Communication cum laude while Mr Clifford Jani also graduated with his masters cum laude recently.
Ndlovu’s research was titled: Exploring barriers and opportunities for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) implementation among Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) at high risk of HIV infection at Vulindlela CAPRISA clinic. Her study is based on the understanding that for new prevention methods to be effective, public health and health behaviour interventions need to consider culture.
‘The perpetuation of HIV in rural KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is due to multiple factors, including cultural beliefs, practices and values. The introduction of PrEP for HIV prevention has presented an opportunity not only for a decline in HIV mortality but also a HIV prevention method for AGYW in South Africa,’ said Ndlovu. ‘Existing prevention methods have proven to be ineffective for this demographic because much of it relied on negotiation with partners. Clinical trials have now demonstrated the efficacy of oral PrEP, however social and cultural factors must be considered in uptake of the new prevention methods.’
Hardy’s research explored television and soap operas representations of patriarchy and gender construction within South African communities as seen in Uzalo. ‘As media has evolved culture has with it. The consumption of television media in particular by society contributes to the overall dynamics of identity, representation and relationships in our communities,’ said Hardy. He believes that his research could potentially aid in creating an understanding into how oppressive ideologies such as patriarchy are disseminated through the media and television as well as how they contribute to unequal perceptions of women in society.
Masambuka’s research was titled: Exploring the role of Entertainment Education in Creating Demand for Oral PrEP Uptake Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Vulindlela.‘In consideration of the fundamental role of this group in the future of the nation and in breaking the cycle of the pandemic, numerous efforts have been directed to find a prevention strategy that AGYW can easily access and more importantly be in direct control over,’ said Masambuka. ‘Of late, a biomedical measure, PrEP, has been introduced in South Africa with exact specifications.’
She believes that the effectiveness of PrEP among others however depends on awareness among AGYW to enhance demand creation. She suggests the feasibility of Entertainment education strategies in filling the current gap.
Ndwandwe’s research looked at Representation of Masculinity and Femininity in South African Soap Opera: A Case Study of Uzalo to examine whether they further support or deconstruct the binary socialisation of gender.
‘South African authors have engaged with the discourse of soap opera as a feminine genre. However, there is a lack of scholarly attention on gender diversity and fluidity as represented on soap opera. This is problematic as there is the growing trend in discussion and the representation of gender fluidity in other popular culture,’ explains Ndwandwe. ‘Soap opera has been utilised to empower and provide feminine spaces reflecting social contexts, such may also be true to members of the queer community.’
She found that South African society is a heteronormative which means gender is still socialised and understood as the binary of male and female, which possesses a threat to those individuals who do not identify within it.
Pretorius’s research is to understand how an Afrikaans identity can be negotiated as part of a broader South African and African identity in the current socio-political climate and how the various discourses around decolonisation and the promotion of African value systems might impact such a negotiation.
‘Much has been written about both Afrikaans identity in post-apartheid South Africa as well as how the heritage landscape in the new South Africa can work to construct a national identity,’ said Pretorius. ‘However, there seems to be room to look at how the latest developments in the heritage landscape impacts on any negotiation of an Afrikaner identity, and more specifically how looking at the purely formal aspects of the statue of M T Steyn can act as markers of meaning that guide such a negotiation.’
Ntake’s research explored the commemorative efforts of the Zulu warriors in Isiqu as experienced by the community of Magaga Mission. ‘Masking the troubled history of the country, a heritage landscape that sought reconciliation was to be adopted. Reconcilement meant that cultural differences would not be emphasised, instead a multicultural nation was celebrated. These post-apartheid monuments built by the government were often built with little to no public consultation,’ she said.
Jani’s study analysed the linguistic character of newspapers content pertaining to Black African migrants during the period 2016 – 2017. The research findings from his study indicate that Black African migrants in the two newspapers (Daily News and Daily Sun) are presented using more negative than positive metaphors.
‘One of the critical findings of this study is the negative association of Black African migrants with “illegality”, “drug dealing” and “crime”. Few newspapers report on the successes of migrants. The press tends to cover more of the gory activities of the Black African migrants,’ said Jani. Overall, the study established that Black African migrants are portrayed negatively in most news articles.
Words: Melissa Mungroo
Photograph: Abhi Indrarajan
author : .author email : .Masters Examines Soap Opera as a Feminine Genre
Cum Laude Master of Social Science in Media and Communication graduate, Ms Shannon-Leigh Landers. Ms Shannon-Leigh Landers graduated cum laude with her Master of Social Science in Media and Communication.
Her dissertation examined soap opera as a feminine genre through the theoretical lens of semiotics; focusing on the role of myth, ideology, power and hegemony which are often used to inculcate skewed gendered stereotypes.
The study examined the representation of two lead female characters (MaNzuza and MaNgcobo) in the popular South African soap opera, Uzalo: Blood is Forever (Season Two).
Landers was motivated by the desire to understand the construction of femininity in a genre of television that is purportedly feminine. She believes that television captures the zeitgeist of contemporary society, which often serves an ideological function. ‘Analysing the myths attached to the female characters in a popular local soap opera provides a platform to interrogate the systemic rootedness of gender-based issues in present South Africa,’ she said.
The study found that language can be used as a discourse to perpetuate hegemonic patriarchal myths about femininity. ‘Although soap opera has been posited as a feminine genre, it operates within the constraints of male-centred discourses which are not only evident in Uzalo, but in soap operas around the world,’ explained Landers. ‘Secondary to this finding is the notion of a universal femininity. This is problematic as White females have historically occupied a position of privilege contrary to the experience of women of colour.’
The study highlighted the fact that dominant ideologies gain impetus when they exist at a latent level. ‘Television plays a central role in promulgating myths that reside in structures of power,’ Landers said.
During her studies, she attended the South African Communications conference, gaining a wealth of knowledge and networking with experts in the field. She also attended weekly colloquia at UKZN’s Centre for Communication, Media and Society (CCMS), to hone her academic skills.
Landers thanked her family, friends, colleagues at CCMS and her supervisor Professor Ruth Teer-Tomaselli.
She plans on pursuing a PhD, building on the theories she examined. ‘I am fascinated by how language (broadly) influences our values.’
Landers’s parents Cyril and Maureen said, ‘We are proud of Shannon’s achievement considering the immense pressure she faced assisting her gravely ill uncle at a crucial point of her degree. She worked diligently throughout this process and is deserving of this great result.’
Words: Melissa Mungroo
Photograph: Abhi Indrarajan
author : .author email : .Cum Laude for House Sensation, Holly Rey
Ms Holly Wasserfall, aka Holly Rey, who was awarded her Honours degree cum laude.House musician, Ms Holly Wasserfall, aka, Holly Rey has graduated with an Honours degree in Media and Communication cum laude, from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She was awarded her degree at a graduation ceremony on the Westville campus last night, 01 April 2019.
The Durban-born recording artist who is well-known for her hit songs, Deeper, Joy, and You, said it was no easy task to study while on tour. ‘I had to read for my research at airports, in cars, planes and at the studio. Time-management was key!’
Her graduation was not just a personal triumph, but one for her family as well as she is the first woman in her family to obtain a tertiary qualification. Wasserfall is passionate about education and plans to go on to study for a Master's and PhD. ‘Education is the greatest tool you can give yourself,’ she said.
Her research investigated the representation and decoding of gender-based inequality in Uzalo, South Africa’s most-watched soap opera. This is an interesting case study as the two families portrayed in the soap opera - initially headed by me - are now headed by women. ‘It is important to understand how these encoded messages of empowerment are decoded by audiences to understand whether or not they are facilitating or challenging the gender-based inequalities prevalent in society and as a result, empowering women,’ she said.
The study was motivated by ongoing gender-based inequality in South Africa in the form of gender-based violence, femicide and unequal pay. ‘Gender expectations differ from society to society and although patriarchy power structures dominate most societies globally, the manifestations of these structures may vary. My research concerns itself with the Zulu culture,’ Wasserfall said.
She added that the cum laude came as ‘a bit of a surprise. 'It proves that hard work does pay off. However, I couldn’t have done it without all the support I received from my friends, family, classmates, and lecturers,’ she concluded.
Words: Sejal Desai
Photograph: Abhi Indrarajan
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