The values the Liberal International Order (LIO) professes to uphold in theory, such as the promise of equal treatment, are not always lived up to in practice. In fact, it cannot always live up to...Show moreThe values the Liberal International Order (LIO) professes to uphold in theory, such as the promise of equal treatment, are not always lived up to in practice. In fact, it cannot always live up to this promise. The LIO’s social hierarchy prevents non-Western countries from fully acquiring the recognition they believe they are entitled to, leading them to contest the legitimacy of the LIO. For some countries, the emerging multipolar world presents an alternative option to gain international status and recognition. This thesis uses South Africa as a case study to examine how misrecognition in the LIO motivates countries to join BRICS. The results and analysis indicate that the LIO’s inability, but BRIC’s ability, to promise recognition motivated South Africa to join BRIC. Yet, in assessing the available empirical record, and whether the collective body of evidence can support making an inference that the causal relationship existed in the case of South Africa, this thesis concludes that there is only weak confirmatory evidence.Show less
In post-apartheid South Africa, the disparity between constitutionally promised services and actual delivery has led marginalised citizens to protest for their right to human dignity and equality....Show moreIn post-apartheid South Africa, the disparity between constitutionally promised services and actual delivery has led marginalised citizens to protest for their right to human dignity and equality. With this in mind, this thesis explores the impact of public financial management on South Africa's service delivery crisis and examines the role of historical patterns of racialised socioeconomic segregation. Using a mixed methods approach, including a literature review and quantitative analysis, the paper identifies three primary factors hindering access to municipal services: historical (apartheid-era spatial divisions), economic (poverty and municipal boundaries), and political (financial mismanagement and poor governance). For the quantitative analysis, data was derived from the Consolidated General Report on Local Government Audit Outcomes, Poverty Trends in South Africa: An Examination of Absolute Poverty Between 2006 and 2015, and General Household Survey (GHS), all of which are publicly available and published by either Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) or the Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA). Chapter 2 reveals that historically wealthier and whiter provinces continue to enjoy better access to services, while poorer, previously disadvantaged provinces lag behind. Chapter 3 analyses the relationship between public financial management and service delivery, showing that while poor financial practices hinder municipal services, there does not seem to be a strong correlation between clean audits as a proxy for sound financial management and service delivery. However, it appears that historical patterns of racialised socioeconomic segregation play a much more significant role. Consequently, historically poorer provinces continue to suffer from the perpetuation of apartheid-era inequality, thereby hindering their access to key services such as water, sanitation, electricity, and refuse removal. South Africa's entrenched service delivery inequality further infringes on marginalised citizens' constitutional right to dignity and equality.Show less
This thesis set out to answer the research question “In what ways has the phenomenon of Black Tax intersected with social justice in post-apartheid South Africa and how does this dynamic inform the...Show moreThis thesis set out to answer the research question “In what ways has the phenomenon of Black Tax intersected with social justice in post-apartheid South Africa and how does this dynamic inform the country’s contemporary development?” The resulting hypothesis posits that Black Tax in the form of remittances, combined with effective government policies, can facilitate development. Black Tax refers to the financial and material support that higher-earning black individuals provide to their (extended) family members. Although the chosen case study for this research is South Africa, the system carries global significance as diasporas are participating in similar patterns worldwide. The research method utilized is exploratory qualitative data, pursuing a process tracing approach, including academic literature, an informational interview, personal narratives, and policy reports. The resulting analytical framework examines the influence of different historical underpinnings on various development outcomes, as seen through a social justice lens. By applying this analytical framework to four causal processes it became clear that the hypothesis is partially true. While some aspects of Black Tax aid in driving development outcomes, others impede effective development efforts. The main conclusion drawn from this research argues that Black Tax needs to be seen as a two-edged sword since it can both constitute a poverty trap for the participants as well as offer a path toward development. Consequently, further research needs to be conducted to investigate the structural barriers that hinder the effectiveness of Black Tax and social justice efforts in promoting sustainable development.Show less
This thesis explores the dynamics of cooperation and alliance formation in the post-Cold War era, with a focus on how emerging powers within the Global South pick their allies. The study centres on...Show moreThis thesis explores the dynamics of cooperation and alliance formation in the post-Cold War era, with a focus on how emerging powers within the Global South pick their allies. The study centres on the alignment theory, which argues that internal state factors, specifically the personal interests of state leaders, are significant in alignment choices. This theory contrasts with traditional realist approaches that emphasize external threats and state security as primary motivators. Conducting a single case study of South Africa's ascension to the BRIC bloc in 2010 under president Jacob Zuma, this thesis employs theory-testing process tracing to examine the hypothesized causal mechanism where personal interests of Zuma eventually led to the ascension of South Africa to BRIC. The findings suggest that Zuma's personal motivations and corrupt practices significantly directed South Africa’s foreign policy and alignment choices, resulting in its alignment with BRIC. This challenges the conventional notion that state strategies in Global South contexts are predominantly shaped by geopolitical, security related, or identity driven considerations.Show less
A qualitative, process tracing analysis of the impact of state repression on social movements tactics based on a case study of the ANC during apartheid in South Africa.
Education is one of the most important determinants of an individual livelihood. Not only does education contribute to the development of a nation, but it also fosters democracy through the...Show moreEducation is one of the most important determinants of an individual livelihood. Not only does education contribute to the development of a nation, but it also fosters democracy through the teachings of democratic values in schools and exposure to the benefits of civic engagement. Furthermore, the education system of a country is reflective of its ideology and can serve as a tool for the government to shape the view of its citizens. Literature on the relationship between democracy on education is vast, but most are based on quantitative measures. Thus, this research conducts a qualitative study in analysing the effect of the level of democracy on the inclusion of democratic values in the fundamental education law of each country. Employing a diverse case selection, qualitative content analysis method, and a deductive coding frame, this thesis finds that the effect of democracy on democratic values in education law has varying effects. A clear division based on the level of democracy is visible for democratic goals in the education law, but is less visible regarding participation, freedom, and equality. The findings of this thesis contribute to narrowing the literature gap and allow further understanding of the impact of democracy on daily life and human development.Show less
This thesis examines the unintended consequences of land reform policies in post-Apartheid South Africa, focusing on how they have revived colonial perceptions of land use, and reintroduced the...Show moreThis thesis examines the unintended consequences of land reform policies in post-Apartheid South Africa, focusing on how they have revived colonial perceptions of land use, and reintroduced the historical role of chiefs, highlighting the adverse effect on women and rural livelihoods. The study delves into the historical context of land ownership, the formulation and implementation of land reform programs, and the challenges faced in achieving equitable land distribution. The thesis explores the historical evolution of land ownership, the emergence of land reform legislation, and the implementation of land redistribution policies. It reveals that post-apartheid land reform policies have inadvertently revived colonial perceptions of land use, reintroduced the historical role of chiefs, and resulted in constitutional discrepancies. The dominance of colonial agricultural structures within the land reform program has hindered its objectives and posed significant challenges. The resurgence of chiefs has also emerged as a substantial obstacle, particularly for women, in enhancing rural livelihoods. These consequences have contributed to adverse effects on women and rural communities, perpetuating inequalities and marginalizing vulnerable groups.Show less
Primary goods make the world go round, and one that makes cars go round is platinum, which is needed in exhaust catalysts. It is a valuable precious metal, and 80 percent of all of the world’s...Show morePrimary goods make the world go round, and one that makes cars go round is platinum, which is needed in exhaust catalysts. It is a valuable precious metal, and 80 percent of all of the world’s platinum can be found in South Africa. Despite this, very few South Africans actually benefit from its lucrative platinum mining sector. In fact, this sector appears to cause more problems for most of the people in mining regions, from bad working conditions to air and water pollution. In this thesis I will argue that the lucrativeness of the platinum mining sector and its many negative externalities are related through the Resource Curse. I hypothesize that the owners of platinum mines will use a specific form of lobbying – cronyism, also known as the ‘revolving door’ – to influence members of the National Assembly of South Africa to adopt policies favorable to the mining sector. My research will focus specifically on the case of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act of 2002 (MPRDA).Show less
Umhlatuzana rock shelter is a site first excavated in the 1980s located in the ZwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. About 70.000 years of human activity are represented at the site without...Show moreUmhlatuzana rock shelter is a site first excavated in the 1980s located in the ZwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. About 70.000 years of human activity are represented at the site without occupational hiatuses, which is rarely found in the region. A recent (2018-2019) fieldwork campaign by a team from Leiden University has unearthed thousands of lithic artefacts dating between the Middle Stone Age and Later Stone Age. This thesis aims to determine the raw material composition of a sample of 100 recently excavated lithics, coming from two different spits dating to the end of the Howiesons Poort and to the Late Middle Stone Age periods. The results from the two spits are compared to identify any chronological patterns of variation. The results are then related to the raw material proportions reported from the first excavation. A combination of visual and geochemical (PXRF) analyses is used to identify different rock types and to test the accuracy of visual determination for raw material classification. The main rock types identified in the sample are hornfels, sandstone and quartz, accompanied in smaller amounts by other materials such as quartzite and ironstone. The data obtained suggests continuity in raw material choice from the Howiesons Poort to the Late MSA period and purposefulness in the selection of different rock types for different uses. The evidence aligns in this aspect with other nearby sites, such as Sibudu and Umbeli Belli. The exact raw material proportions of the spits, however, are unlike what is seen elsewhere, and do not conform with the results presented by J. Kaplan, the original excavator of the site. Raw material choice is fundamental to the toolmaking process and integral to our understanding of past hunter-gatherer lifeways. The study presented here adds to a growing body of evidence on the southern African Middle Stone Age, furthering the current knowledge on the behaviors of early Modern Humans.Show less
The purpose of this research is to investigate the socio-economic and associated political circumstances that inform the conditions of non-nationals participating in the South African cultural...Show moreThe purpose of this research is to investigate the socio-economic and associated political circumstances that inform the conditions of non-nationals participating in the South African cultural industry. This is in light of previous literature on cultural productions of diasporas but applied to the specific context of Johannesburg. The exploration is relevant in contributing to discussions surrounding the South-South migration, sustainable immigration and integration, gatekeeping practices, as well as providing arguments for more inclusive cultural policy making decisions. Central to this research are questions regarding barriers to the creative sector, the use of hybrid form and content in cultural productions of non-nationals, and the dichotomy between ‘self-presentation’ and ‘other-presentation’ of non-nationals in institutionalized spaces. The research is conducted using a multimodal discourse analysis and took place during a research internship at a Johannesburg-based emerging artists center. Primary analysis is in the form of nine semi-structured interviews (in-person and online) whereas secondary analysis examines the content of the creative products of each respondent. Findings show that the cultural production of non-nationals is affected the most by local market demands and financial considerations. There is clear evidence that respondents wish to assimilate their works into the local scene by using specific business strategies and aesthetic adaptations. Therefore, respondents do not wish to highlight themselves as ‘others’ in their ‘self-presentation’. This posed a direct contrast to institutional framing techniques that highlight diasporic individuals in a tokenizing way. The logistics of migration and xenophobia prove to be the greatest challenges for non-nationals but despite this, individuals wish to remain in Johannesburg and continue working in the cultural industries.Show less
Entrepreneurship can play a crucial role in overcoming development barriers, alleviating unemployment, and promoting general wellbeing. For decades, scholars have investigated the factors that...Show moreEntrepreneurship can play a crucial role in overcoming development barriers, alleviating unemployment, and promoting general wellbeing. For decades, scholars have investigated the factors that influence entrepreneurial entry. It is only recently, though, that scholars have begun to centralise the concept of necessity- and opportunity-motivated entrepreneurial entry in this research field. Studies investigating factors that influence entrepreneurial motivation have shown mixed results and have thus far focused solely on low- and middle-income and developed countries. This study elaborates on the existing research by investigating the influence of both human capital and (same and other) demographic characteristics in South Africa, a middle-income, developing country. Based on comprehensive data from 171 South African entrepreneurs (Global Entrepreneurs Monitor, Adult Population Survey 2017), this quantitative analysis was embedded in a qualitative overview of the structural reality and historical context within which the challenge of entrepreneurship in South Africa sits. As predicted, human capital (educational level) showed to lead to a higher cognitive ability and in turn a greater ability to identify and recognise opportunities. Similarly, higher educational levels led to better social networks, which positively influences entrepreneurs to identify and exploit business opportunities. Additionally, as predicted, being younger and therefore, for example, attaching more value to autonomy, having fewer obligations, and experimenting (more) with making the optimal career choice, leads to being more open to a range of opportunities compared to older entrepreneurs, which increases the ability to be opportunity-motivated. These findings are useful for policymakers who desire to more effectively stimulate and promote entrepreneurship. Doing so enhances the entrepreneurial ecosystem, which in turn leads to economic development, growth, and to overcome development barriers.Show less
When Jimmy Carter was inaugurated in 1977, he promised to make his commitment to human rights absolute. The deeply torn and racially divided region of Southern Africa would become his...Show moreWhen Jimmy Carter was inaugurated in 1977, he promised to make his commitment to human rights absolute. The deeply torn and racially divided region of Southern Africa would become his administration’s stage to illustrate their moralistic foreign policy which was based on the promotion of human rights. Whereas Carter’s commitment to human rights was motivated by his personal experiences during the Civil Rights Movement in the United States, his National Security Advisor, Zbigniew Brzezinski, was led by strategic considerations which could advance the American position in the Cold War. These conflicting approaches to a human rights policy resulted in a vague, often hypocritical, and quickly shifting policy, which started with a strong moral undertone and focus on human rights, yet ended with economic and strategic considerations as the top priorities of the administration. Through its in-depth analysis of primary sources, this study has sought to research the change in the Carter administration’s human rights policy towards South Africa, thereby also discussing the general changes within the foundations of the administration’s foreign policy.Show less
Engaging in a just energy transition implies the equitable participation of all stakeholders. The successful development of renewable energy infrastructure projects relies on a strong social...Show moreEngaging in a just energy transition implies the equitable participation of all stakeholders. The successful development of renewable energy infrastructure projects relies on a strong social support. Companies must implement ambitious community engagement practices to gain a social license to operate (SLO) and, thus, mitigate social acceptance risks. This study aims at investigating the interactions between involved companies and host communities of such projects in South Africa, where firms must engage in local economic development activities. It focuses on the construction phase of third-party EPC projects (when Engineering, Procurement and Construction services are offered by an actor that is not the original developer). Based on a comprehensive literature review, field research was conducted. Thorough observations were recorded. Questionnaire surveys were disseminated to the company’s employees and local workers. Semi- structured interviews and discussions were conducted with company’s representatives, local workers, and other community members. A comparative case study approach is adopted to evaluate corporate management strategies. Two projects located in the North West province, Bokamoso and Waterloo Solar Parks, and overseen by the same EPC company, are analyzed. The SLO concept is utilized to assess actual community responses and frame elements of corporate management that might have influenced the positive observed levels of SLO. Results show that: • There is a slight mismatch between the reality on site and its perception by the company. • The company maintains a negative approach to communication, both internally and externally, which negatively influenced local communities’ responses. • Community responses are also shaped by external factors that the company acknowledges but difficultly navigates. These results suggest that host communities and local rules of the game should be better understood by corporate proponents. Practical recommendations to improve community engagement and better mitigate social acceptance risks in renewable energy infrastructure projects, solely during the construction phase, in South Africa are offered.Show less
South Africa's transition from an authoritarian, racialized regime to a liberal democracy at the end of the Apartheid period was in all forms radical. Politically, all citizens were suddenly equal...Show moreSouth Africa's transition from an authoritarian, racialized regime to a liberal democracy at the end of the Apartheid period was in all forms radical. Politically, all citizens were suddenly equal before the law, all of whom having the right to vote, and economically the country was open to the rest of the world again, thrusting its economy into a hypermodern globalized system. Both of these changes had significant impacts on the cultural experiences of the nation’s people, who were negotiating ways to manifest their identities in the midst of all these changes, and, through this, renegotiating the power structures at the base of society. This thesis explores how popular culture, more specifically the music genres of Kwaito and Hip-hop, not only reflected this transition, but also helped shape it. Through a lense of cultural studies and political economics, the effects of these genres on power relations in the creation of a new South Africa are studied. Kwaito's evasion of, and Hip-hop's resistance against social control are seen to have effectuated new standards with regards to cultural norms and their inherent power structures, thus portraying the capacity of popular culture to spark change outside of its usual sphere of influence.Show less
A comparative analysis between the Soweto Uprising of 1976 and the Marikana Massacre of 2012. The research tries to uncover the differences and similarities between the reaction of the apartheid...Show moreA comparative analysis between the Soweto Uprising of 1976 and the Marikana Massacre of 2012. The research tries to uncover the differences and similarities between the reaction of the apartheid and post-apartheid government to uncover whether post-apartheid South African politics has changed since the end of apartheid.Show less
