Doctoral Journey

Back to top

Minorities’ land rights in Africa have been very complex because of the different socio economic and political dynamics which influence these rights. The different construction and implementation of minorities’ land rights by different communities in different circumstances have not only led to violent land disputes, but also to their denial, restriction and challenges in many African states. This study is situated within the scholarship on land and minorities.

Within the climate mitigation discourse, renewable energy technology is understood as vital to reduce coal energy reliance. This discourse which is deeply anthropocentric in its approach understands ‘green’ energy transitions largely as reliant on reductionist techno-scientific ‘solutions’ and green economic growth rationalisation. If energy transitions are not engaged with critically, ongoing injustice and extractive relationships are likely to be perpetuated.

This thesis studies failure and disillusionment in black post apartheid South African fiction. As it officially ‘comes of age’, South Africa, like many post liberation states on the African continent, is trapped in the mire of disillusionment: there is a perception that the past continues to hold the present ransom, coupled with a recognition of a ‘newness that cannot yet be born’, to paraphrase Gramsci (276).

The aim of this study is to investigate and critically appraise E.D.M. Sibiya’s manipulation of the isiZulu language in his novels. Sibiya has contributed greatly to the growth of isiZulu literature. Despite being an award-winning novelist, his works, particularly novels, have not received the amount of attention they deserve as there is relatively less research done on them. Most research on Sibiya’s novels has focused on literary elements such as characterisation and social ills as depicted by themes. There is very little that has been done on evaluating language in his novels.

Human beings the world over benefit from sharing experiences and knowledge through language. African languages have now demonstrated that they also have capacity to transmit intellectualism that advances human progress and knowledge beyond human boarders. Words such as ubuntu, imbizo and lobola have broken bonds of linguistic superiority. But is it possible to translate the linguistic superiority into English without acculturation?

Counselling psychologists represent a considerable proportion of psychologists in South Africa (SA), yet knowledge on the discipline’s workforce is limited. In addition, professional lifespan issues have received inadequate attention, inclusive of the early career stage, identified as an exceptionally vulnerable segment of the professional lifespan.

Police culture plays a crucial role in shaping law enforcement practices and the overall functioning of police organisations. In Africa, the study of police culture holds particular importance due to the unique historical, social, and political contexts that influence policing in the region. Academic research on police organisational culture has been one of the most robust and productive areas in the study of policing, uncovering many of the day-to-day realities, lived experiences and cultural meanings of police work.

NIHSS PhD Graduates