An exploration of the similarities and differences between the defining characteristics of documentary and fiction

Scholarly discourse surrounding the moving image suggests the actuality of clearly defined filmic modes. Regarding the filmic mode of documentary; scholars focus on the debate between documentary's associations with 'actuality' and 'objectivity' versus the subjective nature of film as an artistic construction. According to Bill Nichols (2001: 38) documentary, unlike fiction, has the potential to influence due to our assumption that documentary images and sounds are an authentic representation of the world. Conversely, we assume fiction is a "fabrication" (Renov 1993: 7) that aims to project an illusion of the world. In the 21st century, we are witnessing the emergence of filmmakers who are vocally challenging the established characteristics that embody the documentary and fiction modes. In documentary, filmmakers are exploring the boundaries of categorisation by openly embracing subjective intentions and processes commonly associated with fiction. Fiction filmmakers have attempted to harness the 'truthfulness' of documentary; the byproduct of which being the manifestation of the docudrama sub-­‐genre in popular culture. These new developments call for an investigation that leads to a better understanding of the fundamental reasons behind them. Drawing from a theoretical framework and the film component as a case study, this report investigates the characteristics that define these filmic modes and examines how these characteristics relate to objectivity, subjectivity and actuality. This paper interrogates the perceived differences in their defining characteristics, and explores the strong indications that documentary and fiction films are products of a similar intention and process

Botswana and Zimbabwe: Relative success and comparative failure

Botswana and Zimbabwe represent two cases of differential access to the world economy. Notwithstanding its lack of diversification and its reliance on a primary mineral export, Botswana has prospered while Zimbabwe has fallen into a deep crisis. Historical and comparative evidence allows us to transcend the superficial presumption common to much policy discourse, namely, that the basis for success depends upon adherence to the ‘Washington Consensus’ export-oriented strategy, or to good governance, or even to geographical considerations. We argue instead that there are much deeper problems and possibilities that Botswana and Zimbabwe unveil, which relate largely to developmental linkages and aspects of agency

EMANCIPATORY PEDAGOGY AND COMMUNITY WORK: THE TEACHING-PRACTICE NEXUS

Teaching and learning entail a relational process whether it begins with the educator, in interaction with individuals, small groups or larger groups in the classroom. This relational process is largely influenced by the worldviews of educators and the kinds of pedagogical strategies adopted. While students bring to the educational context their own histories and socialised experiences that serve as both barriers and facilitators to radical pedagogy, the educator shapes the culture, tone and ethos for teaching and learning. The following components constitute teaching excellence: enthusiasm; power to stimulate students’ thinking and imagination; love of knowledge and passion; linking theoretical knowledge to daily lived experiences; positive regard for students; courage to engage students in controversial debate and discussion; clarity of presentation; being prepared and organised; providing a sense of hope for the future (East & Chambers, 2007; Freire, 1970, 1073; Giroux 1983; Gramsci, 1971; Sewpaul, 2003; Sewpaul, 2004a; Sewpaul 2004b); being a good role model (Jirovec, Ramanathan & Alvarez Rosegrant, 1998); and being able to create a sense of solidarity in the classroom where teaching and learning become a process of cooperative enquiry (Reason, 1994). Parker Palmer’s (cited in East & Chambers, 2007:814) first principle is: “We teach who we are; good teaching cannot be reduced to technique; good teaching comes from the identity and integrity of the teacher.

Role of guidance and counselling in preparing teachers for retirement: a case of teachers in Sinda district, Zambia.

Thesis of Masters of Science in CounsellingThe study intended to assess the role of guidance and counselling in preparing teachers for retirement in Sinda district. It was guided by the following study objectives (i) to establish the role of guidance and counselling in preparing teachers for retirement, (ii) to explore why teachers had negative attitude towards retirement, (iii) to ascertain why teachers developed anxiety when they approached retirement age, (iv) determine activities should be considered when preparing teachers for retirement and (v) to establish how prepared teachers were for retirement. A case study research design was employed in this study. The population comprised all head teachers, Heads of Departments and Heads of Sections HODs/HOSs), Guidance and Counselling Teachers, serving teachers, retired teachers and teacher union representatives from the two secondary schools and one primary school. Sample of three head teachers, eight HODs/HOSs, three guidance and counselling teachers, thirteen serving teachers, eight retired teachers and eight teacher union representatives. The study used homogeneous purposive and snowball sampling procedures to select participants. Data for the study was collected through an interview guide and semi-structured interviews were conducted on all the participants. Data was analysed by using thematic analysis. The results of the study revealed that guidance and counselling did not play major role in preparing teachers for retirement because there was no formal established guidance and counselling services specifically for teachers in the institutions visited during data collection. Furthermore, the study revealed that teachers did not have a habit of saving or doing business so as to cushion financial burdens. Instead, teachers totally depended on their monthly salaries hence the negative attitudes whenever an issue of retirement clicked in their minds. Additionally, it was revealed that teachers developed anxiety as they approach retirement because they were not ready to retire. Participants suggested activities or actions that should be considered when preparing teachers for retirement such as teachers to start some form of business so as to sustain them and seek professional guidance counselling services on retirement issues. Furthermore, teachers to develop a habit of saving because salaries alone could not sustain them. Lastly, the study further revealed that majority of teachers were not prepared for retirement because they thought that they still had more years to serve in government. Based on the findings the study recommended that; (a) Retirement planning should begin early in the teacher’s life. (b) The counseling unit of the Zambian Education system should counsel teachers and guide them in retirement investment choices

Africa's contribution to the humanitarian approach of nuclear weapons disarmament : Pelindaba Treaty

Magister Administrationis - MAdminThis thesis attempts to assess the role Africa has played to further the humanitarian approach to nuclear weapons disarmament. Particular focus is on the Pelindaba Treaty and whether it has been able to strengthen the call for disarmament based on the humanitarian approach. The findings of this research are that the Pelindaba treaty did contribute indirectly to the strengthening of the humanitarian initiative of nuclear weapons disarmament because the Treaty serves as an important contribution towards the achievement of a world without nuclear weapons, which is the key objective of the humanitarian initiative of nuclear weapons disarmament. In addition, the Pelindaba Treaty has also contributed in strengthening the call for overall nuclear disarmament. This is the case as 53 states signed the treaty to rid the continent of nuclear weapons and any direct threats associated with those weapons. In so doing, it has contributed greatly to disarmament efforts. A nuclear weapons free zone across the continent is a powerful statement about the desire for a nuclear free world. It has provided African states with a foundation for engaging in the humanitarian initiative, as it led to some standardisation of statements/positions. Also, since the inception of the humanitarian approach to disarmament, African states have contributed greatly to the initiative. In terms of numbers, in the three conferences on the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons use that have taken place between 2013 and 2014 (in Oslo, Nayarit and Vienna), it was witnessed that the number of participating African states increased from 34 in the first meeting to 45 in the last meeting. This alone indicates the determination and commitment by these African states to the initiative. Conclusively, this research determined that the Pelindaba Treaty and efforts of African states in general have contributed towards strengthening the call for not only the humanitarian initiative to nuclear weapons disarmament but also to disarmament overall

Intra and inter-organizational factors that facilitate or hamper services to children and youth living on the streets of Durban CBD.

Thesis (M.A.)-Universiity of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.This research is a result of prolonged work with children and youth on the streets of Durban Central Business District (CBD). This research process started in 2008 during my third year social work practice and in 2009 as part fulfilment of my social work bachelor’s degree. My contemporaries and I conducted a study on survival strategies of children and youth living on the streets of Durban CBD. It was during this period that we began to encounter organizational dynamics that we thought needed further study. The study sought to understand those inter and intra-organizational factors that have impact on their work with children and youth. This qualitative study used data source triangulation, incorporating in-depth interviews, journal notes and analysis of texts. The study was informed by critical theory. Of central importance in this study was critical discourse analysis as a research design and method of data analysis. This study found that some of the organizations, established to assist children and youth living on the streets, actually do present obstacles to their integral development. Children and youth migrate to towns and cities in search of a better life. When on the streets, children are caught up in organizational dynamics that have profound impact on their lives. It is this interface between the organizations themselves and the children that this research critically interrogated. Organizational dynamics, as reflected in this dissertation, present a threat to children’s and youth’s sense of future and the programmes and models being used need to be re-thought. Based on the main findings of the study, policy and practice recommendations are made in respect of promoting the welfare of children and youth living on the streets

LIFE ON THE STREETS OF DURBAN: NO MILLIONAIRE ENDING

This article is based on two years of engagement with children and youths living on the streets of Durban. Our work was informed by critical and emancipatory frameworks and combined research and social work practice. This article reports specifically on research undertaken in respect of the experiences of children and youths living on the streets in the Durban Central Business District and the survival strategies that they adopted.1 MacDonald and Terblanche (2011:85) concluded from their study in the Western Cape that: “From the researchers’ point of view there was certainly no ‘millionaire’ ending to the story, yet from the participants’ perspective street life could be likened to a millionaire’s life in comparison with their home circumstances”. While our research in Durban supports the researchers’ view, it contests the latter assertion. Despite the extreme poverty and deprivation, often accompanied by alcoholism, violence and abuse in their family environments, the participants in our study did not believe that life on the streets was actually better than life at their homes. The words of one of the youths captured this most poignantly: “Ma’am, sometimes we talk about it in the shelter and we compare – home, shelter, street and we don’t know which one is worse

Factors associated with complementary feeding practices among children aged 6-23 mo in Malawi: an analysis of the Demographic and Health Survey 2015-2016

Background: Optimal child complementary feeding practices are crucial for nutritional status, growth, development and health, and ultimately affect child survival. This is the first population-based study in Malawi that aimed to examine factors associated with complementary feeding practices among children aged 6-23 mo. Methods: Utilizing data from the 2015-16 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey (MDHS), 4732 children aged 6-23 mo and their mothers were analysed. The MDHS produced a nationally representative sample using a multistage cluster sampling design that included sampling weights. The impact of child, maternal, household, community and health service utilization factors on complementary feeding practices was examined using the generalized estimating equation logistic regression. Results: After controlling for a wide range of covariates, children from mothers with secondary or post-secondary education and from mothers working in agriculture and living in the central region were significantly more likely to have timely introduction to solid, semi-solid or soft food. Surprisingly, being >1 y of age was associated with reduced odds of achieving minimum meal frequency. In addition, children >1 y of age from mothers older than 24 y and from mothers with primary, secondary and post-secondary education were significantly more likely to achieve minimum dietary diversity. Children from rich households were more likely to achieve both minimum dietary diversity and minimum acceptable diet. Finally, exposure to mass media was significantly associated with increased odds of achieving minimum meal frequency, minimum dietary diversity and minimum acceptable diet. Conclusions: Public health strategies aimed at reducing childhood undernutrition should focus on children from poor households whose mothers have no formal education and are unemployed. In addition, exposure to mass media had a positive impact on the three complementary feeding indicators. Therefore behaviour change communication messages through mass media aimed at promoting child nutrition are necessary to achieve optimal child complementary feeding practices

Detection of Salmonella

A cross-sectional study was conducted to detect the presence of Salmonella spp., Candida albicans, Aspergillus spp., and antimicrobial residues in raw milk (n=120) and processed cow milk (n=20) from smallholder dairy farms from three sites in Zimbabwe. Culture and isolation of Salmonella spp., C. albicans, and Aspergillus spp. were performed using selective media, while antimicrobial residues were detected by a dye reduction test. No Salmonella, but C. albicans (17.5%; 21/120), Aspergillus spp. (0.8%; 1/120), and antimicrobial residues (2.5%; 3/120) were detected from raw milk. C. albicans was isolated from all three sites, while Aspergillus spp. and antimicrobial residues were detected from sites 1 and 3, respectively. From processed milk, only C. albicans (5%) was isolated while Aspergillus spp. and antimicrobial residues were not detected. These results suggested low prevalence of Salmonella spp. and Aspergillus spp. and a relatively high prevalence of C. albicans in raw milk from the smallholder farms. The potential public health risks of C. albicans and the detected antimicrobial residues need to be considered. Thus, educating farmers on improving milking hygiene and storage of milk and establishing programmes for monitoring antimicrobial residues may help to improve the safety of milk from smallholder farms