Masters Degrees (Political Studies and Governance)

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Political Studies and Governance) by Advisor "Graham, Victoria"

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    Character and role of the state from a governance perspective
    (University of the Free State, 2023) Vili, Ongezwa; Graham, Victoria
    In 1994, South Africa left behind its unequal and racist past, ushering in a new system of democracy that brought hope for a brighter future for its citizens. This new system was meant to bring and advocate for equality, job opportunities, the eradication of poverty and freedom; however, it seems that many South Africans are still plagued by the same issues they faced in the past. Most citizens are still experiencing poor service delivery in their communities, such as in the townships and rural areas, and unemployment remains a problem, as is corruption (Masiya, Davids & Mangai, 2019). The Finance Minister, Tito Mboweni, stated in his May 2021 Budget Vote debate that 163 municipalities were in financial distress and 40 in financial and service delivery crises. Moreover, 102 municipalities adopted budgets they could not fund. Mboweni concluded, “It is indeed lamentable that the trajectory of municipal performance is unimpressive. Much of the progress made has been eclipsed by the widespread ‘failure’ of many municipalities. Rather than moving communities forward, many municipalities have themselves regressed.” Lastly, Merton (2021) argues that ineffective political leadership, characterised by conflict among council members and undue political intervention in administrative affairs, has hindered the development of a functional municipal sector. One would assume that the local sphere of government would know and ensure the quality of service delivery as it is closest to communities; however, that is not the case in some South African municipalities. This study will begin with a definition of the state, which will help to establish the role and character of the state as it is one of the underlying concepts of this study. Furthermore, this study will define ‘effective government’ to analyse or establish to what degree the South African government has been effective in addressing the issues or challenges faced by its citizens in the new democracy since 1994.
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    Eradicating the patriarchal state: promoting women’s socio-economic rights and achieving gender equity in the economic participation of women in South Africa (1994-2017)
    (University of the Free State, 2017-07) Dichabe, Divine; Graham, Victoria
    This dissertation is a desktop research study that centres on the socio-economic empowerment of women in South Africa. It argues that despite the myriad legislative, institutional and administrative interventions adopted in South Africa since 1994, patriarchy still persists undermining and threatening the welfare and advancement of women in the country. In the study’s theoretical framework, it highlights patriarchy as the root of gender inequality from a theoretical point of view to a practical viewpoint while revealing the mother of patriarchy as being social institutions, e.g. the family, the school and the religious institutions. In pointing out socio-economic factors that affect gender equality, the following are deliberated on: Poverty and inequality; education; access to the labour market and economic participation; access to credit, land and property and the impact violence has on the participation of women in the economy. A discussion on different feminist traditions considers how the above-mentioned factors contribute to the disadvantaged position women find themselves in and narrows them all down to Colonial Feminism as the most applicable theory to be applied in South Africa. In the discussions, various elements are brought into play, i.e. historical and incumbent socio-cultural dynamics that influences the socio-economic empowerment of women. This study interrogates the roles of the Commission on Gender Equality as a section 9 institution of the Constitution (1996) and the Department of Women as an administrative body set out by the president to assist in fulfilling South African targets as far as its international commitments to achieving gender equality. It also acknowledges the influence that civil society has on the said institutions put in place in raising awareness and the application of women’s rights as set out in the Constitution. Through this narrative, the author hopes to liberate women out of their socio-economic disadvantages. This is on the premise that when women are liberated, they are able to make informed and progressive decisions striving for equity so that equality can be a reality.