An analysis of the roles of the media and various interest aggregations in the social construction of the obesity epidemic
- Authors: Kriel, Daneel
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Obesity in mass media , Identity (Psychology) and mass media Mass media Discourse analysis Social constructionism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/31434 , vital:31381
- Description: The regularly shifting positions between frames of individual responsibility and environmental impact characterising the obesity discourse in the media raises suspicion that the purported ‘obesity epidemic’ may be a social construction as opposed to a bona fide public health concern. Should this be the case, it prompts the question, who would go to the lengths of creating a global perception of being overweight as a life-threatening disease and constructing a global ‘epidemic? Additionally, what could be the possible justifications for doing so? This study is an effort to determine whether the ‘obesity epidemic’ is indeed a social construction. This is of concern, because public representations of obesity not only inform the public of medical or biomedical statistics but endorse shame-based narratives that may impact negatively upon the social identities and lives of people by creating meanings that influence cultural understandings of fatness and health. This study employs frame analysis, conceptualizing media frames as independent variables influencing the nature of the obesity discourse. By employing set criteria, eighty articles were selected from various high-profile South African English news sources with an online presence, representing a broad cross-section of the daily news provided to the South African population. A coding frame of key discourses was developed and coded for frame analysis in the QDA Miner software program. The study found that not only is the ‘obesity epidemic’ a social construction, but the result of propaganda executed through the media by large corporations in the ‘health-industrial complex’ for the sake of economic gain. Continued presentation of the ‘obesity epidemic’ as a global public health crisis, serves to reinforce societal myths and stereotypes, while shaping community beliefs, values and behaviour on behalf of corporate institutions.
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- Date Issued: 2018
The agriculture mentorship programme of the department of Agrarian reform and rural development
- Authors: Dyasopu, Thembani
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Land reform -- South Africa , Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Agriculture and state -- South Africa , South Africa -- Rural conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9252 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021191
- Description: New policy initiatives that followed the 1994 democratic elections aim strongly on construction and development, especially in the agrarian sector. Land reform is one of the initiatives that the democratic government has implemented post 1994 to enable the previously marginalised and disposed individuals and families to own land. The aim of the land reform was not only to provide settlement beneficiaries, but to provide post settlement support to them and enable them to live a better life. However, most of the beneficiaries who acquired farms through the land reform programs lack practical experience in commercial agricultural production. In light of the above, the agricultural mentorship programme was implemented to offer a ray of sunshine to smallholder and emerging farmers. However, it is quite evident that although the agricultural mentorship program was implemented, the Kat river valley emerging citrus farmers are still facing challenges such as limited production capacity; limited access to financial capital; limited access to production equipment; and limited post-harvest support. This study aims to review the agriculture mentorship programme of the Department of Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (DRDAR), with a specific focus on citrus at Kat River Valley. Using data drawn from a sample of nine (9) mentees, two (2) mentors and one official from DARDAR who were personally visited and interviewed, the thesis presents the results of an assessment of the program’s outcomes for participant’s experiences and perceptions in order to strengthen the programme. A review of related literature on land and agriculture reform, agricultural policies, emerging farmers and mentorship has been presented. The study employed a qualitative approach for in-depth understanding and verification. Source documents, open-ended questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from participants. The study revealed that the mentorship programme has made an impact since its implementation as can be noted by the increase in production and income levels; sustainability of skills and knowledge attained from during mentorship and also job opportunities from the projects.
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- Date Issued: 2014