DSpace Repository

Welcome to the NWU Repository, the open access Institutional Repository of the North-West University (NWU-IR). This is a digital archive that collects, preserves and distributes research material created by members of NWU. The aim of the NWU-IR is to increase the visibility, availability and impact of the research output of the North-West University through Open Access, search engine indexing and harvesting by several initiatives.

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Recent Submissions

The Snake in the Grass: An Ethnography of Snake Encounters at Hartebeespoortdam Snake and Animal Park, South Africa
(North-West University, 2026-07) Theron, AD; Goodrich, A
With themes of fear, fascination, and the ethical, affective, and physical labours of care, this dissertation closely examines encounters between zookeepers and the snakes in their care at the Hartbeespoortdam Snake and Animal Park. This thesis explores how relational encounters and institutional concerns shape knowledge, affect, ethical responsibility, and practical work with snakes, drawing on field ethnography and theoretical concepts from Latour (2004), Puig de la Bellacasa (2017), Ginn (2014), and van Dooren (2016). Care consists of multiple layers shaped and constrained by institutional concerns and animal welfare. Death and loss, which are unavoidable in multispecies relationships, highlight the limits and paradoxes of care work with nonhumans in captivity and conservation. This study emphasises that multispecies relationships are always co-becoming, relational, and morally entangled, contributing to broader discussions about human-nonhuman relationships, care and ethics.
A critical philosophical analysis of participatory democracy in South Africa
(North-West University, 2026-07) Diedericks, G; du Toit, J; Rathbone, M
Participatory democracy enables the citizenry to meaningfully influence political decisions. Viewed in this way, the participatory process is a civic activity in which constituents inform, collaborate and reflect on policies, legislation and administrative action. Whereas in theory public participation is extremely promising, the real-life experience of communities has been overwhelmingly negative. In this regard, public participation discourse emphasises an asymmetrical power dynamic that makes citizens feel inferior, unheard and disregarded. This study mobilises Foucault's concept of disciplinary power, postcolonial theory, Judith Butler's concept of subjectivation and Arendt's philosophical corpus, to elucidate and navigate the power imbalance in participatory democracy. By mobilising Foucault's concept of disciplinary power, I shed light on the coercive nature of political customs that have to be carried out when South Africans participate in political decision-making. I draw upon postcolonial theory to argue that political custom is used to make the masses feel inferior and as though their input does not matter in the participatory process. The power imbalance makes the contemporary South African landscape inherently exploitative. Butler's concept of subjectivation provides insight into how docility and colonial narrative manifest in the psyche, resulting in South Africans who are psychically devoted to our own subjection. Arendt's concepts of totalitarian masses, political revolution, public happiness, political action and thinking, willing and judgement, as well as violence, shed light on the power imbalance inherent in public participation, as well as articulate my concept of transformative public dialogue. I offer a reconceptualisation of power that transforms participatory democracy into a public dialogue that is open to new perspectives, recognises marginalised groups, elevates minority voices, and is open-ended, flexible, deliberative and inclusive.
Internal communication to manage employer-employee relationships at the South African Medical Association (SAMA)
(North-West University, 2026-05) Mulaudzi, M; Degenaar, A; Sutton, LB
The focus of this study is the South African Medical Association (SAMA), a non-statutory, nonprofit professional organisation representing medical practitioners in both the public and private healthcare sectors in South Africa. The study investigates internal communication as a means of managing internal relationships between the employer and employees following organisational change and restructuring in 2022. The research was informed by the following theoretical guidelines: strategic communication, grounded in two-way symmetrical communication and stakeholder relationship management theories, to foster and maintain long-term relationships that are mutually beneficial between management and employees. These theoretical guidelines formed the literature review of the study. The purpose of the study is to determine how SAMA utilises internal communication to build internal relationships between management and employees. A qualitative approach was applied using semi-structured interviews and focus groups for data collection. Sixteen semi-structured interviews were conducted; five interviews with top-level management and eleven interviews with middle management of SAMA. Five focus group interviews were conducted with SAMA employees from various departments. The purpose was to gauge the perceptions of both management and employees on the nature of internal communication to manage employer-employee relationships at SAMA. After gathering data from participants, it was analysed using qualitative content analysis. Findings reflect mixed perceptions of internal communication and relationship satisfaction, with only a minority of employees indicating satisfaction with their relationship with the organisation. The majority of employees expressed feelings of low morale and demotivation that negatively affected their work relationships. Although inconsistency in participants' perception was pointed out, the overall result from the study shows that internal communication serves as a strategic tool to build strong and good employer-employee relationships. To successfully build relationships between employer and employees requires effective communication. In summary, it was found that efforts are made by SAMA to foster good relationships between management and employees through effective relationship-building strategies. The finding shows that there is an improvement in open communication with management and prioritising employees' well-being, particularly after the restructuring of the organisation. Open communication channels reflect openness, disclosure, trust, positivity and access as a strategy to build and maintain relationships. However, the results reflect mixed perceptions on the successful application of these strategies. Currently, the internal relationships at SAMA between management and employees are unbalanced with opportunities for improvement. The research findings reflect the need for more effective strategic communication practices with employees to foster good internal relationships. Therefore, internal communication should be executed according to the theoretical guidelines of strategic communication, two-way symmetrical communication, and stakeholder relationship management to foster long term relationships.
Ricoeur's concept of capable man and happiness in the context of automation and AI
(North-West University, 2026-05) Macaringue, SA; Verhoef, AH
The present academic project seeks to explore and discuss the notions and concepts of happiness and capable human beings in Ricoeur's philosophical framework within the context of technology, such as AI and automation. In this regard, Ricoeur's theoretical narrative is essential to strengthen and reintroduce the missing fundamental aspects of this interplay between technology, happiness and human capability. The intersection between happiness, technology and human capability can be thoroughly understood within the dialectical and hermeneutical approach of Ricoeur's philosophy. At the prima facie, Ricoeur's work related to the study of contemporary technologies can be regarded as contradictory because Ricoeur's approach was not based on empirical research. Some philosophers argue, however, that technology can be understood through Ricoeur's lens because he indirectly thematises the study of technology when looking at human capability and ethics, while he acknowledges the complexity between technology and the social sphere. The concept of happiness and capable human beings requires a dialectical analysis regarding the interpretive approach of the interplay between technology, happiness, and human capability. These positions are not exclusively mutual but rather capture a complementary understanding from a Ricoeurian hermeneutical approach. At various glances, Ricoeur explores major themes of the philosophy of technology, human capability and happiness by exploring the relationship between techniques, human flourishing, human capability, and technology and by investigating their ethical, social, political, and cultural implications. This project analyses Ricoeur's philosophy of capable human being and happiness through his dialectical and hermeneutical approach, which allows us to see Ricoeur's potential thoughts on how the world is being reshaped by these new technologies, such as AI, ChatGPT, and automation. Ricoeur's concept of a capable human being emphasises human autonomy, agency, moral responsibility and cognitive capacity. His concept of happiness furthermore expresses the idea of living a fulfilled life marked by meaningful ethical action, personal growth and meaningful relationships. The rise of AI and automation in recent years has posited serious questions regarding human happiness and capability. The development of current technologies, which use AIempowered systems like ChatGPT, can enhance human capability and happiness in many ways, but they also present serious challenges which undermine human ability and capability from a traditional point of view.
Chartered accountant professionals: Happiness and Greed
(North-West University, 2026-05) Zwane, RP; Verhoef, AH
South Africa has grappled with corruption cases and many of these are rooted in greed. Amongst the findings of the Zondo Commission is that professional service providers such as auditors and Chartered Accountants (CAs) assisted in making state capture possible. There have been many allegations of CAs defrauding millions from the people they were supposed to serve. Why would CAs as professionals be alleged to be involved in state capture and corruption? CAs profess to live and conduct themselves in accordance with ethical codes. Many people believe, and per the Zondo Commission findings, that some CAs in South Africa have breached their professionalism and codes of conduct and have fallen into greedily chasing wealth. These CAs seem to have defined their happiness based on money or possessions and if happiness is defined in this reductive materialistic way, it can easily lead to greed. To explore the problem of greed, ethics and happiness, this study turned to philosophy for possible answers. Philosophy teaches not only the ability to think and debate about life matters, but how to live. On the other hand, professions, such as the CA profession, also hope to develop professionals that are not only technocrats but are transformed in their conduct as should be shown through how they ethically deal with their clients. The study sought to understand happiness and greed and the possible ethical implications with regard to professionals, specifically CAs. The study investigated the meaning of professions, evaluated the ethical requirements and the meaning of happiness in the context of CAs as professionals. To address the concerns regarding greed and its possible influence on the unethical behaviour of CAs, key recommendations are made. The study argues for, firstly, clarifying the meaning of public interest and professional behaviour in the SAICA Code; secondly, for reforming the teaching of ethics from the current theoretical non-practical ways to assist students to engage with ethics by teaching them virtue ethics; thirdly, for introducing character education within the CA profession; and fourthly, for introducing a focus on the meaning of professions which include teaching about social contract. Finally, the CA profession needs to focus on teaching CAs about the philosophy of happiness to help them to be more critical about greed.