Department of English, Media Studies and Linguistics
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Browsing Department of English, Media Studies and Linguistics by Author "Chari, T."
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Item Embargo An investigation into the use of digital media to promote indigeneous African Languages: the case of digital terrestrial television on SABC(2025-05-16) Ramalahla, Sello Keith; Chari, T.; Chauke, F. H.Digital media play an important role in promoting marginalised languages, particularly in the broadcasting sector, where they play second fiddle to English language. The unequal status in South Africa has resulted in increased social isolation and discrimination of indigenous African languages, the erosion of heritage and local cultural identities. Speakers of indigenous African languages have limited choices on television because indigenous African languages are either non-existent or limited on television due to the prioritisation of the English language. On the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) some programs in indigenous languages are ghosted in English to accommodate others who do not understand African languages. Misrepresentation of indigenous African languages has resulted in marginalisation of indigenous languages amongst 24-hour live-broadcast news channels. Linguistic inequality on television and digital media can manifest itself in several ways, such as discrimination or promotion, and unequal access to public services. However, very few studies have focused on how digital media could be leveraged to promote indigenous African languages, particularly in post-colonial contexts such as South Africa. Underpinned by the public sphere model and Jurgen Habermas’s theory of the public sphere, this qualitative study examined the role of digital media in promoting African indigenous languages on the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT). The study focused on how digital media were used to promote indigenous African languages on SABC DTT, how these digital technologies enhanced audience participation on SABC DTT, and the strengths and limitations of these digital technologies as vehicles for promoting indigenous African languages on SABC DTT. Data were collected using a semi-structured interviews with purposively selected 20 participants comprising of five (SABC) officials and 15 members of the audience, participant observation as well as document analysis. Textual data obtained through interviews were thematically coded and presented in narrative form. The study revealed, notwithstanding the limitations associated with these digital technologies, that the use of digital media on SABC DTT to promote indigenous African languages, has been transformative through laying the foundation for the preservation and revival of these languages. This study further argued the integration of digital media for the promotion and continued existence of these languages bridges the gap between the public broadcaster and citizens, thereby enhancing a sense of belonging and public citizenship.Item Embargo Digital Migration in South Africa: Experiences of Rural Selected Communities in Thulamela Municipality, Limpopo Province(2025-09-05) Ralufuluvhi, Gudani Julius; Chari, T.; Nodoba, T.The global transition from analogue to digital broadcasting has been a significant shift driven by advancements in information and communication technologies. Digital migration offers benefits such as improved picture quality, efficient spectrum usage, and accommodating multiple channels on a single frequency. However, this transition has presented challenges for various stakeholders, particularly in developing regions and rural communities. This study focuses on the experiences of rural communities in the Thulamela Municipality, located in the Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa, during the shift from analogue to digital broadcasting. The motivation for this study stems from the delayed migration to digital television in South Africa, which began in 2009 but missed International Telecommunications Union deadlines for analogue switch-off in June 2015. Rural communities, especially those similar to the Thulamela Municipality, have faced difficulties related to infrastructural deficits, economic constraints, and limited access to digital equipment such as Set-Top Boxes. The research adopted a qualitative approach, gathering experiences from 15 purposively selected community members of Thulamela Municipality through semi-structured interviews. These interviews aimed to understand the challenges faced by these communities during the digital migration, the impact of the switchover on their access to broadcasting services, and any benefits derived from the digital transition. The results revealed that while there are potential benefits associated with digital migration, most rural households remained disconnected due to inadequate infrastructure, delays in Set-Top Box distribution, and a lack of public awareness campaigns about the transition. This research is based on the theoretical underpinning of communication rights, digital rights, and universal access, emphasising equal opportunities for access to information technologies for all actors. The concept of communication rights is highly relevant as it underscores citizens' right to freely seek, receive, and impart information, compromised due to the irregular establishment of digital infrastructure in many rural communities. The survey findings suggest that the well-intentioned policies of the South African government fell short in addressing the specific needs of rural communities, leading to a digital divide. The study highlights the implications of more inclusive policies and their proper implementation to ensure that all citizens, regardless of geographical location or economic status, benefit equally from digital broadcasting. This dissertation provides insight into the socio-economic implications of digital migration in rural South Africa and emphasises the need to improve efforts toward digital inclusion to reduce the disparities between urban and rural areas. The dissertation offers practical recommendations for policymakers, broadcasters, and other stakeholders involved in the digital migration, emphasising the need for targeted interventions to achieve universal access to digital broadcasting services in underserved regions.Item Embargo Digital Migration in South Africa: Experiences of Rural Selected Communities in Thulamela Municipality, Limpopo Province(2025-09-05) Ralufuluvhi, Gudani Julius; Nodoba, T.; Chari, T.The global transition from analogue to digital broadcasting has been a significant shift driven by advancements in information and communication technologies. Digital migration offers benefits such as improved picture quality, efficient spectrum usage, and accommodating multiple channels on a single frequency. However, this transition has presented challenges for various stakeholders, particularly in developing regions and rural communities. This study focuses on the experiences of rural communities in the Thulamela Municipality, located in the Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa, during the shift from analogue to digital broadcasting. The motivation for this study stems from the delayed migration to digital television in South Africa, which began in 2009 but missed International Telecommunications Union deadlines for analogue switch-off in June 2015. Rural communities, especially those similar to the Thulamela Municipality, have faced difficulties related to infrastructural deficits, economic constraints, and limited access to digital equipment such as Set-Top Boxes. The research adopted a qualitative approach, gathering experiences from 15 purposively selected community members of Thulamela Municipality through semi-structured interviews. These interviews aimed to understand the challenges faced by these communities during the digital migration, the impact of the switchover on their access to broadcasting services, and any benefits derived from the digital transition. The results revealed that while there are potential benefits associated with digital migration, most rural households remained disconnected due to inadequate infrastructure, delays in Set-Top Box distribution, and a lack of public awareness campaigns about the transition. This research is based on the theoretical underpinning of communication rights, digital rights, and universal access, emphasising equal opportunities for access to information technologies for all actors. The concept of communication rights is highly relevant as it underscores citizens' right to freely seek, receive, and impart information, compromised due to the irregular establishment of digital infrastructure in many rural communities. The survey findings suggest that the well-intentioned policies of the South African government fell short in addressing the specific needs of rural communities, leading to a digital divide. The study highlights the implications of more inclusive policies and their proper implementation to ensure that all citizens, regardless of geographical location or economic status, benefit equally from digital broadcasting. This dissertation provides insight into the socio-economic implications of digital migration in rural South Africa and emphasises the need to improve efforts toward digital inclusion to reduce the disparities between urban and rural areas. The dissertation offers practical recommendations for policymakers, broadcasters, and other stakeholders involved in the digital migration, emphasising the need for targeted interventions to achieve universal access to digital broadcasting services in underserved regions.Item Embargo Representation of Afrophobia Violence on X in South Africa(2025-05-16) Sigama, Nakisani Princess; Chari, T.Afrophobia refers to prejudice, hostility, discrimination, or hatred against individuals and cultures from Africa and the African diaspora. This represents a new form of racism in South Africa. This qualitative study examined the discursive construction of Afrophobia on X (formerly Twitter) specifically focusing on how African immigrants were represented on X, through explicating discourses employed in the representation of African migrants on X, and explaining the possible implications of such social media discourses on society. The study analysed discourses on Afrophobia on X with special posts and reposts on Operation Dudula, a South African pressure group between 2021 to 2024. The study employed an exploratory case study research design which is a methodology that enables an investigation into research questions that have not previously been studied in depth. A software architecture that uses the X application programme interface (API) was used to retrieve relevant posts and reposts that focused on Afrophobia in South Africa. The posts and reposts were further selected through a purposive sampling technique, thematically coded and interpreted using the deductive or inference approach. The study revealed that there were several discourses associated with the “othering” of immigrants of African descent, where they were stereotypically associated with terms such as “illegality”, “criminality”, “invasion”, and “alien”, “dispossession”. The study argues that such discourses of “othering” demonstrate how narratives, language and discourse have practical consequences, but also undermine South Africa’s image on the continental and global stage. The study concludes that Afrophobia discourses in online communities potentially undermine South Africa’s foundational values of Ubuntu and the country’s Pan-Africanist project as well as its democratic cultural values.