https://openscholar.ump.ac.za/handle/20.500.12714/785 Tue, 08 Sep 2026 12:30:28 GMT 2026-09-08T12:30:28Z https://openscholar.ump.ac.za/handle/20.500.12714/1105 Title: Subversion of gender stereotypes in the hunger games and children of blood and bone. Authors: Thwala, Nompumelelo Sylvia. Abstract: This dissertation examines gender stereotypes in The Hunger Games (2008) by Suzanne Collins and Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi (2018). These are two influential contemporary speculative fiction novels, published a decade apart and in two different cultural contexts. Drawing on classical feminist theory, gender theory, and Africanfuturism, the dissertation examines how the protagonists of The Hunger Games (2008), as individuals and as a heterosexual couple in a romantic relationship, challenge or subvert traditional gender stereotypes and gender binaries. The same examination applies to the main protagonists in Children of Blood and Bone (2018). Through literary analysis, the dissertation explores how the portrayal of gender in both novels challenges the hegemonic notions of masculinity and femininity. A comparative approach will be applied, not in sense of comparing plot, but in considering whether the novels reimagine gender and gender stereotypes differently based on the differing time and cultural contexts of publication. This dissertation contributes to a broader conversation about the evolving portrayal of gender in speculative fiction, reflecting shifts in how contemporary society perceives gender. Description: Dissertation (Master(Arts in English))--University of Mpumalanga, 2026 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://openscholar.ump.ac.za/handle/20.500.12714/1105 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://openscholar.ump.ac.za/handle/20.500.12714/1100 Title: Analysing public employment programmes as an intervention strategy towards the creation of employment opportunities: the case of Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) in Thandukukhanya Township, Mkhondo Local Municipality. Authors: Shongwe, Nomcebo Gugulethu. Abstract: Unemployment remains one of the most persistent social challenges globally, with consequences that extend beyond financial deprivation to include broader socio-economic vulnerabilities. Various public employment programmes have been implemented as interventions to mitigate long-term unemployment and extreme poverty. These programmes are widely regarded as significant mechanisms for expanding access to short-term employment opportunities among disadvantaged communities. However, their effectiveness in generating sustainable employment remains contested. This study aimed to provide an in-depth analysis of the Public Employment Programmes as an intervention strategy towards the creation of employment opportunities using the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) in Thandukukhanya Township, within the Mkhondo Local Municipality, as a case study. The Rational Choice Theory was applied as the underpinning theoretical framework for this qualitative study. The participants were selected through convenience sampling for EPWP participants and community members, while purposive sampling was employed to identify key informants. The total sample comprised 35 participants, including 15 EPWP employees, 4 EPWP officials, and 16 community members who had resided in Thandukukhanya for more than five years. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. The findings reveal that while the EPWP plays a significant role in providing short-term income relief and temporary employment, its capacity to facilitate long-term employability is severely constrained by limited skills development, weak post-programme pathways, and the exclusion of communities from decision-making processes. The key contribution of this study lies in demonstrating how structural and implementation limitations at the local level undermine the transformative potential of PEPs, thereby challenging assumptions about their developmental impact. The study recommends that the EPWP form partnerships with local businesses and NGOs to provide opportunities for mentorship, apprenticeships and job placement. The study also recommends that EPWP officials involve community members in the planning and programme implementation stage. Additionally, the government needs to consider employing double-blessed policies where they can promote economic growth and economic development of the beneficiaries while improving infrastructure and service delivery. Description: Dissertation (Master(Development Studies))--University of Mpumalanga, 2026 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://openscholar.ump.ac.za/handle/20.500.12714/1100 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://openscholar.ump.ac.za/handle/20.500.12714/1099 Title: The impact of monetary policy on aggregate bank performance in South Africa. Authors: Mulaudzi, Mpho. Abstract: This study investigates the impact of monetary policy changes on aggregate bank performance in South Africa using monthly data from January 2019 to May 2025. Employing the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model, the analysis explores both long-run and short-run relationships between the repo rate and key performance indicators, namely: return on equity (ROE), return on assets (ROA), and net interest income to interest-earning assets (NIIIEA). The study incorporates bank-specific variables such as the capital adequacy ratio (CAR) alongside macroeconomic indicators, including the production index (PROD), REPO (repurchase) rate, debt securities issuance (DEBT), and the real effective exchange rate (REER). The findings confirm statistically significant associations between monetary policy and bank performance, with repo rate adjustments exhibiting asymmetrical and time-varying effects. The study tests three hypotheses concerning the link between monetary policy and bank performance, the effects of policy easing and tightening, and the asymmetry in policy pass-through. Results showed both short- and longrun relationships: repo rate adjustments and inflation significantly influence profitability and operational efficiency. Tightening improves interest margins but reduces short-term lending profitability, while inflation supports returns on equity and short-term assets. Strong capital buffers and higher economic output bolster performance, whereas currency appreciation weakens borrower repayment capacity. The findings confirm asymmetric effects, where delayed reductions in loan demand dampen immediate benefits from rate hikes. While tighter monetary policy improves interest margins in the long run, it constrains short-term profitability. The study concludes that strategic alignment with monetary policy is essential for banks to maintain resilience and operational efficiency. Recommendations are provided for the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), commercial banks, and policymakers, and future research directions are proposed to deepen the understanding of monetary transmission mechanisms in the banking sector. Description: Dissertation (Master(Commerce))--University of Mpumalanga, 2026 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://openscholar.ump.ac.za/handle/20.500.12714/1099 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://openscholar.ump.ac.za/handle/20.500.12714/1098 Title: Microfinance as an intervention to promote rural entrepreneurship and livelihoods in the Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Authors: Mamburu, Mushathoni Leon. Abstract: The Study investigated the effects of microfinance interventions on rural entrepreneurship and livelihoods in the Vhembe District, Limpopo. In South Africa, residents of rural provinces, such as Limpopo, the Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal, are more likely to experience limited access to financial services, which constrains credit availability and hampers investment in entrepreneurial ventures. Providing the poor with access to capital through microfinance interventions could improve their livelihoods by enabling business growth in rural areas. This study quantitatively investigates the impact of such interventions on rural entrepreneurship and the livelihoods of communities in the Vhembe District, Limpopo. It explores how participation in microfinance enhances access to livelihood assets and assesses how beneficiaries utilize these assets for rural entrepreneurship. Additionally, the research examines rural entrepreneurship's mediating role in the relationship between microfinance and livelihood outcomes, highlighting the process by which microfinance influences positive livelihood results. The study employed a stratified random sample of 260 small business owners participating in microfinance interventions within the Vhembe District, drawn from an adjusted target population of active microfinance users. Data was collected through a structured survey and analysed using descriptive statistics, multiple regression, and mediation analysis. The study found that years of participation in microfinance are the strongest and most consistent predictor across all models, underscoring the importance of long-term engagement rather than short-term access to credit. Participation in microfinance interventions provided the respondents with access to various livelihood assets, such as financial, human, social, physical, and natural capital, which they utilized to pursue livelihood strategies, particularly rural entrepreneurship. As a result, respondents were able to improve their income, food security, and overall well-being, while also reducing their vulnerability to economic shocks. Overall, the study also found that rural entrepreneurship mediates the relationship between microfinance and livelihood outcomes. While these interventions successfully build diverse livelihood assets, their impact is currently constrained by a heavy reliance on credit rather than a holistic suite of financial services. To ensure sustainable empowerment, it is recommended that microfinance institutions diversify into non-financial support, such as training and insurance Description: Dissertation (Master(Development Studies))--University of Mpumalanga, 2026 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://openscholar.ump.ac.za/handle/20.500.12714/1098 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z