Department of Political Studies

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Clientelism as civil society? Unpacking the relationship between clientelism and democracy at the local level in South Africa
(SAGE Publications, 2017) Anciano, Fiona
This article, building on analyses from the global south, attempts to reframe democratic expectations by considering where previously maligned practices such as clientelism may hold moments of democracy. It does so by comparing the theory of civil society with that of clientelism, and its African counterpart neo-patrimonialism. It argues that clientelism as civil society may fulfil democratic tasks such as holding the (local) state accountable, strengthening civil and political liberties and providing channels of access for previously marginalised groups. Clientelism is not necessarily a reflection of imposed power relations but, at times, can demonstrate a conscious political strategy, to generate development, on the part of its protagonists.
Deepening democracy: A farm workers’ movement in the Western Cape
(Taylor & Francis, 2010) Anciano, Fiona
This article explores the internal dynamics and external impact of a South African farm workers’ movement, Sikhula Sonke. It looks at the extent to which this women-led ‘social movement trade union’ has succeeded in improving the livelihoods of Western Cape farm workers. Drawing from the organisation’s own aims, it investigates whether the movement has created a democratic organisational structure, addressed social and economic inequality on Western Cape farms and effectively challenged unfair labour practices. The article argues that the movement, although facing historical conditions of disempowerment, has set up the foundations of an empowering representational structure. It has begun to address the social challenges of paternalism, patriarchy and racism between workers and, through an effective use of strategies that target both employers and government, successfully challenged numerous cases of unfair labour practice. Furthermore, beyond meeting its immediate aims, there are broader lessons that can be learnt from Sikhula Sonke.
A dying ideal: Non-racialism and political parties in post-apartheid South Africa
(Taylor & Francis, 2016) Anciano, Fiona
Non-racialism as a concept has a rich and contentious history in South African politics. For many it was a core feature of the struggle against apartheid, uniting a range of forces fighting for a society free from racial discrimination. Indeed it is a central tenet in South Africa’s Constitution, forming a core part of the ‘founding provisions’ of the country. However, there is widespread contestation over what the concept entails, both theoretically and in practical terms. This article examines the concept of non-racialism primarily through the lens of South Africa’s largest political opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), but relates its approach to that of the African National Congress (ANC). How has the DA conceptualised and instrumentalised the vision of non-racialism, historically and in post-apartheid South Africa? This article argues that neither the DA nor the ANC has been able to do so coherently. The idea of non-racialism is a fracture that deeply divides both parties; this division is also one that originated historically for both parties. The article concludes that there is a clear shift in how the DA envisaged non-racialism during apartheid and how the party instrumentalises the concept today, and that this change echoes, to some extent, the experiences of the ANC. Both parties now equate non-racialism to multiracialism, on the one hand, and a (interim) racialisation of politics on the other. This raises the question of whether non-racialism, as conceived by some in the early days of the Congress alliance, is a dying ideal.
Government, Big Capital and The People(s): A fishy tale of power, influence and development in Hout Bay Harbour
(University of the Western Cape, 2020) Worth, Kiara; Anciano, Fiona
The achievement of sustainable development requires the balanced interaction between three components: the economy, environment, and society. Finding this balance in practice requires a critical examination of the beliefs, systems, and institutions that govern decisionmaking. Achieving sustainable development in reality thus involves understanding the existing forms of power in a particular time and place – what they are, how they operate, and how they influence decisions for development. This study is an analysis of power in a specific case study: the Hout Bay harbour in Cape Town, South Africa. Economic activities were driven by the fishing industry, in particular Oceana, who operated and maintained a fishmeal factory in the harbour since 1958. While the factory provided employment for the local coloured residents of Hangberg, it also produced noxious odours and air pollution, leading to significant discontent from other sectors of Hout Bay. A local and largely white activist group, Fresh Air for Hout Bay (FAHB), challenged these operations on the basis of sustainability and this became a highly contested issue. After years of debate and tension, the factory would eventually close in 2019, marking the end of an era for the fishing industry in Hout Bay. The purpose of this study is to analyse the power dynamics in Hout Bay and determine how these influenced the decisions around the factory. To do this, a qualitative autoethnographic study was conducted using semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and documentary review. The power analysis found that those in power, particularly the City of Cape Town and
Informal settlement upgrading in Cape Town: Understanding participatory governance in Ramaphosa informal settlement
(University of the Western Cape, 2022) Majola, Mfundo; Anciano, Fiona
In recent years there has been a rise of informal settlements in Cape Town, and other parts of the country. Informal settlements are not a new phenomenon in South Africa, due to apartheid spatial planning and segregated development, alongside rapid urbanization. Apartheid planning and urbanisation have enabled the growth of informal settlements, particularly as citizens seek alternative living spaces on the informal fringes of urban areas. This study examines obstacles to the upgrading of informal settlements in Cape Town, particularly Ramaphosa, a newly formed settlement on the edge of the City.
Informal Settlement Upgrading in Cape Town: Understanding Participatory Governance in Ramaphosa Informal Settlement.
(University of the Western Cape, 2022) Majola, Mfundo; Anciano, Fiona
In recent years there has been a rise of informal settlements in Cape Town, and other parts of the country. Informal settlements are not a new phenomenon in South Africa, due to apartheid spatial planning and segregated development, alongside rapid urbanization. Apartheid planning and urbanisation have enabled the growth of informal settlements, particularly as citizens seek alternative living spaces on the informal fringes of urban areas. This study examines obstacles to the upgrading of informal settlements in Cape Town, particularly Ramaphosa, a newly formed settlement on the edge of the City. The study was conducted using qualitative case study research which included fifteen interviews, online sources (Google Maps) and observation. During the course of the study I spent a great deal of time in the community of Ramaphosa, so empirical observation forms part of the methods. The study used Google satellite technology and Google maps, in getting a much better picture of the settlement. The study investigates the theory that upgrading of settlements can be achieved through participatory governance. It explores whether, citizen participation in government structures of development, engaging with local government, and mobilizing the community, can lead to the upgrading of a settlement. The findings show that the community of Ramaphosa created spaces of participation within their community, the community had a space to deliberate, engage, plan and consult regarding informal settlement upgrading. The community of Ramaphosa has strong grassroots activism and active citizenship. The community was able to mobilize for informal settlement upgrading. Through the active citizenship, activism and spaces of participation, the community were able to upgrade their informal settlement. However, their demands for a formal upgrading were not met.
Informal Settlement Upgrading in Cape Town: Understanding Participatory Governance in Ramaphosa Informal Settlement.
(University of the Western Cape, 2022) Majola, Mfundo; Anciano, Fiona
In recent years there has been a rise of informal settlements in Cape Town, and other parts of the country. Informal settlements are not a new phenomenon in South Africa, due to apartheid spatial planning and segregated development, alongside rapid urbanization. Apartheid planning and urbanisation have enabled the growth of informal settlements, particularly as citizens seek alternative living spaces on the informal fringes of urban areas. This study examines obstacles to the upgrading of informal settlements in Cape Town, particularly Ramaphosa, a newly formed settlement on the edge of the City. The study was conducted using qualitative case study research which included fifteen interviews, online sources (Google Maps) and observation. During the course of the study I spent a great deal of time in the community of Ramaphosa, so empirical observation forms part of the methods. The study used Google satellite technology and Google maps, in getting a much better picture of the settlement.
Skills at masters’ level in Geography Higher E: Teaching, learning and applying
(Taylor & Francis, 2006) Anciano, Fiona; Mistry, Jayalaxshmi; Berardi, Andrea
The perceptions of ‘skills’ at taught Master's level between course directors (teaching of skills), alumni (learning and use of skills) and employers (the skills requirements) were compared within the field of development and environment studies. The findings underline some of the commonalities and discrepancies between what is taught, what is learnt and what is required in terms of skills. The results are discussed in relation to the growing diversity of students doing Master's courses, what constitutes Master's level, benchmark standards and employability. Furthermore, in light of the growing numbers of taught Master's courses, the paper also highlights the lack of pedagogic literature on taught postgraduate level teaching and learning, a need to improve benchmark standards for the teaching of skills at Master's level and support for staff development programmes.
Social media technology and the deepening of participatory democracy: A case study of Langa, Cape Town
(University of the Western Cape, 2023) Cuphe, Madoda Floyd; Anciano, Fiona
The study investigates whether residents in informal settlements in Cape Town use social media technology to deepen democracy. It explores the use social media platforms by both the residents of Langa and the City of Cape Town to promote participatory democracy. The literature review, drawing on international examples, reveals that social media technology holds the potential to deepen participatory democracy (Bratton & Gyimah-Boadi, 2005). This thesis demonstrates how the residents of Langa use social media technology in their daily lives and how the City engages with this technology.
State and civil society: #FeesMustFall movement as a counter- hegemonic force? A case of the University of the Western Cape experience
(University of the Western Cape, 2019) Mandyoli, Lindokuhle; Anciano, Fiona
The #FeesMustFall (#FMF) movement is an important moment in South Africa as it provides insight into the evolution of the relations between state and civil society. An inquiry into the 2015/2016 student protests at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) shows the contradictions that persist in South African society twenty years after apartheid. The study examines the reaction of the state to the dissent embodied by #FMF demands. Drawing on Gramsci and Althusser the study develops a framework against which #FMF is assessed, in order to test whether the movement was counter-hegemonic, if so, to what extent. The assessment is done using a qualitative approach to the research; i.e. auto-ethnography, which relies on the experiences of the author, as a tool of data collection. The selection of this technique is informed by the proximity of the author to the protests, and scarcity of prior research done on the UWC #FMF case. Also, the study uses primary data such as media statements, media articles, YouTube videos, speeches, interviews and personal communications as a means to triangulate the auto-ethnographic data. The data gives insight into the origins of the movement at UWC, the motivations of, and the tactics employed by the leaders. The movement at UWC shuts down the campus, blocks national roads, marches to the airport and even disrupts exams in attempts to see its mission through; a mission of Fee Free Education. Finally, drawing on the framework from Gramsci and Althusser this study notes the persistence of contradictions such as access to higher education in democratic South Africa. It shows the battle for hegemony between the state and civil society and identifies the dominance of the state, and how it deals with those who challenge it. To this end, #FMF does embody some counter-hegemonic quality. However, the study also reveals how #FMF carries out its actions in the boundaries of hegemonic institutions such as the constitution and the university. Hence, the extent of #FMF’s counter-hegemony went as far as affecting the operations of the university and not the structure thereof. As such, #FMF, like other radical civil society agents of its kind, is an example of issue based and temporary counter-hegemony. Although significant, it is not necessarily that which would see the complete overthrow of the university, or the state for that matter.
The state capture of independent institutions: an analysis of the National Prosecuting Authority, 1998-2017
(The University of the Western Cpae, 2018) Pypers, Elaine; Anciano, Fiona
This thesis focuses on the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of South Africa between 1998 and 2017, by looking at whether it acts as an independent institution and if it strengthens the quality of democracy in the country. The research addresses various sub-research questions such as, what is independence? What is a quality democracy? Is the NPA able to foster democratic accountability? It further assesses to which extent executive influence and leadership instability affect the independence of the NPA, by looking at the relationship between the executive – the state Presidents’ and government officials – and the NPA, over the years, in terms of the law practiced. And lastly, whether the role of ANC has affected the NPA. These questions arise out of my interest to understand the NPA in terms of its constitutional mandate and how it impacts democracy. The principal concepts used to date indicates that democracy comprises several procedural norms. These democratic norms – accountability, the constraint of executive power, the separation of powers, and the rule of law form the bases for my research study; while other integral factors include independence, state capture, and dominant party systems. The research methodology for this thesis incorporated qualitative research, a case study, and triangulation. The research also included interviews, with Advocate Shaun Abrahams, Dr Silas Ramaite, Advocate Vusi Pikoli, Advocate Glynnis Breytenbach, Mr Steven Swart, Mr Lawson Naidoo, Mr Paul Hoffman, Dr Jeff Rudin, Professor Lukas Muntingh, Professor Lovell Fernandez, Mr Gareth Newham, and Advocate Mike Pothier as the interviewees. The data analysis and synthesis suggest that the lack of oversight of the NPA alongside the political dominance of the ANC has allowed for an infiltration of political influence within the institution resulting in the selective prosecution of high-profile cases. The data highlights the blurring of lines as a result of state capture which has tainted the NPA’s independence. The importance of this research study lies in the relationship of the NPA and democracy, as an erosion of the NPA essentially correlates with the weakening of democracy. Therefore it is vital to protect our independent institutions, like the NPA, as they strengthen our democracy, assist in upholding the rule of law and the Constitution.
Voluntary associations, democracy and citizenship in the cities of Bulawayo and Cape Town.
(University of the Western Cape, 2022) Dube, Mmeli; Anciano, Fiona
This study sits at the intersection of two promises: that of cities providing fertile ground for democratic politics and voluntary associations having positive effects on democratisation. It examines voluntary associations’ contribution to citizenship and democracy in two global south cities of Bulawayo and Cape Town, drawing lessons from two case studies of voluntary associations, one from each city. The study critically engages existing theories on associations’ role as “schools of democracy”, their contribution to political participation, improving the representation of citizens’ interests and deepening accountability in their respective contexts.
Women, empowerment and the reduction of social injustice in private and public spheres: A case of Gatesville, Athlone
(University of the Western Cape, 2022) Brukwe, Kanyisile; Anciano, Fiona
The research question for this study focused on women’s mobilisation in the community of Gatesville, Athlone, and whether and how they are challenging the gendered structures within both their homes (private sphere) and their public spaces. This is based on the assumption, led by radical feminist theory, that the public sphere is affected by gendered practices in the home (private sphere). The study made use of a qualitative approach grounded in narrative inquiry and is presented in a narrative format and thematic analysis.

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