View/Open - ResearchSpace

i.cknowledgements
The work presented here came about originally through the belief that women could make a
difference towards change in South Africa. The nature of this project has changed in the three
years since it began. What started off as research into literacy for Zulu women became more
focused through discussion, plus trial-and-error pilot groups. I originally came to undertake the
research at the University of Natal because I had become acquainted with Professor Keyan
Tomaselli through his incredible publications on the media in South Africa. It was his supervision
that finally guided me into looking at the multicultural aspect of the research and reception
studies. The encouragement of and suggestions from Dr. Ruth T eer -Tomaselli at early stages of
investigation, and later as my supervisor have been the mainstay for the completion of the project.
To both I say thank you for the opportunities you have made available in so many ways.
To Carl Fischer and Gray Hofrneyr, of Dapple Productions, who made time and space for me to
start my investigation on Suburban Bliss, many thanks. Roberta Durrant, of Penguin Films twice
found time to be interviewed for Going Up which was necessary when I started the second
project, and I thank her. To Susan Govender, friend and colleague, whose concern and assistance
at all times really kept me going, a special thank you.
In particular I would like to thank the following for their encouragement and gentle criticism:
Professor Tom O'Regan from Murdoch University; Professor James Zaffiro, and Professor Louise
Zaffiro, Iowa University.
In addition, thank you to Brunton Nicholls for his computer depictions of television's
,,,-' 'hermeneutic circle'; those incredibly helpful librarians, Zola Mdledle and Lindiwe Gumede who
never failed to help me find those missing citations; Adele Uys, Research Executive South African
Broadcasting Corporation Research Unit who helped me with the MIPS.
For the women on the ground who made the research possible by convening and facilitating the
groups thank you: Nise Malenge, (pilot group), Jubilee Shimaliya; Elizabeth Mncadi; Janet
Watson, Freda van Rensburg, Joanne September. Susan Govender, Leigh-Ann Petherbridge,
Leigh Phipson and Eunice Gambushe.
Thank you also to my three daughters, Colleen, Siobhan and Alison, who took care of our home
and affairs while we were in South Africa. Finally, without the unstinting emotional and practical
support of my husband John Roome, who helped me transcribe the tapes and complete the
graphics to finish this dissertation would not be finished yet, so an extra special thank you to him.
The Human Sciences Research Council provided financial assistance for the dissertation. The
Centre for Cultural and Media Studies, Gniversity of Natal, Durban, provided a Graduate
Assistantship.
The outcome is my responsibility alone.
II