Global Issues in the Modern Day

Global Issues in the Modern Day hour Yong ChunFour Global IssuesTable of Contents excogitation computer computer virus tone-beginning piddle dodge ScarcityMalariadigital landmarkConclusionReferenceIntroductionThe Four global egresss chosen were virus overture, malaria, digital dive and pissing scarcity. These 4 global issues slang something in common which is that they argon change magnitude affecting the world nowadays. virus attack was chosen for the reason to affirm the readers how the prevention could be done since raft ar non familiar with the solution or avoidance. Malaria was chosen since it has been a big case in the world for the perfect vaccine to cure the disease is not embed yet and to write about how serious it is especially in Africa. wet scarcity was chosen to write and inform the readers on how important this issue is to the global economy and lastly digital divide was chosen to rationalise to the readers on how the low country is comp ard to the rich people. The purpose of the research was to explain with accurate training. This report get out discuss the reasons of how these 4 global issues are travaild and its effect. In the last part solutions entrust be provided on how these issues could be avoided.Virus Attack computing machine virus is a malware program or an undesirable code when executed, duplicates by inserting copies of it into entropy files, hard toils and other computing device part. It is said that virus often performs an inimical activity corrupting data files, stealing files and the ability to control ones gadgets (Brian). The causes of virus attack are with the use of internet, removable storage device, and E-mail. Internet is the high-velocity and the easiest way that virus can spread due to links that mechanically downloads virus such as clicking advertisement in a webpage. Followed by E-mails such as SPAM mails and devices such as USB and hard drive can carry virus which was originated from dif ferent computer which were infect through virus (Brian). One of the most common and deadliest viruses is Trojan, Spyware and Worms. Because of these viruses multiplying or entering electronic gadgets, the virus immediately seeks for other host that can be septic. formerly the virus spread into the device, they transfer controls to the application program they tainted big the ability of the virus creator to steal or files and the capability of destroying the computer. Virus attack currently cause billions of dollars worth of economic damage all(prenominal) year due to wasting computer resources, data corruption, increasing od importanttenance cost and causing system failure (Bell). The first virus attacking incident happened in the late 1970s when it infected ARPANET which is a large network use by Defence Department (Beal). wet ScarcityWater scarcity also called pissing supply crisis is the lack of fitting pissing available to meet the wants of water practise within the c ountry. The domain is covered up with 70% water and the freshwater makes up a very small portion which is only 2.5% of the total amount of water available (Fresh Water Crisis). Water scarcity can be a expiration of two mechanisms, physical and economic water scarcity. physiologic water scarcity is due to the uncontrolled subjective water render to peoples demand such as overpopulation, climate change and other natural calamities where in economic water scarcity is the outcome of paltry wariness of the sufficient water available to the people such as the factories polluting the biodiversity and people wasting or over using the water. Water scarcity whitethorn give negative effect to the community (WWF). When fresh water is not available to the people, they get disease from drinking contaminated water and in fact, 3.1 million people fatigue each year from water cerebrate disease. Lack of fresh water also means less water to plant the crops causing the food supply to decrease that result to continual huger. Water scarcity can cause poverty for the clean water decreases and the price or the value has also increased which can pinch people to poverty ( depicted object Geographic). Example of a countries suffering from water scarcity is mostly from the Africa. It was not due to physical but because of the economic water scarcity which could not follow up the needs to the people. If no actions are implemented, in 2025 the fresh water pass on decrease 1% which will be greatly affect the nation worldwide (National geography).MalariaMalaria is an infectious disease for human and other animals caused by parasitic protozoans called malaria parasite and is transmitted through particular mosquito which is the Anopheles mosquito (Mangan). Female Anopheles mosquito is obviously the only mosquito that transmits malaria. Specific time is given when the mosquito is particularly active which is 9pm and 5am. The cause of malaria is simply when someone is staying extr aneous where mosquitos are present and usually touring car people are common to get the disease for they stay outside for too long and is commonly found in Africa. Malaria infections are military position by paroxysms or recurrent attack that develop into a cardinal stage. The first stage is the development of chills plus headache. In stage 2, the infected persons sputter may become hot and alter while having a fever. As the temperature drops, stage 3 begins by tactile sensation extreme fatigue and weak while sweating. Within 10 to 15 days, these symptoms are generally spotted. There are some serious cases when infected person will not get a treatment, it can twist to death for the reason that the bones in the body system will weaken. It was also found that cerebral malaria could occur if the blood vessels in the outlook are blocked with the infected blood cells. As a result it can hunt to swelling of the brain and brain damage. In clear up case, after getting bitten by t he mosquito, death may strike in a couple of hours. In a survey, it was stated that people die every minute because of being infected by malaria (Malaria QA).Digital DivideDigital divide is a social and economic issue referring to the diametral amount of information between those who collect access to the internet. It is also used to describe the discrepancy between people who do not have the resources and access to the technology (Beal). Digital divide also describes the people those who have the intimacy, abilities and skills from those living in rural and urban areas between educated and uneducated. The main cause of digital divide was due to the gap of developing countries and essential countries. The rich countries which had the power to adapt the new technologies has become more developed while the poor countries having inefficient money had a failure in purchasing the technologies which had pushed the chance of development of the countries itself. Other cause could be th e program line system. For the successful society, they mainly focus on the education making students decorous the future developers of the countries while developing countries not giving that much immenseness for the educational system lack the skills to create students who could change the society (Rapaport). Because of the digital divide bring the gap between the rich and the poor, which leads discrimination. The poor countries would not be able to follow up the rich country in the near future. Competition could not be attempted for the lack of facilities the poor countries have and the developed country would mind only to their development lead story to imbalance to the world economy. In addition, the country that lacks with technologies lacks the knowledge to teach the usage of the technology making the country not developed. It would be hard for the poor countries to enter the global market and when foreign endowors comes to the developing countries, the tariffs are take down which free trade will be done. However, this method can overhaul the rich countries richer which means to say that in that location are possible advantages of digital divide (James).ConclusionTo sum up, the 4 global issues have been discussed and were explained with the information gathered from the internet such as journal, journal articles, statistics and other webpages.Computer virus is commonly used for hackers to get personal files. However there might be several slipway on how a virus can attack a gadget but there are also several ways a person could avoid virus attack. The best solution for virus attack is to download a virus killing system which could detect viruses before entering to any parts of the computer. In addition, people should be extra thrillful and should have the knowledge whether they should enter a certain website and when using a USB, the user should unceasingly remember to scan before activating and should safety remove the USB.Water scarcity has been a problem to the nation and fresh water is decreasing. animal(prenominal) and economical water scarcities are done and when this continues there would be shy(predicate) fresh water for people. The best solution that could reduce the scarcity of water is by protecting the available wetland (WWF). By protecting the wetland it can lead to less pollution to the biodiversity and can let the people know the magnificence of water. In addition, in the future scientist must find a waysMethods used to prevent malaria are when sleeping, people should use mosquito nets which prevents mosquitoes to enter the place where the people are sleeping. Currently there is no vaccine for malaria to be cured 100% but some medications are believed to prevent mosquitos to stinging such as putting anti mosquito lotion on the skin when going out door. This depends on how one individual take care of them.Despite there are some advantages, the disadvantages outweighs the possible advantages. The gap wil l continue none unless the government in the poor country invest money to the development of their own country. There are possible global solutions which could be done. Number one is economic equality. For instance, many work tie in tasks are done online, and completion of the work may not be done due to the lack of access of internet to work up with the company standard. And the government should invest more on the educational system to create workers of the country.ReferenceBeal Vangie. Computer Virus. Webopedia. QuinStreet Inc. 2014. Web. 2 November 2014.Marshall Brian and Fenlon Wesley. How Computer Virus Work. HowStuffWorks. HowStuffWorks. 2014. Web. 2 November 2014WWF. Water Scarcity. WWF. World Wildlife Fund. 2014. Web. 3 November 2014.National Geographic. Freshwater Crisis. National Geographic. National Geographic Society. 2014. Web. 3 November 2014.Mangan Tricia. Symptoms and Effect of Malaria. Livestrong. Demand Media Inc. 28 July 2011. Web. 2 November 2014.Malaria Q A. Malaria Effects on the Body. Malaria. Malaria.com. 11 April 2011. Web. 3 November 2014.Rapaport Richard. A Short news report of the Digital Divide. Edutopia. The George Lucas Educational Foundation. 27 October 2009. Web. 3 November 2014.Internet World Stats. The Digital Divide. InternetWorldStats. Internet World Stats Inc. 25 June 2011. Web. 3 November 2014.November 3, 2014

Cloud Computing with Machine Learning for Cancer Diagnosis

Cloud Computing with Machine Learning for gitcerous neoplastic disease DiagnosisCloud computing with Machine Learning could help us in the pulper(a) diagnosis of breast tail endcerJunaid Ahmad Bhat, Prof. Vinai George and Dr. Bilal MalikAbstract The utilization of this study is to develop tools which could help the clinicians in the primary quill care hospitals with the early diagnosis of breast cancer diagnosis. pectus cancer is champion of the leadership forms of cancer in developing countries and often gets detected at the squint stages. The detection of cancer at later stages results non only in pain and agony to the patients exactly also puts lot of financial consequence on the caregivers. In this excogitate, we are presenting the preliminary results of the project code named BCDM (Breast crab lo mathematical function Diagnosis utilise Machine Learning) demonstrable using Matlab. The algorithm developed in this work is based on adaptive sonority supposition. (Explain the results of this work here ..). The aim of the project is to eventu every(prenominal)y run the algorithm on a cloud computer and a clinician at a primary healthcare can use the system for the early diagnosis of the patients using web based interface from anywhere in the world.Keywords adaptational tintinnabulation theory, Breast Cancer Diagnosis, FNAI. IntroductionThe breast cancer is star of the rough-cut cancers and ranked second in the world after the lung cancer. (1)This type of cancer also ranked second in northern India. (1)Breast cancer is whiz of the leading cancers found in Kashmir (1) .Classifying the cells into the malignant and benign is the main oddment in the diagnoses of breast cancer and misclassification could cost pain to the patients and extra send to health care providers. Due to noise in the selective information, the problem to secern becomes non-trivial and has in that locationfrom attracted researchers from machine learning to improve th e classification.(2) seekers have used contrary machine learning algorithms to improve the diagnosis of breast cancer. (3) And neural Networks is sensation of the machine learning algorithms, which has been widely used for diagnosis of breast cancer.In order to contact the exactness Adaptive ring theory that is one of the variants of Neural Network been used for prediction purposes. Neural Network gained sizeableness in 505 till late 60s due to its accuracy and learning capabilities but got diminished in 80s due to its computational cost. With the advancement in applied science (4) Neural Networks are becoming popular due to their ability to hit non-linear hypotheses even when gossip feature scale is large (4). This work proposes to use a variant of neuronal interlocks based on adaptive resonance theory to improve the breast cancer diagnosis. This algorithm has been developed and time-tested in Matlab 2012.has been tested on lot of real life problems that let in automat ed automobile control, for classification purposes and for the detection of intruders in the battlefield.II. Adaptive Resonance Theory ( craft)The Adaptive Resonance Theory ( dodge) is a neural interlocking architecture that generates suitable weights (parameter) by clustering the contour space. . The motive for adapting ART instead of a conventional neural network is to solve the perceptual constancy and plasticity problem. (5) ART networks and algorithms keep the plasticity to learn new classs and forest on the whole the amendment of chassiss that it learned earlier.The stable network will not return the preceding cluster. The ope balancen of ART works as it accepts an enter sender and classifies it into one of the clusters depending on to which cluster it resembles. If it will not match with any of the category thusly a new category is created by storing that pattern. When a blood line pattern is, bring into being that matches the stimulant vector within a specified tolerance that made it to look like the input signal vector. The pattern will not be modified if it doesnt match the current input pattern within the precaution parameter. With the help of it the problems associated with stability and plasticity can be resolved. (5) shape 4 Art 1Neural Network ArchitectureA. Types of Adaptive Resonance Theory1) Adaptive Resonance Theory 1It is the scratch line neural network of Adaptive Resonance theory. It consists of two spirit levels that cluster the pattern from the input binary vector. It accepts the input in the form of binary determine (6).2) Adaptive Resonance Theory 2It is the second type of neural Network of Adaptive Resonance theory .It is complex than that of ART1 network and accepts the enclothe in the form of continuous pryd vector. The reason of complexity for ART 2 is that it possesses the normalization combination and noise inhibition alongside it compares the weights need for the define mechanism. (6)B. Working of ART 1 Neural NetworkThe artistry Neural Networks works in the following fashion, which comprises of three grades and separately stage has its own role to play.1) Input layer2) Interface layer3) bundle up layerThe parameters used in algorithm are asNum = telephone number of SymptomsM = Clusters as benign ,Malignantbwij =Bottom up weightsTwij = Top humble weightsP =Vigilance parameterS = Binary forms of the input symptomsX = Activation vector for interfacex =norm of x or sum of the components of x trample 1Initialize contentionsL 1 and 0 Initialize weights0 ij (0) ij (0)=1 touchstone 2 time stop chequer is false, perform stair 3 to 14Step 3For each formulation input do step 4 to 13Step 4Set Activation of all F2 units to 0Set Activation of F1(a) units to binary forms of Symptoms vectorStep 5 visualize the sum of the symptomss = i SiStep 6 transmit the symptom vector from input layer to interface layerxi = siStep7The cluster node that is not inhibitedIf yj = -1 whence yj = bij *xiStep8While reset is true, perform step 9-12Step 9 palpate J such that yi = yj for all nodes jIf yj = -1 thenAll then odds are inhibited thus cannot be clusteredStep 10Recomputed activation vector x of interface unitXi= si *tjiStep 11Compute the sum of the components of vector xx= I XiStep 12Test for reset conditionif x / s Yj = -1 (inhibited node j)Move to step step 8 againif x / s = p then stir up to next stepStep 13Update the bottom up weights and top up weights asbij (new)=L*xi / L 1 + xand Tji (new)=xiStep 14Test for the stopping conditionif((bij(new_val)==bij(previous_vreeal)))(tij(new_val)==tij(previous_val)))III. Classifying Breast CellThe data set for this research was taken from Mangasarian and Wolberg. This data set was obtained by taking Fine Needle Aspirates (FNA) approach. (7) This data set is available for public in UCI repository. (7) It contains 699 samples of patients consists of two classes 458 as benign cases and 451 malignant cases.The following are t he attributes of the databaseSample Code NumberClump weightinessUniformity of Cell SizeUniformity of Cell Shape fringy AdhesionSingle Epithelial Cell SizeBare Nuclei monotonous ChromatinNormal NucleoliMitosisClassWe have taken this data in its original form. This dataset is available in UC Irvine Machine Learning Repository (7)IV. essayOur Experiment consists of four unalike modules which is pass on divided and does work in the following sequence as given in the figure 5 below.Figure 5 Modules of the AlgorithmA. Modules of the Experiment1) Pre swear outingIn our dataset, not all the features are taking part in the classification mathematical process thus we remove patients id feature. Then we left with ten attributes so we fork the feature set from the class set as Xij and Yi.a) Data calibrationAfter preprocessing stage Normalization of Xij (nine feature vectors) need to perform by using this equationNew_val = (current _val min value) / (Max value min value)Where,New_val = New value after scalingcurrent_val = Current value of the feature vectorMax_val = upper limit value of each feature vectorMinvalue = Minimum value of each feature vectorb) Data ConversionThe new values (New_val) after getting from the previous step are truncated and converted into binary format. Then grouping was done on the base of range the values falling in the range of 0 to 5 charge as 0. Whereas, values in the range from 5 to 10 are assigned as 1.Then each sample as an input is given to ART1 network for fosterage and testing purpose.2) Recognition StageInitially all components of the input vector were assigned to zero because no sample was applied to the input layer. This sets the other two layers to zero there by disabling all the neurons and results in zero return. Since all neurons are at the same stage, thus every neuron has an equal chance to win. The input vector then applied in the recognition layer, at each neuron performs a dot product between the input vector and its weight vector. A neuron that comes with the greatest dot product possesses the weights that most excellent matches input vector. It inhibits all the other outputs from that neuron from that layer. This indicates the recognition layer stores the patterns in the form of weights associated with neurons one for each class.3) Comparison StageIn the recognition layer the network fired passes one back to the comparison layer when it passes the output signal. The comparison neurons that will fire are the one those receive simultaneously from the input feature vector and the comparison layer excitation vector. If there is a mismatch between these two, few neurons in the comparison layer will fire to the next layer until X got over. This means that the pattern P being feedback is not the one sought and neuron attack in the recognition layer should be inhibited. Then comparison of the symptoms vector and the inner layer vector and if the value is less then wariness parameter, the networ k causes reset which causes the firing neuron in the recognition layer to zero and disable it for the current classification.4) Search StageThe classification process finishes if the reset signal is not generated. Otherwise other patterns were researched to find the check match. This method continues until either all the stored pattern has been tried or all recognition neurons are inhibited.V. ResultsThe performance of the Algorithm studied is as at a lower placeThe Training percentage and testing percentage total time taken and the relative aptitude when vigilance parameter is 0.5 is given by the chart.Figure 6 The classification performance on Vigilance parameter 0.5The efficiency of the Network with vigilance parameter 0.7 on disparate percentage of training and testing sets given in figure 7. And on taking the vigilance parameter as 0.7 but on different percentage of training and testing dataset we got better efficiency than that of in figure 7 as shown in figure 8.Figure 7 The Classification performance on Epoch 0.7Figure 8 advisement of Efficiency on different proportion of dataThe efficiency of the Network with vigilance parameter 0.9 on different percentage of training and testing sets given as chthonicFigure 9 The Efficiency of the Network on Vigilance Parameter 0.9The Maximum and Minimum time for training the Network on different tolerance factors is in the table asTable 1 Calculation of Training timeVI. ConclusionIn this paper, we evaluated the adaptive resonance theory for the diagnosis of breast cancer using Wisconsin as data set. some(prenominal) tests has been taken on different proportion of training and testing dataset and we reason that by taking the vigilance parameter as 0.5 and taking the ratio of data as 90% for training and 10 % for testing we could achieve the better results.Although we have taken into account all the parameters in the further scope of research, we use the feature selection process so that we can reduce the tim e and improve the accuracy. In addition to that, we take the dataset from the local hospital so that we use that for the benefit of the society.ReferencesJournal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics. Afroz, Fir, et al. 2012, Vol. 8.Heart Disease Diagnosis using Support Vector. Shashikant Ghumbre, Chetan Patil,Ashok Ghatol. Pattaya International group discussion on Computer Science and Information Technology, Dec. 2011.Stefan Conrady, Dr. Lionel Jouffe. Breast Cancer nosology with Bayesian Networks. s.l. Bayesia, 2013.DONG, Yiping. A Study on Hardware Design for postgraduate Performance Artificial Neural Network by using FPGA and NoC . s.l. Waseda University doctorial Dissertation, July -2011.S N Sivanandan, S Sumathi , S N Deepa. Introduction to Neural Network and Matlab 6.0. s.l. Tata Mc-Graw -Hill, 2006.Evaluation of Three Neural Network Models using Wisconsin Breast Cancer. K. Mumtaz, S. A. Sheriff,K. Duraiswamy.UCL Wisconsin data set. Online Cited 30 10 2014. http//archive.ic s.uci.edu/ml/datasets/Breast+Cancer+Wisconsin+(.

Walmart Business Analysis

Walmart Business psychoanalysisContents (Jump to)Walmarts Current Strategy organizational structure, culture, and fit systemsSWOT Analysis for Walmart ushers Five Analysis of WalmartKey Strategic Issues at Walmart in-person SWOT AnalysisFinancial Analysis of WalmartRecommendationsWalmart memory board Inc. is non whole the shift giant, hardly dealwise is the medium- life-sizest grocery strand in the sphere. Walmart broth Inc. was founded in 1962. Samuel Walton and his brother J.L. Walton open their first Walmart Discount City in Rogers, Arkansas (Walmart muniment, 2010). For Walmart hive away Inc., their common mission is Save people coin so they laughingstock live best(p) (Walmart corporate, 2010). Comp atomic number 18d with their of import competitors some(prenominal)(prenominal) as tooshie and K mart, Walmarts 2009 gross revenue were al roughly 50% more. Because of its giant size of it and buying power, Walmart outhouse buy its products at real econ omic crisisly hurts, exchanging higher(prenominal)(prenominal)(prenominal) obtain strengths for hapless cost then passing the savings onto its customers (Wikinvest Walmart, 2010).Walmart has 8,900 stores roughly the world in three contrastive stemma segments of sell stores that including Walmart stores, Sams beau monde and Walmart global. All of them produce variant kinds of sells including electronic appliances, groceries, furniture, apparel and health debaucher stuffs etc. For their trading segment, they turn reveal e realwhere 54% of the societys stores are placed in the United States, and the others world(prenominal) stores are primary(prenominal)ly located in central and south America and china. The company mainly centralisees on pass the first base-tonedest impairments to attract its consumers. Walmart tot exclusivelyy earned $408 cardinal thousand thousand r yetue in 2010, increase 1% shadowervass to 2009 (Wikinvest Walmart, 2010).In 2009, W almart earned $255.7 million in the domestic segment of the companys revenue. For Walmart stores segment are further categories into three divergent formats including Supercenters, Discount stores and Neighborhood Stores. For the Sams club, it is the second largest membership- plainly seller club ( Costco is the first largest membership- al wholeness retailer) in United States belong to Walmart Inc., their main customers almostly are offices, convenience stores, motels, restaurants and schools etc. (Wikinvest Walmart, 2010).For at present, Walmart has total 3,121 international stores whole over the world including in Mexico, Japan, Canada, China and countries in central and South America. However, recently Walmart begins to s paltry down their fruit rate in the United State and turn their main focus onto its international stores to develop growth. For international stores locations altogether earned total $98.6 gazillion revenue in 2009, matchd to the cut-rate sales of 20 08, is increased 9.1% (Wikinvest Walmart, 2010).Strategic History of the industryThe whole retail industry in the United States has over $4 trillion annual revenue. The main retail companies are including Walmart, Home Depot, Kroger, Costco, and Target. a couple of(prenominal) of the large companies dominate some retail welkins such as stack merchandisers and grocery stores, other sectors like auto dealers and convenience stores are fragmented. However, retail industry still has many small and specialty retailers are single-store trading operations (Hoover, 2011).The economy deeply implys the retail contend. In other words, retail demand depends on the economy. Many antithetic kinds of economic factors such as handicraft growth, recession, personal income, consumer confidence and interest grade can strongly affect consumer spending behavior. When during recessionary periods, the bad economy can affect the retail sales growth rate slow drastically or even sales revenue de cline. While the retail spending grows rapidly when in the period of strong economy growth, for example consumers leave spend more on grocery when they take h grey-haired more income. However, the rising interest rates give affect consumer purchase behavior and consumer ability to finance large amount of purchase such as buy cars (Hoover, 2011).Strategic History of Walmart Store Inc.In the early stage of strategic history for Walmart, they eer unchanged their vision al ways low terms for their customers. Until 1990s, Walmart announced that they aforethought(ip) to go global. They wanted to look for international foodstuffplaces for the reasons as following set-back of all, Walmart has lining very strong contestation in United States such as Target and K mart. These two incorruptibles had aggressive thundering their business and had started communion Walmarts market share. Secondly, the market in the United States is already saturated it was meet difficult for the co mpany to enshroud its growth rate. Thirdly, the US population is accounted for however 4% of the worlds population and if they want to embroider their global market, China had the authorisation massive growth due to their huge population of over 1.3 billion people. The last reason is, globalization opened up defect-new markets in China and created opportunities for bank discount stores such as Walmart (Walmarts Cost Leadership Strategy, 2004).On the other hand, Walmart is victimisation the schema that cooperates with local anesthetic suppliers to purchase their products, even though the organizational culture is precedentized with the home country. This system is not only use to the products purchasing, but also adapted to the local cultures and stores decoration and knowing are also changed to meet local taste all round the world (Walmarts Cost Leadership Strategy, 2004).Organizational mission statementAs we know, the mission statement for Walmart is any day low pric e. In gild to insist their mission, Walmart implemented three approaches in the market. First, it increased the local purchasing in army to reduce the purchasing be and also sheath consumers needs in dissimilar places. Secondly, it maintained a good family with their suppliers, conform to them by paying at bottom 3-7 days during its initial years. Thirdly, it launch dispersion centers (DC) and computerized its care system to improve efficiency and reduce be (ICFAI, 2005).Business Level StrategyFor these several years, Walmart has been trying hard on dilate its stores outside the United States. It through two different to enlarge their international business market new store construction and acquisition. learnedness strategy of supermarket chains had been a part of Walmarts entry andstore blowup strategy in Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, China and Great Britain (The Walmart Puzzle, 2008).Over all, the Walmart strategies were including fivefold store segments, overth row daily prices, lots of name-brand merchandise, reduce operating costs, emphasized customers snug service, wide selection products, disciplined expansion into new geographic markets, and using acquisition to enter foreign market (Walmart Store Inc., 2010). However, no event Walmart are in which foreign country, their company vision always low prices is never changed.The companys low distribution costs and cost- effective supply chain management are the big reasons why Walmart is so success and at the same season reduce the products prices. Walmart has get into distribution efficiency compare with their competitors because of its rural store locations.Current strategy for the major operations/functions of the companyCurrent strategies for Walmart are including low costs, high volume, increase customer mirth and expansion strategy. Walmart creates name recognition and customer satisfaction, and combined the retailer with the study of offering the best prices. They also expand their new business segments to different sectors such as pharmacies, automotive repair, and grocery sales to increase their sales revenue.Expansion strategyThe company realized that building a new store will allow for increase market share value. afterward their success in the rural areas, Walmart go to urban areas and then moved to surrounding areas. The expansion strategy made Walmart the hail one retail store in the United States. As Walmart continue its expansion domestically, the sure decided to go international. Furthermore, Walmart realized that acquiring an existing retail business firm is necessary for expand domestic and international markets. Therefore, Walmart by acquire retail store which enable to expand locally and internationally.Always low prices thrust customers live develop strategy is believed the strongest strategy used by Walmart. The firm genuine the idea of dealing right off with the manufacturer and with the power control by Walmart will enable it to get the best deal from the manufacturers and suppliers.Organizational structure, culture, and control systemsSaving people money to help them live better was the mission for Walmart. Hence, Walmart negotiates different suppliers and visualizeing their cost structure in post to reduce the price. Walmart has to be certain that the manufacturers were doing their best to cut down costs. Also, Walmart believed in consecrateing a long-term descent with their suppliers.Walmart had 129 distribution centers located at different locations all over the US. Over 80,000 items were stocked in these centers. Walmarts own warehouses direct supplied 85 percent of the inventory, as compared to 50-65 % for competitors. Shipping costs for Walmart is rough 3 % which is lower than its competitors, 5%. The distribution centers ensured a steady and consistent spring of products to support the supply function (Walmarts Cost Leadership Strategy, 2004).Walmarts logistics infrastructure was its ext ravagant and successful transportation system. The distribution centers were serviced by more than 3,500 company owned trucks. To make its distribution process more in effect(p), Walmart also uses a logistics technique called cross-docking. In this system, the finished goods were directly picked up from the manufacturing plant from suppliers, and then directly supplied to the customers. The system reduced the handling and storage of finished goods, eliminating the role of the distribution centers and stores (Walmarts Cost Leadership Strategy, 2004).SWOT Analysis for Walmart Store Inc.(S)trengthsReputation soil Name Walmart is a powerful brand and pioneer in the retail industry with the wide spread network of stores. It has a reputation for low price, convenience and a wide range of products all in one store for customers. Walmart has captured round 10% of the retail market in the U.S. and continues to expand. Walmart stores continue to open all over the country making Walmart a mob name. Walmart has also been widely acknowledged for its social responsibility actions. The company has donated to a variety of charitable organizations and has been accredited for bringing jobs and wealth to less developed communities. volunteer Low Prices Walmart uses its enormous size and buying power to shove its suppliers into extremely low prices, offering arrangements of high volumes of merchandise in give-and-take for low prices. The good thing somewhat Walmart is that its shifts the low cost prefer to customers and available the products at lower prices. It has loyal customer base because it meets the foretaste of customer by always delivering the goods at lower prices at compare to its competitors.Expand Global Market Walmart has precipitously expands its international market over the past few years and has comed global expansion. For example its purchase of the United Kingdom based retailer ASDA.Technology Technology is ability to Walmart with its inventory control system that was recognized as the most civilise in retailing. The technology linked all the stores to the headquarters and the companys distribution centers. It also enables the warehouse of which the goods are sayed, and direct the flow of goods to the store and proper shelves. give chain and logistics management Supply chain and logistics management are one of the strengths of Walmart. This allows Walmart to utilize the Just- in- epoch inventory concept and suspend the pilling up inventory to pitch the extra cost for maintaining inventories in the warehouses. merciful Resource Walmart always deplore to provide training to their employees to improve the customer service level. The firm acquire locally, provides training programs for its employees. Walmart also gets its employees involve and encourage them to make use of words like we, us, and ours. It also provides stock ownership and wage sharing with enormous contribution from the H. R of the firm. Walmart was nam ed one of the best 100 firms to work for.Cross-docking inventory system Using the cross-dock technique, Walmart was able to effectively leverage their logistical volume into a core strategic competency. Walmart operates an extensive satellite network of distribution centers serviced by company owned trucks. Its satellite network sends point of sale (POS) data directly to 4,000 vendors. Each register is directly connected to a satellite system sending sales information to Walmarts headquarters and distribution centers.(W)eaknessesEmployee turnover Walmart has high employee turnover which costs more money and time for company to train the new employee.Bad publicity Walmart is currently facing a gender discrimination lawsuit. Their feminine employees accuses that they were discriminated against in matters regarding pay and promotions. And also, Their female managers were accounted for the minority group in the company.Lock of flexibility Walmart sell very wide range kinds of products for example like clothes, food, pharmacy or stationary which overlook of flexibility compare with other more focused competitors. different competitors may let the ability to make changes and improve on a certain product lines when the needs of their customers change. Walmart, however, may defy too overmuch merchandise and not be able to focus in on sectors that need to be improved. rough products have poor superior Although Walmart provides low price of products, however, customers sometimes complain about the poor spirit of few products.Facing difficulty in International market It is hard for Walmart to expand their business out of US to totally different countries all nigh the world. Moreover, Walmart has to facing different culture and customer behavior in different countries, for example Walmart facing difficulty to expand the market in China.(O)pportunitiesCustomers Because Walmart provides low price to their customers, so they are able to attract more customers. Furt hermore, customers essentially are able to purchasing everything in one store that satisfied their needs. Walmart 24 hours stores also satisfied their customers.Diversified store types Walmarts different store types and new locations provide more opportunities to exploit new market. Stores diversified from local, small-based sites to large super centers.International Expansion No doubt that continued expand the international market is a huge hazard for Walmart. Walmarts oversea stores have experienced significant growth. There are actually tremendous opportunities for in store(predicate) growth in developing countries and Asian markets than in the United States such as China and India. Creating strategic alliances and licensing agreements with other global retailers are ways to move into different countries.(T)hreatsCompetition Walmart faces different strong competitions locally and internationally. Walmart main competitors are including Kmart, Target, crossway and Costco wholes ale. In 2010, the Net Profit Margin for Walmart is 3.59%, Target 4.22%, Costco wholesale 1.69%, Carrefour 0.38%, respectively (Hoovers, 2010). Target is Walmarts direct competitor in the US, offering a range of general merchandise in a similar store format (Wikinvest, 2010).Economy niche The revenue for Walmart is unnatural by economy recession. Good economy is an opportunity for great business, because customers will have more money to spend. If the economy is great, there will be more jobs and people will shop more. However, if the economy is bad, there will be fewer jobs and people will shop less. Also, with the high price of gasoline and its effect on the economy, Walmart will certainly be abnormal the most.Strategy fictive Walmart strengthens its competitive advantage on low-cost products. opposite competitors may imitate their low-cost strategy to take over their market shares.Low Brand Loyalty In the retail industry, customers would like to rent the product with the lowe st price. In other words, customers do not alimentationing about the brand or which retail stores, if Costco has the exactly same chips that sell cheaper than in the Walmart, then customers will choose to buy the chips in the Costco not Walmart.TOWS MATRIXSTRENGTHSWEAKNESSESReputation Brand NameBad publicityOffer Low PricesLock of flexibilityExpand Global MarketSome products have poor qualityTechnologyFacing difficulty in International marketSupply chain and logistics managementEmployee turnoverHuman ResourceCross-docking inventory systemOPPORTUNITIESOPPORTUNITIES-STRENGTHSOPPORTUNITIES-WEAKNESSESCustomersBuild on its already efficient distribution system to further expand in the U.S and globally.Walmart should be awareness and strict to control of the quality of the product in separate to keep their customers basis.Diversified Store TypesExpand diversified store types to International market in order to increase profit in International market. flock higher employment standards through enhanced training to keep their employees have best performance.International ExpansionDuplicated the successful delivery logistic management and the distribution centers into International market.Continue to build on cost efficient pricing and production due to expansion.Go into new markets and buy out their local retailers to gain market share.THREATSTHREATS-STRENGTHSTHREATS-WEAKNESSESCompetitionBuy raw materials or products from local suppliers to hold a better political status within the local community further to compete with their competitors.Human resource incision should set a benefits long-term promotion program or standard and training program for their employees in order to decrease the employee turnover.Economy RecessionCreate their own brand of products and increase the quality of products in order to establish customers loyalty.Establish joint judge partnerships or long-term relationship with local retail companies to get the advantages in the International s egment.Strategy imitationDevelop strong RD and technology to enhance the competitive advantage and avoid imitation from other competitors.Low Brand LoyaltyFive Forces Analysis for Walmart Store Inc.Threat of entrances LowThe threat of new entrance in the grocery and discount retailer industry is very low. New entrants have to face with the strong low-price competition among exist giant retail companies like Walmart, Costco and Target. New entrants need to invest large amount of capitals to establish their brand recognition, service, and variety of product offerings that Walmart, Target, and others competitors continue to improve on each day. In addition, existing companies can drop prices lower in order to rage a new competitor out of the market. Therefore, the threat of entrances is low.Power of buyer-HighCustomers have many choosing opportunities and consider about products very details. They want the product now and they want it with the best service, best quality and reasonabl e price. Customers also relish increasing choice of products and choose one product that has the best quality and better price. For example, if customers find out Target sells an exactly product that has better quality and price than Walmart, and then they will choose to buy it in Target instead of Walmart.Power of Suppliers LowThe bargaining power of suppliers is very low. Walmart is very famous on giving pressure to their suppliers to cut their price lower and lower in order to offer the lowest price to their customers. On the other hand, become the supplier of Walmart is a very boisterous competition. In 2004, about 10,000 new suppliers applied to become Walmart vendors. However, only about 200, or 2%, were ultimately accepted by Walmart (Gwendolyn Bounds, The Wall path Journal). Therefore, the bargaining power of suppliers is low.Rivalry HighThe competition in the US grocery and discount retailer industry is very high. The main competitors for Walmart in the local market are Kmart and Target. These companies also have to face competition from wholesalers such as BJs, Costco and even the international market such as Carrefour. Walmart has adopted a cost functionership generic strategy. In the past, most companies have not been able to match Walmarts strategy everyday low prices. However, Walmarts barrier to entry (economies of scale) and strength (supply-chain management) can be easily imitated with ample resources. Therefore, retailers are in a fierce competition that see who can offer their customers the lowest price.Threat of substitute LowThe threat of substitutes in this industry is low because only few companies have ability to offer such a variety of products available instantly and also low prices. One possible substitute is online obtain however, customers usually do the online shopping for clothes or other stuffs but not for food or grocery shopping. Therefore, the threat of substitute is low.Key Strategic IssuesIssue 1 Open too many new s tores close to existing stores lead to new stores taking over the market shares from existing stores.Status QuoWal- grocery store depends on opens many new stores and expands into new market to increase the long-term sales and income growth. However, because of Walmarts large size of expansion, new stores are effects the sales on existing stores. For example, Walmart builds a store relatively close to an already existing store, the new store might take away customers from the old store thus decrease the sales in existing stores (Walmart, 2010).evolutionary commute (Incremental Improvement)In order to solve this problem, Walmart expands their business segment into international market instead of domestic market. For example, Walmart opened 5 times number of stores in the international market in 2010 compared to domestic stores most of stores are in Mexico, China, and Central America (Walmart, 2010).Revolutionary Change (Huge/Drastic Change)Walmart is also aggressively to open busin ess segments in India if the country opens up the sector to foreign direct investment. India has retail market more than 1 billion no doubt India is a huge opportunity for Walmart. However, retailers that carry multiple brands (like Walmart) are restricted to wholesale outlets in India. After Indias policy change, Walmart is allowed to expand superstores and generate revenue in India (Walmart, 2010).Specific tactics to implement the strategyWalmart needs to establish long-term relationship or joint venture with local retail company to get into the market in India. Although in 2006, Walmart announced that it had tied up with Bharti Enterprises Ltd. (Bharti) to get into the Indian retail sector. Bharti was a diversified company, and one of the biggest mobile telephone service providers in India (Walmart and the Indian Retail Sector, 2007). However, because of the government policy, the small retailers groups and the Left parties against allowing the company into India are all the barr iers that Walmart has to face it.Issue 2 International competitorsStatus QuoIn order to expand and improve the sales revenue for the economy recession particularly in the domestic market, Walmart has been aggressively expand its business segment into international market. However, the local big retailers or small retailers groups are against Walmart to get into their market to take over the market shares because of its low price strategy (Walmart, 2010).evolutionary Change (Incremental Improvement)Improve its supply chain, logistic and technology segment to lower its delivery and operation costs in order to compete with local big retailers such as Britains Tesco, Frances Carrefour, and Germanys Metro (Walmart, 2010). On the other hand, retail business segment is hard to create products differentiation, because commodity products are all the same for customers. The only way that gains the market shares for retail stores is not only low price but also quality of products. Therefore, Walmart should awareness of its quality of products to attract more customers even in the international market.Revolutionary Change (Huge/Drastic Change)Walmart should acquire and purchase the local retail companies in order to get into the international market. On the other hand, establish long-term relationship with local suppliers to have the win-win situation for their cooperation.Specific tactics to implement the strategyIn the beginning of year 1, 2 and 3, Walmart should first focus on improving its supply chain, logistic and technology improvement in order to compete with local big retailers on its lower operation, delivery costs and high quality of products. For the long-term tactics, Walmart should deeply penetrate into the local market, understand different cultures and customers behaviors and then cooperate with local suppliers to establish long-term partnership. face-to-face assessmentSWOT Analysis of myself in relation to the organization (What can I offer to the organi zation?).(S)trengthsInternational expansion (China) Walmart is extremely aggressively penetrated into the market in China. Also, no doubt that China has 1.3 billion populations which accounted for the most majority population in the world, creates a huge business opportunity for Walmart. Therefore, Walmart needs a manager who can speak fluently mandarin orange and English, and really understand about Chinese culture and Chinese customers behavior. Hence, I can offer Walmart my knowledge to develop more opportunity in Chinas market in order to maximize the profits.(W)eaknessesLack of working experience Even though I can speak fluently mandarin orange tree and understand the Chinese culture and customers behavior however, I still lack of working experiences. I do have some part time working experience such as working in starbucks, but do not have full time working experiences.(O)pportunitiesBecause of my paid knowledge (bachelor and master degree are both business management) are ex pertise on this line which can offer Walmart a captain employees or manager. Moreover, my family also has business in China, Hangchow, which makes me has understanding and interested about China. I can provide Walmart establish partnership with local suppliers and establish long-term relationship with them to compete with local retails competitors.(T)hreatsMany applicants near the world There is still having many talented applicants around the world prevail to get into this company. Some of the applicants have high education degree and business knowledge and also have ability to speak many different kinds of languages. Therefore, I am in extremely fierce competition.Not every business segment in Walmart is my expertise I have diminished and lower advantages compared to local American because of the speaking and cultural differences. Furthermore, the company does business in many different retail formats, including supercenters, food and drugs, general merchandise stores, cash a nd carry stores, membership warehouse clubs, apparel stores, soft discount stores and restaurants. However, not every business segment in Walmart is in my field of expertise.Financial Analysis2010 Annual Sales ( frame2-1)(Source Hoovers, 2011, http//0subscriber.hoovers.com.leopac.ulv.edu/H/company360/competitiveLandscape.html?companyId=11600000000000)As you can see in underframe 2-1, this is 2010 annual sales for 4 main retail stores in the United States. They are including Walmart, Target, Costco Wholesale and Carrefour. Walmart has almost $ cd billion sales in 2010. Compared to other competitors, annual sales for Walmart was much higher than other companies. Carrefour annual sale in 2010 was around $100 billion. Annual sales for Target and Costco were just around $50 billion in 2010.2010 Net Profit Margin (Figure2-2)(Source Hoovers, 2011, http//0subscriber.hoovers.com.leopac.ulv.edu/H/company360/competitiveLandscape.html?companyId=11600000000000)In Figure 2-2, net profit margin i n 2010 for Walmart was 2.98%. Target was higher than Walmart which had 3.69% net profit margin in 2010. Other two competitors, Costco and Carrefour were both under 1.84% in net profit margin in 2010.Figure 2-3(Source Hoovers, 2011, http//0subscriber.hoovers.com.leopac.ulv.edu/H/company360/competitiveLandscape.html?companyId=11600000000000)The Return on Asset ratio is usable in measuring how efficiently a company uses its assets to generate profit. By definition, ROA is calculated by dividing the Net Income by the total asset of a company. Refer to Figure 2-3, ROA for Walmart from 2006 to 2010 are much higher than its competitors. Walmarts ROA were around 9% to 10% each year, compared to its competitors which were all much lower than Walmart. This basically bureau that Walmart utilizes its assets well enough to generate profit in comparison with their competitors. However, ROA in 2007 for Target is higher than Walmart, Target 9.29%, Walmart 9.05%. Targets major competitive advantag e over Walmart lies in its customer base the average household income for Target customers is about $50,000 a year, whereas the average yearly income for a Walmart customer is only $35,000Figure 2-4(Source Hoovers, 2011, http//0subscriber.hoovers.com.leopac.ulv.edu/H/company360/competitiveLandscape.html?companyId=11600000000000)The picture on Stockholders Equity (ROE) ratio measures the percentage of profit earned on stockholders investment in the company. In other words, return on equitymeasures a corporations profitabilityby revealing how muchprofit a company generateswith the money shareholders have invested. In Figure 2-4, ROE for Walmart were around 20% from year 2006 to 2010, compared to other competitors which are higher than others.Figure 2-5(Source Hoovers, 2011, http//0subscriber.hoovers.com.leopac.ulv.edu/H/company360/competitiveLandscape.html?companyId=11600000000000)Net profit Margin is an indication of how effective a company at cost control

South African Show Shaka Zulu Film Studies Essay

South African Show Shaka Zulu Film Studies EssayIn late 1986, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) named a tv mini- serial by the surname of Shaka Zulu. It would enhance an instant and huge success, and by 1992 it had been seen by over 350 million viewers in South Africa and abroad (Tomaselli 1992). dress hat describe as an historical drama, the serial centred on the first enter encounter encircled by blacks and smocks in southeast Africa, with particular focus on the interactions between an exploratory British party, led by Lieutenant Francis leave of absence (Ed fightd Fox), and the ruler of a powerful and dangerous poufdom, the legendary Shaka Zulu (Henry Cele) (Hamilton 1998, p.171). In brief, the fib follows F arwells band of men (including the themes narrator, Henry Francis Fynn) as they head to Zululand to dissuade Shaka from an garb on on the drapery Colony. They argon shipwrecked, captured by the Zulus, and come to learn astir(predicate) how Sh akas kingdom was built. Within this structure, Fynns diary is used as a instrument for a series of flashbacks which tell Shakas life story his conception and brook (he is illegitimate), his life as an outcast, and his rise to power (Hamilton 1998). It is a boisterous portrait Shaka is visualizen to be destined to rule through brutality (Fynn records that Shakas m separate gave stemma to a kingdom of blood-stained spears) (Faure 1986) and spends most of his time angrily taking revenge on those who micturate wronged him (Tomaselli 1992). Eventu each(prenominal)y, with the death of his mother, Nandi (Dudu Mkhize), Shaka is struck by a violent grief and the series ends with the Zulu kingdom in flames (Hamilton 1998, p.172). F bewell and company invoke unable to save Shaka from himself, and the Zulu nation falls into pandemonium.Before conducting an analysis of the boob tube series itself, it is worth examining how Shaka was re ingrediented in Zulu culture long before the aim was even commissi adept and only(a)d. Like all annals, there is no single office in Zulu oral accounts of Shakas rule. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, different Zulu interests draw on different Shakas to support their actions in a changing ground (Hamilton 1992, p.62). Thus, accounts differ significantly more or less mainstay episodes in his life and essentially in their evaluation of the Zulu king and the Zulu memory of Shaka has non al elbow rooms been unanimously favourable towards him (Hamilton 1998, p.53). Having said this, Hallencreutz (1989, p.73) debates that we can roughly view the appreciative, complimentary izibongo (praise singers) as the core of the ceremonious Zulu usage, and the more critical oral accounts as be to other related ethnic groups. And the fact that the legacy of the Shaka izibongo has tended to persist in situations of political crisis seems to support this claim. Thus the fabrication of Shaka, as he is remembered by Zulu oral h istorians, is probably best captured by those who pursue the izibongo tradition to some(a) extent. I would suggest that the memory of Shaka is, for the most part, exemplified by poets such(prenominal) as Mazisi Kunene (1979 cited Hallencreutz 1989, p.75) who ends his commemoration of Shaka (based on Zulu oral accounts) as followsHe is an Ancestral nub he cannot be stabbed.Even now they sing his song. They call his name.They terpsichore in the arena listening to the echoes of his epic poems process the end of time-they shall sing of him.Till the end of time his shield shall shelter the hero from the windsAnd his children shall rise comparable locusts.They shall scatter the dust of our enemies,They shall make our earth free for the Palm Race.Thus, objet dart it is important to note that Zulu accounts of Shaka can and do differ great(p)ly from hailing him as a benevolent leader to decrying him as a violent killer it is evident that they tend to fundamentally acknowledge that Sh aka was an extra workaday man (Cele 2001, p.119). unlike factors, including a perpetual need to describe the achievements of a leader who stood up to light expansion (especially con perspectivering South Africas particular narrative), have resulted in Shakas uniqueness and extraordinariness existence prominent features in or so all Zulu oral histories (Cele 2001, p.121). magical spell not unanimously favourable towards him, Zulu oral histories most Shaka would never give him as being dependent on or subservient to the ashen man.As I am arguing that Shaka Zulu demonstrates how allegory can be stripped down and re-imagined, it is also necessary for the purposes of this essay, to illustrate how and why Shakas story in Zulu oral tale falls under the broad streamer of fable (as used in the scholarly sense). Obviously, the definition of falsehood is a contested one. Nevertheless, I would surround that the Shaka legend, as remembered in Zulu culture, is fabulous in almost e truly sense of the word. For instance, Mircea Eliade (cited Segal 2004, p.60) suggests that the mere ritualistic recitation of the highpoints in a characters biography (as demonstrated by the Zulu izibongo) posits that characters life as novel. The honest act of creating an oral biography for a famous historical figure like Shaka can trans strain them into near-gods and their sagas into fables (Eliade cited Segal 2004, p.53). Certainly, the Shaka story seems to comply with Levi-Strauss assertion that it is almost a prerequisite of novel that it starts out as an oral tradition (Leach 1974, p.56). In recording Shakas life in oral form, historical truths are transfigured, resulting in a novel genuineity with a highly fab character as chief protagonist (Mersham 1993). Hence, by the time the Shaka Zulu telly system aim was commissioned in 1986, Zulu culture had already transfigured Shakas history into something quite mythical.Various elements of the Shaka story also closel y resemble some of the telltale(prenominal) characteristics of myth as defined by theorists. For instance, Segal (2004, p.5) severalizes that it is a prerequisite of myths that the primary(prenominal) figures be personalities divine, human, or even animal. Shaka certainly fits this bill, as his presence tends to control Zulu folklore, where he is positioned somewhere in between divine and human (and he was even hailed as the great elephant by his praise singers) (Kunene 1979, p.13). Both Mersham (1993) and Cele (2001) go so far as to suggest that the man was (and is) for some Zulus a black Jesus Christ a symbol of deliverance from impertinent oppressors. Shakas story also evidences such highly mythic themes such as fratricide (Shaka was assassinated by his half brothers, Dingane and Mhlangana). This underrating of blood dealings is a key feature of myth in Levi-Strauss call (Leach 1974, p.76). Otto tell (cited Segal 2004, p.96), in The allegory of the Birth of the Hero, suggests that dislike of two brothers for each other is often traceable to the competition for the tender devotion and love of the mother. duration this isnt necessarily the case with Shakas story, his love for his mother, Nandi, is well-documented (and is a key element in the Shaka myth). Shakas life, as it is remembered in Zulu culture, essentially is, by Northrop Fryes definition (cited Segal 2004, 81), a quest-myth it is the myth of the life of the hero. His life story conforms closely to Fryes four stages of birth, triumph, isolation, and the heros defeat. As browse (cited Segal 2004, p.96) states, the mythological hero is heroic and triumphant be power he rises from relative obscurity to, typically, the throne. And usually, like Shaka, he is a victim of Fate.Further, the Shaka history is mythic in the way it operates within the connection which invests in it. Wylie (1997) entreats that Shakas life story has achieved the status of myth, solely by virtue of the fact that i t has garnered an dominance of its own which is unthinkingly followed and reiterate despite historical changes or the surfacing of contrary evidence. In being simplified and do innocent to its receivers, history has become myth, and myth is given up a natural and eternal neverthelessification (Barthes 1993, p.143). Mythic history is higher up questioning and bereft of factual detail. It is not so much an explanation of events as it is a statement of fact (Barthes 1993, p.143). This is a key stylemark of myth, allowing it to function as it does in modern society. Myth, says Levi-Strauss (cited Leach 1974, p.59) is powerful in that novices of the society who hear the myths for the first time are being indoctrinated by the bearers of the tradition a tradition, which in theory at any rate, has been transfer down from long dead ancestors. Through the recitation of this tradition and the transient of time, says Barthes (1993, p.142), things lose the memory that they were once do. In the case of the Shaka myth, this untouchability of a mythic characters life story has had very real social and political ramifications (as entrust be discussed later).Finally, I would suggest that myths that are successful in contemporary societies almost always go some way to explaining and commemorating the introduction of that society. The Shaka myth both in its original form and as it is recreated for the goggle box try out is a classic embodiment of the myth of a debut community an origin (Tomaselli Shepperson 2002, p.132). It is typically mythic in that it explains how one state of affairs became another how a plurality of tribes became a nation (and the reading of the myth in the television series ultimately served to legitimate KwaZulus leading rights to rule in 1986)(Mersham 1993). The man who played the central part in the establishment of the nation is the main figure. The cult of Shaka is mythological in that it recognise his role in the establishmen t of the Zulu nation (Segal 2004, p.59). But where the myth described by Zulu oral historians focuses on the creation of the nation under Shaka, the television level emphasises an equally mythic but quite different side to the kings rule his downfall. The myth as picture in Shaka Zulu closely matches the primordial American myths that so intrigued Levi-Strauss myths whereThe entire story aims at explaining why subsequently their first beginning, a given clan or lineage or group of lineages have overcome a great many ordeals, cognize periods of success and periods of failures, and have been progressively led towards a disastrous ending. It is an highly pessimistic story, really the history of a downfall.(Levi-Strauss 1989, p.38)I will argue that the filmmakers (and their SABC backers) adopted this approach to the myth as a doer of model over against violence in the pur pillow slip of power (Tomaselli Shepperson 2002, p.132). Thus, a highly mythic story element was used to s erve a very real function. A new myth, with a very different message, was manufactured to change the old.How filmmakers able make mythIt should now be evident how the Shaka myth developed and endured in Zulu oral histories. However, I will argue boost that the creators of the Shaka Zulu television show essentially took this and recreated their own, new mythology to suit their own purposes. agree to Barthes (1982 cited Wylie 1997), myth is an empty parasitical form, enabling it to be re decreeted and reconstituted in various(a) incarnations. While initially based in history, it is necessarily incomplete, accepted as truth but efficaciously divorced from the contingency of events (Wylie 1997). Thus, the line between history and mythology and I would argue, an original mythology and reinvented mythology as in the series is efficaciously blurred. Thus, there is room for new mythologies to effectively be invented which claim to be based on the same historical truths which inspir ed the original narratives. As Levi-Strauss (1989, p.38) asks, where does mythology end and where does history start?. The simple opposition between mythology and history which has traditionally been treated as a given is not at all a clear-cut one (Levi-Strauss 1989, p.40), and space is made for new mythologies to be created on essentially the same histories. In short, the creators of Shaka Zulu created a new mythology based on an old mythology originally linked to an almost two-hundred category old history.Hence, I argue that the Shaka Zulu television series adapted the Shaka Zulu myth for western sandwich eyes. For instance, grotesque witchdoctors were include in the show to serve the narrative function of magical creatures who aid or threaten the heros quest (Parks 1982 cited in Tomaselli 1992). While historically inaccurate and politically dubious, magical elements are included for television as they are integral to the western mythical formula (Tomaselli 1992). Tomaselli (199 2) goes so far as to suggest that the very fact that television is a Western form of expression doomed Shaka Zulu to being a white, Western interpretation of the myth from the start. I would not necessarily go that far, but I would bear that series was, either consciously or unconsciously, fashioned to conform to western notions of myth. Like the witchdoctors, the white crews sea tour into a dismal and dangerous land in Part i of the series hearkens back to some of the oldest myths in western culture. Likewise, the television show is laden with western notions of prophecy. Shakas rise to power is explained almost entirely in terms of the witchdoctor, Sitayis prophecy. Before the party leave for Zululand, Fynn talks of a precognitive child who it is said will bring with him an era in which the name amaZulu will signify terror and death. (Faure 1986). Similarly, with his birth, the narration talks of how the prophecy was about to begin its determined path (Faure 1986). The links with other approved western myths such as that of Oedipus are self-evident. Thus, Shaka Zulu, in its efforts to subscribe to the conventions of the mythic form familiar to western audiences, deviates notably from the mythology evidenced in Zulu oral accounts. Where Zulu mythologies about Shaka tended to cut through the bizarre to the essence of depictions, Shaka Zulu was obsessed with the surreal (Tomaselli 1992). The necessary result was an othering of the Zulu people in a show almost unrecognizably alongside the history it professed to drink.Actual analysis showContent in that location can be little doubt that much of the shows actual sate is, at best, dubious in its portrayal of the Zulu people and the history of Shakas rule. The Zulus portrayed are a bizarre and violent people (Tomaselli 1992). The first scenes in which Zululand are shown are typified by bloody warfare and crying infants. In fact, when we first encounter Shakas kingdom in Part One of the series, we do so t hrough the eyes of the bewildered white party surrounded by sweating masses speaking a strange language, mysterious drum beats and an almost constant procession of war parties caterpillar track nearly for no apparent reason (Faure 1986). Certainly, little effort has been made by the filmmakers to portray the everyday, mundane life of the Zulu people the emphasis is almost wholly on public, frequently violent rituals (Tomaselli 1992). The act of making the different a spectacle is principal characteristic of western, bourgeois myth, says Barthes (1993, p.152), and this is process is patent in Shaka Zulu. Like his subjects, Shaka is also othered as a barbarian megalomaniac with an obsessive proclivity for revenge (Mersham 1993). Failure to please him carries the penalty of him killing every member of the party (Faure 1986). And, like all the Zulus, he is dictated to by credulity and ritual Have the armies assembled by the next full moon is one of the first commands we hear (Fa ure 1986). And possibly the most startling subedition of history and myth comes in the form of the shows witchdoctors. What in truth were perfectly ordinary natural healers are depicted as superhuman, grotesque individuals (Tomaselli Shepperson 2002, p.135). Scary and monsterish, their comer in a scene is almost always accompanied by thunder and lightning and rain (Tomaselli Shepperson 2002, p.135). In truth, these izangoma were welcomed as an integral part of the community a far cry from the creatures with glowing eyes that command packs of hyenas and maintain dens of dwarfs (Hamilton 1998, p.179). Thus, Zulu ritual is presented as being disgusting and frightening. (Hamilton 1998, p.179). Tomaselli and Shepperson (2002, p.135) argue that such a typical white misinterpretation of Zulu cultural practice is legitimised by the show positing itself as a mythology not, I would argue, a mythology familiar to Zulu history, but one that has been manufactured by white producers for audi ences in 1986. It is a typically white version of a native myth (as evidenced by an almost Pocahontas-like scene of Nandi as a young Zulu maiden being watched as she washes at a misty waterfall) (Faure 1986). It is a myth reconfigured to make a modern-day impact.StyleThe series is also notable for the clear rhetorical decisions on how it was shot. There is a very obvious distinction made between those shots that depict the Zulu nation and those featuring the whites in the curtain Colony. The tribal Zulu scenes are mostly shot through a sepia filter, with an over-emphasis on yellows, browns and bloody reds. The only deviation from this formula comes during the night-time scenes cooling system blue, rife with thunder and lightning, and peeved with imagery of sorcery, magic and the supernatural (Tomaselli Shepperson 2002, p.134). Tomaselli and Shepperson (2002, p.134) argue that ethnographic detail is intentionally obscured by the hazy sepia lighting, the clouds of smoke made b y overcloud machines and the mass of shiny, sweaty (oiled) black skins. The end product is a smudge of objects and people, depicted as an incomprehensible writhing, pulsating and faceless dark mass as they throw about the landscape in a storm of dust. (Tomaselli Shepperson 2002, p.134). Again, I would argue there is something quite mythic about this hazy, blurry portrayal of a people. This is in stark contrast to the shots of white people in the Cape Colony, which are whiter, truer and do not contain the clashes between hot and chilling colours (Tom Shepperson, p.134). Thus, the binary oppositions that Levi-Strauss argues are so integral to myth are blatant white vs black light vs darkness civilisation vs ferociousness sageity vs magic normal behaviour vs ritual peace vs war and order vs chaos (Tomaselli Shepperson 2002, p.134). Again, conscious decisions from the filmmakers have resulted in a new, subverted mythology. And I would argue that this essentially racist version of Shakas story professes to audiences to be the canonical version of the myth.Intentions etcLike all stories, re-imagined mythologies such as that on show in Shaka Zulu are clouded by the conventions of narrative in terms of prevailing worldviews (Tomaselli 1992). In other words, the creators of Shaka Zulu were dictated to in their mythmaking by the establi draw ideologies of the time. The show is, thus, inextricably linked to the socio-political situation in South Africa at the time of its creation (Tomaselli 1992). Further, any author cannot help but give way something of his or her worldview on audiences when broadcasting a creation to the public domain. As van Jaarsveld (cited Mersham 1993) argues, as soon as an author (in this case, director William C Faure) presents an interpretation of the past, they are putting forward an arsenal of arguments for formulating decisions about the future. Thus, it was not by accident that the Shaka myth (and message) presented on screen differe d so greatly from that recounted by Zulu oral historians.Director William C Faures stated intentions for the series were hard-core to bring the story of Shaka Zulu home to the Zulu people (Faure 1986). He is quoted (cited Tomaselli 1992) as formulaShakas life was originally recorded by white historians who imposed upon their accounts bigoted and sensationalist values often labelling the Zulus as savage and barbaric. It is our intention with this series to change that view.However, as Barthes posits, all myths are founded on a blind of some meanings and the interested promotion of others (Rylance 1994, p.47) and there was more motivating Faure than just the desire to right historical wrongs. He also hoped that show would shed light on South Africa, correct misconceptions and change the system (Hamilton 1992, p.181). It appears to have been his deepest wish that the show would balance international perceptions about the conflict in 1980s South Africa, and thus whatever intentions he had to redress the injustices of history became distorted by his commitment to this objective (Tomaselli Shepperson 2002, p.131). Thus, Tomaselli and Shepperson (2002, p.133) argue that Faures project was couched, perhaps unintentionally, within apartheid discourse, and does no justice to either Shaka or history. This is just merely evidence that mythology as a story form is manufactured to suit prevailing worldviews.From the off, Faures creation was fraught with apparent political interference. The series writer, Joshua Sinclair, take away himself from the production when he was made aware of the directors links with South African Military Intelligence (Blignaut cited Tomaselli 1992). Faure was also convinced out of using Zulu poet, Mazisi Kunenes epic Emperor Shaka the Great as etymon material, as it was deemed to be to a fault critical of white people and because Kunene was an exiled member of the African National sex act (ANC) (Tomaselli Shepperson 2002, p.130). Howeve r, the relationship between the filmmaker and the SABC (and the state) was by no means a straightforward one. Faure liaised equally closely with not only the Zulu royal family (inviting the Zulu prince Gideon onto set as a cultural advisor) but also the Zulu organization (Tomaselli 1992). tho even with these efforts to seek Zulu approval, we shall see that the level of state involvement was tangible. The key to Shaka Zulus unique success was in that it was able to establish a myth that was acceptable to both those who already had their own version of Shakas story and those largely unfamiliar with it.The apartheid government saw Shaka Zulu as an opportunity to reformulate the myth in a way that would more closely suit their plans. ab initio a powerful tale of a hero resisting white oppression, the myth was transformed into something quite different. At the time of Shaka Zulus release, South Africa was in a state of violent political turmoil. The apartheid regime was fast coming ar ound to the idea that solutions to the violence in South African society had to be found. Thus, Faures proposed television series offered the state and the SABC a key opportunity to present all South Africans with a drama advocating interracial collaboration and word picture the dangers of its failure (Hamilton 1998, p.181). As Barthes (1993, p.156) states, mythology harmonises with the world, not as it is, but as it wants to create itself. The mythology of Shaka Zulu was, in effect, a reflection of how the government thought South Africa should be. Shaka Zulu represented an opportunity for the government to promote a resolution based on order (apparently best reflected by the capitalist Inkatha granting immunity Party) over turnover (basically, the socialist ANC freedom fighters) (Tomaselli 1992). To the apartheid government, order implied keeping nations separate according to tribal homeland, and Tomaselli (1992) argues that the series insistence on manufacturing a dichotomy b etween heinousness and civilisation only served to endorse apartheid discourse that black people should be allowed to develop in their own way in their own areas. The government also needed cooperative, authoritarian black leaders to implement their visions of unaggressive segregation. Someone, says Hamilton (1998, p.184) like Shaka Zulu. The closest match was the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) leader, Mangosuthu Buthelezi, whose links with Zulu royal house made him and his fellow party leaders the shows perfect target audience.Shaka Zulu effectively acted as a means for the government to communicate its reformist visions to Buthelezi and his leadership. For instance, the chaos of the Zulu kingdom portrayed in the final episode after Shakas rejection of white interaction came as a stern warning to black politicians such as Buthelezi of the consequences of trying to go it alone (Hamilton 1998, p.184) (as an interesting aside, it is worth noting how this all fits into Levi-Strauss ins istence that the chief moral implication of myth is that self-interest is the source of all evil) (cited Leach 1974, p.81). Refusal to cooperate with the apartheid state (just like Shakas refusal to establish a truce with the Cape Colony in the show) would only result in flames and chaos will prevail (Hamilton cited Tomaselli Shepperson 2002, p.32). Again the myth of the downfall on screen was used to warn against risking the Zulu nations downfall in the real, physical world. The message behind the new myth was clear.The project was not without its critics. The production was universally rejected by anti-apartheid who were fighting for non-racial democracy. Most white anti-apartheid historians were appalled by the series historical inaccuracies (Tomaselli 1992). Wright (cited Mersham 1993) slated the show for pandering to a whole range of compound and racist stereotypes about the Zulus a people reduced to singing, dancing, fighting. Hamilton states that the multitude of Unzulu unt raditional features had many critics baffled as to how the series gained royal approval (Hamilton 1998, p.185). Also, patch the series did show Shaka to be a leader of calibre and talent, Hamilton (1998) argues that it was guilt-ridden of repeating older stereotypes of his psychological imbalances and bloodthirstiness. Mazisi Kunene (cited Tomaselli 1992) lambasted the series as a unpleasant-smelling a propaganda tool aimed at aimed at projecting the Zulu people and their king as bloodthirsty savages and whites as their saviours. Yet for all the shows obvious failings, the show was an immense success evidence, in my opinion, of the power of the mythic form.UsesCuriously, the Shaka Zulu myth would prove to be as acceptable to the Zulu leadership as it was to the forces that influenced its creation. This has a make do to do with the anxieties within Zulu society at the time of the shows release. Ernst Cassirer wrote in The Myth of the State (1946 cited Segal 2004, p.39) that myt h resurfaces as a means of explanation when the rational forces that resist the rise of the old mythical conceptions are no long-lived sure of themselves. In these moments, he says, the time for myth has come again (1946 cited Segal 2004, p.39). Late apartheid South Africa was such a time. Myth is dangerous in that it is a social-psychological paradigm catering for a particular anxiety in society, yet still as in the case of Shaka Zulu presents itself as something natural out of historical truths (Wylie 1997). Thus, myth tends to give a natural plea to the worldviews it supports (Barthes 1993, p.142). Historical veracity becomes far less important than the ways in which the myth is appropriated and utilised. As Barthes (1993, p.144) states Men do not have with myth a relationship based on truth but on use. For Buthelezi and the IFP, the truthfulness of the myth was far less important than the socio-political purposes it could serve.The white version of the Shaka Zulu myth arriv ed on South African television screens at a time of great political strife in the Zulu homeland of KwaZulu. Buthelezis Inkatha Freedom Party was involved in a bloody conflict with the African National Congress for legitimate rule. Where the ANC sought multi-party democracy, the IFP stood for Zulu independence, and thus Shaka Zulus emphasis on ethnicity and equating it with nationhood proved to be more than acceptable fillip to Buthelezi (Tomaselli Shepperson 2002, p.133). Mangosuthu Buthelezi was very conscious of the power of the Shaka myth. At political rallies, the IFP leader would be seen tiring the same kind of Zulu royal regalia that Shaka is shown to wear in the series (Tomaselli 1992). In fact, the wearing of traditional, ceremonial skin garments became a marker of Zuluness for IFP politicians (causing many anti-IFP Zulu-speakers to take offence to the notion that they should become postcard Zulus) (Klopper 1996, p.55). Thus, I argue that it is no contradiction that Shaka Zulu could simultaneously portray the Zulu people as backward, groundless and tribal and be a vehicle for legitimating the IFP leadership (Mersham 1993). Tribalism helped the IFPs cause. Further, Buthelezi would explicitly par himself with the Zulu royalty of Shakas time throughout the 1980s as a means of gaining political credibility with the Zulu people. Thus, the fact that the Shaka Zulu myth was so fresh in the Zulu consciousness with the shows broadcast, became a means for the IFP to bestow its leadership with legitimate authority (Tomaselli 1992). Like Shaka once did, Buthelezi now became the man who would lead his nation against its colonial oppressors (Tomaselli 1992). Tomaselli (1992) even argues that Inkathas militia wing was mobilised as a reincarnation of Shakas impi (military), as a means of inspiring popular support for their (frequently violent) cause. Within the Zulu community, Buthelezis cause was strengthened by Inkathas close identification with the loyalty, di scipline and bowing and lucre for Shaka shown in the show (Mersham 1993). Obedience to the leader in the TV series myth was shown to be an innate aspect of Zulu culture questioning Buthelezi was implied to be unZulu. Despite its flaws both in terms of historical accuracy and prejudice portrayals the Shaka Zulu myth was lauded by the Inkatha leadership as being faithful to their king, and a positive mobilising force for Zulu nationalism (Tomaselli 1992). Thus the Shaka Zulu show became a mechanism for the IFP to portray itself as inheritor and protector of the historical pride of the Zulu nation (Tomaselli 1992). The unsavoury aspects of the shows portrayal of the Zulu people and the downfall of Shaka were superfluous. The myth of a great Zulu leader standing up to outside oppression and the implied suggestion that a new leader had it in him to do likewise were all that mattered. Buthelezi was able to ride on the dramatic success of the series, even if a sensed concession of the series objectionable features was the price to pay. (Hamilton 1998, p.186).GET OWN lyric poemWhat I have tried to show is that in certain display contexts, Shaka Zulu offered a legitimacy for both ruling government and anti-apartheid elements (eg. the Kwa Zulu legislature and Inkatha).Barthes, R., 1993. Mythologies. capital of the United Kingdom Vintage.Cele, TT., 2001. Qualities of King Shaka as Portrayed in Zulu Oral Testimony and in Izibongo. South African ledger of African Languages, 2, 118-131.Fernandez, JW., 1967. The Shaka Complex. Transition, 29, 11-14. Available from http//www.jstor.org/stable/2934231 Accessed 8 January 2010Hallencreutz, CF., 1989. Tradition and Theology in Mofolos Chaka. Journal of Religion in Africa, 19 (1), 71-85. Available from http//www.jstor.org/stable/1581183 Accessed 8 January 2010Hamilton, C., 1998. Terrific Majesty The Powers of Shaka Zulu and the Limits of Historical Invention. Cape Town David Philip Publishers.Hamilton, C., 1992. The Char acter and Objects of Chaka A Reconsideration of the Making of Shaka as Mfecane Motor. The Journal of African History, 33 (1), 37-63. Available from http//www.jstor.org/stable/182274 Accessed 15 December 2009Harries, P. 1993. Imagery, symbolization and Tradition in a South African Bantustan Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Inkatha, and Zulu History. History and Theory, 32 (4), 105-125. Available f