Department of Human Sciences
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Browsing Department of Human Sciences by Author "Mudimeli, L. M."
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Item Embargo A Reformed Theological Perspective on God’s Providence Amid the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Case Study of Thulamela Local Municipality, South Africa(2025-09-16) Nthakheni, Rendani Collet; Mudimeli, L. M.During challenging circumstances, people often find themselves contemplating inquiries such as, "What is the underlying cause for these events occurring in my life?" The question of the location of God has been a topic of philosophical and theological inquiry for centuries. And what is the rationale for his decision to permit this occurrence? Throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant number of individuals experienced a loss of religious conviction as they saw a sense of divine abandonment. The comprehension of the Providence of God proves advantageous in times of adversity. The primary objective of this study was to present a theodicy of God's providence in relation to the epidemic and to disseminate information regarding the concept of the Providence of God. Additionally, it aims to educate individuals about the potential for finding solace in the Providence of God during times of adversity and to provide an academic understanding of God's Providence from a Reformed perspective. The study employed a qualitative methodology. Qualitative research is characterised by its aim to comprehend and interpret phenomena through the lens of the participant's perspective. The main population to be considered in this study are the Reformed Church Members in the Vhembe District Municipality. The target group of this study will were both male and female youth and adults of the Reformed Churches at Thulamela Local Municipality under Vhembe District Municipality in South Africa. The goal of this research was to shed new light on how important it is for people who identify themselves as Christians to have faith in God's providence to comfort them during difficult times.Item Embargo Deviant Healing Practices within Contemporary Religious Movements in Ṱhohoyanḓou, Limpopo: Towards a Post-Colonial African Practical Theology Perspective(2024-09-06) Muthivhi, Mashudu Edward; Mudimeli, L. M.; Dames, G. E.The legacy of imperialism on Indigenous belief systems has imprinted an arguable influence on the identity and traditions of religiosity in the histories of Africa. The phenomenon of religion entails socio-political and cultural realities, some of which may overlap, correspond, or compete with different fields of study, which ultimately bears an impact on the conventional understanding of religious meaning, practice, and function. The introduction of Eurocentric orientations into African spirituality did not only encounter Indigenous religious systems but resulted in the development of religious pluralism. As such the researcher felt obliged to explore the Christian religious setting from an African perspective. The study unpacked the universality of the religion and focused on the underlying philosophy of African religious experiences and expression. The latter was engaged from two complimentary investigative angles: i) the researcher defined and explained deviant healing practices within contemporary religious movements in Ṱhohoyanḓou from a Practical Theology perspective and thereby probed consequent incidents of spiritual abuse; ii), in addition the researcher also appraised the implications and challenges of melding Indigenous religious beliefs and practices, and those of Western origination. This sought to unearth the depth of missionary influence or lack thereof; that contributed to deviant healing practices amongst identities within the Vhavenḓa spiritual landscape and heritage. The study is qualitative in nature and encompasses an ethnographic research methodology. This comprised of literature review, an empirical survey of deviant practices and an assessment of Western and African religious inclinations in modern day society. Hopefully, the research poses a benefit to faith communities, religious and government leaders and consequently, equips individuals who can provide positive influence. Ultimately, the study served to present religious insights from a Practical Theology perspective and equally expound on the interpretations of pastoral care within contemporary religious belief systems.Item Embargo Liturgical Inculturation in the Context of Christian and African Burial Rites within Shikundu Areas in Collins Chabane Local Municipality(2025-09-05) Makamu, Mboni Collins; Khosa, H. P.; Mudimeli, L. M.Religion plays a crucial role during funerals. It also impacts beliefs regarding death, burial, and mourning. People decide how they prefer to be sent off after death based on their religious beliefs, this includes types of ceremonies and any rituals which need to be done for their souls to be well accepted where they believe souls go after death. The co-existence of Christian and African burial rites has breed conflicts between the two forms of liturgies. It is undeniable that they call for liturgical inculturation since they both operate in the same context. This study was about the purpose study was to explore was to explore liturgical Inculturation in the Context of Christian and African Burial Rites in Collins Chabane Local Municipality. The study was exploratory and qualitative in nature. An interview schedule was used to collect data from participants. Purposive and snowball sampling was used to sample participants. The study uses qualitative research approach and exploratory research design. A purposive sampling method will be used to select 4 church leaders and 4 traditional doctors from Shikundu areas under Collins Chabane Local Municipality The major objectives of the study were to explore understanding about liturgical inculturation, to determine conflict between Christian and African practices with regard to burial rites, to determine the differences between Christian and African Burial rites, to determine the process of Christian burial rites and African burial rites, to explore Challenges of collaborating Christian burial rites and African burial rites and to suggest liturgical inculturation between Christian and African burial rites. The major findings of this study is that liturgical inculturation is when two different are fused to become one in the same context. Again, Christian and African burial rites are conducted in the same context, that is, they are conducted at the same time to the same people. Furthermore there is a conflict between Christian and African burial since the former regards the later as abomination before God. The study further revealed that the difference between the Christian burial rites and African burial rites is that Christian burial rites are solely founded on the scriptures while the African burial rites are connected with appeasing ancestors. Again, the study showed that the challenge of achieving liturgical inculturation lies in the reality that the purpose of conducting Christian burial rites is to send the deceased to God as his or her final destination. While on the other hand the purpose of conducting African burial rites is to connect the deceased with his or her ancestors. The study recommended that ministers of the Christian religion should establish forums that would cater to African traditional leaders in order to discuss how liturgical inculturation could be achieved.Item Open Access Pastoral care interventions by untrained pastoral caregivers in Polokwane Province, South Africa(2024-09-06) Mashabela, Segotji Elias; Baloyi, G.; Mudimeli, L. M.Studies that were conducted about pastoral counselling interventions have successfully brought to light areas which were previously unknown. However, little has been written about pastoral counselling interventions by untrained pastoral counsellors and the role that untrained pastoral counsellors play in their pastoral counselling interventions. Some of their interventions were acceptable but other interventions were outrightly unacceptable, questionable, and a little deviant from the expected norm. This study seeks to investigate various counselling interventions and services conducted by untrained pastoral counsellors in the Polokwane Local Municipality of the Limpopo Province of South Africa. A qualitative research approach was utilized to solicit the needed information from various participants in this study to answer the research questions. This study utilized purposive sampling. These willing participants were interviewed using semistructured interviews. Focus group discussions added more value in getting more helpful information for better analysis and interpretation of the findings of this study. The findings that this study generated will add light to the body of knowledge and allow other researchers to expand more on this subject or related parts of this topic.Item Open Access Reforming reformed liturgy: An African decoconial study of liturgical practices in the Black Reformed Churches of South Africa (RCSA)(2024-09-06) Mudau, Ndidzulafhi; Khosa, H. P.; Mudimeli, L. M.The introduction of Western Christianity has resulted in the colonisation of African societies, with little regard for the indigenous religious beliefs and knowledge systems of the people. A predicament confronts African Christians whereby adherence to integrity necessitates the observance of Western cultural customs in their religious practices, while simultaneously upholding their native African cultural heritage. This study focuses on the reading of African Decolonial literature, with the aim of Decolonising Christian Liturgy for the worship services in South African black Reformed churches, focusing on the order of worship in the African context. Research questions were used to unpack the problem in question and come up with strategies that help to Decolonise Reformed Liturgies and, in the process, enrich them with an African outlook. The study was organised around four research models: exploratory, descriptive, normative, and action research. The population of interest for the study comprised male and female youths and adults at the black RCSA, specifically in Limpopo Province's Vhembe District in South Africa. The research utilises focus groups and interviews as methods of data collection. The purpose of these tools was to enhance the researcher's understanding of the participants' perspectives and viewpoints on the Reformed Order of Liturgy, as well as its potential for decolonisation. This has significant implications for the church's identity and the spiritual experiences of believers during worship. Chapter One primarily aimed to introduce the process of reformation and decolonisation of Reformed Liturgy within an African setting, with a specific emphasis on the black Reformed Church in South Africa (RCSA). Chapter Two focused on presenting secondary material from multiple sources, specifically emphasising and demonstrating the historical development of the worship order in black Reformed churches. Moreover, it functioned as a manual for examining the decolonial viewpoint of black Reformed churches and striving to research methodologies used to obtain and analyse data as part of the research process. Chapter Four explored how missionaries utilised church rituals to achieve colonial domination over the African mindset. Furthermore, it examines the several approaches through which church ritual was used to establish control over the African mindset. Chapter Five explored the reasons behind the need for the Reformed Liturgy to undergo reformation and decolonisation.