Department of Indigenous Knowledge System and Heritage Studies
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Browsing Department of Indigenous Knowledge System and Heritage Studies by Author "Netshandama, V. O."
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Item Open Access An Exploration of the Role of African Traditional Health Practitioners in Treating Cancer Patients: A Case Study of Mzinti, Mpumalanga Province of South Africa(2022-11-10) Nkosi, Lindelwa Veronicah; Netshandama, V. O.; Kugara, S. L.The purpose of this study was to explore the role of African traditional health practitioners in treating cancer patients. Most countries in Africa have a limited number of cancer specialists and cancer treatments are very expensive, hence, most cancer patients cannot afford them due to low income. Alternatives to mainstream treatment are not readily available due to patients’ lack of exploration and recognition of traditional health practitioners in treating cancer patients and the lack of clinical validation of traditional medicine. This study used a qualitative research design and perceptions were gathered through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. There were 16 participants who included 7 traditional health practitioners and 9 community members; data was analysed using thematic analysis. As indicated the study intended to provide an understanding of South African traditional health practices and the role of traditional health practitioners (THPs) in the treatment of cancer patients. This understanding is intended to benefit development policy makers in the formal acceptance of traditional health practitioners’ roles and pave ways for possible integration of traditional and western health care. The study unveiled that THPs have a strong cultural background and knowledge of cancer, as well as treatment methods. Participants elucidated that THPs were involved with their patients beyond the use of medicine and that they play the role of nutritionists, counsellors and care givers in their treatment practices. The study also revealed that people have both negative and positive perceptions of the role played by THPs in treating cancer. This study recommends that further research be conducted that will be focus on cancer patients’ beliefs and reasons for the preference of African traditional medicine as a treatment for cancer and the creation of social support groups for cancer patients and their families.Item Embargo Exploring the development of communication strategies for Indigenous Knowledge-based agricultural produce in Tshidzivhe village, in Thulamela Municipality of Limpopo Province, in South Africa(2024-09-06) Nematswerani, Rendani; Netshandama, V. O.; Budeli, A. E.; Tshikukuvhe, L. D.Indigenous knowledge surrounding agricultural produce is an essential part of the lives of the rural people. Their livelihood depends on their capacity to produce agricultural and other produce for consumption and sale, to ensure sustainable livelihoods. In South Africa, examples of common produce visible in rural areas are - millet, sorghum, maize, nuts, beans, cowpeas, dried vegetables, sweet potatoes, melons - as well as other produce which may revolve around herbs obtained from indigenous trees. Communities relying on indigenous knowledge have always known how to maintain a sustainable livelihood through crop production and other activities, however, information about these is communicated through channels that can no longer be sufficient nor relevant in the modern society. Existing traditional-cultural communication strategies, mainly word-of-mouth, are largely village-bound, thus, cannot reach larger markets. This study, therefore, aims to explore the possibility of the development of alternative communication strategies for marketing indigenous produce in Tshidzivhe village, using a participatory methodology. Data was generated using the qualitative research approach and collected through, focus-group discussions, storytelling and workshops. The key findings of the study are that, agricultural produce from Tshidzivhe village that naturally grow or are cultivated, include - maize, finger-millet, beans, indigenous vegetables, such as Tshibavhe (Momordica charantia) and Black jack (Mushidzhi). The villagers who are also Indigenous Knowledge Holders (IKHs) attest that produce take time before they are sold. This, they believe, is due to limited access to modern communication and marketing technologies, difficulties in accessing the village due to poor road infrastructure, villagers’ minimal digital literacy and channels, as well as, no access to the internet. In this environment, the communication strategies recommended entail - effective use of community radios, local newspapers and bulletin; establishment of marketing boards; cooperative marketing and appropriate attractive packaging, as well as, innovative branding. Participants also acknowledged the urgency of sustained deliberate partnerships and nurturing of the IKS produce ecosystem.Item Open Access Exploring the preservation methods of Ndayo by Vhavenda People(2023-10-05) Sibadela, Mukhethoni Joyce; Matshidze, P. E.; Netshandama, V. O.The purpose of this study is to explore the preservation methods of how ndayo were preserved by Vhavenḓa. Ndayo is a method practiced by Vhavenḓa people when raising their children and their intention is to guide, teach, mould, and transmit norms and values to younger generations. Through ndayo, indigenous knowledge holders aim to witness their children grow up in society with control respect and discipline. The decision to conduct this study was influenced by the alarming loss of preservation methods of ndayo by Vhavenḓa people. The objectives of this study are as follows; to explore traditional indigenous knowledge practices of preserving ndayo by Vhavenḓa people, to promote the benefits of preserving traditional indigenous knowledge practice ndayo by Vhavenḓa people, and to develop strategies that will preserve traditional indigenous knowledge practice ndayo by Vhavenḓa people. Vhavenḓa people posses’ valuable traditional indigenous knowledge practices, which should be passed down to the younger generation. The study will facilitate learning and accessibility of traditional indigenous knowledge practices by the younger generation. A qualitative method which is exploratory in nature was adopted in this study. Purposive sampling was used to select participants. Unstructured interviews were conducted with twelve Vhavenḓa traditional indigenous knowledge holders who are key participants. Data coded as themes. The findings of the study showed that ndayo is an ongoing process done throughout a child’s development, and the practices that are predominantly used were expressed in stories, songs, folklore, proverbs, dances, myths, cultural values, believes, rituals, community traits’, idioms and initiation schools (ngoma). Ndayo can be preserved through the use of digitalization, libraries, websites, e-learning and different platforms of social media, traditional indigenous knowledge practices should be preserved so that the younger generation will have access to the knowledge. The study recommends family, schools, churches, community, policy makers and curriculum implementers to incorporate traditional indigenous knowledge practices specifically ndayo by Vhavenḓa people. In addition, family, schools, churches, community, policy makers and curriculum implementers must promote the benefits of preserving traditional indigenous knowledge practices by Vhavenḓa people.Item Open Access The indigenous holistic use of Luranga by the Vhavenḓa communities of Vhembe District, Limpopo Province(2023-10-05) Makaulule, Mphatheleni; Matshidze, P. E.; Netshandama, V. O.The study explored the holistic indigenous uses of Luranga. Luranga is one of the indigenous important crops that are used by the Vhavenḓa communities as a source of food sincesince time immemorial. This plant (Luranga) plays a role on food security and food sovereignty in Venḓa communities. However, it appears that the plant is no longer being utilised. Although there are many studies on Luranga (cucurbit), its indigenous interplay uses have not been explored. A qualitative methodology approach on purposive snowball sampling method was employed in this study. The unstructured interviews were conducted with eleven indigenous knowledge holders and two focus groups comprising five and seven participants. Interviews involved exploration of views, experiences, and beliefs of participants towards Luranga. The findings of the study show that Phuri and Muphapha are species of Lunga and they are used in different ways by VhaVhenda.The exploration exposed the interrelated functions of Luranga ; they provide nourishment, material products, including the ecological course, as well as forspiritual and psychological identity particularly associated with womanhood identification. Luranga can also be commercilisedThe study recommends the need torrevivetraditional cultivation methods of muphapha as one of the forgotten species and encourage people to consume Phuri (pepo) as it is nutritious.Item Open Access The role of student-related community engagement structures in mitigating social injustice in a Rural Based University in South Africa, Limpopo Province(2022-11-10) Mtsweni, Lungile Ennie; Netshandama, V. O.; Matshidze, P.The University of Venda, just like many other higher learning institutions in South Africa and beyond is confronted with student-related social injustice. Among a myriad, student-lecturer abuses, bullying, discrimination against LGBTQI, sexual abuse and theft have been documented. To date, it is not very clear the precise policy and regulations put in place by the management to curb these challenges such that a safe and secure learning environment for the students is achieved regardless of gender, level of study and cultural background. There has been a rise in volunteer structures that use the community engagement approach, building on ubuntu to mitigate student-related social injustices within the University and beyond. The current study sought to explore how these structures (student organizations under community engagement) operationalise and suggest possible means of amplifying their engagement about societal issues within the context of the University. The descriptive and contextual designs were utilised. Purposive sampling was used to identify 25 participants from 5 organizations that participated. Data was collected through WhatsApp Focus group discussions. An interview guide was used to guide the discussions. A thematic analysis was applied. The student structures mitigating social injustice on campus are namely: Stop the Spot, Aphrodite Global, BMF, AIME and Enactus. The structures mitigate social injustice by raising awareness through hosting seminars and webinars where necessary. The challenges they face in their endeavours include lack of financial support and recognition from the management. Another challenge is lack of interest from general students. The findings of this study reflected that through financial support and legal recognition by the University the structures can achieve more social justice. This study collected data that will assist the university community uphold social justice and offer a less social unjust environment to its current and prospective students.Item Open Access Socio Cultural and Philosophical Importance of Rituals in Traditional Medicine: Focus on HIV And AIDS Treatment in the Vhembe District, Limpopo Province(2023-10-05) Mufamadi, Jane; Netshandama, V. O.; Tshisikhawe, M. P.; Matshidze, P. E.Indigenous healing is largely holistic in its approach. When a patient consults with a headache or a painful knee, there would be a deliberate intent on the part of the healer to look at the entire body and its relation to the environment, ancestors, and spiritual aspects. However, this approach is often misunderstood and ridiculed at times. This study sought to examine the socio-cultural importance and philosophical stance of rituals followed by indigenous healers during the process of diagnosis and administration of HIV and AIDS treatments. While there is recognition and acceptance that indigenous healers have a part to contribute to the treatment of HIV/AIDS, this has been done in a manner that requires indigenous healers to conform to western approaches and methodologies, thus losing the authentic value and form in which they have been used since time immemorial. This is an exploratory study, which entails aspects of participant observation, where selected indigenous healers were observed and interviewed to provide key information regarding the phenomenon in question. Sixteen indigenous healers were purposively selected. Responses from semi-structured interviews with these indigenous healers from the Vhembe District in the Limpopo Province, South Africa, were the main sources used for the knowledge acquisition process. Being the conduit through which these participants’ stories were told, the researcher’s own account and viewpoints on the subject were interwoven throughout this report. The study revealed that indigenous healers perceive rituals as the backbone of the healing process. The study also found that there are no specific rituals reserved for HIV/AIDS patients, as rituals are embedded and are considered as the ‘DNA’ of all aspects of healing for all diseases and illnesses. Meaning that rituals serve as both ground and a centre within which transformation for the patient, the family, and the community at large occur. The most significant finding in this study, as articulated by all participants, is that rituals give one purpose and an opportunity to reconnect with oneself, the family, ancestors, and the community, bringing one to the centre of who they are. This is because participants believe that rituals are necessary because, in their understanding, sickness or disease is not just physical, but a way for the body to communicate what the soul or the ancestors need, and therefore, participation in the ritual fulfils, not just the physical disease, but the socio-cultural, and spiritual issues. This highlighted the need to properly contextualise and acknowledge the multi-layered, complex process of indigenous healing within the socio-cultural frame works. I, therefore, recommend the establishment of a clear and definitive role for indigenous healing within government framework for primary health care so that indigenous healers can play a decisive part in the provision of healthcare within the South African population.