Theses and Dissertations

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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.
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.
Open Access
An Examination of the Role of Traditional Medicine in Primary Health Care in Bushbuckridge Region, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa
(2022-11-10) Mdhluli, Tsetselelane Decide; Netshandama, Vhonani; Matshidze, Pfarelo
The historical stigmatization and demonization of African traditional practices, including traditional medicine, is well explored in scholarly discourse. However, the renaissance of scholarly de-colonial and Afro-centric research frameworks re-awakens the need to generate knowledge systems and analytical lenses that pragmatically and sustainably address global challenges using contextually relevant resources that have been maligned for centuries due to colonialism. The 21st Century presents opportunities and challenges that call for a re-think on the role of indigenous knowledge systems in holistically contributing towards primary health care. In the South African context, quality primary health care is inaccessible to the larger populace that is mainly domiciled in rural contexts, due to challenges such as long distances to primary health care centres, shortages of medicines, inadequate health equipment, insufficient drugs and poor health infrastructure caused by the legacy of apartheid, and ineffective policy systems in post-apartheid political administrations. Traditional medicine, which is reportedly used by more than 70% of the population, can provide pertinent solutions to the current rural primary health care system dilemmas in rural settings. However, there are scant scholarly and contextually relevant frameworks which are points of reference in terms of being orientated towards harnessing and optimizing the role of traditional medicine in primary health care in rural settings. The aim of the study was to examine the role of traditional medicine in primary health care in Allandale, Bushbuckridge, and develop a framework for systematically optimizing the role and usage of traditional medicine in primary health care. To achieve the aim, the study’s specific objectives entailed examining perceptions on the inclusion of traditional medicine in primary health care, exploring the types and characteristics of traditional medicine, determining the primary health care imperatives of traditional medicine, exploring factors influencing the uptake of traditional medicine in primary health care, and establishing the challenges associated with the adoption of primary health care in traditional medicine. The study adopted Afro-centric and ethno-medical approaches as theoretical frameworks. Framed within the qualitative research method, the study adopted an explorative qualitative design using semi-structured interviews to generate data. The study’s participants consisted of traditional health practitioners, traditional leaders, selected community members and medical doctors who operate in hospitals using allopathic modern medicine. The study findings reveal that traditional medicine deserves a more prominent role in primary health care as it carries advantages such as affordability, ease of access, socio-cultural relevance, spiritual significance, and a holistic approach and potency which could address some of the key challenges facing the primary health care system in South Africa. Responses from the participants unearthed expectations, concerns, commendations, possibilities and impediments which should all be factored in to place traditional medicine on a sustainable trajectory and distinguished status in primary health care and not as an appendage of Western traditional medicine. The study’s main contribution is in developing a systems-oriented framework consisting of contextual factors and inputs required for traditional medicine in primary health care. The proposed framework also consists of key activities that determine the optimum usage of traditional medicine in primary health care, strategic primary health care outcomes that result from using traditional medicine, and the potential impact that traditional medicine has in broader society. The envisaged application of the framework involves the development of traditional medicine health centers or ecosystems in villages, with each consisting of a variety of traditional medicine practitioners with various skill sets operating within a self-contained referral unit.
Open Access
Rethinking the Labour-Intensive Sector: The Case of Extended Public Works Programme Employment between 2004 - 2017, in Capricorn District Municipality, Limpopo Province
(2022-11-22) Mokgehle, Susan; Molapo, R. R.; Makatu, M.
Within the context of the high unemployment and poverty rates in South Africa, this study investigates the best practices of successful Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) in the Capricorn District, Limpopo Province. The aim of the study was to review three policies on employment and poverty within the context of EPWP. The study’s approach to the nature of the enquiry was qualitative with narrative and content analysis to explore the collected data. The research design dealt with the total plan of how the study would be undertaken from beginning to end. Purposive sampling procedure was adopted for the purpose of data sampling wherein EPWP project beneficiaries were purposefully sampled from three (3) infrastructure projects within the Capricorn District, Limpopo Province. Further, the study sample comprised the total number of respondents who constitute this study; the sample was representative of the whole that was considered in data collection. Data collection methods were in the form of questionnaires designed and sent to the CDM officials coordinating the implementation of EPWP (EPWP Champions) within the respective departments that are currently implementing the EPWP in the Capricorn District, Limpopo Province. The purpose of the study was to provide understanding of EPWP, help decision makers in policy formulation, filling the gaps in existing literature about EPWP and to make the unemployed more employable through offering beneficiaries temporary employment and training opportunities. In essence, the study will contribute to formulation of policies and implementation of programmes. Therefore, the study sought to find ways and recommend measures that would alleviate the twin scourges of poverty and unemployment, primarily within the Capricorn District.
Open Access
Exploring The Efficacy of Customary Tenure as A Tool for Rural Development and Food Security in Vhembe District of South Africa: An Indigenous Knowledge System Perspective
(2023-05-19) Mawere, Joshua; Matshidze, P. E.; Kugara, S. L.; Madzivhandila, T. S.
In South Africa, numerous interested parties have expansively debated the relevance and place of customary tenure as a mechanism of land reform and a tool for rural development and food security. At the core of the debate is the notion predicated on the supposition that customary tenure is insufficient a tool to realise any meaningful rural development, thus a threat to food security. Therefore, the aim of the study was to examine the effectiveness of the South African customary tenure as a tool for rural development and food security. The study thus challenged the inherited colonial legacies which continue to militate against African Indigenous Knowledge Systems. The key concepts grounding the study were deeply entrenched on modernisation, adaptation and renaissance framework. These frameworks underpinned the reasoning of the thesis in a bid to address the thorny issue of customary tenure in Vhembe district of South Africa. An exploratory qualitative design and a doctrinal approach was adopted. Semi-structured interviews, case, overt observation, and focus groups were used to obtain the data. The information was gathered from traditional leaders, municipal managers, and other knowledge holders using a non-probability sampling method. Thematic data analysis was used to analyse the data. The data collected envisaged that customary tenure can be formerly developed to promote rural development and food security for rural communities.
Open Access
The co-creation of Afrocentric ethical guidelines for digital content creators producing indigenous knowledge-based content
(2023-05-19) Nyoni, Tsakani Emmarencia; Netshandama, V.O.; Matshidze, P. E.
The rise of the digital age has seen an increase in the production of Indigenous Knowledge (IK)-based content by digital content creators. However, Afrocentric digital content creation ethical guidelines for producing IK-based content are barely covered in the literature and are not popularised. Thus, this study’s aim was to co-create Afrocentric ethical guidelines for digital content creators producing IK-based content. The Afrocentric ethical guidelines that do exist in the literature are for research and are not fully applicable to digital content creation. I have followed the work of Smith (1999), Wilson (2008), Chilisa (2012), Kovach (2013), and Shokane and Masoga (2020), in building this study’s foundation and in preparation for the co-creation of Afrocentric digital content creation ethical guidelines. The data generated was analysed through a thematic analysis technique. Key findings in this study include that stakeholders have experienced a violation of their knowledge’s boundaries and sacredness, its ownership often challenged after its shared with creators and the lack of long-term partnerships from the creators’ end. The co-created Afrocentric ethical guidelines have also been documented in this study’s findings and have included a three-step process as follows: (i) Preparing to engage with an indigenous community, (ii) The process of engaging and, (iii) Presenting/posting IK-based content on digital/social media platforms. The study also found that IK Holders are often not involved in the process of telling stories about their knowledge. This study’s recommendations include the inclusion and involvement of Indigenous Knowledge Holders (IKHs) in the presentation of IK-based content on digital/social media platforms. The content should be presented by IK Holders or at least through their lens. This recommendation is based on the idea that their involvement will ensure an emancipatory digital content creation process.
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.
Embargo
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.
Embargo
Exploring the development of communication strategies for Indigeneous Knowledge -based agricultural produce in Tshidzivhe Village, in Thulamela Municipality of Limpopo Province, in South Africa
(2024-09-06) Nematswerani, Rendani; 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.
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.
Embargo
Use of information communication technology as a tool for preserving Tshivenda Proverbs
(2024-09-06) Nevondo, Phathutshedzo Unarine; Madima, T. J.; Makhanikhe, T. J.; Matshidze, P. E.
This study explored the use of Information Communication Technology in preserving the Tshivenḓa proverbs. From time immemorial, proverbs were valuable cultural practices of oral tradition, which were used to empower the young generation on morals, norms, behaviour, education, and other African values. It has been noticed that due to modernisation and lack of preservation, proverbs have been abounded by the majority of Vhavenḓa youths, which seems to be resulting in moral degeneration because youth no longer acquire moral knowledge and skills through proverbs. The overall objectives were to examine different ways of gaining knowledge and understanding about proverbs and Information Communication Technology, to explore the role of information Communication Technology in preserving proverbs within Vhavenḓa communities, and to explore strategies to mitigate challenges associated with the preservation of Tshivenḓa proverbs through the use of Information Communication Technology. The study was grounded in socio-cultural and diffusion of innovation theories. This study intended to adopt a qualitative research design. Therefore, participants were selected using Purposive and snowballing samplings. Furthermore, semi-structured and focus group discussions were used to collect data. Thematic data analysis was used to analyse data. The envisioned findings of the study could be convenient in preserving the Vhavenḓa proverbs.

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