Department of African Languages
Permanent URI for this community
Browse
Browsing Department of African Languages by Title
Now showing 1 - 20 of 143
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item Open Access Afro-centered heritage management approaches for Mapungubwe World Heritage Site along Vele Colliery Coal Mining Area in Limpopo Province in South Africa(2022-07-15) Lithole, Donald Khathutshelo; Matshidze, P.; Dzimiri, P.; Cultural property -- South Africa -- Limpopo; World heritage areas -- South Africa -- LimpopoThis contribution reflects on the role of Mapungubwe World Heritage Site in the promotion of African Knowledge Systems. The study is aligned to the notion that Mapungubwe Kingdom is the epitome of civilization built on African Knowledge Systems. The problem that the study is investigating is that the approach to heritage conservation in Limpopo Province is still reflecting European dominance of Africa. This in turn limits the expression of African Knowledge Systems in the conservation of Mapungubwe World Heritage Site. The overarching aim of the study was to develop the Afro-centred heritage management tool that places Mapungubwe World Heritage Site as the custodian of African Knowledge Systems. The main questions that guided the study were the following: what is the role of Mapungubwe World Heritage Site in the development of African Knowledge Systems? what are the major challenges that Afro-centred heritage management tool should address in the conservation of Mapungubwe World Heritage Site? what are the interventions required to establish Mapungubwe World Heritage Site as the agent for promotion of African Knowledge Systems? what needs to be done to institutionalize African Knowledge Systems within the Mapungubwe World Heritage Site conservation program? Data was collected using in-depth interviews with the purposively sampled participants. Secondary data sources in the form of recorded audio-visuals, minutes of the meetings, newspaper articles and other cultural activities performed to mention but few were also utilized. Data was analysed using a content qualitative data analysis method. This was the qualitative case study designed research that focused on the Mapungubwe World Heritage Site conservation approach. Theoretically, the study utilized the cradle theory that claims that Africa is the cradle of humankind that birthed all ethnic groups in the world. Heritage theorists particularly palaeontologists attest to this sentiment. Insights were also drawn from the Afrocentric approach debate that advocates for location and promotion of African Knowledge Systems in any dialogue. The findings of the study show that there is underutilisation of African Knowledge Systems in the Mapungubwe World Heritage Site, Mapungubwe could be established into African Knowledge Systems University, and public institutions are not well supported to manage heritage matters to mention but few. The study recommends that future research should pay attention on the exploitation of the use of Mapungubwe World Heritage Site as the university for African Knowledge Systems.Item Open Access An Analysis of Current Healing Practices Based on Selected Mega-Churches in the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province(2018-05-18) Mabuza, Lethabo Stanley; Masoga, M. A.; Shokane, A. L.Healing practices and health related rituals play a vital role in most religious groups including African Traditional Religion, Christianity, Islamic and Hinduism. This phenomenon of healing has been a challenge to religious institutions as well as African based churches. This study examined and analysed the healing practices within mega-churches in relation to the health related aspects. It appears that healing practices performed in those churches make them popular and enhance their growth in membership numerically. The study focuses on the philosophy and theological understanding of both mega-churches and mainstream churches. It is ostensible that healing, as a phenomenon, cannot be separated from core African culture, values and practices. Current church healing practices seems to be a more practical and accessible alternative way to deal with sickness as medical facilities has become inexorably costly especially to poor community who have no access to efficient medical amenities. Underprivileged members of society are drawn to religious healing practices because healers such as prophets, pastors and apostles dangle the capacity to heal people from all kind of ailments. Poor communities become a target because they are victims of government and the department of health malfunctions which are depicted by the poor and below standard medical services in those underprivileged communities. Most people in those communities believe that the above-mentioned emerging prophets and apostles from mega-churches are anointed and possess special power to heal them as well as to redeem them from life’s harsh realities. In the context of current healing practices, the researcher discovered that there is a need to probe and analyse the aforesaid practices particularly whereby healing seekers seems to have not receive what they anticipated from those mega-churches. The study exposes inappropriate healing dynamics conceived in the selected mega-churches within African tradition context. This study followed a qualitative approach, in which participants from both mega-churches and mainline churches were interviewed. The study further points out some perceived challenges affecting current healing practices in the selected mega-churches of Vhembe district of Limpopo Province. The study employed Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis strategy to analyse the data for the study.Item Open Access An analysis of musanda as an institution within the Thulamela Local Municipality and the current South African public service delivery system(2016-05) Madzivhandila, Muthuhadini Alfred; Masoga, M. A.; Makgopa, M. a.The Thulamela Local Municipality is currently experiencing a plethora of public service delivery challenges. This often leads to court litigation and disputes with the institution of musanda. These public service delivery challenges, conflicts and court disputes in many cases leave the communities within the municipality deprived of basic services as a result of slow or a complete lack of service delivery. musanda is a Venda word that refers to the place where the thovhele (king), khosikhulu (paramountcies), khosi (chiefs), gota (headman), mukoma (petty headman), vhakoma (queen mother), vhatanuni (wives), vhakololo (princes/princesses), khadzi and makhadzi (royal aunts), ndumi (king/chiefs’ brother) and the rest of this royal structure resides. As such it also refers to the institution of royal governance. The proposed study aims to analyse the place of musanda as an institution within public service delivery and within the whole process of decentralization of services in the Thulamela Municipality. The study focuses mainly on the current public service delivery system of the government and the role of the institution of the musanda in that process. The basic service delivery system that receives direct attention falls under the Government Cluster, which covers Social Protection, and Community and Human Development. These divisions deal with Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Water and Sanitation, Human Settlements, Rural Development and Land Reform, Basic Education and Sports and Recreation. These are the services that are supposed to be rendered by municipalities. The analysis aims to determine musanda’s position in the whole process of providing the public services indicated above.Item Open Access An analysis of the role of culture in the tradition of Northern Sotho idiomatic expressions into English(2023-10-05) Meso, Tlou Phestus; Baloyi, M. J.; Mphasha, L. E.Human beings the world over benefit from sharing experiences and knowledge through language. African languages have now demonstrated that they also have capacity to transmit intellectualism that advances human progress and knowledge beyond human boarders. Words such as ubuntu, imbizo and lobola have broken bonds of linguistic superiority. But is it possible to translate the linguistic superiority into English without acculturation? This study adopts the qualitative research method to present a detailed descriptive analysis of the socio-cultural framework of the Northern Sotho idiomatic expressions. It adopts Nord’s (1997/2000) Functionalist Approach of translation within Descriptive Translation Studies to engage in a critical analysis of a clearly defined collection of Northern Sotho idiomatic expressions. Despite the fact that Northern Sotho idiomatic expressions can be rendered in the English language through translation, they may (still) remain foreign to the English culture. The study assumes that the translation of idiomatic expressions should be taken above the limits of narrow microtextual context analysis and consider the broader macrotextual context (Lindfors, 1978). The study distances itself from the notion of ‘equivalence’, between the source text and the target text, as propagated by linguistic-orientated theorists such as Cartford (1965), Nida and Taber (1969) and House (1977).Item Open Access Challenges of divorcees in the Reformed Churches of South Africa within the Vhembe District: towards Afro-sensed approach to pastoral care and counselling(2017-05) Mulovhedzi, Takalani Peter; Masoga, M.A.; Mudau, Z.D.The challenges facing divorcees when it comes to pastoral care and counselling are among the toughest to face members of the Reformed Churches South Africa (RCSA) in the Vhembe District today. There are many people in South Africa who are experiencing the pain of being divorced. The RCSA in the Vhembe District are also faced with this challenge and it affects their doctrines and their practical ministries. These challenges also affect the pastors of the RCSA. The aim of this research is to investigate the challenges that divorcees face regarding pastoral care and counselling in the RCSA in the Vhembe District, Limpopo, South Africa in order to develop an approach to pastoral care and counselling to support divorcees so that they may learn to cope with their challenges. Caring and counselling for the divorcees is the primary mission of the church. The study utilised a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, and contextual design to obtain data from the participants within the RCSA in the Vhembe District. A sample of 30 participants (divorcees) from the RCSA in the Vhembe District was used. Data were collected on an individual basis by means of unstructured interviews. The qualitative data were collected and analysed using the six steps of open coding proposed by Tesch in an effort to understand personal experiences of divorcees. The research used Graham Redding’s approach to establish trustworthiness. The study adhered to four criteria to assess the value of the findings of qualitative research, namely credibility, applicability, consistency, and conformability. The ethical considerations were taken into account. The findings of this study show that divorcees experience many challenges, and that Reformed pastors are not equipped and not doing enough to address those challenges. This research helps to enhance the quality of pastoral care and counselling to the divorcees within the RCSA in the Vhembe District. The findings and recommendations of the study are useful in guiding all Reformed pastors in providing pastoral care and counselling to divorcees.Item Open Access Challenges of Families with Relatives Living with Mental Illness: A case of Thulamela Municipality, Vhembe District in Limpopo Province(2019-05-18) Matambela, Konanani Constance; Tshifhumulo, R.; Lekganyane, G. M.; Budeli, N. J.The aim of the study was to investigate the challenges faced by families living with mentally ill relatives in Thulamela municipality in the Vhembe district, Limpopo province. The objectives of the study were to investigate the impact that caring for a mentally ill person had on the family members; to explore the strategies adopted by families to enable them to cope better with the challenges they faced when caring for their mentally ill relatives; and to understand the support services that were provided to families by health care professionals to enable them to cope with such challenges. A Nonprobability sampling, in particular its subtype convenience samplings was used to select five families who participated in the study. A semi-structured interview schedule was used to collect data from the main care givers and a focus group discussion took place to gather more in-depth information from at least three members of each family. Those selected to participate in the study were all family members who were involved in the care giving responsibility. All participants were caring for mentally ill relatives diagnosed with schizophrenia, substance induced psychosis or bipolar affective. The care recipient had to be admitted at Hayani psychiatry hospital. Data extracted from the participants was analysed thematically following the six stages of thematic data analysis.The research findings obtained from family caregivers from Thulamela municipality found in the Vhembe district within the Limpopo province, highlighted that taking care of a family members with mental illness comes with a number of challenges. The impact was experienced by all members of the family irrespective of the age, social or financial status. The impact was experienced emotionally, physically, socially and financially. All participants also reported to be experiencing burnout. They prefer their loved ones to remain living in mental institution as it gives them a chance to live normal lives.Item Open Access Challenges of mainstreaming indigenous African music at intermediate phase (Grades 4-6) in South African primary schools: A Case Study of three schools in Gauteng Province, South Africa(2018-05-18) Mailula, Kgaogelo A.; Mapaya, M. G.; Matshidze, P.Since its inception, the study of music in South African schools has been fashioned on Western Classical models. The change in orientation from the Eurocentric to the Afrocentric approach required that indigenous African music be accorded space in the curriculum. This study explores challenges in mainstreaming indigenous African music in the curriculum of South African primary schools. It specifically focuses on the Intermediate Phase (grades 4-6). This study enlists a variety of appropriate qualitative methodologies, such as interviews carried out with a sample of educators and schools. It also analysed relevant DVDs of indigenous African music performances. It is envisaged that findings emanating from this study will be of value to music educators, music curriculum planners, education specialists, and other stakeholders. The dissemination methods will include publications of relevant teaching materials for classroom purposes, as well as generating research articles for scholarly discourse.Item Open Access A Comparative Analysis of the influence of Folklore on the works of the following African writers: Chinua Achebe, Eskia Mphahlele, Ngungi wa Thiongo' and Andrew Nkadimeng: An Afrocentric approach(2019-05-15) Khunwane, Mapula Rosina; Makgopa, M. A.African authors play a significant role in passing on African folklore. Their writing is often influenced by their lived experiences and the social context embedded within folklore. Folklore houses the cultural beliefs, customs and traditions of a society and is passed on from one generation to the next through oral and written literature. Many African authors’ works instil an appreciation of people’s African identity, customs and beliefs. The aim of this study was to explore the extent to which folklore had influenced the writings of four selected African authors: Chinua Achebe, a renowned author from Nigeria, Ngũgĩ wa Thiongʹo from Kenya, Es’kia Mphahlele and Andrew Nkadimeng, both from South Africa. These African authors, who chose to write their stories in English rather than in their African language, were influenced by the folklore they were exposed to in their upbringing. The objective of the study was to identify various aspects of folklore and demonstrate how folklore had remained entrenched in the writings of these African authors, despite the fact that they were telling their stories in the English language. The research was qualitative in nature and a hermeneutic research method was used to describe and interpret the meaning of texts as used by the authors and to explore the influence of folklore in the text. The study will be a useful resource for teachers in the Further Education and Training (FET) band in schools (grade 10 to 12) which includes folklore studies as part of its syllabus. Currently, folklore is studied in schools only in terms of Oral Literature. However, Oral Literature is just one aspect of folklore, as is discussed in this study. The study will also contribute towards efforts to re-establish Africans’ dignity and identityItem Open Access Consequences of On-going Transitional Rites on Youth Morality in Thulamela Municipality, South Africa(2019-09-20) Bassey, Rofem Inyang; Matshidze, P.; Mabale, D.This study analysed the consequences of the on-going transitional rites on youth morality in the Thulamela Municipality, South Africa, using a qualitative descriptive design. The participants were sampled using a non-random sampling procedure, specifically, a purposive sampling technique and snowball sampling technique. A semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data from the Indigenous Knowledge (IK) custodians, the parents of the youths and the youths until point of saturation. The analysis was performed using a thematic content method. With the emergence of themes and sub-themes, broad categories were generated to differentiate and explain the thoughts expressed by the various respondents and the observations made in the field. The study findings suggest that the on-going transitional rites is mark by weekend’s social activities with the practice of substance use and abuse among the youth’s in recreational spot. The transitional rites are structured under guise of “freaks” as an evolve culture among the youths. The freaks culture is a counterculture of the usual initiation’s schools for transitional rites of passage which instil morality among youths. The emerged findings comprehensively show that the on-going transitional rites effect inappropriate youth morality. This study concluded that the on-going transitional rites activities and practices evolved as a current socialization standard for quick maturity status, as a result of that, it will be harder to provide a complete change of this evolving culture. However, what will work is to build on the exciting transitional rites of passage to moderate appropriate youths’ morality in Thulamela communities.Item Open Access Contested Cultural Heritage in the Limpopo Province of South Africa: the case study of the Statue of King Nghunghunyani(2017-05-18) Mabale, Dolphin.; Dederen, J. M.; Matshidze, P. E.Commemorative structures like walls of remembrance, statues and monuments are representatives of social narratives and they usually represent the current political order. They also represent heroes deemed important by the current political regime. These structures, together with the corresponding narrative, can either be of local, regional or national importance. Nghunghunyani was a Gaza Nguni king who reigned in southern Mozambique in 19th century. His statue in the town of Giyani is a case in point. Nghunghunyani fought wars and entered into negotiations with the Portuguese in southern Mozambique in order to keep the land of his forefathers. However, the erection of his statue sparked controversy and has been met with resentment and rejection among the people of the region where it has been placed. This study aimed to elucidate the reasons behind the resentment and the rejection of the statue. This was done by examining the history of the homeland of Gazankulu and of the clans of the region in order to understand the ethnic enclaves of the Tsonga and the Shangaan, and the political undercurrents involved in the erection of a statue which is undeniably of national significance, but problematic locally and regionally. As heroes are imbedded in collective memory and collective narratives, the theory of collective memory following on Maurice Halbwachs was used. The discussion on ethnicity was directed by the ethnicity theories of Webber and Geertz. The interview was employed as the tool for collecting data, which elucidated that Nghunghunyani is not part of their founding heroes and that their praise poems do not include this historical figure. It appears that in as much as Nghunghunyani is a regional hero, his representation in Giyani is clouding the real history of the region and the debates are clouding the hero that King Nghunghunyani was. The study unveiled that Nghunghunyani is a nationally celebrated hero who cannot be contextualised positively in the local context amongst Tsonga speaking tribes and chiefdoms due to the nature of the hostile historical relationship between the ancestors of these groups and the Gaza Nguni.Item Open Access A Critical Reflection on Complementary, Alternative and Indigenous Knowledge Medicine in Gauteng Province: A Model for Articulation and Promotion(2022-07-15) Kgope, Tebogo Victoria; Makgopa, M. A.; Thornton, R. J.As long as the academy continues to lag behind in investigating and revealing and teaching African indigenous pedagogies, the unrepresentative Eurocentric epistemologies that are disconnected from the African reality will continue to marginalise certain communities and professions/disciplines. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a term that attained popularity in the recent millennium. CAM comprises therapeutic healing modalities that are not part of Western or conventional medicine as its treatment options are centred on medicinal plant, mineral and animal material. Homeopathy as a curative therapeutic system of medicine is classified under CAM and remains relatively unknown in African communities. This is despite being recognised by the government of South Africa as a primary healthcare modality. In this study, a trilogy of decolonial conceptual frameworks by decolonial thinkers and authors is utilised to debunk terms and paradigms that seek to de-link indigenous healing modalities from their core principles. In-depth conversational interviews with homeopaths, African indigenous healers and ordinary everyday people were conducted to explore how these individuals understand themselves and find out who are consulted every day by ordinary people seeking healing. A thematic and narrative analysis was used to give meaning to the collected data. Four categories emerged revealing the need to redress and do justice to marginalised disciplines and communities. The emerging findings paint a picture depicting a failure to use a dialect that is suitable for Black African realities which is a hindrance to the growth of homeopathy. Furthermore, the results indicate that health seeking measures are embedded in the sufferance of Black African people related not to typical diseases as such, but to diseases arising from socio-economic and transnational migratory realities. This thesis engages an African framework and critical social theory to reflect on homeopathy as an indigenous healing modality alongside African indigenous knowledge medicine (AIKM) whose services are not visible given the social and health disparities of many communities.Item Open Access A descriptive analysis of indigenous Xitsonga music dance compound: A musicological approach(2018-05-18) Khosa, Hanyani Aubrey; Mapaya, M. G.; Chauke, M. T.It has been shown that indigenous music and dance can help one to vividly fathom the behaviour, values and morals of particular cultural groups, they perform their music and dance for various reasons. For instance, there are songs for hoeing, weeding, reaping, for children, of mockery, during game, protests, by the fireside interspersed with folktales, love songs and so on. All these songs are immersed in culture-bound indigenous music. The indigenous music and dance of the Vatsonga play a vital role, not only in their lives but also for others who enjoy indigenous Xitsonga music and dance. There exists, however gaps regarding documentation, preservation and notation of this music and dance practices. In this study, therefore, indigenous Xitsonga music and dance genres are analysed descriptively and documented (with notation of common songs) for posterity. A qualitative approach was used to conduct this musicological study. A study such as this one can also contribute towards African indigenous knowledge systems and be used by the Department of Education.Item Open Access A descriptive analysis of Tshifasi: An ordinary African musicological study(2021-11-19) Madzivhandila, Meisie; Mapaya, M. G.; Mukwevho, M. H.; Ramaite-Mafadza, P. E. A.Tshifasi music performance is part of Vhavenḓa traditional music. It seems, however, to be the least studied. As such, there is not much written about this genre. This means that the traditional value imbedded in tshifasi has not been fully explored for the benefit of society. It is for this reason that this current study is conducted. It seeks to describe and explain tshifasi. Apart from its social interactive aspect, particularly the dance performances between boys and girls, the study argues that there is more to this music genre than meet the eye. Given this position, the study analysed tshifasi to establish its inherent philosophies and structural patterns. The study used a combination of qualitative and African musicology approaches to gather information from prospective participants and to analyse data. Face to face interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with key informants in order to gather information that enabled the study to decode tshifasi. The knowledge from the study of tshifasi will benefit communities. In this way, tshifasi would be seen as an inherent part of Vhavenḓa cultural expressions.Item Open Access Documentation Strategies of Indigeneous Health Knowledge of Selected Vhomaine in the Vhembe District Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa(2021-11-19) Malindi, Ndivhuwo Edward; Netshandama, V. O.; Matshidze, P. E.The strategies that are currently used by Vhomaine to record their healing activities, practices and their interactions with clients are still highly contested and not yet fully understood, documented and researched. The study therefore aimed to investigate the possibility of the development of a culture-congruent, indigenous practitioner-oriented documentation strategies of Indigenous Health Knowledge (IHK) of selected Vhomaine in the Vhembe district municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Qualitative research methodology was adopted. Semi-structured interviews and participant observation were used as data collection instruments. A non-probability, purposive sampling technique was preferred to select eleven Vhomaine of whom eight were ‘Madzolokwe,’ or ‘Madzembelekete’ translated as the greatest healers and four are herbalists. Data was analyzed through the usage of thematic analysis. The findings of the study revealed that there is still a disconnection between Western forms of documentation which entail recording, filing and storage and the healing practices of Vhomaine which is done without recording and filing. Such documentation would most probably be possible to some categories of Vhomaine such as herbalists and unlikely to others such as diviners. This disconnect is proven by the throwing of incised bone tablets (thangu) that, with the assistance of the ancestors or the living-dead could make predictions about the client without referring to the stored files. There is still a strong belief amongst Vhomaine, the diviners, that they are content with the different traditional healing practices which they use to retrieve information from their clients such as calling on ancestors for guidance, using snuff (fola) and malombo dance. In this regard, documenting clients’ records and processes may mean including the interpretation of thangu, which according to Vhomaine, may come with relational challenges with the ancestors. The study therefore proposed that there should be a general consensus between biomedical and traditional health practitioners for a collaborative project to determine ways in which Vhomaine can be trained to document their healing strategies in a way that would be congruent to their healing activities and interactions with their clients.Item Open Access An evaluation of Tshivenda orthography with special reference to Pan South African Language Board spelling rules(2016) Tshikota, Shumani LeonardThis study sought to identify problems concerning Pan South African Language Board spelling rules in respect of Tshivenga orthography. A qualitative descriptive research method was chosen. The study population consisted of Pan South African Language Board spelling rules. The rules dealt with nine indigenous languages that were Tshivenga, isiZulu, Siswati, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga, isiXhosa, isiNdebele and Sesotho sa Leboa. Each of the nine indigenous languages had between 12 and 56 rules. Altogether there were 255 rules which constituted the study population of this project. A small but sufficient sample of about twenty rules in Tshivenga orthography was selected. Data were collected by means of unstructured interviews with forty-four purposely selected participants which include linguists as well as document analysis. Ethical considerations were ensured in order to protect participants from any harm or discomfort that might arise from being involved in an investigation. The researcher explained the aim and nature of the study to respondents, to get their informed consent before the interviews. Several strategies to prevent defects, challenges and problems in Tshivenga orthography were recommended based on the results. The strategies focused on aspects which deal with spelling and orthography rules.Item Open Access An examination of challenges experienced at Male Initiation Schools: The case study of Mthatha District in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa(2017-09-18) Mdhluli, Tsetselani Decide; Matshidze, P. E.; Mashamba, T. M.The aim of the study was to examine the challenges experienced at male initiation schools in the Eastern Cape Province, Mthatha District. It is alleged that during the month of June every year, some boys die at initiation schools mostly in Eastern Cape Province. One of the reasons of the cause of death is because some of them attend illegal initiation schools. The overall objectives were to explore the role of initiation schools, to assess the regulations that govern the opening and running of initiation schools, to identify palliatives that can be put in place to curb negative implications at initiation schools. The study was founded on the following theoretical framework to attain its findings; the socio-cultural theory. This study utilised the qualitative research design. Data collection methods included one-on-one interviews, un-structured interviews and focus groups. The study informants were selected using purposeful sampling technique and snow-balling sampling. The study of examining the challenges experienced at male initiation schools submits appropriate recommendations which may help in the effective indigenous knowledge management, curb unethical practices and challenges associated with the running of male initiation schools and sharing strategies in South Africa, other African countries and the world at large, particularly communities that still follow the cultural practice of male initiation. The study recommends that parliamentary legislative framework (policy) on initiation rite should be standardised and promulgated. Also, traditional leadership must have the powers over all matters of initiation rite and initiation schools in particular. Lastly, the study recommends that for future research, the use of male researchers would be advisable to allow more probing.Item Open Access Examining the migration theory of Black Africans into South Africa: a decolonial perspective(2017-05-18) Neluvhalani, Matshikiri Christopher; Masoga, M. A.; Makgopa, M. A.The aim of this study is to examine existing secondary material to determine whether there is agreement concerning the acclaimed migration of the Africans across the Limpopo River into South Africa. This is done by determining, in an interwoven analytical manner, whether there is possible existing credible evidence that could be applied to examine the claim espoused by Sir George Mc Call Theal. The cause of the disparity amongst the whites and blacks in the country seems to have an historical origin that dates back to the epochs of colonialism and imperialism, which spanned centuries. These movements resulted in the apparently unfair foreign land ownership, which was carried out at the expense of the African blacks, such as the Bakone, Vhangoṋa and Banguni, to date. For one to determine the validity of foreign land acquisition in a foreign country like South Africa; research is required in order to find the genesis, credibility and justification of the total soil ownership by foreigners; which as stated, was conducted at the expense of the majority of Africans who possess no land, living in abject poverty, suffering from unemployment and treated with inequality. The brutal colonial efforts and the untested African migration remains an elusive problem that should be tested scientifically to confirm or negate, when precisely the Africans came; who saw them come, and what made them leave their original countries, if any. This in a perpetual cardinal point of the ‘north’ being occupied moving in ‘waves’ with no witnesses. This study seeks to examine why the naturalised foreign Europeans are better off in the country, in everything.Item Open Access An exploration into morphological structure and the relationship of the domestic animals names in Tshivenda(2013-05-22) Masindi, Ndidzulafhi Flossia; Musehane, N. M.See the attached abstract belowItem Open Access An exploration into the effects of traditional medicine on reproductive health of rural women in Allandale Village, Mpumalanga Province(2019-09-20) Mdhuli, Ophilile; Matshidze, P. E.; Kugara, S. L.This study explored into the effects of traditional medicine on reproductive health of rural women. Negative reports associated with traditional medicine due to bogus traditional practitioners expose most women to the harmful consequences of concoctions supplied and administered on them. However, factors such as people’s great confidence in traditional medicine and high costs associated with conventional Western medical treatments lead most rural women to traditional medicine usage. The study examined women’s perspectives on traditional medicine, factors which led rural women to use traditional medicine, meanings that people make about women and reproductive health, reproductive health implications of using traditional medicine as well as remedies for ensuring that traditional medicine is safe for women’s reproductive health. The study was grounded on the critical and socio-cultural theory. An explorative qualitative research was used. Data was collected through open-ended questions, observation as well as focus group interviews and then analysed using the thematic analysis method. The study participants consisted of rural women, traditional healers, elderly people and Western-trained doctors who were all sampled using non-probability sampling methods. The findings of the study showed that African traditional medicine plays a pivotal role in reproductive health care by offering readily available, cheap, culturally-oriented and accessible health care for most rural women. However, it was noted that the use of African traditional medicine by unqualified practitioners and the incorrect usage of the medicine by patients resulted in negative results that could lead to death or barrenness. Thus, the study recommends an introduction of a regulatory framework on the production, storage, use and trade of African traditional medicine.Item Open Access An exploration into the Utilisation of Indigenous Knowledge by Medicinal Plant Vendors as a Livelihood Strategy in Thohoyandou, Vhembe District of Limpopo, South Africa(2018-05-18) Mhlanga, Sibusisiwe; Matshidze, P. E.; Cebekhulu, E.Medicinal plants are now used as a livelihood activity by the marginalized urban poor communities in various places around the world. Indigenous knowledge in medicinal plants is owned and practiced by the knowledge holders for different purposes. It entails the passing of skills and knowledge from one generation to the other within a specific geographical area. Vhembe district is well known to be rich in plants and the people own the rich knowledge in medicinal plants. However, much debate has emerged around the effectiveness of indigenous knowledge in alleviating poverty levels amongst the communities. Despite the wealth and abundance of indigenous knowledge in medicinal plants, Limpopo Province is still rated as one of the poorest provinces in South Africa. Consequently, this study sought to investigate the utilization of indigenous knowledge by medicinal plant vendors in Thohoyandou, Vhembe District. The study has used the qualitative research approach by means of an interview schedule and semi-structured interviews to collect data from a sample of 10 respondents, who were selected using the purposive and snowballing non-probability sampling techniques. The data collected was analyzed thematically. The findings in this study revealed that the sale of medicinal plants by vendors is a source of employment done mostly by men than women who have been engaged in this form of street trading for more than 23 years. The CBD in Thohoyandou is deemed preferably by the medicinal plant vendors as it is busy and attracts more customers. Although the medicinal plant vendors make a living out of selling their practice, they are not fully supported by key stakeholders. The research therefore concluded that the use of indigenous knowledge by medicinal plant vendors has an important role to play in creating employment for indigenous knowledge holders and as such should be invested in. The study recommends that key stakeholders such as the municipality, private companies, business support groups and the government should take the initiative to upgrade, develop and invest in indigenous knowledge v holders of medicinal plants to reduce unemployment in the province and avoid the risk of extinction of the knowledge. Lastly, more research should be conducted on a much bigger scale