scholarly journals The reconstitution of African women's spiritualities in the context of the Amazwi Abesifazane (Voices of Women) project in KwaZulu-Natal (1998-2005)

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Bernice Stott
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Narrative Therapy ◽  
Well Being ◽  
National Archive ◽  
The Body ◽  
Government Support ◽  
African Women ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Kwazulu Natal

This study will investigate and critically evaluate the reconstitution of African women’s spiritualities in the context of the Amazwi Abesifazane project. This project forms part of the endeavours of Create Africa South, a Non Governmental Organisation situated in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, which was initiated by the artist Andries Botha. It encourages women, post trauma, to ‘re-member’ themselves by creating memory cloths of embroidery and appliqué reflecting on their experiences in pre- and post-apartheid South Africa. This interdisciplinary study theorises that it is an archive that speaks about African women resisting destructive forces and reconstituting their spiritualities through the therapeutic effects of creativity. The study will not include research into the many other activities undertaken by Create Africa South. Rupture is implied in the use of the word ‘reconstitution’. Reconstitution encompasses the act of constituting again the character of the body, mind and spirit as regards health, strength and well-being of the women (McIntosh, 1970:261). In this study, spirituality is defined as the way in which the women in the Amazwi Abesifazane project reflect upon and live out their belief in God. The power of storytelling is examined from the perspectives of narratology, narrative therapy, sewing and orality/literary studies as resources for the women’s reclamation of their lives. Defining feminisms in South Africa is problematised by issues of race, class and culture. In a context of poverty, everyday survivalist strategies are the diverse forms of resistance seen in the Amazwi Abesifazane project. The women’s stories, cloths and interviews are triangulated as primary data. They are examples of the rich art of resistance against despair and are located in a paradigm of hope. In conclusion, I strongly call for government support in declaring the project a national archive. The multidimensional mediums of the Amazwi Abesifazane/ UbuMama projects nurture the women’s creativity and revitalise their spiritualities towards personal and national transformation.

No Will to Know: The Rise and Fall of African Civil Registration in Twentieth-Century South Africa

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith Breckenridge
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Nineteenth Century ◽  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Vital Statistics ◽  
African Women ◽  
Biometric Identification ◽  
Vital Registration ◽  
Civil Registration ◽  
Women And Children

Vital statistics have been politically fraught in South Africa for decades, not least because the state made very little effort to record information about the well-being of African women and children. This chapter shows that in the last years of the nineteenth century a working system of vital registration was developed in the colony of Natal and in the native reserves of the Transkei. From the beginning this delegated bureaucracy faced opposition from African patriarchs, from parsimonious white elected leaders and from the advocates of coercive systems of biometric identification. In the early 1920s, under the weight of mostly unfounded accusations of corruption, the system of registration by means of ‘native agency’ was deliberately terminated, despite the general enthusiasm of the magistrates charged with maintaining it.

Operation Sukuma-Sakhe

2017 ◽  
pp. 304-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ndwakhulu Tshishonga
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Civil Society ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Social Contract ◽  
Data Sources ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Government Programs ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
State And Local Government ◽  
State And Local

This chapter explores the emerging new social contract that connects government departments, communities, civil society, and the private sector through Operation Sukuma-Sakhe (OSS) in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. This program is designed to expedite service delivery and development by addressing communal challenges such as poor or non-existent service delivery and lack of coordinated government programs and cooperative governance efforts. Social contract theory forms an analytical and conceptual framework to gauge the government's commitment through the OSS program in delivering decentralized services in partnership with communities and other development sectors. The effective functioning of OSS depends on the full and equal commitment of government, underpinned by a new social contract with other departments, the community, and citizens as both recipients and agents of decentralized service delivery. Primary data sources were interviews with OSS regional officials, supplemented by documentary data from the literature and state and local government sources.

scholarly journals The Therapeutic Effects of Yoga on Health and Related Diseases: An Analytical Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-115
Author(s):  
Gurmeet Singh Sarla
Keyword(s):  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Complementary Therapy ◽  
The Body ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Mind And Body ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
Reducing Stress

Purpose: Yoga means unity of mind and body. It has an effective role in reducing stress, anxiety, and depression and thus it can be used as complementary medicine. It not only is effective for strengthening the body but also incorporates appropriate breathing techniques, mindfulness, and meditation in order to achieve the maximum benefits. The objective of this study is to assess the findings of selected articles regarding the therapeutic effects of yoga and to provide a comprehensive review of the benefits of regular yoga practice. Subjects and Methods: In order to locate research studies and interventions that examined the therapeutic effects of yoga, databases were searched through Google Scholar and PubMed. The keywords entered into the database were Yoga, therapeutic effects, stress, anxiety, depression, chronic disease, arthritis, low backache, diabetes, cancer and pregnancy and articles from 1993 to 2007 were searched. Results: It is revealed that Yoga improves physical, mental, intellectual and spiritual health and offers an effective method of managing and reducing stress, anxiety and depression. It also triggers neurohormonal mechanisms that bring about health benefits, evidenced by the suppression of sympathetic activity. Yoga should be considered as a complementary therapy or alternative method for medical therapy in the treatment of stress, anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders as it has been shown to create a greater sense of well-being, increase feelings of relaxation, improve self-confidence and body image, improve efficiency, better interpersonal relationships, increase attentiveness, lower irritability, and encourage an optimistic outlook on life. Conclusion: Yoga teaches us to slow down, quieten our minds and connect with our inner selves which ultimately help in relieving us from the pressures and stressors of this modern day life.

scholarly journals AN ANALYSIS OF PERSONAL FINANCIAL LITERACY AMONG ADULTS IN VHEMBE DISTRICT, A RURAL MUNICIPALITY IN SOUTH AFRICA

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-66
Author(s):  
Adam Ndou ◽  
◽  
Sam Ngwenya ◽  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Financial Literacy ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Financial Management ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Vhembe District

Consumers in rural and low-income areas are the most financially vulnerable and are facing challenges with their finances and depend mostly on unsecured loans to finance their daily expenses. This has been exacerbated by global financial crises, which left many consumers in financial strains. The purpose of this paper is to measure the level of financial literacy focusing on the areas of day-to-day money management, financial planning, choosing appropriate financial services and products, and financial knowledge and understanding. The quantitative research approach was used to collect primary data among adults in Vhembe District Municipality (VDM), a rural and low-income municipality in South Africa. Primary data were analyzed through descriptive statistics. The results indicate that the level of financial literacy among adults in VDM is low at 38.73%. The low levels of financial literacy have serious consequences for an adult’s personal financial management skills and lead to their inability to make correct financial decisions. It is apparent that an individual’s level of financial literacy has become important in how individuals manage their finances in today’s complicated financial world. The paper concludes by suggesting interventions that could help adults to improve their level of financial literacy, manage and sustain their financial well-being.

scholarly journals Ascertaining the Impact of Post-Commencement Finance on Business Rescue in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

2020 ◽  
pp. 236-244
Author(s):  
Dr. Surendran Pillay ◽  
Dr. Rajendra Rajaram ◽  
Kajal Ramnanun
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Limiting Factors ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Corporate Rescue ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Cash Basis

Corporate rescue in South Africa has been bedevilled by many challenges. The new South African Companies Act 71 of 2008 (hereafter referred to as “the Act”), which came into effect in May 2011 contains a new chapter titled “Business rescue and Compromise with Creditors”. Post commencement finance (PCF) is finance or credit approved for a company in business rescue, which is regulated by section 135 of the South African Companies Act. The Act provides for companies to secure PCF as turnaround investment to secure its financial well-being. However, it is difficult for a distressed business to access PCF as it is challenging to operate on a cash basis when they face the likelihood of insolvency or forced sale of their assets to remain sustainable. This was evident during the recent global financial crises when obstacles to accessing PCF were identified as the chief deterrent for businesses that require rescue or reorganization (Pretorius and Du Preez, 2013). A review was performed to assess what the impact was, of a distress company obtaining PCF in KZN. Empirical research includes a qualitative research design engaged to explore the impact of PCF on the success of business rescue efforts for distressed companies in KZN. Insights and understandings were drawn from the participation of business rescue practitioners in Kwa Zulu Natal. This included addressing the challenges of obtaining PCF and what finance is available. The findings from the literature review confirm that the barriers to obtaining PCF are the most limiting factors in rescuing businesses in distress in KZN and the challenges include the time frame within the business rescue plan and that financial institutions are not prepared to support a business rescue without collateral.

Xenophobic Experiences of Foreign African Women in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanusha Raniga
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Poverty Alleviation ◽  
Informal Settlement ◽  
African Women ◽  
Feminist Methodology ◽  
Foreign National ◽  
Economic Context ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Insight Into

This paper examines the complex links between poverty, the gendered nature of xenophobia and the related experiences of foreign national women and their struggle to survive while residing in a predominantly informal settlement in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Using feminist methodology, the paper focuses on 12 foreign African women who relate their stories of vulnerability and experiences of xenophobia; a phenomenon they assert is not common in their own home countries. The empirical data discussed in this paper include the women’s motivations for their migration to South Africa and locate this discourse within the broader African socio-cultural, political and economic context. Further, data elicited from the interviews provide insight into the various “shades” of xenophobia as experienced by these women. The paper contributes to the debates on the promotion of women’s rights and gender equality as a prerequisite to poverty alleviation and ultimately economic growth in Africa.

scholarly journals Coloured lens : a study of the socio-cultural context of Wentworth in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, towards a photographic documentary

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Natalie Houston
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Real Problem ◽  
Grounded Theory Method ◽  
The Social ◽  
Kwazulu Natal

Social issues are a very real problem in South Africa. Violent protests in poorer communities around South Africa indicate a need to better understand negative social realities impacting on communities. This research examined the sociocultural context of Wentworth in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, as shown on the map on page x. The focus of this study was the social and community realities; and the significance of photography in the context of examining these. The aim was to use photography as a research tool as well as to document the data collected. From the data a 118-page book, as shown on page viii, was conceptualised, which captures this community’s social context. Further, the study questioned the use of design practice to support social change. Because of the distinctly “Coloured” nature of Wentworth, literature was sought for the definition, history, current dynamics and complexities of Coloured identity. The literature review highlighted ethics and the strategies that should be adhered to when considering the social nature of photography. For this inquiry a qualitative analysis was conducted using the Grounded Theory method. A collaborative, or participatory research approach, was used for data collection, by working closely with families and health, church and non-governmental groups in Wentworth. Qualitative data collection methods used to gather primary data were photographic documentation and interviews. This research produced a number of key findings regarding socio-cultural problems plaguing the community. Findings deemed photography a rich tool for researching the social and for accurately recording everyday life. The main conclusions drawn from this research were that in-depth studies be conducted on individual problems, utilising greater manpower and funding. In addition, that further research and documentation be undertaken in the community.

scholarly journals Perceptions, expectations and experiences of first time chiropractic patients when consulting chiropractic students at a teaching clinic in KwaZulu-Natal

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Jamie Sarah Robbertze
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Chiropractic Care ◽  
The Body ◽  
Chiropractic Profession ◽  
Population Groups ◽  
The Public ◽  
Teaching Clinic ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Chiropractic Students ◽  
First Time

The focus of the chiropractic profession is to diagnose, treat and prevent mechanical disorders which affect the neuromusculoskeletal system of the body. Chiropractic is a young profession in South Africa as law only recognized chiropractors as recently as 1971. As a result, perceptions of chiropractic are continually evolving as it gains popularity among the public. Despite its growth to date, further expansion of the profession may be limited due to its isolation from the public health care system of South Africa. This study aimed to determine the demographics, perceptions, expectations and experiences of first time chiropractic patients who consulted chiropractic students at a teaching clinic in KwaZulu-Natal. This information may allow identification of requirements for improved clinical outcomes of first time chiropractic patients and clinical practice of chiropractors and the chiropractic profession. This qualitative study utilized an exploratory and descriptive design. This methodology was chosen for its potential to reveal a deeper understanding of the fundamentals of chiropractic. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews with fourteen first time chiropractic patients who presented to the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Chiropractic Day Clinic (CDC). Interviews were voice recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed which resulted in eight themes with numerous subthemes. These were explored and demographic characteristics of participants were determined to fulfil the objectives of the study. Eight participants were male and six were female. Most were aged in their thirties, forties or fifties. With regards to population groups, six participants were Black/African, three were Indian, three were Coloured and two were White. Half the participants had medical aid and most were professionals, technicians and associate professionals and services and sales workers. The understanding of chiropractic and chiropractic care theme revealed a limited awareness and understanding of chiropractic, perceptions of the chiropractic scope of practice and beliefs regarding chiropractic care for special population groups. The care-seeking influential factors theme indicated that the reasons chiropractic care was sought were: soreness, trusted suggestions and unsuitable alternative care options. The experience anticipations theme showed that some participants had indistinct ideas prior to their experiences while others had conceived expectations for the chiropractic care. The consultation outcomes theme indicated expectations for improvement in presenting complaints as well as occurrence of adverse reactions. The origins of beliefs theme revealed that perceptions and expectations of chiropractic were formed from accessible information as well as the first time chiropractic consultation experience. Professional and unprofessional aspects of the DUT CDC environment were discussed in the first impressions theme. The chiropractic care theme explored experiences of the thorough and detailed examination, feelings of fear and apprehension and trust and comfort, patient centered care, effectiveness of the treatment and pain and adverse effects. The last theme, experience reflections, demonstrates the extent to which expectations were met, aspects of the experience which could be improved and desires to return to and recommend the DUT CDC to others.

scholarly journals Determinants of adaptation to climate variability among farming households in Tyhume Valley communities, Eastern Cape province, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olona Mtintsilana ◽  
Babatope Ebenezer Akinyemi ◽  
Leocadia Zhou
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Climate Variability ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Adaptation Strategies ◽  
The Body ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Farming Households

Purpose This paper aims to determine factors affecting adaptation to climate variability on crop production among farming households in Tyhume Valley. Design/methodology/approach This study conducted an empirical analysis of the impact of adaptation on crop yield of farming households and estimated the factors affecting adaptation to climate variability on farming households. The analysis used primary data from 205 farming households practicing crop production in Tyhume Valley communities. Findings Based on binary logit results, factors affecting rural farming households’ adaptation to climate variability are gender, age, heatwave, employment status, strong high wind occasional experience and cell phone. The adaptation measures adopted by the farming households in the study area include irrigation (94.8%), crop rotation (66%), changing crop variety (7.4%) and other methods of adaptation were found to be (1.3%). The other methods of adaptation used included the use of ash to kill (intuku) mole and using dirty water from washing dishes and clothes when irrigating to kill parasites on crops. Originality/value This research paper will be an addition to the body of knowledge on adaptation strategies to climate variability in South Africa, especially at the rural farming household level. This study may assist the rural communities in decision-making when dealing with the challenges of climate variability on their crop production, thereby increasing their crop production. The information gathered in this study might assist policymakers in revising the existing policies. This study will also help rural farming households to practice appropriate adaptation strategies.

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