Theses and Dissertations (African Languages)http://hdl.handle.net/2263/324302024-03-29T08:37:54Z2024-03-29T08:37:54ZThe implications of Setswana hare folktales contemporary for South African childrenhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/914012023-09-14T11:55:09Z2023-01-01T00:00:00ZThe implications of Setswana hare folktales contemporary for South African children
In previous research, it has been stated that folktales are primarily told to teach moral lessons to children. However, this study demonstrates that Setswana hare folktales potentially teach the opposite of the intended lessons based on the behaviour of hare characters, which generally contravenes the notion of morality. Behaviour such as violence, murder, theft and manipulation is prevalent in folktales and the hare is often the perpetrator who is seldom caught or punished for his immoral behaviour. Research claims that South Africa is currently experiencing a crisis of moral degeneration through which people employ inappropriate social behaviour. The main concern is that children are exposed to immoral behaviour, thereby posing a potential risk of them mimicking such behaviour displayed by society and in folktales. In this study, potential implications of Setswana hare folktales in terms of the moral degeneration crisis affecting children in contemporary South Africa are investigated. Furthermore, it is revealed that some folktales might perpetuate and justify issues of moral degeneration in society. In this qualitative study, 19 Setswana hare folktales were collected and thematically analysed emphasising the common behaviour portrayed by hare characters. Secondary data on the recent South African incidents depicting behaviour associated with moral degeneration was obtained through perusing popular local newspapers and digital media. This was to demonstrate the degree to which hare folktales mirror the crisis of moral degeneration in contemporary society. The study is based on the Theory of Moral Development, Behaviourist, as well as Functionalist theories. Moral development and behaviourist theories are used to study the behaviour of hare characters and children in society, while the Functionalist Theory is used to study the phenomenon of moral degeneration as social change and folktales as a social construct. A number of folktale studies have been conducted, which have had a positive impact on teaching moral lessons. However, in this study, the very few studies that exposed the potential implications of folktales in perpetuating societal issues are expanded on. The researcher discerns that Setswana hare folktales do not embody moral elements, consequently and potentially perpetuating and justifying the moral degeneration crisis in children as perpetrators, victims and observers of the crisis. It is concluded that Setswana hare folktales may not be effective in instilling morality in children without meaningful intervention.
Dissertation (MA (African Languages))--University of Pretoria, 2023.
2023-01-01T00:00:00ZGender inequality in South African Nguni cultures, as portrayed in selected Nguni literary text.http://hdl.handle.net/2263/893462023-10-25T12:51:29Z2022-01-01T00:00:00ZGender inequality in South African Nguni cultures, as portrayed in selected Nguni literary text.
This research seeks to highlight the gender inequality brought by some of the rituals and traditions practised by South African Nguni cultures. It seeks to work as a mediator or a mouth for the parties that are being treated unfairly by these cultures. A study of multiple literary texts was conducted in order to be fully informed and equipped about the topic. The findings show that despite the 28 years of South Africa’s constantly evolving democracy, the LGBTQI+ community is still vaguely recognised by customary law, whereas women and children are subservient. In light of these findings, a viable recourse would be for traditional authorities and scholars to consolidate and re-amend customary laws, and to sift out the obsolete and prejudice.
Dissertation (MA (African Languages))--University of Pretoria 2022.
2022-01-01T00:00:00ZCritical analysis of issues that depict gender inequality and conflict between human rights and culture in Isiko Nelungelo and Intando Kamufihttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/891662023-10-25T12:53:21Z2022-01-01T00:00:00ZCritical analysis of issues that depict gender inequality and conflict between human rights and culture in Isiko Nelungelo and Intando Kamufi
ABSTRACT
South Africa has a diverse range of languages, races, religions, and ethnic communities. It has faced significant challenges – political, cultural, and socio-economic – since the arrival of democracy in 1994. Nevertheless, South Africa is still entrenched in its cultural beliefs even though the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1998, was introduced to neutralise some of the oppressing cultural beliefs. With special reference to the Zulu tribe, this research discusses the nature of human beings (men and women) as a democratic one even beyond cultural expectations. It argues against some cultural practices on women, especially widows, which claim supremacy and bind the widows to its ritual processes among the Zulu people. It stresses the importance of human individual that overtakes everything from God’s creation, including cultural rituals that have been created by human beings. It claims that the existence of culture depends solely on the existence or presence of human beings and their communities. Therefore, culture cannot use humans to shape itself and transform the community; humans use culture to identify themselves and ultimately change their communities. Although the paper is cultural in its approach, it argues for individual human rights to be respected and weighed above all cultural practices. It further concludes that such cultural practices are not stationery and that they can be removed from the rest of culture. Lastly, this research however exposes all the Zulu cultural practices that oppresses women and forcing them to involve themselves in rituals while compromising their human rights. It also seeks to provide solutions to conflict that exist between culture, human rights, and gender inequality. This paper concludes thus, cultural deconstruction is possible through re-visiting the cultural practices and look at what is still relevant to the society and to the people and only adopt what will not oppress women while involving themselves to the cultural practices.
Dissertation (MA (African Languages))--University of Pretoria, 2022.
2022-01-01T00:00:00ZTshekatsheko yaleboko la Kgosi Hendrick Rantebeng Mathibe Makapanhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/830232021-12-14T01:21:12Z1994-01-01T00:00:00ZTshekatsheko yaleboko la Kgosi Hendrick Rantebeng Mathibe Makapan
Please read abstract in the document
Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 1994.
1994-01-01T00:00:00Z