scholarly journals Revisiting ‘Translatability’ and African Christianity: The Case of the Christian Catholic Apostolic Church in Zion

2017 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
pp. 448-475
Author(s):  
Joel Cabrita
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Religious Practice ◽  
Faith Healing ◽  
African Christianity ◽  
North Americans ◽  
History Of ◽  
African Context ◽  
Complex Relationships ◽  
Late Modern ◽  
Regional Histories

Focusing on the ‘translatability’ of Christianity in Africa is now commonplace. This approach stresses that African Christian practice is thoroughly inculturated and relevant to local cultural concerns. However, in exclusively emphasizing Christianity's indigeneity, an opportunity is lost to understand how Africans entered into complex relationships with North Americans to shape a common field of religious practice. To better illuminate the transnational, open-faced nature of Christianity in Africa, this article discusses the history of a twentieth-century Christian faith healing movement called Zionism, a large black Protestant group in South Africa. Eschewing usual portrayals of Zionism as an indigenous Southern African movement, the article situates its origins in nineteenth-century industrializing, immigrant Chicago, and describes how Zionism was subsequently reimagined in a South African context of territorial dispossession and racial segregation. It moves away from isolated regional histories of Christianity to focus on how African Protestantism emerged as the product of lively transatlantic exchanges in the late modern period.

‘Limping, Yet Made to Climb a Mountain!’ Re-Reading the Vashti Character in the Hiv And Aids South African Context

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madipoane Masenya (Ngwan’A Mphahlele)
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
External Factor ◽  
Hiv And Aids ◽  
African Women ◽  
South African Context ◽  
Land Grabbing ◽  
The Bible ◽  
History Of ◽  
African Context

The history of the Christian Bible’s reception in South Africa was part of a package that included among others, the importation of European patriarchy, land grabbing and its impoverishment of Africans and challenged masculinities of African men. The preceding factors, together with the history of the marginalization of African women in bible and theology, and how the Bible was and continues to be used in our HIV and AIDS contexts, have only made the proverbial limping animal to climb a mountain. Wa re o e bona a e hlotša, wa e nametša thaba (while limping, you still let it climb a mountain) simply means that a certain situation is being aggravated (by an external factor). In this chapter the preceding Northern Sotho proverb is used as a hermeneutical lens to present an HIV and AIDS gender sensitive re-reading of the Vashti character in the Hebrew Bible within the South African context.

Yes, Minister: Reassessing South Africa's Intervention in the Angolan Civil War, 1975–1976

2013 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 4-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie Miller
Keyword(s):  
Cold War ◽  
Civil War ◽  
South African ◽  
Primary Sources ◽  
Threat Perception ◽  
Security Threats ◽  
History Of ◽  
African Context ◽  
Apartheid Regime ◽  
The Cold War

In 1975–1976, South Africa's apartheid regime took the momentous step of intervening in the Angolan civil war to counter the Marxist Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola and its backers in Havana and Moscow. The failure of this intervention and the subsequent ignominious withdrawal had major repercussions for the evolution of the regime and the history of the Cold War in southern Africa. This article is the first comprehensive study of how and why Pretoria became involved. Drawing on a wide variety of primary sources from South African archives as well as interviews with key protagonists, the article shows that the South African Defence Force and Defence Minister P. W. Botha pushed vigorously and successfully for deeper engagement to cope with security threats perceived through the prism of the emerging doctrine of “total onslaught.” South Africa's intervention in Angola was first and foremost the product of strategic calculations derived from a sense of threat perception expressed and experienced in Cold War terms, but applied and developed in a localized southern African context.

scholarly journals An integrative review of Albertina Sisulu and ubuntu: Relevance to caring and nursing

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
pp. 214-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlene Downing ◽  
Marie Hastings-Tolsma
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Integrative Review ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Healing Environment ◽  
New Directions ◽  
History Of ◽  
African Context ◽  
Nursing Data ◽  
Nursing Pedagogy ◽  
The Impact

Background: Caring forms the core component of nursing. The history of the nature of caring in South Africa is non-specific and is unknown. The impact of nurse and activist Albertina Sisulu – known as the Mother of the Nation – has the potential to offer uniquein sights into what could be the context of caring for nurses.Aims: The study aimed at 1) critically synthesising the available evidence of caring as portrayed by Albertina Sisulu within the South African context, and 2) interpreting Sisulu's work within the Ubuntu philosophy as a framework for nursing and caring.Method: An integrative review was completed using Whittemore and Knafl's framework. Key electronic databases, selected references and web-based search engines were scoured for articles meeting the inclusion criteria. This systematic and iterative approach yielded 18 non-research reports related to Sisulu; eight reports (three research, five non-research) related to ubuntu and nursing. Data was extracted that related to relevant and conclusive new and innovative practices in caring.Results: The findings provided a context for practice guidelines of caring concerning knowledge and critical thinking about caring by nurses. Two primary factors emerged that demonstrated a culture of caring as seen through the prism of Sisulu's life: devoted dancer and creation of a healing environment. These factors also reflect African ubuntu principles, where the focus is on the relationships between people and how these relationships could be conducted.Conclusions: Ubuntu and Sisulu's approach to caring have much to offer for the nursing profession in terms of developing of new directions for nursing pedagogy, curriculum,practice patterns, and policies that emphasise caring constructs.

The History of the Soga Family, Race, and Identity in South Africa in the Late 19th and Early 20th Centuries

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natasha Erlank
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
African History ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Pilgrim's Progress ◽  
African Christianity ◽  
The Third ◽  
The Bible ◽  
History Of ◽  
The 19Th Century

The history of African Christianity in South Africa in the 19th century would be incomplete without a discussion of Tiyo Soga, the first Xhosa man to be ordained a minister in South Africa. His work as a preacher and translator was key to the spread of African indigenous Christianity in the Cape. In 1866 he completed his translation of The Pilgrim’s Progress into Xhosa, a book that had a greater impact than the Bible on how many Africans learned about Christianity. Less well known is the history of his family, including his parents, his wife, his children, and his grandchildren. While it is possible to reconstruct lives of some of the Soga men, it is difficult to uncover the lives of the women. Tiyo Soga and his wife, Janet Burnside, had seven children, and the four sons (William Anderson, John Henderson, Jotello Festiri, and Allan Kirkland) became prominent figures in Eastern Cape and South African history. The daughters, Isabella, Frances, and Jessie, had less prominent careers. African Christianity was important for all of them, and the sons pursued careers as a doctor, a historian, a veterinarian, and a journalist. The third son, A.K. Soga, was important as both a journalist and an African nationalist.

scholarly journals Out with old, in with the new: Negotiating identity in re-naming a Xhosa umtshakazi

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-76
Author(s):  
Evangeline Bonisiwe Zungu ◽  
Nomvula Maphini
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Religious Practice ◽  
African Languages ◽  
Gender Culture ◽  
The World ◽  
African Context ◽  
Newly Married ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Key Words Gender ◽  
People’S Perceptions

Umtshakazi (singular) is a bride and abatshakazi (plural) are brides in  isiXhosa language. The word is derived from the word ‘tsha’ which means new in isiXhosa. The word is popularly known as Makoti in other African languages, such as isiZulu. In short, a bride is a woman about to be married or newly married and thus a “new member” of the husband’s family. In a South African context, naming is not reserved for new-born children as there are circumstances whereby older people get new names. In Xhosa re-naming of abatshakazi, is a religious practice where name-givers bestow a name on a newlywed and then expect brides to live up to their newly acquired names. Like most things cultural, the brides  have no choice but to accept the  new name, embrace what the name entails and live up to the family’s expectations. Through the re-naming process the bride assumes a new identity which means taking the responsibility that comes with it. This article examines how such a process gives brides new roles to play; how brides make a conscious effort to live up to the name and how this changes their identity. This article is going to take a phenomenology stance. The phenomenology theory is a theoretical proposition which focuses on people’s perceptions of the world in which they live and what it means to them. It focuses on people’s lived experiences. This theory is essential in this article as the article focuses on the individual experiences of Xhosa  abatshakazi in the naming process. Key Words: gender, culture, names, identity, marriage

scholarly journals Is there any hope for church unity?

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sipho Mahokoto
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Focal Point ◽  
Dutch Reformed ◽  
The Past ◽  
Church Unity ◽  
History Of ◽  
African Context ◽  
Reformed Churches ◽  
Church Split ◽  
The Church

his article gives some perspectives on the causes of the Reformed Churches split since the time of reformation and how these divisions impacts on church unity discussions today. Since reformation, church divisions took place in various forms and discussions about church reunification became a focal point in the reformed world. These splits amongst reformed churches seem to have caused traumatic stress and inflicted deep wounds that are very difficult to heal in full, especially in the context of South Africa. This article briefly looks at some causes of split in the reformed world by paying attention to the work of Lukas Vischer and also by sketching some few causes of church split within the Dutch Reformed family of churches in the South African context. This article does not really pay attention to an in-depth discussion on church unity, rather, it places the interest on issues of church divisions which impact negatively on the true unity of the church. A question can be asked: can we really hope for a genuine unity of the church given the history of these splits? Put it differently: Is there any hope for an authentic church unity amongst reformed churches locally and globally? The article argues that the history of these divisions makes it very hard if not impossible to hope for an authentic church unity, given the currently lived experiences of divisions, the irreconcilability of people and the unhealed wounds inflicted in the past. For an authentic church unity to be achieved and lived positively, the article suggests that injustices of the past needs to be addressed, especially between the Dutch Reformed family of churches.

scholarly journals MANAS BUTHELEZI: THE CHURCHLEADER, LIBERATION ACTIVIST AND SCHOLAR IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN CONTEXT

2016 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-95
Author(s):  
James Kenokeno Mashabela ◽  
Mokhele Madise
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Academic Career ◽  
South African Context ◽  
The South ◽  
History Of Christianity ◽  
South African Council ◽  
History Of ◽  
African Context ◽  
Church Work ◽  
Active Contribution

This article celebrates and honours Manas Buthelezi’s life by examining his active contribution in the spiritual, political, social and socio-economic spheres. An analysis of his contribution is offered by firstly examining his academic career, church work and his contribution to the recent history of Christianity. Secondly, I provide an overview of his involvement in political affairs and with the Lutheran community.Finally, I focus on Buthelezi’s service in the South African Council of Churches (SACC).

The challenge of Afrikaans language rights in South African education

2018 ◽  
pp. 71-96
Author(s):  
Michael Bishop
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Racial Inequality ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Minority Languages ◽  
International Human Rights Law ◽  
Right To Education ◽  
Minority Community ◽  
History Of ◽  
African Context ◽  
The Right

This chapter explores how the unique South African context affects the way one evaluates the right to own-language education of the White Afrikaans minority. International human rights law affords linguistic minorities the right to education in the language of their choice. However, for one particular minority community, the Afrikaners, the protection of that right is complicated by South Africa's history of racial inequality, particularly in the area of education. As such, the chapter argues that it is not possible to apply the ordinary principles concerning minority languages to Afrikaans. However, that does not mean that Afrikaners are not entitled to some protection for their language. Rather, it requires looking for compromises and innovative solutions that acknowledge both the position of privilege built on a history of racial discrimination and the legitimate demand for protecting Afrikaans-language education.

scholarly journals Besinning oor die twee ryke-leer

1988 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. Van Wyk
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Kingdom Of God ◽  
South African Context ◽  
The South ◽  
History Of ◽  
African Context ◽  
Two Kingdoms ◽  
The Devil

Reflections on the theory of the two kingdoms The question concerning the so-called two kingdoms, the kingdom of God/heaven and the kingdom of the devil/earth is as old as the history of humanity itself. Does not Christ himself refer to what belongs to Ceasar and what belongs to God (Matt 22: 21)? In this article the author first of all tries to summarise the six great theological models, with modifications, and thereafter briefly researches the South African context. He comes to the conclusion that there is only one King, one kingdom, one Word and one life; distinctions may be drawn but divisions are confusing.

scholarly journals CUTTING THE CANE: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE STRUGGLE TO BANISH CORPORAL PUNISHMENT FROM SCHOOLS IN BRITAIN AND SOUTH AFRICA (PART 2)

Obiter ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Crocker ◽  
Stephen Peté
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Corporal Punishment ◽  
School Children ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Way Of Life ◽  
Educational Values ◽  
British Rule ◽  
History Of ◽  
African Context

For centuries corporal punishment was used as a method for disciplining school children in Britain. Britain was one of the last countries in the European Union to abolish this form of punishment in its schools, and did so only after a long and bitter struggle waged in parliament, on the streets, and in various courts of law. This article traces the manner in which this practice became deeply entrenched in the British way of life, as well as the long battle to dislodge it. The focus then shifts to the evolution and eventual demise of this form of punishment in South African schools. During the long years of British rule in South Africa, British attitudes towards the corporal punishment of school children profoundly influenced those responsible for education in this African country. However, the attachment of South African educational authorities, educators, and parents to corporal punishment cannot be explained simply by reference to the influence of British educational values, and the article seeks to take account of the general history of corporal punishment in the African context. This history is entwined with the history of colonialism on the continent, and the article explores the unique social meanings attached to this form of punishment in the African context, as well as its historical importance as a means of social control. The article is divided into two parts. In part one of the article, the evolution and eventual demise of corporal punishment in British schools is traced, followed by a brief general overview of corporal punishment in the African context, as well as ashort discussion of the use and eventual abolition of this form of punishment in South African schools. In part two of the article, the continued use of corporal punishment in South African schools, even after this form of punishment was legally abolished following the end of “apartheid”, is examined in detail.

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