Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Missions – Congo (Democratic Republic) – Kinshasa'

This study addresses urban planning problems in the post-independence zones or townships of Kinshasa, the capital of Zaire. It serves as a demonstration project aiming at showing how local resources, labor and funds could be mobilized to help local people solve the problems affecting their communities. It supports the view that with little government support and/or international contribution, self-help projects could be initiated in Kinshasa city before they may be extended to the rest of the country. This particular pilot project is intended for the improvement of the Southern Extension District (S.E.D.).It covers an area about 5 Kilometers long and 2.5 Kms. wide, which comprises the entire zone of Bumbu, the eastern side of Makala, and the Northern side of Selembao zones. This site was selected for the various resources needed for the Self-Help Project. The major problems of this post-independence district are erosion/flooding, substandard houses, and lack of playgrounds for children.It is proposed that an organizational framework becreated, which will coordinate an ongoing process of improvement through self-help effort. Actions that the residents and the government need to undertake in order to create such a framework are suggested. Creation of an independent entity named "Office of Special Project", whose personnel will come from the Department of Planning and Urban Management (B.E.A.U.), Housing Department and Public Works department is also suggested. This office will serve as a sponsoring agency whose mission is to create a multipurpose co-operative at each zone or township level and to supervise the improvement process. Its staff will meet on a regular basis with the representatives of these co-operatives to discuss the problems of the community with the local people and provide them with the expertise needed to complete the project successfully.
Department of Urban Planning

Sustaining splendid health has always been a wish for every employee of any formal organisation. If health is not excellent, employees are likely not to function as expected hence it is imperative to have social health insurance. This article reports on the findings derived from a research conducted in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. The researcher personally distributed structured questionnaires among employees in 15 organisations. Findings show that the majority of the respondents experience problems in organizing their health care where it emerged that, 1) the majority of the employees from public sector are not assisted in organizing their health care, 2) they use out-out-pocket financing means for their health care, 3) in general, employees from public sector are not aware of health insurance and interestingly employees from mix companies and private sector are knowledgeable on health insurance, 4) respondents with post matric qualifications prefer to use private hospital when they are sick, 5) employees choose health facility based on good quality service provided. In general, it emerged from the findings that there is willingness to pay contribution should the social health insurance be introduced.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2008.
Title from electronic title page (viewed Sep. 16, 2008). "... in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Health Behavior and Health Education." Discipline: Health Behavior and Health Education; Department/School: Public Health.

La présente étude s’inscrit dans le cadre de la recherche d’une meilleure compréhension de l’analyse de la valorisation des PFNL des plateaux Batéké en périphérie de Kinshasa en vue d’envisager un mode d’exploitation qui garantisse la conservation et l’utilisation durable et d’apporter les éléments indispensables à la gestion des PFNL. Les enquêtes par sondages sur une base de 280 ménages ont été renforcées par 22 entretiens par focus group. Des observations directes sur le terrain, des enquêtes socioéconomiques, ethnoécologiques sur les stratégies d’exploitation des PFNL, l’étude de la filière PFNL et les études d’impacts d’activités d’exploitation des PFNL ont été conduites entre juin 2005 et novembre 2006 dans 7 villages de Plateaux de Batéké: Mbankana, Dumi, Mampu, Mutiene, Kinzono, Inzolo et 4ème Cité CADIM à plus de 140 km à l’Est de la ville Kinshasa.

L’étude de la valorisation des PFNL des Plateaux de Batéké a montré que 169 espèces de PFNL appartenant à 65 familles des plantes sont valorisées. Cinq espèces de PFNL sont les plus exploitées dans la zone d’étude. Il s’agit de Pteridium sp, du vin indigène (de palmier à huile et de raphia), de Dioscorea praehensilis, de Talinum triangulare et du rotin. La détermination des facteurs explicatifs du choix de l’exploitation des PFNL les plus exploités dans la zone a été estimé par la régression multiple modèle Probit. Ce modèle a l’avantage d’inclure dans sa structure mathématique, la dépendance mutuelle et des informations sur la pertinence des variables explicatives présentes dans le modèle final. La consommation du Pteridium sp. par le ménage, son prix de vente, sa disponibilité dans les écosystèmes, la distance à parcourir par rapport aux lieux de prélèvement, le statut matrimonial du chef de ménage, la distance par rapport au marché et l’appartenance à une structure locale sont des facteurs explicatifs déterminant dans le choix de l’exploitation du Pteridium sp. Pour l’exploitation du vin indigène, la distance par rapport aux lieux de prélèvement, la taille de ménage, les connaissances endogènes sur le vin indigène, la distance par rapport au marché et le revenu en sont des facteurs explicatifs. Le revenu issu de la vente, les connaissances endogènes, le prix de vente et la consommation sont des facteurs explicatifs déterminants pour l’exploitation de Dioscorea praehensilis. Pour Talinum triangulare, le revenu issu de la vente, la consommation, la distance par rapport au lieu de prélèvement, le prix de vente et les connaissances endogènes en sont les facteurs déterminants. Pour le rotin, la consommation, le prix de vente, les connaissances endogènes et la disponibilité en rotins dans les écosystèmes en sont les déterminants. Les PFNL vendus sur les marchés et points de ventes des Plateaux de Batéké proviennent des jachères forestières, des forêt-galeries et des savanes. Le coût total moyen d’exploitation d’un kg du PFNL est estimé à 0,08 $ US pour le Pteridium sp. 0,05 $ US pour le vin indigène, 0,05 $ US pour le Dioscorea praehensilis, 0,05 $ US pour le Talinum triangulare et à 0,20 $ US pour le rotin. Un exploitant villageois réalise par journée de travail, un revenu moyen de près de 2 $ US pour le Pteridium sp, 9 $ US pour le vin indigène, 1 $ US pour le Dioscorea praehensilis, 0,26 $ US pour le Talinum triangulare et près de 4 $ US pour le rotin. Hormis la valeur socio-économique que la valorisation des PFNL apporte à l’écosystème, certains méfaits sur la durabilité des écosystèmes sont occasionnés. Enfin, cette étude démontre qu’il y a des interactions entre les paysans enquêtés et leurs milieux. La définition d’une politique raisonnée de valorisation des PFNL intégrée à l’approche interdisciplinaire du développement durable reste incontournable pour la zone d’étude.

The present study aims to improve the understanding of the valorisation of the NTFP of the Batéké Highlands situated in the periphery of Kinshasa in order to develop an exploitation mode that guarantees the conservation and a sustainable use and to provide the necessary elements to the management of the NTFP. The investigations by polls on a basis of 280 households have been reinforced by 22 interviews by means of focus groups. Direct observations in situ, socio-economic and ethno-ecological analyses of the exploitation of the NTFP, an analysis of the NTFP processing pathway and an impact study of the exploitation of the NTFP have been carried out between June 2005 and November 2006 in 7 villages of the Batéké Highlands: Mbankana, Dumi, Mampu, Muti-mutiene, Kinzono, Inzolo and 4th City CADIM situated at more than 140 km to the East of Kinshasa. The study of the valorisation of the NTFP of the Batéké Highlands showed that 169 species of NTFP belonging to 65 plant families are valorised. Five species of NTFP are the most exploited in the study area: Pteridium sp, indigenous wine (of palm oil and raffia), Dioscorea praehensilis, Talinum triangulare and rattan. The determination of the factors of the choice of the most exploited NTFP have been estimated by multiple regression and the Probit model. This model has the advantage to include mutual dependence in its mathematical structure as well as information on the relevance of the explanatory variables in the final model. The consumption of Pteridium sp. by household, its selling price, its availability in the ecosystems, the distance to the places of collection, the matrimonial status of the household chief, the distance to the market and the adherence to a local structure are the explanatory factors determining the choice of Pteridium sp. For the exploitation of the indigenous wine, the distance to the places of collection, the size of household, endogenous knowledge on the indigenous wine, the distance to the market and the income are the explanatory factors. The income generated by the sale, endogenous knowledge, the selling price and the consumption rate are the explanatory factors for Dioscorea praehensilis. For Talinum triangulare, the income generated by the sale, the consumption, the distance to the place of collection, the selling price and endogenous knowledge are the determining factors. For rattan, the consumption, the selling price, endogenous knowledge and the availability of rattan in the ecosystems are the determinants of the choice. The NTFP sold on the markets and points of sales of the Batéké Highlands are collected in forest fallow lands, forest-galleries and savannas. The overall average cost of exploitation of one kg of NTFP is estimated at 0.08 $ US for Pteridium sp. at 0.05 $ US for indigenous wine, at 0.05 $ US for Dioscorea praehensilis, at 0.05 $ US for Talinum triangulare and at 0.20 $ US for rattan. A local collector obtains per working day an average income of about 2 $ US for Pteridium sp, 9 $US for the indigenous wine, 1 $ US for Dioscorea praehensilis, 0.26 $ US for Talinum triangulare and about 4 $ US for rattan. Besides the socioeconomic value that the valorisation of the NTFP brings to the ecosystem, some bad practices for the durability of the ecosystems are observed. Finally, this study demonstrates that there are close interactions between the peasants questioned and their environment. The development of a reasonable policy of valorisation of the NTFP integrated with an interdisciplinary approach of sustainable development remains crucial for our study site.

Doctorat en Sciences agronomiques et ingénierie biologique
info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Kinshasa connaît de nombreuses manifestations de l’érosion ravinante depuis quelques décennies. L’office de drainage et de voirie en estime environ 400 en 2009 et 500 en 2010. L’érosion ravinante est un processus géodynamique qui agit en faveur de la gravité. Or, elle ne se manifeste pas partout en milieu urbain, même au sein des quartiers construits sur de fortes pentes ;ce qui suggère qu’il y aurait des dimensions humaines inscrites dans l’espace qui l’accélèrent ou la freinent.

En s’appuyant sur l’approche cartographique des données issues de la télédétection, des documents cartographiques anciens et ceux de la cartographie participative, des interviews, des enquêtes socio-économiques et des relevés (D)GPS (écoles, centres de santé et tracé des collecteurs, ravins, etc.), l’étude a montré que l’érosion ravinante est apparue avec la croissance urbaine sur des zones de fortes pentes. Ces dernières sont habitées par des populations nombreuses et de statut socio-économique modeste. Elles ont modifié les conditions du milieu en mettant le sol à nu, en concentrant les eaux de ruissellement, en construisant sans tenir compte de la morphologie du terrain. De cette manière, elles ont influencé les facteurs déclencheurs de l’érosion ravinante. Celle-ci provoque des conséquences importantes sur les infrastructures, des hommes et leurs activités et très variées selon les quartiers.

L’absence de politiques de prévention de l’érosion ravinante dans les différents plans d’aménagement de la ville serait à la base de ce phénomène (dévastateur). Les politiques des interventions publiques pour la stopper privilégient les fonctions importantes de la ville et les quartiers concentrant les populations de haut standing. Les quartiers spontanés pauvres récupérés par les ONG et/ou institutions internationales sont ceux par où passent certaines infrastructures importantes (ligne haute tension de la SNEL) ou ceux qui ont été choisis pour des raisons propres aux ONG et/ou institutions internationales. Les quartiers spontanés abandonnés par les pouvoirs publics et les ONG internationales sont les champs d’action des hommes politiques, des « riches » dont l’habitation est menacée et des missions religieuses et aussi des populations locales.

Les chefs des quartiers ont joué un grand rôle dans la sensibilisation et la communautarisation de la pratique du puits d’infiltration sur tout le versant afin que chaque ménage retienne dans sa parcelle une grande quantité des eaux des pluies. Ceci a contribué à la compréhension des causes humaines de l’érosion et à ne pas la considérer comme une fatalité.

Doctorat en Sciences
info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Introduction

Suite à la faillite des entreprises étatiques chargées du transport en commun dans la ville province de Kinshasa, la gestion de ce domaine a été reprise par les personnes privées. Cette situation a pu favoriser l’essor d’une activité caractérisée d’informelle, de par plusieurs caractéristiques notamment, le non respect de la réglementation du travail. Il s’est ainsi mise en place une activité du transport en commun avec des conditions d’emploi et de travail précaires, supposées être la source de plusieurs problèmes de sécurité et santé au travail (SST) pour les populations des travailleurs y exerçant.

Parmi tant d’autres externalités suscitées par cette activité du transport urbain telles, la faible qualité des services fournis, les fréquences aléatoires des véhicules, problèmes qui jusque là avaient fait l’objet des préoccupations de la ville, notre travail a plutôt trouvé un intérêt particulier aux problèmes relatifs au bien-être au travail dans ce secteur. Ainsi, portant notre démarche vers la compréhension du contexte de cette activité, nous nous sommes questionnés sur l’impact des conditions d’emploi et de travail sur la SST de ces travailleurs. L’évaluation de cet impact ainsi que la compréhension de l’organisation de la SST au Congo nous a permis de réfléchir et de poser les bases d’un cadre spécifique visant de la gestion de multiples risques professionnels auxquels sont exposés les travailleurs dans ce secteur, la conception classique de la SST ne paraissant pas assez large pour y garantir un bien-être au travail.

Matériels de Méthodes

Nos recherches se sont basées sur deux grandes enquêtes avec une administration d’un questionnaire ainsi qu’une étude d’observation sur terrain. Toutes ces études se sont réalisées dans la ville province de Kinshasa auprès des échantillons de travailleurs sectionnés parmi de la population des travailleurs du secteur informel.

Les résultats de l’étude d’observation nous a permis l’identification des dangers et facteurs de risques dans cette activité ainsi que la modélisation de la précarité dans lequel exercent ces travailleurs. Les résultats des enquêtes, quant à eux ont permis la réalisation de trois études transversales descriptives portant sur les problèmes de santé en rapport aux conditions d’emploi et de travail ainsi que sur les problèmes de sécurité à savoir les accidents du travail dans ce secteur. Ces études ont permis de présenter les statistiques usuelles et des Odds ratio en utilisant le logiciel SPSS.

Des revues de la littérature nous ont emmenés à comprendre les questions relatives aux limites et à l’opacité dans l’application de la réglementation du travail dans ce secteur informel ainsi que le modèle d’organisation de la SST en République Démocratique du Congo. Ce qui a conduit notre réflexion sur les éléments clés pour la mise en place d’un cadre spécifique de prise en charge de la SST dont un plus grand nombre de ces travailleurs pourraient aisément bénéficier en vue du bien être au travail dans ce secteur.

Résultats

Les résultats issus des différentes études, sont présentés dans cette thèse et ont pu faire l’objet des publications scientifiques. Sont à retenir les observations ci-après :

-\
Doctorat en Sciences de la santé publique
info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2007.
Title from electronic title page (viewed Mar. 26, 2008). "... in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Epidemiology." Discipline: Epidemiology; Department/School: Public Health.

Resumé

Dans le présent travail de recherche, nous présentons un cadre d’analyse, de planification et de mise en œuvre d’une recherche-action portant sur l’apport de l’éducation sexuelle participative comme démarche de la communication stratégique, et ses effets sur le public d’adolescents en milieu scolaire. Le but ultime étant de proposer une meilleure alternative à l’amélioration de la double prévention des IST/VIH/SIDA et des grossesses non désirées chez les adolescents scolarisés de 15-19 ans à Kinshasa, RDC.

Les principaux objectifs fixés à la présente recherche étaient :i) d’évaluer l’ampleur de la situation épidémiologique et sociale liée à la santé de reproduction y compris la prévention du VIH/SIDA chez les jeunes adolescents (15-19 ans) ;ii) d’identifier les besoins ainsi que les préoccupations spécifiques des adolescents et jeunes notamment en terme de vie sexuelle et affective ;iii) de projeter les axes de communication stratégiques susceptibles d’influencer positivement les comportements en vue d’améliorer la prévention des IST/VIH/SIDA et des grossesses précoces des adolescents et jeunes en milieu urbain ;iv) de construire sur base des observations et analyses précédentes, une approche de communication stratégique fondée sur l’éducation sexuelle participative; iv) et mesurer au point de vue cognitif et comportemental, l’écart attribuable à l’éducation sexuelle sur l’amélioration des connaissances, des attitudes et des pratiques favorables à la double prévention des IST/VIH/SIDA et des grossesses précoces chez les adolescents de 15-19 ans en milieu urbain de la RDC.

Réalisée dans une perspective de la promotion de la santé, son cadre théorique chemine avec celui de l’évidence des liens entre les IST/VIH/SIDA et la santé sexuelle et de reproduction. La combinaison du modèle d’analyse PRECEDE avec l’outil de planification PROCESSUS-P, a servi de fil conducteur de ce travail.

Cette étude confronte également la théorie de la communication avec les modèles de changement de comportement. En effet, les messages sur la sexualité émis par un émetteur, permettent à l’individu qui les reçoit, de se persuader à amorcer le changement de comportement qui passe par différents étapes. Mais au delà de la volonté individuelle, les relations de sexualité se vivent dans une interaction sociale dont il faudra tenir compte.

La construction de cette recherche a fait appel aux disciplines des sciences sociales, comportementales, de l’éducation, et de l’épidémiologie.

Nous avons combiné quatre approches différentes pour cerner nos hypothèses de recherche :i) la revue documentaire, ii) l’approche socio-anthropologique (qualitative) par des focus groups, entretiens semi dirigés, observations directes, iii) l’approche socio-épidémiologique (quantitative) par des enquêtes transversales et iv) l’approche opérationnelle par l’introduction d’une approche innovante utilisant le téléphone et la radio comme moyen pour identifier et orienter des messages à diffuser en milieu scolaire sur la prévention des IST/VIH/SIDA et les grossesses précoces.

Ce travail propose deux formats de résultats :les articles publiés ou en cours de l’être et les résultats complémentaires synthétisés dans différents tableaux.

Les articles abordent successivement :i) le profil de risque et de vulnérabilité lié au VIH/SIDA et à la santé des adolescents ;ii) la perception des adolescents en matière de santé sexuelle et reproductive ;iii) l’ analyse de l’intégration de l’éducation sexuelle dans les médias ;iv) l’utilisation du téléphone portable et de la radio pour identifier les préoccupations sexuelles des adolescents, v) les déterminants associés à la pratique de la double prévention des IST/VIH/SIDA et des grossesses précoces et vi) les effets cognitifs et comportementaux de l’éducation sexuelle participative sur la double prévention des IST/VIH/SIDA et des grossesses précoces en milieu scolaire de Kinshasa.

Les données synthétisées dans différents tableaux rendent compte de l’analyse de la réponse nationale sur la santé de la reproduction des adolescents et des différents aspects du cadre théorique d’analyse et de planification d’une communication stratégique pour la prévention des IST/VIH/SIDA et des grossesses précoces.

L’ensemble des résultats de cette recherche peut se résumer en dix points importants ci-après :

1.\
Doctorat en Sciences de la santé publique
info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

The main objective of this thesis is to explore several selected healing rituals performed by the Mpangu people with the purpose of elaborating aspects of their religious thought. The thesis is composed of two parts. The first, comprising four chapters, is a detailed description-interpretation of four healing rituals: Kiziku, Nyka-N'kawu, Kuboonda and the Sunday Worship ritual of Dibuundu di Mpeeve a N'loongo (the Church of the Holy Spirit). The account of each healing ritual is followed by a commentary which is a kind of second reading of the ritual, providing appropriate explanation of keywords and the specific cultural context of the ritual. The second part of the thesis, comprising two chapters, is a comparative analysis of the four healing rituals which identifies the elements common to the rituals and the religious concepts expressed in them. Most fundamental among these concepts is the idea that the well being of the living community is dependent upon harmony with the ancestors, and other "spiritual entities", who reside in an invisible "other world". Communication between the inhabitants of these two worlds, and the maintenance of appropriate reciprocal relationships among them, are seen to be essential to the maintenance of this harmony. From another perspective, it can be said that the existence of illness, death and misfortune indicates that this essential harmony has been eroded, and the healing rituals provide the appropriate context and actions through which proper relationships with the ancestors and other spiritual entities can be restored.

Les réformes scolaires initiées, les états généraux de l’éducation tenus en 1991 en République Démocratique du Congo considèrent l’établissement scolaire comme étant un des moteurs du développement du pays. Plusieurs chercheurs, théoriciens, praticiens de l’éducation, acteurs éducatifs, parents, gouvernements soulignent la place importante de ce dernier. Cependant, l’école congolaise est devenue le lieu des inégalités sociales, voire des différences de rendement et de performances scolaires des élèves. L’effet que l’école exerce sur les performances scolaires dans le contexte congolais est indéniable, lorsqu’on observe les résultats réalisés par les élèves aux épreuves standards comme les examens d’état, le jury de sixième primaire. Cet impact exercé sur le rendement scolaire des élèves, est ce que nous appelons dans le cadre de cette recherche l’effet-établissement. Mais comment examiner cet effet ?

Par ailleurs, la littérature internationale nous propose plusieurs variables qui semblent avoir un effet sur la réussite scolaire des élèves :des variables macro-sociologiques comme les facteurs politiques, organisationnels, socio-économiques et des variables micro-sociologiques comme les facteurs familiaux, individuels, culturels, scolaires, précisément des variables de contexte, des pratiques managériales, des pratiques enseignantes.

De plus, dans cette étude, nous allons nous attarder sur les facteurs micro-sociologiques, car à notre connaissance, il n’existe aucune étude empirique portant sur ces variables dans le contexte congolais. Autrement dit, le problème de recherche relève donc de la méconnaissance scientifique des relations entre l’effet-établissement et le rendement scolaire des élèves.

Le cadre théorique de cette étude est basé sur les théories du choix de l’échantillon (Boyl et Crowson), des strates emboîtées (Barr et Dreeben), des organisations (théorie de Mintzberg), de la bureaucratie professionnelle, de psychologie de comportement, de la réforme des milieux de travail, sur le modèle des interactions aptitude-traitement de Cronbach, sur le modèle multi-niveaux des effets éducatifs, sur le modèle intégré en éducation (Scheerens) ainsi que sur la recension des travaux antérieurs. Ce cadre théorique conduit à la formulation d’une hypothèse principale et des hypothèses secondaires rattachées aux variables de cette étude.

Une approche méthodologique mixte, descriptive et relationnelle permet de confirmer, d’infirmer et de nuancer ces hypothèses. Cette étude est réalisée auprès des 614 élèves, des 30 enseignants et des 22 chefs d’établissement. Elle est aussi menée auprès des 15 écoles publiques, privées et confessionnelles organisant les classes de deuxième secondaire. Les élèves remplissent un questionnaire contenant des renseignements généraux et répondent aux questions du pré-test et du post-test de français et des mathématiques composés par les conseillers du Ministère de l’éducation de la République Démocratique du Congo.

D’abord, les résultats concordent en général avec l’hypothèse principale de recherche. Ceux-ci mentionnent l’existence de l’effet-établissement dans les écoles étudiées. Ensuite, les résultats concordent dans l’ensemble avec les hypothèses secondaires rattachées aux variables retenues dans cette étude. Enfin, il faudrait indiquer que certaines hypothèses sont infirmées, voire nuancées.

Par ailleurs, des pistes de recherches sur l’effet de ces variables et des autres variables paraissent très intéressantes pour la meilleure compréhension de ce phénomène. Bien que cette recherche essaie d’apporter sa contribution à l’amélioration de l’efficacité scolaire du système éducatif congolais, cette dernière comporte tout de même certaines limites liées à l’expérimentation, à l’échantillon, aux instruments de mesure et aux travaux empiriques sur le sujet. Il semble donc nécessaire que d’autres études soient effectuées, afin de pallier à ces limites, d’élaborer de nouvelles théories et d’identifier d’autres antécédents éventuels de l’effet-établissement.

Doctorat en Sciences Psychologiques et de l'éducation
info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

The inhabitants of Kinshasa, who call themselves Kinois, deal with insecurity and violence on a daily basis. Cheating and thefts are commonplace, and pillaging by street gangs and robberies by armed thieves are everyday occurrences. The state infrastructure is so poorly regulated that deaths by accident or medical negligence are also common. This, and much more, contributes to a challenging social milieu within which the Kinois’ best hope is simply to ‘make do’. This thesis, based on extensive fieldwork in Kinshasa, analyses different forms of violence which affect the Kinois on a daily basis. I argue that the Kinois’ concept of violence, mobulu, differs from Western definitions, which define violence as an intrinsically negative and destructive force. Mobulu is for the Kinois a potentially constructive phenomenon, which allows them to build relationships, coping strategies and new social phenomena. Violence is perceived as a transformative force, through which people build meaningful lives in the face of the hardship of everyday life. Broadly speaking, this thesis contributes to the Anthropology of violence which has too often focused on how violence is imposed upon a population, often from a structural level of a state and its institutions. Such an approach fails to account for the nuances of alternate perspectives of what ‘violence’ is, as evidenced in this thesis through the prism of the Kinois term mobulu. The concept of mobulu highlights the creativity of those forced to ‘make do’ on the streets of Kinshasa, to negotiate not only every day physical needs, for food and shelter, but also to navigate the mystical violence of witchcraft. By exploring the coping mechanisms across all sections of society, I analyse how the Kinois not only have built their lives in the wake of the violence of the state, but they have also found means of empowerment within it, using mobulu as a springboard for the development of some social phenomena. Whereas the anthropology of violence has focused mainly on physical and material violence, this thesis also argues that mobulu in Kinshasa is a total social fact that combines state violence with everyday violence, and physical violence with the invisible violence of witchcraft. This thesis seeks to enrich discussions on witchcraft in Kinshasa and in the African context in general, by analysing in depth how the cosmology of Kinshasa has differentiated itself as a result of the politico-economic events of recent decades. As witchcraft and material insecurity go hand in hand, a detailed analysis of the mechanisms of witchcraft is necessary, if we are to grasp the complexity of the concept of mobulu and how material and invisible violence inform each other.

In recent years, the concept of poverty has shifted away from a narrow definition—caloric intake based poverty—to a much broader one that places emphasis on a variety of factors, such as health, education, income, and powerlessness. Most researchers agree that eliminating poverty requires a holistic approach that is attentive to promoting pro-poor growth, creating opportunities for employment, ensuring that the fruits of growth reach impoverished communities, and protecting vulnerable segments of the impoverished population. This study looks the role of microcredits, which has received increasing attention as a means to combat poverty. The advent of neoliberalism led to advances in autonomous markets, commodification, market-led growth, and the dissolution of the Keynesian welfare state. Microcredit growing out of a neoliberal shift plays a powerful role as an instrument to fight poverty, especially in the age government and state failure, entrepreneurial expansion and self-employment income-earing opportunities. Microcredit programs are of great interest to governments, non-governmental organization, and banks because of their potential for reducing poverty. Critics of the microcredit movement argue that microcredit does little besides replacing existing informal credit arrangements to fund subsistence activity, which they view as having little or no prospect of growth. They argue that support of microcredit may over anticipate its benefits, such as the alleviation of poverty and female empowerment. This study assesses the effectiveness of microcredit combined asset building as a pro-growth approach to reduce poverty sustainably in Kinshasa. The recent crises of over-indebtedness in several markets and Kinshasa have fueled growing concern that microcredit may be getting borrowers into trouble. However, my study findings show that assets, specifically microcredit, can stem the poverty cycle and better enable individuals to "stand on their own two feet"socio-economically if combined with other innovative programs. This study uses the test of significance to assess the effectiveness microcredit integrated asset building.
Ph. D.

Le paludisme grave de l’enfant est une maladie potentiellement mortelle dans de nombreuses zones tropicales et subtropicales. Sa prise en charge nécessite des moyens coûteux et pèse lourdement sur l’économie des ménages. En République Démocratique du Congo, les ménages sont obligés de débourser directement les frais de prise en charge, faute de la quasi-inexistence de la sécurité sociale. En dépit de la conférence d’Abidjan 2001, demandant aux chefs d’Etats africains de consacrer 15% des budgets nationaux à la santé, le budget alloué à la santé en RDC reste faible. La charge financière s’est transférée graduellement sur les ménages qui sont paupérisés à l’extrême. La subvention de l’Etat seule ne suffit plus à subvenir aux besoins de la population.

Objectifs et hypothèses.

Les hypothèses suivantes ont été posées:

-\
Doctorat en Sciences de la santé publique
info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is one of the least developed countries in the world and its school system needs to be improved. The aim of this research is to find out what the Congolese state expects from language teaching (French and English), how this is described in the curriculum, and whether this differs from the curriculum of a more developed country, such as Sweden. Through a content analysis, the language view, the role of the teacher and views of pupil participation are investigated. The Swedish curriculum and the Congolese programme of French show similarities by communicative and constructivist views, while the Congolese programme of English demonstrates behaviouristic features. This study can serve as an example of how the language context, i.e., second language v. foreign language, as well as the national culture, influence the curriculum.
Demokratiska republiken Kongo är ett av världens minst utvecklade länder och dess skolsystem är i behov av en förbättring. Språk är en viktig del i utvecklingen av landet. Syftet med den här uppsatsen är att ta reda på vad den kongolesiska staten förväntar sig av sin språkundervisning, hur den beskrivs i styrdokument samt om den skiljer sig från läroplanen i ett mer utvecklat land som Sverige. Genom en kvalitativ innehållsanalys har uppfattningar om uppsatsens teman; språksyn, lärarens roll och elevdeltagande, hittats. Materialet som analyserats är den kongolesiska skolans program för franska och engelska, samt den svenska läroplanen inklusive kursplanerna för franska och engelska. Analysen avser de första åren i den kongolesiska sekundärskolan och det svenska högstadiet, vilka motsvarar varandra när det gäller elevernas ålder. Skillnaden i DR Kongo mellan andraspråk (franska) och främmande språk (engelska) berörs.Den svenska läroplanen samt det kongolesiska programmet för franska visar många likheter genom att lyfta fram kommunikativa och konstruktivistiska perspektiv. Det kongolesiska programmet för engelska har däremot behavioristiska drag. Lärarens olika roller och hur elevdeltagande lyfts fram förstärker dessa språksyner. De två kongolesiska programmen liknar dock varandra när det gäller synen på hur läraren ska behandla språkliga fel i klassrummet. Studien kan ses som ett exempel på hur språkkontexten, d.v.s. andraspråk och främmande språk, likväl som den nationella kulturen påverkar läroplaner.

La présente étude est une contribution à la connaissance de la géochimie des eaux de la partie inférieure du bassin versant de la rivière N’djili située à l’Est de Kinshasa (République Démocratique du Congo). Les eaux de surface ont été échantillonnées sur six sites de prélèvements au cours de la période allant d’avril 2005 à février 2006, deux sites supplémentaires ont été ajoutés sur le fleuve Congo à partir de 2007. Onze campagnes d’échantillonnages ont permis un suivi annuel (avril 2005 à février 2006), trois autres ont eu lieu de mai à juillet 2007 et vingt-deux autres d’octobre 2008 à octobre 2009. Les paramètres physico-chimiques suivants ont été mesurés :température, pH, conductivité, alcalinité, oxygène dissous. Les dosages des éléments majeurs (anioniques et cationiques) et de certains éléments traces ont été effectués pour étayer cette étude géochimique.

Il ressort de cette étude que la température de l’eau prélevée est proche de la température moyenne atmosphérique dans la zone d’étude, ce qui indique un équilibre thermique entre les eaux de surface et l’atmosphère.

Dans certains cas, les valeurs de pH mesurées peuvent être très basses à cause du lessivage des acides organiques provenant de la végétation en décomposition et de la présence d’anhydride carbonique dissous (Burler et Ison, 1966). A la vue des résultats d’analyse des eaux de pluies, nous pouvons remarquer que l’acidité des eaux prélevées de cette partie du bassin versant serait en partie due à la contribution des précipitations.

Pour ce qui est de la conductivité, à l’exception du site Matete, les valeurs mesurées sont inférieures à 100 µS/cm, ce qui correspond aux eaux de surface très faiblement minéralisées. Il n’y a pas beaucoup de variation de conductivité entre la saison des pluies, période des hautes eaux, et la saison sèche, période des basses eaux. Ceci nous montre à nouveau qu’il y a une contribution importante des précipitations dans la composition des eaux échantillonnées puisqu’il n’y a pas de grand écart de valeur en l’absence de précipitation.

La solubilité de l’oxygène dans l’eau diminue lorsque la température augmente, ce qui induit une diminution de la concentration en oxygène à saturation. Le calcul du taux de saturation dans nos échantillons montre que les eaux sont sous-saturées en oxygène. Ceci peut s’expliquer par le fait que ce bassin versant, du moins dans la zone d’étude, subit des rejets d’eaux usées et des rejets de l’usine de traitement des eaux (REGIDESO). Nous soupçonnons la présence d’une pollution organique induisant la consommation de l’oxygène dissous par respiration.

Les teneurs des éléments ne sont pas constantes au cours du temps. Certains sont plus abondants que d’autres (en particulier HCO3-, Ca+, Na+, K+, SiO2 et Cl-). Il n’y a pas de variations saisonnières importantes des éléments majeurs. L’ordre d’abondance décroissant pour les cations est Na+>Ca2+>K+>Mg2+ et pour les anions est HCO3->Cl-≈NO3->SO42-.

La corrélation entre la conductivité électrique et les teneurs en composés chimiques majeurs montre que la conductivité est surtout contrôlée par les bicarbonates, les nitrates, les chlorures, les sulfates, le sodium, le magnésium, le calcium et le potassium. Ces eaux sont particulièrement peu chargées en éléments minéraux dissous, la moyenne des TDS (Total Dissolved Salts) pour chaque site étant largement inférieure à la moyenne mondiale des eaux de rivière, qui est 100 mg/l (Berner et Berner, 1987), tendance également observée pour le calcium (5,7 mg/l pour les rivières africaines et 13,4 mg/l pour la moyenne mondiale). Seul le site de Matete présente une moyenne supérieure à ces valeurs. Pour la silice dissoute, par contre, les concentrations observées sont voisines de la moyenne mondiale (10,4 mg/l).

Les valeurs du bilan ionique sont en majorité négatives, c’est-à-dire qu’elles traduisent un excès d’anions. Le calcul du bilan ionique a été effectué pour chaque point de prélèvements, pour les deux dernières séries de campagnes de prélèvements, soit de mai à juillet 2007 et d’octobre 2008 à octobre 2009.

Cette étude nous a permis de dégager des groupes au comportement commun qui reflètent des faciès géochimiques différents et dont les plus importants sont les suivants :(1) Le faciès bicarbonaté calcique :il correspond aux eaux provenant des écoulements sur des roches hypersiliceuses (grès, quartzites). Le magnésium est le deuxième cation dominant après le calcium pour le site de prélèvements CFAM (Confluence Fleuve Amont) représentant plus de 20% de la teneur en cations. Et, (2) Le faciès bicarbonaté sodique :il correspond au point de prélèvement Kwambila qui, bien que situé sur une roche hypersiliceuse, présente le sodium comme cation dominant et les nitrates comme anions dominants après les bicarbonates. Ce point de prélèvement est caractérisé par une activité agricole induisant l’utilisation de fertilisants azotés. L’élevage porcin est également pratiqué dans cette région. Ces activités humaines pourraient expliquer la prédominance du sodium et du nitrate dans cette région pour toutes les saisons confondues.

SUMMARY

The present study contributes to a better understanding of the water

geochemistry in the N’djili river catchment, East from Kinshasa (Democratic

Republic of Congo). Surface waters have been collected at six sampling sites during the period from April 2005 and February 2006. Two additional sampling sites have been added since 2007. Eleven sampling campaigns allowed an annual

follow-up (April 2005 to February 2006), three others took place from May to

July 2007 and twenty-two additional ones from October 2008 to October 2009.

The physico-chemical parameters that have been measured are as follows:

temperature, pH, conductivity, alkalinity, dissolved oxygen. The measurement of

major elements (anions and cations) and some trace elements has been

performed in order to support this geochemical investigation.

The temperature of the riverine waters appears to be close to the mean air

temperature in the study area, indicating a thermal equilibrium between surface

waters and the atmosphere.

In some cases, values pH measured can be very low due to the leaching of

organic acids originating from both decomposing vegetation and the presence of

dissolved carbon dioxide (Burler and Ison, 1966). Based on the analyses of the

rain waters, one can note that the acidity of riverine waters results partially from

the atmospheric precipitation.

Regarding conductivity, with the exception of Matete area, the values are below

100 μS/cm, which corresponds to weakly mineralized surface waters. Little

variation in conductivity was observed between rainy and dry seasons is low,

suggesting again an important control of the riverine water composition by the

precipitation.

Oxygen solubility in the riverine waters decreases with increasing temperature,

which results in a decrease of dissolved oxygen content. The calculation of the

saturation state in our samples show that the riverine waters are undersaturated

with oxygen. This phenomenon can be explained by the fact that the river

catchment, at least for the study area, is subjected to untreated and treated

sewage effluent releases. One may expect an organic pollution leading to a

consumption of dissolved oxygen by respiration.

The concentrations of dissolved elements are variable with time. Some are more

abundant than others (especially HCO3-, Ca+, Na+, K+, SiO2 and Cl-). There is no

major seasonal variability for the major dissolved elements. The abundance

decreases in the orders Na+>Ca2+>K+>Mg2+ and HCO3->Cl-≈NO3->SO42- for

cations and anions, respectively.

Correlation between conductivity and major element concentrations show that

the former is mainly dictated by bicarbonates, nitrates, chlorides, sulfates,

sodium, magnesium, calcium and potassium. These riverine waters are

particularly low in dissolved minerals, the mean TDS (Total Dissolved Salts) for

each site being largely lower than the global average for rivers (i.e. 100 mg/l,

Berner and Berner, 1987). Calcium displays the same trend, with 5.7 mg/l for

African rivers in comparison with a global average of 13.4 mg/l. Only Matete area

exhibits a mean higher than these values. For dissolved silica, however, the

measured contents are close to the global average (i.e. 10.4 mg/l).

The values of the ionic balance are negative most of the time, suggesting an

excess in anions. The calculation of the charge balance has been realised for

each sampling location, during the two last campaigns (i.e. May 2007 - July 2007

and October 2008 – October 2009).

This study sheds some light on the groups of elements exhibiting a common

behaviour but reflecting different geochemical facies. The most important ones

are the following: (1) calcium bicarbonate facies: it corresponds to the water

run-off from silicate rocks (sandstone, quartzite). Magnesium is the second

dominant cation (after calcium) for the CFAM (“Confluence Fleuve Amont”)

sampling site, accounting for more than 20% of cation load. And (2) sodium

bicarbonate facies: it corresponds to the Kwambila sampling site, where sodium

is present as dominant cation and nitrates as dominant anion (after

bicarbonates). This sampling site is characterized by agricultural activities

entailing the use of nitrogen-rich fertilizers. Pig farming is also practiced in this

region. Theses human activities could therefore explain the predominance of

both sodium and nitrate in this area, irrespective of the season.

Doctorat en Sciences
info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Les maladies cardiovasculaires sont la principale cause de décès dans le monde. Actuellement, leur prévalence croît en Afrique subsaharienne où l'hypertension représente un facteur de risque cardiovasculaire majeur. Différents médicaments sont utilisés pour le traitement de l'hypertension mais dans les pays à revenu faible en général, et en R.D.Congo en particulier, le niveau socio-économique bas de la population pousse cette dernière à faire appel à la médecine traditionnelle. En R.D.Congo, les tradithérapeutes utilisent une multitude de plantes pour traiter l’hypertension. Cependant, les propriétés pharmacologiques de certaines de ces plantes sur la fonctionnalité vasculaire n’ont pas encore été étudiées de manière approfondie.

Afin de donner une base scientifique à l’utilisation de ces plantes dans le traitement de l'hypertension artérielle en médecine traditionnelle congolaise, nous avons réalisé dans un premier temps une enquête ethnobotanique. Celle-ci a été menée auprès de tradipraticiens de Kinshasa et du Bas-Congo, dans l'ouest de la R.D.Congo, afin d'obtenir des informations spécifiques sur les plantes qui sont utilisées pour traiter l'hypertension. Suite à cette enquête, trois plantes ont été sélectionnées :les feuilles et les écorces de racines de Combretum racemosum P. Beauv (Combretaceae), les feuilles de Combretum celastroides subsp. laxiflorum Welw (Combretaceae) et les écorces de tronc et de racines d'Hymenocardia acida Tul. (Euphorbiaceae). L'évaluation de l'effet vasorelaxant des extraits polaires issus de ces plantes sur les anneaux d’aorte isolée de rat a montré que les extraits testés ont un effet vasorelaxant endothélium-dépendant. Tous les extraits induisent cet effet via la voie du NO-GMPc alors que ceux de feuilles et d'écorces de racines de Combretum racemosum agissent également via la voie des prostanoïdes. Ces extraits ont aussi une action antioxydante. Enfin, l'administration chronique des extraits polaires de feuilles de Combretum celastroides subsp. laxiflorum et d'écorces de racines d'Hymenocardia acida aux rats spontanément hypertendus a montré que ces deux extraits possèdent une activité antihypertensive. Dans le but de déterminer les composés phytochimiques responsables de l’activité vasorelaxante observée, les extraits polaires de feuilles de Combretum celastroides subsp. laxiflorum et d'écorces de racines d'Hymenocardia acida ont été soumis à un fractionnement sur une colonne de polyamide. Toutes les fractions obtenues ont présenté une activité antioxydante, mais l'activité vasorelaxante était concentrée dans une fraction dont l'analyse par chromatographie liquide couplée à la spectrométrie de masse après thiolyse a indiqué qu'elle était enrichie en procyanidines. En conclusion, notre étude montre l'intérêt de ces plantes dans le traitement de l'hypertension en médecine traditionnelle congolaise, intérêt qui mérite d’être confirmé par des études cliniques rigoureuses./

Cardiovascular diseases represent a major cause of death in the world. Currently, their prevalence grows in sub-Saharan Africa where hypertension represents a major cardiovascular risk factor. Different drugs are used for the treatment of hypertension, but in low-income countries in general and in the D.R.Congo in particular, low socio-economic level forces the population to frequently recourse to the traditional health systems. In D.R.Congo, the traditional healers use a variety of plants to treat hypertension, but the pharmacological properties of some of these plants on vascular function have not been investigated.

To provide a scientific basis for the use of these plants in the treatment of hypertension in Congolese traditional medicine, we first carried out an ethnobotanical survey among traditional healers in some districts of Kinshasa and Bas-Congo, in the west of D.R. Congo, to obtain specific information about the plants that are used as antihypertensive remedies. As a result of this investigation, three plants were selected :leaves and root bark of Combretum racemosum P. Beauv (Combretaceae), leaves of Combretum celastroides subsp. laxiflorum Welw (Combretaceae), and trunk bark and root bark of Hymenocardia acida Tul. (Euphorbiaceae). The evaluation of the vasorelaxant effect of the polar extracts from these plants on isolated rat aorta showed that all extracts have an endothelium-dependent vasorelaxant effect. All extracts induce the vasorelaxant effect through the NO-cGMP pathway while those of Combretum racemosum leaves and root bark also act via the prostanoids pathway. These extracts also showed an antioxidant activity. Chronic administration of polar extracts of Combretum celastroides subsp. laxiflorum leaves and Hymenocardia acida root bark to spontaneously hypertensive rats showed that both extracts have an antihypertensive activity. Both extracts were fractionated on a column of polyamide in order to determine the nature of the compounds responsible for the vasorelaxant activity. All fractions obtained had an antioxidant activity but the vasorelaxant activity was concentrated in one fraction. Analysis of this fraction by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry after thiolysis indicated that it was enriched in procyanidins. In conclusion, our study shows the interest of these plants in the treatment of hypertension in Congolese traditional medicine, interest which should be confirmed by rigorous clinical studies.

Doctorat en Sciences biomédicales et pharmaceutiques
info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

The aim of this study is to evaluate the United Nations (UN) role in the resolution, management and termination of the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with specific reference to the UN Organisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC). The aim emanates from the basic research question: To what extent did the deployment of MONUC contribute to the termination of internal conflict in the DRC and create conditions conducive for the holding of democratic elections? The research problem generated four subsidiary questions: Was the intention of the drafters of the Lusaka Agreement for the UN converted into a viable peacekeeping mission, especially in the early phases of the mission? Did MONUC receive adequate resources to fulfil its task, commensurate with the size and complexity of the operational theatre and its mandate? Why was a development such as the deployment of Interim Emergency Multi National Force (IEMF) in Ituri (2003) necessary, given the fact that MONUC was deployed? Were the expectations regarding MONUC involvement in the disarmament, demobilisation, reintegration, resettlement and repatriation (DDRRR) programme and the domestic disarmament, demobilisation, reintegration (DDR) programme realistic? Therefore four sub-problems were addressed, namely the issue of the mission mandate; the resourcing of the mission relative to the mandate and the operational theatre; the external augmentation of the mission; and the MONUC role in DDRRR and DDR. Following a definition of the concept internal conflict and a discussion of the factors contributing to internal conflict, the theory of peacekeeping was described to determine a framework for the evaluation of the UN peace mission in the DRC, based on the recommendations of the 2000 Brahimi Report. Emphasis was placed on the mandate, force levels and composition, and operational capability. A historic overview contextualised the complex conflict situation in the DRC that the UN was required to help ameliorate. MONUC made a contribution to the termination of internal conflict in the DRC by managing the conflict in a fashion that permitted democratic elections to be held. This was achieved despite the fact that the actual deployment of MONUC (in terms of its functioning, especially regarding DDRRR) did not meet the requirements for a UN force as envisaged by the signatories of the 1999 Lusaka Agreement. The expectations of the signatories regarding DDRRR were not realistic, but the UN response in terms of the mandate and allocation of resources also fell far below what was required to establish a credible UN peace mission. The graduated approach ensured a reactive MONUC posture in the field, but the reticence to provide adequate resources in response to political and operational developments necessitated the external augmentation of the mission on two occasions. While this development brought a new facet of ‘co-deployment’ in UN peacekeeping operations to he fore, it also served to highlight the MONUC deficiencies in terms of its ‘responsibility to protect’ civilians under threat of violence. MONUC was mandated from its inception to discharge this responsibility, without receiving the necessary resources to enable the conduct of operations to protect civilians. This inability resulted in the mission lacking credibility amongst the population of the DRC. Copyright
Dissertation (MSS)--University of Pretoria, 2010.
Political Sciences
MSS
Unrestricted

Thesis (MMil (Military Sciences. School for Security and Africa Studies))--Stellenbosch University, 2008.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis explores the feasibility of the concept Developmental Peace Missions (DPMs). It seeks to answer the question whether DPMs is an ambitious construct or a feasible ideal and whether DPMs could be effectively applied during peace missions. The study takes the form of a descriptive analysis of the theoretical underpinnings of the concept of DPMs, and includes the analysis of various relevant case studies in terms of the application of the concept of DPMs. The study further explores the evolution that has taken place in terms of United Nations peace missions, in that most modern peace missions include both peacekeeping and peacebuilding initiatives. The study also illustrates the modern approach to peace missions, based on an integrated systems-thinking approach by means of which the activities of all relevant role-players are integrated and fused towards a common end state: that of sustained security and development. In order to analyse the concept of DPMs, the theoretical underpinnings of the concept human security, the security-development nexus and peacebuilding were researched in depth. These concepts were then coupled to the concept of DPMs in terms of their utility during current complex peace missions, both internationally and on the African continent. The concept of DPMs was studied in the context of contemporary peacekeeping in terms of three case studies, namely the peace missions in Kosovo, Sierra Leone and the DRC. The DPMs concept was applied to these case studies and analysed in terms of the extent to which the peace interventions in these countries were conducted in accordance with the philosophical and theoretical underpinnings of DPMs. The study concludes that DPMs, in terms of its theoretical basis, is indeed a feasible ideal for peace missions, as it is based on and in line with the approved current UN- and AU-integrated planning processes. However, in terms of its practical utility in Africa, it currently remains an ambitious construct, given the limited capacity and resources of the AU and regional organisations. Therefore, DPMs should not be viewed as a short-term solution to, or panacea for, all intra-state wars. The study proposes that the UN, the AU, as well as relevant regional organisations will have to adjust and make changes in terms of their institutions, structures, funding and the provision of resources in order to operationalise the concept of DPMs successfully. This is especially true as far as the AU is concerned, as the AU currently experiences severe limitations in both material and human resources. However, the fact that both the UN and the AU have adopted the Integrated Mission Planning Process concept as planning tool for their respective missions is an indication that progress is being made towards the achievement of establishing a more holistic and integrated approach to finding sustainable solutions to global conflict. Ultimately, the success of DPMs will be determined by the will and commitment of all the relevant role-players involved in finding a lasting solution to intra-state conflicts. The concept itself cannot provide sustainable peace and development.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Dié tesis verken die lewensvatbaarheid van die begrip Ontwikkelingsvredesendings. Daar sal gepoog word om ‘n antwoord te kry op die vraag of Ontwikkelingsvredesendings ‘n ambisieuse konstruk of ‘n haalbare ideal is. Verder sal gepoog word om te bepaal of dit effektief tydens vredesoperasies toegepas kan word. Die studie neem die vorm aan van ‘n beskrywende analise van die teoretiese grondbeginsels van die begrip Ontwikkelingsvredesendings en sluit die analise van verskeie relevante gevallestudies ten opsigte van die begrip in. Die studie ondersoek die evolusie wat plaasgevind het ten opsigte van vredesendings wat deur die Verenigde Nasies (VN) onderneem word, naamlik dat die meeste moderne vredesendings, vredesbewarings, sowel as vredesbou (nasiebou) inisiatiewe insluit. Die studie illustreer ook die moderne benadering wat ten opsigte van vredesendings toegepas word, naamlik dat die aktiwiteite van al die betrokke rolspelers geïntegreer word en op ‘n gedeelde einddoel gefokus word. Die teoretiese grondstelllings van die begrippe veiligheid en ontwikkeling, die veiligheid-ensekuriteit- neksus, sowel as die begrip van vredesbou (nasiebou) is in diepte ondersoek ten einde die begrip Ontwikkelingsvredesendings te analiseer. Hierdie begrippe is daarna in verband gebring met die begrip Ontwikkelingsvredesendings soos wat dit tans tydens moderne komplekse vredesendings toegepas word – beide internasionaal sowel as op die Afrika kontinent. Die begrip Ontwikkelingsvredesendings is bestudeer teen die agtergrond van eietydse vredesbewaring ten opsigte van drie gevallestudies, naamlik die intervensies in Kosovo, Sierra Leone en die Demokratiese Republiek van die Kongo. Hierdie drie gevallestudies is gekies aangesien dit die eerste sendings was waartydens die VN die nuwe geïntegreerde benadering tot vredesendings, soos in die Brahimi-verslag aanbeveel, toegepas is. Die studie het bevind dat Ontwikkelingsvredesendings, wat betref die teoretiese grondstellings inderdaad uitvoerbaar is, aangesien dit gebaseer is op en in ooreenstemming is met die huidige aanvaarde beplanninsprosesse van die VN en die AU. Maar, wat betref die praktiese bruikbaarheid van die begrip in Afrika, bly dit tans ‘n ambisieuse konstruk, gegewe die beperkte vermoë en hulpbronne van die AU en streeksorganisasies. Die begrip Ontwikkelingsvredesendings moet dus nie as ‘n korttermynoplossing vir alle interne oorloë beskou word nie. Die studie het bevind dat die VN, die AU, sowel as die betrokke streeksorganisasies, ingrypende veranderings sal moet ondergaan ten einde die begrip Ontwikkelingsvredesendings suksesvol te kan toepas, veral ten opsigte van strukture, befondsing en die voorsiening van hulpbronne. Dit is veral waar in die geval van die AU, aangesien die AU tans geweldige uitdagings in die gesig staar wat betref menslike sowel as materiële hulpbronne. Ten spyte van laasgenoemde uitdagings dui die aanvaarding van die Geïntegreerde Sendingbeplanningsproses as besluitnemings-meganisme deur beide die VN en die AU op die vordering wat gemaak word ten opsigte van die daarstelling van ‘n meer holistiese en geïntegreerde benadering vir volhoubare oplossings vir konflik. Die sukses van Ontwikkelingsvredesendings sal uiteindelik bepaal word deur die wil en toewyding van alle betrokkenes by die soeke na langdurige vrede – die begrip op sigself kan nie volhoubare vrede en ontwikkeling bewerkstellig nie.

French text
La Mission Évangélique de la Délivrance (M.E.D) est dans une ville où le VIH/SIDA fait rage. Ceci crée un problème social dû à la transmission par manque d’information sur cette maladie meurtrière. L’échantillon utilisé confirme l’idée selon laquelle la M.E.D contribue à la prévention de la transmission du VIH/SIDA et même cette lutte avec ses paroisses à travers les activités organisées concernant cette pandémie. Cependant, le besoin est d’étendre cette lutte dans les églises des autres communautés proches et lointaines dans la ville de Kinshasa. La MED intensifie son action pour convaincre les gens ayant une conception archaïque sur la pandémie. Elle veut bannir les mythes qui l’entourent et donner les conseils précis sur la pratique sexuelle responsable. La MED amène les gens à se faire examiner pour connaître leur état sérologique. Elle encourage les atteints à vivre positivement et à collaborer sans gêne.
The Mission Evangélique de la Délivrance is in a city where the HIV/AIDS makes rage. It creates a social problem due to the transmission for lack of information on this murderous illness. The used sample confirms the idea according to which the MED contributes to the prevention of the transmission of HIV/AIDS and even this struggle with her parishes through activities organized concerning this pandemic. However, the need is to spread this struggle in other near and far away community churches in Kinshasa. The MED intensifies her action to convince people having an archaic conception on the pandemic. She wants to outlaw myths that surround it and to give the precise advices on the responsible sexual practice. The MED brings people to make examine themselves to know their serological state. She encourages those who are reached by the illness to live positively and to collaborate without hindrance.
Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology
M. Th. (Missiology)

The mission of the Church in the Presbyterian Community of Kinshasa is understood in its narrow sense of evangelism and church planting. Moreover the institutional and doctrinal conservatism, the maintenance mindset of the Church and its inadaptability to the challenges of a changing world, are some of the characteristics of the lack of mission awareness and mission spirituality. This dissertation is an attempt to impart mission awareness and mission spirituality within the Presbyterian Community of Kinshasa. The study of mission Dei and mission spirituality helps in understanding the divine origins of missions, the nature and identity of the Church. In addition, it unveils the Christian lifestyle that stems from the relationship with Christ and from the mission consciousness, and that is empowered by the Holy Spirit. Some strategies are proposed with the aim of updating and promoting a holistic, inclusive and integral understanding and practice of mission in the Church.
Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology
M. Th. (Missiology)

This document is submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree: Master of Architecture [Professional] at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, in the year 2015
As a former colonial city, Kinshasa today has developed into a giant metropolis where grand visions, failed realisations and adaptation based on survival seems to succeed and sometimes overlay each other in a complex and heterogeneous urban fabric. Where the colonial planning attempted to create clear zones of separation between the white city and the indigenous suburbs, the post-colonial politics of urbanization have taken a different shift. The spectral ambitions of the leaders on one side and the random occupation of space by city dwellers on the other have resulted in a struggle of power to define and re-appropriate public space in an attempt to create the proper city. Situated on Avenue Bar. Jacques, in an area where the physical and mental tensions that marks the edge of la Ville and la Cité are still perceptible, I propose a performance hub for the everyday. Here staged events just like the spontaneous, and sometimes theatrical, appropriation of space by daily activities will constitute performances. By creating a new synergy between conventionally opposed notions such as formal and informal, old and new, and staged and ambient, this project is an exploration of a model of space-making that breaks away from the authoritarian approach that has punctuated (continues to do so) the shaping of the urban landscape of Kinshasa. Informants for the design derive from patterns and elements that characterize the resilient ways in which the city’s life recreates itself on a daily basis. The urban framework proposes to bridge the Central Market and the City Centre in a soft, egalitarian way where the transformation in the urban character across this area is no longer so harsh. Through themes such as temporality, hybridity and adaptability, this project attempts to form an argument to what Kinshasa’s architecture should lend itself to by blurring the distinction between what is still considered centre and periphery.
EM2017

M. Tech. Marketing
Describes the level of awareness of HIV/AIDS, exposure to information, accessibility to condoms and sexual conduct of inhabitants of Kinshasa regarding HIV/AIDS issues under the scrutiny of HIV social marketing campaigns. Secondly, the study aims at investigating the relationships between level of awareness of HIV/AIDS, exposure to information, accessibility to condoms, poverty/equity and sexual conduct amongst the inhabitants of Kinshasa. Thirdly, it intends to determine the difference between groups with regard to gender, age and socio-economic status.

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Johannesburg, September 2016.
The purpose of this research was to investigate the concepts of social and environmental justice in the context of solid waste management in Kinshasa and the critical factors accounting for injustice in this context. The investigation followed an examination of the relevant theoretical framework(s) and mechanisms that would facilitate the attainment of social and environmental justice in the city of Kinshasa, DRC. It was argued that social justice and environmental justice are a global challenge, and that efforts to address these challenges are usually biased towards employing eurocentric frameworks that are unfit to deal with the reality of environmental problems in a developing country scenario. The use of eurocentric urban development and planning approaches, which in most cases are outdated, have significantly propagated issues of spatial inequality in the distribution of solid waste burdens and have contributed to worsening justice concerns in many cities in developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. It has been illustrated in this study that social justice and environmental justice in the context of solid waste management must be seen as intrinsically connected, as both concepts emphasise the need for empirical understandings grounded in local contexts. Social and environmental justices play fundamental roles in the theoretical construction of principles that can contribute to a sustainable community, thereby ensuring that the rights and needs of individuals in a society are met. In the context of solid waste, the concepts of social justice and environmental justice are compelling because of their focus on ensuring equal service delivery in solid waste collection and disposal, while simultaneously redressing previous imbalances. Walker (2009) argues that the principles of environmental and social justice and sustainable development are more generally in their infancy in sub-Saharan Africa, and few implementing agencies and practitioners have a clear understanding of how to translate these global principles into practice. It is not surprising, therefore, that unresolved issues around sustainable development and environmental justice have emerged in a period during which implementation and the real implications of following a justice pathway have overwhelmed many urban managers in sub-Saharan African cities (Patel 2009). Using both qualitative and quantitative research methods together with system thinking and system dynamics modelling principles as integral frameworks in understanding the complexity in solid waste management, it has been demonstrated that solid waste management in Kinshasa, like in many Congolese cities, is a duty entrusted to publicly-funded municipal authorities. There is a clear divide and evidence in the manner by which solid waste is managed between the rich and poor neighborhoods of the city. The rich neighbourhoods seem to enjoy well-formulated systems of service delivery, in contrast with high-density areas, where almost 80% of the population in Kinshasa resides. This state of affairs is a result of inequalities that exist between the more powerful wealthy class and the disempowered poor people of the urban society in Kinshasa. Furthermore, cultural theory paradigms and conceptual System Dynamics (SD) modelling principles were employed to establish how the stakeholders in the form of four social solidarities (fatalist, hierarchist, individualist and egalitarian) influence solid waste management in the city and how they interact with each other dynamically. Based on this inter-linkage, interaction and causal feedback relations, a politico-cultural mechanism was evolved to enable changes to social and environmental injustices in solid waste management in Kinshasa, DRC. It was argued that a cultural theory inspired participative and collaborative mechanisms could result in the incorporation of a majority of the stakeholders in the decision making and implementation of solid waste management, adoption of technologies and innovative ways of managing solid waste, which could prompt social and environmental justice in solid waste management in Kinshasa, DRC. The findings of the study have both theoretical and practical implications. They provide a thorough discourse on environmental justice in solid waste management and how cultural theory paradigm can offer a new dimension to the theories behind stakeholder’s participation in local development and management matters, particularly with respect to social and environmental injustice in solid waste management in sub-Saharan African cities. They also explicitly show how the various social solidarities could work dynamically in an integrated manner, and enable development of policy intervention mechanisms to resolve the solid waste management challenges and attain social and environmental justice through their effective collaboration, and participation, although this may be through compromises and tradeoffs in place of consensus. This paradigm could assist government agencies like municipalities to develop appropriate policy interventions and implementation strategies to resolve solid waste management challenges in sub-Saharan African cities in general and in the Democratic Republic of Congo in particular. Keywords: Cultural theory, environmental justice, social justice, solid waste management, urban environmental problem, Kinshasa
LG2017

This thesis is a critical missiological analysis of Pentecostal mission, specifically of the Congo Evangelistic Mission (CEM) in the Katanga Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It investigates how CEM members have been interpreting and expressing the Christian message in and for the context of Katanga Province through their communal life, worship and mission since its inception in 1914. It also asks the methodological question of how such a Pentecostal mission could best be studied and evaluated missiologically. To carry out this investigation the researcher developed a “Pentecostal Praxis Missiological Approach” which he used extensively throughout his study. Chapter two demonstrates that, while British missionaries brought the CEM to Katanga province, it was the early Congolese pioneers who actually spread the movement to different parts of Katanga and beyond its borders. Chapter three shows how CEM members have analysed the Congolese context, identifying it as a lost, unholy and socially broken society with high levels of poverty, unemployment and poor access to basic needs; it is also beset with problems of war and conflict, corruption and injustices as well as abuse of women. Chapter four focuses on the spirituality of power that inspires and motivates the CEM in the various dimensions of its mission. Chapter five uses mainly liturgical sources like prayers, songs and sermons to construct the Pentecostal theology of mission that guides and directs the CEM in its mission. Chapter six explores the agents and strategies of mission that the CEM uses to address the missional challenges they identify in their context. The final chapter raises six key missiological issues that emerged from the study and that require the attention of missiological scholars in order to foster the future of Pentecostal mission in Congo and the Southern African region as a whole. These issues are: preventing ongoing schisms, evangelising members of other religious traditions, the scope of healing, the impact of rapture theology, the place of women in ordained Pentecostal ministry, and the extent of contextualisation in the CEM. Keys terms Katanga Province,
Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology
D.Th. (Missiology)

This is a systematic and critical study of the mission of the Kimbanguist Church in the city of Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The research question was: “How do the Kimbanguist members interpret and express the Christian message in and for the context of Katanga province through their communal life, worship and mission?” A historical chapter traces the origins and growth of the church, followed by four chapters that analyze the mission of the church by means of a ‘praxis cycle.’ The chapters look at mission strategies (leadership, church departments, mission methods), followed by mission agents (spiritual head, clergy, chaplains, women, youth), the theological sources of mission (the Bible, the life of Simon Kimbangu, and a code of conduct) and spirituality (liturgy, sacraments, pilgrimages and festivals). In a concluding chapter several critical issues were identified for critical dialogue between the Kimbanguist church and other African churches.
Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology
M. Th. (Missiology)

This study assessed the mycological and aflatoxin contamination of peanuts collected from Kinshasa, DRC and Pretoria, South Africa. Forty peanut samples were collected randomly at informal markets in the two cities and analysed for mycoflora and aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1 and G2) using standard methods. The results indicated that 95% and 100% of peanut samples collected from Kinshasa and Pretoria, respectively were contaminated with aflatoxigenic fungi with Kinshasa’s samples being the most contaminated (up to 49, 000 CFU/g). Seventy percent (70 %) of Kinshasa-samples and 35% of Pretoria-samples exceeded the maximum allowable limit of aflatoxin B1 set by JECFA (5 ppb). Statistical evidence showed a significant positive correlation between mycoflora and aflatoxin level for Kinshasa-samples (r = 0.4743, p < 0.005) while Pretoria-samples showed no correlation. The study reveals that high level of contamination in Kinshasa-samples could be due to the tropical nature of the climate and poor storage conditions as compared to Pretoria which is sub-tropical and sanitary regulations are enforced.
Life & Consumer Sciences
M. Sc. (Life Sciences)

This research uses Contextual Bible Studies as the main approach in searching for ways in which the Bible may be used as a resource to contribute to a holistic education for people with disabilities (PWDs). It explores the situation of PWDs in the DRC and demonstrates how the image of PWDs has been negatively portrayed, and how PWDs’ situation has been perceived as a misfortune. Consequently, the socio-cultural concept of disability has influenced the biblical interpretation of disability making PWDs seem to be “lesser human beings”. Therefore, the use of three biblical texts, which are Exodus 4, 1-17; 2 Corinthians 12, 1-10 and Acts 3, 1-11, in this study serves to re-read the Bible in a constructive way from the disability perspective. Each Bible study has its main focus related to the question of this study mentioned above: the first biblical text, Exodus 4, 1-17 is designed for IMAN’ENDA members with the aim of helping PWDs to discover their real identity in the light of Bible study. The core verse of this study is verse 10, in which I focused on, “How God views disability”. The second text, 2 Corinthians 12, 1-10, is designed for PWDs as well as for ablebodied people in order to understand suffering as another way of discovering oneself. The main focus of this Bible study is on v. 9, in which I dealt with “Power through weak body”. The third biblical text is Acts 3, 1-11, and is designed for church leaders from the Presbyterian Church in Kinshasa with the aim of helping church leaders to widen their understanding of healing for better integration of and support for PWDs in society. The text focuses on healing that I referred to as “Holistic Healing”. The study also offers a theological reflection on disability in the Bible. This is based, on the one hand, on findings from Bible studies with PWDs and Presbyterian Church leaders and lecturers; and, on the other hand, on interviews conducted with Protestant Church leaders and religion lecturers, and Catholic high school pupils. These investigations were conducted in order to develop a holistic educational programme for PWDs in the DRC, which is proposed as a programme in Social Transformation.
Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2013.

The thesis demonstrates that the first Methodists missionaries to their arrival in Mulungwishi, unlikely did not penetrate the culture of the Bemba people and merely rejected everything that they could not understand because it was considered as heathen. As result, the missionaries’ contempt of the Bemba’s worldview and their fundamental values led to the proselytism and the syncretism. The study figures out the tension between the Gospel presented by the United Methodist Church and the Bemba Culture. Evidently, God (Supreme Being, Creator) had been known and worshipped before the expansion of the first missionaries in Mulungwishi and in the Democratic Republic of Congo at large. Much has been said and done on the contextualization venture through different models and assumptions. Arguably, this missiological study agrees with the eminent scholars’ stream that defends the pre-eminence of the word of God toward all cultures. This led the study to evaluate the missional tools and strategies used by the United Methodist Church missionaries to touch the culture of the people in depth and empower the Christian mission in Mulungwishi. Least has been done for the community development facing the unstable economic, social, and political context of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Church still have a long way to go on the social mandate. The solution is to be originated in the theology of reconstruction (Kalemba 2008; Mugambi 1999, 2003; Maluleke 2002; Kä Mana 1999, 2002, etc.) which works out that it is possible to rebuild the Congolese society explicitly to its best image by teaching the gospel that touches the roots of the evils and lead the people to the proper change of mentality. Then, the thesis underlines the necessity of contextualisation of gospel and missional theology for good accomplishment of Christian mission everywhere.
Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology
PhD. (Theology)

From 1996 to 2002, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) experienced numerous outbreaks of war. Kinshasa, the Capital, was isolated from its main sources of local food supply which led to a sharp deterioration of the life quality. In 2003, with the Sun City Accord signed formally ending the protracted war, the political and economic situation of the country seemed better. Yet, the household food situation did not seem to improve This study aimed to increase the general understanding of food insecurity at the household level. The objectives were to determine households' food-insecure based on household socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, to identify coping strategies used by households to manage the food crisis, and to assess differences between the two time periods A total of 1,591 households from two selected health zones of Kinshasa were surveyed in 2001 and 2004 using a multiple stage-cluster design. A 16-question measure was developed using a summative scale to capture the food security status. Two binary logistic regressions were run to predict food insecurity and identify coping strategies. Interactions were tested in the models to assess differences between the two time periods. Comparisons of proportions and odds ratio were also computed Households whose chief had none, primary or secondary levels of education, and households with little crafts or jobs as main source of incomes were food-insecure. Change of meal composition, food aid from nutritional centers, and reduction of persons in charge were the main coping strategies used by households food-insecure. No interaction tested in the two models was significant. Households were more likely to be food-insecure during the war period, and the prevalence of determinants and that of coping strategies were also higher during the war period These research findings provided a better and in-depth understanding of household food insecurity regarding determinants and coping strategies. The relationships between determinants as well as coping strategies and food insecurity were consistent across time, although the observed differences between the two contexts. Political and economic stability of the country should be ensured, salaries paid regularly, post primary education promoted, and food program interventions implemented for sustainable development
acase@tulane.edu

This thesis explores the Mbuti Pygmies, a sub-group of the Pygmy peoples, one of the main ethnic groups of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The Mbuti Pygmies are settled mostly in the Ituri rainforest, and are, with regard to Christian mission, still unreached and unchurched. The oversight of the churches vis-à-vis these people is highlighted, through this thesis, as a challenge to Christian mission. This challenge is a result of the way Christian mission is understood and undertaken in DRC, namely in the selective and exclusive way of missioning, according to which some peoples are targeted and others forsaken. Churches in the DRC shy away from the Mbuti Pygmies probably because, on the one hand, these forest dwellers belong to the group of Pygmies whose existence as full human beings is enigmatic and very controversial. Because of the uniqueness of the Pygmy peoples in terms of physical features, culture, and way of life, on the other hand, the non-Pygmy peoples, including Christians, suffer from a kind of complex of superiority that creates in them a spirit of discrimination against the Mbuti Pygmies. As the Mbuti Pygmies are discriminated against even by Christians, it is very difficult for them to be taken into account within the mission agendas of the churches. This challenge to Christian mission is highlighted by two facts. Firstly, Christian mission is designed for all the nations to which the Mbuti Pygmies belong. Secondly, the churches, with their missional mandate to all the nations, shy away from the Mbuti Pygmies as if these people were outside the scope of Christian mission and, thus, unworthy of God’s grace and love.To remedy this challenge, with the aim of implementing Christian mission in the DRC, this study suggests a missional encounter as a way forward to addressing the Mbuti Pygmies. In practice, this may be implemented through the missionary conversion, the right perception of the Mbuti Pygmies as being fully made in the “image of God” and fully part of the “all nations”, promoting formal education among the Mbuti Pygmies, and sustaining the churches by an integrated theological education.
Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology
D. Th. (Missiology)

The mission of the Gareganze's Brothers in Christ Church facing the chaos of the socio-political situation in DRC resulting mostly from the question of the Congolese nationality is to dynamise the christian mission and to protect the poor, set free the captives, because God is always at their side. The DRC, though, has enormous natural resources and the competent human resources capabilities. The national institutions seem to be unable to handle this situation because of the lack of political culture, mismanagement and moral untidiness. The successive Congolese crises mostly are the same, the common denominator resides in the causes that brought them about. The main objectives of the antagonist groups are political leadership and material wealth. The findings of our analysis will help the Church of Christ in Congo, to fulfill the prophetic mission and the vision of God, for the positive transformation of the Congolese society.
Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology
M. Div. (Missiology)

This thesis asks “What would a decolonized partnership look like between North Katangan and American United Methodists?” Guided by the 7-point mission praxis matrix developed in the missiology department at the University of South Africa, it explores a series of subquestions. First, the terms “mission,” “partnership,” and “decolonize” are defined, and literature applicable to these concepts is discussed. In Chapter 3, the historical relational power structures and culture of the Luba and Lunda Kingdoms are summarized. Chapter 4 provides a historical overview of American and North Katangan United Methodist (UM) collaborations and describes the dominant relational dynamics and mission models of each time period. This chapter draws heavily from memoirs, reports, and articles published by United Methodist agencies. Chapter 5 explores the psycho-affective dimension of these interactions, focusing on identifying issues of guilt, shame, grief, trauma, and racial biases at play. Chapter 6 documents the responses to in-depth interviews with North Katangan UMs and American collaborators about their memories and beliefs about a twenty-year period (approx. 1994-2014), during which a shift took place in the how North Katangan (DR Congo) church leaders viewed their own capacities relative to those of the American United Methodists they encountered. The final section compares the theological reflections of interview participants, explores the ways in which Methodist doctrine and praxis can be used in furthering the decolonization and healing process through the partnerships, and explores pathways forward. The interviews conducted reveal areas of tension in the partnership, differing missiologies (e.g. mission as outreach vs. mission as relationship), and visions of the future of the partnership. The responses show that the partnership is currently on a trajectory towards decolonization, but that more needs to be done in the areas of healing and self-awareness--both on the individual and collective level.
Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology
D. Th. (Missiology)

La mission de la théologie africaine face à une situation socio-politique, culturo-économique catastrophique de l'Afrique, due essentiellement à la question de la spiritualité sociale, d'intelligence sociale et l'aliénation culturelle, est de redynamiser la mission chrétienne, stimuler la renaissance spirituelle africaine et défendre les pauvres et les opprimés, parce que Dieu est toujours du côté d'eux. En effet, l'homme africain et sa société peuvent toujours être au centre de l'engagement théologique et de l'église d'Afrique, pour l'évangélisation comme pour la promotion sociale. Parce que l'homme africain n'est pas seulement individu, il est aussi société et culture. De ce fait, L'église d'Afrique avec ses différentes formes de théologies, n'existe pas pour elle-même, mais pour annoncer la Bonne Nouvelle aux africains. Cependant, cette Bonne Nouvelle n'a aucune pertinence aux yeux des africains si elle tombe en dehors de l'essentiel de leur vie. En d'autres termes, une théologie africaine, quelle que soit sa forme, mais, sans promouvoir la libération totale spirituelle et physique de l'homme Africain et motiver la reconstruction de l'Afrique telle que prônée par Kä Mana n'a pas sa raison d'être. En plus, la théologie africaine peut également stimuler la vraie démocratisation des pays africaines comme principal enjeu de la pastorale théologique et politique des églises chrétiennes et religions traditionnelles africaines. Parce qu'au nom de la dignité de chaque personne, de l'amour de Dieu et l'amour du prochain, de la foi et du salut de tout homme, la théologie africaine ne peut négliger l'identité culturelle et anthropologique du terroir africain et le construit socioculturel inspiré de l'évangile. Cette théologie africaine peut également motiver la remise en question du néocolonialisme africain sous toutes ses formes. Dès lors, le résultat de cette étude peut aider le missiologue/théologien africain qui est l'église de Dieu à bien accomplir sa mission prophétique selon la vision de Dieu, dans le but de transformer spirituellement et physiquement l'Afrique, aussi reconstruirer positivement la société africaine. Evidemment, le développement intégral de l'homme africain, selon moi, suppose le respect de la dignité humaine qui ne peut se réaliser que dans la justice, la paix, l'auto-transformation personnelle, l'éthique et une inculturation personnifiante. Summary The mission of african theology facing African socio-polical, cultural and economic catastrophe that due mainly to social spirituality, social intelligence and cultural alienation, is to revitilise christian mission, stimulate spiritual african renaissance and to defend the poor and oppressed, people by whom God always stands. Of course, the african and their community should always be at the heart of the theological engagement and of the action of the African church concerning evangelism as well ass social promotion. For the African embodies both his or her society and culture. Therefore, the African church and all their different theologies do not exist for their on sake, but rather for the African people to whom they should bring the good news. This good news is not relevant for the Africans as long as it does not deal with their main concern. In other words, whatever the forms of African theology, as long as it overlooks the complete liberation of the Africans, freeing them spirituality, promoting their spiritual and physical liberation and motivating the reconstruction of Africa as promoted by Kä Mana here, it will serve no practical purpose. Besides, African theology has also to stimulate the democratisation of African countries as one of the targets of the African Christian churches and traditional religions. In the name of the dignity of each and every person, of the love of God and the love for the neighbour, that of faith and salvation of the humankind, African theology is not expected to neglect cultural and anthropological identity of the Africans terror and the sociocultural construct inspired by the Gospel. African theology can thus motivate the questioning of African neocolonialism in all its forms. The result of this study can help African missiologists and theologians that are the church of God to fulfil well the prophetic mission after the vision of God, so as to bring about spiritual and physical transformation, and positively reconstruct the African society. As for me, the integral development of the African supposes the respect of their human dignity that can be materialised through peace, justice, personal sel-transformation, ethics and personifying inculturation.
Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology
D. Div. (Missiology)