Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Women, Zulu'

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Arts in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree Of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of African Languages at the University of Zululand, 2016
In this thesis, the research focused on representation of women images in the selected isiZulu literary texts. From the late 1940’s up to 1994 South Africans struggled under the apartheid regime. During this period of time Black women were doubly oppressed by their patriarchal and traditional cultures as well as by the apartheid system of government. With the change of government in 1994, a new era in the history of South Africa was ushered in. The underlying foundations of the new constitution were democratic values of gender equality, non- racial, non sexist society. It is against this backdrop that the thesis focused on exploring the effects and or impact of perceptions about women within a changing and transforming society in Africa in general and South Africa specifically. The isiZulu texts selected that were analysed are works of transitional period partly because they were published during the time of political and social transformation. Whilst other texts that were analysed were published during the post-independence period. The rational behind this was to give a broader spectrum that reflects the reality; as well as to establish whether the socio- political transformation has had an impact on how male authors represent women in isiZulu literary texts. Literary feminist philosophy was employed to highlight whether their depiction is real or idealized. The study concluded that gender inequality was still prevalent in the depiction of women images in selected isiZulu literary texts authored by males. There was no transformation that had been made by male authors in their portrayal of women characters to reflect the current political and social order

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study examines the portrayal of women characters in two postcolonial Zulu novels: Asikho ndawo bakithi (1996) and Itshwe/e lempangele (1998). The study is approached from a feminist theoretical framework and focuses on gender and culture. The study concentrates on patriarchal relations because they are most widely used as the foundation for a specifically feminist investigation of sexual relations. The study examines two postcolonial novels with the objective to establish how the writers portray women characters after the introduction of the 1994 democratic dispensation in South Africa. In the past, women characters were portrayed as stereotypes: they were either too bad or too good in line with the dictates of the patriarchal society where women are expected to take a subservient role, and men to assume the dominant role. This has made the character of women in fiction exaggerated and one-dimensional in the sense that the women characters do not develop, nor do they behave in various respects like normal human beings. The women characters are often victims of several circumstances caused by patriarchy and other socio-economic factors. The aim of analisying the two novels is to compare them and observe how women, as literary characters are portrayed. The study found that in Asikho ndawo bakithi women characters are portrayed as normal women who respond appropriately to the challenges of their environment. Yet the fact that they live in abject poverty and are homeless, make them victims of the social ills that take their lives cheap. This situation creates tremendous stress and pressure on their lives and leads to gradual moral degradation beyond their control. Itshwele lempangele can be viewed as a post-apartheid novel because it has democritised images of women characters. For example, Ndelebuli teaches his father, Sonqisha that he should never beat up his mother whenever they have problem. Ndelebuli thus becomes an epitome of a young man who treats maidens and married women with dignity, respect and tolerance in the novel. Another issue addressed in the novel is that the women characters portrayed belong to multicultural environments and the exemplary marriages are crosscultural. Of the two novels, Itshwele lempangele presents images of liberated women whereas in Asikho ndawo bakithi, women characters are portrayed as victims of the legacy of the social ills of the apartheid era.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie ondersoek die uitbeelding van vroue in twee post-koloniale novelles in Zulu: Asikho ndawo bakithi (1996) en Itshwe/e lempange/e (1998). Die studie word benader vanuit 'n feministiese toeretiese raamwerk en fokus op gender en kultuuraspekte soos gemanifesteer in die novelles. Die studie fokus op patriargale verhoudinge omdat dit mees algemeen gebruik word as basis vir 'n spesifiek-feministiese ondersoek van seksuele verhoudinge. Die studie ondersoek twee postkoloniale novelles met die doel om vas te stel hoe die skrywers vroue-karakters voorstel na die invoer van die demokratiese bestel in 1994 in Suid-Afrika. In die verlede is vrouekarakters uitgebeeld as stereotipes: hulle was of net positief of net negatief uitgebeeld, in Iyn met die patriargale gemeenskap waarin van vroue verwag is om In onderdanige rol te he, en van mans verwag is om In dominante rol te he. Dit het die karakters van vroue in fiksie een-dimensioneel gemaak in die sin dat vrouekarakters nie ontwikkel nie en dat hulle in verskeie opsigte nie optree soos normale mense nie. Die vrouekarakters was dikwels slagoffers van verskillende omstandighede wat toegeskryf kan word aan patriargie en sosio-ekonomiese faktore. Die doelstelling met die analise van die twee novelles is om hulle te vergelyk en vas te stel hoe vroue as llterere karakters uitgebeeld word. Daar is bevind in die studie dat in Asikho ndawo bakithi vrouekarakters as normale vroue uitgebeeld word wat gepas reageer op die uitdagings van die omgewing. Nietemin veroorsaak die feit dat vroue in uiterste armoede leef en dikwels nie huise het nie, dat hulle slagoffers word van sosiale euwels wat hulle lewens goedkoop maak. Hierdie toestand veroorsaak groot spanning en druk op hulle lewens en dit lei tot morele agteruitgang buite hulle beheer. Itshwe/e lempange/e kan beskou word as In post-apartheid novelle omdat dit die beeld van vroue gedemokratiseer het. Die karakter Ndelebuli leer byvoorbeeld vir sy vader dat hy nooit sy moeder moet slaan nie, watter probleem hulle ookal mag he. Ndelebuli word die toonbeeld in die novelle van hoe jong meisies en vroue met respek en waardigheid behandel moet word. In Verdere verskynsel wat aangespreek word in die novelle is dat die vrouekarakters wat uitgebeeld word vanuit multikulturele omgewings kom en dat goeie voorbeelde van huwelike kruiskultureel is. Itshwele lempangele bied In uitbeelding van bevryde vroue, terwyl Asikho ndawo bakithi vroue uitbeeld as slagoffers van die nalatenskap van die sosiale euwels van apartheid.

The South African Demographic and Health Survey (1998 and 2003) revealed that urban black women had the highest prevalence of overweight/obesity and central obesity across all population and gender groups. This trend was confirmed by the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES-1) who reported a substantial increase in the prevalence of obesity among black South African women. Hence, the high prevalence of overweight/obesity and central obesity among urban black South African women needs to be addressed through targeted weight loss/management interventions, as obesity and central obesity are risk factors for the development of a number of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). However, from the international literature, it is evident that overweight/obese black women are less likely to embark on a weight loss intervention, while those who seek treatment, are unlikely to complete the intervention, as weight loss interventions targeting as well as including black women have reported attrition rates ranging from 0to 79%. In addition, at this point in time, no common attrition tendencies have been documented for large clinic-based weight loss interventions targeting African-American women in the United States of America. As there is a serious paucity of published information on weight loss interventions targeting overweight/obesity in urban black South African women, the aim of this research was to investigate weight management-related focus areas in overweight/obese black (Zulu) women residing in an urban area in South Africa. This information is essential to advise the development of healthy weight loss interventions and appropriate messaging to promote weight loss and maintenance in black South African women. In order to achieve the this aim, the following research questions were formulated: (i) What is the weight management related profile of overweight/obese treatment-seeking black women; (ii) What is the outcome of a culturally sensitive healthy weight loss intervention in terms of weight loss, compliance (attendance of intervention sessions, lifestyle changes) and attrition: and (iii) Which factors may explain the outcomes of the culturally sensitive healthy weight loss intervention? To guide the investigation of these research questions the researcher first set out to identify weight management-related focus areas for overweight/obese black women from the literature. Ten succinct focus areas emerged and include the following: 1) treatment seeking behaviour; 2) weight loss success; 3) compliance to and attrition from weight loss programmes; 4) cultural influences on body shape and size perception and satisfaction; 5) cultural influences on food choices and eating patterns6) cultural influences on physical activity; 7) environmental factors and social support; 8)appropriateness of the weight loss programme for the target population; 9) dietary restraint, disinhibition, perceived hunger and bingeing and 10) psychological well-being (depression).

Obesity is a significant health problem in South Africa and the need for intervention in this regard has been emphasized. Existing information indicates that modifiable risk factors such as diet and physical activity may be contributing to this problem. However, little other information on many of the other potential risk factors for obesity development is available. The primary aim of this study therefore was to investigate the associations between weight status, personal and parental weight history, weight management practices (including body weight and shape satisfaction), eating behaviour and 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) taste sensitivity in Zulu and Caucasian women using a case control design. The secondary aim was to compare Zulu and Caucasian cases as well as Zulu and Caucasian controls for key variables.

In Natal and Zululand Swedish missions had precedence through the Church of Sweden Mission from 1876 on, the Swedish Holiness Mission from 1889 on, and the Scandinavian Independent Baptist Union from 1892 on. Between 1876 and 1902, thirty-six women were active in these South African missions. The history of all these women are explored on an individual basis in this, for the most part, empirical study. The primary goal of this dissertation is to find out who these women missionaries were, what they worked at, what positions they held toward the colonial/political situation in which they worked, and what positions they held in their respective missions. What meaning the women’s mission work had for the Zulu community in general, and for Zulu women in particular are dealt with, though the source material on it is limited. Nevertheless, through the source material from the Swedish female missionaries, Zulu women are given attention. The theoretical starting points come, above all, from historical research on women and gender and from historical mission research about missions as a part of the colonial period. Both married and unmarried women are defined as missionaries since both groups worked for the missions. In the Swedish Holiness Mission and in the Scandinavian Independent Baptist Union the first missionaries in Natal and Zululand were women. The Church of Sweden Mission was a Lutheran mission were women mostly worked in mission schools, homes for children and in a mission hospital. Women were subordinated in relationship to male missionaries. In the Swedish Holiness Mission and in the Scandinavian Independent Baptist Union women had more equal positions in their work. In these missions women could be responsible for mission stations, work as evangelists and preach the Gospel. The picture of the work of female missionaries has also been complicated and modified.

Submitted for the fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts In the Department of IsiZulu Namagugu at the University of Zululand, 2002.
The topic of this thesis is informed by the writer's observation of the trend wherein modemist and traditionalist Zulu women tend to wear. as style, colourfully beaded outfits to decorate their fashion and wear. The colourful regalia is found in ceremonial dress, like isidwaba (cow-hide skirt) and other forms of dress made of cloth and textile. and decorated in beads. The decoration. as observed, is often designed to fit in a particular mode of interpretation, thus promoting the notion of fashion as form of communication interaction and definition of status. It is the hypothesis of the present writer that beads. designed and patterned in a specific way tend not only to communicate certain literal and figurative or poetic meanings, but also to declare fashion as a medium of communication, very much like ordinary speech does. In the context of this thesis Zulu womens' beadwork is a form of colour coding, literary and poetic speech communication and a declaration of fashion as a medium of social interaction, status, and social display. Thus, wearing their colourfully designed beadwork and fashion, Zulu women are always highly visible and recognisable. The thesis is thus confined to introducing the angle of fashion as statement and medium of literary and poetic communication in the creation of the modem and traditional status of a Zulu woman through beadwork. Colourcoding is key because the power of beadwork to communicateThe focus on Zulu Women is for the sake of creating a focus group of study and more so due to the observation by the present writer that in the context of modemist and traditionalist Zulu society, real or imaginary, it is women who wear more beads compared, to any other social group. meaningfully very much depends on the design and patteming of colours.

This study investigates the content of izigiyo (specified personified solo dance songs) texts that Zulu women perform at social occasions in KwaQwabe, a rural area near KwaDukuza (Stanger) in Northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Though this study focuses on izigiyo, the KwaQwabe have different oral performances that are performed at specific social occasions. In the KwaQwabe area there lives people who practise subsistence farming. The common crops that they (especially women) grow are maize, beans, groundnuts and imifino (herbs). The cattle and goats that the KwaQwabe men keep are mostly slaughtered for the amadlozi rituals. The study proposes that izigiyo as oral texts are largely responses to issues of heritage, culture, women abuse and domestic violence that lead to pent-up emotions, envy, witchery, gossip, and malpractices that can destroy a community-oriented life-style (Turner, 1998) that features in most African communities. The study hypothesises that Zulu women of KwaQwabe need to be treated with dignity and inhlonipho (respect) within the parameters of the Zulu tradition (Msimang, 1975). The study explores issues surrounding the izigiyo performance in order to establish whether Zulu women have always been silent (Bukenya, 2001) when it comes to issues that affect their lives, pertaining to issues that impinge negatively on their lives (Gunner and Gwala, 1991). The intended receivers of the messages (Ndoleriire, 2000) are always implied in the izigiyo texts and aim at serving as social regulators (Gumede, 2000). The language of izigiyo is in most cases metaphorical so as to avoid confrontation. In the midst of the izigiyo expression men and women relay their perceptions, experiences, and feelings about the way of life in their families and communities at large. This study, however, limits itself to the izigiyo texts that are enacted by Zulu women and does not include men’s.
Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.

This dissertation explores the subject of gender inequalities as reflected in Zulu proverbs. The most notable examples are those proverbs that comment on the role and position of Zulu men in society, on women's behaviour, on marriage and on the morality of the Zulu society. The dissertation explores how language is used in the proverbs to help shape the behaviour of women, from childhood up till the time they assume the responsibilities belonging to omakoti (brides). This study was undertaken in order to gain greater insight and understanding into why Zulu women are expected to play a submissive role in their society, unlike their dominant male partners. The study provides a case study of Zulu proverbs so as to gain an in-depth understanding of how patriarchy is reflected through language, and how proverbs help to construct the woman's identity in Zulu society. Through the use of research participants, the dissertation concludes that Zulu proverbs about women are associated with ukuhlonipha, a custom where omakoti, once married, adopt new names for items they use on daily basis because they reflect the names or syllables of in-laws. This study adopts a qualitative research methodology. Primary data was collected through interviews and several books on proverbs, whilst secondary data was collected from a wide selection of books, theses, dissertations and journal articles. Interviews which were carefully conducted with nineteen females (thirteen females between the ages of 16 and 35, and six females over the age of 35) and fourteen males (eight males between the ages of 16 and 35, and six males over the age of 35), all who are from KwaZulu-Natal.
Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

In this thesis, the research focuses on the role and presentation of women in Zulu traditional literature. Employing feminism as a literary canon, the research investigates whether the perceived oppression of Zulu women is reflected in such Zulu folklore. The research aims to establish whether or not folklore was used as a corrective measure or avenue of correcting gender imbalances. This dissertation proceeds from the premise that the traditional Zulu society or culture attached to women certain stereo-typical images which projected them as witches, unfaithful people, unfit marriage partners on the other hand or brave care givers, loving mothers and upright members on the other hand. Using feminism as a scientific approach, the study investigates whether these projections were not oppressive on Zulu women. The study is scientifically organised into various chapters dealing with various subjects e.g. the feminist theory (chapter 2), portrayal of Zulu women in folktales (chapter3), in proverbs (chapter 4) and praise-poetry (chapter 5). The study concludes that the traditional Zulu woman felt depressed by this patriarchal discrimination especially in the marriage situation. In the day and age of African Renaissance, the study recommend that it is imperative for women to mould their children, especially their sons to adapt to the idea that women have changed, they have rights and priviledges which could intimidate their male ego.
African Languages
D. Litt. et Phil. (African languages)

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts (Clinical Psychology) in the Department of Psychology University of Zululand, 1993.
Violence by men against women has become a common occurrence. Exact statistics are, however, not available as police, hospital and social service records reflect only those incidences that are reported, while suspected large percentage of abused cases remain hidden form public awareness. The present study has been motivated by the fact that there is lack of literature on empirical investigations of women abused in South African families. The aim of the study is to present^ an understanding of violence-related interactional patterns in wife battering amongst the Zulu society in Natal. The project focused on interviewing wife-battering couples. The interviews involved individual (interviewing husband and wife separately) and joint interviews with the focus on the husband's wife's views on family interactions and battering. The results of the study indicate that wife battering in Zulu society is embedded in cultural conflicts. Men adhere to tradition, while women are pushing for a changed definition that is more westernized. This then, can be used as a basis for further exploratory studies which test wife battering and treatment programmes.

Psychiatric morbidity in the postpartum period has been a subject of research for years that has been plagued by much controversy. Most of the studies have come from Western countries. Studies that were done in Africa have concentrated on psychotic disorders in in-patients. A pilot study done by Cheetham et al (1981) at King Edward VIII Hospital found a high incidence of 'transient situational disturbances', which required further investigation. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To document the spectrum of psychiatric morbidity in an out-patient population of postpartum Zulu women; 2. To define predictive factors which would identify women 'at risk'; 3. To assess the feasibility of 'Western' screening instruments; 4. To investigate whether 'postpartum blues' occurs in Zulu women. RESEARCH DESIGN A prospective, descriptive study was undertaken. Sample Selection: 177 postpartum Zulu women attending the ' Well-Baby' Clinic at King Edward VIII Hospital were randomly selected for inclusion in the study. Methodology: Three questionnaires: The General Health Questionnaire- 30, Pitt's Questionnaire of Anxiety and Depression and The Kennerley Blues Questionnaire were administered to the subjects. A Structured Clinical Interview DSM-III (SCID) was conducted in those women with symptoms. FINDINGS: 1. The majority of the sample were between the ages of 20 and 30 years, unmarried, with a Senior Primary education and a baby of 20 weeks. 2. 45.76% of the sample had a psychiatric diagnosis, with 18.07% having major depression. Other disorders included: adjustment disorders, schizophrenia and dysthymia. 3. Significant variables using Chi-square analysis were: inadequate antenatal care, a negative response from the partner and the absence of cultural rituals. No association was found with demographic and obstetric variables. 4. T-test analysis showed a correlation between the questionnaires and the SCID. 5. 37.3% had experienced 'postpartum blues'. CONCLUSIONS: 1. The spectrum of psychiatric morbidity is affective in nature and similar to other studies. 2. 'Postpartum blues' does occur in Zulu women. 3. Antenatal screening with 'Western' instruments could reduce psychiatric morbidity. 4. The nomenclature of puerperal disorders is inadequate and needs review. 5. More prospective, community-based research is needed, especially in rural Zulu women.
Thesis (M.Med.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1992.

Chapter 1 is the introductory chapter which gives the aim of study, delimitation, scope and methodology. It further presents critical studies that have been done on Feminism. Chapter 2 is devoted to the Feminist theory, the origin of the term stereotype and the diverse schools of thought within the Feminist camp. Feminism from the African perspective, known as Womanism, has been deliberated on. Chapter 3 concentrates mainly on two women authors, Damane and Makhambeni. This chapter looks at how these authors have depicted their female characters. It also examines the stereotypes employed by these female authors. Chapter 4 is devoted to the writing of male authors. This chapter also concentrates on the stereotypes employed by them in their analysis of their female characters. Chapter 5, concludes the study and summarizes the main findings of this review.
African Languages
M.A. (African Languages)

Submitted to the Faculty ofArts in fulfillrnent ofthe Master ofArts degree in the Department of General Linguistics at the University of Zululand, 2004.
The main purpose of the research carried out for this study was to look at the status of women and language use especially in isiZulu language. The dissertation examines the way women are treated in Zulu families, in societies and in the workplace. The dissertation also examines how female learners are differentiated from male learners in terms of their intellectual capacity and responsibility. The data collected in this study shows the unequal treatment given to female managers by society compared to that of male managers. It also shows restrictions and regulations faced by married women in a patriarchal society in terms of their movements, how they should dress, behave and use the language. Another interesting finding of this study is that ironically speaking, women have control over men because even though women are considered as having the inferior status than men, in a Zulu family, a man cannot take decisions without the approval from his wife. For example, if Mr Mkhize asks Mr Zulu to sell him a cow, even if Mr Zulu likes the idea, he would not just agree. Instead, Mr Zulu will lie to Mr Mkhize and say he is still going to think about what he is asking. But in reality, he will be creating time to discuss the matter with his wife. Mr Zulu's response will entirely depend on whether the wife agreed or not The findings of this study suggests that in most societies women are still not viewed as good enough to hold high positions and still viewed as misfits particularly in rural areas. It is up to women to prove their worth to the world by behaving and speaking accordingly.

The condition of women in African societies has always been object of intense discussion The present research takes its move from an analysis of four main literary works in Zulu, and a number of supporting texts, to monitor, as it were, the development of attitudes towards women during the second half of the 20th century. Literature is considered, in fact, a mirror of society. Traditional Southern African society is strongly patriarchal and conservative. A woman's role is generally viewed as the life-giver and the nurturer of the new generation of her husband's offspring. She is in charge of the gardens, where she grows the family food, while her husband is busy with his wars, cattle raiding ventures and politics. Patriarchy may reach severe forms of women oppression through the systems of ilobolo (bride-wealth) and of polygamy, but is also expressed by the exclusion of women from the economic, artistic and legal fields. Forms of freedom - of movement, or sexual or economic - allotted to men are never considered for women. Each of the four chosen texts emphasises one or more aspect of women oppression by the male dominated society, as reflected in popular life at the time of writing. So Uvalo Lwezinhlonzi, written in 1956, is a manifesto for freedom in the choice of a life partner, which is generally obstructed by the father's greed for ilobolo cattle and his ambition to be recognized among the notables of the district. Inkinsela YaseMgungundlovu (1961) fights for women's equal rights in the financial field. NguMbuthuma-ke Lowo (1982) is a desperate cry in the face of abuses in polygamous families. And Ikhiwane Elihle (1985) fights aspects of the new morality that accepts sexual freedom for women, since men also claim such freedom. The thesis is topical, and, to render it even more so, it often avails itself of ideas of feminist writers and critics, although such theories have not touched the nerve of the Zulu public as yet.
Thesis (M.A.)-University of Durban-Westville, 2002.

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Community Work in the Department of Social Work University of Zululand, 2000.
The purpose of this study was to assess the efficiency of womens' development projects particularly agricultural extension projects with the aim of investigating their administration and impact on womens' livelihoods. The central view held by this study was that the important role played by women and the potential to fulfil an even greater role has been overlooked to a large extent in South Africa. Although there are numerous organisations and projects aimed at development at the rural and community level, very little attention has been paid to the role of women and the enhancement thereof. Special focus of the study was on women only development projects as it was assumed that these projects are starting points from which developing areas can start a movement of planned development. It was discovered that womens' development projects are still having some flaws because the recognition of such projects is still lacking from the work of development planners. Essentially, the problem encountered among project participants was that of dual or multiple roles performed by women and such environmental problems like lack of access to markets, transportation and theft of produce. Training, management and organisation, empowerment and capacity building is still lacking in project participants. Basically those women who participate in projects do so from destitution. They are old, uneducated and poverty- stricken such that very little about these projects seems to be attractive and very little income is being generated from them The study revealed that an awareness of the importance of development of women has started to surface, and some efforts are being made to accommodate women and to raise them. (v) The critical view of extension projects was that they comprise strengthening the autonomy of women to alleviate poverty. This suggests that women should be brought fully into the development projects and must be given opportunity to put their abilities to full use at every stage of the development process. Extension projects must be seen therefore to be acknowledging this reality. To achieve this, womens' extension projects have to be reconsidered so that they lead to women becoming effective and efficient managers, administrators and decision -makers. Ongoing support and training is needed to ensure that the skills and expertise of women who are project participants are gradually being improved and they are afforded a chance to develop and have equal access to opportunities at all levels in the society.
National Research Foundation and University of Zululand

This study on “Some Gendered Practices in a Zulu Family: A Feminist Perspective” investigated gender bias, gender inequality, and gender stereotypes as seen in daily gendered practices happening within the Zulu family. The practises examined are confined to the domain of the Zulu culture, particularly the Zulu marriage. The four main research questions put surveillance on how married women are restricted to move freely on the premises of their own homes; how women can unhappily find themselves in a polygamous marriage; how a wife’s dignity can be denigrated due to a man’s lack of understanding of her body anatomy; how she can be denied equal status with her husband due to certain cultural beliefs and conceptions. In the face of inevitable change that influences human behaviour, this study sought to show that the Zulu nation, particularly men, find it difficult to easily and speedily accept that culture and tradition are subject to change. The study attempted to establish whether there is any improvement on gender transformation or not, especially within the context of the current endeavours by the South African government to ensure that there is no gender discrimination by having female representativeness in all spheres of government. Progress has been made with regard to fair representation of women in political and decision-making positions in all spheres of government. The country is currently rated 7th in the world in terms of representation of women in legislature. http://www.buanews.gov.za/rss/08/08120715451006-5/11/2012 Throughout the analysis and interpretation of both the statistical and qualitative data, I critiqued the data to establish whether the gender transformation ideal is being achieved in the Zulu family or not. Radical feminism, the theory through which this study was conducted, has helped to show that Zulu women are still disadvantaged and oppressed due to social machinations that are essentially invented by patriarchal men.
Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of African Languages at the University of Zululand, 2005.
The commoditization of Zulu culture has become commonplace in the tourism industry in South Africa. Zulu culture and cultural products like music; dance, crafts, landscapes and others are often packaged and consumed in the tourism attractions in Zululand and elsewhere. This thesis examines culture and gender issues related to the commoditization process of Zulu culture and cultural products. Focusing on specific case studies in selected tourist attractions in Zululand, the thesis concludes that rural Zulu women play minor roles as dancers, crafters, cooks, and waiters in the tourist attractions in Zululand. Their junior roles make them to play no role in decision making, neither do they own any assets in their work places, and may not, therefore, influence the commoditization and product authentication process of their own culture.

The registered midwives are engaged in continuous health education lessons In antenatal visits, discouraging antenatal clients from using hannful traditional and cultural practices in an attempt to preserve pregnancy to tenn. Despite the registered midwives' efforts, the clients continue to use hannful cultural methods, which are life-threatening to both the mother and the foetus In utero. The prenatal clients perceive the registered midwives as not being sensitive to their culture. The results of this study revealed that health education in antenatal clinics should be collaborative: that is, the people who have influence over the clients' pregnancy, like me mother-in-law, the traditional practitioners, cUents and their family members, should be involved by the midwives during the preparation of pregnancy lessons and health education lessons on how to preserve pregnancy to term according to· scientifically proven methods.
Health Studies
M.A. (Health Studies)

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree Master of Arts in the Department of African Languages in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2004.
Although females in the olden days were considered as minors people that had nothing or little to say, today their word is heard. Females listen and obey their nation's cultures. Cultures are taken as good behavioural patterns kept by everyone in that particular nation or tribe so that the whole nation is nurtured. These behavioural patterns though are not to be practised by females only. Most people, especially in the past, thought that leadership was meant for males only, but because of female's wisdom it all ended up clear that it is not like that. Mkabayi is one of the women who showed leadership signs. If it weren't for her the Zulu tribe would have vanished. After Mkabayi had displayed her leadership skills many other females showed that they have brilliant brains. Nandi, mother to Shaka; Mthaniya the one that helped Mkabayi in building the tribe; Winnie Madikizela-Mandela who has been the leader of the African National Congress Women's League; Patricia de Lille leader of the Independent Democrats; Sibusisiwe Ngubane also a leader of Inkatha Freedom Party Youth Brigade and many others. The beauty of the women can only be realised by her esteem. She tries by all means to keep her beauty because she knows that she is the flower of the earth. Beads are one of the things they use to beautify themselves. It is important for them to know their level and the way they wear their traditional attire in that particular level as they differ accordingly. The growing of the female is considered very much important than the males. It is because she is the favourite of everyone and therefore a woman needs caring. Because of her being there, her father automatically becomes a rich man as he will have a big kraal full of cattle. The woman (mother) is the one that brings all the joy and success by performing her duty as a woman to see that her daughter grows in a proper manner. The girl is taught many things that she can benefit from like taking care of the houses, handwork and many more. The research shows that females have great sympathy. They can be sympathetic in many ways. They are there when one needs help for example tending the sick, helping the poor, and giving help to other people with different conditions that need to be attended to. It is also noticed that even though they have sympathy, they also have grudges and think of bad doings. Though Mkabayi had sympathy for her father's tribe but she also had jealous about the kingdom of the Zulu nation. She arranged for Sojiyisa to be killed because she thought he was not supposed to take the reign since he was a Thonga. It also appears in the research that a woman is not only looked after whilst still young, but even when she has reached old age of being a grandparent. The old ladies have also a part to play in the vicinity. They are the ones who bring peace and harmony as they act like the mediators between the living and the dead. When the White people arrived they brought about education and teachings of scriptures and our females jumped into wearing dresses instead of their traditional attire. There are those who still wear traditional attire though, but are only a few. The majority puts on dresses made out of cloth material. Whilst looking at that we find that some women are now wearing pair of trousers as men. Some like it and others do not, because it lowers the female dignity of an African woman. This shows that our nation has no backbone and is easily influenced by other peoples’ cultures. People can adopt what they like from other cultures but should choose the cultures that will help in the upbringing of the strong nation. = Nakuba abantu besifazane ngesikbathi sakudala babethathwa njengabantwana, abantu abangenalizwi, kepha namuhla izwi labo liyahlonishwa. Abantu besifazane bayalalela bahloniphe imindeni yabo ikakhulukazi osobaba abayizinhloko zemizi. Bayawahlonipha kakhulu namasiko esizwe sabo. Amasiko ayimikhuba emihle egcinwa ngabantu ukuze kusimame isizwe sonke. Awabekelwe abesifazane bodwa nokho. Ubuholi bekwaziwa ukuthi bumiselwe abantu besilisa, kepha ngenxa yokuhlakanipha kwabesifazane kwagcina kuhlalukile ukuthi akunjalo. UMkabayi ungomunye wabesifazane owakukhombisa lokho. Ukuba akakhombisanga izimpawu zobuholi ngakube isizwe saphela nya. Emva kukaMkabayi baningi abesifazane abavela ukuthi banomqondo ophusile. Ukubala nje abambalwa singabala uNandi ongunina wenkosi uShaka, uMthaniya owayelekelelana noMkabayi bakha isizwe, Winnie Madikizela Mandela, obe ngumholi ephethe iqembu leAfrican National Congress Women's League, Patricia de Lille oziqambele iqembu lakhe kwezombusazwe iIndependent Democrats, uSibusisiwe Ngubane ohola Inkatha Freedom Party Youth Brigade nabanye abaningi. Ubuhle bowesifazane bubonakala ngokuzithanda kwakhe. Uzama ngayo yonke indlela ukutbi ahIale ebukeka ngoba uyazazi ukuthi uyimbali yezwe. Ubuhlalu yiyonanto abatbanda ukuzihlobisa ngayo. Kusemqoka ukuthi bazazi izigaba zabo nendlela abavunula ngayo kuleso naleso sigaba ngoba phe1a ziyehlukana. Ukukhula komuntu wesifazane kubukeka sengathi kuqashelwa kakhulu kunokwabesilisa. Phela owesifazane uligugu ngakho kumele aqashelwe. Ngobukbona bentombazane ekhaya uyise uyathokoza ngoba ugcina esengumnumzane omkhulu onesibaya esikhulu esiphuphuma imfuyo. Umama nguyena owenza konke kube impumelelo ngokukhulisa intombazane ngendlela eyiyo. Kumele unina amfundise izinto eziningi ezigcina sezilusizo kuye . njengokulungiswa kwamakhaya kanye nemisebenzi yezandla. Ocwaningweni kuvezwa ukuthi abesifazane bayakwazi ukuzwelana ngezindlela eziningi ezahlukene. Abamyekeleli umuntu uma elambile, egula, edinga usizo ngandlela thize ehluphekile njalo njalo. Kuyavela futhi ukuthi yize noma benozwelo bayaba nesihluku bacabange baze bafise okubi. UMkabayi noma wayesizwela isizwe sikayise kepha wagcina esenomona ngombuso waze wakha uzungu lokubulala uSojiyisa ngoba ethi uthatha ubukbosi kungafanele ngoba uyiThonga. Lapha ocwaningweni kuvezwa futhi ukuthi umuntu akaqashelwa ngoba esakhula nje kuphela kepha ngisho esemdala esegugile uyanakwa. Izalukazi nazo noma sezigugile zinendawo yazo ezimpilweni zomphakathi. Yizona ezenza imizi ime ngokuba abaxhumanisi phakathi kwabaphilayo nabangasekho. Kulesi sikhathi lapho sekwafika khona abamh10phe nemfundo kanye nenkolo sekwabenza abesifazane baguqula nendlela yokuvunula. Nakuba besekhona abavunula ngendlela yakudala yezidwaba nobuhlalu kepha abaningi sebagqoka izingubo ezenziwa ngezindwangu. Sisabuka lokho sebetholaka1a befaka namabhulukwe. Yize noma bekuthanda abanye, kepha abaningi abakuthandi ngoba isizwe sethu asisenamgogodla sithatheke kalula ngamasiko ezinye izizwe. Akushiwo nokho ukuthi bangenzi abakubona kwezinye izizwe kepha kumele bakhethe okuzoba amasiko amahle azokwakha isizwe esiqotho nesiqinile.

Submitted in partial fullfilment for the requirements of the degree of Master of Arts in the Department of IsiZulu namaGugu in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Zululand, 2002.
Lolu cwaningo lubheka iqhaza labesifazane esizweni samaZulu .Kubhekiswe kakhulukazi kuMkabayi kaJama owayengubabekazi kaShaka. Ucwaningo oseluke lwenziwa ngaphambilini ngabacwaningi abanjengo-Nkuna (2001) lapho wavecwaninga khona ngeqhaza labesifazane bamaSwazi kwimidlalo (dramas). Uthi likhulu iqhaza elibanjwe ngabantu besifazane nokuba bethathwa njengabantu abangabalulekile nje kakhulu emphakathini uma beqhathaniswa nabesilisa. Kunenkolelo yokuthi abantu besifazane bangabantu ababi ngoba kwasekuqaleni ibona abaletha isono 'emhlabeni lapho u-Eva elinga u-Adam ngokumephulisa umyalo kaNkulunkulu owayebayale ngawo ngesikhathi ebabeka ensimini yase-Eden. Baze bathi abanye wake wasilaya u-Eva ngabe asihlupheki njengoba sihlupheka kangaka nje. Konke lokho njalo ubunzima obethweswa umuntu wesifazane. Ocwaningweni olwenziwayo ngabantu besifazane kuyatholakala ukuthi babukeleka phansi kakhulu. Bathathwa njengabantu abangabalulekile kakhulu nemisebenzi yabo engemikhulu kakhulu. Uma uxoxisana nabantu besifazane uyathola ukuthi abaningi bayayibona nabo le ndlela abantu besifazane abathathwa ngayo. futhi bayakhombisa ukuthi nabo abayithandi. Akukho okuhle okulindeleke kumuntu wesifazane ngoba uke uzwe kuthiv,a uma umuntu wesifazane enze kahle '"udodile". lokho kukhombisa ngokusobala ukuthi umuntu owenza kahle indoda kuphela

This thesis focuses on the impact of domestic violence upon Zulu women, and the role that the Christian faith plays in both helping and hindering the survivors. Through an examination of the relationship between religion and power, the thesis notes how the Christian faith can work both to legitimize oppressive structures and practices, and to provide a form of resistance or survival in times of difficulty. The way in which the Bible and theology deal with domestic violence is examined from this perspective. The thesis builds upon earlier work on domestic violence and the church done in South Africa by a range of scholars, but provides new insights into the way that Zulu women deal with domestic violence and their relationship to the Christian faith. Research undertaken in Sweetwaters, outside Pietermaritzburg, identified the following eight concerns to be of importance for these women in terms of domestic violence: lobolo and women as property, unemployment and male frustration, alcohol, children and the wider family, the scandal of divorce in the Zulu community, lack of social support, the cycle of violence, and the impact upon women. In terms of their relationship to the church, they saw Christianity as a power that both hinders and helps. In terms of the former this had to do with abusers in church leadership, theologies of blame, theologies of forgiveness, disinterestedness and silence, and sanctity of marriage. In terms of the way that Christianity helps, this has to do with prayer, bible reading, manyano and izimvuselelo. In the final chapter the thesis suggests that if the church is to make a difference in the lives of the women who are facing the experiences of domestic violence, then it needs to both challenge the negative and strengthen the positive. This could involve working with young men, men and perpetrators, challenging culture where it abuses women, breaking the silence, legal education, affirming the spirituality of the women, counseling, networking, economic empowerment, and training manyano leadership.
Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu- Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

Polygyny has been defended by some men in terms of ‘tradition and culture’ but a cursory observation suggests that it is currently being embraced even amongst women. It seems that some women are willing to allow a husband to take a second wife and even in arranged marriages some women seem content to enter into a polygynous union because they will be answering the call of duty. This study seeks to explore why even some middle-class educated women enter polygynous marriages. The study is different than the previous studies conducted because it focused on women who were educated and had employment that made them financially independent. Previous studies focused on poor rural women who had no better option but to marry into polygynous marriages for a better life because in the past it was only wealthy men who could afford to support more than one family and unfortunately that is not the case in today’s society, now it is just any man who wants to ‘elevate his manhood’ by having more than one wife but who he cannot support. The findings showed women entered such unions for numerous reasons such as love, family and societal pressures as well as desperation to have a higher social standing in the community than a single woman.
Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

Lolu cwaningo lugxile ekubalulekeni kwemvunulo yomdabu osikompilweni lwabantu besifazane abangamaZulu basendaweni yakwaNobamba. Imvunulo yomdabu ayembathelwa ukwemboza umzimba kuphela, kodwa ngokwesiko, ihlukanisa abesifazane ngokobuzwe nangokwezigaba zokukhula. Ingane engakathombi ayivunuli njengomuntu osethombile okungaba itshitshi noma iqhikiza. Ongakagcagci akavunuli njengosegcagcile yena obonakala ngokufaka isicholo nangokubhinca isidwaba ukuhlonipha umyeni wakhe nabasemzini (Msimang, 1975: 173). Ipharadaymu eqondayo yiyona eyasetshenziswa kulolu cwaningo. UMazibuko (2008: 68) uthi ngokwepharadaymu eqondayo lokho okucwaningwayo kwisayensi yenhlalo kufanele kube nokuxhumana, okucwaningwayo kumele kube nencazelo futhi kuhlukaniseke kulokho okubonwayo. Lokho okucwaningwayo kumele kube ngokuthintene nomuntu. Kulolu cwaningo kwacwaningwa ngemvunulo yomdabu eyembathwa ngabantu kanye nokubaluleka kwayo. Kwasetshenziswa indlela yokuxoxisana kanye nendlela yokuqaphelisisa ukuze kutholakale ulwazi olwabe ludingeka. Injulalwazi ye-Oral Style kanye neyeSocial Identity yizona ezasetshenziswa kulolu cwaningo. Injulalwazi ye-Oral Style iveza ukubaluleka kobuciko bomlomo, ngakho-ke ilufanele lolu cwaningo lapho kubonakala abesifazane bevunule ngemvunulo abayazi ngokudluliselwa yona ngomlomo kusuka kokhokho babo. Injulalwazi iSocial Identity nalo ilufanele lolu cwaningo lapho owesifazane ngemvunulo yakhe ekwazi ukuhlukaniseka ngokobulili, ngokobuzwe nangokwesigaba sokukhula. Isidingo esikhulu salolu cwaningo ukuthola imbangela eyenza ukuba abesifazane bezigodi zakwaNobamba ezaziwa ngokuthi kuseMsobotsheni, eKucasheni, kwaNhliwe naseMgwamama, belokhu besalugcinile lolu siko lokuvunula. Akulula kubona ukwehlukana naleli siko ngoba bazalelwe emphakathini owembatha le mvunulo. Bakholelwa ekutheni amadlozi abo ahlala emvunulweni, ngakho-ke ukuhlukana nayo kungasho ukulahla amadlozi okuyiwona abavikelayo. Abesifazane bayahlangana bafundisane ukwakha ubuhlalu, obuyingxenye yemvunulo. Leli khono lidluliselwa ngisho ezinganeni zabo zamantombazane ukuze zikhule zikwazi ukuzenzela imvunulo. Ukuhlangana kwabesifazane bakha imvunulo, kudala umoya wokuzwana nokuchitha isizungu besele bodwa amasoka nabayeni besemsebenzini emadolobheni amakhulu njengaseGoli. Ukuguquka kwezikhathi kudala ukuba nemvunulo yomdabu iguquke ibe nomthelela wesilungu. Izinga lokwembathwa kwemvunulo yomdabu alisafani nakuqala ngenxa yokuthi abanye besifazane bayasebenza kobelungu. Amatshitshi namaqhikiza ayaphoqeleka ukuba ekwembatheni kwawo angavezi amabele namathanga. Abesifazane asebegcagcile bembatha amaphinifa amboza sonke isidwaba singabonakali ngoba sizongcolisa. Izingane zamantombazane ezifunda isikole zigqoka umfaniswano wesikole uma zisesesikoleni; seziyobuyela emvunulweni yazo lapho sekuphume isikole sezisemakhaya. Abesifazane bakwaNobamba basalugcina lolu siko lokuvunula ngokuvunula uma kukhona imicimbi efana nehlamvu, (ukuhalalisela ukubuya kwamasoka nabayeni bevela emadolobheni amakhulu njengaseGoli), umholo wezalukazi nomchanguzo. Bayavunula futhi ngokugcwele emicimbini esuke ihlelwe nguMasipala lapho bejabulisa umphakathi njengeqembu lesigekle nengoma. Othisha bayazigqugquzela izingane zesikole ukuba zembathe imvunulo yomdabu uma kunemikhosi egujwayo. Uma owesifazane efisa ukusho okuthile emphakathini, kubo lapho ezalwa khona, kumnakwabo, nasesokeni noma kumyeni, akakukhiphi ngomlomo wakhe kepha kudluliswa yimvunulo ayembethe. Okutholakele kulolu cwaningo ukuthi abantu besifazane bakwaNobamba bayazigqaja ngale mvunulo yabo ephinde ikhuthaze amantombazane ukuba ahlale egcine ubuntombi bawo kuze kufike isikhathi sokugcagca.
Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2013.

Submitted to the FACULTY OF ARTS in partial fulfillment of the requirements for MASTERS DEGREE IN SOCIAL WORK (Community work) in the Department of Social Work at the University of Zululand, 2005.
In 1996, the South African National Welfare Department estimated that countrywide 67% of female headed-households lived in poverty and that 75.2% of children under 5years were exposed to conditions of poverty. The government planned its developmental programs of women and children under 5years, which was targeted at this high risk group, in order to reduce their potential dependency on the state through child support grants (Social Work Practice Vol 2.96: 3) These pilot programs which were initiated in nine provinces were referred to as flagship programs and Bambanana flagship program in Northen KwZulu/Natal was one of them. Skills development and economic empowerment would be strategies utilized to develop and sustain these programs. The consortium consisting of NGO's and Government departments had initially negotiated with provincial hospitals to purchase the products from the various projects of the flagship programs, thus ensuring a viable market for the products. Eight years have since elapsed following the initiation of these flagship programs. The research investigation undertaken by the researcher aims at evaluating the relevance, efficiency and effectiveness of the Bam banana flagship program in Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal.

This study titled: “Mourning Cultural Practice Amongst the Zulu Speaking Widows of the KwaNyuswa Community: A Feminist Perspective” explored how mourning cultural practices contribute towards gender discrimination which results to women oppression. The main aim of this study was to document how cultural practices impact negatively to women. It focused on challenges and consequences that the Zulu speaking widows particularly in the rural areas experience during their mourning period. Within feminism as an umbrella theory underpinning this study, radical approach was employed to address the issue to be investigated since it considers patriarchal practices as a primary cause of women’s oppression (Wills and Ellen, 1994:117). This approach enabled the study to extract the gender imbalances inherent in cultural practices, and to expose widow’s experiences, why they experience what they are experiencing and how do they perceive their experiences. This study employed a qualitative research approach embracing the interpretive paradigm and sought to obtain a rich and deep interpretation of participant’s responses on the topic investigated. A combination of three qualitative data collection methods were used, these were: face to face interviews, focus groups discussion and participant observation. Thirty participants were randomly selected from five districts of KwaNyuswa and that include: key informants, women and men, widows and widowers and these were regarded as people who are knowledgeable and have an experience with the phenomenon studied. Thematic data analysis was used in this study through which four themes were emerged. These themes were derived from participant’s perceptions and experiences which made it possible to meet the research objectives. The findings of this study revealed that the majority of people at KwaNyuswa consider mourning cultural practice as an integral part of their lives irrespective of its constraints or challenges it might have to the people involved. It was clear from this study that the people of this community are very much conservative and stereotyped and they do not consider anything of gender transformation or gender equality. Recommendations were made for social and gender transformation and for some means to improve the widow’s plight.
Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2013.

The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between media, language and gender stereotypes. It assumes that language usage in mass media creates and reproduces gender inequalities. Its main objectives are firstly, to randomly select terms for Zulu women from the chosen TV case study, Kwakhalanyonini. Secondly, selected terms will be analyzed, using the 'transvaluative analysis technique', in order to explain their meaning and hierarchy. This having been done, an attempt will be made to show how the usage of these terms reflect gender stereotypes, by locating women into subordinate positions. A question may well be asked; why Zulu language? I am a native Zulu speaker, with Zulu speaking parents.
Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1996.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements of the Degree of Master of Technology in Public Administration- Peace Studies, Durban University of Technology, 2017.
South Africa has many issues around domestic violence resulting from culture, patriarchy and historical prejudices. It has been suggested that intimate partner violence is mainly perpetrated by men against women, and is an effort by men in a patriarchal society to dominate women. The purpose of this research is to build the capacity of young Zulu men to be non-violent intimate partners. The study utilised the Social Learning Theory and Feminist Theory. The study adopts an Action Research design, the goal of which is to solve concrete community problems by engaging community participants in the inquiry process. A mixed research methodology will be adopted for the study and will involve the use of both qualitative and quantitative data. 50 questionnaires will be administered to 50 Zulu young men between the ages of 18-35 in the Oakford Verulam area, while qualitative data will be obtained through focus group discussions, divided into three groups consisting of nonviolent, previously violent and currently violent men. The findings of this research suggest that there are several factors attributed to cause violence in an intimate relationship and these factors are deeply rooted in the background and upbringing of these men. The findings also suggest that in order to curb violence in the communities one would have to first address the underlying issues and for men to unlearn certain behaviours and traits they learnt during childhood.
M

As the second decade of AIDS draws to a close, researchers and others involved in the AIDS effort have come to appreciate that complex interactions between social, cultural, biological and economic forces are involved in shaping the epidemiological course of the disease. Nevertheless, the process by which these variables interact and affect each other remains poorly understood, with many of the shaping forces yet to be fully explored. In South Africa, the sociocultural matrix in which the AIDS epidemic is embedded and its role in shaping the interpretation and experience of AIDS have not been fully analyzed. This thesis represents an attempt to elucidate the finer nuances of some commonly-held local beliefs, perceptions, symbolic representations, ethnomedical explanatory models and mythologies associated with AIDS. These associations are viewed as directly informing the way in which Zulu-speaking people are experiencing and responding to HIV/AIDS in KwaZulu Natal, currently home to 1/3 of the country's estimated 3 million HIV infected people. In particular, the focus is on the gender patterning of AIDS, with ethnographic data drawn from extensive field experience at St Wendolin's Mission, a peri-urban settlement in the Marianhill district of Durban. The shared perception of women as naturally 'dirty', as sexually 'out of control' and suspected of using witchcraft in new ways, are identified and discussed as key conceptual strands contributing to the sociocultural construction of HIV/AIDS in that community. It is argued that these notions are metaphorically joining and combining in ways that 'gender' the AIDS epidemic and simultaneously 'demonize' women. The central tenet of this thesis is that HIV/AIDS is fundamentally associated with women as a female caused and transmitted disease that can and does affect men. The author argues that the gendered construction of AIDS in St Wendolin's is a reflection of patriarchal resistance to women's changing roles and expectations that represent an overstepping of culturally defined moral boundaries. Deeply embedded ways of thinking associated with notions of gender are viewed as germane to the disempowerment of women that ultimately impedes the fight against HIV/AIDS. The thesis concludes with a discussion on the opportunity which the current AIDS epidemic presents for wider sociocultural transformation, and how this might be achieved through an AIDS 'education for liberation' based on the philosophies of Paulo Freire.
Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1999.

Certain cultural practices present unspoken questions to women. While women may not be free to state these concerns upfront I argue that they have always had some means of expressing themselves in creative ways about issues that affect them. One issue that is investigated in this dissertation is the question of why women sing. This study, therefore, examines one of the channels, which are songs, that women and rural women in particular employ to deal with their day to day living. To this end I have selected cultural songs as one of the ways of demonstrating how women negotiate their spaces in the culture. The study is based on a community of women from Zwelibomvu near Pinetown, South Africa but goes beyond this as I believe that women in general speak for the majority of other women especially with regard to issues around gender and power inequalities. Songs have been selected as a genre and as a special form of expression that women in particular find easier to use to raise issues that affect them in their daily lives. The three hour DVD rendition that forms part of this study captures a synoptic view of the amount of raw data found in this study. Through the medium of song, and strengthened by the stories that they share, Zwelibomvu rural women are able to get a sense of relief and consolation from the burdens that they have and which they would like to share. Presented as a two part field work process, the first process involves the collection of songs in ceremonies and occasions and observing an d being part of the occasions and ceremonies where the songs that are sung by women are performed. This process culminates in the production of the three hour DVD rendition that forms part of this study and which captures a synoptic view of the amount of r aw data found in this dissertation. The second part mainly involves interviews of categories of respondents in similar settings/districts observed where ceremonies were attended and attempts to provide some insight into why women sing and the question of gender and power in contemporary women’s songs. Finally, the last chapters involve an analysis of songs with regard to themes that emanate from these songs as well as a review on their oral composition.
Thesis (Ph.D)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2008.

isiZulu text
Esahlukweni sokuqala, besingenisa ucwaningo lonkana futhi sethula nenjongo yalolu cwaningo ukuze ofundayo asheshe abe nesithombe ngokuzolandela ezahlukweni ezilandelayo. Sizamile ukuveza isisekelo nokubaluleka kwalolu cwaningo njengoba sivezile ukuthi isicwaningwe kakhulu imibhalo yabesilisa ngakho-ke sizoke sibheke eyabesifazane neyabesilisa sicubungula ukuthi yibaphi abethula abalingiswa besifazane kangcono kunabanye. Sibe sesibheka nezindlela zokuhluza imibhalo. Kuso lesi sahluko sethule isakhiwo socwaningo lapho siveze zonke izahluko nokuthi yini umongo wesahluko ngasinye. Esahlukweni sesibili, bese singena-ke sigxila kuzo izindlela zokucubungula imibhalo ezikhethelwe lolu cwaningo. Kulolu cwaningo sigxile kakhulu kuyiwumanizimu nesemiyothikhi. Sizichazile-ke lezi zindlela zokucubungula imibhalo. Isemiyothikhi inezimpawu eziningi ezithinta abalingiswa emibhalweni esiyivezile sayichaza kafuphi. Esahlukweni sesithathu, sibe sesiqala wona umshikashika wokucubungula imibhalo engamanoveli ebhalwe ngabesifazane. Kuningi ebe kade singakubheka emanovelini kodwa ngoba injongo yalolu cwaningo lwethu ukubheka ukuthi abesifazane bethulwe kanjani nezinto ezibathintayo sisebenzise izimpawu ezimbalwa. Sibone kuzosiza ukuqale siyifingqe indaba yonke bese sidingida lezo zinto esizibone zithinta abesifazane enovelini. Esahlukweni sesine, sicubungule amanoveli abhalwe ngabesilisa ngenhloso yokuthola ukuthi bavezwe kanjani abesifazane ngababhali besilisa. Besifisa ukubona ukuthi ukonakala okuye kuvezwe ngabesilisa emibhalweni ngabesifazane kukuliphi izinga. Esahlukweni sesihlanu, bese sisonga, sincoma sibuka esikwenzile esahlukweni ngasinye. Kubuye kwabaluleka ukuba sibheke ukuthi empeleni yibaphi ababhali phakathi kwabesifazane nabesilisa abaveza abalingiswa besifazane kangcono sisho nezizathu ezenza sithi uhlobo lwababhali oluthize lubethula kangcono abalingiswa besifazane. Ake sijeqeze kancane khona ukwethulwa kwabalingiswa sesisonga lolu cwaningo lwethu.
Chapter 1 is introducing the research and introduces its aim so that it could be easy for the reader to depict what the whole study will be about. This chapter has also laid the background to the study as it has been said that lot of research has been done with books written by males. The focus will be on both male and female writers trying to find out who portrays female characters better. We therefore looked at the ways of analyzing literature and the structure and the gist of each chapters. Chapter 2 we engaged in theory or the ways of analyzing literature that is used in this research. The study will mostly embark on womanism and semiotics which have been described. Chapter 3 focuses on analyzing novels written by female writers Msimang Nelisile, Shange Maphili, Langa Zakithi and Zulu Nelisiwe. The focus is on the women portrayal. The chapter starts with a summary. Chapter 4 has its focus on analyzing novels written by male writers Molefe Lawrence and Wanda Mjajisi. The aim was also to find out how women are portrayed by male authors. We wanted to find out the extent of the corruption of female characters as portrayed by males in their literature. Chapter 5 this chapter summarizes and appreciates what has been done in other chapters. There was also a need to compare between the male and female writers, who portrayed females better than the other and give reasons for that judgment.
African Languages
M.A. (African Languages)

This thesis is an analysis of a creative design HIV/AIDS communication programme named Siyazama (we are trying) that works in association with rural traditional beaded cloth doll makers from KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa. As a reflective thesis it represents a hermeneutic opportunity to ascertain the extent to which an interdisciplinary programme of HIV/AIDS education and training impacted on the lives of the women involved and how their expert skills of craftswomen were employed to understand and address the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic. What began in 1996 on invitation from the African Art Centre in Durban as a simple intervention to upgrade craft techniques and craft construction developed of its own accord into a unique HIV/AIDS intervention in 1999. The communication mode in which the rural women were skilled - beadwork - was long used by women in KwaZulu-Natal as a mode of communication to circumvent the Zulu cultural taboo on discussion of matters of emotional and sexual intimacy called hlonipha. In the modern era of HIV/AIDS, this same mode has been revived and reworked as a means for affecting communication about the many sensitive and taboo issues that surround this disease. There is much scientific evidence which points to the fact that women in this part of the world are far more susceptible than men to HIV infection, largely due to their lower social status, their economic dependence on men and their need to manage the large-scale poverty that affects them and their families. All of this contributes to increasing their vulnerability to AIDS. Ethnographic analysis of the experience of HIV/AIDS amongst Zulu-speaking craftswomen in KwaZulu-Natal has also revealed the nature of the complex cultural belief system that is alive and articulated in the local art and AIDS interface. This thesis describes the myriad ways in which a particular group of rural women of KwaZulu-Natal, owing to certain customary prescriptions, appear as largely silenced on sexual and sensitive relationship issues. Yet, their expert abilities in beadwork have afforded these women the opportunity to express innermost concerns about the epidemic in three dimensional forms. The historical record of KwaZulu-Natal shows us how beadwork was often used traditionally by women to take the place of speaking. The Siyazama Project beadwork exhibit, comprising over 300 pieces of individual beaded artifacts and collected between 1999 and 2005, provides verification of the continued existence of this form of expression. It is an archive of the fields of inquiry which were covered in the Siyazama educational programme starting with 'breaking the silence on AIDS' in 1999 and ending with anti-retroviral therapies (ART) in 2005. The relationship between the beaded crafts and the AIDS educational information which was received during the course of the Siyazama AIDS educational programme is explained through an analysis of this beaded collection. As an in depth qualitative study of the experiences and impact of the HIV/AIDS intervention with women beadworkers from rural communities in KwaZulu-Natal, this thesis represents an attempt to account for how a creative design HIV/AIDS communication programme has impacted on the lives of the women reached by the programme, and how their skills as craftswomen have been utilized to make sense of the local HIV/AIDS epidemic whilst raising awareness about AIDS in their communities. The overall aim of the study is to interpret the effect and effectiveness of beadwork craft as a visual metaphoric mode of expression, and to define the way the project sought to circumvent particular cultural taboos on the discussion of sexuality and other matters of personal intimacy. The study describes some of the common beliefs and attitudes that persisted at the time at which the project commenced and demonstrates how these have been 're-written and re-corded' in beadwork throughout the six-year duration of the intervention. My focus throughout is on assessing the value of this project through proposing the medium of beadwork as a contemporary and unique cultural archive that speaks to the complexities of HIV/AIDS in Southern Africa.
Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2006.

This research work is about rituals practice, with specific reference to burning of impepho (an indigenous African Plant) and how this practice excludes women in general. Impepho is an indigenous African plant that, once dried, is burnt in order to communicate with one’s ancestors. Impepho is well-known to the majority of Sub Saharan Africans as it is used to communicate with their ancestors and it is also used by traditional healers to communicate with the deceased. It is used in various ceremonies, as well as in traditional feasts, when chickens, goats or cows are offered to the ancestors. The aim of this study was to find out why women are not allowed to burn impepho. Times have changed to the point that there are now many Zulu households that are headed by women, and these women do in fact burn impepho in order to communicate with their ancestors. This then is the pertinent question: do these women’s requests or prayers go unheard by the ancestors? The study aims to find out from the female participants if they burn impepho in their home or if they still adhere to this male constructed mentality that women should not burn impepho.
Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.