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HENRY RIDER HAGGARD AND JOHN LANGALIBALELE DUBE ON THE NATIVE AND LAND QUESTION IN SOUTH AFRICA AFTER THE PASSING OF THE NATIVES LAND ACT (1913)
Get PDFThe interview which took place in Durban between Henry Rider Haggard and John Langalibalele Dube in 1914 was one of these precious moments which rarely happen. It took place at an important political and historical period and it made sense when dealing with the question of race and identity. The famous writer was touring South Africa as a member of the Royal Dominion Commission at the time the Natives Land Act which forbade natives to buy and rent land was strongly discussed. In this paper, we will see that Haggard did not only use Zulu legends and history as a primary source in his romances, he also used his own experience and doubts to question the colonial experience and the native/settler interaction at the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century. We will, thus, consider why this encounter between the two men is symbolical and prophetic regarding the question of land restitution in South Africa
MOTHER-FIGURE ARCHETYPE IN SELECTED WORKS OF AKACHI ADIMORA-EZEIGBO
Get PDFWhereas contemporary global feminism, as propagated in the West tends to present narratives by women as fundamentally targeted at gender war against sexual inequality, many female writers in Nigeria are more given to projecting aspects of Africa’s cultural humanism that elevates womanhood without necessarily leaning on gender conflicts. One of such female writers that has impressively carved for herself a space in Nigeria’s Feminist discourse is Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo. She elevates the Mother-Figure in her works to the extent that it is possible to speak of motherhood in its archetypal sublimity. This paper examines how Adimora-Ezeigbo projects the extra-humaneness which the Mother-Figure represents, beyond the pettiness and ordinariness to which the patriarchal world has confined women. She is comprehensively selfless and does whatever is positive to improve human life. The discussion uses C. G. Jung’s Archetypal Theory to establish the extent to which the Mother-Figure reacts against men’s stereotypes of women. It shows that the modern woman has since risen above the traditional limitations imposed on her by men. The paper concludes that Adimora-Ezeigbo brilliantly constructs female characters imbued with bold and daring qualities which effectively confront some patriarchal structures in Nigeria
The Use of the Qualitative Approach and Digital Ethnography in the Study of Religion and New Media: Reflections from Research Fieldwork in Botswana
Get PDFThe existing literature on religion and new media often focuses on the interdisciplinary nature andperspectives in this research field. While this emphasis is relevant, the analysis of practical strategiesdeveloped by researchers prior to and during the research fieldwork is commonly neglected. As such,practical questions, methodological issues and the ethical concerns encountered by researchers are oftenoverlooked. Drawing from our field notes and fieldwork experiences during a study conducted from2016 to 2017 in Botswana, this paper reflects on the process of using a qualitative approach and digitalethnography in the study of religion and new media. By examining the ethical and methodological issuesencountered during the fieldwork, we advance two related arguments. First, while interpersonal andcommunication skills are necessary for the success of fieldwork, researchers of religion and new mediaalso require practical skills to deal with the complexity and ambiguity of issues around access to researchsites and ethics throughout the research process. Second, scholarly investigation on the manifestation ofreligion in the new media should not only focus on the circulation of narratives by religious institutions ontheir new media outlets; but also on the dynamics of personal stories shared within a religious communityand the impact of these stories on individuals and religious institutions when they are widely circulatedonline
The Dynamics of Prolonged Child Residential Care in Botswana: Prospects for Alternative Child Care Systems
Get PDFIn Botswana, residential care facilities are one of the options to accommodate children in need of care.However, in some cases they are over-utilised and the child’s stay is prolonged. Using the AttachmentTheory as a guiding framework, this study sought to explore the effects of prolonged residential carefor children. The study was conducted at the Childline Botswana Place of Safety in 2014. Focus groupdiscussions and in-depth face-to-face interviews were adopted for data collection. All the participantswere purposefully selected based on their experience in child welfare and their interaction with childrenin residential care. The findings indicate that residential care for young children should be utilised on atemporary basis and/or only if it is necessary and in the best interest of the child. In addition, family-basedalternatives such as foster care, kinship care and adoption are preferred options. Collaborative efforts bythe government, implementing partners and residential care facilities are also needed and the increasedinvolvement of the community is required to ensure a more efficacious care for children in need
An Ancient Watch Connecting Daniel Francis, Mandunyane and King Lubengula: A Note on Harry Tainton of Tonota
Get PDFOn the bank of the river Shashe in Tonota, amidst carcases of old motor vehicles some of which last hit theroad during the colonial [era], lives a bow-backed old man who is a living epitome of raw talent and naturalgenius. [He is a] Ndebele-Briton-Motswana who is also the founder of Mmandunyane, a sub-village ofTonota
‘A Name Tells a Story’: Botswana’s Place, Street and Landmark Names – A Layman’s Perspective
Get PDFIt is unusual to start a discussion with a disclaimer. I find myself in that unenviable situation where I shouldmake a few disclaimers. I was invited in my capacity as Chair of The Botswana Society, it is now exactly aweek since I stepped down from that position. So I am just an impostor. Let me state for the record thoughthat The Botswana Society has since its inception been active in the retelling of the Botswana history andits heritage. We pride ourselves as one of, if not the only longest surviving indigenous Botswana non-governmentalorganisation (NGO). Since our inception in 1968 we have, without fail, produced the BotswanaNotes and Records the only Botswana based journal on JSTOR. We have held seminars, symposia andworkshops on topical issues concerning the country on an annual basis
Ecclesiological Questions Arising from the Appropriation of Social Media by Christians
Get PDFThe appropriation of social media and other media technologies by churches and Christians have resulted in the shift in the practice of Christianity. Through a review of existing literature, this article considers the Christian doctrine of ecclesiology. It traces the traditional understanding of the ekklesia from Jewish to early Christian times. It then outlines how individual Christians are using the social media and other digital technologies in their practice of religion. Having noted that the use of these media are changing the way people practice their Christian faith, the article ends by raising ecclesiological questions that seek further research on the meaning of the ekklesia today
The Appropriation of Social Media Technologies by the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) Gaborone Assembly, Botswana
Get PDFThe article demonstrates how Christianity, particularly Pentecostalism15, with a specific reference to the Apostolic Faith Mission Assembly (hereafter referred to as AFM), in Gaborone, Botswana, uses social media to facilitate the effectiveness of its programmes, operations and activities.16 The paper examines how social media has affected the operations and impacted of their evangelistic strategies and activities. Participants for the study were drawn from the organisational and operational structures of the AFM Gaborone congregation such as the Church Board, which is the local governing body of the church; the church office, departments and committees of the church. This also included the managers of the different social media platforms used by different committees (WhatsApp,SMS, Facebook) as well as the leaders of the committees, responsible for the day-to – day operations of programmes and activities of their departments. The study, therefore, examines these social media platforms and church leaders, to appreciate the efforts made and the extent to which they impact on the spread of the Pentecostal message. The extent to which they inspire members to participate in the evangelistic programmes and strategies of the church is also discussed. The findings suggest that the evangelization has always been a primary goal of the AFM and that the church is appropriating social media technologies to facilitate that fundamental mission of disseminating the Gospel to members of the church and the society
“The Richest Dust Bin in the Land”: Emancipatory Dialogue on Institutionalized Corruption (IC): A Case of Botswana.
Get PDFMoral degeneration in Botswana and the region has coincided with rapid socio-economic and political developments. In this context, it is all too easy to suggest a simple cause and effect relationship between the socio-economic and political difficulties and Institutionalized Corruption (IC). In Botswana today, Institutionalized Corruption (IC) occurs within a complex reality that involves historical processes, and the erosion of moral fibre. This paper attempts to show that Institutionalized Corruption (IC) cannot only be addressed through political and constitutional means, but also through social, moral ad theological ways. The paper argues that contextual public theological approaches shed a better light onto issues relating to institutional corruption because, Botswana is predominantly a Christian country
ZIMBABWE’S ‘Apocalyptic’ Music as an Expression of Suffering: The case of Thomas Mapfumo and Hosiah Chipanga
Get PDFApocalyptic music is a genre of songs characterised by apocalyptic traits which typically include appeal to revelation or uncovering of the hidden truth. Apocalyptic literature evinces itself in the following characteristics: symbolism, dualism, pseudonymity, eschatology, revelation and exhortations. In Zimbabwean apocalyptic music, these features are present and the most prevalent are dualism, symbolism, exhortations and some elements of pseudonymity as we shall see in this article. In Zimbabwe; apocalyptic music could be attributed to that of Thomas Mapfumo and Hosiah Chipanga. Developments in the colonial and post-colonial period provide the background for the analysis of apocalyptic music. During the colonial period, oppressive laws created to limit and, in some cases, deny Africans freedom of movement and communication meant that Africans had to find alternative ways of communication. In some ways, the same continued after independence in 1980. This article discusses the rise and role of the apocalyptic seer (musician) during the revolution (Chimurenga) for independence and after. In particular the article is to articulates how Thomas Mapfumo and Hosiah Chipanga as apocalyptic seers addressed pertinent socio-political, economic and cultural issues