The Liberative Power of Education: Adult Basic Education as Empowerment Tool for Rural Women in Taung

Abstract

Taung is one of the remote rural areas in the Northwest province of South Africa. The socio-economic and political climate such as cultural norms and practices, geographical location and insecurity under the old political dispensation both oppressed and denied most rural African girl children the opportunity for formal education. Without any form of formal education these rural folks who are now adults could be perpetually cut- off from socio-economic and political activities (the development) of their respective communities. They might not enjoy any real freedom, lose their dignity and become vulnerable to all forms of abuses- mental and physical. This paper set out to investigate and report on the power and capacity of basic education to free rural women from socio-economic and political enslavement. The study is underpinned by the Freirean philosophy of critical pedagogy (praxis) which outlines and interprets liberation education. The qualitative approach in the form of interviews was used in exploring the liberative effect of basic education on the selected participants. The study found, among other things, the acquisition of literacy skills for effective communication and self-employment skills for livelihood.