Black Communities In South Africa Research Articles

The Potential of Clinical Pastoral Education in Facilitating Contextual, Effective and Affordable Pastoral Ministry for Impoverished Black Communities in South Africa

ABSTRACT Clinical Pastoral Education is an important part of an educational process of pastoral ministry. It is also a gift that can potentially contribute meaningfully to facilitating contextual, affordable pastoral ministry for Black communities in South Africa. This article argues that for CPE to have space and a future it must be contextual and liberating. It must respond appropriately to the conditions, realities and needs of Black communities who bear the brunt of poverty and associated socio-economic-cultural and conditions. In the U.S.A context, CPE has always been a response to the conditions, realities and needs of the Americans. Equally, in the South African context, CPE cannot afford to ignore “the living human documents” (the living human web), whose realities are different from those of Americans. CPE must acknowledge that it is part of the broader field of pastoral care, which is based on Western-dominated theories. It must be inclusive and listen carefully to Black communities.

Understanding the needs and challenges of a Black community in South Africa

ABSTRACTThis article reports on a study conducted with an unemployed group of community members residing in the Gugulethu Township in South Africa. The study aimed to gain an in-depth understanding of their needs and challenges, and what they thought could be done to assist and empower them so that they could improve their lives. Their basic human needs were violated during apartheid and as a consequence, they are still battling poverty today. We offer suggestions on how Black communities in South Africa could be supported and empowered in order to become employable and self-reliant.

Vitamin D status, hypertension and body mass index in an urban black community in Mangaung, South Africa.

BackgroundA strong relationship exists between hypertension and body weight. Research has linked both higher blood pressure and body weight with lower vitamin D status.ObjectiveThis study assessed the vitamin D status of a low-income, urban, black community in South Africa, to examine whether serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] are associated with hypertension and body mass index (BMI).MethodsData collected from 339 adults (25–64 years) from the Assuring Health for All in the Free State (AHA-FS) study were analysed. Variables measured include serum 25(OH)D, blood pressure, weight and height to determine BMI, and HIV status.ResultsMean 25(OH)D level was 38.4 ± 11.2 ng/mL for the group; 43.5 ± 11.8 ng/mL and 37.0 ± 10.6 ng/mL for males and females, respectively. Approximately 40% of the participants were HIV-positive and 63.4% hypertensive. Based on BMI, 11.8% were underweight, 33.0% normal weight, 23.0% overweight and 32.1% obese. HIV status showed no correlation with 25(OH)D levels when controlling for BMI. Poor inverse relationships were found between BMI and 25(OH)D (p = 0.01), and between mean arterial blood pressure and 25(OH)D (p = 0.05). When controlling for BMI, no correlation was found between 25(OH)D and the prevalence of hypertension or mean arterial blood pressure.ConclusionApproximately 96% of participants had an adequate vitamin D status, which could be attributed to latitude, sunny conditions and expected high levels of sun exposure because of living conditions. Results confirmed a poor inverse relationship between vitamin D status and hypertension, which seems to be dependent on BMI.

Women's perceptions of the benefits and risks of skin-lightening creams in two South African communities.

Skin-lightening products are commonly used by black communities in South Africa and worldwide. This practice has deep historical and cultural roots and is associated with adverse cutaneous effects. A cross-sectional survey of 579 African and Indian women aged 18-70years was conducted in two large public hospitals in Durban, South Africa. There were 292 Africans and 287 Indians included in the survey sample. Of these 32.3% had used skin-lightening products (60% of Africans and 40% of Indians). Most of those who had used skin lighteners (85 of Africans and 76% of Indians) claimed awareness of the adverse effects of the products, although this did not appear to inform knowledge of the product, how it was used, nor the decision to use the product. Most users (90%) expressed satisfaction with results achieved but 32% reported adverse events. Skin-lightening products are used by a third of African and Indian women in South Africa Cultural and historical perceptions equating a fairer skin with social advantage are pervasive and strongly reinforced by the media. There is a poor understanding of the risks associated with the use of these products. Public education campaigns are required to teach consumers about these risks and the importance of concomitant use of sunscreens with these products.

The Impact of Pornography on Adolescent Males’ Sexual Behaviour in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. A Qualitative Study

A disproportionate number of adolescent males view pornography despite the negative effects it has on their psychological, emotional and cognitive development. In many black communities in South Africa, as a result of conformity to peer influence, substance abuse and lack of parental supervision, research indicates that adolescent males tend to access pornography and end up raping women. This empirical study employed qualitative approach to gather information from ten male participants, aged 14 -18, from one secondary school in the Eastern Cape. Ethics were adhered to as the human dignity of the participants was respected. None of the participants withdrew from the focus group. Considering the sensitivity of the topic, the discussion took place in one of the classrooms and not even their educators could identify the participants. The findings revealed that male youth who watch pornography, drink alcohol and gang-rape, which increase their risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. Furthermore, this group of adolescent males reported that their aggressive behaviour is perpetuated by culture. Recommendations are that parents should be involved in discussions of sexual matters with youth. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n20p2831

Non–Adherence to Antiretroviral Treatment by People Living with HIV/AIDS in Black Communities in South Africa: Socio-Cultural Challenges

A disproportionately high number of poor black population living in both rural and urban areas in South Africa, experience barriers to accessing ARVs, despite the efforts made by the government. Various scholars cite that cultural beliefs, poverty, witchcraft, lack of family support, gender-based violence and substance abuse derail the progress of HIV treatment programmes. This paper, therefore discusses the challenges faced by PLWHA with the aim to provide an integrated approach to strengthen the support base required for adherence to ARV treatment. The findings show that due to discrimination PLWHA experience the side-effects, depression and other opportunistic infections such Kaposi’s sarcoma, even death, leaving children as orphans. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n14p450

The burden of heart failure in Africa

Over the last few years, the focus of the international health community has shifted from communicable diseases as the main cause of morbidity and mortality in Africa (and indeed in the world in general) to non-communicable diseases. Relatively scant recent research suggests that in Africa cardiovascular (CV) diseases are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, where up to 25% of admissions to hospitals are for CV disease, including hypertension (HTN). 14 Heart failure (HF) is the most common CV disorder and the main driver of CV adverse morbidity and mortality. 15 In this respect, the study by Ojji et al. in this month’s issue of the journal is a welcomed addition. In this hospital-based study, the authors report on the current spectrum of (CV) diseases in Abuja—the new and modern capital of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The data from Abuja were compared with the findings in Soweto, a predominantly Black community in South Africa. The findings suggest that CV diseases in Abuja, Nigeria are mainly nonischaemic in origin and occur mainly in a younger and productive age group. Hypertension was found to be the most common cause, followed by dilated cardiomyopathies and rheumatic heart disease. The authors noted some subtle differences in the heart disease pattern in Abuja and Soweto. While there are higher rates of HTN and hypertensive HF in Abuja, ischaemic heart disease and right HF were more common in the Soweto study. As noted by the authors, this may be related to a higher burden of CAD and lung disease risk factors such as cigarette smoking, obesity, dyslipidaemia, and diabetes in Soweto compared with Abuja. Furthermore, peripartum cardiomyopathy is not as common a cause of CV disease and HF as expected. Given this relative lack of published data, putting the results of Ojji et al. into perspective is difficult. However, previous studies have found similar trends in different African countries and communities. 15 In most studies, HTN is followed by other disease entities that are less common outside of Africa, such as idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and rheumatic heart diseases. The Heart of Soweto registry from the Soweto township in South Africa, which is also described in the manuscript itself, found similar, although not identical trends (see above). In a registryof 2908 patients presenting for CV diseases to a clinic in Mzuzu central hospital in Malawi during a 5-year period, the most common causes of CV morbidity were rheumatic (34%), HTN (24%), cardiomyopathies (most commonly idiopathic dilated; 19%), and pericardial disease (14%). Atherosclerosis represented only 1–4% of cases. These trends are observed everywhere in Africa—in published and unpublished data, such as those depicted in a poster in the waiting area of a county hospital in Tzaneen; the Northern Province of South Africa (Figure 1). Indeed, similar results were published in studies from Nigeria 7 summarized in detail in the review by Ogah et al. These studies show that the prevalence of HTN in the general Nigerian population ranges from 8% to 46.4%. More importantly, it seems that the prevalence of HTN is increasing—from 8.6% reported in the only population-based study during the period from 1970 to 1979 to 22.55% during the period 2000–2011. HTN-related complications such as stroke, hypertensive heart disease (including hypertensive HF), andchronic kidneydisease is common andoften severe inhypertensive Nigerians. Late presentation is also common. Awareness, treatment, and control of HTN are low, as in many developing countries of the world. Regarding admissions for HF, in a smaller study from the Yaounde general hospital in Cameroon, the main causes of HF admissions were HTN (54%), cardiomyopathies (26%), and valvular heart diseases (24%). Ischaemic heart diseasewas the fifth most common aetiology (2.4%). In a registry of 1000 patients admitted for HF and followed prospectively by Damasceno et al., the most common causes of HF were HTN (45%) and rheumatic heart disease (14%), while ischaemic heart disease (8%) was not a common cause for HF. The study by Ojji et al., besides being one of the largest registries of CV diseases and HF in Africa, emphasizes two additional important aspects of CV diseases and HF and their treatment. First, the age of the patients affected is younger than in other world regions. Damasceno et al., Stewart et al., and Sliwa et al. have shown that CV diseases and HF occur in Africa at a younger age than outside Africa. In the series from Malawi, Soliman et al. found that the average age of patients presenting with CV diseases is as low as 40 years. Other studies describing CV admissions in Nigeria found the age of admission to be 50–55 years. 7,10 In the study of Ojji et al. the

The Manifestation of Anxiety among Sesotho Speakers

Mental health research in black communities in South Africa has been neglected to an alarming degree. Consequently the health system is in a precarious situation owing to a lack of accurate data to facilitate proper planning. This study investigates the way in which anxiety is clinically manifested among Sesotho speakers. For this exploratory descriptive study, the participants consisted of 101 Sesotho speakers diagnosed with anxiety disorders. They were drawn from the population of patients visiting various health establishments in the Mangaung area, South Africa. A semi-structured interview based on the Psychiatric Interview Questionnaire was used to evaluate the participants. It consisted of two types of data collection: the open-ended interview and clinical observation. The results show that there were marked differences in the presentation of anxiety symptoms among Sesotho speakers in comparison with what has been reported in western literature. Anxiety among Sesotho speakers is characterized by the prevalence of hallucinations, and there are also overlapping symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Distinction without Difference: The Constitutional Protection of Customary Law and Cultural, Linguistic and Religious Communities – A Comment on Shilubana and Others v. Nwamitwa

The decision of the South African Constitutional Court in Shilubana and Others v Nwamitwa ([2008] ZACC 9 (CC), the Shilubana case) appears to herald a more sympathetic understanding of customary law, but it also reveals the fact that customary law applies exclusively to the black community in South Africa while other racial communities are imagined and protected in terms of the rights in sections 30 and 31 of the Final Constitution (FC). This paper contends that this distinction is not only wrong but of no significant difference. It is further contended that protection of all racial communities should proceed on the basis of sections 30 and 31 of the FC because the framework of these two sections appears better suited for the protection of all communities if South African courts show a more sympathetic understanding of communal norms and institutions. This comment argues that the Shilubana case is a tentative but welcome example of this trend. In the case the CC upheld a decision of the Valoyi Tribe to appoint a woman as a traditional leader. This was a development of its customary law of traditional succession that had hitherto operated on the basis of male primogeniture. In recognizing a gender neutral traditional leadership institution, the Court demonstrated that institutions established by communal norms can exist and function on the basis of equality and other rights which are the hallmarks of a liberal constitution.With reference to that decision this comment undertakes an overview of group rights in the FC. It considers the exclusive association of customary law with the ‘black’ community and questions whether this association has enhanced the group rights of the black community. It assesses the interpretation of the rights of members of cultural, linguistic and religious communities under sections 30 and 31 of the FC as interpreted in the Shilubana case and other cases to ascertain how far they advance group rights. It concludes by urging a unified interpretation of ‘communities’ and a more beneficial interpretation of ‘group rights’ that recognizes that all racial groups have their own customary laws and deserve a more sensitive recognition of their communal norms.

Manifestation of cultural diversity in the novel Megokgo ya Lethabo ‘Tears of Joy’

Among the South African black communities comprising Venda, Tsonga, Sotho, Nguni and Khoisan, marriage is not viewed as a union of two individuals, but rather as a joining together of a number of families by means of various rituals, practices such as ‘bride wealth’ ilobola and negotiations. This has created a cultural diversity in the communities that we cannot wish away (Magubane, 2001:46). Historically, the black peoples of South Africa have been practising endogamous marriages, which means, for example, that a Motswana would not marry a Xhosa or Zulu (cf. Schapera, 1977:155). This article focuses on how the Northern Sotho writer H.M.L. Lentsoane, in his novel Megokgo ya Lethabo Tears of Joy', depicts these cultural stereotypes within black South African communities and how marriage, as a cultural institution, is portrayed. The questions asked are: How does this Sotho literary text, Megokgo ya Lethabo ‘Tears of Joy’, contribute to the crossing of conventional socio-cultural boundaries? To what extent are cultural diversities in marriage portrayed? As South Africa is counted among the young democracies of the world, what can be learned from the events outlined in this story? Turner's (1989) theory, which focuses on the three phases of the rite of passage namely, separation, transition and incorporation, is used to shed new light on the cultural diversity among black communities in South Africa.

The problems of beginning mathematics teachers for the senior secondary school phase in some deprived black communities in South Africa

Summary Beginning mathematics teachers for the senior secondary school phase in the deprived black communities of South Africa are not only faced with the usual adjustment problems of beginning teachers, but find themselves in a unique problem situation. With this in view, a structured questionnaire was given to beginning teachers in the service of the education departments of four regions in South Africa that specifically serve black communities, in order to identify and investigate possible problems in the teaching situation. From these research results it was concluded that almost all the identified problems occur to a greater or lesser extent, and may therefore have a detrimental influence on the teaching situation. Some recommendations could eventually be made on the basis of these results.

Informal Networks for Pre-school Children in a Black Community in South Africa

Informal Networks for Pre-school Children in a Black Community in South Africa

Race, pluralism and power: The British parallel with South Africa

The recent direct collective action by Blacks in Brixham is only the latest in a history of similar events. Interest is usually directed to understanding the precipitating issues and the motives of immediate participants. This article sets them in their structural context by focusing on the location of Blacks in the British political process. Despite the obvious and many differences between the Black communities in South Africa and Britain, this article points to a surprising parallel. The two countries are remarkably similar in making their political process impenetrable to issues centring on race over and above limits set by that process. Direct collective action such as that in Brixham or Soweto, has to be seen in the light of this impenetrability. Although related together in this article, the two themes, of impenetrability and the South African parallel, are distinct. Nor are they of equal importance, for the article has something more important to say about impenetrability. But the parallel is not normally recognised and is, I believe, the logical consequence of impenetrability.

Die sosiologie, navorsing in die ciskei en gemeenskapsontwikkeling

Abstract SOCIOLOGY, RESEARCH IN THE CISKEI AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: The development of Black Communities in South Africa has a challenge for the South African sociologist. This requires an active involvement in research on Community Development and team participation with the people concerned to implement the recommendations. Based upon this notion, this article expounds on research in the Cis-kei undertaken by the Department of Sociology of the University Of Port Elizabeth in collaboration with representatives of various Departments and peoples of the Ciskei.