https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/2979 Sun, 20 Sep 2026 09:47:45 GMT 2026-09-20T09:47:45Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32993 An African philosophical perspective on the concept and practice of lobola: continuity or disconnect with ubuntu? Fothane, Ditupa This study explores the connection between the cultural practice of lobola and the African philosophy of Ubuntu. It sets out to excavate meanings, understandings and interpretations of the concept and practice of lobola as it was practised during pre-colonial times and how it is currently practised in the post-colonial Southern African context. Through an interpretive desktop design, and a critical engagement with literature, the study explored the manifestation of Ubuntu in the concept and practice of lobola, in its ‘original form’ and in its current form. The findings of this study indicate that there is a disconnect between the practice of lobola as it is currently practised and the African philosophy of Ubuntu. The study found that the practice of lobola hinders access to marriage due to the exorbitant amount of money required; Nyakišišo ye e hlahloba kamano magareng ga mokgwa wa setšo wa lobola le filosofi ya Seafrika ya Ubuntu. E ikemišeditše go sekaseka ditlhalošo, dikwešišo le ditlhalošollo tše di amanago le kgopolo le mokgwa wa lobola bjalo ka ge e be di dirišwa mehleng ya pele ga bokoloniale, le ka fao e dirišwago ka gona mo maemong a Afrika Borwa bja ka Borwa ka morago ga bokoloniale. Nyakišišo ye e dirišitše mokgwa wa nyakišišo wa tlhathollo wa deskthopo (interpretive desktop research design) gomme ya sekaseka dingwalo tša maleba ka tshekatsheko ye e tseneletšego. Ka mokgwa wo, nyakišišo e nyakišišitše tekanyo yeo filosofi ya Ubuntu e bonagatšwago ka yona ka gare ga kgopolo le mokgwa wa lobola, bobedi ka sebopego sa yona sa mathomo le ka sebopego sa yona sa lehono. Diphihlelelo tša nyakišišo ye di bontšha gore go na le go se sepelelane magareng ga mokgwa wa lehono wa lobola le filosofi ya Seafrika ya Ubuntu. Nyakišišo e hweditše gore mokgwa wa lehono wa lobola o arogetšwe le metheo ya motheo le dikelo tša Ubuntu. Go feta moo, e hweditše gore mokgwa wa lobola ke lepheko go batho bao ba nyakago go tsena lenyalong ka lebaka la ditefelo tša tšhelete tše di godimo kudu tše di amanago le tefo ya lobola.; Lolu cwaningo luhlola kabanzi ubudlelwano obuphakathi kwesiko lokulobola kanye nefilosofi yase-Afrika yoBuntu. Luhlose ukumba luphinde luhlaziye izincazelo, ukuqondwa kanye nokuhunyushwa komqondo nomkhuba wokulobola njengoba kwakwenziwa ngaphambi kwesikhathi sobukoloni, kanye nendlela okwenziwa ngayo njengamanje esimweni saseNingizimu ne-Afrika ngemva kobukoloni. Lolu cwaningo lusebenzise indlela yokucwaninga ehunyushayo esekelwe ekuhlaziyweni kwemibhalo (interpretive desktop design), kanye nokuhlaziywa okubucayi kwemithombo yolwazi efanele. Ngale ndlela, ucwaningo luhlolisise indlela ifilosofi yoBuntu ebonakala ngayo emcabangweni nasemkhubeni wokulobola, kokubili esimweni sawo sokuqala kanye nasendleleni owenziwa ngayo esikhathini samanje. Imiphumela yalolu cwaningo ikhombisa ukuthi kunokungahambisani phakathi komkhuba wokulobola njengoba wenziwa namuhla kanye nefilosofi yase-Afrika yoBuntu. Ucwaningo luthole ukuthi indlela yokulobola yanamuhla isiphambukile ezimisweni nasezimisweni eziyisisekelo zoBuntu. Luphinde lwathola ukuthi umkhuba wokulobola uvimbela abantu abaningi ekungeneni emshadweni ngenxa yemali eningi kakhulu edingekayo ukuze kukhokhwe ilobolo. Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32993 2026-03-12T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32966 Women’s leadership and empowerment in a black Pentecostal church in South Africa Jacobs, Phumeza Cordelia Nonnie This practical theological study explores women’s leadership and empowerment within African Pentecostal churches, specifically investigating Black Pentecostalism’s stance on gender equity, women’s empowerment, and the challenges posed by resistance to change. It also addresses the persistent marginalisation of women and the barriers to their ordination as pastors. Rooted in a reflective theory of practice, this research examines Christian praxis about human experience, aiming to articulate women’s lived experiences and analyse the causes and implications of their non-ordination within South African Pentecostal churches. It also examines the evolving relationship between African Pentecostalism and gender, focusing on how contemporary Pentecostal movements engage with women’s empowerment while raising awareness and promoting social justice activism to eliminate systemic prejudice and amplify women’s voices. It employs a qualitative methodology, utilising a descriptive narrative case study approach with 24 senior pastors from the Assemblies of God Back to God (BTG) denomination across various provinces in South Africa. Though BTG serves as a case study, the research situates itself within the broader discourse on gender dynamics in African Pentecostalism. The study critically explores how Pentecostal theological frameworks, ecclesial structures, and socio-cultural contexts influence women’s roles in leadership and agency. Thematic analysis is facilitated. Atlas.Ti software was applied to identify patterns in leadership perspectives, institutional practices, and theological justifications regarding women’s ordination. Findings reveal significant tensions between progressive theological visions advocating gender inclusion and entrenched patriarchal interpretations that limit women’s ministerial agency. While some Pentecostal leaders acknowledge the need for change, structural inefficiencies, rigid biblical hermeneutics, and prevailing cultural norms continue to obstruct meaningful transformation. The study suggests that meaningful change may require considerable time and effort, especially due to inefficiencies and leadership styles within African Pentecostal churches. By positioning gender as a critical lens for examining power dynamics in Pentecostal ecclesiology, this research contributes to the scholarly discourse on religion and social justice. It underscores the urgent need for sustained theological reflection and institutional reform to challenge systemic inequalities and foster inclusive leadership within African Pentecostal churches. Abstract and text in English Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32966 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32887 Intercultural ministry training of a Pentecostal theological institution in the United States of America Aiyedogbon, Kola This study examines the training of Pentecostal theological graduates for intercultural ministry in the United States, with a focus on integrating intercultural education within theological programmes. It emphasises the value of cultural diversity and encourages educators and students to develop intercultural competencies for harmonious interaction in a multicultural world (Bennett, 2009). Day’s (2021) proposition for theological education on a hybrid of cognition and praxis was engaged. The concept envisions the preparation of students for effective ministry in a pluralist society. It is the framework of intercultural education conceived for ministry which is intentional, and faith based. The research positions intercultural education as vital for equipping theological graduates to serve in pluralistic societies. The study is critical because ministry engagement in intercultural contexts demands a new learning set to prepare students adequately for pluralist societies. Utilising qualitative methodology, data were collected through semi-structured interviews and then analysed with a thematic approach and Atlas-ti qualitative software to identify the main themes to be addressed. The case study focuses on a Pentecostal theological training institution that prepares graduates for ministry across the Americas, involving interviews with 28 participants, 14 faculty members and 14 students. The findings highlighted the central role of curriculum design in fostering intercultural education, the significance of educators’ competence and capacity building, and the need for cultural understanding to adapt ministry practices to diverse contexts. Cultural adaptation requires understanding of the diverse backgrounds of students and the contents in which they will serve. The research concludes that church ministry is dynamic, necessitating evolving theological training to prepare leaders for diverse societies. The thesis contributes to practical theology through the understanding that integrates contextual theology, transformative learning, and intercultural communication to enhance intercultural competencies in Pentecostal theological education and understanding the other as we live in a democracy. This framework aligns with Pentecostalism's mission to engage diverse cultures, advocating for a holistic curriculum that equips graduates to navigate the complexities of intercultural ministry in an evolving global landscape. Sat, 01 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32887 2025-02-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32775 Erwartungen von Eltern an die evangelische Kirche als Anchor Institution: eine empirische Untersuchung im ländlichen Raum des nördlichen Schwarzwalds Kappel, Christiane Die Gemeindeentwicklung im ländlichen Raum steht angesichts des demografischen Wandels und sinkender Mitgliederzahlen vor großen Herausforderungen, bleibt aber durch Einrichtun-gen wie Kindergärten, Diakonie und Jugendarbeit als Anchor Institution präsent und muss die veränderten Lebensumstände und Bedürfnisse von Familien verstehen, um ihre Angebote ent-sprechend weiterzuentwickeln zu können. Das Ziel der empirischen Forschung in der Prakti-schen Theologie ist es, zu einer reflektierten Praxis beizutragen. Vor diesem Hintergrund un-tersucht die vorliegende Arbeit die Erwartungen von Eltern, deren Kinder Angebote der Lan-deskirchen nutzen, die aber selbst nicht aktiv am Gemeindeleben teilnehmen, an die evange-lische Landeskirche als „Anchor Institution“ im Kontext der kirchlichen Jugendarbeit. Aus-gangspunkt ist die Bedeutung der Kirche im Familienleben der Eltern sowie deren persönliche Erfahrungen mit kirchlichen Angeboten. Als Methode wurde hierfür die der teilstandardisierten Leitfadeninterviews aus der qualitativen Sozialforschung gewählt. Diese wurden mithilfe der qualitativen Inhaltsanalyse nach Kuckartz und Rädiker ausgewertet. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Eltern die Kirche vor allem als Vermittlerin von christlichen Werten und als Anbieterin von Lebenshilfe für ihre Kinder wahrnehmen. Trotz einer grundsätzlichen Wertschätzung der kirch-lichen Traditionen und Rituale wird die Kirche von vielen Eltern als wenig zeitgemäß und fami-lienfreundlich empfunden. Die Analyse macht deutlich, dass ein Bruch zwischen den vorhan-denen kirchlichen Angeboten und den tatsächlichen Bedürfnissen vieler Familien besteht. Zu-gleich erkennen die Eltern die Rolle der Kirche als kulturellen und sozialen Anker im Dorf an. Die Arbeit verweist auf Impulse für eine familienorientierte Gemeindeentwicklung, die Lebens-welt und Herausforderungen der Familien stärker berücksichtigt und kirchliche Angebote enger an deren Alltag ausrichtet.; Despite demographic change and declining membership, the Church remains an anchor insti-tution in rural areas through services such as “kindergartens”, social welfare work and youth programmes. However, it must understand the changing living conditions and needs of families in order to find new ways to appeal to adults and demonstrate its relevance to them. Empirical research in practical theology aims to contribute to reflective practice. With this in mind, this paper examines parents' expectations of the Protestant regional church as an ‘anchor institu-tion’ in the context of church youth work. The starting point is the church's significance in par-ents' family life and their personal experiences with church services. For this purpose, semi-stuctured interviews from the field of qualitative social research were used. The interviews were evaluated using a qualitative content analysis according to Kuckartz and Rädiker. The results show that parents perceive the church primarily as a mediator of Christian values and a provider of life guidance for their children. Despite a fundamental ap-preciation of church traditions and rituals, many parents perceive the church as outdated and not family-friendly. The analysis makes it clear that there is a disconnect between the existing church offerings and the actual needs of many families. At the same time, parents recognise the role of the church as a cultural and social anchor in the village. The work points to ideas for family-oriented community development that take greater account of the living environment and challenges of families and aligns church offerings more closely with their everyday lives. Text in German with abstract in English and German Sat, 01 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32775 2025-11-01T00:00:00Z