The Case of Ulwaluko and Intonjane Cultural
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THE IMPACT OF CULTURAL ATTRITION ON YOUTH BEHAVIOUR: THE CASE OF ULWALUKO AND INTONJANE CULTURAL PRACTICES IN MTHATHA AND MOUNT FRERE, EASTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA BY THANDUXOLO NOMNGCOYIYA (201006645) A Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN SOCIAL WORK In the FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES Department of Social Work / Social Development Supervisor: PROF. S.M. KANG’ETHE JANUARY 2018 1 | Page ABSTRACT This study explored the impact of cultural attrition on youth behaviour: A case of ulwaluko and intonjane cultural practices in Mthatha and Mount Frere areas, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The study endeavoured to achieve the following specific objectives: (i) to respectively examine youth perceptions of ulwaluko and intonjane cultural practices and their impact towards their behaviour; (ii) to establish different stakeholders’ perceptions on the link between current youth behaviours and attrition of ulwaluko and intonjane cultural practices; (iii) to explore the extent to which cultural attrition has impacted upon the cultural goal posts of both ulwaluko and intonjane practices; and (iv) to establish the effectiveness of policy environment designed to uphold cultural preservation, integrity, growth and development. The study was premised on theoretical lenses of anomie theory, socio-cultural theory, cultural imperialism theory, and cultural feminism theory. Methodologically, the study used both qualitative and quantitative paradigm and was thus guided by mixed research design which was case study and mini survey. The data was collected through in-depth one-on-one interviews, focus group discussions and key informants in the qualitative aspect of the study. In addition, the quantitative data was gathered through distribution of questionnaires. The study used both non-probability and probability methods sample selection, specifically purposive sampling (for qualitative data) and cluster random sampling (for quantitative) techniques were used. Using these techniques, forty-two (42) participants were selected for qualitative interviews, and comprised of eighteen (18) young men and women of both gender divides. Moreover, nine (9) key informants were included in the qualitative data collection. Therefore, the total number of both participants and respondents was 105. Data was analysed qualitatively through thematic analysis, while descriptive statistics was used to analyse quantitative data through the use of SPSS software versions 24. The study revealed the following: a state of cultural crossroad for both intonjane and ulwaluko rites; cultural attrition is indeed a reality; culture incapable of holding their goal posts; modern era a huge driver to cultural attrition; unfriendly policies on cultures a driver to cultural attrition; human rights’ wave and advocacy aiding cultural attrition; political infiltration of cultures; human rights’ wave and advocacy aiding cultural attrition; and community forums as avenues of disseminating the benefits of i | Page cultural practices. Based on the evidence gathered in this study, the following recommendations are made: purposive use of mass media to promote indigenous cultures; community awareness in promoting and maintaining cultures; formulating cultural policies that embed stakeholders’ self-determination, and youth ownership and participation in cultural preservation. The study concludes that cultural practices such as ulwaluko and intonjane play a pivotal role in shaping young people’s behaviours and moral conducts. However, modernity forces and various omissions by stakeholders of these cultural practices have contributed to their attrition. ii | Page DECLARATION I, Thanduxolo Nomngcoyiya, hereby declare that this thesis entitled “The impact of cultural attrition on youth behaviour: A case of ulwaluko and intonjane cultural practices in Mthatha and Mount Frere areas, Eastern Cape, South Africa.” is my own work, and that, I have given due acknowledgements to the diverse sources that I have consulted. 18th December 2017 …………………………………….. …………………………………………….. Signature Date Witnessed by Professor Simon M. Kang’ethe 18th December 2017 ………………………….. …………………………………… Signature Date iii | Page DEDICATION I dedicate this work to my mother, Mrs Nowiti Tafeni and my aunt (uDabawo) Ms. Nobendiba Nomngcoyiya for their unconditional and endless support they provided to me, throughout the period of my academic journey. I also dedicate this thesis, to my late father, Mr Zola Kalimeva Nomngcoyiya who passed away in 2005. Tata I know you would have been very proud of this achievement. iv | Page ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the following persons whose assistance and support made this study a success: Almighty God, the Father who protected and guided me and gave me strength and power to complete this study. My academic coach, mentor, colleague and supervisor, Prof. S.M. Kang’ethe for his outstanding academic intellect and prowess, unlimited humility, wisdom and guidance. Prof. J.B. Kheswa for inspiration, advice and academic support in almost all levels of my academia. My colleague at University of Fort Hare and East African (Kenya), Dr. RM. Kajiita, for instilling a very strong academic culture and healthy competition between us and always push us to work even harder towards our PhD projects and academia at large as well as helping in rigorous professional technical and language editing of this work. My wife Tulie Mpafi for the much needed support from the day when I decided to go back to school and pursue my degrees, at the very difficult time in our lives and marriage I’ll forever be grateful and respect you for that virtue. My colleague and my best friend Similo for a shared academic vision, unwavering support, shared laughter and joy as well as pains and sorrows. My entire family on both sides (Nomngcoyiya and Mpafi families) but single out my sisters Bukiwe Tafeni and Reneliwe Mpafi as well as my brother in- law Siwaphiwe Mpafi. My son Barri & my princess TJ for showing interest in what I do and for being supportive and understanding that I needed to spend more time in my books than spending time with you. I shall forever be indebted to my second family (Bomela family) especially to Buntu and my children Khwezi, Phawu-Aluwelwa, and their grandma Magqunu for being there in my life in most difficult times and you made life worth living. My third family, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of South Africa and its v | Page leaders for spiritual nourishment, continued support and prayers. Communities of Mthatha and Mount Frere especially, Xola Mananga, Mrs Matshoba and the entire team without your participation and assistance this research would have been impossible. Lastly, National Institute for Humanities and Social Science, SAHUDA without them this PhD project could have been impossible. I’ll forever be grateful for both financial and human resources you have provided to me. University of Fort Hare Govan Mbeki Research and Development Centre for financial and academic support, this is possible because of your assistance in various aspects of our academia. vi | Page LIST OF TABLES Table 4.1 Qualitative v/s Quantitative Approaches - 125/126 Table 4.2 Likert scale used – 138 Table 4.3 Sample size and methods – 141/142 Table 4.4 Research methods linked to research 145/156 questions Table 5.1 Young women profile 160-161 Table 5.2 Young men 167/168 Table 5.3 other Community Members 172 Table 5.4 Key informants 174 Table 5.5 Study Themes 175/176 Table 5.6 Other Community Members 200 Table 5.7 Other Community Members 201 Table 5.8 Other Community Members 203 Table 5.9 Other Community Members 203 Table 5.10 Other Community Members 204 Table 5.11 Youth (male & female) 206 Table 5.12 Youth (male & female) 207 Table 5.13 Youth (male & female) 207 Table 5.14 Youth (male & female) 208 Table 5.15 Attrition perceptions 210 Table 5.16 youth Behaviours 211 Table 5.17 rites capacity 212 Table 5.18 global forces 213 Table 5.19 Commercial facet 214 Table 5.20 human rights 2.15 Table 5.21 policy milieu 217 Table 5.22 Community initiatives 218 Table 5.23 Rites’ cessation 219 vii | Page LIST OF FIGURES Figure 4.1 Qualitative v/s quantitative Methods 116/117 Figure 5.1 other community members 201 Figure 5.2 other community members 202 Figure 5.3 other community members 203 Figure 5.4 other community members 204 Figure 5.5 other community members 205 Figure 5.6 youth (male & female) 206 Figure 5.7 youth (male & female) 207 Figure 5.8 youth (male & female) 208 Figure 5.9 attrition perceptions 210 Figure 5.10 youth behaviours 211 Figure 5.11 rites capacity 212 Figure 5.12 global forces 213 Figure 5.13 commercial facet 214 Figure 5.14 human rights 216 Figure 5.15 policy milieu 217 Figure 5.16 community initiatives 218 Figure 5.17 Rites’ cessation 219 viii | Page LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABREVIATIONS ACHPR African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights AFF African Feminism Forum AIDS Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome BC Botched Circumcision CONTRALESA Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa CPPRCRLC Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities DoH Department of Health EC-CGTA Eastern Cape Cooperative governance and Traditional Leaders FGDs Focus Group Discussions HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus ICCPR International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ICESCR International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights IKS Indigenous Knowledge