AFRICAN JOURNAL OF GENDER AND RELIGION Publication Information Volume 25 No. 2 December 2019 E-ISSN: 2707-2991 Published semi-annually, in July and December, by: Physical Address: Faculty of Arts, Desmond Tutu Centre for Religion and Social Justice University of the Western Cape Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville, 7535 Cape Town, Western Cape, South Tel: +27 (0) 21 959 2383 E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected] The African Journal of Gender and Religion is a DHET Accredited Journal ______________________________________________________ Special Issue Editors Lee-Shae Salma Scharnick-Udemans [email protected] Rosalind I.J. Hackett [email protected] Editor Sarojini Nadar, University of the Western Cape [email protected] Co-editor Fatima Seedat, University of Cape Town [email protected] Editor Emeritus Isabel Apawo Phiri, World Council of Churches [email protected] Submissions and Managing Editor Lee-Shae Salma Scharnick-Udemans [email protected] Associate Editor for Special Issue Ashleigh Petersen [email protected] Associate Editor Megan Robertson [email protected] Journal Administrator Ferial Marlie [email protected] Journal Assistants Ashleigh Petersen Ishaya Anthony Nobesuthu Tom Rhine Toby Koloti [email protected] __________________________________________________________ The African Journal of Gender and Religion Vol. 25 No 2 (December 2019) Language Editing, Layout, and Typesetting Willem Oliver [email protected] Editorial Peer Reviewers for this issue Dr Syeda Lubna Bano Nadvi (University of KwaZulu-Natal) Dr Adriaan van Klinken (University of Leeds) Dr Mutale Kaunda (Independent Scholar) Dr Sophia Chirongoma (Midlands State University) Prof Deevia Bhana (University of KwaZulu-Natal) Dr Demaine Solomons (University of the Western Cape) Prof Kudzai Biri (University of Zimbabwe) Dr Massiiwa Ragies Gunda (Independent Scholar) Ms Megan Robertson (University of the Western Cape) Prof Narnia Bohler-Muller (Human Science Research Council) Dr Eleanor Tiplady Higgs (University of Cape Town) Ms Janine Carlse (University of Stellenbosch) Dr Sokfa John (University of KwaZulu-Natal) Prof Anita Cloete (University of Stellenbosch) Dr Enqi Weng (Deakin University) Editorial Board Dr. Adriaan van Klinken (University of Leeds) Prof. Asonzeh Ukah (University of Cape Town) Prof. Aysha Hidayatullah (University of San Francisco) Dr. Damaris Parsitau (Egerton University) Dr. Farah Zeb (Independent Scholar) Dr. Johnathan Jodamus (University of the Western Cape) Prof. Lindsay Clowes (University of the Western Cape) Prof. Narnia Bohler-Muller (Human Sciences Research Council) Prof. Nina Hoel (University of Oslo) Dr. Nontando Hadebe (St Augustine College) Prof. Rosalind I. J. Hackett (University of Tennessee) Dr. Sophia Chirongoma (Midlands State University) Dr. Susannah Cornwall (University of Exeter) Rev. Dr. Vicentia Kgabe (College of Transfiguration) Prof. Zintombizethu Matebeni (University of the Western Cape) ______________________________________________________ AFRICAN JOURNAL OF GENDER AND RELIGION EDITORIAL POLICY STATEMENT The African Journal of Gender and Religion (AJGR) is a semi-annual publication, moved in 2017 from the Gender and Religion programme at UKZN (the Centre for Deconstructive Theology at UKZN) to the Desmond Tutu Centre for Religion and Social Justice at the University of the Western Cape. Since 2004, the Journal has published research papers, which are relevant to gender, religion, and theology in Africa. The editorial committee considers for publication submissions of a scholarly standard from any of the social science and theological disciplines or related fields of inquiry, which provide useful perspectives at the inter- sections of gender, religion, and theology in Africa. Particular areas of interest include the gendered analysis of religion; theology and the study of religion; innovations in contextual theological education; theological and ethical reflection on social trans- formation; the significance of new religious movements and African-initiated forms of religion; the role of women in religion and society; interfaith dialogue; peace-making and reconciliation; normative and non-normative sexualities, and queer politics. The African Journal of Gender and Religion seeks to promote dialogue and response, not only within the academic community in Africa and beyond, but also with faith prac- titioners working “on the ground” to build a more just society in the region. These may include religious leaders, clergy, other religious officials, professionals, and laity across broad social spectrums who seek to read their faith against the critical issues confronting society today. Written submissions to the African Journal of Gender and Religion may take the form of researched scholarly articles or essays. Book reviews, brief responses to articles, conference reports and summaries of research projects are also welcome. Articles submitted for the section called “praxis” must show evidence of how sound theoretical reflections are brought to bear on practical action. Within the section on “praxis” we will publish essays that are not considered “mainstream academic” but nonetheless point to theories of gender justice in action. Submissions are evaluated through an editorial committee screening process. Further, the articles are also sent for peer review to a minimum of two competent scholars working in a similar field of interest. Prospective contributors of scholarly articles should send a typed copy of their article via e-mail to the submissions editor at [email protected]. All submissions must strictly follow the guidelines set out in the AJGR Style Sheet. Any article that does not conform to the Style Sheet will be returned and will not be considered until the style requirements are adhered to. Published contributors will receive one complimentary copy of the issue in which their work is published. Opinions expressed by contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial committee or the Desmond Tutu Centre for Religion and Social Justice at the University of the Western Cape. __________________________________________________________ The African Journal of Gender and Religion Vol. 25 No 2 (December 2019) AFRICAN JOURNAL OF GENDER AND RELIGION Volume 25 No. 2 December 2019 E-ISSN: 2707-2991 Article Pages Editorial: Lee-Shae S. Scharnick-Udemans and Rosalind I.J. Hackett Introduction: Religion and Gender in the Media Marketplace 1-13 Hassan J. Ndzovu Broadcasting Female Muslim Preaching in Kenya: Negotiating Religious Authority and the Ambiguous Role of the Voice 14-40 Peter A. Oderinde Gender Bargains in a Pentecostal (Born-Again) Marriage: Divorce as a Socio-religious Discourse in the Glorious Vessels International Chat Group 41-62 Nelly Mwale The Nature and Significance of a Muslim Woman’s Contest for Mayor of Lusaka, Zambia 63-85 Sokfa F. John Computing Cupid: Online Dating and the Faith of Romantic Algorithms 86-108 Siyabulela Tonono Uyajola 9/9 uTata’kho: Missionaries and Black Masculinities 109-133 Pauline Mateveke Gender, Religion and the Media: An Analysis of Selected Media Representations of Fungisai’s Images and Music 134-151 Cherry Muslim Shifting Dynamics of Safe Spaces for Women in Revolutionary and Post-Revolutionary Egypt: A Reflection on the Article, “We are not Women, We are Egyptians” 152-170 ______________________________________________________ The African Journal of Gender and Religion Vol. 25 No 2 (December 2019) Introduction: Religion and Gender in the Media Marketplace1 Lee-Shae S. Scharnick-Udemans and Rosalind I.J. Hackett1 1SHORT BIO ABSTRACT Lee Scharnick-Udemans Against the background of the decolonial turn in scholarship, we reflect on Dr Lee Scharnick-Udemans is the senior the implications of the exclusion of Africa and Africans from the epistemo- researcher in the Desmond Tutu Centre logical labour involved in the development of the field of religion and for Religion and Social Justice at the media. In reviewing recent developments in the field of religion and media University of the Western Cape. Her studies in Africa, we reveal the research dearth produced by the scarcity of research focuses on religious diversity studies in religion and media in Africa, which focuses on the interplays and and religious pluralism in the context of overlaps between religion, media, and gender. This introduction illustrates contemporary South Africa. She the possibility that gender perspectives, approaches, and theorising might researches, teaches, and supervises in contribute to the advancement of the field of religion and media in Africa the area of religious diversity, pluralism, and examines the possibilities that are generated by the seven contribu- religion education, the political economy tions featured in this volume. In recognising the discursive, material, and of religion, new religious movements, contextual nature of knowledge production, we understand how, through and the media. She is the co-editor of explorations in the religion-media marketplace, the limitations of traditional the Journal for the Study of Religion and notions of the field and the archive are challenged. the submissions editor for the African Journal of Gender and Religion. KEYWORDS Rosalind Hackett religion and media; gender; African; religious pluralism; media Rosalind Hackett is the Chancellor’s marketplaces Professor, Distinguished Professor in the Humanities, and Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Tennessee,