South African schools provide an enormous challenge for transformation towards inclusive and caring communities of learners, facilitators and caregivers. This qualitative study conducted at a primary school used narrative pastoral therapy-as-research and participatory action research-as-therapy to develop inclusive and caring practices. Co-authoring conversations with learners and caregivers from a diverse cultural and religious traditions and collaborating with facilitators challenged me to develop pastoral care as political care. This paved a way for future transformation of a school as a multi-religious community of care and respect. I engaged with participants in finding alternative ways of dealing with loss due to death of loved ones or separartion from caregivers. Children with chronic illness challenged their experiences of rejection and marginalisation at school by writing and producing a play while those whose voices were silenced chose other ways to inform learners and facilitators about their illness. / Practical Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology with specialisation in Pastoral Therapy)

The objective of this multi-perspective qualitative research study was to explore the phenomenon of Inclusivity and to develop a theoretical Inclusivity Framework. Inclusivity is defined by the researcher as a radical transformational methodology with the intent to achieve sustainable results. A case study, in which an Inclusivity Transformational Strategy was implemented, was introduced to provide context. Six years after initial implementation of this strategy, with the purpose to investigate the sustainability thereof, in-depth interviews with a phenomenological nature were conducted with national leaders (n=4) responsible for the strategy and provincial leaders (n=13) that participated in the interventions. Furthermore, a round table discussion was conducted with the executive team (n=12), and three focus groups were held on regional leader level (n=32) and three on employee level (n=28). The essence of the phenomenon namely Inclusivity was synthesised through Phenomenology. Emerging theory was built through Grounded Theory principles. Meta-insights were derived through content analysis. Post Intervention Investigation was done in the case organisation. This strategy and the Inclusivity Framework, derived from literature, were adapted and presented as contributors to the theory of Inclusivity. Positive trends were found in the case organisation, in profitability, retention, compliance to legislation, levels of emotional intelligence of leaders and organisational climate indicators. Six years after the initial stages of the strategy were implemented, evidence of the principles of Inclusivity was still found. It was derived that Inclusivity leads to higher levels of commitment, trust and engagement. Fundamental to the achievement of success were leadership�s emotional intelligence, and willingness to allow differences. A key finding was that although aligned around strategy, individual styles were allowed to manifest in the case organisation. Creating Inclusivity in one system may however lead to the exclusion of other systems. It was concluded that Inclusivity as defined by this study is a radical transformational methodology that may result in sustainable transformation. / Graduate School of Business Leadership / D.B.L.

South African schools provide an enormous challenge for transformation towards inclusive and caring communities of learners, facilitators and caregivers. This qualitative study conducted at a primary school used narrative pastoral therapy-as-research and participatory action research-as-therapy to develop inclusive and caring practices. Co-authoring conversations with learners and caregivers from a diverse cultural and religious traditions and collaborating with facilitators challenged me to develop pastoral care as political care. This paved a way for future transformation of a school as a multi-religious community of care and respect. I engaged with participants in finding alternative ways of dealing with loss due to death of loved ones or separartion from caregivers. Children with chronic illness challenged their experiences of rejection and marginalisation at school by writing and producing a play while those whose voices were silenced chose other ways to inform learners and facilitators about their illness. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology with specialisation in Pastoral Therapy)

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Cities are growing at unprecedented speed, with all the challenges this global trend poses, from macro environmental and social level to individual level. Today the vast majority of women worldwide living in urban areas do not have the same access as men to public spaces and to services that the urban area offers. Furthermore, women often feel more unsafe in public spaces than men, and gendered violence and harassment in public spaces is a problem that is pervasive and widespread globally.  Women have historically been omitted in the urban planning process, with the consequence that cities do not respond to their needs, lives, activities, experiences, and in the worst cases discriminate and segregate them. Consequently, the access to cities’ public services is limited for women and young girls, and so are also their economic and political powers- an important democratic issue. My research explores how systematically including the gender mainstreaming perspective at an early stage in urban planning and adopting participatory bottom-up communication processes that give voice and empowerment to the marginalized, could be a decisive factor in developing inclusive and accessible cities for all, against discrimination and segregation.  Putting the gender equality perspective at the centre of the communication of designing/redesigning/transforming urban areas is therefore strategic to the implementation and success of an inclusive social development for all, both in the Global South and in the Global North.   Keywords: urban planning, public spaces, gender, gender mainstreaming, gender equality, inclusivity, accessibility, social equity, urban justice, participation, democracy.

The beauty industry has been booming in the last few years, generating immense profits as it now translates into an Internet global beauty culture in its own right that finally made room for women of color. As research barely mentions African women and their diasporas, this study aims to critically analyze the dynamic of this North American-dominated Internet beauty culture celebrating non-white women, looking at how it impacts African women and their diasporas and participates in affirming a global woman of color through commodity capitalism.  Based on discourse analysis of multiple actors in the industry using popular culture sources, I then conducted a critical feminist autoethnography of my beauty journey, put in perspective with the results of decolonial interviews with African and African diaspora women recruited online. I asked about their relationship with the beauty industry and their opinions on some arguments I made. Self and collective analysis demonstrated the emergence of an African diasporic hybrid beauty culture, empowering women to feel like actors of change.

This study delves into the intricacies of the language used in wine reviews, focusing on the adoption of standardised wine vocabularies, specifically the original Wine Aroma Wheel (Noble A. C. et al., 1984) and the Wine Lexicon of the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET Level 4 Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine®, 2023). It investigates the extent to which professional wine reviewers adhere to these standard lexicons or opt for individualistic expression. An essential component of the research identifies and analyses emerging terms in wine reviews, shedding light on the evolving nature of wine discourse. The study's findings indicate that while standardised vocabularies are influential and foundational, there remains room for individualised expression in conveying the nuanced sensory experience of wine tasting. Additionally, the research highlights the importance of these emergent terms and their potential to enrich existing wine vocabularies. Given the global nature of the wine industry, the study underscores the need for a more inclusive and adaptive linguistic approach. To this end, the research suggests the potential benefits of a controlled vocabulary system tailored for the wine sector. Despite its inherent challenges, such a system could streamline wine descriptions, promoting a more consistent understanding across diverse audiences along with better communication among professionals. / Questo studio approfondisce la complessità del linguaggio utilizzato nelle recensioni di vino, focalizzando sull'adozione di linguaggi standardizzati e in particolare su "The Wine Aroma Wheel" (Noble A. C. et al., 1984) e su "The Wine Lexicon of the Wine and Spirit Education Trust" (WSET Level 4 Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine®, 2023). La ricerca intende concentrarsi nella misura in cui i recensori professionisti di vino aderiscono a questi linguaggi controllati, o preferiscono optare per un'espressione individuale. Una parte sostanziale della ricerca che identifica ed analizza i termini emergenti nelle recensioni di vino, rivela l'evoluzione del discorso sul vino. I risultati dello studio indicano che, sebbene i linguaggi standardizzati siano influenti e fondamentali, lasciano ancora spazio all'espressione personale a descrivere l'esperienza sensoriale della degustazione del vino. Inoltre, i risultati sottolineano l'importanza dei termini emergenti e la loro potenzialità di arricchire i linguaggi inerenti al discorso di vino. Considerando la visione olistica dell'industria vinicola, questo studio mette in rilievo la necessità di un approccio linguistico più inclusivo e flessibile. In tal senso, si propongono i benefici impliciti di un sistema di linguaggio controllato su misura per il settore vinicolo. Nonostante le complessità che possano insorgere, un sistema di questo tipo potrebbe semplificare la descrizione del vino, promuovendo sia l'intesa reciproca tra gruppi di persone diversi, che una migliore comunicazione tra i professionisti nel mondo del vino.

Abstracts in English, Afrikaans and Zulu / In this study, social exclusion in an independent, faith-based girl’s school in South Africa was investigated. Bullying is widely recognised as being unacceptable and is addressed by many schools in the form of anti-bullying policies. However, on ongoing basis, girls are being socially excluded from relationships and because this behaviour is often so subtle, it is neither recognised as a form of bullying nor is it being addressed within schools. Theologians argue that educational institutions ought to evaluate the ethical dimension of knowledge construction and that a focus on moral norms, values and virtues need to be a fundamental part of such communities, so that the well-being of its members is fostered. Unless problems such as social exclusion are understood from a theological-ethical perspective, it is unlikely that there will be a permanent change in girls’ behaviour. Changing societies that accommodate bullying requires changes in perspectives, attitudes and behaviour, and schools can make a significant contribution in providing a community in which every child feels accepted and is afforded dignity. This study offers a theoretical-ethical perspective of social exclusion and draws on insights from the fields of theological ethics, sociology, psychology and anthropology. The reasons why girls are socially excluded, the girls’ and the school’s systemic patterns of behaviour and what educators can do to develop an inclusive community are identified. To determine to what extent the theory was supported, alumnae were asked to complete the questionnaires and be interviewed. Some staff members also completed questionnaires and agreed to be interviewed. The findings of the empirical research indicated that the theoretical research was largely supported. Some interesting observations emerged from the questionnaires and interviews that expanded the understanding of social exclusion. One important finding was that the girls who are being excluded from social relationships feel that they are to blame and that they somehow deserve to be excluded. They experience strong feelings of shame as well as loss of self-esteem. This prevents them from discussing or reporting the problem and therefore the structures that are in place for such reporting are not effective. Another important finding was that there is a disconnection between the girls and the staff regarding the effectiveness of current interventions. Therefore, based on the theoretical research and the findings of the empirical data, this dissertation makes recommendations for establishing a community that promotes the well-being and dignity of all. / In hierdie studie is ondersoek ingestel na sosiale uitsluiting in ’n onafhanklike, geloofsgebaseerde meisieskool in Suid-Afrika. Treitering word wyd as onaanvaarbaar erken en word deur baie skole in die vorm van anti-treiterbeleide aangeroer. Dit is egter so dat baie meisies voortdurend op sosiale vlak uit verhoudings gesluit word en omdat hierdie gedrag so subtiel is, word dit nie as ’n vorm van treitering erken nie en dit word ook nie in skole aangespreek nie. Teoloё voer aan dat opvoedkundige instellings die etiese dimensie van kenniskonstruksie behoort te evalueer en dat ’n fokus op morele norme, waardes en deugde noodwendig ’n fundamentele deel van sodanige gemeenskappe behoort te wees sodat die welsyn van gemeenskapslede bevorder kan word. Tensy probleme soos sosiale uitsluiting vanuit ’n teologies-etiese perspektief hanteer gaan word, is dit onwaarskynlik dat daar enige permanente verandering in die meisies se gedrag sal wees. Om samelewings wat treitering akkommodeer te verander, vereis verandering in perspektiewe, houdings en gedrag en skole kan ’n aansienlike bydrae lewer om ’n gemeenskap te vestig waarin elke kind aanvaarding en waardigheid ervaar. Hierdie studie bied ’n teoreties-etiese perspektief ten opsigte van sosiale uitsluiting en steun op insigte uit velde soos sosiologie, sielkunde en antropologie. Die studie identifiseer redes waarom meisies sosiaal uitgesluit word, die meisies sowel as die skool se sistemiese gedragspatrone, en wat opvoeders kan doen om ’n inklusiewe gemeenskap te ontwikkel. Om te bepaal tot watter mate die teorie ondersteun word, is oudleerders gevra om vraelyste te voltooi en om aan onderhoude deel te neem. Sommige personeellede het ook vraelyste voltooi en tot onderhoude ingestem. Die bevindinge van die empiriese navorsing het getoon dat die teoretiese navorsing grotendeels ondersteun word. ’n Paar interessante waarnemings het uit die vraelyste en onderhoude geblyk. Hierdie waarnemings het die verstaan van sosiale uitsluiting heelwat verbreed. Een belangrike bevinding is dat meisies wat van sosiale verhoudings uitgesluit word, voel dat hulle die blaam daarvoor moet dra en dat hulle om een of ander rede verdien om uitgesluit te word. Hulle ervaar sterk gevoelens van skaamte sowel as verlies aan selfwaarde. Dit weerhou hulle daarvan om die probleem te bespreek of te rapporteer en daarom is sodanige rapporteringstrukture nie doeltreffend nie. ’n Ander belangrike bevinding is dat daar nie ’n uniforme begrip is tussen die meisies en die personeel ten opsigte van die doeltreffendheid van huidige intervensies nie. Daarom, gebaseer op die teoretiese navorsing en die bevindinge van die empiriese data, maak hierdie dissertasie aanbevelings ten opsigte van die skep van ’n gemeenskap wat die welstand en waardigheid van almal bevorder. / Kwesi sifundo kuphandwe ngokubukulwa kwisikolo samantombazana esizimeleyo nesisekelwe elukholweni eMzantsi Afrika. Ububhovubhovu buthathwa jikelele njengento engamkelekanga kwaye kuyaliwa nabo kwizikolo ezininzi ngokusebenzisa imigaqo nkqubo yokulwa ububhovubhovu. Noxa kunjalo, kuyaqhubeka ukubukulwa kwamantombazana kubudlelwane obuthile. Ngenxa yokuba lo mkhwa usenzeka mayana kakhulu, awuqondwa njengobubhovubhovu kwaye akukho nto yenziwayo ezikolweni. Iingcali zakwaLizwi zithi amaziko emfundo kufuneka ayivavanye inkalo yolwazi lwesimilo esinyulu, agxininise kwiinqobo zokuziphatha, nezexabiso lobuntu ekufuneka zibe yinxalenye esisiseko kwabahlala kula maziko, ukwenzela ukuba baphatheke kakuhle bonke abahlala apho. Ukuba iingxaki ezifana nokubukulwa aziqondwa ngokwenkalo yezokholo nobunyulu, mhlawumbi akungekhe kubekho umahluko ekuziphatheni kwamantombazana. Ukuguqula uluntu olwamkela ububhovubhovu kufuna ukutshintshwa kweembono, izimvo nokuziphatha kwaye ke izikolo zingafaka igxalaba kakhulu ekumiseleni imiphakathi apho wonke umntwana eziva amkelekile, aphatheke ngesidima. Esi sifundo siveza inkalo yokucinga esekelwe kwingcingane yobunyulu yokubukulwa, kwaye ithabathela kwizimvo zezifundo zobunyulu bezokholo, ezentlalo, ezobume bomphefumlo nengqondo, nezeengcambu zoluntu nezizwe. Izizathu zokubukulwa kwamantombazana ekuhlaleni, imigaqo nkqubo yezikolo nokunokwenziwa ziititshala ekuphuhliseni imiphakathi edibanisayo yimiba echongiweyo. Ukuze kubonwe ukuba ingaba le ngcingane inenkxaso engakanani na, kwacelwa abafundi bakudala beli ziko ukuba baphendule uluhlu lwemibuzo, bavume nokudlana indlebe nabaphandi. Bakhona nabanye abasebenzi beziko abaluphendulayo uluhlu lwemibuzo, bavuma nokudlana indlebe nabaphandi. Okwafunyaniswayo kuphando olusekelwe kubungqina babonisa ukuba ngokwenene, ingcingane yophando yayinenkxaso kakhulu. Kwavela amanqaku anomdla kwiimpendulo zemibuzo nodliwano ndlebe, kwaye oko kwalwandisa ulwazi malunga nokubukulwa eluntwini lwendawo. Okunye okubalulekileyo phakathi kwezinto ezafunyaniswayo yaba kukuba amantombazana abukulwayo kubudlelwane nabanye babeziva ngathi banetyala, kwaye bafanele ukubukulwa. La mantombazana ayeziva engathi asehlazweni kwaye ayengazixabisanga. Le nto yenza ukuba angayixeli le mpatho, angafuni nokuba kuxoxwe ngayo. Ngoko ke imiqathango ebekelwe ukuxela lo mkhwa ayisebenzi. Kwaphinda kwafunyaniswa ukuba kukho ukungadibani phakathi kwamantombazana nabasebenzi malunga nempumelelo yemiqathango yokuwakhusela. Ngoko ke, ngokukhokelwa luphando lwengcingane nobungqina obufunyaniswe kuphando, le ngxelo yophando inika iingcebiso zokuseka umphakathi okhuthaza ukuphatheka kakuhle nangesidima komntu wonke. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Theological Ethics)