The dissertation tries to explain why most of the Bapedi people do not feel free to speak their language when they are among other communities. It explains why the speakers of the so-called ‘inferior’ dialects of the Limpopo Province have an inferiority complex while the speakers of the ‘superior’ dialects are confident when speaking their dialects. The standardisation of the Northern Sotho Language Board and the missionary activities within the Bapedi communities led to the creation of 'superior' and ‘inferior’ dialects. A detailed discussion is presented of the social rural and urban varieties, which found in Bapedi culture. Some of these varieties are kept secret and therefore are unknown to the public; and others, which are not secretive in nature. The use of language and the impact of language contact between languages is discussed. / African Languages / M.A. (African Languages)

A high rate of micronutrient deficiencies persists in Africa with the most vulnerable groups being women and children. The Moringa oleifera tree has been identified to help alleviate malnutrition at household level because of its rich content of vitamin A in its plant form - beta-carotene, iron and vitamin C. The objectives of this study was to identify households that consumed Moringa, to identify households that required diet diversification through the use of a Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) and to determine the acceptability of various dishes prepared from Moringa leaves as a possible contribution to the alleviation of malnutrition in resource poor communities. The dietary diversity score of the traditional Bapedi community is 4.7 and the results of the acceptability test of dishes prepared with Moringa indicated that Moringa could be recommended as an additional food ingredient to add micronutrient to the diet of Bapedi communities. / Agriculture and Environmental Sciences / M.A. (Human Ecology)

A high rate of micronutrient deficiencies persists in Africa with the most vulnerable groups being women and children. The Moringa oleifera tree has been identified to help alleviate malnutrition at household level because of its rich content of vitamin A in its plant form - beta-carotene, iron and vitamin C. The objectives of this study was to identify households that consumed Moringa, to identify households that required diet diversification through the use of a Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) and to determine the acceptability of various dishes prepared from Moringa leaves as a possible contribution to the alleviation of malnutrition in resource poor communities. The dietary diversity score of the traditional Bapedi community is 4.7 and the results of the acceptability test of dishes prepared with Moringa indicated that Moringa could be recommended as an additional food ingredient to add micronutrient to the diet of Bapedi communities. / Agriculture and Environmental Sciences / M.A. (Human Ecology)

Text in English / The Batau of Kgaphola are of Swazi origin and migrated to Sekhukhuneland Limpopo Province in South Africa. The community has been involved in chieftainship disputes which date back to 1954 after the death of Chief Lobang III. Within the broader national political framework and execution of policies, the community became divided between the Makhuduthamaga and the Rangers. The Makhuduthamaga were anti-government and the Rangers pro-government. Each of the two groups gained the support of community members. The failure of the royal family to agree on who should lead the community after the death of Chief Lobang III led to a division from within. The former Lebowa government and the current Limpopo government intervened into the Batau chieftainship disputes without success. Commissions such as the Lekoloane, Ralushai and Nhlapo were established to deal with chieftainship disputes but this did not assist communities including the Batau of Kgaphola. The Kgatla Commission was also established and communities are still appearing before it and the Batau are still waiting to present their case. The study explores how the Batau of Mphanama dealt with their differences relating to chieftainship within the community and this instituted external intervention. It also uncovers how disputes within the royal family have affected members of the community and led to divisions. In the final instance the effect of decades of external political intervention and governance is evaluated. / Anthropology and Archaeology / M.A. (Anthropology)

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Arts, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, for the Degree of Master of Arts. / This dissertation is a study of the iconology of paraphernalia produced by women, among the Ntwane. It represents the culmination of primary field research into the matelial culture of this group, as well as supplementary research conducted at the Africana Museum in Johannesburg, the South African Museum in Cape Town, the National Museumin B1u~!mfontein and the Duggan-Cronin Museumin Kimberley. My investigative methods consisted of unstructured interviews with both married and unmarried members of the Ntwane community at :Kwarrielaagte. Although the focus of my research was primarily on paraphernaIia produced and worn by women, I also interviewed Ntwane men in order to obtain a variety of interpretations and opinions as to the 'meanings' of the objects and traditions under analysis. In addition to the above mentioned field work and gallery research, I consulted a wide range of literature on critical theories, auch as marxism, structuralism end paststructuralism, 141 order to supplement my methodological approach to the iconology of women's art among the Ntwane. It also referred to literature on a number of traditional South. African groups, such as the Pedi and Ndebele. in order to identify the cross-cultural influ8nces between these groups and the Ntwane. The literature on these closely related However, this definition constitutes a gross oversimplification of the concept, for it doe) not allow for a shift in aesthetic criteria from culture to culture. It establishes the concept 'aesthetic' as an absolute, whereas in actuality, it is a value-laden term, whose problems of definition are exacerbated '.men attempting cross cultural research. It is therefore necessary at the outset of this dissertation to formulate a working definition of 'aesthetics' within the context of the Ntwane. It is suggeuted that the aesthetic componsnts of Ntwane objects include style. technique and medium, but extend beyond their formal qualities into activities such as ritual and custom. The socio-cultural activities performed by the Ntwane may be regarded as intrinsically significant to the formal characteristics of their paraphernalia. It may therefore be argued that their objects are the concrete. tangible manifestations of a set of underlying constructs. expressed in adherence to particular conventions of representation; furthermore, that the reduction of the aesthetic component of Ntwane objects to merely an ase ssment; of their formal criteria, would constitute an impoverishment of their levels of meaning. A formalist approach to the art of Ntwane women also fails to consider issues of change in the form and function of their paraphernalia and the effects of broader social transformations on the material culture of the Ntwane. Chapter One of my dissertation will comprise a brief survey of the literature on the Ntwane. In addition to identifying the existing information, methodological gaps in the literature will be mentioned. It is the partial aim of this dissertation to "fill in" some of the gaps by groups helped to shed light on signitficant aspects of Ntwane material culture, which in turn, provided me with greater insight into the iconology of their paraphernalia. / Andrew Chakane 2018

PhD (African Studies) / Department of African Studies / Mmino wa bana (Children’s songs) are subjected to many changes today; so much so that in time it could cease to exist in its original form or be replaced by genres promoted on televisions. This study focuses on the genre as practised in the Moletjie community. The study explores mmino wa bana by examining its musicological elements, educational validity, and the general social functions within the context of the Moletjie community. By providing insight into these aspects, we could be able to ascertain the transportability of musical elements and philosophies across many contexts. Twenty-one children’s songs were collected for the study. In addition, interviews were conducted with elders and members of the Moletjie royal family to capture the narrative views of the genre. Additional information was also captured in the form of diary notes. The study used an Afrocentric approach as its theoretical framework. The design was qualitative with semi structured interviews functioning as the mode of data collection. For analysis, music programs were used. The body of knowledge emanating from the study is packaged in such a way that it could be used by scholars in African musicology, policy planners, and others interested in the culture of the people of Moletjie community. The school will also find the study to be a useful resource in crafting textbooks for classroom purposes. / NRF