HIV and AIDS have historically been associated with homosexuality and promiscuity (especially among blacks), evoking blame and stigma. The implication of sex in the spread of HIV and AIDS complicates matters as traditional ideas of pollution and contamination are evoked. These attitudes translate into a lack of support for people infected with and affected by HIV and AIDS. Moreover, such attitudes result in the stigmatisation of those people, leaving them with a poor self-image. Stigmatisation also leads to secrecy and non-disclosure of the disease allowing it to spread rapidly. This thesis deals with the issue of stigmatisation due to HIV and AIDS, looking specifically at the two congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA) in KwaZulu-Natal province. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.

Michael Cassidy and Albert Nolan both develop their understanding of evangelism and social action within the context of the struggle for a democratic South Africa. This understanding is determined by their own personal contexts and their social analysis of the South African situation. Within these contexts they develop their views of sin and salvation. These underlying issues, contexts and analyses are crucial to and part of their understanding of the relationship between evangelism and social action. This thesis sets out to consider the relationship between evangelism and social action in their theologies by considering the underlying issues that determine this relationship, before finally defining the exact nature ofthis relationship. It considers each theology individually first as each has developed over time in context and needs to be seen as a unified whole as it relates to the . issue of the relationship between evangelism and social action. It then compares their views with each other with insights from other views. Michael Cassidy and Albert Nolan both see sin and hence salvation as personal and social, but Nolan understands these concepts as primarily social. Hence his understanding ofevangelism and social action expressed in evangelization is primarily social. It sees them relating in evangelization in an integrated, holistic way. However, in practice his emphasis on the need to take sides in the struggle and on salvation as primarily in and through the struggle leads to salvation becoming sometimes indistinguishable from human liberation. Thus evangelization also sometimes becomes indistinguishable from the struggle. Cassidy sees these concepts as firstly spiritual and then social and this determines his understanding of the relationship between evangelism and social action. He emphasises these as transforming every level of human relationships, but starting with a right relationship with God. Cassidy achieves a more balanced Evangelical view of partnership in mission but with an emphasis on evangelism and Nolan a somewhat more holistic liberationist theological view of an integrated relationship between evangelism and social action in evangelization but with an emphasis on social action. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1996.

No abstract available / Systematic Theology / D. Th. (Systematic Theology)

The study investigated the role of churches in HIV prevention among young adults in the Polokwane Municipality of the Limpopo Province. Qualitative research method was followed. Data was obtained and tape-recorded during the in-depth face-to-face interviews. Fourteen churches are affiliated with the Limpopo South African Council of Churches, seven of which run HIV/AIDS programmes and services. They were the target of this study, which investigated how churches could give more support to people infected with HIV. Results show that churches are determined to assist in the prevention of HIV. They have already contributed to supporting those with HIV and those affected by HIV and AIDS. The findings / Sociology / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

As a social worker at the Desmond Tutu Child and Youth Care Centre in Gauteng province, the researcher noticed an increase in the number of applications for adolescents’ admission to the Centre due to a breakdown in their foster care placements. This raised a question regarding the factors contributing to this breakdown. The aim of the study was to develop an in-depth understanding of factors contributing to the breakdown of foster care placements from the perspectives of the adolescents who were fostered and from those of their foster parents. The qualitative research approach was used applying an explorative, descriptive and contextual design. Purposive sampling was used to select the participants. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews and was analysed according to the framework provided by Tesch (in Creswell, 2009:186). For data verification, Guba’s model (in Krefting (1990:214-220) was applied. Conclusions are drawn and recommendations made about foster care involving adolescents. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Work)

"The Response of African Religion to Poverty with specific reference to the Umzimkhulu Municipality" is a particular effort of the wider world that researches the ways and means for combating the scourge of poverty in society aiming at securing a better future for the future generations. In as much as African traditional religion is part of the culture, tradition and custom of its tenants, and as such aims at the wellbeing of its tenants, it is able to offer a response to poverty. It teaches about the importance of the values of community, meaningful and life-affirming relationships and the value of ubuntu. All these clamour for extended sharing and extended participation which are essential if society will continue to exist. African traditional religion maintains an ethic that says: `Real poverty results from the blockage of the vital links'. Celebrating economic achievements in food must be preceded by the celebration of people. `Batho pele': is the contemporary Democratic South Africa's slogan that suggests putting people in the center of life. It does not only call us to serve the poor, but also to allow them to champion the courses of the kind of service they desire. African traditional religion teaches that, together with the other institutions that govern the lives of people, religion and politics should have among other things a concern about production and distribution of the resources, hence the claim: `Food is also politics'. In their dealing with the problem of poverty, religion, politics and other social institutions ought to dedicate a special place to instilling positive attitudes towards the concept of work among their tenants. In this way the slogan `Batho pele' or people first, does not merely mean waiting to be served, but it also means that every body to the best of their ability ought to be doing something towards the production of the items of service. The inclusiveness of African religion in terms of what it calls `community' cautions society about the importance of the other beings in its consideration of poverty alleviation. Our economic wellbeing depends mostly on our attitude towards the other non-personal neighbours, prominent among which is our common abode, the earth, the land. / Religious Studies & Arabic / D.Th. (Religious Studies)

This thesis proposes that the destitute people of South Africa, and specifically Tshwane, comprise an often neglected group of people that can and must be helped by means of missions with the destitute to experience growing degrees of SHALOM. Part of this would include a drive to re-integrate the destitute into society as functioning members of that society. This is undertaken through developing a proposed model that strives to empower destitute people in a variety of ways, using a variety of "movements" and strategies. A model such as this is necessary in the light of the seeming inability of helpers (including churches, CBO's and other non-religious organizations), to come to grips with the complex problem of destitution in our country, and in Tshwane specifically. This perceived inability is addressed by exploring the problem of destitution, in the process seeking a better understanding of a complex problem, followed by considering the responsibility of the church as missiological agent of social healing and ministry. Missiologically, SHALOM is perceived as the aim/ goal of missions with the destitute, where SHALOM refers to wellbeing, justice, relational, completeness, whole-being, peace, etc. The model is intended to serve as a viable strategy in the arsenal of churches that take the missiological call towards social healing seriously, and to provide a comprehensive, holistic approach when dealing with the destitute. It is postulated that the church, more than any other organization, should enjoy an advantage when it comes to social ministry, because of two reasons, namely (1) a strong missiological point of departure as a motivation to be involved in social ministry, where we see the church as a partner in the Missio Dei, and (2) a strong missiological aim, namely SHALOM, which transcends mere charity or welfare, but seeks to empower people holistically. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D. Th. (Missiology)

This study examined the role of the Anglican Church in the prevention of the spread of HIV and AIDS in the Limpopo Province, South Africa, using a random sample of 51 members of the Zoutpansberg parish. The study found that the Church currently contributes to the prevention of the spread of HIV among its congregation through HIV-related activities to reduce stigma, prejudice and discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA). At the same time, however, much still needs to be done in the areas of cultural perception, sexual practices, and myths surrounding HIV and AIDS. Most of the respondents indicated that they would like to see the Church play an active role in voluntary counselling and testing (VCT), marital counselling, and encouraging openness with regard to HIV and AIDS. It is recommended that the Church should extend its activities to include members of the community outside the congregation in the prevention of the spread of HIV and AIDS. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

A structured questionnaire was used to survey the perceptions of programme coordinators, fieldworkers and beneficiaries of the role of church-based programmes in addressing HIV and AIDS in the inner-city of Durban. One hundred and ninety two respondents were recruited from seventeen churches. Findings indicate that fear of HIV- and AIDS-related stigma and discrimination abound. The material and spiritual roles of church-based programmes in addressing the needs of people infected with HIV and affected by HIV and AIDS were stressed by the respondents. Whereas programme coordinators were well informed about HIV and AIDS, information that can dispel fears about stigma and correct myths about HIV-transmission should be tailored to reach ordinary men and women. It is recommended that further research be conducted on the preventive aspects of church-based programmes in the Durban inner-city. / Sociology / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

The policy of Separate Development and its forceful implementation by the Nationalist Government from the !960's and into the 1980's resulted in the resettlement of thousands of Africans in the 'homeland' Ciskei in the Eastern Cape. All these changes had a profound and very often a disruptive influence on the lives of those involved. People's ability to survive amidst these circumstances, was tested to the limit. This study looks at the role of the local Christian faith community in supporting its members during these rapid and disruptive socioeconomic and political changes. The study is confined to two congregations of the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa in Ilitha and Ndevana in the Eastern Cape. Following an introductory chapter, Chapter 2 gives a historical outline of developments in the broader Ciskei. Attention is also given to demographic, social and economic conditions. Chapter 3 describes the culture and feeling of despair, powerlessness and mistrust that is deeply entrenched in the minds of many people in the community due to depressive socio-economic situations. Chapter 4 gives an overview of the churches in the area and describes the supportive structures and actions of two churches in the Ilitha-Ndevana area. No instant solutions are offered to members but through mutual support they find a sense of belonging and encouragement in the midst of their hardship. In Chapter 5 a model for the mission of the local church in a context of social and economic change and disruption, is presented. It is shown how the image of Christianity and the Gospel have been distorted and misused in the past through the entanglement of mission and colonialism, a negative attitude towards African culture, and by contributing to the subordination of women in society. A vision that people in Africa can have peace and dignity and become self-reliant is proposed. Within the local faith community this vision is built on an understanding of God as the weak and suffering Lord, on fellowship and mutual support, a new reading of the Bible, a practical community based spirituality, and an emphasis on healing. / Die daarstelling en .kragdadige toepassing van die beleid van Afsonderlike Ontwikkeling vanaf die 1960's tot·die 1980's het tot gevolg_gehad dat duisende Swart Suid-AftilCaners hervestig is in die Ciskei-tuisland in die Oos-Kaap. Al hierdie veranderinge het verreikende en baie dikwels ontwrigtende gevolge op die betrokkenes gehad. Mense se vermoens om binne hierdie omstandighede te oorlee:t: is tot die uiterste beproef. Hierdie studie kyk na die rol van die plaaslike · Cbristelike. geloofsgemeenskap in die ondersteuning van sy lede tydens snelle en ontwrigtende sosiale, ekonomiese en politieke veranderinge. Die studie is beperk tot twee gemeentes van die Verenigende Gereformeerde Kerk in Suider-Aftika in Ilitha en Ndevana in die Oos-Kaap. Na 'n inleidende hoofstuk, gee hoofstuk 2 'n historiese oorsig van ontwikkelinge in die breere Ciskei-gebied. Aandag word ook gegee aan demografriese, sosiale en ekonomiese toestande. Hoofstuk 3 beskryf 'n kultuur en gevoel van moedeloosheid, magteloosheid en wantroue wat, as gevolg van neerdrukkende sosiaal-ekonomiese toestande, diep in menige mense se gemoedere vasgele is. Hoofstuk 4 gee 'n oorsig oor die kerke in die gebied en beskryf die ondersteunende strukture en optrede in twee gemeentes in die Ilitha-Ndevana area. Geen kitsoplossings word aan lede aangebied nie, maar deur onderlinge steun vind hulle geborgenheid en bemoediging te midde van swaarkry. In hoofstuk 5 word 'n model aangebied vir die missie van die plaaslike kerk te midde van sosiale en ekonomiese veranderinge en ontwrigting. Daar word aangetoon hoe die beeld van die Christendom in die verlede verwring en misbruik is deur: die verstrengeling van sending en kolonialisasie; 'n negatiewe houding teenoor kultuur in Afrika; en deur by te dra tot die ondergeskikte posisie van vroue in die samelewing. 'n Visie dat die mense van Afrika vrede en menswaardigheid kan geniet en self onderhoudend kan raak, word voorgestel. Binne die plaaslike geloofsgemeenskap word aan hierdie visie gebou deur 'n begrip van God as die magtelose en lydende Here, deur onderlinge gemeenskap en ondersteuning, 'n nuwe lees en begrip van die Bybel, 'n praktiese gemeenskaps-gerigte spiritualiteit en 'n beklemtoning van heling en herstel. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D.Th. (Missiology)