Thesis (M. A. (African Languages)) -- University of Limpopo, 2014

Thesis (M.A. (African Languages)) --University of Limpopo, 2013 / Refer to the document / University of Limpopo C. S. D.

M. Tech. Dance / Knowledge of cultural dances and songs is one of the key aspects necessary for a comprehensive understanding of the customs of any cultural group. This includes indigenous cultural practice of a particular cultural group, which in themselves have a plethora of different performance practices and categories that are extensive and unique in their own right. The indigenous music and dance of Vatsonga is no exception. It is against this background that this study was undertaken. This study seeks to collect, document, promote and preserve the Xitsonga indigenous art form, namely, Ku Thawuza music and dance, by means of transcribing and investigating it.

Theses (M.A. (African Languages)) --University of Limpopo, 2014

Thesis (M.A. (African Languages)) --University of Limpopo, 2013

M.Ed. / Chapter One constitutes the heart of this study which entails the statement of the problem, prevailing attitudes and beliefs in the Tsonga community, attitudes and feelings of parents whose children are handicapped. This chapter also gives the aim, delimitation, method and plan of the study. Chapter Two elucidates what cerebral palsy and orthopaedic handicap are. It is a thought provoking and interesting chapter since it gives definitions, occurrence and causes of cerebral palsy and orthopaedic handicaps. Types of cerebral palsy such as spasticity, athetosis, rigidity, tremor and mixed type are clearly indicated. This also applies to orthopaedic handicap, where handicapism like poliomyelitis, dwarfism, tuberculosis of the spine, amputation of a limb or limbs, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, scoliosis, osteogenesis, rachitis, kwashiorkor and congenital deformities are discussed in detail. Cerebral palsy and orthopaedic handicap occur during four different stages, i. e. pre-natal, para-natal,neo-natal and post-natal stages . Chapter Three gives the traditional attitudes of the Tsonga communi ty towards cerebral palsied and orthopaedically handicapped children. The chapter first elucidates terms which also constitute the heart of this dissertation. It highlights the treatment of handicapped children by the ancient Greeks, Romans, Hebrews, and also the Sothos, Zulus and Tsongas...

Text in English / This case study of the Caravan Traditional Dance group profiles Musisinyani Mackson Mavunda‘s contribution to Tsonga music and dance performing arts. The lack of documentation of the work of Tsonga local traditional composers and choreographers is well-known in South Africa. This is echoed by Kidula (2006: 109), stating that ‗many studies from the continent have few outlets in the global academy, inasmuch as the work done by foreign researchers is barely known in much of Africa‘. A few years in the future, it will not be known who the composer of a certain song was, and what their intentions were in composing that particular song. Naturally the composers want to send a message to the community and sometimes to entertain the community or compose for a certain ritual. Composers need a considerable amount of planning and carefully chosen words, choreography and so on and this becomes apparent when taking into account the time and effort they put into composing a song. In response to this problem and by placing the composers‘ narratives at the centre, the study examines the role of the founder of the Caravan Traditional Dance group (CTD), Musisinyani Mackson Mavunda, and his contribution to Tsonga music and dance performing arts. This requires a critical examination of all aspects of his CTD professional career: his musical beginnings, teaching career, teaching of Tsonga traditional dances and his social and cultural heritage in the society. The key finding of this study was that Musisinyani distinguishes the humanity of others, which is Ubuntu philosophy. Music is power. It has power from within the composer. This is seen through the composer‘s confidence, assertiveness and motivation when composing songs. Music has the power to do; this is the listeners‘ choice. Through the power of music, people can gain skills; they may be productive and can network and be innovative. Music also has power over people, and the power to influence communities, thereby helping unite community members to work towards a common cause to achieve a common goal. It therefore gives communities strength and cohesion. As the community they have the power to challenge the status quo and to encourage one another. / Art History, Visual Arts and Musicology / M.Mus.

Text in English / This case study of the Caravan Traditional Dance group profiles Musisinyani Mackson Mavunda‘s contribution to Tsonga music and dance performing arts. The lack of documentation of the work of Tsonga local traditional composers and choreographers is well-known in South Africa. This is echoed by Kidula (2006: 109), stating that ‗many studies from the continent have few outlets in the global academy, inasmuch as the work done by foreign researchers is barely known in much of Africa‘. A few years in the future, it will not be known who the composer of a certain song was, and what their intentions were in composing that particular song. Naturally the composers want to send a message to the community and sometimes to entertain the community or compose for a certain ritual. Composers need a considerable amount of planning and carefully chosen words, choreography and so on and this becomes apparent when taking into account the time and effort they put into composing a song. In response to this problem and by placing the composers‘ narratives at the centre, the study examines the role of the founder of the Caravan Traditional Dance group (CTD), Musisinyani Mackson Mavunda, and his contribution to Tsonga music and dance performing arts. This requires a critical examination of all aspects of his CTD professional career: his musical beginnings, teaching career, teaching of Tsonga traditional dances and his social and cultural heritage in the society. The key finding of this study was that Musisinyani distinguishes the humanity of others, which is Ubuntu philosophy. Music is power. It has power from within the composer. This is seen through the composer‘s confidence, assertiveness and motivation when composing songs. Music has the power to do; this is the listeners‘ choice. Through the power of music, people can gain skills; they may be productive and can network and be innovative. Music also has power over people, and the power to influence communities, thereby helping unite community members to work towards a common cause to achieve a common goal. It therefore gives communities strength and cohesion. As the community they have the power to challenge the status quo and to encourage one another. / Art History, Visual Arts and Musicology / M. Mus. (Musicology)

PhD (African Studies) / Centre for African Studies / It has been shown that indigenous music and dance can help one to vividly fathom the behaviour, values and morals of particular cultural groups, they perform their music and dance for various reasons. For instance, there are songs for hoeing, weeding, reaping, for children, of mockery, during game, protests, by the fireside interspersed with folktales, love songs and so on. All these songs are immersed in culture-bound indigenous music. The indigenous music and dance of the Vatsonga play a vital role, not only in their lives but also for others who enjoy indigenous Xitsonga music and dance. There exists, however gaps regarding documentation, preservation and notation of this music and dance practices. In this study, therefore, indigenous Xitsonga music and dance genres are analysed descriptively and documented (with notation of common songs) for posterity. A qualitative approach was used to conduct this musicological study. A study such as this one can also contribute towards African indigenous knowledge systems and be used by the Department of Education. / NRF

This ethnographic study explored and described practices and beliefs that may have an impact on the management of HIV and AIDS among Tsonga people in Bushbuckridge. Data was collected through face to face in-depth individual interviews with 19 key informants who are highly knowledgeable about the Tsonga culture. The researcher used ethnographic content analysis to analyse data. Findings indicated that language, rituals, beliefs related to the origin of diseases, traditional healers, and tattoos are among Tsonga cultural practices and beliefs that have an impact on management of HIV and AIDS. Some of the practices increase the risk of HIV infection while some assist in the reduction of the risk of HIV infection. Based on the findings of the study and literature, the researcher managed to develop a contextual, cultural approach model for HIV and AIDS management for Tsonga people in Bushbuckridge. The model development was guided by Leininger theory of culture, care, diversity, and universality. To organise the model, the researcher used CIPO model to guide the elements of the cultural approach model. Though the model takes into consideration global and national context, the main focus was the local context in particular Bushbuckridge. The success of this model is dependent on the availability of knowledgeable healthcare practitioners, relevant resources and engaged community structure. The process of the model includes Cultural Care Preservation, Cultural care Accommodation, and Cultural care Re-patterning. The expected output of the model is modification of HIV risky cultural practices, improved health-seeking behaviour, reduction of new HIV infections and reduction of HIV and AIDS-related deaths. Based on the study outcomes, the researcher makes several recommendations in relation to implementation of the model, Nursing Practice and Education, and further research. The study has contributed to the body of knowledge in relation to cultural practices and management of HIV and AIDS. The model can be utilised to enhance nursing education and practice and further research. / Health Studies / Ph. D. (Health Studies)