The demand for circumcision in Swaziland has dramatically increased since it was reported that circumcision ensures 60% protection against HIV infection. The aim of this study was to explore the reasons for, and the motives behind, this increasing interest in undergoing circumcision. A generic qualitative research design was used, in which 17 circumcised men selected by convenience sampling at FLAS Clinic, Mbabane, participated. In-depth unstructured face-to-face interviews were used to collect data. The results showed that the main reasons for circumcision are perceived health, hygiene and sexual benefits, community influences, as well as medical reasons. It was concluded that the major motives underlying circumcision are personal and partner safety and satisfaction during sex. These motives were found to be both promotive and threatening to the interests of public health. After evaluating the risks and benefits, it was recommended that mass circumcision be promoted alongside reinforced and accurate health education on circumcision / Health Studies

The overall policy goal of education for the Kenyan Government is the provision of education and training to all Kenyans as it is fundamental to the Government’s overall development strategy. This emphasis means that every Kenyan has the right to education and training no matter his/her socio-economic status. The Government has therefore allocated substantial resources and there has been notable achievements attained, but the sector still faces major challenges related to access, equity, and quality amongst others (Session paper no. 1 2005:2). One of these major challenges to access is the existence and persistence of retrogressive traditional practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM).The first concern of this study is that despite the immense awareness of the dangers on the victims in many aspects in life, and efforts to stamp it out, FGM still persists and thrives in many parts of the country to date. Secondly, there is an ever growing gender disparity in Kuria district, whereby women professionals are hard to come by. Even in the teaching profession which is associated with females in Kenya, there are a negligible number of Kuria female teachers. There is therefore need to liberate these girls from the persistent “senseless genital mutilation” by proper and relevant socialization and empowerment against cultural practices. The Cultural Lag theory of sociologist William F. Ogburn (1964) will be the underlying theoretical perspective of this study to explain the phenomenon, focusing explicitly on the / Sociology / DLITT(SOC)

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Background: Safe Male circumcision (SMC) divides people for or against it, depending upon their attitudes. The Ministry of health (MOH) has built capacity in the country for rapid scale up of the program since 2009. However, despite the efforts, the number of men circumcised is lagging behind set targets. We do not know to what extent attitudes of the managers at national and district levels do influence this underperformance? The effectiveness of the managers at workplace at large will depend on their attitudes towards SMC. Managers with positive attitudes bring at workplace energy, creativity and momentum to fulfill the work objectives and goals. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to; 1) establish the current situation of SMC implementation in Botswana, 2) establish the required attitudes for managers towards SMC program, 3) establish the attitudes of SMC managers at all levels toward SMC program, 4) determine the gap between the required attitudes and SMC managers’ current attitudes toward SMC, and 5) Provide recommendation for reinforcing positive attitudes toward SMC program. Methods: The study used an explorative qualitative design. It was carried out at the Ministry of health headquarters and in ten districts in Botswana. A total of 26 SMC program managers were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. Results: The study found that the managers were confirming to positive attitudes toward the program as prescribed by the MOH’s standards. Data revealed a positive trend in scaling up of the program albeit lagging behind set targets. Conclusion: This study looked at the desired attitudes of SMC managers should posses and the level of attitudes currently have towards the program. It was not easy to link attitude and performance of individuals. High turnover rate of SMC officers was a worrisome finding that calls for further study. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Agtergrond: Na gelang van hul houdings, is die meeste mense hetsy sterk ten gunste van of heftig gekant teen veilige manlike besnydenis (VMB). Die Ministerie van Gesondheid is reeds sedert 2009 besig met vermoëbou-inisiatie we om die VMB-program vinnig uit te brei. Ondanks hierdie pogings, is die aantal mans wat ingevolge dié program besny word egter veel minder as die vasgestelde teikens. Dit is nie bekend in watter mate die houdings van VMB-programbestuurders op nasionale en distriksvlak hierdie onderprestasie beïnvloed nie. Die algehele doeltreffendheid waarmee dié bestuurders die program in werking stel, sal immers grootliks afhang van hul houdings jeens VMB. Bestuurders met ’n positiewe houding sal energie, kreatiwiteit en stukrag aan die werkplek verleen ten einde die programoogmerke en -doelwitte te verwesenlik. Oogmerke: Die oogmerke van die studie was: 1) om die huidige stand van VMB-inwerkingstelling in Botswana te bepaal; 2) om te bepaal watter houdings bestuurders behóórt te hê jeens die VMB-program; 3) om te bepaal watter houdings bestuurders op alle vlakke wél het jeens die VMB-program; 4) om vas te stel in watter mate bestuurders se vereiste houdings en huidige houdings jeens VMB verskil; en 5) om aanbevelings te doen vir die versterking van positiewe houdings jeens die VMB-program. Metode: Die studie het van ’n verkennende kwalitatiewe ontwerp gebruik gemaak. Dit is by die hoofkantoor van die Ministerie van Gesondheid sowel as in tien gesondheidsdistrikte in Botswana onderneem. Onderhoude aan die hand van ’n semigestruktureerde onderhoudsgids is met altesaam 26 VMB-programbestuurders gevoer. Resultate: Die studie bevind dat die bestuurders wél positiewe houdings jeens die program toon soos wat die standaarde van die Ministerie van Gesondheid vereis. Data dui op ’n positiewe tendens in die uitbreiding van die program, al word die vasgestelde teikens nie bereik nie.

The study unpacked the meaning and the value of intonjane in traditional Xhosa communities. It also provides a critical analysis and interpretation of the intonjane custom and in particular its impact on the upbringing of a Xhosa traditional girl child. It investigates the value of this practice, especially in relation to where it is still being performed, even in our modern times. I researched closely into all aspects of how the girls were brought up, and with what social values. The data collection has been conducted through interviews with the Philakukuzenzela group when they were in Grahamstown Art Festival in July 2011 who come from a place called Centuli, and other people (abaThembu) who practice and have knowledge of the different aspects of the intonjane process and observation during the actual ceremonies in O. R. Thambo district, and in Gemvale near Port St Johns in the Province of the Eastern Cape. Interviews were conducted in Xhosa and translated into English. This Visual Narrative investigates and contributes to the debate regarding the value of traditional African thought and how it can enrich our contemporary belief system. The objective was to investigate the essence and merit of the knowledge imparted by elderly women to young girls during the initiation period of intonjane within Xhosa traditional communities. This study provides a foundation and springboard for my practical artworks which utilized symbols and metaphors to express my understanding of the important events and stages associated with this traditional ceremony. Clay medium was used as the medium of expression, applying different techniques such as throwing, press mold, slab building, coiling, engraving, sewing and inlaying, with press mold being the main technique utilized. My artworks are of three different types, which are symbolic of the three aspects or stages, of liminality, namely: pre-liminal, liminal and post-liminal. / Art history, Visual arts and Musicology / M.A. (Visual Arts)

The demand for circumcision in Swaziland has dramatically increased since it was reported that circumcision ensures 60% protection against HIV infection. The aim of this study was to explore the reasons for, and the motives behind, this increasing interest in undergoing circumcision. A generic qualitative research design was used, in which 17 circumcised men selected by convenience sampling at FLAS Clinic, Mbabane, participated. In-depth unstructured face-to-face interviews were used to collect data. The results showed that the main reasons for circumcision are perceived health, hygiene and sexual benefits, community influences, as well as medical reasons. It was concluded that the major motives underlying circumcision are personal and partner safety and satisfaction during sex. These motives were found to be both promotive and threatening to the interests of public health. After evaluating the risks and benefits, it was recommended that mass circumcision be promoted alongside reinforced and accurate health education on circumcision / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

The study is based on the lexical choices in the social context of EkeGusii circumcision and the meaning of the various lexical items used in the social context of circumcision and gender differentiation in the choice of the lexicon of EkeGusii circumcision. This special variety is also used within EkeGusii standard variety but when used in the context of circumcision, the meaning of the lexical items is understood based on context. It is believed that language embodies traditional values and that these values are socially conditioned. This study considers the social conditioning of the circumcision social varieties. Linguistic traditional values of EkeGusii language are reflected in, among others, gender differentiation in the choice of the lexicon in the social context of circumcision. The study was based on two theories; the social theory and contrastive lexico-semantic theory. Social theory was useful in analyzing language in society and what language means to its users while contrastive lexico-semantic theory was useful in analyzing EkeGusii culture-specific meaning which does not translate readily to English. Participatory observation, interview schedules, informers, questionnaires and introspection were used to collect data. Data was analyzed qualitatively in view of the choice of the lexicon within language variation. Findings showed that the sound plays an important role in postulating meaning of EkeGusii Circumcision Social Varieties (ECSV) through vowel lengthening. The lexicon of ECSV comprises nouns and verbs and that this lexicon is a style as well as register of EkeGusii. Gender differentiation in the language is a case of socialization rather than biological. Finally, meaning relations established by the lexicon of ECSV include synonymy, hyponymy, polysemy as well as antonymy. It is recommended in this study that teachers should be trained on Sociolinguistics, carry out classroom research to identify the learners’ sociolinguistic culture and integrate an individual learner with others in the same level especially since the school has taken the role of socialization of an individual. / African Languages / M.A. (African languages)

<p>In South Africa the practice of virginity testing is most prevalent in KwaZulu-Natal amongst the Zulu and Xhosa. Proponents of the practice claim that some of the benefits include the prevention of the spread of HIV/Aids as well as teenage pregnancy and the detection of children who are sexually abused by adults, amongst others. In South Africa most black males undergo an initiation when they are approximately 16 years old to mark the transition from boyhood to manhood. Male circumcision is also performed as a religious practice amongst the Jews and Muslims.</p> <p>A number of human rights groups in South Africa, including the Commission on Gender Equality (CGE) as well as the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has called for a total ban on the practice of virginity testing on the basis that it discriminates against girls, as the practice is carried out predominantly amongst teenage girls. The CGE and SAHRC are particularly concerned about the potential for human rights violations of virginity testing.</p> <p>The problem with traditional male circumcisions in South Africa is the number of fatalities resulting from botched circumcisions and the spreading of sexually transmitted diseases through unhygienic procedures and unqualified surgeons. Also of concern are other hardships often accompanied by traditional circumcisions such as starvation, frostbite, gangrene and infection amongst other health related injuries. Thus, according to human rights activists, when carried out in these circumstances, traditional male circumcisions have the potential to violate a number of rights aimed at protecting boys including the right to physical integrity and life, in cases of the death of an initiate.</p> <p>South Africa has also ratified a number of international treaties aimed at protecting children against harmful cultural practices such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). As such it has been argued by rights groups that virginity testing as well as male circumcisions carried out in the conditions set out above have the potential to violate a number of provisions contained in international instruments aimed at protecting the dignity of children.</p>

This study investigates the distinguishing characteristics and the modifications to the traditional male initiation ritual as practised in KwaBhaca in the Eastern Cape. The concerns surrounding the incidence of death and maiming from related traditions is also investigated. The study reveals that • the male initiation ritual is still highly regarded in KwaBhaca; • the male initiation ritual itself is still performed strictly traditionally in KwaBhaca; • the male initiation ritual as practised in KwaBhaca has been successfully performed with minimal negative incident attributable to the performance of traditional circumcision; • where there is incidence of a negative reaction, this is usually attributable to a prior health condition of the initiate, and in these circumstances, the initiate is referred to a medical doctor, on condition that the medical doctor is himself an initiate, and that the consultation will be conducted in a place deemed to be safe from spiritual contamination • incidences of maiming and death can be attributed to a number of causes, associated with poor practice and unacceptable conduct; • boys who do not undergo circumcision in the traditional fashion are not regarded as men and remain boys in the eyes of the community. This means that they have to forego participation in important socio-spiritual ceremonies; • there is a necessity to share the experience of the successful traditional circumcision process to avoid further misadventure, maiming and death; • it is not the mechanics of the process of traditional circumcision that endangers lives, but the poor practice of the iingcibi (traditional surgeons) and other significant role-players including the initiates; • The traditional teaching that accompanies the ritual of circumcision is as important, if not more important, than the ritual itself. The study concludes with a series of recommendations aimed at rehabilitating and supporting the continuation of this important and venerated tradition. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2000.

Contact between the Western culture and African indigenous cultures, during the Colonial era, resulted in directional cultural changes in these cultural systems. One of the Gikuyu customs most affected by this change was the rite of passage from childhood into adulthood. This study, which was carried out through the standard anthropological technique of participant - observation and focused interviews, examined the form of change that this rite underwent and the effect of this change on the Gikuyu society. Through the cross-sectional method I traced this change in three generations based upon descent from a living Gikuyu elder.The study shows that the age-grading system, the ceremonies and functions associated with the traditional rite of passage into adulthood has virtually vanished. Female clitoridectomy has been replaced by the onset of menarche as the rite of passage into adulthood. Male circumcision has lost its significance as a rite of passage from childhood to adulthood, and is mainly practised as a rite of passage from primary school to secondary school due to peer-pressure. The disappearance of the functions associated with the traditional rite of passage into adulthood has resulted in an inadequate preparation for the adult roles. The consequence has been a high rate of social problems and a widespread dissatisfaction with the current social life among the Aa-Gikuyu. / Department of Anthropology

<p>In South Africa the practice of virginity testing is most prevalent in KwaZulu-Natal amongst the Zulu and Xhosa. Proponents of the practice claim that some of the benefits include the prevention of the spread of HIV/Aids as well as teenage pregnancy and the detection of children who are sexually abused by adults, amongst others. In South Africa most black males undergo an initiation when they are approximately 16 years old to mark the transition from boyhood to manhood. Male circumcision is also performed as a religious practice amongst the Jews and Muslims.</p> <p>A number of human rights groups in South Africa, including the Commission on Gender Equality (CGE) as well as the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has called for a total ban on the practice of virginity testing on the basis that it discriminates against girls, as the practice is carried out predominantly amongst teenage girls. The CGE and SAHRC are particularly concerned about the potential for human rights violations of virginity testing.</p> <p>The problem with traditional male circumcisions in South Africa is the number of fatalities resulting from botched circumcisions and the spreading of sexually transmitted diseases through unhygienic procedures and unqualified surgeons. Also of concern are other hardships often accompanied by traditional circumcisions such as starvation, frostbite, gangrene and infection amongst other health related injuries. Thus, according to human rights activists, when carried out in these circumstances, traditional male circumcisions have the potential to violate a number of rights aimed at protecting boys including the right to physical integrity and life, in cases of the death of an initiate.</p> <p>South Africa has also ratified a number of international treaties aimed at protecting children against harmful cultural practices such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). As such it has been argued by rights groups that virginity testing as well as male circumcisions carried out in the conditions set out above have the potential to violate a number of provisions contained in international instruments aimed at protecting the dignity of children.</p>