No abstract available. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1985.

It occured to me that scholars who undertake to explore praises in Zulu have centred much analysis on praises of human beings and very little on those of domestic animals. Domestic animals are very close environmental company to any Black person in South Africa, especially to those who reside in farming areas. This study demonstrates that the domestic animal merits praise because it constitutes a kind of relative and colleague to a Black person. The first chapter gives a general layout of those to follow. What one has to note in the first chapter is the assessment of the extent to which scholars have made studies towards assessing praises of domestic animals. To be more precise, about six books have been identified containing some gleanings on the praises of domestic animals . This scarcity of documented sources for these praises together with the fact that praises of domestic animals are still mainly part of oral tradition constitute the main reason prompting this study. Chapter Two analyses hopefully in depth the social aspect of praises of domestic animals. We deduce from the numerous facts emerging from the inter-relationship between owner and animal that the main reason for the existence of the praises in question, is to forge links that bind poet and animal together. Aspects discussed in Chapter Two are, among others, the purpose of praising which examines the effect of praises on both the animals themselves and the community at large. The chapter also looks at the various poets in this field, the occasions during which domestic animals are praised, and the kind of audience anticipated when praising these animals. Though almost all the poets in this regard are wholly nonliterate, the praises they compose are nevertheless rich in literary constructions. They decorate the praises with all sorts of poetic expressions. One may even imagine that the praises of domestic animals were composed by modern learned poet who composed them by transcription and had all the skills to adopt the most impressive literary forms. Chapter Four sums up the role of praises of domestic animals on society as well as the literary richness that the praises possess. On the other hand this chapter Four is also to be taken as the summary and distillation of the previous ones. / Thesis (M.A.) - University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1992.

Abstract not available. / Thesis (M.A.) - University of Natal, Durban, 2002.

The condition of women in African societies has always been object of intense discussion The present research takes its move from an analysis of four main literary works in Zulu, and a number of supporting texts, to monitor, as it were, the development of attitudes towards women during the second half of the 20th century. Literature is considered, in fact, a mirror of society. Traditional Southern African society is strongly patriarchal and conservative. A woman's role is generally viewed as the life-giver and the nurturer of the new generation of her husband's offspring. She is in charge of the gardens, where she grows the family food, while her husband is busy with his wars, cattle raiding ventures and politics. Patriarchy may reach severe forms of women oppression through the systems of ilobolo (bride-wealth) and of polygamy, but is also expressed by the exclusion of women from the economic, artistic and legal fields. Forms of freedom - of movement, or sexual or economic - allotted to men are never considered for women. Each of the four chosen texts emphasises one or more aspect of women oppression by the male dominated society, as reflected in popular life at the time of writing. So Uvalo Lwezinhlonzi, written in 1956, is a manifesto for freedom in the choice of a life partner, which is generally obstructed by the father's greed for ilobolo cattle and his ambition to be recognized among the notables of the district. Inkinsela YaseMgungundlovu (1961) fights for women's equal rights in the financial field. NguMbuthuma-ke Lowo (1982) is a desperate cry in the face of abuses in polygamous families. And Ikhiwane Elihle (1985) fights aspects of the new morality that accepts sexual freedom for women, since men also claim such freedom. The thesis is topical, and, to render it even more so, it often avails itself of ideas of feminist writers and critics, although such theories have not touched the nerve of the Zulu public as yet. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Durban-Westville, 2002.

This study examines the similarities and differences between the historical background and the current performance of Hindu and Zulu funerals and associated ceremonies. After presenting an account of the historical development of the Hindu and Zulu communities in South Africa, a chronological account of the performance of each of these funeral ceremonies are presented. This account includes a detailed description of the rituals performed when a person is on his/her death bed, the actual funeral ceremonies and the post death rituals and ceremonies associated with ancestor veneration. The incidence and significance of The Anthropology of Geste and Rhythm in each of these ceremonies are demonstrated according to the theory of Marcel Jousse. The Hindu and Zulu ceremonies are then analysed and interpreted to demonstrate an individuals life crises which Van Gennep called the "Rites of Passage" and distinguishes three phases: separation, transition, and incorporation. The discussion accounts for the transmission of traditions over generations, and which demonstrate the anthropological and psychobiological nature of memory, understanding and expression as evident in the performance of Hindu and Zulu funerals and ceremonies and the manner in which the ancestors are venerated in South Africa. The research was undertaken mainly in Kwa-Zulu Natal. However to fill research gaps in the Hindu investigation a study was undertaken in some parts ofIndia as part of the Ford Foundation International Fellowship Programme. / Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2007.

This thesis investigates the appropriateness and the accuracy of Mbhele's artistry in writing his one-act plays from Izivunguvungu Zempilo, Ishashalazi and Ezemihla Nayizolo. It considers the formal literary elements which include characterisation, themes, setting, plot, dialogue and style of the writer inclusive of the language that has been used. It also involves different kinds of themes that are revealed by this dramatist in his work. His themes cover all the aspects of life. This includes the exploration of the previous political situation and its effect on the lives of the people, the effect of the Western influences on black South Africans and the people's perspectives on education and religion. The theoretical framework that has been used in this study is the historical-biographical approach. The interview with the author has been very helpful in this regard. The purpose of the interview has been to develop some kind of understanding of the author's own ideas, his early life experiences, his educational background, and the sense of the situation the author writes about. This study consists of six chapters; the first chapter serves as the general introduction for the whole thesis. The author's biographical notes, the identification and the discussion of the research methodology and the definition of some important terms, form part of chapter one. In each chapter, there is an explicit explanation of each formal literary element in relation to Mbhele's one-act plays. Chapter two deals with both characterisation and plot, because plot deals with all the events in a story and the way in which these events are connected. All the events in a story involve the characters. Chapter three investigates the themes that are found in Mbhele's one-act plays, and the ways in which they are revealed. Chapter four consists of the dialogue and style of the writer, which includes his use of the language and the form of address used by the characters to address each other. Chapter five discusses the social background of the characters in relation to what they do in the plays. This includes their given social circumstances, the time and the place which the writer has created for them. Chapter six is the general conclusion for the whole study. It includes the summary, observation and some implications for further research. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal,Durban, 2003.

Lolu cwaningo lugxile ekubalulekeni kwemvunulo yomdabu osikompilweni lwabantu besifazane abangamaZulu basendaweni yakwaNobamba. Imvunulo yomdabu ayembathelwa ukwemboza umzimba kuphela, kodwa ngokwesiko, ihlukanisa abesifazane ngokobuzwe nangokwezigaba zokukhula. Ingane engakathombi ayivunuli njengomuntu osethombile okungaba itshitshi noma iqhikiza. Ongakagcagci akavunuli njengosegcagcile yena obonakala ngokufaka isicholo nangokubhinca isidwaba ukuhlonipha umyeni wakhe nabasemzini (Msimang, 1975: 173). Ipharadaymu eqondayo yiyona eyasetshenziswa kulolu cwaningo. UMazibuko (2008: 68) uthi ngokwepharadaymu eqondayo lokho okucwaningwayo kwisayensi yenhlalo kufanele kube nokuxhumana, okucwaningwayo kumele kube nencazelo futhi kuhlukaniseke kulokho okubonwayo. Lokho okucwaningwayo kumele kube ngokuthintene nomuntu. Kulolu cwaningo kwacwaningwa ngemvunulo yomdabu eyembathwa ngabantu kanye nokubaluleka kwayo. Kwasetshenziswa indlela yokuxoxisana kanye nendlela yokuqaphelisisa ukuze kutholakale ulwazi olwabe ludingeka. Injulalwazi ye-Oral Style kanye neyeSocial Identity yizona ezasetshenziswa kulolu cwaningo. Injulalwazi ye-Oral Style iveza ukubaluleka kobuciko bomlomo, ngakho-ke ilufanele lolu cwaningo lapho kubonakala abesifazane bevunule ngemvunulo abayazi ngokudluliselwa yona ngomlomo kusuka kokhokho babo. Injulalwazi iSocial Identity nalo ilufanele lolu cwaningo lapho owesifazane ngemvunulo yakhe ekwazi ukuhlukaniseka ngokobulili, ngokobuzwe nangokwesigaba sokukhula. Isidingo esikhulu salolu cwaningo ukuthola imbangela eyenza ukuba abesifazane bezigodi zakwaNobamba ezaziwa ngokuthi kuseMsobotsheni, eKucasheni, kwaNhliwe naseMgwamama, belokhu besalugcinile lolu siko lokuvunula. Akulula kubona ukwehlukana naleli siko ngoba bazalelwe emphakathini owembatha le mvunulo. Bakholelwa ekutheni amadlozi abo ahlala emvunulweni, ngakho-ke ukuhlukana nayo kungasho ukulahla amadlozi okuyiwona abavikelayo. Abesifazane bayahlangana bafundisane ukwakha ubuhlalu, obuyingxenye yemvunulo. Leli khono lidluliselwa ngisho ezinganeni zabo zamantombazane ukuze zikhule zikwazi ukuzenzela imvunulo. Ukuhlangana kwabesifazane bakha imvunulo, kudala umoya wokuzwana nokuchitha isizungu besele bodwa amasoka nabayeni besemsebenzini emadolobheni amakhulu njengaseGoli. Ukuguquka kwezikhathi kudala ukuba nemvunulo yomdabu iguquke ibe nomthelela wesilungu. Izinga lokwembathwa kwemvunulo yomdabu alisafani nakuqala ngenxa yokuthi abanye besifazane bayasebenza kobelungu. Amatshitshi namaqhikiza ayaphoqeleka ukuba ekwembatheni kwawo angavezi amabele namathanga. Abesifazane asebegcagcile bembatha amaphinifa amboza sonke isidwaba singabonakali ngoba sizongcolisa. Izingane zamantombazane ezifunda isikole zigqoka umfaniswano wesikole uma zisesesikoleni; seziyobuyela emvunulweni yazo lapho sekuphume isikole sezisemakhaya. Abesifazane bakwaNobamba basalugcina lolu siko lokuvunula ngokuvunula uma kukhona imicimbi efana nehlamvu, (ukuhalalisela ukubuya kwamasoka nabayeni bevela emadolobheni amakhulu njengaseGoli), umholo wezalukazi nomchanguzo. Bayavunula futhi ngokugcwele emicimbini esuke ihlelwe nguMasipala lapho bejabulisa umphakathi njengeqembu lesigekle nengoma. Othisha bayazigqugquzela izingane zesikole ukuba zembathe imvunulo yomdabu uma kunemikhosi egujwayo. Uma owesifazane efisa ukusho okuthile emphakathini, kubo lapho ezalwa khona, kumnakwabo, nasesokeni noma kumyeni, akakukhiphi ngomlomo wakhe kepha kudluliswa yimvunulo ayembethe. Okutholakele kulolu cwaningo ukuthi abantu besifazane bakwaNobamba bayazigqaja ngale mvunulo yabo ephinde ikhuthaze amantombazane ukuba ahlale egcine ubuntombi bawo kuze kufike isikhathi sokugcagca. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2013.

This dissertation makes an investigation of two short story collections by the pioneering IsiZulu writers in this genre, W M B Mkhize and M J Mngadi with particular reference to exposition, characterisation, style and themes. The theoretical framework that has been used has been mainly the structuralist approach though others such as historical biographical and moral philosophical, Marxist or formalism and new criticism have also been used. This study consists of six chapters; the first chapter serves as the general introduction to the whole dissertation. The authors' biographical sketches have been given. The discussion of the methodology, definition of the important concepts, parallel works in isiZulu short stories, the chapter outline, theoretical framework and the conclusion make up the rest of the chapter. Chapter 2 focuses on exposition. Different kinds of expositions as used by authors have been dealt with and the effects they have on the readers. The different expositions have been discussed as the authors use them. These include the variety of dialogues and monologues. The others are character, event and nature type of expositions. Chapter 3 deals with characterisation. Naming, plausibility of characters, different kinds of characters and the educative value they have on the readers has been studied. Major and minor characters have been discussed in this chapter. Chapter 4 concerns itself with style. This includes diction, phrases and sentences, the use of proverbs and figures of speech have been analysed. Precise word selection and symbolism have been investigated in the authors' works. Chapter 5 in this research has to do with themes. The study of themes as covered by authors has been covered. The research has confined itself to general, specific and presentation of themes as the serious concern of writers in sending messages to the readers. Chapter 6 deals with general conclusion. It has finalised the evaluation and given the final overview and conclusion. Lastly it has given suggestions for some further research on the study of Mkhize and Mngadi's short stories. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2003.

The overall questions that were provided in the higher degrees proposal have been fairly answered throughout this doctoral dissertation. The following questions have been asked and answered throughout the thesis: What has been identified a's changes from traditional naming practices to Western naming practices? What morphophological comparisons can be made in naming practices? What influenced the cultural and historical background and language of the Shangase clan? Every social group of people has certain norms of behaviour. How does this culturally and structurally affect the system of naming within the Shangase Clan? Since there are different language names, how are these names related, or can any: system of their relationship be found within the Shangase Clan? From which parts of speech are different names (which are nouns) normally derived and what prefixal and suffixal elements are applied? What poetic techniques can be used to analyse the personal praises or praise names of Kings, Royal Family Members and the ordinary people? It has therefore, been realized that the personal names and place names are well known to have played a more substantial role in the identification of different people and places of different clans. Surnames and address names have promoted the identification and classification of different clans. The researcher has used both the qualitative and quantitative research methodologies as tools for data collection. Research methods have entailed verbal descriptive practices, which include oral inquiries, questionnaires, interviews and observational information. The purpose of this research has been to locate the study within the context of the topic and the historical background of the Shangase people which eventually deals with personal names, place-names and personal praises. The literature has been reviewed according to the recommendations of the researcher's supervisor Prof S.E. Ngubane. Five scholars were chosen and the focus was on history, genealogy, linguistic, onomastics of personal names, place-names and how these names are derived and changed from time to time with naming practices changing from generation to generation. This has enabled every member of the Shangase clan to identify himself easily with the founder, Shangase (Mkheshane), son of Vumizitha, of Mthebe of Mnguni 1. The researcher's main objective has been to focus on the history and genealogy of the Shangase clan from the time of Vumizitha (d.c.l688) to the present time (AD 2006), how personal names and place names are given when one looks at the circumstances of naming and history surrounding the names and the linguistic analysis of the onomactic elements. The personal names, place names and praise names are analysed and synthesized within the parameters of word formation, and as words they are isolated or syntactically used to assign a particular meaning in Zulu. Lastly, the researcher is mostly interested in this study because, as a member of the Shangase Community, he has a thorough knowledge of where the Shangase clan is located. The researcher's method of interviews using interview questionnaires assisted him to accomplish the main objectives. Through these interviews and observations, the researcher highly recommends that those who might be able to read this thesis, and feel interested and create new challenges in the field of onomastics, which the researcher hopes this thesis has done, should further undertake a study of personal praises within the Shangase clan. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2006.