No abstract available. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Afrikaans / unrestricted

In this particular research project the narratives and experiences of parents within reconstituted families have been the subject of reflective thought, alluding to the possible influence of the classic fairy tale or fable on these experiences. Aspects which were touched on in the research included the general validity of discussions on parenting experiences in reconstituted families, while reflecting on these parents’ ability to confide and relate their experiences openly and frankly in a society where the nuclear family is often seen as the ‘ideal family’. Cognisance was taken too of the possibility that parents were reticent in voicing their experiences so as not to enforce prevalent generalisations. Furthermore, research was undertaken to examine alternative parenting narratives and methods by which these narratives could be heard so as to minimise misconceptions and labels on parenting in reconstituted families. Attention was also paid to the role that the church and fellow-believers and brethren have in aiding the often marginalised voice of non-nuclear families to be heard. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2015. / Practical Theology / Unrestricted

In hierdie studie word stiefma’s en die mites wat daar oor stiefma’s bestaan, ondersoek. Dit word gedoen in die postfundamentele praktiese teologie en volgens die narratiewe benadering. Die studie word ook gedoen in die sosiaal-konstruksionistiese paradigma. Vier stiefma’s se unieke verhale oor stiefma-wees word weergegee. Nadat die stories geinterpreteer is, is diskoerse vasgestel wat ‘n invloed het op die mites wat daar oor stiefma’s bestaan. Daar word onder andere gekyk na sprokies en die oorsprong daarvan. Daar word ook gekyk na families deur die eeue, asook na moederskap. Die Godstaal wat die stiefma’s gebruik het, word ook ondersoek. Daar is ‘n interdissiplinêre ondersoek gedoen aan die hand van transversale rasionaliteit. Hierdie verhale wys onder andere op die druk wat op stiefma’s geplaas word deur die kerk en gemeenskap om onmiddelik in die rol van ‘n ma te funksioneer en die perfekte gesin te hê. Konflik in die nuwe gesin gee ook aanleiding tot skuldgevoelens by die stiefma. Met hierdie studie word daar gepoog dat daar beter begrip vir stiefma’s se unieke omstandighede en rolle sal wees. Dus ontstaan nuwe verhale, wat weer moontlikhede vir nuwe navorsing skep. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / gm2014 / Practical Theology / Unrestricted

The movement from modernism to postmodernism have brought about perceivable changes in contemporary thinking and social practices. An important step was the transition toward the “broader rationalistic” view made in the hermeneutical approach, inclusive of the realization that the collection and accumulation of knowledge is not primarily dependent on sharply formulated methodical rules, but also on the symmetrical interaction between and among equal participants in the communication process. The rise of social-constructionism based on the viewpoint, that the sense and meaning of reality are both reciprocally constructed, did not merely exercise its way and influence on the social sciences but also within the practical theology as a science. In this process the narrative model of counselling mode itself strongly known with the understanding that the story of a person and the particular meaning the person attaches to this story, is that which requires the urgent attention of the pastor. With the realization that several stories are involved in the pastoral occurrences, the question immediately arising is: In what way, does the story of God function in the narrative – pastoral discussion? Could the Story of God make any difference in the pastoral happenings? It was decided to research the role of Biblical contents in the pastoral occurrences by way of the qualitative method. The pastoral behaviour of two co-researchers was researched, this included mutual discussions with them about the use of Biblical contents in their counselling. Certain inferences were made from this discussion, the latter leading to further mutual discussions. In the second instance a focus group was brought into play to reflect on inferences made from individual discussions. Subsequently the researcher interactively related stories from the past (tradition) and modern stories, as well as the inferences from the research, with a view to assess whether a new story would possibly come to the fore. The final chapter concluded with the story in which it was realised, that the meta Story still had an unique and particular role in the pastoral counselling. The religious discourse still retains its primary importance for the pastor as a representative of God. This includes that a pastor cannot detach himself from the accompanying specific identity. Within the framework of thought of the postmodernism we should guard against elevating the meta Story to become the “most important” aspect. The reason for this is that the authoritative completeness of the story does not lie in its proclamation to be the most important aspect but it rather lies in the Story itself and in the omnipresence and involvement of God in this world. The pastor should realise that it is not necessary to bring into play the Word of God, because God’s love and compassion is evident in the demeanour and behaviour of the pastor. The specific and challenging task of the pastor persists, in bringing man into contact with the Story of Jesus of Nazareth. The timing and manner of this “bringing into contact” must be applied with a sense of responsibility. This should lead to additional opportunities in constructive dialogue in which HOPE is established. The Story of God’s hope that brings with it an unparalleled sense and meaning. Those who prefer to negate or omit the meta Story in an attempt to comprehend man and his particular circumstances, is guilty of a major error of reasoning. / Thesis (DPhil (Practical Theology))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Practical Theology / unrestricted

The aim of this study is to determine how literature teaching in a multicultural context can be used effectively to promote intercultural communication and understanding in South Africa, a relatively young democracy in a period of transition. A selection of short stories from the chosen short story anthologies, Taxi (1996) and Keerpunt(1995), will be analysed with reference to both key elements from theories about intercultural communication and the criteria for multicultural texts. The study will be concluded by a statement about the suitability of the chosen anthologies to promote intercultural communication and understanding through the teaching of literature within a multicultural context. Die doel van hierdie studie is om ondersoek in te stel na hoe literatuuronderrig in 'n multikulturele konteks effektief gebruik kan word om interkulturele kommunikasie en begrip te bevorder veral noudat Suid Afrika ' n relatief nuwe demokrasie in 'n oorgangsperiode is. Hierdie doel word nagestreef deur geselekteerde kortverhale uit die gekose kortverhaalbundels, Taxi (1996) en Keerpunf (1995), te analiseer met verwysing na kernelemente vanuit die teorievorming oor interkulturele kommunikasie asook die kriteria vir 'n multikulturele teks. Aan die einde van hierdie studie word aangedui of die gekose kortverhaalbundels geskikte tekste is om interkulturele kommunikasie en begrip in 'n multikulturele konteks te bevorder deur literatuuronderrig. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2001.

Text in Afrikaans / Om te luister na mense se verhale is om iets van hulle belewinge en singewing te probeer verstaan. Staatkundige verandering in Suid-Afrika. het die arbeidsposisie van veral die wit werker in onsekerheid geplaas. Saam met die internasionale gemeenskap kan gevolglik gese word: Daar bestaan nie meer iets soos werksekerheid nie. In hierdie studie skets drie wit Afrikanermans en hulle vrouens die invloed en gevolge van onverwagse uitdienstrede op hulself en hul gesinslewe. As gevolg van onsekerheid in die werksituasie het deelnemers bestaande sosiale- en geloofsdiskoerse bevraagteken. Deurdat die deelnemers egter hulle verhale in die teenwoordigheid van persone te midde van dieselfde omstandighede vertel het, kon hulle kom tot die ko-konstruering van betekenis en die skep van alternatiewe verhale. / To listen to the stories of people, is to comprehend something of their experiences and the meaning they apply to it. Political change in South Africa placed the vocational position of especially the white Afrikaner worker in an uncertain position. Together with the international community it can now be said: There is no longer such a thing as job security. In this study three white Afrikaner men and their spouses depict the influence and results of unexpected retirement on themselves and their families. Uncertainty in the job-situation led to the questioning of existing social and faith discourses. By telling their stories in the presence of people amid the same circumstances, participants were however able to co-construct meaning and create alternative stories. / Philosophy, Practical & Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology)

Text in Afrikaans / Om te luister na mense se verhale is om iets van hulle belewinge en singewing te probeer verstaan. Staatkundige verandering in Suid-Afrika. het die arbeidsposisie van veral die wit werker in onsekerheid geplaas. Saam met die internasionale gemeenskap kan gevolglik gese word: Daar bestaan nie meer iets soos werksekerheid nie. In hierdie studie skets drie wit Afrikanermans en hulle vrouens die invloed en gevolge van onverwagse uitdienstrede op hulself en hul gesinslewe. As gevolg van onsekerheid in die werksituasie het deelnemers bestaande sosiale- en geloofsdiskoerse bevraagteken. Deurdat die deelnemers egter hulle verhale in die teenwoordigheid van persone te midde van dieselfde omstandighede vertel het, kon hulle kom tot die ko-konstruering van betekenis en die skep van alternatiewe verhale. / To listen to the stories of people, is to comprehend something of their experiences and the meaning they apply to it. Political change in South Africa placed the vocational position of especially the white Afrikaner worker in an uncertain position. Together with the international community it can now be said: There is no longer such a thing as job security. In this study three white Afrikaner men and their spouses depict the influence and results of unexpected retirement on themselves and their families. Uncertainty in the job-situation led to the questioning of existing social and faith discourses. By telling their stories in the presence of people amid the same circumstances, participants were however able to co-construct meaning and create alternative stories. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology)

The composer Stefans Grové not only contributed to South African art music but also achieved success in the field of literature. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between his prose and his music and determine the influence of word art on meaning in his compositions. The relationship between literature and music is explored as background to the investigation of Grové’s oeuvre. The role of music in Grové’s short stories and sketches is determined. It seems that music is not a significant theme of these tales but rather has a supporting function. In some stories music plays no role at all. However, these narratives do provide a great deal of biographical and cultural information. Word art is an essential part of Grové’s compositions and plays a key role in the determining and communication of meaning. His art reflects the variety of cultures native to South Africa. These cultural influences are manifested in his compositions and are reinforced by the accompanying word art. The need for a comprehensive biography about Grové’s contribution as academic, composer, critic and writer has been identified during the course of this study. / Dissertation (MMus (Music Science))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Music / MMus / unrestricted