The aim or this research was to explore a group of black South Africans' experiences
of telling their untold stories of survival about the apartheid era. The expectation was
that if they did become more aware of these alternative stories, it could have a far-reaching
effect on their lives. Research indicates that when attention is given to these
narratives they may be a powerful tool in not only recovering the story but also in
focusing on the survivors' own consciousness and growth. Consequently personal
meaning may be elicited by focusing on memories, and that which can be narrated
afterwards. This may mean that by sharing these narratives the narrator may be
enabled to construct a happier future via a positive rather than dissociative perspective
simultaneously supplying the researcher with multifaceted data. A qualitative study
was conducted with a group of seven black South African survivors of the apartheid
era, ranging in age from 42 - 62 years. These participants formed part of an earlier
study of Van der Merwe (2005) investigating their perceptions regarding factors that
helped them to survive the apartheid era. For the present study, unstructured
interviews were conducted focusing on their subjective experiences after the initial
study. Analysis of the data yielded seven prevalent themes namely, a positive
experience that made a difference, gaining of a positive attitude, not all white people
are bad, transcending the past and moving on, awareness of personal strengths,
forgiveness and starting to talk to family and friends. Recornmendations are made
concerning future research. / Thesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:NWUBOLOKA1/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/1727 |
| Date | January 2006 |
| Creators | Vermeulen, Jacques |
| Publisher | North-West University |
| Source Sets | North-West University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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