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A pastoral perspective on Bapedi widowhood in the Mamelodi township
Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria.2026
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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University of Pretoria
2026
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| _version_ | 1867613644995428352 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Masango, Maake J.S |
| author_browse | Masango, Maake J.S |
| author_facet | Masango, Maake J.S |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria.2026 |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/109633 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:39:26.088Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/109633 A pastoral perspective on Bapedi widowhood in the Mamelodi township Masango, Maake J.S juddyy07@gmail.com Mnisi, Judith Raesetsa UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Widowhood Bereavement Mourning Grief Widowhood rituals Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria.2026 Widows across the globe share common experiences related to social and economic challenges. The Bapedi people, also known as the Pedi or the Northern Sotho, primarily reside in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. In their cultures, which are based on dialects, widows are often excluded, stigmatised, and mistreated, especially during mourning rituals that can be isolating and dehumanising. This reality stands in contrast to the principle of ubuntu, which teaches empathy and community support. Yet, widowhood customs frequently subject women to exclusion, suspicion (such as being blamed for their husband's death), and social control. This study adopted a qualitative approach. The sample included 18 widows from three different mainline or Protestant churches, with six participants from each church. In-depth interviews were conducted, along with a full observation of one widow’s experience. Additionally, unplanned and spontaneous conversations were held with two other widows, providing further insight into their lived realities. The findings revealed that widows face a range of socio-economic hardships. Widowhood rites widely regarded as traditional practices for bereaved women, mark a changeover status from being a wife to a widow. These rites differ across cultures, each carrying specific customs and values that deeply shape the widowhood experience. One significant cultural practice examined is levirate marriage, also known as widow inheritance, in which a widow is required to marry a male relative of her deceased husband, it often reflects cultural practices that impose such obligations. While this is viewed in some societies as a way of offering care and preserving family lineage, it often leads to the violation of the widow’s rights and personal agency. Many widows endure harmful and abusive treatment during this time. The researcher was able to validate information from various sources due to the methodology employed in data collection and analysis. Data were obtained from interviews that formed part of a broader study on widowhood issues in South Africa. The findings reveal that widows frequently encounter significant inheritance conflicts as well as emotional or physical abuse from their in-laws. While some participants accepted widowhood rituals as part of their cultural heritage, others expressed strong opposition to these practices. The suffering widows experience after the death of their husbands is frequently driven by societal expectations. Alarmingly, the Church at times appears to reflect traditional worldviews that consider women to be inferior to men, reinforcing gender hierarchies. This perception may be one of the reasons the Church has not consistently advocated for the protection and empowerment of widows. Based on the study’s outcomes, recommendations for further research and practical interventions were proposed to address the ongoing challenges widows face within both cultural and religious contexts. Department of Education Practical Theology PhD (Theology) Unrestricted Faculty of Theology and Religion SDG-05: Gender equality SDG-16: Peace, justice and strong institutions SDG-10: Reduces inequalities 2026-04-17T12:38:39Z 2026-04-17T12:38:39Z 2026-05 2026-04 Thesis * May 2026 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/109633 https://doi.org/10.25403/UPresearchdata.32043615 en © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Widowhood Bereavement Mourning Grief Widowhood rituals A pastoral perspective on Bapedi widowhood in the Mamelodi township |
| title | A pastoral perspective on Bapedi widowhood in the Mamelodi township |
| title_full | A pastoral perspective on Bapedi widowhood in the Mamelodi township |
| title_fullStr | A pastoral perspective on Bapedi widowhood in the Mamelodi township |
| title_full_unstemmed | A pastoral perspective on Bapedi widowhood in the Mamelodi township |
| title_short | A pastoral perspective on Bapedi widowhood in the Mamelodi township |
| title_sort | pastoral perspective on bapedi widowhood in the mamelodi township |
| topic | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Widowhood Bereavement Mourning Grief Widowhood rituals |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/109633 https://doi.org/10.25403/UPresearchdata.32043615 |