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The Challenges of accommodating indigenous belief systems into disaster risk reduction strategies: A case study of lightning strikes in KwaJali, Umuziwabantu Municipality, KwaZulu Natal
Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2026.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2026
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| _version_ | 1867613914508820480 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Luswazi, Siyabonga Graduate |
| author2 | Zweig, P. J. |
| author_browse | Luswazi, Siyabonga Graduate Zweig, P. J. |
| author_facet | Zweig, P. J. Luswazi, Siyabonga Graduate |
| author_sort | Luswazi, Siyabonga Graduate |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2026. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/136279 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:43:43.080Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/136279 The Challenges of accommodating indigenous belief systems into disaster risk reduction strategies: A case study of lightning strikes in KwaJali, Umuziwabantu Municipality, KwaZulu Natal Luswazi, Siyabonga Graduate Zweig, P. J. Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Geography and Environmental Studies. Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2026. Luswazi, S. G. 2026. The Challenges of accommodating indigenous belief systems into disaster risk reduction strategies: A case study of lightning strikes in KwaJali, Umuziwabantu Municipality, KwaZulu Natal. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/6e91ba09-1e5e-4ff7-af17-9209fac75951 This study examined the challenges of integrating indigenous belief systems into disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies, focusing on lightning hazards in KwaJali, Umuziwabantu Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal. The research was informed by the recognition that South Africa’s DRR frameworks are predominantly science-driven and often fail to accommodate the indigenous worldviews that influence local perceptions and responses to natural hazards. While global and national discourses increasingly acknowledge the role of indigenous knowledge in enhancing community resilience, its systematic incorporation into DRR practice remains limited. A mixed methods case study design was adopted, employing semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations with community members, traditional leaders, and municipal officials. The triangulated approach provided nuanced insights into how cultural beliefs and scientific knowledge interact in shaping risk perception and response. Findings revealed that lightning is widely interpreted through ancestral and spiritual beliefs, guiding community behaviour and attitudes toward official interventions. Conversely, institutional DRR approaches were found to lack cultural sensitivity, resulting in weak collaboration and limited community participation. The study concludes that integrating indigenous and scientific knowledge systems enhances the cultural legitimacy, inclusiveness, and sustainability of DRR interventions. It recommends that policymakers and practitioners adopt culturally inclusive frameworks, engage traditional authorities in DRR planning and implementation, and develop lightning education programmes that combine traditional wisdom with scientific understanding. Such approaches are vital for promoting community-centred resilience and strengthening the effectiveness of lightning risk reduction in rural South Africa. Masters 2026-04-30T12:23:22Z 2026-04-30T12:23:22Z 2026-03 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/136279 en Stellenbosch University 114 pages application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Luswazi, Siyabonga Graduate The Challenges of accommodating indigenous belief systems into disaster risk reduction strategies: A case study of lightning strikes in KwaJali, Umuziwabantu Municipality, KwaZulu Natal |
| title | The Challenges of accommodating indigenous belief systems into disaster risk reduction strategies: A case study of lightning strikes in KwaJali, Umuziwabantu Municipality, KwaZulu Natal |
| title_full | The Challenges of accommodating indigenous belief systems into disaster risk reduction strategies: A case study of lightning strikes in KwaJali, Umuziwabantu Municipality, KwaZulu Natal |
| title_fullStr | The Challenges of accommodating indigenous belief systems into disaster risk reduction strategies: A case study of lightning strikes in KwaJali, Umuziwabantu Municipality, KwaZulu Natal |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Challenges of accommodating indigenous belief systems into disaster risk reduction strategies: A case study of lightning strikes in KwaJali, Umuziwabantu Municipality, KwaZulu Natal |
| title_short | The Challenges of accommodating indigenous belief systems into disaster risk reduction strategies: A case study of lightning strikes in KwaJali, Umuziwabantu Municipality, KwaZulu Natal |
| title_sort | challenges of accommodating indigenous belief systems into disaster risk reduction strategies a case study of lightning strikes in kwajali umuziwabantu municipality kwazulu natal |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/136279 |
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