Shingairai Chigeza

Meaning as perceived and experienced by an African student group

This qualitative study explored what a Batswana group of African students (N = 73) find most meaningful in their life and why those sources of meaning are important to them. Findings showed that, in line with previous Western studies, the most important source of meaning is relationships, and in particular family which provides support, but is also intrinsically valuable. Relatedness in this African group is also different from Western conceptualisations and previous empirical findings in the sense that horizontal (interpersonal) and vertical (spiritual) relationships are deeply intertwined. Education as a domain of life is also an important source of meaning to this cohort of students. The reported perceived meanings and experienced reasons bring forth a picture that resonates with values and expectations from the specific cultural and life phase contexts in which these African students are embedded. The meaning of these meanings for the enhancement of well-being in students merits exploration.

African Migrants' Experiences of Xenophobic Violence in South Africa: A Relational Approach

This study explores the experiences of African migrants in relation to South African citizens in the course of xenophobic violence in South Africa. In a secondary data analysis of a larger research project, 44 migrants (both men and women with ages ranging from 18 to 50 years) were purposively selected data obtained through focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews were analysed thematically. The relational experiences between the African migrants and the black South African citizens occurred in an interpersonal context, embedded in a historical pattern of racial prejudice, division and separation. The relational approach analyses migrant-citizen interactions on the intrapersonal, interpersonal and intergroup level. Relationships are continuously self-organised in the course of human interaction. The focus (or punctuation) of the discussion should therefore be stated clearly. African Migrants expressed an intense emotional impact on the intrapersonal level following their interactions with South African citizens. South African citizens displayed dominant in-group behaviour by ignoring and excluding migrants and by treating them differently. Citizens also regarded migrants as threats. The findings have serious implications for South Africas diverse racial groups, who interact daily in different interpersonal contexts.

“…Here We Help Each Other”: Sense of Community of People Subjected to Forced Removals

This study examined the sense of community of people with experience of forced removals in a South African setting. The participants were 200–108 men (54%) and 92 women (46%) between 18 and 61 years of age and selected using systematic random sampling from the Khuma community. Data were collected using a Sense of Community Index-2 and the Mmogo-method®, a visual representation procedure. The questionnaire data were statistically analysed and the qualitative data were thematically and visually analysed. Findings suggested that places were important to sense of community in meeting their needs for survival, to maintain intergenerational relationships, and to facilitate community interactions.

Relational Coping Strategies of Older Adults with Drought in a Rural African Context

Older adults in rural contexts do not necessarily enjoy special attention from policy makers and planners, although they are often severely affected by disasters and the aftermath thereof. The aim of this chapter is to explore the relational coping strategies of older adults (people older than 60 years of age) with drought. A qualitative research design was used. The research took place in two local rural municipalities within the North West Province, South Africa. Purposive sampling, consisting of 75 Setswana-speaking older adults (30 males and 45 females above the age of 60 years), was used. Data were gathered by using a visual projective technique called the Mmogo-method® and focus group discussions. The data were analysed by making use of thematic analysis and visual image interpretation. The research found that older people—although vulnerable to drought—cope with drought because of their attention to environmental signs, which were used as feedback for planning to deal proactively with the consequences of drought. The sharing of resources complemented the limited resources of the individual older adult. This research recommends that policies address the needs and acknowledge the contributions of older people, specifically in how they can promote and support the active coping strategies of older people. The participation of older people in their own empowerment process is highlighted.

Black adults' perceptions of healthy family functioning

This study explores Black adults’ perceptions of factors that contribute to healthy family functioning. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 18 Black participants between the ages of 26 and 54. They responded to a question on their perceptions of healthy family functioning. In addition, a semistructured interview was conducted with the eight participants who presented with the richest data. Analysis of the data revealed healthy family functioning to be characterised by effective communication, appropriate affective involvement, well-defined family rules, clear family boundaries and a common religion.

Adolescents' lived experiences of their pregnancy and parenting in a semi-rural community in the Western Cape

This qualitative study aimed to illuminate the pregnancy and parenting experiences of adolescents from Sir Lowry’s Pass Village in the Helderberg Basin. Participants were recruited through snowball sampling and participated in unstructured interviews. Findings hig h light factors contributing to the pregnancies and the challenges participants experienced during pregnancy and parenting such as poverty, stigma, loss, and lack of parenting skills. The complexity of being a child in the house of their parents while having their own child is illuminated. Positive experiences include their children as source of meaning and the aspirations they have for their children.

Traditional Food Knowledge in a Globalized World: Mediation and Mediatization Perceived by Tswana Women in South Africa

Little is known on the mediation and mediatisation of traditional food knowledge in the context of globalising food systems in South Africa. In 2015, 12 group discussions were conducted with Tswana women of three generations from two rural communities in the Vaalharts region. The focus was on how traditional food is defined by women, how knowledge is mediated and what influences the mediatisation of traditional cooking and eating. Participants described that interpersonal mediation (oral or observational) drives the traditional knowledge transfer from old to young. Communication media (TV, magazines or commercial advertisements) support mediatisation by blurring the line between traditional and modern cooking and eating. A cookbook with traditional Tswana recipes was developed based on joint cooking sessions. The cookbook is available in print and online (Claasen, A taste of Vaalharts: traditional Tswana cooking. Tatso ya Vaalharts. Dijo Tsa Setso tsa Setswana. Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research (AUTHeR), North-West University, Potchefstroom, 2017. http://bit.ly/2onjL6U).

The Subjective Well-Being of First-Year Tertiary Students during an Induction Programme.

ABSTRACT This article describes the perceptions of first-year students’ subjective appraisal of ttheir wellbeing before, during and after participation in an induction programme at a higher education institution (HEI). Twenty-two first-year students participated in focus group discussions (FGDs) and semi-structured individual interviews. Thematic and interpretative analyses suggested shifts in the students’ levels of well-being: high before, low during, and increased after the induction programme. Low levels of well-being were linked to experiences of fear, feeling disrespected, and disillusionment with university life, leaders, and a perceived loss of autonomy, independency and social-relatedness. An increase in well-being was associated with social integration, support, the ability for self-reflection and perspective taking. Wellbeing is a relational and collective matter which is embedded in broader contexts. Therefore, historical legacies of oppression and inequality should be challenged through constructive debate, involving previously neglected voices intentionally; and creating opportunities for the expression of students’ needs and growth potential

A synthesis of homelessness in South Africa: A rapid critical appraisal

ABSTRACT Homelessness in South Africa requires collaborative research. Social, political, cultural and economic factors that cause homelessness must be considered to develop a common definition and understanding of homelessness. South Africa’s social complexity and diversity make it challenging to construct available results into one conceptual framework, and this in turn complicates national policy implementation and role allocation. By means of a rapid critical appraisal of literature on homelessness in South Africa, researchers provide evidence to direct and structure contextual research pertaining to homelessness. Four themes transpire: conceptualisation; demography; roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders; and strategic policy and research issues. Researchers caution that the findings are not generalisable, because of the rapid nature of the appraisal and possible selection bias of the literature. Measures of validity were used to ensure that the study accomplished its purpose through the key results and to ensure that the results are a true reflection of available evidence.

Fortigenic qualities of psychotherapists in practice

This brief report presents preliminary findings on the exploration of strengths (fortigenic) qualities of psychotherapists which can buffer them against compassion fatigue. Participants were seven South African psychologists in private practice. Data were collected using qualitative interviews and thematically analysed using narrative analysis. Findings suggest fortigenic qualities such as resilience, acceptance, appreciation and passion, humour, philosophy of life and a higher level of logic act as buffers against compassion fatigue.