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Item Women’s Contribution to Indigenous Knowledge Food Security in the Lokaleng village, North West Province, South Africa(Noyam Publishers, 2023-09-03) Ekobi, GA.; Tanga, P.; Mboh, L.There is an increasing trend of directing food security policies toward empowering women, because, studies have found that indigenous knowledge among women plays a significant role in reducing poverty and food insecurity in their rural households. Although South Africa is considered food secure, many households still suffer from food insecurity. This study intends to investigate women’s contribution to indigenous knowledge of food security. This study employs a qualitative approach and exploratory research design to solve the research objective. Thirty participants took part in the study and data was collected using semi-structured and unstructured interviews. Data analysis was thematic and themes identified were: indigenous knowledge technologies, indigenous food types and contribution to food security. The study found that most women used indigenous technologies, such as animal traction, plough-pull by donkey, kraal manure and cow dung to improve food security. Women also used paraffin, wild onion and “sunlight” bar soap mixture solution to control pests. However, indigenous knowledge of food security might disappear because young people (women) in the community have no interest in indigenous knowledge due to modernisation. Workshops and seminars could be organised to train, empower and educate women on indigenous knowledge and food securityItem The Role of Women in Indigenous Conflict Management in the Mokgalwaneng Village in the Moses Kotane Local Municipality, South Africa(Adonis & Abbey Publishers, 2022-06) Ekobi, GA; Mboh, L.Women have been occupied with managing conflicts in African indigenous communities. However, their contribution in conflict resolution has not been documented in South Africa. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the role of women in managing indigenous conflicts in the Mokgalwaneng community. The data were collected from 14 participants from the Mokgalwaneng community by means of semi-structured and unstructured interview guides and thematically analysed. Three main themes were identified: the types of indigenous conflict, causes of indigenous conflict and the role of women in indigenous conflict management in the Mokgalwaneng community. Findings revealed that there are several types of indigenous conflict in the area. Land, domestic, theft and adultery, fornication and rape were raised as the causes of conflict. Women used indigenous conflict management techniques such as accommodating, collaborating and compromising to manage indigenous conflicts in the area. Also, women in the Mokgalwaneng village assisted indigenous institutions of elders and traditional leaders in resolving conflicts. Although women played a role in the indigenous conflict management, they were being marginalised in relation to indigenous conflict management. This study recommended that gender inclusive conflict management policy should be introduced as this might help promote gender equality and alleviate gender bias.Item Do we have the right to call ourselves an inclusive university? Untold stories of queer students at a rural university in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa(SAGE Publications, 2023) Chitsamatanga, Bellita BandaRuraqueer students constantly experience higher levels of victimization, and negative university experiences than their urban and suburban peers. Further, rural students have limited access to university resources while, queer events and workshops related to queer community, as well as university-based ongoing activities to support positive sexuality and gender identity development are scanty. This has been worsened by extant research written from an ‘outsider’ perspective lacking breadth and depth of experiences of queer students especially in rural universities from an African perspective. Anchored on a qualitative approach using purposive sampling, in depth semi-structured interviews were conducted in this study with eight under and postgraduate students who identified as queer. Emerging themes show how rurality intersects with actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or sex characteristics of queer students in university spaces. Findings challenge the homogenization of university residencies; non-inclusive LGBTQ curricular; university environment that remains homophobic and how traditional, cultural and societal norms contribute to queer students sense of belonging. Implications suggest inclusive teaching and learning and ongoing awareness programmes that acknowledge diversity and enhance visibility of students with intersecting marginalized identities.