Investigating African Indigenous Ways to Mitigate Gender-Based Violence in Bushbuckridge of Mpumalanga Province in South Africa

Abstract

Studies suggest that South Africa has the highest global rates of gender-based violence. Regardless of national laws imposed against gender-based violence, it continues to exacerbate. This has raised a need for a different perspective in addressing this issue of gender-based violence, an African indigenous-based perspective. This study was aimed at scrutinising African indigenous ways to mitigate gender-based violence amongst the Mapulana people of Bushbuckridge in the Mpumalanga Province. The rates of gender-based violence cases are witnessed to be increasing in Bushbuckridge. This is attributed to the isolation of indigenous methods of living. One of the study’s objectives was to explore family and traditional leadership intervention in a marriage setting as African indigenous ways of mitigating conflict to attain peace in the case of gender-based violence. Sankofaism theory paradigms guided this study. A qualitative research method was employed. The recommendation of this study submits relevant and appropriate strategies to ensure that the indigenous knowledge systems of the Mapulana people in Bushbuckridge are not side-lined from mainstream knowledge. The study also recommends that future research can focus on the African indigenous response to gender-based violence against men and boys, for the purpose of equality. This study will contribute to the currently limited body of knowledge on the topic, which can be utilised by future researchers.