BOLESWA

Editorial

2020-12-03T10:50:30+00:00

Religious Bumper Stickers in Contemporary Botswana: Social and Cultural Constructs and Denominational Positioning in the Battle for Membership

2020-12-03T10:50:30+00:00

This paper analyses the aesthetic elements constructed in religious communications. Employing semiotic analysis, the paper focuses on the bumper stickers pasted and found on cars in Botswana. The study sought to examine the techniques of persuasion used by various local Christian religious ministries and the approach that these ministries have towards the public they are attempting to reach out. The data used is part of an ethnographic study that was conducted from April 2016 to March 2019, whose overarching aim was to explore the intersection between media and religion in Botswana, particularly the extent to which religious groups use new media to advance their religious missions. The findings demonstrate that through the use of bumper stickers, various religious denominations in Botswana have attempted to elicit people’s interests in their churches, and advanced the positioning of their church in society.

The “#Resurrectionchallenge”: Unpacking religious jokes on social media

2020-12-03T10:50:30+00:00

While studies on political jokes and other forms of humour exist, very scanty literature exists on how content put on social media by or on behalf of pastors particularly in Southern Africa, constitute content for the creation of jokes which trend on various social media platforms. An example of this is the #resurrectionchallenge which started trending on social media on the 24^th of February 2019 after Pastor Alph Lukau of Alleluia Ministries International allegedly raised a man from the dead. #Resurrectionchallenge itself not only points to questioning the authenticity of these pastors but also highlights how the production of the viral jokes emanating from the Pastor Lukau content speaks to a deviation from the established conventions where words by pastors are revered. Now social media users are using various artefacts in the form of videos and adding comical value to them by replicating these acts carried out by pastors such as the #resurrectionchallenge. The foundation of what is being used in order to create this comic relief online is from a religious perspective and this leads to the question of whether religion itself might now be perceived as a joke, especially in Christianity. Consequently, social media platforms provide spaces for such challenges to be performed as a mockery of the pastors performing such miracles. Focusing on videos shared on Facebook using the #resurrectionchallenge this study uses multimodal discourse analysis to shed light on the phenomenon of image creation as a communication practice.

The Untold Story of “Mrs Noah” : The Hebrew Bible, Gender and Media: An Intertextual Critical Discourse Analysis

2020-12-03T10:50:30+00:00

The Bible is notorious for its androcentric narratives of biblical protagonists. Women’s stories are either abbreviated or erased. Where and when they are mentioned, women are represented negatively as whores, adulteresses and wicked temptresses. Where they are represented as virtuous, virtuousness is synonymous with meekness and submissiveness, both of which reinforce patriarchal ideologies. In the narrative of Noah, we read about the godliness and righteousness of Noah, but we only hear about his wife in passing. Mrs Noah is not only unnamed; she is voiceless and only exists in the shadow of her famous husband. This paper attempts to re-construct, based on Proverbs 31:10-31, the story of Noah’s wife from an intertextual critical discourse analysis perspective, to show that issues of gender and the media have evolved from biblical times to the detriment of women. The paper argues that when read within the cultural context of ancient Israel, the untold story of Noah’s wife is that of a great woman.

‘Bushirified’: New media as ‘alternative’ spaces for performing religious identities online

2020-12-03T10:50:30+00:00

While it is no news that new media technologies continue to permeate various aspects of life on the continent, it is useful to examine what the adoption and appropriation of these technologies, particularly social media platforms, by religious leaders and their followers might mean for the performance of religion online. As pastors and churches go online, there seems to be the creation of a ‘new community’, a subculture, who not only worship and satisfy religious appetite on these spaces but also appropriate the identities of religious leaders and express these as part of their online identities. This study takes its root in Campbell’s (2010) Religious -Social Shaping of Technology approach, to interrogate how religious communities negotiate and contest their appropriation of social media as a site of religious expressions of identity, and in this case the ‘Bushirified’ identity. The study deploys ‘Bushirified’ as an anchor through which it interrogates how online members of religious communities use these spaces as platforms for expressing dissent towards ‘unsupportive’ authorities and support for their religious leader through this renaming on social media, as well as what these might mean for the performance of religious identity online. Using a combination of digital ethnography of the pages of Shepherd Bushiri’s ministry on Facebook and Critical Discourse Analysis of the comments of ‘Bushirified’ members on the page, the study finds that the creative appropriation of new digital technologies is giving rise not only to congregations without ‘borders’ but also shaping identity formation online, one click at a time.

Ecclesiological Questions Arising from the Appropriation of Social Media by Christians

2020-12-03T10:50:31+00:00

The appropriation of social media and other media technologies by churches and Christians have resulted in the shift in the practice of Christianity. Through a review of existing literature, this article considers the Christian doctrine of ecclesiology. It traces the traditional understanding of the ekklesia from Jewish to early Christian times. It then outlines how individual Christians are using the social media and other digital technologies in their practice of religion. Having noted that the use of these media are changing the way people practice their Christian faith, the article ends by raising ecclesiological questions that seek further research on the meaning of the ekklesia today.

Social media influences on Zimbabwean Catholics in Botswana and subversion of the mainstream traditional Catholic religious norms.

2020-12-03T10:50:31+00:00

This paper explores how social media has facilitated the Zimbabwean diasporan Catholics to integrate in Botswana community whilst remaining active in discourses in the country of origin. It further seeks to establish how social media has gradually subverted the hierarchical structures within the Roman Catholic Church by expanding the arenas for a significantly larger number of actors to participate in church discourse. For example, the literate, illiterate, men, women, children, and other minorities are now able to utilise the social media platforms to evangelise, share the word of God and contribute to other conversations in the Roman Catholic Church. The paper relies on data gathered from the Gaborone Catholic community originating from Zimbabwe. Data was gathered from key informant interviews, group WhatsApp chats and videos including church websites from mid-January 2019 to end of April 2019. The information was analysed qualitatively through content and discourse analysis. The proliferation of social media has potential to result in increased religious interface and tolerance. Social media specifically WhatsApp as the faster and cheaper means of transacting ideas can be a double edged sword, watering down and in some cases potentially promoting extremist positions. Whilst it can promote other players, social media can also be harnessed to build and cascade more consensuses building. The paper concludes that migrants specifically Zimbabwean Catholics in Gaborone, utilise WhatsApp platforms to establish and maintain relationships with family, friends, and other Catholics in various communities globally including the home country. The study established that the WhatsApp platform has also facilitated the participation of laity in the evangelising roles that had previously been dominated by the ordained members of the church.

Problem or Resource? The Role of the Media in the Apostolic Faith Mission Zimbabwe Crisis

2020-12-03T10:50:31+00:00

Adopting the conceptual and logical analysis method, this study focuses on the political and legal battles within the Apostolic Faith Mission of Zimbabwe (AFMZ) and how the media in Zimbabwe has reported the stories. While genuine and legitimate reasons for the conflict exist, the study seeks to establish whether the media has wittingly or unwittingly fuelled the division or was it the belligerents thrusting their stories into the laps of the media and casting them in a certain light. The general hypothesis of the study is that the media plays a role in the generation and escalation of religious-related conflicts. Whist conflict is common in every society; it is the violence that often accompany it that is cause for concern. In the case of religious conflict, it becomes artificial if it is fanned by the media or other external factors. Ultimately this discussion seeks to establish the ideal role of the media in mediating ethics, religion and politics in society and whether this is in line with their mandate. To achieve its objective, the paper selects some stories about the split of the AFMZ Church as reported in the print media, specifically Newsday and Bulawayo 24 and analyses them for whether or not the reporting follows the sound ethics of journalism and responsible reporting. It concludes with calls for rejuvenated efforts to reinforce media ethics and the reporting of Church related issues in Zimbabwe and the surrounding countries.

The Bible, Social Media and the Public Persona of ill-bodies in neo-Pentecostal Charismatic Churches

2020-12-03T10:50:31+00:00

A simple Google search can reveal how religion has damaged the image of faithful believers on various social media platforms. Picking from selected faith-healing practices of neo-Pentecostal Charismatic Churches, this paper demonstrates ways in which some Christian churches are, and continue to taint the public persona of ill-bodies on Facebook and other internet websites. The paper takes the position that, when ill-bodies confess of having spiritual husbands or wife; of being witches in order to receive total healing in the name of Jesus Christ, this does not only orient desperate adherents towards self-fulfilment but does greater harm on the public image of ill-bodies. It proceeds to attribute these practices–giving testimonies-to a defective understanding of Jesus of Nazareth’s miracles and a conservative reading of the Bible meant to promote proximity-seeking behaviours. It concludes by pointing out the long-lasting repercussions of those confessions in the lives of believers when uploaded on the internet and circulated on various social media websites

The Effects of Social Media on Personal Identity and Human Dignity: An Evaluation of the Botho Perspective

2020-12-03T10:50:31+00:00

Over the years, social media has grown into a modern way of socializing. It has become a platform where people exhibit their living experiences and allows them to create their own community as well as enabling them to present themselves to others and determine how other people perceive their identity and that of others. It also affords them the security of showing their interests without feeling that they will be persecuted. People utilize social media in different ways for different reasons like creating online self-identity to enable them to be recognized in the society. Some may choose to use their real names while others choose to use pseudo names. The main objective of this paper is to evaluate effects of identity construction on social media from Botho perspective. Does the online self-construction limit personal identity or broaden it to an extreme point? What are the positive impacts of online constructed identity on human dignity and how does it jeopardize the dignity of the human person? Botho is a Setswana term meaning personhood or the essence of being a human person. Botho says people are what they are because of, with and through other people.

The Appropriation of Social Media Technologies by the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) Gaborone Assembly, Botswana

2020-12-03T10:50:31+00:00

The article demonstrates how Christianity, particularly Pentecostalism15, with a specific reference to the Apostolic Faith Mission Assembly (hereafter referred to as AFM), in Gaborone, Botswana, uses social media to facilitate the effectiveness of its programmes, operations and activities.16 The paper examines how social media has affected the operations and impacted of their evangelistic strategies and activities. Participants for the study were drawn from the organisational and operational structures of the AFM Gaborone congregation such as the Church Board, which is the local governing body of the church; the church office, departments and committees of the church. This also included the managers of the different social media platforms used by different committees (WhatsApp,SMS, Facebook) as well as the leaders of the committees, responsible for the day-to – day operations of programmes and activities of their departments. The study, therefore, examines these social media platforms and church leaders, to appreciate the efforts made and the extent to which they impact on the spread of the Pentecostal message. The extent to which they inspire members to participate in the evangelistic programmes and strategies of the church is also discussed. The findings suggest that the evangelization has always been a primary goal of the AFM and that the church is appropriating social media technologies to facilitate that fundamental mission of disseminating the Gospel to members of the church and the society.

Religious explosion in media: a capture of the society of Botswana

2020-12-03T10:50:31+00:00

Recent years have witnessed a phenomenal growth of religious activities in all communication media. This phenomenal and explosive development is seen in free satellite televisions broadcasts, free radio space even in national radio, public crusades and indoctrinating school services. An observer would worry about the fanaticisation of the nation through religion and the desecration of the Christian theology through miracle performances. There are now more churches in a locality than schools. Religion is now commercialised, and TV and radio programmes are becoming effective advertising agents for this commodity. If this phenomenon pleases the uncritical, it should worry social observers as this religious explosion can be the onset of social vicissitudes and cultural disintegration. Mainline churches have lost religious authority and have been put out of any role in guiding a managed religious spirituality. Traditional African religions are now an anathema. From a postcolonial theory and the social phenomenological interpretations, the paper argues that the religious explosion in our society will have nefarious consequences such as losing the fabric of culture, putting out of currency African beliefs, and evacuating Badimo from among Batswana. The antithesis of this condition is a society that has neither identity nor developmental direction.

Criminalization of HIV Transmission in Africa: Ubuntu/Botho Perspective

2020-12-03T10:50:31+00:00

This paper evaluates two reasons often given for the criminalization of HIV and AIDS. The first justification is that criminalizing HIV exposure and transmission will act as a deterrent to both HIV positive and negative people. The second is that people who expose others to the risk of HIV infection ought to be punished because their actions are morally wrong. In response, the paper argues that these reasons fail to support the criminalization of HIV and AIDS transmission. In the end, the paper appeals to the African ethic of Ubuntu/Botho, to show that criminalization of HIV and AIDS fails to promote public health and respect for human persons especially those living with HIV and AIDS.

The High Cost of Early Adulthood for Adolescent Mothers: A Call for Reorientation of Social Norms in Eswatini

2020-12-03T10:50:31+00:00

Cases of teenage pregnancies are most acute in developing nations. UNFPA (2018) reports that 20 000 girls below the age of 18 give birth every day, and they miss opportunities for personal development. Furthermore, they experience social rejection because they have contravened cultural norms by falling pregnant before marriage. Many girls pay even a higher price as latest research reveals that pregnancy and childbirth are now a leading cause of death for females at the ages of 15-19 in developing countries, as about 70 000 die each year (UNFPA 2018). Premised on broader sociological and feminist analysis of social norms, the paper argues that socialisation in patriarchal spaces train women to fit into an already prescribed society from which they draw their identity. They learn to understand themselves in terms of patriarchal super-ordination and subordination of being in the centre or being on the margin. Contravening social norms has lifetime repercussions, which include loss of the socially constructed identity. Teenage mothers therefore have a high price to pay for falling pregnant before marriage. The paper further calls for the reorientation of both injunctive and descriptive norms so that they become accommodative and self-empowering to young women.

The Church as a Place and Instrument for Reconciliation and Peace-building

2020-12-03T10:50:31+00:00

Being a sign and instrument of God’s intention and plan in the world, the Church is called to play a prophetic role and exercise the ministry of reconciliation that has been entrusted to it by the Lord Jesus Christ. Because of its trustworthy nature, the Church is identified to be a place and also an instrument of reconciliation. The role of the Church goes beyond the reconciliation of sinner and God through Jesus Christ. It addresses reconciliation more broadly in society. The critical role of the Church is also ensuring that voices of voiceless reverberate in the hall of public policies. The church’s initiative for reconciliation should be anchored on the concept that peace is the tranquillity that flows from right order mutual understanding between its members and with the environment.

Poverty in Ecclesiastes and Akan Culture for African Development Agenda: A Dialogical Reflection on the Church’s Role

2020-12-03T10:50:31+00:00

The AU Agenda 2063 gives much space to the poor and vulnerable in its plan for authentic development in Africa. Paradoxically, some African ethos and culture hardly recognize the place of the poor and accord them any dignity as if they have nothing to offer to the community. This paper explores Ecclesiastes’ paradigmatic voice on the discrimination of the poor to reveal views about the poor from an Akan perspective. It employs a dialogical reading of Ecclesiastes and Akan proverbs that emphasize discrimination and injustice to offer proposals on how African Christians can contribute to the affirmation and inclusiveness of the poor. The Africa we want where poverty is reduced cannot be achieved if the Christian Church and theological educators do not critically look at the Akan proverbs that negatively shape a people’s worldview about the poor and offer new proposals for development.

Enviromental Moral Degeneration and Regeneration: Towards Setswana Ecological Biblical Hermeneutics

2020-12-03T10:50:31+00:00

The paper explores Setswana and biblical moral teachings on the environment as well as their functions in the preservation of the Earth. It will also look at how contemporary profit-oriented relationships with the Earth constitute moral degeneration. Lastly, the paper will discuss how some Setswana perspective on the environment can constitute Earth friendly ways of reading the Bible for the revitalization of the Earth community as a whole. This paper demonstrated that in reading the Biblical narrative of Genesis 8:20, 9:17 God was not making a covenant only with men but rather God was making a covenant with the Earth using Noah as a representative of the whole creation. Consequently, Setswana Ecological biblical hermeneutics used in this paper offers an Earth friendly perspective of reading the Bible.

“The Richest Dust Bin in the Land”: Emancipatory Dialogue on Institutionalized Corruption (IC): A Case of Botswana.

2020-12-03T10:50:32+00:00

Moral degeneration in Botswana and the region has coincided with rapid socio-economic and political developments. In this context, it is all too easy to suggest a simple cause and effect relationship between the socio-economic and political difficulties and Institutionalized Corruption (IC). In Botswana today, Institutionalized Corruption (IC) occurs within a complex reality that involves historical processes, and the erosion of moral fibre. This paper attempts to show that Institutionalized Corruption (IC) cannot only be addressed through political and constitutional means, but also through social, moral ad theological ways. The paper argues that contextual public theological approaches shed a better light onto issues relating to institutional corruption because, Botswana is predominantly a Christian country.

Reaching Out, Making Public:The Jamiat ul-Ulama South Africa and its Online Newsletter

2020-12-03T10:50:32+00:00

The main objective of this essay is to reflect upon the contents of one of JUSA’s newsletters to establish how JUSA or more specifically the editor manages these. In addition to issuing a variety of print magazines on various socio-political and religious matters, the Jamiat ul-Ulama (JUSA/JU) found the need to publish a weekly online newsletter for its audience. So far, it has issued its 14^th volume with an average of 50 newsletters per year. This essay reflects on the contents of one of JUSA’s newsletters to establish how JUSA in general, and the editor specifically, manages content. It notes that the newsletter, with a global reach, covers religious issues and comments on selected socio-political events. Couched and expressed in conservative language, these issues seem to find support among the public particularly those with internet access.

ZIMBABWE’S ‘Apocalyptic’ Music as an Expression of Suffering: The case of Thomas Mapfumo and Hosiah Chipanga

2020-12-03T10:50:32+00:00

Apocalyptic music is a genre of songs characterised by apocalyptic traits which typically include appeal to revelation or uncovering of the hidden truth. Apocalyptic literature evinces itself in the following characteristics: symbolism, dualism, pseudonymity, eschatology, revelation and exhortations. In Zimbabwean apocalyptic music, these features are present and the most prevalent are dualism, symbolism, exhortations and some elements of pseudonymity as we shall see in this article. In Zimbabwe; apocalyptic music could be attributed to that of Thomas Mapfumo and Hosiah Chipanga. Developments in the colonial and post-colonial period provide the background for the analysis of apocalyptic music. During the colonial period, oppressive laws created to limit and, in some cases, deny Africans freedom of movement and communication meant that Africans had to find alternative ways of communication. In some ways, the same continued after independence in 1980. This article discusses the rise and role of the apocalyptic seer (musician) during the revolution (Chimurenga) for independence and after. In particular the article is to articulates how Thomas Mapfumo and Hosiah Chipanga as apocalyptic seers addressed pertinent socio-political, economic and cultural issues.