Sakhumzi Mfecane
Biographic Data
| ID | 188843 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Sakhumzi Mfecane |
| GIVEN NAMES | Sakhumzi |
| FAMILY NAME | Mfecane |
| SIGNATURE | MFECANE S |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of the Western Cape |
| VERIFIED | No |
| TOTAL WORKS | 11 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 82 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 11 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2004 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2020 |
| H-INDEX | 4 |
Decolonising Men and Masculinities Research in South Africa
The calls for knowledge decolonisation pervade most academic disciplines in South Africa today. In this paper I argue for epistemological decolonisation within men and masculinities studies through “delinking” from western gender paradigms. The paper draws on the Xhosa concept of manhood called indoda to illustrate African-centred ways of decolonising and theorising masculinities research which cater to the needs of indigenous African communities…
Towards African-centred theories of masculinity
Research on men and masculinities in South Africa, and the related intervention programmes, depends largely on theories of gender developed in the Global North. Such theories define masculinity as socially constructed and accomplished relationally in social action. Masculinity does not have an “inner essence.” This article argues that Northern gender theories offer inadequate accounts of African masculinities because of their being embedded in we…
"Ndiyindoda" [I am a man]
Masculinity studies in South Africa depend on Western gender theories to frame research questions and fieldwork. This article argues that such theories offer a limited understanding of Xhosa constructions of masculinity. Xhosa notions of masculinity are embodied in the concept of indoda, meaning a traditionally circumcised person. This article explores the nuanced meanings of indoda and its relationship to other masculinities, like uncircumcised …
Can women ‘refuse’ condoms? Dilemmas of condom negotiation among men living with HIV in South Africa
This paper describes challenges that men living with HIV experience in negotiating condom use with sexual partners. After testing HIV-positive, the men in this study attended support groups of people living with HIV. Here they were taught to behave 'responsibly' by adopting safer sex measures. However, some men faced strong resistance from women concerning condom use, particularly from women with whom they had been sexually involved prior to test…
Narratives of HIV disclosure and masculinity in a South African village
This paper describes men's experiences of disclosing their HIV status, arguing that disclosure restored their social respect, which was previously undermined by an illness from AIDS. Results are from a 14-month ethnographic study conducted in rural South African health facility, among a group of 25 men attending an AIDS support group. The men included in this study tested while they were critically ill and some were negatively labelled as 'alread…
To drink or not to drink? Identity dilemmas of men living with HIV
For centuries the consumption of alcohol in African societies has been reserved mainly for men. Alcohol use symbolised status, cultural identity, masculine virility and other virtues of manhood. Recently, these ideas have been promoted by media advertisements of alcohol as a way to achieve sociability and status, and as part of African tradition and heritage. During my 14-month ethnographic fieldwork with men living with HIV, I realised that some…
Negotiating therapeutic citizenship and notions of masculinity in a South African village
The article explores the idea of therapeutic citizenship in relation to the experiences of men who attend support groups for people living with HIV or AIDS (PLHIV). At a rural South African health facility offering free antiretroviral (ARV) medicines, support groups aim to empower HIV-positive clients through knowledge and skills that enable them to adhere to their ARV regimen. Members are exhorted to abandon their 'traditional' health and gender…
Towards a Definition of Orphaned and Vulnerable Children
Barriers to accessing PMTCT services in a rural area of South Africa
Despite good intentions and commitment from providers, prevention-of-mother-to-child-transmission of HIV (PMTCT) services can be difficult for pregnant women to access, despite the provision of free health services for women and children. We examined the introduction of PMTCT services in a very poor rural area of the Eastern Cape, South Africa, to assess the context's impact on the provision of this service. Our approach involved 13 individual in…
Risk Factors for HIV-Aids Among Youth in Cape Town, South Africa
Stigma, discrimination and the implications for people living with HIV/Aids in South Africa
Stigma and discrimination play significant roles in the development and maintenance of the HIV epidemic. It is well documented that people living with HIV and AIDS experience stigma and discrimination on an ongoing basis. This impact goes beyond individuals infected with HIV to reach broadly into society, both disrupting the functioning of communities and complicating prevention and treatment of HIV. This paper reviews the available scientific li…
Towards African-centred theories of masculinity
Research on men and masculinities in South Africa, and the related intervention programmes, depends largely on theories of gender developed in the Global North. Such theories define masculinity as socially constructed and accomplished relationally in social action. Masculinity does not have an “inner essence.” This article argues that Northern gender theories offer inadequate accounts of African masculinities because of their being embedded in we…
"Ndiyindoda" [I am a man]
Masculinity studies in South Africa depend on Western gender theories to frame research questions and fieldwork. This article argues that such theories offer a limited understanding of Xhosa constructions of masculinity. Xhosa notions of masculinity are embodied in the concept of indoda, meaning a traditionally circumcised person. This article explores the nuanced meanings of indoda and its relationship to other masculinities, like uncircumcised …
Stigma, discrimination and the implications for people living with HIV/Aids in South Africa
Stigma and discrimination play significant roles in the development and maintenance of the HIV epidemic. It is well documented that people living with HIV and AIDS experience stigma and discrimination on an ongoing basis. This impact goes beyond individuals infected with HIV to reach broadly into society, both disrupting the functioning of communities and complicating prevention and treatment of HIV. This paper reviews the available scientific li…
Negotiating therapeutic citizenship and notions of masculinity in a South African village
The article explores the idea of therapeutic citizenship in relation to the experiences of men who attend support groups for people living with HIV or AIDS (PLHIV). At a rural South African health facility offering free antiretroviral (ARV) medicines, support groups aim to empower HIV-positive clients through knowledge and skills that enable them to adhere to their ARV regimen. Members are exhorted to abandon their 'traditional' health and gender…
To drink or not to drink? Identity dilemmas of men living with HIV
For centuries the consumption of alcohol in African societies has been reserved mainly for men. Alcohol use symbolised status, cultural identity, masculine virility and other virtues of manhood. Recently, these ideas have been promoted by media advertisements of alcohol as a way to achieve sociability and status, and as part of African tradition and heritage. During my 14-month ethnographic fieldwork with men living with HIV, I realised that some…
Stigma, discrimination and the implications for people living with HIV/Aids in South Africa
Stigma and discrimination play significant roles in the development and maintenance of the HIV epidemic. It is well documented that people living with HIV and AIDS experience stigma and discrimination on an ongoing basis. This impact goes beyond individuals infected with HIV to reach broadly into society, both disrupting the functioning of communities and complicating prevention and treatment of HIV. This paper reviews the available scientific li…
Barriers to accessing PMTCT services in a rural area of South Africa
Despite good intentions and commitment from providers, prevention-of-mother-to-child-transmission of HIV (PMTCT) services can be difficult for pregnant women to access, despite the provision of free health services for women and children. We examined the introduction of PMTCT services in a very poor rural area of the Eastern Cape, South Africa, to assess the context's impact on the provision of this service. Our approach involved 13 individual in…
Risk Factors for HIV-Aids Among Youth in Cape Town, South Africa
Towards a Definition of Orphaned and Vulnerable Children
To drink or not to drink? Identity dilemmas of men living with HIV
For centuries the consumption of alcohol in African societies has been reserved mainly for men. Alcohol use symbolised status, cultural identity, masculine virility and other virtues of manhood. Recently, these ideas have been promoted by media advertisements of alcohol as a way to achieve sociability and status, and as part of African tradition and heritage. During my 14-month ethnographic fieldwork with men living with HIV, I realised that some…
Negotiating therapeutic citizenship and notions of masculinity in a South African village
The article explores the idea of therapeutic citizenship in relation to the experiences of men who attend support groups for people living with HIV or AIDS (PLHIV). At a rural South African health facility offering free antiretroviral (ARV) medicines, support groups aim to empower HIV-positive clients through knowledge and skills that enable them to adhere to their ARV regimen. Members are exhorted to abandon their 'traditional' health and gender…
Narratives of HIV disclosure and masculinity in a South African village
This paper describes men's experiences of disclosing their HIV status, arguing that disclosure restored their social respect, which was previously undermined by an illness from AIDS. Results are from a 14-month ethnographic study conducted in rural South African health facility, among a group of 25 men attending an AIDS support group. The men included in this study tested while they were critically ill and some were negatively labelled as 'alread…
Can women ‘refuse’ condoms? Dilemmas of condom negotiation among men living with HIV in South Africa
This paper describes challenges that men living with HIV experience in negotiating condom use with sexual partners. After testing HIV-positive, the men in this study attended support groups of people living with HIV. Here they were taught to behave 'responsibly' by adopting safer sex measures. However, some men faced strong resistance from women concerning condom use, particularly from women with whom they had been sexually involved prior to test…
"Ndiyindoda" [I am a man]
Masculinity studies in South Africa depend on Western gender theories to frame research questions and fieldwork. This article argues that such theories offer a limited understanding of Xhosa constructions of masculinity. Xhosa notions of masculinity are embodied in the concept of indoda, meaning a traditionally circumcised person. This article explores the nuanced meanings of indoda and its relationship to other masculinities, like uncircumcised …
Towards African-centred theories of masculinity
Research on men and masculinities in South Africa, and the related intervention programmes, depends largely on theories of gender developed in the Global North. Such theories define masculinity as socially constructed and accomplished relationally in social action. Masculinity does not have an “inner essence.” This article argues that Northern gender theories offer inadequate accounts of African masculinities because of their being embedded in we…
Decolonising Men and Masculinities Research in South Africa
The calls for knowledge decolonisation pervade most academic disciplines in South Africa today. In this paper I argue for epistemological decolonisation within men and masculinities studies through “delinking” from western gender paradigms. The paper draws on the Xhosa concept of manhood called indoda to illustrate African-centred ways of decolonising and theorising masculinities research which cater to the needs of indigenous African communities…
Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (8 works) · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions (7 works) · Sociology (7 works) · Gender Studies (6 works) · Medicine (6 works) · Masculinity (5 works) · Psychiatry (5 works) · Psychology (5 works) · Gender Studies (4 works) · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV (4 works)