Papers by Nthezemu Kamanga
Diakonian tutkimus, Jan 29, 2024
ABSTRACT
This study was conducted with the main aim of acknowledging the fact that the media acts... more ABSTRACT
This study was conducted with the main aim of acknowledging the fact that the media acts as a bridge of information from one source to one end. If the media is a channel of communication, the church has to utilise it to bring the message of Christ in his mission to the world. Being a new way of disseminating information, the media has to be part and parcel of bringing the message of God to the people. In all sectors of life, the media is involved and has to be involved.
As Srampickal and Joseph (2003) said very strongly that the church would find herself guilty before the Lord if she did not utilise these powerful means that human skill is daily rendering more perfect. It is through these media that she proclaims the message of which she alone is the depository. It is in the media that the church finds a modern and effective version of the pulpit.
Data was collected through checking and analyzing articles from the newspapers that were published from January to June 2012, Editors of Blantyre Newspaper Limited and Nation Publication Limited through a prepared questionnaire which was emailed to them. Twenty questionnaires were also distributed to ten males and ten females to represent the views of the general public.
Oral interviews were conducted with four religious leaders. These were Bishop Joseph Mukasa Zuza of Mzuzu Diocese, Bishop Fanuel Emmanuel Magangani of Anglican Diocese of Northern Malawi, Rev. Dr. Timothy Kabulunga Nyasulu the Moderator of Livingstonia Synod and Pastor Steven Kaluwa of Bible Believers in Mzuzu.
For the general public, questionnaires were used as a way of collecting more data on their views regarding the relationship of the media and the church.
From the study, it was discovered that the church cannot do without using the media as a medium of communication and that the media cannot fail to use the church as a beat for their news stories. While it is a fact that there is this existing relationship, the media seems to portray the church negatively especially by focusing much on the negatives. Such being the case, the media has hindered/or slowed down the process of evangelization.
International Journal of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, 2019
Purpose: This study explored the knowledge of mental illness and the concept of mental health hea... more Purpose: This study explored the knowledge of mental illness and the concept of mental health healing among pastors in Mzuzu, with the view of finding possible collaboration with professional mental health workers. Methodology: The study used an exploratory qualitative research method. Purposive sampling technique was used to recruit participants of the study and data was collected through FGD's. The study employed thematic data analysis method. Results: The findings indicate that participants were able to tell signs and symptoms of a mentally ill person through changes in behavior, thought and speech. The causes of mental illness emerged as a determining factor for the pastors on how the patient should be managed. Conclusion: The research study has affirmed that pastors and traditional leaders are key to decisions and health seeking behavior because many mentally sick people and their families consult and take their advice. There is need, therefore, to engage and collaborate with pastors in the healing of mental patients.
Thesis Chapters by Nthezemu Kamanga
Thesis, 2019
This study critically evaluates the involvement of pastors among people suffering from mental ill... more This study critically evaluates the involvement of pastors among people suffering from mental illness at Saint John of God Mental Hospital belonging to the Roman Catholic Church in Mzuzu, Malawi. The problem that this study investigates is the exclusion pastors belonging to other denominations in the healing ministry of people with mental illness. The exclusion of pastors at the hospital often leads to the relapse of mentally ill people when they (or their guardians) seek the services of pastors once they are discharged from the hospital.
This study emerges from my experience as the Pastoral Care Coordinator for Saint John of God Mental Hospital that has led me to discover that most patients, once they are discharged, turn to pastors with no experience of the treatment of mental illness, with tragic results. The patients are instructed to stop medication after the pastors pray for them. Such instructions have led to relapse of patients who seek readmission to the hospital or in worse scenarios, some commit suicide.
This research considers the possibility of including pastors of other denominations in the caring of patients at Saint John of God Mental Hospital to achieve sustainable healing. In foregrounding the study, the first chapter focuses on the African epistemology on illness and healing. It further discusses the concept African Synod on inculturation as a component of evangelisation. A presentation on liberation (feminist) theology in Chapter One is done with an aim of giving a voice to patients suffering from mental illness. The second chapter evaluates the Curia, Provincial and the Malawian Pastoral Care policy documents. The chapter discusses the burden of relapse of patients as a result of excluding pastors of other denominations in the healing ministry. Chapter Three is a historical discussion on the contribution of pastors in the healing of patients in the hospital. Chapter Four proposes the possible ways of including pastors from other denominations in mental health healing at Saint John of God Mental Hospital where the current policy does not involve pastors in the healing mission.
To conduct the evaluation, the study utilized a practical theological methodology proposed by Richard Osmer (2008). The chapters of this research are structured and aligned in view of Osmer’s four tasks of practical theology. This research utilized related literature in theology, health and other social sciences. The evaluation of the policy documents indicates that the Malawian policy on Pastoral Care is inconsistent with the African understanding of illness and healing, is inconsistent with the Roman Catholic Church teaching on inculturation and is inconsistent with the Curia and Provincial policy documents. The study has argued that the exclusion of pastors from other denominations adds more burden to patients and their guardians. The study has established the need of holistic and multifaceted approach to respond to mental patients at the hospital. This study recommends that Saint John of God Mental Hospital finds a way of responsibly involving pastors of other denominations in their healing ministry in order to achieve sustainable healing.
Drafts by Nthezemu Kamanga
CONTESTATIONS OF HERBAL REMEDIES ON COVID-19 PANDEMIC: CAN ANYTHING GOOD COME FROM AFRICA?
Corres... more CONTESTATIONS OF HERBAL REMEDIES ON COVID-19 PANDEMIC: CAN ANYTHING GOOD COME FROM AFRICA?
Corresponding Author: Chrispine Nthezemu Kamanga. Phd Candidate, Practical Theology (Pastoral Care and Counselling), Stellenbosch University, South Africa. Email: nthezemu16@gmail.com
Abstract
The paper argues that herbal remedies from the African continent have been interrogated on pandemics and diseases including the recent Covid-19. Written from a historical chronological perspective with a focus on Africa, the papers presents how people and countries in Africa have tried to intervene and provide solutions to global pandemics over the years albeit hastily. The chapter gives prominence to some selected African countries that came in the lime-light in proposing herbal remedies to combat Corona virus. The chapter states that instead of uniting to find a long lasting solution to Covid-19 pandemic, the former colonisers seem to be asking, “Can anything good come from Africa? This is a similar question that Nathaniel asked Phillip in John 1:43-46 during their conversation about Jesus being found as the one who Moses and the prophets wrote about. People in the West seem to continuously interrogate people in Africa today in the face of herbal remedies proposed from Africa as a solution to Covid-19. In this case, it does not matter who asks such a question. From wherever the question is coming from, one thing is clear and at the root of the question: Africa has been pathologised through the power of the Empire and colonial masters so much that even its own sons and daughters doubt the very capacity of their mother, Africa. Africans have been taught to believe that they do not have the capacity to achieve or contribute to the solution of the world Pandemic. Such concepts are believed to be out of touch when it comes to Africa. There is an old and tired argument that goes like Africa cannot do this or that compared to Europe, North America and, in some cases, even Asia and Latin America; it is too poor to afford such and such; or too social. For ages now, numerous renowned scholars of Africa have been in the forefront to provide a counterargument in real defence of the capacity that is in Africa. Yet the tiring argumentation continues unabated. While the paper states that collaboration rather than rejection should be given an opportunity in the face of world tragedies to try and test remedies, it further proposes that researchers in Africa should allow the processes to take place in their natural environment before making declarations.
Keywords: Contestations; Herbal remedies; Covid-19, Africa, Pandemic
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Papers by Nthezemu Kamanga
This study was conducted with the main aim of acknowledging the fact that the media acts as a bridge of information from one source to one end. If the media is a channel of communication, the church has to utilise it to bring the message of Christ in his mission to the world. Being a new way of disseminating information, the media has to be part and parcel of bringing the message of God to the people. In all sectors of life, the media is involved and has to be involved.
As Srampickal and Joseph (2003) said very strongly that the church would find herself guilty before the Lord if she did not utilise these powerful means that human skill is daily rendering more perfect. It is through these media that she proclaims the message of which she alone is the depository. It is in the media that the church finds a modern and effective version of the pulpit.
Data was collected through checking and analyzing articles from the newspapers that were published from January to June 2012, Editors of Blantyre Newspaper Limited and Nation Publication Limited through a prepared questionnaire which was emailed to them. Twenty questionnaires were also distributed to ten males and ten females to represent the views of the general public.
Oral interviews were conducted with four religious leaders. These were Bishop Joseph Mukasa Zuza of Mzuzu Diocese, Bishop Fanuel Emmanuel Magangani of Anglican Diocese of Northern Malawi, Rev. Dr. Timothy Kabulunga Nyasulu the Moderator of Livingstonia Synod and Pastor Steven Kaluwa of Bible Believers in Mzuzu.
For the general public, questionnaires were used as a way of collecting more data on their views regarding the relationship of the media and the church.
From the study, it was discovered that the church cannot do without using the media as a medium of communication and that the media cannot fail to use the church as a beat for their news stories. While it is a fact that there is this existing relationship, the media seems to portray the church negatively especially by focusing much on the negatives. Such being the case, the media has hindered/or slowed down the process of evangelization.
Thesis Chapters by Nthezemu Kamanga
This study emerges from my experience as the Pastoral Care Coordinator for Saint John of God Mental Hospital that has led me to discover that most patients, once they are discharged, turn to pastors with no experience of the treatment of mental illness, with tragic results. The patients are instructed to stop medication after the pastors pray for them. Such instructions have led to relapse of patients who seek readmission to the hospital or in worse scenarios, some commit suicide.
This research considers the possibility of including pastors of other denominations in the caring of patients at Saint John of God Mental Hospital to achieve sustainable healing. In foregrounding the study, the first chapter focuses on the African epistemology on illness and healing. It further discusses the concept African Synod on inculturation as a component of evangelisation. A presentation on liberation (feminist) theology in Chapter One is done with an aim of giving a voice to patients suffering from mental illness. The second chapter evaluates the Curia, Provincial and the Malawian Pastoral Care policy documents. The chapter discusses the burden of relapse of patients as a result of excluding pastors of other denominations in the healing ministry. Chapter Three is a historical discussion on the contribution of pastors in the healing of patients in the hospital. Chapter Four proposes the possible ways of including pastors from other denominations in mental health healing at Saint John of God Mental Hospital where the current policy does not involve pastors in the healing mission.
To conduct the evaluation, the study utilized a practical theological methodology proposed by Richard Osmer (2008). The chapters of this research are structured and aligned in view of Osmer’s four tasks of practical theology. This research utilized related literature in theology, health and other social sciences. The evaluation of the policy documents indicates that the Malawian policy on Pastoral Care is inconsistent with the African understanding of illness and healing, is inconsistent with the Roman Catholic Church teaching on inculturation and is inconsistent with the Curia and Provincial policy documents. The study has argued that the exclusion of pastors from other denominations adds more burden to patients and their guardians. The study has established the need of holistic and multifaceted approach to respond to mental patients at the hospital. This study recommends that Saint John of God Mental Hospital finds a way of responsibly involving pastors of other denominations in their healing ministry in order to achieve sustainable healing.
Drafts by Nthezemu Kamanga
Corresponding Author: Chrispine Nthezemu Kamanga. Phd Candidate, Practical Theology (Pastoral Care and Counselling), Stellenbosch University, South Africa. Email: nthezemu16@gmail.com
Abstract
The paper argues that herbal remedies from the African continent have been interrogated on pandemics and diseases including the recent Covid-19. Written from a historical chronological perspective with a focus on Africa, the papers presents how people and countries in Africa have tried to intervene and provide solutions to global pandemics over the years albeit hastily. The chapter gives prominence to some selected African countries that came in the lime-light in proposing herbal remedies to combat Corona virus. The chapter states that instead of uniting to find a long lasting solution to Covid-19 pandemic, the former colonisers seem to be asking, “Can anything good come from Africa? This is a similar question that Nathaniel asked Phillip in John 1:43-46 during their conversation about Jesus being found as the one who Moses and the prophets wrote about. People in the West seem to continuously interrogate people in Africa today in the face of herbal remedies proposed from Africa as a solution to Covid-19. In this case, it does not matter who asks such a question. From wherever the question is coming from, one thing is clear and at the root of the question: Africa has been pathologised through the power of the Empire and colonial masters so much that even its own sons and daughters doubt the very capacity of their mother, Africa. Africans have been taught to believe that they do not have the capacity to achieve or contribute to the solution of the world Pandemic. Such concepts are believed to be out of touch when it comes to Africa. There is an old and tired argument that goes like Africa cannot do this or that compared to Europe, North America and, in some cases, even Asia and Latin America; it is too poor to afford such and such; or too social. For ages now, numerous renowned scholars of Africa have been in the forefront to provide a counterargument in real defence of the capacity that is in Africa. Yet the tiring argumentation continues unabated. While the paper states that collaboration rather than rejection should be given an opportunity in the face of world tragedies to try and test remedies, it further proposes that researchers in Africa should allow the processes to take place in their natural environment before making declarations.
Keywords: Contestations; Herbal remedies; Covid-19, Africa, Pandemic
This study was conducted with the main aim of acknowledging the fact that the media acts as a bridge of information from one source to one end. If the media is a channel of communication, the church has to utilise it to bring the message of Christ in his mission to the world. Being a new way of disseminating information, the media has to be part and parcel of bringing the message of God to the people. In all sectors of life, the media is involved and has to be involved.
As Srampickal and Joseph (2003) said very strongly that the church would find herself guilty before the Lord if she did not utilise these powerful means that human skill is daily rendering more perfect. It is through these media that she proclaims the message of which she alone is the depository. It is in the media that the church finds a modern and effective version of the pulpit.
Data was collected through checking and analyzing articles from the newspapers that were published from January to June 2012, Editors of Blantyre Newspaper Limited and Nation Publication Limited through a prepared questionnaire which was emailed to them. Twenty questionnaires were also distributed to ten males and ten females to represent the views of the general public.
Oral interviews were conducted with four religious leaders. These were Bishop Joseph Mukasa Zuza of Mzuzu Diocese, Bishop Fanuel Emmanuel Magangani of Anglican Diocese of Northern Malawi, Rev. Dr. Timothy Kabulunga Nyasulu the Moderator of Livingstonia Synod and Pastor Steven Kaluwa of Bible Believers in Mzuzu.
For the general public, questionnaires were used as a way of collecting more data on their views regarding the relationship of the media and the church.
From the study, it was discovered that the church cannot do without using the media as a medium of communication and that the media cannot fail to use the church as a beat for their news stories. While it is a fact that there is this existing relationship, the media seems to portray the church negatively especially by focusing much on the negatives. Such being the case, the media has hindered/or slowed down the process of evangelization.
This study emerges from my experience as the Pastoral Care Coordinator for Saint John of God Mental Hospital that has led me to discover that most patients, once they are discharged, turn to pastors with no experience of the treatment of mental illness, with tragic results. The patients are instructed to stop medication after the pastors pray for them. Such instructions have led to relapse of patients who seek readmission to the hospital or in worse scenarios, some commit suicide.
This research considers the possibility of including pastors of other denominations in the caring of patients at Saint John of God Mental Hospital to achieve sustainable healing. In foregrounding the study, the first chapter focuses on the African epistemology on illness and healing. It further discusses the concept African Synod on inculturation as a component of evangelisation. A presentation on liberation (feminist) theology in Chapter One is done with an aim of giving a voice to patients suffering from mental illness. The second chapter evaluates the Curia, Provincial and the Malawian Pastoral Care policy documents. The chapter discusses the burden of relapse of patients as a result of excluding pastors of other denominations in the healing ministry. Chapter Three is a historical discussion on the contribution of pastors in the healing of patients in the hospital. Chapter Four proposes the possible ways of including pastors from other denominations in mental health healing at Saint John of God Mental Hospital where the current policy does not involve pastors in the healing mission.
To conduct the evaluation, the study utilized a practical theological methodology proposed by Richard Osmer (2008). The chapters of this research are structured and aligned in view of Osmer’s four tasks of practical theology. This research utilized related literature in theology, health and other social sciences. The evaluation of the policy documents indicates that the Malawian policy on Pastoral Care is inconsistent with the African understanding of illness and healing, is inconsistent with the Roman Catholic Church teaching on inculturation and is inconsistent with the Curia and Provincial policy documents. The study has argued that the exclusion of pastors from other denominations adds more burden to patients and their guardians. The study has established the need of holistic and multifaceted approach to respond to mental patients at the hospital. This study recommends that Saint John of God Mental Hospital finds a way of responsibly involving pastors of other denominations in their healing ministry in order to achieve sustainable healing.
Corresponding Author: Chrispine Nthezemu Kamanga. Phd Candidate, Practical Theology (Pastoral Care and Counselling), Stellenbosch University, South Africa. Email: nthezemu16@gmail.com
Abstract
The paper argues that herbal remedies from the African continent have been interrogated on pandemics and diseases including the recent Covid-19. Written from a historical chronological perspective with a focus on Africa, the papers presents how people and countries in Africa have tried to intervene and provide solutions to global pandemics over the years albeit hastily. The chapter gives prominence to some selected African countries that came in the lime-light in proposing herbal remedies to combat Corona virus. The chapter states that instead of uniting to find a long lasting solution to Covid-19 pandemic, the former colonisers seem to be asking, “Can anything good come from Africa? This is a similar question that Nathaniel asked Phillip in John 1:43-46 during their conversation about Jesus being found as the one who Moses and the prophets wrote about. People in the West seem to continuously interrogate people in Africa today in the face of herbal remedies proposed from Africa as a solution to Covid-19. In this case, it does not matter who asks such a question. From wherever the question is coming from, one thing is clear and at the root of the question: Africa has been pathologised through the power of the Empire and colonial masters so much that even its own sons and daughters doubt the very capacity of their mother, Africa. Africans have been taught to believe that they do not have the capacity to achieve or contribute to the solution of the world Pandemic. Such concepts are believed to be out of touch when it comes to Africa. There is an old and tired argument that goes like Africa cannot do this or that compared to Europe, North America and, in some cases, even Asia and Latin America; it is too poor to afford such and such; or too social. For ages now, numerous renowned scholars of Africa have been in the forefront to provide a counterargument in real defence of the capacity that is in Africa. Yet the tiring argumentation continues unabated. While the paper states that collaboration rather than rejection should be given an opportunity in the face of world tragedies to try and test remedies, it further proposes that researchers in Africa should allow the processes to take place in their natural environment before making declarations.
Keywords: Contestations; Herbal remedies; Covid-19, Africa, Pandemic