Hlonelwa Ngqangweni, a lecturer in the Psychology Department of the University of Fort Hare, received her PhD thesis at the recent Rhodes University graduation.
Prof Fred Henricks read the following citation at the ceremony: 'The aim of Hlonelwa Ngqangweni’s thesis was to explore the cultural practice of spousal mourning or ukuzila among the AmaXhosa. In particular, the study focused on constructions of the past and present practice and the discourses that mediated these constructions. One examiner found the thesis “endlessly absorbing”; another indicated that the work was “outstanding”. The third examiner commended the study for “underlining the importance of using a multi/interdisciplinary lens when theorizing”'.
Pictured here with her supervisor, Prof Catriona Macleod, Dr Ngqangweni says of the process: It was a very long and challenging process. I had to do a lot of juggling work, family and studies. However, with the support of my supervisor and fellow PhD candidates, the hard labour paid off in the end. I trust that the “endlessly absorbing” work will contribute to a better understanding of 'ukuzila'.