Dr Thoko Sipungu

(LECTURER)

E-mail address: t.sipungu@ru.ac.za

Office number: +27 (0)46 603 8930

GENERAL PROFILE:

BA, LLB, MA, Phd (Rhodes University), and Sociology Lecturer

Thoko Sipungu is a lecturer in the department. His research and teaching interests are in the areas of sociology of men and masculinities, femininity/ies, sexuality/ies, identity and belonging, sociological theory. His current (PhD) aims to theorize the significance of the ‘body’ in the construction of Xhosa masculinity/ies

HONOURS PROJECTS SUPERVISED

Ngcetani, Yanga. 2017. "Sociologically exploring the daily professional, and personal dynamics that black female Rhodes University student interns encounter while serving adult male patrons at the Rhodes University Law Clinic.

Khiara Govender. 2018 “The silent ‘B’: exploring the experiences of bisexual students at Rhodes University”.

Shane Phiri. 2018. “Music consumption and Identity”.

Amanda Khoza. 2018 “The attitudes of LGBT+ student towards LGBT+ Organisations in Universities”.

Patience Mtemachani. 2021. “Masculinity: The cause of women abuse? An investigation into how cultural beliefs and the patriarchal system play a role in constructing toxic masculinity that is causing women abuse”.

Lukhanyo Mqadaru. 2021. “Xhosa male initiation teachings should be reconsidered and revisited”: A study exploring the views of Xhosa men.

Babazile Zondi. 2022. “Definitions, Accounts and Conceptualizations of Masculinity/Manhood: A Comparative Study Amongst Three Cultural Groups in South Africa”.

Sinokuhle Mzondo. 2022. “Disability and Sexuality in South Africa: The experiences of people with physical disabilities on how they negotiate their disabilities and sexualities”.

Nompumelelo Nderere. 2022. “Consent at University: Exploring how first year university students understand consent and how they integrate it into their personal lives”.

Sakhile Dlamini. 2022. “The negative impact of sexual harassment on lesbian students at Rhodes University”

Dawood Kroutz. 2022. “Body Image and aggression: How steroid use influences behaviour in men in a South African context”.

MASTERS THESES SUPERVISED

Thulani Ntisana. 2019. “Re-adjustment of masculinities and sexualities amongst first year male students at Rhodes University in the wake of the residence Consent Talk’s programme”. (Co-supervised with Professor Drewett).

Esihle Lupindo. 2020. “Ukuba Ngabantu Abapheleleyo: Black Queer Space Making and the unfinished business of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa”. (Co-supervised with Dr. Qambela).

Kaliza Nyoni. 2021. “A sociological exploration of whether culture inhibits comprehensive sexual education in schools: The case of Urban schools in Mpika district of Zambia”.

Lesego Marumo. 2022. “Gender and the COVID-19 pandemic: Exploring female vendors’ coping strategies in Lichtenberg during the lockdown”.

Duncan Seoke. 2022. “Year-End Oversight in Local Government: A Case Study of Water and Sanitation Service Delivery at Amathole District Municipality”.

PAPERS PUBLISHED

Sipungu, T., and Nleya, N. (2016). Housing market dysfunctionality and displacement of the poor in social rental housing in East London, Eastern Cape. PSAM Working Paper: 2. Monitoring and Advocacy Program, Public Service Accountability Monitor.

Available at: http://psam.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/111/11/Research-Report-8-3-2016-17.pdf

Sipungu, T. 2019. Gay Men’s Identity Construction and Negotiation Strategies Within the Methodist Church of Southern Africa in Grahamstown, South Africa. South African Review of Sociology. Available here:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21528586.2019.1630297

Sipungu, T. 2022. Exploring embodied differences in Xhosa manhood masculinity, and reflecting on thematic analysis. Canadian Journal of African Studies / Revue Canadienne des études Africaines.  Available here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00083968.2022.2142252

BOOK REVIEWS PUBLISHED:

Sipungu, T.  2017. "A History of Rwandan Identity and Trauma: The Mythmaker’s Victim (Randall Fegley)", Journal of Contemporary African Studies. Available here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02589001.2017.1382978

Sipungu, T. 2022. “Seeking Sanctuary: Stories of Faith, Sexuality and Migration (John Marnell)”, South African Review of Sociology. Available here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21528586.2022.2146745

MEDIA PUBLICATIONS:

Sipungu, T & Qambela, G. (10 September 2013). Why are (black) men silent on the war on queer bodies? Mail & Guardian Thought Leader.  https://thoughtleader.co.za/why-are-black-south-african-men-silent-on-the-war-on-queer-bodies/

Sipungu, T. (2 February 2022). Book review: rewriting the script on patriarchal violence in South Africa. The Conversation, Africa. https://theconversation.com/book-review-rewriting-the-script-on-patriarchal-violence-in-south-africa-174812

Last Modified: Wed, 01 Mar 2023 15:40:20 SAST