The hypothesis of the study is that Huss's model remains relevant for the missionaries in Mariannhill to use as a tool to address the challenges of poverty and underdevelopment in rural KwaZulu-Natal. The reality of poverty, unemployment and HIV and AIDS in rural KwaZulu-Natal will be outlined as background and context for the study.
Conceptualizing poverty
Amartya Sen's work has also contributed to the broader conceptualization of poverty and development in the international domain. This will also set the stage for us to look at the reality of poverty and underdevelopment in rural KwaZulu-Natal.
The challenge of poverty in South Africa - a burden of the past
This means that in relation to the social and cultural context of poverty, women must bear the heaviest burden, especially those in female households in rural areas. I will now examine the efforts of the South African government in the post-apartheid era to address rural poverty and underdevelopment.
The new government's efforts to address rural poverty
The South African National Civic Organization (SANCO), whose main concern was the issue of housing for the poor, also supported the RDP programme.34 One of the tasks carried out by the RDP office in 1995 was to undertake a study of the extent of poverty. in place. The basic rights of citizens and their freedoms are already guaranteed and included in the national Constitution.
Poverty, unemployment and HIV and AIDS in KwaZulu-Natal
Cultural practices such as lobola and polygamy can also contribute to the women's vulnerability."61 In rural communities of KwaZulu-Natal where traditional culture plays a significant role in the lives of the people, the HIV and AIDS epidemic will be investigated. This model will be examined in the next chapter and interpreted in the context of poverty and underdevelopment in rural KwaZulu-Natal.
Conclusion
Introduction
History of the Missionaries of Mariannhill
The decree of the Apostolic Order paved the way for the establishment of the Congregation of the Missionaries of Mariannhill (CMM), a Religious Missionary Community of the Roman Catholic Church. After the separation of the Trappist Order in 1909, the Congregation of the Missionaries of Mariannhill expanded their missionary activities to other parts of the world.
Bernard Huss (1876 - 1948)
Bernard Huss the Educationist
St Francis College had already existed for thirty years when Huss was appointed headmaster on 25 September 1915.108 It was the oldest Catholic learning institution and also considered the best in Natal.109 A number of Sisters and Mariannhill priests were already fully involved in teaching and developing the college over the years.110 According to. Huss came to realize that missionary work tended to place more emphasis on "the things of worship and religion, or the affairs of the inner life" and largely neglected the social, political and economic realities of life.120 Therefore, the model of "Better Homes, Better Fields, Better Hearts" was intended to provide a broader approach to missionary work. We will now present and explain each of the three components of the model.
Better homes!
Although Huss may have contributed by providing input and ideas on how to create "Better Homes", there is no evidence to show his direct involvement in the actual teaching and training of young women in household management and home industry. It is clear that Huss' aim was to encourage black people to build "Better Homes" along the lines of what was considered "modern civilization", but it is also notable that the idea of "Better Homes" was dominated by patriarchal attitudes that limited the role of African women to the domestic sphere. It is therefore clear that the construction of "Better Houses", although aimed at improving the living conditions of black people, did not take into account issues of gender equality.
Better fields!
Huss was determined to reform “primitive agriculture” along the lines of scientific methods to help black people build “better fields” for themselves. To bring the idea of 'Better Fields' into the public domain, Huss started publishing articles on agriculture in newspapers such as Ilanga and Izindaba zabantu, both of which were in the Zulu language, Leselinyana and Mochochono, which were in the Sesutho language , and the Xhosa newspaper called Imvo.XAX He also published articles on his methods in the Native Teachers' Journal.142 However, there were other authors who also contributed to the agricultural literature. Bryant published a book in Zulu entitled Imisebenzi yamapulazi.142 Although Huss played a crucial role in the project to create 'Better.
Better hearts!
In one of his articles on "The Christian Religion", Huss emphasized that, "the Christian religion is not only convenient, but also fundamentally necessary for the natives".156. It is clear that the social courses gave Huss the platform to promote his model of "Better Homes, Better Fields, Better Hearts." An analysis of the curriculum of social courses conducted annually for African teachers shows that the courses were intended to promote the model of "Better Homes, Better Fields, Better Hearts," which Huss saw as an effective strategy for addressing the socio-economic impoverishment of black people. Regarding the formation of associations, Huss wrote in one of his articles: "We have been trying to achieve this goal since 1923 through our social courses teaching our people to form various cooperative societies under the motto: "Better Homes , best fields. , Better hearts.”173 As a result, various associations were formed such as the Catholic Association of Local Farmers which had fourteen.
Bernard Huss and the "native question"
In order to further our understanding of this model, we will now examine Huss's views on the "domestic question". In this paper we will argue that Huss is a critical study of the 'domestic question'. This statement suggests that Huss's approach would provide a different and broader perspective on the relevant issue of the "domestic question". In his search for a solution, Hus exposed and wrote about many aspects of native [sic] life, namely: religion, agriculture, land, education, politics, native mind, culture, etc. One perspective sought to uncover the causes of black poverty and underdevelopment and offer a solution.
Causes of poverty and underdevelopment of the black people
Ignorance of wealth and holes in the "tank" was therefore the main cause of poverty and underdevelopment among black communities. Blacks had to be made aware of the "tank and holes" that they had to learn to close themselves. We will now proceed to discuss Huss's understanding of the causes of discontent and unrest among black people at that time.
Huss' understanding of Black unrest and dissatisfaction
Huss campaigned for the fair distribution of wealth as part of the solution to the problem of unrest and discontent among the black people. The main objective of the ICU was to meet the needs of the black workers. Andreas Ngidi, one of the first black Catholic priests who was concerned about the socio-economic empowerment of black people.
Huss' ideological motivations
Mukuka explains that Ngidi was inspired by Huss's concept of self-reliance and wanted black people to be empowered so that they could oppose their economic impoverishment.232 Mukuka also points out that Ngidi became actively involved in CAU activities. , particularly in "training Africans for leadership positions as well as helping them rise economically."233. At one stage, a non-denominational savings scheme was formed and managed by the CAU, and Ngidi was "asked to be an advisor the honor of the board of directors of the savings scheme." 234. Therefore, the notion of "having an abundant life" for him, in practical terms, translates into a life of "Better houses, better fields, better hearts good". The researcher understands Huss's model as an effort towards a holistic approach to mission work and socio-economic development aimed at improving the spiritual and material well-being of black people.
Conclusion
34;after a considerable period of missionary supervision."25 This again showed a strong influence of paternalism, which was also reinforced by his view that the white people at that time were "trustees of the native [sic] people and must promote their moral and material welfare."251 In addition, Huss explained that it was the duty of the "Catholic Church and missionaries to promote the economic and social welfare of the African races by helping them to develop their great treasures and make the best use of them."252 Therefore, he created the model of "Better Homes, Better Fields, Better Hearts" to achieve this goal. In our efforts to provide a contextual interpretation of Huss's model, we will use Catholic social teaching as a theological framework that guides and inspires practical action at the grassroots level of the community Catholic social education as a theological framework for a contextual interpretation of Huss's model for social transformation.
Introduction
The Bible as a foundation of Catholic social teaching
In the same spirit, the Church cannot afford to remain aloof from injustice and poverty; it is forced by its nature and purpose to side with the poor and to denounce all forms of injustice and exploitation.255. In the New Testament, Jesus clearly stated that his mission was to ultimately transform his contemporary world and restore the freedom and dignity of the poor and marginalized. In the next section we will briefly explain the concept of social teaching of the Catholic Church.
The social teaching of the Catholic Church
- Populorum Progressio (1967) and Sollicitudo Rei Socialis (1988)
- Causes of poverty
- Dignity of the human person as the foundation of integral development
- The option for the poor as a call for Christian commitment
These words capture the Church's concern for the conditions of poverty and underdevelopment that offend and dehumanize the poor in various parts of the world. At stake in the midst of poverty and underdevelopment is the dignity of the poor, who are violated by the injustice of poverty. In this way, the Church fulfills its commitment to the theological axiom of "the alternative for the poor".
The poor as agents of social transformation
Rogerson recognizes that the greatest asset the poor have is "their ability to work."308. Therefore, women's action must be recognized and encouraged, as it is often overshadowed by cultural prejudices and other social disadvantages that stifle women's abilities and increase their vulnerability. Empowering women in the development process is a key step in the effort to address gender inequality, which also contributes to the poverty of women in poor communities.
Conclusion
There is an urgent need to expand the various forms of freedom in the rural communities in order to improve women's capabilities, so that they too can choose for the kind of life they value. The agency of the poor has been identified as an essential aspect in the process of social transformation; and in the context of rural KwaZulu-Natal where the majority of households are female-headed, the agency and empowerment of women is extremely important. Our contextual interpretation of Huss's model, which is the subject of the next chapter, will take into account the situation of women in rural KwaZulu-Natal.
Introduction
This chapter will therefore focus on the contextual interpretation of the model, taking into account the broad understanding of poverty.
Why a contextual interpretation of Huss' model?
The poor in KwaZulu-Natal's rural communities, as in other parts of the country, have benefited most. Our contextual interpretation of the “Better Homes” component seeks to establish a balance and eliminate the gendered allocation of tasks within the family. The three components of the model: "Better Homes, Better Fields, Better Hearts" should not be considered independently of each other; they are interconnected and must reinforce each other.
Conclusion
Chapter five has addressed the reasons why a contextual interpretation of the "Better Homes, Better Fields, Better Hearts" model is needed. It is for this reason that a contextual interpretation of the model of "Better Homes, Better Fields, Better Hearts" is attempted in this study. It is imperative that the model takes into account the assets, knowledge and experiences of the poor.
Archives of Mariannhill Monastery (Box 22)
Kneipp, R., "Success through failure: Mariannhill under a reigning abbot," in Mariannhill and its Apostle. Ntsebeza, L., "Rural Development in South Africa: Tensions between Democracy and Traditional Rule," in The development decade?: Economic and social changes in South Africa Ed. Rogerson, CM., "Local economic development in post-apartheid South Africa: a ten-year review of research," in The development decade?: Economic and social changes in South Africa, 1994-2004.
