Browsing by Author "Mthethwa, Majahamahle Nene."

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Adaptable architecture for an evolving educational system : the design of a facility for adult basic education and vocational training in the Greater Warwick Junction Precinct.
(2008) Hartl, Leigh.; Duncan-Brown, Alethea.; Mthethwa, Majahamahle Nene.
Currently in South Africa there are over 8 million people who have had little or no formal schooling. This has resulted in a large portion of the population that is unable to read and write or participate fully in society. The Adult Basic Education and Training Act of 2000 declares that access to education for adults is a basic human right, and it should therefore be readily available to the population. However, in KwaZulu-Natal there are only a few centres which offer ABET courses, and those that do have mostly not been designed specifically for this function, but are schools and community centres. This has meant that facilities are often inappropriate and inefficient in addressing the needs of the adult learner. It is in response to the current educational shortage that a Centre for Adult Basic Education and Training for Durban has been proposed. Through this study, key aspects relating to the design of a centre for adult education were examined. These included the response to an urban context, movement in the city and buildings, the quality of the learning environment, and the needs of the adult learner. In order to develop the architecture for a Centre for Adult Basic Education and Vocational Training, these principles were analysed and understood in order to make a meaningful response. This research examines some of the complex factors which influence the design of a Centre for Adult Basic Education and Vocational Training in Durban in order to provide a centre that provides all the necessary services in one building. Primary and secondary data collection methods were used, in the form of interviews, case studies, a literature review and precedent studies. The research was then used in order to draw up a design brief, resulting in the design of a Centre for Adult Basic Education and Vocational Training.
Afrocentric placemaking and architecture in contemporary urban built form: a case of Bulawayo’s civic precinct, Zimbabwe.
(2019) Mthethwa, Majahamahle Nene.; Adebayo, Ambrose Adeyemi.
Inspired by Afrocentrism ideologists such as Molefi Kete Asante (2007), the researcher advocates for non-dominance of one community by any other, as this has created problems across sub-Saharan Africa. The social phenomenon of internal colonialism thrives on cultural authoritarianism that the ruling elites or dominant social groups accentuate through the built environment. This study explored collectively accepted makings of Afrocentric sources that would inspire Afrocentric placemaking and architecture in contemporary urban built form and promote social equality, justice and a sense of belonging. The study of these Afrocentric sources would motivate architects to design contemporary local built environments that respond to African value systems. The study focused on the Mthwakazi Nation’s historic capital, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. A mixed method approach was adopted, with a qualitative method applied generally and a quantitative one locally. Special consideration was given to concerns such as African cosmological orientation, culture and identity that pivoted indigenous legal, political, governance and economic institutions. This enabled a narration of precolonial built forms. Various concepts and theories such as placemaking, social identity, symbolic interaction theory, Afrocentricity and existential theory were drawn on to explore the possibility of contemporary architectural design and urbanism that captures the African worldview. Given their ability to exhibit identity phenomena, the focus was civic spaces and buildings. International precedents such as the Sydney Opera House and its linkage to the Bennelong House in Australia, which demonstrate the extent to which Australia has taken on the mantle of European culture and the significance of historical events as a source of inspiration in urban placemaking. Symbolic interactionism evokes indigenous ecological features to encourage creation of locally responsive built Page | viii environments. The Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature is presented in this study as a typical example. Built forms and parallel historical developments were examined from the precolonial, to the colonial and postcolonial periods to identify appropriate Afrocentric sources for contemporary placemaking. In Zimbabwe, Shona traditional built forms were anchored by Great Zimbabwe while King Lobengula’s historical settlement of koBulawayo reflects amaNdebele architectural developments that date back to KwaZulu. Both kinds of traditional settlements provide indicators to Afrocentric sources for envisaged strategies in placemaking and architecture in African cities. To the African mind circularity and movement capture what the cosmos represents. Movement is rhythmic, regular and seasonal. With respect to symbolic interactionism, circularity and movement is how the cosmos reflects itself to an African mind; hence the criticality of organic and rhythmic motion in his/her art and architecture. The study contends that the Collective Centred Afrocentric Placemaking (CCAP) knowledge model is to assist the conceptualisation of Afrocentric placemaking and architecture in contemporary urban built form and thus create an authentically existential sense of belonging in African cities.
An architectural interventionist approach to urban revitilisation : a proposed hotel for Durban's waterfront.
(2011) McTavish, Gordon.; Mthethwa, Majahamahle Nene.
Having been founded on the basis of trade through its port, Durban has progressively evolved and grown. However, as a result of the dependence on the port, a physical and intangible disconnection has developed between the city fabric and *water’s edge. This has manifested itself in the road and rail connection along the Margaret Mncadi Avenue (formerly the Victoria Embankment) creating a barrier between the city and its edge. As a result of this lack of integration, another issue has arisen: ‘lost space’. This space is undesirable and not conducive to a good city image for the central business district. It becomes apparent that with these factors, there is due cause for an investigation for revitalisation and as Richard Marshall suggests in ‘Waterfronts in Post Industrial Cities’, that using the highly visible urban environment of the waterfront as a tool for revitalisation of the area (Waterfront’s in Post Industrial Cities: 2001, 2) and, in the long term - the revitalisation of the city. Studies of Sydney’s Darling Harbour, Baltimore’s Inner Harbour and Seattle’s waterfront provide insight as to how these interventions uplifted and revitalised these respective cities. Key outcomes of these precedent studies include the mixed-use nature at the waterfront, connections to the city fabric, promenade, open space and a pavilion-like architecture. Most integral to the findings are the inclusion of all dynamics of people who inhabit the surrounding areas utilising the waterfront, making it both an attractive urban locality and a safe urban environment. The inclusion of the cross-section of city dwellers amounts in the mixed-use nature of the waterfront. It is therefore apparent that on the micro scale, the urban intervention should be of a mixed-use nature, further to which, the dire need for hotels in the region of the waterfront, as well as Durban as a whole, point to an intervention by virtue of a mixed-use hotel. From the investigation into the case studies, the design parameters further outline where the intervention needs to address the street edge and public realm, creating a precedent for waterfront design with the intention of the urban design linking the city and water’s edge. The end consequence of such design parameters would be to make the waterfront physically accessible for the purposes of leisure, recreation and commerce for tourists and Durbanites alike. *water’s edge specifically refers to the edge along Margaret Mncadi avenue strecthing between Wilson’s Wharf and the Bat centre, including the Yacht Basin.
Architectural psychology and its impact on child development : a proposed educational facility for physically disabled children.
(2011) Mistrey, Mitasha.; Mthethwa, Majahamahle Nene.
The modern world is rapidly advancing towards a technological age where every aspect of people’s lives revolves around scientific innovations and consumerism. These advancements have allowed architects to traverse many boundaries and the design of buildings almost seems limitless. However, this has also caused a shift in architecture to focus on the visual aspects of buildings. Most human beings are born with the use of all of their senses and it is through this that we use, understand and appreciate the built environment. However, if a building fails to entice one’s sense of touch or even smell, then architecture has lost its true meaning; that of designing for people and not solely for consumerism. More often than not, children are also avid users of buildings and architecture, which has lost its essence of appealing to all of our senses, also loses its fascination to children as well. Early childhood is the stage in life where people use their senses to the fullest capacity and it is through the perception of our surroundings that we learn, form meanings and identities. This dissertation thus aims to understand how the built environment psychologically affects children and how also, children perceive their surroundings. With that in mind, the purpose of this dissertation is twofold. Firstly, it sets out to investigate aspects of architectural psychology/perception and its relation to children and secondly, it will seek to understand how physical disabilities such as blindness and mobility impairments impact upon the design of buildings. This will set the brief for the design of an Educational Facility for Physically Disabled children, where all of these characteristics will be considered. Through this study, specific characteristics of architectural psychology will be investigated. These include the following: understanding the human senses, sensory emotions and experiences, the effects of colour and light, legibility, wayfinding, place identity related to personal identity and thus critical regionalism and phenomenology. Lastly, the importance of creating sustainable environments and the importance of nature to children will also be looked into, as well as creating safety for children in any type of environment. This research will study the multi – faceted aspects that comprise architecture for the disabled. Therefore, the research will encompass both primary and secondary sources, including relevant precedent and case studies. This research will ultimately provide a design brief, which will inform the eventual outcome for the design of an Educational Facility for Physically Disabled Children.
An architectural response to social cohesion : towards the design of a cultural interchange center in Durban.
(2016) Kasule, Sophie Tandokazi.; Mthethwa, Majahamahle Nene.
Social cohesion has become an important construct in post-Apartheid South African society (Department of Art and Culture, 2012). But its roots lie beyond the history and borders of South Africa. This dissertation will discuss how international concepts of social cohesion first emerged from the literature of social capital and were later implemented as strategies to promote unity within neighborhood communities. Thereafter, this dissertation discusses how this concept was adopted by the department of Art and Culture as part of National Development Plan for 2030, and was consequently linked to the concept of Nation Building (Palmary, 2015: 32). A review of recent literature and speeches on social cohesion in South Africa further explore that if the strategy were fully facilitated by all aspects of society, it could unite South Africa’s disintegrated nation. During this review, however, specific focus is to be placed on the fact that very little research exists to show how the concept can be used in an architectural response – particularly within a South African context. Initially, this dissertation argues that a society currently built on racial division, economic inequality and classism, needs active interventions which feed into the lived experiences of society. Thereafter, utilizing the current literature, several case studies, precedent studies and key interviews, this dissertation highlight that an architectural response instigated by social cohesion is one that shapes the interface between diverse groups. The discussion ultimately illustrates that providing a platform for a range of possibilities for the co-existence of a heterogenic society through economic empowerment and cultural acknowledgment (Gri, 2010: 862) can only be fully realized through the built environment. Integrated with this discussion, a proposed method will set the discourse of both the primary and secondary research into three components: social, economic and the built environment components enhancing INTERACTION, INTERCHANGE and INTEGRATION, respectively. This discussion will be further facilitated through the incorporation of the concepts of spatial solidarity, the theory of sense of place, and human perception and semiology. The research will culminate in the design of a Cultural Interchange Center in Durban. Based on a comprehensive review of the recent literature, several precedent studies and case studies, and qualitative interviews with informed participants, the design process for this Cultural Interchange Center will serve as a reaction to the defined social problems faced by South Africa. The end design consequentially becomes a center of cultural and skills interchange generating social cohesion through economic empowerment – thereby fully expressing the concept of social cohesion (and its inherent roots) in the built form.
Art as a generator of built form : towards a working museum at Rorke's Drift.
(2012) Brunner, Michael.; Mthethwa, Majahamahle Nene.
Broadly speaking, art can be described as man’s emotion made tangible, providing a visual memory of the past. Resistance art is no different save the strength of its embedded meaning bound to context through signs and cultural references. In a pre-liberation South Africa, resistance art formed one of the critical voices of opposition to the apartheid regime and from the Rorke’s Drift Art and Craft Centre in Zululand this voice resounded. The memory of this together with the memory of the Rorke’s Drift artists has become dissociated from the actual place resulting in a gap in the history of South African art as well as the history of KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa. In light of this, this document explores the potential of art to generate built-form. By examining the link between man, society and art through the review of relevant literature, it is found that memory can be revived as a key driver behind the meaning of art and built-form through the provision of place as governed by issues of cultural identity, symbols and meaning context and the experiential. This conclusion is extended through precedent studies to include the art in question and is proved through the use of a case study. The significance suggested is that there is a global opportunity for art to provide meaning to the built environment and a local potential to directly address the loss of meaning and memory of Rorke’s Drift. In other words, it is proposed that meaning can be returned to Rorke’s Drift if the fundamental issues of memory are addressed, thereby continuing the narrative of South African art and contributing to it in the future.
Contextualising the influence of urban regeneration in architecture: a design towards an urban rescue center in the City of Durban.
(2019) Njani, Nokubonga Princess.; Mthethwa, Majahamahle Nene.
For centuries, urban Africans have established lives that are satisfactory in catering to their human needs. Moreover, there has been an ingenious potential of utilizing the ever-growing fields of social relations to make city life feasible. Contemporary African cities represent platforms where Africans’ struggles about the present and future ways of living are constantly influenced by the transforming demands of external powers. Even today, an assumption still prevails that Africa is an uncivilized rural continent whereby men co-exist with wild animals. Regardless of the negative connotations that are placed upon the African continent, African cities are still places that portray multiple intensities and layers of social cohesion. It is noted that African cities were once viewed as the core of the innovatory energy and cultural forces of its residents, however, with the need to urbanize as majority of the underprivileged individuals settle in urban environments and establish informal means of surviving in the city, African cities in modern society seem to be drifting into decaying and dangerous places that are a cause of anxiety and resentment. The intention of this research is to provide an analysis through defining conceptual and theoretical lens as to how the concept of urban regeneration within the city of Durban can play a significant role in architecture. This study is relevant to the city of Durban because of the rate in which the city of Durban is estimated to urbanize in the near future. The intention of this dissertation is focused more in the investigation of the concept of urban regeneration and natures ability to reinforce social life for individuals residing in urban environments, with an attempt of ascertaining how architectural design can act as a driver for influencing a ‘break-away space’ for individuals to retreat in an urban environment.
Contributions of the built health-care environment to effective treatment and recovery : a proposed community hospital for addiction and mental health in Durban.
(2011) Ussher, Mark Lawrence.; Mthethwa, Majahamahle Nene.
This study was intended to determine the architectural characteristics of a built environment that makes a positive contribution to the effective treatment of addictions and associated mental illnesses. Buildings affect people both physically and psychologically: Architects and interior designers create retail spaces that increase sales, restaurants that stimulate appetite and offices that maximise productivity. But do they design mental health-care facilities that improve treatment and recovery? Surely, given the nature of its function, this building typology is the most deserving of attention with regard to the subject of ‘environmental psychology’. On the contrary however, mental health-care has a history of inadequacy when it comes to the buildings that have been constructed to facilitate it: During the middle of the twentieth century – particularly in Great Britain and the United States of America – state ‘mental asylums’ housed hundreds of people in oppressive, inhumane buildings, remote from their communities. Derelict asylums bear testimony to the ‘de-institutionalism’ movement that followed, favouring out-patient care in the community context. On the other hand however, homeless, destitute addicts and mentally ill individuals tell of the shortcomings of community-based care. Current medical insights have now led to a new concept of ‘balanced-care’, which calls for the integration of in-patient and out-patient treatment. This new approach provides an opportunity for architects to re-define the mental healthcare facility – to humanise the institution and create treatment environments that contribute positively to recovery. The purpose of this study was therefore to establish a sound understanding of the unique needs of this particular user group, to interpret the implications of these needs with regard to the design of the treatment environment, and to assess the appropriateness of existing facilities in terms of these findings. The research was carried out by way of consultation with local mental health-care professionals, a review of existing literature on the subject, and relevant precedent and case studies. The outcome was a set of principles and criteria to inform the design of a new addiction and mental health clinic in Durban.
Culture as a response to homelessness and how it informs architectural design : the design of a homeless shelter for Durban.
(2014) Govender, Viloshin.; Mthethwa, Majahamahle Nene.
Within the context of globalising urban cities, this dissertation will investigate how the Culture responds to Homelessness. This can be defined by the Homeless creating their own Culture defined by the lifestyles. Insurgent citizenship has become a real issue facing cities today; the homeless claim their right to the city by reclaiming lost spaces within the urban framework, this will eventually shape the urban landscape, redefining the images of cities that cannot be ignored. Issues of dealing with the Homeless and social policies that cater to them are not adequate enough to solve the problem. The solution that is prevalent in most cities is to hide the Homeless away from view in shelter that cater for day to day needs on the outskirts of the cities, so that societies are hidden from this issue. The Homeless do not fit in with society as they are excluded and looked down upon, this creates a conflict of identity and culture for them because they do not belong or fit in with societies that they once belonged to. They share their plight alone and create their own communities, culture and identity so that they can be seen as a group within the city. The literature, relevant precedent and case studies on the subject highlight the importance of architecture and how it responds to the needs of the Homeless. The discussion looks as insurgency in cities today and how it affects the urban framework as well as social well being of cities. Theories such as Genius Loci and Critical Regionalism highlight how the Homeless aim to recreate a sense of ownership and belonging in the lost spaces of the city. The theory of phenomenology deals with healing environments and the general well being a person within a building environment, with the principles and practices of phenomenological design, a building can produce healing environments that help rehabilitate the homeless. The outcome is the conceptualization of a Homeless shelter within Durban that aims to not only rehabilitate the Homeless, mentally and physically but also help rehabilitate them back into society acting as a platform for reintegration and social interaction.
The exploration of Afrocentric decolonization in the built environment: a proposed mixed-use development in Skukuza Kruger National Park.
(2020) Khumalo, Linsey Linnete.; Mthethwa, Majahamahle Nene.
Inspired by living and working in a compound set up, the researcher advocates for a change in the built environment with regards to the lack of exploration of Afrocentric solutions and their decolonization in the built environment. The researcher’s inspiration is mainly drawn from the research problem which explores the lack of decolonization of the colonialist or oppressive spaces in the built environment in Post-Apartheid South Africa, focusing on the labour compound setting. The purpose of this study is to investigate and explore the role that architecture can play in facilitating African people through socially responsive Afrocentrically decolonized built environments. A lack of understanding of the underlying social principles that define decolonization and Afrocentrism drives this study toward seeking to find the threads that connect Africans to the built environment that was previously colonised by integrating and exploring Afrocentric decolonization threads into an Architecture which the African people can identify with. The study focused on the Skukuza, Kruger National Park Labour compound. The research philosophical worldview utilized for the discourse of this dissertation is one of a Constructivist approach. Constructivist approaches are based on understanding, multi participant meanings, social and historical construction and the generation of theory. This research approach positions the researcher within the context of the study by collecting participants, generate meanings focusing on a single concept or phenomenon. It brings personal values into the study by studying the context or setting of participants, validating the accuracy of findings, interpreting the data to create an agenda for change or reform. Constructivism involves the researcher in collaborating with participants (Creswell; 2014: 35-38). The research approach utilized for the discourse of this study is one of a Qualitative research approach for exploring and understanding the meaning individuals or groups ascribe to a social or human problem. The process of research involves emerging questions and procedures, data typically collected in the participant’s setting, data analysis inductively building from particulars to general themes, and the researcher making interpretations of the meaning of the data. The final written report has a flexible structure. Those who engage in this form of inquiry support a way of looking at research that honors an inductive style, a focus on individual meaning, and the importance of rendering the complexity of a situation (Creswell; 2014: 32) This study will briefly present a background of the history of Africa in Pre-colonialism by seeking understanding of ancient African civilizations, pre-colonial settlements and the colonization of Africa. It will briefly analyse the origins of decolonization within a global context with a focused investigation on regions that have defining issues as the South African or African context i.e. countries with postcolonial cities that have issues similar to Skukuza Kruger National Park. The study, informed by the background analysis, will focus on the social and physical aspects that define Afrocentric decolonization through the individual versus the collective. The research, informed by the background analysis, will focus on the social and physical aspects that shape the built environment in the aforementioned regions. The study will then briefly put forward a constructive argument that highlights the current disconnection between the built environment and the process of decolonization. The research will then move into the main discussion where it attempts to put forward a strategy that outlines how the underlining social and physical principles behind Afrocentric decolonization efforts can be used to be integrated and explored into a new built environment that can be considered meaningful by people in the spatially segregated context.
The exploration of the relationship between social reintegration processes and the built form : a proposal for a reentry rehabilitation centre for released ex-prisoners.
(2010) Shazi, Manqoba Allan.; Mthethwa, Majahamahle Nene.
South Africa as a developing country faces the challenges of providing a better life for all its citizens. The South African society is of two extremes, a small population of the wealthy and a large portion of the poor. In a growing economy there is an increase in the gap between rich and poor. The rich work to keep their wealth and the poor work but struggle to provide the bare necessities for their families. The challenges facing South Africa are of alleviating poverty, through providing adequate shelter, jobs, education and health for all South Africans. These are essential elements that are needed to create better communities and functional families. The solutions to these problems are sometimes not thought through and integrated with other sectors of society. This leads to quick fix solutions to deep routed problems which are isolated to the countries’ developments. South Africa has a deep history rooted in apartheid. Living within a post apartheid society South Africans have inherited a built environment that was aimed for specific segregated population groups. In a democratic society people have an opportunity of “equal sharing” within the economy. This leaves a large portion of the population struggling to rid themselves of poverty. These are the major issues which lead to committing crime and consequently imprisonment. This research study specifically deals with the correctional services institutions built form, rehabilitation and reintegration processes for the ex-prisoner. The built forms role in society can be far reaching and shape the life form of its inhabitants. It can facilitate a positive role in deterring the social ills of society. Presently the built environments cannot accommodate the growing and integrated population groups. The role of the correctional facilities is important in providing safe communities by removing those individuals harmful to society. A thorough approach to imprisonment, rehabilitation and social reintegration of ex-prisoners will assist in keeping safe communities. The understanding of prisons, their environment and the role of the built form with regards to social reintegration processes is important. This will assist in lessening the amount of recidivism of ex-prisoners once released. This research seeks to establish the role in which the built form can support rehabilitation for ex-prisoners in the view of reintegrating them back into society.
Exploring the architecture of cultural memory : design for the documentation and conveyance of history in Verulam.
(2011) Pillay, Sugendri.; Mthethwa, Majahamahle Nene.
It would seem that it is in times of change and transition, when identities are being re-assessed or rewritten, that society looks to the past for guidance hoping to gain knowledge of how to “go on in the world”; it is a search for some meaningful, useable past that can be used as a springing point for present and future development. This dissertation forms a component of a similar search. It asks what the value of the past and cultural memory, a group phenomenon, is to present and future societies. Most importantly it investigates how architecture engages with cultural memory, asks what the nature of the engagement is and what the advantages of such an engagement are to people. The investigation tackles the issue of architecture as a form of non-verbal communication and investigates how that communication is carried out and in particular the modes it assumes when communicating cultural memory – it asks where cultural memory is located in architecture. The aim of this research is to formulate methods or professional attitudes which could obviate the role architecture could continue to play in the evolution of society.
Exploring the artistic and cultural expression in architecture: towards an art and performance center in Durban.
(2020) Naidoo, Nicole.; Mthethwa, Majahamahle Nene.
Artistic and cultural expression roots itself in the existence of human beings. Expression and Memories, experiences and culture define the way space and architecture is perceived. In a complex society with historical disparagement, expression is crucial in Durban’s search for an authentic city image. Inhabitants do not feel connected or apart of the city in which they belong. Art expression is evident throughout the city and is strongly connected to cultures and how meaning is derived. Unfortunately, cultural and artistic promotion within the city is lacking and the few spaces which facilitate expression are not celebrated and accommodated within the city. The urban fabric has been affected by past regimes. These have imposed architectural and spatial responses which has resulted in a depersonalised and unfamiliar city with an image which is being developed with a globalised criterion. Architecture is a crucial factor in the image of the city, arguably it is the main contribution to the image encapsulating culture and identity. Additionally, architecture houses and provides shelter for inhabitants, thus architecture responds to the needs and desires of society which inevitably considers the complexity of culture. Symbolism and artistic and cultural expression are essential notions which contribute to the design of contextually relevant and inclusive architecture. These concepts are discussed further within the dissertation due to its significance in identity and connection through the association of signifiers. This dissertation explores artistic and cultural expression through architecture in Durban which generates a contextual image. The study will explore research involving concepts and discourse around culture, symbolism and expressionism. Furthermore, precedented architectural responses will be identified to portray the conceptual and theoretical capabilities of form and space. Literature, precedent studies and case studies are analysed to identify criteria, approaches, principles and recommendations for the outcome of the study, which is a proposed Art and Performance Center in the city of Durban.
Exploring the influence of traditional healing practice to space and form: a design towards a traditional healing centre in KZN.
(2019) Khuzwayo, Siyabonga Wiseman.; Mthethwa, Majahamahle Nene.; Ntuli, Bonga.
The World Health Organization defines traditional healing as ‘health practices, approaches, knowledge and beliefs incorporating plant, animal and mineral based medicines, spiritual therapies, manual techniques and exercises, applied singularly or in combination to treat, diagnose and prevent illnesses or maintain well-being’. Furthermore, this holistic type of healing, which is also loosely referred to as folk medicine, ethno-medicine or native healing is the oldest form of healing in which Nguni healers relied on to treat diseases long before the era of civilization. However, due to the discoveries of African colonies which instigated regulatory laws, advances in modern technology and exposure to global trends, this form of healing carries a negative connotation of being regarded as irrational, uncertified and a perilous alternative form of healing in the contemporary era. This body of works intends to focus on deciphering the notion of traditional healing, with the aim of ascertaining how architectural design can pose as a medium for furnishing the traditional healing entity with meaningful spaces and built-form that relates to the contemporary era and also investigate how architectural design can be utilized as a tool to change the negative connotation that is associated with the realm of traditional healing in the contemporary era, whilst preserving the African indigenous values, cultures, and beliefs.
The influence of the mediating qualities of sacred space, symbols and rituals on the built environment : a proposed inter-religious retreat and education centre for Durban.
(2010) Argall, Matthew Robert.; Mthethwa, Majahamahle Nene.
The following dissertation deals with the qualities of sacred space that influence the architecture for religious building and how these qualities can be used in the creation of an inter-religious facility. The background idea for such a facility is that it will promote dialogue and understanding between religious groups that could lead to greater tolerance, respect and in the end peace between people of different faiths. The project deals specifically with four main stream religions, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism and Islam. It will look briefly at the ideas and concepts of other religions but as there are thousands of religions and denominations within each, these will not be dealt with in any depth, and more careful attention will be given to the limited four. In order to discover the essence which makes up sacred architecture, secondary literature will be looked at based on key questions and assumptions. From there, various primary sources are looked at. A questionnaire is conducted to determine how the general public and faithful feel towards sacred space. A case study based on specific criteria is conducted of four religious buildings in and around Durban. At each building, the religious leader is interviewed to gain a better understanding of the details of each faith. The results from the case studies and interviews are tabled in order to make a comparative analysis. The data collected shows some interesting trends in the design of sacred space as well as the opinions of the people who use the religious buildings. An interesting feature of the results is that there are more similarities in terms of the architectural treatment of each religion than there are differences. In terms of the relevancy of an inter-religious facility, the findings show that in general people are interested in such an idea. It was also found that an existing interfaith organization exists in KwaZulu-Natal. The idea of using an inter-faith setup to promote dialogue and understanding is not new the idea. The concept that such a facility could facilitate development of tolerance through understanding is supported by the views of the people who did the questionnaire. In conclusion, it was found that the qualities of sacred space are two-tiered and that to combine them it will be necessary to separate those qualities that are distinct to a particular religion from those that are not. In this way a workable model for an inter-religious or multi-faith facility can be achieved.
The integration of local cultural identity and tradition into built environment : a case of cultural centre in Lobamba, Swaziland.
(2010) Mangena, Chatuluka Nhlanhla.; Mthethwa, Majahamahle Nene.
The aim of this document is to explore the potential culture and tradition has in restoring and preserving local cultural identity through built environment. The need to create local cultural identity to built environments and to ensure that these are expressed in a progressive and dynamic way in order to expresses culture as a dynamic evolving organ, not a as static dogma ensuring versatility and significance to all generations. Most built environments do not consider the importance of culture and tradition hence such ignorance has resulted in the formation of spaces that lacks the identity of the society. The research will explore how culture, tradition and built environments may be integrated to create a meaningful environment in order to achieve environments that are an epitome and responds to the people’s needs.
Intelligent transport systems as generators of built form: towards the design of a transport interchange in Harare, Zimbabwe.
(2015) Nyambuya, Tinashe Martin.; Mthethwa, Majahamahle Nene.
Rapid urbanisation in the last century resulted in a more urban population although some countries and continents still have higher rural population. It is estimated that by the year 2050 more than 75% of the world‟s population will be living in urban areas (WB, 2013; OECD, 2015). Most of this increase in global urbanisation is forecast to take place in the emerging, developing and less developed, or third world Africa, Asia and South America (Pojani & Stead, 2015). Transport plays a critically important role within urban areas in ensuring that urban dwellers gain access to resources and socioeconomic opportunities. The transport systems in most urbanized and urbanizing areas of developing nations are largely unsustainable and cause numerous problems that directly affect the quality of social, economic and environmental urban systems. With limited access to financial capital and strong institutional structures these nations struggle to develop their urban infrastructures to keep up with the increasing human populations and demands of safe, reliable and sustainable transportation services. The information and communications technology (ICT) sector has recorded unprecedented growth in Africa over the last decade. In Zimbabwe, for example, telecommunications technology, in the form of an electronic mobile payment system, has enabled the sustainable growth of the informal economy by creating a cashless society. The system has enabled the poorest of citizens access to financial and credit facilities and helped them start up and run profitable small businesses (www.econetwireless.com). It provided a sustainable solution for managing the financial crisis in the country. With more than 75% of the population now owning mobile telephones and wireless devices technologies like the payment systems can be used to improve other sectors of the economy currently under stress and strain. This research study intends to investigate the use of advanced transport systems and technologies in improving transport in the major urban centers of Zimbabwe. The study will investigate intelligent transport systems as tools of improving urban transport and how their operational and functional requirements can be used by design professional to create sustainable and meaningful urban built form.
An interpretation of timelessness in sacred architecture : an Islamic Centre for Durban.
(2011) Mullah, Rozana.; Mthethwa, Majahamahle Nene.
Timelessness is an ethereal component of sacred architecture as defined by the belief of man. The spiritual vision of humanity has demonstrated techniques of expressing belief in the existence of a Higher Being within the universe. Various systems of belief, based on religion today, have their own interpretation of their existential being in relation to the cosmos; this is strongly conveyed by means of architecture and built form. Modern interpretations of ancient belief systems have transmitted timeless qualities in ancient architecture. This research is aimed at providing an interpretation of timelessness that is able to capture and portray a sacred identity in built form and architecture. The author has identified a complex inter-relationship between the spirit, earth and the universe, forming a timeless design philosophy. The evaluation of various sacred archetypes in a historical setting has set a foundation to timeless design, which when implemented in sacred Islamic architecture, reveals its timeless elements. The contemporary interpretation of theory in this research has led to a timeless design philosophy, which when applied to any sacred architecture, will reveal timeless design elements that can be used today. This contemporary application of timeless elements or physical representations of belief may stimulate the deep spiritual vision of humanity once again, where qualities of 'ultimate human value' detached from differing religious belief systems enhance the 'collective human experience'. Ultimately leading toward an architecture expressive of unity in multiplicity.
Investigating youth's identity and its contribution to built form: a proposal for a youth orientated lifestyle centre for Kokstad.
(2015) Audibert, Devin Kyle Joachim.; Mthethwa, Majahamahle Nene.
Youth’s identity is an important developmental process of a young person’s life. The nature in which this takes place today is one which opens the door to an architectural intervention that has the potential to both facilitate and improve this process. This study looks, in detail, at the metaphoric representation of the ‘streets’ as the current place where the youth spend their time developing and testing their identity. The research focuses specifically on the youth in a town called Kokstad, on the southern border of Kwa-Zulu Natal, as a case specific application of this idea to ultimately lead into the design of a youth-orientated Lifestyle Centre for Kokstad; A design that articulates how youth’s identity can impact architecture in a manner that then benefits youth’s identity development. Simply stated, the intention is to inform an architecture that responds to the youth’s identity; reanimating the essence of the ‘streets’ through architecture.
Learning processs and its influence in built form: towards a proposed learning centre for youth development in Umlazi.
(2021) Ngcece, Nqobile Ntombenhle Precious.; Mthethwa, Majahamahle Nene.
Previously colonized countries have had learning processes impacted, such as Sri Lanka in South Asia, because Sri Lanka experienced low literacy levels due to insufficient education facilities. In the Sub-Saharan Africa region, Burundi experiences low literacy levels in adults and youth because they are subjected to pedagogical challenges. This is after the invasion into Africa by Europe, which led to the establishment of settler-colonies in Africa. In contexts such as these, youth have yet to overcome such barriers in education. To understand the decolonization and deinstitutionalization of education that the research studies, there must be an understanding of colonization in education. This is a pivotal aspect of the research because it gives insight into the dynamics that have created education in South Africa to be what it is at present. The research study elaborates on this stating the history of South Africa. Peri-urban areas are discovered through the literature to address key pedagogical barriers hindering learner achievement. Schools located in the peri-urban areas are characterized by large school learner populations and overcrowded classrooms. Poor academic performance points to fundamental problems in behaviourist pedagogy learning approach, one of which are standardized assessments, which are imposed upon learners and do not give much learner’s control towards their own goals. It is in the peri-urban areas where there is not much variety in learning approaches, as well as lack in educational resources which leads to learner’s low confidence levels that stimulate young minds to learn. Youth experience learning difficulties with a variety of socio-economic challenges which present additional barriers to learning and development such as unfavourable/poor living conditions, generally illiterate and unskilled & semi-skilled societies, education levels are low-literate, small percentage of diploma level graduates, high youth unemployment and dysfunctional family structures. The study investigates the reasons for insufficient educational resources in learning environments, especially where the schools in the area require such assistance. The study examines the influence learning processes will have on built form through understanding learning processes towards transformative learning spaces that are culturally relevant within de-colonial urban contexts. The research study explores conventional teacher-centred learning to be transformed with learner-centred learning through theoretical frameworks highlighted in the literature research.