Expressing social justice within Indigenous research: a reflection on process and affirmation

Abstract

In this article, we reflect on the process of the implementation of enacted social justice through the concepts of conscious affirmation and informed compassion, within the methodological processes utilized when carrying out a qualitative research study in a South African Indigenous community. The enactment of social justice during the study conceptualization and implementation process is evidenced by ensuring the conformity of the research processes to relevant and culturally congruent approaches as endorsed by the participants and context. We further reflect on the challenges and benefits experienced in this process while arguing for the relevance of exploring the use of conscious affirmation and informed compassion to support an enacted social justice process for research within African Indigenous communities.

Promoting regional coherence and cohesion amidst multiple assistive technology initiatives in Africa

“…Ubuntu must be found and brought home; it must be forged anew and will depend on the ability of individuals and groups to trust, listen and learn (Ohajunwa & Mji 2021 ). To truly co-construct knowledge, we need to draw on lived experiences and many different perspectives.…”

“…Thus, researchers entering African spaces must do so with humility, respect and a conscious focus on freeing the voices and ways of local communities. ‘Indigenous communities have critical knowledge and understandings to share that can enhance or contribute to the research process and outcomes…we had to listen and learn, more than talk’ (Ohajunwa & Mji 2021 :4 & 5).…”

Empowering marginalised groups through co-operative inquiry: Illustrated by a practical example

“…Members from marginalised groups are often seen as the objects of research rather than equal thinkers and knowledge bearers (Ned 2022 ). When researchers do not collaborate and partner with marginalised groups to create new ways of knowing, being and doing, injustice is perpetuated (Ohajunwa & Mji 2021 ).…”

“…It focusses on the knowledge of indigenous people as well as on their being and their doing. It normalises othered narratives and questions the dominance of a single perspective or worldview (Ohajunwa & Mji 2021 ).…”

Encouraging reciprocal healthcare practice within a South African Indigenous community

“…Here, interpretations of the participant narratives occur within a higher level of abstraction (Yin, 2009) until the final theme emerges. Detailed discussion of the research methodology and the influencing framework has been published in a separate article (Ohajunwa & Mji, 2021)…”