Pentecostalism, ontological (in)security and the everyday lives of international university students in South Africa

Gukurume, Simbarashe

doi:10.1080/14725843.2022.2034598

Cited by 8 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…For those without a community to fall back on, everyday life was marked by a sense of precariousness and anxiety. In the absence of familial support, mega Pentecostal Churches often step in to fill the void and provide a sense of ontological security (Gukurume, 2022) in the lives of black foreign students.…”

Section: Findings and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In fact, about 74% of these international students come from neighbouring Southern African countries (Gukurume, 2022). Zimbabwe has the largest number of students with 34% followed by Namibia with 7% as well as Lesotho with l7% (Gukurume, 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…DHET (2013) noted that out of the 72, 464 international students in South Africa, most of them are black and from the SADC region. In fact, about 74% of these international students come from neighbouring Southern African countries (Gukurume, 2022). Zimbabwe has the largest number of students with 34% followed by Namibia with 7% as well as Lesotho with l7% (Gukurume, 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There has been a conspicuous growth and appeal of Pentecostal religiosity within university spaces in post‐apartheid South Africa (Gukurume, 2022). The dawn of democracy in 1994 opened the door for many Kenyan, Nigerian, and Ghanaian pastors to come and open churches in various parts of the country (see van Wyk, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Pentecostalism and the (de)construction of ‘Otherness’: Experiences of black African students at a South African University

Gukurume

2024

Sociology Compass

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Drawing on fieldwork conducted at a South African University, this qualitative study examines the lived experiences of black foreign students studying and living in South Africa. The study sought to understand the role that Pentecostalism plays in mediating the everyday experiences of black foreign students within and beyond the university campus spaces. A total of 30 student patrons from two Pentecostal churches were purposively sampled for the study. Data were collected using qualitative methods, including in‐depth interviews, participant observation, and informal conversations. Data were recorded, transcribed, and thematically analysed. The study findings revealed that for many African foreign students in South Africa, Pentecostalism mediated their sense of being on campus and allowed them to deal with the real and perceived social disarticulation fashioned by xenophobic terrains and attendant socio‐material anxieties. I assert that Pentecostal communities helped African foreign students to embed themselves and adjust to life on campus. These communities allowed them to forge convivial relationships and mutuality with fellow students and other Church members. Building on extant scholarly arguments and debates on Pentecostalism and student mobilities, I argue that Pentecostalism play(ed) a central role in the (de)construction of a sense of ‘Otherness’ through socio‐spiritual rituals including, sermons (the word), proselytisation and other social practices, albeit with varying degrees of success. Although Pentecostal networks strongly mediated black African foreign students' everyday navigation in precarious social spaces, the anxiety and the feeling of otherness are not completely removed.

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Section: Findings and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Pentecostalism and the (de)construction of ‘Otherness’: Experiences of black African students at a South African University

Gukurume

2024

Sociology Compass

Self Cite

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“…Their accounts indicated ontological insecurity through uncertainty about identity, a loss of agency, and future doubt ( Laing, 2010 ). While ontological insecurity is sometimes applied to international relations, it is also usefully applied to the “experiences of the everyday” ( Gukurume, 2022 ). Literature on ontological insecurity argues that social and material constancy is necessary for people to manage their lives ( Henwood et al, 2018 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Liminality and insecurity: A qualitative study of young adults’ vulnerabilities during the first twelve months of COVID-19 in Australia

Banwell

Williamson

Batterham

et al. 2023

SSM - Qualitative Research in Health

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Youth and Non-violent Resistance: #ThisFlag Movement in Zimbabwe

Gukurume

2022

Youth and Non-Violence in Africa’s Fragile Contexts

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Pentecostalism, ontological (in)security and the everyday lives of international university students in South Africa

Cited by 8 publications

References 55 publications

Pentecostalism and the (de)construction of ‘Otherness’: Experiences of black African students at a South African University

Pentecostalism and the (de)construction of ‘Otherness’: Experiences of black African students at a South African University

Liminality and insecurity: A qualitative study of young adults’ vulnerabilities during the first twelve months of COVID-19 in Australia

Youth and Non-violent Resistance: #ThisFlag Movement in Zimbabwe

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