The phenomenon of divorce and its challenge to the black African communities: A need for pastoral and indigenous African marital therapy

Abstract

Divorce is a painful and traumatic experience that disrupt the lives of people. Research has shown that the phenomenon of divorce among black South Africans is escalating on a yearly basis. This is accompanied by both emotional, spiritual and psychological effects which impact on the well-being of people. Furthermore, divorce is understood as a disruption of normal life and it also threatens the stability and sustainability of social institutions. As the article is written from a context of pastoral care and counselling, it acknowledges the existence of other forms of care beyond the boundaries of the Christian ministry of healing. The indigenous African martial therapy plays a vital role in black African communities in strengthening marital bonds and its longevity. Even though this African model has been disrupted by the wave of industrialisation and urbanisation, the article argues that its methods of healing, counselling and mediatory role are necessary for African people and in response to the collapse of the institution of marriage.