Masango, Maake J.S.2019-08-122019-08-122019/04/032018Chisi, JT 2018, Lobola in Zimbabwe : a pastoral challenge, MTheology Dissertation, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd <http://hdl.handle.net/2263/71050>A2019http://hdl.handle.net/2263/71050Dissertation (MTheology)--University of Pretoria, 2018.On one hand African traditionalists regard lobola as part of Africanness and strongly seek its perpetuation. On the other hand reformists consider it primitive and oppressive and seek its abolition. Both acknowledge the lobola struggle that is prevalent in Zimbabwe. Stories abound in the Pentecostal church and Zimbabwean media about lobola abuse. The Lobola struggle exposes the suffering inflicted on the poor among the Shona people of Zimbabwe by their in-laws. This is bound to prompt the Pentecostal Church to confront the injustice and provide healing and wholeness to the victims of the struggle. This research seeks ways to assist the Pentecostal church in Zimbabwe to pastorally care for the victims. The study unpacked the beliefs, ideas, implications and experiences of lobola struggle by co-researchers, using qualitative approaches, to better understand the conceptions and misconceptions that society has, and produce literature to guide the Pentecostal Church on lobola issues. The study empowers pastoral care givers to enter the space of the people affected by the lobola struggle and journey with them towards healing and wholeness.en© 2019 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.UCTDLobolaZimbabwePastoral challengePentecostal churchLobola abuseLobola struggleShona people of ZimbabweHealing and wholenessTheology theses SDG-01SDG-01: No povertyTheology theses SDG-03SDG-03: Good health and well-beingTheology theses SDG-05SDG-05: Gender equalityTheology theses SDG-10SDG-10: Reduced inequalitiesTheology theses SDG-16SDG-16: Peace, justice and strong institutionsDissertation16396074