The Impact of African Socio-Cultural Practices on Sexual and Reproductive Choices: A Comparative Study of the Zulu and Tswana of South Africa

Using comparative cases of the Zulu and Tswana of South Africa, the study used a mixed methods approach to investigate the impact of African socio-cultural practices on sexual and reproductive (SRH) choices. The specific objectives included a comparative examination of the cultural realities in SRH, especially during the adolescence period, gender imperatives in traditional SRH choices, harmful sexual and reproductive cultural practices, and comparative cultural attitudes towards population control and policy implications. The study revealed that, despite the increasing influence of modern and Western perspectives on SRH, traditional belief systems and practices on SRH among the Zulu and Tswana cultural communities in South Africa have a strong impact on adolescent SRH, especially in rural settings. While some traditional practices related to SRH may be viewed as harmful to women and girls, some were still protected as a preservation of culture and tradition. Examples of harmful practices from the comparative study included early marriage and childbearing that put girls and women at increased risk of sexual, physical, and psychological violence and related outcomes. Comparative cultural value systems towards population dynamics and policy implications on SRH revealed the value placed on children, particularly sons, among the Zulu and Tswana cultures. Based on these research findings, the study recommends the need for a supportive family environment encouraging adolescents to make responsible SRH choices as well as public health campaigns and education programmes to address misconceptions about HIV and AIDS and promote evidence-based practices.