3. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - All submissions
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Item Izikhothane: Masculinity and class in Katlehong, a South African township(2016) Richards, James GrantABSTRACT The following thesis explored a specific subculture called skhothane, or izikhothane in the plural, which has taken root amongst the male youth in South African townships. Izikhothane are primarily concerned with music, fashion, dance and linguistic prowess in relation to their counterparts. They performed against their counterparts in order to gain status, prestige, fame and renown. These in turn were exchanged in some instances for other desired outcomes such as access to women. This study explored the intersecting factors that have caused the rise and transformation of this subculture. The contextual factors can be understood as historical, economic, and social. Other factors such as masculinity, gender, race, ethnicity and class seem to be playing a role in the meanings that izikhothane make and the lenses through which the view themselves and their urban spaces. In addition to the above the izikhothane were looked at in relation to subcultures that were formed during apartheid, such as comrades, tsotsis, comtsotsis and pantsulas, for example. This has given an idea of the continuity associated with subcultures and the generational factors that lead to their formation. The frame work that was used, for the most part, to critically understand this practice was primarily taken from Foucault’s conception of space, Winnicott’s formulation of transitional spaces, Bourdieu’s ideas of capital, and Erikson’s work on youth identity.Item Personality traits influencing style adoption among the youth in South Africa(2013-04-09) Venter, MarikePurpose – This study provides a theoretical framework that explores the personality traits that influence style adoption among the youth in South Africa. Five personality traits form part of the framework, namely fashion consciousness, the need for uniqueness, susceptibility to interpersonal influence, individualism/collectivism, and masculinity/femininity. Methodology – A quantitative approach was undertaken and the data were collected by means of self-administered questionnaires among 400 university students. Established multi-item scales were adapted for the study, and a pilot test was used to confirm the validity of the multi-item scales and the correctness of the data-gathering procedure. Following the data gathering and coding, validity and reliability tests were carried out on the entire sample. A regression analysis was used to test the relationships between the constructs. Findings – The findings suggest that the dominant factors influencing style adoption are susceptibility to interpersonal influence and masculinity/femininity. Fashion consciousness, the need for uniqueness, individualism/collectivism and masculinity/femininity, influence the knowledge acquired of style. One’s attitude towards style is influenced by the need for uniqueness and masculinity/femininity. Research Limitations - The results of this study may not be appropriate for generalizing across the majority of youth culture in South Africa, and in a global context. However, understanding one segment of the youth may be beneficial to practitioners in South Africa, and may encourage exploration into other youth segments through continuous resampling and reassessment of difference ages and gender populations. Implications - By examining the youth and their sense of style, the study facilitates the possibility of consumer-behaviour research that not only includes style in a broad sense, but also explores post-modern and classic style expressions, thus providing a better understanding of modern youth culture in a local context, and the influence of their personality traits on style adoption.Item The emerging role of the fashion industry in Johannesburg's tourism development strategy(2008-03-18T10:32:34Z) Gatawa, Nyasha GraceABSTRACT The tourism industry has been described as one of the world’s highest priority industries and has emerged as a significant sector in many global economies including South Africa. The global fashion industry is also a multi-billion dollar industry and in many parts of the world is a huge draw card for tourists. Cities like Paris, Milan and New York have long been acclaimed for their thriving fashion industries. In recent times non-traditional fashion cities such as Kenya, Beirut, Lyon and Amsterdam have increasingly looked to the fashion industry for economic and tourism development. The South African fashion industry has flourished in recent years with the emergence of a new genre of design houses redefining South African fashion. It is against this background that the focus of this study was to investigate the link between fashion and tourism in the city of Johannesburg. A review of the policy framework surrounding the cultural and tourism industries was conducted to ascertain the role and importance ascribed to the tourism and cultural industries in South African policy with particular emphasis on the city of Johannesburg’s policy environment. The international experience of using fashion in tourism and urban development strategies provided examples and insight into global strategies of linking fashion and tourism. Case studies of the Johannesburg Fashion District and SA Fashion Week revealed their emerging role in the tourism industry. The experience and views of designers and industry officials regarding the role of fashion in the tourism industry was determined through in-depth semi-structured interviews. The study concluded that there is definitely potential for the local fashion industry to make a significant contribution to tourism in the city of Johannesburg but this is dependent on the development of a clear fashion tourism policy framework, greater marketing and promotional efforts and the addressing of critical challenges in the fashion and cultural tourism sectors.