Cultural trends and community formation in a South African township: Sharpeville, 1943-1985.
Date
1991
Authors
Jeffrey, Ian
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Thesis examines cultural expressions and community
attachment, and their relation to each other, in the
creation and maintenance of urban identity. In examining
this, the thesis considers a number of key cultural forms
in Sharpeville such as boxing, football, musicial
performance, youth. gangs, and styles of dress. It argues
that, conceptually, "community" is never static; rather
it is a state of existence, a perception, for a grouping
of people. At a given time they may consider themselves
to be collectively part of or constitute a community; at
another, their attachments may be to a different entity -
the local neighbourhood, for example.
The empirical data was derived mainly from primary
sources although due to the historical time-period
examined - namely 1943 to 1985 - there was some reference
to secondary sources. The research involved mainly
in-depth interviews and participant observation. By
administering a questionnaire, "key" informants within
the various cultural areas examined were identifed and
interviewed at length, sometimes more than once.
The thesis argues that "communities" only gain a sense of
cohesion, "identity" and unity at certain specific
historical moments; at other times the cultured focus
within them may in fact express quite other meanings than
those of "community" for their members. This identity is
seen thus as both a product of the structural features
which inform, influence and even dictate its direction as
well as the responses and actions of the residents
themselves, in shaping its outcome.
Description
A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of Arts
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
for the Degree of Master of Arts.
Keywords
Ethnology -- South Africa., Urbanization -- South Africa., Community development, Urban -- South Africa., Sharpeville (South Africa) -- History.