Browsing by Author "Kobokana, Siyanda"

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    Radio as a domain of freedom: aurality, memory and object biography in the Eastern Cape.
    (Universty of the Western Cape, 2024) Kobokana, Siyanda; Rassool, Ciraj
    This thesis examines the role of radio as a domain of freedom in apartheid South Africa, exploring how it functioned both as a tool of state control and a site of resistance. Through the concepts of aurality, memory, and object biography, this study considers the ways in which radio shaped political consciousness and personal identity, particularly within Black communities. Using the Panasonic RF-2200 radio owned by the author’s grandfather as a focal point, the thesis explores insurgent listening a form of engaged and resistant listenership that defied state censorship and enabled communities to participate in the liberation struggle. Drawing on oral histories, archival research, and critical media studies, this research argues that radio was more than a means of broadcasting; it was a mediating object through which individuals and communities constructed meaning, remembered the past, and imagined alternative futures. By engaging with scholars such as Liz Gunner, Sekibakiba Lekgoathi, and Marissa Moorman, the thesis situates radio within broader debates on sonic heritage and historical acoustemology, demonstrating how sound technologies contributed to both oppression and resistance. The study also considers how the legacy of insurgent listening extends beyond apartheid, influencing contemporary social movements such as #FeesMustFall and #RhodesMustFall. Ultimately, this thesis contributes to discussions on media and resistance, arguing that radio, as both a material object and a site of listening, played a crucial role in shaping historical memory, political engagement, and subjectivity in South Africa.