Navigating our way: a compass for popular educators

Abstract

This article addresses the tensions and contradictions of applying a popular education approach in the current context of South Africa. It draws upon data from an 18-month research project exploring the traditions of popular education. It presents an extended discussion on the meanings of popular education, and their varied implications for practice. It presents a heuristic device in the form of a ‘compass’, to assist popular educators locate themselves in their work at different historical moments.