Exploring the role of race in social cohesion in two rural communities of South Africa
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Date
2023
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Abstract
Globally, race and social cohesion in urban areas have received significant research focus.
However, it may appear that scholars have not paid adequate attention to the role of race
as a facilitator or barrier to social cohesion in rural areas. Thus, the aim of the study was
to explore the role of race as a facilitator of, or barrier to, social cohesion in two South
African rural communities, namely, Lambert’s Bay, Western Cape, and Philippolis, Free
State Province. The study uses some of the tenets of critical race theory to interrogate the
issues of race in South African rural communities. A qualitative research design was utilised
to gather in-depth knowledge of the participants’ views. Nineteen participants participated
in the face-to-face interviews conducted with the stakeholders and parents of both
communities under study. The data was analysed thematically and five themes were
identified, presented and discussed in the results: (1) Experiences of other racialised
groups, (2) Experiences of immigrants, (3) Race as a factor influencing cohesion, (4)
Experiences of racial discrimination, and (5) Fear of marginalisation and exclusion.
Description
Keywords
Race, Segregation, South Africa, Social cohesion
Citation
Van Staden, M. et al. (2023). Exploring the role of race in social cohesion in two rural communities of South Africa. African Journal of Governance and Development, 12(1), 138-161. 10.36369/2616-9045/2023/v12i1a8