Research Catalog

Title

Transformation from below? : white suburbia in the transformation of apartheid South Africa to democracy / Ursula Scheidegger.

Author

Scheidegger, Ursula

Publication

• Basel, Switzerland : Basler Afrika Bibliographien, 2015.
• ©2015

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

xvii, 158 pages : illustrations; 25 cm

Summary

South Africa is an example of a relatively successful political transition. Nevertheless, the first democratic elections in 1994 did not change the systemic and structural inequalities, the socioeconomic legacies of discrimination or the alienation of the different population groups. At the centre of this study is the transformation potential of two formerly white neighbourhoods in Johannesburg - Norwood and Orange Grove. Both neighbourhoods have experienced considerable demographic changes and the various population groups differ in terms of their expectations and their willingness to adjust to the changes provoked by the transition. At the local level, patterns of discrimination and oppression continue. Spaces, opportunities and leverage of social networks engaged in the community are influenced by the resources people are able to access. Moreover, cooperation is contested in a context of pervasive inequality because there is no incentive for privileged groups to change arrangements that benefit them. In this context of conflicting interests and unequal access to power and resources, decentralisation and the promotion of participatory structures in local communities are a problem and the reliance on local networks as agents of development is questionable.

Series Statement

Basel Southern Africa studies, 2296-6986 ; 9

Uniform Title

Basel Southern Africa studies ; 9.

Subject

• Since 1994
• Social change > South Africa > Johannesburg
• Neighborhoods > Social aspects > South Africa > Johannesburg
• Suburbs > Social aspects > South Africa > Johannesburg
• Democratization > South Africa
• Democratization
• Neighborhoods > Social aspects
• Race relations
• Social change
• Social conditions
• Suburbs > Social aspects
• South Africa > Race relations > 21st century
• South Africa > Social conditions > 1994-
• South Africa
• South Africa > Johannesburg

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (pages 135-149) and index.

Contents

Social dynamics in two formerly white Johannesburg neighbourhoods : an introduction -- 1. Social dynamics and the concept of social capital -- 2. The challenges of democratic consolidation in South Africa -- 3. Urban neighbourhoods and challenges of cooperation and order -- 4. Local communities and the ambiguity of transformation -- 5. Local schools and their impact on integration, civic engagement and neighbourhood sociability -- 6. Religious communities and responses to the challenges of transformation, value changes and inequality -- 7. Five years later : what has changed? -- 8. Conclusion : transformation from below? -- Appendix.

Call Number

Sc E 16-2019

ISBN

• 9783905758580
• 390575858X

OCLC

920019244

Author

Scheidegger, Ursula, author.

Title

Transformation from below? : white suburbia in the transformation of apartheid South Africa to democracy / Ursula Scheidegger.

Publisher

Basel, Switzerland : Basler Afrika Bibliographien, 2015.

Copyright Date

©2015

Type of Content

text

Type of Medium

unmediated

Type of Carrier

volume

Series

Basel Southern Africa studies, 2296-6986 ; 9

Basel Southern Africa studies ; 9.

Bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 135-149) and index.

Local Note

AFRICAN BOOKS. AUTH: UNIV. OF THE WITWATERSRAND.

Chronological Term

Since 1994

Research Call Number

Sc E 16-2019