Year: 2007
Type: dissertation
Abstract: This thesis is an examination of the ways in which people in Barkly East, a small \ntown in the Eastern Cape, attribute feelings of belonging to the land they own and \nwork. In a country such as South Africa, where the contestation of land is prominent \nand so integral to the political and social discourse, questions related to the idea of \nbelonging are necessary and important. Significant questions addressed by this \nthesis are: Who belongs and why do they feel they belong? More importantly, the \nquestion of who does not belong, is addressed. \nIn Barkly East a tug of war exists between groups and individuals who want matters \nto remain constant and those who need the status quo to change. What stands out, \nmoreover, in this community, is its duality on many levels of society, which is played \nout both consciously and unconsciously. This duality is also manifested through \nsocial, racial and economic relations, and is supported by an unequal access to land. \nThis thesis identifies three main elements which contribute to the creation of \nnarratives of belonging in Barkly East. Firstly, history and the perception of history \ncreate strong links between personal and communal identity, which in turn reinforces \nand legitimises claims of belonging. Secondly, hierarchy in terms of gender and race \nplays an important part in this narration, as some residents are more empowered in \nthis process due to either their gender or race. And three, the connection to the land \nthat people appear to have, plays a definitive role in narratives of belonging. Those \nwho feel they have a heritage in this place also feel a connection to the land. For \nthis reason, land for these people embody, not only the physical space of \nsomewhere to belong to, but becomes an integral ingredient to the act of belonging \nand even identity formation.
Author: Karen Nortje
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2269453815