Engaging with society

EWS2601 – Assignment 3
Unique Assignment Number: 845257

Taskeen Khan

Student number: 45297223

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Activity

Activity 1

1.1 We have seen in the discussion up to now that race played an important role in creating South Africa as we know it today. If you were to speculate about future trends, how important would you say race would be as a factor in South Africa in the future, especially when compared with class? Do you think there is a chance that greater solidarity could develop along class lines in the future? Give reasons for your answer.
1.2 Could they have become members of the upper class in the 20th century if it had not been for the colonial policy of segregation and the
These lower to middle class Black communities still feel “done in” and believe that they should be afforded more opportunities. This also tends to show in the patterns of bribery and corruption. If these communities believe they are not afforded an opportunity, they will find a way, no matter what the cost. I believe the reason for this is that even after twenty years of freedom they still have an attitude of “survival mode” and subliminally pass these thoughts, behaviours and attitudes to their children.
5|Page

Perhaps there is a better opportunity in the next 15 years for the younger generation to realize that it is not about race and maybe in solidarity make it about class.

1.2

Could they have become members of the upper class in the 20th century if it had not been for the colonial policy of segregation and the later policy of apartheid? Give reasons for your answer.

In a previous unit you encountered the perception that old money is more “respectable” than new money, and that the “right” furnishings and house can increase your status. In the case of the Mbeki’s, whatever old money they had had clearly disappeared. However, is there a sense in which the oak table highlighted here is indeed a marker of high status in the new
South Africa? To answer this question, note that we are not referring to the obvious fact that
Thabo Mbeki was at one stage president of the country, and that his family would clearly be
afforded