Globalisation and Cultural Transformation: African and South African Perspectives

Abstract

What implications does globalisation hold for cultural transformation in Africa and South Africa? This article starts out by analysing the impacts, particularly in terms of cultural transformation, of the current intense process of globalisation. Then it proceeds to investigate the impacts of globalisation on the African continent as they evolved through history, with particular emphasis on the contemporary situation and the implications for African culture. Broad trends in intellectual thinking outside and inside Africa about Africa's position in a globalising world are indicated. Cultural transformation in Africa as a result of globalisation is further investigated by referring to a South African case study, the diaspora of the Afrikaner people.

Power and Informality in Urban Africa, Ethnographic Perspectives

“…Concepts of urbanism and worldliness in the writings of Robinson (2002), Mbembe and Nuttall (2004) and Pieterse (2010) are theoretical devices that allow for understanding African urban modernity as a product of both globalized economies and subjective references. Often related to changes aimed at moving away from rural references and embracing 'global' ones, the notion of modernity in Africa distinguishes people of 'the city' from those of 'the bush' (Nyamnjoh, Durham and Fokwang 2002;Pisani 2004). When applied to individuals in Angola, this distinction can be assessed on the basis of language, gestures, greetings, clothing, or hairstyles, among other things (Brinkman 2003).…”

Power and Informality in Urban Africa

“…Concepts of urbanism and worldliness in the writings of Robinson (2002), Mbembe and Nuttall (2004) and Pieterse (2010) are theoretical devices that allow for understanding African urban modernity as a product of both globalized economies and subjective references. Often related to changes aimed at moving away from rural references and embracing 'global' ones, the notion of modernity in Africa distinguishes people of 'the city' from those of 'the bush' (Nyamnjoh, Durham and Fokwang 2002;Pisani 2004). When applied to individuals in Angola, this distinction can be assessed on the basis of language, gestures, greetings, clothing, or hairstyles, among other things (Brinkman 2003).…”