Performing Masculinities: Izikhothane in a South African Township

Performing Masculinities: Izikhothane in a South African Township explores the vibrant and controversial world of ukukhothana, a subculture that shocked South African townships in the early 2000s. This book gives the reader a view into the lives of these township youth as they are known to buy expensive clothes, sip on premium alcohol, and engage in high-energy dance-offs and verbal showdowns during mock battles. This book offers a gripping ethnographic account of how young men from impoverished backgrounds use conspicuous consumption to shape their identities and assert their masculinity. All of this unfolds against a backdrop of poverty, where most participants come from working-class families, with some parents employed as domestic workers, general labourers, small informal business owners, administrative clerks, or are unemployed. Mnisi presents an authoritative account of the nuances and complexities of ukukhothana, a consumption practice that has achieved much media attention, but little scholarly engagement. Beyond giving us deep insight into the life-worlds, identities and motivations of the young men who practice this spectacular form of destructive consumption, the analysis speaks volumes about the place of aspiration, consumer culture and masculinity in South Africa. — Mehita Iqani, author of African Luxury Branding and Garbage in Popular Culture The phenomenon of izikhothane is not only a case of young people arrested in unreasonably destructive ways of consumption, but is also a case of wrestling against demons of exclusion, certain forms of manhood, masculinities and dehumanisation. Mnisi neatly unpacks these to show us a sophisticated worldview expressing the challenges of being human, and being a man through rituals of consumption, performance and aspiration. — Shepherd Mpofu, Professor of Communication Studies, UNISA    

Acknowledgements
Preface
Chapter 1: Ukukhothana: A post-apartheid subculture
Chapter 2: Academic perspectives on ukukhothana
Chapter 3: Consumption, masculinities, and izikhothane
Chapter 4: Rehumanisation through consumption
Chapter 5: Booty on fire: Looking at izikhothane through the Veblenian lens.
Chapter 6: Burning to consume? Conspicuous consumption versus aspirational consumption
Chapter 7: On Gender Performativity: Masculinities and social psychology
Chapter 8: Aspirational masculinities: Consumption, masculinities and being a Good Fella
Chapter 9: Consumption and social change
Chapter 10: Conclusion: Is manhood for sale?
Bibliography
Index

Dr. Sifiso Mnisi, a senior lecturer in the Department of Communication and Media at the University of Johannesburg, is set to illuminate the conference with his wealth of knowledge and experience. He holds a prestigious Ph.D. in Communication Studies. His doctoral work centred on exploring the intricate dynamics of youth subcultures of consumption within South African townships. This research not only demonstrated his academic prowess but also highlighted his commitment to understanding the complex fabric of our society. With a career spanning over a decade in higher education, Dr. Sifiso Mnisi has left an indelible mark on the academic landscape. He has lent his expertise to both private and public higher education institutions, contributing significantly to the development of the next generation of scholars and professionals. His research interests are in communication, media, gender, consumption, and cultural studies.