Static: Race and Representation in Post-apartheid Music, Media and Film

by Adam Haupt

Analyzing postapartheid culture in South Africa, this book critically examines music, cinema, social media, and the politics of change after apartheid. It cuts across academic disciplines, the creative arts, and the media to pose two central Is South Africa changing for the better, or are we static? Is there too much static for us to hear each other clearly? The various chapters provide key insights into recent media phenomena, such as Die Antwoord, a South African rap-rave group; the 2010 Soccer World Cup; Bok van Blerk, a South African musician; Tsotsi , a 2005 film; Kuli Roberts’ Sunday World newspaper column on “coloureds”; the revisionist film Afrikaaps ; and the University of the Free State’s Reitz video scandal. The close readings of lyrics, videos, and films are loaded with keen insights explaining what the cultural issues are and why they matter.

256 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2012