TITLE:
Imagining Women: Cultural Representation of Women and Gender in Xhosa Radio Plays Pre-1994
AUTHORS:
Khaya Gqibitole
KEYWORDS:
Apartheid, Marginalization, Gender Inequality, Marriage, Radio Plays
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.8 No.8,
August
24,
2020
ABSTRACT: Apartheid was a deeply devastating system to the aspirations, dignity and
human rights of black people. Apartheid, though, united them in their struggle
for justice which culminated in the 1994 general elections. Despite the
attainment of independence, though, black women still had to contend with
another form of oppression—patriarchy. This study investigates stereotypical
gender representation of women in Xhosa radio plays. The study used a
qualitative approach and analyzed radio plays that were broadcast in the
apartheid years. Two radio plays; Thamsanqa’s Buzani Kubawo (ask father) and Kheswa’s USomagqabi were analyzed in order to understand how women were
written into the plays. Radio plays were decidedly gendered inappropriate and unapologetically biased towards
men. In this regard, the study deployed the feminist poststructuralist theory
and suggested possibilities for the attainment of women’s emancipation in the
new dispensation. It offered that women should challenge the plays’ propagation
of gender inequality that hinders women’s equal rights by heeding Cixous’ call that “woman must write woman”. The double oppression of women because of their
skin color and gender can only be defied when women themselves tell their own
stories. Therefore, the study recommended gender-sensitive radio content and an
inclusive staffing at the SABC so as to ensure that radio plays carry a
transformative agenda that breaks gender stereotypes such as inequality, marginalization
and oppressive marriages. The plays must champion socio-cultural realignment
and promote equal education as well as meaningful involvement of women in
decision making.