SABC 1: Uzalo 29/11/2018

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Name of the monitor: Sakhile Dube
Name of Television station: SABC1
Name of programme: Uzalo
Date of broadcast: 29/11/2018
Time: 20:30 – 21:00
Clip Timing: 5:45 – 7:03
Genre: Drama Series
Theme: Family relations,
GBV focus explicit or implicit? Implicit
Gem Classification: Subtle Stereotypes
Provide a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7cp7HqzVpg&t=3s
If no link provides the artefact upload on Dropbox

A brief description of the scene:

In this scene, Nkuzi wants more information about how Mkhonto (a business competitor) does his business and Mxolisi needs to get that information, otherwise, his relationship with Nkunzi will be doomed.

Analysis

The scene is classified as perpetuating subtle stereotypes about South African masculinities. This scene is dominated by negative representations of South African men, such as perpetrators of violence and their criminal behaviour.

The conversation between Nkunzi and Mxolisi highlights hegemonic masculinities that dominate social hierarchies and also subordinates other men and possibly women depending on the community in which it is embedded – which has been an ongoing issue in South Africa, especially in the rural provinces. This scene brings the view that all men are subject to the social pressure of conforming to the dominant ideas of being a real man, and those who do not stand to the ideology are subordinated and or socially marginalised. This also happens to the LGBTQI community.

The scene reinforces the traditional masculinities who are confident, violent and who speak in a raised voice so as to be heard and fulfil their role of subordination. These hegemonic masculinities often treat others unfairly and there is no equal flow of communication as their viewpoints dominate. Men are often portrayed as unforgiving businessmen who will do anything to make their business successful.

Hegemonic masculinities do not allow for a reasonable balance when speaking to subordinated male figures but rather they want their viewpoints to be heard and their word is final. Other men confine to whatever these hegemonic masculinities for example, in this scene, to earn Nkunzi’s trust, Mxolisi has to do what he says no matter how difficult it is.

The scene failed to challenge the stereotypes that help to shape men’s own views about how they should act and also that doing things in an aggressive way is the norm.