SABC 1: Uzalo S4 – Eps 213 27/11/2018

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Name of the monitor: Sakhile Dube
Name of Television station: SABC 1
Name of programme: Uzalo
Date of broadcast: 27 November 2018
Time: 20:30-21:00
Clip Timing: 2:15 – 4:20
Genre: Drama Series
Theme:
GBV focus explicit or implicit? Implicit
Gem Classification:
Blatant Stereotype
Provide a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FlSQDTEv60&t=920s

A brief description of the scene:
Lady Diniwe “the dynamite distinctive Diniwe” is asked by Nkunzi (man) to seduce a business competitor (Mkhonto) to obtain information on how he successfully manages his business.

Analysis

The scene highlights the existing gender stereotypes in our society where the dominant public view women as sexual objects.

This scene is classified as a blatant stereotype because of the men’s’ reaction to Diniwe. Diniwe is an adult who has consented to seduce a man to further Nkunzi’s and her own business interests. Diniwe’s sexuality and how she has chosen to use it is not objectification if she is in control, feels empowered and is fully consenting to the operation. However the men in the scene undermine Diniwe and perpetuate the stereotype that women will always be dependent on men and “fall in love” with them if they engage in sexual activity.

Diniwe is not praised as a savvy business woman but she is shamed and ridiculed by the men around her. She is stereotypically portrayed as silly and made to be a laughable character. Women should be able to wear revealing clothing and still be respected and taken seriously by men.

Defining women as sex objects has become a common representation in the South African media. Female characters who are stereotypically ‘sexy’ are often one-dimensional. Diniwe is a savvy business woman but the men in the scene do not take her seriously or respect her because of her appearance and her choice to use her body to advance her career. Female characters who are open about their sexuality should also be taken seriously and not slut shamed or discriminated against by male characters.