The individualism of young South African men

“It’s all about the clothes, about how I look. How much cash do I have? How far can I get? Not, what can I do for someone else.” Maphiri, 18, Cape Town

Labelled ‘Born Frees’, young men in South Africa have grown up in a country experiencing fledging democracy. International opportunities are available and consumerism has ushered in a new sense of being for white and black middle class South Africans. As a result of affirmative action by the government regarding black rights and issues, South Africa offers previously undreamed opportunities for many men. Unfortunately, the promises of a post-apartheid government have not entirely come about. Thus, young men are sceptical about the capability of politicians and so men are looking to other mechanisms for mobilising modern opportunities.

They are only interested in the self for this precise reason. Entering a globalised world, young men are strongly conscious of themselves as individuals. This individualism is testing old traditions, and there is a growing cynicism regarding the wisdom of ‘ancient’ clan and groups. Young people tend to associated old traditions with the apartheid era, and therefore distrust them, ignore their value and disengage from most traditional customs. Young educated men, mostly now living and working in urban areas, are fired up by the imperatives of a modern South Africa. They are investing time and money in new forms of masculinity based on the ability to argue and reason. This is an empowering skill; prowess as street-smart individuals has more meaning and value than traditional rites of passage.