Afrikaans-speaking South Africans on screen : a comparative visual textual analysis of Afrikaans identity in selected Afrikaans television dramas

Abstract

Afrikaans television has experienced numerous transitions since the introduction of television in South Africa in 1976. An interesting trend in Afrikaans television since 2007 involves the rebroadcast of programmes, by the SABC and kykNET, which were originally produced 10 or even 20 years ago. These broadcasters do not only rebroadcast their own Afrikaans material, they also rebroadcast each other’s material. Consequently, for the last several years, Afrikaans television programmes have been diverse in terms of source (SABC or kykNET) and original context (time of production and first broadcast). Against this background certain questions arose regarding the comparability of these different Afrikaans programmes and how each programme constructs Afrikaans identity in a certain way that is relative to its original context of production. This comparative study explored the construction of Afrikaans identity in three Afrikaans television dramas each originating from a different context of production. The sample consisted of Ballade vir ’n Enkeling (BE) (SABC: 1987; rebroadcast on SABC 2: 2007), Wenners (SABC: 1992/1993; rebroadcast on kykNET: 2009) and Song vir Katryn (Song) (kykNET: 2003; rebroadcast on SABC 2: 2008). This study is situated within the context of cultural studies and a qualitative visual textual analysis was conducted, using narrative and semiotic analysis methods to unpack the meanings communicated by the selected visual texts. Relevant themes, including language, gender, class and values, were identified and examined. It was found that language-wise, these programmes reveal a major shift from the 1980s and early 1990s (on the SABC) to the 2000s (on kykNET) regarding the use of the Afrikaans language. BE and Wenners show standardised Afrikaans as the norm, while in Song nonstandardised Afrikaans takes the dominant position. In terms of gender the texts from the 1980s and 1990s endorse traditional gender roles and heterosexual relationships as part of Afrikaans identity. The text from the 2000s, conversely, depicts both traditional and modern conceptualisations of gender and acknowledges both heterosexual and homosexual relationships. Class did not surface as a significant theme in BE or Wenners, but in Song this theme highlights the class awareness of a conservative Afrikaans community. Song constructs an Afrikaans identity that challenges Afrikaner conservatism. Each programme’s values themes highlighted a particular focus. BE explores the complex relationship between the individual and the group within the 1980s. Wenners emphasises a conservative approach to Afrikaans identity that favours order, authoritative structure and good behaviour. In contrast, Song tackles the controversial issues of substance and sexual abuse, and presents an Afrikaans identity that is willing to deal with these taboo topics in an openminded way. Finally, it was found that although all three texts are critical of the traditional nuclear family construct, they still maintain that even when contested, family remains a key part of Afrikaans identity. In comparing these texts, similarities and differences were identified, but the findings show a noticeable transmutation, from the 1980s to the 1990s and finally the 2000s, in the conceptualisation and representation of Afrikaans identity.