Fostering national inclusion in South Africa through social movements : the role of visual arts education practices

Abstract

: This study examines the development of a collective historical memory and the relevant obstacles that hinder harmonious symbiosis in the socio-culturally and economically heterogeneous South African society through social awareness, mutual acceptance, assimilation, and integration. By analysing the role of three renown social movements, namely #FeesMustFall, #RhodesMustFall, and #BlackLivesMatter, the study explores their inclusive potential through their unifying dynamics as well pedagogically, their thematic introduction in the Visual Arts class especially their impact on teachers’/learners’ interaction. The subject matter is approached from three critical angles: a) nationally, by an analysis of the controversial concept of collective historical memory in the South African cultural and historical context; b) educationally, through a pedagogical examination of the #hashtag platform inclusive dynamics for organising constructive social movements, attracting public participation, evoking social empathy, and facilitating open communication; and c) pedagogically, by assessing the educational role of Visual Arts approaches in developing critical thinking and creativity, and socially relevant to collective national consciousness. This includes understanding social awareness of community needs, engaging in collective protests for social justice and equality within the South African socio-historical context. To assess the collective influence of the #hashtag approach and its power to transform and innovate the South African educational system through an inclusive approach, the research discussed existing studies from a critical viewpoint. The findings bring to the fore the advantageous contributions as well as potential obstacles social media may cause to social movements, highlighting the urgent need for South Africa to foster a cohesive social exchange between different societal groups and dismantle the deeply-rooted barriers in the historically fragmented society. The dynamics of activism, information dissemination, and collective behaviour in the digital age of nowadays are central issues in understanding the intersection of social movements, social media, and socially relevant arts education. Additionally, promoting inclusion through the integration of social movement knowledge into educational curricula (such as History, Sociology, Communication, and Languages) can prepare and empower young individuals to critically engage with societal issues and contribute to positive social transformation