Loxion Kulta: General Discussion

Its not easy to unpack the South African culture because of it's multilateral tradition and rich histrory that informs the existance of its civilians. I appreciate the questions and will do my best to concise the reply....

Loxion Kulta is a man-made culture which is embraced by those who understand how they came to be where they are in the current south Africa. These would especially include the youth across the colour , tradition and cultural spectrum. I will give a brief but typical example of the distinct variation and shifts within the urban/suburban cultural differences based on traditional background. As I mentioned at the begining of this topic that "e'kasi" is a term coined for home in the townships/ghettos/previously disadvantaged areas, I happen to have been brought up in a township, Mamelodi (15min drive out of the capital city Pretoria). Stereotype has it that the township living conditions are of poverty but I believe poverty is extremely relative. For example, in an informal settlement such as Mandela village (shanty towns located in the outskirts of all South African townships) one can see themselves as an average civilian because they have a job, therefore able to provide roof over the head and food on the table. Whereas their neighbour might see themselves as poverty stricken because they are unable to obtain their desired latest mobile phone. These dynamics are informed by the various factors such as traditional backgrounds of the dwellers. for example; my family is of Bapedi "tribe" and our neighbours vary from Ama-Zulu, Basotho, Batsonga etc, depending on the traditional differences poverty/wealth/success and so on will vary accordingly. See the general culture of "Bantu" people including the above mentioned is dependent upon "Ubuntu" (humanness), which means building a community within a society, therefore gaining a sense of belonging by locating one's space. Nonetheless these neighbours feel comfortable to a certain degree within their space therefore calling their village e'kasi or home. other factors that contribute immensely towards this man-made culture is the building infrustructures. In townships, yards and houses are generally crammed together meaning you will see your neighbour almost everyday resulting in a cultural exchange beginning with language. Through these dialogues people create a common denominator whereby juxtaposition[ed] words such as "Loxion Kulta" demonstates a connection across varied backgrounds as well as a socio-shift in the positive direction.

While in uni I lived in Windsor a suburb in Jozi currently infested by students, early graduates and working class youth. During the old south Africa (Apartheid regime...a whole new chapter on its own) the only people of colour found in such areas were domestic workers. This however changed with the new and democratic south Africa. In these areas, the building infrustructures are such that one does not see their neighbour unless they had to. These notions have however been challeged by the multicultural tenants occupying the space. This way blacks, whites, yellows, etc are forced to create cultural exchages thus creating their own "Loxion Kulta" in a place they call e'kasi.

Housing infrustructures and living conditions are just a fraction of the many layers that bring people together or push them apart in South Africa.

The internet has become a mouth piece for many South Africans to engage in discussions on social, politics, economy and general factors that contribute to the society. I will say a minority is elightened towards these channels of communication. However this is constantly evolving as sites like:
www.jhblive.co.za
www.kush.co.za
www.represent.co.za
...to name but a few have interesting forums, editorials, event guides etc. so check them out and tap into the SA youth thoughts. I believe its important for the international community to see from a South African point of view as opposed to relying only on media images to learn about the country in general.

It would be interesting to hear what the internationals as well as south Africans think about the living conditions and how they relate to this in terms of "home" and man-made cultures that informs their existance...