Narrating Everyday Precarity: Women’s Voices from Resource Poor Areas

Veronica Masenya; Katinka de Wet; Jan K. Coetzee

doi:10.18778/1733-8077.13.1.11

Authors

Veronica Masenya University of the Free State, South Africa
Katinka de Wet University of the Free State, South Africa
Jan K. Coetzee University of the Free State, South Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18778/1733-8077.13.1.11

Keywords:

African Family Life, Precarity, Support Networks, Narrative Approach, Mangaung Township

Abstract

African family life in South Africa’s post-apartheid context is shaped by the socio-political history of the country. Despite various attempts to address the remnants of poverty, unequal distribution of resources and the lack of livelihood services still exist. African families from resource poor areas of townships in South Africa are still faced with poverty and deprivation. Black African women, often with minimum schooling, suffer the most from these scourges. This article aims to explore the everyday life narratives of precarity at various levels and the manner in which women from Mangaung Township in Bloemfontein cope with this. They talk about the fragile relationships within the family, about the gendered dynamics of the household, and about the importance of support networks.

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Author Biographies

Veronica Masenya, University of the Free State, South Africa

Veronica Masenya obtained her Master’s degree in the program The Narrative Study of Lives, Department of Sociology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.

Katinka de Wet, University of the Free State, South Africa

Katinka de Wet is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Sociology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.

Jan K. Coetzee, University of the Free State, South Africa

Jan K. Coetzee is a Senior Professor of Sociology and Director of the program The Narrative Study of Lives in the Department of Sociology at the University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa. He specializes in qualitative sociology and serves on several international advisory boards.

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