Intercultural Autoethnographies
Voices of South African Gen Z
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- Description
- Contents
- Reviews
- About
South Africa’s Gen Z is currently navigating a dynamic landscape of social, cultural, and political change, balancing issues of identity, belonging, and connecting in a diverse world. Their intercultural experiences are shaped by their personal journeys, anchored in their socio-cultural backgrounds, influenced by a society that is rapidly evolving.
Intercultural Autoethnographies brings together 20 personal narratives, each offering a deep exploration into the intercultural voyages of young South Africans. These positive autoethnographies delve into individual ways to traverse diversity and cultural differences and show the complexities of the transforming Post-Apartheid society. The stories offer a snapshot of Gen Z forging connections and negotiating cultural boundaries with hope and resilience.
Offering novel perspectives, Intercultural Autoethnographies provides a window into contemporary South Africa and is essential for scholars, students, and practitioners interested in intercultural communication, positive autoethnography, narrative approaches, African studies, and youth culture. Readers will be thrilled by engaging with these future voices and develop a new understanding of cultural diversity through the eyes of Gen Z in the complex South African society.
Chapter 1. Introduction; Claude-Hélène Mayer, Present Raymond Ramalepe, and Alyssa Govender
- Chapter 2. African Calling; Claude-Hélène Mayer
- 1. Voices of Young Black South Africans’ Intercultural Experiences
- Chapter 3. A Xhosa Girl; Ayanda Zona Nikita Dlova
- Chapter 4. Embracing the Spitori Culture; Olebogeng Tshiamo Namane
- Chapter 5. “I might be considered a coconut …”; Siphesinhle Nombuso Shiba
- Chapter 6. Stories from Beyond the Border Town; Tsholofelo Eugenia Nkhuma
- Chapter 7. Embracing Diversity: Present Ramalepe’s Autoethnographic Journey; Present Raymond Ramalepe
- Chapter 8. Zulu Traditions and Cultural Learnings; Sanele Buhle Cyril Khanyile
- 2. Indian Culture in Intercultural Perspectives
- Chapter 9. My First Hindu Wedding as a White South African; Corli Delport
- Chapter 10. About Hairstyles and Funerals: A South African Indian Perspective; Lanika Stanley
- Chapter 11. Cultural Exploration from Rural Roots to Urban Diversity; Yaseera Mayet
- 3. English and Afrikaans White Perspectives on Intercultural Experiences
- Chapter 12. Working for a Black-owned Business: A South African English Perspective; Tessa Hiscock
- Chapter 13. Adoption in Cross-cultural Perspective; Rebecca White
- Chapter 14. Experiences in Coloured, Tswana and Jewish traditions: A South African Afrikaans View; Divan de Beer
- Chapter 15. My African Home; Michelle Zerbe
- Chapter 16. Being an Anglophone Boer; Liandré Llewelyn Gibson
- Chapter 17. Getting Up Again: A Story of South African Resilience; Denise Oldewage
- 4. Experiences of South African Women Going International
- Chapter 18. Going International: Exploring Germany; Alyssa Govender
- Chapter 19. Slovakia: An Experience of a Lifetime; Sherwen Kagisho Tshitlho
- 5. Intercultural Experiences of “Foreigners” in South Africa
- Chapter 20. Pride in my Cultural Heritage: Being of Congolese Background in South Africa; Eliza Sibongile Kabulu
- Chapter 21. Becoming a Man and Death Across Cultures; Ronald Machingambi
An enlightening journey into intercultural identities that inspires a clearer picture of a whole community’s struggles and resilience.
The power of positive reflexivity shines through in these Gen Z South African intercultural narratives to convey a strong message of hope despite so many challenges... positive autoethnography at its best!
Claude-Hélène Mayer is a Professor of Industrial and Organisational Psychology at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. Professor Claude-Hélène Mayer, University of Johannesburg, South Africa, has been awarded the prestigious HERS-SA Higher Education Women Leaders Awards (HEWLA) 2025, recognising her scientific work in the category Humanities and Social Sciences.
With a prolific body of work that bridges psychology, cultures and management and deepens our understanding of the human experience, Prof. Mayer continues to inspire readers and scholars worldwide. The HEWLA Award celebrates her dedication to transformative scholarship and woman leadership.
Alyssa Govender is currently a Master student in Industrial and Organisational Psychology at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa.
Present Ramalepe is currently a Master student in Industrial and Organisational Psychology at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa.