RESTRUCTURING SOUTH AFRICAN GEOGRAPHY

ABSTRACT

Geography literature is rife with calls for the protection of the integrity of the discipline with specific reference to the preservation of the space-in-time perspective, and calls for the discipline to start responding to the transformation imperative of the country are also abundant. Throughout the literature, jmphasis has thus far always been on the need for geographers to ensure that their skills and research are applied and are useful in promoting the transformaion process in South Africa. It is however our opinion that the relevance and contribution of the discipline have proven unquestionable, whilst the issue of possible costs or compromises that the discipline may have to endure as a result of ensuring “usefulness” is not always discussed. It is therefore argued in this aper that we as geographers need to pledge a commitment not only to protect the integrity of the discipline (space-in-time perspective) but also to ensure that our skills, knowledge and research are used in an accountable and uncompromising manner during the transition toward a ‘new South African democracy’. Ultimately, the paper aims to reaffirm the fact that we need to ensure that any restructuring of geography does not take place at a cost that is detrimental to the integrity of the discipline.