South Africa’s black middle classes between 2009 and 2018

ABSTRACT

This article considers the social and political action of South Africa's black middle classes during the Jacob Zuma administration (2009 and 2018) during which the governing party fragmented in a disorderly way, partly dissolving traditional class lines. Swathes of black middle classes left the governing party to join the militant Economic Freedom Fighters, new smaller parties and the main opposition party (the Democratic Alliance). The class-based fallout was consequential for the governing party, as it was for theories of middle classes. Using South Africa's experience, this article offers a critique of the dominant neoliberal tradition which imagines an orderly and politically homogeneous class. It further argues that social and political action among the black middle classes should not be viewed as generic, it is rather shaped by dynamics unique to South Africa, including social memory. This, it is argued, blurs class behaviour as articulated by prevailing class theories.

KEYWORDS:

• South Africa
• black middle classes
• class
• social action
• political action

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jason Musyoka

Jason Musyoka is an Associate Researcher based at the Centre for Mediation Studies, University of Pretoria. Jason's academic research focuses on the Political Economy of African Middle Classes in the context of African Development, migration and development and, intergenerational transmission of poverty and wealth in African households, both areas in which he continues to publish.

Jason has previously served as a member of the Advisory Board, the Centre for the Advancement of Scholarship, University of Pretoria. He holds Ph.D from the University of KwaZulu Natal South Africa. Jason is also an external examiner and co-supervisor at the University of Pretoria and the University of North West. He undertakes applied research on Development for multi-lateral institutions, he is a regular Radio commentator on current African Economic Affairs, and a regular contributor to print and TV media.