PERFORMING MASCULINITIES, 'izikhothane' in a South African township

168pp., illus., paperback, HSRC Press, Cape Town, 2025

ISBN: 9780796926869

Izikhothane is the term used to refer to mainly young black men from impoverished backgrounds who engage in mock battles of conspicuous consumption where luxury items are often destroyed. The practice became notorious in the early 2000s. Ukukhothana is Zulu slang for “boasting”.

"Mnisi presents an authoritative account of the nuances and complexities of ukukhothana, a consumption practice that has achieved much media attention but little scholarly engagement. Beyond giving us deep insight into the life-worlds, identities and motivations, the analysis speaks volumes about the place of aspiration, consumer culture and masculinity in South Africa." Mehita Iqani, author of African Luxury Branding and Garbage in Popular Culture

"The phenomenon of izikhothane is not only a case of young people arrested in unreasonable destructive ways of consumption, but it is also a case of wrestling against demons of exclusion, certain forms of manhood, masculinities and dehumanisation. Mnisi neatly unpacks these to show us a sophisticated worldview expressing the challenges of being human, and being a man through rituals of consumption, performance and aspiration." Shepherd Mpofu, Professor of Communcation Studies, UNISA

Sifiso J.G. Mnisi is a senior lecturer in the Department of Communication and Media, University of Johannesburg.