Is there a rural public sphere? The case of rural South Africa

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Periodical article

Title:	Is there a rural public sphere? The case of rural South Africa
Author:	Mazibuko, Sibonginkosi
Year:	2009
Periodical:	Africanus
Volume:	39
Issue:	1
Pages:	18-26
Language:	English
Geographic term:	South Africa
Subjects:	communication rural society popular participation
Abstract:	This article analyses the rural public sphere, i.e. the space where people can freely debate public issues and participate in the common affairs of the country, as found in rural South Africa. Contrary to the belief that the public sphere exists only among the urban middle class, the article argues that the concept of a public sphere cannot be confined to urban settings because the effects of national issues that are discussed in those settings also affect people in rural areas. The article further argues that the public sphere as it is found in rural South Africa has a developmental role and that the challenge is to turn this rural public sphere into a tool for development. Bibliogr., note, sum. [Journal abstract]