The portrayal of racial characterisation in South African soap operas : the case of Skeem Saam

Abstract

The emergence of democracy in South Africa brought a fallacious rainbow nation to permit all citizens to benefit from equal opportunities regardless of colour. The national broadcaster, SABC as a tool of transformation to promote multiracialism was meant to depict balanced representations of all races through its programmes such as soap operas. This study’s aim was to examine the depiction of racial characterisation in Skeem Saam which is broadcast by the SABC. The study employed a qualitative approach which allowed the use of descriptive analysis. Purposive sampling was used to determine the soap opera as the most appropriate to examine racial characterisation. The data was collected through qualitative content analysis which enabled the researcher to peruse Skeem Saam’s episodes which address the study’s objectives. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse the data which enabled the analysis of ten characters and the contexts these characters are portrayed in. The study found that there are negative racial misconceptions and stereotypes attached to Black character roles through occupational roles, personality traits, social and economic status as compared to White character roles. Therefore, that there is misrepresentation of Blacks through roles played by Black characters. The study recommends a need for transformative policy amendments which will bind soap opera producers to include realistic and balanced representations of race and gender. Narrative formations should also feature realistic developments in society rather fictional storylines that run at the expense of daunting Blacks growth in South Africa.