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3: African Language Films
  • ISSN: 1754-9221
  • E-ISSN: 1754-923X

Abstract

The scapes of South African film and television are dynamic canvases reflecting the nation’s sociolinguistic complexities. However, casting for film and television in post-apartheid South Africa has been marked with controversies. Many experienced and emerging television actors have complained that they are being overlooked because of their ethnicities, language skills, skin tone, body shape and social media status. This article examines the nuanced sociolinguistic factors influencing casting decisions in the South African film and television industry. It investigates how language varieties, accents and linguist backgrounds become instruments through which characters are constructed and narratives unfold. The choices made in casting resonate beyond the screen, impacting societal perceptions, reinforcing stereotypes or challenging established norms. The research draws on sociolinguistics frameworks to uncover the implicit biases embedded within the power structures inherent in casting processes. The article examines how linguistic diversity, or lack thereof, reflects and contributes to broader issues of social inclusion, cultural representation and linguistic hegemony. Through interviews with casting directors, directors, actors and producers, the article seeks to unravel the sophisticated web of sociolinguistic considerations that shape the faces and voices audiences encounter in South African film and television. In essence, this sociolinguistics-informed exploration of the politics of casting in South African film and television seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of how languages shape and reflect the sociocultural landscape, unveiling the complexities of representation in a diverse and multilingual society.

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2025-11-25
2026-04-16

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  • Article Type: Article
Keyword(s): diversity; entertainment; exclusion; isiZulu; language; South Africa; telecinematic discourse

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