WELCOME TO MICHELLE SIDAMBE PRESENTATION ON A SUBCULTURE WITHIN SOUTHAFRICA

OVERVIEW OF THE BRIEF  Locate and identify a subculture that exists within society (South African context)  formation of an insight of the subculture

SUBCULTURE DEFINE  It is a social-cultural formation that exists as a sort of island within the larger society  Helps people express themselves and as well show case their lifestyles  People with similar interests

SKATEBOARDING  originally born 1940s- 1950s  originated from surfing originally called sidewalk surfers  Current generation of skateboards is dominated by street skateboarding

WHAT IS SKATEBOARDING  Is a sport, method of transportation, and even seen by some as an art form  The skateboarding scene in South Africa is quite small, but growing steadily, with surfing being much more mainstream.  New skate parks are developed mainly in malls by private enterprises.

THE SKATER Skating boarding is a subculture………….

Where skaters are MEET in Gauteng  Boogaloos - Brightwaters Commons, Johannesburg  Montecasino skate park - Fourways, Johannesburg (Indoor)  Braamfontein juta avenue street  Germiston Bowl - Germiston, Johannesburg  Vaal skate park - Vanderbijlpark  Hartbeespoort skate park - Hartbeespoort

WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THEM  dirty, rebellious, and still firmly tied to punk  WHILE SOME paint a more diverse and controlled picture of skateboarding.  Furthermore, they use hip hop, reggae, or hard rock music, further diluting the sport's punk image.

“WHAT IS THE WORD” WHAT SKATERS SAY ABOUT WHAT THEY DO

SAM THE SKATER “ I’ve always liked the creative side of skateboarding. The freedom inside the sport of skateboarding, and how it’s not about how good you are. So I’ve always been doing crazy creative stuff., I see skating as a way to express oneself individually you learn to let go and be yourself with no limits”

LEBO THE SKATE HEAD “ Skating boarding is all about people coming together and having fun by seeing what each other can do, it is a fresh look at what I can aspire to become in the future, as you know am looking at becoming an pro skater one day”

“Skating is not just a hobby for me it’s a life its who I am its what I eat breathe and live for, it offers me more than life's satisfaction I am skateboarding” JONATHAN THE PRO

SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS SUBCULTURE  Draws from the fact that it is Extension to larger culture but at the same time it is usually an Opposition to larger culture Opposite of what society expects different from the usual.

SO SKATING  Produced when larger culture fails to meet the needs of individuals in society…….  # SKATING BECOMES THAT ELEMENT WHICH MEETS THESE NEEDS………EXCITEMENT, RISK, FUN, ADRENALINE, SAFE HEAVEN, ESCAPE…

therfore  THEY BECOME WHO THEY ARE BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY DO AND THAT IS SKATING.  It becomes an “ESCAPE” away from reality and step into their world- were anything is possible….. Skateboarding offers for these skaters a symbolic element to which skaters construct their identity around

QUOTE  According to Shuker(2009) subcultures “offer a solution, often at a 'magical' or illusionary level, to certain structural problems created by the internal contradictions of a socio- economic structure, which are collectively experienced. ” (Internal contradictions- what people are expected to be) (Shuker, R. (2009). Popular Music: The key concepts. NewYork: Routledge.)

CONCLUSION  Therefore for a subculture to be exist it must have Commitment, Identity- Distinctiveness in nature.  Construction of an identity is based on individualism and the expression of ones self and their rebellious within society.  Skating boarding meets the needs of individuals.