WHITE HOBBY/BLACK OPPORTUNITY: Perceptions and motivations of police reservists in Johannesburg

Authors

  • Claudia Forster-Towne Africa Institute for South Africa (AISA) and the University of Johannesburg.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3108/2013/i46a806

Keywords:

Police reservists, Johannesburg, South Africa, SAPS, race

Abstract

This article discusses the racialised and dichotomous way in which suburban reservists articulate their motivations for joining the South African Police Service (SAPS); namely, that white reservists are believed to join as a hobby whereas black reservists join for an opportunity to gain employment. Using interviews, this article illustrates how these perspectives are tied to broader societal expectations, which are informed in and through race and class relations. It concludes with a call for further research to build on this largely exploratory research.

 

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Author Biography

  • Claudia Forster-Towne, Africa Institute for South Africa (AISA) and the University of Johannesburg.
    Sustainable Development Division and Development Studies and Anthropology Department

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Published

2013-03-08

Issue

Section

Research articles