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Politics in born-free women’s friendships in South Africa – a feminist perspective
Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2025.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | en_ZA |
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2025
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| _version_ | 1867613908057980928 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Lourens, Caterina Maria |
| author2 | Lester, Claire-Anne |
| author_browse | Lester, Claire-Anne Lourens, Caterina Maria |
| author_facet | Lester, Claire-Anne Lourens, Caterina Maria |
| author_sort | Lourens, Caterina Maria |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/134680 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| language | en_ZA |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:43:36.943Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/134680 Politics in born-free women’s friendships in South Africa – a feminist perspective Lourens, Caterina Maria Lester, Claire-Anne Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Sociology and Social Anthropology. Women -- South Africa -- Social conditions Interpersonal relations -- Political aspects -- South Africa Women -- Social networks Feminism -- South Africa Young women -- South Africa -- Social conditions Women -- Political activity -- South Africa UCTD Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. Lourens, C. M. 2025. Politics in Born-Free Women’s Friendships in South Africa – A Feminist Perspective. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/6985f057-2668-4d11-8e44-139017f45b65 ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigates the varied roles of born-free women’s friendships in South Africa, focusing on how these relationships become spaces for political engagement, to develop personal identities, nurture ethical norms, critique domination systems, and provide refuge within an intricate socio-political landscape. Rooted in an intertwined framework of Intersectional Feminism and Feminist Political Theory, the research employs a qualitative approach, reflective interviews, and a focus group discussion to obtain a deep understanding of the dynamics within these friendships. The findings indicate that friendships among born-free women can expand far beyond personal connections, acting as important spaces for political engagement and resistance. These relationships are central in the formation of collective identities, empowering women to traverse and challenge intersecting forms of oppression while nurturing a feminist ethic rooted in mutual respect and solidarity. The study also emphasises the significance of digital platforms in amplifying the political elements of these friendships, proposing new avenues for activism and collective action. In a society shaped by the legacy of apartheid and the ongoing gender-based violence, the friendships of born-free women appear as vital sources of support, resilience, and empowerment. These relationships provide both emotional and practical aid, acting as platforms for critiquing and destabilising oppressive structures. This research contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the political and social significance of friendships between women, especially in contexts marked by historical and ongoing oppression, and highlights their critical role in the larger struggle for gender equality and social justice. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar nie. Masters 2025-12-23T09:10:41Z 2025-12-23T09:10:41Z 2025-12 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/134680 en_ZA Stellenbosch University 88 pages application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Women -- South Africa -- Social conditions Interpersonal relations -- Political aspects -- South Africa Women -- Social networks Feminism -- South Africa Young women -- South Africa -- Social conditions Women -- Political activity -- South Africa UCTD Lourens, Caterina Maria Politics in born-free women’s friendships in South Africa – a feminist perspective |
| title | Politics in born-free women’s friendships in South Africa – a feminist perspective |
| title_full | Politics in born-free women’s friendships in South Africa – a feminist perspective |
| title_fullStr | Politics in born-free women’s friendships in South Africa – a feminist perspective |
| title_full_unstemmed | Politics in born-free women’s friendships in South Africa – a feminist perspective |
| title_short | Politics in born-free women’s friendships in South Africa – a feminist perspective |
| title_sort | politics in born free women s friendships in south africa a feminist perspective |
| topic | Women -- South Africa -- Social conditions Interpersonal relations -- Political aspects -- South Africa Women -- Social networks Feminism -- South Africa Young women -- South Africa -- Social conditions Women -- Political activity -- South Africa UCTD |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/134680 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT lourenscaterinamaria politicsinbornfreewomensfriendshipsinsouthafricaafeministperspective |