Against the odds: Community citizenship education and drama in South Africa

The concept of community is widely contested and controversial in modern South Africa. Following democracy, the government envisaged deep seated citizen action where participatory democracy was a right and expected of members of so-called ‘communities’. Given the fractured and diverse nature of many population groups, this chapter critically examines that aim in terms of citizen action and education projects and reasons for their limited successes. The notion of schools as ‘free spaces’, where citizen action education can take place is examined as is the problematic nature and status of citizenship education within the education system. In the light of widespread dysfunction, particularly in the school system, opportunities for citizenship and community focused education using drama are limited though a localised, often vibrant, series of drama inputs tour communities and occasionally derive from within them. The contribution and contested formulation of community theatre and its potential for community and citizen action is discussed. The chapter concludes by discussing what parameters might need to be met to more firmly embed drama and other positive actions to enhance citizenship actions for community democracy.