Harmonising Diversity: A Descriptive Analysis of Connecting Children in South Africa through Creative Arts Education

Sakhiseni Joseph Yende; Thelma Mort

doi:10.25159/2312-3540/19086

Authors

Sakhiseni Joseph Yende University of South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7649-2799
Thelma Mort University of South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8775-0618

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25159/2312-3540/19086

Keywords:

agency, creative arts education, cultural understanding, empowerment, social cohesion

Abstract

Creative arts education has emerged as a global tool for promoting social cohesion among children, particularly in semi-peripheral and peripheral countries. However, South African schools, like those in other emerging nations, continue to face challenges in implementing creative arts education programmes. Limited resources, including funding, facilities, and materials, present significant obstacles to the effective delivery of these programmes, underscoring the urgent need for attention and support in this area. The purpose of this article was to explore harmonising diversity: a descriptive analysis of connecting children in South Africa through creative arts education using social identity theory (SIT) and contact theory. A qualitative research methodology was employed to analyse the role of creative arts education in connecting children in South Africa. This theoretical article used a systematic, descriptive review design to examine the influence of creative arts education on fostering social cohesion and cultural understanding among children from diverse backgrounds. The findings revealed that to unlock the full potential of creative arts education, there is a pressing need for increased investment in resources, teacher training, and curriculum development. Addressing these systemic challenges and embracing the insights from this study would enable South Africa to harness the transformative power of arts education in promoting cultural understanding, social cohesion, and positive societal change. The article concludes that creative arts education has the potential to serve as a powerful force for unity, inclusion, and nation-building in South Africa.

Author Biography

Sakhiseni Joseph Yende, University of South Africa

Sakhiseni Joseph Yende is an emerging and distinguished multidisciplinary scholar currently affiliated with the University of South Africa as a Lecturer in the College of Education, within the Department of Language Education, Arts & Culture. Prior to this position, Dr Yende served as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of the Western Cape’s Centre for Humanities Research. His academic journey reflects substantial achievements across the performing arts, with a specialized focus on opera. As a Postdoctoral Fellow, Dr Yende has published over 35 articles in DHET-Accredited local and international journals. Dr Yende’s Ph.D. research, titled "Investigating the Challenges and Discovering Workable Solutions for the Future of Opera Companies in South Africa," positions him as a forward-thinking voice in his field. Dr Yende's diverse professional background includes impactful roles across education, research, and community engagement. Between 2014 and 2015, he worked as a library assistant in the Faculty of Arts & Design at Tshwane University of Technology. In 2016, he advanced to a junior researcher and project manager role at Jive Media Africa, focusing on empowering marginalised youth in rural South Africa, and served as head of music and a teacher at JD Mosiah Primary School. His commitment to education and the arts led him back to Tshwane University of Technology in 2017, where he held positions as assistant lecturer, research assistant, and curriculum development assistant until 2023. There, he taught a course in research methods and supervised honours and master’s students in disciplines including Dance, Vocal Arts (Opera), and Musical Theatre. Dr Yende’s research interests span musicology, ethnomusicology, music education, African music, gospel music, opera, political sciences, and education. His interdisciplinary approach and dedication to advancing the performing arts establish him as a respected figure poised to make significant contributions in the years to come.

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