Visual culture has played a significant role in shaping identity formation among young people in post-apartheid South Africa. The review synthesizes existing literature on visual culture and youth studies in South Africa, focusing on academic articles and ethnographic research from the last decade. A key theme identified is the proliferation of hip-hop aesthetics among urban youth, which serves as a unifying force despite social and economic disparities. Visual representations significantly impact how young people perceive themselves and others in South Africa's post-apartheid context. Further research should explore the intersectionality of visual culture with socio-economic status to provide nuanced insights into identity formation.
Nkosi et al. (Wed,) studied this question.