Abstract
The study explores three women’s intercultural experiences within the Gauteng Province in Post-Apartheid South Africa. Their experiences are influenced by diverse intersectionality’s their cultural background, language competencies, age, gender, socio-economic status as well as upbringing. The study explores how women use intercultural communication situations to develop their own identity and empower themselves through overcoming interculturally challenging situations.
In terms of its methodology, this study is qualitative and uses a social constructivist research paradigm. The researchers present four autobiographical narrations, analysed and interpreted in detail through content analysis. Limitations and ethical considerations are highlighted.
Findings show the described experiences in intercultural situations which touch mainly on four themes, namely: non-verbal and verbal intercultural communication challenges, intercultural communication in the new world of work, intercultural conflicts, and identity development. This article focuses on intercultural communication situations which had, according to the narrators, a major impact on their identity development. This is of major importance since South African society requires women with new and integrated identity concepts, to overcome concepts of Apartheid and separation, and empower women of different cultural backgrounds. Conclusions are drawn and recommendations for future theory and practice are given which can be applied, primarily in the South African society to empower women in intercultural contexts.
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Chetty, S., Theron, A., Sibisi, L., Hlongwane, D., Mayer, CH. (2023). Women’s Empowerment through Intercultural Communication and Identity Development in South Africa. In: Mayer, CH., et al. Women's Empowerment for a Sustainable Future. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-25924-1_4
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