Alter-egos: cultural and media studies.

Abstract

A periodised case study is offered of a number of engagements undertaken by the Centre for

Communication, Media and Society, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, between 1985 and

2012, in facilitating resistance, policy, development and analysis. How cultural and media

studies travelled to South Africa and how the centre negotiated the intersections between

the humanities and social sciences, health and the physical sciences, is examined in terms

of the epistemological alliances and conflicts that emerged. New paradigms ranging from

appropriations of African philosophy and critical indigenous methodologies are discussed

in an environment where new nationalisms are emerging. The story of the centre offers

the fulcrum around which to discuss specific paradigmatic shifts. A new imaginary for the

humanities and social sciences for a rapidly changing South Africa is then briefly proposed.