Narrative comparison and popular appeal of South African television drama series: a textual analysis of Yizo Yizo and InterSexions.

Abstract

This a textual analysis studies of narrative which examines the narrative structure and functions of two South African television drama series: Yizo Yizo and InterSexions. Both Yizo Yizo and InterSexions are part of the edutainment programmes designed by SABC in partnership with the South African Department of Education. The study’s main focus is to analyse and compare the narrative structure of both series in terms of characters formation and development; the means in which the meaning was create. The study used a qualitative approach as the method for data collection. Thematic analysis was employed for analysing the primary data gathered from viewing both dramas. The study was mainly informed by two narrative theories: Propp’s narrative theory and Levi-Straus’ structural theory. These theories explain the process in which a narrative structure is formed. The primary data was analysed with the desktop and library data which serve as the secondary data. These two drama shows have a complete different narrative structure. Yizo Yizo is a television serial and utilised the structure of serial. The drama features the same characters across all episodes whereas InterSexions as a television series features different characters in each episode. Yizo Yizo has the same defined story that runs from the first to the last episode, whereas in contract, InterSexions have a new story each episode. Despite these differences, both shows had a popular appeal among South Africans.