The housing question: Race, class and space in Johannesburg 1994-2017

This book is divided into two parts both of which are intended to locate the analysis of mitigating the relationship between class, race, ethnicity, and  culture within the context of geopolitical spaces.

Part I of the book sets out a theoretical framework within which an analysis of the concepts of class, race, ethnicity and culture can be analysed in a specific historical context. In the context of this analysis the writer draws examples from state institutional arrangements within South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana and, South Sudan. The book draws a distinction between the socio-economic inequalities created by race from those arising from ethnic consideration. Race and ethnicity if defined within geographic spaces often entrench group hegemony and produce hierarchical economic inequalities. The phenomena of racial and ethnic inequalities can be exacerbated if institutionalised within the state system, thus promoting nepotism and diversion of state resources away from the legitimate intended beneficiaries.

 In part II, the book analyses the concept of catalytic human settlements projects within the urban space, specific to Johannesburg, in the context of race and class. It argues that the theory of integrated human settlements is essential but not sufficient to redress the race and class inequalities in society.

The writer conducted a study of the racially integrated Cosmo City and the Corridors of Freedom within Johannesburg. The study of Cosmo City and the Corridors of Freedom in Johannesburg have problematised some of the assumptions that integrated human settlements mitigates the racial and class inequalities. It is not a given that racial and class social group proximity is able to reduce the economic gap between and among the groups.  

Overall, the author attempts to demystify the theory that race, ethnicity and, culture are sacrosanct determinants of national and group identity. In this regard, it is argued that colour does not define national identity of racial groups in society. It is argued that the phenomena of race and culture are social constructs which are influenced and in turn influence the environment within which groups live, precisely because culture is not static nor is it determined within physical space.

One of the unique contributions of this book to social science, the sociological discourse,  is the interdisciplinary approach to the analysis of race, culture and space. It deconstructs the theory that the structure of society is only determined within the realm of economics. It elevates the concepts of culture, ethnicity and race to the level where the socio-economic structure is defined in the context of geopolitical multi-racialism. This approach dismisses the notion that inequalities in society are brought about by intellectual natural race-based attributes.