Deconstructing Masculinities in Post-Apartheid South African Cinema: A Critical Queer Feminist Critique

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies | Vol. 11, No. 9, August 2026 | pp. 217–224

DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJGWS/001275

Article Type: Review Article

Title: Deconstructing Masculinities in Post-Apartheid South African Cinema: A Critical Queer Feminist Critique

Names of Authors: Dr. Sibonelo K. Khumalo¹

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Media and Cultural Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

Abstract:
This paper offers a critical review of the cinematic representation of masculinities in post-apartheid South African feature films produced between 2010 and 2026. Reviewing 45 selected films through a queer feminist theoretical framework, the study tracks the visual evolution of male identity across different racial and class boundaries. The analysis reveals that early post-apartheid cinema heavily relied on hyper-masculine, militarized tropes to rebuild post-colonial national identities, which reinforced patriarchal domination and heteronormative structures. The study traces how contemporary directors have begun to subvert these rigid tropes by introducing complex narratives that portray male vulnerability, queer desires, and alternative domestic roles. However, the findings indicate a persistent commercial bias: large production companies regularly prioritize films that market traditional, aggressive Zulu or Afrikaner masculinities to international distributors to maximize profits. The thematic analysis shows that alternative expressions of manhood are often relegated to low-budget, independent film spaces, which limits their public reach. The study highlights significant gaps in media research regarding how film consumption shapes gender attitudes among young male viewers. It concludes by outlining a new framework for cultural studies that encourages media funding institutions to support content that actively deconstructs toxic masculinity constructs.

Keywords: Cinema Studies, Masculinities, Cultural Representation, Queer Feminism, Media Bias, South Africa

Manuscript Timeline: Received: May 10, 2026; Revised: July 02, 2026; Accepted: July 29, 2026; Published: August 31, 2026.

Citation: Khumalo, S. K. (2026). Deconstructing Masculinities in Post-Apartheid South African Cinema: A Critical Queer Feminist Critique. African Journal of Gender and Women Studies, 11(9), 217–224. DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJGWS/001275

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