Lynne Rienner Publishers Logo

Quality of Life and Wellbeing in South Africa

Vasu Reddy, Narnia Bohler-Muller, Zitha Mokomane, and Crain Soudien, editors
Quality of Life and Wellbeing in South Africa
ISBN: 978-0-7969-2663-0
$45.00
ISBN: 978-0-7969-2672-2
$45.00
2024/347 pages
State of the Nation
Distributed for HSRC Press
"Provocative, searing, controversial, and thought-provoking!"—Laetitia Rispel, University of Witswatersrand

DESCRIPTION

In this latest entry in HSRC's State of the Nation series, the authors focus on fresh perspectives on notions of the quality of life and wellbeing in South Africa. Their work reflects two fundamental arguments: that economic factors alone do not determine quality of life, and that typical concepts of income inequality do not adequately encompass such variables as race, gender, and culture. Not least, they also argue that how people make lives and contribute to the lives of others must be considered alongside more traditional variables to paint an accurate picture of quality of life and wellbeing.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vasu Reddy is vice chancellor for research and internationalization at the University of the Free State. Narnia Bohler-Muller is divisional executive of the Developmental, Capable, and Ethical State research program at the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC). Zitha Mokomane is professor of sociology at the University of Pretoria. Crain Soudien, professor emeritus of education and African Studies at the University of Cape Town, is chief executive officer of HSRC.

CONTENTS

  • Introduction—the Editors.
  • QUALITY OF LIFE, POLITICS, AND THE STATE.
  • Quality of Life and Wellbeing: A Good Life?—the Editors.
  • The Rights to Environmental and Human Health and Wellbeing: Just Breathing?—N. Bohler-Muller et al.
  • Wellbeing and Happiness Inequality in South Africa: The Happiness Gap—J.S. Kotze.
  • Needs, Freedom, and Improving Quality of Life in South Africa—L. Hamilton.
  • Wellbeing Equity: Expanding the Notion of Quality of Life—I. Eloff.
  • ECONOMICS.
  • Why Behavioral Insights Matter for the Good Life—J. Burns.
  • Ageing, Remittances, and Improvements to the Quality of Life—M. Makiwane and M. Faku.
  • Quality of Life in an Open Economy—C. Chisadza et al.
  • SOCIETY, CULTURE, IDENTITY,AND PUBLIC GOOD.
  • Quality of Life and Mental Health: A Situated African Psychological Perspective—K. Ratele et al.
  • Vaccines: Key to Improving the Quality of Life and Wellbeing of All South Africans—S.A. Karim et al.
  • Quality of Life and Political Support in South Africa: A Resilient Nation?—B. Roberts et al.
  • Mental Health Amongst External Migrants in South Africa—S.L. Gordon.
  • The Temporal-Spatial Dimensions of Wellbeing—K. van Marle.
  • Quality of Life in the Arts: Radical Solidarity in a Quiet Crisis—N. Makhubu.
  • SOUTH AFRICA AND BEYOND.
  • Human Security, Gender, and Wellbeing in South Africa—S. Africa.
  • Peace, Wellbeing, and the State in Africa: South Africa in Comparative Perspective—F. Olonisakin et al.