Trading in freedom: rethinking conspicuous consumption in post-apartheid political economy: Ulrike Kistner

Registered among the visible changes in the social physiognomy of South Africa post-apartheid is the emergence of a stratum of politically connected entrepreneurs

displaying their newly acquired status through demonstrative consumption (see Seekings and Nattrass 2006: 308; also Posel 2010: 158). This development appears all the more conspicuous as it is highlighted, in stark contrast, against more generalised poverty and deepening inequality (see Seekings and Nattrass 2006: 368; also Leibbrandt et al. 2010: 32; Seekings 2011: 22).