Black diamonds and excess in the fictional and lived South African city of the early 2000s

The article examines a selection of South African literary and media depictions of the black diamonds, a class of recently wealthy blacks; mostly an urban phenomenon, known for their obsession with the ostentatious expression of wealth. The discussion juxtaposes Zakes Mda’s Black Diamond (2009) with selected media narratives about the well-known black South African businessman and socialite Kenny Kunene, who is known for his flamboyant parties at his clubs and mansion, to determine the nature of the lived and imagined South African city of the early 2000s. The article draws on notions of conspicuous consumption, and other cultural geographic perspectives, especially Sarah Nuttall’s ideas on entanglement (2009). The daily lives of the black diamonds are considered in relation to their history, spatial experiences and aspirations. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract]