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Izikhothane Izikhothane (or Skothane or Ukukhothana) is a South African showmanship or battle in which individuals or groups of individuals take on each other in front of large crowds to determine which group or person is more affluent. The battle between opponents is to see who is more wealthier. This is done by using material items such as money, mobile phones, clothes and alcohol. The more expensive these items are, the better chance a person has of winning the battle. In most instances a battle is won by destroying these expensive items (such as tearing up cash notes, burning clothes, pouring alcohol on the ground) to demonstrate that the person is rich enough to afford more of these items.

The word Izikhothaneis a combination of 2 Zulu words, Izikhotha (to lick) and Ukukhothana (to mock). The word Izikhothaneis township slang for “the one with the most expensive clothes”. The reference to licking symbolises the licking of a person’s fingers to go through wads of money. The reference of licking can also be attributed to being covered in Ultramel custard which is regarded as a luxury desert in South African black townships and is used in Izikhothane battles.

Origin A similar trend called uSwenka existed in South Africa in the 1950s where migrant workers and labourers dressed themselves in their finest suits and shoes to compete in contests. The winner of these contests would win extra money or household necessities or goats, which they would send to their families.Izikhothane originated in the early 2000s in the South African townships of Soweto and Diepsloot. The act remained largely unnoticed until it gained popularity in 2011 and 2012.

Purpose The aim of the battle to show more abundance than your opponents as this determine the winner of the battle. There is no tangible rewards for winning an Iziknothane battle, just the recognition and affection from the public that witness the battle. Many youth that take part in Izikhothane battles believe that it keeps them away from drugs, gangs and a life of crime.

Arena for the battle The act or battle is performed in public places such as parks or any open spaces where large crowds can gather to witness the battle.

Who performs in Izikhothane battles Izikhothane battles are performed mainly by black lower and middle class youth who spend money on expensive items such as clothes, mobile phones, shoes and alcohol. These youth spend beyond their income means and beyond their parent’s income means.

Where Izikhothane performed Izikhothane is mainly popular in South Africa’s black townships and is mainly performed by male youth between the ages of 12 to 25 years of age. Although the popularity of Izikhothane has started to attract more female youth as well.

How Izikhothane is performed In order to perform in an Izikhothane battle, a person must first purchase expensive items such as clothing, shoes, alcohol and exorbitant accessories such as watches and mobile phones. Loud, colourful, branded items are a necessity. Contestants also wear a different shoe on each foot to demonstrate that they have more than one pair of expensive shoe. The more your gear costs, the more dominant you are able to be in the battle. Once at the battle venue, a contestant calls out an opponent. Thereafter these 2 contestants dance around showing off their expensive material items to each other and the crowd. In order to win the battle, a contestant may be required to destroy their material items such as tearing up cash notes, burning or tearing up their expensive brands clothing or pouring out expensive alcohol or Ultramel onto the ground. The winner is decided by the crowd in which the crowd cheers for the contestant that impressed them the most with their wealth.

Notes and references http://www.mahala.co.za/culture/burn-swag-burn/ http://observers.france24.com/content/20130909-burning-money-there%E2%80%99-no-tomorrow-welcome-bizarre-world-%E2%80%9Cizikhothane%E2%80%9D http://www.activateleadership.co.za/blog/izikhothane-clever-statement-or-waste-of-youth-have-your-say http://lifeissavage.com/2012/05/30/watch-the-full-3rd-degree-izikhothane-episode-ultramel-is-the-new-bling-video/

http://www.iol.co.za/the-star/burning-bling-1.1343682