Are we having fun yet? Leisure and consumption in the post-apartheid city

Recent international literature across a range of disciplines describes how leisure and consumption have become major forces in contemporary society. Such developments have social, economic and geographical implications. At a time when these global changes are combining with dramatic local transform ation, there is an urgent need for South African scholars to engage with in ternational debates on leisure and consumption. The end of apartheid has al lowed people to avail themselves of leisure and consumption opportunities f rom which they were previously excluded, yet the shift from public- to priv ate-sector provision is imposing new geographies of deprivation and exclusi on. The situation is further complicated by the country's increasing incorp oration into global patterns of consumption. This paper seeks to initiate d ebate and set out an agenda for research on the role of leisure and consump tion in shaping South African society and geography.