The current buzz-phrase 'social cohesion' is bandied about with little reflection by South African leaders or spokespeople in politics, business, labour, education, sport, entertainment, or the media. Yet, who would not wish to live in a socially cohesive society? How, then, do we apply this ideal in the daily round when diversity of language, religion, culture, race, and the economy too often supersede our commitment to a common citizenry? How do we live together rather than live apart? Such questions provoke the purpose of the included 'interventions.' The 'interventions'-essays, which are short, incisive, and at times provocative-tackle issues that are pertinent to both living together and living apart: equality and inequality's public pronouncement; xenophobia; safety; chieftaincy in modernity; gender-based abuse; healing; the law; education; identity; sport; new 'national' projects; the role of the arts; and South Africa in the world. In focusing on such issues, the essays point towards the making of a future, in which a critical citizenry is key to a healthy society. Contributors include leading academics and public figures in South Africa today, including: Christopher Ballantine, Ahmed Bawa, Michael Chapman, Jacob Dlamini, Jackie Dugard, Kira Erwin, Nicole Fritz, Michael Gardiner, Gerhard Mare, Monique Marks, Rajend Mesthrie, Bonita Meyersfeld, Leigh-Ann Naidoo, Njabulo S. Ndebele, Kathryn Pillay, Faye Reagon, Brenda Schmahmann, Himla Soodyall, David Spurrett, and Thuto Thipe. [Subject: African Studies, Politics, Literature & the Arts, Sociology, Gender Studies, Xenophobia]

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