The Role of Storytelling and the Methodological Challenges Encountered as a Mitigation Strategy in Combatting Anti-Corruption in South Africa: A Narrative Review

Abstract

This paper examines the role of storytelling in anti-corruption efforts in South Africa, highlighting both its potential and its limitations.
Storytelling is increasingly recognised as a people-centred approach that makes complex issues such as corruption more visible and relatable
by drawing on lived experiences. Grounded in social constructivism and narrative theory, it shapes how individuals understand and respond
to corruption within their social contexts. The study adopts a qualitative narrative literature review, analysing interdisciplinary scholarship
to explore how storytelling influences perceptions, social norms and behavioural responses. The findings show that storytelling helps
humanise corruption, fosters emotional engagement and can contribute to shifts in attitudes by challenging the normalisation of corrupt
practices. However, important limitations are identified, including the subjectivity of narratives, difficulties in measuring impact and the
need for contextual adaptation in a diverse society such as South Africa. The study concludes that storytelling is a valuable, however,
insufficient tool on its own. Its effectiveness depends on its integration with broader anti-corruption strategies, including institutional
reforms and context-sensitive interventions. When carefully designed and ethically applied, storytelling can complement conventional

approaches by addressing the social and behavioural dimensions of corruption and supporting more inclusive and sustainable anti-
corruption efforts.