The construct of work and non-work was explored in a rural area of South Africa using Repertory Grids. A range of occupational niches were identified, and these provided the basis for the research sample. The research made use of the participants' subjective definitions of work and non-work, based on their personal lived experience. Approximately one third of the participants were unable to identify non-work experience in their lives. The article discusses construct themes associated with the distinction between work and non-work, and those associated with the distinction between most and least valued forms of work.
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