"Die lewe vat ek net soos ek dit kry." Life stories and remembrance of older coloured people on farms in the western cape province.

Abstract

The article is an exploration of the past, present and future of older farm workers on wine farms in the Western Cape Province in South Africa. The author shows by means of ethnographic material that life stories of older people reveal how they have overcome poverty, exploitation and violence. The aim of the paper is to answer the question of the meaning of those life stories for older people and others. The author shows that the paternalistic system on the wine farms has positive and negative aspects. It is also argued that the gap between older people and younger generations is more than a 'generation gap' and signifies the profound changes in identity of South African citizens. The present 'violence complex' on farms is situated within the workers' families. The author argues that the nature of the relationships between farm owners and older farm workers safeguard older people against violence.