Identity and agency in South Africa

Abstract

It is often assumed that a sense of interconnectedness with others and a common identity, suchas that associated with the idea of “rainbowism”, can only be achieved after a host of socialinjustices, inequities and other material problems have somehow been addressed. Related to this,Western social theory proposes that addressing these problems requires mobilising op/positionalidentities that can free individuals from their constraints. Yet if we are to suppose that identityshapes our very interests, then the converse might be true. Social injustices, inequities and othermaterial problems may only be resolved once a sense of relatedness and interconnectivity withthe community at large is established. In this article I show how the African moral theory of ubuntucan help us achieve this by contributing to understandings of identity and agency that work inconcert with systems and structures and towards shared ends. Hence, while theorists largelyfocus on the potential of identity to confront wanting social realities and to create freedom fromconstraint, I suggest that through ubuntu, identity can be reimagined as mutualistic and symbioticwith social organisation – enabling, as a result, more equity and justice. Critical of false andmisappropriated manifestations of unity, my article contributes to a novel understanding of therelationship between identity and agency towards reimagined notions of rainbowism.