Leaving it to the Children: Non-Racialism, Identity, Socialisation and Generational Change in South Africa

Abstract

Although a critical value of the anti-apartheid movement and within the democratic Constitution, there is a lack of national consensus on the meaning of non-racialism in South Africa and how best it can be achieved, particularly given the continued use of historically defined race categories for redress. In response, the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation and Gauteng City-Region Observatory conducted a series of qualitative focus groups exploring the understanding of non-racialism among South Africans, and found widespread ambiguity about its meaning among research participants. Results suggest that while many continue to associate strongly with identity groups based on apartheid race categories, integration and engagement has increased within public life. Less change has occurred within private spaces, where stereotypes and racism remain firmly intact. Participants view non-racialism as more likely to be achieved by future generations than present ones. However, the research findings cast doubt on whether children will be able to reject stereotypes within families and at home.