POLITICAL IDENTITY AMONG SOUTH AFRICAN BLACKS IN AND NEAR A CONTEMPORARY HOMELAND

Abstract

In a study of political and cultural identity among Black South Africans, subjects from three localities indicated the degree of importance to them of twelve identities which included African, South African, Black, Ciskeian, Xhosa, urban/rural. Analysis of variance and factor analysis were employed. Patterns of identity in each locality were interpreted in terms of local factors determining cultural and political aspirations. In Grahamstown Ciskeian identity was seen as incompatible with South African, and was firmly rejected. In Zwelitsha attitudes to Ciskeian identity were markedly polarised, but Ciskeian identity was not seen as an alternative to South African identity. In rural Ciskei, Ciskeian identity was highly valued and South African identity was regarded as less important. Certain cultural identities were apolitical in Grahamstown and Rural Ciskei and were highly valued. In Zwelitsha where they had become politicised they were valued markedly less.