Rethinking the rainbow nation as an exponent for nation-building in the post-apartheid era : a successful or failed project?

Abstract

The dispensation of democracy in 1994 birthed endeavours to re-build South African nation. The democratic regime aimed at reconstructing a South African society that cherishes peace, equality, oneness and human rights. This marks the establishment of the rainbow nation as an impulse to harmonise South Africans and validate reconciliation. The rainbow nation is a nation-building project posed and treasured by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and former president Nelson Mandela. It has been devised to conscientise South Africans about unity subsequent to the fall of the apartheid system that engineered racial segregation during its rule. This qualitative study that uses an exploratory design sought to examine the rainbow nation as a recipe for nation-building in the wake of twenty-six years of political emancipation. It has aimed to ascertain whether the rainbow nation project has failed or not. The study has found that some South Africans came forward to honour the rainbow nation project while others have demonstrated reluctance to contribute to the success of it. This is evinced by the enduring apartheid remnants such as racial stereotypes and inequalities which are cemented by the above reluctant South Africans whose actions threaten the rainbow nation project.