How to build a shared South African identity beyond race and ethnicity

Building a shared South African common identity, often referred to as a ‘civic nationalism’, must involve economic redress, tackling racism, and a rebalance of apartheid-inherited power relations. It must be built on solidarity for the vulnerable across ethnicity, colour, and political affiliation, which means that social justice must underpin governing.

This is according to Professor William Gumede from the Wits School of Governance. In his paper titled ‘Fostering a common South Africanness based on democracy, diversity and social justice’, and published by Inclusive Society, he states that race, and the continued legacy of apartheid inequalities, where most blacks are poor, and whites are better off, is one of the fault lines in the country’s efforts to build a common South Africanness.

“Building commonality based on difference presents a unique challenge. In the South African type of colonial and apartheid history, white skins were bestowed with more social, political, and economic power. Power was further dispersed based on skin pigmentation.

“It will be critical that economic development policies focus on genuinely uplifting not only the poor, but the widest number of people at the same time, whatever their race, colour or political affiliation – rather than a small elite, whether white or black or both. If the poor black majority is left out of prosperity, a common South Africanness will remain a fading dream,” Gumede states.

He said that leadership style matters very much, and there is going to be a premium on South Africa’s political leaders to govern at all times for every South African, not just for one political party, faction, or ethnic group.

“Leaders can either foster the underlying values – inclusive nationhood and peaceful co-existence – set out in democratic constitutions, or undermine these. A case in point is the fact that former President Nelson Mandela, like India’s Mohandas Gandhi, purposefully tried to evoke through his own personality a symbol of all-South African patriotism around which all South Africans could rally, no matter their colour, ethnicity, or political allegiance,” Gumede stated.

Africanness or an African identity in the South African context cannot, by any stretch of the imagination, be the same as in, say, a Nigerian, Zimbabwean, or Ghanaian context, he said.

“South Africa was not colonised in the same way that many other African countries were colonised. South Africa was colonised in the 1600s by European powers as part of what became known in mainstream history as the “New World”, in a similar way to countries like Brazil, the US, and Cuba.

“In this New World type of colonialism, indigenous people inhabited these countries prior to colonialism, which brought settlers from colonial countries. In many cases, colonialism also brought subjected peoples from other parts of the world, whether as slaves or subjects. These societies, over time, became ethnically, culturally, and pigmentationally mixed,” he said.

Even the indigenous communities that were present before colonialism often had mixed to one degree or another. The apartheid project was largely based on preventing any further intermixing of colours, languages, and communities,” Gumede said.

“An African identity in the South African context is therefore more diverse than in most other African countries – and that is also the overwhelming character, uniqueness and strength of Africanness in the South African context. It is the basis of the country’s national identity, its mirror unto itself, and its face to the world,” he stated.

He stated that creating a new South Africanness will have to be based on politics, and a common South Africanness will have to be weaved around the idea of an inclusive democracy. 

“South Africa’s founding myth – based on politics – is the fact that the country managed to rise out of the ashes of a civil war, peacefully construct a democratic dispensation based on a new democratic constitution, anchored in South Africa’s ethnic diversity, and a new set of democratic values, rules, and political culture. The founding document of our political settlement that ended apartheid and ushered in non-racial democracy is our constitution,” Gumede said.

South Africans will have to transform their individual self-identity away from the narrow white, Zulu, Afrikaner, coloured, or Indian – or colour or political identities – to a broader South Africanness, which is vested in democracy, democratic values, and ethnic and racial inclusivity, he said.

Professor Siphamandla Zondi, a political analyst from the Institute for Pan African Thought and Conversation at the University of Johannesburg, said South Africa’s failure to implement its national vision allows division to fester and grow.

“It is the very duty of political leadership in a country like ours to pursue the goals of the national vision and the Constitution. At the centre of ours is the healing of divisions of the past, the building of a united, non-sexist, non-racial, and democratic society. It is to cement the values of unity in diversity, social cohesion, and nation-building. They are to use their political power for the common good rather than selfish ends. They are meant to help society prosper as planned,” Zondi said. 

He added that government policies must be implemented exactly as written, as outlined in annual and strategic plans, and as provided for in budgets. 

“We need zero deviation from what has already been discussed and approved, that which is reaffirmed in Parliament year in, year out. We need competence in political governance and public administration to get things done. This basic task has become the most important one in a country of missed targets. The laws meant to build an inclusive society are plain to read and straightforward to implement,” he stated. 

Zondi highlighted that coalitions like the Government of National Unity reinforce shared interests and aspirations among political parties, otherwise divided by narrow sectional agendas. 

He added that coalitions force parties to compromise and co-exist, and to cooperate and complement each other for the greater good of society. They require sound leadership, wise decision-making, and long-term thinking to manage well, which is also a benefit in growing the country’s political governance. 

Professor Sihawu Ngubane, a cultural expert from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, said diversity should be viewed as a national asset because it makes the country distinct from the rest of the world, where there is no multicultural landscape.

“South Africa has a complex history of colonialism and apartheid, whilst it is required to embrace reconciliation and democracy. She needs to foster unity through its diversity. We have to create a sense of belonging, keeping in mind that SA belongs to all who dwell in it. We need to respect and tolerate all cultures and histories to have solidarity and a shared identity,” Ngubane said.

He added that this can only be achieved through democratic principles rather than ethnicity.

“Inclusivity is core for unity. We need to embrace civic nationalism and our Constitution. Let us celebrate our cultural heritage together to showcase our diverse cultures and belief systems,” Ngubane stated.

He said that ‘civic nationalism’ can become a lived reality for all South Africans if there is collaboration across government, civil society and citizens, and by enhancing strategies on implementation to bridge gaps between policies and lived realities. 

Trust must be improved between the government and civil society. Inclusive governance and anti-corruption measures must be fostered, and a sustained monitoring plan is crucial for measurable outcomes, he advised.

South Africa continues to grapple with legacies of apartheid, such as the historical injustice of land dispossession and racial hatred that causes ethnic tensions and racial divides. This requires a combination of policy reforms and community-driven initiatives, such as the promotion of inclusive economic growth and poverty alleviation through creating job opportunities for youth, he said. 

“The Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture (DSAC) should provide forums where South Africans can share personal stories, local histories, and turn them into bridges for unity. It should develop national debates and dialogues touching on serious issues that further divide us as South Africans. The Department can utilise cultural platforms to blend traditions and customs through literary works, films, music, dance, and theater. The DSAC should promote social cohesion through sports such as rugby and soccer,” Ngubane said.

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