The emergence of new identities in the Western Cape

Identity construction has become serious business to new governments in liberal democracies. Rank-and-file residents, however, do not always accord to attempts by such governments to construct identities from above. Instead, from below, in so far as they are able, they choose between new sub-national identities and older 'given' identities. In fact, multiple identities are common among residential groupings and often, in particular circumstances, one identity emerges as primary. This dual process of identity construction from above and from below is researched in the new Western Cape province of South Africa. One major conclusion is the importance of the local to residents.