Deepening Non-Racialism in South Africa

Abstract

Through an analysis of the Kathrada Foundation/GCRO (Gauteng City-Region Observatory) focus groups transcript pack on non-racialism, it is shown that prevailing conceptions of non-racialism are tied to being ‘colour-blind’ and to being opposed to racial prejudice and discrimination. Such conceptions, it is revealed, are too contradictory and shallow to have any meaningful transformative effect. The article argues that a deeper, more sociologically valid conception of non-racialism can be constructed if attention is turned to critically relating non-racialism to the phenomenon of systemic racism, whereby racism is read as being structurally embedded in contemporary South African society.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rupert Taylor

Department of Political Studies, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.