‘We can't really say what the future holds for us’: Non-Racialism in a Transitional Democracy

Abstract

This article reflects on a set of focus group transcripts from a joint research project by the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation and the Gauteng City-Region Observatory. Casting South Africa as a transitional democracy uncovers a number of ambiguities in this context. For instance, a selection of South Africans who were respondents in various focus groups around the country, cutting across various divides, articulated a sense of uncertainty about who needs to bear the responsibility for building a cohesive society, and who will bear the cost. Various citizens attempt to assert a claim on belonging or entitlement in this transitioning society, some vocalising fears that their place may be threatened, others vocalising the fact that their needs are being overlooked. The article concludes that at this juncture in South Africa's democracy, where there is growing individual ambiguity/uncertainty, it is critical to bring issues of equality centre-stage. The imperative of research on non-racialism is to (re)cast economic redress and the economic uplifting of disenfranchised South Africans as the new challenge that requires non-racial intervention and support.

Acknowledgements

The author acknowledges the assistance of Neeshan Balton, Executive Director at the AKF, Professor David Everatt, Executive Director of GCRO, and André Keet from the University of the Free State, through their helpful comments on previous drafts.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Caryn Abrahams

Department of Developmental Studies, University of South Africa; Research Manager, Ahmed Kathrada Foundation.