The Freedom Front Plus: an analysis of Afrikaner politics and ethnic identity in the new South Africa

Abstract

From the perspective of conflict analysis the main feature of contemporary South Africa is the absence of political violence. Yet it would be naive to think that the new political context is blissful to the point that ethnic tensions or anxieties do not exist. Certainly, for some groups, South Africa is not a place where ethnicity is no longer significant or politically relevant. This article explores contemporary issues relevant to Afrikaner politics and ethnicity in terms of concerns which have been voiced by its political organ – the Freedom Front Plus. The research findings point to the incompleteness of the process of conflict transformation in the country and identify certain factors that have given rise to a mood of alienation among some Afrikaners. Political and cultural disenchantment is manifested in a desire for territorial separatism. By exploring the Afrikaner perspective as it is articulated by the party, this article provides insight into the problems that surround inter-group reconciliation and nation-building in the country.

Keywords:

• South Africa
• Afrikaner
• post-apartheid
• ethnic identity
• nation-building

Notes

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7267027.stm

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Neil Southern

*Neil Southern is a lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK, in the Department of Education and Social Science. He graduated with First-Class honours from The Queen's University of Belfast and was awarded the Lemberger-Mettrick Prize for Politics. He completed his PhD at Queen's University. Email: [email protected]