4 - Identity, Inequality, and Social Contestation in the Post-Apartheid South Africa

Summary

This chapter is about contestations in the South African society – its past, present and future. It provides historical accounts of formation of ethnic and race identities and offers some evidence that South Africans became less exclusive of people in other race groups during the early years of post-apartheid period, but have reversed this accomplishment over the last 10 years. The chapter then holistically examines inequality in the post-apartheid period; namely, at national level, between and within ethnic and race groups, and measured by income and by self-assessment of an individual’s life satisfaction. It identifies “inequality hot spots” on this basis, which need to be addressed if a more cohesive society is to be nurtured in the country. Finally, the chapter finds tentative signs of the emergence of a common citizenry, a national identity, which would also be needed for South Africa to transition to a cohesive society.