Borders and identity : identity construction among the Xhosa speaking people of South Africa and Lesotho at Tele Bridge

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between international borders and identity, in the context of the Xhosa-speaking people of Tele Bridge in South Africa and Lesotho, who live at the border separating the two countries. This border is a result of the partition of Africa by colonialists, as necessitated by the Berlin Conference of 1884. The study aims to understand how people with similar cultural identities perceive their sameness when living in different nations, and how the border may impact this. It examines the role of the Xhosa language in shaping identity, the effect of the border on culture, cross-border relations, and the community’s relationship with the border, and aims to establish the necessity and significance of identity formation for these people. This study adopted a qualitative approach, and as the investigation of the problem was in its preliminary stages, an exploratory approach was used. Both primary and secondary methods of data collection were employed; including interviews, focus group discussions, non-participant observation, and document analysis. The findings revealed that Tele Bridge failed to reinforce the territorial boundary because the Xhosa speaking people disregarded the border. The border did not influence the culture and identity of the Tele communities, but instead, the shared culture of these communities influenced the operations of the border. Additionally, the Tele communities’ interactions were largely unaffected by the presence of a border, mainly because they did not view the border as an obstacle to their relationship, nor did they see its relevance and the reason to be divided. The findings further revealed that the Xhosa language formed the basis of the existence of the Xhosa people. The results also showed that identity formation of the Xhosa speaking people of Tele Bridge relied heavily on group membership, (ethnic membership in this case) as demonstrated by social identity theory. Their belonging was tied to their ethnicity rather than the perimeters of the states. This group membership comprised four key components for the Tele Bridge residents:shared language, shared culture, ethnic belonging, and cross-border relations. The study concluded that identity formation for these border communities is consistent with the stipulations of social identity theory. Based on these findings, the study recommended that the two governments acknowledge and recognise the coexistence of these communities. Tele Bridge residents have good relations across the border and live as one community, the two governments can capitalise on this relationship and collaborate to solve problems while facilitating the coexistence of Tele Bridge residents. Governments should also relax border regulations to allow for easier travel between border communities in Tele Bridge, by establishing legal channels of movement across the border.