Black peoples' experiences of the 'rainbow nation' and reconciliation in post-apartheid South Africa

Abstract

After the abolition of apartheid, a process of healing and reconciliation was initiated in order for South Africa to move forward, grow and prosper. However, 25 years into democracy there is seemingly a lack of resolution. Instances of overt and covert racism, as well as anger and frustration have emerged increasingly, and repeatedly, as reflected in on-going recent events such as violent service delivery protests as well as the emergence of movements such as Fees Must Fall. Therefore, there is value in investigating the lived experiences of South Africans at this time in an attempt to understand the apparent discontent which calls into question the national narrative of reconciliation. The overall aim of this study was to explore the lived experiences of black South Africans with regards to the constructs of the ‘rainbow nation’ and ‘reconciliation’ following two-and-a-half decades of democratic rule. Situated within a phenomenological framework, the research process included in-depth interviews with black South Africans ages 40 and over. The focus on black participants was an attempt to fill the gap that is left by the dominance of content related to reconciliation focusing on the prejudice reduction of white people, prioritising white phenomena in the literature and otherwise. Data analysis was conducted through thematic analysis which allowed a number of themes to emerge. Themes included: loss; burden of blackness on identity and purpose; the problem of white privilege, lack of willingness to change and racism. Moreover, themes of theory versus reality and mistrust were also significant among the findings. From the themes that emerged it can be concluded that the black experience of the reality of living in South Africa is incongruent with the constructs of the ‘rainbow nation’ and ‘reconciliation’ that dominate the narrative of a democratic South Africa. The reality of post-apartheid South Africa is an unequal and divided country that requires more work, compromise and discomfort to attain the rainbow nation as it is envisioned. Hence, for these participants these constructs are more aspirational than reality-based.