Non-racialism and nation-building in the new South Africa

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to analyze new policies of non-racialism that were adopted by the new political dispensation in South Africa after the first democratic election in 1994 as a response to the racist apartheid regime that entrenched a deeply divided society. The significance and impact of non-racialism will be contrasted with common perceptions and experience among ordinary South Africans. Emerging new forms of racism will be discussed. It will be argued that race thought, disguised in the politically correct substitute of culture was instrumental not only in the formation of erstwhile apartheid racist categories but also within the contemporary nation-building process. Finally, the impact of racial politics under the disguise of non-racialism on the future of South African society will be presented.