Post-apartheid South Africa: A united or divided nation?
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Authors
Bornman, Elirea
Issue Date
2014
Type
Book chapter
Language
en
Keywords
national symbols , nation-building , national flag , national anthem , coat of arms , Voortrekker monument , Freedom Park
Alternative Title
Abstract
Since the advent of a new political dispensation, the popular Rainbow
Nation metaphor have come to symbolize the hopes of South Africans
and the international community of various ethnic and racial groups
living harmoniously in a new united and democratic state. Uniting the
highly diverse and deeply divided South African society has however
posed a formidable challenge. A strong drive towards nation building
has been regarded as a necessary step to create a common South Africa
identity and sense of nationhood. New national symbols and a changed
symbolic landscape have had to play a pivotal role in this regard.
Symbolic tension and conflict on various levels indicate however that
divisions in South Africa society have not only remained, but in some
cases have even become more profound. There are firstly indications
that the new national symbols have not succeeded in winning the hearts
and minds of all South African groups. Memories of different groups
are furthermore still hanging from different branches as is reflected
in the altered symbolic landscape of the capital city of Pretoria. The
juxtaposition of the Voortrekker Monument versus Freedom Park and
concomitant walls of remembrance are some examples. The chapter
concludes with recommendations for creating a symbolic landscape that
will represent a true reflection of the Rainbow Nation idealism and the
deep diversity of South African society
Description
Citation
Bornman, E. 2014. Post-apartheid South Africa: A united or divided nation? In S. L. Moeschberger & R. A. Phillips DeZalia, Symbols that bind, symbols that divide: The semiotics of peace and conflict (pp. 181−205). New York: Springer.
Publisher
Springer
License
Journal
Volume
Issue
PubMed ID
DOI
ISSN
2197-5779