THROUGH a COLOURED LENS: POST-APARTHEID IDENTITY FORMATION AMONGST COLOUREDS in KZN Fileve Tlaloc Palmer Submitted to the Facult
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THROUGH A COLOURED LENS: POST-APARTHEID IDENTITY FORMATION AMONGST COLOUREDS IN KZN Fileve Tlaloc Palmer Submitted to the faculty of the University Graduate School in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Anthropology, Indiana University April 2015 Accepted by the Graduate Faculty, Indiana University, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Doctoral Committee __________________________________________________ Committee Chairperson Paula Girshick, Ph.D. __________________________________________________ Marvin D. Sterling, Ph.D. __________________________________________________ Daniel Suslak Ph.D. __________________________________________________ Margaret Sutton, Ph.D. May 07, 2014 ii Copyright © 2015 Fileve Tlaloc Palmer iii To my grandfather, “Pa” “Mahlombe” Nolan Frank Strydom (1924-2014) whose presence was always an inspiration to aim higher, shine brighter, and work harder. RIP iv Acknowledgements Though I wrote these words, struggled to put them together, and came to a final stopping point with this document, I could not have done it alone. To my mother, Valerie Strydom Palmer, a woman that strove to be more than the oppressors dictated her to be. Thank you for instilling in me the importance of a good education, exploration, and adventure. To my father Terry Albert Brandt Palmer, a brilliant, stubborn man of which I inherited the latter quality that gave me the tenacity and persistence to complete this doctorate. Collectively, without their support I would not have been able to leave the security of New York City and venture forth into the Indiana Hoosier-lands that is IU. Thank you to all the people I met during my program that assisted through this intellectual journey and helped me adjust to the culture shock I experienced. Two members of my cohort in particular supported me more than they knew or I ever expressed: Samuel Buelow (despite being an amazingly smart theorist continues to awe me with his textile creations and dedication to craft!) and Darlynn Dietrich (who gave me the courage to listen to my heart and go back to Africa!). Thanks goes out to my good friend Pere Jackson who helped me move and got me through some interesting times. Thank you for your sense of humor! Thanks to Moses Muziwandile Hadebe, my first isiZulu instructor, founder of the IU gumboot troop, and friend. He made always made learning fun. To my committee members, each helped my intellectual and theoretical development to which I am eternally thankful. My chair, Paula Girshick’s unweaving support and high standards kept me on task and progressing toward the final goal. I apologize in advance for any misplaced commas. Thank you for your constant reads, rereads, and challenges. I appreciate v Marvin Sterling’s astute yet gentle guidance throughout the research and writing process. Daniel Suslak’s sense of humor was always appreciated in class dealing with challenging concepts and I always appreciated his blunt comments and emoticons while editing this document. Margaret Sutton’s simple advice and queries enabled me to clarify my journey. To Charles Frederick Jr. and everyone at the Student Academic Center, thank you for all the support during my coursework. The teaching opportunities gave me invaluable experience and challenged definitions and preconceived notions of diversity and inclusion. Thanks also for IU Groups program and putting me in touch with wonderful students in 2009, 2012, and 2013, I wish all of you success in your life journeys. To Yolanda Trivino, thank you for always being available, keeping me in the loop, and being a friend. Thanks goes to the members of the African Studies Program at Indiana University and the FLAS committee members for choosing me to receive the fellowship for two years to assist the learning of isiZulu and the completion of coursework. To Debra Wilkerson, thank you for all your experience and dedication to the department and graduate students. Without you no one would get through. There will be big shoes to fill upon your retirement. I always loved your unlikely animal friend clippings hanging near your desk. To Suzy, Linda, Agatha, and Eric thank you for all the work you all do keeping everyone in line and abreast of goings-on’s, organizing events and answering the numerous questions and requests that come through your office. To all the funding agencies that funded my research trips including the Fulbright GPA (2007), IU Anthropology Skomp fund (2008), Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship (2010) District 6580 (Southern and Central Indiana) and 9270 (KwaZulu-Natal), and Fulbright Hays Dissertation Fellowship (2011). Thank you also to the American Studies Department and their support during my dissertation writing phase and getting me to reading some fantastic books and helping to understand “What is America?” including but not limited to Denise Cruz, Micol vi Seigel. Thank you for your continued support to Vivian Hollaran, Deborah Cohen, Carol Glaze, and Paula Cotner. Thank you also to Jordache Ellapen Kim Stanley, Sarah Monson and Joshua Robinson for commiserating and being friends. From my fieldwork in South Africa, there are so many people I’d like to thank. To all my relations: “Ma” Fulvie Saker Strydom (dynamite comes in small packages), Patti (an inspiration) and Trevor (always the comedian) Joshua, Adelaide Joshua-Hill (“my little big sister”, of whom I am so very proud) and her partner in crime Russell Hill, Barbara Lawrence Strydom (the mover and shaker, an invaluable member of the family, and a great friend), Sherleigh “Shuksy” Strydom (“my big brother”), Bertie Strydom (always brave and ready to act) and Auntie Lolly Strydom, Arlene Lalsing, Auntie Emily, Guy Strydom and , Frederick Strydom, Colin Strydom, thank you all for your unconditional love throughout the years and for always opening your homes and sharing your stories! To my many cousins, Anver and Chantel Strydom, Kim Strydom, Kerrie-Lee Strydom, Henry and Cameron Strydom, Lauren Strydom, Gary, Garth and Nolan Strydom, Marcel Strydom, Brian Strydom, Arthur Joshua, Carl Joshua (especially for the “muthi” hook up), Kelsang Phuntsog, Denli and Jenny Joshua, Lungi, Cedric Nunn and Natalie “Nomandla” Houston, thank you all for spending time with me. I love you all and wish you all the best for the future! To Michel and Zelda Lawrence, your hard work and talent is a wonderful example for all. Thank you for all your support throughout this research and for sharing your family with mine. A big shout out and much love to Auntie Gloria, Carl and Sam Uys may your family continue to grow! Thank you also to Nicko Lawrence keep prospering despite obstacles thrown in your path. Amandla to Ian Africa! The Pinetown Rotary Club, Umhlatazana Club, Amanzimtoti Club, Chatsworth Club, Pietermartizburg Club, and the Durban Rotary Club for which I would not have met the following wonderful people: Neville and Anne Eve and Willy and Lydia Pelser, Billy-Joe Pelser and Wally vii Pelser your hospitality will never be forgot and we hope to one day reciprocate when you visit the USA! To Dr. Naidoo, his and artistic wife, and wonderful daughter Sayuri Naidoo, thank you for your hospitality. Thank you to UKZN for research facilities, and the Collective Art Gallery for showing the PEP photos. To the Wentworth community: Mr. Harripasad, Michaela, Che’Leigh, Haley, and Marcel, Marcy and her mom Sandra, Tatum (big hugs), Claudia, Nancy, and Allen Dunn, Natasha, Elizabeth Lawrence Jasson and the Jasson household, Janice Jasson and her parents, Sa-Asa and her family, Tyrell and especially her grandma, Auntie Bonita, and Rose. Thank you to Jean Choudree for all your logistical support and tireless networking. The Women of Wentworth, The Austerville Community Center and all the staff (especially those at the computer lab), John Dunn House. To the Harding community: Thank you for all your participation, Harding Secondary School the principal and teachers. Mr. and Mrs. Cox and the library staff. Mayor Ncigi and her entire office, AFM Church and Pastor Roland, “Jerry Springer” and his family. Love and prayers for a wonderful life to Cya and his grandma, Shanice and her granny Grace, Angelo, Breylin, “Baba”, Le’Chay, Taryn and Meagan Deckford, Samantha, you are all talented youth. May you all live without bounds to your success. The Sunnydale community Heather Bevan and the Stocks, Robin, Mr. Moore, Senzokuhle CBO and all the staff and volunteers throughout the years especially Justice. The Ngonqai Fort Museum, Thank you for all the smiles and tiny adventures to Banele Skumbuzo Dlala, and Lorato “Li” Joshua. Maryisa Dyniak despite being from Poland you gave our Eshowe experience a different flavor. Thank you also for your visit to Indiana and making pierogis for us! To my Western New York Family and those from the Tuscarora Nation thank you for adopting me, for sharing your laughs, trials and tribulations, great stories, and much needed distractions: Irene Stahlman Fraser-Young, Maggie Fortune, Jim Copia, Bubs and Patti Fischer, Osias Fischer, viii Katie Fischer, Angus Fischer, Grams, Bob Jacobs, Patti Jo Henry, Izzy, Sandy Swanson, Marcia Stahlman, Joanne Neumann, Adam Patterson, Angie Jonathan, Sarah Kennedy, Kathleen Wheatley, Priscila Williams, Doris Patterson, Pat Patterson, Larry Fish, Clara Fish, Judy Patterson, Dean Patterson, Loren Fish, Bart and Kerry Oddo, Sonny Rickard, Dorienne Rickard, Krissy Hill, Donald Hill, Monty Hill, Logan Hill, Elden Fischer Sr., Jill Clause, Jay Clause, Joanne Weinholtz, Wendy and Jim Bissell, Nadine Printup, Donald Robinson, Betsy Bissell, Principal Carr and the Tuscarora Indian School. Thank you also to everyone at Maxwell House Yoga especially Winnie Edgerton, Robin Halpin and Kathy Nesbit for your generosity of spirit are second to none! We also have the best neighbors Tom Shaffer and Susan Parrish we love the whistles and desserts! Finally a big thank you to my stepchildren Aaron and Ana Stahlman for lending me your dad and teaching me how to be a better person through helping to raise you.