Beyond black and white: black solidarity in post-

Phumlani Majavu

Half thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Arts Degree in Political Studies

Department of Political and International Studies

Supervisor: Dr. Sally Matthews

December 2013

Abstract

Almost 20 years after the white Nationalist government was voted out, some black South Africans believe that black solidarity is still necessary in South Africa. These people argue that since post-apartheid South Africa is still marred with racial injustice, it makes sense for blacks to advocate for black solidarity. Although it is true that black solidarity played an important role in the struggle against apartheid, in this thesis I argue that the struggle against current forms of racial injustice does not necessarily require black solidarity. This is not to deny the prevailing racialized oppression in the post-apartheid era, nor to deny the importance of black solidarity in the past; rather the point I am making is that the current form of racial oppression is somewhat different from the one before 1994. Hence I argue in this thesis that the current form of racial oppression requires us to do certain things differently. Doing things differently means improving upon the strategies of the past. For this to happen, I argue that every human being who believes in and is committed to racial justice ought to be included in the struggle for justice. Change, after all, is brought about when committed human beings work together for liberation and justice.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements i

Chapter 1 Introduction 1 Research goals 3 A word on terminology 3 A note on the structure of the thesis 3

Chapter 2 One for the old school 5 Black solidarity: the idea 6 The early years 8 BC enters the stage 12 Conclusion 14

Chapter 3 White supremacy in the age of non-racialism 16 Post-apartheid South Africa: a tale of two nations in one country 19 Non-racial 21 Conclusion 25

Chapter 4 Black solidarity in the age of non-racialism 27 Black Solidarity in post-apartheid South Africa 27 A different kind of black solidarity 32 Conclusion 34

Chapter 5 The Final cut: beyond black and white 35 Will the real blacks please stand up? 35 Blacks as exploiters 39 New beginnings 42 Conclusion 45

Chapter 6 By way of concluding: in search of a more human face 47

Bibliography 50

Acknowledgements

This thesis is a product of labour of love and without the support from the department, especially the Thinking Africa (TA) team, it would not have been possible to write it. The TA team, George Barrett, Siphokazi Magadla, Sally Matthews, Richard Pithouse, Leonhard Praeg (in alphabetical order), has been awesome! Without them I probably would never have come to Rhodes. Thanks for the much needed financial assistance you’ve provided me with so as to do my MA degree without having to stress much about finances. I will forever be grateful to you all. Sally, in particular, you’ve been wonderful. I learnt a lot from you. Thanks for all your support, encouragement, inspiration, and very, very helpful and honest feedback. It’s been great working with you. Thanks for being very understanding. Thanks for making me feel free. You’re simply the best!

My friends here at Rhodes have been great. Although we often disagree a lot, we cared (and still do) a lot about each other. We debated, played, laughed, partied and did all sorts of crazy, really crazy, things together. Brother Cash, KB, OD, General, you’ve been awesome! Hopefully we will never stop chasing the rainbow.

I would also like to thank my family for believing in me. Mama, Tata, Hlehle, and Zuks. Your prayers, as always, kept me very strong and motivated. Mandisi thank you very much for introducing me to many important things, includi