South African nationalism
State natoinalism in Africa
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South African nationalism is a state nationalism based on the identity and civic statehood of South Africa. Unlike ethnic forms of nationalism, contemporary South African nationalism is defined by non-racialism, constitutionalism, and the concept of the "Rainbow Nation", which seeks to unite the country's diverse racial and ethnic groups following the fall of apartheid in 1994. However, contrary to these ideals, there is also anti-immigrant nationalism based on economic and cultural factors.
History and characteristics
Historically, nationalism in South Africa was fragmented along racial and ethnic lines, dominated primarily by Afrikaner nationalism (a branch of White nationalism) and various streams of African nationalism (or Black nationalism). Following the 1994 transition to democracy led by Nelson Mandela and the African National Congress (ANC), an inclusive, state-centered nationalism was promoted to foster national integration.[1]
Modern South African nationalism is heavily shaped by the principle of non-racialism, advocating a unified citizenship that transcends historical racial divisions. This vision is often embodied in the concept of the "Rainbow Nation", a term coined by Desmond Tutu to celebrate the country's multicultural and multiethnic heritage. State unity is further reinforced by post-1994 national symbols, most notably the new flag of South Africa and the hybrid national anthem of South Africa, which synthesize various historical traditions and official languages.[2][3][4]
Since the 2020s, far-right anti-immigrant nationalism has been rising among the South African people, especially among the Coloured and Black population, against the immigration of people from other African countries, with the main motivation being economic disparities such as reduced wages for their own workers or cultural differences rather than racial or ethnic motives. Since xenophobic nationalism in South Africa often arises between local poor Black people and African immigrants from other countries, it is sometimes characterized as "Afrophobia", in contrast to pan-Africanism.[5][6][7]