Whites and Democracy in South Africa

Southall's book explores how whites in South Africa have adjusted to democracy, considering the historical context of white supremacy and minority rule. It examines the issue of memory and how whites grapple with the history of apartheid, shaping their reactions to political equality. While a small minority resisted, the majority adapted to the democratic settlement, embracing it in different ways. Whites have become democrats, but challenges remain unless present inequalities are addressed.

Format: Hardback
Length: 284 pages
Publication date: 18 February 2022
Publisher: James Currey

This book is a crucial contribution to the field of Whiteness Studies, as it delves into the complex and multifaceted ways in which the last white minority in Africa has adapted to the arrival of democracy and the various modes of transition from settlers to citizens. By engaging with the literature on whiteness and the prevailing notion that the democratic settlement has failed, the book offers a comprehensive study of how whites in the final stronghold of white minority rule in Africa have navigated the sweeping political changes they have encountered. It examines the historical context of white supremacy and minority rule, both in the past and in the white withdrawal from other parts of the African continent. Through focus groups conducted across the country, Southall explores the challenging topic of memory, how whites seek to grapple with the history of apartheid, and how this shapes their reactions to political equality.

In his analysis, Southall argues that whites cannot be considered a homogenous political group. While the overwhelming majority of white South Africans feared the coming of democracy during the years of late apartheid, they recognized its inevitability. Many of their fears were subsequently addressed by the Constitution, which embedded individual rights, including those to property and private schooling, alongside the important principle of proportionality of political representation. While a small minority of whites chose to emigrate, the vast majority had little choice but to adapt to the democratic settlement, which, on the whole, they have done in diverse ways.

Some whites have sought to actively resist the democratic process, while others have retreated from democracy into social enclaves. However, it is important to note that this is not a universal phenomenon, and there are many white South Africans who have actively engaged with the democratic system and contributed to its development.

Overall, this book provides a valuable insight into the complex dynamics of whiteness, democracy, and transition in South Africa. It sheds light on the challenges and opportunities faced by whites as they navigate the changing political landscape and strive to build a more inclusive and equitable society.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781847012890