Identity is one of the basic needs of a human being, a community and even a nation. It defines who we are. Identity is formed through different aspects, such as history, culture, religion or language. During the apartheid rule in South Africa, the white minority devalued the identity of the black majority population by declaring every non-white citizen a second or third class human being. After the fall of the apartheid regime in 1994, the concept of separating different ethnic groups was diminished. The “Rainbow Nation” as a synonym for a peaceful and multi-cultural society emerged. Currently, South Africa tries to construct a common post-apartheid identity, which focuses on unity rather than segregation. Place names are an important element in the building of an identity, because they give a sense of belonging to the inhabitants. In South Africa, many place names reflect the apartheid history and are seen as a symbol of segregation (further details in chapter 4). In 1998, the government passed the South African Geographical Names Council Act, which was the starting point of the renaming process.
This paper will examine the renaming process in the post-apartheid South Africa. It will focus on the importance of geographical names for the identity building. Due to the different ethnic groups living in the country, South Africa proves to be a good example of the struggle of uniting different cultures and heritages, which still plays an important role. This paper will discuss if the change of place names contributes to the formation of an all-encompassing South African identity.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Geographical Naming and Renaming
3. Identity Concept
3. 1 Theoretical Framework – an Overview
3.2 The South African Identity?
4. Renaming Places in South Africa
4.1 Renaming as Part of the Reconciliation Process
4.2 Renaming of Pretoria
4. 3 Conflicts over Place Name Changes
5. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the complex process of renaming geographical locations in post-apartheid South Africa, analyzing how these changes serve as a tool for reconciliation and the construction of a unified national identity amidst lingering historical tensions.
- The role of geographical names in shaping cultural identity and historical memory.
- The relationship between political power, post-apartheid nation-building, and place naming.
- The reconciliation efforts through the South African Geographical Names Council Act.
- Case study of the contested renaming of Pretoria to Tshwane.
- The impact of renaming on social and ethnic cohesion in a diverse society.
Excerpt from the Book
4.2 Renaming of Pretoria
The renaming of the city of Pretoria is one of the most famous and controversial renaming in modern history. Pretoria was founded in 1855 and originally named after the Voortrekker leader Andries Pretorius, who played an important rule during the Boer war (Raper 2008: 221). In 2005, the municipal council voted to officially change the name of Pretoria to Tshwane. The city was founded at the banks of the Apies River, which is known as Tshwane to the Tswana population. Moreover, the name Tshwane means “we are the same” and is therefore a legit name proposal (Raper 2008: 221; Guyot, Seethal 2008: 11).
In most of the cases of renaming a place, the protest was rather local and not on a national or even international level. This was not the case with the name change of Pretoria, because changing the name of a capital has global consequences. The name change was discussed in international newspapers and magazines, e.g. the Times Magazine or BBC News (Swanepoel 2009: 103). Especially the white Afrikaner community expressed their lack of understanding and did not approve of the name change. Pretoria is historically and politically important to the Afrikaner community as it was the seat of the apartheid government, the capital of the Zuid Afrikaanse Republiek (the Boer Republic) and is now the administrative capital of South Africa. Hence, Pretoria is seen as a symbolic and political capital for those, who identify themselves as Afrikaners (Raper 2008: 98).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the significance of place names for national identity and introduces the post-apartheid context of South Africa.
2. Geographical Naming and Renaming: Discusses how naming practices are inherently linked to political dominance and historical memory.
3. Identity Concept: Explores the theoretical aspects of social and national identity, specifically within the diverse South African demographic.
3. 1 Theoretical Framework – an Overview: Defines social identity and explains how collective identities are constructed through shared symbols and contexts.
3.2 The South African Identity?: Analyzes the difficulties of establishing a unified identity following decades of enforced racial discrimination.
4. Renaming Places in South Africa: Examines the systematic efforts to replace Eurocentric names with those reflecting the indigenous population.
4.1 Renaming as Part of the Reconciliation Process: Details the legal framework and the role of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in promoting name changes.
4.2 Renaming of Pretoria: Provides a detailed case study of the controversy surrounding the attempt to rename the administrative capital.
4. 3 Conflicts over Place Name Changes: Investigates the social frictions and public opposition generated by the renaming initiatives.
5. Conclusion: Summarizes findings, emphasizing that while renaming is an act of restorative justice, the search for a common identity remains a significant challenge.
Keywords
South Africa, Apartheid, National Identity, Place Names, Renaming, Pretoria, Tshwane, Reconciliation, Nation-Building, Post-Apartheid, Political Transformation, Heritage, Social Identity, Cultural Memory, Decolonization
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this paper?
The paper explores how renaming geographical locations in post-apartheid South Africa functions as a mechanism for political reconciliation and the reconstruction of a collective national identity.
What are the primary themes discussed?
Central themes include the intersection of politics and naming, the sociology of identity, historical memory, and the tension between restorative justice and cultural heritage.
What is the main research question?
The study investigates whether the alteration of place names effectively contributes to the formation of an inclusive and all-encompassing South African national identity.
What research methodology is employed?
The author utilizes a qualitative analytical approach, examining existing literature, historical contexts, and specific case studies like the renaming of Pretoria to discuss broader social phenomena.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body covers the theoretical foundations of identity, the history of naming in colonial and apartheid contexts, the government's legal renaming processes, and the specific controversies arising from these actions.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include South Africa, Post-Apartheid, National Identity, Renaming, Reconciliation, and Cultural Memory.
Why is the renaming of Pretoria considered a special case in this study?
Pretoria serves as a unique case study because, as the administrative capital of South Africa, its renaming attracted international attention and highlighted the deep-seated resistance within the Afrikaner community.
How do opponents of the renaming process justify their resistance?
Opponents often view the changes as an erasure of their specific history, heritage, and identity, frequently protesting against the perceived loss of Afrikaner symbolism and the costs associated with the transition.
What conclusion does the author reach regarding the impact of renaming?
The author concludes that while renaming is an essential symbolic act of justice for a post-apartheid nation, it remains a contested process that reflects the ongoing struggle to forge a truly shared national identity.
- Quote paper
- MA Mareike Peters (Author), 2016, (Re-)Building a National Identity by Renaming Places in South Africa, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/592930
