The Complexity of African Identity: White South Africans and the African Continent

South Africa is a country steeped in rich history and cultural diversity. Despite its geographical presence in Africa, the question of whether white South Africans can be considered African remains contentious and multifaceted. This article delves into the complexities surrounding the identity of white South Africans and their affiliation with the African continent.

Introduction to the Debate

South Africa, being an African nation, naturally influences the racial and cultural identities of its inhabitants. However, the classification of white South Africans as African is not a straightforward matter. The term 'consider' highlights the subjective nature of this identity, leading us to question the basis on which one may or may not be considered African.

Geographical and Racial Identities

The geographical identity of South Africa as a part of the African continent should be clear. All inhabitants, regardless of race, are geographically African. However, racial identity, as perceived by individuals, can be more complex. I identify myself as European and African, recognizing my European heritage from Britain and my geographical African connection through my roots and family in South Africa.

Racial Identity in South Africa

It is important to note that not all white South Africans consider themselves African.

Afrikaners, for example, have been granted ethnic status in the South African constitution, which is a recognition of their distinct cultural and historical identity. This distinction further complicates the discourse on African identity.

Geographical vs. Racial Diversity in Africa

When considering the term 'African' from a geographical perspective, one must recognize the continent's vast diversity. Africa is the second-largest continent and is home to a wide range of ethnicities, languages, and cultural practices. Within this diversity, the appearance of Africans varies significantly. People of Mediterranean descent, for instance, who inhabit the coastal regions around the Mediterranean, are often classified as white but exhibit a certain degree of African ancestry as evidenced by genomic and genetic studies.

Theoretical Notions of African Identity

Academics and scholars have attempted to define African identity through various theoretical frameworks. Ama Mazrui, in his article 'Comparative Africanity: Blood Soil and Ancestry' (2009), proposed a more empirical approach to delineating who exactly qualifies as African.

Africans of the Blood

Mazrui identified the first category as Africans of the blood, who are defined in racial and genealogical terms and are associated with the Black race.

Africans of the Soil

The second category consists of Africans of the soil, defined in geographical terms, who are identified with the African continent in nationality and ancestral location. This includes citizens of African countries and those who hold passports from these countries. Some of these individuals even held the highest offices in their African nations, as presidents, further reinforcing their African identity.

Africans by Adoption

Mazrui also coined the term 'Africans by adoption' to include individuals like F.W. de Klerk, an Afrikaner, who adopted the identity of their adoptive continent by residing and contributing to African life.

African Americans and American Africans

Mazrui further divided this identity into African Americans and American Africans. The former are descendants of the Middle Passage, who severed their ties with their African heritage and are not socially integrated into African cultures. In contrast, American Africans are conscious of their roots, maintain contact with relatives in Africa, and are integrated into African cultures.

Conclusion

The concept of African identity is inherently complex and nuanced. It is influenced by both geographical and cultural factors, along with personal and historical narratives. While some white South Africans may identify as African, others, like Afrikaners, may see themselves more as 'by adoption.' The debate surrounding African identity highlights the rich diversity that exists within the continent.