Recent controversies in the media have reignited the question of whether South Africa has truly moved beyond its racially divided past. Over thirty years into democracy, many citizens believe inequality and prejudice remain woven into daily life, while others argue the nation has made significant strides.
Speaking to VOC News, Professor Michael Le Cordeur from Stellenbosch University said that South Africa’s history of racism has taken on different forms over the centuries.
“Initially, there was colonisation and the racism that came with it. Then, in 1948, the National Party formalised apartheid through legislation, making it government policy until 1994. With democracy came the expectation of a truly free society, but that was disappointing because we now face what we call post-apartheid racism.”
According to Le Cordeur, this new form of racism is often less visible but still pervasive.
Listen to the full interview with Professor Michael Le Cordeur below:
Neeshan Balton, the Executive Director of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, expresses this viewpoint. He said that racism has not disappeared; it has simply adapted.
“Racism hasn’t gone away. It has changed its shape, its form, and its content. Today, it has new promoters in the form of social media and AI. But we can’t address it as if we’re still in the apartheid era with signboards and segregated spaces. Now, racism is entrenched in systems and workplace cultures, often without visible markers, but with the same exclusionary impact.”
Listen to the full interviews with Neeshan Balton below:
VOC News
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