“The sad thing is that many of the people, including those who were previously in exile, equate freedom with having a white neighbor. They are obsessed with being whites and living up to their standards.”
These poignant words of South African author, Sandile Memela from his book, “Flowers of the Nation”, remind us that the concept of freedom can easily be distorted. For many, freedom is not about self-determination, cultural pride, or community togetherness. Instead, it has become synonymous with the assimilation into the previously dominant culture.
This phenomenon is not only present in South Africa, as it is common in many post-colonial societies. The legacy of colonialism and apartheid has left deep-rooted scars, perpetuating a mindset that equates whiteness with superiority. A lot of Africans have, unknowingly or knowingly bought into the lie that whiteness is the epitome of success, sophistication, and civilization.
The author’s statement highlights the tragic irony of this situation. Many individuals, including those who were in exile or those who were marginalized, now measure their freedom and success by their proximity to whiteness. They seek to live in affluent neighborhoods, send their kids to predominantly white schools, fluently speak the oppressor’s language, often at the expense of their indigenous languages.
This reality shows that colonialism was more than just the land or the resources, it was internalized.
How then can we claim to have finally gained victory when our cultures, languages and identities are slowly diminishing, some of the very things our liberators fought for?
However, others may argue that those who choose to abandon their heritage cannot be blamed as the lives of African indigenous people, years into democracy, show little to no improvement. A continent where majority of low-income families are the indigenous people. A continent where those with the least job opportunities are the indigenous people. A continent where those with the most disparities in access to education…are the indigenous people. Based on a 2015 study, South African white households, where the head is a high school dropout, have a higher net worth than black households where the head has a college degree (Hamiltion et al. 2015). “The typical black household owns 5 per cent of the wealth held by the typical white household.” In Zimbabwe, many believe that the reason for the country’s economic decline is former President Robert Mugabe’s decision to force white farmers to give up their farms in 2000. African public schools which predominantly serve indigenous kids, lack the necessary facilities to discover and unearth the diverse talents of school kids. In the Gini Index of countries with the biggest inequality in income distribution 2023, African countries dominated the top spots, with South Africa topping the list with a Gini score of 63. Namibia followed in second place, with many African countries such as The Kingdom of Eswatini, Botswana, Zambia, Angola, Mozambique and Zimbabwe all in the top 10.
So, how can people who choose to abandon their heritage, their history be blamed when decades into democracy, African indigenous people are still at the bottom of the list in terms of wealth? After all, one of the biggest manipulations that colonialism enforced in African people is the belief that their cultures, identities, languages and religions are inferior and do not fit anywhere on the success ladder.
A mindset that needs to be instilled in the minds of Africans is one that knows that they do not need to reject their heritage in order to fit into society. There is nothing wrong with wanting better education, better opportunities and an affluent lifestyle, while being proud of your identity. After all, it is written nowhere that certain groups of people need to suffer while others get all the benefits earth has to offer. Nowhere is it written that financial security, erudition, comfort, are reserved for specific individuals.
While there is still a long way to go before freedom can fully be claimed in African nations, there are individuals who try to decolonize the minds of people. There are countless authors, teachers, activists, businesspeople et cetera, who teach the importance of maintaining our heritage. Some examples include Dr. Eileen Elizabeth Pooe, a lecturer at North West University who made history as the first doctor of philosophy in languages and literature, in Setswana, Penina Muhando, a Tanzanian playwright whose plays are available only in Kiswahili, amongst many others. There are many unknown individuals who are trying to stay true to their identities by either reading in African languages, wearing African textiles and designs, or speaking out against injustices affecting African communities.
An assimilationist mindset takes away our unique perspectives, our priceless values and our beautiful traditions. It takes away the very things that make Africa, Africa and Africans, Africans.
Ultimately, true freedom is not about emulating the oppressor; it is about embracing and celebrating one’s own heritage and striving for success without sacrificing these. As Sandile Memela’s quote so poignantly reminds us, it is time to redefine what freedom means and to reclaim our rightful place as proud, dignified, and self-determined individuals.
Chelwa, G., Maboshe, M., & Hamilton, D. (2024). The Racial Wealth Gap in South Africa and the United States. Review of Political Economy, 36(2), 423–440. https://doi.org/10.1080/09538259.2024.2318962
Dyvik, E.H. (2024). Gini Index- countries with the biggest inequality in income distribution 2023. Statista. Retrieved January 20, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/264627/ranking-of-the-20-countries-with-the-biggest-inequality-in-income-distribution/
Memela, S. (2005). _Flowers of the Nation_ . University of KwaZulu-Natal Press.
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