Abstract
The South African identity has been shaped by
nation-building discourse; it remains a point
of ongoing political discussion well into South
Africa’s democratisation. Literature suggests that
‘South Africans’ only exist through their creation
by nationalist rhetoric; therefore, growing political
discontent is reflected in a disentanglement from the
‘South African’ identity. This article, using photovoice,
explores Black university students’ constructions
of their identity in contemporary South Africa. The
participants viewed the South African society as a
divided one. Although they described the impact of
nation-building discourse as having existed in the past,
they spoke of it as a disingenuous sentiment that has
faded with the passing of former President Nelson
Mandela. Instead, the participants turn to their ethnic
groups to establish a fluid cultural identity. The ‘bornfree’
generation is in a state of ‘in-between’: born after
the official end of apartheid, they are thought of as
having access to opportunities unavailable to previous
generations. However, they continue to grapple with
the challenges and unresolved legacies of the past. This
project’s significant contribution lies in its emphasis on
the perspectives and experiences of the ‘born-frees’
themselves. Existing literature shows that politicians
and academics usually control discussions related to
nation-building and transformation. Yet, the voices of
the ‘born-frees’ are frequently side-lined, as they are
perceived to lack firsthand experience of apartheid’s
challenges. This study demonstrates that, even with
democratic change, there are numerous aspects of
‘born-free’ lives that have remained untransformed.