Dream Deferred or Forgotten? Navigating the Future of South Africa's Rainbow Nation

Addressing Challenges and Pursuing Unity in a Changing Landscape

What are the ingredients to a rainbow? A question which was coined with both simplicity and complexity. To some, it is a question answered with scientific terminology, and for others, it is a philosophical question about how we learn to coexist. To us South Africans, it has now become a dream deferred.

Over the years, having witnessed the World Cup, the hustle and bustle in Joburg felt like it could never end. It felt that we were geared to this perfect world where we could all coexist equally. Not be ashamed of who we were and where we came from because we truly felt the country come together and host the World Cup. But 14 years later, it seems like a distant memory that layered in fiction. Nelson Mandela was no longer the hero and god-like figure he was, and the rainbow was clouded by a long foreseen storm. Sitting in this darkness, I came to wonder what were the conditions required to truly see a rainbow nation in its truest sense.

The elements which make up a rainbow differ from person to person. But I think it does require a level of clarity in understanding what, I believe is, the vision of the rainbow nation was. In its inception, the ideals of a rainbow nation preached of South Africa that was integrated where we could share and indulge in meals of life. Filled with the richness of culture and diversity devoid of the potential discussion about race. We were truly meant to be able to be banned under one South Africa together. Trading language and experience as a token to further enhance our interconnectedness. Sharing the victory of the Rugby World Cup in 1995 and hosting an international after all the suffering that had been felt was meant to be the certification of our unity. For the most part, it has been remembered as that with the recreation of the moment with Inviticuis.

Moving on from there, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was another attempt at certifying the idea of a country unified under a rainbow. Many victims and perpetrators of all races came forward to express their recollection of events in the hopes of amnesty. It was a means for us to learn to agree about the past and not retain our perception of events. During that process, there was a lot of opposition as people felt we were overlooking justice and simply trying to do away with the past and the trauma it brought to many families. But the country, with Desmond Tutu at the forefront, took on the Goliath and came out with a result which still can be viewed as controversial, but is standing there for history to debate. This was the last attempt to solidify rainbowism, at least publicly. From there we were South African united under one banner and one name yet we still fail to see the vision realized.

The most evident is that rainbowism was never reinforced as an idea that was meant to be ingrained in our identity. It became the term international entities began to label us by. We were the rainbow nation. Essentially meant that we learned to coexist peacefully. It was not a vision of all people of all kinds prospering; rather, it was simply us being able to engage one another without it feeling like we were tolerant of each other. However, it failed to frame the lack of integration that occurred. There was migration of black people into white space; however, there was never the other way round. What appeared to me to be a country living with one another was a country simply learning to tolerate each other.

For much of the first few years coming out of Apartheid. It took years for school to be fully accepting of students of colour and actually allowing them to integrate into the system. Many a time these students simply formed bounds around themselves for they were the only support system they had. Even to this day, many of the schools are seen to be plagued with racism, sexism, and homophobia. This is because we have not taught younger generations about integration and continue to live in a world that promotes self-preservation. Which is starting to resonate a bit more between different races and ethnic communities. No, this is not currently unique to us and faced by the majority of the world as polarization continues to worsen. However, it becomes more truly felt in a country where you know how to coexist.

Secondly, the inability to fully get behind the achievement of South African teams also harmed our ability to be a rainbow nation. The Springboks winning the 2023 Rugby World Cup was definitely a moment where the feeling of rainbowism felt real but it was only felt at this major sporting event. This is not a gripe about rugby or the continued success they continue to have. However, it is to say that we have to begin to celebrate other entities that represent South Africa. We continue to have success in fears such as netball and women’s soccer. There is a lack of rallying behind them. Similarly, the lack of support for Bafana Bafana as they campaigned their way to a bronze medal in Afcon there was little support. For varsity majority of efforts. I think some part is based on the low enthusiasm and investment into the build of these sports but lack of belief that they will be successful based on their history. Which is ironic when rainbowism pushes us collectively to look to our future and overlook the past.

Finally, rainbowism failed when we were unable to protect the cultural identity of all people based in South Africa. The ideals of pan-Africanism which used to be a cornerstone of the struggle against colonial powers. Banned parties set up headquarters in their neighboring countries where their allies had defeated their oppressor. There was an ability for us to recognize everyone and be celebrated for who we were and the history we represented. However, as the country's opportunities began to appear to be scarce it us South Africans who turned on their people and forgot that we believe South Africa belongs to all who live in it. Yes, it continues to leave room for argument and disagreement. It holds true that we had a responsibility to protect all and be leaders of ubuntu on the African continent as we redefined how African communities appeared to be.

The Rainbow nation to me is not a dream with no reality. It continues to exist comfortably for me in the ideas that it is a dream deferred. Postponed for a later date, a later time when the world and ourselves are more at peace with who we are and who we want to be. It is something that definitely needs to be worked on, redefined, and updated for a world that engages with the complexities of the 21st Century. But it must most definitely not become a dream forgotten.