THROUGH A COLOURED LENS

282 Pages·2015·6.8 MB·English

THROUGH A COLOURED LENS: POST-APARTHEID IDENTITY FORMATION
AMONGST COLOUREDS IN KZN
Fileve Tlaloc Palmer
Submitted to the faculty of the University Graduate
School in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree
Doctor of Philosophy
in the Department of Anthropology,
Indiana University
April 2015
Accepted by the Graduate Faculty, Indiana University, in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
Doctoral Committee
__________________________________________________
Committee Chairperson Paula Girshick, Ph.D.
__________________________________________________
Marvin D. Sterling, Ph.D.
__________________________________________________
Daniel Suslak Ph.D.
__________________________________________________
Margaret Sutton, Ph.D.
May 07, 2014
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Copyright © 2015
Fileve Tlaloc Palmer
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To my grandfather, “Pa” “Mahlombe” Nolan Frank Strydom (1924-2014) whose presence was always an
inspiration to aim higher, shine brighter, and work harder. RIP
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Acknowledgements
Though I wrote these words, struggled to put them together, and came to a final stopping
point with this document, I could not have done it alone. To my mother, Valerie Strydom
Palmer, a woman that strove to be more than the oppressors dictated her to be. Thank you for
instilling in me the importance of a good education, exploration, and adventure. To my father
Terry Albert Brandt Palmer, a brilliant, stubborn man of which I inherited the latter quality
that gave me the tenacity and persistence to complete this doctorate. Collectively, without their
support I would not have been able to leave the security of New York City and venture forth into
the Indiana Hoosier-lands that is IU.
Thank you to all the people I met during my program that assisted through this intellectual
journey and helped me adjust to the culture shock I experienced. Two members of my cohort in
particular supported me more than they knew or I ever expressed: Samuel Buelow (despite
being an amazingly smart theorist continues to awe me with his textile creations and
dedication to craft!) and Darlynn Dietrich (who gave me the courage to listen to my heart and
go back to Africa!). Thanks goes out to my good friend Pere Jackson who helped me move and
got me through some interesting times. Thank you for your sense of humor! Thanks to Moses
Muziwandile Hadebe, my first isiZulu instructor, founder of the IU gumboot troop, and
friend. He made always made learning fun. To my committee members, each helped my
intellectual and theoretical development to which I am eternally thankful. My chair, Paula
Girshick’s unweaving support and high standards kept me on task and progressing toward the
final goal. I apologize in advance for any misplaced commas. Thank you for your constant
reads, rereads, and challenges. I appreciate
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Marvin Sterling’s astute yet gentle guidance throughout the research and writing process. Daniel
Suslak’s sense of humor was always appreciated in class dealing with challenging concepts and I
always appreciated his blunt comments and emoticons while editing this document. Margaret
Sutton’s simple advice and queries enabled me to clarify my journey.
To Charles Frederick Jr. and everyone at the Student Academic Center, thank you for all the
support during my coursework. The teaching opportunities gave me invaluable experience and
challenged definitions and preconceived notions of diversity and inclusion. Thanks also for IU
Groups program and putting me in touch with wonderful students in 2009, 2012, and 2013, I wish
all of you success in your life journeys. To Yolanda Trivino, thank you for always being available,
keeping me in the loop, and being a friend. Thanks goes to the members of the African Studies
Program at Indiana University and the FLAS committee members for choosing me to receive the
fellowship for two years to assist the learning of isiZulu and the completion of coursework. To
Debra Wilkerson, thank you for all your experience and dedication to the department and graduate
students. Without you no one would get through. There will be big shoes to fill upon your
retirement. I always loved your unlikely animal friend clippings hanging near your desk. To Suzy,
Linda, Agatha, and Eric thank you for all the work you all do keeping everyone in line and abreast
of goings-on’s, organizing events and answering the numerous questions and requests that come
through your office. To all the funding agencies that funded my research trips including the
Fulbright GPA (2007), IU Anthropology Skomp fund (2008), Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship
(2010) District 6580 (Southern and Central Indiana) and 9270 (KwaZulu-Natal), and Fulbright
Hays Dissertation Fellowship (2011). Thank you also to the American Studies Department and
their support during my dissertation writing phase and getting me to reading some fantastic books
and helping to understand “What is America?” including but not limited to Denise Cruz, Micol
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Seigel. Thank you for your continued support to Vivian Hollaran, Deborah Cohen, Carol Glaze,
and Paula Cotner. Thank you also to Jordache Ellapen Kim Stanley, Sarah Monson and Joshua
Robinson for commiserating and being friends.
From my fieldwork in South Africa, there are so many people I’d like to thank. To all my relations:
“Ma” Fulvie Saker Strydom (dynamite comes in small packages), Patti (an inspiration) and Trevor
(always the comedian) Joshua, Adelaide Joshua-Hill (“my little big sister”, of whom I am so very
proud) and her partner in crime Russell Hill, Barbara Lawrence Strydom (the mover and shaker,
an invaluable member of the family, and a great friend), Sherleigh “Shuksy” Strydom (“my big
brother”), Bertie Strydom (always brave and ready to act) and Auntie Lolly Strydom, Arlene
Lalsing, Auntie Emily, Guy Strydom and , Frederick Strydom, Colin Strydom, thank you all for
your unconditional love throughout the years and for always opening your homes and sharing your
stories! To my many cousins, Anver and Chantel Strydom, Kim Strydom, Kerrie-Lee Strydom,
Henry and Cameron Strydom, Lauren Strydom, Gary, Garth and Nolan Strydom, Marcel Strydom,
Brian Strydom, Arthur Joshua, Carl Joshua (especially for the “muthi” hook up), Kelsang
Phuntsog, Denli and Jenny Joshua, Lungi, Cedric Nunn and Natalie “Nomandla” Houston, thank
you all for spending time with me. I love you all and wish you all the best for the future! To Michel
and Zelda Lawrence, your hard work and talent is a wonderful example for all. Thank you for all
your support throughout this research and for sharing your family with mine. A big shout out and
much love to Auntie Gloria, Carl and Sam Uys may your family continue to grow! Thank you also
to Nicko Lawrence keep prospering despite obstacles thrown in your path. Amandla to Ian Africa!
The Pinetown Rotary Club, Umhlatazana Club, Amanzimtoti Club, Chatsworth Club,
Pietermartizburg Club, and the Durban Rotary Club for which I would not have met the following
wonderful people: Neville and Anne Eve and Willy and Lydia Pelser, Billy-Joe Pelser and Wally
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Pelser your hospitality will never be forgot and we hope to one day reciprocate when you visit the
USA! To Dr. Naidoo, his and artistic wife, and wonderful daughter Sayuri Naidoo, thank you for
your hospitality. Thank you to UKZN for research facilities, and the Collective Art Gallery for
showing the PEP photos. To the Wentworth community: Mr. Harripasad, Michaela, Che’Leigh,
Haley, and Marcel, Marcy and her mom Sandra, Tatum (big hugs), Claudia, Nancy, and Allen
Dunn, Natasha, Elizabeth Lawrence Jasson and the Jasson household, Janice Jasson and her
parents, Sa-Asa and her family, Tyrell and especially her grandma, Auntie Bonita, and Rose.
Thank you to Jean Choudree for all your logistical support and tireless networking. The Women
of Wentworth, The Austerville Community Center and all the staff (especially those at the
computer lab), John Dunn House.
To the Harding community: Thank you for all your participation, Harding Secondary School the
principal and teachers. Mr. and Mrs. Cox and the library staff. Mayor Ncigi and her entire office,
AFM Church and Pastor Roland, “Jerry Springer” and his family. Love and prayers for a wonderful
life to Cya and his grandma, Shanice and her granny Grace, Angelo, Breylin, “Baba”, Le’Chay,
Taryn and Meagan Deckford, Samantha, you are all talented youth. May you all live without
bounds to your success. The Sunnydale community Heather Bevan and the Stocks, Robin, Mr.
Moore, Senzokuhle CBO and all the staff and volunteers throughout the years especially Justice.
The Ngonqai Fort Museum, Thank you for all the smiles and tiny adventures to Banele Skumbuzo
Dlala, and Lorato “Li” Joshua. Maryisa Dyniak despite being from Poland you gave our Eshowe
experience a different flavor. Thank you also for your visit to Indiana and making pierogis for us!
To my Western New York Family and those from the Tuscarora Nation thank you for adopting
me, for sharing your laughs, trials and tribulations, great stories, and much needed distractions:
Irene Stahlman Fraser-Young, Maggie Fortune, Jim Copia, Bubs and Patti Fischer, Osias Fischer,
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Katie Fischer, Angus Fischer, Grams, Bob Jacobs, Patti Jo Henry, Izzy, Sandy Swanson, Marcia
Stahlman, Joanne Neumann, Adam Patterson, Angie Jonathan, Sarah Kennedy, Kathleen
Wheatley, Priscila Williams, Doris Patterson, Pat Patterson, Larry Fish, Clara Fish, Judy Patterson,
Dean Patterson, Loren Fish, Bart and Kerry Oddo, Sonny Rickard, Dorienne Rickard, Krissy Hill,
Donald Hill, Monty Hill, Logan Hill, Elden Fischer Sr., Jill Clause, Jay Clause, Joanne Weinholtz,
Wendy and Jim Bissell, Nadine Printup, Donald Robinson, Betsy Bissell, Principal Carr and the
Tuscarora Indian School. Thank you also to everyone at Maxwell House Yoga especially Winnie
Edgerton, Robin Halpin and Kathy Nesbit for your generosity of spirit are second to none! We
also have the best neighbors Tom Shaffer and Susan Parrish we love the whistles and desserts!
Finally a big thank you to my stepchildren Aaron and Ana Stahlman for lending me your dad and
teaching me how to be a better person through helping to raise you. Especially to Ana, thank you
for teaching me about the power of patience and non-judgement. To my critters Pundit, Nicky,
Karli Marx, Oorathey, and the hens, thanks for your presence, your sense of security and for always
welcoming us home with excitement and fresh eggs. Last but not least to my husband and co-
conspirator Joe Stahlman, words cannot express all the support you’ve provided throughout the
years, the long nights, the tears, the laughs, the fights, the love, the hopes and dreams. Thank you
for your editorial assistance, for answering questions, for your words of wisdom and support, for
being open to new ideas and experiences. From gumboot to yoga, from Africa to Tuscarora thank
you for the adventures. Thanks for putting up with my stubbornness and thanks for your
forgiveness. You are one of the best things Indiana has given me and because of you I cherish my
time here. I cannot wait for the next adventures to come and am honored to walk this path together!
For those that passed during the progress of this dissertation RIP! Dennis Lamenti, Phillip Jasson,
Mr. Stock, Monk Patterson, Chief Stuart Patterson, Dorothy Printup, and Nothando Mbuyisa.
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Fileve Tlaloc Palmer
Through a Coloured Lens: Post-Apartheid Identity Formation amongst Coloureds in KZN
Although the term creolization is widely applied in the Caribbean and Latin America, I
find the concept useful in describing the ethnogenesis of Coloureds as a new group of people in
South Africa. To call Coloured people “creole” deviates from the prescribed racialized and
informal definition of them as “mixed-race” thereby also circumventing the idea of racial
“purity.” Recognizing that creolized societies, communities, and peoples merge two or more
“formerly distinct” ethnic or cultural entities in new spaces to create unique social orders in
heterogeneous styles, structures and contents eliminates essentialized definitions of people as
being “mixed” and/or “pure.” By examining Coloured people through a creole framework, we
come to understand the ways these people weld unique cultural and genetic attributes together. In
this way, Coloureds can be seen as differently preserving and adapting to new circumstances
with new multifaceted meanings.  
South Africa’s national government, popular media and economic leaders, as well as
ordinary citizenry claim a special place on the global stage based on their economic resources
and infrastructure, the peaceful transition from White minority government to black majority
rule, and multicultural background of the citizenry. By embracing the nation’s nickname “The
Rainbow Nation,” coined by Bishop Desmond Tutu, the implied ethnic and racial diversity of
peoples is respected and celebrated. However, in multi-cultural nations people with blended
ancestries aggregate and form liminal groups in which they inherit, adopt, and create cultural
practices from every group on the racial continuum to create their own uniquely creolized (or
blended) culture. However, these blendings are not always recognized or appreciated. I anchor
my analysis of Coloureds living in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) as a liminal population between Black
and White. My research differs from other scholars examining Coloureds, in that I scrutinize a
province associated with a Zulu ethnic majority. By addressing a territory beyond the Coloured
“homeland” of the Western Cape (of which the literature abounds) I am able to draw historical
and ethnographic comparisons of creolization between the two areas and provide a space for
discussion in alignment to Coloured’s own cultural formations.
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