WONDERFUL WEEK IN STELLENBOSCH [the 2nd white settlement in South Africa]! It’s been full of lectures on University of Stellenbosch’s campus – about Afrikaner identity, Afrikaans, gender issues, land reform, etc. – culminating with a wine tasting visit and tour this afternoon (in the pictures). I was sick the first night in this homestay but it was thankfully over after one bad night. My hostfamily here is lovely – white parents and five kids ages 3 to 12!!
Prior to this week we have been repeatedly learning about the oppression of blacks and coloreds by the whites under Apartheid. Different moments this week, however, have been deconstructing my old notions (predominantly negative) and forming new understandings of what “Afrikaner” and “Afrikaans” mean. This process began with my academic director Stewart’s comment that languages are neither good nor evil, oppressive nor liberating…it is only how languages are used. I think I have definitely been seeing how diverse and complex Afrikaner identity is. I was surprised to learn how many non-white people (predominantly “colored” people) speak Afrikaans as their first language. One lecturer even mentioned it is estimated that each Afrikaner has 7-9% non-white blood in their veins. Wonderful interactions with my hostfamily have also been contributing to this deconstruction of my former views!!
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