Cultural conflicts, dilemmas and disillusionment among the San communities at Platfontein
Abstract
This article examines the cultural conflicts, dilemmas and disillusionment among the
San communities at Platfontein in the Northern Cape province of South Africa. A
critical review of written texts, interviews, observations and focus group discussions
with the community knowledge-holders shows that the community’s new Westernised
lifestyle in the midst of the capitalist society at Platfontein turns the collective spirit,
human relations, mutual reverence, sincerity and self-confidence that existed before
their contact with Westernised societies into unusual selfishness, individualism,
impiety, dishonesty, greed and disregard for others. The conflict between the
communal hunter-gatherer culture and the alien individualist mode of existence has
created serious dilemmas and moral conflicts in the community. The Westernised
mode of existence has alienated the community from their human nature, their natural
environment, their productive chores and their communal life. The community has an
undefined, unclear and controversial understanding of their own racial identity. The
San refer to the black and white races that have historical relationships with them as
Others, which in turn has an Othering effect on the San themselves. The causes of
moral and psychological conflicts, identity crises, dilemmas and disillusionment are
power relations related to ethnic and racial politics, colonial discourse and identity
politics. The researcher recommends that to achieve harmonious relationships with
other communities and among themselves, the San need to redefine themselves and
other societies that have historical ties with them.