SOUTH AFRICA’S history is a testament to the resilience and strength of its people, particularly its black majority, who endured centuries of colonial oppression, apartheid, and systemic exploitation.
Yet, despite the formal end of apartheid in 1994, the legacy of racial inequality and economic exclusion persists. Black South Africans continue to bear the brunt of poverty, unemployment, and systemic marginalisation.
While political freedom was achieved, economic freedom remains elusive. This reality underscores the urgent need to raise consciousness and forge unity among black people in South Africa.
Consciousness; the awareness of one’s identity, history, and collective struggle; is the foundation upon which unity and progress are built. Without it, a people remain fragmented, vulnerable to manipulation, and unable to challenge the systems that oppress them.
This opinion piece attempts to explore the importance of raising consciousness, the pitfalls of its absence, and the transformative power of unity in achieving collective liberation.
The Pitfalls of a Lack of Consciousness
A lack of consciousness among black South Africans has had profound and far-reaching consequences. It has perpetuated divisions, hindered collective action, and allowed systemic inequalities to persist.
Consciousness is not merely an intellectual exercise; it is a deeply rooted understanding of one’s history, identity, and the structural forces that shape one’s reality. Without this understanding, black South Africans have often been complicit in their own marginalisation, unable to recognise or challenge the systems that oppress them.
One of the most glaring examples of this lack of consciousness is the internalised inferiority complex that persists among many black South Africans. Centuries of colonialism and apartheid were not only systems of physical and economic oppression but also psychological warfare.
The narrative of black inferiority and white superiority was deeply ingrained in the minds of black people, leading to a sense of self-doubt and a lack of confidence in their own abilities. This internalised inferiority manifests in various ways, from the preference for European standards of beauty and culture to the reluctance to support black-owned businesses and initiatives. It is a barrier to self-empowerment and collective progress.
Another consequence of a lack of consciousness is the fragmentation of black communities. South Africa’s black population is diverse, encompassing various ethnic groups, languages, and cultural practices. While this diversity is a source of strength, it has also been exploited to sow division and weaken collective resistance.
The apartheid regime deliberately fostered ethnic divisions, promoting tribalism and creating artificial hierarchies among black people. These divisions persist today, often exploited by political elites to maintain power and control. Without a shared consciousness of their common struggle and shared destiny, black South Africans remain divided, unable to unite against the systemic forces that oppress them.
A lack of consciousness also leaves black South Africans vulnerable to manipulation and co-optation. Political and economic elites, both black and white, have often exploited the lack of awareness among black people to advance their own interests.
For example, the promise of black economic empowerment (BEE) has been used to enrich a small elite while leaving the majority of black South Africans trapped in poverty. Similarly, political leaders have used rhetoric of liberation and transformation to secure votes while failing to deliver meaningful change. Without a critical consciousness, black South Africans are unable to hold these leaders accountable or demand genuine transformation.
The Power of Consciousness: Awakening a People
Raising consciousness among black South Africans is not just an intellectual exercise; it is a revolutionary act. It involves reclaiming one’s history, identity, and agency, and recognising the systemic forces that shape one’s reality.
Consciousness is the foundation upon which unity and collective action are built. It empowers individuals to challenge the status quo, demand justice, and work towards a better future. One of the first steps in raising consciousness is reclaiming black history and identity. For too long, the history of black South Africans has been distorted, erased, or marginalised. The achievements and contributions of black people have been downplayed, while the narratives of colonialism and apartheid have been centred.
Reclaiming this history is essential to building a sense of pride and self-worth among black South Africans. It involves celebrating the heroes and heroines of the struggle, from Shaka Zulu and Charlotte Maxeke to Steve Biko and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. It also involves recognising the resilience and creativity of black communities in the face of oppression, from the Marikana miners to the #FeesMustFall activists.
Another crucial aspect of raising consciousness is understanding the structural forces that perpetuate inequality and oppression. This involves recognising the role of capitalism, racism, and patriarchy in shaping the lives of black South Africans. It also involves understanding the global context of black oppression, from the transatlantic slave trade to the ongoing exploitation of Africa’s resources.
This understanding is essential for developing strategies to challenge these systems and create a more just and equitable society. Raising consciousness also involves fostering a sense of collective identity and shared destiny among black South Africans. This means moving beyond ethnic, linguistic, and cultural divisions to recognise the common struggle against oppression. It involves building solidarity across class, gender, and generational lines, and recognising that the liberation of one is tied to the liberation of all. This sense of collective identity is the foundation upon which unity and collective action are built.
The Transformative Power of Unity
Unity is the natural outcome of a raised consciousness. When black South Africans are aware of their shared history, identity, and struggle, they are better able to come together to challenge the systems that oppress them. Unity is not just about coming together; it is about working together towards a common goal. It is about pooling resources, sharing knowledge, and supporting one another in the fight for justice and equality. One of the most powerful examples of unity in action is the Black Consciousness Movement (BCM), led by Steve Biko in the 1970s.
The BCM sought to raise consciousness among black South Africans, empowering them to reject the narrative of inferiority and take pride in their identity. It also sought to build unity across ethnic and class lines, recognising that the struggle against apartheid required a collective effort. The BCM played a crucial role in mobilising black South Africans and laying the groundwork for the mass resistance of the 1980s.Another example of unity in action is the #FeesMustFall movement, which emerged in 2015. The movement, led by black students, sought to challenge the high cost of education and the systemic exclusion of black students from universities. It brought together students from diverse backgrounds, united by a common goal of transforming the education system.
The movement succeeded in forcing the government to freeze tuition fees and sparked a broader conversation about decolonisation and transformation in South Africa. Unity also has the power to transform the economic landscape of South Africa. Black economic empowerment (BEE) has often been criticised for benefiting a small elite while leaving the majority of black South Africans trapped in poverty. However, when black South Africans come together to support black-owned businesses and initiatives, they can create a more inclusive and equitable economy. This involves not only supporting black entrepreneurs but also challenging the systemic barriers that prevent black people from accessing capital, markets, and opportunities.
Steve Biko would've turned 70 today; died in a police cell, 1977. Founded the BLACK CONSCIOUSNESS anti-apartheid movement.
Hear him speak.. pic.twitter.com/G7u7SaVbYj
The Role of Education and Media in Raising Consciousness
Education and media play a crucial role in raising consciousness among black South Africans. Education is not just about acquiring knowledge; it is about developing critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of one’s history and identity. A decolonised education system that centres black history, culture, and contributions is essential for raising consciousness among young people. It involves challenging the Eurocentric curriculum that dominates South African schools and universities and replacing it with one that reflects the experiences and aspirations of black South Africans.
The media also has a crucial role to play in raising consciousness. The media shapes public perception and influences how people understand their world. A media that is dominated by white-owned corporations and reflects the interests of the elite is unlikely to promote the consciousness and unity of black South Africans. Instead, there is a need for media that is owned and controlled by black people, and that reflects their experiences and aspirations. This includes not only traditional media but also social media, which has become a powerful tool for mobilising and organising.
Conclusion: Towards Collective Liberation
Raising consciousness and forging unity among black South Africans is not just a moral imperative; it is a practical necessity. Without consciousness, black South Africans remain fragmented, vulnerable to manipulation, and unable to challenge the systems that oppress them. Without unity, they are unable to pool their resources, share their knowledge, and support one another in the fight for justice and equality.
The journey towards collective liberation begins with reclaiming black history and identity, understanding the structural forces that perpetuate inequality, and fostering a sense of collective identity and shared destiny. It involves challenging the systems of capitalism, racism, and patriarchy that shape the lives of black South Africans and working together to create a more just and equitable society.
Education and media have a crucial role to play in this process, as does the collective action of black South Africans. By raising consciousness and forging unity, black South Africans can reclaim their agency, challenge the status quo, and work towards a future where they are truly free. This is the path to collective liberation, and it is a path that we must walk together.
(Dube is a political economist, businessman, and social commentator on UkhoziFM and various newspapers. His views don't necessarily reflect those of the Sunday Tribune or Independent Media)