Substantive Belonging in a Post-Apartheid City: Examining the Intersection of Race, Class, Space, and Colonial Legacies in Cape Town

Abstract

This dissertation explores the complexities of belonging, displacement, and restitution in postapartheid Cape Town. The study focuses on the intersections of race, class, space, and the legacies of colonialism. It employs the concept of substantive belonging to analyze how affective and structural modes of belonging shape individuals' positioning within the city. Furthermore, by examining the gaps in belonging, the research illuminates the discrepancies between the idealized condition of substantive belonging and the realities experienced by residents of Cape Town. Through ethnographic exploration in various locations, including Woodstock, District Six, and Protea Village, the dissertation presents a nuanced understanding of how belonging is constructed and challenged. The research uncovers how race and class influence perceptions of inclusion and exclusion by analyzing events and narratives in public spaces. It investigates the connection between forced removals during apartheid and contemporary gentrification-led displacement, shedding light on the ongoing struggles for affordable housing and the right to belong in the city. The dissertation also examines the experiences of returning communities in Protea Village and District Six, illustrating the intricate social practices and norms that shape localized notions of belonging. An investigation of the regulations of space, the comparison between gentrification-led displacement and forced removals during apartheid, and the adequacy of post-apartheid restitution measures uncovers the challenges in creating a truly post-apartheid city. It underscores the importance of addressing historical injustices and reconciling with the colonial past to foster substantive belonging for all residents. Ultimately, the research calls attention to the intricate processes of transformation, restitution, and reconciliation in Cape Town, emphasizing the need to consider more than legal rights and economic factors when aiming for meaningful change. I would like to thank my co-supervisors, Monica Eileen Patterson and Blair Rutherford for their support and guidance throughout my doctoral program. Thank you to my committee members Danielle DiNovelli-Lang and Bernhard Leistle for their thoughtful insights and support. I would also like to thank my examiners, Andy Clarno and Pablo Mendez. I am grateful to all the members Ndifuna Ukwaze for their assistance, this project would not be the same without the work I was able to do with your organisation. In particular I would like to thank Emile, Sarita, and Ntombi. Thank you to Kurt Orderson who, in introducing me to the many social movements and people that are fighting for a better life in Cape Town, opened my mind to the power of protest and taking a stand. Thank you to the Protea Village land claim members. In particular Cedrik van Dieman and David Wilson for sharing their memories and the history of the land claim. Thank you to Aya Turchio for her help making the maps for this dissertation.Thank you to all the colleagues who have read and c...