On 18 March 2026, the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, in partnership with the Centre for the Advancement of Non-Racialism and Democracy and the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation, hosted a virtual webinar exploring the evolving meanings of identity and belonging in post-apartheid South Africa.
Held as part of Anti-Racism Week 2026, the webinar created a space for critical reflection on how apartheid-era racial classifications continue to shape lived experiences, social relations, and perceptions of belonging three decades into democracy.
Drawing on insights from the 2025 Reconciliation Barometer, the discussion examined the extent to which historical racial categories still structure how South Africans understand themselves and others. It also engaged with the ongoing tension between the constitutional ideal of non-racialism and the realities of persistent inequality, where race-conscious redress remains central to addressing past injustices.
The conversation brought together a panel of thought leaders, including Tessa Dooms and Professor Marzia Milazzo, who explored both the conceptual and lived dimensions of identity in contemporary South Africa. Contributions reflected on how individuals and communities navigate identity in a society that is simultaneously shaped by race and striving to move beyond it.
Key questions addressed during the webinar included whether non-racialism can be meaningfully realised without first resolving deep structural inequalities, what constitutes genuine belonging in a democratic society, and how young South Africans are negotiating identity within this complex landscape.
The discussion also extended beyond analysis, offering practical reflections on how schools, workplaces, and communities can encourage environments rooted in dignity, inclusion, and shared values.
This webinar formed part of the Foundation’s Anti-Racism Week programme, which aims to promote dialogue, challenge discrimination, and advance the constitutional vision of a non-racial and inclusive society.
