Discussions on Coloured Identity in Eldo’s – Review

It seems that Coloured people around the country are becoming more and more inquisitive about their identity, culture, stance and chance in this twelve year old democratic South Africa.
On Saturday 18 November, the community of Eldorado park gathered at the local hall to engage extensively in discussions relating to the immensely talked about “Coloured identity.” (The first of a series of workshops initiated by the GREATER ELDORADO PARK STAKE HOLDERS FORUM)
The attendees formed groups of three where they discussed matters of pre apartheid, post apartheid and forging a common identity, respectively.

Talks of how the history of Coloured politics remains almost entirely neglected and the scars of the offensive implications imposed on our identity had emotive responses. Some of the attendees shared stories of experienced oppression. Dr Leonard Martin who chaired the meeting did not hold back as he laid down some enlightening facts about our history. The assembly included local religious leaders and politicians -making the conversations particularly interesting.

Attention-grabbing and under-researched essentials like the arrival of the APO (African Political Organization) http://www.sahistory.org.za/pages/people/abdurahman-a.htm in 1902 which was the country’s first anti-apartheid political party comprising predominantly Coloured teachers and business men were highlighted. The fact that this movement gave rise to the advent of the ANC and other parties also conveyed positive and proud messages. The people at this meeting agreed that the Coloured identity was enforced on us by white supremacists and that we need to define our own ethnicity. There was also an agreement that history should and will be rerecorded for the people by the people.

On a lighter note, the entertainment came from our very own poets one of whom is Anthony Wilson; the first Coloured producer at the SABC (amongst other things). They delivered electrifying theatrical performances and poems, poems about our heritage, lifestyles and struggles- most of which was extraordinarily witty. It took 12 years to apprehend and it’s almost as if it is finally kosher to talk about how we really feel, what really happened and who we really are. Some of us feel that we’re making a futile ruckus but this workshop set a precedent and may very well be considered as a historic event and the beginning of an ethnic mobilization of Coloured people.