Identity

My story of belonging

Can we call a place home if we are not from there? Can we look different to our neighbour and still belong? Can we believe different things and still find common ground?

We may assume that our way of approaching these big life moments of births, deaths and marriages is ‘right’, but it’s actually a reflection of our cultural values, and other people may have different views and expectations in those moments.

The story behind my traditions

Maize is a staple food in sub-Saharan Africa. Most of us eat it in the form of maize meal – but how that maize meal is prepared is very different around the country and continent! This article in our Heritage Day series looks at the story behind our traditions – food and otherwise.

The story behind my language

No matter where the river of your life’s journey has taken you, your language is something that you carry with you. It gives you a sense of identity, connectedness and belonging. This article in our Heritage Day series looks at the story behind our language.

What does empathy mean to Gen Z?

"Empathy is feeling someone’s struggles, even when they’re not yours," reflects Pule, 26. For many young people today, empathy is more than just a buzzword – it is a way of connecting, understanding, and building relationships in an increasingly complex world.

The power of heritage in South Africa

South Africa has a complex past, so a day like Heritage Day can be met with mixed emotions. But what if we were open to exploring the aspects of our own heritage, as well as the heritage of those around us, to understand ourselves and each other better?

I was abandoned at birth

From the time he was abandoned at birth, to when he eventually found his family, Innocent has struggled with belonging and identity.

It's not just a man's world

Sarah’s journey to embracing womanhood has taught her that she is free to be unique – and to make choices that empower not only her, but her family as well.

I don't know where to place myself

Joao Pedro was born in South Africa to parents who are immigrants, and although he is proud of his Angolan-South African heritage, he still finds it hard to define his identity.

They called me the little bastard

Blackie’s identity has been questioned from the moment he was born. He was born to white parents in apartheid South Africa, but he appeared coloured. His appearance made him a target for ridicule and cruelty.

I have lived a life of pain

South African actor Israel Sipho Matseke Zulu (Israel Makoe) opens up about his name, growing up in Alexandra township and how being incarcerated changed his life.