The "Coloured" Community in Post-Apartheid Gauteng
What is the aim of the project?
This project explores the history and current realities of the “Coloured”1 community in Gauteng. It brings together academic and community voices to better understand the complex social, economic, political and spatial issues affecting the community.
Why is this research important for the Coloured community in Gauteng?
Coloured people in Gauteng face unique challenges shaped by historical legacies. By focusing on their realities this project aims to fill a significant knowledge gap. This group is often overlooked in research.
What are we hoping to achieve with this project?
- To amplify the voices and experiences of Coloured individuals and communities.
- To paint a holistic picture of Coloured experiences in Gauteng.
- To produce original academic and creative outputs.
Who is involved in this project?
This project is led by the Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO) with support from external scholars. To ensure the voices of the community are heard we are encouraging active participation.
How will research be conducted?
- Extensive review of both academic and popular literature.
- Interviews and focus groups
- Data and spatial analyses
- Social media analyses
- Voting patterns analyses
What will happen with the information collected?
- Op-eds and articles
- Written pieces online publication
- Edited volume
- Journal articles
- Public engagements and exhibitions
Why include a written piece's competition under this project?
The competition invites people to tell their own or others' stories through essays, poems, personal reflections and short stories. This allows for a diverse representation of experience. Selected submissions will be featured in an online publication and research report/book.
How can others get involved or stay updated?
- Submit to the written piece's competition
- Attend events and exhibitions
- Follow GCRO’s website and social media for updates
- Reach out to us if you would like to collaborate or contribute
1 The term “Coloured” is placed in quotation marks to acknowledge its contested nature. While it remains an official racial classification in South Africa and is used in policy, demographic data and everyday discourse it is not a universally accepted label. Quotation marks signal critical distance and sensitivity to the complex debates surrounding the term.
