The modern South African house of race began as two structures separately constructed. What was to become South Africa at the start of the twentieth century inherited from the previous century polities ruled by two fragments of European settlers, Dutch-descended Afrikaners and British-descended English-speakers (hereafter called “English); the two groups were themselves divided. Earlier-settled and isolated Afrikaners clung to images of racial distinction and order, amid the complicating fact of miscegenation. The British arrived later, bringing a post-Enlightenment “liberalism” that inspired the relatively early abolition of slavery. But such liberalism did not preclude the British from also imposing domination over “the natives,” or later the Afrikaners. Political and economic tensions between these groups vying for power were aggravated by disagreements over the treatment of slaves, Africans, and coloureds. The distinct solidarity of the English and Afrikaners was reinforced by resulting conflict and antagonism, dividing them despite their shared sense of white superiority. After the turn the century, the British forcibly combined the houses of Afrikaner republics and crown colonies. The misaligned floors would have to be roughly joined until the more complete renovation of apartheid constructed a more uniform edifice of racial domination. To build a united nation for whites, shared racism would become the basis for gradual reconciliation amid continued competition.

White Conflict, Forced Unity, and Black Exclusion

The arrival of the British in South Africa had a dramatic effect upon the Afrikaners.