Are White People Born in Africa Considered Africans?

Today, I will delve into the complex issue of whether white people born in Africa are considered Africans based on my experience living in South Africa. This topic has sparked numerous debates on social media platforms like Quora, but in everyday life, such discussions are rare.

Self-Identification and Identity

White people in South Africa often identify differently depending on the context. On a bad day, they may not consider themselves Africans and will make that clear. Conversely, on a good day, they might proudly identify as Africans. Some might see this as an identity crisis, while others might argue that individuals have the right to identify themselves however they choose.

No Debates in Daily Life

It's important to note that such debates are predominantly found on forums and social media platforms like Quora. In reality, discussions about African identity among South Africans are uncommon. We rarely engage in these conversations during family gatherings, school, university, among colleagues, or with friends. This suggests that the issue is seen as less significant in everyday life.

Common Terms in Interpersonal Communication

When referring to each other, South Africans typically use terms like batho, abantu, vanhu, or vhathu, regardless of ethnic background. These terms generally mean "people" or "humans" and are used irrespective of whether one is from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Congo, or any other part of Africa. Conversely, when speaking about white people, we use terms like whites, boers, amabhunu, mavhuru, makgowa, or makhuwa. We rarely use the term "Afrikaner" to describe any white person, even though there is a white segment that self-identifies as such. This highlights the complexity of how we categorize and classify different ethnic groups within Africa.

Heritage and Cultural Background

It is important to recognize that Africa is a diverse continent with numerous ethnicities. Egyptians, Moroccans, and the inhabitants of the Seychelles or Mauritius are all considered African. With 54 countries in Africa, there are countless different cultures and ethnic backgrounds. However, when it comes to white people born in Africa, their African heritage is what defines them, regardless of the circumstances of their birth or their European parentage.

Conclusion

South Africans generally do not have a need to debate the identity of white people who were born in Africa. We recognize their African heritage and refer to them as members of the African community. This article is based on a South African perspective and not on behalf of all South Africans, as these discussions are not common in daily life.