For many observers-both inside and outside the
country-South Africa's bloodless transition from the
minority white domination of the apartheid era to
democracy represented a political miracle of no mean
significance. An important difference between the
period before 1994 and the subsequent period is that
the old divisions into which society was
compartmentalised-Whites, Blacks, Indians and
Coloureds-have disappeared. In their place there is a
more integrated society,albeit with multiple
diversities. Theoretically therefore, the contours
and racially-based dividing lines which were
artificially created by apartheid have ceased to
exist. Practically however, such divisions still
persist both at societal and school levels;reason
being that the deep-seated distrust of
the other could not be wiped out overnight-nor
could integration take place without deliberate
state intervention. This monograph contributes to
the contemporary debate on desegregation, racial
integration and cultural diversification of the
learning environment,concluding that integration and
social cohesion of learners are possible if a proper
enabling environment is created.
country-South Africa's bloodless transition from the
minority white domination of the apartheid era to
democracy represented a political miracle of no mean
significance. An important difference between the
period before 1994 and the subsequent period is that
the old divisions into which society was
compartmentalised-Whites, Blacks, Indians and
Coloureds-have disappeared. In their place there is a
more integrated society,albeit with multiple
diversities. Theoretically therefore, the contours
and racially-based dividing lines which were
artificially created by apartheid have ceased to
exist. Practically however, such divisions still
persist both at societal and school levels;reason
being that the deep-seated distrust of
the other could not be wiped out overnight-nor
could integration take place without deliberate
state intervention. This monograph contributes to
the contemporary debate on desegregation, racial
integration and cultural diversification of the
learning environment,concluding that integration and
social cohesion of learners are possible if a proper
enabling environment is created.