I’m trying to figure out if I’m falling under the Afrikaner-Diaspora phenomenon or not. Obviously my partial Afrikaner-heritage and my expatriate status would suggest so. But there are various factors that add to my confusion. (1) I don’t consider my staying abroad a permanent one. (2) I don’t consider my staying in South Africa a permanent stay (hence my hopping). (3) I don’t consider myself an Afrikaner. (4) Others don’t consider me a non-Afrikaner. (5) I don’t do braaivleis, beer or rugby. (6) I did not leave the country out of fear for crime. (I grew up at Sebokeng, for goodness sake, and lived through the 80s riots.) (7) I did leave because of better career opportunities.So what do you think... Am I part of the Afrikaner-Diaspora?
Am I part of the South African Diaspora?
Image from http://southafricandiaspora.blogspot.com/
5 comments:
It depends - are you going to celebrate Braaiday on 24 September next week.
There is such a thing as Braaiday! Oh my goodness! Uhm, probably not - I'm not into meat that much, unless I can make some braaibroodjies. But now, to get some fellow broodjie-braaiers...
I think you are just a typical Third culture kid (TCK) like me.
Whichever parent you have is Afrikaner would however be considered part of that diaspora. Diaspora's in general breed more TCK's. However there are MANY reasons TCK's occur (military, diplomacy, religious moves, etc.)
So in effect you are a TCK 'effect' of the diaspora though not a part of the diaspora yourself. (From what I can tell in a cursory glance of your blog).
Hi Valerie,
Thanks for dropping by.
Yes, I've been considering the TCK-phenomenon as a possible description of myself since I show all the typical characteristics, but since I didn't grow up in a "foreign" environment, I've never felt completely at liberty to claim the label.
It depends on at what age did you leave? Did you spend any decent length of time during your formative years (before 21st birthday) abroad? I'm not talking family vacation to Disney World or something here but actually *living* abroad as part of that other culture. AND/OR is one of you parents NOT South African? Either criteria make you a TCK.
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