Living in the Interregnum: Existential Dilemma, Identity Crisis and Alienation in July's People

A review of the socio-political formation of South Africa demonstrates a clear racialized pattern of colonialism – of political oppression, economic exploitation and cultural subjugation. South Africa unfolds upon a history that is deeply rooted in colonial rule and white supremacy under Apartheid. It represents a system of 'internal' colonization separating settlers from natives; not only geographically but socially and economically, as well. 
The Apartheid reinforced a racial hierarchy in a physical distance between racialized bodies. The term ‘non-white’ defined black people in relation to the master/slave relation that aimed to maintain the “purity” of white bodies. Michael Chapman points out how fear of “racial mixture and white determination to preserve racial purity were at this stage … of key psychological importance to the appeal of apartheid: an appeal that found support among most whites” (221). Thus, various repressive acts were enforced to ensure this. In his critical study “The Continuing Salience of Race”, Jermey Seekings states that the systematic racial classification of Apartheid was required to entail three main objectives. The first was ideological: to maintain racial purity by preventing mixing of white blood (non inter-racial marriage) and the residential segregation by race forcing the removal from ‘white’ areas. The second objective was: to ensure and protect the privileged economic position of white minority by reserving land for white ownership only. The third objective was: to maintain political dominance of white minority (giving no vote rights for blacks). Thus, the oppressive system of social division maintained and regulated by the Apartheid state was for the interest of white profit and white power.