New identities and old perceptions: Opperman's Grounds land restitution

Abstract

This article focuses on the emergence of intracommunity tensions, owing to the revitalisation of the Oppermans' identity, as well as of a "coloured" ethnic identity; racially-based forms of political mobilisation; and land struggles. The research results presented here are the outcome of a request that the author received from the Opperman family to assist them with a land claim that they had submitted. Written sources (both published and unpublished) concerning Opperman's Grounds are limited. It was therefore necessary to pay several visits to the area of the research and conduct interviews with informants and focus groups. This research was carried out during 2004-2005.