Stereotypes are a funny thing—they’re rooted in real moments, yet they often miss the bigger picture. Take that woman who showed up for her work’s Heritage Day celebration dressed in a robe, hair curlers, cigarette in hand, and a tooth blacked out with cellotape (see the video below0. The video had people in stitches. For some, it was relatable, like seeing your antie walking around on a Saturday morning. But for others, it struck a nerve. What could’ve been a proud moment to celebrate culture instead leaned into the tired trope of the “unpolished coloured woman.”
This is the problem with stereotypes: they may reflect glimpses of truth, but they flatten an entire community into one joke, one role, or one image. Think about the swirlkous. A practical and beloved hair tool for coloured women. But when a swirlkous shows up in every TV ad or comedy sketch, it stops being a nod to culture and starts feeling like a lazy label.
At Cape Coloured Culture, we believe in laughing at ourselves when it’s on our terms, but stereotypes in the media and on social platforms flatten a community that’s far more diverse and dynamic than what’s often shown. So, let’s take a minute to call them out and push for a fuller picture. Here are 10 stereotypes we’d love to see retired for good.
Coloured people have no front teeth
One of the longest-standing stereotypes is that Coloured people are easily identified by their passion gap or missing front teeth. This stereotype has roots in real cultural practices, but the conversation is far more complex. In the Western Cape, studies have shown that many people have had front teeth extracted for various reasons—sometimes as a beauty trend, or because it’s seen as enhancing certain experiences like kissing. For others, it might be a practical response to dental health challenges.
Unfortunately, this stereotype has been twisted to suggest that Coloured people are “less human,” uneducated, or poor. That’s not only wrong, but it also disregards the individuality and dignity of those who embrace this cultural practice. Whether someone chooses dentures with gold designs or opts to rock their natural smile, it’s their choice and not an invitation for judgment.
Coloured people envy others’ successes
The idea that Coloured people automatically feel jealous or bitter when one of their own achieves success isn’t just untrue—it’s divisive. While envy can exist anywhere, many Coloured people celebrate each other’s wins and actively uplift their communities. From friends who cheer on each other’s promotions to neighbours rallying around local entrepreneurs, there’s no shortage of support when success is shared. It’s time to leave this toxic idea behind and focus on building each other up.
Coloured men are violent, drug addicts and gangsters
Coloured men have been stuck with a damaging image of being gangsters, addicts, or violent criminals. It’s a stereotype that’s been pushed through media, lazy storytelling, and biased assumptions. While it’s true that crime has affected certain areas, it’s ridiculous to paint an entire group of men with the same brush. Many Coloured men are hard working fathers, teachers, community leaders, and so much more.
Coloured people cannot speak proper English
The way many Coloured people speak—using Kaaps or what some call “Mengels”—is often misunderstood as “bad” English. This mix of Afrikaans and English is a unique way of expressing identity, culture, and history. But for those who insist on “proper” English, they’d be surprised at how many Coloured people excel in fields that demand sharp language skills. Lawyers, journalists, and teachers often come from the same areas where Kaaps is spoken daily.
Coloured people are lazy
Labelling Coloured people as lazy is an insult to countless individuals who work long hours to support their families, communities, and dreams. This stereotype ignores the hustle of teachers, nurses, creatives, and other professionals who give their all.
Coloured people are dependent on SASSA
The idea that Coloured women are dependent on social grants is another damaging stereotype. Yes, many families rely on assistance from SASSA to survive, but this isn’t unique to one racial group. The narrative unfairly targets Coloured women and ignores the structural issues, such as job scarcity and inequality, that make such support necessary. Coloured women are also business owners, professionals, and community leaders—challenging this stereotype at every turn.
Coloured people are fishermen, fruit and veg sellers, etc
Coloured people have often been associated with manual labor jobs like fishing or selling produce. While these are honorable professions, they don’t define the entire community. Many Coloured individuals work in high-paying, professional roles across various industries, from finance and tech to medicine and academia. Stereotyping them as limited to certain jobs disregards their diverse contributions to society.
Coloured people are unintelligent
One of the most dehumanising stereotypes suggests that Coloured people are intellectually inferior because many don’t finish school. The truth is, this stereotype overlooks the systemic barriers that make education harder to access for many communities. Despite these challenges, countless Coloured individuals excel academically and professionally, proving that intelligence and ability are not confined to anyone’s race or circumstances.
Author: Editorial Team
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