Coloured Identity And The 5 Layers Behind It

Coloured identity is often spoken about as if it belongs to one group with one view, but reality tells a different story.

South Africa continues to wrestle with what Coloured identity means today. For many people, it is something they see as part of who they are, tied to how they grew up, the culture around them, and the way they see family. At the same time, some people feel it is a label from Apartheid that should no longer define anyone. Others look back further in history, reaching for older roots that existed long before the word Coloured was written into law. Then there are those who step outside racial labels completely. Coloured identity highlights how identity in this country remains layered, personal, and open to different interpretations.

The 5 Layers of Coloured Identity People Associate With

Holding on to Being Coloured

For many people, Coloured is who they are. It’s the community they grew up in, the culture they know, and the way they see themselves in everyday life. Some embrace it with pride, seeing it as a unique mix of histories and influences.

Others admit that being labelled Coloured has often come with struggles—especially during Apartheid, when Coloured people were given limited rights and opportunities compared to White people. Still, even with its painful history, many see “Coloured” as something that belongs to them, not the state.

In this view, being Coloured means carrying a sense of belonging to a community and culture that has survived for generations.

Choosing to be Black

Some people reject the label “Coloured” and prefer to identify as Black. This comes partly from the Black Consciousness Movement, led by Steve Biko, which encouraged all people of colour to unite under Black identity to fight racism and White supremacy.

Those who choose Black often see it as a political stance—a way to claim strength, solidarity, and unity with other oppressed groups. For them, Coloured was an Apartheid invention, a category designed to divide people. Calling themselves Black is a way to resist that division.

However, this choice is not always easy. Some Coloured people who want to identify as Black say they are not always accepted as such by others. Still, for those who hold this view, being Black feels more authentic than holding on to the old Coloured label.

Reclaiming Khoisan Roots

A growing number of people are reconnecting with their Khoisan ancestry. Instead of calling themselves Coloured, they identify as Khoi, San, or Khoisan—the First Nations of South Africa. For them, this isn’t just about rejecting Coloured identity but about reclaiming a history that was erased or hidden.

Some see Khoisan as part of being Coloured, while others use it to replace the Coloured label entirely. For many, it’s a proud statement: “We were here first. We have deep roots in this land.”

This movement is also tied to bigger struggles—such as land rights, language revival, and recognition by the state. By calling themselves Khoisan, people aren’t only connecting with the past but also pushing for justice and visibility in the present.

Striving Toward Whiteness

Some Coloured people lean toward Whiteness in how they see their identity. This can show up in valuing lighter skin, emphasising family history with European roots, or remembering the higher social standing Coloureds were given compared to Black South Africans during Apartheid. For them, being Coloured sometimes comes with a sense of pride in being “in the middle”—not fully Black, not fully White, but closer to privilege than oppression.

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Going Beyond Race Altogether

Finally, there are people who don’t want to be called Coloured, Black, or even Khoisan. Instead, they reject racial labels completely and identify simply as “human” or “South African.”

For them, race is seen as a made-up idea used to divide people. They believe the best way to move forward is to stop using racial categories altogether. Some refuse to tick any racial box on official forms. Others use the phrase “so-called Coloured” to highlight that the term was created under Apartheid and doesn’t truly define who they are.

This way of thinking is less common, but it speaks to a desire for a future where people are not reduced to race at all.

Whether kept, replaced, or rejected, Coloured identity continues to spark deep reflection and real choices about belonging and representation today.

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