Mirrors in frames: identity and belonging in the lives of second-generation Congolese immigrants in South Africa

Bashonga, Ragi

Mirrors in frames: identity and belonging in the lives of second-generation Congolese immigrants in South Africa

Thesis / Dissertation

2026

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Department of Sociology

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Abstract

This thesis explores the experiences of identity and belonging among young, second-generation Congolese immigrants in South Africa. It arises within a global context where notions of belonging have become increasingly restrictive, including in South Africa, where xenophobic tensions and systemic inequalities prevail. Using the metaphor of a mirror in frames, this study examines how individual lives and everyday experiences illuminate questions of citizenship, national identity, and Africanity. It poses the question what is gained or lost in the process of intra-continent migration? Grounded in the historical and socio-political contexts that shape these experiences and employing a social constructivist framework, this thesis integrates portraiture and poetic inquiry as methodologies to center the voices of research participants. This approach reveals the nuances of their lived realities amid pervasive xenophobic sentiments and systemic inequalities. Through a series of poetic portraits, the study highlights how intersecting factors such as race, gender, and social class inform individual identities and experiences of belonging. The findings indicate that citizenship in South Africa is characterized by fragility, shaped by historical legacies of apartheid and ongoing socio-economic exclusions. For second-generation Congolese immigrants, this fragility extends to their national identity. However, expressions of national identity and Africanity—through race, language, and culture—reveal a more dynamic connection to Congolese and African identities. This thesis demonstrates the significance of storytelling in academic discourse, illustrating how personal narratives can illuminate broader themes related to migration, identity politics, and the quest for belonging. Ultimately, it contributes to an evolving dialogue on African identities by challenging monolithic representations and emphasizing the dynamic nature of belonging in a globalized world. The study calls for further exploration of these themes within the context of South-South migration and intra African migration.