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authoritatively labelled within an institutional setting” 604 . However, according
to Jenkins, this model is not sufficient. Significant in the process whereby
people acquire the identities with which they are labelled, is the capacity of
authoritatively applied identities effectively to constitute or impinge upon
individual experience 605 . The powers that be imposed an identity by
labelling communities as Lebowans.
Imposed (coerced) identity creation is in contrast with what Castells [2000]
regards as organically grown identities. The homeland concept was
imposed on communities, and Lebowa was an example in which people
were expected to have the same identity as Lebowans, or at least, become
Northern Sothos. The Lebowa homeland was made of people of
heterogeneous ethnic and tribal identities such as the Bapedi, Babirwa,
Balobedu, Baroka, Batšhadibe, Bakone, Bahananwa and Batlokwa. With
the approach of imposed identity creation, the apartheid authorities hoped
to create a uniform identity of Lebowans, or Northern Sothos, above all the
other identities.
However imposed identity creation such as labelling may also, of course,
evoke resistance (which, no less than internalisation, is an ‘identity effect’
604 R. Jenkins, Social Identity, p. 22.
605 Ibid, pp. 22 - 23.
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