Zulu Ethnic Identity, Social Connectedness (Ubuntu), and Resilience as Predictors of Subjective Well-Being Among “Born Free” Black South Africans

The complexity and fluidity of racial identities in contemporary South Africa are but one symptom of the historical trauma caused by decades of Apartheid. The racial hierarchies created by the white minority Afrikaners left an indelible mark on the psyches of all South Africans who experienced it firsthand. This study, however, seeks to examine the impact of Apartheid-related historical trauma on the so-called “Born Free” generation of South Africans—those born after the demise of Apartheid in a democratic South Africa. Specifically, this study examined the relationship between Zulu identity, social connectedness (Ubuntu), and predictors of subjective well-being in Black South Africans who identify as Zulu born after 1996 (Born Free generation). The findings supported our hypothesis that Zulu identity would form a protective factor thereby facilitating positive psychological well-being among Born Free Black South African Zulus. Findings from this study highlight the need for the implementation of mental health interventions that recognize the legacy of the historical trauma of Apartheid and leverage the protective role of cultural identity and other culture-specific strengths.