Analysis of Psychology in South Africa in Terms of Racism and Censorship

Chabani Manganyi and South African Psychology

Psychology in South Africa has a long and controversial history, especially given the country’s history of segregation and racial discrimination during the Apartheid era. The following essay intends on outlining psychology in South Africa in terms of racism, censorship, the curriculum taught in higher-educational institutions and the demography of South African psychologists during Apartheid era. Furthermore, Chabani Manganyi’s influences towards the history of South African Psychology as well as the significance and the reasons for examining his work will be discussed in the essay.

Psychologists in South Africa during Apartheid were primarily White and, for the most part, adopted disciplines of psychology that were based on Western theories (Nwoye, 2015). The associations for psychologists in South Africa during this period were mainly manned by White men who were in accordance with the apartheid regime (Cooper & Nicholas, 2012). There were very strict censorship laws implemented in the country which led to many South African psychologists abstaining from mentioning racism in fear of the consequences of betraying the law (Duncan, Stevens & Bowman, 2006). These strict censorship laws allowed for very limited topics of research to be conducted (and published) which led to many works on racism being banned in South Africa (Kuper, 1974; Oakes, 1988; Welsh, 1981, as cited in Duncan et al., 2006). Another implication of these laws was that concerns about the lack of Black psychologist in South Africa, due to the substandard education offered to Black students, during the time was not overtly raised (Magwaza, 2001, as cited in Duncan et al., 2006).

Racism formed the basis of beliefs, terminology and theories regarding mental health in South Africa (Baldwin-Ragaven, De Gauchy & London, 1999, as cited in Duncan et al., 2006). These racist views were not limited to only the practicing psychologists in the country. The curriculum taught by universities were based on these racist views on mental health (Ralekheto, 1993; Savage, 1981, as cited in Duncan et al., 2006). South African universities, including the universities that predominantly catered for Black students, mainly employed staff who graduated from the universities who adhered to the implementation of racist curricula (Legassick, 1967; Ralekheto, 1991, as cited in Duncan et al., 2006).

There are several reasons why the racist beliefs were not opposed, one of the reasons being the censorship laws as mentioned above. Another reason was the lack of knowledge about racism because research was generally funded by the government who would not allocate funds towards research on racism. (Duncan et al., 2006). Furthermore, most psychologists in South Africa during apartheid were White and relatively financially secure so the racist legislation and practices were advantageous to them (Duncan et al., 2006). Not only did these White psychologists benefit from the racist legislation but many of them were employees of the National Party and thus opposing the government’s beliefs meant that they risked losing their jobs (Cooper & Nicholas, 2012).

Chabani Manganyi was an influential Black South African psychologist. He produced many influential texts on politics, racism and the impact of apartheid on the mental and physical wellbeing on Black Africans (Hayes, 2016).

According to Hayes (2016), the first of Manganyi’s publications, ‘Being-Black-in-the-World’ consisted of a collection of essays that depicted the psychological and social complexities of Black Africans during apartheid. Furthermore, he stated that Manganyi’s first publication was not easily accessible due to the censorship laws and was not of interest to conventional South African students and psychologists. However, it was used by many liberal students and academics to broaden their anti-apartheid beliefs (Hayes, 2016).

Another of Manganyi’s publications, ‘Treachery and Innocence: Psychology and Racial Difference in South Africa’ (Manganyi, 1991), which consists of various essays written between 1970 and 1990, incorporated the opinions of Manganyi regarding the lack of appropriate education and training of Black Psychologists during apartheid (Manganyi, 2013). It also contained essays on the difficulties he faced as a psychologist South Africa due to his race (Manganyi, 2013). This publication is significant as texts written by a Black academic during apartheid is rare and it provides us with a better understanding of the negative impact apartheid had on the careers of non-White individuals.

Furthermore, Chabani Manganyi published several biographies of individuals who were oppressed during apartheid and who could easily have been unnoticed had Manganyi not written these biographies (Hayes, 2016). According to Manganyi (2016), biographies portrays real life concerns and struggles of people. Therefore, his biographies on Black Africans who endured apartheid are especially useful as it was the only platform for these individuals to voice their opinion and share their daily distress under the harsh circumstances that was imposed by apartheid. Manganyi’s biographies went against the silence against racism most South Africans practiced in fear of the government’s apartheid legislation.

The censorship and fear of engagement in publications on racism caused a lack of recognition of Manganyi’s work during apartheid (Hayes, 2016). Recognition of his radically novel ideas in contrast to the works of conventional South African academics could have had a significant impact on academics in various disciplines, especially psychology. Chabani Manganyi’s autobiography, ‘Apartheid and the making of a Black psychologist’ uncovers the difficulties caused by the oppression he encountered by trying to expose his principles and theories during apartheid (Hayes, 2016).

Apartheid legislation prevented prospective Black psychologists to complete their internships at mainstream psychiatric hospitals (Manganyi, 2013). Despite the lack of internship positions for Black graduates, Manganyi was appointed as the first clinical psychologist intern at Baragwanath Hospital (Manganyi, 2013). However, there was no clinical psychologists to supervise his work (Manganyi, 2013). Manganyi completed his internship alongside neurosurgeons (Manganyi, 2013). After successful completion of his internship, he was appointed as the first clinical psychologist at Baragwanath Hospital (Manganyi, 2013). The influential work of Manganyi at Baragwanath hospital paved the way for many subsequent clinical psychologists and interns to get placement at the hospital.

Manganyi has always believed that considering the environment, in terms of politics and the condition under which people had to live, has enabled him to apply the most effective clinical treatment (Manganyi, 2013). There are still many conflicting opinions on whether politics is relevant in psychology. Also, a definite conclusion on the extent to which a person’s environment affects their mental state has not been established. Therefore, Manganyi’s work, which was based on the perspective that the environment and politics have an impact on mental wellbeing, is still relevant.

Despite censorship and the poor education and lack of opportunities for Black professionals during apartheid, Chabani Manganyi conquered his ill-fated circumstances and became a noteworthy psychologist. Not only did contribute to South African psychology but his texts depict the harsh reality of the Black population during apartheid.

References

1. Cooper, S., & Nicholas, L. (2012). An overview of South African psychology. International Journal of Psychology, 47(2), 89-101.
2. Duncan, N., Stevens, G., & Bowman, B. (2006). South African psychology and racism: Historical determinants and future prospects. In D. Hook (Ed.), Critical Psychology (pp.360-388). Cape Town, South Africa: UCT Press.
3. Hayes, Grahame. (2016). Chabani Manganyi: Black intellectual and psychologist. Psychology in Society, 52, 73-79. doi.org/10.17159/23098708/2016/n52a5
4. Manganyi, N.C. (2013). On Becoming a psychologist in apartheid South Africa. South African Journal of Psychology, 43(3), 278-288
5. Nwoye, A. (2016). What is African Psychology the Psychology of? Theory & Psychology, 25(1), 96-116. doi.org/10.1177/0959354314565116