Boundaries, Borders and Borderland Constructions

Abstract

This article explores existing boundaries and borders, both real and metaphorical, related to various Chinese communities in southern Africa. Starting with a discussion of the physical, territorial and often quite porous borders between South Africa and its neighbouring countries, Park then turns to the metaphorical, fluid, and constructed boundaries between various groups of Chinese, between citizen and foreigner, and between settler and sojourner. The article concludes with the suggestion that while China and South Africa do not share a physical boundary, the concept of borderlands and borderland identities might be useful in explaining the transitional, unstable, and fluid nature of these groups of Chinese (and those with whom they interact) at a time when both countries are witnessing tremendous changes.