A tension exists between the goals of social redistribution and the principles of non-racialism, since social redistribution, as perceived by the ANC, can not be effectuated without entitlement of 'Africans', the most disadvantaged group under apartheid. In the Western Cape, a majority of the population are 'coloureds', a group with an ambivalent attitude towards the changes of a post-apartheid society, as indicated by the presidential and local government election results since 1994. Historically, the Muslim section of the 'coloured' population has been perceived as an 'elite'. Muslim Family Law is in the process of being incorporated in South African Law. The implication is that Muslim marriages will be legally recognized for the first time in South African history.
Analysts point to numerous questions concerning the rights of women under the new legislation.
ANC-ministers have publicly attributed responsibility for numerous bomb attacks in public venues to 'Islamic fundamentalists', and raised the spectre of an 'Algerian situation'. South African Islam has historically been tolerant and pragmatic towards ritualistic deviances. The religious leadership has been committed to participation in a democratic system of government. This thesis is an account of a Muslim community in a township south of Cape Town. Through the extensive use of genealogical data, this will be related to notions of 'class' and social mobility, as well as notions of 'inclusion' and 'exclusion'.