Khuwa

In addition to the new South African names and various nicknames we have received, all of the Peace Corps volunteers are now used to the calls of “khuwa” or white person. We were told by the training staff that this is not a derogatory name, but more of a manner of describing a person with white skin. Each time we here “khuwa” shouted at us we try to remember that it is not meant to be offensive, but our knowledge of the history of this country and the history of our own country does not allow us to fully embrace this new name. It is difficult not to see the name as a way to highlight the differences between the people of the village and their new guests. We also can’t help but think of what must subconsciously go through the mind of a black South African as they shout “khuwa” at a stranger. Each time we hear khuwa we associate it with oppression, exploitation, corruption, racism, evil, shame, otherness, difference, stereotypes, hatred, suspicion, greed, and other negative aspects of racial conflicts. Experience has proven that people use “khuwa” when they do not know us or if they are a child who can’t comprehend why someone with white skin is walking down their dirt road. Our coping mechanism for this clash or cultural linguistics has been to take time to introduce ourselves, in Ndebele, to everyone who uses the word “khuwa.” This has resulted in a drastic decrease in the number of times we hear “khuwa” used in our town and the development of some great friendships. It is also magical to see the metamorphosis of people who suspiciously stare at the white strangers walking through their village before breaking into huge smiles after we greet them with “lochani!” and introduce ourselves with our African names.