Intergroup relations is a contentious issue both inside and outside South Africa, where it has dominated political thinking for the past several decades, and affected the day-to-day lives of all the country's inhabitants. In recent years scholars have recognized the urgency and complexity of the problem posed by intergroup relations and responded to the challenge. This report of the Main Committee of the Human Sciences Research Council represents not merely a scientific analysis of intergroup relations in South Africa but a comprehensive interdisciplinary attempt to address all facets of the issue in a scientifically accountable way.

Intergroup relations is a contentious issue both inside and outside South Africa, where it has dominated political thinking for the past several decades, and affected the day-to-day lives of all the country's inhabitants. In recent years scholars have recognized the urgency and complexity of the problem posed by intergroup relations and responded to the challenge. This report of the Main Committee of the Human Sciences Research Council represents not merely a scientific analysis of intergroup relations in South Africa but a comprehensive interdisciplinary attempt to address all facets of the issue in a scientifically accountable way.