This thesis is intended to respond to the extent to which South African textbooks on the subject of history is linked to the governmental policy documents and whether they are producing and reproducing national identity. The two textbooks are aimed at students in grade 10. Both books were produced in 2008 but published by different publishers.

The essay is based on Norman Faircloughs critical discourse theory which has been supplemented by Michael Billings theory Banal Nationalism, which assumes that it is the national words that remind us daily of our homeland that is producing and reproducing national identity.  

The survey shows that both textbooks are closely tied to the government policy document for the teaching of history. The textbooks refer to the policy, both explicitly and implicitly. The two textbooks reproduce a common national identity in South Africa based on the discussions taking place in society. In other words, the textbooks have been influenced by Rainbowism and African Renaissance. The books lift up both the idea of a reconciled South Africa and a proud nation in the continent of Africa. The texts and exercises in the books contribute to the production of national identity by reminding students that they can be proud to be South African in a unique multicultural nation. The analysis also shows that the textbooks strive to include all people in the national community regardless of ethnicity.