South African Jews gained white status only through economic success and paid for it.

Evidence

The Jews of South Africa become “white” only after the beginning of the twentieth century. Before that they are labeled as “colored,” as they seem to be in Kureishi’s world. They become white because they become a successful minority and have the economic clout to demand being labeled as “white.” — Ivan Davidson Kalmar, Derek Penslar, Orientalism and the Jews, 742

Categorization

• ADDENDUM: Echoes the ‘Complaints About Immodesty’ piece’s theme that racial and class labels are political-identity signifiers negotiated through power and economic standing.