Race relations in two post-apartheid Sesotho farm novels

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:This study examines the presentation of race relations in two Sesotho novels writtenafter 1994. The purpose of the study is to establish whether or not post-apartheidSesotho novels present race relations as they were presented during the apartheid era.The novels of focus are, N.S. Zulu's Nonyana ya Tshepo (The bird of hope) (1997) andT.W.D. Mohapi's Lehfaba fa fephako (The pain of hunger) (1999). The manner in whichthe authors who wrote during the two distinct eras presented the issue of race andpresented race relations will be the focal point. At the end of this study it should be clearwhether or not authors after 1994, that is, after the apartheid era continue to presentrace relations in an idealistic manner.During the apartheid era authors such Lesoro (1968) and Mophethe (1966) were verycautious when presenting race relations in their novels. The common factor in thesenovels is the portrayal of the white Afrikaner characters by the authors. White characterswere portrayed as very merciful, good Samaritans and their relationship with their blackcounterparts were often harmonious and crisis free. Attributes of race such as racialdiscrimination, racial hatred, racial conflict and racial intolerance were seldom spokenabout in those novels. This is reminiscent of the notorious apartheid laws, which prohibitfreedom of press. White characters in some novels published during the apartheid erawere not characters derived from real life.In N.S. Zulu's novel, Nonyana ya Tshepo we examine the portrayal of the charactersfrom the two distinct races, black Africans and white Afrikaners. The author portrays thetwo groups of characters to be what Scholes (1981 :11) calls characters representativeof a social class, race and a profession. Black characters are portrayed as the exploited,which are always inferior, submissive and subjected to racial discrimination by theirwhite counterparts. White Afrikaners are portrayed as the exploiters, who are superior,oppressors and the ones who further the policy of apartheid. This state of affairsprompted the black Africans to develop hatred towards the Whites. Instead of idolizingtheir masters, Blacks do the opposite. Our main character, Tshepo who is said to befathered by the white Afrikaner, is marginalized by his fellow Blacks and declared anoutcast.In T.W.D. Mohapi's novel, Lehlaba la lephako, the main character, Seabata who lusts forpower and wealth is seen struggling for both at the expense of his fellow black Africans.Seabata is used by his white boss, Sepanapodi, to maintain the legacy of apartheid. Thenarrator portrays Seabata in such a way that he could carry out his boss' mission.Seabata is power hungry and always likes to please his boss to attain that, even if thatmeans creating enmity with his own black people.Seabata's socio-economic status makes him vulnerable to manipulation bySepanapodi. Seabata was advised by his father that he should always strive to pleasehis master in order to gain glory and wealth. He followed the advice slavishly and thatleft him devastated. He found himself at loggerheads with his colleagues, with thepastor, Nkgelwane, with a local teacher, Mohanelwa and with his wife, Mmabatho.Conflict between Seabata and the community is caused by the pain of hunger.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University