Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study examines the presentation of race relations in two Sesotho novels written
after 1994. The purpose of the study is to establish whether or not post-apartheid
Sesotho 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) and
T.W.D. Mohapi's Lehfaba fa fephako (The pain of hunger) (1999). The manner in which
the authors who wrote during the two distinct eras presented the issue of race and
presented race relations will be the focal point. At the end of this study it should be clear
whether or not authors after 1994, that is, after the apartheid era continue to present
race relations in an idealistic manner.
During the apartheid era authors such Lesoro (1968) and Mophethe (1966) were very
cautious when presenting race relations in their novels. The common factor in these
novels is the portrayal of the white Afrikaner characters by the authors. White characters
were portrayed as very merciful, good Samaritans and their relationship with their black
counterparts were often harmonious and crisis free. Attributes of race such as racial
discrimination, racial hatred, racial conflict and racial intolerance were seldom spoken
about in those novels. This is reminiscent of the notorious apartheid laws, which prohibit
freedom of press. White characters in some novels published during the apartheid era
were not characters derived from real life.
In N.S. Zulu's novel, Nonyana ya Tshepo we examine the portrayal of the characters
from the two distinct races, black Africans and white Afrikaners. The author portrays the
two groups of characters to be what Scholes (1981 :11) calls characters representative
of 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 their
white counterparts. White Afrikaners are portrayed as the exploiters, who are superior,
oppressors and the ones who further the policy of apartheid. This state of affairs
prompted the black Africans to develop hatred towards the Whites. Instead of idolizing
their masters, Blacks do the opposite. Our main character, Tshepo who is said to be fathered by the white Afrikaner, is marginalized by his fellow Blacks and declared an
outcast.
In T.W.D. Mohapi's novel, Lehlaba la lephako, the main character, Seabata who lusts for
power 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. The
narrator 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 that
means creating enmity with his own black people.
Seabata's socio-economic status makes him vulnerable to manipulation by
Sepanapodi. Seabata was advised by his father that he should always strive to please
his master in order to gain glory and wealth. He followed the advice slavishly and that
left him devastated. He found himself at loggerheads with his colleagues, with the
pastor, Nkgelwane, with a local teacher, Mohanelwa and with his wife, Mmabatho.
Conflict between Seabata and the community is caused by the pain of hunger. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doelstelling van hierdie studie is om ondersoek in te stel of die twee Sesotho
novelles wat na 1994 geskrywe is, die verhouding tussen verskillende rasse behandel.
Die doel van die studie is om uit te vind of die Sesotho novelles wat gedurende die
tydperk van apartheid die aanbieding van rasse-verhouding dek, soos wat dit aangewys
was gedurende die tydperk van apartheid. Die ondersoek sal gedoen word met die
vergelykking van twee novelles wat na 1994 geskrywe is, d.w.s. N.S. Zulu se Nonyana
ya Tshepo en T.W.D. Mohapi se Leh/aba /a /ephako . Die manier waarop die twee
skrywers wat gedurende die twee afsonderlike tydperk, die kwessie van rasse behandel,
en hoe hulle dit aangebied het, sal die fokuspunt wees. Aan die einde van hierdie studie
moet dit duideliker word aan die lesers tot watter mate die skrywers wat na 1994 geskryf
het, d.w.s na die apartheid tydperk, nog die rasse-verhouding op 'n idealistiese manier
aangebied het.
Die skrywers wat gedurende die apartheid tydperk geskrywe het, soos Lesoro (1968) en
Mophethe (1966) was baie versigtig toe hulle die rasse-verhouding in hulle novelles
aangebied het. Die gewone faktor van hierdie novelles is die uitbeelding van die wit
Afrikaners se karakters deur die skrywers. Wit karakters is altyd as baie barmhagtig, en
as goeie Samaritane beskrywe, en hul verhouding teenoor hulle swart teenhangers is
dikwels eensgesind en vry van krisis uitgebeeld. Die hoedanigheid van rasseonderskeiding
wat rassehaat, rasse in stryd met mekaar, en rasse onverdraagsaamheid,
is in daardie tyd seide van geskryf in die novelle. Dit herinner die leser aan die
ongunstige apartheidswette wat nie vryheid van die pers toegelaat het nie. Wit
karakters, in sommige novelle wat gedurende die tydperk van apartheid gepubliseer is,
is nie karakters wat van die ware lewe afgelei is nie.
In N.S. Zulu se novelle, Nonyana ya Tshepo word 'n uitbeelding gemaak van karakters
van die twee afsonderlike rasse, die swart Afrikaners en die wit Afrikaners. Die skrywer
beeld die twee groepe van karaktes as die wat Scholes (1981 :11) noem die wat
verteenwoordigend van 'n sosiale klas, rasse en beroep is. Swart karakters is beskrywe
as diegene wat geeksploiteer word, wat altyd as minderwaardige, onderworpe en mindere rasse beskou word. Hulle word gediskrimineer deur hulle wit landgenote. Wit
Afrikaners is beskou as die eksploiteerders, wat die voortreflike onderdrukkers is en wat
wat die beleid van apartheid laat voortgaan. Hierdie toestand het die swart Afrikaners
gelei om haat te ontwikkel teenoor die Wittes. In plaas van om hulle meesters eer te
bewys, het die swart Afrikaners die teenoorgestelde gedrag. Die hoofkarakter, Tshepo,
wat geglo is dat hy kind van die wit Afrikaner is, is deur sy mense verban en as
verworpeling verklaar.
In T.W.D. Mohapi se novelle, Lehlaba la lephako het die hoofkarakter, Seabata,
begeertes van mag en rykdom. Hy word opgelei as 'n stryder op koste van sy
medemense, swart Afrikaners. Seabata is deur sy wit meester, Sepanapodi misbruik om
die nalatenskap van apartheid te handhaaf. Die verteller beeld Seabata af op so 'n
manier dat dit duidelik is dat Seabata sy baas se opdrag sou voortdra. Hy, Seabata het
'n wens om mag te he en bo alles om sy baas tevrede te stel op koste van ander swart
Afrikaners, al maak dit hom 'n vyand van sy mense. Seabata se sosiale status het hom
laat kwesbaar ge stel teenoor Sepanapodi se manipulasie. Sy vader het hom advies
gegee dat hy altyd sy meester moes bevredig ter wille van glorie en rykdom. Hy het toe
die advies van sy vader slaafs nagevolg, daarom het dit hom in 'n neerdrukkende gevoel
laat eef. Aan die einde is hy in 'n konflik met andere soos sy kollegas, die plaaslike
predikant, Nkgelwane, die onderwyser, Mohanelwa en sy vrou. Die stryd wat Seabata
met al die mense in die gemeenskap het, is die oorsaak van hongersnood.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/50434 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | Mokhele, M. P. |
| Contributors | Zulu, N. S., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of African Languages. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 88 p. |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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