Imijelo Yegazi
This novel takes us back to the apartheid era when the Africans lost property rights, and as a result, their cattle, and had to look for work on the farms. On the one hand, it is a painful reminder of the socio-economic injustices endured by the farm workers, and of the instability and insecurities in the townships. On the other hand, it inspires hope for the future. The writer portrays the role played by the youth in 1976 in bringing about change in South Africa. We read about freedom of association and a spirit of reconciliation; the children of the farm worker developing intimate relationships with the children of the ‘baas’, something unthinkable in the apartheid era. Readers will surely enjoy the artistry and humour of the author. They will also enjoy reading the language spoken by the farm workers and notice the influence of Afrikaans on isiXhosa. This novel contributes to the reinvigoration of story-telling in isiXhosa, and to the restoration of the tradition of literary writing.
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