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hard-hitting tale of sorrow and hope Oct 6, 2000 (16 of 16 found this helpful)
Not much of an introduction needed here: the full title of the book accurately sums up the subject. This was a book that I bought in used paperback not certain whether I'd finish it, and found myself deeply engrossed in the story and in reflection upon Mathabane's descriptions of life under apartheid.
Mathabane shows a great many literary strengths here. His candid expression of his own feelings can't help but inspire the reader's respect and interest; the whole book feels 'spoken from the heart'. His prejudices, embarrassing moments, times of despair, moments of triumph, and peer relations are all here. Of particular interest to me (naturally, as a white non-South African) was the development of his views of white people--South Africans and foreigners--and how his understanding becomes broader as he meets a wider variety of people. I came away thinking that I'd probably really like Mark Mathabane in person.
His youth in fact makes a good story, one that builds nicely to a conclusion I won't spoil for you except to carefully mention that this is the story only of his youth, not of his whole life. And his descriptive talent, which painted such vivid and contrasting portraits of the life he led, is worthy of the great storytellers of the proud tribes of southern Africa from which he is descended. I would offer the caveat that the book contains explicit sexual and violent scenes that most people would consider inappropriate for children under 14 (and even then I'm assuming a pretty well-adjusted child). Mathabane is never himself vulgar, but some of his experiences certainly were, and he gets through them as quickly as possible but I see why he didn't omit them.
If you ever wondered what life was like for South African blacks under apartheid, particularly for a highly gifted member of that group striving upward against every barrier that several cultures could place before him, this'll be a revelation.
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Kaffir Boy Jan 4, 2002 (11 of 12 found this helpful)
Mark Mathabane's autobiography, Kaffir Boy, tells the story of his life while growing up in apartheid South Africa. A victim of segregation, poverty, and brutality, he learned how to survive under the harsh conditions of South Africa during the 1960s and 70s. The true story of this hero is one that everyone should read to try to understand the horror of life for the people of South Africa at this time.
Mark Mathabane grew up in Alexandra, a black ghetto, under the name of Johannes Mathabane. In Alexandra, there were constant police raids, gang wars, and far less than acceptable living conditions. Tiny rented shacks provided homes for families living in this area. Since his family had very little money, Mark and his siblings were forced to sleep on the concrete floor of one of these shacks and often became ill. Early in Mark's life, he had to learn about the terror of police raids. Some of these raids against blacks are described in graphic detail throughout the book. People were arrested, beaten, or even killed, just because of their race. Although fear lived with the people of Alexandra, they had to continue to live their lives. Mark's father, a person who he would have many conflicts with in life, held a low paying job which often did not pay enough money to keep the entire family fed. There would be many times where it did not seem that life would continue for Mark. Luckily, his mother and grandmother were able to find and hold jobs, which put Mark through school. Here, he accelerated in his studies and in tennis. These two things would eventually help Mark rise above his street life.
A person can be described as a hero for many reasons. Mark Mathabane, without a doubt, displayed heroism at many times throughout his life. As a young child, Mark often cared for his younger siblings when his parents could not. He accepted responsibility and did everything he could for them. He often put his brothers and sister before himself. This act shows his selflessness and willingness to help people. When Mark goes to school, he works at his studies extremely hard. He came to love reading, and wanted to learn all that he could. Even with difficult times, Mark worked his hardest at school and was always at the top of his class. Not only was this a major accomplishment for Mark, it also gave his siblings a person to look up to, and an example to follow. When there was not enough money to continue sending he and all of his siblings to school, Mark took a job and helped to pay for his family's expenses. Mark also displays his heroism at many points during his life. His selflessness, hard work, and generosity are just a few of his traits to be admired.
This novel is very well written and difficult to put down. Although at times, mostly in the beginning of the book, the descriptions of police raids and fights are extremely graphic, the words can only describe the situation - not make one live it. Living in a society where all people are equal, it is nearly impossible to comprehend the treatment bestowed upon those who lived under the apartheid in South Africa. What happened there is history, and cannot be changed or ignored. While language and description are graphic, is it important to know what happened to these people so nothing like this can ever happen again. Mark Mathabane has a gift for writing and it is very well demonstrated in his story.
Overall, this book is definitely a worthwhile read. It is one that stirs emotion and provokes thought. Mark Mathabane's life was undoubtedly difficult, but there is an immense feeling of satisfaction when closing the book. This autobiography is not only well-written and able to hold the reader's attention, it is also truly inspiring.
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Growing Up Jan 5, 2002 (6 of 6 found this helpful)
Growing Up
The book Kaffir Boy, by Mark Mathabane is without a doubt a worthwhile read. Its unique detail and harsh reality is unparalleled by any other novel. It is the story of Johannes Mathabane, growing up in the racially unequal apartheid of South Africa. Throughout the book, he is treated under awful conditions, yet learns to persevere and comes out on top in a most heroic manner. It tells of overcoming all of the obstacles in his life - including his father, the government, and his tribal heritage. This book is not only enjoyable to read, but it is also an important book as it opens America's eyes to those less fortunate living under impossible odds.
The book takes place in South Africa, where whites predominately rule. Johannes, who later changes his name to Mark, is a young boy just beginning to experience the hatred and racism in apartheid, a ghetto in Alexandra. The book starts out immediately showing the daily terror that he had to live. With constant raids, by the black police (headed by whites), Johannes soon develops a hate for all white people, as his parents have to constantly flee because their "passbooks are not in order". Things begin to go bad after his father is taken away to jail for a year. Poverty and hunger consumes their ever-increasing family. When his father returns, he is never the same. An internal struggle begins to develop within Johannes. He is torn between his father's tribal beliefs and the new changing era of schooling and Christianity. As he grows older his metamorphosis begins and a hatred starts to brew inside for his father. His mother turns his life around by enrolling him in school. He prospers greatly and begins to think differently of some whites as his exposure grows. Poverty is constant throughout the book, as is the disputes between him and his father. He makes it through school graduating the top of his class. It is after a few years of schooling that he is introduced to the sport tennis. This would be the changing moment in his life. Tennis opens his views to whites as he encounters those who want to help him succeed. He meets friends such as Andre and Stan who promise to help in fulfill his dreams. When everything seems to be going well in his life, revolts begin against the government which he quickly joins in. This disrupts his life and brings back his hate memories of whites. Although his life is chaotic during this period, he still manages to quench his thirst for knowledge and manages to excel in school and tennis. He begins winning tournaments as his metamorphosis slows almost to an end. He rebels against his fathers wishes, only to pursue his dream of going to America. Eventually he proves that he could overcome hate with his mothers love and embarks to an American college.
Throughout this book, Johannes demonstrates tremendous heroic qualities in his quest for success. From the moment he is brought into the world, he is constantly defending himself and his family. He shows courage constantly during the entire story. This is demonstrated when he rebels against his father's tribal wishes, continues schooling even when it is unbearable, and when he refuses to quit playing tennis with whites even though its against the law. Another quality that Johannes has is his dedication. He refuses to quit school, because he promised his mother, and he practices tennis even when his family and political unrest go against it. He also is ambitious. He comes from a home with nothing, yet he sets high hopes and dreams and never forgets them. Also, Johannes has great resourcefulness. For his learning he was provided with very little yet he made the best of it to try and educate himself. He constantly read comics to try and prove to everyone that he is better than a "kaffir" boy. Lastly, and probably the most important quality he possesses, is that he loved his mother and never wanted to disappoint her. This was the driving force behind most of what he accomplished. All
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Excellent Biograghy Jan 20, 2000 (8 of 9 found this helpful)
This was an autobiography about an African American growing upduring apartheid South Africa. Who would have thought that we wereforced to read a book and actually enjoyed it? I found this book to be very interesting. Because even though Mark Mathabane was young and remembers his life vividly he does an excellent job describing the hardships that he went through. This book is also a good motivational book because his whole life he did not give up at his goals. He thought about giving up but never did because his mother motivated him. If his mother were not there he would never have never been what he is now. This book can also be used as an inspirational tool. It would be good for inspiring and having Mathabane as a role model because he went from scholing in the most cruel streets of South Africa's ghettos with a hard won education raised himself from humiliation to win a scholarship to an American university, which was almost impossible in South Africa during the apartheid era. This book was written so well that you could not get confused and understand everything very well. Mark Mathabane describes his life so detailed in this book that you can picture everything that you are reading happening in front or you. Untie I started reading this book for humanities I had never heard of the age of apartheid in South Africa where it was like slavery had not ended where the whites were treated like royalty and the blacks treated like trash. I thought that that they were all living together. This opened my eyes a little more because now I know that it was not only in South Africa that a race was treated so harsh but also in other parts of the world. Mathabane discusses the living conditions that the blacks had to endure, the poverty that they were in and how they were treated like animals. I think that Mathabane wrote this for the mature audience so the will understand what is going on in the world.
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WOW...A POWERFUL BOOK Jan 3, 2006 (5 of 5 found this helpful)
I never had the slightest idea of what "apartheid" was until I read this book. I had thought it might just be segregation. But it was so much more than just segregation.
Mark Mathabane introduces us to the horrors of his childhood growing up in South Africa, from family problems, to gangs, and the unjust Pass Laws. He learns the value of education and shows just how hard it is to persevere when oppressed by whites who believe Africans to be inferior.
Starting from the 1960's, it provided an in-depth look at the Apartheid from a victim's point of view. It amazed me that it was all real...all the killing and poverty.
It was a very powerful novel. It gave me good sense of the meaning of "apartheid". I would suggest it for those who want to get a good idea of the type of thinking and enduring that went on in South Africa during apartheid. Because it doesn't quite focus on the events of history, but is a personal account of a youth's hardships, the book is very effective in evoking emotions, portraying hardships, rather than just stating the facts.
I really was able to take away a lot from this book. I finished it with a greater sense of the power of perserverance, hopes, and achieving goals.