Discuss how ANY South African poet you know has used poetry to critically comment on the history of Apartheid in South Africa. Do not use Ingrid Jonker. Your answer must use one poem as reference, clearly showing WHAT (themes) the poem critiques and HOW (style) critiques it. Max length: 600 words.

Answer 1

Mongane Wally Serote is a South African poet who has used his poetry to critically comment on the history of Apartheid in South Africa. One of his most well-known poems, "City Johannesburg," effectively critiques the brutal and oppressive nature of Apartheid in South Africa, while also highlighting the resilience and resistance of the black population.

In "City Johannesburg," Serote employs a distinctive style of free verse and fragmented syntax to reflect the chaotic and fractured reality of living in apartheid-era Johannesburg. The poem is written in the first person, allowing the reader to experience the city through the eyes of the narrator, who highlights the harsh living conditions, the dehumanizing effects of racial segregation, and the violence and oppression that were prevalent during that time.

The poem opens with the stark imagery of "my feet are weary" and "my back is thorn," immediately setting a tone of exhaustion and pain. This physical weariness is used metaphorically to represent the emotional and psychological toll of living in a city that is plagued by racial discrimination and violence. Serote's use of repetition in phrases like "my feet, my feet" and "my hands, my hands" further emphasizes the repetitive and dehumanizing nature of the black experience in apartheid-era South Africa.

Throughout the poem, Serote juxtaposes the beauty of the natural landscapes with the ugliness of the man-made structures, such as the "tall, imposing buildings" and the "concrete, granite grey, grey." This contrast serves to highlight the destruction of the environment and the desecration of the land that occurred as a result of apartheid policies. The poem critiques the dehumanizing effects of the city, where even the birds are described as "imprisoned in their skins."

One of the most powerful lines in the poem is "I'm a Native of Johannesburg," which serves as a statement of defiance and resistance in the face of oppression. By reclaiming his identity as a "Native," Serote challenges the dehumanizing language of apartheid that sought to erase the humanity of black South Africans. This act of resistance is further emphasized by the repeated refrain of "I'm a Native of Johannesburg," which serves as a rallying cry for solidarity and resilience in the face of adversity.

Overall, "City Johannesburg" is a powerful and evocative critique of the history of apartheid in South Africa. Through his use of fragmented syntax, vivid imagery, and defiant tone, Mongane Wally Serote effectively sheds light on the brutality and oppression of apartheid, while also celebrating the strength and resilience of the black population in the face of adversity.