In what ways do the relationships between characters in Born in RSA directed by Barney Simon reflect the complexities of South African identity, and do they ultimately celebrate or interrogate it? Give examples from the characters' relationships

Question

This collaborative piece, written by the director, Barney Simon and the multi-racial cast, deals with a number of inter- related themes that take us from the campuses of Witwaters- rand University in Johannesburg to the streets of Soweto. Glen, an apolitical white student, is recruited by the security police to be a campus spy. Although he is married to a woman named Nicky, Glen achieves his goal of infiltrating a multi- racial activist group by forming a liaison with Susan, a young art teacher who becomes his mistress. Subsequently, Glen betrays Nicky and succeeds in breaking the activist group and its charismatic trade unionist leader, Thenjiwe.

There are seven characters who have nothing, yet every- thing, to do with each other. There is the fast talking lawyer, Mia, to whom everybody turns when the police strike. She is called upon to go from finding detained activists to trying to locate a 10 year old black child arrested on a bogus charge of stoning police. The boy's mother is caught in the turn of events because her sister is the trade unionist pursued by security police. Zach, an unemployed musician, is an innocent by-stander also caught in the web because he happens to be the trade unionist's sub-tenant.

The conflicts of their lives, goals, frustrations, and loyalties (commitment and betrayal) and the chain of events that follow provide an accurate picture of life in South Africa. Born In The R.S.A. is true to life and reflective of the present day harsh realities of that country. It tells not only of the brutality of the apartheid system but reveals the resilience of the people.

Answer 1

The relationships between characters in Barney Simon's Born in RSA intricately reflect the complexities of South African identity during the apartheid era. The interplay between personal connections and political tensions underscores the multifaceted nature of identity, revealing how deeply political realities infiltrate personal lives.

Betrayal and Complicity

At the heart of the narrative is Glen, the apolitical white student who becomes a campus spy. His relationship with Nicky, his wife, initially symbolizes a traditional marriage, yet his betrayal complicates this image. Glen's affair with Susan serves as an emblem of sexual and emotional betrayal that transcends mere infidelity; it reflects the moral compromises that individuals had to navigate under apartheid. By emotionally aligning himself with Susan, a young art teacher and activist, Glen becomes enmeshed in the struggle against oppression, yet he actively participates in betraying those he comes to know and care about, such as Thenjiwe.

In this dynamic, Glen embodies the fraught position of many white individuals during apartheid—caught between personal conscience, societal norms, and complicity in a system that oppresses others. His interactions illustrate how personal choices are deeply intertwined with political realities, provoking audiences to interrogate whether self-interest can coexist with moral integrity.

Interconnected Struggles

The character of Mia, a fast-talking lawyer, further expands on themes of interconnectedness and the responsibilities of individuals within a community. Mia's role as a legal advocate positions her as a crucial figure for those affected by state violence. When everyone turns to her for help—whether it's locating detained activists or seeking justice for a child's wrongful arrest—Mia's relationships highlight both the reliance on each other in times of crisis and the pervasive danger of an oppressive regime.

Her relationship with the mother of the arrested boy reveals another level of the complexities of identity in this context. The mother's struggles resonate with the plight of many who lived under apartheid, showcasing the devastating ripple effects of political oppression on family and communal ties.

Resilience in Adversity

Zach, the unemployed musician, serves as an innocent bystander caught in these overlapping relationships. His involvement with Thenjiwe, the trade unionist, further illustrates the ways personal aspirations and identities are hindered by larger systemic forces. Zach’s struggles emphasize the resilience of individuals and communities; his character reflects the creative spirit that persists even in the face of adversity.

The relationships among the characters in Born in RSA ultimately interrogate South African identity rather than celebrate it. The setting of the narrative—the campuses and streets of Johannesburg and Soweto—serves as a canvas on which personal and political conflicts are painted. The betrayal between Glen and the activist group starkly reveals the tensions within a society in turmoil, while the compassion and solidarity shown by characters like Mia and Thenjiwe provide a glimmer of hope amid the violence and corruption.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the characters' relationships in Born in RSA thoughtfully depict the complexities of South African identity during a tumultuous era. By intertwining personal dilemmas with broader socio-political themes, Simon’s work highlights the moral ambiguities individuals faced and invites audiences to reflect on the legacy of apartheid. This reflection does not shy away from celebrating the resilience of the oppressed; rather, it invites a critical examination of complicity, connection, and accountability in the face of injustice. The interrogation of identity is reinforced through each character's journey, making the interplay of their relationships a poignant exploration of life under an oppressive regime.