1. Postcolonialism, Censorship and History of South Africa
1.1 Postcolonialism
To determine the definition of “post-colonial” and “postcolonial”, as well as the hermeneutical difference between the terms, is not merely a question of orthography or terminology. It is largely depending on the historical period that is being looked at, the way one decides to explore it, and evidently what is being looked for. The hyphenated term “post-colonial” seems to imply an epoch or a distinct historical period, made apparent by phrases such as “after independence”, or “after colonialism”. Since, both of the novels by Coetzee and Gordimer explore the cultural effects of colonialization, and not just in terms of historical periodisation, it seems appropriate …show more content…
For a substantial period of time, the interaction between black and white people was harmonious and the area proved to be quite prosperous. However, in 1806 the Dutch colonists were overpowered by the English, who in turn separated the living areas of white colonists from the indigenous people. The British occupied the Cape of Good Hope and, “the discovery of gold in 1886 at Witwatersrand in South Africa, as well as diamonds at Kimberley, created a massive influx of British investment into South Africa” (O’Reilly 30). In the period between 1840-1899, Boer [farmer] Republics were established in Orange Free State, the Transvaal and in Natal. This resulted in the First Anglo-Boer War in 1880, followed by the Second Anglo-Boer war in 1899, in 1902 the Boer Republics were eventually defeated by Britain. In 1910, under British colonial rule, the Union of South Africa was formed and segregation made its way into the constitution. Subsequently, the Nasionale Party [National Party] comes into power, made up out of Afrikaners feeling superior to black
1.1 Postcolonialism
To determine the definition of “post-colonial” and “postcolonial”, as well as the hermeneutical difference between the terms, is not merely a question of orthography or terminology. It is largely depending on the historical period that is being looked at, the way one decides to explore it, and evidently what is being looked for. The hyphenated term “post-colonial” seems to imply an epoch or a distinct historical period, made apparent by phrases such as “after independence”, or “after colonialism”. Since, both of the novels by Coetzee and Gordimer explore the cultural effects of colonialization, and not just in terms of historical periodisation, it seems appropriate …show more content…
For a substantial period of time, the interaction between black and white people was harmonious and the area proved to be quite prosperous. However, in 1806 the Dutch colonists were overpowered by the English, who in turn separated the living areas of white colonists from the indigenous people. The British occupied the Cape of Good Hope and, “the discovery of gold in 1886 at Witwatersrand in South Africa, as well as diamonds at Kimberley, created a massive influx of British investment into South Africa” (O’Reilly 30). In the period between 1840-1899, Boer [farmer] Republics were established in Orange Free State, the Transvaal and in Natal. This resulted in the First Anglo-Boer War in 1880, followed by the Second Anglo-Boer war in 1899, in 1902 the Boer Republics were eventually defeated by Britain. In 1910, under British colonial rule, the Union of South Africa was formed and segregation made its way into the constitution. Subsequently, the Nasionale Party [National Party] comes into power, made up out of Afrikaners feeling superior to black