Voices in Contemporary South African Narrative

An Exploration of Narrative Strategies for Engaging with Current Socio-Political Issues

Abstract

The article comments on the depiction of socio-political issues in a post-apartheid society as reflected in specially selected novels by J.M. Coetzee, I. Vladislavic and M. van Niekerk. A comparative study reveals that the authors, while highlighting the plight of the destitute, the homeless and the socially unacceptable, are simultaneously pin­pointing not only the decline but also the reversal of institutionalised values. The hitherto unconventional approach to contemporary problems places the onus on the reader to come to terms with socio-political issues he or she has, thus far, been hesitant to acknowledge or confront.

Opsomming
In die artikel word die uitbeelding van sosio-politieke spitspunte, soos tans in post­apartheid Suid-Afrika ervaar word, onder die loep geneem. Geselekteerde romans van J.M. Coetzee, I. Vladislavic en M. van Niekerk is vir die doel uitgesonder. 'n Ver­gelykende studie het aan die lig gebring dat die drie outeurs hulle enersyds toele op die verknorsing van die nooddruftige, die daklose en die sosiaal onaanvaarbare, terwyl hulle terselfdertyd die verval en selfs totale omkeer van "geïnstitusionaliseerde waardes" beklemtoon. Hierdie onkonvensionele benadering noop die leser tot selfkennis rakende eietydse sosio-politieke vraagstukke waarvan hy of sy, hetsy bewustelik of onbewus­telik, tot dusver weggeskram het.