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| LitNet is ’n onafhanklike joernaal op die Internet, en word as gesamentlike onderneming deur Ligitprops 3042 BK en Media24 bedryf. |
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Homebru 2006 author: Rozena Maart
Rozena Maart is the author of Rosa's District 6, published by New Africa.
- What does it mean to you to have your writing recognised and
celebrated as "South African"?
I think anyone who reads my work knows immediately that it is South African.
South African language usage, texture, composition, expression, as well
as the setting of Cape Town, in particular District Six, where I was born
and raised, form the focus of my current work, which was chosen by Homebru.
I never concern myself with recognition, so it is not a question I can
readily respond to. However, your question pertaining to celebration is
best answered by the responses my book has received from people across the
country. Yes, I do enjoy the fact that people have approached me personally,
in the street, to tell me how much they have enjoyed and are enjoying the
book.
- As a South African writer / storyteller did you set out to
write a story South Africans will recognise as their own?
I can't say that recognition is ever on my mind. I wrote a story I know
best to tell, and the characters speak their presence very clearly in the
book, which anyone would recognise as South African and many would immediately
relate to.
- What, to you, does a South African story encapsulate?
A South African setting, anywhere in the country, with language expression,
texture and flair that are unique to the way that South Africans speak,
across colour and class divides. There are tensions, contradictions, passion
and pleasures in every community, in every city, which are unique; and then
there are day-to-day events, and a particular usage of words, phrases and
expressions which enable a piece of literature to be unique to its people
and place – these elements are what readers detect in South African
literature.
- Is it possible for a South African's writing to be free of
political and historical influence?
No, I don’t think so. At the same time I also think that writing
can also reveal the day-to-day experiences of people across the globe. Themes
such as love and desire, murder, despair, deceit and seduction, irrespective
of their political or historical settings, tell a story which any reader
can relate to.
- Is there a writing community in South Africa, or is writing
in this country a solitary journey?
I don’t think that I am in a position to comment on this question.
- Who do you think is the most influential South African writer
today? And who is your favourite local author?
I think Nadine Gordimer will always remain the most influential South
African writer, both because of the strength of her writing and because
of their themes. I have enjoyed Gabeba Baderoon’s poetry enormously,
even though I only met her at the Homebru launch in Johannesburg.
- If you could choose five works (fiction, non-fiction, poetry,
performance poetry, etc) from South African literature that would be able
to communicate the "South African experience", which five would you choose,
and why?
Gcina Mohlope would be one of them, Koos Kombuis another, Pieter-Dirk Uys
a definite yes, and the remaining two I would have to get back to you on.
- Have you read any of the other Exclusive Books Homebru 2006
titles?
Yes, I have.
- What makes you a South African?
I was born here; my heritage, culture, identity and ancestry are South
African, which means the way that I live in the world, with the history
of my country, is evident in my speech, my imagination, my dreams, my writing,
and also the way that I create fictional characters. Although I watch rugby,
I don’t drink beer. I can, however, relate to those who do, because
it also happened in my home. As a South African I can pick up a conversation
with a friend which was started twenty years ago, appreciate the words and
comments from seniors in my community, talk about the rugby game, go to
the braai, not drink alcohol, because I don’t, even though everyone
around me may very well drink, and also be able to be in the company of
Muslims, Christians, Jews and atheists and never feel as though their beliefs
are that different from mine. It is a sense of knowing, an ability to address
oneself to the realities of others as though they were your own.
- What is your favourite South Africanism?
The use of words with such loaded expression, which no language can match - words derivative of Afrikaans, like lekker, lus, smaak, gatvol, for example.
I speak English, Spanish and a little bit of French (although the latter, I would say, I read better than I speak), and there are no words which could ever replace lekker, lus, smaak and gatvol in particular, because they speak to a desire for life, food, pleasures, sexual desire, for example, which is just not the same when one announces that one "desires" someone: an expression which only smaak can fully encapsulate.
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Moenie ons Homebru 2006-kompetisie misloop nie!
Wen 'n lekker Suid-Afrikaanse boekpakkie!
Klik hier om meer uit te
vind. |
LitNet: 16 May 2006
Click here to read
answers of the Homebru 2006 fiction writers
Click here to read
the answers of the Homebru 2006 non-fiction writers
Have your say! To comment on this interview write to webvoet@litnet.co.za,
and become a part of our interactive opinion page.
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