Kaffir Boy: The True Story of a Black Youths Coming of Age in Apartheid South Africa

by Mark Mathabane

Book Overview

The classic story of life in Apartheid South Africa.

Mark Mathabane was weaned on devastating poverty and schooled in the cruel streets of South Africa's most desperate ghetto, where bloody gang wars and midnight police raids were his rites of passage. Like every other child born in the hopelessness of apartheid, he learned to measure his life in days, not years. Yet Mark Mathabane, armed only with the courage of his family and a hard-won...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0684848287
• ISBN13: 9780684848280
• Release Date: October 1998
• Publisher: Free Press
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.81 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

WOW...A POWERFUL BOOK

I never had the slightest idea of what "apartheid" was until I read this book. I had thought it might just be segregation. But it was so much more than just segregation. Mark Mathabane introduces us to the horrors of his childhood growing up in South Africa, from family problems, to gangs, and the unjust Pass Laws. He learns the value of education and shows just how hard it is to persevere when oppressed by whites who believe Africans to be inferior. Starting from the 1960's, it provided an in-depth look at the Apartheid from a victim's point of view. It amazed me that it was all real...all the killing and poverty. It was a very powerful novel. It gave me good sense of the meaning of "apartheid". I would suggest it for those who want to get a good idea of the type of thinking and enduring that went on in South Africa during apartheid. Because it doesn't quite focus on the events of history, but is a personal account of a youth's hardships, the book is very effective in evoking emotions, portraying hardships, rather than just stating the facts. I really was able to take away a lot from this book. I finished it with a greater sense of the power of perserverance, hopes, and achieving goals.

Kaffir Boy- A Bright Work or a Boring Bummer?

Great words. Wonderful plot. Awesome characterization. All of these things can be found in Mark Mathabanes exciting autobiography, Kaffir Boy. This autobiography combines the vileness of South African apartheid and one young lad's struggle for freedom with astonishing results. Kaffir Boy takes an aggressive look into the wickedness of apartheid and the ravishing affects it can take on the future in an engaging manner that lures the reader into the plot.Within Kaffir Boy, the plot blossoms through magnificent character development, guided by Mark. The story is encapsulated within an autobiography format- as the characters grow, so does the plot- as shown when Mark first realizes apartheid, and the detrimental effect it has on black society. By showing this truth, the reader has the opportunity to look into the world of a black South African drowning in the havoc of apartheid. The honest viewpoint shared an unbiased hope of life that kept the reader hooked. Along with this, Mark and his family build on to the story with details from daily life and family tradition. It really opened up a new viewpoint of world cultures as I felt myself being drawn into the characters lives, struggles and achievements. The character development in Kaffir Boy was a flawless, exciting addition to this book.Along with character development, Mark's true life story unfurls through the plot a wicked twist on your feelings, emotions and beliefs that will make your morals shout out from the sidelines. The events in this book that I liked the least were the racism shown to the blacks in South Africa. The ways blacks were treated throughout this work really gave me a culture shock. Although the white's actions were horrible, Mark's actions and the persistent drive behind them shone like a candle in the night, as a hero in a sorrow filled world. The event that I liked the best was when Mark was freed of the bonds of apartheid through his talents and hard work, the theme was shown strongly through his actions and I admire his die-hard attitude. Also, the motif was very encouraging and kept me hooked. The plot of Kaffir Boy was exciting and will keep any reader thirsting for more.Bright work or boring bummer? I encourage you to read this fabulous book and decide for yourself. Kaffir Boy astonished me with new viewpoints and aspects within the menacing world of apartheid. Make sure you add this five- star choice to your bookshelf- Kaffir Boy.

You'll like it

This book is really good. I only finished part one. It is an autobiography by Mark Mathabane. This part was talking about his stormy youth and described the discrimination for black people. Johannes Mathabane was born in Alexandra, one of South Africa?s black towns. He was raised with fear and hunger. He had a passion to love his family. This was a time when his family was poor. They couldn?t even celebrate at Christmas. His parents had a pass book which the black people had to carry. But, that pass book was not in order so the policemen took Johannes?s parents away. I really liked reading this book, because it gave me a lot of information so I can image each scene very easily. I can?t wait to read the rest of this book. I think it is a great book to know what was going on in South Africa and of the discrimination for the black people. If you are interested in the difficulties experienced by black people, you?ll like this book.

A marvelous book! This is a must read!

Mark Mathabane's spellbinding autobiography, Kaffir Boy, is an emotional tale of a boy's struggle to fulfill his dreams and aspirations amongst the terrors of apartheid South Africa. The book deals with extreme racism, poverty, hope, and miracles. Born Johannes Mathabane, the boy is forced to deal with harsh police raids and lack of food daily. Through his mother's diligent work efforts, Johannes is able to attend school and finds himself first in his class. Through some connections, he realizes that not all whites are the conniving, cruel policemen that Johannes has encountered. Through one of these connections, he discovers the sport of tennis unearths his talent for the sport. Through some friendly encounters with whites at tournaments, he meets Stan Smith, a famous tennis player from the United States and learns of the free black society overseas. Through the help of his new friend, Johannes finally receives a tennis scholarship to attend an American university. Throughout this book, Johannes proves to be such a wonderful and convincing hero as he worked to better his people and his country, provided for his family, and continuously strove to be better at all aspects of his life. Johannes continuously was weighing decisions on which would be the better for his people and the future of South Africa. Reading was a passion of his that helped him to be more adept to reading English until he reached the point where no matter how hard the English was, he could read it. His main focus at the end of the story was to fulfill these dreams of his. This value of the desire to excel was another heroic trait that Johannes possessed. All of these add up to the laudable hero in Johannes "Mark" Mathabane, making his story a precious tale that is a must read. It brings awareness to horrible conditions so often overlooked, yet so recent. The scenes were graphic and tragically descriptive, making the reader sense the horror and tragedy that Johannes must have endured. Facing adversity at every turn, Johannes Mathabane, the seemingly small, stands to his full height and defies all expectations to reveal one magnificent story!

Kaffir Boy

Mark Mathabane's autobiography, Kaffir Boy, tells the story of his life while growing up in apartheid South Africa. A victim of segregation, poverty, and brutality, he learned how to survive under the harsh conditions of South Africa during the 1960s and 70s. The true story of this hero is one that everyone should read to try to understand the horror of life for the people of South Africa at this time. Mark Mathabane grew up in Alexandra, a black ghetto, under the name of Johannes Mathabane. In Alexandra, there were constant police raids, gang wars, and far less than acceptable living conditions. Tiny rented shacks provided homes for families living in this area. Since his family had very little money, Mark and his siblings were forced to sleep on the concrete floor of one of these shacks and often became ill. Early in Mark's life, he had to learn about the terror of police raids. Some of these raids against blacks are described in graphic detail throughout the book. People were arrested, beaten, or even killed, just because of their race. Although fear lived with the people of Alexandra, they had to continue to live their lives. Mark's father, a person who he would have many conflicts with in life, held a low paying job which often did not pay enough money to keep the entire family fed. There would be many times where it did not seem that life would continue for Mark. Luckily, his mother and grandmother were able to find and hold jobs, which put Mark through school. Here, he accelerated in his studies and in tennis. These two things would eventually help Mark rise above his street life. A person can be described as a hero for many reasons. Mark Mathabane, without a doubt, displayed heroism at many times throughout his life. As a young child, Mark often cared for his younger siblings when his parents could not. He accepted responsibility and did everything he could for them. He often put his brothers and sister before himself. This act shows his selflessness and willingness to help people. When Mark goes to school, he works at his studies extremely hard. He came to love reading, and wanted to learn all that he could. Even with difficult times, Mark worked his hardest at school and was always at the top of his class. Not only was this a major accomplishment for Mark, it also gave his siblings a person to look up to, and an example to follow. When there was not enough money to continue sending he and all of his siblings to school, Mark took a job and helped to pay for his family's expenses. Mark also displays his heroism at many points during his life. His selflessness, hard work, and generosity are just a few of his traits to be admired. This novel is very well written and difficult to put down. Although at times, mostly in the beginning of the book, the descriptions of police raids and fights are extremely graphic, the words can only describe the situation - not make one live it. Living in a society where