Kaffir Boy
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Kaffir Boy is Mark Mathabane's 1986 autobiography about life under the South African apartheid regime. It focuses on the brutality of the apartheid system and how he escaped from it, and from the township of Alexandra, to become a well-known tennis player. He also depicted how the young black children dealt with racism and stereotypes.
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[edit] Controversy
In many school districts throughout the United States, this book is required reading for high school students. Despite the many awards the book and author have received, some people have voiced concerns that this book contains material inappropriate to school-age children and teens. The reason is a scene from the book where a group of starving young boys prostitute themselves to men at a workers' hostel in exchange for food. In the scene the main character, Johannes, realizes that this is wrong and escapes before anything can happen to him. This particular problem lies in chapter 10. Another problem many face, is the vivid descriptions Mathabane offers. He, as a child, witnessed murder, destruction, and devastation. He does not leave much room for the imagination to slur the images he saw.
[edit] Plot
Mark Mathabane describes his life growing up in South Africa, just outside of Johannesburg. He lives in the ghetto of Alexandra with his mother, father, brother and five sisters. He was very poor growing up, often enveloped in starvation and brutality from the Peri-Urban (an Apartheid police force in South Africa). He learns, though, that prejudice is not justified, even by the oppressed, and begins to take his education to new hights to prove this. He became fluent in English and Africaans (the South African national language at the time)and with this education, he is able to apply for a college in America. Also, his tennis was highly impressive, as he was even involved in competitions in the state. He was ultimately banned by the black tennis congregation, as he played in white tornaments. He ultimately leaves with a scholarship to an American college thanks to a few celebrities that helped him out, and he became a tennis player. The story is told through his eyes and experiences.
[edit] Characters and Important People
Arthur Ashe - an American tennis player and wins the Wimbledon tournament. His game play encourages Mathabane to become a tennis player.
Mathabane - The author and narrator of the book
Stan Smith - Relocates Mathabane to the United States by finding a college who is willing to give the author a tennis scholarship. TGH
[edit] Sources
- Kaffir Boy Summary on the book Study guide reference. Used the plot summary and character descriptions.
