Abstract
M.A.
This dissertation investigates the work of black women poets in South Africa during the
period 1970 - 1991, within the context of race and gender politics. The period 1970 - 1991
represents the approximately two decades in which black poetry became recognised as an
important development in South African literary studies. Although several studies of the
work of black male poets have been written, hitherto no substantial study of the writings of
black women poets, in particular, has been undertaken. Although relatively few black
women poets published their work during this era, when compared to their male
counterparts, this critical survey will attempt to give a broad overview of the poetry black
women produced.
Focusing on poetry written in English, this dissertation will argue that the majority of black
women poets writing during this period harnessed their writing to the anti-Apartheid or
liberation struggle in South Africa. Many of these poets regarded their writing as a 'cultural
weapon' which could contribute to political transformation, and although few regarded
themselves as 'feminist' poets, their poetry reveals a deep concern with gender oppression
as well as racial and class oppression.
Chapter one, the introduction, focuses on the way in which black South African women
poets have been largely ignored, neglected and 'silenced' by the majority of critics. This
chapter will also consider some of the factors that may have prevented more black women
from producing and publishing poetry: social factors such as education, literacy and access
to publication will be explored.
The second chapter explores the emergence of South African 'protest poetry', and focuses
on the poetry of Jennifer Davids and Gladys Thomas in relation to the 'protest' tradition. It
will be argued that while poet Gladys Thomas defined her writing in terms of 'protest'
literature, Jennifer Davids produced a more introspective, personal poetry that was
primarily concerned with the difficulties of 'finding an individual voice' in the South African
environment. The third chapter focuses on the more intensified phase of 'protest poetry' which was
produced after 1976 by the growing culture of literary activism in the black townships, and
will show how women poets write of the suffering specific to township women. This
chapter will also focus on an analysis of gender oppression within the poets' own homes
and communities, as well as celebrations of political activities by women. In particular, this
chapter concentrates on women's poetry published in the literary magazine, Staffrider,
established to promote the work of black writers. The Trade Union Movement was a major
influence on literary production during this time, as we shall see from the 'worker poetry'
produced by many women in the 1980s.
Chapter four will concentrate on the poetry produced by black South African women in
exile, most of whom were active in the ANC. It will be argued that rather than producing
introspective poetry about the condition of exile, these women harnessed their writing to
`the struggle'. This poetry can broadly be defined as 'resistance' or 'liberation' poetry.
Some of these poets also explore the issue of gender in relation to liberation politics.