Christianity and Family in South Africa

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Questions and Answers

Summarize the information provided by Trevor Noah before his chapter begins on page 33.

Although most South Africans would consider themselves to be Christians, they still strongly believe in old superstitions, casting spells, putting curses on one's enemies, etc.

Why does Trevor refer to his grandfather, Temperance, as eccentric, and why did they not see him often?

He didn't see his grandfather often because he and his grandmother were divorced. He lived with his second family in the Meadowlands. He had wild mood swings and had been a boxer in his youth. The family later found out he was bipolar.

How does Trevor characterize his grandmother, Francis Noah?

She was the family monarch who ran the house, looked after the kids, and was described as barely 5 feet tall, hunched over from factory work, but very active.

Describe Koko, Trevor's great grandmother. Why didn't he think of her as a real person when he was little?

Koko, who was in her 90s, was completely blind and needed help walking. Trevor thought of her as a brain with a mouth because her body didn't move. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the role of religion in Soweto during apartheid.

In Soweto, religion filled the void left by absent fathers. Trevor's mother said, 'just because I live without a man doesn't mean I've never had a husband. God is my husband.' Signup and view all the answers

What is a prayer meeting?

Prayer meetings were held at someone's house and rotated often, gathering groups of women and children to sit in a circle, pray, talk, read scripture, and sing. Signup and view all the answers

What is a spaza shop? What is a shebeen?

Spaza shops are informal grocery stores in people's garages where food is resold in smaller quantities. Shebeens are illegal bars in the back of someone's house. Signup and view all the answers

Describe housing in Soweto. How are houses built, and what were they like?

Homes were often built gradually, starting with shanties made of plywood and corrugated iron. Families received small pieces of land, and over time added to their homes. Signup and view all the answers

How does Trevor explain the bathroom situation?

There was no indoor running water, so there was an outhouse shared by multiple families, which had challenges including a lack of toilet paper and flies. Signup and view all the answers

What caused Trevor to panic?

While squatting and pooping on the kitchen floor, he saw Koko sitting next to the coal stove, who couldn't see him but could smell something. Signup and view all the answers

Why was Koko agitated when Trevor's grandma returned an hour late?

She sensed that something was wrong and felt someone was there, but Trevor was trying to be quiet. Signup and view all the answers

What did Trevor's mother discover, and why did she say it's a demon?

She discovered his work wrapped in a fold of newspaper in the rubbish bin and referred to it as a demon because of the belief in curses requiring a physical manifestation. Signup and view all the answers

What caused the whole community to get involved in the situation?

The only way to destroy the curse was to burn the evidence, which led his grandmother to call a prayer meeting to address the demon. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

South African Christianity and Superstitions

Despite the prevalence of Christianity, many South Africans retain strong beliefs in superstitions, such as casting spells and curses.

Trevor's Grandfather

Trevor's grandfather lived separately from his grandmother, who was his first wife, due to divorce.
He was described as a "ladies man" with wild mood swings, later diagnosed as bipolar.

Francis Noah, Trevor's Grandmother

Francis Noah was the family's matriarch, responsible for household management and care of children.
Physically, she was short, hunched from factory work, but demonstrated remarkable mental sharpness and memory.

Koko, Trevor's Great-Grandmother

Koko, in her 90s and blind, lived with the family and required assistance to navigate her surroundings.
Trevor perceived her more as a "brain with a mouth" because of her limited mobility.

Role of Religion in Soweto

Religion served as a substitute for absent fathers in Soweto, shaping the lives and communities of women.
Trevor's mother emphasized her faith with the declaration that God was her husband.

Prayer Meetings

Prayer meetings, held at rotating homes, involved women and children praying, discussing scripture, and singing.
These gatherings could last for hours, fostering community and spirituality.

Spaza Shops and Shebeens

Spaza shops operated out of residential garages, selling small quantities of groceries.
Shebeens were informal and illegal bars where men congregated after work or during prayer meetings.

Housing Conditions in Soweto

Homes were constructed incrementally, starting with shanties made from plywood and iron.
Over time, families could make improvements, adding bricks and additional rooms as resources allowed.

Bathroom Conditions

Outhouses served multiple families, often lacking basic amenities like running water or toilet paper.
The shared outhouse became a source of fear for Trevor due to the unhygienic conditions, especially the presence of flies.

Panic on the Kitchen Floor

Trevor experienced panic while squatting in the kitchen, realizing Koko was nearby, unable to see him but sensing something amiss.

Koko's Agitation

Koko sensed something was wrong when her daughter returned home late, prompting her agitation despite her inability to see.

Mother's Discovery and Belief in the Supernatural

Trevor's mother found his work in a bin and labeled it as a "demon," linking physical remnants to spiritual curses.

Community Involvement and Conclusion

To eliminate curses, burning the evidence brought the community together; Trevor's grandmother called a prayer meeting to address the issue, emphasizing communal solidarity against perceived threats.

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Description

Explore the intersections of Christianity and superstitions in South Africa, highlighted through Trevor Noah's family dynamics. Learn about the impactful roles of his grandfather, grandmother, and great-grandmother in a context where religion provided emotional support amidst social challenges.