Week 2 - readings.pdf

Week 2 Reading - Native Life in South Africa, Before and Since the European War and the Boer Rebellionà Sol T. Plaatje Context of the Article ◦ The article is an excerpt from "Native Life in South Africa: Before and Since the European War and the Boer Rebellion" by Sol...

Week 2 Reading - Native Life in South Africa, Before and Since the European War and the Boer Rebellionà Sol T. Plaatje Context of the Article ◦ The article is an excerpt from "Native Life in South Africa: Before and Since the European War and the Boer Rebellion" by Sol T. Plaatje, a significant work in African literature and history. ◦ Sol Plaatje began working on this book in 1914 to appeal to the British public and the Imperial Government against the Natives' Land Act of 1913. ◦ This act prohibited black South Africans from buying, renting, or using land, except in designated reserves, which were often unsuitable for agriculture. ◦ The book was written in response to the immediate and harsh impact of the act on black South Africans, who were forcibly removed from their lands and homes. Main Argument ◦ The main argument of "Native Life in South Africa" is to expose and document the detrimental effects of the Natives' Land Act of 1913 on black South Africans. ◦ Sol Plaatje argues that this act was a deliberate move to disenfranchise and economically oppress the native population, forcing them into a state of dependency on white landowners and employers. ◦ He illustrates the human suffering caused by the act through personal observations and documented cases of evictions and hardships faced by black South Africans. ◦ Plaatje's work serves as a plea for justice and an appeal for the repeal of such oppressive laws, highlighting the broader implications of systemic racial segregation and land dispossession that would later be known as Apartheid. Summary Prologue Purpose and Perspective of the Work: ◦ Plaatje emphasizes his lack of formal education and the sincerity of his narrative, aiming to describe the plight of South African natives under oppressive laws. - "Mine is but a sincere narrative of a melancholy situation, in which, with all its shortcomings, I have endeavoured to describe the difficulties of the South African Natives under a very strange law, so as most readily to be understood by the sympathetic reader." First-hand Observations and Support:  ◦ Plaatje conducted personal inquiries in various regions and received support from friends to document the impact of the Natives' Land Act. - "The information contained in the following chapters is the result of personal observations made by the author in certain districts of the Transvaal, Orange 'Free' State and the Province of the Cape of Good Hope." Documentation of Hardships: ◦ Plaatje highlights the ongoing persecution and evictions of black families due to the Natives' Land Act, with detailed accounts provided by Mr. Attorney Msimang. - "Mr. Msimang toured some of the Districts, compiled a list of some of the sufferers from the Natives' Land Act, and learnt the circumstances of their eviction." Critique of Colonial Parliament: ◦ Plaatje criticizes the Colonial Parliament for enacting oppressive laws without considering the impact on native populations. - "Some readers may perhaps think that I have taken the Colonial Parliament rather severely to task." Appeal for Empathy: ◦ Plaatje asks readers to empathize with the natives' suffering and supports the campaign for repealing the oppressive laws. - "If, after a proper declaration of war, you found your kinsmen driven from pillar to post in the manner that the South African Natives have been harried and scurried by Act No. 27 of 1913, you would... find it difficult to suppress your hatred of the enemy." Comparison to Hypothetical Situations: ◦ He draws parallels to hypothetical scenarios in London to illustrate the absurdity and injustice of the Natives' Land Act. - "Let us say, the London County Council decrees that no man shall rent a room, or hire a house, in the City of London unless he be a servant in the employ of the landlord... then you have some approach to an accurate picture of the operation of the South African Natives' Land Act of 1913." Documentation of Contributions and Burdens: ◦ Plaatje documents the significant contributions of black South Africans to the economy and their heavy tax burdens, contrasting it with their exclusion from state benefits. - "The black man's burden includes the faithful performance of all the unskilled and least paying labour in South Africa, the payment of direct taxation... besides taxes to the Provincial and Central Government." Recognition of Miners' Sacrifices: ◦ He points out the sacrifices made by black miners, whose labor supports the economy but who receive little recognition or reward.  - "But His Excellency had not a word of encouragement for the 200,000 subterranean heroes who by day and by night, for a mere pittance, lay down their limbs and their lives to the familiar 'fall of rock'." Balanced Perspective: ◦ Plaatje aims for a balanced perspective, acknowledging varying conditions across different communities. - "I have sincerely sought to let no unfair exaggerations creep in. I do not doubt that in some communities conditions are better than those I have indicated; while I am no less certain that in other communities they are far worse." Chapter 1 Retrospect Black South Africans' Status and Population Distribution: ◦ In 1913, black South Africans found themselves marginalized and severely restricted in their own land. - "Awaking on Friday morning, June 20, 1913, the South African Native found himself, not actually a slave, but a pariah in the land of his birth." - "The 4,500,000 black South Africans are domiciled as follows: One and three-quarter millions in Locations and Reserves, over half a million within municipalities or in urban areas, and nearly a million as squatters on farms owned by Europeans." Impact of the Natives' Land Act: ◦ The Natives' Land Act of 1913 severely disrupted the lives of black South Africans, particularly affecting squatters who relied on renting land for farming. - "A squatter in South Africa is a native who owns some livestock and, having no land of his own, hires a farm or grazing and ploughing rights from a landowner, to raise grain for his own use and feed his stock." - "The great revolutionary change thus wrought by a single stroke of the pen, in the condition of the Native, was not realized by him until about the end of June." Unawareness and Legal Penalties: ◦ Both natives and landowners were initially unaware of the harsh penalties imposed by the Act, leading to inadvertent violations. - "Other Natives who had taken up fresh places on European farms under verbal contracts, which needed no registration, actually founded new homes in spite of the law, neither the white farmer nor the native tenant being aware of the serious penalties they were exposed to by their verbal contracts." Government Enforcement and Legal Complexity: ◦ The law was so complex that government officials had to educate magistrates on its administration, indicating its draconian nature.  - "The complication of this cruel law is made manifest by the fact that it was found necessary for a high officer of the Government to tour the Provinces soon after the Act came into force, with the object of 'teaching' Magistrates how to administer it." Irony and Injustice of Scheduled Native Areas: ◦ The Act's provisions for "Scheduled Native Areas" were paradoxical, as these areas were inalienable and overcrowded, offering no real relief to black South Africans. - "Nearly every clause of this Act teems with irony — is the Schedule or appendix giving the so-called Scheduled Native Areas; and what are these 'Scheduled Native Areas'?" Legislative Manipulation and Lack of Representation: ◦ The Act was pushed through Parliament with manipulative tactics and without representation for black South Africans. - "The only explanation of the puzzle constituted as such by these 'hot-and-cold' methods is that Mr. Sauer was legislating for an electorate, at the expense of another section of the population which was without direct representation in Parliament." Historical Context and British Abandonment: ◦ The formation of the Union of South Africa saw the abandonment of native protections previously enforced under British rule, allowing the repressive policies of the old Republics to take hold. - "With the formation of the Union, the Imperial Government, for reasons which have never been satisfactorily explained, unreservedly handed over the Natives to the colonists." Disruption of Harmonious Relations: ◦ The Act disrupted previously harmonious relations between some white farmers and their black tenants, forcing compliance with the new oppressive laws. - "But with a ruthless hand the Natives' Land Act has succeeded in remorselessly destroying those happy relations." Political Opportunism and Racism: ◦ Politicians like General Hertzog capitalized on racial extremism, using the Act to gain political support while General Botha's policies appeared inconsistent and weakened. - "First of all, General Hertzog, the new Minister of Native Affairs, travelled up and down the country lecturing farmers on their folly in letting ground to the Natives; the racial extremists of his party hailed him as the right man for the post." - "General Botha... endeavoured to ingratiate himself with his discontented supporters by joining his lieutenant in travelling to and from, denouncing the Dutch farmers for not expelling the Natives from their farms and replacing them with poor whites." Conclusion on Legislative Measures: ◦ The passage of the Natives' Land Act symbolized the ultimate submission of the government to racial extremists, depriving black South Africans of fundamental human rights. - "The compliance of Parliament with this demand was the greatest Ministerial surrender to the Republican malcontents, resulting in the introduction and passage of the Natives' Land Act of 1913." Reading: The fight for land: these potatoes look like humans: the contested future of land, home and death in South Africa. à uMbuso weNkosi (2023) Context: ◦ The text discusses the historical and ongoing impact of dispossession on Black South Africans, focusing on how different perspectives—those of white liberals, farmers, and the dispossessed themselves—view and interpret this history. ◦ It uses specific examples, such as the Kgobadi family and the treatment of workers in Bethal, to illustrate the brutal realities and the spiritual and ethical dimensions of dispossession. Main Argument: ◦ The history of dispossession in South Africa is deeply ingrained in the present and must be understood through various perspectives, including the ethical and eschatological. ◦ The text critiques the paternalistic and often brutal views of white liberals and farmers, contrasting them with the spiritual suffering and ongoing struggles of the dispossessed Black population. ◦ Mmphasizes that true understanding and justice require seeing beyond material conditions to the deeper, often concealed, historical and spiritual wounds inflicted by dispossession. Context of Dispossession: ◦ The Kgobadi family experienced severe hardship and loss due to forced eviction, highlighting the broader anguish of dispossession in South Africa. ◦ Their story is emblematic of the many untold and spoken truths about the impact of historical dispossession on Black families in South Africa. Burial in Secret: ◦ The family buried the deceased child in a "stolen grave," under cover of darkness, out of fear of being discovered. - "Mrs. Kgobadi carried a sick baby when the eviction took place... the little one began to sink as the result of privation and exposure on the road... its little soul was released from its earthly bonds." Ontological Nowhereness: ◦ Dispossession created a state of "ontological nowhereness," where the dispossessed were not only removed from their land but became criminals for merely existing and moving through spaces without permission. - "They must keep to the public roads - the only places in the country open to the outcasts if they are possessed of a travelling permit." Historical and Present Dispossession: ◦ The narrative emphasizes that the history of dispossession is not just a past event but is deeply embedded in the present social order of South Africa. - "Our history is forever present in our social order. To locate it, we need to look deeply into South Africa's vast hectares of land." The 1913 Land Act and Its Consequences: ◦ The 1913 Land Act criminalized Black people's existence on the land, forcing them into servitude. - "The 1913 Land Act made criminals of all those Black people (labour tenants) who refused to abide by the law." ◦ Despite the losses, families like the Kgobadis continued to hope for a future where they could find a home and be buried in the land. - "The Kgobadi family were staring at their future through the child's death, a future in which they did not know where they would die and be buried." Spiritual and Eschatological Gaze: ◦ The dispossessed viewed the land with an eschatological gaze, seeing it as their spiritual destiny. - "To create a home and be buried in the land is a spiritual activity." Economic vs. Spiritual View of Land: ◦ The author argues against viewing land solely through an economic lens and emphasizes understanding its spiritual significance. - "In my PhD thesis I argued against the narrow view of seeing the land through an economic lens." Multiple Perspectives on Dispossession:  ◦ The chapter explores different perspectives on dispossession, including those of the dispossessed, the state, and white farmers. - "The eye of the farmer is the eye of authority on the farm; the eye of the farm labourer sees the farm as ontological nowhereness." Future of the Dispossessed: ◦ The dispossessed are depicted as eternal wanderers, with their death not leading to a spiritual reunion with their ancestors. - "In living and in death, the dispossessed were turned into wanderers seeking freedom, but they were chasing an unreachable horizon." a. To see with a spiritual eye Gogo Bongekle Nonhlan: ◦ Experienced visions and hauntings by spirits demanding freedom ("kuboniswa"). ◦ Visions included people without limbs or burned, seeking peace and freedom. Discovery on Glenroy Farm: ◦ Gogo Nonhlan discovered these spirits were buried on Glenroy farm, owned by Illovo Sugar. ◦ Traditional healer colleagues advised her to contact the provincial Department of Arts and Culture. ◦ In 2015, 100 bodies were discovered on the farm, suspected to be prison laborers. Conditions of the Burials: ◦ Farmworkers buried prisoners in unmarked graves, treating them as if they did not belong. - "They were buried like dogs... many prisoners died there." Historical Context: ◦ Concealing violated bodies by burying them in fields was common, exemplified by practices in Bethal. ◦ Prisoners who resisted or were affiliated with organizations were often killed and hidden. Legal and Spiritual Implications: ◦ The inadequacy of legal language to account for the landless, homeless, and tortured. ◦ Gogo Nonhlan's spiritual visions were initially doubted due to their non-physical nature. ◦ The spiritual demand for freedom by the dead highlights the ongoing struggle for justice and peace. Political Skepticism: ◦ Some viewed Gogo Nonhlan's spiritual claims as politically motivated due to her wearing ANC regalia during investigations.  ◦ The physical torture she endured was seen as evidence of the spirits' torment. Continued Struggle for Freedom: ◦ Dispossession denied Black people freedom, leading to unrest even in death. ◦ The return of the dead demanding freedom demonstrates that true freedom has not been achieved in the current democratic period. b. To see with the frozen forensic eye Forensic Investigation: ◦ On 14 March 2015, forensic expert David Klatzow was enlisted by the state to investigate Glenroy farm. ◦ Klatzow emphasized the need to treat the site like an archaeological dig to preserve evidence. Role of Gogo Mshanelo: ◦ Gogo Mshanelo's spiritual visions complemented the forensic investigation. ◦ Her name, translating to 'broom,' symbolizes her ability to uncover hidden truths and free wandering spirits. Historical Injustices: ◦ The site aimed to reveal unknown injustices of the past, with bones serving as archival evidence of violence. ◦ These dead bodies were often nameless and faceless, complicating efforts to notify families. ◦ Excavation was meant to provide closure and freedom for the spirits. ◦ The process risked becoming just an archival exercise, potentially leading to the dead being forgotten again. ◦ The story of Glenroy farm is part of the broader narrative of dispossession in South Africa. ◦ Similar stories, such as those from Bethal, highlight the widespread impact of dispossession, leaving many Black people homeless, nameless, faceless, and graveless. c. To see with the eye of the state ◦ Media revealed farmers killing workers in Bethal, prompting an investigation by SAIRR into Native Commissioner's office. Native Commissioner P.J. de Beer: ◦ De Beer was known for his friendly and sympathetic attitude towards Africans, referred to as 'Oom Piet' (Uncle Piet). ◦ De Beer encouraged prisoners to work on farms, presenting it as a way to save money and learn skills. ◦ He invoked nostalgia for a past when Africans were happy on farms with land and cattle.  ◦ De Beer’s vision ignored the present suffering and dispossession, falsely promising a return to past happiness. Reality of Farm Conditions: ◦ The conditions on farms were harsh, leading to prisoners and immigrants wanting to escape. ◦ De Beer’s rhetoric failed to acknowledge the horror and forced labor conditions on farms. ◦ The harsh conditions led to the death and burial of workers in unknown graves, with their spirits demanding freedom. ◦ The present reality of dispossession contradicted De Beer’s nostalgic and misleading vision. d. To see with the paternalistic eye of the white liberal Concern from Mrs. A. Hoedemaker: ◦ Expressed concern about the treatment of farmworkers. ◦ Sought ways to help with their social, economic, and health problems. ◦ Noted a loss of happiness among workers, particularly young people. ◦ Hoedermaker à Viewed workers as people of South Africa, not just laborers. - Saw bitterness in the hearts of young workers. Frederick van Wyk's Response: ◦ Agreed with Hoedemaker's sympathetic view. ◦ Emphasized treating laborers with courtesy, consideration, and kindness. ◦ Believed in gradual reforms, viewing workers as conservative and backward. Paternalistic Attitude: ◦ Both Van Wyk and De Beer held paternalistic views. ◦ Saw themselves as benign spirits aiding the development of "backward natives." ◦ White liberals misrecognized workers' unhappiness as ungratefulness or laziness. - Suggested continuing to send workers to farms while improving conditions. - Failed to see the systemic violence and dispossession inherent in South African agriculture. e. The eye of the state and the farmer in Bethal ◦ Media coverage of farm killings in Bethal sparked social outrage. - Minister of Justice H.G. Lawrence and farmers downplayed the violence, attributing it to criminal behavior of workers. ◦ Farmers believed minor violence was necessary to manage "childlike" and "criminal" workers. - They dismissed reports of violence as exaggerated or justified due to workers' desertion. Meeting with Reverend Scott:  ◦ Reverend Scott was booed and heckled at a meeting in Bethal, preventing him from effectively speaking. ◦ He attempted to highlight the poor treatment of laborers compared to dairy cows. Systemic Violence: ◦ Farmers viewed violence as a necessary means to control workers. ◦ Reports indicated that indunas and farmers frequently beat workers, sometimes to death, for trying to escape. 1959 Inquest: ◦ The death of Cornelius Mokgoko in 1959 revealed severe violence on farms. ◦ Cornelius was beaten to death for being slow, sparking the potato boycott and highlighting the need for political action. ◦ Cornelius's death led to increased activism and a boycott of Bethal potatoes to pressure farmers for just treatment of workers. f. Theorising from the eye Theoretical Perspective: ◦ The question of whose eyes view the history of dispossession involves ethical and eschatological stances. ◦ The eye can recognize or misrecognize based on one's social position. Liberal and Farmer Perspectives: ◦ Liberal whites like De Beer and Van Wyk saw Black people as needing white aid. ◦ This view is ingrained and resistant to change due to their upbringing with Black people. Misrecognition: ◦ Both liberals' altruism and farmers' brutality misrepresented the true plight of the dispossessed. ◦ The dispossessed Black individuals lacked a sense of belonging and a place to die. Spiritual Perspective: ◦ Gogo Mshanelo's visions revealed the ongoing suffering of the dispossessed. ◦ The dead sought freedom from unmarked graves on farms. Concealed Suffering: ◦ Farming, despite its beauty, hides the terrible conditions endured by the dispossessed. ◦ White minority farmers fear Black workers due to the inherent conflict and violence in agriculture.