In this thesis Antjie Krog’s ‘transformation trilogy’ consisting of three nonfiction texts, Country of My Skull (1998), A Change of Tongue (2003) and Begging to Be Black (2009) is analysed with specific focus on conceptions of identity in the trilogy. This is done from numerous angles, namely a postcolonial approach to the trilogy, an analysis of Krog’s exploration of an ‘African worldview’, an in-depth inquiry into Krog’s preoccupation with ‘race’ and the assertion that Krog is essentially asking the National Question. The overarching approach that is followed in the thesis is to read all three texts of the trilogy in conjunction with each other and to highlight examples of repetition, progression and/or change with regard to the issues that have been identified.
The translated nature as well as the form and content of the transformation trilogy are singled out as important signposts for the interpretation of the trilogy. Several instruments are identified that will be used in analysing the texts, including the importance of questioning, the concept of gesturing as articulated by Terry Eagleton, and Krog’s pedagogical attitude. The trilogy is situated within postcolonial theory: the importance of postcolonial theory in general and whiteness studies specifically for the study of the trilogy is highlighted. Krog’s explicit and implicit references to colonialism and postcolonialism in the trilogy are discussed as an important postcolonial gesture.
Another meaningful gesture is Krog’s exploration of what can be termed an ‘African worldview’. This exploration takes place through her incorporation of African orality in the trilogy, and through her extensive enquiry into African humanism. Her use of the term ubuntu is examined, as well as her explicit interaction with formal African philosophy. It is averred that Krog’s focus on an ‘African worldview’ necessitates a thorough investigation into the role of ‘race’ in the trilogy. The place that is given to ‘whiteness’ and ‘blackness’ in the trilogy is analysed in part by engaging with whiteness studies. The conclusion in reached that the concept of complicity is essential for correctly interpreting Krog’s preoccupation with ‘race’, and the way that her trilogy engages with international discourses on restitution is equally important. Finally all the above issues come together when it is stated that Krog is essentially asking the National Question: to whom does South Africa belong? Can ‘white’ people belong to the South African nation? Krog’s conceptions of identity are evaluated in this context and identity-as-becoming is identified as a central concept emerging in the course of the trilogy.
In hierdie proefskrif word Antjie Krog se ‘transformasie-trilogie’ bestaande uit drie niefiksie tekste, Country of My Skull (1998), A Change of Tongue (2003) en Begging to Be Black (2009) ondersoek met spesifieke fokus op konsepsies van identiteit in die trilogie. Dit vind vanuit verskeie invalshoeke plaas, naamlik ’n postkoloniale benadering tot die trilogie, ’n analise van Krog se verkenning van ’n ‘Afrikawêreldbeeld’, ’n indringende ondersoek na Krog se preokkupasie met ‘ras’, en die bewering dat Krog die Nasionale Vraagstuk betrek. Die oorkoepelende benadering wat in die proefskrif gevolg word, is om al drie tekste van die trilogie saam te lees en voorbeelde van herhaling, progressie en/of verandering ten opsigte van die geïdentifiseerde kwessies aan te toon.
Die vertaalde aard asook die vorm en inhoud van die transformasie-trilogie word as belangrike rigtingswysers vir die interpretasie van die trilogie belig. Enkele instrumente word geïdentifiseer met behulp waarvan die tekste telkens ontleed word, insluitende die belangrikheid van vraagstelling, die konsep van gebare wat van Terry Eagleton ontleen is, en Krog se pedagogiese ingesteldheid. ’n Postkoloniale situering van die trilogie vind plaas waarin die belangrikheid van die teorie van postkoloniale studies in die breë en witheidstudies in besonder ten opsigte van die trilogie kortliks uitgelig word. Die wyses waarop Krog eksplisiet na kolonialisme en postkolonialisme verwys, word as ’n veelseggende postkoloniale gebaar bespreek.
’n Verdere belangrike gebaar is Krog se verkenning van wat as ’n ‘Afrikawêreldbeeld’ omskryf kan word. Hierdie verkenning vind plaas deur haar inkorporasie van Afrika-oraliteit in die trilogie, en deur haar uitgebreide ondersoek na Afrikahumanisme. Krog se gebruikmaking van die term ubuntu geniet aandag, asook haar eksplisiete interaksie met formele Afrikafilosofie. Daar word beweer dat Krog se fokus op ’n ‘Afrikawêreldbeeld’ ’n deeglike ondersoek na die plek van ‘ras’ in die trilogie noop. Die plek van ‘witheid’ en ‘swartheid’ in die trilogie word ontleed deur onder andere met witheidstudies in gesprek te tree. Uiteindelik word beweer dat die konsep van medepligtigheid noodsaaklik is om Krog se preokkupasie met ‘ras’ na behore te interpreteer, en daarmee saam is dit belangrik dat Krog deelneem aan internasionale diskoerse oor restitusie.
Uiteindelik val al die genoemde kwessies saam wanneer beweer word dat Krog in wese die Nasionale Vraagstuk opper: aan wie behoort Suid-Afrika? Mag ‘wit’ mense tot die ‘Suid-Afrikaanse nasie’ behoort? Krog se konsepsies van identiteit word binne hierdie konteks beoordeel en identiteit-as-wordingproses word as ’n belangrike konsep geïdentifiseer.
