Abstract:
The relationship between postcolonialism and feminism is often complicated and conflict-laden
in its struggles against empire and patriarchy and its related social categories of oppression. The
question is, How have African women in former colonies balanced their act? To address this question,
the article focusses on Boleo, A Setswana Novel. Firstly, theories of post-coloniality and feminism
are explored. Secondly, four creative African women writers are analysed for their take on the
intersection of postcolonialism and feminism prior to reading Boleo, A Setswana Novel. Thirdly,
the analysis of Boleo indicates boundary crossing and cross-border oppressions and solidarity in
the struggle against apartheid that features a female protagonist and other minor characters. It is
proposed that because the novel equates apartheid with sin (boleo), it thus constructs salvation as
the concerted communal efforts of resistance and suspicion towards the institutions of the
oppressor, characterised by baitiredi [independent or self-actualising workers], a political
movement founded by Boleo. The analysis of the African novel indicates that the struggle against
colonial and patriarchy gave rise to the First Things First; Second Things First and Both Things
Simultaneously approaches, which are evident within African women creative writers.
CONTRIBUTION: This article adheres to the journal’s scope and vision by its focus on a systematic,
historical, exegetical and practical reflection within a paradigm in which the intersection of
philosophy, religious studies, social sciences and humanities generate an interdisciplinary,
multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary contested discourse.
