Mentoring, masculinity and reparation in Mgqolozana’s A Man Who is Not a Man

Abstract

This article discusses roles of mentoring, masculinity and reparation in Thando Mgqolozana’s A Man Who is Not a Man. We explore how male initiation, specifically ulwaluko – a rite of passage in Xhosa traditions – negatively impacts the development of the novel’s protagonist. We argue that initiation rites, which typically highlight and parallel the steps of human growth, hinge on supportive and mentoring environments in the production of healthy masculinities. These are the counter-hegemonic masculinities rooted in dialogic relations that ultimately anchor and propel the novel’s protagonist on his journey to maturity. While we acknowledge the polemics of ulwaluko as they relate to issues of cultural access and the deaths of initiates, the essay is more concerned with the protagonist’s cyclical journey. The essay also highlights the role of maternal figures in the maturation journey.