Narratives of Post-Apartheid Gender Deconstruction

Abstract

This essay aims generally at examining the relationship between literary discourse and nation-building. In specific terms, the aim has been to show the place of the post-apartheid South African woman in the development and progress of her nation. Using the theoretical paradigm of liberal feminism, the premise is defended that woman in post-apartheid society, as she is depicted in None to Accompany Me, Red Dust, and Playing in the Light, is not a passive observer of political and social issues in her society. Rather, she is a veritable partner for national development, nation-building, and social progress. Consequently, she also participates in the development of South African society alongside her male counterpart. The above authors thus portray the South African woman at the nucleus of policy-making and decision-taking in her society. This affirmative portrayal reinforces the view that gender construction is an old dogma and should be discarded for meaningful development to flow in the post-apartheid context.