Abstract
Into the heart of evil: Two recent Afrikaans noveis about the Anglo-Boer WarThe centenary commemoration of the start of the Anglo-Boer War in 1899 has already inspired the publication of two major Afrikaans novels: Op soek na generaal Mannetjies Mentz by Christoffel Coetzee, and Verliesfontein by Karel Schoeman. These novels should not be considered in isolation. In contemporary Afrikaans literature quite a lot of attention is paid to the Anglo-Boer War. It is, together with the Groot Trek, one of the most significant events in Afrikaner history and has become a very potent symbol of Afrikaner nationalism. The contemporary writer radically debunks the Boer War, thus signifying his absolute rejection of the ideology of the previous generations. This is also the case in Op soek na generaal Mannetjies Mentz and Verliesfontein. Both novels present an unconventional perspective on the war. Op soek na generaal Mannetjies Mentz does not portray a heroic general. On the contrary, Mannetjies Mentz and his commando personify evil. In Verliesfontein the Boer commando not only gave up the village but also all pretence of justice, thereby turning this war episode into their moral Waterloo. Both novels bring a shocking corrective to the traditional representation of the Anglo-Boer War. A s a result they destroy the myths on which Afrikaner nationalism has been built and the Afrikaner is forced to look into his own heart of evil.
Highlights
In Die Burger van 1 Oktober 1998 waarsku Etienne van Heerden die Aiirikanergemeenskap teen die verleiding om die herdenking van die begin van die AngloBoereoorlog 100 jaar gelede met nostalgic te deurdrenk
The contem porary w riter radically debunks the B oer War, signifying his absolute rejection o f the ideology o f the previous generations
In V erliesfontein the B oer com m ando gave up the village and all pretence o f justice, thereby turning this w ar episode into their m oral Waterloo
Summary
In Die Burger van 1 Oktober 1998 waarsku Etienne van Heerden die Aiirikanergemeenskap teen die verleiding om die herdenking van die begin van die AngloBoereoorlog 100 jaar gelede met nostalgic te deurdrenk. Die Anglo-Boereoorlog sou inderdaad al te maklik tot hierdie doel kon dien. In 1998 het reeds twee belangrike romans oor die Anglo-Boereoorlog verskyn: Op soek na generaal Mannetjies Mentz, die verbluffende debuut van Christoffel Coetzee, en Verliesfontem van Karel Schoeman. Naas die ooglopende verskilpunte, ook baie raakpunte tussen die twee romans is. Een van die betekenisvolste aspekte is dat daar in al twee werke vanuit die hede na die verlede teruggekyk word. Hierdeur groei die relasie tussen hede en verlede, met ander woorde die wyse waarop die verlede vanuit ’n agtemaperspektief benader en verwerk word, in albei romans uit tot ’n uiters prominente tematiese gegewe. Dis inderdaad ’n opvallende verskynsel dat in die kontemporêre Afrikaanse literatuur baie aandag aan die Anglo-Boereoorlog gewy word. Die vraag ontstaan onwillekeurig waarom juis die Anglo-Boereoorlog in die kontemporêre Afrikaanse literatuur so belangrik is? Hoe kan hierdie blywende belangstelling verklaar word?
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