This book examines the work of Sindiwe Magona, one of South Africa?s most prolific and groundbreaking writers, widely recognized for highlighting the everyday experiences of women and the domestic side of apartheid. A pioneer among black African women writers, she is equally respected as storyteller, advocate for children?s education, activist for HIV/AIDS awareness, and champion of indigenous languages. In this book, Renée Schatteman contends that Magona?s most important contribution comes through her refusal to choose sides in the contentious debates that have polarized public discourse following apartheid. By straddling two (or more) sides of a controversy and challenging any who do harm to others (and to the nation), regardless of their position, she blurs distinctions that are assumed to be absolute, opens new avenues of understanding, and inspires alternative visions for the future. By occupying the space of paradox, she undermines the closed epistemological structures inherited from apartheid and champions the need for interdependence, truth-telling, and dialogue. Covering her creative production over three decades (which includes novels, autobiographies and biographies, short story collections, children?s books, and literature about HIV/AIDS), this book is an essential read for Magona enthusiasts as well as for researchers of African literature and postcolonial South Africa.

Table of Contents:

Introduction to Sindiwe Magona and the Power of Paradox 1. Sindiwe Magona?s ?Paradox Perspective? 2. The Paradox of Oppression: Victimization and Agency in Sindiwe Magona?s Autobiographies and Short Stories 3. The Paradox of Transition: Guilt Versus Innocence in Sindiwe Magona?s Mother to Mother 4. The Paradox of Crisis: The Activist Imperative in Sindiwe Magona?s AIDS Literature 5. The Paradox of Disillusionment: The Elusiveness of Independence in Sindiwe Magona?s Latest Literary Endeavors Conclusion: Sindiwe Magona: Writing Theory

Sociology in general, methodology, handbooks

Sociology of minorities

Regional studies

History of literature

Literary theory

Epics, narrative poems

Further readings in literature

The Enlightenment, Romanticism, The Realist Age

History of Africa

Philosophy of politics

Gender studies

Cultural studies

Further reading in the field of sociology

Politics in general, handbooks

Political systems and theories

Ethnography in general

Social geography

Sociology in general, methodology, handbooks (charity campaign)

Sociology of minorities (charity campaign)

Regional studies (charity campaign)

History of literature (charity campaign)

Literary theory (charity campaign)

Epics, narrative poems (charity campaign)

Further readings in literature (charity campaign)

The Enlightenment, Romanticism, The Realist Age (charity campaign)

History of Africa (charity campaign)

Philosophy of politics (charity campaign)

Gender studies (charity campaign)

Cultural studies (charity campaign)

Further reading in the field of sociology (charity campaign)

Politics in general, handbooks (charity campaign)

Political systems and theories (charity campaign)

Ethnography in general (charity campaign)

Social geography (charity campaign)

Sindiwe Magona and the Power of Paradox

This book examines the work of Sindiwe Magona, one of South Africa?s most prolific and ground-breaking writers, and argues that her most important contribution comes through her refusal to choose sides in the contentious debates that have polarized public discourse following apartheid.