MASENO UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCE

ALI 203:SOUTHERN AFRICAN LITERATURE

GROUP TASK

GROUP 10

MEMBERS

NAME ADMISSION NUMBER

CHEROTICH FAITH ALI/00122/021

ELARM VENVANT ALI/00037/021

SHARIFAH LEMPESIE ALI/00174/021

NYONGESA BRIAN ALI/00009/021

ELIJAH MWUGUSI ALI/00010/021

MONGARE VANNISH ALI/00025/021

OCHOKI VIOLET ALI/00031/021

MOSES MTEMBEI ALI/00024/021

ROSENAH MWIKALI ALI/00116/021

MERCY CHEPKORIR ALI/00124/021

Although Arpatheid only 'officially' started in 1948, repression was rife in South Africa long before that
date. The poems from the Anthology 'when bullets begin to flower' examines the liberation struggle in
South Africa. Such poems include: Partisans song by Anonymous, Your pain by Armondo Geubuza,
Judgment of the black man by Kaoberdiano Dambora and Those strange times by Armondo Geubuza.

1.Partisans Song Anonymous

In the Partisans song, the poet spreads awareness among the partisans to unite and fight against the
oppressors. The thematic concern in this case is unity and solidarity. The poet seem to believe that for
any struggle to be successful and yield the anticipated fruits, unity is not an option rather it is a
neccessity. In his persuassion to the partisans he insists on the unity as a force that will make them
move together, fight together, conquer the enemy together and finally celebrate their victory together.
He says " we are one, one force, one future in our land". The use of "let us" in the last stanza suggests
that the persona does not exclude himself from the struggle. In fact he is at the war front encouraging
those who might retreat to continue. "He says let us companions, let us match to freedom to progress,"
therefore this poem serve as a uniting tool in the liberation struggle.

Another issue that shows the interest of liberation struggle in this poem is sacrifice and courage. Some
members of the community have to loose their lives for others to survive. Many freedom fighters lose
their lives in the battle fields. They fought in warfronts to ensure their fellow country men and
generations to come would live in a colonial free county. The persona does not fear to confront death if
at all it leeds to freedom. He encourages his fellow partisans to take courage never to fear colonial
organs such as prisons, torture and death and he says that " there is no prison, no torture and no death,
that will make us fear, give your life brother for the victory of our people's freedom."

There is also armed struggle. This is used where the oppressors have firmly established themselves and
developed deeper roots difficult to uproot. It was a method of struggle employed by most African
countries that were under settler economic system during the colonial domination. In this poem, the
persona calls for armed struggle because that is the only way to eliminate the colonial domination and
claim for their freedom. He says: " live your spade, your hammer and your perl companion, in the forest
hear rise up with your spear, your knife and your gun.

2. Your Pain by Armando Guebuza

The poem was written during the struggle for independence in Mozambique. It expresses his deep
concern about Mozambiquan independence and show his belief in revolution, unity and armed struggle.
If the need be as the main weapons to overcome colonial rule and regain the lost independence.
Revolution is a situation in which people try to change a government often using violence or in which
they refuse to accept someone's authority. Armando Guebuza believes deep down his heart that the
only way to acquire their lost independence is through violence. He suggest in stanza 2 of their eyes
should be speaking of revolt: " your eyes, yet more my eyes, shall be speaking of revolt." But speaking
alone is not enough, in stanza 4 he suggest a more practical method; " my hands, yet more your hands,
will be lifted fully armed."

The poet is also advocating for national unity. It is however, interesting to note how he structures his
phrases in addressing his fellow oppressed. In stanza 1 to 3 he begins with " your yet more my..."
Suggesting that with the pains, torture and suffering they have gone through, he sympathizes with them
but he seems to put their interest before his own. But in stanza 4 to 6 when suggesting the possible
means to get rid of the colonialism he begins with, "My... yet more...your" suggesting that with these
struggle he will be at the war front and all that is needed for them is to join him.

3.In Judgment of the black man

In judgmental of the black man by Kaoberdiano Dambora, the poem is basically addressing the
controversy that existed during the colonial time between the blacks and the whites. The main problem
addressed is racial prejudice together with torture and oppression. Prejudice is the feeling of not liking a
group of people or unfair treatment of them because they are different in terms of sex, race or religion.
In this poem the white man seems to treat the black man with racial prejudice. However, the poet
shows that despite the fact that the blacks were looked down upon by the white people, they did not
give up easily. They remained strong and firm even when they were intimidated: "The white man looked
him in the face, my brother did not stir". This did not stop them from fighting for their freedom.

Oppression and torture is another dominant theme in "The judgment of the black man" by Dambora.
Africans were subjected to severe torture, oppression, exploitation and and all forms of injustices during
colonialism. They were made to work for long hours and in the process they were whipped. Even after
the attainment of the independence, Africans were left with scars that reminded them of the torture
and oppression they went through as symbolized by the whip. They experienced severe pains as a result
of oppression as the poet observes. "Your pain, yet more my pain, shall suffocate oppression. The
people had to experience torture in the liberation struggle.

4. Those Strange Times by Armando Guebuza

In the poem "Those Strange Times" Guebuza writes: these strange times when the whip hissed and tore
man's living flesh rising a cry of rage. It is a time to revolve against the whip. This is the time of armed
struggle. This poem makes suffering a game and crying just another form of music. Guebuza gives voice
to the black suffering people and encourages armed struggle. "This is a time of the certainty of a joyful
day, this is a time of war against rottenness, this is the time of revolt against the whip, this is the time of
armed struggle."

In conclusion, poetry served as a liberation tool. It was a way the people of south Africa voiced their
cries and encouraged their fellows to keep on struggling for their freedom as one. "United we stand
divided we fall"