Includes bibliographical references (pages [206]-208) and index.
Contents:
Introduction: Writing South Africa's Yawning Void -- Part I: Coming into Writing -- 1. The Scars of Umlungu -- 2. Clawing at Stones -- 3. Finding My Way Home -- 4. It is in the Blood: Trauma and Memory in the South African Novel -- Part II: Writing about Pressing Issues -- 5. Address at the Funeral of a Young Woman -- 6. Do Not Choose Poverty -- 7. Cry, the Beloved Language -- 8. We Are All Racists! -- Part III: Writing about My Writing -- 9. Why I Wrote My Autobiographies -- 10. Why I Wrote Mother to Mother -- 11. Why I Wrote Beauty's Gift -- 12. Why I Wrote Chasing the Tails of My Father's Cattle -- 13. Why I Wrote When the Village Sleeps -- 14. Why I Write Children's Stories -- Conclusion: A Tribute to Those Who Came Before Me -- Notes -- Selected works -- Bibliography -- Index.
Summary:
"These essays bring to life many facets of Magona's personal history, her deepest convictions, love for her country and belief in her ability to activate change. They are a meaningful supplement to her fictional works, while offering insightful responses to the conditions that inspired them."--Provided by publisher. "Sindiwe Magona is a celebrated South African writer, storyteller and motivational speaker known mainly for her autobiographies, biographies, novels, short stories, poetry and children's books. I Write the Yawning Void is a collection of essays that highlight her engagement with writing that span the transition from apartheid to the post-apartheid period and addresses themes such as HIV/Aids, language and culture, home and belonging. Magona worked as a teacher, domestic worker and spent two decades working for the United Nations in the United States of America. She has received many awards for her fearless writing 'truth to power'. Her written work is often informed by her lived experience of being a black woman resisting subjugation and poverty. These essays bring to life many facets of Magona's personal history as well as her deepest convictions, her love for her country and despair at the problems that continue to plague it, and her belief in her ability to activate change. They demonstrate Magona's engaging storytelling and mastery of the essay form which serve as meaningful supplements to her fictional works, while simultaneously offering insightful responses to the conditions that inspired them."--Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.