Kaffir Boy (78-139)

Summary:

            In order to prevent themselves from getting any more economically damaged, Mark's mother tries to get a job but fails. Therefore the only duties she had to do is most of the typical things as a house wife. Eventually though she starts educating her kids about black history, not only with stories but with singing and dancing. Yet this still does not help their money situation, it was so bad that they had to use a coal-burning stove for heat. It was not very big, and it is known to be a blazier. One night, Mark kicked his sister into the blazier feeling that he was being choked, causing his sister to catch on fire. After his mother comes to put of the fire using pee, since they cannot afford any other fire treatment, she then goes to treat Mark. It turns out the the blazier was producing toxic causing Mark and the rest of the family to become poison. On top of this disaster, Mark's father also loses his job to make the matter even worse.

Papa get released from prision and swears revenege agasint the white man's governement.

            Mark learns about how one of the countries in South American is becoming free, it is called the Venda tribal reserve. Although Mark's dad tells how that even though the place is considered free that a white person would always be running it. Apprently the people in that plac never even been to the city, Mark feels a sense of supority considering their limited knowledge. Although Mark's dad tells him that it might be better to go up over there, in that way he could be a "Venda boy," which causes Mark to become scared. Later on they go visit a witch doctor, who Mark thinks is a cannibal, to buy some medicine in order to insure his job. Mark's father was told by a divner that most of his trouble come from him losing touch with his ancestors and the ancestors are mad. Mark's father seems to be happy when they are leaving and terrifies Mark by telling him he would leave him witht he doctor to be raised. Mark father get assested again after a while, and the more often that he gets arrest, Mark grows to see what his life is going to become as a black man.

            Mark's mom now makes him go to cool, although this is something that Mark does not want at all. In order to keep Mark warm outside, he rubbed vasoline all over his face and pushed extra sized clothing on him. Mark continously says he does not want to go to school because he will lose his social life and did not want to recieve beatings. He was even willing to sneak away in order to try to prevent himself from going to school. When going to school a person was telling Mark and his mom that she should of sent her child to school so he wouldnt die from being involved with the tsotsi, also known to be gangs.  Mark's mother started yell at him with care telling him how important it is for him to go to school so he can have a future. She continues and says how if he gets a job he will be proud and be able to support his family unlike his father. Mark's mother always wanted to go to school but due to her father's sexism thoughts, he would not allow her. Thats why Mark's mom was so determined to force him to go to school and after telling him that, Mark promises to go to school.

Quote:  "Your father didnt go to school... that's why he's doing some of the bad things he's doing. Things like drinking, gambling and neclecting his family. He didn't learn how to read and write; therefore, he can't even find a decent job. Lack of any education has narrowly focused his life." (Mathabane 133)

Reaction

This quote was said by Mark's mom which protrays how bad the life of Mark's father and how it affect the family, all because he never believed in getting an education. This is something that is not only caused by apartheid in South America but also this generation right now. After reading this quote, this is a great motivation for me to do good in school in order to never be like Mark's father.