Antjie Krog, gemeenskaplikheid en die behoefte aan interverbondenheid in Mede-wete (2014)
Date
2019
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
LitNet
Abstract
In hierdie artikel word die funksionering van die begrip interverbondenheid of
interverbondenheid-tot-heelheid in Antjie Krog se bundel Mede-wete (2014) ondersoek. Die
soeke na ‘n soort eenwording op verskillende vlakke dien as deurlopende onderliggende tema
in die bundel. Die behoefte aan interverbondenheid, ‘n begrip wat nou saamhang met Afrikafilosofie, is ‘n tema wat deur Krog se oeuvre heen aandag geniet.
Interverbondenheid is gefundeer in die Afrika-wêreldbeeld ubuntu, wat die verhouding tussen
die self en die ander vooropstel. In hierdie artikel word daar veral gefokus op verskillende
vorme van menslike verbintenisse en die belangrike rol wat die gemeenskap speel voordat
egte ubuntu bewerkstellig kan word. Die beskouings van Afrika-filosowe soos John Mbiti,
Ifeanyi Menkiti en Kwame Gyekye word betrek, aangesien Krog in haar benadering tot
interverbondenheid by hulle beskouings aansluit (en sy gebruik dan ook die term
interverbondenheid afwisselend met die term ubuntu).
Krog bemoei haar in haar oeuvre veral met suksesvolle integrasie tussen die self binne ‘n
Suid-Afrikaanse konteks. Daar is egter deur Mede-wete heen die suggestie dat suksesvolle
verbondenheid tussen die self en die ander baie moeilik, en selfs onmoontlik, is. Soos in A
change of tongue (2003) word kos dikwels as medium tot versoening tussen die self en die
ander voorgehou. In hierdie artikel sal ek poog om die hantering van die begrip
interverbondenheid in Krog se bundel Mede-wete te ondersoek en na te gaan hoe dit by die
begrip ubuntu in die Afrika-filosofie aansluit. Dit word aan die hand van gekose gedigte
gedoen. Die gevolgtrekking is dat die voorbereiding van kos en die handeling van saam eet ‘n
manier is om verbondenheid tussen die self en die ander te bewerkstellig.
This article investigates the concept of interconnectedness or interconnectedness-towardswholeness and the functioning thereof in Antjie Krog‘s 2014 poetry volume Mede-wete (usually written without the hyphen; literally shared knowledge) the English version is titled Synapse). The search for a multilevel union serves a continuous theme in Mede-wete. The need for interconnectedness, a concept closely linked to African philosophy, is a recurring theme in Krog's oeuvre. Interconnectedness is grounded in the African worldview ubuntu, where the relationship between the self and the other is emphasised. The article highlights the different forms of human connections and the key role of the community in the successful embodiment of ubuntu. The views of various African philosophers, including John Mbiti, Ifeanyi Menkiti and Kwame Gyekye, are presented, as Krog‘s interpretation of interconnectedness is in line with theirs (and she also uses the terms interconnectedness and ubuntu interchangeably). In her oeuvre, Krog focuses on the successful integration between the self and the other within a South African context. Throughout Mede-wete, however, there is the suggestion that successful connection between the self and others is very difficult, and even impossible. As in A change of tongue (2003), food is often presented as a means to reconcile the self with the other. In this article I seek to investigate the concept of interconnection in Krog‘s Mede-wete and how it connects to the concept of ubuntu in African philosophy. This is done by a discussion of selected poems. The conclusion is that the preparation of food and the act of eating together is a way to achieve a connection between the self and the other.
This article investigates the concept of interconnectedness or interconnectedness-towardswholeness and the functioning thereof in Antjie Krog‘s 2014 poetry volume Mede-wete (usually written without the hyphen; literally shared knowledge) the English version is titled Synapse). The search for a multilevel union serves a continuous theme in Mede-wete. The need for interconnectedness, a concept closely linked to African philosophy, is a recurring theme in Krog's oeuvre. Interconnectedness is grounded in the African worldview ubuntu, where the relationship between the self and the other is emphasised. The article highlights the different forms of human connections and the key role of the community in the successful embodiment of ubuntu. The views of various African philosophers, including John Mbiti, Ifeanyi Menkiti and Kwame Gyekye, are presented, as Krog‘s interpretation of interconnectedness is in line with theirs (and she also uses the terms interconnectedness and ubuntu interchangeably). In her oeuvre, Krog focuses on the successful integration between the self and the other within a South African context. Throughout Mede-wete, however, there is the suggestion that successful connection between the self and others is very difficult, and even impossible. As in A change of tongue (2003), food is often presented as a means to reconcile the self with the other. In this article I seek to investigate the concept of interconnection in Krog‘s Mede-wete and how it connects to the concept of ubuntu in African philosophy. This is done by a discussion of selected poems. The conclusion is that the preparation of food and the act of eating together is a way to achieve a connection between the self and the other.
Description
CITATION: Voges, R. 2019. Antjie Krog, gemeenskaplikheid en die behoefte aan interverbondenheid in Mede-wete (2014). LitNet Akademies, 16(1):145-165.
The original publication is available at https://www.litnet.co.za
The original publication is available at https://www.litnet.co.za
Keywords
Krog, Antjie -- Medewete -- Criticism and interpretation, Krog, Antjie -- Synapse -- Criticism and interpretation, Afrikaans poetry -- Criticism and interpretation, Interconnectedness, Ubuntu (Philosophy)
Citation
Voges, R. 2019. Antjie Krog, gemeenskaplikheid en die behoefte aan interverbondenheid in Mede-wete (2014). LitNet Akademies, 16(1):145-165.