Post-Apartheid IsiXhosa Written Poetry’s Commentary on the Neoliberal Policies of the Democratic South Africa

Abstract

This interdisciplinary article analyses and interprets selected isiXhosa written poetry texts published during the post-apartheid era. The texts are contextualised in order to expose the poets’ concerns about: the influx to South Africa, after 1994, of American and European companies and industries; the increase of foreign “financial aid,” which makes the country permanently indebted and dependant; foreign dependence of South Africans who have abandoned the traditional economic activities like agriculture and co-operatives; concern for materialism and consumerism, which have led to lack of ethics, Africanism, and Afrocentrism values; and the abandonment of the socialist programme, which promised upliftment of the poor and was substituted with a neoliberal programme due to foreign influence. A call is made by the poets for Afrocentrism and sustainable development of South Africa. The poets warn that failure to confront the challenges by the self-centred elitist leadership may result in the resumption of a second revolution. The study, which employs a general Marxist approach, therefore, goes beyond text-based exegesis as selected texts are examined against the background of international geopolitics. This methodology locates the texts within the framework of their context, analysing and interpreting them to expose the post-apartheid poets’ commentary on the neoliberal strategy led by America, which, scholars argue, is directed towards the Global South. The liberal democratic model promoted in South Africa by the above-mentioned country, which was adopted by the African National Congress-led South African government, according to the poets, raises grave concerns as it provides political freedom that is devoid of economic freedom.