WE WILL BE HEARD: A South African Exile Remembers

by Bojana Vuyisile Jordan ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 1986

The autobiography of a South African who left Africa in 1965 to come to America. He gives us some insight into the apartheid system and some understanding of the day-to-day life of the South African. There is a good picture of the African village, family and community life in the author's descriptions of his childhood. In retrospect, it seems almost a paradisical period. The Bantu education system is discussed at length, and the writer stresses his belief in the importance of training the youth to be patriots. He was once instructed by his first potential employer to keep African politics out of the classroom. Refusing to do this, he decamped and rejected another offer from the chastened principal who was now willing to hire him if he would keep political discussion within bounds. Jordan again refused a position which he believed would have meant a betrayal of his dream of a new Africa. Although earnest, the book lacks a certain fire that one has come to associate with the genre. It is curiously flat, though the author's sincerity is obvious and his recreation of his early life interesting. But overall, it's a bit underwhelming and sometimes pedantic. Whites may deserve Jordan's chastisement, but it becomes tiresome.

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1986

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Quinlan (131 Beverly St., Boston, MA 02114)

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 1986

Categories: NONFICTION