The pretext of identity crisis in Post-Colonial Africa : a study of selected Novels of Kopano Matlwa

Abstract

This study has sought to explore the pretexts of identity crisis in post-colonial (South) Africa through the prism of Kopano Matlwa`s novels. It has used a qualitative research design to dissect the pretext of identity crisis in post-colonial (South) Africa unveiled in Matlwa’s novels through a textual analysis approach. The literature review section centred on the following themes: identity, colonialism and colonisation, pre-colonial, post-colonial, African, feminism, womanism, and Afrocentricity. Moreover, the findings from Matlwa’s novels revealed that the African-born free generation can resolve this identity crisis by reclaiming their roots and identity, and by going back into their past to identify with their African culture and traditions, where their roots come from which are linked to the African names and surnames. The majority of the characteristics in these novels are influenced by Western stereotypes and behaviours, and this resulted in a crisis as the African identity becomes left behind if not following, mimicking and experiencing a hybrid western identity.