The autobiography of an unknown South African
About this book
The Autobiography of an Unknown South African by Naboth Mokgatle offers a detailed and rich narrative of the author's life and his tribal roots, providing a vivid glimpse into the customs, traditions, and history of the Bafokeng people of South Africa. Mokgatle begins with his family history, recounting the circumstances of his birth in 1911 in Phokeng, a tribal village in the Rustenburg district of the Transvaal Province. He describes the complex dynamics of his family, shaped by both African traditions and the influence of Christianity, which often created tension in their practices. The narrative reveals the traditional African values of marriage, gender roles, and the discipline instilled in children, highlighting how his father's strict yet caring nature governed their upbringing. Through anecdotes about his siblings and the unique family circumstances, Mokgatle intertwines personal stories with broader cultural themes, demonstrating how tribal laws and Christian beliefs shaped his family's life and the society they inhabited. The book also delves into the historical and cultural legacy of Mokgatle's Bafokeng tribe, tracing their migration from Lesotho to Botswana and eventually to the Transvaal. The tribe's identity, symbolized by the crocodile, is intricately tied to their customs, including circumcision, marriage traditions, and communal living. Mokgatle recounts how the tribe split into three sections due to a dispute over chieftainship, leading to the formation of independent clans that still maintained cultural ties and a shared identity. Through vivid descriptions of agricultural practices, food preparation, and the artistry of pottery, Mokgatle portrays a self-sufficient community deeply connected to the land and its resources. He also reflects on the impact of European influence and Christianity on the tribe, which introduced both modern conveniences and challenges to traditional ways of life. This autobiography stands as both a personal memoir and a
Reader Profile
3.9/5 · 10 readers · 349 pages · ≈ 6 h 28 m · Moderate
How long does it take to read The autobiography of an unknown South African?
About ≈ 6 h 28 m — 349 pages, assuming roughly 250 words per page at 225 words per minute.
How many pages is The autobiography of an unknown South African?
349 pages in its most-read edition.
What genre is The autobiography of an unknown South African?
It sits on the Biography & Memoir shelves.
Is The autobiography of an unknown South African in the public domain?
No — it is still under copyright.
Who wrote The autobiography of an unknown South African?
Naboth Mokgatle (1911–1985).