Tasks and challenges facing the indigenous literatures in Southern Africa

Abstract

In this article the development of African literatures to date is highlighted, using Xhosa literature as an example since this development has been fairly similar for all African literatures. In the article, I stress the task of African literature and the challenges this literature has faced since the beginning of the century. After reviewing the progress, I conclude that the post-apartheid era we are now entering, will make fresh demands on authors to reflect both the apartheid era and the post-apartheid world views as objectively as possible to avoid allowing the literature to degenerate into flagrant propaganda.