Is "Kaffir Boy" Worth Reading?

Kaffir Boy is in many ways a great piece of literature.  An autobiography by Mark Marthabane, it effectively shows the harsh realities of growing up as a “Kaffir boy” subjected to a life of misery due to the sinister laws known as apartheid in South Africa.  What makes this novel so effective, aside from the vivid, descriptive text and authentic storytelling, is that Mathabane is able to capture and keep the reader’s interest throughout the novel.  He makes it exciting to read and hard to put down.  By keeping the story interesting and faithful, he is able to deliver to the readers a lucid painting of the cold truths of what really happened to the blacks under apartheid.

Many of today’s American youth have never even heard of apartheid.  This story is a great way to educate them about it.  Being a true story, it paints an accurate depiction of the ghettos black lived in while the whites lived in luxury.  It shows in much detail the violent acts of murder performed by the tsotsis, as well as the vile child prostitution.  Also seen are the merciless police raids and the government crackdowns on innocent protesters.  Mathabane, unique for his vast success at school and playing tennis, comes to learn that although there are many cruel white people treating black people below that of slaves, there are also white people who were friendly and were against apartheid and segregation laws.  He befriends several white people, who help him to become a better, more educated person headed for success and likely to make a difference.  Famous tennis players even choose to sponsor him, and despite his failures, he manages to keep going.  He joins the rebellion against apartheid, along with many other black people.  Mathabane’s story is one that is inspirational, informative, and entertaining all together at once.  One should without a doubt read it.