Morero wa poletiki mo diterameng tsa Setswana tse di phasaladitsweng pele le morago ga 1994

Abstract

The theme of politics has been popular among authors of African language literary works in the past years. In Setswana literature authors often explore this theme in dramas. Among those scholars who have discussed political themes in Setswana dramas are K.Mogapi (1985) and J.S.Shole (1988). The aim of this dissertation is to analyze politics in Setswana dramatic works. This mini-dissertation uses three concepts, namely defininition, interpretation and classification in its analysis of Setswana dramas. Furthermore, this dissertation has selected an adapted narratological model, which stresses topic as highly significant in understanding the content level of a text, as it links the events of the content coherently. This model also highlights theme as the most important aspect of the compositional level, as it links the events of the plot. The adapted narratological models also emphasises atmosphere when discussing style. These three levels are important when discussing politics in Setswana drama. Because this research investigates political drama, a few concepts such as politics and society, politics and democracy, and politics and literature are explained. The main aim of this dissertation is to analyze politics in Setswana dramatic works. This mini-dissertation discusses the theme of politics in Setswana drama according to three selected periods, namely (a) the period 1930-1993, which is represented by the drama MotswaseleII (1945) by L.D.Raditladi, (b) the period 1994-1995, which is represented by the drama Kaine le Abele (1995) by G.Mokae and (c) the period 1996-2002, which is represented by the drama Diterama tsa ga Zakes Mda (2002) translated into Setswana by P.M.Sebate. The results of the investigation can be summarized as follows: During the period 1930-1993, authors tend to write about traditional politics, that is, chieftainship, which is passed on by birthright. In his drama MotswaseleII, Raditladi uses a number of techniques in the development of his message of looking down upon traditional governance or leadership. During the period 1994-1995, which is represented by the drama Kaine le Abele, Setswana drama deals with modern or contemporary politics, and tends to show or depict the cruelty of the then apartheid South African government. While examining the period 1996-2002, which is represented by a collection of dramas by Mda, three short dramas were selected. In the drama ‘Re tla opelela lefatshe la borrarona’, prominent techniques are rhetoric question, motif, flashback and contrast. At the plot level of the drama ‘Mantswe a lefifi a a lela’, Mda deployed several prominent techniques to further the development of the theme of politics in his text, but this dissertation has selected only two main techniques, which are tragedy and ellision. In the drama ‘Tsela’, the author has used a number of techniques, but this dissertation has selected two pronounced techniques, which are complication of events and symbolism. Lastly, the findings of this research demonstrate the usefulness of the classification of Setswana political dramas, written up to now, according to three periods, namely (a) the period 1930-1993, (b) the period 1994-1995, and (c) the period 1996-2002.