Border Literature is a genre that emerged in South Africa, gaining prominence between roughly 1980 and 2010. It reflects the experiences of white South Africans grappling with their involvement in the South African border wars from 1970 to 1990. As a conscript during this period and now an author, I share my personal experiences through this genre. Some scholars interpret these works as an attempt by white South Africans to either apologise for or absolve themselves of guilt. I do neither. I simply tell the stories that live in my mind. This is my way of processing a difficult chapter in my life.

In the Military section of this blog, you'll find a few articles within this genre. Additionally, there are two pieces in the Afrikaans section, also part of Border Literature: En Ekke vir Jou and Stoffie. These are written in Afrikaans because the cultural and idiomatic nuances are best captured in the language.

— JFB

Nooit, Corporal!

J. Francois Barnard – October 2016

After my first year in the South African Army, I was well-versed in Army Lingo. My first language is Afrikaans. But having been in an English church since my tenth birthday, I could manage myself well in English, too. Add to that the Army Fanagalo and a little bit of an English accent, and you can even fool a hardened Red Neck from Bez Valley.

In the canteen, I overheard a conversation amongst my English-speaking comrades. They were disgusted with how unfair life in the Army was and how a specific Afrikaans NCO messed them around.

“That bloody Rock Spider!” one exclaimed.

The others agreed. The staff sergeant was a Rock Spider. Then, another one would join in to belittle the man behind his back, and this carried on for some time.

I attended the Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool, and on the other side of the railway line was the Pretoria Boys High School. Some were friends, and some were foes. Some called me a Rock Spider as I rode my bike home.

military02Sometimes, skirmishes would occur, but never too serious. So, by the time I was standing in that canteen, I was mildly amused by this conversation.

“Rock Spider, you say?” As if I did not understand.

“Yes, Corporal, Afrikaner to the core. I cannot stand him!”

“So if I tell you that I am an Afrikaner, you will call me a Rock Spider too?”

They were all stunned into silence.

“Nooit*, Corporal! You are not Afrikaans-speaking!”

I laughed and turned around.

“Bloody Red Necks!”

 

*Nooit – Afrikaans for “Never”