ABSTRACT
[Draw your reader in with an engaging abstract. It is
typically a short summary of the document. When
you’re ready to add your content, just click here and
start typing.]
unisa
[Course title]
ENG2611
ASSIGNMENT 3
2025
Due 2025
, 3 ESSAYS PROVIDED
Cultural Identity and Diversity in Zakes Mda’s The Heart of Redness
Zakes Mda’s The Heart of Redness is a richly layered South African novel that
explores themes of diversity through the lens of post-apartheid identity, cultural
conflict, and social transformation. Set in the fictional Eastern Cape village of Qolorha-
by-Sea, the novel juxtaposes the historical Cattle-Killing Movement of 1856 with
contemporary tensions between tradition and modernity. This essay will explore how
Mda addresses the theme of cultural identity as a form of diversity, using literary and
linguistic features to show the complexities of belonging, tradition, and change in post-
apartheid South Africa. By analysing the novel’s structure, language, and visual
symbolism, I will show how the theme of cultural identity emerges and how it has
deepened my understanding of South Africa’s diverse social fabric.
One of the central themes in The Heart of Redness is cultural diversity and how it
intersects with South African history. The novel explores the historical division between
the ―Believers‖ and ―Unbelievers‖ during the Cattle-Killing Movement and mirrors this
conflict in modern times through disputes about land use and development. The
villagers are divided between those who want to preserve traditional ways of life and
those who seek progress through tourism and commercial ventures. This contrast
symbolises the broader cultural diversity of South Africa, where people still negotiate
the meaning of heritage in the face of modern pressures. Mda does not present one
side as correct; instead, he allows readers to see the validity and limitations of both.
Through this thematic portrayal, the novel presents a nuanced picture of diversity that
is not only racial or linguistic but also ideological and generational.
Within this broader theme, cultural identity stands out as a specific focus. In post-
apartheid South Africa, where people are encouraged to reclaim and redefine their
identities, Mda raises critical questions: What does it mean to be Xhosa today? How
should traditional customs evolve, and who has the authority to define them? The
character of Camagu, who returns to South Africa after years in exile, embodies this
struggle. As someone caught between modernity and tradition, Camagu represents
many South Africans who feel culturally disconnected due to colonialism or migration.
His journey toward understanding the people of Qolorha mirrors the
[Draw your reader in with an engaging abstract. It is
typically a short summary of the document. When
you’re ready to add your content, just click here and
start typing.]
unisa
[Course title]
ENG2611
ASSIGNMENT 3
2025
Due 2025
, 3 ESSAYS PROVIDED
Cultural Identity and Diversity in Zakes Mda’s The Heart of Redness
Zakes Mda’s The Heart of Redness is a richly layered South African novel that
explores themes of diversity through the lens of post-apartheid identity, cultural
conflict, and social transformation. Set in the fictional Eastern Cape village of Qolorha-
by-Sea, the novel juxtaposes the historical Cattle-Killing Movement of 1856 with
contemporary tensions between tradition and modernity. This essay will explore how
Mda addresses the theme of cultural identity as a form of diversity, using literary and
linguistic features to show the complexities of belonging, tradition, and change in post-
apartheid South Africa. By analysing the novel’s structure, language, and visual
symbolism, I will show how the theme of cultural identity emerges and how it has
deepened my understanding of South Africa’s diverse social fabric.
One of the central themes in The Heart of Redness is cultural diversity and how it
intersects with South African history. The novel explores the historical division between
the ―Believers‖ and ―Unbelievers‖ during the Cattle-Killing Movement and mirrors this
conflict in modern times through disputes about land use and development. The
villagers are divided between those who want to preserve traditional ways of life and
those who seek progress through tourism and commercial ventures. This contrast
symbolises the broader cultural diversity of South Africa, where people still negotiate
the meaning of heritage in the face of modern pressures. Mda does not present one
side as correct; instead, he allows readers to see the validity and limitations of both.
Through this thematic portrayal, the novel presents a nuanced picture of diversity that
is not only racial or linguistic but also ideological and generational.
Within this broader theme, cultural identity stands out as a specific focus. In post-
apartheid South Africa, where people are encouraged to reclaim and redefine their
identities, Mda raises critical questions: What does it mean to be Xhosa today? How
should traditional customs evolve, and who has the authority to define them? The
character of Camagu, who returns to South Africa after years in exile, embodies this
struggle. As someone caught between modernity and tradition, Camagu represents
many South Africans who feel culturally disconnected due to colonialism or migration.
His journey toward understanding the people of Qolorha mirrors the
