An internationally known author spoke Thursday about growing up under apartheid and the world’s common humanity during an on-campus lecture.
Books by Mathabane
1986 — “Kaffir Boy”
1989 — “Kaffir Boy in America”
1992 — “Love in Black and White”
1994 — “African Women: Three Generations”
2000 — “Miriam’s Song”
2011 — “Ubuntu”
Mark Mathabane, author of the autobiography “Kaffir Boy” and its sequel “Kaffir Boy in America,” delivered the lecture and described how he survived growing up in South Africa’s toughest ghettos through a belief in education and love.
Mathabane’s mother is his greatest teacher and the person who first inspired him to believe in the common humanity, he said
“I had many teachers in life, but you are the best because you taught me how to survive with my soul intact,” Mathabane said.
Mathabane said his mother encouraged his education and allowed him to move from hatred to understanding to love.
“She loved me unconditionally,” he said. “She loved dad and my five sisters and brothers unconditionally. She loved white people unconditionally. She loved the universe unconditionally.”
Mathabane found meaning in life when he denounced hatred and adopted love as his faith, he said. Our common humanity and love is what makes us great humans, he said.
“Earth. It’s not even a planet. It is a heart,” Mathabane said. “In it we live as an extended family.”
Mathabane said that he believed that the common humanity of man, forgiveness and love are the true powers that make a better world.
“It is my hope we will become the disciples of love,” Mathabane said.
After his lecture, Mathabane answered questions from event organizer Jidlaph Kamoche and the audience.
Mathabane’s most popular lecture topics include the importance of education, our common humanity, teaching tolerance, the importance of promoting human rights and racial justice and preparing students for a global future, according to his website.
The OU History Department sponsored the lecture, and African history professor Kamoche said Mathabane’s subject matter makes him a perfect lecturer on the subject of apartheid.
“A lot of people don’t understand what the apartheid was about,” Kamoche said. “Most of us who study and teach South African history rely on ‘Kaffir Boy’ material.”
Mathabane has spoken at more than 70 colleges and universities in the U.S., according to his website.
Over 80 individuals attended the event at OU. Kamoche said his African studies students were among the audience. Kamoche’s class has been reading Mathabane’s autobiography and its sequel.
“I am delighted to have him on our campus for the first time to share his unique and fascinating life story with our students, faculty and the community at large,” Kamoche said.
Mathabane was nominated Speaker of the Year by the National Association of Campus Activities and has appeared on talk shows including Oprah, Larry King, National Public Radio and CNN, according to his website.
